The 100th Day of School!

WARNING - LOTS OF PICTURES...I COULDN'T BRING MYSELF TO EDIT VERY WELL!  

We had one big celebration at PCA North on February 2nd. It was our 100th day of school!

Students and teachers came dressed as they might look at age 100! 

 

 

 

 

We began our day with some fun songs.  Mrs. Arredondo had previously taught students special songs for this occasion.  She even rocked out a little - using her cane as an air guitar!  Fun, fun, fun! 

 

We had some group activities during our morning assembly.  Students chewed bubble gum for 100 seconds and then tried to blow a bubble.  They also licked a lollipop for 100 seconds to see whose was the smallest in the end.

 

 

 

 

Of all of our morning activities, my FAVORITE was using tongue depressors to represent students at PCA North.  We talked about how many students were enrolled on the first day of school at our new campus, gave thanks for the 11 who have joined us during this school year, and prayed for those to come! 

After our opening activities, we went to the cafeteria to enjoy a little 100 day breakfast snack!

 

 

 

 

 

See this girl (ummmm....old lady!)?  She had us all cracking up as she opened her big red purse and pulled out a photo album of her "grandchildren" to tell everyone about her precious darlings.

Each class continued to celebrate the 100th day of school with great learning activities!  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Combining "old age" with the world of technology was really fun.  Teachers discovered an app called "Aging Booth."  Cool!  Students were photographed and then the app aged them to show what they could look like at the age of 100. 

 

 

May I say (one more time) how awesome the PCA North staff is? 

 

I have to say - I've never been more comfortable!

Ice Castle for Kindergarten

Mrs. Zarycki had a great idea!  She enlisted parents to help and students froze ice at home in various sizes, shapes, and colors!  

When students arrived at school, the ice was collected.  As the students' first activity of they day, they began work on their ice castle. 

First the ice was sorted into small, medium, and large sizes.  During the lesson, students reviewed previously learned information on states of matter and symmetry.  In the end, they had a magnificent ice castle, complete with a flag on the top!

 

 

 

 

Sactity of Life Chapel

All PCA chapels focused on Sanctity of Life.  How we do that is different at our different age divisions.  For our Lower School students, we focused on being created in God's image.  

Mrs. Steen did a fabulous job presenting to us.  She made things so concrete for our students by bringing a copy of the PCA Lion's Roar publication.  Several students were pictured in the magazine.  Students could easily understand that they were looking at an image of the person - not THE person.  After several more tangible examples, students could understand that, though we are certainly NOT God, we are created in His image.

We discussed our differences and how we are ALL created in God's image - reminding us to appreciate our differences.  

 

 

 

Thank you, Mrs. Steen, for reminded us that we are created in God's image and that we are to nurture and care for each other.   Like the entire chapel, the bubbles were a very tangible example!

Pajama Day with PreK 3

I love how teachers make learning so interactive.  New letters and sounds call for fun activities.  Who wouldn't love a good pajama day?  I wouldn't mind having one for the office staff soon!  

 

50's Day at PCA North!

We love to celebrate at PCA North!  Today, we celebrated our students meeting their goal when they brought Operation Christmas Child boxes before Christmas!  Since it was so busy before the Christmas break, we decided it would be more fun to "save" some of the hoopla for January.  Wow...was that ever a great decision!  Our entire school enjoyed dressing in '50's attire, eating lunch together, enjoying popcorn and coke floats, having a hoola hoop contest, and learning some hand jive!  It was the perfect day to provide a little sunshine to the dreary January weather we are experiencing in North Texas.  

 

 

 

 

 

 

SERVICE WITH A SMILE FROM MRS. DYSART

MRS. NOEL DEMONSTRATING THE ART OF THE HOOLA HOOP

 

OUR HAND JIVE TEACHERS

When I'm asked what I love most about our school, it is always a hard question to answer because, in reality...there are SO MANY THINGS!  However, the relationships formed between younger and older students is precious to watch.  I saw several hugs such as this at the conclusion of the 50's Day activities and before students headed back to class.  Ahhh...better than a coke float!

January the 6th is a special day in Mexico. Known as 'El Dia de Reyes' (Three Kings Day), this holiday represents the height of the Christmas season. The date marks the culmination of the twelve days of Christmas and commemorates the wise men who traveled to bring gifts for baby Jesus. The children of Mexico look forward to this holiday as traditionally, gifts are exchanged on this date, not on Christmas day.

El Dia de Reyes remains an important holiday for the people of Mexico. In addition to the gift-giving aspect of the day, there is also a cake that is specific to the holiday. Known as 'Rosca de Reyes' (King's Cake), this holiday dessert offers much in the way of symbolism. Shaped in the round to signify a king's crown, this sweet bread holds a special surprise. Baked inside is a small plastic figurine representing the baby Jesus.

Mrs. Arredondo made several cakes this week, as each class celebrated El Dia de Rayes.

Students also had fun leaving one of their shoes outside the classroom door and waiting for it to be filled with a surprise gift!  The shoes were even laid on a bed of hay to feed the camels of the wise men. 

In addition to the fun of this lesson, students were able to learn and practice many new Spanish vocabulary words and phrases. 

estrella - star
los zapatos - shoes
el nacimento - the birth
el Nino Jesus - the baby Jesus
la rosca de reyes - King's ring (King's cake)
los camellos - the camels
los Tres Reyes Magos - the three wise men