Issue: #12 October 2016
In This Issue
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This year, TRCS will be working to raise more than $70,000 towards our annual fund that helps with program costs, financial aid and technology.  

Your giving makes a huge difference in this community!   Click here to give online.


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With the rainy weather lately, it is apparent that the school year has started and fall is here!

Just a few reminders:

There is still time to register for the Christmas Shopping Festival! Please contact Lindsey Welch with any questions at lwelch@3riversschool.net. Or you can call her office at 360-423-4510 Ext. 309.

**Please remember that school will still be in session October 13-14**
For an updated calendar, please click here .Or you can pick one up from the front desk of either campus.

Also, join us this year for a set of wonderful parenting classes taught by Pastor Mark Shmutz and his wife Jana Shmutz from Northlake Baptist Church. Click here for a schedule. And sign up online here!

 A Few Dates to Remember:

September 20: School Board Meeting
October 5: Early Release
October 26: Picture Day!
October 28: ACSI Accreditation Day!! No School
November 2: Early Release
November 3-4: ACSI Conference - No School
Administrator's Message
 Recess Matters

                We all remember that feeling of sweet freedom when rushing out of the classroom and on to the playground!  What we didn't realize as children is that recess is important for behavioral and cognitive function.*  Our children NEED these breaks for fresh air and unstructured play.

                At TRCS, we've been incredibly blessed this past year to be able to afford some projects to improve our campuses.  Not only have we installed a new phone system this summer, but we're finishing improvements to our barns and outbuildings and will be launching a complete lighting upgrade in all buildings to full-spectrum LED later this fall.  (And did you know that lighting quality also has a direct effect on classroom success?**)  All of these improvements will translate into a better educational climate for our children.

Proposed Playground Design
                It's been strongly on my heart this past year that our children  deserve something more on their playground.  The STRIVE students even did a project related to surveying what improvements students would like and presented it to me.  They requested that we consider a taller slide, a bridge, and maybe some more climbing tools, as well as swing mats to keep the bark dust in place.
Drawn Design

                Safe and engineered playground equipment is ver y expensive.  Three years ago, TRCS paid $14,000 for the new set of slides on the north end of the playground.  This set was designed to be extendable - but budgetary priorities did not allow for the extension to happen.


Octaball Court
   Last year, our students raised more than $10,000 in the Jog-a-Thon, and we would like to designate those funds towards extending the playground equipment.  We had NW Playgrounds draw up a design for the extension which accommodates the student wish list (pictured, below).  In order to "pull the trigger" on this new extension, we need to raise an additional $8,000.  Families, please forward this appeal to grandparents or other family members who might be willing to help towards the fundraising for this improvement.  If your heart is moved to contribute to this specific project, donations can be made online at www.3riversschool.net, or sent via check to 2610 Ocean Beach Hwy., Longview, WA 98632.  (Please designate "playground fund" on your donation.)  All donations will tax-deductible in accordance with federal law.  If we can raise more than the $8,000, we'd also like to put in an Octaball court (see picture).  This super-fun game is a favorite at Younglife campus, and we think our kids would love having the addition to the playground.

Thanks again for sharing the privilege of working with your amazing, joyful kids!  

Erin Hart
TRCS Administrator     
   


A Message From the Early Learning Center
Debra Zandi
"I will praise you every day; I will praise you forever and ever!  " Psalm 145:2
                                                                                 
The Hebrew word for praising God means "to celebrate His perfections."  I am blessed every day to bear witness to children who celebrate well!!  Their grateful hearts, their joyful attitudes and their praising spirits is a constant reminder as to the blessing of children! 
 
Happenings on Campus:
  • L.E.E.P:  Longview Early Education Partnership has begun preparation for fall assessments for our Pre-Kindergarten students.  The students will take part in the IGDIS (individual growth & development indicators) Literacy Screening Tool.  Results of these assessments will be shared with parents during Parent/Teacher conferences.
  • Cowlitz County Infant through Kindergarten Conference:  "Let's Shake, Rattle, and Roll!" Keynote Speaker for this year's conference is Christine Roberts. All those attending will be provided with practical strategies to build early literacy and language skills in young learners.  Clock Hours and STARS hours are available for all Early Learning Professionals.  
  • Field Trips:  Pre-Kindergarten Field Trips to the Fire Station and the annual pumpkin patch are in process of being scheduled for this beautiful month of October.
  • Enrichment Classes:  FallEnrichment Classes for students will begin soon which will include with limited spaces: Making an Impact with Flag Football and Luv 2 Dance with dance classes and movement!  Keep watching your email for more information! 
  • Better Homes and Guardians:  Please join us this year for a series of parenting classes designed to help develop "better homes and guardians."  When our families are stronger, our school is stronger.  These free classes will help you develop better tools for the job of raising children. Please do not hesitate to call the Early Learning Center or School office for additional information.
Celebrating His Perfections,
Debra Zandi, Executive Director   
Principal's Message
Welcome back everyone!
School is in full swing with lots of excitement, learning, and miracles.  One miracle that has taken place was the ability to have separate teachers for each grade level in grades K-7.  God brought some wonderful new students in all of our classes so we now have very good student enrollment.  One exciting change is the creative scheduling of staff allowing our 6th and 7th grade students to have the advantage of working with several teachers.   



Marissa Baker cuts a log while teacher, Heath Annett, monitors.
High School Elective - TRCS has a new high school elective called Fish and Wildlife.  This class is ta ught by  Mr. Richards and Mr. Annett.  Students have researched the wolf controversy in Wa shington, examined salmon eggs and wolf pelts, eaten crayfish, and much more.  One hands-on opportunity wa s the cutting and splitting of firewood.  Students learned safety rules while actually using a chainsaw, axe, mauls, and wedges.  If anyone is looking for firewood, the Fish and Wildlife class will be selling firewood to earn mo ney for fishing and clamming trips.  Exciting, authen tic learning!

Randy Lemiere

Galatians 5:22-23    "But the fruit of the Spirit is Love, Joy, Peace, Patience, Kindness, Goodness,Faithfulness, Gentleness, and Self-Control.  Against such things there is no law."

Fish and Wildlife class poses during the firewood unit.
Athletic Director's Message
Fall Sports are officially under way!

tim carns The girls varsity went 5-3 in their opening tournament and seemed poised for another league title and run for State.

The Cross country team is young but has several boys who have set their sights on getting to state. Coach Kevin will get the most out of each runner and they will have a blast in this journey.

We have combined with St.Rose and have both a 7B and 8th grade middle school volleyball teams. It is a great time of the year to get out and watch some fabulous eagle athletes.

Please be sure to go to the website and check the dates and times of our home events. GO EAGLES !   

Tim Carns
Do You Goodsearch?
This is EFFORTLESS Fundraising!
If you're not already doing it, take a minute to change your internet search window to default to  www.goodsearch.com , and select Three Rivers Christian School as your charity of choice.  Did you know this simple act brings in hundreds of dollars to TRCS every year?