Happy Thanksgiving - November 26, 2015

Thanksgiving is a time for us to count our blessings. For us, you and your family are one of them. Thank you for allowing us to be able to teach your children. Thank you for helping us spread the Gospel. Happy Thanksgiving from Pastor Smith, Dr. Chivalette, Faculty and Staff "Enter his gates with thanksgiving and his courts with praise;     give thanks to him and praise his name. For the Lord is good and his love endures forever;     his faithfulness continues through all generations." (Psalms 100:4-5, NIV)    Calvary Lutheran Church & School 17200 Via Magdalena San Lorenzo, CA  94580 (510) 278-2555 - Church (510) 278-2598 - School (510) 278-7688 - Calvary Club

WASC Thanksgiving!

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Dear Members of Calvary,   I wanted to correct an error I made today!  When I gave thanks to Barbara Goldhammer for all her work with Calvary's Accounting and its impact on our WASC review, I neglected to mention others that should have been included!     Most notably, Dr. Chivalette!  Without his hard and tireless work in putting together a 5-year strategic plan, reviewing and correcting virtually all of the information from the last report submitted to WASC and working at improving the school - up to and including painting many of the classrooms, we would not have 'passed' our review.   Dr. Chivalette has been a tremendous asset to Calvary Lutheran School.  He has made, and made possible, the many changes that were needed in a remarkably swift timeframe!   Additional thanks go to the entire staff!  Everyone from the teachers, for their added efforts, to Grace Ling in accounting and especially Mrs. Luehrs, Nancy Schibler and Karla Regnier.   I do not think that many are aware of the tremendous strides that we have taken in every area in the past year and a half!     So along with my personal thanks for a job well done, I would ask you to congratulate Dr. C. when next you greet him!  It is such a joy to know that the school is operating in such a positive manner!  Below is a copy of the email that was sent to the school families this past Friday.   Next, we strive to move upward and onward with the Church ministries.    Yours in Christ,   Pastor

Copy---- Dear Calvary Lutheran Parents and Friends,   Happy Thanksgiving to everyone at CLS!  Although it is a little less than one week prior to the annual turkey fest, I wanted to wish each of you a wonderful and blessed  Thanksgiving.   Recently, CLS successfully completed its mid-term accreditation visit with the Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC) on November 17.  I wanted to share the  following visiting committee commendations per their final report: Calvary Lutheran Church and School is commended for their successful accomplishment of creating a balanced budget for 2014-15 school year.  This effort took discipline over the past two years and shows the commitment to providing a quality, Christian academic experience by all stakeholders. The faculty should be commended for their dedication and commitment to Calvary.  They have created a caring and healthy environment, not only for the students but also for all staff. The interactions between the pastor, superintendent, and principal show evidence of a working team.  These interactions have allowed for trust to be developed between the staff members and stakeholders after several years of high turnover. The development and implementation of a five-year strategic plan that is six-fold and addresses:  educational goals and objectives; buildings and facilities; parents and alumni; academic programs; finance; and marketing. Beginning, August, 2016, Calvary Lutheran School will initiate two major changes: Calvary Lutheran will commit to self-contained single classrooms for grades K-5 which will then be recognized as our elementary school.  Combined classes will no longer be used within the elementary system.  Grades 6-8 will then be recognized as the middle school.  If we have enough students, we will separate Grades 6-8 as well. With the approval of the Elders and Board of Governors, Calvary Lutheran School will be changing its name pending a vote from the church congregation.  We would like your input as school families to which of the following two-suggested names we should put forth:                   Calvary Christian School or Calvary Christian Academy   Please contact Mrs. Schibler via e-mail (schoolsecretary@calvaryslz.org) or phone (510-278-2598) to inform her of your families desired name choice, no later than Friday, December 4, 2015.  We also ask that each family vote one time.    On a final note, parents of students in grades 1-4 need to complete their Biddy Basketball League forms and return them no later than Friday, December 4, 2015, if they intend to register their child(ren).  The first scheduled day for selecting teams will be on Saturday, December 12th.   Serving Christ through Education, Dr. Michael Hemme Chivalette Superintendent

CALVARY LUTHERAN CHURCH & SCHOOL 17200 VIA MAGDALENA, SAN LORENZO, CA 94580-2928

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CALVARY LUTHERAN CHURCH & SCHOOL, 17200 VIA MAGDALENA, SAN LORENZO, California, 94580-2928, United States

News & Events (Fri., November 20, 2015)

School Secretary

CALVARY LUTHERAN SCHOOL        NEWS & EVENTS Friday, November 20, 2015   E-MAILS    You are receiving this e-mail because you have expressed an interest in Calvary Lutheran School or your child is enrolled at Calvary.  Please add schoolsecretary@calvaryslz.org to your address book or contacts so we will be sure to make it to your personal inbox.    Unsubscribing from one Calvary e-mail will remove you from receiving all church and school e-mails, including significant announcements that will benefit you and your child(ren).  We strongly recommend that you do not unsubscribe from receiving CLS e-mails.  Note:  This is our way of  communication to you of any changes, emergencies, or events that are happening in at or around the school, other than RenWeb. Office Hours - Thanksgiving Week      Calvary Lutheran School Offices will be closed Monday through Friday, November 23-27, 2015. ~ Calvary Lutheran Church - Open Monday, November 23rd, 8:30 a.m. - 1:00 p.m. Closed Tuesday through Friday - Office open by appointment only. ~ Calvary Club will be open on Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday, November 23-25, 2015. ~ Calvary Club will be Closed on Thursday and Friday, November 26-27, 2015.                                             WALK FOR CAN WINNERS              Congratulations to Mrs. Kintner and her Kindergarten Class  for winning the 2015 - 16  Walk for Cans Contest                    with 193 points.                            Runner Up was the 5th and 6th grade students.                                        Well done Kindergarten Students!                                                                   BETHLEHEM EXPRESS IS COMING TO TOWN Wednesday, December 16, 2015 Help is needed in all areas (Decorating, take flyers around town to merchants, prepare and serve goodies, conductor, carolers, crafts, hand-out tickets and more).   Decorating will take place Saturday, December 5, 2015 - Starting at 9 a.m. until done. This is a great way to help decorate the church and school campus and a great way to earn those PPP hours towards your balance.   Please bring your ladder and what you might need to hang lights.   Please contact the Church or School Secretary, or Margie Luehrs at (510) 278-2598, if you can help.                                         Hot Lunch MUST be ordered no later than Tuesday 12:00 noon  before the Friday Hot Lunch is served.  It is preferred that you order at least one week in advance.       If you do not order off the hot lunch menu and your child       brings money for hot lunch, your child may not be guaranteed      a"Friday Hot Lunch."               All students who paid and signed up ahead of time will be served first.         Year-end Tax-deductible Gifts   Prayerfully consider making a generous year-end gift to Calvary Lutheran School to support our kids and the ministry here at CLS.  It is easy to do and is also tax-deductible for this year if it is postmarked by December 31, 2015. Gifts of any size are greatly appreciated.   Most contributions to Calvary Lutheran are check and/or cash gifts, entitling you to a tax benefits through itemized deductions.  Please make your checks payable to Calvary Lutheran.  We will follow up with a donation letter.   Calvary Lutheran is a nonprofit, tax-exempt charitable organization under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code.  Donations are tax-deductible as allowed by law.        School Picture Re-takes       Friday, December 4, 2015       8:40 a.m.         If your child was not able to have their school picture taken earlier this year,  or you would like to have a re-take picture taken of your child,  Friday, December 4th at 8:40 a.m. is the day to have this done.   Please pick up your order forms in the school office.   This form must be submitted the day pictures are retaken.                          Cold and Flu Season are here!       If you feel your child is sick or might be sick, we ask you to please keep them at home. If your child's temperature is 99.6 degrees or higher, it is considered a low-grade temperature. Please keep your child at home as whatever your child has is now considered contagious.      A child must be FEVER FREE (NO fever), no diarrhea, and not vomiting, WITHOUT any medications (Acetaminophen/ Tylenol, Ibuprofen/Motrin) in their system for at least 24 hours before they can return to school. If your child suddenly comes down with the following symptoms:  fever, headache, muscle aches, sore throat, cough, fatigue, rash, nausea or vomiting - we encourage you to contact your local physician and discuss your child's symptoms. Again, a child must NOT have had a fever and/or not vomiting, without any medication in their system for at least 24 hours before they may be able to return to school.   Do not forget to let your school secretary know that your child will not be in school. If you would like to pick up any homework after school, please let the secretary know at that time.      Make Hand-Washing a Habit       Kids who wash their hands at least four times a day have 24 percent fewer sick days from colds and flu, and 51 percent fewer sick days due to stomach illnesses.  (American Public Health Association).   Teach kids to scrub their whole hands - up to the wrists and under the fingernails - and to do it long enough to sing the ABCs or "Happy Birthday" all the way through.  A timer works well, too.        Your Child and Medicine                 Students are not allowed to "self-medicate" themselves while at school. All meds must go to the office and must have a CLS Medication Form filled out completely.   Click here to download the medication form  Medication Form 2015-16          Calvary is now a Peanut/Tree Nut Free School campus.    We have several students who are extremely sensitive to any and all peanut/tree nuts products and this is very dangerous to their health and well-being.  Some students could even have such a severe reaction to nuts that it becomes life threatening, and we wouldn't want this to happen.   We ask everyone at CLS, please do not send your child to school with any snacks or lunches t hat have peanuts or are from a tree nut. These types of snacks and lunches might be reserved for something special, like a special treat at home.  Thank You!       GIFT CARDS!   Purchase your gifts cards through Calvary and everyone wins!        Christmas is just around the corner. Gift Cards make special stocking stuffers!   Make sure you purchase your GIFT CARD(S) from Calvary Offices. You can purchase gift cards to local restaurants, retailers, movie theaters, gas stations, iTunes, Disneyland, Starbucks and so much more.  Gift cards are awesome to use for yourself as well as to give as birthday gifts, anniversary, teacher appreciation, and Thank You!   Purchasing gifts cards through Calvary earns us points!   You purchase the card for the full value, and the vendor donates a percentage back to Calvary! No waiting in those long lines at the store and no hassel finding parking.  Stop by the office today.   Special Orders/Questions:  Contact Karla by e-mail at churchsecretary@calvaryslz.org or by phone at (510) 278-2555     Other ways to earn points:             E-Scrip              Box Tops                      S.H.A.R.E.            Labels for Education           Target                Amazon - Smiles          Coke Points          Office Depot   Gift cards are available in the office today and all year around!       Calvary Calendar (mark your calendars)    NOVEMBER 2015   22 - Jews for Jesus Presents - "Hanukkah Message" with Aaron Trank (9:00 a.m.) 23-25 - Thanksgiving Week  (No School - School Office Closed - Calvary Club Open,               Church office open by appointment) 26-27 - Thanksgiving Day and the day after - (No School - School and Church Office Closed -              No Calvary Club) DECEMBER 2015 4 - Fall Picture Retakes (8:30 a.m.) 8 - CFA Meeting at 6:30 p.m. (Parish Hall) 16 - Bethlehem Express 18 - Half-Day (11:30 a.m. dismissal).  Calvary Club is Open 21-31 - Christmas Break  (No School) 21-23 and 28-30 - School Office open half-day 25 - Christmas Day "Happy Birthday Jesus!" 31 - New Year's Eve  (No School; No Calvary Club) JANUARY 2016 1 - New Year's Day (No School, No Calvary Club) 4 - School Resumes 10 - Kindergarten - Partner's In Worship (9 am) 15 - Quarter 2 Ends - Teacher's In-Service.  Half-Day (Calvary Club Open) 18 - Martin Luther King, Jr. Day (No School, No Calvary Club, Offices Closed) 24-30 - National Lutheran Schools - Spirit Week 30 - Campus Beautification (9:00 a.m. - 12 noon) _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ * Calvary Club (before and after school care) is available ($5.00/hour; after 6:00 pm $4.00/minute) ** Means Change/Addition in Schedule Click below on the blue highlighted notice below (Revised:  09/18/15) 2015-16 School Year Calendar                                                  CALVARY FAMILY ASSOCIATION (CFA)                                                              ** CHANGE IN SCHEDULE **                   NEXT MEETING:   Tuesday, December 8, 2015  @ 6:30 p.m. Location:  Parish Hall  Parent(s) who attend CFA meetings, at least 1 hour is deducted from their PPP hour balance.  In addition, your child gets one free dress day at the end of the week too! Child Care is provided to Calvary students at no charge for those attending the CFA meetings.         Do not forget to upload your pictures!!     Select up to 10 images or more for each upload.  Photos may be of your child's field trips, classroom photos, special projects in the classroom or on the playground.   Bring in your USB (thumb drive) into the office and we will download it for you.  We will try to return your USB to you via your child's teacher. To upload your photos, please go to Calvary website www.calvaryslz.org and click on "share your photo" at the bottom of the page and follow instructions.  Another option is to send your photos to Jean Mussack. In addition, you will receive 1 PPP hour credit for submitting 10 or more quality photos. If you have any questions, please see Jean Mussack or the school secretary.     ENROLLMENT IS ONGOING!   If you know a family who is interested in attending Calvary Lutheran School, please have them contact the school secretary to receive an information packet, set-up an appointment to take a tour, or they may also be able to shadow one of our students.     If they enroll and attend CLS for at least one semester, they will receive a "family referral discount!" In addition, you will receive a "family referral discount" as well. Contact the school secretary, Mrs. Nancy Schibler at schoolsecretary@calvaryslz.org, or by phone at (510) 278-2598, if you have any questions.              PARKING LOT SAFETY RULES                             Please do not enter the school ground from Via Magdalena. This is designated as an Exit Only!     PLEASE SLOW DOWN!      Cars must enter the parking lot from Via Arriba (back side of lot, behind Wendy's), and exit the parking lot Via Magdalena before and after school.   Speed limit is 5 mph. ALL GATES close at 8:40 a.m. (except for Chapel and special events).   Gates will open in the afternoon at 2:50 p.m., and close at 3:15 p.m.   On Half-Days, gates will open at 11:20 a.m.  ***Please be careful and sensitive to students opening the gates.   Wait until the gate is open, student is out of the way BEFORE you proceed to your destination.  Thank You!        Shout for joy to the Lord, all the earth. Worship the Lord with gladness;     come before him with joyful songs.  Know that the Lord is God.     It is he who made us, and we are his; we are his people, the sheep of his pasture. Enter his gates with thanksgiving and his courts with praise;     give thanks to him and praise his name.  For the Lord is good and his love endures forever;     his faithfulness continues through all generations.  (Psalms 100:1-5, NIV)        Please continue to keep our Pastor, Superintendent, teachers, students, parents  and volunteers in your prayers throughout the school year.         Calvary Lutheran School 17200 Via Magdalena, San Lorenzo, CA 94580 School:  (510) 278-2598* Calvary Club:  (510) 278-7688 www.calvaryslz.org  Shepherding Hearts ~ Sharpening Minds ~ Shaping Lives