Parent Connection May 21, 2018

Harvest Time

          Those of you who grew up on a farm, or those of you who have time and room for a garden, know the joy of the harvest. The time when all of the work that you have put into preparing the soil, planting, weeding, watering, etc. culminates in bringing in the crops. Whether it is the golden wheat in the combine hopper, or the bright yellow of the corn in the storage bins; the farmer watches with the satisfaction of a job well-done. And he also takes time to thank God for his goodness.

          Or who doesn’t relish the taste of that first strawberry or raspberry picked and popped directly into your mouth. Maybe it is the first of those sugar snap peas or that first ripe tomato that you look forward to. Again the satisfaction of work being blessed by God is a joy not to be discounted.

          But it is spring time, time of the planting, why am I writing about the harvest now? Well, as a teacher, spring is a time of harvest. When you look back to the beginning of the year and compare work done then and the work being done now, I can really marvel at what God has brought about in His children.

Some things can be easily quantified and scored. There are other changes that are evident as well. A strength of character is developing in one, leadership qualities are sprouting in others. Best of all, a faith that has been strengthened and exercised is seen in their actions and attitudes. Certainly, these changes are not complete in any of us. I marvel as I wonder what God has planned for these students in the future. That God has a plan for each of us is a comfort in itself. When the Heavenly Gardner sees, “Love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self- control,” great is the joy in heaven!

Thanks a Million

          To everyone who brought donations for the parking lot sale, who helped run the sale, who helped with the blood drive, who helped at Reading Rendezvous, and to everyone who helped us with our Spring Musical: THANK YOU! We couldn’t have done it without you.

End of School Picnic

This Thursday, May 24th, we will be having our end-of-school picnic at 11am. Hot dogs and hamburgers will be provided. We are asking each class to help provide the rest.

·         Preschool – hamburger or hotdog buns as assigned by Miss Mittelstadt

·         Kindergarten - grapes

·         1st through 4th – one box of 8-10 individual drinks

·         5th through 8th – one bag of chips or cookies as assigned by Mr. Z.

If you have any questions, please call or text Amanda Foster at 907-250-9685    

Sports Uniforms

          If you still have a uniform at home, it needs to be washed and returned by Wednesday. 

Boxtops for Education

Do you still have Boxtops for Education lying around in your kitchen drawers at home? Please make sure to bring them in before the last day of classes.

Don’t stop saving them over the summer!  We’ll be collecting them again next school year.

TADS Accounts

          All accounts should be settled prior to the end of school on May 24th.

Class Enrollment

Please enroll your student for the 2018/2019 school year if he or she will be returning next year.  It’s important that we know who is returning so that we can order curriculum and supplies over the summer.   

Need Something to Keep the Kids Busy?

This summer we have four week-long camps planned to help keep your kids and their friends busy.  Join us for the following:

·         June 18-22 STEM Camp (grades K-8)

·         June 25-28 Soccer Camp (grades PK-6)

·         July 8-13 Camp Luther (grades 3-8)

·         July 16-20 Outdoor Adventure Camp (grades PK-6)

Register now at faithalaska.com!

Parent Connection May 14

Who Are You Calling Lost?

          On the way to church yesterday, I saw a bumper sticker that I had never seen before and it got me to thinking. It was a sticker that simply said, “Not all who wander are lost.” I’m not sure what the producer of this sticker had in mind when he printed these stickers but maybe he wanted to let people know the joy of being able to take off some day and just drive down the road with no real plan, just drive to where ever the wind blows or the sun shines.

          Since yesterday was Confirmation Day here at Faith, I started to think about those who were making a promise not to wander away from God. They were renewing their vow made for them at their Baptism to renounce the devil and all of his works and ways. These young adults stood before God and the congregation stating their intention to remain a child of God all the rest of their life.

          Then I thought of all of those young adults who previously had made those same promises over the years I have been here at Faith. I thanked God for those who are still here and have remained faithful to those vows. I prayed that God would remind and restore those who may have wandered from those vows. I may have lost contact with them but God knows them and loves them still. He will do all He can to call them back. We should do all we can to stay close to the Lord through His Word.

Congratulations Huskies Track Team!

We’re proud of how well our students did at the ACSAA State Track Meet last Saturday! Our elementary and junior high girls’ teams both took 3rd place, and our elementary boys’ team tied for 1st place.

Track Members

          Uniforms should be washed and returned as soon as possible.  If anyone still has a uniform from another sport, please return it.

THANK YOU!

• The teachers and staff would like to say thank you to the students, parents, and PTF members for our fantastic meals, our decorated doors, and the generous gifts we received during Teacher Appreciation Week.  Words cannot express how honored and blessed we feel to see your appreciation. 

• Thank you to all of the students who came last Sunday to sing in Jr. Choir and play the hand chimes during our Confirmation Service.  Thanks, especially, to all of you parents who brought your students to participate.

Costumes for the Spring Musical

Students need to bring their costumes to school by this Wednesday so they can use them during rehearsal.  On Friday, they will bring them home after school so that all students can arrive at the theater already dressed in costume by 6:15pm.

         

Spring Musical Performance

The Spring Musical will be held on Friday May 18^th at 6:30pm at UAA Mainstage Theater (Located in the Fine Arts Building, 3700 Alumni Drive).  Students will need to be at UAA Theater by 6:15pm.  Practicing for the musical has begun.  It is imperative that all students are in attendance at the musical.  It will last about an hour.

Reading Rendezvous

          Our next school promotional event is Saturday, May 19th 12:00pm – 4:00pm at Loussac Library.  We will have a booth making the same craft we made at Kids’ Day. 

Volunteers are needed to help at the booth and with the soccer games in the center area. If there are any teens available, this would be a great opportunity to get involved.  It would also show our community how awesome our teens are!!

Annual Parking Lot Sale

The parking lot sale is this Saturday, May 19th 9:00 to 3:00pm. Note the time has moved up!  Please bring any donations you may have and drop off in the fellowship hall this week.  All donations need to be received by 8:00am on Saturday.

Be sure to stop by on Saturday to do some shopping and visit the Blood Bank blood drive as well.

Blood Drive

Faith is hosting a blood drive Saturday, May 19th, 10:30am-4:00pm. Sign-up sheets with open time slots are posted in the school entrance. If you are unable to donate blood, we need volunteers to provide cookies and facilitate the donation process that day. Email Amy Mozolik at amymozolik@gmail.com or text her at 414-430-7669.

TADS Accounts

          All accounts should be settled prior to the end of school on May 24th.

Class Enrollment

Please enroll your student for the 2018/2019 school year if he or she will be returning next year.  It’s important that we know who is returning so that we can order curriculum and supplies over the summer.   

Boxtops for Education

Do you still have Boxtops for Education lying around in your kitchen drawers at home? Please make sure to bring them in before the last day of classes.

Don’t stop saving them over the summer!  We’ll be collecting them again next school year.

Kindergarten Teacher

          God has graciously blessed us with a new Kindergarten teacher.  Miss Heidi Kruger has accepted the call to teach at Faith.  We look forward to welcoming her into our church and school family.

May, June, and July Birthdays

          God’s richest blessings on your birthday and throughout the year.

Mrs. Robbert – June 10

Alaina H. – June 12

Sahara B. – June 14

Mr. Zarnstorff – June 22

Mrs. Koenig – July 15

Gavin M. – July 7

Kennedy M. – July 9

Paityn R. – July 14

Megan L. – July 20

Parent Connection May 7

Only One Detergent Will Work

          The stain was still there. Some spaghetti sauce had been spilled onto a white dress shirt. The shirt had been washed but no special treatment had been used so the stain had not been removed. Someone should have used a special stain remover, a spray, perhaps, or a stain stick. We know about dirty clothes and how to make them clean. We understand that it takes special detergent to wash the dirt of daily wear out of our clothes.

          In his letter to the church, the apostle John writes about dirt and cleaning. He speaks about the grime of daily life that is ground into our souls: the dirt of sins. He speaks of the mud of sinful dirt and the sinful life that soils everyone, making us fit only for hell. But then John points us to the only detergent that can completely remove the stain of sin from our souls. That detergent is the precious blood of our Savior Jesus, God’s Son. This blood completely removes our stain of sin, not a spot remains. No ugly residue is left.

That blood comes directly from the veins of him who is God and Man in one. God who promised forgiveness is faithful. At Calvary’s cross He demanded full payment for the sins of the whole world. That guilt wasn’t just swept under the rug but paid for in full. The Son’s suffering and death is the miracle whitener that cleanses even the most corrupt sinner and the most crimson stain.

          “The blood of Jesus, His Son, purifies us from all sin.” I John 1:7. Let us treasure the fact that our sins have been removed and pray that God help us to stay away from those things that would soil us once again, to His glory and for our good!

Track Practices and State Meet

A hearty thank you to all who helped make our track meet a success, from the athletes to the volunteers and the parents!

          We have the State meet this Saturday, May 12th, at Goldenview Middle School (15800 Golden View Drive, Anchorage) hosted by Anchor Lutheran. It will start at 10:00 am, with warmups at 9:30am.

          We will practice Tuesday and Thursday this week as we have in the past.

Spirit Week

It’s time for our last spirit week of this school year!  To show support for our Huskies track team at the State Track Meet on Saturday, we are asking you to dress up as the following:  

         Tuesday:  Dress like a Superhero

      Wednesday: Wear workout clothes*

      Thursday:  Hawaiian/Tourist Day

      Friday:  Husky Day (teal & gold) 

*Please remember to follow all guidelines set forth under General dress standards on page 14 of the Student/Parent Handbook.

PTF Meeting

          PTF will be meeting this Wednesday, May 9th, at 6:00pm.  The agenda includes the upcoming Parking Lot Sale and School Picnic.

Teacher Appreciation Week

Just a reminder that this week is Teacher Appreciation Week. This is a great opportunity to let your child’s teacher know you appreciate all their hard work.

The PTF is sending our teachers out for dinner and we need your donations to make this happen. You may send your donations with your child or drop off in the office. You can contact Amanda Foster by phone or text with any questions. Her phone number is 907-250-9685.

Jr. Choir Sings

          Junior choir will be singing during the 10:30 am 8th grade Confirmation worship service at Faith this Sunday, May 13th. 

          You do not have to arrive early to practice but please be here before the service begins.

Spring Musical

          The Spring Musical will be held on Friday May 18^th at 6:30pm at UAA Mainstage Theater (Located in the Fine Arts Building, 3700 Alumni Drive).  Students will need to be at UAA Theater by 6:15pm.  Practicing for the musical has begun.  It is imperative that all students are in attendance at the musical.  It will last about an hour.

Reading Rendezvous

          Our next school promotional event is Saturday, May 19th 12:00pm – 4:00pm at Loussac Library.  We will have a booth making the same craft we made at Kids’ Day. 

Volunteers are needed to help at the booth and with the soccer games in the center area. If there are any teens available, this would be a great opportunity to get involved.  It would also show our community how awesome our teens are!!

Annual Parking Lot Sale

It is time for spring cleaning and the annual parking lot sale on May 19th, 10:00am – 4:00pm. Setup begins at 7:30am.

First, we need your donation of items for the sale.  You can bring your donations beginning on May 14^th and place them in the fellowship hall.  We cannot accept donations before that time.

Next, we are in desperate need for volunteers to run the sale.  May is a busy month and many of our normal volunteers are not available to help.  So that means we need your help.  No need to stay all day, you can stop by and help for a couple of hours.  There are signup sheets on the bulletin board by the office.  Sign up for a time or contact Sheila and let her know you can help. 

Blood Drive

Faith is hosting a blood drive Saturday, May 19th, 10:30am-4:00pm. Sign-up sheets with open time slots are posted in the school entrance. If you are unable to donate blood, we need volunteers to provide cookies and facilitate the donation process that day. Email Amy Mozolik at amymozolik@gmail.com or text her at 414-430-7669.