LOGOS SCHOOL UPDATE – 2013/14 – #15
General
Christmas Program: The Logos Christmas Program will take place in the gym this Friday, December 13 at 7:00 PM. All are invited to attend! The rehearsal will take place the same day at the following times: Secondary 1:30-2:30, Elementary (preschool-6th) 2:30-3:30 (this is a change from the original schedule). Elementary students will meet in the classrooms at 6:45 PM and secondary students in the auditorium at 6:30. Please bring preschoolers right to the gym at 6:45 PM. After they sing, the preschool-1st grade students will go to the back of the auditorium to meet and sit with their parents for the rest of the evening. Attire for performers… Elementary: Logos dress uniform (young ladies may wear a special Christmas dress if desired, and young men are welcome to wear blazers). Secondary: Logos dress uniform only. Blazers are welcome for young men. Uniforms: This Friday is not a dress uniform day. Students will wear their normal uniforms on Friday so that their dress uniform is crisp and clean for the Christmas program that evening.
Elementary
Elementary Boys Basketball Clinics: All Logos 1st through 6th grade boys are cordially invited to participate in a series of basketball clinics that will focus on the fundamentals of shooting, passing, dribbling, and defense. All clinics will take place on Saturdays from 9 – 11 AM in the Logos gym and will be coached and directed by Jed Whitling and current Logos High School basketball players on the following dates: Dec. 21, 28 & Jan. 4, 11, 18. The cost is $20 for all five clinics. This is a great way to spend a Saturday morning and to get ready for the upcoming Moscow Parks and Recreation season. Brochures will come home this week.Secondary
Fall Finals Schedule: Final exams will take place next week. See the attached schedule to start planning ahead. Grades: We are two weeks out from the end of the semester. This might be a good time to sit down with your secondary student and look at their grades on RenWeb. All grades are current. Trivia Day: Next Friday after finals we will have a pizza party. Guys, please bring six “individual” drinks - cans of pop, bottles of water, or Gatorade. (No two liter bottles please). Ladies, please bring something for dessert.Secondary Student Surveys
We have our secondary students evaluate each class they take twice a year. Here are a few things that students had to say about Miss Dow this semester: -“She is always ready and cheerful to help. I really enjoy her enthusiasm. I love those stickers too.” -“Miss Dow was made to be a teacher.” -“She knows her rhetoric and loves teaching it.” -“She is an amazing teacher! I love her class!” -“She makes what could’ve been a somewhat boring class into one of my favorites. She’s also really helpful in admonishing our delivery for declamations.” -“She is very passionate about Latin.” -“She makes the class really enjoyable because of her witty and funny remarks.” -“She somehow manages to be cheerful, every morning.” -“Miss Dow is awesome!” Cheers, Matt WhitlingLOGOS SCHOOL UPDATE – 2013/14 – #14
General
Home Basketball Games: This Tuesday and Friday will be Fight’n Knight Days! Wear your Logos t-shirts and nice jeans to school and then come out and cheer for the high school girls and boys as they play their first home basketball games of the season. The first 50 fans in the door wearing their Fight’n Knight gear will receive a free hot dog!
Elementary
Kindergarten Play: This Friday Mrs. Sawyer’s kindergarten class will be performing a Christmas play. The show will open at 8:35 AM with a recitation by Mrs. Miller’s 1st grade. All are welcome. Front Parking Lot: Please do not leave your cars unattended in the lanes out front. If you need to come in to drop off or pick up your student, find a parking spot and come right in. If you are doing a quick drop off or pick up, and you will be staying in your car, feel free to use the right lane out front. Thank you!Secondary
Fall Finals Schedule: Final exams will take place the week before Christmas break. See the attached schedule to start planning ahead. Boarding Opportunity: The following student has been accepted to Logos and is looking for a boarding situation from January 1 – May 30. The “going rate” for a stay of this duration is around $3000. Kelvin Zhao (Auditing 8th Grade-Limited English) Hi, my name is TianYu Zhao (or Kelvin Zhao). I'm from China, and I will be auditing classes at Logos School beginning on January 7. I am 16 years old and am looking for a place to stay. I don’t have any allergies and I’m not picky about food. If you are interested in having me as a boarder please contact my sister, Chenchen, at fanchenwawj@gmail.comSecondary Student Surveys
We have our secondary students evaluate each class they take twice a year. Here are a few things that students had to say about Mr. Nance this semester: -“He’s very knowledgeable and always willing to help with questions.” -“Mr. Nance is always very gracious and patient. He loves helping the students understand the material.” -“He knows everything and he’s really funny.” -“This class is hard, but fun and informative.” -‘Mr. Nance is the physical manifestation of total awesomeness!” -“I can’t believe he spends over 12 hours grading our forensic oratory posters. That’s really impressive.” -“The thing that impresses me the most about Mr. Nance is good character, sense of humor, Christian life and how he gave up a great career at Boeing to become a teacher. Thank you for your sacrifice!” Cheers, Matt WhitlingLOGOS SCHOOL UPDATE – 2013/14 – Thanksgiving
General
Home Basketball Games: Next Tuesday and Friday will be Fight’n Knight Days! Wear your Logos t-shirts and nice jeans to school and then come out and cheer for the high school girls and boys as they play their first home basketball games of the season. The first 50 fans in the door wearing their Fight’n Knight gear will receive a free hot dog!
Elementary
Homework-0-Meter Results: Homework surveys are in, and we’ve crunched the numbers below. The formula we use to calculate averages is the total number of minutes, divided by the number of surveys returned, divided by 5 (assuming Mon-Fri). Parents, thank you for taking the time to complete the surveys! Actual Numbers: Guidelines: 1(McIvor)=14 min. 1(Miller)=16 min. 15 min. 2(Kimmell)=15 min. 2(Blum/Ctny)=20 min. 30 min. 3(Loyd)=13 min. 3(Akin)=21 min. 45 min. 4(Jones)=28 min 4(Bradley)=26 min. 45 min. 5(Kohl)=30 min. 5(Becker)=29 min. 45 min. 6th=65 min. 60 min.Secondary
Blue vs. White Scrimmage: This Tuesday evening, November 26, there is a varsity boys basketball scrimmage open to all friends and family. This is a great opportunity to see the team before we begin league play after Thanksgiving break. Tipoff is at 7:30 PM. Fall Finals Schedule: Final exams will take place the week before Christmas break. See the attached schedule to start planning ahead. Boarding Opportunity: The following student has been accepted to Logos and is looking for a boarding situation from January 1 – May 30. The “going rate” for a stay of this duration is around $3000. Kelvin Zhao (Auditing 8th Grade-Limited English) Hi, my name is TianYu Zhao (or Kelvin Zhao). I'm from China, and I will be auditing classes at Logos School beginning on January 7. I am 16 years old and am looking for a place to stay. I don’t have any allergies and I’m not picky about food. If you are interested in having me as a boarder please contact my sister, Chenchen, at fanchenwawj@gmail.comTattling vs. Reporting
In the past I’ve been asked what the school’s position was on tattling vs. reporting. On this topic, and all others, the primary watershed is love. A student who tells the authorities about a violation because he loves his brother (reporting) is on a completely different side of the mountain from one who tells in order to delight in the trouble that his brother will get in (tattling). Elementary teachers have discussed the following guidelines with their students. Feel free to follow up at home. Serious Situation (fighting, cheating, disrespect toward parents, foul language, etc.): How to Respond: Students should confront the person and report the situation humbly: “Either you can tell Mr. Kohl or I will.” There are some situations in which a student should skip the confronting part and simply report what has happened. Minor Situation (cutting in line, eating rudely at lunch, talking in line, his arm is on my desk, etc.): How to Respond: The first couple times that it happens, students should let love cover a multitude of sins. If this becomes a pattern (3+ times), students should confront the individual “Please stop putting your arm on my desk.” If the individual doesn’t stop, they should report the situation to their teacher who will take care of it. Happy Thanksgiving! Matt WhitlingLOGOS SCHOOL UPDATE – 2013/14 – #13
General
Thanksgiving Vacation: Please note that we have the entire week of Thanksgiving off. Enjoy the time with your family. Christmas Program: The program will take place December 13, the Friday before the last week of school. It will feature the Preschool through 11th grade students. More details about this special event will be coming as we get closer.Elementary
Midterms: Elementary midterms will come home this Wednesday. Please sign the bottom portion of the sheet and return it with your child by Friday.Secondary
Midterms: All secondary grades are current in RenWeb. Please log in and see the details. There are three more weeks of school after Thanksgiving. For more information about the school please visit https://logosschool.com/ Cheers, Matt WhitlingLOGOS SCHOOL UPDATE – 2013/14 – #12
General
Christmas Program: Our tradition has been to hold the Christmas program the Thursday before Christmas break. We have heard from a number of families that this is an incredibly busy time, especially for secondary students who are in the midst of final exams. In order to relieve some of this pressure, the program will take place December 13, the Friday before the last week of school. It will feature the Preschool through 11th grade students. More details about this special event will be coming as we get closer.Elementary
Homework-o-Meter: Please remember to fill these out over the course of the week and return them to the classroom teachers on November 15. This helps us gauge the amount of homework our elementary students are doing each night. Winter Clothes: Be sure to send your children to school with warm clothes. We will have recess outside unless it is raining hard or below 20 degrees. This may be a good time to make sure that winter clothing is labeled – just in case!Secondary
Secondary Student Surveys: Next week we will be asking the secondary students to complete a brief survey for each class that they are enrolled in. This survey is designed to communicate the students’ perceptions of the secondary program, to the secondary faculty and administrators. We value the students’ opinion, and our goal is to improve each year. This would be a great time to sit down with your child and discuss each class with him/her. Secondary parents are also welcome to provide input at this time. Simply print out the attached Secondary Student Survey and turn it in to Mr. Whitling’s box in the front office this Friday. For more information about the school please visit https://logosschool.com/ Cheers, Matt WhitlingLOGOS SCHOOL UPDATE – 2013/14 – #11
General
OPENING TONIGHT: Logos Varsity Drama presents: "Jeeves In the Springtime", on the Logos Gym stage, Wednesday - Saturday, Nov. 6-9. Curtain is at 7:00 each night. This is a delightful P.G. Wodehouse comedy featuring Bertie and Jeeves, Madeline Bassett and Gussie Finknottle, among the many unique characters. Tickets are available for pre-show purchase at the Logos School front office, or can be purchased at the door. Adults - $10, Seniors (65+) - $8, Students - $5, Family pass (4 or more) - $30.Elementary
Interschool Speech Meet: If your child has qualified and is going on to the interschool speech meet, please remember to meet in the front parking lot at 8:55 AM this Friday. I will have information packets for chaperones including maps to The Oaks.Secondary
Extracurricular Activities and Schoolwork: There are lots of great activities going on in the secondary (drama, junior high boys basketball, high school boys and girls basketball tryouts coming, planning for Mock Trial, Knowledge Bowl, etc.). At Logos, schoolwork comes first. This means that students who participate in extracurricular activities will be held to the same standard as everyone else. Students should look ahead, plan ahead, and redeem the time during busy seasons. For more information about the school please visit https://logosschool.com/ Cheers, Matt WhitlingLOGOS SCHOOL UPDATE – 2013/14 – #10
General
Fight’n Knight Day: This Friday students are welcome to wear their Logos t-shirts and nice jeans to cheer on our cross country team as they head to the state competition. Go Knights!Elementary
Promotion Policy: Now that the first quarter report cards are out, I thought it would be helpful to include a reminder about the elementary promotion policy. This is especially important if your child earned an “F” in any subject. Please see the attachment for details. Don’t hesitate to call with any questions or clarifications.Secondary
Renweb is Open: Secondary grades are available “on demand” for the duration of the school year. Feel free to check the website at any point to see how your child is doing in each class. Updated information on attendance, dress code, and discipline is also visible for your secondary student. Secondary Speech Meet 7th-9th: This Friday, November 1 is the speech meet. There will be an awards assembly in which some of the superior speeches will be delivered at 2:30 in the auditorium. All are welcome to attend. LAX Update: We are pleased to announce that we will have a high school lacrosse team this year. After a preseason meeting and some follow up with players and parents, we have 15 guys committed to coming out and fielding a team in the North Idaho Lacrosse League in March. Go Knights!Study Tip
Report cards came out last week. Many of us have busy enough schedules to think that if we actually looked over the card and made it to the right elementary conference at the right time, we had a successful week. Now is a good time, if you haven’t already, to sit down with each of your children and discuss their progress. Go over the report card together and talk about the feedback that you received from their teacher. Set a few simple goals that you will be able to remember and hold them accountable for when progress reports come home in November. For more information about the school please visit https://logosschool.com/ Cheers, Matt WhitlingLOGOS SCHOOL UPDATE – 2013/14 – #9
Elementary
Speech Meet: Wednesday, October 23. Parents are welcome to attend. No camcorders or younger siblings please. See the class HAS for time and location. Report Cards: Elementary Report Cards will come home with your students this Wednesday afternoon. Coats: Please send your child dressed for the weather. Students will go out to recess unless it is in the low teens or very wet. PE Testing: The 1st-6th graders have started in on their 2nd quarter physical fitness testing this week. Please see the attachment for details on events, requirements, and school records. Parent/Teacher Conferences (October 24 & 25): Almost all of the scheduling is complete. If you have not scheduled yet, please visit this site to do so: https://www.ptcfast.com/schools/LogosSecondary
Report Cards: Secondary Report Cards will come home with your students this Thursday afternoon. Secondary Speech Meet 7th-9th: Next Friday, November 1 is the speech meet. There will be an awards assembly in which some of the superior speeches will be delivered at 2:30 in the auditorium. All are welcome to attend.Study Tip for the Week
From this point on, the speech meet judges will not have a copy of each student’s selection in front of them. If your child misses a word or even a whole line from his selection, the best thing to do is – smile and keep on reciting. If the student continues on confidently after a mistake, there’s a good chance that no one else will even notice. For more information about the school please visit https://logosschool.com/ Cheers, Matt WhitlingLOGOS SCHOOL UPDATE – 2013/14 – #8
General
Preschool: Next year’s M/W/F Preschool class is already full and there are only 4 seats left in the T/Th class. If you would like to have a child in preschool next year, please apply soon. This Week: This week is the last week in the first quarter. Encourage your child to finish strong! Friday, October 18, is a teacher work day (no school for students and the front office will be closed). Teachers will be wrapping up the first quarter (grades and report cards) and preparing for the second quarter. There will be no dress uniform day this week.
Elementary
5th Grade Play (Thursday): Mr. Kohl’s class will be performing Perseus and Medusa’s Head this Thursday morning in the auditorium. The show will start with a short recitation by Mrs. Akin’s 3rd grade at 8:35 AM. Speech Meet: Selections will be performed for a grade on Thursday, October 17. Parent/Teacher Conferences (October 24 & 25): Almost all of the scheduling is complete. A reminder email will be sent out the Monday before conferences. If you have not scheduled yet, please visit this site to do so: https://www.ptcfast.com/schools/LogosSecondary
JV Play: JV Drama will present “Curse you Jack Dalton!” this Thursday and Friday at 7:00 PM, and Saturday at 3 PM in the auditorium. Come and enjoy this old fashioned melodrama by Wilbur Braun. Adults $6.00, Students $4.00, Family $20Study Tip for the Week
Plan ahead. Sit down with your child on Saturday and read over the HAS (elementary) or the Weekly Test Schedule (secondary) together. Talk about the tests and assignments with your child so that he is prepared before the week begins. A few minutes of discussion and study Saturday morning can help take the pressure off in the middle of the week when the circus is in full swing. For more information about the school please visit https://logosschool.com/ Cheers, Matt WhitlingLOGOS SCHOOL UPDATE – 2013/14 – #7
Elementary
Speech Meet: Selections are to be memorized by Friday, October 11. Parent/Teacher Conferences (October 24 & 25): Almost all of the scheduling is complete. A reminder email will be sent out the Monday before conferences. If you have not scheduled yet, please visit this site to do so: https://www.ptcfast.com/schools/LogosSecondary
PSAT: The 10th and 11th graders will be taking the PSAT next Wednesday morning in the gym. Honors Classes: Honors class fees ($25 per class) are due tomorrow. Please make a check out to Logos School and turn it in to your honors teacher.
Elementary Romance
Each year I make a point of speaking to the 2nd - 6th grade students about a fascinating and sometimes delicate oxymoron-elementary romance. I am very pleased to say that this has not been an issue that Logos elementary students have struggled with in recent memory nor do I have grave concerns this year. My primary goal is that we maintain a positive school culture in which students do not feel pressure to "grow up" too fast in this area. Over the past week I’ve stopped in for this year's installment, and I thought it would be good for you all to know what I had to say to the students and what my expectations are in this area. First of all, the school policy for the elementary and secondary reads, "Public displays of affection are not permitted at school or school activities." My interpretation of a public display of affection is very narrow. Any singling out of a person of the opposite sex, and anything that you could do to earn yourself the title of "an item" fall into this category. The discussion with the 2nd - 6th graders usually begins with me asking how old they are, and then following up by asking how old they think they will be when they get married. After clarifying, for the sake of the boys, that most people do not wait until they are 37 to marry, we move on to the application. The short form is that these students are a lifetime or more away from getting married, and any preliminary negotiations are absolutely inappropriate in the elementary. I am strongly against silly talk about who likes whom, and I am thoroughly opposed to premature pairing up (in the elementary and secondary). There is far too much fun and hard work for us to keep ourselves occupied with to give attention to cheap soap operas. Please don't hesitate to let me know if you have any questions or concerns. For more information about the school please visit https://logosschool.com/ Cheers, Matt Whitling