IMPORTANT UPCOMING EVENTS & DATES
Parents, please take a moment to mark your calendars. The following are important dates that you do not want to miss:
- September 4th: Labor Day-Student and Teacher Holiday
- September 6th: Lower School Coffee with the Principal 8:15AM (Field House Lobby)
- September 8th: 6th Grade Team-Building Retreat-All Day (Student Center)
- September 8th: Kindergarten Brown Bear Play-2:30PM (Kindergarten Classrooms)
- September 12th: LS Picture Day
- September 14th: 2nd Grade Trip to Dinoworld and the Phosphate Museum (Dowling and 1/2 of Makar)
- September 15th: 2nd Grade Trip to Dinoworld and the Phosphate Museum (Burns and 1/2 of Makar)
- September 19-21st: Student-Led Conferences-Early Dismissal at 12:15 PM for Lower School students
CHAPEL VENUES, DATES, & TIMES
The following is a list of upcoming chapel dates and times:
- September 7th: K4-5th Grade Chapel-Mrs. Walton’s 4th Grade Class Presentation 8:30AM (Faith Hall)
- September 7th: 6th-12th Grade Chapel 9:25AM (Worship Center)
- September 14th: K4-5th Grade Chapel- 8:30AM (Faith Hall)
- September 14th: 6th-12th Grade Chapel 9:25AM (Worship Center)
- September 21st: No Chapel for K4-6th Grade Due to Conferences
- September 28th: 5th Grade Chapel-Mrs. Schuessler’s 3rd Grade Class Presentation 8:30AM (Faith Hall)
- September 28th: 6th-8th Grade Chapel 9:25AM (Faith Hall)
A NOTE FROM MRS. JACKSON
We have used the first two Lower School chapels to really look at our school year theme, “First Things First.” Pastor Skelton really challenged the students to think about how they view themselves in relation to how they view God. The students left with a reminder (on each of their wrists) that “I AM #2”
In addition to continuing to talk about our school year theme, we will start looking at the first of eight biblical character traits for the year. Our trait for September is ENDURANCE. This is a really good one as we transition from a relaxed summer schedule into the rigors of the beginning of school. We define ENDURANCE as “sticking with what you started even when it gets tough.” Many of us have already had opportunities to discuss the importance of endurance as we work with our children on practicing math facts, finishing that AR book, or even putting up with the extreme heat at football or cross country practice. We are approaching endurance from a spiritual point of view but there is also so much research on the importance of endurance or grit and how this contributes to student success, particularly as they transition from the older grades into college and the work force. Let us look for opportunities to help our children build endurance in their lives in and out of school.
Let us not become tired of doing good. At the right time we will gather a crop if we don’t give up.
Galatians 6:9
Here are the 4 verses we will be doing next week:
- “I therefore, a prisoner for the Lord, urge you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling to which you have been called, with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love, eager to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.” – Ephesians 4:1-3
- “Blessed is the man who walks not in the counsel of the wicked, nor stands in the way of sinners, nor sits in the seat of scoffers; but his delight is in the law of the Lord, and on his law he meditates day and night. He is like a tree planted by streams of water that yields its fruit in its season, and its leaf does not wither. In all that he does, he prospers.” – Psalm 1:1-3
- “The Lord your God is in your midst, a mighty one who will save; He will rejoice over you with gladness; He will quiet you by His love; He will exult over you with loud singing.” – Zephaniah 3:17
- “All the paths of the LORD are steadfast love and faithfulness, for those who keep his covenant and his testimonies.” – Psalm 25:10
RECOGNITION
3rd Grade Science Explorations
Before she looked through the microscope this student said, “I can’t wait to see a real life stomata!” Third grade is making science come alive!
Little Red Riding Hood
Our youngest students in KPrep took a turn acting out their own version of Little Red Riding Hood.
NEW THIS WEEK
Lower School Parent University Book Studies
We are very excited to announce two books studies being hosted by Lower School teachers through the new Parent University series. Be on the lookout for information to sign up for these wonderful parent education opportunities.
Shepherding a Child’s Heart by Tedd Tripp
Target Audience: Parents of Children in Grades K4-3rd
Shepherding a Child’s Heart is about how to speak to the heart of your child. The things your child does and says flow from the heart. Luke 6:45 puts it this way: “…out of the overflow of the heart the mouth speaks.” The vision of parenting Tripp presents is more than getting well-behaved children. This vision’s primary focus is the heart of the child. It involves being a kind authority, shepherding children to understand themselves in God’s world, and keeping the gospel in clear view. Through this video series and book study, parents will learn together how this plays out in everyday life.
Age of Opportunity by Paul David Tripp
Target Audience: Parents of Children in Grades 4-6
The teenage years often present difficulty for parents. As a person passes from childhood into adulthood, the transition can be tumultuous. Paul Tripp helps parents focus on the heart issues during the adolescent years. With practical tips, he equips parents with the tools they need to seize opportunities to deepen communication while learning and growing with their tweens, preteens, and teenagers. He challenges parents to look at the teen years as an “age of opportunity” rather than a survival period, which is the common mindset. This book study and discussion will help parents approach the tough situations that these years can bring with confidence and tools to use these years as growth both in their children and in their relationships.
Plastic Utensils at Lunch
With our new school lunch program, students are no longer able to get plastic utensils to use with their lunch unless they purchasing a lunch through WTCafe. Please help us by sending in utensils with your children in their lunchbox if they need one with their lunch from home.
Reading is Cool Incentive Program
At TFA, we strive to develop the love of reading in all of our students. To help foster that love of reading, the TFA library is excited to announce the Reading is Cool Incentive Program for our Lower School students! All students in 1st through 6th grade who meet their 1st quarter Accelerated Reader goal will be invited to a Popsicle Party at the end of the first quarter! K4, TK, and Kindergarten students who read, or have read to them, 15 or more books and turn in their Reading is Cool reading record by October 3rd will also earn the opportunity to attend a Popsicle Party! We hope to see all of our LS students enjoying popsicles at the end of the quarter!
Reading is Cool Reading Record
WT Cafe-New Lunch Program
We are so excited to be partnering with WT Care for our school lunch program. Many of you were able to sample some of the offerings during New Family Orientation. The process for Lower School Instructions for registering your account and adding funds:
- Visit www.wtcafe.com
- A box should pop-up in your browser window with “Welcome to WT Cafe” at the top. In this window select your location, which is Orlando
- Once “Orlando” has been selected, click “Order Now” (located in a big red box on the right side of the page, at the top)
- Once on the next page, you will need to sign-up. Find the area labeled “Not A Customer? Sign Up” and click there
- Continue on, completing the required fields
- Once all of the fields have been successfully filled out, your registration will be complete and you will receive an email from WT Cafe with your login information
- You will need to follow the instructions provided in the email to login to your newly registered account, add funds, and view the menu. You can even sign up for Auto-Reload so you don’t have to worry about manually re-filling your account. As long as your account is funded, your student will come through the line and enjoy a fresh, delicious, made from scratch lunch!
Frequently Asked Questions:
- What if I had a balance on my “GetFunds” account from last year? Once your account is created in WT Cafe, First Baptist will transfer your funds balance to your new WT account. First Baptist will NOT cut checks and mail them.
- What if the site won’t let me register because my email is already in their system? We have run into several instances already where parents cannot register at WTCafe.com because their email is already in the system from when they were a past customer. If this happens, please contact WT Café via their online Chat Helpdesk or via email at orlando@wtcafe.com.
- My child is in K4 or TK, are they able to purchase lunch as well? K4 and TK students will have the ability to purchase lunch and it will be delivered to the classrooms as has been done in years past. Please follow the same registration and account funding instructions above.
- What if the form asks for a “Teacher Name” when I am trying to register? I don’t know who my child’s teacher is yet. WT Cafe has added an option called “TBD” under TEACHER NAME. Lower School parents should choose this option for now, and then update it later once their teacher assignments are known.
- What if my child has food allergies? If your child has food allergies, you will be able to pre-select their allergy-friendly meal by ordering online at WTCafe.com. Children with pre-orders will not be permitted to add A La Carte items to their meals, and their side items will always consist of one fresh fruit and one fresh veggie (no dips, dressings, or sauces will be provided).
- Who do I contact if I am having problems setting up my account or adding funds? You can contact WT Cafe on WT Cafe’s online Chat Helpdesk or by email at orlando@wtcafe.com. You can also call the Orlando office at 407-618-5555.
Sunshine State Book Lists for 2017-2018
Are you looking for a new book to read? Check out the Sunshine State Books for this school year.
These books are chosen by the Florida Association of Media in Education and have not yet been pre-approved by the TFA Library staff. Parents, as always, please use your best judgment in helping your child choose books to read.
Extended Library Hours
For the 2017-2018 school year, the Boyd Moline Library will have extended hours on Tuesdays and Thursdays until 4:15PM. The library will be open on Mondays and Fridays until 3:45PM and on Wednesdays until 2:35PM. It opens daily at 7:30AM. Students may be in the library in the morning without a parent or adult but any student wishing to be in the library must be accompanied by a parent or another adult. Any student in the library after school without a parent or adult will be taken to the After Care program in the Lower School building.
REMINDERS
Morning Dropoff-7:30AM
This is just a friendly reminder that students may be dropped off beginning at 7:30AM. If you arrive to school prior to that time, we request that students remain with their parents until 7:30AM. The library and the gym are open at that time. Student supervision does not begin until that time.
AR HomeConnect
Many parents like to receive email updates when their children take Accelerated Reader and Accelerated Math tests. You can set your preferences using Renaissance Learning HomeConnect.
Calendar Link
The TFA Calendar is a wonderful way to find the dates of upcoming events. Access our web-based calendar anytime. We recommend that you subscribe to all relevant calendars so you can keep up with all of the events going on around the school.
Parent Volunteer Background Check
If you are a new parent and would like to volunteer in your child(ren)’s classroom(s) or chaperone on field trips please complete our free background check. Please note that the background check site only works on Internet Explorer or Firefox on a desktop computer. Safari and Chrome are not supported by the site. Approvals take a few weeks so plan ahead! All parents must have a completed background check before volunteering in the classroom or chaperoning on a field trip.