Parent Connection August 31st, Issue #3

Let us run with endurance the race that lies before us, keeping our eyes on Jesus, the source and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that lay before Him endured a cross and despised the shame and has sat down at the right hand of God’s throne. – Hebrews 12:1b-2

Noah Aldrich and his brother Lucas, at ages 8 and 6, completed a YMCA triathlon last July in Boise, Idaho. What made their finish exceptional was not that they were so young – it was a youth triathlon after all.  The notable part was that the reason both boys finished was that Noah had completed the entire triathlon – a 200 meter swim, 3 mile bike ride, and 1 mile run –towing and pushing his younger brother Lucas.

Lucas has lissencephaly, a brain disorder that results in his being unable to walk or talk. Wheelchair-bound, there is no way he could complete a triathlon, even a youth one. But because of his brother’s love for him, they both crossed the finish line as champions.

Our brother Jesus showed his love for us in a much greater way. Dead in our sins, there is nothing we could do on our own to earn the crown of eternal life. So Jesus put aside his heavenly crown and ran the race for us. His perfect life was lived on our behalf. His innocent suffering and death paid the price for our sins. Finally, his glorious resurrection declared that his victory was our victory. The crown of life, the joy of eternity in heaven is ours, not by any effort on our part, but all because of Jesus.

As both boys crossed the finish line, the announcer said just one word: “Extraordinary!” I imagine there were two very big smiles on two victorious boys. One did all the work, but the victory belonged to both.

“…For the joy that lay before Him (Jesus) endured a cross and despised the shame…” The work was his. The victory is ours.

“Extraordinary!”

God bless your week,

-Principal Schneck

There are no school classes on Monday, September 7^th for Labor Day.

Enjoy a restful day with family and friends!

Chapel Service

You are invited to join us for our weekly chapel service this Thursday, September 3^rd, from 8:30 to 9:00 a.m. Families and friends are invited to come and join us in starting our day with the Lord.

A mission offering is collected at these services. Our current mission offering is designated for Jesus Cares Ministries, which conducts programs and assists congregations in reaching out to people with intellectual and developmental disabilities, their families and communities. Please keep them in your family’s prayers this week.

School Uniforms

Need extra uniform shirts? Go to  http://www.frenchtoast.com/ancillary/schools/specificdresscode.do?SchoolID=505606 or just visit frenchtoast.com, click shop by school and look up our online catalog.

We still have some polos available for sale at a discount as we use up our stock. Email or check in with Mr. Schneck to see if we have what you need before you order online.

Do you have school uniform shirts or khakis that are in good condition but no longer fit your child? Would you be willing to donate them to another school family? Bring them to the table next to Mr. Schneck’s room upstairs in the fellowship hall. We will make “gently used” uniforms available to other school families. Need something? Please help yourself. Thanks!

Junior Choir

Junior Choir starts this week. Students in grades 3-8 are eligible to participate. Any students that would like to participate but have not yet signed up should let Mrs. Schneck know that you would like to participate.

Junior Choir meets during this Wednesday, September 2^nd at 12:20 p.m.  

Cross-Country Running

            The Cross-Country team practices Tuesday, September 1^st and Thursday, September 3^rd from 4:00-5:30 p.m.

Emergency Preparedness

Every year at this time we review our plan for emergency situations at our school. If an emergency such as an earthquake or other disaster would occur, plans and material supplies are in place to provide for the safety and security of our students, as well as first aid and extended care in the event that students cannot be immediately picked up by their parents.

Last week we asked each family to prepare a small “comfort kit” for your child, with small items to provide comfort and to help keep them occupied and calm in an emergency situation. A small zip-lock bag is included to facilitate this. Pack your child’s comfort kit with a card containing your child’s name and contact information and other small items for your child’s comfort.  Suggestions include a non-perishable snack (like a granola bar), a pair of knit gloves, a family picture, a small toy, and a letter to your child.

Comfort kits can be brought to your child’s teacher at any time.

Parking Lot Sale

Coming up on Saturday, September 19^th is our PTF/Camp Luther Fall Parking Lot Sale. The sale will be held from 10 a.m. until 4 p.m.

Do you have any items that you would like to donate? We have limited space to store donations, so we ask that items for the sale not be brought until Monday, September 14^th or later. During that week items can be left in the fellowship hall under the coat racks. Any gently used items will be welcome: clothing, household goods, toys, tools, etc.

Proceeds of this sale benefit the school ministry though Faith PTF (Parents, Teachers and Friends) and Camp Luther Alaska.

Parent, Teacher, Friend

PTF has its first meeting on Thursday, September 10^th at 7:00pm.  A couple of items on the agenda are the upcoming health fair and Trunk or Treat. 

If you did not get a chance to sign up for volunteer opportunities at the parent meeting, be sure to attend this PTF meeting.  Most volunteer items only require an hour of your time and can fit into the busiest of schedules.

The deadline for sweatshirt and t-shirt orders has been extended to this Friday, September 4^th.  Order forms can be returned to your child’s teacher.

Parent Connection

The Parent Connection Newsletter is our regular means of communication with families. Please look for a weekly newsletter to come home with your child every week, typically on Monday! Monday notes are also sent out via email and are available on our Parent Connection blog (http://faithparentconnection.blogspot.com/) .

If you are not receiving them via email but would like to, please contact the school office. 

Parent Connection August 24th, Issue 2

Though you have not seen him, you love him; and even though you do not see him now, you believe in him and are filled with an inexpressible and glorious joy, for you are receiving the end result of your faith, the salvation of your souls. – 1 Peter 1:8-9

Peter knew his Savior firsthand. For three years he walked and talked with Jesus. He witnessed Jesus’ miracles. He saw his Savior suffer, die, and rise again. He witnessed Jesus ascending into heaven.

But here Peter speaks to those who had not seen and experienced what he had – believers who did not walk by sight, but by faith. Why would they love Jesus if they had not seen him?

This is the Holy Spirit’s work – creating and growing faith in the hearts of believers. He does this through God’s Word, the Bible. Like Peter’s audience, we too know our Savior through the same Gospel message that Peter preached. When we read about Jesus’ work and read his promises, by faith we walk with Jesus just like Peter did. We hear Jesus’ message of forgiveness and salvation just like Peter. We feel the same comfort and joy.

Today as believers we stand many generations away from those who were eyewitnesses to Jesus’ ministry, his suffering, his death, and his resurrection. Yet through countless generations the Holy Spirit continues to work faith in the hearts of believers. What began with the apostles’ teaching continues to be passed down from generation to generation. That same joy of salvation that Peter experienced becomes ours through faith. Now we have the joy and privilege to pass it down to the next generation.

May God continue to bless and equip Christian parents to share the “inexpressible and glorious joy” of the Gospel with the next generation, so that the family of believers may continue to grow.

God’s  blessings on your week!

-Principal Schneck

Mandatory Parent Meeting

We will be having a mandatory parent orientation meeting for the new school year on Wednesday, August 26^th from 6-7 p.m. to discuss school policies, procedures, and the year in general. The PTF (Parents, Teachers, and Friends) will also be presenting information. The meeting will be limited to one hour.

Chapel Service

You are invited to join us for our weekly chapel service this Thursday, August 27^th, from 8:30 to 9:00 a.m. Families and friends are invited to come and join us in starting our day with the Lord. A mission offering is collected at every Thursday chapel service. Mission offering envelopes are provided with the Monday notes. Our first mission project this year will help support Jesus Cares Ministries, which assists congregations in reaching out to people with intellectual and developmental disabilities, their families and communities. Please look for more information on this effort in the weeks to come.

School Uniforms

Need extra uniform shirts? We still have some polos available for sale at a discount as we use up our stock. Check in with Mr. Schneck to see if we have what you need.

If we don’t have the size or style you are looking for you are now able to order uniforms through http://www.frenchtoast.com/schooluniforms You can look up our school on the website or use the school code  QS5KJUH.

Do you have school uniform shirts or khakis that are in good condition but no longer fit your child? Would you be willing to donate them to another school family? Bring them to the table next to Mr. Schneck’s room upstairs in the church fellowship hall. We will make “gently used” uniforms available to other school families. Need something? Please help yourself. Thanks!

  

Emergency Preparedness

Every year at this time we review our plan for emergency situations at our school. If an emergency such as an earthquake or other disaster would occur, plans and material supplies are in place to provide for the safety and security of our students, as well as first aid and extended care in the event that students cannot be immediately picked up by their parents.

In order to help us in this, we ask each family to prepare a small “comfort kit” for your child, with small items to provide comfort and to help keep them occupied and calm in an emergency situation. We have included a small zip-lock bag with this newsletter to facilitate this. Pack your child’s comfort kit with a card containing your child’s name and contact information and other small items for your child’s comfort.  Suggestions include a non-perishable snack (like a granola bar), a pair of knit gloves, a family picture, a small toy, and a letter to your child.

Comfort kits can be brought to your child’s teacher at any time.

Parking Lot Sale

Coming up on Saturday, September 19^th is our PTF/Camp Luther Fall Parking Lot Sale. The sale will be held from 10 a.m. until 4 p.m.

Do you have any items that you would like to donate? We have limited space to store donations, so we ask that items for the sale not be brought until Monday, September 14^th or later. During that week items can be left in the fellowship hall under the coat racks. Any gently used items will be welcome: clothing, household goods, toys, tools, etc.

Proceeds of this sale benefit the school ministry though Faith PTF (Parents, Teachers and Friends) and Camp Luther Alaska.

Hand Chime Choir and Junior Choir

Sign-up sheets will be available at Open Classroom Night in the downstairs hall:

Students in Hand Chime Choir must be in the 4^th through 8^th grades. 10 students minimum are needed to have Hand Chime Choir! Hand Chime Choir meets during Thursday noon recess. Please contact Mrs. Zarnstorff for more information.

Students in the 3^rd through 8^th grades are eligible for Junior Choir. Junior Choir meets during the Wednesday noon recess. Speak to Mrs. Schneck for more information.

 Sports

Sign-up sheets for all sports (Cross-Country, Basketball, Volleyball, Indoor Soccer, and Track) will be available at Open Classroom Night in the downstairs hall.

Faith will again be participating in cross-country running. The season is limited to just a few weeks. Anyone interested in helping us out are asked to speak to Mr. Zarnstorff. Students, boys and girls, must be in the 5^th through 8^th grades for Cross-Country. Cross-Country starts this Tuesday, August 25^th, and practices on Tuesdays and Thursdays.

Parent Connection

The Parent Connection Newsletter is our regular means of communication with families. Please look for a weekly newsletter to come home with your child every week, typically on Monday! Monday notes are also sent out via email and are available on our Parent Connection blog (http://faithparentconnection.blogspot.com/) .

If you are not receiving them via email but would like to, please contact the school office.

Labels for Education

UPCs are needed to fulfil a bonus offer by the end of August.  We especially need Pepperidge Farm UPCs.  Send them with your child to school to give to Mrs. Z.  See the attached sheet for more information.

Parent Connection #1

Faith, Hope, and Love…

If this is your first year at Faith Lutheran, welcome to our school family! If you are a returning student family, then welcome back! We hope and trust that you had a summer full of God’s grace in difficult times and in joyful times.

Our theme for this school year comes from

1 Corinthians 13:13 “and now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love.” One way to understand these qualities or “attitudes” is to consider the actions that they lead to.

What is faith? It is a confidence that what God promises us is true. Faith rests assured that our sins are forgiven not by any work of ours, but by the work of Christ alone. Faith looks to the cross and sees our Savior.

While faith looks to the cross, hope takes us further to the empty tomb. Our hope is not just what we want, but what a confidence in what we already possess and what we have to look forward to. Hope clings to Christ’s promise that, because He lives, we also will live. An eternity in heaven is ours by God’s grace. Our hope is a sure and certain hope.

As faith focuses us on the cross, and hope on the empty tomb, love then turns our focus to those around us. The love that Jesus displayed in his work of salvation for us naturally overflows from us to those around us. Jesus says in John 13:34-35 “As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.” Love urges us on in deeds of kindness, so that those who are impacted by our love come to know the Savior’s love for them.

May God bless our students, staff and school family with faith, hope, and love as we begin another year preparing Jesus’ lambs and sheep for this life and for eternity!

We welcome Miss Melissa Mittelstadt to our Faith Lutheran family. Miss Mittelstadt is serving as Early Childhood Director and teacher in our Faith Lutheran Preschool. We thank God for blessing us with her gifts and ministry!

Open Classroom Night

OPEN CLASSROOM NIGHT is Monday, August 17^th from 5:00 to 6:45 p.m. Students and families can come in to see the classrooms, meet the teachers, pick their desks, sign up for activities, and join the school family for fellowship and ice cream. Come join us!

First Day of School

            Our first day of school classes is Wednesday, August 19^th.  We will begin our day and our school year with a school chapel service at 8:30 a.m. Parents and families are invited to join us as we ask God’s blessing on our school year.

School Uniforms

A reminder that school uniforms are worn Monday through Thursday. The uniform is either a blue or black uniform polo along with khaki (light brown/beige) pants or skirt. Fridays are casual days – students may wear “regular clothes”. Please remember that our dress code does still apply with regard to footwear, etc. Please refer to the school handbook for details.

Need extra uniform shirts? We still have some polos available for sale. Check in with Mr. Schneck at open classroom night. If we don’t have the size or style you are looking for you will soon be able to place an order directly through our school catalog page at www.frenchtoast .com.  We are currently having issues with our catalog order page, but will share the link and more information with our school families as soon as everything is ready to go.

Do you have a school uniform shirt that is in good condition but no longer fits your child? Would you be willing to donate it to another school family? Bring it to the school at Open Classroom Night or any time after. We will have a table to make “gently used” uniforms available to others. Thanks!

Mandatory Parent Meeting

We will be having a mandatory parent meeting on Wednesday, August 26^h from 6 to 7 p.m. to discuss school policies and procedures, and the year in general. The meeting will be limited to one hour.

Chapel Services

Our school chapel services are held every Thursday this school year, starting next Thursday, August 27^th, from 8:30 to 9:00 p.m.  Parents and friends are welcome!

Our first mission project this year will help support Jesus Cares Ministries, which assists congregations in reaching out to people with intellectual and developmental disabilities, their families and communities. Please look for more information on this effort in the weeks to come.

Our mission offering is collected at every Thursday chapel service. Mission offering envelopes are provided with the Monday note.

Pick Up- Drop Off    

Please be aware of children, your own and others, when dropping off and picking up before and after school. Be aware of traffic flow in the parking lot. If you wish to just drop off your child, please drop them off at the CHURCH entrance and have them walk back to the school entrance in order to keep the corner clear, or park in the lot and walk your children in, especially if you have little ones. Please also maintain control of your children in the lot, and BUCKLE LITTLE ONES IN before you take a minute to visit with other parents. Let’s all work together to avoid accidents and keep our children safe!

Playground Improvements

You may notice something missing near our playground! The parsonage has been removed, and the preschool playground moved and expanded. Our current plan is to use the foundation of the former parsonage as a basketball court until the area is further developed. Many thanks to the congregation members and school families who donated their time and energy to this project over the summer.

Before School Care

Families using Before Care, please note that Before Care students should enter the building through the ramp door (playground side). This will help us maintain a secure facility. After 8:10 a.m. students should enter the building through the regular school entrance.

The ramp door will be open for those children being dropped off between 7:30 and 8:10 a.m. in the morning. Those being dropped off at this time should go directly to the fellowship hall for Before Care.  Mrs. Koenig will excuse the children to their classrooms at the appropriate time.  

After School Care    

Children who have not been picked up by a parent or designated adult by 3:45 p.m. will be sent to aftercare (3:45 until 5:30 p.m.).  Please remember that you will need to go in to aftercare to sign your child out.  Students will be in the fellowship hall with the aftercare supervisor. Please use the ramp entrance. 

Absences/Tardiness   

Please call or send a note with your child to school to let us know if your child will be absent or tardy.  If you plan to pick up your child early for an appointment, please let the school know ahead of time to give the teachers proper time to prepare work for that student’s absence. 

Hand Chime Choir and Junior Choir

Sign-up sheets will be available at Open Classroom Night in the downstairs hall:

Students in Hand Chime Choir must be in the 4^th through 8^th grades. 10 students minimum are needed to have Hand Chime Choir! Hand Chime Choir meets during Thursday noon recess. Please contact Mrs. Zarnstorff for more information.

Students in the 3^rd through 8^th grades are eligible for Junior Choir. Junior Choir meets during the Wednesday noon recess. Speak to Mrs. Schneck for more information.

  

Sports

Sign-up sheets for all sports (Cross-Country, Basketball, Volleyball, Indoor Soccer, and Track) will be available at Open Classroom Night in the downstairs hall.

Faith will again be participating in cross-country running. The season is limited to just a few weeks. Anyone interested in helping us out are asked to speak to Mr. Zarnstorff. Students, boys and girls, must be in the 5^th through 8^th grades for Cross-Country. Mr. Zarnstorff will send permission slips home with those students who are interested in participating in cross-country running on Wednesday.

Parent Connection

The Parent Connection Newsletter is our regular means of communication with families. Please look for a weekly newsletter to come home with your child every week, typically on Monday! Monday notes are also sent out via email and are available on our Parent Connection blog 

If you are not receiving them via email but would like to, please contact the school office.