Monday Post

Three Points Post

12/7/2020 ~ Parent Newsletter

Miss Peterson,

2nd Grade Teacher

Children’s author, C. Alexander London, wrote, “…people…can’t long endure without community, and community is built on stories.” It’s no secret to anyone who spends time around me or in my classroom that I love to read, and I love stories. Stories connect us. Stories move us. Stories transform us. We are made of stories.

Our 2nd grade storyline is “See the Story, Live the Story.” The Bible is made up of stories that all point to Jesus, but it doesn’t stop there. All of creation points to Jesus. “The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of his hands” (Psalm 19:1). All our learning, whether it be math, social studies, science, reading, or writing, points us to Jesus and becomes part of our own story.

We have explored the facts that all of history is HIStory, that God is writing a unique story in each of us, and that we are each part of God’s big story. We know that God is always at work, and He has good plans for each of us. We see God’s story in sunflowers and pumpkins: how they stay rooted and connected in order to grow. We can live God’s story by abiding in Him and being fruitful (John 15:4). We studied the ten Throughlines to learn tangible ways that we can both see and live God’s story this year. We are currently living the story by expressing gratitude through our Formational Learning Experience (FLEx) of writing thank-you notes to let others know we see how they help us.

My deep hope is that my students would know their story is rooted in God’s complete, unconditional love (their pictures are in the middle of His fridge), and that they would go out to love others with their words and their actions. May they see God’s handiwork and story all around them, know that they are God’s unique and special creation, and treat everyone as a precious child of God. God is writing a beautiful story in each of our lives. What story is He writing in you?

A Christmas Message from Mrs. Britton

Dear Beloved Community,

On Sunday, Nov. 29, the season of Advent began. I had a colleague and dear friend send me a lovely package in the mail that hosted Advent countdown cards. I find myself waiting in anticipation to turn over a new card each morning as the sentiments are profound reminders that this is a season of hope, love and joy; we are celebrating the Father’s love for us and the Son he sent to save us. This year and during this unique times, it has and is so easy for me to become or feel discouraged . Thus, taking time to reflect on the coming of our Savior, Jesus Christ is bringing peace and hope to my heart and days. My prayer is that you and your family members, whether by using an Advent calendar, lighting Advent wreath with candles, spending quiet time in Scripture, or praying together each day, are able to find one or more beautiful ways to guide your minds toward a holy pause and reflect on God's gift of salvation through the birth of his Son, Jesus Christ. May your hearts be filled with the peace and joy that we are given through Jesus.

“At this Christmas when Christ comes, will He find a warm heart? Mark the season of Advent by loving and serving the others with God's own love and concern." - Mother Teresa, Love: A Fruit Always in Season

“In this day, this season, miracles will grow within, unfurl, bear fruit. And the heart that makes time and space for Him to come will be a glorious place. A place of sheer, radiant defiance in the face of a world careening mad and stressed. Because each day of Advent, we will actively wait. We will wait knowing that the remaking of everything has already begun.” - Ann Voskamp, The Greatest Gift

Recess Corner

We continue to be thankful for the GIFT of recess and time outside with classmates. The students have shown flexibility as we work to have recess be fun and safe for all. We have added some new equipment to the recess space that allows the kids to be active and follow the recess friendly covid guidelines. Students are playing badminton and volleyball with the “new” net. We have also added two new tetherballs and repainted lines for four-square.

The list is growing of what students CAN do and partially includes:

· Pass, kick, throw to each other - no physical contact

· Four Square

· Dodgeball

· Bump/Shooting baskets

· Frisbee Golf

· Ultimate Frisbee

· Wallball

· Badminton – NEW

· Volleyball - NEW

· All play and climbing structures are open

· Buckets and Shovels

· Jump Ropes, Hula Hoops

· Tetherball - NEW

· Leaf catching! This one was so fun to watch in November as the kids created their own game of running around the field watching for leaves falling off the trees and making a game of it!

· Christmas Tree decorating! Another creative and endearing way we are watching students fellowship with their classmates, creating this fun activity on their own with jump ropes. These types of activities bring so much job to the staff. Thank you for sharing your awesome kids with us!

COVID-19, Flu & Cold Season

Please keep your child home if they are sick.

As new information surrounding COVID-19 continues evolving, King County has released an updated flowchart for parents and staff to follow. It lists symptoms and vital information concerning COVID-19, and works as a guide to determine whether a staff member or a student should attend school. We encourage parents to save, print or bookmark the flowchart.

Last week the governor's office shared a new exposure tool that can help track COVID-19. It is free and voluntary. Learn more here.

Note: As of 11/9, one important change to the guidelines is:

-If your child has only ONE short term symptom (see list of specific symptoms in next paragraph) AND that symptom resolves without medication within 24 hours, they can now return without COVID testing.

A short-term symptom is defined as: fatigue; headache; muscle pain or body aches; sore throat; congestion or runny nose; nausea or vomiting; or diarrhea.

(see next column)

The symptom above must begin and resolve in less than 24 hours with no known COVID-19 exposure (close contact). A student can return to school the next day if the short-term symptom resolves.

Should your family wish to be tested, there are several test sites. You can find out more on our COVID-19 webpage. Thank you for helping keep our campus healthy and safe.

Dec.

Early Release Day - Tomorrow

Students dismiss at 12:53 pm, no PM Preschool

Dec.

Town Hall Meeting

6-7pm, via WebEx

Meeting # (access code):

146 188 0881

Password: k5mDrGTnZ88

Meeting LINK

Week of Dec. 14 - Online Learning

Next week we will utilize the online learning schedule we used the week of Nov. 30.

Preschool News

Preschool Calendar

Before Thanksgiving break, preschoolers celebrated Friendsgiving! We shared a snack COVID style and talked about what it means to be thankful. Students focused on the blessings God has given us, including friends. We made pretend pumpkin pies with whipped cream cotton ball topping and turkey headbands with ‘thankful feathers’!

We are so very thankful for each of the precious students and the families who make up our preschool program. We pray that your Thanksgiving was filled with joy, laughter, and perhaps some snuggles just like our preschooler noted on his turkey headband!

Handbook

Library Resource

Search the internet and you will find many sites talking about how to help our children become readers. However, because of COVID-19, helping our children with reading is more challenging. The BCS Sora online library is an important resource for students, because it provides access to ebooks and audiobooks curated for our Christian community. BCS students also have KCLS student accounts. Your student can add KCLS to their BCS Sora online library, so they can check out titles from this library as well (this is especially beneficial if your student speaks another language, such as Korean or Vietnamese). Our JH/HS librarian, Pamela Johnson, also discovered the Tumble Book Library on the KCLS website. This online resource for elementary school students provides video story books, ebooks and audiobooks, graphic novels, as well as reading comprehension games. You’ll find a handout about Tumblebooks on our website. With the holidays coming, you might consider seeing how this free resource can support (and entertain) your child with reading.

Please reach out to Librarian Pamela Johnson if you need help, such as getting your student’s KCLS student number, by emailing her at pjohnson@bellevuechristian.org.

Give by Purchase

This holiday season and throughout the year, you have an opportunity to help fulfil our mission with your everyday shopping by automatically donating a percentage of your purchases to Bellevue Christian using one of the programs on our website.

Find out how you can participate today!

Spirit Store Now Open

BCS is excited to launch our new Spirit Store, stocked with casual clothes, outerwear, and bags. With brands like Adidas, New Era, The North Face, and more, you can wear your school colors with pride. Items come in a range of colors with customizable logo options. You may have your purchased items go to the Three Points Office for easy pickup.