Friday Focus

Our first week of school is over! We have 53 students enrolled and all of them in every classroom have been hard at work already this week.

A New School Year Begins

As I've visited in classrooms this week, students are mixing primary colors to create secondary colors, they are learning about the history and care of the American flag, broadening their understanding of our earth's rotation and revolution around the sun, and analyzing how the themes of geography have influenced American history. That's a lot of learning for the first week of school! The next time you see your child's teacher give them a big "thank you" for all they've done to get ready for another school year and for all they will be doing throughout the school year.

Not only am I excited about the new school year, but the kids are too. Here's what some of them are taking about this week:

"My teacher makes things interesting--and he gives us easy work!"

"I can read!"

"Did you know when the earth spins it bulges?"

"Jesus really does love me!"

"Why would you watch TV when you can read a good book?"

The 2005-2006 school year is off to a great start!

Take a look at the 2005-2006 school calendar...

Summer's End Picnic

Our "Summer's End" Picnic will take place here at school on Sunday, August 28 from 3 to 7 p.m. This event is lots of fun for everybody. There'll be lots of fun and games, plus a potluck BBQ! Each classroom is responsible for bringing the following items:

• Kindergarten: Chips
• Gr. 1-3: Salads
• Gr. 4-6: Soda/Juice
• Gr. 7-8: Hot Dog Buns

Photos of last year's picnic...

Back-to-School Night Meets Many Needs

Back-to-School Night takes place on Thursday evening, August 25 at 7:00 p.m. here at school.

This is an excellent time to check out your child's classroom, listen to his/her teacher share about goals for the upcoming year, and connect with other families.

The more you know about your child's school, the more comfortable you'll feel with it--and the better equipped you'll be to help your child. To make the most of this year's Back-to-School Night:

• Be there. This shows teachers and your child that school is important to you.
• Plan to speak up. This on what you want to know about your child's classes. Write down the questions ahead of time.
• Get your child's input. What would he like you to ask or tell teachers? Is there anything he wants you to notice about his classroom or school?
• Listen to what teachers say with an open mind. Don't tune out thins that seem unrelated to your child now. They may be useful later.
• Take notes. It's hard to remember all of the helpful information provided. Write down anything that relates to your child.
• Meet other parents. It's amazing how many common concerns you'll have. Exchange numbers and stay in touch.
• Share what you've learned with your child. If you have negative reactions, though, sleep on them. Give yourself a chance to think them over. It's important not to hurt your child's attitude towards learning.

Attend Back-to-School Night and volunteer to help in ways you'll enjoy. Show your child that school is a family priority!

Challenge Your Child's Negative Talk

Build your child's self-esteem by listening and talking about issues important to them.

Many middle schoolers become critical of themselves. They say things like, "I'm so dumb!" Your first impulse may be to disagree: "You are not!" But if your child responds, "Yes, I am," you're stuck going back and forth.

Try a comment like this: "Why do you say that?" Really talk out the issue. Chances are, you're child won't be able to back up her criticisms. Then when you tell her the truth--"You are smart...and getting smarter everyday," she'll be able to agree.

Motivate Your Child to Love Reading

Once children can read on their own, they may not read as often. Here are some ways to make reading more fun:

• Note your child's interests. Whatever he enjoys--from soccer to hamsters to dinosaurs--there is sure to be a book about it.
• Share books you loved as a child. Take turns reading chapters aloud. Your enthusiasm will be contagious.
• Look through a craft book. Start a project together. Have your child read the directions to you.
• Encourage your child to read to someone younger. Say how proud you are that he is such a good reader.
• Find answers in a book. For example, your child might ask, "What's that funny bug?" Visit the library to find out.
• Set a good example. Choose a daily reading time, such as right before bed. Talk about how much you look forward to this relaxing time together.

Encourage your child to become a life-long reader and learner.

Story Doesn't 'Wash'

The criminal-tragic tale of two fugitives suspected in the murder of a prison guard in Tennessee last week ended on a tip from a cab driver. He had dropped off the pair at a motel, without making a connection between them and the ongoing national manhunt. Then he got to thinking about them.

"The cover story they gave me didn't really seem to 'wash' too much," Mike Wagers said. "I could kinda see through that. But I had no indication that these guys were really dangerous or they were on the run."

During the 115-mile trip from Kentucky into Ohio, there had been some conversation. What Wagers called their "cover story" was the explanation they somehow felt compelled to give about hiring a cab for such a long trip. They told him they were on their way to an Amway convention.

"They didn't strike me as the Amway type because, to be honest, they weren't very pushy about their product," continued Wagers. "And I've dealt with [Amway distributors] before, so that was my only real suspicion."

Now don't any of you who sell Amway products get defensive! I have no quarrel with people who sell Amway or Chevrolets or widget baskets promoting their products. Sure, the word "pushy" has negative connotations. And some people cross that line with their sales pitches. But the way you create a market for a product is advertising. Promotion. And word-of-mouth ads are the best of all.

Wonder if the claim some of us make to be disciples of Jesus ever sounds hollow? The name "Christian" seems like a bad fit? If anybody ever thought about it later and mumbled, "I'm not sure that person's claim 'washes' with me!"

Christians almost certainly hurt our cause when we are too abrupt and pushy in our evangelistic efforts. I don't like in-your-face recruiters. Intrusive sales people. Or brassy Christians who think the gospel justifies rudeness. But is it too much to expect that we speak well of our faith? The church? And Jesus?

Disciples (i.e., students) of Jesus are always learning about him. Making the effort to imitate him. And it's unthinkable to me that we would never get his name into conversations or tell people the difference it makes to know him. Give him credit for something good that has happened to us or through us. Explain why we think or act a certain way in terms of commitments made to him.

If it shocks a cabby that Amway dealers aren't talking about their wares, it should certainly stun people when Christians have nothing to say about Jesus.

--Rubel Shelly