April 29, 2020
Dear Zion Families,
Greetings in Christ! I hope this letter finds all families well, thriving (or surviving!). All things considered, I am proud of how well our staff, students, and teachers have made the unexpected and unprecedented transition to distance learning. We have done this now for a month and a half, and are nearing the finish. With God’s help, we can do this!
I would like to highlight a few items of note as we begin to wind down the year:
- FINAL PACKET EXCHANGE: Monday 4. Preschool/Pre-k: 10-1 and K-8: 1-4 p.m. We will provide a final set of lesson plans and materials to get your child thru the last week and a half of school.
- HOMEWORK RETURN: work can be returned on the May 4 pick-up day; the final packet of homework should be turned by the 11th of May so that teachers can begin report card preparations.
- MATERIALS RETURN: Please return all school texts and other materials on Monday May 18 from 1-4 p.m. Your child’s report card can be picked up when you return your child’s texts. Please be sure to find all school books (including library books) as they will be needed in the fall.
- REPORT CARDS & GRADING: As we are able, we will still be assigning grades for completed work. We will take the less-than-ideal circumstances into account as we grade. Items that we cannot assess due to the nature of the area will be noted on the report card. The great majority of our students have worked hard and have submitted their work as requested, a small minority has not. How to report on those is being addressed, but it should be known that students that do not do their work will not be receiving full marks. Lack of participation and homework submission will be noted on the report card. Please make every effort during the next two weeks to ensure that your child’s work is being completed to the best of their ability.
- TEACHER & STAFF APPRECIATION: I would like you to know how hard your children’s teachers’ (and support staff!) have worked through all of this. Normally during the first week in May our families show their appreciation in lots of little ways. This year this will be different of course, but it would be wonderful if students/parents could find a way to say “Thank you!”. As the principal, I can’t say often enough how proud I am of this group and how fulfilling it is to work with such loving and competent professionals.
- P.E.A.C.E. AUCTION: Hopefully by now you have had a chance to check out our online auction. It all comes to a climax this Friday! Log-in for some distance-benefit-fun! Like many organizations, the pandemic will severely and negatively affect fundraising efforts we rely on for school improvements. If you have the means, your support is greatly appreciated (and needed!)
- Visit peace2020.ggo.bid
- Click on Start Bidding
- Click on Create Account
- Complete registration
- Click on View Terms for more information about the auction.
The month of April 2020 has been one that will be remembered for years to come as what is typically a full, busy, and exciting month for the school was one in which all classes were conducted via distance learning. I’ll tell you, there is nothing weirder than an empty, quiet school in April! But, we remember Psalm 118:24: “This is the day that the Lord has made. Let us rejoice and be glad in it.” Strange as it has been, I am very thankful to have gone thru this experience with all of you in our Zion school family.
God’s Peace be with you,
Anthony Splittgerber
Principal
Zion Lutheran School