Lower School Newsletter
Monday, April 9, 2018
Upcoming Events
Tuesday, April 10 - PreK-12th Open House for prospective families, 6:30pm
Friday, April 13 - Deadline to order yearbook
Monday, April 16 - Firm deadline for donations to silent auction baskets
Friday, April 20 - Bobcat Breakfast in the Grove, 7:15-8:00
Saturday, April 21 - CSAGH Benefit Gala, 5:30-8:30pm
April 23-27 - 1st-5th Grade Standardized Testing (please do not miss school)
From the Principal's Desk....
Dear Lower School Families,
Our school year is quickly coming to a close. One thing we focus on is final assessment of your child and their progress for the year. With that being said, think of student assessment as a collage. Each assessment we administer throughout the year is a snap shot. Putting the snap shots together forms one picture of your child’s progress. I will be featuring a few tips in future newsletters.
Parent Tips: How to Help Your Child Prepare for Standardized Tests
Standardized tests currently play a key role in our schools. Your child may take one or more standardized tests during the school year, and your child's teacher may spend class time on test preparation throughout the year. As a parent, there are several ways that you can support your child before and after taking a standardized test, as well as several ways you can support your child's learning habits on a daily basis that will help her be more prepared when it's time to be tested.
While many parents, educators, and school leaders disagree about the kinds of tests administered, how the scores should be used, and how frequently students should be tested, it is important to be supportive of your child's efforts on standardized tests, and to help them do their best. You can also learn more about testing from teachers and the principal to better understand how testing is being carried out at your child's school, and how the results are being used.
Next week’s Topic-Before the Test/Be prepared
Please note that these tips have been adapted from articles published by Scholastic, Inc., Parent/Teacher Organizations and the International Reading Association.
Yours in Christ,
Mr. Shirvinski
The Transformed Heart- What Does It Mean to Love God and One Another?
Question for this week: How does God want all of us to live on the Earth?
Verse for this Week: Romans 12:13 “Share with the Lord’s people who are in need. Practice hospitality.”
All-School Bobcats Breakfast - Friday, April 20
CATS invited all students, staff, and parents to stop by and grab a donut and some orange juice before school. Bring your own coffee and enjoy a few moments with your WSCA community!
CSAGH Benefit Gala - Saturday, April 21
We invite you to attend the CSAGH Gala on Saturday, April 2, 5:30-8:30pm, at the Civil War Museum for a night of celebration, delicious food, live music, new friends, silent auctions, and even a few short-duration live auctions throughout the night. Online giving and bidding has already begun at https://bidr.co/events/gala2018. Please register for the event at https://bidr.co/events/gala2018. The Benefit Gala is a premier event with a goal to raise $90,000 in support of students and educational programs.
How can you help?
-Sign up to volunteer at the venue, as well as pre and post Gala. Contact Edit Planas at eplanas@harrisburgchristian.com to sign up.
-Upper School students can volunteer to accrue service hours.
-Spread the word in your churches and communities and invite your friends and extended family.
-Donate. In addition to themed activities with faculty and staff (e.g., "Pizza and Bowling Night for you and two friends"), we welcome gift cards, airline miles, themed baskets, amusement park tickets, and more.
-Lower School classes are putting together themed baskets - donate a few items!
-Share the registration and bidding information from our WSCA facebook page.
Silent Auction Baskets - Donations Needed
Lower School Yearbook - Deadline is April 13
The deadline to order a Lower School yearbook is April 13. Don’t miss the opportunity to buy one and remember the fun activities and friendships from 2017-2018! This year students have the option to create two personal pages in the yearbook. They are able to design and add pictures to the pages all on their own. The two pages will only be in their yearbook, no other book. This is completely optional and will not affect the book if you choose not to do this. The Lower School yearbook costs $15.00 and is ordered at www.treering.com/validate. Use the school code: 101495056158615 to create an account, customize your pages, and purchase a yearbook. If you have any questions, please contact Mrs. Clutter at lclutter@westshorechristian.org.
Educational Field Trip Request Forms
As a reminder, if your children are missing school due to a family trip or excursion, you need to fill out a Lower School Educational Field Trip Request Form. Mr. Shirvinski will review it and decide if the absence is excused or unexcused. Please see the attached form at the bottom of this newsletter.
Substitute Nurse and Substitute Teachers
We are looking for a substitute nurse, who can help out once in a while when Mrs. Krouch and Mrs. Hoover cannot come to WSCA. We are also looking for additional substitute teachers, PreK-12th grade. Please fill out an application on our website and help us spread the word!
Terra Nova Tests, April 23-27
Our 1st-7th graders will be taking the Terra Nova standardized tests on April 23-27. These tests help parents and teachers see the students' progress through the years. As a private school, we do not take the PSSAs like in public schools. Our testing is for our benefit and is not reported to the state nor is our funding dependent on the results. If you have any questions regarding the tests, please email Mr. Shirvinski at jshirvinski@westshorechristian.org.
You can help your child do their best on the tests by helping them relax, keep early bedtimes, and feed them a hearty breakfast to power their brain! Also, please do not pull them out of school for appointments this week.
CSAGH Job Openings 2018-2019
Please help us spread the word! Full descriptions for WSCA, HCS, and CSAGH positions are at www.westshorechristian.org. Applicants should send resume, letter of interest and application to our HR Department at jobs@csagh.org or mail them to West Shore Christian Academy, 201 W. Main Street, Shiremanstown, PA, 17011.
• Athletic Director & PE Teacher (WSCA)
• Bible Teacher – Upper School (WSCA)
• Math Teacher – Upper School (WSCA)
• History Teacher –Middle and Upper School (WSCA)
• Life Science Teacher – Upper School (WSCA)
• Spanish (Part-time) – Middle School (WSCA)
• 2nd Grade Teacher (WSCA)
• Guidance Counselor - Part-time, Upper school (WSCA)
• Sous Chef (mostly WSCA)
• IT Coordinator – Immediate opening (mostly WSCA)
• Online Learning Coordinator (Part-time) - Immediate opening (CSAGH)
• Kindergarten Teacher (Part-time) (Devonshire campus)
• Kindergarten Aide (Part-time) (Devonshire campus)
Volunteer Cashier Needed
We are in need of a cafeteria cashier volunteer. If you, or someone you know, is interested in ministering to our school and students in that way, please contact Sandy Berry at sberry@westshorechristian.org. Volunteer clearances will need to be completed prior to starting.
West Shore Christian Academy
Email: info@westshorechristian.org
Website: www.westshorechristian.org
Location: 201 West Main Street, Shiremanstown, PA, United States
Phone: 717.737.3550
Facebook: www.facebook.com/westshorechristian
Twitter: @WSCA1