Chatter 12.9.2020

First Lutheran Church Sunday Services: 9:00 Sunday School: 10:15 a.m.

Church: 580-762-1111 www.flcspc.com

David Birnbaum, Principal School: 580-762-9950 website: flcspc.com E-mail: lutheransecretary@yahoo.com Child Care: 580-762-1124 FastDirect: fastdir.com/flcspc December 9, 2020

CARDINAL CHATTER SCHOOL CLOSING a week earlier than planned to ensure 14 days before CHRISTMAS. LAST DAY OF SCHOOL (before Christmas break) will be a FULL day on FRIDAY - December 11!

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1:15 Christmas Program, Church Sanctuary Last Day of School before Christmas Break Christmas Break – No School Immanuel @ FLS; 8th Grade Night

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Classes Resume FLS @ Saints Vision Screening, P3-8th Grade

COLLECTING PONCA CITY SANTA TICKETS: First Lutheran is collecting the Santa Shops Ponca First tickets that are given out at participating local businesses each time you make a purchase during the Christmas season. If you are willing to donate yours to the school, please drop them by the school or leave them in the black mailbox in front of the administration building on or before Dec. 22. The earlier the better so that we can get them organized for the big night.

FREE LUNCH & BREAKFAST: We will continue serving grab and go free breakfast and lunch between 11-12:30 to children 18 and under during the Christmas Break (excluding December 24, 25, 31, and January 1). If you would like to participate, please contact the office at 762-9950 before 10:00 a.m. on the day you would pick up the meals.

KINDLES FOR SALE: We found a few more Kindle Fire’s that were left over after the middle school upgraded to ChromeBooks. The one’s we sold previously were 5 GB, so I believe that’s what these are, also. They do not come with charging cords or cases, but they are all charged so you can come look them over. They are first come / first served, 1 for $25, 2 for $40. Stop by Connie’s office to take a look and/or purchase them. We only have 8 (one has a cracked screen), so don’t wait if you are interested.

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First Lutheran School Accreditation 2020 During the past several months, the First Lutheran School Board and faculty have been completing paperwork and compiling data and samples necessary to be re-evaluated for State and National School Accreditation. In the middle of November, an Accreditation Team came out for three days to verify the documentation that they had reviewed in the weeks prior to the visit.

The school administration and the visiting team have determined areas or items to improve during the next five years. They also named nine outstanding strengths of our school and one “powerful practice.” The team is recommending the re-accreditation for another five year review cycle.

Outstanding School Strengths  First Lutheran Church and School have maintained strong and exemplary bonds of common mission, respect, and support.  Outstanding reputation in the community.  Extensive use of technology.  Outstanding educators and nurturers of the Christian faith.  Outstanding virtual education in the Middle School through Zoom and Google.  Facilities and playgrounds are lovely and spacious.  Commended for the building securities – locks, cameras, fences, and etcetera.  Implementation of health safety procedures with masks, temperature checks, and social distancing.  “Powerful Practice” – blessed by dedicated volunteers, the Willing Workers.

The Willing Workers are a group of men that come out Thursdays to make major and minor repairs or make recommendation to get professional assistance when necessary. For the longest time it has been Glen Mayer, Fred Miller, Phil Abbuhl, and men like Brad Brunkow, Doug Fjare, Gary Sibley, and lately Michael McCann. But it goes much further than that. These Willing Workers are men and women who volunteer throughout the years to serve on the School Board, the Elders, the Church Council, and all of the Ladies Groups. Kendra Mayer, one School Board members, has been serving on the board for the past twelve years. Thanks also to the VOLUNTEER service of the lawn crews [Chris Mudd, Steve Gales (& children), Jason Cain, Jason & Jennifer Heitman (& girls), besides John Bley and Fred Miller in the recent past] on this MASSIVE property.

It is hard to explain the amount of volunteer labor of the women and men in this congregation.

Kathy Brockhoff keeping the church flower beds gorgeous and changing the street sign continuously. The LARGE crew headed by Shirley/David Zimmerman to raise funds for scholarships through the Christmas Market and all those who donate labor and items to make this event successful. Even in simple yard sales, judging contests, or serving as the school grandparents. To mention a few – Barb, Barbara, Edie, Trudi, Marcella, Glenda, Pat, Jan, Jane, 3

Janet, Jennifer Hoak, Maureen & Kelly, Gery & Marilyn, Linda & Mike, Martha & Steve, rest in heavenly peace - Cindy. Thank you for all you do and your willingness to serve.

One of the ladies that served on this accreditation team also served five years ago. We barely had internet the last time and now we were basically commended twice for the technology improvements and virtual learning and this is mostly thanks to the volunteer “willing worker,” our own alumni Dylan Powell.

This school has truly been blessed by God through MULTITUDES of men and women in this congregation and in the school like room parents, and PTL Boards, and Jim & Janice Stieber. (I wish I had grown up here because I believe many of the men and women still in this congregation served as AMAZING examples for those who now serve.) We cannot forget the staff that goes over and beyond their pay to make sure we have a WONDERFUL program. This is all through willing workers who give of their time and talents, out of LOVE. I pray that those under 50 will see the willing service of those over 50, 60, and 70+ and will step up to be a GREAT blessing as their hosts before them!

Thank you for all you have done to serve as Willing Workers to make our school GREAT! In Christ’s Service – Principal Birnbaum

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This institution is an equal opportunity provider.

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GIFT CARDS IN THE OFFICE! SCRIP/GIFT CARD SALES: Christmas is coming; are you prepared? As you do your Christmas shopping over the next few weeks; please consider stopping by the school office and purchasing gift cards for the stores that you are planning on visiting, or purchasing gift cards to give. The retailers sell the gift cards to us at a discount, we sell them to you at face value, and then the school uses the profit to purchase/fund activities for the school! We have a variety on-hand in the office for purchase; stop by or call to see what’s available.

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