Hello, Friends.
All classes are cancelled Thursday, January 31.
Stay warm and keep safe.
Wednesday, January 30, 2019
Tuesday, January 29, 2019
Communication from Carmel Schools
Dear CCS Families,
The National Weather Service has issued a “Wind Chill Watch” for our area. While Tuesday’s forecast will be chilly, we should be able to have a regular day of school. Wednesday is a different story. Temperatures are predicted to be around -10 degrees at bus pick-up time with wind chills ranging from -29 to -30 degrees below zero. Current predictions for Thursday and Friday aren’t much better. We want you know that school delays or cancellations are probable. We will monitor the weather tomorrow and try to communicate a decision Tuesday evening as follows:
- Phone and Email: CCS Families and staff will receive a phone call and email informing them of the delay or cancellation. Now is a good time to log in to your Parent Powerschool Portal to make sure all of your contact information is up to date.
- Text Message: CCS Families and staff may elect to receive a text message, but they must opt in by texting YES to 68453.
- Social Media: Information will be posted on our Facebook, Twitter and Instagram accounts.
- Local Media: Local TV stations will be provided information about the cancellation or delay.
We also would like to share the following winter weather safety information:
- Bundle Up in Layers! Bitter cold can cause frostbite and hypothermia. Dress in several layers, making sure head, neck and hands are covered. That means using those important winter accessories such as hats, gloves, scarves, facemasks, and boots!
- Shovel Sidewalks/Bus Stop Areas: Please shovel snow and ice off sidewalks and bus stops so students can walk safely and stand on the sidewalks rather than the street.
- Make Plans with Neighbors: When cold temperatures/wind chills and snow are in the forecast, make plans with your neighbors to have a warm car or house available close to the bus stop so students can stay out of the elements until the bus is in sight.
- Play it Safe: Set reasonable time limits on outdoor play to prevent hypothermia and frostbite. Have children come inside periodically to warm up and change into dry clothing.
- Stay away from ponds! Many residential neighborhoods have ponds—remind your students that walking on a frozen pond is dangerous even after several days of freezing temperatures.
- Know the Signs: Recognize the signs and symptoms of frostbite and hypothermia and seek medical treatment immediately if you believe someone is experiencing these medical conditions.
Sincerely,
Carmel Clay Schools
Monday, January 28, 2019
We cancel or classes if Carmel Schools delay or close
Dear Friends,
I have just received the following Twitter from Carmel Clay Schools. As a reminder, we will cancel all of our meetings and classes when Carmel has a cancellation or two hour delay. Check our webpage I will post as soon as I know of cancellations. Since our emails are batch processed you may receive an email until much later. Also, school delays and closings are posted on all local news channels. Finally, use your judgment and keep safe and warm.
Love,
Carolyn
Wednesday, January 23, 2019
Oh No! You get two weeks for one!
My apologies, Friends.
I did not click the publish button last week...I pressed the save button. I'm sure you missed hearing from me! Luckily you got the word out about our yoga session with Selina and we had a nice turnout and everyone was prepared in spite of my ineptitude.
Weather panic TV had us getting 12 inches of snow on Tuesday. Today it was down to a maximum of six inches. Who knows what will actually end up. That's the great thing about winter in Indiana and the weather. It is always a surprise. Will we get ice? Will we get snow? Will there be wind? Let's wait and see.
...and we did get ice, snow, and wind. We lost a tree in the event.
With of temperatures dipping way below freezing with a wind chill in the negative numbers. Be sure to protect your home from freezing pipes by opening cabinet doors under your sinks in bathrooms and in the kitchen if they are on exterior walls. Leave your water tap dripping so that water continues to flow to discourage freezing.
Remember we will cancel our meetings and classes whenever Carmel Clay Schools have a two hour delay or cancel classes. Check this webpage or watch the news.
Stay warm! Have fun in the winter wonderland.
International Bible Study: Tuesdays, 9:00-10:00, Room 100.
January 15: In John 8:31-32 Jesus tells the Jews who had believed in him, “If you hold to my teaching, you are really my disciples. Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free. ”They were a bit insulted! Reminding Jesus that they were Abraham’s descendants, they boasted that they had never been slaves of anyone. They hung onto that identity. Never mind that they were living in a country that was occupied by the Romans! A large part of our identity comes from our ancestors and the beliefs and values they have passed on to us. These Jews were claiming to be children of God, but they did not recognize God’s son when he came into their world. Their anger began to rise, and they picked up stones to throw at Jesus, but he hid himself and slipped away from them. His time had not yet come. ~ Jan
January 22: We read all of chapter nine the story of Jesus healing a man who was born blind. This is a great story full of drama and political intrigue. Read it for yourself. One very interesting discussion revolved around the man's parents' response to the legal system: they say ask him yourself, he's an adult. Because the word "fear" is used here, what is your initial reaction? Do you think they are throwing their son under the bus or do you think they are wise in having him answer for himself and not providing hearsay commentary that could be libel. We run into this situation as we raise our children. American culture and laws give our children privacy and full legal responsibility from the age of 18. If they sign a contract, liable. Their grades, health records, etc. are all protected by privacy laws. So much good stuff in this chapter! Enjoy the story. ~ Carolyn
January 29: Join us as we read chapter 10. The drama continues with analogies and discussion.
International Friends: Tuesdays, 10:00-11:30, Room 100.
January 15: We brought in favorite things from our kitchen to show and tell. We had a great variety of different gadgets that make our work easier or our life more pleasant. We enjoyed some of the results of our gadgets including fresh mochi and Mexican hot chocolate lattes made with cold brew coffee. You can see our favorites in the picture below. You can find them at Bed Bath and Beyond, Viet Hua or Japan!
January 22: We did yoga! Selina led us in a beginner, light yoga lesson. What a great way to begin the day!
January 29: Let's make dumplings! Bring your favorite filling and we will finish making them taste each other's favorite tastes. Sylvia and I will bring what comes to mind when you say dumplings to a Midwesterner or Southerner.
English Classes: Thursdays, 9:00-11:30.
Even though its cold outside, its a good time to practice your English. Bundle up and come out! You don't know what great thing you will learn.
Parents with Children: Thursdays, see our schedule
This month we are concentrating on staying healthy. We read Richard Scarrey's Nicky Goes to the Doctor to learn about going for a well doctor visit. The children made doctor cases. The morning flew by with cutting, coloring and painting.
January 24: Join us as we read about Johnny Lion and his terrible day. We will learn about germs and how they spread and how to get rid of them. We will practice finding things and play shapes "bingo" and wash our hands. We will have a splashy and sparkly fun time!
January 31: Join us as we expand our shapes study. We are reading Mothers Don't Get Sick.
negative numbers: numbers below zero (for example, -1, -2)
exterior: on the outside of something, in this case these pipes are in walls that are in the walls on the outside of your house as opposed to pipes in the interior or inside of your home
insulted: offended; demeaned
descendant: child; offspring
identity: the condition or character as to who a person is
ancestor: a person from whom one is descended
I did not click the publish button last week...I pressed the save button. I'm sure you missed hearing from me! Luckily you got the word out about our yoga session with Selina and we had a nice turnout and everyone was prepared in spite of my ineptitude.
Weather panic TV had us getting 12 inches of snow on Tuesday. Today it was down to a maximum of six inches. Who knows what will actually end up. That's the great thing about winter in Indiana and the weather. It is always a surprise. Will we get ice? Will we get snow? Will there be wind? Let's wait and see.
...and we did get ice, snow, and wind. We lost a tree in the event.
With of temperatures dipping way below freezing with a wind chill in the negative numbers. Be sure to protect your home from freezing pipes by opening cabinet doors under your sinks in bathrooms and in the kitchen if they are on exterior walls. Leave your water tap dripping so that water continues to flow to discourage freezing.
Remember we will cancel our meetings and classes whenever Carmel Clay Schools have a two hour delay or cancel classes. Check this webpage or watch the news.
Stay warm! Have fun in the winter wonderland.
International Bible Study: Tuesdays, 9:00-10:00, Room 100.
January 15: In John 8:31-32 Jesus tells the Jews who had believed in him, “If you hold to my teaching, you are really my disciples. Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free. ”They were a bit insulted! Reminding Jesus that they were Abraham’s descendants, they boasted that they had never been slaves of anyone. They hung onto that identity. Never mind that they were living in a country that was occupied by the Romans! A large part of our identity comes from our ancestors and the beliefs and values they have passed on to us. These Jews were claiming to be children of God, but they did not recognize God’s son when he came into their world. Their anger began to rise, and they picked up stones to throw at Jesus, but he hid himself and slipped away from them. His time had not yet come. ~ Jan
January 22: We read all of chapter nine the story of Jesus healing a man who was born blind. This is a great story full of drama and political intrigue. Read it for yourself. One very interesting discussion revolved around the man's parents' response to the legal system: they say ask him yourself, he's an adult. Because the word "fear" is used here, what is your initial reaction? Do you think they are throwing their son under the bus or do you think they are wise in having him answer for himself and not providing hearsay commentary that could be libel. We run into this situation as we raise our children. American culture and laws give our children privacy and full legal responsibility from the age of 18. If they sign a contract, liable. Their grades, health records, etc. are all protected by privacy laws. So much good stuff in this chapter! Enjoy the story. ~ Carolyn
January 29: Join us as we read chapter 10. The drama continues with analogies and discussion.
International Friends: Tuesdays, 10:00-11:30, Room 100.
January 15: We brought in favorite things from our kitchen to show and tell. We had a great variety of different gadgets that make our work easier or our life more pleasant. We enjoyed some of the results of our gadgets including fresh mochi and Mexican hot chocolate lattes made with cold brew coffee. You can see our favorites in the picture below. You can find them at Bed Bath and Beyond, Viet Hua or Japan!
January 22: We did yoga! Selina led us in a beginner, light yoga lesson. What a great way to begin the day!
January 29: Let's make dumplings! Bring your favorite filling and we will finish making them taste each other's favorite tastes. Sylvia and I will bring what comes to mind when you say dumplings to a Midwesterner or Southerner.
English Classes: Thursdays, 9:00-11:30.
Even though its cold outside, its a good time to practice your English. Bundle up and come out! You don't know what great thing you will learn.
Parents with Children: Thursdays, see our schedule
This month we are concentrating on staying healthy. We read Richard Scarrey's Nicky Goes to the Doctor to learn about going for a well doctor visit. The children made doctor cases. The morning flew by with cutting, coloring and painting.
January 24: Join us as we read about Johnny Lion and his terrible day. We will learn about germs and how they spread and how to get rid of them. We will practice finding things and play shapes "bingo" and wash our hands. We will have a splashy and sparkly fun time!
January 31: Join us as we expand our shapes study. We are reading Mothers Don't Get Sick.
apologies: you can say my apologies instead of "I'm sorry" and "my deepest apologies" is a formal way of saying "I'm very sorry"
luckily: it is fortunate that
luckily: it is fortunate that
ineptitude: lacking skill or ability; having incompetence (this is most often used when you would expect someone to be able to do something better than they do, especially someone trained in their field)
lost a tree: no, the tree didn't wander off or get stolen...it fell down and my husband and I ventured into the storm with saws to chop it up and make some big piles in the front yard...now we have a hedge!
wait and see: be patientnegative numbers: numbers below zero (for example, -1, -2)
exterior: on the outside of something, in this case these pipes are in walls that are in the walls on the outside of your house as opposed to pipes in the interior or inside of your home
tap: faucet
discourage: cause to stopinsulted: offended; demeaned
descendant: child; offspring
identity: the condition or character as to who a person is
ancestor: a person from whom one is descended
intrigue: planning in secret to hurt someone
revolved around: the conversation pertained to something
man's parents' (response): the apostrophe in both of these cases shows possession or something: the parents belong to the man and the response belongs to the parents. We leave of the additional "s" after the apostrophe when a noun is plural (more than one)
he's: there's the apostrophe again, but this time it is for a contraction: he is
throwing their son under the bus: of course there were no busses in Bible times...this isn't literal, but slang meaning someone blames someone else
hearsay: rumor, not something seen or heard in person
libel: an untrue, unfavorable comment about someone that is subject to legal consequences
liable: legal responsibility
comes to mind: a thought image that appears when hearing something
Saturday, January 12, 2019
Tuesday, January 15 International Friends
Hi, Friends.
I just read over the update that posted Saturday morning...And the International Friends for January 15 agenda was incomplete.
Join us on the 15th and bring your favorite thing from your kitchen to show and tell.
Also, bring ideas to fill our International Friends schedule. Do you have something to teach us? Do you have something you want to learn? Bring it on!
Stay safe and warm, drive slow and enjoy this beautiful snow day.
read over: to look at something carefully especially for mistakes and errors
incomplete: not finished, not containing everything
show and tell: a game played in schools where children bring something to class to share with their friends. This game helps us to know more about each other. In this case, it helps us find things to make our kitchen life more fun and efficient.
Bring it on!: this usually is said as a challenge. Do you think you can run faster that this turtle? Bring it on! In this case, my challenge is for you to bring on ideas or wishes for us to do together.
I just read over the update that posted Saturday morning...And the International Friends for January 15 agenda was incomplete.
Join us on the 15th and bring your favorite thing from your kitchen to show and tell.
Also, bring ideas to fill our International Friends schedule. Do you have something to teach us? Do you have something you want to learn? Bring it on!
Stay safe and warm, drive slow and enjoy this beautiful snow day.
read over: to look at something carefully especially for mistakes and errors
incomplete: not finished, not containing everything
show and tell: a game played in schools where children bring something to class to share with their friends. This game helps us to know more about each other. In this case, it helps us find things to make our kitchen life more fun and efficient.
Bring it on!: this usually is said as a challenge. Do you think you can run faster that this turtle? Bring it on! In this case, my challenge is for you to bring on ideas or wishes for us to do together.
Friday, January 11, 2019
January brings the snow that makes the toes and fingers glow!
Dear Friends,
It was so good to get back together with everyone this week. It sounds like almost everyone had a great holiday (except for those who had the stomach flu!).
We talked about the weather (because that is our favorite topic here in the Midwest). We have been blessed with some unseasonably warm weather. Statistics on The Weather Channel tell us that we have had 0.03 inches so far and that we usually have five to eight inches by now (not necessarily on the ground). I think we jinxed us! The latest forecast has us getting anywhere from three to five inches Saturday and will begin catching up with where usually are.
English Practice
The Weather Channel is a great place to watch to practice your English listening and vocabulary. The announcers use a great mix of idioms and slang. Aside from learning all important weather vocabulary, you can gain some key conversation points: everyone loves to talk about the weather! You can learn about how to drive in inclement weather and driving in hazardous conditions.
International Bible Study: Tuesdays, 9:00-10:00, room 100.
“I am the bread of life.” John 6:35
“I am the light of the world.” John 8:12
These sentences are the first two of seven self-descriptions of Jesus introduced by the words “I am” in the Gospel of John. As Jesus teaches the people, he reveals himself to them as the Messiah, sent from God the Father. The people are struggling to understand, and the Pharisees are challenging Jesus to prove his identity to them. They want him to validate his claims with the testimony of two witnesses. (This is their job as keepers of the Law!)
When you read John 8:12-30 remember that Jesus is conducting a legal discussion: Jesus points out that they are judging him by human standards, and if they really knew him, they would know that everything he says and does is coming from God the Father.He tells them in John 8:24 that if they do not believe he is the one he claims to be, they will die in their sins. As we read this verse in several different languages, we learned that in Portuguese this verse is phrased in a way that implies “to drown in their sins.” Verse 30 says, “Even as he spoke, many put their faith in him.” This is a very exciting story full of
January 15: Join us as we continue our discussion of the eighth chapter of John.
International Friends: Tuesdays, 10:00-11:30, room 100.
We caught up with each other and heard about our holiday adventures. We made some plans for the future. Check our open dates. What do you want to do? What can you teach us?
January 15: Let's show and tell. What's your favorite thing in your kitchen? Bring
English Classes: Thursdays, 9:00-11:30, upstairs classrooms.
It was nice to see everyone back at work. I enjoyed popping in your classrooms to see what was going on.
Parents with Children: Thursdays, check our schedule.
We made a take home books about January. We counted with cotton ball "snowballs" using kitchen tongs and muffin tins. It's fun to practice skills using different tools in a new way. This helps us to think about how to solve different problems and gives us the muscle memory to perform these actions. We practiced our snipping skills with our new ambidextrous scissors and made coffee filter snowflakes.
And breaking news! Pinkfong's Baby Shark is number 32 on Billboard's Top 100 List with 2.1 billion views. You can read more about it from Time Magazine! I'm sure we are big contributors to this popularity.
January 17: Join us! We are talking about visiting the doctor and reading Richard Scarry's classic Nicky Goes to the Doctor.
get back together: meet and resume a friendship or relationship
jinxed: cause misfortune
catching up: match, meet, gain ground
tongs: like this, and like this
snipping: making small cuts with scissors
ambidextrous: able to use either hand equally well to perform a task
It was so good to get back together with everyone this week. It sounds like almost everyone had a great holiday (except for those who had the stomach flu!).
We talked about the weather (because that is our favorite topic here in the Midwest). We have been blessed with some unseasonably warm weather. Statistics on The Weather Channel tell us that we have had 0.03 inches so far and that we usually have five to eight inches by now (not necessarily on the ground). I think we jinxed us! The latest forecast has us getting anywhere from three to five inches Saturday and will begin catching up with where usually are.
English Practice
The Weather Channel is a great place to watch to practice your English listening and vocabulary. The announcers use a great mix of idioms and slang. Aside from learning all important weather vocabulary, you can gain some key conversation points: everyone loves to talk about the weather! You can learn about how to drive in inclement weather and driving in hazardous conditions.
International Bible Study: Tuesdays, 9:00-10:00, room 100.
“I am the bread of life.” John 6:35
“I am the light of the world.” John 8:12
These sentences are the first two of seven self-descriptions of Jesus introduced by the words “I am” in the Gospel of John. As Jesus teaches the people, he reveals himself to them as the Messiah, sent from God the Father. The people are struggling to understand, and the Pharisees are challenging Jesus to prove his identity to them. They want him to validate his claims with the testimony of two witnesses. (This is their job as keepers of the Law!)
When you read John 8:12-30 remember that Jesus is conducting a legal discussion: Jesus points out that they are judging him by human standards, and if they really knew him, they would know that everything he says and does is coming from God the Father.He tells them in John 8:24 that if they do not believe he is the one he claims to be, they will die in their sins. As we read this verse in several different languages, we learned that in Portuguese this verse is phrased in a way that implies “to drown in their sins.” Verse 30 says, “Even as he spoke, many put their faith in him.” This is a very exciting story full of
January 15: Join us as we continue our discussion of the eighth chapter of John.
International Friends: Tuesdays, 10:00-11:30, room 100.
We caught up with each other and heard about our holiday adventures. We made some plans for the future. Check our open dates. What do you want to do? What can you teach us?
January 15: Let's show and tell. What's your favorite thing in your kitchen? Bring
English Classes: Thursdays, 9:00-11:30, upstairs classrooms.
It was nice to see everyone back at work. I enjoyed popping in your classrooms to see what was going on.
- Conversation class introduced the words lickety split (hurry) and hokey and danced the Hokey Pokey.
- Level 1 welcomed two new friends. In that class we don't have language translators, we have assistants that help us better understand English.
- Level 2 read the Dr. Seuss rhyming classic One Fish Two Fish Red Fish Blue Fish.
- Level 3 talked about having the time of your life. Enjoy this Green Day Song is a great explanation of this.
- In American Accent Training they were talking about outgrowing allergies and clothes both in past, present and future tense. This is so comforting!
Parents with Children: Thursdays, check our schedule.
We made a take home books about January. We counted with cotton ball "snowballs" using kitchen tongs and muffin tins. It's fun to practice skills using different tools in a new way. This helps us to think about how to solve different problems and gives us the muscle memory to perform these actions. We practiced our snipping skills with our new ambidextrous scissors and made coffee filter snowflakes.
And breaking news! Pinkfong's Baby Shark is number 32 on Billboard's Top 100 List with 2.1 billion views. You can read more about it from Time Magazine! I'm sure we are big contributors to this popularity.
January 17: Join us! We are talking about visiting the doctor and reading Richard Scarry's classic Nicky Goes to the Doctor.
get back together: meet and resume a friendship or relationship
jinxed: cause misfortune
catching up: match, meet, gain ground
points: topics, facts
inclement weather: unpleasant weather
in hazardous conditions: dangerous environmental factors
reveal: to make known; disclose; divulge
contributor: we helped make this happen since we watch this video so often!
validate: to substantiate; to confirm
testimony: statement or proof of truth or facts
die: to cease to live
drown: to die under water or other liquid of suffocation
popping in: stopping by unannounced or unplannedvalidate: to substantiate; to confirm
testimony: statement or proof of truth or facts
die: to cease to live
drown: to die under water or other liquid of suffocation
tongs: like this, and like this
snipping: making small cuts with scissors
ambidextrous: able to use either hand equally well to perform a task
Friday, January 4, 2019
Welcome Back
Happy New Year, Friends!
I hope that you have had a relaxing and enjoyable holiday season. It's time to pack away the old year and get on with the new. I am looking forward to our meetings and classes and hearing all about what you did over the break! What are your plans for the coming year?
Next week our classes resume:
International Bible Study: Tuesdays, 9:00-10:00, Room 100
Join us as we read the book of John (in your home language) and talk about the stories in English. Did you know that the Bible is the most translated book? This is a great resource for discussion on many levels.
International Friends: Tuesdays, 10:00-11:30, Room 100.
Join us as we kick off the new year. Come and share your new year's resolutions and holiday stories. Bring ideas and wishes for the rest of the year!
English Classes: Thursdays, 9:00-11:30, various classrooms.
Join us as we get back together and continue to grow in our English skills and friendships.
Parents with Children: Thursdays, children's classroom,
Parents, begin or end your session time with us and exploring American culture and English as it pertains to our children.
Children, we are looking forward to spending the morning with you playing and learning!
I hope that you have had a relaxing and enjoyable holiday season. It's time to pack away the old year and get on with the new. I am looking forward to our meetings and classes and hearing all about what you did over the break! What are your plans for the coming year?
Next week our classes resume:
International Bible Study: Tuesdays, 9:00-10:00, Room 100
Join us as we read the book of John (in your home language) and talk about the stories in English. Did you know that the Bible is the most translated book? This is a great resource for discussion on many levels.
International Friends: Tuesdays, 10:00-11:30, Room 100.
Join us as we kick off the new year. Come and share your new year's resolutions and holiday stories. Bring ideas and wishes for the rest of the year!
English Classes: Thursdays, 9:00-11:30, various classrooms.
Join us as we get back together and continue to grow in our English skills and friendships.
Parents with Children: Thursdays, children's classroom,
Parents, begin or end your session time with us and exploring American culture and English as it pertains to our children.
Children, we are looking forward to spending the morning with you playing and learning!
January's topics include keeping healthy and visiting the doctor.
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