Friday

I thought that once the students were gone from school, that everything would be quieter in my office.  I was so wrong.  It has been nothing but stressful today.  The staff meeting was very productive.  However, the teachers are here with just a few questions per teacher.  I had a phone call about an international student for next year.  I have had two phone calls about preschool for next year.  Somehow emails continue to flow into my mailbox.  It is not quiet at St. Mark's today.  How is your home life on this their first day "off"?

Daily Bible verse:  "You also must be ready, because the Son of Man will come at an hour when you do not expect Him."  Matthew 24:44

Parental Thought:  Create white noise to help children sleep.  Play soothing music or run a fan in the background to help drown out distracting noises.

Have a blessed weekend.

Wednesday

I hope that the 5th and 6th graders are enjoying their field trip to Metamora.  I am sure that the canal ride the the grist mill will be highlights for them.

Graduation is tonight at 7PM.  All are invited to attend.  Jason Frank, Leo Hoffmann, and Asia Quickle will be graduating.  I thank Pastor Rehmer for giving the address.

With one more day of school, the students are quickly anticipating the end.  I will surprise the 7th and 8th graders in a few minutes.  They will have another lesson in math with homework.  Why not learn something new even during these last hours of school?

Daily Bible verse:  "The just man walketh in his integrity:  his children are blessed after him."  Proverbs 20:7

Parental Thought:  Safety Tip:  Make sure your children drink lots of water during the summer.  Dehydration is a silent danger.

Have a blessed day!

Tuesday

The end is in sight for all the students in K-8.  The students are happy to be in air conditioning today.  It makes everything so much easier.  8th graders are getting ready for their graduation Wed. at 7PM.

The Epistle is coming tomorrow.  I just finished my favorite job - plunging a toilet.  The kindergarten students were practicing their Thursday presentation.  They were really doing well.

Daily Bible verse:  "At that time they will see the Son of Man coming in a cloud with power and great glory."  Luke 21:27

Parental Thought:  Respectful children are a blessing.  Teach your children to address adults in respectful terms.

Have a blessed day.

Friday

The last preschool class of the year is today.  I say goodbye to many young children that I have learned to know the last 3 years.  I wish you God's richest blessings.

The results of the Iowa Test of Basic Skills came yesterday.  The classes did well.  Parents should be receiving a copy of their child's results from their teacher before school is out.  As a school the scores were high enough this year to qualify to become a Blue Ribbon Award School.  That is exciting news.  One parent commented on the online survey last week that our scores were much lower than what the web site stated.  I invite any parent to view the exact results from the scoring company.  Every class scored in the 90 percentile this year.  I give all results in visitor's packets that I give to any family who tours St. Mark's.

Daily Bible verse:  "By His wounds we are healed."  Isaiah 53:5

Parental Thought:  Practice memorizing scripture together.  Children as young as two can memorize simple Bible verses.

Have a safe and blessed weekend.

Thursday

This is the last day of the year for the Preschool-2 and Preschool-3.  The children have grown so much throughout this year.  They have learned to know their teacher and aide so well.  I have enjoyed getting to know them.  I wish for them nothing more than a blessed summer.  I hope to see most of them again next year.
Although demanding, the 7-8 grade field trip I took with them Sunday - Wednesday was worth it.  The children were respectful, energetic, and hard-working.  They observed how a sawmill works, how glass is made into art, and the beaver challenge in Brown County State Park.  They were also challenged in the kitchen making the various meals.  We survived.

Daily Bible verse:  "Resist the devil and he will flee from you."  James 4:7

Parental Thought:  Set realistic goals for your children.  Left unchallenged, they will become bored; pushed too hard, they will become frustrated and resentful.

Have a blessed day.

Principal's Epistle

    St. Mark’s Lutheran School, 5849 Buckwheat Rd., Milford, OH, 575-3354, www.stmarksmilford.org

http://stmarksmilford.blogspot.com            rreisenb@hotmail.com

Calendar                   

			23 Chapel at 9:15, Last day for P-2	24 Last day for P-2, P-3, PK, Last Jump Rope Club	25 Pizza lunch, Last day for P-4	26
27 Church at 8 & 10:30AM & 6PM with SS at 9:15 AM	28 No School	29	30 grades 5-6 field trip, 8th grade Graduation 7PM	31 Last day for K-8	1 staff mt. 9AM	2

Prayer Families

Asia Q. (8^th), Taylor S. (K), Audrey C. (6^th)

Notes

            All good things must come to an end.  That is how this year will end.  Within the next 8 days, all classes will end for all students.  Although our theme, “Under God’s Construction,”  is done, God is not done with us.  He will never be done developing our walk with Him until the day that He calls us to His home.  Each school year seems to go quicker than any previous one.  However, I have very fond memories of many good students.  Is there still work to be done?  Yes!  To the departing 8^th graders I say farewell.  Please feel free to come back and visit.

            Blessings to all this summer.

Important End of the Year Dates

23        Last day for Pre-2 Wed.

24        Last day for Pre-2 Thurs., PK and Pre-3

25        Last day for Pre-4,

28        No School

30        Grades 5-6 field trip, Graduation 7PM

31        Last day for K-8

Last Day Schedule for K-8

Parents are invited to spend the day with their child on May 31.  The schedule is as follows:

8:30    School starts

9:15    Chapel

9:45    Classroom presentations

10:30  Talent Show

11:15  Lunch

Meat and table supplies will be furnished by the school

Each family is asked to bring a salad, dessert, fruit, vegetable, or chips (for 12 people) based on your child’s last name initial

                        Fruit or vegetable salad       Last name A – C

                        Chips                                      Last name G – J

                        Dessert                                  Last name P – T

                        Drinks                                     Last name K – O

                        Condiments (for hot dogs)   Last name U – Z

                        Your choice                            Last name D – F

Students are dismissed after lunch.

If any student needs transportation home on that day, please notify the office

All family members are invited!

Painting Help Needed

Is painting one of your passions?  St. Mark’s “new” building is now 11 years old.  It is in need of some special painting.  You can be helpful on the following dates: 

Thursday, June 7 at 6:30 PM

Monday, June 18 at 6:30 PM

Tuesday, June 19, at 6:30 PM. 

Students that are old enough to paint can also fulfill some service hours.  Please bring any painting tools that you have.  We will be painting the hallway and at least one classroom

Classroom Information

Mrs. Ruemmele

The year went quickly, this is our last day so we will be mostly playing and practicing our action poems, songs and Bible verses. We'll have a short program to show our parents and family some of what we have learned. We'll have a picnic and play some games before saying good-bye.

Mrs. Esselman

School is out and summer is here (but the learning doesn't stop there)! Threes and fours have had a wonderful year learning! We have met new friends, painted, counted, sang songs, and most important, learned about JESUS. This week both classes reread some of their favorite stories. During Bible time we revisited accounts throughout the year such as: The Story of Creation, Baby Moses, Joseph and the Colorful Coat, etc. Threes and four practiced getting ready for our mini presentation for the End of Year Party. Happy Summer!

Mrs. Sherman

At Jesus time, Kindergarten will learn about someone who shared her faith with others.  Upon hearing about Jesus, Lydia was baptized then went to tell others about Jesus.  God commands us to "go and tell" just as Lydia did.  Kindergarten will hear another story about their favorite cat, "Pete the Cat Rocking in My School Shoes".  The boys and girls will complete a writing assignment about where their school shoes have taken them this year.  They will play Swimmy with their popcorn words and review the alphabet in handwriting. Pre-K's final week of school has arrived.  The class will spend time reflecting on their year - their favorite bible stories, favorite activities, favorite songs and the many things they learned.  The boys and girls are excited to share songs, a picnic and games with their families on Thursday.

Mrs. Reisenbichler

We may be getting close to the end of the year, but the learning hasn't stopped and the children were very busy. In Jesus Time, we learned more about Paul's missionary journeys, and how God helped him in all circumstances. Second graders tested their knowledge of pandas by taking a vocabulary and content test. They also started a Wolfquest. To complete this project they learned to make a power point about their animal. The best end products will be shown on the last day of school. The first graders worked on learning centers and started practice their end of the year presentation. We touched a few remaining science topics this week as well.

Mrs. Mayo

We had a great time meeting our penpals at a park in Sidney, OH last week. God blessed us with perfect weather and we had lots of fun. This week we will finish spelling. We're studying our last 2 states, Hawaii and Alaska, and will take our final states & capitals test. We each will also be working on a "newspaper" about our own communities all week. We'll try to finish the book, "Lost Gator of Gumbo Limbo" this week also. In math, the 4th graders will be taking a chapter test and then will be working on rates. The 3rd graders will be finishing their chapter by working with graphs and grids before taking their test. In religion we will be discussing how we, as Christians, can be a witness to others around us and how we can make a difference.

Mr. Postenrieder

In Bible time this week we will continue our study of James as well as prepare for our chapel skit. In Science we will continue to monitor our bluebird houses and study communicable and non-communicable diseases. In Language Arts we will complete reading The Sign of the Beaver.  In 5^th grade math we will work with probability and ratios. In 6^th grade math we will work with complex perimeters and algebraic addition. In Social Studies we will complete the year with a look at early inventions to prepare for our field trip to Metamora, Indiana on May 30 where we will ride a horse-drawn canal boat and visit a working grist mill built in 1845.

Mr. Hoffmann

This week in 7^th and 8^th grade we spent most of our time on a 3-day field trip to Brown County, Indiana and Louisville, Kentucky.  The students are also finishing their last two projects for class.  One is an animated technology presentation.  The other is an end-of-the-year summary.

Mr. Reisenbichler

Students in grade 7 and 8 math are testing for two days.  They will also complete an entire book test.  No more homework this year.

    Join us June 11^th – June 15^th from 6PM – 8:30PM

At Sky, faith and imagination soar as kids discover that everything is possible with God. Kids participate in memorable Bible-learning activities, sing catchy songs, play teamwork-building games, make a special craft, dig into yummy treats, experience electrifying Bible adventures, and test out some Sciency-Fun Gizmos.  Each day concludes with Fly Away Finale—a celebration that gets everyone involved in living what they’ve learned. Kids will learn to TRUST GOD!!!

If you would like to volunteer at our VBS, look for the sign up sheet in the church narthax to see where you can help us out.  Any questions you can contact Cindy Verbarg at cverbarg@gmail.com or 847-0256

Friday

One never knows what a day will bring.  I finished a tour for our kindergarten class for next year.  Within minutes, a 7th grader was at my door desiring help to connect to the Internet.  After that was fixed, another student was at my door needing his temperature taken,  After determining that he was "normal"  another student needed help with another matter.  Sometimes a simple task like blogging can take 2 hours.

Students in 7-8 grade are very much looking forward to their 3 day field trip next week.  I will soon go into their classroom and give them the final details.

Grades 3-4 are out of town on a field trip to meet their pen pals from Ft. Wayne, IN.  That should be a very nice day for their planned activities.  I pray for safe travel for them.

Daily Bible verse:  "The reason the Son of God appeared was to destroy the devil's work."  1 John 3:8

Parental Thought:  If your children refuse to pick up their things, confiscate them and require your children to "buy" them back with additional chores.

Have a blessed weekend.