July/August 2007

Dear Parents,

It’s hard to believe summer is almost over and a new school year is just around the corner! Things are hopping around here as we’re making several “cosmetic” changes to the facility. Yes, we’re enjoying summer, but we can hardly wait to begin a new school year! Our goal is for this to be the best school year for you and your children! We’re going to go above and beyond the call of duty to make that happen!

Here are just a few reminders as we anticipate the new school year:

Schedule Change

In order to keep accreditation current and to improve performance, our teachers will be attending a teacher’s conference Thursday and Friday, November 8 and 9. School will be closed on those two days and daycare will not be available.

Curriculum Updates

Students who are moving up to second grade will continue to use their Handbook for Reading from first grade. Please don’t sell it!

The third gradeHistory book has been revised, so last year’s history book cannot be resold.

High school seniors may choose trigonometry, business math, or physics. Please call the school office if you have questions about that.

Soccer Camp

Soccer camp begins August 13 for middle/high school students. The camp will be held on Monday, Tuesday, and Friday from 4:00-6:00. Please call the school for more information.

Volleyball Tryouts

Because our first volleyball game is scheduled for August 27, tryouts will be held the week of August 13. Please call the school office for specific times. The gym is open for practice from 6:00-8:00 p.m. every Tuesday and Thursday for middle/high school girls.

Parking and Traffic Patterns

Both the front and the back parking lots will be accessible for drop-off and pick-up. We would like to ask parents who are going to be walking their students inside, and also those who have students in K4 and K5, to use the front parking lot for drop-off. There should be ample parking in that area.

The back parking lot may be used for drop-offs or office/class visits. Please do not park your car in the flow of traffic. Safety for our children is our primary concern. If you need to come inside, even if it’s “just for a minute,” please park your car in one of the designated parking spots. Thanks for your help with this. We know the first week will be “wild” but after that, we’re hoping that the traffic patterns will flow smoothly. Always be cautious when driving on campus, especially between the school and the playground areas.

Lunch Cards

We will once again be using lunch cards this year. The cards are available in $10, $20, and $50 denominations, and can be purchased beginning Wednesday, August 1.

Orientation

Our new theme for this year is “Above and Beyond” and we are going to attempt to go above and beyond in every way here at Temple this year. You’re going to see a big difference! We believe that every student enrolled at TCS is here by the sovereignty of God, and we do not take our responsibility to minister to each student and family lightly. We want to have a positive rapport with every student and every parent, and are going to do whatever is necessary to make that a reality.

To keep you apprised of new developments and remind you about existing policy, I would like to invite you to our orientation meetings. The elementary orientation will be held Monday, August 20, and the middle/high school orientation will be held Tuesday, August 21. The meetings will begin at 7:00 p.m. and will end promptly at 8:00 p.m. Both meetings will be held in the church auditorium.

We want to keep parents “in the loop” here at Temple. We do that through correspondence, weekly folders, bulletin boards, school website, homework hotline, and meetings such as the ones scheduled in August. I know you’re very busy, but I hope you will try to attend. Believe me, we don’t schedule meetings unless they are absolutely crucial to you and your children. Help us as we renew our commitment to excellence here at Temple Christian School!

New Faculty and Staff

We have a few new staff members to introduce to you this year! Some staff members have simply played “Musical Classrooms” and we want to let you know about that as well!

Mrs. Caressa Talley has been a K5 teacher’s aide for several years, and this year will be teaching her own K5 class! She has been here all summer working, and the students and parents are going to love her!

Mrs. Vivian Pick has substitute taught here so often she decided to go full-time as our new 3 rd grade teacher! She is full of energy and new ideas and we are blessed to have her join us here at Temple.

Mrs. Kristy Crowley is no stranger to Temple. She taught in our kindergarten program here several years ago, and has joined us as our new 6 th grade teacher. She and Mrs. Surbaugh are going to make a fabulous team!

Mrs. Rhonda Buck is a mover and a shaker! No matter where or what she teaches, she takes us to a new level! This year she will be teaching 7 th and 8 th grade English, as well as 10 th grade driver’s ed. She’s also one of our volleyball coaches and our track coach. Is there anything Rhonda Buck can’t do?!!!

Mr. Chad Harris has joined our staff as our 7 th and 8 th grade history teacher. He, too, has taught at Temple in the past. (Once you teach at Temple, you can’t stay away!) He will also be teaching 9 th grade Bible, and will be heading up our athletic program as athletic director. GO CRUSADERS!!!!!

Mr. Rob Bouldin came on board last year as our high school history and Bible teacher, and what a blessing he has been! He will be returning again this year to teach history and Bible, and to assist me as high school principal. You have no idea how grateful I am for Mr. Bouldin!!!

Band Program

Mrs. Crowder will once again be heading up our band program! Mrs. Crowder is such an asset to our school with her many talents! The cost per person is $150 for the entire year. Mrs. Crowder already has concerts scheduled, and we can hardly wait! One difference from last year is that there will be no beginning band program. Students must take private lessons, and then will be admitted into either the intermediate or advanced band program here at Temple. The band schedule will be available when school starts.

Open House

Junior/Senior High Open House - Thursday, August 16 3:00-6:00

Elementary Open House - Friday, August 17 3:00-6:00

Kindergarten Open House - Monday, August 20 3:00-6:00

General Reminders

Medication: Students may bring medication from home. Permission from parents and instructions must be included. The school will not provide medication for students.

Phone calls: Students may not receive personal phone calls during the school day except in the case of emergencies. Messages will be taken by office staff and delivered to the students.

Cafeteria: The school cafeteria provides a daily hot lunch program. The cost is $2.50 per lunch and includes a complete meal, drink, and dessert. A monthly menu will be provided. In addition, students may purchase additional snacks, including fresh fruit (seasonal).

Security: For the safety of our students, all exterior doors will be locked at 8:30 a.m. and reopened at the end of the school day. The main school entrance and church entrance will remain open throughout the school day. Please do not prop doors open! Thanks!

Insurance: All students have student accident insurance coverage through Commercial Travelers Mutual Insurance Company. Please see the Parent/Student Handbook for additional information.

Late Arrivals / Early Pick-up: If a child is late for school (K4-12 th), he/she will need to be signed in through the school office in order to be admitted to class. Likewise, a child who needs to be picked up early must be signed out through the school office. Please see the Parent/Student Handbook for additional information. Safety is a primary concern for us here at Temple Christian School!

I know I’ve hit you with an information overload!! If you have questions about anything

in this letter, or anything else, please don’t hesitate to contact us here at the school

office. Our summer office hours are 9:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.

We are getting so excited about the upcoming school year! I hope your children will

grow both academically and spiritually this year. Our goal at Temple Christian School is

to provide a Bible-based, Christ-centered process of leading students to Christ,

and equipping them with the knowledge, skills, and attitudes for effective

Christian service. We are committed to going above and beyond at TCS this year!

Enjoy the remainder of your summer!

Sincerely,

Stephanie Sweat