July, 2012

Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to the Lord. Philippians 4:6
Welcome to all of our new families starting with us at Pilgrim this year, and welcome back to all of our returning families! We look forward to a great year! Please feel free to contact the school office anytime you have questions, concerns, or suggestions, at 713-432-7082 at the phone extensions or emails listed below.
Dave Glienke, Principal - ext. 105 - [email protected] Amy Benitez, Admissions Director / Billing - ext. 103 - [email protected] Charlotte Schuman, Admin. Assistant / Records - ext. 101 - [email protected]

Parents of children in Pre-School through 8th grade will meet with teachers & receive packets beginning the last week of July through the first week of August. Toddler parents will pick up their packets from the school office. Bring packet with completed forms to Final Registration in the gym, Tues. Aug. 7th, anytime between 3pm & 7pm. All Toddler - 8th grade parents must attend Final Registration. Please bring more than one check, especially if you are interested in any after-school programs. First day of school is Thursday, August 16th. Children in K-8th are to dress in their Chapel uniform. For those who attended school at Pilgrim last year but have not officially re-enrolled, please re-enroll in the school office prior to final registration. Thank you.

Information regarding our new lunch program is also included in this newsletter. A representative from Catering for Kids will be on hand at registration to answer questions and to set up new accounts. We are excited about this year and hope you are too! Please be sure to read through this newsletter so you will be well informed and ready for school to start August 16th! Enjoy the rest of your summer and we look forward to seeing you soon!

Parent/Teacher Visits
All parents, Preschool through 8th grade, should meet with their teacher during the last weeks of July or first week of August. See information to the right for times and days. During this meeting, you will receive a packet with forms. Please fill out these forms and bring them with you to Final Registration on Tuesday, August 7th. Please bring more than one check.

Parent/Teacher Meeting Times: Pre-School - 3rd Grade

Teachers will be calling parents around the first week of August to schedule a visit, either at home or school, whichever you prefer.

We are delighted that you will be a part of the 2012-2013 school year. Its going to be a great year!

Toddler parents - If your child is in summer camp, the packet

will be sent home with your child the first week of August. If your toddler is not enrolled in summer camp, you may pick up your packet in the office. Please call before coming in to ensure your packet is ready to be picked up.

4th - 8th Grade Parent/Teacher Meeting August 2nd and 6th 6:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m. in the classroom

You may attend on either date anytime between the times listed Please be sure to go through your packet thoroughly and fill out all forms and bring the completed packet to Final Registration. above. Please be sure to bring This step is very important to ensure that your child is your child with you to meet with the teachers. completely set up and ready to go for the first day of school.

Pilgrim Lutheran School Summer Newsletter The First Day of School is Thursday, Aug. 16th, 8:00am - 3:20pm
(ToddlerPK classes are according to the timeframe you signed up for.)

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Kindergarten - 8th grade, be sure to wear your chapel uniform!

Sports Physicals

school year. If your physical is scheduled before you receive your home packet, please stop by the school office and pick up a PLS physical form.

to be tired, cranky and unable to focus. We appreciate everyones cooperation! Some of our classes may be Peanut/Nut Free. These classes will be determined as allergy information is gathered from parents, and notices will be posted. We understand this may be an inconvenience for some families but ask that you respect the families with severe allergies as it could be life threatening in some cases. Even though it may be inconvenient to those families withfor Kindergarten - 8th grade. Students in Pre-School and Pre-K attending a half day should be picked up at 11:30 a.m. Any student not picked up 10 minutes after school is dismissed will be taken to the appropriate childcare room. Hourly childcare is $6.00 per hour on a space available basis.

All students participating in after school sports, including cheerleading, must have a physical and have their doctor complete the PLS medical history form prior to athletic competition. These must be done annually. Physicals done prior to June 1st are not valid for the upcoming

Snacks
A suggested snack list will be included in your registration packet. Please send healthy snacks rather than sugary snacks to school. Healthy snacks will help your child to stay focused and on task. Sugary snacks can lead to a sugar crash causing children tests will be offered by a private testing firm at our school August 28th. You may sign up for this testing at Final Registration and a nominal fee will be collected.

out nut allergies, imagine if your child was in that situation and what you would do to keep him/her safe. Our goal is to keep all of the children happy and healthy!

Uniforms
Uniforms for K-8th grade are to be purchased from Parker School Uniforms. The Parker location serving Pilgrim parents is located at 3817 Bellaire Blvd., 77025, or online at:

www.parkersu.com Final Registration for all registered families

Immunization Records
All new students must fill out the immunization form provided by our school and have it signed by their physician. Please make sure your students shots are up-todate. All new students, all 4 year olds, K, 1st, 3rd, 5th & 7th graders must have vision and hearing tests. All 6th graders must have a spinal screening for Scoliosis. These

Childcare and Pick Up Times

Please sign up for childcare at Final Registration. For children not enrolled in childcare, the pick up time is 3:20 p.m. If your child might need to take generic Acetaminophen (Tylenol), Tums (antacid) or throat lozenges during the year, these items will be available in the school office IF the authorization form is on file with the parents signature and instructions. Please fill out an authorization form ahead of time. These forms will be available at Final Registration.

Toddler - 8th grade Tuesday, August 7th, in the gym anytime between
3:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m.

Your attendance is very important!

If you absolutely cannot be present at registration, please call the school office to make an appointment BEFORE Aug. 16th, the first day of school. If you attended Pilgrim last year but have not re-enrolled, please complete this process before attending final registration.
Student fees for those who chose to pay them in August, and the 2nd half of the Activity Fee for those who have not paid it, will be due at this time.

Medication
All medication (over the counter and prescription) must be administered through the school office. This includes cough drops and eye drops. Please bring medicine to the school office in the original container. An authorization form must be filled out and signed by the parent in order for your child to receive medicine. Your pharmacist will divide your prescription in two if you ask them for one bottle for school and one for home.

School Supplies
If pre-packaged school supplies were ordered, they may be picked up at Final Registration. If you did not pre-order school supplies, please call the school office as we may have extras available. If no extras are available, it will be necessary to purchase your childs supplies elsewhere. We do carry a limited amount of miscellaneous supplies. We will have a supply of the items indicated on the supply list as bookstore only.

Pilgrim is converting to RenWeb! Details available at registration.

2012-13 Theme - iPray @ Pilgrim Lutheran School

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Catering for Kids - School Lunch Program

As you may know there will be a change in our lunch program for the coming school year. Catering for Kids will be our lunch provider beginning in the 2012- 2013 school year. Catering for Kids cooks lunches for other private schools in the area and offers a variety of menu items, as well as daily options. Catering for Kids uses the freshest ingredients possible, including fresh fruit and salads. A nutritionist approves all of their menus. Catering for Kids allows most of the business to be conducted on-line: view the monthly menus, review your account, and make payments. Orders are placed each morning in the classroom. You will be receiving information soon from Catering for Kids regarding pricing and menu items. The cost of a lunch ranges from $1.50 - $5.40. Attached you will find a summary of the costs and a sample menu. Look for an email from [email protected] with instructions on how to set up your online account for August. You may visit their website to read all about them, and view the current menu they have in place for their other schools. Go to www.cateringforkids.com and click on the "contact us" tab if you have questions for them. They will answer you promptly. We look forward to providing healthy lunches for your child and working with Catering for Kids. If you have any questions for the school regarding our lunch change, you may email David Glienke at [email protected] or call me at 713-432-7082 ext 105.

Chapel
You are invited to worship with us both at school worship (Wednesdays @ 8:15 am) and in congregational worship services Sundays at 8:15 am, 10:45 am and Bible Study at 9:30 am. We also have a contemporary worship service Saturday at 6:00 pm. You and your children will grow spiritually and emotionally. During the school year, the students participate in chapel in a variety of ways, from leading chapel services to presenting a song. Watch the Panther Press (Monday weekly newsletter) for more details during the school year. Toddler - Kindergarten will attend chapel on Wednesday mornings at 8:15 a.m. Approximately twice each month they will worship with 1st - 8th graders in the sanctuary. The other weeks they will meet in the Parish Hall at 8:15 a.m. for a special worship service more specific to their age group. Please see the Panther Press for the chapel schedule each week.

Friday Theme Shirts

Friday Theme Shirts will be available for sale at Final Registration, August 7th. Students will be allowed to wear these shirts as part of their regular uniform on Fridays. Shirts are to be worn with regular uniform pants, shorts, skirts & skorts. The cost for the theme shirt will be $10.00. Friday theme shirts from previous years may also be worn instead of a uniform shirt on Fridays. Theme shirts will also be worn on class field trips so that the Do not be anxious about children will be easily identified.

This years Bible verse, Philippians 4:6, will be on the back of the t-shirt (verse & design by prayer and petition, with shown to the right) and the front will feature the iPray logo. If you should need additional shirts throughout the year, we will have additional stock requests to the Lord. available in the bookstore. However, sizes and supplies are limited. We also have past years theme shirts available for a discounted price. These shirts may also be worn on Philippians 4:6 Fridays.

anything, but in everything, thanksgiving, present your

Pilgrim Lutheran School Summer Newsletter Toddler and Twos News

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Pilgrims Family Night Out

Our Toddler students are a very important part of On Friday, August 17th, all families of Pilgrim Lutheran School our student body. They are included in chapel, some are invited to a meal beginning at 5 p.m. This will be a great assemblies (when appropriate for their age), pep opportunity for families to get acquainted and have fun playing rallies, and other events that take place on campus. games too! We hope you will join us for food, fellowship and Our toddlers participate in a developmentally appropri- fun! ate program designed specifically for them. This program is conducted in the mornings, so it is important that your child arrive at school by 8:00 a.m. This gives them the opportunity to get settled in and get ready for the day. Pilgrims first PTL meeting will be held on Thursday, Sept. 13 th. Toddlers will attend chapel with the pre-school, The evening will begin with a meal at 5:30 p.m., followed by a pre-kindergarten, and kindergarten classes approxi- meeting giving an overview of the year, and concluding with a mately twice each month on Wednesdays in the Parish time for families to visit the classrooms.

PTL Back to School

Hall. The other weeks they will attend chapel with all the students of Pilgrim on Wednesdays. Chapel begins The PTL (Parent Teacher League) will meet four times throughout the school year. Being a parent automatically at 8:20 a.m. makes you a member. Each PTL meeting will begin with a Please keep in mind that the Toddler class follows the meal, then a short business meeting and then some sort of academic year. In January we will begin enrolling for family friendly activity. PTL meetings give all of our parents the the next school year; this includes the toddlers. In opportunity to have a voice in decisions made about your order to hold your spot for the following school year, school and also a great way to get involved. Children who see re-enrollment papers must be turned in. We give our their parents involved tend to be more involved too! current families first opportunity to re-enroll, but after a specified date, we will open the classes to new families. Early Childhood classes (Toddler - PK) fill up quickly. Summer Come enjoy some fellowship while working Camp is a separate program from the together to spruce up the facilities even academic year. Enrollment for Summore. On Sat., Aug. 4th and 11th, the fun mer Camp begins in March. begins at 8 a.m. and ends around 12 noon. We are so glad to have your family Projects include yard work, cleaning the with us this year and we hope to have playgrounds, and general cleaning. you here for many years to come!

Work Days

Panther Press
The Panther Press is a newsletter that is emailed to each family every Monday. We encourage you to look through the newsletter each week to keep on top of upcoming events and what the children are doing throughout the year.

After School Activities

If you are interested in after school activities for your children, we have several to choose from. Representatives from Tumble Tykes and Kid Fit will be on hand to answer questions about their programs and give you the opportunity to sign your children up. Additional programs may be available but have not confirmed at this point. These programs are an additional cost paid to the companies that provide the services. Prices will vary depending on the activity you are interested in. Stop by and visit these tables at Final RegistraThe Panther Press often features tion for more information. pictures of the children doing things around the school, on field trips, honor roll and other events. It also has sports schedules, chapel schedules, computer club and yearbook schedules as well as The bookstore, which is located across the hall from the school office, is open from 3:20pm - 3:30pm each school day. The bookstore stocks basic school other important information. supplies, gym uniforms (5th - 8th), jackets, theme T-shirts, book covers and Watch for the newsletter each Monday candy. and take a few minutes to look it over. If you do not have email, you Snacks may be purchased after school only. Please do not bring bills larger can also read it on our website, than $10. We keep a very limited supply of cash to make change. www.plshouston.org. We also post it on the bulletin board in the hallway by the Some bookstore items will be on hand at Final Registration such as gym bookstore and have extra copies on the uniforms, theme T-shirts, and items on your school supply list marked bookstore only. ledge of the front desk.

Bookstore

Tuition and Childcare Payments

All tuition for students in Toddler - 8th grade will be paid through Smart Tuition services. Smart Tuition Online, www.smartontheweb.com provides 24 hour a day, 7 days a week access to your account status.

Security Gate Cards

If you were with us last year, please bring your gate card to Final Registration to be reactivated. Please be sure to bring all cards associated with your family.

For those of you joining us for the first time this year, you will be able to sign up for your gate card(s) at Final Registration. There is All before and after school childcare for Kindergar- no initial charge for this card. ten-8th grade is paid through Smart Tuition. Student Fees for Toddler - 8th have been added to the Please make every effort to bring your gate card with you Smart Tuition monthly payment for those who when visiting the school. This will eliminate time you will have chose that option. Band fees for 6th-8th grade will to spend waiting for someone to buzz you in. If you do forget your card, please ring the bell one time and give the office be added to your Smart Tuition account as well. staff time to respond before ringing the bell again. After a reaSmart Tuition allows a 10 day grace period from sonable amount of time, if you have not been buzzed in, your due date before charging a late fee. Smart please ring the bell again. Please do not allow children to ring Tuition will charge a $35 late fee for payments re- the bell for fun or more than once if you allow them to ring for ceived after the 10 day grace period. you. We appreciate your cooperation! All drop-in childcare & hours used outside of your normal timeframe will be billed to you at $6.00/ hour. This information is turned in to the office on the last day of each month and will be billed within 5 days from the end of the month that drop-in childcare was used. Please be aware that the fee for picking up children after 6pm is $10.00 for the first 10 minutes and $10.00 for every 5 minutes thereafter. We understand things happen out of your control that can cause you to be late. Please make every effort to be here by 6pm so our childcare staff may leave on time to be with their families. Drop-in childcare used on holidays and non-school days by children who do not normally use before/ after school care will be billed at $40.00 per day. If you have any questions regarding your Smart Tuition account, please call Amy Benitez at 713.432.7082 ext. 103. If you lose a card, please report it to the school office right away so we may deactivate your card. Replacement cards will cost $10.00. If you have purchased a replacement card and later find the one you lost, we will reimburse the $10.00. If you should withdraw during the year, or if you do not plan to return the following year, please be sure to return all gate cards to the school office on your last day. Cards may be deactivated and reissued to new families. This helps to keep the cost of the gate cards down so we can continue to issue them to our families at no charge.

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Dont forget to bring your completed packet to Final Registration!

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