Week 23: Digital Citizenship, Online Mission and NLSW fun!!

On Monday, Mrs. Helmkamp met with our class to discus online safety.  The focus of our lesson was protecting your identity online and teaching the kids what is personal information.  In a previous computer lab, we also used Commonsense Media's Digital Compass Game to help kids explore making wise choices on the internet and just how bad decision's might pan out.  The kids were intrigued and liked to replay a character with different scenarios.  It was surprising to them to hear that sometime in their future a potential employer may "google" them before a face-to-face interview to do a character assessment.

Jump Rope for Heart - in 2 weeks

--> Wed. Feb 8      10:20-11:20             6B and 6R-Fundraisers only
                                                        Non-participants will be working on a separate service project.

DONATION ENVELOPES should be turned in by FRIDAY, FEB. 10, but may be turned in before that date.  Families are doing a fantastic job with ONLINE DONATIONS! We’ve already raised over $4,000.00 through the online process.

 STUDENTS WHO HAVE RAISED AT LEAST $5.00 for the American Heart Association may wear ATHLETIC CLOTHING on their event day.

Contact Mrs. Steinbacher at msteinbacher@zionharvester.org with any questions.

Valentine's Day - Feb. 14

Our wonderful room moms will provide treats on Valentine's Day.  At Junior HIgh, our party time is an extended break, snack, and social time.  At this grade level, bringing Valentines is OPTIONAL.  If your child wishes to bring in cards, please bring one for each member of our homeroom.  Also, no candy may be passed out due to food allergies.   No gifts may be exchanged on campus (see family handbook).

Ski Date this FRIDAY!!!

It is still early to plan for weather yet, but it's looking like layers will be the way to go for our field trip on Friday.  A waterproof outer layer with inner layers that can be removed if the day gets warmer is a good plan.  I have added the Cold Weather guide to our Documents tab above.  Remember to drop off by 7:45 a.m. that day so we can leave promptly.  Pick up is 4:30 p.m. in front of Junior High.

Notes from Mrs. Dersch

Week of January 23-27
 Spelling Unit 15: This week we are focusing on words that begin with the prefix –in or –im.  The spelling quiz and packet are both due Friday.


English: Wednesday we had a long overdue test over the first eight lessons of our Verbs unit. The test will be returned either Monday or Tuesday of next week. We are now finishing up the unit through discussion of subject-verb agreements and commonly confused words and spellings (such as lay vs. lie.)


Writing: This week we have written a book review, and we are still working on argumentative writing strategies. The students have already written outlines expressing their viewpoint of 1: Learning a foreign language in school  2: Is Spanish or Mandarin better to learn as a second language, and 3: School Dress Code vs. No Dress Code?


Presentation Skills: Students informally presented their book reviews.

Look ahead:

1.     Finish Verbs unit, short quiz by end of next week.
2.     Informal presentation and activity regarding the school uniform argumentative writing,
3.     Spelling unit 16. 



OUR WEEK IN PICTURES - Thanks to Class Photographer Lauren for many of these shots

Pajama Day to celebrate Lutheran Schools Week

Some of our favorite characters

8th graders vs teachers

Celebrating the holidays!!

We were buddies with Mrs. Reed's Kindergarten class

We helped the kindergarteners compose letters to seniors in college

Then we had a few minutes to read stories with our buddies

I love to see the tenderness of the big kids come out when they help the little ones!

Week 22: 2nd Steps and Drama!!

On Friday, Mr. Braddy led the 6th graders through a lesson on communication and respect.  In 2nd Steps, students are learning about empathy and how to take into consideration another person's perspective.  A tough challenge for middle schoolers sometimes!  We focused on things like body language, facial expressions, tone and then how to have a respectful disagreement: staying calm, actively listening, and speaking your ideas with respect.  Proverbs 15:1 puts it "A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger." By staying calm and trying to see each others' point of view we can word together to solve conflict. 

Congratulations to Mackenzie W. and Carter T. for representing our class in the spelling bee.  Carter is our School Champion this year.  Way to go!! 

Note: Ski Trip permission forms and skier agreements came home Friday.  Look for two papers that need a parent signature and due back by Wednesday.  I'll send tips about clothing that week, depending weather we are skiing in 20 degrees or 50 degree weather.  As long as they can make snow overnight, we can ski!

A few photos from each class performing The Phantom Tollbooth

We loved the fun characters as well as learning about idioms and plays on words.

A classic novel from the sixties lives on!!!

DON'T FORGET - Pajama Day on Monday for Lutheran Schools Week!!

Week 21: Long Weekend!!

Sitting inside after the freezing rain yesterday and more expected tonight, this memory verse popped into my mind.

Isaiah 55:10-11 – For as the rain and the snow come down from heaven, and do not return there but water the earth, making it bring forth and sprout, giving seed to the sower and bread to the eater, so shall my word that goes out from my mouth;  it  shall not return to me empty, but it shall accomplish that which I purpose, and shall succeed in the thing for which I sent it. 

God cares for the earth as well as us, His beloved children!  Though ice and wintry weather may hinder our plans, they serve a purpose in replenishing the earth for the new season's growth.  And the precipitation can be a good reminder that through us - God's word will spread to the ends of the earth to claim more children as his own! We can be reminded of that as we continue support of Bibles for Belize with our chapel offerings this year! 


It was good to see so many dads at Donuts for Dads Wednesday morning.  Thank you for spend this special time with your child.  They might not use so many words, but they do appreciate you!

We do have enough drivers for our Ski Trip in February.  Thank you for all the parent volunteers.  More details including permission slips and skiers agreements will come out in the next weeks.

National Lutheran Schools Week is coming in 2 weeks, January 23 – 27.  The special dress days are:

Monday: P.J. Day
Wear pajamas/sweats
May bring one stuffed animal/pillow
May wear slippers (bring change of shoes for outside)

Tuesday: Fake Injury Day
Throw on your bandages and slings we are all broken today
No injuries that impair your ability to function and/or cause a mess (i.e. no fake blood)
Jeans optional

Wednesday: Character Day
Dress up as a favorite Bible, book, or movie character
Jeans optional

Thursday: Ultimate Spirit Day
Do you have the Spirit in you?
Wear your Red, White, and Black to show your Zion Lutheran School Spirit
Jeans optional

Friday: Holiday Day
Bring out your cheesy holiday gear and show your festive fun
Ideas: 4th of July, Easter, Christmas, Valentines Day, St. Patrick’s Day, Thanksgiving, or all of the above!
Jeans optional
 
Ice Day Notes:
*Friday memory is due Tuesday.  Tuesday memory will be bumped to Wednesday
*S.S. news articles are still due on Tuesday (as students were informed this week).  Let your child know they can email me any questions they have.

Week 20: Happy New Year & City Planners Visit

Happy 2017!  We came back to school to bitter cold and sleepy kids.   What a wonderful time to celebrate the Epiphany of our Lord, as the Good News of the Savior is manifested to all nations!  After exploring the Wisemen's story, we looked at the fictional account of The Other Wiseman by Henry Van Dike.  We learned about how worship of the Savior can take place by serving our neighbor as well.  Here are a few highlights of our short week:

*  Welcome Hannah W. to our class!  The students have been a big help in introducing her to the Zion routine.  Please reach out to her family and help them become a part of our Zion family.

* New units!  Drama in Literature, Latin America in S.S., Argumentative writing in English!

* Guest speakers! As a follow up to our Urban Sprawl studies, the  St. Peters' City planners visited today.  Ask your children what new things are being developed in our area.

Indoor Recess fun!

Kids love to pull out the different games!

It's fun to teach each other the card games we've learned

City planners visit

We learned about zoning and how new development comes to the area

Thanks to photographer Ana for the great shots

The kids heard about shops north of 70, Fresh Thyme, Masarati, Best Buy warehouse, 4 new banks, and

The new Aquatic Center coming behind the RecPlex

We extend our thanks to Ms. Powers and Mr. Braunfeld for preparing this presentation for us and taking the time to visit the 6th grade