Monday, January 16

 

It was a smashing success! The aging pumphouse was quickly torn down today by eager students wielding crowbars and sledge hammers. The strong young men of the Big Room vigorously attacked the little building and reduced it to a shivering pile of sad rubble, then tore it limb from limb and deposited it unceremoniously in the dumpster. It took less than an hour.

 

The pumphouse, a fixture on the school property for many years, was then replaced with a rock. Yes. A rock. A hollow rock. You should see it.

 

Thanks, young men, for making speedy work of hauling away the old structure. We appreciate your excellent work. The school grounds looks better because of it.

 

Please don't climb on the rock.

 

Thursday, January 5

 

*********  SEVERE WEATHER ALERT  *********

 

HARD FROST THIS MORNING. EVERYONE SHOULD STAY INDOORS. USE EXTRA BLANKETS AND HOT CHOCOLATE TO KEEP WARM. DO NOT ALLOW SMALL CHILDREN OR ELDERLY PEOPLE TO PLAY OUTSIDE. IF YOU MUST GO OUTSIDE, WEAR SEVERAL LAYERS OF CLOTHING, AND AVOID PERSPIRING AS THIS MAY FREEZE ON THE BODY AND CREATE SERIOUS PHYSICAL HARM. ALSO, COVER YOUR PETUNIAS.

As you can see for yourself, even the park benches are dying...

 

Wednesday, January 4

 

No-Bake cookies! What a great math project! Measuring and stirring and mixing... and eating! These cookies were delicious! Good work, students.

Thursday, December 22

 

Last night the SMS students put on a beautiful Christmas program for all of us. From youngest to oldest, they put their hearts into it. They worked hard, and it showed in their recitations, poetry, and singing. They are wonderful students, and the quality of their characters showed through on their faces and in their eyes. Last night's program was a treat! Thank you, students. We hope you all have a splendid Christmas celebration and a relaxing, enjoyable time away from school.

 

See you in January!

 

Wednesday, December 14

 

Today the Honor Roll Students went on a field trip to PGT in Venice. PGT is a custom window and door manufacturer employing more than 2,000 people in six buildings on their corporate campus.

 

When we arrived, we were welcomed by Maggie and Tom, who gave us a guided tour of the PGT manufacturing facility. We toured the full length of their largest plant, which is a quarter mile walk, round-trip. This building covers 25,000 square feet. PGT has 19 different unique assembly/production modules, each of which may produce anywhere from 100 to 200 window or door units per shift, with two shifts running per day. Right now, they average around 2,000 units every 24 hours. The atmosphere among PGT employees was relaxed but professional, and everyone we met greeted us warmly. Rumor has it that even the president and CEO, Rod Hershberger, wears jeans and the company's logo shirt to work every day. One fellow, however, was grumpy, and refused to change his attitude in spite of some very perky waving from several young ladies in our group. Because of the inviting cafeteria and company game rooms, some of our students decided they might like to work there some day.

 

After the tour, we gathered in the main lobby downstairs to decide where we should eat lunch. Because of complications, they voted twice, and the vote carried for going to Subway for lunch. It was delish! After we ate, we needed to fill a few minutes before the gym at Colonial Oaks Park would be available, so we dropped in on Red Bug Slough for about half an hour. At the gym we played a raucous game of Extreme Indoor Kickball, and followed that with a competitive round of Team Two-Square. You will be glad to know that tradition held, and we ended the day with Slurpees.

 

Thursday, December 1

 

Our annual Christmas program will be held at Sunnyside Church on Wednesday evening, December 21, at 7:30, God willing. You don't want to miss it!

 

The picture below is a play-dough rendering of what the 2nd and 3rd grade art students imagine the nativity of Jesus to have been. Isn't it adorable?

Saturday, November 12

 

Last night was the annual Science & Art event at school. The students worked hard to come up with their projects, and they certainly wowed us with their skills and talents.

 

Several of the art projects were especially beautiful. The students had lots to offer, including everything from boats to airplanes, cookies and soap, photography and painting, wood-craft, marble-craft, and potato-based electrical engineering.

 

Of course, the school board had a pizza supper available, with all the trimmings: pop and chips and ice cream... every child's dream. All in all, it was a good evening. Go here to see it all for yourself.

 

Tuesday, October 25

 

With some students gone, Miss Rosita's class finished work early and walked to 7-Eleven for treats. No wonder they're smiling!

Tuesday, September 20

 

We lost a hickory tree in the front school-yard. It died a while back of un-natural causes, and was cut down last week. Nathan O. came this morning to grind out the stump. Now nothing remains but a pile of hickory shavings. The students were given an unexpected lesson in stump-grinding, but, sadly, were not able to operate the machinery. Thank you, Nathan, for taking care of the stump.

 

We miss the old tree.

 

Tuesday, September 13, 2011

 

Today was the first day of school for the Kindergarten class. They came sailing into their classroom with bright smiles and new backpacks, ready to jump into a whole new world. Their moms helped them put away their new school stuff and get them  settled in, then it was picture time. They were very patient through the whole process.

 

It was an exciting adventure, and they did very well on their first day. By participating in some academic exercises in the forenoon (learning letters, saying numbers), they earned a nap after lunch and story-time. As a bonus, the schedule included a game of memory in the afternoon. All in all, it was a big day.

 

They make a very good Kindergarten class.

 

Wednesday, September 7, 2011

 

Miss Susie's students had a Show & Tell event yesterday, and the students each brought something special to class. Joanna brought a special cup-cake shaped container of lip gloss, Holly brought a favorite doll, and Connor brought tadpoles and a frog.

 

It was great.

 

They each took their turn showing their special items to the class, and telling them what they liked about them and where they got them. Miss Susie took a turn also, showing them her unique collection of refrigerator magnets.

 

Would you like to see for yourself?

 

Tuesday, August 30, 2011

 

Today was a special day for last year's 4th Quarter Honor Roll students - they earned a field trip to G.Wiz Science Museum, where they toured the special exhibit "Odyssey's Shipwreck! Pirates & Treasure."

 

We had a few minutes to spare before the museum opened, so we went to the Tenth Street Boat Docks, and scavenged the beach rocks for crabs. One feisty little crab spent the day with us, riding in one of the girls' purse pockets.

 

It wasn't long until we were outside the doors at G.Wiz, where we took a few group photos, then met Lionel, a funny staff member who welcomed us to the museum. After some instructions from Lionel, we went upstairs to the exhibit where we met Douglas, a former college professor, who was on hand to answer any questions about the shipwrecks. "Odyssey's Shipwreck! Pirates & Treasure" was a fascinating exploration of artifacts recovered primarily from the SS Republic. We saw ship's china, wine and beer bottles, cannonballs, figurines, hair combs and toothbrushes, gold and silver coins, pirate's cutlasses, and even the skeleton of a (dead) pirate. The skeleton was fake, everything else was authentic. The students could try their hand at the helm of a ship, piloting it through high seas, or they could work the controls of a robot arm to pick up a coin from the "ocean floor" in a recovery expedition.

 

After the shipwreck exhibit we all went downstairs to the hands-on science museum, where all kinds of experiments were tried. Brain-wave races, gyroscopes, cracking safes, measuring hand-grip strength, creating patterns with strobes, checking heart rates, meeting a skink named Steve, running sprint contests, blowing ginormous bubbles, arc-ing electricity, holding Little Boo the corn snake, and puzzling over brain benders... it was great fun.

 

We left there and went to McDonald's for lunch; after lunch we went to the Colonial Oaks Park gym for basketball (two old men against three young whipper-snappers) and Team Two-Square (that was a close game.)

 

Then it was over.

 

Thursday, August 25

 

Our old friend and helper, the ever-reliable Canon photocopier, has been struggling lately with lots of paper jams and general all-around crankiness. Today, for the last time, it begrudgingly spit out one last, inky, crinkly, messy, unreadable photocopy, then sourly wrapped some wires around a spinner deep in its innards, and crashed, never to copy again.

 

What shall we do now?

 

The search is on for a replacement, but these are costly decisions. Would you like to contribute to funding a copier for our school office? Just tell a board member, and they'll be happy to accomodate your generosity.

 

Thank you in advance.

 

Here is a snapshot taken just before it was "boxed up" and carted out.

Wednesday, August 24

 

The 2011-2012 school term officially opened today, and the students are settling in quickly. Their study habits are coming back, and they are digging into their work with energy and enthusiasm. A new school year brings new subjects for some, new friends for others, and new challenges for all.

 

Miss Susie and Miss Rosita are past the initial (minor) apprehensions, and are building relationships with their little charges. Their students have lots of bounce, and the sparkle in their eyes is a joy to see.

 

Come visit the school sometime this year; just poke your head in the door - we'd be glad to show you what's happening. The students like to have visitors. 

 

Friday, August 12

 

Great news! The Yearbooks have arrived! Your students did good work in putting it all together, and the yearbooks are nicely done. You will definitely want several copies, so we are making them available on Monday evening at Orientation, August 22, 7:00 - 8:30. The cost is offset by our valued advertisers, and we thank them for their support. This brings your cost down to only $10.00, and that's an excellent deal. Get a copy for each child in school as a keepsake, get a copy for Mom and Dad to share, plus another copy for each set of grandparents, because they don't want to be left out.

 

This yearbook is filled with great memories. You'll enjoy it.

Here is a list of supplies you need to provide for your student. Please keep these items well-stocked throughout the year.

 

KINDERGARTEN

Pencil box

Scissors

Glue

Crayola-brand Crayons, 24 count

Construction paper

Drawing/Doodling paper

Tissues

Kindergarten mat for naps

Small blanket

Small pillow
Markers (washable)

NO PENS, PENCILS, OR ERASERS

 

--------------------

 

GRADES 1st -- 3rd

KJV Bible with Old and New Testaments

Good supply of pencils and erasers

Wide-ruled notepaper

Drawing pad

Construction paper (for 1st Grade only)

Crayons, 24 count
Markers (washable)

Scissors

12-inch ruler with inch and centimeter markings

Glue

Tissues

Pens (optional)

Colored pencils, 24 count

Pencil box
Trash receptacle, desktop size

Desktop knick-knacks to be kept at a minimum
RED AND GREEN INK PENS ARE NOT ALLOWED

 

--------------------

 

GRADES 4th -- 12th

KJV Bible with Old and New Testaments

Good supply of pencils, wood or mechanical (with a half-dozen lead refills)

Erasers

Blue or black ink pens

Colored pencils, 24 count

12-inch ruler with inch and centimeter markings

Note paper

Optional items: pencil box, crayons

Desktop knick-knacks to be kept at a minimum

RED AND GREEN INK PENS ARE NOT ALLOWED

 

Saturday, July 23

 

You are magnificent! Thank you for coming to schoolhouse cleaning today! You got a lot of work done, and the school and playgrounds look great. After the carpets are cleaned, the students' offices can be put back into the classrooms, and the teachers can begin setting up their rooms and preparing for the return of your children. There is more information in the post below about the beginning of school, so check that out.

 

Thanks for helping with the work!

The school house will need cleaning before we can start another school term, and that cleaning is scheduled for Saturday, July 23. We will begin by 8:00 in the morning. Many hands make light work. See you there!

 

Parent-Student-Teacher Orientation is on Monday evening, August 22, 7:00 - 8:30. Come check out the classrooms and the teachers before The Big Day, and meet your friends that you haven't seen all summer. Students, if you would like to bring your school supplies this evening and put them in your desk, you are welcome to do that. If you prefer waiting until the first day of school on Wednesday, that's fine, too.

 

School begins on Wednesday, August 24, at 8:30 am. As always, the doors open at 8:10. This day will be a half-day of school, dismissing at 12:00 noon, so you do not need to pack a lunch on the first day. Students should be picked up within 15 minutes of dismissal. Don't be nervous, parents: we promise to take excellent care of your children.

 

Your staff for this term:

    Grades K-1: Miss Susan Yoder
    Grades 2-3: Miss Rosita Schrock
    Grades 4-High School: Mr. Jason

 

Florida's Sales Tax Holiday is a great time to save on back-to-school clothes and supplies. This Sales Tax Holiday will be August 12-14. Just thought you'd like to know.