Sharing God's Love

It was so good to see all the children again after the long Christmas break. I was amazed at how long 2 1/2 weeks can feel. Some of our kiddos even grew a bit over break. It's good to have them back, learning, loving and laughing again.

Our SPARK project for the month of January is a great one that children at this age can relate to. Every child likes to receive mail (my kids at home are even thrilled if I hand them some colorful junkmail from time to time :) Valentine's Day offers children the unique opportunity to give mail to their friends and classmates. I still remember taking my decorated bag home and reading through each note as though the words were specially crafted for me. But, for many children, this holiday is painful and exclusive rather than special. While most students in class are able to pass out fancy store-bought cards, some children only have folded over construction paper given from their teacher to offer their classmates. To reach out to these children in need in a very tangible way, our class will be taking a Valentine collection during the month of January. While you're out and about over the next few weeks, would you please consider adding a box or two of simple Valentine cards or candies to your cart for your child to take to school? At the end of the month, we'll package the cards we've collected and make special Valentine candy packages for children who are living at the Holland Rescue Mission. We'll also write letters to these children in need sharing the message of God's love on Valentine's Day and every day throughout the year. While we may not often be made aware, the need in Holland is great. These children are innocent victims of circumstances and are often greatly in need of love. What we deem as small, simple items can really warm and touch their hearts. Please consider helping your child impact the life of another by putting "fancy" Valentine cards in the eager hands of those in need. Please also remember to pray for these precious children of our heavenly Father as well.

You may have seen the familiar reading incentive paper coming home this weekend. We'll be tracking reading minutes for the month of January. Please help your child read independently or to you for 15 minutes, five days each week. Return 1/4 of the paper on the Monday of the following week and we'll have a small prize and pizza coupon waiting at the end of the month. Have I ever mentioned...the studies show, the 10 best ways to improve your reading ability: read, read, read, read, read, read....yeah, you get it. Our readers our making exciting progress. Thank you for supporting them at home!

This Wednesday the 16th of January, South Side will be celebrating Wacky Hair Wednesday. Let's get a little crazy :)

We've started a new unit in Science. Over the next few weeks we'll be gaining a deeper and broader understanding of weather. I'm pretty confident we'll not be the only ones studying this unique weather pattern God has us enjoying. Here are our weather watchers making observations on our first day of study.

In math we'll be recognizing, naming and making three-dimensional shapes. Below the children are identifying the footprint of various three-dimensional shapes. What fun!

Looking ahead, we have a few important dates:

January 14-Reading minute incentive form is due

January 16-Wacky Hair Wednesday

January 21-No School, Records Day

January 25-Report Cards home and Valentine Card packages completed