CHCS December 2016 Newsletter

DECEMBER 2016

C O L L E G E

CHCS News H E I G H T S

C H R I S T I A N

S C H O O L

It’s Beginning to Look a Lot Like Christmas

Students and teachers have been very creative in anticipating Christmas this year. The elementary students have been celebrating by wearing a different themed clothing item for the “12 Days of Christmas”. The secondary students have celebrated by dressing up for “Christmas Appreciation Day” and having a door decorating contest. Throughout all the fun, we take time to reflect and appreciate the true reason for Christmas.

God’s greatest gift to mankind in the person of Jesus is truly the Reason for the Season! Merry Christmas!

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That’s Entertainment!

The Fine Arts Departments at College Heights have all worked overtime to provide many opportunities for joy and entertainment this semester. The Outreach choir, under the direction of Mrs. Glenda Austin and Mrs. Melissa Belk, performed their bi-annual “Broadway” show on November 7th at Corley Auditorium on the campus of MSSU. This show is a special treat that displays favorite songs from Broadway musicals. The students even learned choreography and got to dress up in their finest attire!

From the littlest of students to the biggest, the Art Department, under the direction of Mrs. Taylor Williams and Mrs. Marilyn Stewart, has been filling our halls with all sorts of wonderful art. In December, the Advanced Art class painted the windows of local business, Tropical Smoothie, providing festive, tropical views of the season.

The Drama Department, under the direction of Mrs. Tabitha Davison, presented “The Best Christmas Pageant Ever” November 17-19. The house was packed each performance as audiences were reminded of the true meaning of Christmas by some most unlikely characters. The cast of 45 included middle school as well as high school students.

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December is always filled with sounds of the season. The middle school and high school bands, under the direction of Mr. Todd Johnson, kicked off the season with their winter concert on December 5th. Then on December 8th, preschool through fifth grade, under the direction of Mrs. Sonya Wilkins, Mrs. Glenda Austin, and Mrs. Melissa Belk, presented their vocal concert. And on December 12th, the middle school and high school choirs presented their Christmas concert. The high school choir spread some Christmas cheer to the 55 Plus group at First United Methodist Church on December 13th. It is always good to stop, listen, and be thankful for the timeless truths of the Christmas season, as presented through music.

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CHCS News

Giving Back Students at College Heights are never at a loss for ways in which to share God’s blessings with others. This is never more apparent than at the holiday season. Thank you to all the parents and students who have shared so generously with those in need not only this holiday season, but all throughout the year!

The Student Council, led by Mrs. Pam Green, organized our annual Thanksgiving Food Drive. Each class brought food each day to be picked up by Student Council members. Then on packing day, the atrium was filled with turkeys and all the trimmings as students organized and divided the food into huge bundles to bless those in need.

The fall blood drive took place on November 30th with the theme, Pokeman – “Gotta Pok-em All” inspiring sixtynine people to sign in to donate with 58 units collected!

Early risers may have seen students Emma Greathouse and Hannah Belk on the KODE 12 morning show promoting the drive.

Thank you to Mrs. Kristi McGowen and the National Honor Society members who took charge of this event. NHS members served as buddies for donors and also prepared snacks for the canteen.

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Kindergarten teachers Mrs. Stacey Thomas, Mrs. Heather Stackhouse, and Mrs. Rebecca Emery helped their students collect items and assemble “Jesus Bags.� Many items including personal hygiene, food, water, Bibles, and a warm clothing item were put into large bags. Each student took a bag home to share with someone in need.

Students packed 138 wrapped shoeboxes to send to Operation Christmas Child for distribution to needy children around the world who otherwise would not have any presents. Thank you Mrs. Charmagne Stanley for organizing this special project.

Middle School students have been ringing the Salvation Army bell and greeting shoppers with Christmas carols at Hobby Lobby on Mondays and Thursdays during the Christmas season. Under the supervision of Mrs. Angel Davis, an average of six students have helped each evening. Way to go middle schoolers!

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Cougar Carnival On November 5th, practically every inch of the building was bursting with fun and food!

The annual Cougar Carnival was enjoyed by students, families, and the community at large.

Thank you to everyone who came, donated, worked a booth, and ate the food. And a special thank you to our Parent Teacher Fellowship for organizing this huge event!

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Academics!

Congratulations to our High School Scholars Bowl Team, led by Mrs. Jean Miller and Mrs. Charmagne Stanley, for their win December 2nd at the Kickapoo High School Tournament in Springfield. College Heights had three teams compete against large size schools with our A team taking home the Kickapoo Scholar Bowl Varsity Tournament 1st Place Trophy. Nice job Cougars!

Mrs. Calef’s first grade class joined Mrs. Anderegg’s fourth grade class to celebrate Thanksgiving together. Both classes really enjoyed their joint time in math, reading, and creative writing centers before leaving for the Thanksgiving holiday.

Congratulations to Elijah Cornett and all the Geography Bee finalists! On December 7th, the top two students from each class 4th through 8th competed in the annual school competition. Eighth grader Elijah Cornett was the overall winner and will move forward to the state level competition this spring under the direction of Mrs. Nancy Ohmart.

Congratulations to three outstanding High School students who placed in the Rotary Four Way Test Speech Competition. For Joplin Noon Rotary Club, Senior Myles Jackson took second place. For the Joplin Daybreak Rotary Club, Elizabeth Reaves won second place and Seth Cummins took third. Both are CHCS Freshmen.

Each student won cash scholarships in the amount of $250 for second place and $150 for third place. Thank you, Mrs. Davison for your work with these students.

Nice job!

Elementary students recently enjoyed their quarterly REACH (Reading Enrichment At College Heights) store. Students spend lots of time reading throughout the school year and our Parent Teacher Fellowship rewards them by allowing them to purchase prizes with their REACH points. Students were able to choose from a variety of items ranging from toys, books, candy to gift cards.

Thank you College Heights PTF!

The Eighth grade American History students were able to participate in the Truman Presidential Library’s Educational Department’s “White House Decision Center.” Students role-played President Truman, Charlie Ross, and many others were who influential in the decisions President Truman made. Students collaborated in groups discussing primary documents, offering their advice to the president. They also conducted their own press conference and our President Truman “actors” smoothly performed, answering numerous questions.

After the program, students were able to document their own educational experiences in the museum by utilizing our school iPads. Overall, the 8th graders had a wonderful educational experience.

MARK YOUR CALENDARS DECEMBER 21 Early Dismissal for Christmas Break 11:00 am JANUARY 4 Second Semester Begins

Congratulations to second grader, Max Long and fifth grader, Avery Shumaker.

Their designs were chosen for this year’s official CHCS Christmas Letter!

JANUARY 16 Martin Luther King Jr. Day NO SCHOOL FEBRUARY 9 Open House 5:30-7:30 pm

Renweb Parents, don’t forget to take advantage of Renweb, our online school management system. You can check homework assignments, lunch menus, student grades, school calendar, etc.

If you are having problems accessing Renweb or have not set up your account, please contact the school. A Renweb phone application is now available. This is a great tool to use to stay informed about your students’ progress.

Follow us on TWITTER… https://twitter.com/chcsjoplin

Find us on FACEBOOK… College Heights Christian School – Joplin MO

ECFA ACCREDITED – On November 12, 2012, the Evangelical Council for Financial Accountability announced the accreditation of College

Heights Christian School. Accreditation is based on the ECFA’s Seven Standards of Responsible Stewardship, including financial accountability, transparency, sound board governance, and ethical fundraising. When an organization is accredited by ECFA, it demonstrates its willingness to follow the model of biblical accountability.

MISSION STATEMENT

CHCS glorifies God through excellence as a Christ-centered learning environment that produces servant-leaders with a Biblical worldview.

COLLEGE HEIGHTS CHRISTIAN SCHOOL n 4311 E. NEWMAN ROAD n JOPLIN, MISSOURI 64801 n 471-782-4114 n WWW.COLLEGHEIGHTS.ORG