First Lutheran School

Friday Note - May 18, 2012  

FROM THE PRINCIPAL

Congratulations to all of our students who performed in the Spring Concert last week.  They did an outstanding job.  It is always a wonderful to see our students showcase their talents. 

Next week is the last week of school.  There are a lot of things going on at school next week.  The Preschool Closing Program is Sunday at 2:00 p.m., the Kindergarten closing program is Tuesday at 6:30 p.m., the 6^th Grade Blessing is Thursday at 6:30 p.m., and the Talent Show is Thursday afternoon.  Please check with your children for notes concerning these events. 

The end of the school year is always such an emotional time.  On one hand we are happy that the school year is over, and it is time for summer break.  On the other hand, we are sad because we won’t be seeing our students for a while.  I hope that everyone has a safe and fun summer break. 

We will be saying goodbye to sixteen students for the final time next Friday.  Riyadh Ananda, Lauren Ballard, Riley Calhoun, Jessica DeWitt, Emily Gillson, Jaely Harrison, Sasha Lawson, Carley Moe, Jenna Nix, Sam Perry, Joshua Pralle, Robert Remy, Ben Renwick, Eric Trinh, Lindsey Walker, and Abby Williams are in 6^th grade and will be going to new schools next year.  The faculty and staff of First Lutheran School wish them God’s Blessings as they move to the next stage of their schooling.

REPORT CARDS

Report cards and achievement test scores will be mailed Friday, June 1, 2012.  If you have any outstanding balances (daycare, tuition, band rental or lunch charges), your child’s report card will not be mailed.   Also, any lost or damaged books or materials will have to be paid before your child’s report card will be released.  If you have any questions, please contact the school office.

LAST DAY OF SCHOOL

Friday, May 25 is the last day of school.  We will be having a shortened day on Friday.  We will have our closing chapel led by the Student Council and the end of the year Awards Ceremony.  Students will be dismissed at approximately 9:30 a.m.  We invite all of our parents to attend our closing chapel service and Awards Ceremony. 

REGISTRATION

The date for receiving the reduced tuition rate has passed.  We are still accepting registration forms for next year.  Please turn your registration forms into the school office.  Also, please make note of the different options for tuition payments for next year.  We are offering an option to pay eleven months instead of ten.  If you choose this option, your tuition payments for next year will be actually lower than this year.  If you have questions, contact the school office.

FAITH OR FATE – RAISING CONFIDENT, RESPONSIBLE CHILDREN – From Parent Pages

“I can’t believe your teacher assigned you this much homework. How does she expect you to get this done?”

“This is a long assignment. Let’s see how much you can finish before bedtime. You will have to talk to your teacher tomorrow about the rest.”

Don’t solve problems for your children.  Giving your child good advice and taking over are two different things. When you solve a problem for your child, you are telling them that they are not capable of making good decisions. Even if the decision is beyond the capabilities of your child, it is wise to ask their opinion, and, whenever possible, let them find and use the solution.

“Tom, I like the introduction you wrote for your paper; it really makes me want to read the rest. Your conclusion, though, leaves me with a few questions.”

Do give feedback instead of too much praise. When you give feedback, which is essentially telling your child what is good as well as what needs improvement, you are giving your child important information for taking control of the situation. You are telling them that you recognize his work and have confidence they will improve. If you only criticize, you will create dependency; if you only praise, you will cause stress, as your child will feel the need to be perfect in order to always earn your praise.

Rotter’s theory of locus of control has been the subject of much research over the years. One thing has remained a mystery, however. Rotter never did figure out the curious fact about people of faith and their locus of control.

As Christians, we admit to external locus; We know that God is in control of our lives, and we are unable to save ourselves. We know that God is in control of the solutions to our problems, yet we act as if we have internal locus; we do not sit around waiting for things to happen to us; we walk the path God sets before us. This is the beauty of law and gospel: the Father created us and orders our days, the Son died and rose again to forgive and save us, and the Spirit works in our hearts and lives.

 ACCELERATED READER          

This is the last group of students whose names will appear in the Friday Note this school year.  They, along with many others, have risen to the challenge put in front of them by the faculty of First Lutheran School to become better readers. That is the sole purpose of Accelerated Reader – to produce better readers. First Lutheran School was one of the first schools in the area to adopt Accelerated Reader as a part of our curriculum. That was 20+ years ago. It has made a profound impact on countless students, not just here, but across the nation.  It is just common sense; it takes practice to get better at any skill.  Reading is a skill that can improve with practice.            Congratulations to the following students:

            400 Point Club                                                       

            Megan Taylor – 3^rd grade

             200 Point Club                                                       

            Vivian Apple – 2^nd grade

             100 Point Club                                                       

            Katie Davis – 5^th grade                                           

            Riyadh Ananda – 6^th grade

             50 Point Club                                                                      

            Gracie Harrison – 3^rd grade

            25 Point Club                                                                      

            Caleb Broadaway – 2^nd grade

 We are very proud of the effort  you have made and the time you committed to reaching your goal!  Way to go!

 OUTSTANDING BALANCES

Please remember, all outstanding balances (lunch charges, band instrument rental, daycare, tuition, charges for damaged lost books, etc.) must be paid in full before report cards will be released or records transferred to another school.  

If you have any questions, please contact the school office.

MARK YOUR CALENDAR

May 20           Preschool Closing Program

May 22           Kindergarten Closing Program

May 24           Talent Show/Follies

May 24           Sixth Grade Blessing

May 25           Last Day of School 9:30 am dismissal

Only 4 ¼ more days of school until summer break!  J