Merry Christmas and a Blessed New Year to all!

On behalf of the staff of Zion Lutheran School, I want to thank you for the privilege of working with your children and your family.  Each of you bring great joy into our lives and we look forward to your return in January.  We pray a safe and spirit filled Christmas for all of you as you focus on the birth of our Savior, Jesus the Christ!

Dawn Oldenettel

Thank you for your generosity!

Thank you for your support of the Giving Tree program.  Because of you we were able to share the love of Jesus with those in need at this Christmas time from our community.

Celebrate Christmas by attending Worship Services

Please put God first in your celebrations by attending worship services.  If you do not have a church home, you are warmly invited to worship with us at Zion Lutheran Church.   

Christmas Eve: Students need to be in the church basement by 6:45 p.m.  Those students wearing costumes should be there by 6:30 p.m.

Preschool News

January is a busy month for preschoolers as we start back into a routine and explore the world of our five senses.  We usually bake some gingerbread and mix up a lot of frosting for this unit!  Next we will have a great amount of fun learning and singing about Nursery Rhymes.  We will finish the month by learning about Polar Animals and where they live.  The alphabet Books continue to grow as we add letter O, P, Q, and R.  Now that Christmas is over we will study the New Testament and learn how Jesus grew up and found his helpers, the twelve disciples and some of his lessons on loving and helping others. 

(See Kindergarten News below)

1^st & 2^nd Grade News

Now that our worldly travels are finished, first and second grade will be back to hard work after the break.  We will be working in January on new science and social studies units.  January is also going to be a month of manners.  We will be talking especially about table manners.

3^rd & 4^th Grade News

With December almost gone, we are looking forward to the New Year.  We will be starting the New Year with a new book report over a nonfiction book.  In Math, 4^th grade will be working with division and 3^rd grade will be continuing their work on multiplication. We will also be introducing a daily news broadcast that will include the lunch menu, weather and any special activities or events that may be coming up.  January reminds us of New Year’s resolutions, so we will also be making resolutions in our class. 

5th & 6th Grade News

After a much anticipated and celebrated break, the 5th and 6th grades will begin preparations for taking the state assessments.  Parents can expect their 5th graders to be doing lots of practice on their writing skills and both classes will be taking a few practice tests in reading and math.  Looking ahead in Social Studies, students will be learning about the struggles that our country went through to become the great nation that it is today and in Math, concepts become more complex as we continue to develop algebraic concepts and skills. 

As we say goodbye to another year and look forward to all the promise that the new year holds, let us also remember to continue to put God first and be ABLAZE to share His word & love with others.

7^th and 8^th Grade News

January brings the opportunity to evaluate the first semester, to set new goals, and to start anew.  Students will work on developing time management skills through several long term projects including monthly book reports, a research paper and the science fair.  We will suspend our study of American History and focus on Kansas history during the next nine weeks.  We look forward to visiting our state’s capital city on January 15, 2009, to attend the Topeka Symphony and tour the Capitol.  May God bless each and every one of my students and their families during this Christmas season.  Rest, relax and come back prepared to give your best as we begin a new semester. 

Nativity Scene drawn by Easton Ballew, 8th Grade

3^rd – 8^th Grade Science News

3-4th graders did a wonderful job researching an animal of their choice and presenting the information to the class.  They will continue studying animals after break.

5-6th graders have finally completed their unit on matter.  This has been a difficult unit but we have had fun making slime and goo.

7-8th graders did an egg drop toss and were disappointed when all the eggs survived.  The students came up with some interesting safety devices for the eggs.  They will start Chapter 3 of Chemical Building Blocks after break.