| |
First Presbyterian Church of Birmingham
Alcott School Ministry Newsletter
February/March 2016
|
 |
|
Teaching reading IS rocket science.
Louisa Moats, Ed.D., Reading and Human Development, Harvard College
|
|
|
Highlights to celebrate
Coming Up
Wish List/Volunteers Needed
School Closed Dates
Shop & Drop Update
An Alcott Ministry Video
Media Center Highlights
A Lenten Devotional
|
|
Contact Us
|
Kathy Nyberg
Co-Chair of Alcott Ministry
Stephanie Kummer
Co-Chair of Alcott Ministry
Cindy Merten
Director of Christian Education & All Abilities Inclusion Ministries
First Presbyterian Church
1669 West Maple Road
Birmingham, Michigan 48009
248.644.2040 x 1 45
cindymerten@fpcbirmingha
m.org
Nancy Quigley
Educational Ministries Assistant
First Presbyterian Church
248.644.2040 ext. 134
nancyquigley@fpcbirmingha
Principal
Alcott Elementary School
460 W. Kennett Rd.
Pontiac, MI 48340
248.451.7910
248.451.7910
|
|
2015-2016 Alcott Tutor & Media Center Assignments
Kindergarten
Colleen Pruente/Teacher
Eileen O'Callahan
Nancy Scherba
Tracy Matthews/Teacher
Judy Graves
Daniel New/Teacher
Stephanie Kummer
First Grade
Angela Schmitt/Teacher
Sharon Evans
Judy Hunt
Karen Aubrey/Teacher
Stephanie Kummer,
Diana Sharer
Linda Wilson
Robert Whittington
Hannah Titlman/Teacher
Souri Gaillard
Second Grade
Susana Lllanes/Teacher
Sally Spearin
Dayna Malcolm/Teacher
Leslie Helwig
Richard Eriksen
Matthew Blacker/Teacher
Sue Riemer
Joan Palleschi
Nory Smith
Third Grade
Lisa Wright/Teacher
Janis Anderson
Margo Owens
Adrianne Tomlinson/Teacher
Lorraine Carlin
Mary Skubik (Sept., Oct., May, June)
Fourth Grade
Julie Williams/Teacher
Lyn Martens
Robert Gilmore/Teacher
Stephanie Kummer
Fifth Grade
Elizabeth Martini/Teacher
Doug Martens
Ladessia Franklin/Teacher
Mary Geib
Fifth/Sixth Grade split
Bailee Braunreuther/Teacher
John Judson
Jane Kamley
Sixth Grade
Barbara Hargett/Teacher
Chris Boyle
Bazil Hunt
Media Center Team
Barb Linnenbrink
Gail Barget
Judy Gillow
Trish Hoert
Margaret Pittman
|
First Presbyterian Church
of Birmingham
1669 W. Maple Rd,
Birmingham, MI 48009
248-644-2040
|
|
|
|
|
|
The eager students at Baffling Bill's Magic Show
|
Dear Tutors, Alcott Staff and others interested in our Alcott School Ministry:
This has been a full and exciting school year with many special events and collaborations to enhance the educational experience of our Alcott students and their families. None of us could do this alone, but together we can accomplish much! Here are some of the highlights since November:
- The owner of the Emagine Movie Theaters provided tickets and snacks for every Alcott student to see The Peanuts Movie.
- FPCB provided the funding for the transportation to the movie with the help of the Filmer Foundation Grant.
- Alcott families attended the FPCB youth production of You're a Good Man Charlie Brown.
- FPCB provided 100 Thanksgiving food baskets, turkeys and hams.
- The special offering at the FPCB Advent By Candlelight service provided close to $2,000 for school uniforms.
- In early December Rosy Latimore and Virginia Mottershaw provided a wonderful lunch for the whole Alcott staff in the media center.
- Our Angel Tree project at FPCB provided gifts for two Alcott families, and mittens, hats and gloves were collected on our Mitten Tree.
- On December 18 Brainstormers held their first of two assemblies to kick off the annual Literacy Night which will culminate in a whole school event the evening of March 31. Each student has written an illustrated story which will be professionally printed and on display that night. Brainstormers will return on May 23 to perform several of the stories.
- Phonics First training by Orton-Gilliingham occured in January with two tutors and four Alcott teachers participting for three days. Since then tutors, Stephanie Kummer and Lyn Martens have conducted two training sessions for our lower elementary tutors and shared tools to help them reinforce lessons taught by Alcott teachers.
- In January FAR Conservatory in partnership with FPCB, began sending two therapists to provide music and art therapy for 8 students from each grade level in 25 minute blocks between 11:30 and 3:30 twice weekly. The therapists are targeting coping skills for these at risk children, and either Ms. Taylor or Ms. Chaney sits in on the session as an interventionist.
- A highlight in February was a visit by Baffling Bill, the Magician who entertained, stimulated imagination and challenged students. This was possible with FPCB funding.
- March is Reading Awareness Month, and The Grizz is coming to read on March 23
|
|
|
Kids attended "You're a Good Man, Charlie Brown!" at FPCB
|
|
|
|
|
|
Uniforms collected at
Advent by Candlelight.
|
|
|
|
|
Angel Tree Christmas Gifts
|
|
|
|
|
Brainstormers kick off Literacy Night
|
|
|
|
|
Baffling Bill Magic Show Assembly
|
|
COMING UP:
- Intercession is coming up soon March 7-14.
- Field Trip to Owen Elementary to participate in a hands-on museum
- Black History Month musical assembly March 10
- The Grizz will be reading to Alcott students March 23 for Reading Month.
- Literacy Night March 31 at Alcott. More info to follow later.
- Dr. Carter has scheduled a SKYPE connection with NASA for a school assembly on May 12.
SCHOOL CLOSED: March 25 and April 4-8
WISH LIST/VOLUNTEERS NEEDED:
- Someone to teach an hour to one and a half hour class on robotics during the school day.
- Additional funding for our Shop & Drop Program
- Tutors/Volunteers to assist with a March 7 field trip to Owen Elementary
- Cameras for a photography class
UPDATE ON OUR BACKPACK/SHOP & DROP PROGRAM
Our Shop and Drop program (known as the "Backpack Program"
at school) has doubled this year to include food for 20 families each week rather than 10 and the sign-up is already completely full. If you have questions on other ways you might help, you may reach Elizabeth
Gumbis
here. We are looking for additional funding for this program. If you know of possible sources, please contact
There is a brief video with a glimpse of our ministry at Alcott which you can find
here
.
Finally, this is just a reminder that the formula for district emails is first name.last [email protected] in case you need to reach an Alcott staff member.
In Gratitude,
Kathy Nyberg
Stephanie Kummer
Cindy Merten
|
|
| |
|
A Word from Stephanie Kummer
Dear Alcott Tutors ~
This was the devotional Stephanie wrote for our Presbyterian Women's Lenten Devotions booklet. Perhaps you share some of her experiences...
Be still, and know that I am God! I am exalted among the nations, I am exalted in the earth.
Psalm 46.10
Many of us are surrounded by noise most of our waking hours. Just last week, the fire alarm went off at Alcott and was deafening. How about the "ping" signifying the receipt of a new text message? Then there's my teenager's selection of music as he brushes his teeth. I can't forget the "white" noise that helps me fall asleep or the ticking of the kitchen clock that seems louder when I'm alone in the house. And, the neighbor's dog barking at a squirrel.
Lent is a time for reflection and prayer as we prepare our hearts for Easter. How easy is it to reflect when there's so much "noise" around us? Mother Teresa said, "We need to find God, and He cannot be found in noise and restlessness. God is the friend of silence. See how nature - trees, flowers, grass - grows in silence; see the stars, the moon and the sun, how they move in silence.... We need silence to be able to touch souls."
During this season of Lent, I'm going to look for the beauty in silence. Maybe it won't be complete silence - maybe it will be the quiet joy in the exclamation of a young student at Alcott who has written his/her name by themselves for the first time; maybe it will be the passing of peace in the sanctuary with a warm handshake and smile; or maybe it will be a handwritten letter sent to a dear friend.
Make time for quiet moments,
as God whispers and the world is loud.
~ Author Unknown
And when Lent culminates in the celebration of the resurrection of Jesus Christ, we can exalt God with our "joyful noises," as we're encouraged to do in Psalm 98:4: "Make a joyful noise unto the Lord, all the earth: make a loud noise, and rejoice, and sing praise."
Loving Father ~ Help me find peace and contentment in the quiet moments of this Lenten season. Thank you for your guidance, day in and day out, in finding those special times where silence and reflection bring me closer to You and able to do Your work. Amen
|
|
|
| |
|
