It's Beginning to Look A Lot Like Christmas

This Thursday, families all over the tri-county area as well as across the nation will gather to give thanks for the many blessings God has bestowed upon our families and communities. At CCS we are thankful for the parents, students, and staff he has brought to our school and how we have been able to work together to learn and grow in knowledge and in our faith in the Lord Jesus Christ.

 
This Wednesday the weather services are forecasting snow. Fortunately, we are off that day as part of our Thanksgiving break. However, if we were in school and we had snow or ice, you would be informed of any school delays or closings by our automated RenWeb Parent Alert.

Information will also be available:

• By checking the CCS website after 6:10 am to see an updated CCS schedule.
• By calling CCS after 6:10 am to listen for an updated phone message about the CCS schedule.
• By watching WGAL.

When school is delayed, parents must also listen for an announcement of the plans of the school district of residence. If your public school district transports your child(ren), they will be transported to and from CCS on the public school district schedule.  When your school district closes or delays school and CCS does not, if possible, please arrange for your child(ren) to be at school on the CCS schedule.  If it is not possible to provide transportation, please call the school office to inform the school of your child’s absence.  When CCS delays school and your district does not, be assured that students will be supervised when they arrive.

Please carefully monitor all of the above for accurate information as changes may occur throughout the morning.

When there is a two-hour delay, classes begin at 10:10.  When there is a one-hour delay in the opening of school, classes begin at 9:10.

Early Dismissals:

1. If CCS decides to close early, and your district is on a normal schedule, students will be supervised until transportation arrives for them.
2. If your district announces an early dismissal, student drivers in that district will be dismissed along with the bus riders.
3. CCS will activate the automated phone call system.
4. CCS will change the CCS phone message to reflect any early dismissals by CCS and/or transporting districts.

When we return from Thanksgiving, it will be December, and we have several events on the calendar. On December 5 and 6 CCS will be hosting the Cougar Classic which kicks off our boys and girls varsity basketball season. The girls play at 7:00 pm and the boys at 8:30 pm on December 5.

Reports cards will be sent home December 9, and on December 12 our school has its annual Christmas Concert which features our choirs from grades preK-12 and our school band.  The festivities begin at 7:00 pm at Hopewell Christian Fellowship. For more information visit our music conservatory web site at http://conestogamusic.weebly.com/.

Finally on Friday morning, December 19, all grades will travel in mixed groups to visit and sing carols to the residents of various nursing homes in the area as we seek to share the message and love of our Savior come to earth.

Pizza Hut Coupon

In my last blog I indicated that a coupon would be attached, but due to technical difficulties it did not happen. It should be available to download here. This is an updated version of that blog.

Each fall the Lancaster/Lebanon IU13 sponsors Student Enrichment Experience (SEE) Seminars for talented students who attend private schools.  Over the past several weeks we had several middle school students attend some of these seminars.

Emily Karreman journeyed to Lancaster to create art using clay and cardboard, Emily and Jacob Vannoy traveled to The Hershey Story, the Museum on Chocolate Avenue, and participated in The Business of Selling Chocolate, Chocolate Tasting, and Geography Quest. They were even able to make their own chocolate bars.

Next Tuesday, Riley Latshaw and Ethan Vannoy, two students interested in theater, are going to Millersville University for Shakespeare On Your Feet!  We thank God for the talented students here at CCS and the opportunities he has given them through this program at the IU.

On Friday, November 14, the 8th grade will have a fundraiser at the Morgantown Pizza Hut. Attached is an information sheet with coupons that you may use to benefit CCS when you make a purchase at Pizza Hut on that day between the hours of 12:00 p.m. and 8:00 p.m. You can eat in, or you can order ahead and pick up your pizzas. Twenty percent of your purchases will go to the class. Just make sure you give Pizza Hut the coupon on the attached form.

Parent/Teacher Conferences will be held this year on November 24 and 25. Look for an email soon with details about conferencing. Sign-up sheets will be available in the lobby from November 11-13. There will also be an option to sign up by submitting a form.  Keep a look out for information in The Cougar Update as well as your email for more information.

On November 19-21, our eighth grade students will be leaving campus and traveling to Spruce Lake for our annual retreat. Mr. Greenly is organizing the retreat; permission slips were given to students earlier this week. The fundraiser at Pizza Hut will help with the costs of the Spruce Lake retreat.

Finally, please note that our Thanksgiving break is from Wednesday, November 26, until Monday, December 1. Students return to school on Tuesday, December 2.

Good Things in the Classroom

This past week I have had the opportunity to visit several classrooms and am excited to see what students are learning. I see students investigating God’s work and plan as found in scripture through the lives of Abraham, Isaac, and Job. I see students using manipulatives to work out equations, as well as students creating  posters on mammals and experiencing a star lab.  I also see students learning to write short research papers.  You, too, can be aware of what is going on in your child’s classroom by checking out the lesson plans for each of your child’s subjects as found on RenWeb. I encourage you to check RenWeb every Monday to see what is happening in your child’s classes here at CCS. If you are having problems with your RenWeb, you may always contact our Director of Technology, Ginnie Lodge, at virginia.lodge@conestogachristian.net.

Remember to turn your clocks back this weekend so your children are not out at the bus stop too early for school on Monday.

Starting November 1, students are no longer to wear shorts to school unless the forecast for Morgantown, PA, is 60 degrees Fahrenheit or above.

Last Monday, we had a good turnout for our middle school discipline meeting.  If you missed it and would still like to view it, just go to http://www.highschoolcube.com/, search for Conestoga Christian School, and select Parent’s Meeting 10/27/14.

This Wednesday, November 5, at 8:25 a.m., we will have an all-school chapel led by our high school worship team and Mr. Parris.  Parents and grandparents are invited to attend. If you can’t make the chapel, we will be streaming this event, and you can watch it live or at a later time by going to http://hscu.be/e/384230 on the Internet.

This Thursday and Friday,  November 6 and 7, middle and high school students will perform And a Child Shall Lead for our fall drama at 7:00 p.m. each night.  Cost is $5.00 for adults and $3.00 for students. Students have been spending long hours rehearsing, and this promises to be an exceptional event. Come on out and enjoy a fine production and support the students. Tickets may be purchased at the door.

Parent/Teacher Conferences will be held this year on November 24 and 25. Look for an email soon with details about conferencing. Sign-up sheets will be available in the lobby the week of November 10. There will also be an option to sign up by submitting a form.  Keep a look out for information in The Cougar Update as well as your email.

On November 19-21, our eighth grade students will be leaving campus and traveling to Spruce Lake for our annual retreat. Mr. Greenly is organizing the retreat, and he will provide information shortly about cost and permission slips for the retreat.

Finally, please note that our Thanksgiving break is from Wednesday, November 26, until Monday, December 1. Students return to school on Tuesday, December 2.

Mark Your Calendars

It’s hard to believe that we are almost through the month of October.  Before we blink, Thanksgiving will be upon us. But before the holiday arrives, there is much happening at CCS.

On Wednesday, November 5, at 8:25 a.m., we will have an all-school chapel led by our high school worship team and Mr. Parris.  Parents and grandparents are invited to attend.

On November 6 and 7, middle and high school students will perform And a Child Shall Lead for our fall drama at 7:00 p.m. each night.  Cost is $5.00 for adults and $3.00 for students.

The week of November 10, CCS will be contacting parents about scheduling parent/teacher conferences which will be held on November 24 and 25. 

On November 19-21, our eighth grade students will be leaving campus and traveling to Spruce Lake for our annual retreat. Mr. Greenly is organizing the retreat, and he will provide information shortly about cost and permission slips for the retreat.

This Monday, October 27, at 7:00 p.m. in the high school multi-purpose room there will be a meeting in regards to the middle school. If you did not receive my e-mail in regards to the meeting, please contact the school to make sure we have your correct email address.

Finally, please note that our Thanksgiving break is from Wednesday, November 26, until Monday, December 1. Students return to school on Tuesday, December 2.

Auction Week Has Arrived!

The week of the chicken barbecue and country auction has finally arrived. Come on out and support the school. These two days are some of the most exciting days of the year, and there are great things to be sold and auctioned this year, not to mention great food. Below is some important information:

SCHEDULE of EVENTS for Friday, October 17

CHICKEN BBQ: 11am-7pm

HANDMADE CRAFTS: 11am-7pm

BUY IT NOW ITEMS: 11am-7pm

AUCTION PREVIEW: 11am-7pm
GIFT CERTIFICATES: noon-7pm

SCHEDULE of EVENTS for Saturday, October 18

AUCTION BEGINS: 9am

CLASS BASKETS: 10:45am

CAR: 12:30pm

QUILTS: 1:30pm

FOOD TENT: 8am-2pm

BREAKFAST: waffles, eggs, hash-browns, coffee, donuts.

LUNCH: pork BBQ, chicken corn soup, hamburgers, hot dogs,

french fries, soft pretzels, apple dumplings, and MUCH MORE!

CHILDREN’S AREA: 10am-2pm

HANDMADE CRAFTS: 10am-2pm

Friday, October 17, is a half day for students, with dismissal at 11:30am. Below are some instructions for pick-up:

Bus riders will be dismissed first and parents waiting for car riders are asked to wait in the Conestoga Mennonite Church parking lot.

• You are reminded to stay at Conestoga Mennonite Church until the last bus has left the CCS parking lot. Watch for the attendant to direct you when there is room in the school parking lot.
• Please plan to be patient; it may be 11:40 until cars are released from the church parking lot.
• As always, students with alternative pick up arrangements should bring a note to school. (NOTE:  Students from Pequea Valley and ELANCO districts who usually ride the bus will automatically line up with car riders. No note of explanation is necessary for them unless they will be riding with someone other than their parents.) Coatesville will pick up for half days this year.
• Be sure to share these directions with others who may be picking up your children that day.
  

Last week I informed middle school parents via email about concerns we have about student behavior and the steps we are taking to address it.  Many parents are now receiving discipline reports with a description of the behavior of the warranted demerit. As stated in the email:

If students make choices that violate expectations, they will be corrected by the teacher and given a demerit. A demerit is like a strike in baseball. If students obtain one or more demerits in 3 or more classes (3 strikes = an out) in one day, they will receive an administrative detention. Repeated demerits in the same class over a period of time or numerous days with two demerits will also lead to an administrative detention. Students will be allowed 3 administrative detentions in one trimester. Any further infractions will lead to a suspension.

Students are receiving demerits for failure to follow instructions, disrespect, violation of policy, disrupting learning, disobedience, etc. Demerits are not being given capriciously, but they are a result of a student’s failure to meet expectations. Expectations have been shared with the students, and, if they choose to disregard those expectations, their behavior is addressed. Some of the things addressed might seem insignificant, but, if we do not address the small things, then we will have much bigger problems. Please note that each day students start out with no demerits.

As always, if you have any concerns or questions, please feel free to contact me.

Randy Hepler

The Turbulent Teens

Middle school is often a turbulent time in a student’s life with the many changes that entry into adolescence brings. Not only are students changing physically, but they are also changing emotionally and spiritually.  Often this leads to a crisis in their lives, which will manifest itself here at school. The faculty and staff want you to know that we are here for you and your children if a crisis arises.  Your child should know that they may talk with any teacher, me, or Mr. Parris.  If boys would rather speak with a man, they can speak with Mr. Greenly, me, or Mr. Parris. If girls have a concern or issue for which they need to talk with an adult, but do not feel comfortable talking to a man, any of our female teachers are more than willing and available to talk with them.

Next Wednesday marks the halfway point of the first trimester on the calendar. Students will be switching to new rotation classes 6th and 7th periods. In addition to new rotation classes, they will also be starting a new elective unless the elective they chose for the first trimester was designated to be 12 weeks.

As the school year continues, your child may come home and share with you something that happened in a class or in school that gives you concern. If it has to do with a specific class, please call the teacher and share with him/her what your child has told you, so that the teacher can verify the information you have received. If it is something that has occurred in school in general, please contact me and I will investigate the concern. One of my former bosses once stated that “one’s perception is one’s reality.”  Often the perception our children have of what is going on in class or school is inaccurate. Scripture indicates that we should have a spirit of discernment, slow to judge and quick to listen, as we approach life’s circumstances.

Below are some important upcoming dates:

October 17          CCS Chicken Barbecue

October 18          CCS Country Auction

The Honeymoon is Over

As we enter the fall season and the honeymoon season of a new school year wears off, we are beginning to see patterns developing in student attitudes and performance in the classroom. Most are still very positive, but some are moving in the other direction.  

I have asked the middle school teachers to be in contact with parents if a student is failing to use his/her time wisely or stay on task in a class.  In the recent parent survey I sent out, I received a comment from a parent that stated that a teacher was assigning a project but not giving the students time to complete it in class. When I investigated to verify the comment, I found that contrary to what was reported, students indeed did have several days to work on it in class, but many chose not to use their time wisely. I believe what happened is that since those students did not work well in class, they had to finish it at home.  One of them then complained to their parents that the teacher didn’t give them time to work on it in school.  As Ronald Reagan used to say when dealing with the communist Soviet regime before its collapse, “Trust, but verify.”

You can also stay on top of your child’s grades through ParentsWeb. I encourage you to visit ParentsWeb regularly to check grades and lesson plans. Often teachers need to change their plans due to having to adjust instruction because students are taking longer to grasp concepts than was originally planned.  Please, if you have any questions and concerns about a class, contact the teacher immediately.

Note: Tomorrow is picture day. If you are planning on ordering pictures, don’t forget the ordering packets.

Below are some important upcoming dates:

September 25        Picture Day

October 17              CCS Chicken Barbecue

October 18              CCS Country Auction

Communication is Important

It’s hard to believe that we are over halfway through the month of September.  By now on ParentsWeb you should see some grades appearing in each of your child’s classes.  Under lesson plans you should be able to see what activities your child is doing in class as well as when they have homework, quizzes, tests, and projects due.  I encourage you and your child to check ParentsWeb daily.  If you do not yet have access or are having trouble accessing ParentsWeb, please contact our Director of Technology, Ginnie Lodge, at virginia.lodge@conestogachristian.net  and she will assist you.

One of the keys to your child’s success is communication. With ParentsWeb we are trying to provide you with information that will enable you to work and communicate with your child for his/her success. However, if you have any questions or concerns about a class, please contact your child’s teacher before contacting me or Mr. Parris about a classroom concern or issue. If after talking with the teacher you still have a concern, then contact me.

One bit of advice someone gave me in the past is that, if I have a major concern about something, I should not email but instead should call or set up an appointment. Often, emotions or assumptions can be read into emails that were not intended by the one writing the email.  With conversation there is opportunity to hear tone of voice, see body language (if conferencing in person), ask questions, give feedback, and more quickly and easily resolve an issue.

Over the next month we have several things happening here at CCS. If you haven’t done so already, mark your calendars for the following events:

September 24 See You at the Pole

September 25 Picture Day

October 17 CCS Chicken Barbecue

October 18 CCS Country Auction

On September 24 at 7:30 a.m. students and teachers from all grades will gather in the gym to participate in the annual See-You-at-the-Pole event to pray for our world, nation, community, and school.  Parents, grandparents, pastors, and youth leaders are invited to join us.  While we do not have a flagpole outside of CCS, we do display it in our HS building as a recognition of the blessings God has given us as citizens of the United States. However, we also recognize that for Christians our ultimate and eternal citizenship is not of this world but is in His kingdom.

One exciting thing that happened last week was middle school chapel. I shared with our students about God’s instruction on grumbling and complaining. We looked at the nation of Israel and how they complained against Moses and learned that when we complain we are often, if not all the time, complaining about God because we don’t like the circumstances God has ordained for us. I gave the students a challenge to commit themselves not to complain for 24 hours and follow God’s instructions in Philippians 2:14-15: Do everything without complaining or arguing, so that you may become blameless and pure, children of God without fault in a crooked and depraved generation, in which you shine like stars in the universe.  I then had them give me feedback via a survey as to how they did, how it affected them, and what they learned. Below are some of their responses:

Well I complained right after chapel and throughout the day. I guess I complained some more throughout the day and my classmates kept saying "Oh you just complained!!!" So it taught me that I complain A LOT!!

It made me realize that there are a lot of things in life that we complain about that don't really matter.

A lot more complaints stayed in my mind because I couldn't get them out.

It made me catch all the times I complained. It was a lot:) I know now that I need to try to complain less.

I learned to consider what I say and think about life.

I learned and realized that so often we complain without even thinking about it and also saw how much it can affect the mood of others.

A lot of things seem really bothersome at the time, but when we look back at it it wasn't really that bad. We complain a lot more than we think we do. It was hard not to complain and to restrain myself from doing it. I guess we are so used to naturally doing that, instead of looking for the positives. And one complaint usually leads to another.

Perhaps you and your family would want to try the challenge. I encourage you to discuss this experience with your middle school child(ren).

Cell Phone Policy

Periodically, I will send out policy reminders in my blog. Here is a policy reminder now that we are well into the school year. Please note that:

MS students must turn off their cell phones during the school day. Parents are not to call or text their student’s cell phone during the school day. With teacher permission, students may use their cell phones, but that use is restricted to the classroom.

After school starts we should not see and/or hear phones during the school day unless a student asks his/her teacher or a staff member for permission and it is granted.

Also, for safety's sake, students are expected not to use their phones when they are walking in the parking lot during dismissal.

If students are found using their phones during the day without permission, they will be asked to turn over their cell phones and they will be given to me.  When a teacher or staff member ask students for their phones, they are expected to honor the request without argument or complaint.  If students have an issue in regards to the phones, they should discuss the issue with me when they see me later that day.

Failure to follow these expectations will result in restricted phone use and/or availability while on campus. It may also result in a parent conference being required in order for a student to receive their phone back.

As always, if you have any questions or concerns regarding the school, please feel to contact me.

Randy Hepler

Five Days of School This Week

Over the weekend, the CCS community received joyous news announcing the birth of Marcus David Garcia, the son of our MS and HS Spanish teacher, Mrs. Garcia. Marcus weighed in at a healthy 7 pounds 11 ounces. Congratulations to Mrs Garcia and her husband on the addition of Marcus to their family.

This past Friday, our middle school students were part of a Spiritual Emphasis Day here at CCS.  We will be seeking feedback from students concerning the day  but would also like your feedback as parents. Please anonymously share with us what you might have heard from your child in regards to the day by clicking on the link below:

MS Spiritual Emphasis Day Feedback

This week begins our first full week of school. In looking over ParentsWeb lesson plans, students are starting to have quizzes, tests, and some projects soon coming due. Remember that you can not only see your child's grades on RenWeb but also what they are doing in class as well as homework, quizzes, tests, and projects.

Later this month we have some exciting events happening:

September 24 See You at the Pole

September 25 Picture Day

Finally, you may have heard recently about the spread of a new virus that seems to have started in the midwest and is heading east.  For your information there is a link below to an ABC news post about  the virus.

New Mystery Virus

More information will follow in later blogs.  As always feel free to contact me if you have any questions or concerns.

Randy Hepler

Entering Week 2

ENTERING WEEK 2

Not only are we entering week two of the school year, but we are entering the month of September and students should begin to get back into the routine of school. However, students may see the need to make elective changes for which they should see Mr. Hepler. Students have until this Thursday, September 4, to make a schedule change.

If you have any questions or concerns about any of your child’s classes, please contact his/her teacher. Our teachers are open and willing and want to be available to you to discuss your child and his/her classes. The easiest way to contact teachers is by e-mail.  You may find links to their e-mails  in ParentsWeb under the links for each of their classes.

As I mentioned in last week’s blog, this Friday, September 5, is Spiritual Emphasis Day.  

The middle school will host the Spiritual Emphasis Day with Tri-County Christian Schools (Berks, Conestoga, Westmont, and Covenant Christian will be joining us). The focus of the day is service and missions, encouraging students to serve in their communities and the world. The day will be similar to a college fair with individual charities, service  groups, and missions having booths or tables set up to present their organization. The keynote speaker is Josh Beers,  VP of Enrollment Management at Lancaster Bible College.

If you have any questions about the event, please contact Mr. Greenly, CCS representative for the event, at jack.greenly@conestogachristian.net.

Last week our MS soccer and volleyball teams kicked off their seasons by defeating Hinkletown Mennonite School. This week our soccer and volleyball teams play Berks Christian today at Berks starting at 4:00 p.m.  To see both of our teams’ schedules, go to  http://www.ccaconferencepa.org/g5-bin/client.cgi?G5genie=683&school_id=3.

Later this month we have some exciting events happening:

September 24 See You at the Pole

September 25 Picture Day

More information will follow in later blogs.  

As always feel free to contact me if you have any questions or concerns.

Randy Hepler