MS Home Bulletin

May 11, 2012

In recognition that perhaps the message has become a bit monotonous, let me one last time invite you to our Make A Difference (M.A.D.) Presentations this Tuesday morning, from 8:30 - 10:00 a.m. Our 7th and 8th grade students will begin the day by sharing media, reflections and personal work that demonstrate how ECMS students have been fulfilling our mission of Engaging the Mind, Nurturing the Spirit and Transforming the World. In many ways these presentations represent the kickoff of our season of culmination. In late January, I challenged students and families to not think of the second semester as a coast down the backside of the mountain, but instead a continual climb with the rally cry of "Onward and Upward!" Indeed we have broken through the tree line, and with the pinnacle now in view, we are enjoying the rocky scramble to the summit. The air is fresh up here and the view confirms the work that has at times tired our bodies, but grown our minds, hearts and hands. Please join us on Tuesday for a time of celebration and thanksgiving for our students' work and the Lord's faithfulness.

The following evening, Wednesday, May 16, the ECMS Music Department will present its Spring Concert at 7:00 pm in the high school auditorium. With standing room only seating during the Winter performance, you'll want to arrive early to enjoy the culminating work of our Concert Band, String Orchestra and 5/6 and 7/8 Grade Choirs.

Finally, please indulge me in taking a proud moment to share the joyful culmination of 9 months of another type of work and waiting. On early Thursday morning my wife, Katie, gave birth to our third child, Iris Robyn Culp. Please pardon my bleary eyes in the coming weeks that will be countered by the beaming smile on my face. Thanks be to God!

Read more: May 11, 2012

May 4, 2012

This Wednesday afternoon, we gathered together as a student body and celebrated the many ways we come together as a community at ECMS. In countless ways, we daily demonstrate our core value of embracing community to one another, as well as to a watching world, and together we highlighted the evidence and opportunities around us. Mr. Spoelstra revealed the winning designs of the ECMS guys and girls T-shirt contest, as well as celebrated our 1st and 2nd place trophies from the Northern New Jersey Christian School Association Field Day last week. He also introduced the more than 60 student athletes who are representing our school on the ECMS Track & Field team. In all of these competitions, we are challenging one another to strive for excellence, and in turn, are developing stronger bonds within our community. I am reminded of Proverbs 27, when Solomon declares, "As iron sharpens iron, so one man sharpens another." Whether through athletics or academics, physical fitness or character development, we daily seek to sharpen one another to greater degrees of personal and corporate excellence through Competition and Community.

An additional opportunity to grow through Competition and Community was introduced at our assembly this Wednesday. Please take a minute to read a note from our ECSA Foundation about the exciting All-School Jog-A-Thon, coming on May 25.

Jog-a-thon! Friday, May 25: Please look in your child's Friday Folder for a large envelope of information about the All School Jog-A-Thon scheduled for Friday, May 25, at both the elementary and middle schools. Please look over the information carefully and assist your child(ren) with the addressing requirements of the sponsorship forms. This is not a mandatory event for your child to participate in; however, we have chosen this proven event to help us raise the necessary funds for the technology needs of Eastern Christian, and hope to received 100% participation of our students. There are prizes available to the class that turns in the most sponsorship forms by May 18, as well as an individual prize for the student who turns in the most forms by the deadline of May 18. Watch for details of the time and place of this event, and plan to join us to cheer your child(ren) on!

Read more: May 4, 2012

April 26, 2012

As we enjoy an unorthodox "snow day" to help us transition from April to May, a quick glance at our calendars reveals a coming month that is unbelievably full. In this special Thursday edition of the ECMS Home Bulletin, I'd like to provide you with a preview of the month of May and draw a bit of a map to help us navigate the high points to come.

Speaking of maps, our Measures of Academic Progress (MAP) assessments begin on Wednesday of this coming week. These tests provide us an opportunity to assess and celebrate the learning and growth of this past year. Please note the dates below for each grade level and subject area.

In addition to our MAP tests, May is excitingly full of culminating projects, field trips, concerts, presentations and special events. Clearly communicating the dates, times and details of these events can be a challenge, and in seeing the need for a central calendar, we've developed a new resource on our Realtime Parent Portal that provides a secure and accessible way of publishing important events to our parent community. Upon logging into the Realtime Parent Portal, you will notice a centralized page where weekly events are shared, along with a comprehensive list of "all things ECMS" from now until the end of the year. Please take the opportunity to find this calendar, and join us in learning about and celebrating the wonderful work of our students, as well as looking to all that lies ahead as we strive for excellence at ECMS.

Read more: April 26, 2012

April 20, 2012

With Report Cards making their way home today, it is my guess that the Weekly Home Bulletin is not the greatest item of interest inhabiting your child's Friday Folder. But as we reflect on the past quarter and celebrate our students' learning and achievements, we also resolutely fix our gaze on the end of the school year. The final ten weeks can be a fun, rewarding and fulfilling time of the academic year as long as we maintain focus on finishing well. Conversely, spring can be a time of distraction as schedules quickly become crowded with the excitement of after-school, extra-curricular and evening activities.

In all of this activity, middle school students continue to need structure and support as they push toward the finish line of June. Your middle school student will continue to need your guidance to get nine hours of sleep every school night and maintain a structured schedule in the coming weeks. Please continue to emphasize the priority of their schoolwork in this fourth quarter. Check RealTime frequently, daily ask your child about school, look through each week's Friday Folder, insist on nightly homework time, and help with planning ahead. By the way, this may be the time to clean out or invest in new binders and school supplies as an inspiration for your child to finish well.

Also, in two weeks we begin our spring standardized testing – Measures of Academic Progress (MAP). Students will be assessed on their progress in four essential academic areas – Reading, Language Arts, Science and Mathematics. The results from the spring testing will give us a snapshot of each student's learning growth this academic year, as well as an ongoing long-term view of learning growth and achievement. We also use the results from this test to measure how we are doing as a school and plan for how to best support students' learning and growth over the year to come.

Enjoy and bask in the beauty of the world around us that is bursting to life, pollen and all, and may our students mirror this life and growth throughout our final quarter of instruction.

Read more: April 20, 2012