Spring Blahs...

Issue 22 April 21, 2011

TCJA Tumbling Team Update

We have been practicing all year on Tuesday and Friday mornings, with the understanding that once we were into the fourth quarter we would add individual practices after school for the small groups. 9^th and 10^th graders need to pick up a couple of sessions to meet the time requirements for their HS credit, but all other students have the option to join those groups they would like. Girls Routine goes on Mondays, Boys Routine is Tuesdays. Minitramp Routine is on Wednesdays, and Mixed Duos is on Thursdays. All practices are from 3:30 to 4:15.

Facelifts for TCJA

We have been working on the daycare building for so long that we have only completed superficial (or as needed) repairs and maintenance at TCJA over the past few years. Now that Small World Learning Center is up and running, we are in a better position to concentrate on some of the items we would like to do here.

Our Building and Grounds Committee has some ideas that currently include:

· Building a new stage, storage and music facility

· Fencing in the rest of our playing fields

· Improving the soccer, football and softball fields

· Installing basketball backboards

· Installing new lights in the grades 1-6 rooms

· Putting down a new gym floor

· Putting in a track

· Renovating the Kitchen

· Other ideas… __________________

We would like to invite all of our stakeholders to get involved in the visioning process. This includes students, parents, grandparents and church members. We will start by running a texting campaign. Pick the project you like best from the list above, or pick one of your own. Then text “student”, “parent” or “other” and your choice to (509)591-5372. We’ll announce the top four in next week’s Dirt. We’ll also announce an open meeting for people who are interested in being involved in planning.

WWVA AcroKnights coming to Assembly

Last week we announced that the Walla Walla Valley Academy AcroKnights would be hosting our assembly at 10:00 a week from this Friday (on the 29^th). The time is changed to 10:40, and while the change doesn’t affect our students much, it might impact family and friends who might be planning to come out to watch the program, so please note the change.

April

23 HS SS Potluck lunch and Palouse falls trip - $6

25 Muffin Monday

25 TCJA Constituency Meeting

27 Class Pictures

29 WWVA AcroKnights / Assembly – 10:40

30 Band & Choir at Kennewick Church Service

May

1 Bloomsday

7 Spanish Class – lead pm worship at Kennewick

17 Track Meet @ Edgar Brown – 8:30-2:00

19 Spring Music Concert – 7:00pm

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Constituency Meeting

- “Owners” meeting… Monday, April 25, at 7:00pm.

- Voters are selected by the constituent churches, but all stakeholders (church members, parents of students, and students) are invited to come out and participate in school management.

- Larry Marsh (our Conference Education Superintendent) will be present and will be sharing a brief summary of the State of the Conference (with reference to education).

Track Meet

May 17. Start Practicing.

Student Feature - Mr. O’s pick

Ms. Birney was on her way into the school with an armload of books and Luke Knight ran out of his way to help her out, even though she hadn’t asked for the support. I am always excited when young people of their own volition display politeness, especially to adults besides their own teachers. Thank-you Luke. Come in and get a free muffin this coming Monday.

Registration Discount

The rate, up to $230, is still a substantial discount from the fall rate ($380). The next cut-off date is May 10.

This Week’s Giveaway

I have 2 new conditions for my prize giveaways…

1. Prize winners are to be students or teachers who have not claimed a prize off of me yet this year.

2. The contests begin Friday mornings at 8:20.

Esther picked up last week’s Orca Pen by reciting 1 Corinthians 13. This week is for girls only. I have three pairs of Freetoes to give to the first three girls (1-ES, 1-MS, 1-HS) who can recite a list of all of the US Presidents in order (ES [grs 1-3] can do the books of the Bible instead).

late entry

Issue 21 April 14, 2011

Constituency Meeting

This annual “owners” meeting will be taking place on Monday, April 25, at 7:00pm. While voters are selected by the constituent churches, all stakeholders (church members, parents of students, and students) are invited to come out to this informative.

WWVA AcroKnights coming to Assembly

On Friday, April 29, the Walla Walla Valley Academy AcroKnights will be hosting our Assembly. Mirroring the kinds of activities one might see at the circus, this fast paced program features a variety of gymnastics and power tumbling routines and is always a favorite performance to watch. The program will go down at 10:00, and parents or others in our school family who would like to attend are welcome to join us.

Intramurals Report

Our floor hockey intramurals is coming to a close. The games have been close in both leagues, and playoffs should be really interesting, especially if all of the players show up, as some players have not played every game because of back work or other commitments.

TCJAFHL (grades 7-10)

TEAM GP W L T PTS PF PA

Flames 4 4 0 0 8 38 10

Canucks 5 3 2 0 6 14 19

Oilers 5 2 3 0 4 14 26

Sharks 4 0 4 0 0 7 18

TCJAEFHL (grades 1-6)

TEAM GP W L T PTS PF PA

Huskies 4 2 0 2 6 5 1

Wolves 4 1 2 1 3 2 2

Cougars 4 1 2 1 3 1 5

Dream Big

What kind of improvements do you think we should make at TCJA. Text your suggestions to (509) 591-5372 or send them to office@tcja.org. Now that we have completed building the day care facility, we are starting to look at other things we can do to improve our school. We invite your input as the first stage of this process.

Library Books…

As we enter the last 7 weeks of the school year, it is time to begin with the housecleaning that attends the end of every year. It is time to bring back any library books that you might have out, and clean up your records.

April

17 Fun Run @ Jason Lee Elementary

17 Sergio & Quinell… Free Music Concert – 6:00pm

18 Staff Professional Growth Activity – No School

19 Muffin Monday (on Tuesday)

19 Small World – Family Night and Easter Program

20 Bells playing at UCC Office Meetings

25 TCJA Constituency Meeting

27 Class Pictures

30 Band & Choir at Kennewick Church Service

31 Bloomsday

May

17 Track Meet @ Edgar Brown – 8:30-2:00

19 Spring Music Concert – 7:00pm

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Track Meet

This year’s track meet is going to be on May 17. We would like to see some new records set, however, for that to happen, our students will need to have put in some practice time.

Student Feature - Mr. O’s pick

We have noticed that when the chairs are left out, you come along and push them back in so others aren’t inconvenienced. Also, your teacher says that you are very quick to help out in the classroom. So thank you Jillian Lopez for making a difference at TCJA. Come into the office at lunchtime on Tuesday for your free muffin.

Registration Discount

Although you may have missed the first deadline for early registration, it is not too late to still realize some savings. The next cut-off date is May 10. While the rate is up to $230, this is still a substantial discount from the fall rate… call the office for details.

This Week’s Giveaway

This week I am looking for the first student from each class who is able to recite an entire chapter of any of the books of the Bible written by Paul. I am not available to hear any recitals, however, until Friday morning, after 8:20.

Down the Stretch

Issue 20 April 7, 2011

UCA Band at TCJA to do Assembly Program

The UCA band will be doing an assembly for us tomorrow. Several of our former students are in the band, and we are excited to have them here. Parents are welcome to come out and take in the program. The Assembly will start at 10:30am.

Spanish Class Embraces Mission Project

The Spanish class has decided that they would like to take on a mission project this year, in support of Sergio’s father’s school in Tesopaco, Mexico. This self-supporting Adventist school educates high school aged young people who otherwise often could not afford Christian education. Completion at Tesopaco opens up the world of higher education to them.

Our Spanish class will be preparing a Mexican hot lunch this coming Wednesday – enchiladas, Spanish rice, dessert, etc. Also, on a Friday, yet to be determined, they will be selling Mexican pastries and other desserts. They will also be delivering pre-ordered bags of enchiladas. For more information, or to order enchiladas, talk to a Spanish class student.

Track Meet is Coming Up

On May 17 students from a number of smaller schools will join with our students at Edgar Brown Memorial Stadium for a day of Track and Field events. Students should be practicing now so that they will be able to blow away some records that day. A complete listing of records will be posted in the hall within the next week.

Elementary Floor Hockey

We have three teams in our league and we are having a good time. Mondays to Thursdays, from 12:15 until 12:40 are our games. In our first game, the Wolves defeated the Cougars, 1-0. The second game, between the Wolves and the Huskies, saw the two teams play to a 0-0 tie. The schedule resumes this coming Monday. Students who are anxious to know the schedule can find that posted at our webpage under the Athletics Tab.

Prayer Warriors

The TCJA Staff would like to thank our church members who so faithfully have been praying for our students over the past month. While we had asked you to especially pray during the Week of Prayer time, many of you have told me that you are continuing to keep these children in your prayers – and everyone is noticing and feeling the difference. Thank you so much for this commitment.

April

8 Best Registration Discount closes

8 UCA Band put on Assembly program @ 10:30am 8-11 Bells Mini-tour

11 Muffin Monday

13 Spanish Class Fundraiser Lunch – for Tesopaco

17 Spring Fever FunRun… see Sally Shadle

18 Staff Professional Growth Activity – No School

19 Small World – Family Night and Easter Program

25 TCJA Constituency Meeting

27 Class Pictures

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Student Feature - Mr. O’s pick

Wednesday evening I was in the gym after the Riverview Pathfinder program, helping Mr. Dickerson load up our risers, which the men’s chorus would be using. Derick Menendez ran over and asked if we could use some help, which we did. When we were done, before I could say thanks, he took off and was out of there – no expectations. Derick, I have noticed you offering help around school, carrying boxes, holding doors... Your positivity and willingness to help is appreciated. Come to the office on Monday for your free muffin, on us.

I am on the lookout weekly for random acts of selflessness. Could you be my pick of the week, next?

Early Registration Discount

This Friday is the last day to register for 2011-2012 at substantial savings… call the office for details.

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Mr. O’s giveaways…

Be the first elementary (grades 1-6) or upper grade (7-10) students to tell me the answers I have in mind for each of the following questions.

1. …regarding Joseph… from Genesis. Many people who study that time period believe that this method was how Jacob made Joseph’s many-colored coat.

2. …we love to eat these rocks – in fact… the only rocks humans eat.

3. …right now this play is the most popular play in the world.

Fourth Quarter

Issue 19 March 31, 2011

Angels on Overtime

Of the 100+ students that we have at TCJA, 48 signed in their Spring Break destinations and we told you where they were heading in the last issue of The Dirt. Then, it was up to you to calculate the miles travelled for your shot at a free WWU Wolfpack Sweatshirt. Our winner will be announced at Assembly tomorrow morning (9:15am), so you still have time to get your numbers in. This is open to any readers of The Dirt. Log into the archive newsletter from last week, to calculate your answers. Until we announce the final numbers, we can only say that our angels worked overtime, keeping us safe. We are pleased to be able to report that everyone has checked back in for the last quarter of the school year.

Spring Fever 5K and 1M Run…

Sally Shadle is coordinating a Fun Run / Fundraiser benefitting Jason Lee Elementary School’s After School Program. The event will be held on April 17, and is open to people of all ages. The Richland Seventh-day Adventist Church has been committed to outreach to the Jason Lee Elementary School Community for some time now, and this is an opportunity to assist those church members in that outreach and provide a social outlet at the same time. There is a fee to participate. It is $5 and $12 for those who register by April 4, and $7 and $15 for those who register after that date. For more information, contact Sally at shadles81@gmail.com or check the Richland webpage at www.myrichlandchurch.org.

Church Program at Riverview

April 2^nd… this is our last full-school church program of the year. If you have not attended one yet this year, don’t miss this one. This year, each program is different than the ones that went before them. Our school’s portion of the program begins at 11:00am, however, the teachers are asking that you bring students at least 15 minutes before the program begins so that we can be better organized.

Also, after this church service there will be a potluck lunch for all attendees. Please bring a dish or two of your favorite foods and stay and share in the meal following the service.

School Text…

We would like to post a text in the entryway of the school – one that could serve as a guiding motto for the school. Submit your ideas of texts that could so unite us.

April

2 Church Service at Riverview

4 Pre-K through 2^nd grade – Visitation Day

4 Muffin Monday

6-7 Parent Teacher Conferences (1:00 dismissal)

8 Best Registration Discount closes

8-11 Bells Mini-tour

18 Staff Professional Growth Activity – No School

19 Small World – Family Night and Easter Program

25 TCJA Constituency Meeting

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Student Feature - Mr. O’s pick

High School Sophomore, Zaonna Seely comes in an hour and a half early each morning to make sure trash cans are emptied and halls are vacuumed. She remains positive and friendly and helps TCJA look its best. Thank you Zaonna. Come to the office on Monday for your free muffin, on us.

I am on the lookout weekly for random acts of selflessness. Could you be my pick of the week, next?

Early Registration Discount

Register for 2011-2012 early for substantial savings… call the office for details.