Hello, Elementary Families!

I hope you’ve had a wonderful Thanksgiving holiday enjoying time with your loved ones. There is much to be thankful for, and this holiday season is always a sweet reminder of God’s blessings in our lives - His provision, His faithfulness, and His grace. As we enter the advent season and anticipate the celebration of our Savior’s birth and await His triumphant return, may we experience the love, joy, peace, and hope that can only be found in Him.

"Those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not faint." Isaiah 40:31

In the busyness of this season, let's keep our eyes and our hearts fixed on Jesus!

Mrs. Yoder

Welcome to the Family!

This fall, two of our elementary teachers got to welcome their very own children to the world and become parents for the first time! We are so thankful for the gift of new life and praise God for their safe arrival. We are also thankful to Mr. Davis and Mrs. Satchwill for covering these roles here at school. Please join us in praying for these new moms and dads!

Mrs. Bell (Music) and her husband Colin welcomed little Leo Dean on October 6th. Mrs. Bell will be returning to school after Thanksgiving Break, and we can't wait to see her!

Mrs. Reyes (2nd Grade) and her husband Hugo welcomed sweet Samuel Ian on September 27th. Mrs. Reyes will be coming back to her classroom after Christmas Break!

Christmas Pancake Breakfast

Support our Freshman class by joining your kiddos for a pancake breakfast on December 8! Elementary students must be accompanied by an adult or a 7th-12th sibling in order to attend. Guests should enter through the cafeteria doors and exit those doors. Guests are not permitted to go anywhere other than the cafeteria unless they are signed in at the main office. K/1 students will have holding room in the worship center that day.

Missions Partners

Each class partnered up with a missions organization during Go M.A.D. Week, and they will spend the rest of the year learning about, connecting with, praying for, and encouraging their missions partner. The first Monday of the month will be a Missions Monday where students can bring in an offering for the missions organization their class is supporting. We are thankful for this opportunity to help our kids understand all the ways that they can support missions here in our community and around the world!

Our 4th graders are also hosting a Holiday Market at our Welcome Christmas event on Wednesday, December 3, as a fundraiser for the ministry they are supporting this year, Warm-a-Heart Community Outreach. Come join us for a sweet night of fellowship and support our kiddos in supporting this ministry!

Christmas Grams

As we continue getting into the holiday spirit and the spirit of giving, don’t forget that Christmas grams are due this Friday, December 8. Forms were put in Friday Folders, but you can pick up extras at the front office and find one attached to tonight’s email, as well. This is always a fun way to spread some love while also supporting our senior class!

Click Here to Order Christmas Grams

Carline Reminders

Arrival: Please remember that students get picked up from holding room by their teachers at 7:45 each morning (8:15 on Mondays), so planning to arrive at that time will help your child start the day well and with a little less stress.

Dismissal: Carline ends at 3:05. Students being picked up by older siblings are taken to the foyer at that time, and all other students get signed into Aftercare. With the earlier dismissal, we aren't fighting MS/HS carline to get on campus for pick-up, so please plan to arrive by 3:05 so that your child does not have to get signed into Aftercare unnecessarily.

General: If other people are picking up or dropping off, please help them by communicating our carline procedures with them in advance.

Lunch Reminders

If your child needs a spoon or fork to eat their packed lunch, please pack one. Plastic ware may not be available to students.
Practice opening items at home so that your kids be as independent as possible.
Remind students not to trade food or snacks at school.
Lunch visitors must have a background check on file and eat in a designated area.
If ordering school lunch...
- Check dates of field trips, appointments, etc. No refunds will be issued unless your child has an unplanned excused absence (illness).
- Check the menu to make sure your child will eat what is offered. We see a lot of food wasted every day. Choose the "bento box" option if you have a picky eater.
- Orders for the week must be placed by the Tuesday before.
- Contact our food service crew (genuine@lakewoodpark.org) with lunch order questions!

Click Here to Report Safety Concerns

Click Here to Fill the Jar!

SALT Team Respect Challenge

For these three weeks of school in December, our elementary student leadership team (SALT) is initiating a Respect Challenge! Our student leaders have noticed an increase in disrespectful behavior toward staff and one another, so they are making an effort to highlight and celebrate how our choices to respect others is a reflection of the loving kindness that we receive from our God and Savior. The world is loud and sending lots of other messages to our kids. Let’s build them up in Truth and in their identity in Christ and trust God to continue to do His sanctifying work in our children and in us!

If you're struggling with respect at home, as well, check out this great article from Connected Families on how to foster heartfelt respect within our children.