Mrs. Kuplen’s 6th Grade Life Science class got creative last week during their virus study. The students and their viruses “infected” a number of The Christ School offices! The students’ virus models were created to replicate the structures of actual viruses. Creativity shines through in the “symptoms” caused by the virus. Example: the Snowman Virus makes you have a meltdown. The Roly-Poly Virus makes acid that curls you up into a ball.
Spirit Day is Friday!
Please join us in the gym for our second Spirit Day of the year!!
Friday, January 25 at 2:15 p.m
Let’s make some noise Lions!!
Middle School
Basketball
It’s play-off time!
Congratulations to both our Middle School boys’ teams for a job well done in their tournament play.
The Lion Spirit Roared!!
Our 6th grade ladies’ next game:
Saturday, January 26, 10:00 a.m. at Master’s Academy
Tennis
Please meet Coach Mealey out on the courts, Thursday, January 24, 4:00 p.m. at Fort Gatlin.
Track & Field
Track registrations are past due. First day of practice is Saturday, January 26, 8:30 a.m. at Boone High School.
Lower School
Basketball
Our basketball teams are off and running.
Check out a Game:
Saturday, January 26
2nd Grade Boys Gold Team, 1:10 p.m. at Shiloh Baptist
2nd Grade Boys Green Team, 1:10 p.m. at Shiloh Baptist
3rd Grade Boys, 9:00 a.m. at Shiloh Baptist
3rd/4th Grade Girls White Team, 1:00 p.m. at Shiloh Baptist
3rd/4th Grade Girls Green Team, 12:00 p.m. at Shiloh Baptist
4th Grade Boys, 12:00 p.m. at Master’s Academy
5th Grade Girls, 2:00 p.m. at Master’s Academy
Tennis Program
Next class: Wednesday, January 23, 4:00 p.m., at Fort Gatlin.
Soccer Registration is Open!
ACYS Spring Soccer registration is open and will close February 1.
Please check the lower school sports flyer for more information located on RenWeb.
Swimming
Registration for Spring Swimming is due January 28. Please check RenWeb for registration and information flyer.
Lacrosse Registration Coming Soon!
ACYS Lacrosse Academy is open to girls and boys, 1st- 4th Grade.
Season dates are March 16 – May 11.
Please check RenWeb for all athletic contests, announcements, forms and information.
Forms and information flyers can be found under Resource Documents.
For all athletic questions please contact Coach Wiborg.
From College Park to Baldwin Park, downtown and Lake Nona, our parents have hosted casual informational gatherings for their friends and neighbors to come together socially and learn more about The Christ School. The attendees have enjoyed this format and have been impressed with the passion of their TCS friends! Get involved with a gathering near you. Plan to invite friends to upcoming neighborhood gatherings in Southern Oaks (this Sunday!), College Park, Country Club and South Conway. To obtain invitations to distribute and to learn more, please contact Joanne Fleming.
Look for second quarter report cards in backpacks on Thursday, January 24. If your child is receiving an award this quarter, report cards will be stamped with the appropriate award of Star Scholar or Super Star Scholar, Honor Roll or Distinguished Honor Roll.
Please join us in chapel for the recognition of our Star/Super Star Scholars in grades 2-5 and our Honor/Distinguished Honor Roll students in grades 6-8. The ceremony for grades 2-5 will be immediately following Lower School Chapel on Tuesday, January 29, at 8:35 am in the Sanctuary and the Middle School ceremony will be during Middle School Chapel on Wednesday, January 30, at 9:05 am in the Reformation Chapel.
Numerous viruses are going around and keeping the TCS Clinic busy. Please remember to keep your child home if he/she is not feeling well. If your child has had a fever, vomiting and/or diarrhea, keep them home until they have not exhibited symptoms for at least 24 hours.
Please remind children to cover their sneeze and/or cough. Using a tissue is the best. Students also need to be reminded of the proper hand-washing technique. Wet hands and rub soap on them. Rub hands together to make bubbles. Sing the Happy Birthday song two times while rubbing hands (our older students can practice their foreign language, by counting up to 30 in Spanish or Latin). Rinse and dry hands. Finally, turn off the water by using a paper towel.
Studies have shown that by using proper hand washing techniques, we can eliminate most viruses. If you have any questions, please contact Donna MacNichol.
Teddy bears joined in to learn in TCS kindergarten classrooms last week. Bears were found reading books—or listening to them—enjoying snacks and figuring out how to add and subtract. They even learned exactly how tall they are. The bears’ owners, TCS kindergarten students, learned about hibernation routines and about what bears really like to eat, not to mention how to measure while practicing writing and reading skills. On Thursday evening, students left their bears in the classroom when they went home for the day to give their furry friends a little time to bond; it was a bear sleepover.
“This is a great unit,” says Susan Dodgion, Kindergarten Teacher and 44 year teaching veteran. It’s multi-sensory, hands-on learning. That is what kindergarten should be.” We incorporate music, Bible, reading, writing, math and social studies into a unique learning experience.”
Students in Mrs. Lewis’s class were happy to share the event details:
Lucas said, “We brought our bears and they came alive. My bear’s name is Tommy. He was reading a book with two other bears.”
Luke’s bear, Beary, came for the sleepover. “I got him from the hospital a long time ago, before kindergarten.”
Sydney said, “My bear was reading in the library.”
Bella shared, “Carolina is my bear’s name and it is from North Carolina. I brought Carolina to school because he is my favorite bear. Carolina built blocks and I made a paw print for him too.”
According to Layla, her bear, Chocolate, was seen in the art center drawing paw prints. “And they ate a whole box of crackers.”
Zoe brought her bear in for the sleepover. “My bear colored paw prints and read a book, and the last one, oh, I know, he built blocks.”
Hannah’s bear, Erin, was seen eating a snack.
Reed says that his bear, Teddy, slept at school and he listened to music.
Melaina brought her favorite bear Rainbow to the sleepover. “She was at the listening center. She listened to a book called Old Bear and I got to sleep with her yesterday at nap time.”
Enjoy these photos of students in Mrs. Dodgion’s class enjoying Bear Biscuits and bear activities from Mrs. Lewis’s class.
Lions’ Sports has a busy season ahead. This Friday middle school boys’ basketball teams head into playoffs. Come out and cheer on our Lions. Also, the TCS Tennis Team has been chosen. Congratulations to all 2013 members.
Please check RenWeb for all athletic contests, announcements, forms and information.
Forms and information flyers can be found under Resource Documents. For all athletic questions please contact Coach Wiborg.
Middle School
Basketball
8th/7th Grade Boys
Friday, January 18th, time TBA; The First Academy
6th Grade Boys
Friday, January 18th, 5:15 p.m.; Home
6th Grade Girls
Saturday, January 19th, 3:00 p.m.; First Pres. Maitland
Track & Field
Track registrations are past due. First day of practice is Saturday, January 26th, 8:30 a.m.; Boone High School.
Lower School
Basketball
Saturday, January 19th
2nd Grade Boys Gold Team, 1:10 p.m.; Shiloh Baptist
2nd Grade Boys Green Team, 2:00 p.m.; Shiloh Baptist
2nd Grade Boys White Team, 12:20 p.m.; Shiloh Baptist
3rd Grade Boys, 12:00 p.m.; Shiloh Baptist
3rd/4th Grade Girls White Team, 2:00 p.m.; Shiloh Baptist
3rd/4th Grade Girls Green Team, 4:00 p.m.; First Pres. Maitland
4th Grade Boys, 1:00 p.m.; Master’s Academy
5th Grade Girls, 3:00 p.m.; First Pres. Maitland
Tennis Program
Next class is on Wednesday, January 16th, 4:00 p.m.; Fort Gatlin.
Soccer Registration is Open!
ACYS Spring Soccer registration is open and will close February 1st. Please check the lower school sports flyer for more information located on RenWeb.
Swimming
Registration for Spring Swimming is due January 28th. Please check RenWeb for registration and information flyer.
Lacrosse Registration Coming Soon!
ACYS Lacrosse Academy is open to girls and boys in 1st through 4th grades. Season dates are March 16th through May 11th.
Look who landed on this TCS yard sign! Do you have one in your yard? More than 200 signs are now proudly displayed outside of TCS families’ homes and businesses. Share a photo of your sign on our Facebook page. Still need one? Stop by the front desk and pick one up today. Thanks for giving a HOOT about TCS!
Morning Chapel is a foundational tradition at The Christ School. TCS families are welcome to join our students, faculty and staff in worship each morning at 8:15 a.m. in the Sanctuary. Enter through the Angel Wing door at the front of the Sanctuary and proceed to the seating area behind our students. If you feel led to offer a morning lesson, Mrs. Gayle Bosscher would love to hear from you. We look forward to seeing you in Chapel.
A special screening of the new movie, The Lost Medallion, will be held in Lee Fellowship Hall at FPCO from 9:30 a.m. until 11:00 a.m. on Thursday, January 10th. The Lost Medallion, appropriate for children in 2nd through 5th grades, is the story of Daniel Anderson from the movie Courageous (played by Alex Kendrick.) Daniel visits a foster home to drop off donations and is quickly convinced to tell the kids a story about two 13 year old friends who uncover a long lost medallion and wish themselves back in time. The friends find themselves attempting to recover the medallion in an island ruled by evil, and in the process, they come away with a new understanding of who they are and the meaning of life. If there is enough parent interest in Orlando, this film will be shown in a local theater.
Our 6th grade ladies hit the basketball court for their opening game of the season this week. Registration for soccer and lacrosse is now open. ACYS Lacrosse Academy is open to girls and boys in 1st through 4th grades. Registration dates are from December 4th until February 1st and the season runs from March 16th until May 11th. ACYS Spring Soccer registration is open and will close on February 1st. Please check RenWeb for more information. For all athletic questions please contact Coach Wiborg.
Middle School
Basketball
8th/7th Boys
Monday, January 14th, 6:30 p.m; The First Academy
6th Boys
Friday, January 11th, 4:00 p.m.; HOME
Saturday, January 12th, 12:45 p.m.; Windermere Prep
Tennis
Middle school tennis try-outs are on Friday, January 11th at 4:00 p.m.; Fort Gatlin
Tennis Program
First day of Winter Session is Wednesday, January 9th at 4:00 p.m.; Fort Gatlin
Please check RenWeb for all athletic contests, announcements, forms and information. Forms and information flyers can be found under Resource Documents.
TCS Kindergarten classes went caroling in the halls of TCS today before leaving campus to sing and spend time with the residents at Orlando Lutheran Towers. Enjoy these photos of our youngest students’ morning performance.
As we continue to process the devastating events that occurred on Friday in Connecticut, we wanted to provide you with some additional resources. The following articles provide guidance for talking with and supporting your child in the aftermath of tragedy:
If you would like further information, the National Alliance for Grieving Children (NAGC) has a list of helpful resources on their website at. Please contact our Student Services Coordinator, Kristi Ryan, with questions or concerns.
Join Mrs. Susan Dodgion, Kindergarten Teacher at The Christ School, on January 17th at 9:00 a.m. in the TCS Media Center and Library to discuss your child’s kindergarten readiness. Mrs. Dodgion, a 44-year teaching veteran, will discuss developmentally sound exercises and practices for parents and children. A Q & A session with Mrs. Dodgion will follow her presentation.
This is a not-to-be-missed opportunity. Mrs. Dodgion has taught at The Christ School, St. James Catholic School, Weekday School, and Lake Highland Preparatory. Her broad experience and focus on kindergarten age students provides parents a unique opportunity to ask an expert in-depth questions about school readiness.
A tour of The Christ School will complete the morning.
RSVP to Angela Harrison at 407-849-1665 or avharrison@thechristschool.org.
Congratulations to Coach Sweeney and our 4th grade flag football team who brought home the championship trophy this past weekend and to our 8th/7th basketball ladies and their coaches Coach Gilbert and Worden for a great season! Tennis players, be ready to hit the courts when we return from Christmas break.
Middle School
Basketball
8th/7th Boys
Saturday, January 12th, 1:00 p.m.; The First Academy
Monday, January 14th, 6:30 p.m.; The First Academy
6th Boys
Friday, December 21st, 4:00 p.m.; HOME
Friday, January 11th, 4:00 p.m.; HOME
Saturday, January 12th, 12:45 p.m.; Windermere Prep
Tennis
Try-outs will be on Friday, January 11th, 4:00 p.m.; Fort Gatlin.
Lower School
Basketball
Please check the calendar section on RenWeb for all practice dates and times.
Games will be added after January 7th.
Tennis
Be ready to hit the courts when we return from Christmas Break! Next Session dates:
Winter Session I runs from January 9th through January 30th.
Winter Session II runs from February 6th through February 27th.
Registration deadline for both sessions is Thursday, December 20th.
Lacrosse Registration Open
ACYS Lacrosse Academy is open to girls and boys, 1st- 4th grades. Registration is open from December 4th through February 1st. Season dates run from March 16th through May 11th.
Please check RenWeb for all athletic contests, announcements, forms and information. Forms and information flyers can be found under Resource Documents. For all athletic questions please contact Coach Wiborg.
In Their Words: Jesus and Presents
Claire
Third Grade
Mrs. Kerlek
We always go to my grandma’s on Christmas Eve. I love to watch The Grinch. When we watch The Grinch it reminds me about how Christmas isn’t about the presents; it’s about Jesus Christ and when he was born.
When we get there we will bring gifts and will exchange them. We usually get funny gifts like parrot clips and other funny stuff. We call it the elephant exchange. I like it because it reminds me how Jesus Christ came down to save us. And how he came to forgive our sins.
Zoe
Second Grade
Ms. Wigle
We open presents because I love when we open presents. And I have an Elf on the Shelf. Once when I got home the elf was on the fan and I was sweating so we couldn’t turn on the fan.
I love putting the presents by the tree. I scream when I get the present I want. Just like this, “Aaaaaaaaaa!”
The 2013 Mane Event Committee is excited to announce the first raffle of the season! Enter for a chance to win 4 Club Level seats, dinner before the show, and Amway parking to the almost sold out LUKE BRYAN concert at the Amway Center on January 26, 2013. Raffle tickets were sent home on Tuesday via backpack express. Simply fill out the tickets and return them with your payment to The Christ School office. Buy 1 ticket for $20; 2 tickets for $30; 5 tickets for $50. Additional tickets are available at the first floor reception desk or by calling The Christ School office at 407-849-1665. Hurry to buy your winning ticket! The drawing will be held on December 21st—just in time for Christmas!
TCS Middle School service group Head, Heart, Hands will lead a school-wide collection of gently-used clothes suitable for children to wear at summer camp in the spring. We are assisting our friends from Heart of Mercy Church and First Presbyterian Church Orlando’s own after school outreach ministry, 412. If you plan to “prune” your family’s wardrobe over the holiday break, we would like to encourage you to hang onto any shirts, shorts, bathing suits, shoes, or towels that students ranging from ages nine to 18 might need. We will announce the collection dates after the Christmas break. Thanks in advance for your help.
Will
Third Grade
Mrs. Kerlek
My family Christmas tradition is that almost all of my terrific family comes down to Florida.
We sing carols to people we know that are sick. Sometimes we go to a firefighter’s house. One time there was food and a bouncy house there. One of the songs we sing is Jingle Bells. We usually go in separate cars. The last house we go to we eat dinner there and dessert like cookies, brownies, and cake.
In conclusion, I really like singing carols to a lot of people who I know are sick with my family.
Joshua
Second Grade
Ms. Wigle
When I was Jesus in a Christmas play everybody put necklaces around me and I had to hold my arms out for a long time. We sang songs and it was over.
It is tournament time! Come out and cheer on our 8th/7th grade girls basketball team at 6:00 p.m. on Friday, December 14th at Masters Academy. TCS 4th, 5th and 6th grade flag football teams are headed into their tournament games on Friday, December 14th and Saturday December 15th at Trotters Park. Registration for both tennis and lacrosse is now open.
Middle School Basketball
8th/7th Girls Play-off Games & Championship
Friday, December 14th 6:00 p.m.; Masters Academy
Saturday, December 15th Championship; Masters Academy
8th/7th Boys
Saturday, December 15th 12:00 p.m. & 2:00 p.m.; The First Academy
6th Boys Friday, December 14th 4:00 p.m.; HOME
Saturday, December 15th 10:15 a.m.; Windermere Prep
Sixth grade girls basketball practice starts on Thursday, December 13th, 3:45–5:15 p.m.; TCS Gym.
Lower and Middle School Flag Football
Our 4th, 5th, and 6th grade teams are headed into tournament play on Friday, December 14th and Saturday, December 15th at Trotters Park.
4th Grade Tournament
Friday, December 14th 6:45 p.m.; Trotters Park #4
5th Grade Tournament
Saturday, December 15th; 9:30 a.m.; Trotters Park #6
6th Grade Tournament
Saturday, December 15th; 10:45 a.m.; Trotters Park #5
Basketball Lower school practice begins the week of December 10th.
Tennis Program Be ready to hit the courts when we return from Christmas Break! Next Session dates:
Winter Session I runs from January 9th through January 30th.
Winter Session II runs from February 6th through February 27th.
Registration deadline for both sessions is Thursday, December 20th.
Lacrosse Registration is Open! ACYS Lacrosse Academy is open to girls and boys, 1st– 4th grades. Registration is open from December 4th through February 1st. Season dates run from March 16th through May 11th.
Please check RenWeb for all athletic contests, announcements, forms and information. Forms and information flyers can be found under Resource Documents. For all athletic questions please contact Coach Wiborg.
Each Wednesday TCS 2nd grade students leave campus to a lunch destination located in our backyard—downtown Orlando. This week accompany our 2nd grade students on a journey to enjoy lunch and the company of friends and chaperones amidst the landscape of life at Lake Eola.
Practices for all lower school basketball teams begin the week of December 10th. Tennis players, be ready to hit the courts when we return from Christmas Break! TCS Tennis Sessions: Winter Session I is from January 9th through January 30th and Winter Session II is from February 6th through February 27th. The registration deadline for our winter session is Thursday December 20th.
Lacrosse registration is open for girls and boys in 1st through 4th grades from December 4th through February 1st. TCS’s Lacrosse season begins on March 16th.
All information can be found on RenWeb.
Middle School
Basketball
8th/7th Girls
Saturday, December 8th
10:15 a.m. & 11:30 a.m.; Masters Academy
8th/7th Boys
Saturday, December 8th
12:00 p.m. & 2:00 p.m.; The First Academy
Monday, December 10th
6:30 p.m.; The First Academy
6th Boys
Friday, December 7th
4:00 p.m.; HOME
Saturday, December 8th
10:15 a.m. & 11:30 a.m.; Windermere Prep
6th grade girls basketball practice starts on Thursday, December 13th, 3:45 p.m. until 5:15 p.m.; gym.
Lower School
Flag Football
All games at Trotters Park:
Thursday, December 6th
2nd grade Green; 5:30 p.m.; Field #2
2nd grade Gold; 6:30 p.m.; Field #2
Saturday, December 8th
K/1 ; 9:00 a.m.; Field #1
2nd grade Gold; 11:10 a.m.; Field #2
2nd grade Green; 9:00 a.m.; Field #2
3rd grade; 11:10 a.m.; Field #3
4th grade; 11:10 a.m.; Field #4
5th grade-10:05 a.m.; Field #5
Please check RenWeb for all athletic contests, announcements, forms and information. Forms and information flyers can be found under Resource Documents. For all athletic questions please contact Coach Wiborg.
Third Grade Teacher, Ms. Laura Kerlek Prepares Students to Write About Christmas by Sharing a Favorite Christmas Tradition of Her Own
My mom started a wonderful Christmas tradition each December when I was about six years old. Before we began any other decorating she would set up her Nativity Scene.
I have wonderful Christmas memories of my mom taking out this “ratty” old cardboard box with nothing more than “MANGER” written on it in black marker. The box was old and tattered, but its contents were priceless. My mom would carefully unwrap each manger piece. With love, and beaming with pride, she would gently place each piece in its precise place in the manger. We were never EVER allowed to touch the figurines; we were only allowed to watch. I never really understood why as a child, but as we grew older she explained to us that she had painted the pieces as a teenager and she did not want us to accidentally break them!
In conclusion, I have treasured memories of this tradition. When I had my sons, I as well continued the tradition and set up a Nativity Scene with them BEFORE we began any other Christmas holiday decorating.
Adam
Third Grade
Ms. Kerlek
My dad and my brother started this sweet Christmas tradition when my brother was about three years old. I was only one years old. My mom would carefully unwrap the little angel that goes on the top of the tree. My dad would pick me or my brother up and make our hands stay in line so that the angel would not fall. Then, my brother or I would slowly lower our arms and put the angel on the “tippy” top of the Christmas tree. No matter what, we had to do it last. I love this tradition and I will keep the tradition up when I get older.
The Christ School K-8 Open House is Thursday, January 24th at 9:00 a.m.
Registration begins at 8:45 a.m. in the Edington Ministry Center of First Presbyterian Church Orlando.
For RSVP, parking directions and other details, contact Angela Harrison at avharrison@thechristschool.org.
We hope to see you there!
TCS Middle School hosted its first Huddle of the year on Friday, November 16th. Peter O’Driscoll, founder of Orlando Children’s Church, was the guest speaker.
O’Driscoll and his wife, Isabel started Orlando Children’s Church in September of 2002. Their vision, to reach children living on the fringes of poverty with the Gospel, has grown from humble beginnings. The nonprofit, which began with two vans and a handful of children, has grown to touch the lives of 400 children every Saturday.
Currently, Saturday Church is hosted by First Baptist Church Maitland. Buses loaded with children begin arriving at 9:30 a.m. While there, children have an opportunity to learn and grow in a healthy, loving environment.
TCS’s Fellowship of Christian Athletes is an organization comprised of TCS middle school students. Among other leadership opportunities, middle school students plan and facilitate two FCA Huddle events each year that are designed to inspire 6 – 8 grade students to remain committed to Jesus and their sport.
As we return from Thanksgiving break and a week spent with our extended family it is evident to us what is really important in life — family!
The Christ School is an extension of our family. We have raised our children in this school and have made deep and lasting friendships. As we have experienced life’s ups and downs, our TCS family has supported us with prayer, friendship, and consistency. The Christ School has been with us through “the thick and the thin”, they have walked along side us and provided continuous love and support during some very challenging times. It is not only the friendships, the excellent teachers, the Christian education, or the rigorous academics — it is the family.
We support the Annual Fund to allow TCS to continue its mission which benefits not only our children, but those yet to come. The Dalton Family counts The Christ School among our many blessings and prays that you do as well.
Please consider including The Christ School in your end-of-year giving. All gifts are 100% tax deductible, and your donation will be used to continue development and retention of our excellent faculty and staff, for new and upgraded technology in the classroom, and standing with those families who need financial assistance.
We are honored to be members of The Christ School family and thank you for your partnership as we raise our children together in this great community and all for God’s glory!
Nicholas
Second Grade
Mrs. Carrick
First I get the cheapest tree which is about $15.00. Then we bake cookies. We go shopping and buy presents. We go to my cousins’ house before Christmas and we read The Night Before Christmas.
Bella
Second Grade
Mrs. Carrick
I go buy a Christmas tree and then I decorate the tree. Then we get out all of our Christmas movies and watch one or two. Then we put a box under the tree and it says Happy Birthday, Jesus. On Christmas break we go to North Carolina. When we get back we celebrate Christmas. Me and my brother wake up my parents.
Ann Elizabeth
Third Grade
Ms. Kerlek
Last year we just started the Elf on the Shelf. Elf on the Shelf is when one of Santa’s helpers come to your house to monitor if you are well behaved or not. They will sometimes give you little presents like he gave us a Starbucks gift card!
You are not allowed to touch him or else he would lose his magic and never come back, also he will tell Santa and you will get coal for Christmas! His name is Jengel; he is a good elf.
In conclusion, I enjoy him coming over and liked finding him!
The middle school service club Head, Heart, Hands is collecting canned and dry foods to benefit Second Harvest Food Bank. The food drive runs through this Friday, November 30th. Please check your pantry and bring in your donations. Last year, TCS collected over 900 pounds of food to benefit the people of Central Florida. Let’s top 1,000 pounds this year!
Members of The Christ School class of 2012 gathered at the home of Charles and Amy Cook last Friday evening before attending the Boone vs. Edgewater rivalry football game. Students represented a variety of public and private high schools. Whether they are now an Eagle, Brave, Saint, Duck or Blue Darter, they will always be TCS Lions!
A special thank you to chapel speaker, Sergeant Major Patrick Ogden and to TCS Boy Scouts for leading TCS in honoring our veterans on Monday, November 12th. Sergeant Major Ogden, who has lived out of the country for 15 of his 30 years of service, shared the secret to a life lived without fear, God.