Reflections on the past week, announcing upcoming events...

    Well, we sailed through the first couple of weeks here in the middle school, and with that in mind, I'd like to share a few of my favorite images of that time...
    Images of....students welcoming and accepting new students, showing them around, sharing ideas about what works best with locker combinations and lunches, and insisting they sit with them. Getting acquainted with students at their homes or favorite spots before school started, school staff sharing devotions and prayer needs with one another again. An encouraging parent/staff potluck, the amazing "get acquainted with LCMHS" assembly... worship together...(sigh)..Good Stuff!

Student thoughts about the first weeks of school:
"My first couple weeks of school for me was just like an ordinary beginning of the school year.  Classes are not easy but not hard. It's hard getting used to the new schedule for everyone though."                                                                                                                    -A

"I feel that I have had too much homework. It's been kind of stressful.  It's been very hard. It's getting used to the schedule at first, but as you go it gets easier. I'm glad I have the best classmates ever."                                                                                                                       -J

"There is too much homework. We haven't had enough hands-on stuff. The clay was fun."
                                                                                                                              -K
"The first two weeks of school have been amazing. Getting new classes and meeting new people has been great! I love getting to meet new friends and to see the friends I haven't seen all summer. I had missed talking to everyone and seeing them. The new electives are so much fun. Choir and drawing/painting are both teaching me to be creative. I can't wait to see what the rest of the school year will be like!"                                                                                                    -J

"My thoughts on school so far is that it's good to be back in a school where theres people that are your friends. It's great to be in a place that we can pray any time you want and not get in trouble. It's great to go to school where you can be yourself."                                                -S

On another note:
     In English class we are studying folklore. Students have learned the key elements of a legend, a myth, a fable, and a folktale.  They are creating their own stories now, focusing on each of the story types. When completed, we will be binding the stories and reading them to younger students. I am currently reaching out to local schools to find the best place for that project. If you have ideas, please feel free to contact me.

Coming next week...

Picture Day is Monday
     School pictures will be taken Monday, the 24th. Even if you choose not to purchase pictures, your student will still have his/her photo taken. Those photos are used for student body cards, student files, and the yearbook. Please come prepared. The flyers for picture orders are available in the office.

Outdoor School!  
     LCMHS is heading to the desert this year for outdoor school. Classes in the HS and MS will be focused on introducing the students to the geography, history, and geology of the area. Students will be selecting a service team to be a part of, based on their gifts and abilities. They will experience things like cave explorations, dutch oven cooking, astronomy, and camping out with very few of the "conveniences" they are used to (...but yes, there are portable toilets, and there will be opportunities to wash up).
     Packing lists are going home today, including a few items to bring on Monday.  Tents--with tent poles and rain flys, sleeping bags, and class-assigned snacks (see the list) are the three items to be brought on Monday. The outdoor school staff will be checking to be sure we have enough of those items for all the students and volunteers before we go. The class-assigned snack for the mid-school to bring is cheese sticks. We are asking families to provide one large package (about 20-24)  cheese sticks each. The snacks will then be pooled and shared among all outdoor school participants.
     Please DO NOT bring: caffeinated drinks of ANY kind, or candy. There will be coffee available in the mornings, but caffeinated drinks--including caffeinated sodas--will not be allowed.
     Medications--If your child will need to have medications during outdoor school, please contact the office to take care of those arrangements before Tuesday.
     Outdoor school is a mandatory event, included as part of your student's "seat hours", and a wonderful opportunity to learn in a different environment.  Please help us set a positive climate by being excited and encouraging about this opportunity.

This week's memory verse and Bible books (due Friday 9/21) are:   
                                                 1 John 1:8-10 and the first 14 books of the Old Testament.