January is Going Strong...

Hello Parents,
I would like to start this week's update by telling you all what a tremendous job our faculty and students did on Tuesday with the inclement weather. Though it is only January, not typical tornado season, the weather did take a turn for the nasty with several warnings in our area. We all acted quickly and got to the appropriate safe places to wait out the storm. I was so proud of everyone remaining calm and displaying excellent self-control. Our students are amazing little people, and it is a blessing to be with them every day, no matter the circumstances! It has been an exciting week, but let's get down to business and discuss the current/upcoming events.
First thing we need to discuss is Coming Home Dress Up Days next week. Just like in the fall, we like to give our elementary friends an opportunity to join in on the fun and festivities taking place in the high school. Our students love dressing up, and in return, we are showing support and building school unity. We want to wish our basketball teams good luck! Below, you will find the days (NOT EVERYDAY) we will be dressing up:


MONDAY: Favorite Sports Team (T-shirt or Jersey)
TUESDAY: Twin Day - 
On this day, students may dress up like one or more other students at school. (Example: matching T-shirt and jeans, hats, boots, socks, etc.) It's fine to keep things simple; remember, we all have matching Ezell T-shirts.
FRIDAY: Crazy Red and White Day

I would like to take a minute to reflect on today's chapel. The selected story has always helped me in moments of trial and hardship, and I would like to share my response.I love that we are a "Christian" school and can share God's word with one another.

We were so blessed today to have Danny Camp lead us in chapel today. He is the Educational Minister at Smyrna Church of Christ. He shared the amazing story of Jesus walking on the water. This story makes me reflect on how I'm just one little person - and a very weak and frail little person at that. No matter how hard I may try, I simply can't control every detail of what happens in my world. Around every corner, through all the twists and turns of life, lies the potential for situations that exceed my coping capabilities-- situations where the normal resources for life will not see me through-- situations that can quickly cause the floor to drop from under me, and send me plummeting down in a free fall. However, in spite of the fact that those situations may come, I know Someone who is always all-powerful, always infinitely wise, and always immeasurably good. He loves me and knows me by name. I don't have any promise from my heavenly Father that my life will always be easy, but I know that He controls all things, and I have His promise that He will see to it that all things will work together for good to those who love Him and are called according to His purpose (Romans 8:28). His Son Jesus has been honest and has told those who follow Him, “In the world you will have tribulation,” so I don't have any delusions about avoiding the tough times of life. However, I also have hope in those tough times, because Jesus went on to say, “be of good cheer; I have overcome the world” (John 16:33). Jesus walks high above the circumstances of life. As so long as I keep my eyes on Him during those tough times, He lifts me up to where He is, far above them all. The students learned that Jesus is above it all, and it is crucial that we keep our focus on him. Thank you Danny for leading us today!

Next on the agenda is our BOOK DRIVE! We are currently in the middle of this service project, and I've seen students toting in their books. Remember, our goal is 800 books! If our students can reach that goal, then they will get an extra Jeans and T-shirt day! The top class will also receive a special prize! So let's help those children and continue to teach the important lesson of giving! You all are so amazing and willing to help out, and it is a wonderful example for our students! Thank you!! The book drive will run through Friday, January 27.

UPCOMING EVENTS:

This Saturday, January 21, the school and PTO are organizing a school-wide work day. It will be from 8:00 a.m.-- 12:00 p.m. If you would like to help do some clean up around our school then we will see you on Saturday!

Our next SPIRIT NIGHT is January 26 at Raz'z Restaurant. Please go ahead and mark your calendars. We will be passing out flyers as the date approaches. You will be able to eat at the Antioch or Smyrna location from 5:00-9:00 p.m.! Let's remember that our first spirit night was a huge sucess. It was so wonderful to eat and fellowship together while supporting the school that we love! Thank you in advance, and I look forward to the big night!

SIGN UP NOW!!! Kids Half Marathon is coming soon! I have just received word that several age divisions are closing in on their capacity. This means that the spots will be filling up and selling out soon. They are allowing 3,000 more student participants than previous year, and it's catching on like wild fire! So if you want to participate, they are recommending you sign up by tomorrow, January 20. It is a wonderful opportunity for exercise and team building! Our staff is even putting a group together to participate in the half marathon. Let's do this together!

BOX TOPS! BOX TOPS! and MORE BOX TOPS! It's a competition between classes, so "bring it!" CUT, CLIP, and BAG them! 

Looking Ahead:

We will start our Cookie Dough sale Monday, January 23. 

Lastly, Sunday, January 29 we will have open house for new families. Please encourage family, friends, and co-workers to check out our campus. We need your support and help as we continue to grow our EHCS family!

Last week’s “Dinner Discussion” winners:

WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE SMELL IN THE WHOLE WORLD?
#1 Answer: COOKIES

Check out this week’s questions for discussion.

Check out the Video...

Hello All,


We are having a wonderful week. The teachers and students are working extremely hard as we head into the third week of the semester. On an encouraging side note, in our weekly staff meeting this week,  I shared another verse that has struck a cord with me. Hebrews 6:10 says, "God is not unjust; he will not forget your work and the love you have shown him as you have helped his people and continue to help them." We as an EHCS family are constantly encouraging one another, loving one another, and helping one another, which helps us grow together in our relationship with Jesus Christ. God has not forgotten us, but has blessed us tremendously. Now, that is something to smile about! 

 

First, I would like to mention what a wonderful job the young men on our high school basketball team did in our chapel today(see picture under "Eagle News" tab). They set a great example and were amazing role models for our younger students! Charlie Foster led us in song, Ryan Caldwell used his God-given talent to play "Amazing Grace," and Zyion McKinney brought us a wonderful lesson on the Good Shepherd (video to your left). At the end of chapel, we took a few minutes to hand out Perfect Attendance Certificates. Those students who received them have been present every day during the first semester! Way to go, students!

We have several things to discuss and put on our calendars this week. 

Last week, our students had the pleasure of seeing and greeting Fancy Nancy. They inspired me to dress up as this book character due to their willingness to donate their loose change to help other children. The loose change that was collected will be used to help buy books for our upcoming book drive. Thank you for your help with this service project. I do believe the students enjoyed meeting our red-headed friend. 


Tomorrow, our 1st-4th graders who made principal's list or honor roll will have "Donuts with the Principal." This is always a wonderful time to celebrate their achievements! I'm always so proud of our students!


Let's mark our calendars for these upcoming events:

This week you all received an e-mail about our first book drive. We are teaming up with Hands on Nashville and Book'em to collect and donate books for children who are less fortunate and cannot afford their own books. Our students can participate by bringing in one or more new or gently-used books. So start going through closets and bookshelves and see what you may have to donate. The drive starts Tuesday, January 17 -January 27th. Our Elementary goal is 400 books! You all are so amazing and willing to help out, and it is a wonderful example for our students! Thank you!!

On January 21, the school and PTO are organizing a school wide work day. There will be more information on what is needed as the date approaches, but go ahead and mark your calendars if you would be willing to help!

Our next SPIRIT NIGHT is January 26 at Razz Restaurant. There will be more information, but please go ahead and mark your calendars. Our first spirit night was a big sucess. It was so wonderful to eat and fellowship together while supporting the school that we love! Thank you in advance, and I look forward to the big night!

SIGN UP NOW!!! Kids Marathon Training is coming up (1st-7th grade)! It is a wonderful opportunity for exercise and team building for parents and students! Our staff is putting a group together to participate in the half marathon and show support for our students! Let's do this together!


BOX TOPS! BOX TOPS! and MORE BOX TOPS! It's a competition between classes, so "bring it!" CUT, CLIP, and BAG them! 

**DON'T FORGET to check out our new terrific ticket winners under the "terrific ticket" tab. Also, keep up with our chapel speakers by clicking on the "chapel speaker" link. We have our 2nd graders leading chapel on February 9. Lastly, our guidance counselor has added some new dates and information under the "Guidance Corner" link. 




Martin Luther King Day, Monday, January 16- NO SCHOOL

Last week’s “Dinner Discussion” winners:

HOW MANY TIMES WOULD YOU LIKE IT TO SNOW?

#1 Answer: 3 to 4 times

Check out this week’s questions for discussion.

Welcome Back

Hello Parents,


Welcome back! Here we are starting a new year filled with promise and potential. Many of us will focus on setting new goals, new resolutions, or even new financial plans. We all share the desire to start fresh and kick off the year in a very positive way! For me, instead of setting a new resolution each year, I like to focus on a new scripture for the year. I would like to share with you all the scripture that I am going to concentrate on in 2012, Phillippians 3:13-14, "No, dear brothers and sisters, I have not achieved it, but I focus on this one thing: Forgetting the past and looking forward to what lies ahead, I press on to reach the end of the race and receive the heavenly prize for which God, through Christ Jesus, is calling us." I believe that the singleminded pursuit of God will help me achieve any goal or resolution I desire. I personally look forward to an awesome semester with our students and staff. We will all continue to work together to make school a fun and safe learning environment. Again, welcome back!!


This week I am going to mention a few things that are coming up; additional information will be provided.


Report cards will be sent out via e-mail this Friday, January 6! Be looking for them!




We are making a big push for collecting "Box Tops" this month. I will be awarding prizes to several classes who bring in the most box tops in January. There will be a grand prize winner at the end of February, taking into account all the box tops brought in this school year. So cut, clip, and start bringing in those box tops in bags of 50!! I will be keeping a weekly classroom count for the month of January. 


This year, our school is doing its first book drive. We are teaming up with Hands on Nashville and Book'em to collect and donate books to children who are less fortunate and cannot afford their own books. Our students can participate by bringing in one or more new or gently-used book. So start going through closets and bookshelves and see what you may have to donate. More information will be provided next week. The book drive does not start until January 17, but I wanted to make you all aware of this upcoming service project. You all are so wonderful and willing to help out, and it is a wonderful example for our students! Thank you!!

Kids Marathon Training is coming up (1st-7th grade)! Information went out yesterday on this activity! It is a wonderful opportunity for exercise and team building for parents and students! Our staff is putting a group together to participate in the half-marathon and show support for our students! Let's do this together!

"Donuts with the Principal" will be next Friday, January 13.



Martin Luther King Day, Monday, January 16- NO SCHOOL

Break is coming but first...

Hello Parents,
I know this newsletter is coming a bit early this week, but we only have a few days of school left. I wanted to make sure everyone was on the same page about the upcoming half days. First, I would like to say what a tremendous first semester we have had. The support and love you have shown me in the few short months I have been here has been incredible. Alexander Graham Bell once said this very familiar saying, "When one door closes another door opens; but we so often look so long and so regretfully upon the closed door, that we do not see the ones which open for us." I feel we have all seen the opening of many doors here at Ezell and are embracing the change. I'm glad we are not choosing to stare at the closed doors but are opening our hearts to this community of friends and family here at EHCS. We are growing together, and I love being a part of our students' lives everyday! With all that being said, thank you for a wonderful semester, and I look forward to next year! Now, a few things to discuss before the break...


Wednesday, December 14th- Regular school day wearing our school uniforms (one last time before Christmas)!


Thursday, December 15th- ½ day of school, and we dismiss at 11:00 a.m. Our students can wear jeans and an Ezell T-shirt!


Friday, December 16th- ½ day of school, and we dismiss at 11:00 a.m. Our students are having "Polar Express Day," and they can wear their PAJAMAS!!


Monday, December 19th- ½ day of school, and we dismiss at 11:00 a.m. All of our classes are having their Christmas Parties, and students can wear a Christmas/Holiday T-shirt and jeans! The students are also going to get to sing Christmas carols together before their parties start!


Tuesday, December 20th- ½ day of school, and we dismiss at 11:00 a.m. Our students can wear jeans and an Ezell T-shirt or Christmas/Holiday T-shirt.


BREAKING NEWS!!
I have decided that after the holiday break during that first full week I will be coming to school dressed as Fancy Nancy. Fancy Nancy is the character who won the most money during the book fair this year. We collected this money to help Hands on Nashville. Thank you for your support!


That is everything I have for you all before the break. Let us reflect on those special Christmases and remember that it was not the presents that made it special, but the laughter, the feeling of love, and the togetherness of friends and family that makes Christmas special. Have a wonderful Holiday Break!

FOOD DRIVE EFFORTS...

"I am only one, but I am one.  I cannot do everything, but I can do something.  And I will not let what I cannot do interfere with what I can do."  ~Edward Everett Hale


You did it!! You did not let anything "interfere with what you could do" and you all brought in...

4, 361

That makes us GOAL BUSTERS, since we asked for 3,000 cans!! (Pictures of our 4th graders loading up the bus are below)


Thank you everyone,
 I so appreciate your contribution to our food drive. You truly did a wonderful thing. Your generosity will directly benefit the New Heights Community Center and those families in need. The canned goods we collected this week will allow New Heights to feed over 100 families! It has been such a blessing to watch children give and see them getting so excited about giving! Parents, you were a tremendous driving force in this effort, and you encouraged your children to give generously. Your example is a valuable lesson and a blessing in itself! Once again, thank you all for participating and supporting our can food drive this year!

  

Christmas is Coming...

Hello Wonderful Parents,

Another week has come and gone, which edges us that much closer to Christmas. “From home to home, and heart to heart, from one place to another, the warmth and joy of Christmas brings us closer to each other”– Emily Matthews. The joy of Christmas is most definitely in the air, and our students are so excited about many of the events coming up. They are practically chomping at the bit each day for the next activity. I am just so glad that we are all a part of this EHCS family and that we can share in the holiday spirit together!

We were blessed to have Steve Liddle, 3rd base coach from the Minnesota Twins, lead us in chapel today. He spoke to our students about being a team, and that the most important team was "God's Team." Thank you, Steve, for being with us today!

We have several things on the agenda to discuss this week. Tomorrow, December 9^th, our annual food drive comes to an end. We are so close to our goal of 3,000 cans! Please keep in mind all the families that we will be helping this holiday season. There is a quote out there by Mother Teresa, and I think it applies here: “If you can't feed a hundred people, then feed just one.” If we are all in this together, then our "one" person to feed turns into a hundred people. So let’s bring in those cans! Thank you all for supporting our service project and helping us reach out to those in need at New Heights Community Center.

Tomorrow, our students in the Fine Arts Academy are putting on The Nutcracker. Our teachers, parents, and students have been working extremely hard to put this play together, and you are not going to want to miss it. So put on your coats, hats, and gloves, and come on out to the high school gym tomorrow night at 7 p.m. The cost is $5 (EHCS faculty, staff, and students are FREE). I hope to see you all there!

Moving on to next week, we will have a Make-A-Wish T-shirt and jeans day next Tuesday. If your child paid for their shirt by the first deadline, then they will be able to wear their Make-A-wish T-shirt on December 13^th. There was a mix up with the shirts, and that is why we had to change the date.

Friday, December 16th will be Polar Express Day! All of our students will be watching the movie and participating in various activities related to the movie. The thing everyone loves is that they get to wear their PAJAMAS!!

Monday, December 19th will be Christmas Party Day. All students will be having their Christmas parties, and they are allowed to wear a Christmas or holiday T-shirt and jeans! (Our entire elementary will be getting together to sing Christmas carols first thing on Monday morning.)

**Our last half day will be Tuesday, December 20th!**

Let's not forget about...

Our sweet Brownie troup here at school is asking for our help!

They are collecting baby supplies for Morning Star Sanctuary, a domestic violence shelter. We are asking each grade level to bring the following items:

PK - Sippy Cups

K - Pacifiers

1st - Baby Wipes                  Due by: December 14th

2nd - Diaper Cream

3rd - Hand Sanitizer

4th - Baby Socks

Last week’s “Dinner Discussion” winners:

WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE CHRISTMAS SONG?

#1 Answer: Rudolph the Red Nose Reindeer (that is a classic song)

Check out this week’s questions for discussion.

Welcome December...

Hello Parents,
WOW!! It seems like forever since I have spoken with you all! I hope you all had a wonderful break with family and friends! It has been an amazing week! We have decorated the Eagles Nest to get in the spirit of the holiday season! The newsletter this week is going to preview lots of events and activities that are coming up over the next two weeks. It is important information, and everyone will want to be informed so no student is left out!

This morning, Ron Durchame led us in chapel. He spoke to our students about gifts. He said that we already have the best gift in the world, and that is Jesus! Let us always remember his love, especially during the holiday gift giving season! 

Important general information:


Hoodies can be worn to and from school, as well as outdoor school activities such as P.E. However, it has been a school-wide policy that hoodies cannot be worn in the actual classroom. HOWEVER, we have to decided that on Fridays all students will be allowed to wear hoodies to school and in side the classroom(school-wide)!


Next week marks the beginning of our annual Food Drive. Our goal is to collect 3,000 cans for the New Heights Community Center. There is a huge need for food at this center, and our school is the only one collecting for this group. There are about 100 families in need. We are challenging each student to bring in at least 10 cans. The class that collects the most cans will get to have a pizza party and watch a movie. 


**Santa Sale in the Eagles Nest on Tuesday, December 6th! Lots of new EHCS apparel! 



Next Wednesday, December 7th, the students who have already paid $10 for their Make-A-Wish T-shirt will be allowed to wear jeans and their Make-A-Wish shirt. They will be receiving those shirts soon! If you did not purchase this T-shirt then you are to be in your regular school uniform attire. Thank you!


Next Friday, December 9th, our Fine Arts Academy will be putting on The Nutcracker. It will begin at 7 p.m. and the students who are performing need to be here at 6 p.m. Let's all come out and support our students as they perform! 


Some things to discuss that are coming up during our half days of school...


**Friday, December 16th will be Polar Express Day! All of our students will be watching the movie and participating in various activities related to the movie. The thing everyone loves is that they get to wear their PAJAMAS!! 


**Monday, December 19th will be Christmas Party Day. All students will be having their Christmas party, and they are allowed to wear a Christmas or Holiday T-shirt and jeans! (Our entire elementary will be getting together to sing Christmas carols first thing on Monday morning.)


**Our last half day will be Tuesday, December 20th! 

**New Pictures under "Eagle News" and "Work/Friends"

Let's not forget about...

Our sweet Brownie troup here at school is asking for our help!

They are collecting baby supplies for Morning Star Sanctuary, a domestic violence shelter. We are asking each grade level to bring the following items:

 PK - Sippy Cups

 K - Pacifiers

 1st - Baby Wipes

   2nd - Diaper Cream

   3rd - Hand Sanitizer

   4th - Baby Socks

Last week’s “Dinner Discussion” winners:

What will you be doing over Thanksgiving Break?

#1 Answer: Spending time with Family (received lots of votes)

Check out this week’s questions for discussion.