December 16, 2019 Newsletter

CHRISTMAS GATHERING

Tomorrow, December 17, 2019 at 6:00 PM our Preschool and Pre-Kindergarten students will have a special Christmas gathering at New Hope Fellowship church.

"For unto us a Child is born, unto us a Son is given; and the government will be upon His shoulder. And His name will be called Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace." Isaiah 9:6

CALENDAR REMINDER

Report cards will be sent home Wednesday, December 18, 2019. If you have any questions or concerns regarding your student's report card, please contact your child's teacher before Christmas break.

Christmas break is December 23, 2019 - January 3, 2020. No School during these dates and the school will be closed.

YoForIt

Tomorrow night is TAPP's YoForIt fundraising night. This is a fundraiser event where 10% of the sales goes to support MCS. All sales between 5:00 - 8:00 PM will directly support our school, however, families can go there right after school to get a frozen treat. Just let the staff know you are there on behalf of MCS and those sales will get added to the final total.

PIZZA LUNCH DAY

This Friday, December 20, 2019 is Pizza Lunch Day! If you would like to pay in full for the entire school year, please refer to the following:

12 pizza lunches (1 slice) = $48.00

12 pizza lunches (2 slices) = $72.00

Please bring in-full payments to the office. Individual payments can go directly to the TAPP's collection table. Please note, any missed days will not be refunded. Thank you.

The scheduled pizza, popcorn and Yoforit dates can be found on this downloadable TAPP calendar. If you would like to be part of TAPP or would like to volunteer for any of these events, please sign-up to this link .

COLD WEATHER OUTFITS

Brrr, it's gotten chilly outside! Please remember to send your children to school with coats, gloves, hats, boots, and/or scarves to keep them warm during recess time.

BASKETBALL SEASON

Basketball season is just around the corner! The 4th to 6th grade students are invited to join. Season will start in the middle of January 2020. Coach Austin VanBelle had initially emailed parents back in November, but if your student is still interested in joining and has not signed up, please to contact Coach Austin at [email protected] for more details.

KNIGHTS AUCTION

Our annual MCS auction is around the corner! Here is a glimpse of some of the auction items we have received so far:

RCI Vacation Timeshare - 2 weeks

Joe's Glass Company

Elite Window Tinting

ACT Theater tickets

Cedar Springs Camp

Bullwinkle's Restaurant - free round of mini-golf and large pizza for up to 4

Icicle Outfitters & Guide - sleigh ride for 2

Reptile Zoo - admission for 4

YoForIt

Please spread the word about our MCS auction and let's add to this list! The deadline for procurement is March 21, 2020.

SERVICE OPPORTUNITY

We are in need of Recess Duty volunteers for the following days:

Tuesdays, Wednesday & Thursdays - for AM recess (10:00 - 10:15 AM)
Wednesday & Thursday - for lunch recess (12:00 - 12:20 PM)
Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday - for PM recess (1:45 - 2:00 PM)

Every recess worked counts as one service hour! Please contact the office at (360) 794-8200 or email [email protected], if you can help. The teachers GREATLY appreciate this support!

LOVE & LOGIC TIPS

How Should I Respond to my Preteen’s or Teen’s Normal Behavior?

Knowing what’s within the wide range of “normal” behavior for preteens and teens helps us spend more time enjoying them and less time worrying…. It helps us respond in ways that avoid damaging our relationship and produce rebellion. Listed below are just a few helpful responses:

Helpful Responses

Listen to their opinions—display respect and love even if you disagree.
Trust that they will eventually become very much like you if you maintain a good relationship.
Encourage them to take on more responsibilities, such as managing their own money, getting ready for school on their own, working things out with teachers/coaches, etc.
Talk about your political and religious views when they can overhear you talking with others. Keep the tone positive and constructive, interwoven with love for others. Love them the same regardless of what they decide about these topics.
Do your best to live according to your values. Admit when you fall short of doing so. Be real.
Provide lots of supervision done with an attitude of love and concern. Try not to leave them alone at home. Require that they come with the family on almost all outings.
Get to know their friends and build relationships with them.
Have regular meals together.
Expect them to serve the family by completing their fair share of contributions.
Allow them to drive when they are old enough, they have paid at least half of the cost, and they are good at following the rules of the home.
Provide factual information about sex, including the risks. Do so with empathy and an attitude of high expectations for them. Point out that the people who wait until marriage usually have a lot fewer things to worry about as preteens, teens, and young adults.
Have them set a reasonable curfew. “Reasonable” is the key. This can be different every night that they go out, but generally it shouldn’t be any later than 10 p.m. If they refuse to be reasonable, set the time for them and make it early.
Set significant limits over technology use. Do so by saying, “I allow the use of digital devices when it doesn’t hurt our relationship. This includes causing me to worry about you.”

Always remember the big picture during this period of their development—the most important factor affecting the adjustment of our teens and preteens is the quality of our relationship with them. Remember that they still want us in their lives, but that they are also determined, like preteens and teens worldwide, to act like they don’t.

FREE & EASY WAYS TO HELP THE SCHOOL

Explore all the ways to benefit MCS.