Keeping Busy

Issue 10 January 20, 2011

Breaking News

I am writing this newsletter from a hotel in Montreal, Quebec. As most of you know, I am here to meet with officials at the American Consulate, so that I could finally get my permanent immigration papers. I know that many of you have been especially praying for us during this time, and I want to thank-you for your prayers, and tell you that everything has gone well. I will be back at school Monday morning.

I find the technology amazing, however. I am several thousand miles away, and able to get this edition of The Dirt out on time… I suppose, it’s technology and friends, as we know the paper doesn’t run itself off. Am I right?

Church Service at Kennewick

We are presenting the worship service at Kennewick church this coming Sabbath. The service begins at 11:00, however, teachers would like the students to be there by 10:50. Participants include Kindergarten, grades 1-2, Grades 3-4 recorders, a brass quartet, the elementary choir, a saxophone quartet, Silvertones, & a bells chorus.

Mid-year Parent/Teacher Meetings

School dismisses at 1:00 on Wednesday to accommodate mid-year parent/teacher meeting for grades 1 through 8. These meetings give parents an opportunity to make sure that their children are on track to complete the school year in good standing, but are optional.

High School students have classes as normal until 3:15 and then basketball practice as normal. Some parents asked about high school mid-term markers, but they are just beginning a new semester. Unlike elementary classes, all of their grades from last semester are recorded and final.

Choir Clinic

Our music students will be leaving the school at 9:00am on Thursday. They will be engaged in activities through Sabbath morning, and then the main concert is Sabbath afternoon at 4:00pm. Students may ride home with their parents after that program, however, bus service will be provided back to TCJA.

UCC Winter Ski Fest – Last Minute Details

Students who are attending the UCC’s annual Winter Ski Festival will be leaving from the school at 3:00pm. Brenda Smith and Tim Atkins will be driving the students and overseeing them at Wenatchee. Students need to bring $10 (to help with travel costs), and a parent contact cell number to the school on Friday morning.

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January

21 Teachers… ITBS analysis (1:00-3:00)

21-23 UCC Winter Ski Fest 2011

22 all-school Church Service in Kennewick

26 Parent/Teacher meetings – grades 1-8

School dismisses at 1:00 for grades 1-8

27-29 UCC Choir Clinic (must qualify to attend)

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Muffin Mondays…

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

TCJABL
Team	GP	W	L	PF	PA	+/-	Pts
Wisconsin	2	2	0	48	26	22	4
Utah	2	1	1	44	32	12	2
Maine	2	1	1	34	44	-10	2
Indiana	2	0	2	28	52	-24	0

Vegetarian Foods - Outlet

Frozen Rolls: Wham, Corned Beef, Turkey

Also Frozen: Dinner Roasts, Leanies. Grillers

Cans: Big Franks, Scallops, Tender Bits, Fri-Chik, SwissSteak

(Ask for pricing. Prices vary according to specials at the time of ordering. Consumers pay or benefit accordingly.)

Giveaway…

I’ve been walking around Montreal, and I am incredibly impressed with the amount of history here. On Tuesday, I will give a hat away to the first student from grades 1-4 and another to the first student from grades 5 through 10 who can answer my Montreal trivia question (history). The main detail you will want to know is “Old Buildings.”

Half-done the Year

Issue 9 January 13, 2011

Third Quarter Begins with a Break

Remember that Monday is a holiday, set aside as a remembrance of the life of Martin Luther King, Jr. The first day of the new quarter, then, is Tuesday, January 18.

Church Service at Kennewick

Although a number of our students will be away for the UCC Ski Fest weekend in Wenatchee, we have decided to go ahead as scheduled and have our students and teachers lead out in the main church service at Kennewick. We would like as many students as are able to attend and participate in this opportunity to give back to one of the churches whose members support us so willingly.

First Basketball Games…

The girls travelled to Kahlotus yesterday for their first game. They were down early, 18-2, but came back to win the second half 12-10. The final score was Kahlotus 36, TCJA 16. Coach Tim Fox was very pleased with the girls resiliency after the early deficit. Both middle school and varsity boys play today at 3:30 and 5:00, respectively. We are adding games to the schedule daily. Check the Athletics tab at our webpage to stay on top of things.

This Week Only – Muffin Tuesday…

Muffin Monday is such a big hit that since there is no school on Monday, we’ll still have Muffins – Tuesday.

Small World Learning Center – Family Night

If you have never attended a family night at The Small World Learning Center, you have been missing out. While it is aimed at the families who have children in the program, it is also set up as a support network for grandparents, aunts and uncles, and others who are interested in meeting the staff and seeing what goes on there. The food is always wonderful and it is nice to sit and enjoy the company of the families who are engaged at the Learning Center. The next family fun night is scheduled for February 8. Mark your calendar and plan to attend.

TCJABL Standings
Team	GP	W	L	PF	PA	+/-	Pts
Maine	1	1	0	22	12	10	2
Wisconsin	1	1	0	16	14	2	2
Utah	1	0	1	14	16	-2	0
Indiana	1	0	1	12	22	-10	0

January

14 Ukrainian New Year’s Day

14 2^nd Quarter / 1^st Semester Ends

17 Martin Luther King, Jr. Day – no School

18 MS Bball game at Country Christian… 3:15

21 Teachers… ITBS analysis (1:00-3:00)

22 all-school Church Service in Kennewick

25 VG Bball game – host Kahlotus… 5:00pm

26 Parent/Teacher meetings – grades 1-8

School dismisses at 1:00 for grades 1-8

27-29 UCC Choir Clinic (must qualify to attend)

………………………………………………….

Muffin Mondays…

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

Vegetarian Foods - Outlet

Frozen Rolls: Wham, Corned Beef, Turkey

Also Frozen: Dinner Roasts, Leanies. Grillers

Cans: Big Franks, Scallops, Tender Bits, Fri-Chik, SwissSteak

Grades 1-8 Parent Teacher Conferences

January 26… 1:00pm for grades 1 through 8. Parent teacher conferences (2^nd Quarter report) will ensue. These conferences are optional, but present a good opportunity for mid-year reporting.

9^th and 10^th grade classes will run normal hours.

Giveaway…

I have a hat to give away to the first student who can tell me what Western Hockey team was the first to win Lord Stanley’s Cup, what team they defeated, and what year that happened.

...a New Year

Issue 8 January 6, 2011

Quarter / Semester Ends

Next Friday marks the end of the second quarter for 1^st through 8^th graders. All assignments are due in by that date. Friday is also the end of the first high school semester. All high school terminating classes (half-credit classes that end) will have final exams. The exam schedule for 9^th and 10^th grades is on the back page of this issue of The Dirt. There are no zero hour classes, Wednesday through Friday.

Basketball Begins

We have four different groups practicing basketball at the school. There are several games scheduled for each of the teams. To date, only a couple of games are scheduled for each of the teams, however more will be posted as dates are finalized. Practice times and schedules are posted on the TCJA website at the Athletics link.

Small World Learning Center – Family Night

If you have children in the daycare program, or if you have children who are between the ages of toddler and 12, and if you have an evening open, think about attending and participating in the Family night at the Small World Learning Center. The next family night is this coming Tuesday, the 11^th, from 6-7:30. Family nights always include plenty of food.

Vegetarian Foods - Outlet

If you are interested in purchasing some vegetarian foods through the school, we are prepared to share some relatively good deals with you. We do limit the number of items that we supply, however, we can get you as much of the following as you would like to purchase.

Frozen Rolls: Wham, Corned Beef, Turkey

Also Frozen: Dinner Roasts, Leanies. Grillers

Cans: Big Franks, Scallops, Tender Bits, Fri-Chik, SwissSteak

Grades 1-8 Parent Teacher Conferences

January 26, we will be letting out school at 1:00pm for grades 1 through 8 so that we can host parent-teacher meetings for the second quarter. This is really a mid-year reporting, and an excellent time for parents and teachers to connect regarding strategies for effectively picking up the performance into the second half.

9^th and 10^th grade classes will have just started a new semester, so those classes will continue through the day and parents of those students will not have meetings. Please watch for the form to come home to schedule appointments.

Special Schedule for Exam Week… January 12-14, 2011
	Wednesday	Thursday	Friday
	12-Jan	13-Jan	14-Jan
9:40	Worship	Worship	Worship
10:00	Physical Science	Bible	English
12:05	Lunch	Lunch	Lunch
12:30	12:30-2:30 Algebra	1S Kybrd - exam Rec Break	Choir - class
			1:00 Dismissal
1:30		Comp Ap - exam AY Kybrd - class Spanish - class
2:30	Band class Digi Photo	Bells - class NW Hist - class
3:15	Dismissal	Dismissal

January

6 Ukrainian Christmas Eve

11 Staff Meeting (3:30-5:00)

11 SWLC – Family Night (6:00)

12-14 HS Exams

12 V Girls BBall in Kahlotus (5:00)

13 MS Boys BBall at TCJA vs HCA (3:30)

13 V Boys BBall at TCJA vs HCA (5:00)

14 2^nd Quarter / 1^st Semester Ends

17 Martin Luther King, Jr. Day – no School

21 Teachers… ITBS analysis (1:00-3:00)

26 Parent/Teacher meetings – grades 1-8

School dismisses at 1:00 for grades 1-8

27-29 UCC Choir Clinic (must qualify to attend)

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Muffin Mondays…

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

Monday Night Badminton…

Drop in Badminton… at our gym. Monday evenings from 7-9pm, next one is January 10. $2 drop-in fee.

Giveaway…

I have a Quatchi hat to give away to the first first-grader or kindergartener who comes to my office and tells me what