|
|
|
|
EAGLE UPDATES
|
|
|
I pray everyone is able to enjoy a Happy Thanksgiving this month, and enjoy preparing for the Christmas season. I have a lot to be thankful for this year, from new opportunities and experiences, to a healthy family. It is easy to be thankful for the good things in life, God often blesses us through our struggles, and those are not always so easy to be thankful for. This Thanksgiving, I am going to strive to thank God for the good, and the difficult things that have been brought into my life. I pray everyone stays safe and healthy this Thanksgiving, and the coming Christmas Season.
|
|
|
|
December Events:
|
12/5 - Christmas Craft Day (12/12 weather date)
|
|
12/5 - NEST Christmas Movie Night
|
|
12/8 - Student Council Christmas Party
|
|
12/11 - Christmas Concert (12/18 weather date)
|
|
12/22-1/5 - Christmas Break (No School)
|
Save the Dates:
|
1/9 - NEST Family Game Night
|
|
1/25 - Lutheran School Week Service
|
Past Events:
10/31 - Grandparents Day, Grandparents day was a great success. The expanded program was a hit with our guests. Thank you to our Grandparent’s Day committee. Next year we hope to have a similar program, but in September.
|
11/3-7 - ILEARN Checkpoint 1, All students completed their ILEARN Checkpoint 1, results were available from the IDOE very quickly this year. Checkpoint 2 will be in January.
|
11/7, 17-21 - Operation Christmas Child Kick Off and collection, We had a school-wide assembly in the gym to kickoff Operation Christmas Child. All students were told to get permission from home BEFORE taking a box home to fill. Boxes were to be turned in by 11/21.
|
11/11 - Veterans Day, Grades 5-8 had the opportunity to attend a Veterans' Day presentation at the civic auditorium.
|
11/13 - Eagle Treat Day, This month the students were treated to cookies from Al’s Bakery. Al’s donated the cookies, and all students had the opportunity to have a cookie. We also collected $1 from our Eagles that wanted to wear a hat during the school day. The money collected will go towards our chapel offering this month, Operation Christmas Child.
|
|
|
|
|
|
November 30 (first Sunday in Advent)
|
-
|
6 pm/8 am-Worship service (in the Church)
|
-
|
9:30 am-Connect service (in the Cafeteria)
|
-
|
6 pm/8 am-Worship service
|
-
-
|
6 pm/8 am-Worship service
|
-
-
|
6 pm/8 am-Worship service
|
-
December 24 (Christmas Eve)
|
-
|
4 pm & 9 pm- Service of lessons and carols
|
December 25 (Christmas Day)
|
-
|
10 am- Festival of the Nativity of Our Lord
|
-
|
6 pm/8 am-Worship service
|
-
Advent at St. John’s
|
All are invited to join for worship this Advent season! On Sundays Pastor Albers will be preaching on the narratives of the nativity. Liturgical worship services are held on Saturdays at 6pm and Sundays at 8am in the church and the Connect worship service is held on Sundays at 9:30am in the school cafeteria.
|
|
On Wednesday nights at 6:00pm (December 3rd, 10th and 17th) we will have shortened evening Advent worship services. This will be a time to sing Advent hymns and carols and hear the reading and preaching of the Christmas nativity.
|
|
|
|
The Eagles Volleyball team has wrapped up its season with a victory due to a forfeit by the Lions. Miss Stelter is still waiting on a couple girls to turn in their uniform shirts.
|
|
As of this writing, permission slips are being collected for the upcoming basketball season. We are hoping to have four teams this year: 2 boys teams and 2 girls teams, a younger and older team for each. It all depends on the number of participants that hand in their permission slips.
|
|
Once I have the numbers I am hoping to meet with coaches and to start practices after Thanksgiving break. The games will most likely not start until after the Christmas/New Years break.
|
|
|
|
***Our next NEST meeting is Wednesday, December 17th at 4:00pm***
|
|
We are very thankful for the parents, teachers, and staff who have been involved in NEST this year. We have had wonderful meetings each month filled with sharing ideas, active engagement, and working together to improve our school community. We love to see new faces at NEST meetings and we hope you will join us!! NEST meetings typically take place the 3rd Wednesday of every month at 4:00 pm. We are working to set-up a Zoom link if you would like to join us remotely.
|
|
Get ready for an upcoming Movie Night in December, Family Game Night in January, and a Sock Hop Dance in February!
|
|
**Be on the look-out for upcoming volunteer opportunities! Please reach out, if you would be willing to help.
|
|
|
|
The Student Council has been busy serving our school and community this month. They helped make Grandparent's Day special by handing out carnations to all the grandparents in attendance.
|
|
November 17, Council members will ring the Salvation Army bell at the LaPorte Walmart for two hours while singing Christmas carols to spread holiday cheer. On November 19 they will assist Mrs. Foglesong in preparing for the Operation Christmas Child packing party. Then, on Friday, November 21st they will help the first graders pack boxes, supporting this important outreach project.
|
|
The Student Council continues to show leadership, compassion, and dedication in all they do. They will be rewarded for their service with a Christmas party after school on December 8th!
|
|
|
10 Tips for Winter Break with Upper Elementary and Middle School Learners
|
By Kathleen Brigham and Kat Ressa for The Tutoring League of New York
|
|
The winter holiday break offers a delightful opportunity for you and your family to relax and share quality moments, but it’ll be over sooner than you realize! The foundation of children’s school success lies at home, and even small steps can significantly impact your child’s school experience. To ensure a smooth transition back to school after the New Year and keep your upper-elementary or middle school child’s skills sharp, consider the following tips:
|
1. Establish a Realistic Routine and Plan Ahead
|
While it’s great to let go of structure, deviating too much from your usual routine can lead to a challenging adjustment when returning to the regular schedule. Maintain some consistency, especially with mealtimes and bedtimes. Even though it’s tempting to allow your kids to stay up late and sleep in, sticking to a routine helps. Use a calendar to schedule activities.
|
2. Make the Most of Unstructured Time
|
Create a list of activities for your kids to engage in during unsupervised periods, such as when you’re working. This ensures that they have productive and enjoyable ways to spend their time.
|
3. Prioritize Fun During the Winter Break
|
School breaks are an excellent opportunity for families to reconnect and make lasting memories. Plan a variety of activities that cater to everyone’s interests, including outdoor adventures and indoor activities. Involving all family members in the planning process ensures that everyone feels included and excited about the upcoming activities.
|
4. Encourage Reading for Pleasure
|
Take advantage of this time to explore your child’s interests through reading. Whether it’s holiday stories or the latest release from their favorite series, winter break is perfect for reading for enjoyment! Encourage relatives to give books as holiday gifts and consider family reading sessions in front of the fireplace.
|
5. Check In With Your Child and Acknowledge Their Efforts
|
As the first half of the school year concludes, have a conversation with your child about their experiences. Discuss their favorite and challenging subjects, the effectiveness of any school accommodations, their social interactions, achievements, and goals for the upcoming year. Acknowledge their hard work and celebrate their accomplishments.
|
|
Winter break is also a great time for parents to evaluate what has and has not been working at home. As shorter days and longer seeming nights set in, remember, effective communication is key. Instead of hijacking cookie-making moments, plan a dedicated time together to address any challenges. When you are ready to tackle school and study routines, setting a timer, turning on some music, and involving your child in organizing or planning can make interactions around such topics more engaging, especially for middle school-aged children. Here are some areas to think about:
|
6. Study Space
|
Assess whether the current study area is conducive to productivity. Is your child working at the kitchen island or in their room? If it doesn’t seem to be working, agree to switch it up after the break and try a different space.
|
7. Organization Within Study Spaces
|
Ensure that study materials are easily accessible. Are scrap paper, pencils, and other study items easy to find? What about that backpack? Or that dreaded accordion folder…is it stuffed to the gills?
|
|
For many students who worry about needing items, we suggest putting old papers and materials in a folder and placing the material in a closet. We tell students that they can keep things there until the end of the year. Nine times out of ten students never go back to those folders but it does help ease the stress of “but what if I need that?”
|
8. Establish or Reaffirm Routines
|
Reflect on daily schedules and address any recurring issues, such as being late for school. Approach these discussions with a collaborative mindset, seeking input and ideas from your child for solutions. For instance, if your child is late for school every day, winter break is a good time to bring up that conversation.” I’ve noticed that we are running late for school every day. Do you have some ideas about how we might do that differently after the winter break?”
|
|
Then use the menu approach and ask any of the following:
|
|
“Do you think it might help to get up five minutes earlier?”
|
|
“Could you pack your things for school the night before?”
|
|
“Could you create a getting-to-school playlist, knowing that when that playlist ends, we’ve got to leave?”
|
|
Giving them options makes them feel as if they’re a part of the solution and encourages independence.
|
9. Determine Non-negotiables
|
Set essential rules and expectations together as a family. These might include a post-school check-in to help manage the workload efficiently, implementing no-phone study time, and restricting phone usage overnight. Introducing these ideas over a break gives your child time to prepare (and, yes, to complain!) before it is implemented.
|
10. Use Positive Reinforcement
|
Don’t forget the good stuff!! Use the break to highlight and appreciate improvements. Acknowledge your child’s organizational skills, time management, and positive changes. Let them know specifically what you are proud of and what improvements and changes you see. Especially make sure to highlight where you see them being independent. “I just want to let you know how different it is this year from last year. Your desk is so much more organized,” or “you are getting out the door on time on a much more regular basis.” Or “ I’m really happy to see that you’re putting aside your phone while you study.”
|
|
By focusing on these tips during the upcoming school vacation, parents can engage in important observations and conversations that allow time and space for reflection and change. But don’t forget, making cookies, completing a craft together or simply taking a family hike can do wonders to set the course for success at school this winter. So, enjoy the holiday season even as you plan ahead for the New Year!
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
