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 Central Day School

            Informer

          Education with Eternal Value

                                                                                             


              August 21, 2012                                                                            Vol XVIII Issue 1            

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What is The Informer?  

For grades K-5, The Informer envelope or folder is the teacher's way of communicating with you weekly about important classroom news.  It will contain a classroom newsletter, permission forms, graded papers, and conduct updates.  Please read the information, sign and return the envelope each Wednesday.  Stay "in the know" by reading The Informer.


Morning Drop-Off and Afternoon Pick-Up
Our number one concern is the safety of our students! In order for students to be properly supervised, parents cannot use the circle drive at the front of the building for drop-off or pick-up.  The circle drive is for PDO and CLC students drop-off and pick-up only.  Students cannot be picked up in the hallways at dismissal.  If a parent is volunteering in the building during afternoon car line, pick up arrangements should be discussed with the school secretary.  Please do not park in the east or west circle drives unless you are picking up a sick child from the office.   
Houston Levee Driveways
The driveways at Houston Levee are part of the Central Church expansion plan to ease congestion on Sunday mornings by allowing traffic to enter and exit on Houston Levee Road.  They will not be utilized by the school until a thorough study is done to determine whether a new or improved traffic pattern can be established.  Therefore, they will be blocked off during school hours.  As far as play areas, they won't impede our playground and blacktop areas.
Lunches 
Lunches can now be ordered at www.cdsthunder.com.  The website will give you detailed instructions about the lunch offerings, how to place your order and pay for it.  We will be offering the same hot lunches from Corky's this year, rotisserie-style chicken or pulled pork with green beans and roll on Mondays and spaghetti and a roll with salad on Fridays.  We will continue to offer celery and carrot sticks this year, along with fresh fruit, gelatin, and applesauce. Our regular "grab and go" lunches from Sonic, CiCis, Chick-Fil-A and Subway will also be offered.  Lunches will begin Tuesday, September 4.  The deadline to order lunches for September is Thursday, August 30.  If you have any questions about lunches email Teri Ford at teriford@centraldayschool.com or call 255-8204. 
Chess Registration
Kindergartners through eighth graders are invited to learn to play chess on Wednesdays at lunch time beginning September 12.  Chess Club is under the direction of Beckie Levatino, an experienced chess teacher at CDS.  The first semester of chess is instructional and the second semester is tournament competition.  The cost is $35 per child per semester.  You may register your child on the cdsthunder.com website.  You should pay online thru E-giving or by check in the school office.  The deadline to sign up is Friday, September 7.
Moms in Prayer at Central Day School
Join other CDS moms meeting to pray each Wednesday for our
students, teachers, administration, and school.  The first Moms in Prayer will be Wednesday, September 5, from 8:15-9:00 a.m. in the Chapel. The purpose of Moms in Prayer International: To intercede for our children through prayer and to pray that our schools may be guided by biblical values and high moral standards.  The goal of Moms in Prayer International: To see every school in the world covered with prayer.  "Pour out your heart like water before the face of the Lord...Lift up your hands toward Him for the lives of your children." Lamentations 2:19
School Pictures Taken Thursday, August 30
School pictures will be taken by Holland Studio for the yearbook and parents to purchase.  The photos will be taken on Thursday, August 30.  Students should wear their uniforms and best smile for the pictures.
Dress Code
Please help maintain the dress code standards by making sure your child is dressed appropriately each day.
Music Lessons for CDS Students
Music lessons are being offered by the Central Church Music Department this year. Private lessons will be offered in piano and guitar.  Group lessons will be offered in voice. Students will be given weekly lessons during recess, lunch or study hall.  All students are encouraged to participate in a Spring Recital.  Forms are available in the school office or by clicking here. Private Music Lessons Form You may contact Lana Brown for more information at lanabrown@centralchurch.com.

MOPS and MOM2MOM  

MOPS (Mother's of Preschoolers) meets every other week to encourage mothers of preschool-age children to glorify Jesus by providing fellowship, encouragement, insight from godly speakers, topical discussions, craft projects, and refreshments. Mom2Mom is a time for moms of any age children to connect with one another to share the love of Christ, the love of children, and the love of friendship. Mom2Mom alternates Wednesdays with MOPS. You may attend both groups. MOPS begins Wednesday, August 22 and MOM2MOM begins Wednesday, August 29.
Facebook
Be sure and "like" us Facebook.  On Facebook, you will find reminders of school events and activities our CDS Families are involved in. 
 
Looking Ahead... 
August 30 - School Pictures 
August 31 - Deadline to Order September Lunches 
September 3 - Labor Day, No School 
September 4 - Lunch Program Begins 
September 12 - Chess Begin

The Heart of A Teacher 
by Paula J. Fox

 

The child arrives like a mystery box... 
with puzzle pieces inside 
some of the pieces are broken or missing... 
and others just seem to hide

 

But the HEART of a teacher can sort them out... 
and help the child to see 
the potential for greatness he has within... 
a picture of what he can be

 

Her goal isn't just to teach knowledge... 
by filling the box with more parts 
it's putting the pieces together... 
to create a work of art.

 

The process is painfully slow at times... 
some need more help than others 
each child is a work in progress... 
with assorted shapes and colors

 

First she creates a classroom... 
where the child can feel safe in school 
where he never feels threatened or afraid to try... 
and kindness is always the rule
She knows that a child

 

can achieve much more when he feels secure inside 
when he's valued and loved...and believes in himself 
...and he has a sense of pride

 

She models and teaches good character... 
and respect for one another 
how to focus on strengths...not weaknesses 
and how to encourage each other
She gives the child the freedom he needs...
to make choices on his own
so he learns to become more responsible...

and is able to stand alone

 

He's taught to be strong and think for himself... 
as his soul and spirit heal 
and the puzzle that's taking shape inside... 
has a much more positive feel

 

The child discovers the joy that comes... 
from learning something new... 
and his vision grows as he begins 
to see all the things he can do

 

A picture is formed as more pieces fit... 
an image of the child within 
with greater strength and confidence... 
and a belief that he can win!

 

All because a hero was there... 
in the HEART of a teacher who cared 
enabling the child to become much more... 
than he ever imagined...or dared

 

A teacher with a HEART for her children... 
knows what teaching is all about 
she may not have all the answers... 
but on this...she has no doubt

 

When asked which subjects she loved to teach, 
she answered this way and smiled... 
"It's not the subjects that matter...

It's all about teaching the CHILD."

"Time to Renew" by Cheryl Gradone   

Welcome back to school!  I have had the privilege of seeing most of the student body at CDS in these first days of school.  It must be all the fresh air and sunshine of the summer that caused the kids to grow so much in these brief months.  Welcome to all the new families!  I have seen several new faces.  Last year I told stories of our family of five children and how the Lord helped me and J.P.  to raise them, and many of those years while J.P. was on the road doing his job all over the country.  It was definitely a time of personal growth for me. Did I mention the enormous energy that was spent in the process?  But, because of the help I received from the Lord, it was energy well spent. Our children are grown and standing firmly on their feet! I pray that my stories and encouragement will continue to bless you as you use that same energy in raising your own child.  It is a full-time job!  Your child is truly a blessing from the Lord. God has chosen the "family" for your child; a home to grow and be nurtured in all the way to adulthood. I pray that your child will latch on to the same truths that you hold in your heart.  This only happens when parents are committed to the task.  Parenting can be the most rewarding responsibility, or it can bring the most heartache.  Knowing what God's requirements for parents are and committing to do them is your greatest goal.  There are relatively few specific passages of Scripture that pertain to parenting. But they are specific. However, the Bible has an answer for every problem where it pertains to attitude of heart, relationships, and even responsibilities.   My hope and goal in bringing you a story or an insight in the articles to come is to see parents rise high to the challenging responsibility of parenting.  There is a way to parent that seems right to man, but it does not bear lasting fruit.  The beautiful truths found in the Word of God will bear fruit.  Isaiah 55:8-11 is a powerful passage of Scripture that speaks to this great truth and gives great hope:  "My thoughts are nothing like your thoughts," says the Lord.  "And my ways are far beyond anything you could imagine. For just as the heavens are higher than the earth, so my ways are higher than your ways and my thoughts higher than your thoughts. The rain and snow come down from the heavens and stay on the ground to water the earth. They cause the grain to grow,  producing seed for the farmer and bread for the hungry. It is the same with my word. I send it out, and it always produces fruit. It will accomplish all I want it to, and it will prosper everywhere I send it."  I want to encourage you today to make a wholehearted commitment to the Lord in parenting your child.  Maybe you are already firmly committed.  Great!  Renew your commitment now at the beginning of a new school year.  Make a firm commitment to establish a biblical pattern of living that will strengthen your relationship with Jesus and strengthen your responsibility in parenting your child.  Parents, commit to one another in having the same view of God's requirements for raising your child.  Commit also to your child as godly servants and as examples of the Lord Jesus Christ as He "came not to be served, but to serve."  Be willing to admit when you have wronged your child by confessing it and seeking forgiveness.  Parents, commit to considering your child as more important than yourself (Philippians 2:3-4).  With all your heart, lay aside your own agenda for the sake of parenting your child.  There are very limited opportunities in the big scheme of your life with your child.  Make the most of them!  Commit to being kind, gentle, and patient; not quarrelsome.  Commit to discovering the beautiful truths of God by reading the Bible daily as a family.  Do not be afraid to face the difficult situations that will come in your child's life.  It is enough that your child faces difficulties daily at school.  Make home a place of refuge and where fears and troubles can be freely shared.  Make your home the best place in the world and your relationship with your child the most significant one in your child's brief life with you at home. 

Cheryl Gradone is the wife of Central Church's  

Executive Director, J.P. Gradone