• Our preschoolers, along with others in our church and school community, participated in A Christmas Journey. It was a wonderful time of making angel crafts, hearing about the true meaning of Advent and Christmas from live shepherds and wise men, and singing songs about baby Jesus.
• Our K-8 students are participating in the 2 PM Advent services with our congregation. It is such a blessing for our students and church members to prepare our hearts for the birth of the Christ Child together!
• The Marmion Academy Men’s Choir, including a couple of Immanuel alumni, visited us on Monday to sing Christmas carols as they walked the halls.
• In lieu of a gift exchange, our students are collecting donations for Lazarus House and the Batavia Interfaith Food Pantry. We are doing this to help focus our gift-giving on sharing God’s love with those in need.
• Our K-8 classes are preparing to lead a worship service on Thu., Dec 19, at 6:30 PM. Our students are preparing a message that is is told through the metaphor of different types of bells and how they help tell the Christmas story. Our eighth grade handbell choir is preparing special music, as are our vocal choirs and our orchestra. We invite the whole church and school community, families, and friends to join us for this special service.

• Reminder! If your student misses more than three days of school, a doctor's note stating s/he is able to return to school is required. [Please see Student and Family Handbook, page 9, under the section, Absence, that begins on page 8.]

• After school Extended Care will be held in the Youth Room on Wed., Dec., 18, due to afternoon tea after the Advent service.

• The K-8 Christmas service is Thu., Dec. 19, 6:30 PM. Students should arrive after 6:15 PM [not before] and go to their classroom.

• K -8 dismiss at 11:30 AM on Fri., Dec. 20 for Christmas break and return on Mon., Jan. 6.

• No afternoon Enrichment class on Fri., Dec. 20.

• No after school Extended Care on Fri., Dec. 20.

• Spirit Day is Mon., Jan. 6 when we return. Grade 4 won for December, Thank you for showing your school spirit! Go Eagles!

• Dec. – Voice of Care Provides spiritual care to people with disabilities and those who care for them.
• Jan. – LCC Comfort Dogs Human-care and compassion ministry utilizing specially trained purebred Golden Retrievers.
• Feb. – Adopt-A-Student at Concordia Seminary Financial support for a future Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod pastor.
• Mar. – Hearts for Jesus/Lutheran Heritage Foundation Translates and distributes Bibles, Luther’s Small Catechism, and Bible stories in more than 100 languages.
• Apr. – Voice of Hope Ministry to inmates at Stateville Correctional Center in Crest Hill, Illinois.
• May – Phil’s Friends Provides support and hope to those affected by cancer.

• Digital Readiness
• Know Where Your Children Are Online
• Safety Features and Parental Controls on Digital Devices
• Technology and Internet Usage Agreement for Parents and Their Children

• Families will be notified of school closings due to weather conditions or other emergencies via text, email, Facebook, and Twitter.
• To ensure text notification, make sure you have created a parent profile here and have entered your cell phone number, cell phone carrier name, and that receipt of text messages is enabled on the checklist just above the Save Member Information button.
• Information may also be broadcast over local radio and television stations.
• Information is available on Immanuel’s website, immanuelbatavia.org, and through the Emergency Closing Center at emergencyclosingcenter.com.
• School weather closings generally follow Batavia District 101.
• Preschool sessions canceled for emergency or weather will not be rescheduled.