The Corn Is Growing

The corn is growing in third grade since my October 17 entry!

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Letter from the Principal

Dear Parents of FMCS,

Well, I can’t tell you how much I am going to miss all those political commercials – yes the election is over. No matter what side you are on, more and more we have to pray as Christians. This is not a “political” letter but another observation that despite upcoming changes, our current economic situation in our county and country is still tough today. This is not going to change right away.

There is something that God has laid on our hearts at FMCS and I would like to share it with you because it involves you and your children. MANY of our FMCS families have had a difficult year, and with the holidays ahead, the stress and anxiety may increase. It has always been our desire to help our families and support our moms and dads, young boys and girls, tweens and teens – leading them in the basic foundation of biblical principles in all parts of life. We have been lead by the Lord to use the next couple of months to stress a very important character quality: CONTENTMENT.

In our middle school bible curriculum, contentment is defined as: realizing that true happiness does not depend on material conditions. (From the Character Training Institute) Bible verses that connect with that quality include:

I Timothy 6:7-8, “For we brought nothing into the world, and we can take nothing out of it. But if we have food and clothing, we will be content with that.”

Hebrews 13:5, “Keep your lives free from the love of money and be content with what you have, because God has said, "Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you."

Knowing that many families may not be able to have the same type of Christmas that they have had before, we want to help our students see:

- How blessed they are with what they have now
- That GIVING is better than getting
- Love is not based on how much you GET at Christmas
- That Christ is what you need – things that are eternal are more important

During our in-service time on Monday, the teachers discussed ways that they could help teach these lessons of contentment to our students. We know that we have a battle ahead of us (it is a culture war), but we want to work together with you to help our students understand how blessed they are and to be thankful for what they have.
As a parent, there are times that I have succeeded at helping my kids see this quality, and there are times have been caught up in the commercialization of the culture, keeping up with the Jones’s, etc. The media will be working very hard – especially through commercials – to tell your kids that they need more STUFF! We can help them by:

- Sharing bible stories on contentment and more verses like Philippians 4:12-13 (you even have the Veggietales and other kids videos that the kids love to watch to reinforce these qualities)
- Helping them to become active in giving: Pastor Richard’s video on the Africa Oasis Project Tuesday was very moving. (go to my blog for details); the missions assembly stressed giving and ways that we can do that to improve our county and country.
- Praying for them and with them!
- Spending time together as a family just doing the most basic activities – TIME WITH OUR KIDS IS THE BEST GIFT WE CAN GIVE THEM!

You will start to see emails sent with reinforcing bible verse, stories, resources, etc. It is all designed to support you and to teach our kids what is really important. Thank you.

In His Service,

Mel Mitchell
Principal

Africa Oasis Project

Moms and Dads: I want you to see the same video your kids saw in our Assembly today! Help us a make a difference this week - your change can REALLY change the world AND ETERNITY! CLICK HERE!

TWO OF THE TOP TEN FINALISTS FROM FMCS

FMCS - TODAY - 9:45 am - at the end of our special missions assembly, representatives from the SW Florida Christian Chamber came in to make a special announcement. Once again, the Christian Chamber has announced the top 10 finalists for the Golden Halo Award. FMCS IS THE ONLY SCHOOL WITH TWO TEACHERS IN THE TOP TEN! Congratulations to Mrs. Lauren Collins (nominated by Payton Stockman and Morgan Tyson) and Mr. Jonathan Blikstad (nominated by Anna Rosenblatt). The event is November 15th! You can get more informaton on tickets, go to the Chamber website.

OUR MIDDLE SCHOOL CHOIR, will also be ministering with their blacklight presentation that night!

We are excited!

Tour Of Missions

Many thanks to Mrs. Mitchell and the 6th-7th grade drama team for their ministry Sunday and Monday night at First Assembly of God's Tour of Missions! The event gives people the opportunity to go "around the world" and experience missions - many of the classrooms in the Children's Center are decorated as a country. FMCS hosted the Italy room and reacted a 1969 true story of a pastor's wife brought back from the dead, and who continues to minister today in Italy. Her Wednesday bible studies have brought conversions to mafia wives and their children! Many thanks to Mrs. Sinex for allowing us to use her room, Mrs. Cole, Mrs. Dillon, and the parent of our drama students.

Teachers Raising "Dough"

Our teachers had an opportunity to visit a local Dominos Pizza and preview a possible field trip for thier classes. The trip includes the opportunity to "make your own pizza."

Guest Reader in PK4!

Many thanks to Parent University president, Lisa Clumsky, for reading to pk4 today!


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Fifth Grade Begins Student-led Conferences

A new and growing trend in education involves student-led conferences, replacing the traditional parent-teacher conferences. Education World states: "... the advantages, say most teachers who have participated in student-led conferences, outweigh the downside. Student accountability is mentioned again and again by educators as a plus for student-led conferences. Another plus is the way even a struggling student can produce something positive for a conference, an art project or an essay, perhaps, that wouldn't show up in a report card grade. Overall, talks with educators indicate, student-led conferences are a growing trend."

Mrs. Crouch, our fifth grade teacher, and her class just completed their first round of student-led conferences and states: "From my perspective, they went very well! I think there are a lot of benefits to letting the child take ownership for their work. The best part was the goal setting that they made with their parents at the end. Each student set goals..... to raise their math grade, make the AR party for next quarter, better behavior etc. and then the parent and I sign the page saying that we will encourage and assist the child to meet that goal."



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7th grade Letters of Encouragement Reach South Africa

To all Fort Myers 7th grade students,

It was so cool to get all your letters the other day in the post. We so appreciate your enthusiasm, encouragement and scriptures which have spurred us on to continue to reach our city, Cape Town and beyond our borders, for Jesus!

We started the church, Joshua Generation Church, nearly 10 years ago and have seen it grow and flourish over the years as more and more people come to Jesus. We are made up of many people who love extreme sport as well as many young, old, creative, married, single and artistic people! Such an amazing bunch… you need to come visit!!!

Thanks so much for all your prayers. Continue to seek the things God is doing all across the world. It has enormously encouraged us.

Keep smiling and God Bless

Love Andrew and Emsie SelleyCape Town, South Africa

Second Grade Missions: Senior Friendship Center

One of our school's Mission 25:40 outreaches involves the 2nd grade going to the Senior Friendship Center in Fort Myers. They have a great time sharing, reading, singing and doing projects together. You can;t help but go there and be blessed!

D.C. Kids Coming Back to FMCS

Day 5 at JrNYLC: Voices of Change

Dear Mr. Mitchell, JrNYLC has been a week filled with adventure and learning. It is hard to believe that your students will return home tomorrow! Of course, we are keeping them busy on their journey of leadership until the end. Throughout the day, the scholars polished their newfound leadership skills with a presentation and discussion of their social project. In the evening, they watched Shackleton's Antarctic Adventures, an IMAX movie about Sir Ernest Shackleton's trans-Antarctic journey. Your students will end the night with a sleepover at the Maryland Science Center. To view today's slideshow, please visit www.cylc.org/jrnylc/pictures. Over just a few short days, your students have seen national monuments, experienced the story of John Brown at Harper's Ferry, participated in historical reenactments and delved into key leadership concepts. When you see them next, please ask them about their time at JrNYLC. I am certain that you will see young leaders who have gained maturity, depth of character and newfound practical leadership skills. Thank you for your contribution to your students' leadership adventure. I know that they appreciate the role you have played in providing them with this opportunity. Please consider nominating other young scholars so that they too may experience all that JrNYLC has to offer!

Sincerely, Marguerite C. Regan, Ph.D. Dean of Academic Affairs

Day 4 at JrNYLC: Voices of Courage

Dear Mr. Mitchell,

Today, your students continued their investigation of Washington, D.C.'s rich history with an exploration of some of our most important historical monuments, including the Korean War Veterans Memorial and Vietnam Veterans Memorial. Afterwards, they were then able to visit the re-opened National Portrait Gallery, which houses nearly 20,000 works of art featuring men and women who have made significant contributions to the history, development and culture of the United States. The scholars also stopped for a photo opportunity at the White House. At each of these sites, your students learned how leaders use their "voice" to take a stand and make a difference. In the evening, they worked with their LFG members to create a social organization to serve as their own "voice of courage" for a special topic that impacts local communities. This final project tasked your students with using the new leadership skills they have developed at JrNYLC this week. Be sure to check in with them to hear about their LFG's project! To view a photo slideshow of today's activities, please visit www.cylc.org/jrnylc/pictures.

Special Chapel Leaders Today

Alexandra (2nd grade) and Nicky Chlumsky (pk4) were guest chapel leaders today! The Chlumsky's won the opportunity at the Silent Auction this year. Special thanks to Pastor Dave Richards for this opportunity! They led the entire chapel with songs, worship, and an illustrated message on the Good Samaritan with the assistance of other students.

Special Speakers at School Today!

FMCS was treated to two very special speakers today: in our first assembly of the day, Lt. Governor of the state of Florida, Jeff Kottcamp, and Captain John Schultz spoke to PK-1st grade about what they do and about safety (stranger danger); in the second assembly, grades 2-8 heard more information on what a Lt. Governor's responsibilities are and more information on law enforcement and internet safety. Both speakers took questions from the students. We are very blessed to have this opportunity at our school and very thankful for both of our speakers today.

Middle School Debate

Mrs. Mitchell gave the middle school students a taste of the election process today with a live debate. The mock election featured two FMCS presidential candidates: Jordan Gulbronson and Quade Marinell; and two vice-presidential candidates: Courtney Schopke and Cory Erickson. Many thanks to Mr. Ryba for setting up the debate and being the moderator. After lunch, the 6th and 7th grade students voted on the candidates they felt best presented the issues at the debate. In the end, the winners were: Jordan Gulbronson and Courtney Schopke.