Christmas Break

vol 2 – Issue 13 December 15, 2011

Library Books

A number of students have checked out books over the first semester (a good thing), but have neglected to bring them back (not so good) so that others could also enjoy them. Please take a look around to see if you might have school library books at your home. They have the school’s name and’ or a barcode label on the outside front or back. If you find such, please bring them back to the school so that we can complete an inventory over the Christmas break.

Hot Lunch Update

We want to thank parents for purchasing meal plans in advance or as meals are ordered. We are trying to keep the cost of the program relatively low, at the same time, offering meals that are of good quality and good quantity. This is a task more simply managed when accounts are not in arrears.

9/10 Party

The 9^th and 10^th grade students have been invited to a party at the Laubach’s home this coming Monday evening. There will be the usual “this is a party” food and games. Mr. and Mrs. Laubach always do a dandy job of ringing in the Christmas vacation so if you are in the high school class, you won’t want to miss that activity.

Wanting to be Busy?

If, as this vacation looms large, you find yourself looking for something to keep you busy, we do have a few small tasks that will be going on at the school. We would like to install mini-computer labs in three of the classrooms. We have a gymnasium floor to line and finish, basketball standards to set up, and leaves – more leaves than you can think of – to rake and toss. If you would like to give some time to any of these or other projects that we need to get busy on, please give us a call so that we can use your service.

Basketball Coaches Found for Boys

We have coaches who have stepped up to the plate to coach our basketball, and will start scheduling games for those teams very soon. To date we have coaches for both boys’ teams. The grades 6 (5 can some out if they can keep up) to 8 team practices on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 3:30-5. The grades 8 (7 can play if they can make the cut) to 10 team will practice on the same days from 5:30 to 7. We will try to schedule all games for those days, as well. We are still seeking applicant to coach our girls’ teams.

December

15 TCJA Christmas Program 6:30pm

19 9/10 Party at the Laubach’s

19-J2 Christmas Break

January

3 School Resumes

16 Martin Luther King, Jr. Day – no school

20 Last day of 2^nd Quarter

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Mr. O’s Pick…

Sasha – I want to thank you for being extremely helpful, polite, and respectful. Teachers and students alike appreciate you. I appreciate how much you seem to enjoy school, and how you take pride in your schoolwork and in all of your activities. Because of your excellent school spirit, you can have the first freebie muffin of 2012 on Tuesday, the 3^rd.

Hot Lunch This Coming Week…

Lunches run at $3.00 a meal. A student favorite is the lunch where we offer big franks, grillers, or black bean burgers with a side of fries or chips – different days, different offers. Because this is served at least once a week and sometimes twice a week, we will call this the TCJA lunch… For a catchy way to remember it, we’ll call it McTCJA.

On all days, fresh veggies and deserts are on the side for children to choose. Below is the menu for tomorrow through January 6:

Friday, D-16^th…McTCJA

Tuesday, J-3^rd … pasta & veggieballs

Wednesday, 4^th … soup and biscuit

Thursday, 5^th … hoagies

Friday, 6^th … McTCJA

If you would like to make a request for a preferred menu item, please put your ideas in at the office. We are toying with making one day a week, “foods from around the world” with the first of those being a Ukrainian lunch, featuring peroghies. What do you think about that idea?

Principal’s Corner…

I talked to two little boys on the playground. Both were unhappy. One claimed the other had hit him, and I asked if it was so. “Yes,” said the little accused, “I hit him. But he was laughing at me, so I got mad…” Such reasoning is amusing when it comes from children on a playground when they are only 6 year-olds. It falls apart as they age, though, doesn’t it? And yet I hear adolescents and adults who claim that their misbehavior is justified because of their having been provoked. Provocation doesn’t hold as an excuse in our courts and it won’t hold in God’s either. I know he says “become as a little child” but I seriously doubt that this is one of the areas he wants us to be like them.

……..………Remember indoor Shoes in the new year………………..

Almost Break...

vol 2 – Issue 12 December 8, 2011

ASB Host Movie Night

This Saturday night TCJA’s ASB is hosting a Christmas-themed Movie Night. We will be showing two movies: How the Grinch Stole Christmas and The Polar Express. Snacks and drinks will be provided, and there is going to be a raffle, so a few lucky students will walk away with some fun prizes! We hope to see you there!

Christmas Concert

Remember that this year’s Christmas program, held December 15, will primarily feature the students in the elementary grades. The program begins at 6:30 and should last a little longer than an hour. The Home & School Association is also inviting parents to bring out some favorite refreshments to share following the program.

Indoor Shoes Reminder

As noted in our handbook, everyone from grades 1 through 10 is expected to have proper footwear for PE activities. When we come back from Christmas Break, we are asking all students to be in compliance. If this creates an undue hardship, please contact the office. Thank you.

Dress for the Outdoors

The Kennewick Spanish church is hosting a food sale at their church building Sunday, December 11^th from 10:00am 2:00pm. They will be serving up platefuls of enchiladas, rice, beans, salad, and dessert. A family of four can pick up trays for $25.00, while individual meals are $7.00. For those who eat there (as opposed to taking the meal home), drinks are included. The proceeds are going to help the church raise their worthy student funds, so come on out to support this worthwhile venture. If you have any questions please feel free to call 509-551-7527.

Principal’s Corner…

Perhaps the most exciting thing I see in my own home is when my children enjoy being with each other. My daughter got her first paycheck from her career job, nursing, and she took her brother to lunch to celebrate. Even though I was working, not invited, and not in attendance, I was so pleased that she did that. I think that God feels like I did at that time – he is ecstatic when he sees his children doing extra to get along nicely. I want to thank our students for being intentionally nice to each other. God smiles when he sees you strive to include everyone.

December

10 ASB Movie Night… 6:00pm start

15 TCJA Christmas Program 6:30pm

19-J2 Christmas Break

January

3 School Resumes

16 Martin Luther King, Jr. Day – no school

20 Last day of 2^nd Quarter

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Mr. O’s Pick…

When we hosted our music assembly, I was telling Noni Mosher that I would like her to do a mini-violin recital one day for assembly. “I have my violin here today.” she said. “Would you like me to play?” Just like that, without accompaniment, she played in the program. I asked her if she was nervous and she said that she was a bit – but she played through it. Thank you so much Noni for wanting to get involved with life – even on short notice. Your Muffin is on us this coming Monday.

Hot Lunch This Coming Week…

Every lunch features fresh veggies along with a balanced meal and a small desert. We list for you the main attraction, which varies from day to day… Below are the meals that will be served up for the next six days:

Friday, 2^nd … pizza…

Monday, 5^th … cheesy potato casserole & nuggets

Tuesday, 6^th … stacks o’hay

Wednesday, 7^th … mashed taters & veggieballs

Thursday, 8^th … stroganoff & string beans

Friday, 9^th … grillers, blck bean brgrs or franks

Thank you for remembering to either buy a hot lunch card or for paying in advance. If you need to check your hot lunch balance, just call us at the office. Thank you.

Mr. O’s Puzzler

Last Week’s Answer – No one turned in the correct answer – it was Pilates (the exercise) and with an apostrophe, Pilate’s (the woman warning her husband about a crime he is about to commit).

This Week’s Puzzle (I’ll take one K-4^th grade winner and one 5^th through 10^th winner)– After writing nonsense about felines who wear headgear, or different ways to serve eggs, and various other silliness this self-proclaimed Doctor was asked to help the nation’s Department of Education develop a better reading program

...and it's December

vol 2 – Issue 11 December 1, 2011

School Doing Church Service at Kennewick Spanish

This Sabbath our students and staff will be putting on the church service at the Kennewick Spanish Seventh-day Adventist Church. The Service begins at 11:45, a little later than many of us are used to, and we are asking those students who will be participating to be there by 11:30. Following the worship service we have been invited to participate in a potluck lunch hosted by the church members. We are also asked to bring some of our own favorite dishes to contribute to the meal. The church is on Washington Street (301 South Washington).

Christmas Concert

This year’s Christmas program, held December 15, will primarily feature the students in the elementary grades. The program begins at 6:30 and should last a little longer than an hour. Followed by refreshments, you could be done by about 8:00, so come on out for a fun evening.

Indoor Shoes Needed

As our Physical Education classes have moved indoors, it has become apparent very quickly that there is more work to taking care of a wood floor than there is to taking care of a cement floor. One of the problems we encounter is when things such as rocks or mud from outside are slid across the wood. For this reason, we are asking that students bring indoor PE shoes to be stored in their lockers for just this use. The shoes do not need to be new – just clean. We also ask that the soles be non-marking. We would like to have this in place by this coming Monday. Thank you.

Dress for the Outdoors

Even though we will have much of our Physical Education activity indoors for the next few months, we still like to head out of doors whenever the weather cooperates a bit (or in the case of snow, even when it doesn’t cooperate) to play. Parents, remember to dress your children with jackets and gloves (mitts) to play outdoors. Most recesses will happen there all year long.

Annual Bake Sale…

This Friday the Grade 1 & 2 class is selling baked goods for ADRA Relief. Every dollar raised by the class has $6 added to it by other donors so the benefits add up quickly. Bring spare change to buy sweet things.

December

2 Grades 1 & 2 ADRA Benefit Bakesale

3 TCJA Church Program @ Kennewick Spanish

15 TCJA Christmas Program 6:30pm

19-J2 Christmas Break

January

3 School Resumes

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Mr. O’s Pick…

I asked Mrs. Canaday if she has a student who is just all around the most helpful, and without any hesitation, she said that Mackenzie Wright helps everyone, everywhere. We want to thank you for being so quick to make the lives of others meaningful, Mackenzie. Your Monday Muffin is on us.

Hot Lunch This Coming Week…

With the lunches coming back over to TCJA, we have a new menu… Below are the meals that will be served up for the next six days:

Friday, 2^nd … Grillers or Franks & Fries…

Monday, 5^th … Pasta & Garlic Bread

Tuesday, 6^th … Hoagies

Wednesday, 7^th … Burritos & Rice

Thursday, 8^th … Grillers, Blck Bean Brgrs or Franks

Friday, 9^th … Pizza

Remember that you are expected to carry a hot lunch card, pay in advance, or bring cash to order hot lunches. Also, if you have a meal suggestion that you would like to see us serve, please bring those ideas in to the office. Thank you.

Muffins…

Students like them and they’ve been a big hit, but they need to be picked up at the start of lunch or after the school day. Students are staggering in at all times during the lunch period, even when they should be headed to class, so we will only serve them for the first ten minutes of each lunch period. Thank you for adjusting.

Mr. O’s Puzzler

Last Week’s Answer – Lane brought it in.

This Week’s Puzzle – Place an apostrophe somewhere in this word, which is typically an exercise, and you have a woman warning her husband about a crime he is about to commit.