2008-academic-banquet-invitation
June 24 – 7:00pm Grades 6-12
What an incredible evening with over 360 in attendance. What a great time we had honoring our students academic achievements. Each year we center our Banquet around a theme. This year our theme was “Finding a pearl of great price”. The Fellowship Hall was”decked our” in an underwater theme. It looked fantastic! Students need only achieve Honor Roll status for one quarter to be honored. It was Italian night as we feasted on all types of pasta: Stuffed Shells, Pasta Primavera, Lasagne, Spaghetti and Meatballs, Baked Ziti, Pasta and Broccoli, Tri Color Pasta Salad and Rolls. Mmmmm Good! 127 Trophies were given out in 6 different categories. Pastor addressed us and spurred us onward. He also shared that we would begin to build the new High School in the Spring. A cheer went up from the crowd and all glory was given to the Lord.
Forty-six eighth graders graduated on June 21st at 11:00am in the Chrch Sanctuary. Dressed in beautiful maroon gowns for the boys and gold gowns for the girls, they walked down the aisle to “Pomp and Circumstance”. The Valedictorian, Joel Singh, and the Salutatorian, Kendra Ellis, gave their speeches. Each addressed their classmates and encouraged them to continue to follow the Lord and put Him first in everything that they do. Mr. Agosto sang, “The Impossible Dream, and Mrs. Rosario danced to “In Christ Alone”. This song is so special because it’s message is so profound: “Now I seek no greater honor than just to know Him more.” Pastor Andy spoke to the graduates and challenged them to remain true to the Lord. He reminded them that God has a special plan for each one of them. He also shared that God is our strength and He will never fail us. Haley Strong, the Class Representative lit the class candle. Awards were given and Diplomas recieved. Each graduate was given a terrific Youth Bible. See you in September on the Fourth Floor (our High School Floor).
The eight graders went through their work at a very steady pace. They had to prepare for the Spanish proficiency test. We had our good days and our not so good days. The days they practiced their conversations they were very nervous. The day they had to speak for the test they did well past my expectations. After the examination was over we could really say: “the Lord has helped us, thus far”.
This school year has been a tremendous blessing. Students were exposed to fun ways of writing poetry, the explorations of different genres of literature and drafting for classroom publications. We were definitely able to travel through different time periods in literature. We went from the Holocaust to the Reconstruction Era to the world of C.S. Lewis’s fantasy. If you come to our room, you can read limericks – short fun poems that reveal some silly things about us.
What an awesome year in Bible! As a class, we have learned about our weaknesses, our strengths and our struggles. We are so happy to have a Savior that fights on our behalf. We learned how God has gifted each and every one of us. We prayed and encouraged each other in the Word. As I lectured, I even shared stories of many young people who stood up for Christ. Some students decided to give extra credit presentations for a last chance to share an encouragement with their classmates. May our Lord guide and protect our students as they move on to high school.
Our Math classes transitioned using visual mathematics along with math computation and word problems from textbooks. This was to prepare the students for SATs and Finals. 6th & 7th – Math curriculum consisted of Visual Mathematics I. Students were introduced to the art of questioning. This is to produce thinking.
8th – Math Curriculum consisted of Visual mathematics II. This was challenging. The students were using high levels of critical thinking. Middle School students were challenged to make observation and work with manipulatives to prove their theories and thought process. Students worked in groups and in pairs. Later in the year, middle school math transitioned to Math Computation. Visual Math helped prepare them for computation from the perspective of understanding mathematical concepts and not just traditional rote memory of computations. The highlight of 7th grade was in one class I had a piece of chocolate cake and I spoon fed each student. God demonstrated math for us that day in how you can divide one item into a number of parts. All of middle school created their own math games.
When asked, eighth grade student, Haley Strong said, “I think this year was a lot of fun! I especially enjoyed the cookie experiment!” (we removed chocolate chips from chocolate chip cookies to show how mining affects the environment) “Those cookies tasted GOOD!”
Ms. West
In class the students learned about volcanoes, tectonic plates and natural disasters. The class’s favorite was oceanography. Over one of the breaks, the students did projects on earth Day and Water Conservation. We learned a few ways to do our part in conserving water which are: turn the tap off when brushing your teeth, not washing the car with a hose, fixing the leak in your faucet and taking a minute out of your daily shower (if you take baths, you can fill your bathtub only half way.)
Ms. West
On May 14th the eighth grade science class went on a trip to the Museum of natural History to study the exhibits on display of minerals and rocks. During the trip, the students had lots of fun exploring and learning new things. They were able to interact with the exhibits that they saw.
The students spoke with a lady who displayed a collection (demonstration of rocks) and explained what they were made of, what they could be made into and how they felt. Did you know that toothpaste contains fluoride? The students also saw gold in the form it has before humans shape it into necklaces, bracelets and other things we use gold for today. We also were able to see precious gems such as sapphires, rubies and diamonds in their original forms (when they are still in contact with the earth; we even got to see fool’s gold!)
Ms. West
8th grade Social Studies spent about two weeks on World War I. We reviewed the causes and reasons for the Great War occurring in Europe. In the beginning it was pure notes, but as the session went on the students were presented with certain hands on materials which were used during the war; i.e. a fold up shovel, Kevlar helmet, etc. From there we learned about the roaring twenties. The inventions such as the assembly line and electricity and causes of the economic boom in America were reviewed. The class has also been engaging in some intrinsically focused classes in regards to what it means to be a Christian and living a life focused on God. The students were given the opportunity to share their thoughts as well as write reflections about their thoughts. The class has grown tremendously since the beginning of the year and are eager for high school. – Mr. McCann