Snow Days...

vol 2 – Issue 16 January 23, 2012

A Snow Day does not Necessarily Mean a Free Day…

High School exams wrapped up this afternoon and today has been unofficially the last day of the second quarter (and the first semester). But the snow days messed up more than just our exam schedule. The snow days made it necessary for us to extend the year-end calendar through June 8. We wanted to get early notice to parents as some make plans for the day that school gets out, so please make that adjustment to your calendars. We will follow this letter with more information in the coming months.

School to let out at 1:00 Tomorrow (January 24)

Remember that tomorrow is only a half day. Teachers will be taking the afternoon for a professional inservice, evaluating and making sense of the ITBS results. These results will then be passed on to the parents in the ensuing weeks. We regret that this comes on the heels of our most recent closing for a day and a half (last Thursday and Friday); however, we felt it best to go ahead as scheduled since this needs to be done each year about this time.

2^nd Quarter Parent/Teacher Meetings

Wednesday, January 25, is slated for parent/teacher meetings for grades K through 4. School will let out at 1:00 for those students so that parents and teachers can meet and discuss any felt concerns at this midway point in the year. Grades 5 through 10 classes will go on as regularly scheduled, and dismiss as usual at 3:15pm.

Parents of students in K through 4 who wish to meet with the teacher may call the teacher directly and schedule a meeting. In some cases, it may be the teacher who desires the audience with the parents. In that case, we will contact you to set up the same.

Zero-Hour Class for 9/10 Students… One Day Only

Having lost four Mondays in a row, The 9/10 class is in a desperate position to complete some activities before the second quarter report. This class will meet from 7:40 until 9:12 tomorrow, January 24. Though attendance will not be taken until 8:30, students only have this one day to make up all of the class requirements; it is in their best interest to be early.

Thank-you to the Snow Removal Crews

Thanks Dean Brunken, Justin Wenham, Brad Birney, Mr. and Mrs. Au, Sun-Yu, and any others who contributed to drying out our sidewalks. U R special.

January

24 Test Analysis Day – 1:00 dismissal

25 Parent/Teacher Conferences for Grs K-4 – 1:00 dismissal for those grades only

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Mr. O’s Pick…

This week’s muffin goes to Mrs. Shupe. When our substitute teacher plans fell through, she adjusted her schedule so as to be able to fill that hole seamlessly for us these last three days, while Mr. Brunkhorst has been away. So Tuesday, the 17^th, swing by the office for your freebie muffin, Mrs. Shupe.

Hot Lunch This Coming Week…

Since the Snow Day has messed with our Newsletter schedule, below is the menu for tomorrow through February 3 (as always, veggies, deserts, etc. are a la carte):

Tuesday, 24^th … burritos

Wednesday, 25^th… tater tot casserole, chik nuggets

Thursday, 26^th … pasta with sauces and garlic bread

Friday, 27^th … McTCJA

Monday, 30^th … Mac ‘n Cheese

Tuesday, 31^st … haystacks

Wednesday, Feb 1^st … pizza

Thursday, 2^nd … soup with fixin’s

Friday, 3^rd … McTCJA

Exam Week

vol 2 – Issue 15 January 12, 2012

High School Exams Schedule

January 18 9:30… check in 12:00… Lunch

10:00… Biology 1:00… Spanish

6:00… English 1 Study Session

January 19 9:30… check in 10:00… PE

12:00… Lunch 1:00… Math

January 20 9:30… check in 10:00… English

These are important tests. Get plenty of rest, study hard, and come ready to do well.

End of Semester – Financial Clearance

It is that time of year when one must check to be certain that finances are in order so that final exams can be written (high school), or so that the second semester can be begun (elementary and middle school). Please check your statements and make sure that your accounts are in order. In the event that you are in arrears, please contact the office so that together we can work out the details that would see education continue uninterrupted.

2^nd Quarter Parent/Teacher Meetings

On January 25, grades 1 through 4 will let out early so that parents and teachers can meet and make adjustments that may be necessary at this, the mid-year point. School dismisses for grades 1 through 4 only at 1:00pm to facilitate these conferences. Grades 5 through 10 will continue to hold classes as usual and will not dismiss until 3:15pm.

We will not be sending a note from the office. Specifically, parents who wish to meet with the teacher may call and schedule a time. Also, in some cases, it may be the teacher who desires the audience with the parents. In that case, we will contact you to set up a time.

Happy News to Relay

Ms. Hibbs is pleased to be able to announce to her school family that once again, she has a new granddaughter. Lilia checked in on January 10, 2012.

(Personal) Computer Use

Many students have been bringing personal computers for use in school. Students who use these devices for gaming, email, social networking or other such activities, while they are to be in class or in study hall, will lose the privilege of having personal computing devices here at school.

Accolades

We’ve heard some good reports about students from our grades 3/4 class who help out at the Riverview Community Center. Thank you for representing us.

January

16 Martin Luther King, Jr. Day – no school

18-20 High School Exams

20 Last day of 2^nd Quarter

21 TCJA worship service at Kennewick SDA

24 Test Analysis Day – 1:00 dismissal

25 Parent/Teacher Conferences for Grs 1-4

………………………………………………….

Mr. O’s Pick…

This week’s muffin goes to Mrs. Shupe. When our substitute teacher plans fell through, she adjusted her schedule so as to be able to fill that hole seamlessly for us these last three days, while Mr. Brunkhorst has been away. So Tuesday, the 17^th, swing by the office for your freebie muffin, Mrs. Shupe.

Hot Lunch This Coming Week…

Below is the menu for tomorrow through January 13 (veggies, deserts, etc. are a la carte:

Friday, 13^th…McTCJA

Tuesday, 17^th … hoagies

Wednesday, 18^th … baked potato bar

Thursday, 19^th … pizza

Friday, 20^th … McTCJA

Fresh Beginnings

vol 2 – Issue 14 January 5, 2012

High School Exams Loom on the Horizon

Wednesday, January 18, through Friday, January 20, high school students will write terminating 2-hour exams on semester classes. There are five exam slots. Day 1 is Biology and Spanish, Day 2 is Physical Education, Algebra 1 and Geometry, and Day 3 is English 1 and English 2.

During these three days, high school students (9^th and 10^th graders) are welcome to arrive at the school by 9:30am for their first exam which will start at 10:00. The second exam will begin at 1:00pm. For students who arrive early, we will have a managed study room open; please note, however, that this is study time.

Other classes may elect to run tests during normal class hours. There will not be any elementary Spanish or elementary bells on these three days.

Basketball Update

We are ready to go in our basketball program. Coaches will be starting this coming Tuesday, January 10. Grades 5½ through 8 boys run from 3:30 until 4:45 under Troy Morrison on Tuesdays and Thursdays. Also Tuesdays and Thursdays, the varsity boys (8^th through 10^th grades) practice from 5:30pm until 7:00pm. They are coached by Joed Ngaroiya.

We did not have enough interest expressed by older girls we do have enough for a younger girls’ (grades 5½ through 8) team. They will begin on Wednesday, January 11^th. They will practice Mondays and Wednesdays from 3:30pm until 4:45pm under the coaching of Amanda Watts. High school girls are welcome to come out and practice with the younger girls.

Gym Floor Ready for Use

Over Christmas Break, a number of people came together to line the gym floor, seal it, and put on a topcoat of polyurethane. It should be hardened and dry for full use to start next week. Fortunately the weather has held up for us so that we have been able to play outdoors this first week of January.

Sad News to Relay

Our sympathy goes out to Mr. and Mrs. Brunkhorst as they deal with the passing of Mrs. Brunkhorst’s dad. Mr. B will be leaving tomorrow morning to be with his wife’s family in Michigan over the next week. We are fortunate to have veteran teachers like Mrs. Young who can step in and help keep things meaningful during Mr. B’s absence. Meanwhile, we wish Mr. B a safe trip and our love as he deals with this loss.

January

9 Teacher & Pastor In-service – no school

16 Martin Luther King, Jr. Day – no school

18-20 High School Exams

20 Last day of 2^nd Quarter

21 TCJA worship service at Kennewick SDA

24 Test Analysis Day – 1:00 dismissal

25 Parent/Teacher Conferences for Grs 1-4

………………………………………………….

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…

Below is the menu for tomorrow through January 13 (vegies, deserts, etc. are a la carte:

Friday, D-6^th…McTCJA

Tuesday, J-10^th … lasagna

Wednesday, 11^th … haystacks

Thursday, 12^th … rice in cream sauce & vegemeat

Friday, 13^th … McTCJA

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………………..