LAKEWOOD PARK CHRISTIAN SCHOOL NEWSLETTER
Friday, December 18, 2009

Building on a Solid Foundation in Kindergarten - By Linda Weaver
It is an exciting time of the year in Kindergarten!  We are beginning to build on solid foundations.  In Phonics, we are putting letter sounds together and reading words and sentences.  In Math, we are counting groups and comparing different sizes of groups.  In Social Studies, we have learned about our country, and we are now learning about other countries.

Our Bible lessons in December have focused on this important foundation –“Emmanuel: God is with us!”  The students would like to share what this concept means to them:

Alden Lewis: “God is with us, and I am glad Jesus died for us.”
Braelyn May: “God is with us.  He walks around with us and is nice.
Bryce Dobson: “It makes me happy that God is with us”
Conner Hodges: “It makes me feel great that God is with us.”
Connor Penrod: “It means that you worship God with all your heart.”
Easton Seifert: “God is nice and Jesus died for us.”
Edy Swartz: “ It means that God’s Son was here on earth.”
Eva Hostetler: “It makes me happy that Mary had baby Jesus.”
Hope Lewis: “It is nice that God can live in our hearts!”
Jarin Heffelfinger: “ I am glad Jesus was born and that the shepherds went to worship Him.”
Keegan Kamleiter: “It means that we are special and that is why Jesus came.
Lauren Crider: “I am glad God’s Son came to earth!”
Luke Keller: “Jesus came and it makes us happy!”
Maya Cool: “God sent baby Jesus to be born.”
Megan Kooistra: “It makes me glad that Jesus was born.”
Peyton Chaney: “I think about Jesus loving us.”
Reagan Rolf: “It means that Jesus loves us so much.”
Spencer Arrington: “Jesus is the Savior of the world.”
Traeton Stayer: “Jesus came to earth and died for us.”
Trennan Lilly: “It means that God is great!”

It is my wish this Christmas that all of us take time to remember how amazing it is that God sent His Son to die for us.  I hope that the words of a student in Kindergarten may lead others to understand this basic truth!

 - Mrs. Weaver and her Kindergarten class

Indiana Department of Education - Speak Up 2009
Since 2003, over 1.5 million K-12 education stakeholders have participated in the annual Speak Up National Research Project which collects and reports on the authentic, unfiltered views and opinions of students, parents and educators on critical 21st century education issues.

Project Tomorrow, the national education nonprofit organization that facilitates Speak Up, invites all K-12 Indiana schools to participate in Speak Up 2009

About Speak Up 2009

• Online surveys will be open for input from October 19th through December 23rd
• Surveys will be available this year for the following audiences: K-12 students (grade
  appropriate surveys), Parents, Teachers, Principals and District Administrators,
  and Pre-service Teachers enrolled in post-secondary degree programs (new this
  year!)
• Speak Up is open to all K-12 schools, districts and schools of education. There is no
  fee to participate, or limit on the number of respondents. All information is 100% confidential.
  The surveys take less than 20 minutes to complete.
  
• Participating institutions receive a free online report aggregating all local data with national data to use for comparative benchmarking. Reports available in early February 2010.
  
• Survey question topics include: Learning and teaching with technology, 21st century skills, science and math instruction, career exploration, emerging technologies (such as Web 2.0, mobile devices, online learning and digital content), professional development, school-to-home communications, and investment recommendations for 21st century schools. www.doe.in.gov
  
• Use Speak Up data to: inform plans for ARRA funding, engage your community in new
  initiatives, advocate for national and state policies & funding, learn about your students’ ideas.
  
• All of Indiana’s public and private schools (based on NCES database) have been registered to participate.
  
  If you decide to participate, you may access the surveys at:
  http://www.speakup4schools.org/speakup2009.
  1. Select Student, Teachers & Administrators or Parent option.
  2. Select State and type in your school name
  3. Once you have selected your school, you will be asked to enter the Secret Word                        (su4indiana)
  
  For more information about the online survey please contact David Ryan (dryan@doe.in.gov) or visit http://www.tomorrow.org/speakup/index.html

Coaches Needed
Lakewood Park is committed to the success of our athletic programs and the character development of our student athletes.  At this time we have openings for coaches in the following areas:

Girls Varsity Soccer
Lakewood Park is in search of a qualified soccer coach to help pioneer our girl’s soccer program. The girl’s soccer season runs from August 2nd through mid October.

Lakewood Park is seeking a qualified varsity golf coach to lead our boy’s JV and varsity golf teams. Boy’s golf runs from March 15th through the end of May.

If you are interested in joining our team of coaches please contact Don Davis.
Ddavis@lakewoodpark.org; Ext. 238.

**ATTENTION PHOTO TAKERS**
The yearbook is looking for people who have taken pictures of their elementary students programs, sporting events and/or classroom field trips. If you would be willing to share, please send in with your child or email. Any questions, please contact Mrs. Schlotterback @ ext. 334 or mschlotterback@lakewoodpark.org.

Science Fair is almost here!
Elementary students wanting to participate in the science fair need to be getting their registration forms turned into their teachers. Forms are due by January 8th. The science fair is 1/25 for elementary and 1/26 for secondary students.

YOUR CHILD - Influencing the Next Generation
Beginning Wednesday, February 3, 2010
Few things in life are more important than our role as parents. It’s our best opportunity to shape and influence our children to live with purpose and meaning, and to live God centered lives focused on serving others.

Beginning Wednesday, February 3, 2010, Lakewood Park is hosting Essentials of Discipline for 7 weeks designed to train and encourage parents in the art of discipline. This seminar will be led by Pastor Clare Jewell with video instruction by Dr. James Dobson.

The Essentials of Discipline answers questions like:

• How do we know whether we’re being too strict or too permissive?
• Is spanking ever okay?
• How do we deal with a strong-willed child or adolescent?
• How should our tactics change as our child grows?
• Every child is different, so what’s best for my child and family?
  
  This is a series for any parent with children at home – regardless of their age. It is full of helpful information and illustrations that will allow you to make real changes in your home and in the lives of your children.
  
  The Essentials of Disciple will run from 6:15-8:00 pm each week in the Crossroads Café at Lakewood Park. Child care, children’s programs and youth ministry are available on site for all ages from birth through high school.
  
  You may register online at www.lakewoodpark.org  or by calling the church office 260-925-2006 Ext. 126.
  
  Cost is $10 per person (includes workbook.)