For me, the 2016-17 year is a landmark in our school's history.  It was not without challenges, but it also gave us a list of great things to celebrate:

With new staffing coming on this fall, the addition of Chromebooks to the middle school grades, and the launch of the garden programs, next year is also looks to be one of great change and progress!

              

  One of the changes I'm not happy about is the retirement of Randy Lemiere.   Randy Lemiere has served at TRCS for nearly 9 years - from teaching to Athletic Director to High School Principal to K-12 Principal and back to 5th grade teacher.  He's followed wherever God called him with passion and grace. 

When he told me a couple of years ago that he was planning to maybe semi-retire, I tried to pretend he was joking.  I took this job because I knew Randy was right there beside me, equally passionate, incredibly hard-working, and unfailingly kind.  We both started praying that God would provide great leadership on both campuses to replace his Principal roles.  (Yes, he was doing the work of at least two people.)  Jeanne Nortness and Brice Richards were the answers to that prayer, and after a mid-year need arose, Randy Lemiere stepped back into the classroom to teach 5th grade.

Randy insisted that he didn't want recognition or a big party, but we couldn't let his nine years of service go unnoticed.  At last week's graduation, he was inducted as "Principal Emeritus."  The word "emeritus" is Latin for "veteran soldier," and is given as a title of honor for perpetuity.  As I told Randy at graduation, he's now Principal forever.

All of those good things that I mentioned in the beginning of this article:  Randy Lemiere was a huge part of those successes.  Randy, may God continue to bless you richly - and may you never get too far away from your family at TRCS!  We all love you!

In His Grace,

Erin Hart

Happy Summer Days

The past couples of weeks TRCS graduated 44 preschool children from the Early Learning Center. The graduates did so well in their practices and performances.  It was great to see so many families and friends come out and support them on their big day. This fall these children will be attending kindergarten classes all throughout Kelso, Longview, and beyond. Our prayer is that the foundation which has been laid here at TRCS has equipped the children for a lifetime of learning and walking with the Lord. Thank you to every family for choosing our school and allowing us the opportunity to work with your children. I also want to thank our teachers who do an amazing job of giving the children not only quality care but also a quality education.

This summer we will launch our new electronic records program 'Sandbox.' This system will allow you to sign your children in and out with a pin number and your initials on the iPads in each classroom. The Department of Early Learning is in the beginning process of having every center move to an electronic check in and out system and we are taking the first steps to be ahead of the requirement. It is also an added security measure for keeping track of who picks up your children. As we begin moving towards fully implementing Sandbox, we will still have you sign in and out on the clipboard. Sandbox also has a Parent Portal that allows parents to track attendance, communicate with teachers, update important information and grant access to who is allowed to pick their children.

We are looking forward to a very fun summer with various field trips and activities planned. One of the events we will be offering is swim lessons through Briarcliff Pool at Rainier High School, July 10-21st. The lessons will take place daily from 10:00-11:00 am. The cost will be $55.00 per child. Space is limited to 46 children. The lessons will be available for our preschool and school age children. Registration forms are available at the front desk.

As  you may be aware, we recently changed the lunch menu at the Early Learning Center. One of our goals is to teach children healthy eating habits which will carry over into a lifetime of healthy living. The new menu provides greater nutritional value as we include more fruits and vegetables, protein, and whole grain. We are going to be eliminating processed foods, as well as reduce the amount of sugar and saturated fat.  Most importantly, the children will be eating a healthy diet which is essential to their well-being and happiness! This is the first major revision to our menu. More changes to our breakfast and snack menu will take place soon.

I wish everyone a joy filled and safe summer!

 

Sincerely,

James Murphy, ELC Director