mid-December

Issue 6 December 9, 2010

Upper Grades Intramural Volleyball Ends

The first place Chihuahuas played the fourth place Tigers today at noon in a best-of-three match. In the stunning upset, the Chihuahuas lost, after nearly going through the season undefeated. Meanwhile, the second and third placed Warriors and Ra iders fought to a game apiece. They will play their deciding game, next week Tuesday at 12:45, with the winners of that match going up against the Tigers in the Finals, immediately after that game. What an exciting finish.

Small World Learning Center – Christmas Schedule

Some parents have been asking about childcare over the Christmas break. The Small World Learning Center is open for business many of the vacation days. If you are interested in this service, check out the calendar at our website for a complete schedule or go to their webpage (listed under the class tab in our webpage). The cost for this service runs at $35 per day.

Cognitive Genesis Report…

We have long known the spiritual benefits of having children in our church schools, but recently studies regarding the academic benefits of Adventist Education continue to heat up major news magazines across the country. Over the past several weeks Elissa Kido, one of the Cognitive Genesis research team leaders, has been quoted in the LA Times and in the Christian Science Monitor. In both magazine articles, Kido cites the finding that, “students at Adventist schools outperform their peers at the national average in every subject average” regardless of socioeconomic background…

If you would like to read either of the articles, they are at: http://opinion.latimes.com/opinionla/2010/11/the-conversation-pursuing-successful-education-reform-might-mean-going-the-way-of-adventists.html or http://www.csmonitor.com/Commentary/Opinion/K4_Import/For-real-education-reform-take-a-cue-from-the-Adventists.

Christmas Program…

Our annual Christmas program (December 16) prominently features pre-K through 6^th grade students, although our other music groups will figure in to a lesser degree.

As have our other elementary programs, this one will start at 6:30pm. All students along with parents, grandparents and supporters of students of all ages are invited to come on out for a traditional heartwarming, small-school Christmas program.

Muffin Mondays…

Costco Muffins… every Monday... 75¢ each.

Basketball…

We have coaches for three teams, and will start practices this coming week. 8^th through 10^th grade girls and boys are welcome to try-out for Varsity teams this coming Monday from 3:30 to 5:30. Boys coach is Glen Wilson and Girls coach is Tim Fox.

Grades 5 through 8 boys practice is on Tuesday, from 3:30 to 5:00pm. This team is also being coached by Tim Fox.

8^th grade boys may try out for Varsity, but should go to both sets of practice until the Varsity team is selected.

Individuals who might be interested in coaching Middle School girls or (grades 1-4) boys or girls, contact Mr. O.

Journey to Bethlehem…

Looking for something to do this Friday or Sabbath evening? The Hermiston Seventh-day Adventist Church is hosting a journey to Bethlehem extravaganza this coming weekend. The walkthrough takes about 20 minutes and it begins with various musical presentations. On Saturday evening, our own Columbia Basin Ringers will be providing the music (from 5:00 to 6:00). No reservations are needed; just show up at 855 West Highland Ave. Hermiston, OR.

Monday Night Badminton…

Drop in Badminton… at our gym. Monday evenings from 7-9pm, starting December 13. $2 drop-in fee.

Wolfpack Hockey…

Quite a few students have been asking about Wolfpack Hockey. Walla Walla University’s team plays this Saturday night in Tri-Cities at the TRAC at 9:30 against CBC. CBC is the home team and they charge $4 for students, $6 for adults and the game is free for those 5 and under.

Diaper Drive…

So far, we have 1,905 diapers. At 25 cents apiece, that comes out to $476 worth. Help us double that in one day. The Drive ends on December 10.

December

10 Diaper Drive wraps up

10 Grades 9 & 10 Bake Sale (starts at 11:45)

13 Muffin Monday

13 Varsity Basketball Tryouts (boys and girls)

14 MS boys Basketball Practice

16 Spanish 1 & 2 class – out to lunch (3 Margaritas)
16 Christmas Program (6:30)

20-31 Christmas Break

21 SWLC Christmas Program (6:00)

Webpage / Grading Program… check it out…

Go online to http://tcja.org and follow the links to access the TCJA archived and current newsletter, calendar, handbook – everything.

Comprehensive Fundraiser…

Get in on discount card sales as a way to raise funds for your class or music trips. Students can pick up discount cards at the office. Cards sell for $15. Students can raise enough to cover all dues for all programs.

Click here to access Archived Newsletters

Almost Break-time

Issue 5 December 2, 2010

Bake Sales

December 3, the grades 1 & 2 class will be selling cookies for 25¢ apiece.. All proceeds go to their ADRA campaign.
December 10, the grades 9 & 10 class will be selling a variety of baked goods at a variety of prices. Proceeds from this sale are to bolster class funds.
Both sales will begin at the elementary lunch period. Parents are invited to drop by and get in on the sales.

Small World Learning Center – Grand Opening

We have looked long for this day, and it is finally here. Though the daycare has been open and operating well since October, we are now finally ready for the grand opening celebration. Come out on December 7 from 3:30 to 7:00pm to participate in the ribbon cutting ceremony (appx 4:15). There will be a few speeches, many pictures, and refreshments served. We are expecting dignitaries from the Tri-Cities, the Pasco Chamber of Commerce, and local news teams to be covering the event, so we are especially hoping for a decent turnout of our constituents. Thank-you for all the support in past. Please help us one more time.

Snow Daze

If we must delay school, or if we are closing, we will follow the lead of the Pasco School District. Parents are able to see us listed on KNDU, KEPR, or KVEW TV. They may also hear our radio posting at KONA AM 610 or FM 105.3. The news will also be posted on our webpage (the calendar and the homepage events posting), and it will be on our answering machine. If we delay, we will begin at 10:00am. There will be no zero hour classes.
Another, perhaps better, way to get information about closures or delays, is to sign up at snapgrades for student reports (go to our archive newsletter if you need more information on signing up). We will push an email to signed-up parents advising them of the action.

Christmas Program

Our annual Christmas program features pre-K through 6th grade students, although some older students may be involved. All students along with parents, grandparents and supporters of students of all ages are invited to come out to this Christmas variety program.

Past-due Athletic Dues…

A number of students asked for Costco Muffins (after we sold off the extra from the Tribute Breakfast) and we listened. Mondays only, we will be offering muffins for sale for 75¢ each. …first come, first served.

Past-due Athletic Dues…

Several of our students who participated in the first quarter sports programs have not yet taken care of their dues. If you still need to cover this, the rates are $75 for football, $75 for soccer, $100.00 for Middle School Volleyball and $150 for Varsity volleyball.

December

3 Grades 1 & 2 Cookie Sale (starts at 11:45)

6 Muffin Monday

6-10 Diaper Drive

7 Small World Learning Center Grand Opening (3:30-7:00)

10 Grades 9 & 10 Bake Sale (starts at 11:45)

13 Muffin Monday

16 Prekindergarten – 6 Christmas Program (6:30)

20-31 Christmas Break

SWLC closed Dec 23, 24, and 31)

21 SWLC Christmas Program (6:00)

…………………………………………………………..

Diaper Drive

December 6-10… check out archive newsletters for info…

Webpage / Grading Program… check it out…

Go online to http://tcja.org and follow the links to access the TCJA archived and current newsletter, calendar, handbook – everything.

Comprehensive Fundraiser…

Get in on discount card sales as a way to raise funds for your class or music trips. Students can pick up discount cards at the office. Cards sell for $15. Students can raise enough to cover all dues for all programs.

Click here to access Archived Newsletters

pre-Thanksgiving

Issue 4 November 18, 2010

New Directory…an Aid to Communication

A group of parents have gotten together to produce a directory for us. This would give everyone in the school contact information for all of the classes, allowing us to plan for activities or to get in touch a lot more easily. A letter was sent home detailing the process. Please get those back into us at the office so that we can facilitate the process. The deadline for responding is November 30.

Thanksgiving Break

This is a reminder that the school is closed on Monday the 22^nd. Our teachers will be away from campus for an in-service that will extend the Thanksgiving Break for our students. We are also closed from the 23^rd through the 26^th for Thanksgiving Break. Small World (our day care) will be open both Monday and Tuesday for those who might be looking for a couple days of child care. They, too, will be closed from the 24^th through the 26^th.

Grades 1 and 2 Class Thinks Global (again)…

Once again, our first and second graders (with their teacher’s push) have found a way to stretch Christmas giving. They are partnering with ADRA so that for every dollar they bring in, they will be matched by six (6) additional dollars. Last year with the match they had found, these charged-up youngsters changed the world by more than $4,681.39 and this year they have set their sights higher, still. For the teacher’s write-up on the project go to http://1and2news.blogspot.com/.

Basketball to Begin…

Boys and Girls Basketball will be starting up (pending interest) when we come back from the break. Middle School (grades 5-8) practices will run on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 3:30 to 4:30. Varsity (grades 8-10) practices are set for Mondays and Wednesdays from 3:30 to 5:00. To accommodate pathfinders, we will try to schedule games for Mondays, Tuesdays and Thursdays. We will not set any schedules, however, until we see what we have for interest. Basketball fees are $75 for Middle School and $100 for Varsity.

Past-due Athletic Dues…

A number of our students who participated in the first quarter sports programs have not yet taken care of their dues. If you still need to cover this, the rates are $75 for football, $75 for soccer, $100.00 for Middle School Volleyball and $150 for Varsity volleyball.