December 19, 2017

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Bear Facts

The Weekly Newsletter of Bethany Lutheran School Long Beach, CA www.bethanylutheran.org Communication+Responsibility+Organization+Service+Sharing

I’ve been thinking about milestones quite a bit recently. “Milestone” is a great word, isn’t it? It can mean a marker that communicates distance like the mile markers on the freeway. But it can also mean “an action marking a significant change or development.” We’re familiar with milestones when it comes to our children’s development: crawling, talking, walking, etc. (Personally, I’m partial to the “can get in the car and buckle the seatbelt himself” and “can get his own cereal for breakfast” milestones. Those were huge in my house. ) Each milestone represents the turning of a page or the closing of a chapter in our family story (sorry for the mixed metaphors there. ) I’ve been thinking about milestones quite a bit because my family is about to celebrate a big one: our oldest son, Ryan, is getting married on December 29 and his brother’s wedding is this summer. So these past weeks I’ve been trying to be in the moment and savor all the “lasts” in our nuclear family…the last time we’ll decorate the family Christmas tree together, the last time we’ll travel to Grandma and Grandpa’s, etc. while excitedly looking forward to what the next part of the journey will bring (daughters!) and the new milestones we will experience together. As our kids like to sing in chapel occasionally: Life is journey we’re takin’ each day Life is journey and we’re on our way And God in mercy from heaven above, Blesses our journey in love. I’m blessed to journey with you. Merry Christmas to you and your family!

Dr. Fink

This year our teachers are choosing students to receive monthly awards for varying reasons. Here are December’s monthly award winners: KindergartenNoah Wegman-Calm and Peaceful Attitude First GradeMaddie Falkner-Patience Second GradeLauren Walsh-Quiet Worker Third Grade Madison Farley-Diligent Learner Fourth GradeVictoria Longstreet-Fabulous Friend Fifth Grade Austin Tonsay-Conscientious Worker 6th,7th & 8th Grades Isaiah Youngblood, Quincy Wells and Claire CrahanExcellence in English Monthly awards will be given out at the beginning of Christmas caroling on Friday.

School Bulletin #17 December 19, 2017

Dec. 20-Christmas serviceGrades 3-5, 9:00 and 7:00 Dec. 22-Minimum Day Dec. 25-Jan. 5-Christmas break Jan. 8-School resumes Jan. 15-Martin Luther King Day-No School Jan. 19-End Quarter 2 Jan. 22-National Lutheran Schools Week begins and the Inn-Out truck will be here!!! Jan. 28-Trinity sings 8:00, Troubadour sings 9:30, K-2 sings 10:55 Feb. 3-9-Chinese Students visit Feb. 9-Region II Spelling Bee Feb. 14-Ash Wednesday Feb. 16-No School-Teacher Inservice Feb. 19-Presidents Day-No School

Planning Ahead: Bethany Lutheran School will be hosting a group of Chinese middle school students from February 3-9. We will need host homes for pairs of students! Hosts are reimbursed $25 per night per student hosted. That’s a cool $300 for hosting two students! Contact the school office if you are interested in hosting!

Missing something? We have LOTS of lost-and-found on the tables by the flagpole. (And most of it is navy blue…always a good idea to put your child’s name on clothing tags!)

Ring Out the Good News! Please join us for Grades 3-5 Christmas Service December 20, 2017 9:00 AM and 7:00 PM

The FISHin’ Hole Opportunities to Serve

Do you like to paint? (Walls, not paintings. ) We have a couple of spots on campus that could use some painting TLC. Contact Dr. Fink if you are interested! More Smencils!! Smencils will be for sale after school this week on Wednesday and Friday. Thanks for supporting our 8th Graders’ DC Trip!

Boys’ Basketball Coaches Needed: Our school is in need of two coaches for our boys’ teams this coming season. Our 7th-8th grade boys make up our Varsity team, and our 5th-6th grade boys make up our JV team. Varsity boys play on Tuesdays and Thursdays after school at 3:30PM, while the JV boys play on Wednesdays after school at 3:30PM. Practices will start after the first of the year with games starting the week of January 15, 2018. Coaches are paid a modest seasonend stipend. If you are interested please contact Karl Fink as soon as you are able. Thanks for your prayerful consideration of this fantastic opportunity to serve our youth!

It’s a Christmas tradition for Bethany students to bring individual Personal Hygiene Kits for distribution by Lutheran Social Services of Long Beach. We do this instead of giving gifts to each other. LSS tells us these kits are SO important to their ministry! Each kit is a gallon zip lock bag containing: 1 bar of soap, 1 washcloth 1 tube of toothpaste, 1 toothbrush 1 small size shampoo, 1 comb At school the children will create a Christian Christmas message, to which they add their first name only, and these will be included in the kits. Our December chapel offerings will also go to Lutheran Social Services! Parents, please note: Minimum Day-December 22 School resumes Jan. 8 CHRISTMAS DRESS DAY on Friday… wear your Christmas sweaters/Santa hats, etc.  The school office will be open Dec. 27-29 from 9-3 and closed Dec. 25-26 and Jan. 1-5. Merry Christmas!

Checking your list? Finish your Christmas shopping this week in the School Office! Bethany Scrip still has lots of gift cards for you to choose from. Gift cards will be sold this Friday, the last day of school before Christmas break, from 8 AM to 1 PM. Teacher Wish Lists: To help you choose the perfect gift for Bethany teachers and staff we have their Wish Lists in the School Office. Gift cards from Bethany Scrip for their favorite restaurant or retail store are always appreciated. Low denomination gift cards are on hand for all the special people you would like to remember with a thoughtful gift. We have $5 and $10 Starbucks, $10 gift cards for Edwards/United Artist Theatres, and $10 Target. Going to the movies during Christmas vacation? We have Edwards/United Artist movie tickets, and gift cards for the snack bar, on hand. Our $10 ticket can be exchanged for a full price admission ticket, saving you money at the box office. The $25 gift card can be used for children’s admission and at the snack bar. Shop Smart: Shop with Scrip!

The In-n-Out Truck is coming in January! We need to sell at least 300 tickets, so we’d love to have you join us for lunch that day as part of National Lutheran Schools Week. There’s an order form attached to today’s newsletter.

The truck In-N-Out is coming!! Monday, January 22, 2018 We need to sell 300 lunches, so parents, grandparents, aunts, uncles, siblings and students are welcome to order ahead of time and join us for lunch that day! $5 per meal includes a burger, chips and a drink. Burgers include lettuce, tomato and spread. Plain burgers may also be ordered, but might take a little longer. Sorry….no other substitutions! Complete the order form on the back. Tickets for children will be given to their teacher. Tiickets for other family members can be picked up in the school office on January 22.

FAMILY NAME: _______________________________________ Total due: ______meals x $5=_________ ____My check to Bethany Lutheran School is attached. ____Please charge my FACTS account. ______________________________ Signature & Date

Orders are due January 15!

First and Last Name

Grade

Circle Your Choices

Drink Powerade

Cheeseburger Hamburger Plain Burger

First and Last Name

Grade

Circle Your Choices Cheeseburger

Lemonade

Drink Powerade

Hamburger Plain Burger

First and Last Name

Grade

Circle Your Choices Cheeseburger

Lemonade

Drink Powerade

Hamburger Plain Burger

First and Last Name

Grade

Circle Your Choices Cheeseburger

Lemonade

Drink Powerade

Hamburger Plain Burger

First and Last Name

Grade

Circle Your Choices Cheeseburger

Lemonade

Drink Powerade

Hamburger Plain Burger

First and Last Name

Grade

Circle Your Choices Cheeseburger

Lemonade

Drink Powerade

Hamburger Plain Burger

Lemonade