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12.2.16
In This Issue:
- Notes from Ms. Dahnke
- School Closings/Delays
- Food Drive Fundraiser to help with D.C. Trip
- Opportunity to Help Woodmore Elem.
- Northside Neighborhood Collection
- Fall Sports Awards Night
- Candy Cane Shop
- Christmas Pajama Day
- Christmas Program
- More BCA News
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Notes from Ms. Dahnke...
Gifts to Handle with Prayer
Years ago, when you were first placed in your mother's arms, she saw you as her own special gift, anticipated for many months or years. It did not matter if she actually gave birth to you or if she adopted you; she was awestruck at the sight of you, her special gift. God carefully, chose, wrapped, and presented you to her so she could care for you and love you throughout life, even during those times you were seemingly unlovable. As we all know, He made each gift a bit different. Some gifts are tall and skinny; some are not as tall and not so skinny. Some are or have been in the top 10% of the class; some are just happy to still be in the class. The wrapping on some seems to be flawed or deficient in some way, but that is really not the case. God wrapped each present with a special plan and purpose in order to honor and glorify Him in every facet of life.
All of us have experienced the excitement of being given a beautifully wrapped gift. Whether we care to admit it or not, we are usually quite flattered that someone took the time to choose the wrap, the ribbon, and the bow to make the gift extra-special just for us. There are those who choose to let the gift sit just because they enjoy the anticipation. Then, there are those who carefully remove each piece of tape so that they can reuse the wrapping at a later date. Others dive right into it and rip through the paper to find out what awaits them. The suspense comes to an end in the form of a well-planned prank or, more often, something remarkable and well-thought out by the giver. But, have you ever given a gift back to the giver because it was not wrapped nicely enough?
Someday, when we stand before God, He is going to ask us how we treated the gifts He created. Did we look down on some because they were the "wrong" color or the "wrong" size? Did we pay more attention to the containers with superior, physical features? What about those who were wrapped with physical or mental deficiencies? Does God really see these containers as less superior or abnormal?
It has been my privilege to work with students who have mental/cognitive impairments. These students, along with my own daughter, have taught me so much about life and what is important and how to appreciate gifts of those with whom I come in contact. I worked for several years with students who find school challenging for various reasons. Believe me when I say that there were days when I wondered exactly what God was thinking when He wrapped them up and presented them to me. However, for the most part, I quickly learned to appreciate the gifts that He had given each one of them. Actually, that goes for each student I have come in contact with over the years; they are all unique and I have had a chance to see a glimpse of God's handiwork in each of them.
As you look at all the various wrappings, shapes, and sizes of the Christmas presents under the tree, notice that they are all different. It would be kind of drab if they all looked the same. Then, look around at a classroom, basketball game, or even a family get-together. There are a lot of different shapes, sizes, interests, and abilities there. Each individual is unique. God does not make junk and He certainly does not wrap up "pranks" and present them to us. In gratitude to the "giver," we must learn to pray for and appreciate all the presents God has put in our paths for a reason. As a community of believers, it is our God-given responsibility to get to know those containers around us. We must open them up carefully so we do not damage what is inside and so that we get to see the value of each gift. We can learn a lot from each other if we just get past the wrapping and appreciate what is inside.
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School Closings and Delays
First of all, an apology for some of the confusion during our weather delay this week. That storm just kept hanging on so we felt it necessary to delay the start of school for the safety of our families, our teachers, and especially our students. We were unable to use the texting system to send out a message that day but we believe it has been corrected since then. Please note that the CCC is a part of BCA and will follow the same schedule for closings and delays. Therefore, if BCA starts at 10 a.m., the CCC starts at 10 a.m., and if BCA is closed, so is the CCC. We realize that this can be a huge inconvenience and we do not take closings lightly, but need to do what is best for the whole school community. Please make sure all your information is updated in the main office so you are able to receive those messages.
Food Drive Contest to Help Fund 7th/8th Grade D.C. Trip
Each year, the 7th and 8th graders take a trip to Washington, D.C. While this is a wonderful opportunity for the class, it also continues to get more and more expensive. The class sponsors will help by providing a few short-term fundraisers that do not take much time or effort so that we do not continue to ask our families for money.
As our first step to help offset some of the costs of the trip for each 7th and 8th grader, we are going to hold a collection/fundraiser that is a
WIN-WIN situation for these students as well as The Community Kitchen.
Beginning Monday, Dec. 5, we will hold another canned good food drive contest between classes to see if we can top our recent food drive.
This time, however, it will also benefit our 7th and 8th graders because for EVERY CAN that is donated, we have a special benefactor who has generously committed to donating $2 for each item collected!
We will keep the same teams and work to make sure that families
have food for Christmas dinner as well as help our students with their trip. If you are able to contribute, we would really appreciate it. If we all brought in a can or two, it would make a big difference for our community and our students working to raise money for their trip in the spring.
Opportunity to help Woodmore Elementary
Next Sat., Dec. 10 from 9 - 10:30 a.m., our
Zumba instructor, Sherry Peardon, will be offering a
Zumba class for anyone interested, with all proceeds going to Woodmore Elementary School. This is a great opportunity to come and work out as a family to some fun music and moves as well as support those in our community who have lost so much. Invite friends, neighbors, and come on out for a great time!
Sherry Peardon
(right) featured recently on News Channel 9's
ThisNThat.
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Chapel
Everyone is welcome to join us for our Chapel Service on Wed. , Dec. 7 at 8:30 a.m. at Good Shepherd Lutheran Church. Mrs. Bolden's Kindergarten and Mrs. Webb's 2nd grade will be leading this chapel service.
Our second quarter Chapel offerings will go to The
Maclellan Shelter for Families. This is an emergency shelter that allows male and female family members to stay together as they seek housing. The shelter is located at the Chattanooga Community Kitchen and is a
64-bed, 24/7 shelter.
In the month of December, we will be collecting toys, games, good/used or new puzzles, and new crayons and coloring books for Northside Neighborhood House.
The gifts will be distributed to approximately 450 needy children. Please bring items in no later than Thurs., Dec. 15 and place them in the front lobby. The Northside Neighborhood House "elves" will pick up the toys at noon on Dec. 15. NNH delivers toys to boys and girls ages infant - 15 years. Items do not need to be wrapped. Sports balls, trucks, Barbie Dolls, craft items, action figures, learning toys, baseball bats & gloves, model cars, novelty socks, purses, cookware and tea sets, board games, etc. are some suggested items.
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Birthdays
We would like to wish a very Happy Birthday to the following students this week:
12/5 - Alex Bates (7th)
12/5 - Micah Bean (8th)
12/8 - Ben Smith (K)
12/9 - Jordan Gaffin (1st)
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Breakfast for All!
Before heading off to see the Chattanooga Boys' Choir/Singing Christmas Tree performance today, our students enjoyed a delicious breakfast! This was also a fun reward to follow up from their early morning practice for the upcoming Christmas program on Dec. 15.
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12/5/16
Practice/Girls
3:30 - 5:00
Practice/Boys 4:30 - 6:00
12/6/16
Home Games
Elem. Boys - 5:00
Varsity Boys - Scrimmage vs. Skyuka Hall - 6:00
12/8/16
Practice/Boys 3:30 - 4:30
Practice/Girls 4:30 - 5:30
12/9/16
Home Games vs. Oakwood
Elem. Boys 4:30/Varsity Girls 5:30/Varsity Boys 6:30
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Thank You for Christmas Float Efforts!
A big thank you to all who were involved in putting together the Christmas float and driving the participants through the parade in East Ridge. We heard many compliments about our floats and our students. Thank you for your involvement.
In addition, the City of East Ridge has chosen BCA as one of the top three best-decorated floats in the "school" category. We will receive a monetary prize next Thurs., Dec. 8 at 6:30 p.m. at East Ridge City Hall (off Ringgold Road, on Tombras Avenue). If you participated in the parade, you are invited to attend the award recognition next week.
Also, a thank you to Nolan and Laura Polley and Christy Rodgers for their work in our main lobby to get us decorated for Christmas. The students are enjoying this every day.
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Advent Choral Festival
The 36th Annual Lutheran Advent Choral Festival Will Be Held On Sun., Dec. 4 at 3:30 p.m. at
First Lutheran Church, 2800 McCallie Ave., Chattanooga, TN.
Candy Cane Shop - Dec. 5 - 9
Next week, our annual Candy Cane Shop officially opens! Students are already excited about their day to Christmas shop for family and friends! Be sure to return your child's envelope with money and the completed shopping list for family members.
Click
HERE for more information and to see your child's shopping day/time.
2016 Fall Sports Awards
The Fall Sports Awards Ceremony will be held Thurs., Dec. 8 at 6 p.m. in the BCA cafeteria to honor our students who participated in volleyball, cross country and soccer. Please bring a fast food dinner for your family. A cake for dessert will be provided.
Christmas Pajama Day
We will have Christmas Pajama Day on Tues., Dec. 13. Students may wear their pajamas to school if they bring in at least two items for the
Northside Neighborhood House.
Christmas Worship Service
Belvoir Christian Academy invites all to come and worship with us as we celebrate with the Children's Worship Service, "The Promised Savior: Born for YOU!" on Thurs., Dec. 15 at 7 p.m. Kindergarten through 8th grade will be participating. The program will be held at Good Shepherd Lutheran Church. PTL will provide refreshments following the program.
7th & 8th Grade Exams
The 7th and 8th grade semester exams will be given on:
- Wed., Dec. 14 from 12:30 - 3 p.m.
- Thurs., Dec. 15 from 8:15 - 11 a.m.
The 7th & 8th grade students will be dismissed at 11 a.m. on that Thursday.
December Child Care for K - 8th Graders
BCA will close at 11:30 a.m. on Fri., Dec. 16 for the Christmas holidays. BCA Child Care will be open until 6 p.m. on Dec. 16 and students staying will need to bring a lunch and drink.
Child care will be open during Christmas break every day except Dec. 23, 26, 30 and Jan. 2, 2017. The cost is $15 per day on a pre-paid basis. You must sign up with Melissa Swafford by Wed., Dec. 14 at
3 p.m. for any days that your child will need daycare. Your child must bring a sack lunch and drink for those days. If you have any questions, please see Melissa Swafford.
The Christian Children's Center (Infants - PK4) will operate with normal hours on Fri., Dec. 16, but will be closed on Dec. 23, 26, 30 and Jan. 2. The CCC will operate on regular hours (6:30 a.m. to 6 p.m.) on all other days during the school Christmas break.
Label Clothing
Please be sure to label all sweatshirts, sweaters, jackets, etc. with your child's name. The lost and found box is located in the elementary hallway. Please be sure to check there for items you may be missing.
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MENU
Mon., Dec. 5 - Hamburger Steak, Mashed Potatoes, Green Beans, Fruit
Tues., Dec. 6 - Hot Dogs, Sun Chips, Cucumbers, Pears
Wed., Dec. 7 - Baked Ziti, Peas, Roll, Orange
Thurs., Dec. 8 - Chicken & Dumplings, Broccoli, Apple
Fri., Dec. 9 - Bosco Sticks, Salad, Fruit
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Dec. 5 - 9 - Candy Cane Shop (see
schedule of class shopping days/times)
Thurs., Dec. 8 - Fall Sports Award Ceremony - 6 p.m. (Bring fast food dinner.)
Tues., Dec. 13 - School-wide Pajama Day for students (If they bring in two items to donate to
Northside Neighborhood - more details later)
Thurs., Dec. 15 - Christmas Around the World Celebration Day
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
Mon., Jan. 16 - Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Day - BCA and CCC will be closed.
Jan. 22 - 27 - National Lutheran Schools Week
Fri., Feb. 3 - Mid-term ends
Wed., Feb. 8 - Progress Reports
Feb. 13 - 17 Homecoming Week
Fri., Feb. 17 - School-wide dance to be held that evening
Fri., Feb. 17 - In-service training day for staff of infants - pre-k4. No school or child care that day for infants - pre-k4. (This does not apply to K - 8th grade.)
Sat., Feb. 18 - Homecoming Celebration (Look for more details soon.)
Mon., Feb. 20 - Presidents' Day - BCA and CCC will be closed
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