PCS Students Reaching out to the World Operation Christmas Child
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PA P UBLICATIONC OFS PASADENAc CHRISTIANen SCHOeO L VOLUME 24 NUMBER 01 SUMMER 2012 PCS Students Reaching Out To The World Learning to care for others starts early at PCS. In Kindergarten, students receive a weekly chart noting whether or not they were "Kind to my Friends." Students are also rewarded for doing nice things for their fellow students with a "Positive" Student Observation. This philosophy of looking out for others and living one's Christian ethics is integral to the school's core objectives, one of which is: Citizenship We strive to have each student: • Demonstrate sensitivity to the similarities and differences of others • Develop abilities to work productively in group settings • Demonstrate obedience and respect for those in authority to achieve optimal group goals • Identify with Christian ethics and values in all situations. (For a full list of objectives, see www.pasadenachristian.org/about-pcs/test2b.cfm.) Being an active, concerned world citizen starts early and continues on throughout one’s time at PCS. Through our many outreach opportunities on campus, our students can choose a variety of ways to help others – both near and far away. A few of our most popular, long-standing Student Outreach projects are highlighted in the following articles. Operation Christmas Child Beginning in October, all PCS students (even the preschoolers) are given an opportunity to fill a shoebox with small toys, school supplies, personal items, etc., for children in developing nations, through the organization Samaritan’s Purse. The shoeboxes join with thousands of others from around the world and are distributed at Christmas time to needy children. At the annual Thanksgiving chapel in November, the students and families of PCS present their shoeboxes on stage. This past year the total came to about 275 shoeboxes, and in years past, it has been well over 350. One year, the UPS delivery man was so impressed by our project that he brought in his own shoebox to contribute. Organizing teachers Kristal Gallego and Margot Bricker say a special, "Thank you to all our families for participating year after year; it is a real blessing to the children in need." (Continued on Page 2) Reaching Out to the World (cont’d) Annual Missions Project During the month of January, the focus of our school chapel is missions. Each year, PCS selects a different project to support and for which to raise funds. Over the past few years, the students and families have supported Tsunami Relief; Hurricane Katrina Relief; digging wells, providing school supplies, building a bath house for a school and an orphanage in Swaziland, Africa; supporting a Microfinance program helping people become self-supporting and in turn helping others; purchasing solar panels and technology hardware along with supplying a library in Papua New Guinea, to name a few. This past year, each class selected a project from the Samaritan’s Purse gift catalog. Among the projects selected were: providing materials to help children grow in their faith, providing funds for purchasing chicks, honeybees, goats, medicine, water filters, mosquito nets and instructional reading materials. On average, our students raise $7,000-$9,000 each year to support mission efforts around the world. Thank you, Elementary Principal Mrs. Bailey, Liam Selak sees how big he can make the bubbles. Julia Swanson acts out the book Makani San-Martin & Isaac Lai take turns Teddy Bears Have Their Picnic. at the water table and observe how water for your commitment to this particular project. moves the wheel. Red Cross Blood Drive Outdoor Learning In a world driven by technology, children are increasingly missing out on the daily pleasures of learning through The PCS Blood Drive is an annual event organized by the Junior High Student Council along with their advisor nature and play. Many preschools are now realizing the value of offering expanded outdoor teaching experiences. and Jr. High Teacher Kerrianne Coe-Renner. Working with the American Red Cross, council members learn about Organizations like the Child Education Center in La Canada have started initiatives such as “The Outdoor the constant need for healthy blood. They pass on this knowledge to the entire Junior High, encouraging students Classroom Project” to implement outdoor learning on a larger scale. While the project started locally, it has taken to go out and ask potential donors to sign up. Students know that according to the Red Cross, the number one root and is now making national headway. Organizations such as Nature Explore and the National Association for reason people don't give is simply because they are not asked thus making the students’ effort vital to the life-saving the Education of Young Children (NAEYC) have taken a keen interest and are pushing the philosophy of providing process. We average 40-50 donors. By hosting a blood drive every year, it is our hope that not only will we have a engaging outdoor experiences for children nationwide. successful drive and give young leaders valuable practice in implementation of a significant event, but also that we will instill in our students the importance of blood donation. “We want our PCS grads to be part of the next At Pasadena Christian Preschool, outdoor learning has always been an important aspect of the curriculum. generation of blood donors!” says Mrs. Coe-Renner. As a leader and Demonstration Site for the Outdoor Classroom Project, many of our staff members have spoken When asked how the blood drive affected her, eighth grade Student Council Member Serene at conventions offered by the Association of Christian Schools International (ACSI). In addition, our school offers Babikian stated, “It made me think about others - people in need of blood. By just a single donation, tours of our beautiful Outdoor Classroom to other schools interested in pursuing the movement towards creating they could be saved. It was nice to see many donors come to PCS and give blood. That made me a natural and engaging outdoor environment. We are so delighted to be at the forefront of this movement. personally think about my decision to donate blood one day.” The PCS Outdoor Classroom features a sanctuary in which children explore, discover and learn - including a large Included in the special projects mentioned above students also raise funds to support a local learning and resource sand area, trikes and "balance bikes," sports equipment, a quiet reading and calm-down area, a dramatic play center for children with Down’s syndrome, collect books for Children’s Hospital Los Angeles, and collect tab tops (dress up) area that changes its theme monthly, sensory and science tables, and opportunities for construction, from aluminum cans to support Ronald McDonald House. If you would like to learn more about any of the projects music, art, and writing. It also has the normal play structure with lots of shade for active above, or want to take part as an alum, please contact the school. play. Whether the children are playing in our large yard or under the covered enrichment patios, our children can enjoy outdoor play all year long-rain or shine. Preschool Picassos With our Demonstration Site status reconfirmed this year, we will continue educating other schools in an effort to help bring more preschools and students outdoors. If you haven't seen it yet, please drop by for a tour. You will Picasso said, “Every child is an artist.” At Pasadena Christian Preschool, we couldn’t agree more! Inspired by the no-doubt be very impressed. And please, "spread the word" about our great preschool. It now has the reputation preschool art studios in Italy, our studio is designed to be a haven of creativity for young minds! of being one of the best in the greater Pasadena/South Pasadena/La Canada area. In an effort to foster this creativity, the Preschool welcomed Monica Bucknam to our staff as our new art teacher this past year. With a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Graphic Design, she has won many accolades for her work in cinema and network Thank You Linda Taylor-Bell television. She has been a fantastic addition to our dynamic team of teachers and has truly inspired our children to delve After 12 years, we say goodbye and thank you to our former PCScene into the world of art! In the studio, children learn about various artists and they experience inspired techniques, methods Preschool Director, Mrs. Linda Taylor-Bell. As the founding director, and artistic mediums. From woodworking and painting to sculpture and clay, our students are challenged with developing Summer 2012, Volume 24, Number 1 Linda was responsible for designing the facilities of our school; guiding PCScene is published twice each year for their creativity, spatial reasoning, and problem solving skills to create beautiful masterpieces that are worthy of the mantle! the school through the licensing and accreditation process; and creating parents, alumni, former parents and friends of: We look forward to how our students will be inspired as they continue to explore and expand their artistic talents. an outstanding child-centered program that has served hundreds of PASADENA CHRISTIAN SCHOOL students. 1515 North Los Robles Avenue Pasadena, CA 91104 Willem Klop hand built a baby elephant Lara Georgian, Audrey Meleka and Kailee Sunada Liam Selak draws his interpretation of Van Gogh's sunflowers. using clay. collaborate on a mural towards a shared goal. (626) 791-1214 Pasadena Christian Preschool has received numerous awards and grants Fax: (626) 791-1256 that reflect the quality and commitment of her leadership and vision for www.pasadenachristian.org the school. We will be forever grateful for her dedication and hard work Editing Team.................................Larissa Althouse, in "shaping hearts and minds for life." Antoinette Andrews, Lucia Rosling Shaw Printing .............................California Coast Color Layout..................................................narrative,llc 2 PCScene Summer 2012 PCScene Summer 2012 3 Plans for a New Science Center Pasadena Christian School is happy to announce that plans for a new campus Science Center are underway.