Week 26

LHS Play: The 7th and 8th graders greatly enjoyed seeing the Lutheran High play this past Thursday.  The small high school cast impressed the audience with their line memorization, quick costume and scene changes, as well as the comedy thrown into each mythological story.  Well done!!  It was extra special to see three of the main characters who were Zion graduates ('13).

A,B,C Book Literature Projects have been completed and presented to the class. The 7th graders seemed to enjoy this challenging project; ask you child to share their A, B, C book with you!

Round Up Results: The results are in for the Auction Round Up. The two winning classes that get to enjoy a free bowling party with lunch included at Harvest Lanes are Mrs. Smith & Mrs. Cluck!! Thank you to everyone who brought in donations to help the 2014 Auction be a success after all it is to benefit "A Bright Future with a Hope for our Children". Also a big Thank You to Harvest Lanes for donating the bowling parties. 

Yearbook Sales: A flyer regarding online Yearbook sales came home with your child Friday. Each Yearbook is $20 and orders must be placed by March 3. Don’t miss out! 

Dates to Remember:

February 26 Thrive Parent Meeting 8pm

February 28-30 LSAM Basketball Tournament

March 7 AR points are due

March 10 Missouri Constitution Test

March 14 Grandparent's Day, 7th grade leads chapel, noon dismissal, end of 3rd quarter

March 14-23 Spring Break

Blessings on your weekend,

Week 25

It has been a ver busy week in 7th grade; students are practicing their organization and time management skills to the max!

Academics: We are half way through the 3rd Quarter!

• Science Test next week
• Literature "Where the Red Fern Grows" ABC Book Project due Wednesday
• MO Constitution Studying (Test March 10th)
• Continue encouraging AR Reading
• Continue to check grades on Edline as they are updates the first day of every week

Spring Picture Day Interstate Studios will be on campus Thursday, February 20 to take spring pictures. Send no money or forms! Everyone’s photograph will be taken. A proof will be sent home with an order form, so you can preview the pose before you purchase. This will be a dress down day, including jeans. Students may bring ONE prop if desired, such as a band instrument or trophy.

7th -8th Field Trip is scheduled for Thursday, February 20 to visit Lutheran High for a viewing of their Spring play The Iliad, The Odyssey, and all of Greek Mythology in 99 Minutes or Less.  A permission form was sent home today.  Students need to wear regular Zion dress for the morning field trip and may bring a change of clothes for Spring Pictures in the afternoon.

February 14 No School – Winter Break Day 

February 17 President’s Day - No School

February 26 Thrive Parent Meeting 8pm (attendance sheet was sent home)

February 28-30 LSAM Basketball Tournament

March 7 AR points are due

March 10 Missouri Constitution Test

March 14 Grandparent's Day, 7th grade leads chapel, noon dismissal, end of 3rd quarter

March 14-23 Spring Break

Blessings on your long weekend,

Walking in the Faith: the High School Years

Week 24

3D Art: Student's learned that value can create 3D effect in art!

Heart Art:

West African Trans-Saharan Trade Activity: Students learned about West African trade through an interactive trading experience.  Who could trade for the most gold?? Who could trade for the most salt?? And don't forget to pay your taxes to Ghana's king! 

Opportunities:

A speaker series is held on Wednesday nights at Zion during the winter months.  The final and rescheduled program will be "Walking in Faith: the High School Years" from Dr. Craig Ernstmeyer, new Head of School at Lutheran High School - St. Charles. Please mark your calendar for February 19th from 7:00 - 8:15 pm.  The nursery will be available for those with small children.  Meet in the church balcony.

"Stress and Your Child's Brain"

I found this interesting article called "Stress and your Child's Brain"  http://drdavewalsh.com/posts/165  and wanted to share it with you.  The link will take you to the full article; below is an excerpt.  Stress is a natural part of life and our brains grow and develop stronger through those experiences.  

It's my goal to help my students grow and develop into strong problem solvers, using stress in a positive way.

There may not be a roadmap, but let's agree on some goals.

Unfortunately this post doesn't end with a stress eradicator, a vacation, or a spa package (though there is nothing wrong with the last two). There is no clear roadmap for how every child should learn to handle stress. But a couple things are clear:

It is absolutely our job as parents and as a society to do everything in our power to protect children from toxic stress.

It is also our job to make sure that our kids learn how to handle appropriate stress.

Goal One: Let's work together to tackle toxic stress in our communities. It is a big and complicated goal, but a worthy one. Feel overwhelmed? Here's a theory of change that can get the conversation going.

Goal Two: Let's leave the quick n' easy stress busters on the shelf and opt for building resilience instead.

Resilience is the ability to overcome adversity and to bounce back from challenge. Resilience is what enables our kids to fall down and pick themselves up again. Resilience is not hard wired. It can be nurtured and learned.

Here are some places to start:

• Praise effort and persistence more than natural talent. "I am so proud that you worked at that math problem even though it wasn't easy. Way to go!"
• Don't do things for your kids that they can do themselves. My dad once cleaned the bathroom for me when I was a kid and my mom confronted him with a brilliant line: "Dave? Do you want a clean bathroom or a competent daughter?" She's a wise one, my mom.
• Follow through with limits and consequences. Easier said than done, I know. But oh so important. Gather your parent friends around you to help you with this one.
• Listen to and acknowledge your child's feelings."It sounds like lunch time was really tough today. You sound really frustrated with your friends."
• Encourage your child to come up with solutions to challenges."What might you try next? What else could you do? Let's come up with a game plan together."

Week 23 National Lutheran Schools Week

Monday: PJ Day
*Ice cream treats at lunch
(totally forgot to take pictures today...sorry!)

Celebrating National Lutheran Schools Week -- what do you love about ZION??

Tuesday: Clash Day
*Finished reading "Where the Red Fern Grows" -- I saw some tears in a few student's eyes.

Wednesday: "Disciples of the Future" --> Career Day

Thursday: Spirit Day
*8th grade vs. teacher volleyball and knock-out with a special visit from Louis the Blues's Bear!!

Friday: Favorite Sports team Day
*Craft time with 2nd graders
*Faith Family get-together
*Show-Me-Jumpers
*Scholar Bowl State Tournament (Trevor N., Caleb C., Kurt S., Zach C., Hannah B., Steven H.)

"The Pearl Exchange"--- 7th graders have been discovering what the term supply and demand is all about through and multi-day activity called "The Pearl Exchange."  Students played both the rolls of buyers and sellers trying to get the best deal!  Pearls sold for as low at $25 and as high as $600!  Here are some of the moments I captured on camera:

Auction Round Up time is here! The Round Up is for 2 weeks, January 27 - February 3rd. Thank you to everyone who has participated in donated items for our class "Family Fun Night" basket.  Special thanks for Mrs. May for organizing and collecting items!!!
*More information in previous blog/Banner/etc.

Valentines Parties - Thursday 2/13: Administration has announced there is to be no brining of candy for Valentines celebrations.  This is to ensure we are following our "Peanut Safe Environment" policy.  This goes for all birthday treats as well; please pay close attention to the treat you send to school with your child.  Everything must be peanut free and made in a peanut free environment.  Thank you for understanding.  This will also be announced in the Banner.  

Jump Rope and Hoops for Heart information was sent home last Friday. 7th and 8th graders are asked to donate $5 to the American Heart Association to participate in the event (2/11). Any donation $15+ students will be invited to participate and receive a AHA red "Get Fired Up" t-shirt. Donations $50+ students will be invited to participate, receive the t-shirt, and other AHA prizes.

Zion's Open House is Sunday, February 9^th from 1-3pm.  Please invite family and friends who maybe looking for a great school!

Grandparent's Day is Friday, March 14 with the Scholastic Book Fair being up all week.  Teachers will also have "wish bins" filled with books wanted for our classrooms.

Box Tops for Education collection competition starts Monday Feb 3 and end on Thursday Feb 13.  The classroom that brings in the most boxtops will receive a special treat in March.

Please review old posts for fun-to-know and important information :)