Monday, December 19, 2016

Parent Connection December 19th

The Most Marvelous Night
As I pondered what I might write for this week’s devotional, it occurred to me that there is no way that I could ever improve on the message that we heard once again on Friday evening from the mouths of our children. The fulfillment of the Lord’s promises in the words of the prophets is the reason that we celebrate this holy season. So once again, read about and ponder the events of that most marvelous night ever:
“At that time the Roman emperor, Augustus, decreed that a census should be taken throughout the Roman Empire. (This was the first census taken when Quirinius was governor of Syria.) All returned to their own ancestral towns to register for this census. And because Joseph was a descendant of King David, he had to go to Bethlehem in Judea, David’s ancient home. He traveled there from the village of Nazareth in Galilee. He took with him Mary, his fiancĂ©e, who was now obviously pregnant.
“And while they were there, the time came for her baby to be born. She gave birth to her first child, a son. She wrapped him snugly in strips of cloth and laid him in a manger, because there was no lodging available for them. That night there were shepherds staying in the fields nearby, guarding their flocks of sheep. Suddenly, an angel of the Lord appeared among them, and the radiance of the Lord’s glory surrounded them. They were terrified, but the angel reassured them. ‘Don’t be afraid!’ he said. ‘I bring you good news that will bring great joy to all people. The Savior—yes, the Messiah, the Lord—has been born today in Bethlehem, the city of David! And you will recognize him by this sign: You will find a baby wrapped snugly in strips of cloth, lying in a manger.’
“Suddenly, the angel was joined by a vast host of others—the armies of heaven—praising God and saying, ‘Glory to God in highest heaven, and peace on earth to those with whom God is pleased.’
“When the angels had returned to heaven, the shepherds said to each other, ‘Let’s go to Bethlehem! Let’s see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about.’
“They hurried to the village and found Mary and Joseph. And there was the baby, lying in the manger. After seeing him, the shepherds told everyone what had happened and what the angel had said to them about this child. All who heard the shepherds’ story were astonished, but Mary kept all these things in her heart and thought about them often. The shepherds went back to their flocks, glorifying and praising God for all they had heard and seen. It was just as the angel had told them.”      Luke 2:1-20 (New Living Translation)

Early Dismissal and Christmas Break
          December 23rd school will dismiss at noon.       Christmas Break begins at noon December 23rd with school resuming on January 9th

Fish On!
Mr. Zarnstorff’s class will be going to Otis Lake on Wednesday afternoon for a fishing expedition.  Please remind your students to dress warmly!  Permission slips must be turned in by Wednesday morning.

Singing at Dimond Center
Thursday afternoon grades K-8 will be singing at the Dimond Center. Permission slips are due by Wednesday, drivers are needed.


Gifts for those in the service
          Instead of exchanging gifts between classmates we wanted to give to those serving our country.  We will be sending care packages overseas to soldiers that are currently deployed.  Please feel free to donate various items, money to get items, or help cover the shipping costs of the package.  If you know of anyone serving away from home who would benefit from a care package please contact the office.
·         Powered drink mixes
·         Protein bars
·         Beef jerky
·         Candy or gum
·         Snacks(pretzels, chips, nuts, etc)
·         Magazines
·         Playing cards and card games
·         Homemade goodies(cookie or brownies)
·         Personal care items(chapstick, lotion, etc)

Junior Choir
          Junior choir will be singing at Peace Lutheran Church in Eagle River on January 22nd during the 10:30 service. 

Birthdays
          We would like to wish two students God’s richest blessings on their upcoming birthdays
Elin F. - December 25th
Kathrin K. - December 27th  

Bake Sale

          Thank you to all those who donated all the yummy baked goods.  PTF was able to raise over $470.  This money will be used to support the school and preschool.

Tuesday, December 13, 2016

Parent Connection Dec 12th

Out of the Dark
We are a little over a week away from the shortest day of the year, the day with the least amount of daylight. This morning driving to work was made more difficult because an ice fog formed so your headlights were made less effective. It was hard to see where you were going because the light from your car, or truck, could not penetrate as far into the darkness as usual because of the fog.
By nature, all of us are wandering around this world in thick darkness, so thick that it is as if we are blind.  In this blindness, we have no hope of improving our lot, we can do nothing to get out of this darkness. The darkness is our sin and guilt. We are by nature lost and condemned creatures.
But John tells us in his Gospel that, “The true light that gives light to every man was coming into the world.” John 1:9. Through that true light, our blindness is taken away and darkness is banished. When we are brought into the light by God’s power, we become members of God’s family.
Paul reminds us of this situation in his letter to the Ephesian congregation, “For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Live as children of light.” Ephesians 5:8.
As we once again celebrate the birth of our Savior, let us remember the reason he came into this world: to bring Light and life to us!

Joy to the World!
          The Christmas season is one of joy and Christ is the center of that joy! Join us in the fellowship hall on Saturday, December 17th from 10 am to 12 pm to decorate Christmas cookies and make stained glass candle holders. For more information, please contact the office.
School Christmas Service
          The school Christmas service is this Friday, December 16th at 6:30.  The service will be held here at Faith in the fellowship hall.  Students can start arriving at 6:00. Students should go to their classrooms when they arrive and be here by 6:15. Dress in your Sunday best. 

Bake Sale
          PTF will be having a bake sale after school on December 14th and on the 15th if there is enough left over.  This is a great opportunity to get baked items for Christmas.  Be sure to stop in after school on Wednesday to get some goodies!  We will have table set up in the main church entry.
We need donations of baked goods so get your favorite holiday recipes out!  You may drop off donations any time between now and Wednesday. Contact the office if you have any questions.

Hot Lunch
          Hot lunch is this Thursday, December 15th.  The on the menu is Chicken Fajitas.  Please return the hot lunch slip by Wednesday.

Early Dismissal and Christmas Break
          December 23rd school will dismiss at noon.  We will have a regular full day of school this Friday, December 16th.

          Christmas Break begins at noon December 23rd with school resuming on January 9th.  

Monday, December 5, 2016

Parent Connection Dec 5th

It’s Too Soon!
I have a basketball player who has said it several times this season. He insisted that the games ended too soon. I don’t think he ever said it about practice. But the games went by too quickly for him. He thrived on the excitement and the thrill of the competition. He and the rest of the team worked really hard to improve their skills and learn the schemes of offense and defense. But it ended to soon again on Saturday after an overtime loss.
During this time of Advent, it is good for us to prepare for our celebration of the first coming of our Savior into this world. But I feel it is probably even more important for us to prepare for His second coming on the Last Day. I’m certain that when that day arrives in all of its glory, there will be some who say, “It’s too soon!” None of us knows when our Savior will be coming for us so we need to be ready. We can only be ready when we realize our sinfulness, and repent of those sins, and receive forgiveness from God for those sins. When Jesus comes on the last day, it will be too late to get ready. We need to be prepared every day, as if you expected Him to come today. “For you know very well that the day of the Lord will come like a thief in the night. While people are saying, ‘Peace and safety,’ destruction will come on them suddenly…and they will not escape.” I Thessalonians 5:2-3. The Child in the manger is the only escape. Come, Lord Jesus!

Field Trip
          The students will be visiting the Dome tomorrow at 10:00-noon.  Parents, we could still use a couple more drivers.  If you are available please contact Mr. Z or the office. We look forward to enjoying some great play and exercise in a warm dome!

Bake Sale
          PTF will be having a bake sale after school on December 14th and 15th.  This is a great opportunity to get baked items for Christmas. 
We will need donations of baked goods so get your favorite holiday recipes out!  Contact the office if you have any questions.

PTF Meeting
          Our next meeting is December 8th at 7:00.  We will begin planning the activities for the rest of the school year.  The meeting will last for one hour.  We need volunteers to help organize upcoming events.  Please plan on attending.

Joy to the World!
          The Christmas season is one of joy and Christ is the center of that joy! Join us in the fellowship hall on Saturday, December 17th from 10 am to 12 pm to decorate Christmas cookies and make stained glass candle holders. For more information, please contact the office.

Brrrr……It’s cold
          Please be sure your child is coming to school with proper winter gear for outside.  If the temperature is above zero the children will be outside playing. 
          Due to the cold temperature your child may need long sleeves or a sweater for the classroom as well. 

Student Messages
          If you need to contact your student during the day, please do so during the noon break for lunch and recess.  If you need to leave a message for your child do so before 2:30.

Tardiness/Absences
Classes start promptly at 8:30.  Students who miss the start of the school day often feel rushed and can become unfocused and stressed for the day.  Please make every effort to have your student to school on time.  This means adequate planning, especially on days with inclement weather.
If your child will be absent from school, contact the school before 8:30.  Please make every effort to collect your child’s assignments on that day so the missed assignments may be completed at home.
For planned early dismissals and absences, send a written note in advance of the absence.  Children often forget to inform their teachers or do not remember the details. 
Please make school as important to your child as work is important to you, even in the primary grades.  Tardiness and absences though sometimes necessary, are frustrating and stressful to students, teachers, and the classroom as a whole.  Frivolous excuses for tardiness and absences can teach children their educational responsibilities aren’t important and can be detrimental to the value they place on education in the future.  Please act in the best interest of your child in this regard.

Financial Peace University
Faith Lutheran Church will offer the popular Dave Ramsey Financial Peace University class early in the new year, Tuesday evenings at 6:30 from January 10th through March 7th.  The class covers biblically-based principles of money management, beneficial to all from young people starting out on their own to older couples.  For more information about the class, please visit the Stewards of Faith blog at http://stewardsoffaith.blogspot.com/.
There will be a preview on December 13th at 6:30 for those who are interested.

If you would like to sign up, please speak with Mrs. Lillo in the office.