November Newsletter

As Thanksgiving is right around the corner, we are truly blessed to have the congregation support us financially and with prayers.  THANK YOU!

We had a lot of sports activities in the last month and our Winter sport seasons are starting up.  At the end of the Fall season, every team did great and improved so much.  Our Varsity Volleyball Black team finished the season as the Division 2 Champions.  I was able to be there to cheer both Varsity teams on during the conference tournament, which was at Lutheran Westland.

The 8th grade students will be visiting Lutheran Westland for future Warrior day, and later will visit Lutheran South.  We are blessed to have two Lutheran High Schools in our area.  Our students received the greatest compliment the other day.  We had a substitute teacher for our Art teacher.  When she was done, she came in and said that she teaches all over the Down River area, and we have the BEST STUDENTS she has ever seen and taught.  She went on to say that she couldn’t wait to visit us again.

At the end of October, I went to the LEA convocation, a conference for Lutheran Educators that happens only once every three years.  I love going to conferences for many reasons.  The Social Networking and visiting with old friends is always nice, and we generate some great conversation and sometimes try to solve the world’s problems, at least Lutheran School problems.  I also get to learn.  The speakers and workshop leaders are always on top of their game and give great advice and resources. This year I decided not to present, but instead helped work back stage with keeping the communication of workshops going on Twitter for educators that could not make it or for those who want to chat more about the topic.

As we gear up for the Christmas season, we are preparing for our Christmas Program, and just like every year, it should be good and help tell the message of Jesus.  We are revamping a program we did a few years back.  

Lastly, we would like to thank those who donated to our Initiative in keeping the kids safe and donated money to securing our front doors.  THANK YOU!

In God,

Daniel Burk and CTK Teachers and Staff

Going Home

Last night at LEA

Day 2 of LEA Convocation

Greetings from Milwaukee

October Newsletter

I cannot believe how fast this school year is going.  We had our first family game night, and it was a success!  Information on the next family game night will be out soon.  Family game night is a time for CTK families to get together and just have some fun.  Please join us next time.

Sports seasons are in session.  At the time of this writing, our Volleyball team took 3rd at their first tournament.  Soccer and Cross Country have also been working very hard.

This past month 8th grade students had chapel about the different symbols in the Church.  It was great hearing about some of the symbols in our Stain-glassed window that you didn’t even realize were there.  Ask an 8th grade student about the symbol they talked about.

Teachers are continually being trained on how to use iPads in the classrooms.  The older kids have used them to research and work on vocabulary words.  3rd/4th grade split made wonderful Wordle graphics -- check them out by their classroom.  3rd Grade is working on flipping a class once in awhile.  It should be interesting to observe and have a child participate.  I know it will be great.

In God,

Daniel Burk

September Newsletter

School is in full swing. We are falling into our regular routine. We are getting used to our new procedures and systems. School is going well. Stop by to visit a class or just say hi.

During my principal conference this summer our guest speaker talked about our school as a brand. One of the activities she had us do was list human characteristics of our school. I am asking you to share with me what characteristics would describe CTK Lutheran School.

Lastly, I am challenging our teachers to grow by asking them if they are ready to grow.  Just like our students, we want to grow physically, intellectually, emotionally, and spiritually.  Personally, I am excited to see how our students and teachers grow. I will be having no office Tuesdays. I will spend the day in classrooms in order to watch and evaluate. I hope to get involved in the learning also. Thank you again for your continued support and prayers.

August Newsletter

Last Month of Summer Vacation!  As much as we are looking forward to school starting, it is with heavy heart that this year will begin without one of our aides.  God decided it was time to take Mary Hickling home to be with Him in heaven.  We will never know why, but we know her years here on Earth brought much joy to our preschool students, families, and church members.  Her laughter and smile were always a bright spot of my visits to the preschool room.   Please keep Dave and the kids in your prayers.  Seeing Dave’s strong faith has reminded me of how important it is to have Lutheran Schools.  We have great teachers and have great academic achievements, but it is the sharing of our faith and helping students share their faith that makes us different, and in my opinion, better.

Teachers will be reporting again mid month.  We have some professional development days scheduled to kick off the school year.  We look forward to start mapping out our curriculum and making changes where they are needed in order to benefit the students.   We also will be trained on how to start using the iPads in the classrooms.  Recently, I read a great blog post by Tim Elmore, who is a well-known educator and speaker.  Nicki Drinane was able to listen to him speak at her SLED conference this past June, and I will get to hear him speak at the Lutheran Education Association Convocation.  In his blog, he talks about how known computer technology heroes, such as Steve Jobs, were rejected many times by their employers because it was different than what the company was use to.  Education can be that way too.  We need to find ways that engage students in order to teach them the crucial elements. (http://growingleaders.com/blog/are-you-resistant-to-the-change-generation-iy-brings/)

Speaking of the LEA Convocation, I was asked to be part of their tech team to keep people involved with what is going on in the conference for those who couldn’t go to a certain sectional or had to stay at home.  We will be using twitter and other social media services to keep people informed.  

Lastly, a huge controversial topic has been circulating recently.  Common Core Standards!  Common Core Standards are nothing new.  They have been around for a greater part of three years when Michigan Department of Education first adopted the standards.  Many are concerned on how these standards can or will affect CTK.  In simple terms, we will not be tied down by anything that will ever go against what we believe in or what the Bible says is true.  Bruce Braun, Michigan District Superintendent of Schools, wrote a wonderful blog about how the Common Core Standards fit in with CTK and other Lutheran Schools. http://www.michigandistrict.org/blog/education/common-core-standards-à-la-carte-menu

May God continue to bless your Summer.  

In God,

Daniel Burk and the CTK Staff

Summer Reading

"There's 104 days of summer vacation And school comes along just to end it So the annual problem for our generation Is finding a good way to spend it"

Unless your parents let you be like Phineas And Ferb and create rocket ships, tree house robots, or drive your sister insane, you need to find other activities to keep busy during the summer.

Granted Summer should be a fun relaxing time. Swimming, playing, or staying up late can be all the great rewards. But, I hope none of our students take the entire summer off and do no learning! When I was a teacher I always gave a list, to my incoming students, of books they should read during the summer. At one school we even had the students do book reports over the summer. So following is a list (just a few) of books for a few of the grade levels. Depending on your own reading level you could pick a higher grade book or lower grade book.

5th Grade
Alien(series) - Bruce Coville
My Teacher (series)- Bruce Coville
The Best School Year Ever - Barbara Robinson
Caddie Woodlawn - Carol Ryrie Briat
Everest (series) - Gordon Korman
Holes - Louis Sachar
Wayside School (series) - Louis Sachar
The Laundry News - Andrew Clements

4th Grade
The American Girls Collection - Pleasant Company
Anne of Green Gables - L.M. Montgomery
Charlie and the Chocolate Factory - Roald Dahl
Indian in the Cupboard - Lynne Reid Banks
Matilda - Roald Dahl
The Secret School - Avi
Superfudge - Judy Blume
Because of Winn Dixie - Kate Dicamillo
Stuart Little - E.B. White

3rd Grade
Boxcar Children (series) - Gertrude Chandler Warner
Judy Moody - Megan McDonald
The Littles - John Peterson
Magic Tree House (series) - Mary Pope Osbourne
Magic Schoolbus (series) - Joanna Cole
The Mouse and the Motorcycle - Beverly Cleary
Encyclopedia Brown (series) - Donald J. Sobol

2nd Grade
Amelia Bedelia (series) - Peggy Parish
The Berenstain Bears - Jan and Stan Berenstain
Clifford the Big Red Dog (chapter books)- Gail Herman
Flat Stanley - Jeff Brown
Nate the Great (series) - Marjorie Weinman Sharmat
Get Ready for Second Grade, Amber Brown - Paula Danzinger
Horrible Harry (series) - Suzy Kline

1st Grade
Dear Zoo - Lois Ehlert
Green Eggs and Ham - Dr. Seuss
The Listening Walk - Paul Showers
Corduroy - Donald Freeman
If you Give a Mouse a Cookie - Laura Numeroff
The Very Hungry Caterpillar - Eric Carle

iPads are in

The iPads are in.  The Annual Fund want to thanks to those who have given for this educational tool.  In the next few weeks, We will be deploying the iPads.  They will be staying in the classrooms for the time being as we grow and learn the best ways to implement this program.  We thank you for your patience for any hiccups along the way.  I have already schedule in-service time for the teachers to learn next fall.

Review: Lock Down

I hope everyone had a wonderful break.  It was relaxing.  Holy Week was a stressful week for myself.  On Palm Sunday as I sat in Bible Class, my best friend texted me and said they may be losing their baby, his wife was 22 weeks pregnant.  So needless to say I spent my Sunday at the hospital with my best friend and family as we grieved the death of their daughter, my godchild.  On Good Friday, we celebrated her life as I was asked to give a sermonette and graveside prayer.  The funny side of that was the funeral director kept calling me "Pastor".

Since that was going on in my life, I didn't get to write a post about what happened the Thursday before with the non-emergency lock down.

I want to reassure you, we were in no danger that day.  I made a decision to go into a non-emergency lock down just out of procedure.  I felt it was the right thing to do at the time.

There are two main types of lock downs, non-emergency and full lock down.  During a non-emergency lock down, the outside doors are locked and the classroom doors are locked.  The teachers and students use precaution when in the hallways moving to the bathroom and/or drinking fountain.  Teaches continue to teach their lessons.

A full lock down is the outside doors are locked, the classroom doors are locked, teachers and students are hiding in their rooms with the lights off and blinds shut.  Desks may be blocking entrance to the doors.  Students and teachers remain quiet letting no one in or out of their secured area.  Teachers and Students won't be released until given permission by police and office staff.

For both lock down types, please refrain from coming to school.  In a full lock down you will not be admitted unless under police approval.  Even the office staff will be in a secured area not allowing anyone in or out except under police approval.

This next step may be the hardest part, but please do not call the office.  I know you are worried, you want information, and you want to know that your children are safe.  I understand it and I am there with you, but we need to keep the lines open to speak with police and call parents if needed.  As we did with the non-emergency lock down, I will be in contact through Fast Direct or other methods.  We will also send out a School Reach call, to inform you.  All information will come from me or an appointed person.  It is imperative, that if you receive a School Reach call to listen to it completely   You may download the School Reach app on your smart phones to see the last School Reach message.

You will be hearing your students say we had a lock down drill, or if they are younger they may not realize it is a drill.  By law we must perform two lock down drills a year.

Good Sports are Winners

The following link is from the MHSAA and a contest they have for each sport.  Although we do not compete for this award or in the MHSAA, it would be good for our fans, athletes, coaches, and parents to follow these rules and guidelines.

GOOD SPORTS ARE WINNERS

Bully or Conflict?

I would like to discuss a topic that has been laying heavily on my heart for the past few months.

Even though CTK is wonderful and we are doing God's will, Satan does creep into our lives and wants to destroy.  We have had a few incidents' with what could be classified as bullying.  What I want to discuss is what this word means.  I have been involved with other principals across the nation discussing what does this word mean and is it different than having a conflict or misbehavior.

The teachers and myself will not tolerate bullying and will follow a set policy when bullying does occur.  Does that mean every conflict is bullying?  I don't think so.  Part of growing up and learning how to communicate with each other, could result, because of sin and selfishness, in conflict.

So, What is Bullying?

• When the harm or hurt is on purpose; it's not a mistake or by accident.
• When the student fears the other student.
• When the student seems more powerful, likely the two are not friends.
• When the student seems to enjoy hurting others.
• When the student repeats the behavior(s) over and over.

The key words that show there is a bullying problem is - Purpose; Fear; Power; Hurt; Repeats.

Looking into the Bible and what God says about bullying, I like 1st Peter 2:1;

"Therefore, rid yourself of all malice, deceit, hypocrisy, envy, and slander of every kind."

What is Cyberbullying?

Cyberbullying means bullying by use of any electronic communication device such as, but not limited to: email, text messages, blogs, cell phones, social media, and websites.

So what is the Difference between Conflict and Bullying?  Principal at St. John's Lutheran in LaGrange, Illinois shared these charts:

Normal Conflict	Bullying
Equal power between friends	Display of power, not in friendship
Occasional	Frequent
Accidental	Purposeful
Demonstrates concern	Demonstrates pleasure
Takes responsibility	Blames others
Tries to solve the problem	No effort to resolve issue
Occurs anywhere	Occurs where bully is not seen by teachers

Teasing between Friends	Taunting by a Bully
Swaps roles with ease	Based on an imbalance of power
Not intended to hurt	Intended to harm
Maintains dignity	Meant to humiliate or demean
Pokes fun in lighthearted clever ways	Comments or acts are bigoted
Innocent in motive	Sinister in motive
Only part of the friendship interaction	Continuous action toward the target
Discontinued when person teased becomes upset	Continues or increases when target becomes distressed or objects

We live in a sinful world.  Because of sin, we know conflicts will happen in the world and school.  What we do when conflicts occur makes CTK different.  Conflict can turn into bullying.  Bullying has no place in a Christian community.  If either a conflict or bullying incident happens, the classroom teacher will handle it first.  If it is not resolved at this level, the Principal will become involved.  Any and all parts of the discipline policy will be used at that point.  The goal is always to resolve the issue through law and Gospel so that a Christian environment is restored and God is glorified. 

Parking Lot reminder

Dear Parents,

This is a reminder to drive slowly in the parking lot.  Take your time to look for running children, that most likely won't see you driving.  Give the right of way to our children walking across the parking lot.  At the end of the day, if you are waiting for your child and they do not exit right away, please be courteous and drive around to the back of the line.  Before and After school if your child needs help entering or exiting the vehicle, parking in a spot may be the best place to help your child.

As an office staff we are trying to develop the best way to drop off and pick up children.  We will take any good suggestions.

We want what is best for the safety of your children.

Dan

WHAT A GAME!

If you were at the Panther Invitation Varsity championship game, I am not telling you anything you didn't see.  Our Panthers were playing the top seeded team in the league, St. Matthew Westland, the grade school that I went to.  The Raiders (St. Matthew) have already beaten us a few times, including last week in the Northville Christian tournament.

The game was back and forth all game long.  One of the refs, who refs for High school games, said that game was the best and most exciting game which he has seen all season.  Our 8th grade boys were determined to win this game.  They did everything they could to score, steal the ball, and get rebounds.  St. Matthew also played very hard.  The Raiders best player in that game, who is also my cousin, hit a three pointer from the corner in the final seconds to tie the game up.

In overtime we shut down the raiders and won the game.  The excitement from the boys and the crowd felt like it was a high school state championship game.  This is the first year we won our own tournament.  Coach Poe did a wonderful job preparing the boys.

Next week we take on Guardian in the first round of  the league tournament.

Our JV team also played some tough games and finished 4th.  Below are some pictures from the tournament.

Panther Patrol Request

Dear Parents,

I hope everyone had a wonderful Christmas break.  Over the break the security team met and had some great discussions.  You will see some changes around school.  All visitors / parents must sign in and must have a name tag to be in the hallways.  We are working on the cameras and door buzzer systems.  The security team will be meeting later this month for updates and any new security changes.  The safety of your children is our number 1 priority.   All Doors will be locked at 8:30am.  Due to the safety of your children and productive classroom learning environment we ask that all parents leave the building at this time.                 

 One of the other outcomes of our discussion is a volunteer patrol watch group, or as we are calling it, Panther Patrol.  We are asking for volunteers to be part of our Panther Patrol.  The Panther Patrol group will have various responsibilities on their scheduled day of volunteer.  The morning will consist of standing by our West Entrance (by the 8^th grade room / gym entrance) from 8:10 – 8:30am.  At 8:30am we will ask this volunteer to make sure all outside doors are locked and walk through hallways and locker rooms.  We are asking this volunteer to be able to be a visual in the hallways, making sure hallways are clear of individuals and anyone without a name tag and reason to be in the hallways and meeting areas.  We will provide lunch for those who want to stay the entire morning.  If you are interested please stop by the office to fill out a Panther Patrol volunteer form.  We will be doing a background check on anyone who wants to volunteer.  After the background check clears, we will add you to the schedule as you are available.  If you have any questions please stop by the office.