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