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2016 farewell 6th graders
MAY-JUNE 2016 NEWSLETTER - ELEMENTARY

golf ball drop
Join us for the First Annual Golf Ball Drop & Banquet Dinner Fundraiser at the Aliso Viejo Country Club starting at 5 p.m. This adult-only event will start off with a helicopter dropping hundreds of pre-sold golf balls on the course, and the first ball in the hole wins a cash prize! The fun night will continue with a Silent Auction and Banquet Dinner! 

Sponsorship opportunities are also available for corporate partners and silent auction donors. Please see the attached donation letter below! 
 
Make sure to invite family members, neighbors, friends and community partners to participate!

Please contact Nicholas Ilagan at Nicholas.Ilagan@gcs-email.org, or Ria Martinson at Ria.Martinson@gcs-email.org, for more details.
Get Your Fund-Card Today!
2015 fund card
Purchase your FUND-Card in the school office and help third grade students get to Sacramento next school year!

Each Fund-Card contains numerous coupons for local businesses and includes a back page of reusable coupons good all year long. Fund-Cards expire December 31, 2016. 

Cost: $15.
 
FUND-Cards will be sold in the school office while supplies last.

Thank you for your participation!
  




We have a variety of camps scheduled in the summer! Please visit our Summer Programs page on our website for more information, including dates, times, and cost. The following is a list of the summer camps we will be offering at GCS:

  • Wet N Wild Fitness Camp
  • Mixed Media Art Camp
  • Creative Cooking Camp
  • Science Explorers Camp
  • Kindergarten Boot Camp

Gillmore Fundraiser
Appointments now-August
gillmore nature location
Mike Gillmore will photograph your family, including any sub-groups, at the beach, train station, or beautiful field, for only $40 (this is a $315 value). You'll also receive 1 - 8 x 10 portrait from the pose of your choice. Extra photographs will be available for purchase at that time. 

The $40 will be directly donated to third grade students for their Sacramento trip in the spring of 2017. All appointments are made on a first come, first serve basis. Family, friends, and neighbors are invited to participate in this fundraiser as well.

Appointments can be scheduled now through August, at sunset, Monday through Friday.This is limited to the first 50 families who sign up, and it will sell out, so don't wait! 
Tuesday, May 3
tessman
Mrs. Carver's 3rd grade class is scheduled to travel across the galaxy to the Tessmann Planetarium, which is located on the campus of Santa Ana College. If you would like to drive/chaperone, please contact Mrs. Carver. Please note there is a $2 parking charge per car attending.
Departure Time: 8:30 a.m.
Return Time: Approximately 11:30 p.m., at which time the students will eat lunch back on campus.
Attire: School uniform (bring a jacket)

If you have any questions, please contact Mrs.Carver.
Tuesday, May 3
food pantry
Mrs. Hendries' 4th grade students will be serving at the Saddleback Food Pantry as a ministry field trip. 
 
Saddleback Church's Food Pantry currently provides food, free of charge, to families and individuals in need. People may receive assistance once every 30 days. They serve over 2,500 people each month and the needs are growing. The Pantry requires over 2,000 volunteer hours each month to process and give out over 70,000 pounds of food! 

Saddleback Food Pantry's Purpose Statement:
Giving People hope, purpose, and food
 
 






Wednesday, May 4
2015-16 Student Council
Wed. & Thur., May 4-5
test taking
The 3rd and 5th grade classes will be participating in TerraNova InView Testing May 4-5. TerraNova InView Testing measures the skills and abilities most directly related to academic success. Test results offer an accurate and reliable measure of inductive and deductive reasoning processes. These abilities are crucial for academic success. This valuable measure of quantitative reasoning, not reliant on math questions and free of gender bias, provides insightful information about student skills that are valid predictors of the students' academic success. The test allows you to compare your students' achievement with that of other students the same age, grade and ability and whether your student is achieving to their full potential. The school can use this data to improve individualized instruction, address student strengths and needs. 
Muffins, Moms & Missiles
Thursday, May 5
Kinney
Attention Moms! Mark your calendar for a special date in your honor. "Muffins, Moms & Missiles" will be held in the courtyard at 7:45 a.m. If you are unable to attend this event, please make arrangements for a grandmother, aunt or other special female friend to attend with your child. If you need childcare for younger siblings, please RSVP by calling Kim in the School Office at 949.951.8683 Ext. 101 no later than Tuesday, May 3. This special morning is all about you, Mom! You won't want to miss it!

Moms and DADS, please join us on the front lawn ( following the "Moms and Muffins") to watch the 5th/6th grade "Missile Launch."  The 5th and 6th grade have constructed bottle rockets as part of a STEM study of physics. Please join us for the countdown and launch of these rockets. Thanks for your support!
   
National Day of Prayer
Thursday, May 5
national day of prayer
Thursday, May 5
Early Worship & Food Trucks beginning at 4:30
Formal Prayer Service begins at 7 p.m.
Thomas R. Potocki Center Fields
27301 La Paz Road - off Marguerite/La Paz Road
Mission Viejo, CA 92692
 
ACSI Speech Meet 
Friday, May 6
Luke
Grace Christian Schools will participate in the annual ACSI Elementary Speech Meet. The Speech Meet is held for students in grades 1-6. Each student may select from a variety of categories, which include, Bible, Fables and Folklore, Poetry, Patriotic Orations and Dramatic Bible Prose. One child, per category, per grade level will be selected by their teacher to represent our school. The younger classes and older classes vary in offered categories.
  
The purpose of the ACSI Speech Meet is to encourage effective speech in an audience situation, and help students develop techniques to speak audibly, articulately, expressively, with poise and confidence.

We're so proud of all of the participants! 
 
 
First Grade: Brinley Goldman- Poetry; 
Elijah Prince- Bible Verse; 
Second Grade: Olivia Black- Bible verse; 
MJ Ruiz- Poetry; 
Christian Motz- Fable and Folklore; Third Grade: Ava Neeley- Poetry; Savy Bex- Bible Verse; Ella Smith
- Fable and Folklore; 
Fourth Grade: Kailey Ruiz- Poetry;
Spencer DeSena- Bible; 
Ava Terlouw-Fable; Fifth Grade: Grayce Perry- Poetry; 
Andrew Douglas- Patriotic Oration; 
Sixth Grade: Nolan Shinkle- Poetry; 
Dane Kallenbaugh- Bible Verse;  
Brandon Nyce- Patriotic Oration; 
Bailey Mitchell- Dramatic Bible Prose.
 

Location: Aliso Viejo Christian School, in Aliso Viejo.
Time: 9:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. 
Kindergarten Field Trip
Friday, May 6

Ocean Institute
  
  
 
Special Instructions: Please pack a snack and drink in a disposable bag. 
 
The cost of the field trip is $6. The fee will be invoiced to your ParentsWeb account.
Monday, May 9 

Parent-Teacher Fellowship
Involvement in the PTF is a great way to get involved in your child's school, and a great opportunity to meet other parents and build relationships. FREE childcare provided. The mission of the PTF is to support GCS by arranging events that build community for Grace families; organizing enrichment activities for students; providing volunteer and financial support for teachers; publicizing school and classroom events, and raising money to support these activities. 
 
If you have any PTF-related questions, please contact Bobbi Nyce.

Time: 8:45-9:45 a.m.
Location: Worship Center
Auditions: Wed., May 11; 
Talent Show: Mon., June 6 
Talent Show
The students at Grace Christian Elementary have talent, as you saw on stage at the Spring Musical! Now it's time to see our students shine in a fun and unique way, at our 4th Annual "Got Talent" Show. The show will be held on Monday, June 6, beginning at 1 p.m. in the Worship Center. Auditions are Wednesday, May 11, starting at 2:45 p.m. in the Worship Center. Download the Talent Show Entry Form, fill it out, and bring it to the School Office no later than Friday, May 6. Mrs. Baker will contact families to schedule an audition time slot after she receives a participants completed entry form with a parent's signature. There are a limited number of slots in the talent show so don't wait till the last minute to sign up! We have so many talented students that we have to limit students to participating in only one act. Participants are required to attend a mandatory dress rehearsal on,Wednesday, June 1, beginning at 2:30 p.m. All props and music are required at the dress rehearsal.

Extended Care is available until the time of a student's audition, or after auditions if needed. Families will be invoiced for using Extended Care.

Parents, you won't want to miss watching this year's Talent Show! Come support our talented students, and find out what the staff have up their sleeves this year! 
 
Mon.-Thurs., May 9-12;
Mon.-Wed., May 16-18  
test taking
Our elementary students, grades 1-6, will be taking the TerraNova Testing Monday-Friday, May 9-12, and Monday-Wednesday, May 16-18. TerraNova is a series of standardized achievement tests
 used in the United States designed to assess K-12 student achievement in reading, language arts, mathematics, science, social studies, vocabulary, spelling, and other areas. 

It is very important that students are at their best. Here are some ways you can set your child up for success: explain to your child that they will be doing some important work at school - don't call it TESTING. Make sure your child goes to bed early and gets plenty of rest, provide nutritious meals, snacks and plenty of water, make sure their breakfast includes some form of protein, and have prayer time with your child before you drop him/her off each morning. If you have any questions regarding the testing, please call the School Office at 949.951.8683, Ext. 101.









Mon.-Fri., May 16-20 
feelin groovy book fair
Everyone's invited to attend the Scholastic Book Fair, which will be held Monday-Thursday, May 16-20, from 8 a.m.-4 p.m. daily and Friday, May 20, from 8-9 a.m.  All the elementary classes will be visiting the Book Fair during school hours. Your child may purchase books or create a wish list during this visit. Mrs. Heal and parent volunteers will be available to assist your child. The teachers will also have boxes in the store with books they would like to have donated to their classes.  Your child will be able to donate the books in their name.  

This is a great end-of-year volunteer opportunity. Volunteers are needed to help with several shifts. The fair will be open to preschool and elementary school families. You can also help with set-up, check-out, shop with students, or break-down. If you would like to volunteer please sign up using this link: 

Volunteer Spot link
If you have questions, contact: 
Tuesday, May 17
Kaitlyn
Each GCS student receives a "Heart for Jesus" award during the school year where the student's Godly character trait that his/her teacher has specifically observed in the student is recognized. 
 
Congratulations to the April recipients: Braddoc Aceto - Diligence; R. Cramer - Enthusiasm; Sophia Foster - Responsibility; Cassie Kinney - Friendliness; Chloe Ledergerber - Creativity; Jackson Peterson - Friendliness; Elijah Prince - Hospitality; Kaitlyn Schubert - Patience; Emma Ross - Faith; Shelby Smith - Creativity; Rebbeca Whittle-Febbo - Obedience; Alison Wood - Initiative; Seth Mayhew - Initiative.
 
Time: 8:30 a.m. after pledges
Location: Worship Center
Kids and Cupcakes
May 18-20
cupcakes and icing
  



Wednesday, May 25
swimming
Grades 4-6 will be going on a Swimming Field Trip to the Sun and Sail II Club in Lake Forest. This field trip will include a fun swim and water skills challenges. Students will be challenged in swim strokes, treading water, bottom of pool retrieval, and water games. Students need to bring a swimsuit (1-piece for girls, please), towel, sunscreen, water, and a snack. Driving volunteers are needed. Please email Mrs. Kandel to volunteer, or for any further questions. 

Where: Sun n Sail Club II (Lake Forest)
Departure Time: 8:30 a.m.
Return Time: 10:30 a.m.
Bring: Swimsuit, towel, sunscreen, water and a snack. 
Cost: $3 per student as well as parent volunteers; money needs to be turned in to Mrs. Kandel no later than Wednesday, May 18. 
   
Open House
Thursday, May 26

open house
Mark your calendar, Open House is coming up! The students have already begun preparations for this special evening. You won't want to miss the transformation in all the classrooms. Come see what the students have been learning this spring, as well as projects they have been working on all year long. Your child will be so proud to show off his/her work! Enjoy your time walking through all of the classrooms. Open House is from 6:30-8 p.m. 

This is a minimum day. School ends at 12:45 p.m. Extended Care will be available until 5:30 p.m.
 











Oral Health Forms
Due Friday, May 27
childrens oral health
Attention Kindergarten Parents! Linked below you will find an Oral Health Assessment Form. This form needs to be completed by your child's dentist and returned to the School Office no later than Friday, May 27. This form is required for all students entering 1st grade in private, as well as, public schools. If you have any questions, please contact the School Office at 949-951-8683 Ext. 101.













Patriotic Day /
Memorial Day 
Friday, May 27
patriot day
"Patriotic Day" will be celebrated here at Grace Christian Elementary School on Friday, May 27. On this special day we will honor our country and the men and women serving in our military. The students will get to see the retirement of a flag. This retirement of a flag represents those who gave their life to keep us safe, to protect our borders, and our freedoms. Parents are welcome to join us for this ceremony, beginning at noon in the courtyard. Students are to dress in red, white and blue. We will pray for our country, President and troops. "GOD BLESS AMERICA!"

Please note that this is a
minimum day. School ends at
12:30 p.m.
 
Monday, May 30, there is 
NO SCHOOL in honor of Memorial Day.  
Awards Assembly
Tuesday, May 31

excellence
Field Day
Wednesday, June 1

nolan & brandon
Uniform Swap
Thursday, June 2
gcs uniforms
Gently-used uniform pieces will be available for buying / selling / trading: 8:30 - 9:30 a.m. During this time, tables will be available for parents to display the uniforms they want to sell or swap with another parent. Please note the following guidelines:
 
  • Each parent sells their own uniforms
  • Bring the uniform washed and folded
  • Discard any items with stains or tears

To make it simple for everyone, all uniforms will have a set price, which is 50% off the True Grits retail price. Price sheets will be posted for your convenience. There will also be a donation box for any family that chooses to donate their pieces. The donation box will be used, at the discretion of GCS, for those families in need.
   
Please note that cash/checks should be made payable to individual seller. 

True Grits Early Bird Sale:
June 27 - July 2
You will receive a 10% discount on all purchases made during this sale. During each day of the week, you may use any of these three services to purchase your student's uniforms. 
1) Shop your local retail store. 2) Place phone orders during regular store hours by calling the store. 
3) Shop online at www.truegrits.com. A printable price list is available on Grace Christian Schools website. No shipping charges if orders are sent to GCS.
6th Grade Play Day
Friday, June 3
Disneyland
6th Grade Promotion  
Tuesday, June 7
graduation
The 6th Grade Promotion will begin at 11:45 a.m in the Worship Center. Please join the entire school for this special celebration as we consecrate these wonderful young people to God and His future plans for each one of them. Friends and extended family of our 6th graders are invited to show their love and support for each boy and girl. This is the last day of school. The promotion ceremony will end at approximately 12:45 p.m., which is the end of school. There is NO Extended Care on this day.
 

"Therefore, as you received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in him, rooted and built up in him and established in the faith, just as you were taught, abounding in thanksgiving."  Colossians 2:6-7











Yearbook Signing  
Tuesday, June 7
bettwy yearbook signing
The yearbooks will be passed out to the students for classmates and teachers to sign prior to 6th Grade Promotion. You and your child will be able to look back at the 2015/2016 school year in the yearbook that GCS is pleased to give, free of charge, to each student. In it, you will find our GCS students laughing, smiling, and being downright silly, as they are captured in full color across 84 pages! 
End-of-Year Campout
Friday, June 10
campout
Our annual End-of-Year Campout is Friday, June 10, beginning at noon. This is a FUN afternoon and night for our elementary families as we celebrate the end of another wonderful school year, welcome in our new incoming families, and kick off our summer vacation! Plan on pitching your tent, and joining us for an inflatable obstacle course; fun, organized games/activities; dinner; yummy dessert; bingo; and a movie under the stars. There will also be doughnuts, coffee, and juice for breakfast Saturday morning. Stay the night in your tent or plan to join in the Friday evening activities. The kids LOVE this event, so put it on your calendars today! Watch for a schedule of events, and more information about the dinner, which will be emailed out at a later date.

Click on the schedule below,
to see the family campout schedule of events.

Please RSVP no later than Friday, June 3.

If you are still in need of final service hours, this would be a great opportunity to serve. We need help to make this event happen. If you have any interest in the organization of this event, please contact Bobbi Nyce or Masis Oganesyan.
VBS
Monday-Friday, July 18-22
Cave Quest
Mrs. Carver's Tutoring
Contact to schedule tutoring
lindsey carver
Mrs. Carver, our 3rd grade teacher, will be offering tutoring over the summer. She is a credentialed teacher available to tutor students in grades K-5. Individual or group sessions are available in reading, writing, math, and spelling/phonics. Should there be another area, this can be discussed.   

Summer time is one on the most important periods that affect a student's academic performance in the coming school year. She will be working with students to counter summer learning loss, catch up, review, or get ahead.

Don't let your child fall behind this summer! 

Contact Mrs. Carver to discuss rates and your child's needs. 
Summer Activity Workbooks

summer bridge
Parent Resource Library

books
Did you know we have a Parent Resource Library? Please stop by and take advantage of some great parenting and marriage resources (located right next to the School Office). We have a variety of items to choose from including books, cassettes, CDs and videos. You may check out items for 30 days. Please find the index card on the item and fill out the date, your name, and phone number. There is a drop box hanging on the wall that is provided for you to drop in your completed index card. When you return your items, just drop them off in the School Office.
QUICK LINKS
Grace Christian Schools
26052 Trabuco Rd. | Lake Forest | 949.951.8683