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.
Lee Fellowship Hall was a festive display of Native American culture and harvest last Wednesday as TCS second grade students celebrated the 16th annual second grade Native American feast. The event began with students singing and dancing two traditional Native American songs and dances learned in music. Student dioramas were displayed along with Native American pottery created in art class.
Students shucked corn and snapped beans, they made teepees–as table centerpieces, not dwellings–and created their own vests and headdresses to prepare for their celebration.
Parents made the learning celebration even more festive by hosting pie baking nights in their homes and at school. The cooking continued on feast day as students left the classroom with parent volunteers to help make wild rice and Indian Fry Bread to enjoy together at lunch. Then, following a traditional Native American prayer, a buffet lunch was open to enjoy.
This event is a celebration of learning and community. “A group of energetic founding mothers wanted a feast 16 years ago,” shares Pam Leadbitter. “We’ve been tweaking the event ever since. Now it is an integrated study that incorporates all learning styles into our study of the first Americans.”
Mrs. Schwalk, TCS 1st grade teacher, sums up her feelings for The Christ School:
I am thankful for a school that encourages students to see the world through God’s eyes. I am blessed to be a part of a place that is growing Godly leaders who understand the importance of serving in their communities. I am thankful for strong academics, critical thinking, and parents who are committed to their child’s education. I am grateful that our gifts to the Annual Fund bring students to our school who otherwise would not have the opportunity to attend. Please join me in making a gift to the 2012-13 Annual Fund so that we can express our thanks to God for the blessing of The Christ School.
This service that you perform is not only supplying the needs of the Lord’s people but is also overflowing in many expressions of thanks to God. –2 Corinthians 9:12
We have another busy week in TCS Sports. Our 8th/7th grade boys play their first basketball game at First Academy on Monday, November 26th and we have full basketball and flag football schedules.
Sixth grade girls and lower school basketball registration is open until December 3rd. Click here to sign up. Please make sure to choose your grade, select TCS as your school, and yes to a uniform. All practice dates and games are available on RenWeb.
Middle School
Basketball
8th/7th Girls
Saturday, November 17th, 9:00 a.m. at Masters Academy.
Tuesday, November 27th, 4:00 p.m. at Trinity Prep.
8th/7th Boys
Monday, November 26th, 7:30 p.m.; First Academy
Flag Football
6th grade boys
Thursday, November 15th, 7:30 p.m.; Trotters Park, Field #6
Saturday, November 17th, 11:10 a.m.; Trotters Park, Field #6
Lower School
Flag Football
Next Games at Trotters Park:
Thursday, November 15th
K/1st grade – 5:30 p.m.; Field #1
2nd grade Green- 6:30 p.m.; Field #1
4th grade – 7:30 p.m.; Field #4
5th grade – 7:30 p.m.; Field #5
Saturday, November 17th
K/1st grade– 9:00 a.m.; Field #1
2nd grade Gold- 11:10 a.m.; Field #1
2nd grade Green-10:05 a.m.; Field #2
3rd grade-10:05 a.m.; Field #3
4th grade- 12:15 p.m.; Field #4
5th grade-12:15 p.m.; Field #5
Tuesday, November 27th
K/1st grade- 6:30 p.m.; Field #1
2nd grade Gold- 6:30 p.m.; Field #2
3rd grade- 6:30 p.m.; Field #3
Basketball
Basketball registration is open until December 3rd.
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.
On National Philanthropy Day®, November 15, The Christ School thanks you for your support! Your involvement—whether as a donor, room parent, party planner, chaperone, lunch volunteer, event chair or team member—makes The Christ School experience unique, special, and meaningful for students and their families.
National Philanthropy Day® is the special day set aside to recognize and pay tribute to the great contributions that philanthropy—and those people active in the philanthropic community—has made to our lives, our communities, and our world. Celebrate National Philanthropy Day®! Celebrate TCS by making your gift to the 2012-13 Annual Fund campaign today!
Each man should give what he has decided in his heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. –2 Corinthians 9:7
To enhance literacy and development of fine arts in kindergarten, our classes traveled to the Orlando Shakespeare Theatre. Students were engaged in active learning through the experience of a play. The children viewed Frog and Toad. By reading the story in class initially, students were able to draw meaning during their visit to the theatre. This is but one more example of how passionate TCS is about providing a curriculum that is thoughtful and integrated in all ways – a learning process that develops all aspects of a child.
Mr. Bosscher’s fifth grade students shared bread and something new on Friday last week. Mr. Bosscher combined November’s chapel theme, “I AM the Bread of Life,” with current classroom science, social studies, and language arts learning units into a unique learning experience, a bread taste test. Students combined their knowledge of seeds and plant reproduction with early civilizations and they discussed how bread is the staff of life throughout the world for mankind. In all, seven types of bread were sampled and descriptive adjectives were highlighted as students described each type’s flavor, texture, and color. French was students most liked bread type. Rye received the least favored title. Its’ flavor was more “tangy, strong, and vinegary” than many cared for.
Both our basketball and flag football seasons open this week. Our 8th/7th grade girls play their first game on Monday, November 12th, and our 6th grade boys and lower school flag football teams have a full schedule on Saturday, November 10th.
Sixth grade girls and lower school basketball registration is open until December 3rd. Register here and make sure to choose your grade, select TCS as your school, and say yes to a uniform. All practice and game dates are available on RenWeb’s calendar section. Middle school athletes please remember to turn in your washed TCS uniform in a bag marked with your name.
Middle School
Basketball
Our 8th/7th grade girls’ team opens the season on Monday, November 12th, 4:00 p.m.; Trinity Prep.
Next game:
8th/7th grade girls basketball Tuesday, November 13, 5:15 p.m.; Trinity Prep.
Flag Football
The 6th grade boys’ flag football team is ready to hit the field in their opening game on Saturday, November 10, 10:05 a.m. at Trotters Park, Field #6.
Lower School
Flag Football
Opening Games at Trotters Park
Saturday, November 10
1st/K grade– 9:00 a.m.; Trotters Park Field #1
2nd grade Gold- 12:15 p.m.; Trotters Park Field #1
2nd grade Green-12:15 p.m.; Trotters Park Field #1
3rd grade 10:05 a.m.; Trotters Park Field #3
4th grade- 10:05 a.m.; Trotters Park Field #4
5th grade-12:15 p.m.; Trotters Park 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.
TCS parents and Trustees will be calling each TCS family next week to ask for your support of the 2012-2013 Annual Fund. We have begun what promises to be a year of significant growth and excitement for The Christ School community. To continue this growth, we need your help! Please respond favorably to the Annual Fund caller – your fellow class parent. Help us reach 100% parent participation. Gifts can be made anytime before the June 30, 2013 Fund deadline and all amounts are appreciated. The ChristSchoolis a 501(c) (3). All gifts to the Annual Fund are 100% tax deductible. Gifts can be made online or via mail. For more information, please contact Joanne Fleming, Director of Development.
Thank you to The Christ School families, Trustees, faculty, staff, grandparents and community supporters who have already made their gift to the Fund. Thank you to the TCS parent callers. Please accept their call.
Congratulations to TCS alumnus and junior swimmer John Meisenheimer (Class of 2010) for being named one of the Orlando Sentinel’s Classroom Stars last week! Meiesenheimer owns a 4.67 GPA and volunteers extensively with Special Olympics.
Congratulations to our soccer teams and their coaches for an awesome fall season. Fall Middle School Athletes please remember to turn in your washed TCS uniform in a bag marked with your name.
Middle School
Basketball
Middle School 8th and 7th grade boys basketball extended evaluation November 2nd, 3:45-5:15 p.m.; TCS gym.
Sixthth grade boys basketball practice every Tuesday and Thursday, 3:45-5:00 p.m.; TCS gym.
Sixthth grade girls basketball registration opens Thursday, November 1st. Sign up here. Choose TCS as your school and say yes to a uniform.
Flag Football
Please check your email and RenWeb for your team’s practice schedule.
Lower School
Basketball
Basketball registration opens Thursday, November 1st. Sign up here. Choose TCS as your school and say yes to a uniform.
Flag Football
Please check the calendar section on RenWeb for all practice dates.
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.
Lower School Technology at TCS
Technology is an everyday reality both in our lives and in TCS classrooms. We embrace a fully-integrated technology model as part of our curriculum. That means that our kindergarten through 8th grade students experience technology everyday either with their classroom teacher or in the technology lab with both the technology instructor and classroom teacher.
Our students are using the latest technology to work on skills learned in the classroom by utilizing the most effective and appropriate software and applications available today.
In technology, students are working hard in the lab.
If there’s one thing our parents and our Christian education taught us, it was that we are called by God to be a blessing to others. Teaching at The Christ School has been a great blessing to us and, as we continue in our ninth year at TCS, we are called to return that blessing in whatever way we can. Whether that’s keeping a positive attitude during a ”Jonah day”, encouraging fellow faculty members in their calling, praying for students and their families or contributing to the annual fund, we are sure that God is calling us to pay forward the blessings He has given us.
Scripture has many promises for believers and this one we hold dear, “Bring the whole offering into the storehouse, that there may be food in my house. Test me in this,” says the Lord Almighty, “and see if I will not throw open the floodgates of heaven and pour out so much blessing that you will not have room enough for it” (Malachi 3:10).
We have made our gift to The Christ School Annual Fund in confidence that our Lord Almighty will fulfill His promise and bless TCS. Won’t you join us?
Building Castles in the Air?
Following their study of The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe, TCS 5th grade students created fantasy kingdoms complete with a castle, maps, laws, currency, a coat of arms, and characters. “I call this my blood, sweat, and tears project,” says TCS 5th Grade Teacher, Kathy Whitman. While fantasy castles seem like the stuff daydreams are made of, Whitman says this annual 5th grade event is a “a real-world project.”
Miss Whitman created certain elements of this project to mirror C.S. Lewis’s masterpiece and, at the same time, be a group project to help students define within themselves their own areas of strengths and weaknesses. “Students recognize their own strengths and weaknesses and see the same in others, too, while working on this project,” she says. “Group members have to cooperate, collaborate, and sacrifice time to create a product. They begin to understand that we need each other. We all rely on others to accomplish a task.”
TCS’s Native American Experts
For the first year, 4th grade students worked in groups to learn Florida’s Native American history. “We’re getting them ready for their 5th grade project,” says 4th Grade Teacher, Mrs. Angie Harrison. “It was Mrs. Ross’s idea to divide up different tribes into groups.”
Groups of three to five students became “experts” on their Native American tribe. They researched topics including where the tribes lived in Florida, what they ate, and their culture and beliefs. Then groups created posters and presented their findings to the class.
“This year students learned more,” says Mrs. Harrison. “Becoming an “expert” on one group helped them learn about the other Florida tribes by comparing what they learned to other groups’ discoveries.”
Look for first quarter report cards in backpacks today. If your child is receiving an award this quarter, report cards will be stamped with the appropriate award: Star Scholar, 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 during Lower School Chapel on Tuesday, November 6, at 8:15 am in the Sanctuary and the Middle School ceremony will be during Middle School Chapel on Wednesday, November 7, at 9:05 am in the Reformation Chapel.
Our TCS family gathered last Thursday evening to spend a little quality time together. Though we could never capture every special moment, here are a few you’re sure to love–we did! Thank you to our volunteers and families for a memorable evening.
Our 7th grade students raised the healthy eating standard last week: 34 students consumed 295 natural foods over five days during our Healthy Lunch Competition. Our two winners, Skylar Colvin and Jack Reddeck, ate a total of 44 God-created, non-processed foods. They were rewarded with a fruit smoothie. Congratulations!
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High tea never looked more elegant, nor tasted more delightful, than it did last Friday here at TCS. Our 5th grade students celebrated their love of C.S. Lewis’s classic tale, The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe at Mr. Tumnus’s Tea Party. Held in the Spare Oom (top of TCS’s elegant circular staircase), the tea was a tribute to Mr. Tumnus, the kind and mannerly faun who befriends young Lucy in the story. Thank you to Ms. Whitman, homeroom parents, Laura Spigener and Susan Wood, and all 5th grade families for providing an unforgettable display of traditional tea sandwiches, cookies, cakes, and more. It was an affair our young men and ladies shall not soon forget.
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First graders had fun while learning to stay safe last week at the Central Florida Children’s Safety Village. Two Orange County firefighters provided a fire safety class and a former Sheriff’s deputy taught “Stranger Danger.” Students practiced dialing 911, learned how to “fall and crawl” to avoid smoke, and discovered the importance of smoke detectors. Students also learned that anyone you don’t know is a stranger, and they learned some of the lures strangers might use.
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Congratulations to TCS alumni, J.B. Woodman and Taylor Clauss, (class of 2009) for being selected as Edgewater High School’s Homecoming King and Queen. In the fall, J.B. will attend Ole Miss on a four-year baseball scholarship and Taylor will study at Florida State University. J.B. and Taylor are true examples of TCS Lions leading on the field, in the classroom, and in the community.
Fall middle school athletes please remember to turn in your TCS uniform washed in a bag marked with your name. Flag football practice will start soon. Watch your email and check RenWeb for TCS Sports updates and practice information.
Middle School
Basketball
Seventh and 8th grade boys basketball extended evaluations are on October 29th, 31st, and November 2nd and 3rd; 3:45 – 5:15 p.m.; TCS gym
Lower School
Soccer
Saturday, October 27
Boys 2nd/1st grade- 12:00 p.m.; Trotters Park #5
Girls 2nd grade – 10:00 a.m.; Trotters Park #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.
Thank you for making your attendance a priority at our Parent/Teacher conferences on Thursday, November 1st. We value the partnership we have with our families and look forward to this opportunity to strengthen these ties.
For your convenience, we are pleased to offer childcare for kindergarten, first or second grade TCS students during the time you are conferencing with their teacher, or for any TCS student while you conference with the teacher of a sibling. This service will be available between 7:30 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. Please bring these students to room 145 and plan to pick them up immediately following your conference. Unfortunately we are not able to include preschool children or any others who are not currently enrolled at TCS.
As a reminder, we encourage all students in grades three – eight to attend the conference with their parents.
It was a busy week in TCS science. Our sixth grade students transformed the science lab into a gigantic “cell.” On Thursday, October 11th 4th grade classes were invited to learn about cells and on Friday, October 12th families and friends were invited to a student-led tour of the “cell” and its components. Students shared information about the basic composition of cells, organelles, cell theory, and the contributions of Robert Hooke and Anton van Leeuwenhoek, scientists whose work led to the cell’s discovery.
Great News! TCS has been approved by the Disney Employee Matching Gifts: A Program of The Walt Disney Company Foundation (“Disney Employee Matching Gifts”). Please help us spread the word to any and all family members or friends who are Disney cast members. They can leverage their philanthropic giving to The Christ School with a 100% match from the Disney Foundation. For more information, please contact Joanne Fleming, TCS Director of Development, or the Disney Employee Matching Gifts Program Support; 877-229-1812.
If your company offers a matching gift program but is not listed as one of our current partners, please contact Joanne Fleming. We will begin the application process immediately.
Congratulations to both of our 5/4th grade volleyball teams for an awesome performance at Saturday’s tournament. Kudos to our coaches and to the Gold team for bringing home the 2nd place trophy! Be on the lookout for flag football practice to start. Information will be emailed to families and available on RenWeb. Fall middle school athletes please remember to turn in your TCS uniform washed in a bag marked with your name.
Middle School
Basketball
Middle School Girls (Coach Gilbert’s team) basketball practice starts Tuesday, October 23, 3:45-5:15 p.m.; TCS gym.
Lower School
Soccer
Saturday, October 20
Boys 2nd/1st grade- 9:00 a.m.; Trotters Park #6
Girls 2nd grade – 11:00 a.m.; Trotters Park #5
TCS Tennis Program
Next class Wednesday, October 24, 4:00-5:00 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. For all athletic questions please contact Coach Wiborg.
This week’s photos were taken at the Coalition for the Homeless in Downtown Orlando, Dickson Azalea Park, and at Clean the World. Fifth grade students spent time cleaning toys for the Coalition’s Early Childcare Center, packaging meals, and serving lunch to the homeless. Here’s what a few students had to say when asked what they will most remember about their time at the Coalition:
“When I got to clean the toys for the kids because they were really happy.” Gabi
“They were sweet but they don’t have the stuff that we have.” Addie
Congratulations to our 6th grade undefeated Green Team for bringing home the 1st place volleyball trophy last week—and to our cross country teams and their coaches. The boys cross country team earned a 4th place finish and the girls team brought home the 2nd place trophy. Kudos to the Lions who earned a place in the top 14 with a ribbon: Hannah Millard, Hallie Millard, Alexa Long, Sky Seaman, and Danny Ruach.
Now, it’s playoff time for our lower school volleyball ladies. Make sure to mark your calendar for basketball tryouts. Fall middle school athletes, please remember to turn in your TCS uniform washed and in a bag marked with your name.
Middle School
Basketball Tryouts
Girls
Tuesday, October 16, 3:45-5:00 p.m.; TCS Gym.
Boys
Wednesday, October 17, 3:45-5:15 p.m.; TCS Gym.
Lower School
Volleyball
Saturday, October 13
5/4th grade Match Green Team – 9:00 a.m.; Faith Christian Academy
5/4th grade Match Gold Team – 9:45 a.m. Faith Christian Academy
Soccer
Saturday, October 13
Boys 2nd/1st grade- 12:00 p.m.; Trotters Park #5
Girls 2nd grade – 10:00 a.m.; Trotters Park #5
TCS Tennis Program
Next class Wednesday, October 17, 4:00-5:00 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.
For all athletic questions please contact Coach Wiborg.
But the plans of the Lord stand firm forever, the purposes of his heart through all generations.
–Psalms 33:11
Middle school parents are invited to join Kristi Ryan on Tuesday, October 23rd at 7:00 p.m. in the Reformation Chapel for High School Parent Information Night, an evening of planning, preparation, and prayer. This time is designed to begin equipping our 8th grade families for a smooth transition to high school.
Mrs. Ryan will discuss Orange County Public School enrollment and registration procedures, magnet programs, Florida graduation requirements, and college entrance considerations.
There will be a question and answer session and a special prayer time for our 8th grade students.
TCS gathered for See You at the Pole on Wednesday, September 26th. The event began in 1990 as a way for public school students to pray at school. During chapel time, TCS joined with others to celebrate this event in prayer.
“We are a community of people who value education and childhood,” said Head of School, Jason Powell, Ed.D. of TCS’s commitment to daily faith development. “We are serious about the spiritual formation and faith development of children. Here Christ is not only a Sunday school concept in students’ minds–this savior in their lives–He is their Lord with whom they have a personal relationship. I believe TCS is one of God’s tools for faith development in our children’s minds and hearts, and in the hearts and minds of families, faculty, and staff.”
Spirit Day was held on Friday, September 28th to recognize and celebrate our fall athletes. “The number one thing we tell our students is that they are playing their game for the glory of God, to honor Christ and TCS,” said TCS Cross Country Coach and Board Chairman, Charles Cook. “TCS is having a great season in fall sports—cross country, volleyball, swimming, and soccer.”
On Monday, October 8th our 6th grade girls’ championship volleyball match against Trinity Prep. will be played here at home and our last swim meet of the fall season will be held at 6:00 p.m. at Lake Highland Prep. Cross country’s championship meet is at 4:30 p.m. on Tuesday, October 9th at Trinity Prep. Come out to cheer your Lions on to victory.
