message tuesday

There are several noteworthy items I would like to communicate today, but I’ll pick just two to elaborate and leave the rest for the shorter snippets in the attached Message Tuesday.
#1   (If you have opted out of auction participation, please proceed to item #2.)
Triple please with a big fat cherry on top turn your tickets and procured items and forms in to the office as soon as humanly possible.  Enough said :-)
#2  Harvest Party costumes
At ICA, our families come with a wide variety of opinions on this fall holiday known as Halloween.  Starting a discussion on this topic will elicit just about as many opinions as parents in the circle.   As a school, we’ve set out some guidelines for our Friday festivities here at school:
Since we really like to celebrate around here, we don’t just want to sit the holiday out and pout because its roots are rather nefarious.  Glorifying ghosts, witches, goblins, zombies and all things scary really doesn’t fit in with “whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is of good report”  that the owner’s manual (Bible – Philippians 4:8) tells us to fill our minds with. Why not just modify what it is we are celebrating?   We’re encouraging students who have a party in their classroom, to dress up as something that celebrates the light.  That idea opens up a TON of possibilities!  (Let me know if you need some ideas – I’m thinking Disney right now...).   
I heard today that the 2nd/3rd grade have decided to dress up as Bible characters.  If you avoid Genesis chapters 1-3 you’re probably safe there!
So whatever your particular take on Halloween, I hope you’ll be able to encourage your students to make merry this weekend by being thankful for all the things and people (real and imaginary) that fill our lives with joy and light!
Lots of good stuff in the attachment!
Blessings on your evening...


Brenda