February 12, 2021
Thursday Mrs. Brown’s fifth grade class video conferenced with students at CCLS Uganda. Our students took a tour of the campus including the meeting place under the trees, classrooms, kitchen, and goat shelter. Most importantly they heard the message of love from their brothers and sisters in Uganda. I was so glad to see the joy of the CCLS Uganda students. This is something that stands out each time we visit the community.

For CCLS Uganda, like us, the pandemic has demonstrated the importance of building resiliency in the face of various challenges. CCLS- Uganda, for example, had created learning centers in homes to continue to educate the children as the school was forced to close for an extended period of time. Moreover, the pandemic reminds us all of the skills our children need in the unpredictable world we live in such as problem solving and adaptability. For many of these students CCLS-U represents more than education, but also a safe place to live and receive daily meals. Through partnering with the local Christian community some of these essential needs are being met as well. 

Because of COVID-19 we have not been able to send a team over to Uganda this year, but our support continues as each class sponsors a student. We are thankful that through Christ Community International teacher salaries were supported through the pandemic and we ask that you all continue to pray for the teachers and children of CCLS-Uganda. If you would like to learn more about how you can support this ministry with a financial gift, please click here. We look forward to the day we can return to visiting our brothers and sisters in person and we remain inspired by their persistent joy. 

Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice. Philippians 4:4

Have a great weekend in the Lord!
Matt Hoehner
Executive Director
UPCOMING DATES

President's Day - No School February 15th

CCLS University March 4th

...Early Childhood... With Valentine’s Day coming up this weekend, it’s all about love! So I thought that it would be appropriate to share with you some of my favorite “loves”!

  • I love walking through our hallways hearing the infectious joy and laughter coming from our students, 
  • I love receiving sweet hugs and excited waves as I come into the classroom. 
  • I love seeing big, chubby-cheeked smiles lighting up the faces of our babies. 
  • I love watching our teachers interact with your children in gentle and loving ways. 
  • I love knowing that our parents have entrusted their greatest treasures with us. 
  • I love realizing that God has walked with us through every difficulty and every celebration this year.
  • I love serving alongside our amazing ECE teachers and assistants who selflessly give of themselves every day. 
  • I love being wrapped in the knowledge that we are all children of God, loved and saved through Jesus. 

We pray that as you celebrate Valentine’s Day this weekend, you are reminded of the greatest Love of all, our Savior Jesus! “We love because He first loved us” 1 John 4:19
...Elementary... Thanks for showing so much LOVE. The final total for the Kids" Heart Challenge is $17,077! Thank you for your generosity. These dollars will go to saving many lives!

Be sure to see this beautiful "love" wall in the hallway. Thanks to the students for decorating the hearts. A big thank you to Ms. Maryclaire (kindergarten teaching assistant) for putting this beautiful collage together.  Enjoy your three day weekend and stay warm!
...Middle School... As mentioned last week, the CCLS middle school has been blessed to have Mrs. Brittany Thormodson teach for the past three years. We know that God has great plans for her and her husband as they transition to this new phase in her life. We also know that God has chosen the next middle school teacher for us. Through upcoming interviews, the Holy Spirit will lead us to this person. We have begun the process to extend a Call to a qualified candidate. If you know of someone who would be a good fit for this position, please let us know.

The annual CCLS Spelling Bee will be conducted on Monday, February 22. A zoom meeting has been set up for families to watch this event. More details including time and zoom links will be shared next week.
Opt In to Our Communications!

Have you been missing out on our text reminders or want to make sure that you receive text alerts for when we have a school closing? If so, text YES to 87569.

If you have any questions, please email Jenna Dehn, director of communications at jdehn@ccls-stlouis.org.
There are two bonuses this week: Gap/Old Navy is offering a 4% bonus, so you will receive 16%, and Journey's is offering a 2.75% bonus, so you will receive 10.75%. If you would like to place an order, please turn it in at the elementary campus by 8:30am or the middle school campus by 10:00am on February 22. If you have any questions about SCRIP, please email Sherry Jokerst, SCRIP Director, at Scrip@ccls-stlouis.org or call her at 314-822-7774.
CCLS is currently accepting applicants for faculty and staff positions for the upcoming '21- '22 academic year. Some positions may be available to start immediately. Apply anytime at https://bit.ly/CCLScareers, or learn more by emailing Jessica Anderson, Director of HR, at janderson@ccls-stlouis.org.