Monday, September 26, 2016

Parent Connection September 26th

Ready for Your Test?
During the coming weeks, the children in third through eighth grades will be taking the Terra Nova tests, the standardized tests we administer every year so we can get a picture of how well the students are learning. Some students look forward to these tests others don’t really like them. I think that one reason some students don’t care for these tests is because you can’t really study for them. You don’t know what the material is going to be that you are being tested on so you don’t know how to prepare.
I don’t know how you feel about tests, I look at a test as a challenge and I try to approach them with confidence and with a positive attitude. I want to do my best.
Our Bible verse today talks about a testing that all of us will undergo. In James chapter 1:2-4, we read, “Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.”
We know the testing is coming in our lives. We also know that this testing is for our good, meant to strengthen us, not to destroy us or drive us to despair. God wants us to turn to him in this time of trial and depend on him more and more. He will build our faith and strengthen us through this testing. He wants us to be mature in our faith and he wants to give us everything that we need in our struggle against the trials and temptations we face every day. Above all, we know that God is with us in these times of struggle and will help us overcome.
Our children will also be going through these trials and testing. In the classroom, your children are learning God’s Word so that they will be able to stand against the temptations they face. Their faith will be strengthened and they will grow in their maturity and they will be fully equipped for battle.  



Chapel Services
          Chapel will be led by Pastor Robbert.
Coffee selection this week will be a Kaladi Brothers coffee.

Library Trip
          The fifth through eighth graders will be going to the library this week. They should have their reports done and will be given another assignment.

Basketball Practice
            Basketball practice will begin this week. We will be practicing at the Mosley Center on the Alaska Pacific University campus. Players should wear shorts and t-shirts and court shoes not worn outside. We will be taking the students over from school in the van. We will practice from 4:00 until 5:30 p.m. They can be picked up at the gym at 5:30. We will bring those not picked up at the gym back to school by 5:45.

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. Please enter the lot from the East entry and leave by the West exit. 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 drive away. Let’s all work together to avoid accidents and keep our children safe!

Junior Choir
            Junior Choir will be lending their voices in worship at Shepherd of the Hills on October 16th.  Choir members should be at Shepherd by 10:10 in their white and black attire.


Central African Medical Mission (CAMM)

Are you looking for a way to serve our Lord?  Teethsavers, a non-profit Christian organization, is teaming up with the Central Africa Medical Mission to provide toothbrushes and toothpaste for all children seen by the Malawi clinic.  Over 60,000 patients receive medical care at the clinic in Malawi every year.  If you would like to help, please bring soft child-sized toothbrushes to Faith and leave them in the collection boxes located in the church and school entry ways by Sunday, October 23rd.  For more information, please call Joy Bromaghin at 336-6186.  

Monday, September 19, 2016

Parent Connection September 19th

Some of you know that I like to go fishing once in a while. I’m not as avid a fisherman as some people are but I do enjoy some quality time sitting by, or on, a lake trying to convince a fish or two to bite my bait or lure. I also enjoy eating those fish that succumb to my offering and get reeled in.
          Sometimes it can be hard finding just the right offering to get that fish to bite. It is frustrating to be able to see the fish swimming around the bait, or lure, without taking a bite. And it is hard to catch a fish legally if they don’t take the bait.
          There is another fisherman in this world looking to harvest some unsuspecting prey. He knows his prey very well, he studies them and keeps careful records of their likes and dislikes. He has a tackle box full of different lures and baits that he has used for years and years. He changes the lures a little bit, maybe a little fresh paint or polish, maybe a different scent, and he always keeps his hooks sharp. This fisherman is Satan and we are the fish that he is after.
          What is his favorite lure for you? What bait does he know is something you have a hard time resisting? Remember he knows you and he knows exactly what lure to use at this particular time in your life. He also knows that his fishing season is short, he has to catch us before the season runs out and he can’t fish anymore.
We need to stand firmly in God’s Word so that we recognize Satan’s temptations and resist them. “Brothers, stand firm, and hold onto the teachings we passed on to you, whether by word of mouth or by letter.” 2 Thess. 2:15.

 September 30th School Dismissed at Noon
Classes will be dismissed at noon on the 30th for teacher in-service.  There will be no aftercare.

School Drop Off
          Reminder you may drop off your student at 8:10, before then they must go into before care in the fellowship hall.

Cross country
          Saturday was the state meet for ACSAA. There were three schools represented for the races. Caleb Lillo ran for Faith. He placed second in his division. Congratulations to him. Hopefully, he will have a few companions to run with him next year.

Basketball
          I am sending permission slips home for basketball this week. I haven’t gotten any confirmation from any gyms yet. Hopefully, we will be able to start practice on Thursday, September 22. If not we will shoot for next Tuesday, September 27.

Birthdays
          I forgot to put Isaac Moua’s birthday in last week’s newsletter. Sorry about that Isaac, I hope you had a wonderful day.
          Birthdays this week:
Landon and Quinton Gartman
          God’s richest blessing on your birthday!

School pictures
          On October 4th Alaska Focus will be at school taking individual and class photos. Be sure your student is in attendance that day!  Students do not have to wear the school uniform on picture day.


School Paperwork
          Our secretary is busy reviewing student’s files.  Parents please be sure to check for paperwork being sent home today and tomorrow.  Thank you for your patience while the office was in limbo during the construction.

Emergency Kits
Parents please send back an emergency kit for your student.
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. Use a small zip-lock bag. 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, and will be returned at the end of the school year.

Educate

All households should have received log in instructions for the Educate program.  Please log in to your account and make any changes you need to the alert section.  If you are not able to log in, please contact the office.

Monday, September 12, 2016

Parent Connection September 12th

Where were you fifteen years ago yesterday?
It doesn’t seem that long ago, does it? The pictures are still etched in our memories, the tower on fire, the second plane flying into the second tower. The black smoke filled the bright blue September sky. Then the horror of seeing first one tower crumble to the ground, only to be followed by the second tower. The grayish dust that billowed through Manhattan covering the ground, the vehicles, the buildings, and the people; both those running away from the catastrophe and those running toward it.
It was a very chaotic time in the history of our nation. People were worried about many things, many felt helpless or even hopeless. I imagine that people at the time of the Pearl Harbor attack may have felt the same way. You never expect something like that to happen so you are never prepared when it does. That is part of the reason that terrorists attack in this way, the shock factor is what they are after.
Jesus warns us about an event that is going to be much more destructive than any terrorist attack. This event is going to affect the whole world and everyone in the world. When Jesus returns to earth as he has promised, heaven and earth will be destroyed. Every person alive at that time, along with all those who have ever lived on earth, will be brought before the Judge where the verdict will be revealed before all. The verdict will be final, there will be no appeals process. The guilty will be sentenced to hell for eternity. Those declared not guilty will be welcomed into heaven to live with God forever.
Therefore, we ought be ready for that day to come. The Lord tells us how to be ready for this day. In Matthew 24:35 he says, “Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will never pass away.” The only thing certain in this world is God’s Word. The only thing that can save us is God’s Word. May God grant us a willingness to learn his word and share it with our families!

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Chapel Services
          The theme for chapel on Thursday is: “Jesus teaches the greatest commandment.” The coffee selection this week is Silverhook Kodiak blend.

Cross Country State Meet
            The ACSAA State Cross Country Meet will be this Saturday, September 17, beginning at 10:00 A.M. at Abbott Loop Park.

Spirit Days
            To show our support for our cross country team, we are having some special dress up days this week. On Wednesday, we will encourage the children to wear miss-matched clothing (2 different shoes, clashing colors, etc.). Thursday will be class color day:
Pre-school-Red
Kindergarten-Green
Grades 1-4-Blue
Grades 5-8-Orange
Friday will be school colors day: wear something teal or gold.

Junior Choir
          The Junior Choir will sign in church this Sunday, September 18. They will be singing the first song of the service so parents please be here on time!

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. Please enter the lot from the East entry and leave by the West exit. 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!

Tuesday, September 6, 2016

Parent Connection September 6th

There’s just something about a campfire. It could be the warmth that you feel on one of those cool clear September nights. Maybe it’s the extra flavor the food cooked over the fire seems to have.  It could be the fond memories of past camping experiences with family and friends, and the late night conversations around those fires. Sometimes just the smell of a campfire can bring a nostalgic flashback to mind. Most likely, it is a combination of all of these things that makes me enjoy a campfire.
            One thing about a campfire that makes it a little less enjoyable is that it needs to be fed. The fire always seems to be hungry, it needs to be attended, stoked, and stirred. If left unattended, it won’t take long for the fire to die down and fade, and become nothing more than a puff of smoke. Then it’s gone.
            Our Lord talks about our faith in terms of a fire. “I have been reminded of your sincere faith, which first lived in your grandmother Lois and in your mother Eunice and, I am persuaded now lives in you also. For this reason I remind you to fan into flame the gift of God, which is in you through the laying on of my hands.” 2Timothy 1:5-6. Paul is reminding Timothy that faith is God’s gift to him and that he has to work on keeping that faith burning brightly. Faith needs to be fed through the daily use of God’s Word.
            You and I have also been given that gift of faith. We dare not let that faith grow weak and lazy. We need to feed our faith and exercise it. It needs our attention because nothing good can come from letting it die out. Keep it burning brightly and let it shine on those around you!

Cross country Continues 
It’s not too late to join cross country.  Practices are Tuesday and Thursdays at 4:30. Speak with Mr. Z if you are interested. The meet is September 17th at Abbot Loop Bicentennial Park.  Times have yet to be announced.

Junior Choir Begins
Tomorrow, September 7, Junior Choir will have its first practice of the year. Mrs. Zarnstorff will welcome any third through eighth graders to use their voices to praise our God and beautify our services during the coming year. Please see the attached permission slip.

Library trip
            The fifth through eighth graders will be visiting the library this Friday, September 9. We will be getting books for our first book report of the year. We will also stop for lunch at a fast food restaurant chosen by the students. Please see the attached permission slip.

Emergency Contacts
Last week parents should have received an email with instructions on setting up your Educate (Cornerstone) account.  Educate is how the school communicates with parents.  This includes general messages such as the Monday Parent Connection as well as emergency messages like school closings for weather.  Please be sure to log on to your account and set your password.  Educate was formally known as Cornerstone and is being integrated into TADS.  If you did not receive an email last week, please contact the office at FaithLutheran@gci.net.  Communications will be sent out this week so you may test your contact preferences.

Safari Adventure
September 17th, 10:00-noon. Come enjoy a fun filled morning! Toddlers to 10 year olds and their parents can come enjoy a devotion, snacks and multi-sensory activities focused around a Safari. Watch for signup sheets on Friday and next week to volunteer for snacks and to help with the activity.


PTF
Parent, Teacher, Friends will have the first meeting of the year on Thursday, September 8th at 7:00pm.  This meeting will focus on volunteers for the Safari Adventure, school t-shirts & sweatshirts and planning ahead for our Health Fair & Trunk or Treat. 
We look forward to seeing you there!
           
Used Uniforms
Parents gather up all those used uniforms your students have outgrown but are still in good condition.  On Thursday and Friday there will be a table in the main hallway of the school downstairs with the used items.  Feel free to take what your student can use or leave items for other students.  You may drop off used uniforms in the office anytime this week. 

Picture Day

Individual student pictures will be taken on October 4 in the morning.  Classroom pictures will be taken this day as well.  Order forms will be sent home the week before.