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In This Issue 9.30.16:
- News from Ms. Linda Dahnke
- Tardies
- Planned Absences
- Fall Break (Oct. 10 - 14)
- CCC Area Drop-Off
- Morning Drop-Off Help
- NWEA Testing
- SCRIP News
- All School Field Trip (Oct. 7)
- More BCA News
- Food City School Bucks Reminder
- Dates to Remember
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News from Ms. Linda Dahnke,
Head of School
Our Only Comfort in Life and in Death
This past Monday, I received notice that one of my former colleagues from Kalamazoo, MI had been in a serious traffic accident. Apparently, a truck carrying an oversized steel pole turned the corner and the pole rammed into his SUV and his head. Kevin never gave any indication of brain activity after that and was pronounced dead on Tuesday evening. He leaves behind a wife, three small children, many family and friends, dozens of colleagues, and hundreds of students he was privileged to teach over his twelve years as a middle and high school teacher. As you can imagine, so many thoughts going through so many minds. My emotions have gone from shock and disbelief to a deep sadness and even to anger because I think of so many people who are just praying that God will call them Home soon. Kevin just turned 37 and had so many years ahead of him. There are so many lives that he has not influenced yet and who need someone like Kevin and all of his goofiness to help them see their own self-worth. Why Kevin?
A week ago, Kevin lead chapel for the high school. He spoke with the students about our identity in Christ and how God has called us as His own and has given us the name of His sons and His daughters. He finished his talk by saying, "I love you guys" (they do not say y'all in Michigan). Yesterday, the Holland Christian School community gathered around the school for a silent prayer. There were people there who were not associated with the school who joined in and prayed for Shari and the kids and their family and friends and his colleagues and students. Kevin touched so many lives in his short time here on earth and God called him Home by saying, "Well done, good and faithful servant."
When someone dies unexpectedly, like Kevin or Taylor Stone, or suffers with an extended illness, our minds spin with many different thoughts. However, as Christians we set our sights back to God and His faithfulness and promise to us. When I was growing up, we were in church every time the building was open including at least twice on Sunday, Wednesdays, and any other day there was something happening. Catechism class was every Wednesday. We were instructed in the Heidelberg Catechism and the first part of question number one was ingrained in our minds forever.
"What is your only comfort in life and in death? That I am not my own, but belong-body and soul, in life and in death-to my faithful Savior, Jesus Christ."
Among all the unrest in our world today with the upcoming Presidential election, the continued mass and school shootings, and pretty much anything that comes on the news, what a reassurance and comfort to know and believe that God has called us to be His son or His daughter and we belong to Him! I envy Taylor and Kevin in a way because they are no longer in pain or suffering from this world. They are in the presence of the Almighty! No matter what age you are or the circumstances of your death, my prayer for all of us is that when we stand face to face with God, we will one day hear Him say, "Well done, good and faithful servant!"
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Tardies
If you read nothing else in this newsletter, I hope you are able to read this one. We have an overabundance of tardies and they continue to get worse. The other day, we figured out that 20% of our student body, not counting the CCC, was tardy and most of them are the same every day. For our students, this is their job and I am fairly certain that if any of us came late to our job, day after day, we would not have a job much longer.
Please set your alarms earlier or make a better attempt to be here by 8:15 a.m. when ALL Pre-K3 through 8th grade classes begin. It is important for the teacher, the other students, and especially your student. Thank you!
Planned Absences
As with all vacations or breaks from school, we have families who need an extra day or two to travel or return. If this is you, please let your student's teacher know but also the front office. We work hard to make sure that attendance is accurate for our records and also if the state checks on them.
CCC (Infant - PK4) Area Drop-off
If you are bringing your child or student in the morning, please note that the lane closest to the building should remain open at all times for those parents who are able to just drop their students off and leave. This is quickly becoming a problem.
Morning Drop-off Help
Because BCA has two entrances and both are used in the morning for drop-off, we would love to have a parent volunteer or two to take turns monitoring each morning. Your shift would be from 7:55-8:15 each day. Please let the front office know if you are able to help with this.
NWEA Testing
If you have a student in Kindergarten, 1st, or 2nd grade, please make sure that your student has either headphones or ear plugs for the testing next week. We would like to avoid sharing if at all possible. Thanks!
SCRIP
Some of you have started accumulating rebates to go towards your student's tuition. Visit the SCRIP link on bcalions.org to access sign-up forms, parent order forms, non-parent order forms and all things SCRIP so that you can participate in this program that will give you rebates on most purchases you already make. You must sign up before you can participate and that can be done online as well as with the forms you will be sent. BCA has a code - 464DEE2B5264L - that you may have to use, but most information is ready to go on the website.
The SCRIP store will be open on TUESDAYS before school (7:30 - 8:15 a.m.) and after school (3 p.m. - 4 p.m.) in the main lobby for parents who want to purchase cards at that time. Right now, we have on hand to sell for Home Depot, Lowe's, Chili's, Walmart/Sam's Club, Speedway, Visa, Belk, JCPenney, Little Caesar's, Starbucks, Target and Amazon, but many more are available online. (www.shopwithscrip.com).
All-School Field Trip
All Pre-K3 through 8th grade students are invited to an all-school field trip to the Chattanooga Zoo on Friday, October 7. Permission slips were already sent out but few have been returned. Please get those in along with the money so plans can be made. Parents are encouraged to attend and pay $7 for admission.
Field Trip Transportation - K - 8th graders will be able to ride on one of the two buses we have rented for the trip. PK3/4 students will be riding with parents who can drive due to the requirement for car seats at this age (which buses cannot accommodate). If you can drive on this field trip, please let your child's teacher know. If your child is riding with another parent that day, be sure to leave your child's car seat to use on the trip. Also, if you are going to drive on any field trip, you must complete the Driver/Insurance Compliance form along with a copy of the Declaration page from your car insurance company and return it to your child's teacher or to Mrs. Pam in the front office.
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MORE BCA NEWS
Chapel
Everyone is welcome to join us for our Chapel Service on Wednesday, October 5 at 8:30 a.m. at Good Shepherd Lutheran Church. Pastor Sheets from Good Shepherd Lutheran Church will be leading this chapel service. This will be our last chapel offering going to Trinity/HOPE. Trinity/HOPE's Haitian Feeding Program's Mission Statement is "Bringing HOPE to the children of Haiti one bowl of beans and rice at a time."
Birthdays
We would like to wish a very Happy Birthday to the following this week:
10/1 - Paige Sandlin (3rd)
10/1 - Miss Jamie Steinmetz (PK2 Teacher)
10/3 - Charley Callahan (PK2)
10/4 - Harper Caruso (PK3)
10/5 -
Charlie Tew (PK4)
10/5 -
Nic Vickery (4th)
Fall Pictures -
Wed., October 5
Mark your calendars for fall pictures to be taken on Wednesday, October 5. This will be for Infants - Middle School students as well as sports pictures for Volleyball, Cross Country and Soccer. Chapel dress code is required for K - Middle School students.
Soccer Practices
Soccer season is just around the corner, with the first practices beginning next week for the 4th - 8th graders.
Practice will be held on the soccer field starting after school until 5 p.m. on Oct. 3, 4 and 6.
Please bring clothes to change into, soccer cleats, shin guard, soccer ball and water bottle.
Fall Break
BCA will be closed October 10 - 14 for Fall Break. CCC and BCA Day Care will be open. For students in K - 8th who need child care that week, there is a $15 per day, per child, non-refundable, pre-paid fee for BCA students. In order for your child to be counted, you will need to sign up and turn in your money to Melissa Swafford. BCA students will need to bring a lunch and drink each day. Please see Melissa Swafford if you have any questions. Deadline to sign up for BCA students is 3 p.m. on Wednesday, October 5.
Fall Carnival
Mark your calendars now for Sat., October 22, 10 a.m. - 2 p.m.
Events planned for the carnival include: Petting Zoo, Train, Games, Inflatables, Food, Vendors, etc.
Vendors for Carnival
If you are interested in being a vendor at the carnival (displaying your business/service or selling items), please contact Melissa Swafford or Kerri-Beth Tew at 423.987.8774.
End of First Quarter
First quarter ends Friday, October 7. Report Cards will be sent home via InfoDirect on Wednesday, October 19 after Fall Break.
MENU
Monday, October 3 - Hamburger, Chips, Cucumbers, Fruit
Tuesday, October 4 - Pancake Wrap (Sausage in Blueberry pancake), Oatmeal, Apple
Wednesday, October 5 - Chicken Fried Steak, Mashed Potatoes, Green Beans, Peaches
Thursday, October 6 - Fish Sticks, Tator Tots, Carrots/Celery, Oranges
Friday, October 7 - Bosco Stix w/pizza sauce, Salad, Fruit
News from Thrivent Financial -
OKTOBERFEST
Thrivent Financial announces their Ninth Annual Oktoberfest on Sat., Oct. 1 from 1 p.m. to 6 p.m. The event will be located at First Lutheran Campground, at 1621 Lee Pike, Soddy Daisy, TN, right on the beautiful waters of Possum Creek before it empties into Chickamauga Lake.
Lots of games and prizes from 1 to 3 p.m. Dinner starts at 3:30 p.m. and includes bratwurst & sauerkraut, German potato salad, baked beans, desserts and drinks. For the children, there will also be roasted hotdogs and potato chips. Tickets are available from your Congregational Advocate or call Elaine Burns for tickets. Prices are $5 for adults and No Charge for children 14 & under.
For more information, contact Elaine Burns, phone (423) 236-4660 or email at [email protected].
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Food City School Bucks!
If you haven't linked your Food City ValuCard to BCA yet, please do so soon so we can earn money for our school!
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Dates to Remember...
Wed., Oct. 5 - Fall and Sports Pictures (athletes bring uniforms for photos)
Fri., Oct. 7 - All School Field Trip to Chattanooga Zoo (PK3 - 8th - leaving around 9 a.m. and returning approx. 1 p.m.)
Oct. 10 - 14 - Fall Break (No School, CCC will be open)
Mon., Oct. 17 - School Resumes
Sat., Oct. 22 - Fall Festival (10 a.m. - 2 p.m.)
Mon., Oct. 24 - East Ridge Fire Department to visit BCA during lunches
Tues., Oct. 25 - Open House for Prospective Families - 4 - 7 p.m.
Fri., Oct. 28 - Parent/Teacher Conferences (No School, CCC will be open)
Wed., Nov. 9 - Community Heroes Chapel at Good Shepherd Lutheran Church
Fri., Nov. 11 - Family Cookout and Hayride (6 - 8 p.m.)
Sat., Nov. 19 - East Ridge Christmas Parade (6:30 p.m.)
Nov. 21 - 25 - Thanksgiving Break (No School, CCC open Monday & Tuesday)
Mon., Nov. 28 - School Resumes
Thurs., Dec. 1 - Christmas Tree Lighting at BCA (time TBA)
Dec. 5 - 9 - Candy Cane Shop
Thurs., Dec. 15 - Christmas Program (K - 8th grade) 7 p.m.
Fri., Dec. 16 - Dismissal at 11:30 a.m.
Dec. 19 - Jan. 3 - Christmas Break (No School)
Jan. 4 - School Resumes
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