Lower School Newsletter
Monday, November 6 , 2017
Upcoming Events
Monday, November 6-10 - National Young Reader's Week
Thursday, November 9 - Parent meeting, 7:30pm, auditorium
Monday, November 13 - Vision therapy presentation, 6:00-7:00pm
Monday, November 13 - Operation Christmas Child boxes due
Friday, November 17 - Last day for wreath orders
Monday, November 20 - Wreath delivery at WSCA
From the Principal's Desk....
Just a reminder-boxes for Operation Christmas Child are due next Monday. On November 14th, our entire staff and student body will make a chain that starts in the office and stretches throughout our school to pack the school van. Each child will pass the boxes from the office to the van allowing them to be an important part of why we are giving to others. Our Bible verse from last week helps to illustrate this as well-1 John 3:18 “Dear children, let us not love with words or speech, but with actions and in truth.”
Thank you parents for coming out to parent/teacher conferences last week. The investment you are making in your child’s education will be so important in years to come. Ecclesiastes 7:12 “For the protection of wisdom is like the protection of money, and the advantage of knowledge is that wisdom preserves the life of him who has it.”
I had an enjoyable day of reading Monday as a challenge for the Week of the Young Reader. Students spotted me in their classroom, in the hallway, at my desk, and even on the roof. As an educator, it is so important to stress to your children the importance of reading. Think about it—we read everything in our world—for information, entertainment, and to communicate with others.
Reading: It Matters
Everyday Life Connections-One way to help your child understand the value of reading and how it is connected to, so many essential things is to focus on these four areas: Communication, Business, Instructions, and Fun.
Instructions-Have your child read recipes as you cook. Read a manual with your child that explains how to use a gadget or put something together. Ask him/her if they could have figured it out without reading the directions. Check in next week for another everyday connection to reading.
The Transformed Heart- What Does It Mean to Love God and One Another?
Question for this week: What does God do for those who love Him?
This week’s Bible verse is… Romans 8:28 “And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love Him, who have been called according to His purpose.”
Chapel Invitation-Parents if you would like to join us for our Lower School Chapel every Tuesday morning from 8:15-9 we would love to have you visit and worship with your child.
Yours in Christ,
Mr. Shirvinski
Parent Meeting
Please come to the WSCA Parent Meeting in the church auditorium on Thursday, November 9 at 7:30pm (please note time change) in the church auditorium. We will be reviewing exciting things during the 1st quarter, like the Spiritual Emphasis Retreat, Grandfriends' Day, and Race for Education. We'll also be looking forward to the rest of the year: professional development days, the CSAGH Association and Governance Model, and the framework for the 2018-2019 financial plan. There is so much to be thankful for and trust you will be a part of this important meeting. No children at the meeting, please.
Wreath Orders
We found out today that we can keep collecting Christmas wreath orders until Friday, November 17. Now that the cold weather has set in, are you thinking about Christmas yet? The wreaths are very high quality and will last you until Valentine's Day, or longer!
Vision Therapy Lecture
We invite all PreK-12th grade parents to attend this insightful presentation on Monday, November 13: "Understanding How Vision Disorders Interfere with Reading, Learning, Motivation, and Self-Esteem" presented by Dr. Craig Henry. Even with 20/20 eyesight, undiagnosed eye coordination and eye movement problems can interfere with learning and reading. If you attend the event, your child qualifies for a FREE learning-related vision screening, to be held at WSCA in the future. Mrs. VanHart and Mr. Shirvinski can testify to the difference vision therapy has made in their families. RSVP to Mrs. VanHart at lvanhart@westshorechristian.org. No children at the lecture, please.
Operation Christmas Child
We love Operation Christmas Child! Please go shopping and fill a shoebox to send Jesus' love around the world! We have extra brochures and shoeboxes available in the Lower School lobby. The due date for handing them in is Monday, November 13, because on Tuesday, November 14, we are going to make a big student chain to pack them in the vans and some of the 5th graders will deliver them to a local collection center!
Dress Code Reminders
A few reminders about dress code as the cooler weather sets in -
-We will make students change clothes the dress code is not followed.
-If a polo has a logo on it, it needs to be the same color and blend in to the shirt.
-Our girls are growing! Skirts, dresses, and jumpers should be to the top of the knees, even while wearing leggings.
-If students are going to wear outerwear (like sweatshirts, vests, and jackets) over their collared shirts, they need to be "WSCA wear." Ms. Cornetto has some WSCA sweatshirts left to sell (jcornetto@westshorechristian.org) and you can get vests and fleeces from Land's End with the WSCA embroidered logo. They would make a great Christmas present!
Thank you Mrs. Tyler for your many years of service!
Cafeteria Volunteer Needed
We appreciate Mrs. Tyler's many years of service to our school. She got married last weekend, and we need a new regular cafeteria volunteer. If you would like to find out more information, please contact our new CSAGH Human Resources Director, Sandy Berry, at sberry@westshorechristian.org.
Forensics Tournament - Volunteers Needed
WSCA's Speech and Debate Team is hosting it's first ever Forensics Tournament on Saturday, November 18. There are many volunteer opportunities: judging, tabulation of results, concession stand, set up and clean up, and many more! Hosting a tournament is an important opportunity for our school, and every volunteer is deeply needed and appreciated! Please sign up at ttsu.me/yhstdy and email coach Mrs. Paige Stonge at pstonge@westshorechristian.org with any questions.
CSAGH Association Meeting and Board Nominations
Save the date for the Annual CSAGH Association Meeting to be held at 7 PM on January 22 at Harrisburg Christian School’s Fine Arts Center (2000 Blue Mountain Parkway, Harrisburg, PA 17112).
This meeting will provide updates on the CSAGH Strategic Plan, review of CSAGH’s Financial Plan and Tuition Schedules for 2018-2019, and the election of new CSAGH Board Members. For information about CSAGH’s Board of Directors and Board Code of Conduct please go to the following link:
WSCA: http://westshorechristian.org/about/csagh-board-constitution-requirement-code-of-conduct
The CSAGH Board of Directors looks forward to seeing you January 22!
Health Screenings
On November 2, our nurses finished health screenings and rescreens. If your child needs a referral, a letter will be sent home with them soon. If you have any questions, please contact Mary Krouch at mkrouch@westshorechristian.org.
Giant A+ Rewards
Starting in the month of October, 2017, West Shore Christian Academy – ID#: 20565 has the opportunity to participate in and earn CASH from A+ School Rewards, a great fundraising program run through your local Giant! Last year WSCA raised over $3000.00 though this program but there is limitless potential to what we can earn for our school and all we need to do is register more Giant bonus cards to WSCA!!
PLEASE NOTE:
You DO NOT need to re-register your card if your school selection(s) remains the same as last year.
This does not personally affect your own bonus/gas point etc.
To participate:
- Visit www.giantfoodstores.com and select Savings & Rewards.
- Follow the prompts to create your online account if you do not already have one. You’ll need your 11-digit BONUSCARD® number and the School ID #
To earn points:
- Use your registered BONUSCARD® each time you shop at Giant, and you will earn CASH for our school. You can track the number of points you are earning for our school by checking your grocery receipt.
- At the end of each month, your points are calculated and converted to CASH rewards. These CASH rewards for our school are updated monthly. You can track our progress when you sign in to your online account.
- Our school will receive one CASH awards check at the end of the program.
Update to ParentsWeb
We made a change to ParentsWeb. Under the Student Information section, you will now see a choice for Attendance. Clicking on that section will show you a list of all absences and tardies recorded in RenWeb for your child. You are able to see whether absences/tardies are excused or not and any comments entered, such as a sign-in time or "got note." The current default is for the 2nd quarter but the 1st quarter is also available on the screen. We hope that this update will help answer questions you may have about your child's attendance. You are still welcome to call the office if you have additional questions.
CATS Prayer Team Update
We have changed the day that we gather as parents in prayer for our school to Tuesday afternoons from 2:00 to 2:45 in the Lower School Conference Room. We pray for staff members, teachers, and students by name and any special requests for that week. If you aren't available on Tuesday afternoons you can get the prayer requests via email each week to commit to pray at home. For more information contact Gretchen Carvella at CatsPrayerTeam@westshorechristian.org . Thanks for lifting our WSCA community before the Lord in prayer!
Here's a link to a prayer calendar which all of us can use to pray each day for our children, our children's friends, their teachers, and all who are in the WSCA family. Just follow the date, no matter which day of the week it falls on each month -
http://www.motherhoodonadime.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/09/September-Prayer-Calendar1.pdf (Copyright Bob Hostetler (www.bobhostetler.com). Used with the permission of the author. Also available as an iPhone/iPad app in the iTunes app store.)
Volunteer Needed in Library
We are happy to welcome Mrs. Eleanor Burd as our K-12 librarian. She is looking for a cleared volunteer to help with library classes: 1st grade, every Tuesday from 1:20-2:00 and 2nd grade, every Wednesday from 9:00-9:40. Please contact her at eburd@westshorechristian.org for more information.
Microwave Needed
WSCA Lower School Yearbook Orders
Go to treering.com/validate to purchase your student’s yearbook. Your Lower School passcode is 101495056158615. There is an option to personalize two pages with your student’s favorite photos at NO additional cost. If you start designing the two pages and then decide against completing them, it will automatically revert to a standard yearbook.
Please note, if you have students in both Upper and Lower Schools, you will need a different passcode for the Upper School yearbook. If you have any questions email Yearbook@westshorechristian.org or call 717-737-3550 x134. See the attached PDF (at the bottom of the newsletter) for additional information on how to purchase, customize pages and download app if desired.
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