Tuesday, November 29, 2016



Dear Parents,
Back in the swing of things!  Today, Pastor Sherry gave us a tour of the church and pointed out many things (That I didn’t know about!) for us to notice.   Last week, we learned about the different pieces of the “tent” church that Israelites created and then got to see some of those same pieces in our church!  Ask you your firstie about anything that they remember.  We even got to go up to the balcony, go into the bell tower room, and attempt to ring the bells by pulling on the ropes (The firsties found out that the bells were pretty heavy!)!

See the little round window towards the top?  That window has a picture of Martin Luther in it!



The alter and other parts of the front of the church.

Look at the ceiling!  I never noticed it before! It is supposed to be representative of when the heavens open and Jesus comes back. 

Taking a peek at the "Bell Tower"

Did your firste tell you that they learned a little bit of Latin today?  Venite adoremus dominum, which means, o come let us adore Him.  It is in the song that we are singing for the Advent service next Wednesday! Speaking of our Advent service, did you see the speaking parts that came home?  Thank you for going over them with your firstie…the parts can just stay in their folder for the next week (don’t forget to send them back to school!). For the service, they will be able to use their papers, but the closer that they are to having the parts memorized, the better. 

I forget to mention this in the parent letter, but our Student Council is sponsoring a Hat Day this Friday.  If students want to wear a hat they must pay a dollar.  
 
Have a great night!
Miss Gallagher

Tuesday, November 22, 2016



Dear Parents,
Today, we began with an assembly with some representatives and volunteers from the Midland Humane Society.  They spoke to all of us about the shelter, how many dogs and cats that they have rescued and found homes for, and even told us how to approach a dog that we don’t know (great tips!).  They also had a few friends that they brought with them (the kind that has four legs and a tail). I hope to work with them this winter to maybe even have the firsties read to the doggies! Thank you for all that you have been able to donate to this group that takes care of God’s little creatures!

Tom the Turkey was TOTALLY hidden because of you all! Thank you for participating and coming up with some very creative ideas!  




















It was decided that since staff members participated also this year, that there should be two prizes.  The winners this year are….(drumroll please…..!) for the adults, the Tom the  Turkey that was hidden under the lampshade, which was created by our church secretary, Mrs. Mrozinski and the “runner-up” was the multiple Tom the Turkeys, which was created by Pastor Sherry.  The winner of the kiddos was the Cat in the Hat Tom, created by Mairyn and the runner-up was the Butterfly Tom, which was created by Evelynn W.  The prizes were cupcakes that looked like food items from a Thanksgiving dinner.  


Our Thanksgiving Feast went great!  Thank you for all of the supplies that you sent in and for all of the food that you made.  Hopefully, it made the day a little more special for the firsties.  

There is no homework for the weekend, but you CAN start looking at the spelling words and memory for next week. 

Safe travels to you all and if you are staying home, enjoy your time with friends and family.  I am headed to Muskegon with Josie to spend Thanksgiving with my parents.  I am looking forward to spending some time at home.  My dad and I will also be cheering on my high school football team (from the comfort of their living room) on Friday, as they play in the state championships at Ford Field.  The Big Reds have made it to the state championships quite a few times in recent years, but haven’t won….however, I feel like this is their YEAR!  Fingers crossed!  

Blessings on your Thanksgiving!
Miss Gallagher

Wednesday, November 16, 2016



Dear Parents,
What a day!  I am not sure what was in the air today, but twas a bit of a rough one in first grade! Wowza. 
We started our day with Chapel and Pastor Sherry spoke about the “sign” for the month of November, which is a NO PARKING ZONE sign.  The two verses that go with our sign for this month are “Blessed are those who hear the Word of God and keep it.” Luke 11:28 and “For we are God’s workmanship created in Christ Jesus to do good works which God prepared in advance for us to do.”  Ephesians 2:10. (Look familiar?) He spoke to us about how we needn’t be stagnant in our faith.  We can always learn more through God’s Word and we can always show God’s love to others, by what we say and by what we do.  What a great message and reminder for us all!

Thank you for all of our creative work with the different Tom the Turkey pictures!  What fun!  They are all hung up on the office windows, (close to the front door), so if you come into the building, be sure to check them out!  I also numbered each one, for ease of voting.  If you would like to vote (even if you vote for your own), please feel free to do so!  The paper and basket are in the corner, right by the pictures.  Voting will cease on Tuesday, at noon.  The winner’s prize will be yummy….so vote, vote, vote!  

Today in Math, we worked on flash cards and a “finding the sums” game.  Reviewing was good!  It was also good to see them work in pairs, and work in pairs, well. 




Quiz your kiddos, a little at a time, so they keep it all fresh in their little developing brains.  Ask them to add or subtract by ones, or twos (or even zeros!), and have them do that math mentally.  When they realize that they can do it, it is SO rewarding for them and such a confidence booster!  

How is the reading at home going?  Please continue to practice, practice, practice!  We will at school, as well.  

Don’t forget our mission of the month of November is the Midland Humane Society.  1st grade is assigned to bring in cat and dog treats.  If you are able to, please consider donating!  We will be collecting donations until the end of the month.  

Blessings on the rest of your evening!
“Following the Signs”
Miss Gallagher