Updates

Note from the Principal
And Walk Humbly With Your God
(taken from the Convocation Address by Mr V—Wednesday, September 8, 2010)

I really enjoy the 139th Psalm, the one we read in parts this morning. I really like how it speaks of God being there for us, that God is before us, behind us, below us, in us. That God knows us through and through.

There was a song that I sang when I was in choir many years ago. It is a prayer that dates back to the 16th century (Sarum Primer, 1538) and it goes something like this:

God be in my head, and in my understanding;
God be in mine eyes, and in my looking;
God be in my mouth, and in my speaking;
God be in my heart, and in my thinking;
God be at mine end, and at my departing…

Another prayer from the same century goes like this:

Today I put on God’s strength to steer me, God’s power to uphold me, God’s wisdom to guide me, God’s eye for my vision, God’s ear for my hearing, God’s word for my speech, God’s hand to protect me, God’s pathway before me, God’s shield for my shelter, God’s angels to guard me.

Christ beside me, Christ before me, Christ behind me, Christ within me, Christ beneath me, Christ above me, Christ on my right hand, Christ on my left, Christ where I lie, Christ where I sit, Christ where I rise, Christ in the hearts of all who think of me, Christ in the mouths of all who speak to me, Christ in every eye that sees me,
Christ in every ear that hears me. -a 16th Century Prayer

God all around, hemming me in, watching over me. I think this idea of God being all around can be both a bit disconcerting, and yet, a relief. God, all around me. God, with me always.

And now this God, this amazing God, this God who knows you and me so intimately, knows everything about us, even how many hairs we have on our head, this God wants us to know God too. This all-knowing God wants us to live for him. And God tells us how to do that. God lays it open for us. God gives us God’s directions: What does the Lord require of you? To do justly, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God. Justice, mercy, and humility. No cheating or gossiping or lying or taking advantage of someone or of pulling the wool over their eyes, no backing out on commitments, no slacking off, no “whatever!” Instead, stick up for the underdog, tell the truth, be honest, study hard for a test, do your best, give it all you’ve got, be stewardly, make your classes work well, be accountable. No short cuts. That’s living justly. And no put downs, no lying to your friends, no hanging out with whoever works best for you, no selfishness, no me-first. Instead, care for those who are in need, be kind to everyone, be an encourager, cry with those who are hurting and lift them up, put others before yourself, live at peace with everyone, be careful to do right, be happy with those that are happy, share your lunch, be joyful, have hope, serve the Lord and serve your buddies. That’s loving mercy. And being the tough guy isn’t as cool as it is cracked up to be, the class clown isn’t always that funny, don’t be proud, don’t be conceited, don’t associate with the wrong people, don’t bad-mouth your way out of situations, don’t put others down to make yourself look cool. Being cool isn’t what it’s cracked up to be either. Instead, love others more than yourself, do unto others what you would like them to do to you, live like a Christian if that is what you say you are, do your best but don’t get a swelled head, be humble, confess your sins, love your God, and live everyday in God’s joy and peace, be Christ-like. That’s walking humbly with your God

That’s a tall order, to do justly, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with our God. And yet, that’s our theme for this coming school year: Lets help each other do that. Let’s pray for each other, encourage each other, keep each other accountable, talk about our verse with each other.

But, you see, after having said all of this, I want you to know that simply doing everything I have said is not good enough. God isn’t simply giving us a prescription for how to live. Oh, that too. But there’s more going on here. You see, I think God is out for your heart. God wants your heart. God wants you to give your heart to him. And if you give your heart to God, then doing justice, and loving mercy, and walking humbly are not things you do, but they become who you are, they become a part of you. God is a part of you, maybe a little like God inside of us,

God in our heads, and in our understanding;
God in our eyes, and in our looking;
God in our mouths, and in our speaking;
God in our hearts, and in our thinking;
God at our ends, and at our departing…
God in our hearts, and in our doing justice,
God in our hearts, and in our loving mercy,
God in our hearts, and in our humble walk.

You see, being a Christian, having God inside and outside of us, means doing justice, loving mercy, and walking humbly with God. It’s who we become. And even more, the God with whom we walk humbly is our Father, and this Father has made us God’s children.

I wish you God’s richest blessings as you and all of us do justly this school year, as we love mercy, and as together, we walk humbly with our God. May God bless each of you!!!

kv

EPCS Soccer
Soccer practice will begin tomorrow, Thursday, September 9, at 3 pm and go to 4:30 pm. Please be sure to pick up your soccer player on time! We look forward to a great season. Please see the School Door for schedule. Come on out to the games to support our EPCS Eagles!

EPCS Calendar

Wednesday, September 8, 2010 Day A

• Convocation Assembly at 8:30am

Thursday, September 9, 2010 Day B

• Soccer practice 3pm-4:30pm

Friday, September 10, 2010 Day C

Monday September 13, 2010 Day D

• Soccer Practice 3pm-4:30pm

And Beyond…

• Friday, October 1 Grandparents Day 9am-12noon
• Saturday, October 16 EPCS Auction ALL DAY

School Door Distribution

The School Door gets sent home with the youngest student in your family each Monday. However, if you would like to receive the School Door via e-mail, please let us know by e-mailing us your correct e-mail address (be it home or work) at office@eastpalmyrachristianschool.com. Also let us know if you wish to receive it as a link to our website (html) or .pdf form.

School Cleaning

Please call the office to set up your cleaning days – those families who have opted to clean 5 days during the school year. Spots are filling up quickly, and if you want a certain date, you need to call soon.
Should you need keys to clean after school hours, please let the office know, so that we can send them home with your student. Please remember to turn them back in the next morning. Thank you!

Yearbook

We are looking for a person/family to take over putting together the yearbook. Jane Ballesty has a program to use, and is willing to train you. Please let the office know if you are interested working on the yearbook in any capacity.

Auction News

Chicken Barbeque Tickets
Chicken Barbeque tickets and information will be sent home with your child this Friday. Please sell as many as you can and return money to office by Sept. 24th. If you need more tickets, please let Debbie Terry (te24rrys@netzero.com) know. If you will not be selling tickets, please return them to the school promptly.

Go-Getter(s) Needed
We urgently need a go-getter(s) to cover several NEWARK area businesses. Many of these businesses faithfully make a donation every year, but they need to be contacted. If you are a go-getter who can take on a few more businesses, please call Linda Kellogg (315-331-6424). Or, if you are not currently a go-getter, but would like information about it, please call Linda. Thank you!
(See full page article in this SD)

Soccer

Practice Thursday, 9/9, and Monday, 9/13 from 3:00-4:30 pm. Please pick up your child on time.
First game is away at St. John Bosco on Tuesday, Sept. 14th at 5:15pm. Watch for a sign-up sheet to help carpool our players to games; please send these back in ASAP or call/email (khooge@eastpalmyrachristianschool.com) your availability. A schedule will be handed out at practice on Thursday.
Next Game: Thursday, Sept 16, away game vs. Destiny at 4:00pm.

Kindergarten & Preschool

Welcome to kindergarten and preschool! We’re going to have a great year together!
Watch for some important information coming home this week; check your orange take-home folders for any communication and student work. Gym this year will be on Wednesday and Friday afternoons, so be sure to have gym shoes!

First & Second Grade

Welcome to the first week of school — YAHOO!! I am so excited to see everyone, and I can not wait to get started with all we have planned for this special year. All of you are returning students, but I am new to EPCS. This week will get to know each other a bit and start working on some basic reading and math exercises. There will be quite a few things that will go home, so keep that YELLOW folder handy! I pray that we have a wonderful year together!

Third & Fourth Grade

I can’t believe it is the first day of school already! Welcome to the party! I am looking forward to a great year. I have a lot of exciting things planned for the school year, which I will be sharing with you in the coming days. Please look for the parent information packet coming home this week.

Field Trip
We will be going to Ganondagan on Wednesday, September 14th. The cost will be $4.00 per student and $5.00 per adult. More info will be coming home this week.
Have a great week!

Spanish
Welcome back! Let’s have a great year this year! We will start out by reviewing the present, preterit and imperfect tenses.

Fifth & Sixth Grade

Welcome back! I hope you had a great, restful summer. Mine was wonderful with super weather, trips to see family, and projects at home. It was good, but I’m really looking forward to a great year. I hope you are, too.

If you aren’t sure that I have your current email address, please send me a note at jrachow@eastpalmyrachristianschool.com. I find it much easier to keep in touch via email than with paper notes (which get lost or I might not have time during the day to answer) or phone calls (which might lead to phone-tag), although of course, please feel free to use either. During the day, I check email if I have time, but if something needs to be done that day, please call the office. Also, please do send a paper note after an absence.

Please plan to join us for Grandparents’ Day on Oct. 1. We always have a lot of fun, and parents are always welcome.

If you are willing to help with our auction basket, please let me know. The auction will be here before long.

Again, if you have any questions or if there is any way that I can be of help, please let me know. Mrs. Rachow

Spanish
Welcome back! We will begin meeting next week. First we will go over the vowel sounds and then we will map out what we will study this year.

Seventh & Eighth Grade

Spanish 1A (7th)
Welcome back! I’m looking forward to a great year this year. We will start out with assigning books and going over rules and procedures for classroom behavior and homework.

Spanish 1B (8th)
Welcome back! I’m looking forward to a great year this year. We will start with assigning books and reviewing procedures for classroom behavior and homework.

Ninth & Tenth Grade

Spanish 2
Welcome back! I’m looking forward to a great year this year. We will start by assigning books and diving right into the first lesson.

Band & Chorus

These are the EPCS students I have on the band schedule as of today: Liam K., Connor, Alex C., Josiah, Kayla P., Michelle W., Claire, Katie, Jaelyn, Hannah S., Karen, Genesis, Noah B., Caitlin, Garrett, Kaitlyn, Ian, Hannah T. If there are any additions or subtractions from this list, please let me know right away. Lessons begin on Friday of this week.

Lessons this week
Friday – 8:45 Noah B., 9:15 Garrett, 10:00 Caitlin, 10:30 Karen, 11:00 Josiah
Next Mon. (9/13) – 8:45 Claire, 9:15 Jaelyn, 10:00 Katie

Rehearsals
Band rehearsals will be each Mon. and Wed., with Jazz Band on Wednesdays only. If you played in 4/5 band or concert band last year, you are in Concert band now. Please get back in the habit of remembering your instrument on those days, as well as your lesson day. We have fun music to prepare for Grandparents’ Day!

If you use a school-owned instrument, you will receive a sign-out sheet for use of that instrument. There is a $20 fee for the year. Please return the sheet and the money by the end of next week. Thank you!

Circle News

For those of you new to our school, a hot lunch is offered to the children on Wednesdays. It is made and served by volunteers. The menu for the week will be in the School Door each Monday so your child can decide if they want to buy lunch. It does not need to be ordered ahead of time. The hot lunch program will begin NEXT Weds. 9/ 15.

The cost for hot lunch will be $2 per lunch. We would appreciate it if you could pay in blocks ($16 for 8 lunches, $32 for 16, etc.) as it easier for our volunteers. Money will only be taken from your ‘account’ on the days your child chooses to buy. Money may be sent in now, please mark as “hot lunch for_______”.

If you are interested in participating in this program or if you have questions please call Cheri Winslow (315-986-4240). We are looking for some people to volunteer to make desserts for these lunches and people who are willing to fill in if a volunteer becomes unavailable.

Donations Wanted

Do you have scrap metal, old auto, motorcycle or lawnmower batteries or old appliances lying around just looking for a place to call home? EPCS will take them off of your hands, as we can recycle these items for cash. This cash will go towards the school. Please call Edison O’Brien at 315-331-4622 if you can help out. Thank you!

Updates

Note from the Pricinpal
Well, here we are, nearing the end of another summer. My prayer is that each of you may have experienced God’s goodness in your summer days, that you have been able to rest up, to take some vacation time, and to reflect on God’s goodness to us, God’s people.

I am happy to introduce Mrs. Rachael Maag as our new 1st and 2nd grade teacher. Mrs. Maag lives in Canandaigua with her husband, Rev. Brian Maag, pastor at Woodlane Community Church. Mrs. Maag is a graduate of Trinity Christian College in Palos Heights (Chicago), Illinois. We look forward to getting to know Mrs. Maag in the near future and we are grateful to God for her decision to join our EPCS faculty and community.

This School Door will alert you to upcoming events, discuss the EPCS dress code, and give you dates to remember. Please join us at our opening Convocation Assembly on our first day of school, Wednesday, September 8 at 8:30 in the morning.

Summer Activities and Dates of Note
EPCS will host an Ice Cream Social evening on Thursday, August 26 as well as an Open House. Please plan to be there and take a friend along to meet the teachers, view the classrooms, chat about the summer’s adventures, and enjoy refreshments together!

School cleaning, re-arranging, etc. will be ongoing throughout the balance of the summer. If you can help in any way, please let us know!!!

EPCS Calendar

Monday September 6, 2010

• Labor Day Holiday – No School

Tuesday, September 7, 2010

• Faculty Work Day – No School

Wednesday, September 8, 2010 – Day 4

• School Opens 8:15 am – Full Day
• Convocation Assembly 8:30 am

Thursday, September 9, 2010

• Soccer Practice until 4:45pm

Friday, September 10, 2010

• Soccer Practice until 4:45pm

And Beyond…

• August 23/24 – Faculty Meeting Days
• August 26, 7pm-9pm – Open House
• September 8 – First Day of School
• October 1 – Grandparents Day – Noon Dismissal
• October 16 – Harvest Festival and Auction

Dress Code

Note to parents: Just a reminder that, yes, EPCS does have a dress code.

“All clothing must be neat, clean, modest, in good condition (no holes or tears or frayed ends), and appropriate for the weather. Parental guidance is necessary in helping a child to learn what is appropriate dress for school. Students should remember that their dress reflects their Christian witness and should not distract from the learning environment. Attitudes and behavior can be influenced by clothing and therefore, students should dress in such a way as to promote self-esteem, respect, and a sense of pride.

The following are not acceptable for the school:
shirts with inappropriate slogans, slogans on the seat of the pants or shorts, tube tops, tank tops, crop tops, overly tight shirts, bare midriffs—shirt bottoms should normally well overlap pants/skirts at the waist **(midriffs should not show with arms lifted up and bare backs should not show while bending over). **Tops must be near the neckline (crew neck line) and not show cleavage. Polo shirts and crew neck T-shirts are recommended for wear.

No pierced body parts are allowed although ear piercing for female students is acceptable.

During warm weather, shorts are allowed. The length of shorts should be modest and must come to at least **two inches below the tips of the fingers when the arms are held straight down. Skirts should touch the knee-caps.

Pants should be worn at the waist. Hats may not be worn in school.

This dress code applies for all school events including school programs and concerts. Students not in compliance with the EPCS dress code WILL change into appropriate clothing (we have some extra clothes available), may be sent home, or may not be allowed to participate in school events. Students continually in violation of dress code will be given detention(s) and/or parent(s) will be notified.

After October 31st (and during inclement weather) each student should have a pair of indoor shoes to wear while inside the school (in addition to outdoor shoes). If these are sneakers, they can double as PE shoes. PE class requires indoor sneakers in the gym and appropriate PE outside footwear for outside. Students in Pre-K through Grade 2 are asked to supply a spare set of clothes in the event of accidents.”

(Bolded sections are new to the dress code for 2010-2011)

EPCS Faculty Summer Meeting Days

Our teachers will be meeting together this coming week on Monday, August 23 (9:15am to 2pm) and Tuesday, August 24 (9:15am to Noon). Please pray for our faculty, for wonderful meeting days and for a blessed school year. Thank you!!!

Talk It Up

Several of our new families have mentioned that they have heard about EPCS through casual conversations and even through “strangers” who have mentioned our school in random discussions. Please talk up our school to those you know and even, to those you do not know—your bank teller, your gas station attendant, your pastor’s spouse, your children’s dance teacher, your…you fill in the bank. Discussing EPCS with others is, BY FAR, our best form of advertising! So, talk it up. Talk EPCS up. Talk about how much you appreciate this place, its programs, its sense of community, its Spirit-filled rooms and hallways, its quality Christian education, its struggle to be faithful to its faithful God. The more who hear your talking us up, the greater is the possibility that they may decide to choose EPCS for their child(ren)!!! Who knows where your talk-it-up seeds may fall?

And, feel free to turn your listeners to our website (http://www.eastpalmyrachristianschool.com/). It has been updated for the new school year. You and your talk-it-up hearers will be well informed by it!

May God bless your words as you talk it up with others!!!

Updates

EPCS 8th Grade Graduation
Please join our EPCS 8th graders and their families and friends in the 63rd EPCS graduation, as we celebrate the accomplishments of our 11 graduates. The eventing will begin at 7:15pm and end with refreshments and goodies. Please plan to be there to celebrate God’s faithfulness!!

Last Week of School – PreK through 8th Grade
This school year, having gone by unbelievably quickly, will end this week. This is the last week of the year!! By God’s grace, we have had a good one and we praise God for Godn’s faithfulness to us! I pray you will have a wonderful and restful vacation! May God be gracious to us and bless us and make God’s face to shine upon us!

Garage sale
There will be a garage sale at the Van Camps, June 24th-26th. Proceeds go toward promoting the school in order to increase enrollment for next year. Call Erica 315-926-0119 if you have items/clothing to donate.

EPCS Calendar

Monday June 14, 2010 – Day D

Tuesday, June 15 – Day E

• Spanish II Exam 10:30am
• Global Studies Regents Exam 1pm
• Faculty Meeting 3pm-3:45pm
• Sports Awards 7:15pm

Wednesday, June 16 – Day F

• NO Hot Lunch – Pizza sale instead
• Biology Regents Exam 1pm

Thursday, June 17, 2010 – Day A

• Noon Dismissal
• Geometry 10 Regents Exam 1pm

Friday, June 18, 2010 – Day B

• Noon Dismissal
• Integrated Algebra Regents Exam 1pm

Monday, June 21

• Spanish Proficiency Exam (8th grade) 9am

Tuesday, June 22

• Spanish III Regents Exam 1pm
• EPCS 8th Grade Graduation – EPCRC 7:15pm

Wednesday, June 23

• Teacher Clean-up Day

Thursday-Friday, June 24-26

• Garage Sale at Van Camps for EPCS

And Beyond

• Thursday, July 1 – Open House 7pm-8:30pm
• Wednesday September 8 – EPCS Opens

Regents Exam Transportation

Parents, you will need to provide transportation for your students to and from school on exam days. They are only to be here for study periods or exams as there will be no supervision at other times and we’d rather not have them in the building unsupervised.

School Cleaning

We have five days of cleaning left and no one to clean. If you would be able to help clean, or at least take out the trash and check the bathrooms, let the office know. Thank you.

Board News

Enrollment packets due. Please turn them in ASAP so we can order textbooks and get supplies ordered for next year.

Yearbooks

Yearbooks are in the office. If you have ordered a book, please pick it up in the office. There will be five additional books available for sale on a first come-first serve basis for those who did not sin up. Please contact Jane Ballesty at 313-926-5526 to get your copy.

Adopt a Bill

Please look at the list of bills and prayerfully consider if you may be able to help in any way.

• Screen vision direct – $156.00 (monthly Item)
• Toshiba Copier – $165.75 (monthly item)

Please specify adopt a bill with your donation and remember that all gifts are tax deductible. If you have any questions, please contact us.

Library News

Please remember to return all books and videos. Thank you!

Kindergarten & Preschool

Class Party
We are having our class party at Liam’s house Wednesday! If you have not sent in $3 to contribute towards food at the party, please bring it by Wednesday.
Kindergarten Graduation
Friday is kindergarten graduation. The ceremony will be held in the gym at 10:00am. Please help your child practice the Bible verse they have chosen to recite at graduation (in their home folders).

First & Second Grade

Thank you
Thank you all for the wonderful good-bye tea last Friday. I enjoyed reading all of the cards and well wishes. The flowers were beautiful and made my house smell wonderful. I will miss all of you next year.
Bible
We will finish learning about the Lord’s Prayer and spend a little time learning about the book of Revelation.
Spelling
There will be no spelling this week.
Party
We will have an end of this year party on Thursday. I will send home information.

Third & Fourth Grade

I can’t believe this is the last week of school! It has been a wonderful year.
Pool Party
Please don’t forget to complete the pool party form and have your child return it with the money as soon as possible. Please let me know if you can drive and how many students you can take. Thank you.
Have a great week.
Math: Grade 3
We will continue with fractions today and tomorrow, and will have fun math for our last class on Thursday.
Grade 4
We are learning to measure length to fractions of inches.