Monday, March 28, 2005

CAT Testing Coming Up

Parents, the time is coming for the California Achievement Testing. We do this every year. It is required of us as an "Excel" rated school. It also helps to keep your curriculum costs down.

These tests are very important. When I send out a transcript for your child, they always want these test scores.

The test has changed a lot for this year. Last year the test we took was the last in that series. The test has been renamed and restructured to fit with new standards being set by the government.

1. Every child must take this test. They start with Kindergarten and go through the 12th grade.

2. The test is important. Many students don't try very hard because they think the test is boring. The test does take several hours to take. But it is so important. I've had bright students look like they are several years below grade level because they just didn't want to take the test. The only person they hurt is themselves. For example, if you were to move and you wished to put your child in another private school, they might be rejected because of their low results, even if they are really above grade level. They could also be kept from scholarship programs.

3. The test will cost more this year, but then the price will drop next year. The reason is we have to buy extra test materials this year because we no longer can use the answer keys and testing materials we used in past years. We will do our best to keep the costs down.

We will probably take the test in early May to keep aligned with last year's date.

More information will be coming.
Funeral Arrangements



Here is the information for the funeral for Melvin Rockhill.

Dad's funeral will be on Wednesday at 11:00 a.m. at Chapel of Memories in Norwalk. The address is 12626 Woods Ave. in Norwalk, CA 90650. It is right next to our church. Woods is a small street that runs north and south between Firestone Blvd. on the South and Imperial Hwy. on the north. The northern side is across from the big Wal-Mart. The southern side faces Alberston Supermarket.

The viewing will be held at 6:00 p.m. until 8:30 on Tuesday evening. Walk in the main entrance and you will be directed to the proper place.

Mom is doing well. The funeral service will be directed by Jim Eagon and and Bob Rockhill.

The committal service will be held at Olive Lawn Cemetery in La Mirada. Upon leaving Chapel of Memories parking lot, simply turn right onto Imperial Hwy. and drive about 5 miles. When you get to La Mirada Blvd. turn right. On the corner of La Mirada Blvd. and Alicante you will see the cemetery. You will turn left onto the cemetery property.

Sunday, February 20, 2005

Essay Just Part of Changes to the SAT - EarthLink - U.S. News

Parents,

If you have a child in high school, you should read this article. Students in 11 and 12 grade should be taking these tests. Pastor Bob has the information you need. They are not taken at Grace. You will take them at a selected spot, usually a college, in your area.

Monday, February 07, 2005

Sweet Drinks Linked to Preschool Obesity - EarthLink - U.S. News

Very interesting article here on the effects of juices and sweet drinks on children in school.

Tuesday, February 01, 2005

We had an assembly this week following the close of the first semester. Many of our students have not kept up with their workload, causing many more incompletes on report cards than I like. So, we've added more class time and less play time for all students who are behind.

Parents, expect to see more homework coming home. Our system is built to not have a lot of homework IF the student does what is expected each day. When they fall behind, however, we have no choice but to start sending it home.

Please make sure your child does his homework each night. It costs us a lot to have to print it out. Students who do not show any progress in this area will be removed from the computer and put into books, making it easier to send homework home.

Pastor Bob

Friday, January 21, 2005

Winner of the Christmas DVD

The Christmas DVD is finished. We promised to give away one free DVD to one of our visitors who came on Sunday morning to the performance. The winner, picked by Elizabeth, was Susan Hernandez.

Your DVD will be ready for you to pick up on Monday morning.

Congratulations!

Pastor Bob

Monday, January 17, 2005

Christmas DVD Ready

I know many of you have been asking about the Christmas DVD. It is now ready! It contains the entire Christmas Program as well as a pretty long slide show of rehearsal shots. Normally, our school DVDs are $25.00, but since this one is just 30 minutes we are going to discount it.

Here are the prices:

1 DVD - $15.00

2 DVDs - $25.00

3 DVDs - $35.00

Each additional DVD is $10.00

If you would like to order one please send cash, not check, to the school, attention Pastor Bob. We have pre-burned several so if you order quickly you will not have to wait.

Tuesday, January 04, 2005

First Basketball Game

Our First basketball game will be on Friday. I dont' know the time as of yet. Unfortunately for us the process this year has been less organized than usual. We are very late in finding out information. What I do know so far is that we have 6 boys playing. We have provided them each with a basketball shirt. They each need to get black basketball shorts before Friday if they are going to play.

The cost for registration for each boy is a one time fee of $35.00 and a weekly fee for refs of $4.00. Please send the money asap.

Thanks,

PB

Monday, December 27, 2004

Parachute


Parachute, originally uploaded by bobrocky.

This shot was taken before Christmas vacation, but I really like it. The children play games with this colorful parachute while under the direction of Miss Colleen.

Cooks


cooks, originally uploaded by bobrocky.

The cooks don't know where the child is either.

Farmers


farmers, originally uploaded by bobrocky.

Our farmers stop swinging their scythes to talk to the Wisemen.

Getting Ready


Getting Ready, originally uploaded by bobrocky.

Jonathon gets a kick out of costume changes.

Fishermen


fishermen, originally uploaded by bobrocky.

Townfolk mending their nets are approached by the Wisemen.

Mary and Joseph


Maryjo, originally uploaded by bobrocky.

Musicans


musicians, originally uploaded by bobrocky.

Some more of our townfolk from the beginning of our program.

Practice


PracticeJosh, originally uploaded by bobrocky.

Josh has a big smile for us during our practice time.

Nativity 2


nativity2, originally uploaded by bobrocky.

Another shot of our Nativity while the angels announce the Christ Child's birth.

Nativity Scene


nativity, originally uploaded by bobrocky.

Mayra and Jonathon were Mary and Joseph. Devin and Elizabeth were the angels. They did a great job.

Staff and Children


staff, originally uploaded by bobrocky.

These are the people who made it happen. My wife, Connie on the left and Colleen Keith on the right helped with getting the costumes changed and crowd control. Colleen also helped with the spotlight and Connie made some of the costumes for us. Cindy Kesler and Stephanie Garibaldi are the teachers of the two classes who participated in the program and worked very hard in all our practices.

Wisemen Question Laundry Folk


washers, originally uploaded by bobrocky.

This is the first of several pictures from our 2004 Christmas Program. These are from the opening seen where the Wisemen question the townfolk.