From the Desk of Mr. Spice:

        At the request of our teaching staff, we are reprinting an article by noted author, John Rosemond.  This article discusses very valuable and practical tips on helping children to succeed at school.

“As this school year began, several teachers asked if I would reprint a column that first appeared about ten years ago. The subject is my five top back-to-school tips for parents.

Before you read, be informed that when I use the term ‘best students,’ I am not necessarily referring to those children who make the best grades. Rather, I mean those students who come to school prepared to pay attention, accept assignment and do their best, whatever their best may be. Here, then, are those tips:

1. Make it clear to your child that disobedience is not an option. Teachers consistently report that the best students are almost always among the most well behaved. Good behavior begins in the home, not at school and not even the best teacher can discipline a child who comes from home not already respectful of adult authority. Make the rules of proper behavior clear to your child, and when the rules are broken, enforce with a firm, even hand. New research finds that a child’s level of self-control is positively associated with school achievement.
2. Assign your child a fair share of day-to-day housework. Again, teachers tell me that the best students are usually those who have daily chores at home. It makes sense, doesn't it, that a child who comes to school already accustomed to accepting adult assignment will have fewer problems accepting assignment from teachers? The more responsible a child is within his or her family, the more responsibility the child will demonstrate at school.
3. Limit electronic entertainment to nonschool days only, and even then allow no more than five total hours per week. The research is increasingly unequivocal: screen time of any sort decreases attention span. Learning from a real-life, flesh-and-blood teacher requires being ready to ask questions, being ready to answer questions, memorizing, conducting independent inquiry, transferring what you've learned to paper, listening to the teacher's feedback concerning your work and correcting your mistakes. As for television alone, a researcher once found that truly gifted children tended to watch no more than five hours of television a week. The national average is 25 hours per week per child, which is simply to say if you want your child to be average, let him watch a lot of television
4. Be always interested in what and how your child is doing in school, but take care not to get involved in doing his work for him. There is a difference between interest and involvement. The interested parent says to the child, in effect, ‘I am concerned about your education, but it is ultimately your responsibility.’ The involved parent says, ‘Your education is my responsibility.’ Unfortunately, too many well-intentioned parents have unwittingly accepted/appropriated responsibility for their children's school work. The result of this parental benevolence is a child who has difficulty taking the proverbial bull by the horns. New research supports this low-involvement parenting model.
5. If and when your child's teacher reports a problem, give the teacher - not your child! - the benefit of the doubt. As a rule, teachers are more committed to bettering the welfare of children than any other class of professional. When a teacher says your child has a problem, academic or behavioral, it is with your child's best interest in mind. Curb the tendency to become defensive and listen with an open mind and an open heart. You may learn something that will help you become a better parent.”

Living with Children
John Rosemond
Copyright 2009, John K. Rosemond
www.rosemond.com

Mark Your Calendar for Important Dates Coming Up . . .

·         Tuesday, September 29 – School Portrait Day

·         Friday, October 9 – Grandparent’s Day, at Noon

·         Monday, October 12-Friday, October 16 – Fall Break

·         P.E. Physical Fitness Endurance Runs – Thursday, October 8 – 8^th grade girls and Monday, October 19-21 – K-7.  All students will run during their regular P.E. class and must wear tennis shoes.  Watch for details.

See You at the Pole (grades 6-8 only)

See You at the Pole (SYATP) is WEDNESDAY morning at 7:45-8:00 a.m.  SYATP is an event where students meet at the flag pole to pray for their school, friends, teachers, government, and nation.   Middle school students must be dropped off at the normal carline in the morning and will be escorted by a teacher to the flag poles promptly at 7:45 a.m.  If you arrive after 7:45 a.m., you will not be able to participate.

Grandparent’s Day Program

CDS cordially invites all grandparents of CDS students to attend our special Grandparent’s Day Program on Friday, October 9, at Noon.  If a student doesn’t have a grandparent that can attend, we invite grandparent “stand-ins” like an aunt, uncle, friend, or even mom or dad.  The event will begin at Noon when grandparents are invited to bring lunch and eat with their grandchild in their classroom, Fellowship Hall, or other designated area.  A program honoring grandparents will follow in the Worship Center.  Parents are welcome to attend the musical program as well.  Please join us for this special day!  Students will return to class after the program.  If they will be leaving, please send a note to the teacher.  Please note:  The pizza pre-ordered for Friday, October 9 will be rescheduled for Tuesday, October 6.  If someone is not attending to bring your child a lunch on Grandparent’s Day, please send a lunch.

Kroger Cards

Help our eighth grade students raise money for their end of the year trip to St. Louis at no additional expense to you.  We are asking parents, grandparents, friends, and family school-wide to purchase $5 Kroger Cards.  The card is pre-loaded with $5 (so it is FREE).  Every time a Kroger Card is used to purchase, groceries, prescriptions, or gas CDS receives 5% of the total purchase.  Click here to view an attachment explaining how to purchase the Kroger Card and how it works.

Adopt-A-Book

For a donation you can “adopt” a book for the shelves of the CDS library.  In our library we have a stock of new books, from which you may choose one to adopt, or our librarian will pick one for you.  The book may be in honor or memory of someone.  For a student’s birthday, parents may adopt a book to be presented to the school library at chapel in the student’s name.  Please make arrangements two weeks in advance for a birthday book.  You may “adopt” a hard cover book for $15 or a paperback book for $7.  If you would like to Adopt-A-Book, please click here.

CDS Chess

Chess begins this week for kindergartners through eighth grade.  Students are invited to learn to play chess at lunchtime.  Chess Club is under the direction of Beckie and Kaolin Levatino, experienced chess teachers at CDS.  There are two different classes based on skill level — beginner and experienced.  There will be a tournament in the spring were students compete for awards.  The cost is $35 per family per semester.  Registration/permission forms are available online.  You may pay online or by sending a check made payable to CDS to the school office in an envelope marked “Chess.” Sign up today – click here! 

School Pictures

School pictures are scheduled for Tuesday, September 29.  Students should wear their school uniform and a big smile.  Boys who have purchased ties are encouraged (not required) to wear them for picture day.  Students will have an opportunity to dress up for their spring pictures.  School pictures are taken by Holland Studio and will begin promptly at 8:30 a.m.

National Junior Honor Society

This morning CDS held an induction ceremony for seventh and eighth grade students who meet the requirements for the CDS Chapter of the National Junior Honor Society – a 93 cumulative GPA in middle school, service towards God, service towards others, leadership, extra-curricular activities, awards, and work experience. 

2009-10 Inductees are (seventh graders) Stuart Carter, Parker Fleming, Susanna Hamsley, Robert Mihalko, John Parks, Johnathan Russell, Christian Sidebottom, Rebecca Smith, Nathan Spann, John David Wiles, Tim Zmudzinski, (eighth graders) Austin Howeth, Jahnavi Jagannath, Katherine Mims, Laura Newberry.  Standing Members are: Darielle Doby, Sharonica Franklin, Morgan Frey, Christina Pugh, Olivia Robbins, John Shepherd, Rachel Smith, Hannah Bailey, Sam Melson, Alexandria Stewart, and Ashton Toone.  Keep up the good work!

Fire Prevention

Congratulations to our grade level winners in the Fire Prevention Poster Contest – “Stay Fire Smart.”  The winners are McKenzie Harris (K), West Sepko (1), Maya Warmuth (2), Caroline Harris (3), Meredith Frey (4), and Carli Cardone (5).  All winners will receive a certificate and their work will be judged at the city level.  Great job kids!

Thank you!

Thank you, Jennifer Mueller, Wendy Marable, Treena Thomas, Lori Mihalko, Barbara Evans, Dana Whitworth, Trisha Walker, and all the parents who helped from set up to clean up, everyone did a great job making the Spaghetti Dinner a success and a blessing.

Thunder News …

The 5/6 Grade Volleyball Team won their recent games against Sacred Heart and St. Agnes #2.  Come out and cheer them on at their next home games Friday, September 25, at 5:30 p.m. or Monday, September 28, at 5:00 p.m.

The 7/8 Grade Volleyball Team won their recent games against St. Francis #1.  Come out and cheer them on at their next home game Friday, October 2, at 7:00 p.m.

The Cross Country Team had a meet last Thursday.  Congratulations to the 5th/6th grade boys for placing 1st place with a team score of 39 points.  Michael Swift (6:04) finished in 1st place, Benjamin Smith (6:12) finished in 2nd place, and Nolan Rademacher (6:29) finished in 5^th place in the individual ranking. 7/8^th grade boys placed 2^nd with a team score of 103.  CDS is hosting the meet this Thursday at Shelby Farms beginning at 5:00 p.m. … please come out and show your Thunder spirit. 

Way to go, Thunder!

This week’s lunches:

Wednesday, September 23:  Chick-Fil-A, Chips, and Cookies

Thursday, September 24:  Sonic Corn Dog, Chips, and Cookies

Friday, September 25: CiCi’s PEPPERONI Pizza

Monday, September 28:  Subway TURKEY, Chips, and a Chocolate Chip Cookie

Lunches do not include a drink, please send a drink for your child.  Chick-Fil-A sauces, ketchup, mustard, and mayonnaise are available for the student.

A Rock ‘n’ Roll Weekend

Meet Me At the River, the annual fifth and sixth grade retreat led by the Children’s Ministries of Central Church, will take place on October 23 – 25. It costs $35 per person. The group will be staying in cabins at Meeman-Shelby Forest State Park near Millington. The retreat will focus on Jesus being our solid rock, our rock of refuge, and our rock of salvation. The deadline for sign-ups is October 21. Registration is available online (click here) or pick-up a brochure at school.

Central Church’s Wednesday Night at Central Church

Shockwave is the epicenter of fun for Kindergarten – 4^th grade, rumbling in room 252.

LiveWire is the reactor of energy with electrifying excitement for 5^th and 6^th graders, sparking up in room 112. 

For the younger ones, under Kindergarten, Wiggles and Giggles is available. All of these classes incorporate Bible learning with energetic and kid-friendly activities.  

They meet in the Children’s Building from 6:30 – 8:30.

Jr. High (7^th and 8^th grade) “Extreme Caution” meets in Room 1250 (Worship Center side) from 7:00-8:30 p.m.  A fun upbeat atmosphere with teaching time geared toward topical subjects that are relevant to teenagers.

“This is how God showed his love among us:  He sent his one and only Son into the world that we might live through Him . . . Dear Friends, since God so loved us, we ought to love one another.”  1 John 4:9,11