AVC Welcomes Its Newest Member

On Sept. 17, 2009, Apple Valley Christian School's family expanded with the birth of Morgan Marilyn Scranton, granddaughter of Cindy and Bob Scranton. Morgan Marilyn, M&M's for short, weighed in at 6 lbs. and 12oz. and was born to Crystal and Steven Scranton (alumni of AVC). When you see Cindy and Bob Scranton helping out around campus, be sure to congrat the proud grandparents.

Harvest Festival

Be sure to mark your calendars for AVC's annual Harvest Festival. It will take place on Oct. 30th from 5-9pm. Come and experience tons of family fun!

FUNdraising Update

We have several ongoing FUNdraisers here at Apple Valley Christian School: a recycling program, Goodsearch.com, and Green Raising, all of which were mentioned in the last newsletter. I also wanted to make sure to let you all know that if you have a RED card from Target they will donate a portion of each of your purchases back to the school when you mention AVCS.



Be sure to mark your calendars for these upcoming events:

- Car Show & Parking Lot Sale- Sept 26th from 8am-2pm

Vendor spaces are still available for $25.00

In-N-Out meal tickets are for sale in the front office of AVCS



- Dueling Pianos at Kinari- Oct 3rd starting at 7:30pm

Tickets are for sale in the AVCS office- $20 for general seating and $50 for VIP seating



-Bags for Books (Purse Sale) at Today's Woman- Oct 17th

Still accepting new and gently used purses, belts, and shoes



- Barnes and Noble Book Fair- Nov 19th

All sales designated for AVCS throughout the day (books, music, movies, and even the Cafe) will earn the school a percentage of the profit taken



-See's Candy Sale- Nov



To receive more information about any of the upcoming events or to volunteer to help, please contact Lisa Kennedy at 760-247-8412 or 760-954-5334.

The "Big" Kids

The world of middle school can be a terrifying place--especially if you are one of those encountering it for the very first time. In middle school there is a whole new set of people to meet- both teachers and fellow students. The classes are now in new areas, and recess has been replaced by breaks. All this change can be difficult for an eleven or twelve year old suddenly being thrust into a new world. Thi newsletter reporter decided to interview Logan Johnson, Ashleigh Solorio, and Zach Richart to find out what it is like being “one of the big kids.”

After escorting our three interviewees out of the last class of the day, the first thing our reporter noticed about these students was the sheer amount of energy that they had. It shined through in every question they answered. When the reporter asked about how they enjoyed middle school so far, they responded with a wide variety of answers both good and bad. They discussed the shock of having lockers, the excitement of high school chapel, and the wonder of the amazing creatures that wander the campus- seniors. When asked about how middle school differed from elementary, Zach Richart replied, “Teachers expect a lot more of you. You’re given a lot more responsibility and stuff.”

This response allowed these students to come to a realization that not only did their environment change, but that they had changed as well. “The girls and guys just act differently,” stated Logan.

On the outside, they seemed like the same young carefree students that they had been a year ago, but they were beginning to see that there was something different within themselves and their fellow classmates. They had grown; they had matured. They had become middle schoolers.

By: Mark Medina, 9th grade

Band Fundraisers

Our AVCS bands are raising funds to cover our educational costs that include music, instruments, ACSI festival fees, and other supplies. AVCS has five bands: Recorder Band (3rd grade), Beginning Band, Concert Band, High School Wind Ensemble, and Jazz Band. These bands provide an instrumental music experience for our students to participate in throughout the course of the year.

Pizza Factory is a major sponsor and is in its fourth year partnering with us helping raise funds for our bands. Pizza Factory has set aside one day each month for our AVCS families to participate in fundraising efforts. Pizza Factory generously donates 20% of the sales from that alloted day to AVCS. All you need to do is say that you are from Apple Valley Christian School. All of these proceeds go to support our school band's needs. So come out to Pizza Factory to enjoy some awesome pizza and a wonderful atmosphere to help support our school bands.
The next pizza night at Pizza Factory is Thursday, October 22. They are open from 11:00 A.M. to 10:00 P.M. You can dine-in or take-out. Pizza Factory is located at 12725 Apple Valley Rd. in the Lowe's Shopping Center next to Stater Bros. on Bear Valley and Apple Valley Roads. You can reach Pizza Factory at 247-7477. Please put October 22 on your family calendar and plan on supporting our band's fundraising efforts. Thank you very much for your support!

Warrior's Circle

It’s no secret to anyone that the economy has been tough on people. That’s one reason why we created the Warrior's Circle. The Warrior's Circle is a way for our school to be able to raise some extra funds to help out with areas where we see a need here at AVCS. By joining the Warrior's Circle you commit to donating $100 per month for 10 months. The funds raised will help with scholarships, advertising and general budget needs.

As a small token of appreciation for your participation in the Warrior's Circle, you will: 1) Have your name listed on a special "Warrior's Circle" page of the 2009-2010 yearbook 2) Be honored at a special dessert and coffee with teachers and staff before our Christmas choir concert and Spring band concert (and also enjoy reserved seating at the concerts!) 3) Enjoy reserved seating at our 2010 homecoming game and 2010 graduation Thank you so much for considering this opportunity. If you would like to participate in the Warrior's Circle, you may contact Pastor John either by email (pastorjohn@applevalleychurch.org) or by phone (760.247.8412). And, as always, please feel free to contact me with any questions that you may have.

Pastor John's Letter-September

For us here at Apple Valley Christian, we have been back in school since the middle of August and are getting ready to end our first quarter on October 8th. Can you believe that we are one quarter of the way through this school year?

As I have been reflecting on the beginning of this school year, there are a couple of thoughts that come to mind that I wanted to share with you this month. I believe that as we remember and reflect on these ideas it will help up to have a truly great year!

The first thing I think of is that we are so blessed. We are blessed with great students, parents, teachers, and staff! As we remember this, it is important to remember that it is God who is blessing us. We know from James 1:17 that “every good and perfect gift is from above,” and I believe it is important that we give God the glory for what He is doing in our midst. I am so thankful for each student, parent and staff member God has brought to AVC.

I am also dwelling on the fact that the school year is much like a long race. Over the Labor Day weekend, I “ran” in the Disneyland half marathon. I know that there are some of you that run 13.1 miles on a regular basis; all I have to say is that there is counseling available! As I participated in that event, I thought about our school and the start of this year. The biggest thing I thought of is how you have to give it your all even though it’s not always fun! Parents, you can be a big help in this. Be your student’s cheerleader, motivator, and encourager! I truly believe that, for the most part, the students want to do their best, but they also need a little encouragement (1 Thessalonians 5:11).

I can’t begin to tell you how excited I am to be involved with AVCS, it truly is a blessing and a privilege. It’s been a great start; I can’t wait to see what God has in store for us for the rest of the year!

September Elementary Corner

September Elementary News

Homework Study Habits:

Elementary teachers assign homework for their students in order that they may:
*Improve skills they have already learned and need to review
*Complete assigned work or projects
*Learn to work independently
*Become motivated to read and improve comprehension
*Study to prepare for tests
In the upper elementary grades, studying for tests is a big part of homework. Teachers do not assign “busy work.” Your child will need to review, study, and memorize their notes and pages for upcoming tests. Understanding your child and how they learn best will help in assisting them with their study habits. Some learning styles include hearing it over and over, or singing (auditory), writing it out again, seeing it written down, making charts or pictures (visual), or having interaction, discussion, or learning it through movement or hand motions, (kinesthetic).


Progress Reports:

We are now halfway through the 1st Quarter. Please be sure to check Edline to find out your child’s grades. If you have any questions about grades or assignments, please speak to your child’s teacher. All of our teachers can be reached through e-mail by using their first initial and their last name @avcschool.com. (For example: jrodgers@avcschool.com)

Charms:

The elementary classes will be continuing the charm incentive program. Students are able to earn charms for excellent behavior, academics, AR, and physical fitness. We hope to increase motivation and provide incentives for our students. Our desire is to have students discover that scholatic, character, and physical activities are fun and rewarding.

GOAL Awards

Our first GOAL Awards will be given out during Elementary Chapel on Wednesday, October 7th at 2:00pm. Also, the fourth grade class will be presenting the Chapel program for that day. Please join us!

High School News

NEWS FOR SECONDARY STUDENTS AND PARENTS
We are at the mid-quarter; please be sure to check edline for your student’s progress. (Anyone still needing an edline login can email Mr. Lockwood for an activation code at rlockwood@avcschool.com)

Report cards will be mailed home after the fall break

ALL 9TH-11TH GRADE STUDENTS:
The PSAT tests will be on the Wednesday we come back from our fall break: October 14th from 8:00 – 10:50 am. Please be sure that your student has had a good breakfast and a good night’s sleep. They will also need to have a calculator of their own for the test as well as two to three #2 pencils.

SENIOR PARENTS
If your student is planning to take the College Entrance SATs another time the best test dates would be in October and November. Please go to collegeboard.com to register.

November 1-November 30th is the "preferred" deadline for all UC applications for Seniors interested in attending a UC school in the fall. This is also the ‘preferred’ application time for the Cal State colleges as well. Applications may be done online.

Parents of Seniors will want to plan to have their taxes done early this year if at all possible for the filing of the FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid), which will have to be completed by March 2nd, 2010. On this form you can estimate your tax information if need be, but it is a smoother process if you have them done. Watch for more information as the time approaches!

Senior parents ,please be sure to check with your seniors about due dates. The picture frames for graduation should have already been paid for and picked up from the office. These are due back before we leave on Christmas Break (December 18). If you have not paid Mrs. Patag the $57.00 fee for your brick, frame, and graduation picture please do so ASAP.

Don't forget October 16th is your due date for the pictures and parent letter to use on for your student's yearbook tribute page- please contact Miss Evans at cevans@avcschool.com if you have not already done so.

AVC Choir News

The choir program here at AVC is gearing up for another great year of glorifying God through music! AVC can proudly say that we offer the only Christian school MS/HS Classical Choral program in the high desert and, as well, have one of the best choirs in the valley. One adjudicator/judge commented at a choral festival last year, "I am truly amazed and impressed that though they [AVC] are small in number, their choral presentation, maturity of sound, and depth of precision are not small at all...they are a strong choir with much discipline! Apple Valley Christian's choral program is a stellar example of 'how to do more with less!' BRAVO! "

It would be great for many more people in the high desert to hear our AVC choirs and our high school vocal ensemble, Brioso! Christmas is just around the corner, and we would love to sing or carol for businesses, schools, churches, Christmas parties, and/or celebrations! We are eagerly preparing to perform excellent choral music for entertainment and ministry opportunities throughout the year! If you know of opportunities to showcase our choirs and bring glory to God through this avenue, please contact Brenda McLaughlin at AVC.