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A Message from the Principal...

As we begin this new year of 2017, I cannot help but think of God’s goodness in allowing us to experience His new mercies every morning. As believers in Christ, He has promised to give us that daily fresh start in Him because of the forgiveness of sins He offers through His death, burial, and resurrection. What a blessing! As often as the Lord has blessed us with His new mercies, how often do we extend that to others? That is a reality check. My prayer for each one is that we would extend the same graciousness to others that has been extended to us. We must teach that to our children. They must experience our mercy and grace so that they can be gracious, merciful people. The Lord’s love is demonstrated when we extend mercy. May 2017 be a year of recognizing how great God's gift of mercy is to us!

January

20 - Student Store for 3rd-6th grades
24 - Kindergarten Community Helper Parade
25 - Room 5 Field Trip to the Fire Station
26 - Room 6 Field Trip to the Fire Station
26 - Campus Tour
27 - Monochromatic Dress-Up Day

February

2 - Chapel for 4th-6th Grades at 1:30 p.m.
3 - Chapel for K-3rd Grades at 8:45 a.m.
3 - Evening Program for 1st Grade at 7:15 p.m.
8 - Coffee with the Principal
9 - Campus Tour
9 - Praise & Worship (1:15 p.m. - K-3rd; 1:50 p.m. - 4th-6th)
10 - Dinner & Tour of WCS Campus 7:00 p.m.
13-16 - Physical Fitness Testing Week (3rd-6th)
20 - President's Day - NO SCHOOL
22 - 5th Grade to Lifehouse Theater
23 - Chapel for 3rd-6th Grades at 1:30 p.m.
24 - Chapel for K-2nd Grades at 8:45 a.m.
24 - Evening Program for 4th Grade at 7:15 p.m.

STEM Club Begins

Beginning this month, sixteen chosen students in 4^th-6^th grades will participate in a ten-week STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Math) club. The students will be learning about Microbiology, Aeronautics, Rocketry, and more. Lauren commented, “It was very exciting and cool when we got to learn new things and express ourselves through science.” Emerson said, "It’s fun to work in groups with people and hear their ideas.” Gavin shared, “I like working together; no one was alone. I especially liked the activities about physics. We got to experiment with Newton’s Law. It was awesome!” Miss Clayton, sixth grade teacher, is leading this group of future engineers. Miss Clayton has done much research on STEM activities and is assisting the students in understanding how the subject matter can be used for the glory of God. We are looking forward to seeing how God is going to stretch their thinking as they use their gifts for Him.

Computers on Wheels

The classrooms are buzzing with excitement when the students enter and see the COW! (Computers on Wheels) They are having the opportunity to use our new Chromebooks in a variety of ways. They are becoming familiar with Google Classroom by taking surveys, doing spelling assignments, and writing stories using Google. They are mastering the art of logging in, completing an assignment, and turning it in through Google Classroom. They love it! Brandon said, “I think they are really fun because we get to wirelessly connect to our teacher and get assignments done using the Chromebooks.” “I like to type with the Chromebooks because it’s easier to type than to write, especially because I don’t like my handwriting," said Austin. They also reported that they enjoyed doing a Google Classroom survey. It is our desire to help the students learn to use these devices in a way that honors the Lord.

Students in Kdg-6th grades have gone through a Digital Citizenship course that teaches them the “what to do” and “what not to do” in the realm of technology. They are learning that technology can be used in a positive way and conversely in a negative way. Discussions about cyber bullying, how to make and use a safe password, and how to look for warning signs for unwanted e-mails have all been tackled. We are grateful that our students are getting this information from a Biblical perspective. They are learning and growing in this arena by leaps and bounds.

Children’s Heart Project Update

The goal was set in September for the students to raise $2000 for Children’s Heart Project (a branch of ministry through Samaritan’s Purse). Currently, the students have raised $1000! This life-saving surgery will bless a little one from a third-world country with surgery in the U.S. The funds will assist in travel and medical costs. Also, their family will stay with a stateside family where they will receive love, encouragement, and hear the gospel of Jesus Christ. This project offers a wonderful way for our students to learn to give of their treasure in a way that brings eternal rewards. We’re halfway there!!

RCDS Band Performs at WCS Christmas Concert

The RCDS band did a wonderful job performing at the WCS Christmas concert in December. They were asked to join the over 100 WCS band students during this festive presentation. Emma, a sixth grade flute player, said, “I was more excited than nervous and it turned out to be a wonderful experience with my friends and family.” Annika, clarinet player, said, “I thought everyone played really well even though we didn’t have the music very long.”

In just three months Mr. Hundley has taken these beginners to new heights. “Mr. Hundley is an amazing, wonderful teacher and conductor,” said Emma. Annika said, “Mr. Hundley explains things really well on how to use our instruments.” We are so excited to watch them progress through the year. In April, the RCDS band will perform in their own concert here at RCDS. We are looking forward to hearing them share all they have learned in just a few short months.

Last year at RCDS our students in 3^rd-6^th grades began using a program called SCRATCH during their computer instruction time. This program allows students to create their own interactive stories, games, and animations through coding. Miss Smith, our Computer Teacher, is continuing to expand instruction on coding. This past December, our students participated in a worldwide event called Hour of Code. The Hour of Code, organized by code.org, started as a one-hour introduction to computer science, designed to demystify "code" to demonstrate that anyone can learn the basics, and to broaden participation in the field of computer science. It has since become a worldwide effort to celebrate computer science. They learned skills such as ordering moment commands as sequential steps in a program, using repeat loop codes to simplify their codes, and discovering how to debug code when it doesn't work correctly.

The Hour of Code takes place each year in December during Computer Science Education Week. Computer Science Education Week is held annually in recognition of the birthday of computing pioneer Admiral Grace Murray Hopper (December 9, 1906). Hour of Code focuses on giving students the opportunity to learn computer science. These skills nurture problem-solving, logic, and creativity. By starting early, students will have a foundation for success in any 21st-century career path. With technology changing every industry, computing knowledge has become part of a well-rounded skill-set. Be sure to ask your student what they have learned about coding!

Notice to RCDS Parents:

If you have additional children in your family that you hope to enroll at Riverside Christian Day School for September, 2017, please contact the RCDS office. This includes incoming kindergarten students.

Thank you!

Our mailing address is:
3612 Arlington Avenue ~ Riverside, CA ~ 92506

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Woodcrest Christian School System · 18401 Van Buren Blvd. · Riverside, California 92508 · USA