Hey there, Grammarland!

We've been super busy this week!

The 6th graders rocked the house with their amazing Operation Christmas Child chapel! I'm extremely proud of them. They wrote, practiced, and performed their skits so well, and now they are experts at packing OCC shoeboxes. We started reading The Jungle Book by Rudyard Kipling on Thursday, and it's amazing. Please be sure your child has a copy of it by Monday. Barnes & Noble has a wonderful edition for $7.95. And 6th graders...don't forget - your castle and castle paper are due October 29.

8th graders are hanging out with Edgar Allan Poe for the next few days, and we will be writing our own spooky stories next week. Please be certain that your child has a copy of The Hiding Place by next Wednesday, as we will start it soon, and it's imperative that each student has a copy. The LCS office still has a copy or two, so you may start there. SPECIAL SHOUT OUTS to Juli and Carson, for winning their Cross Country meets, and to Levi and Kimora, who were special student speakers at our Operation Christmas Child kickoff on Wednesday.

It's time to pack a shoebox! Last year, we packed 400 shoeboxes for Operation Christmas Child, and our goal this year is 500.....and something is making me feel we will surpass that goal. Covid has made the need for this beautiful ministry even greater.  To pack a shoebox, simply choose: Boy or Girl,  age 2-4, 5-9, or 10-14, and pack the box with age-appropriate necessities and toys.

 Here are some guidelines for packing shoeboxes:

 Pack: school supplies (some children cannot attend school if they don’t have supplies), small toys, stuffed animals, hair bows, brushes & combs, soap, wash cloths, socks, t-shirts, stickers, tissues, flashlights, fishing kits, sewing kits, hats, scarves, soccer balls, pumps, Slinkies, plastic cups, cars  - anything small, packable, and necessary.

Don’t pack:  food, vitamins, liquids, lotions, shampoo, chocolate, glass,  or  any toys that suggest war. No Pokemon and no Harry Potter. NEW in 2017: DO NOT pack any candy or toothpaste.

 Any standard size shoebox is fine. You may wrap or decorate the box in any way, but the top of the box must be removable. Don’t tape the box closed. We will secure each box with rubber bands.

Dollar Tree, WalMart, the Carpenter’s Shop, and the clearance/dollar sections of Target and Office Max are excellent places to shop.

Pinterest is full of craft and packing ideas for shoeboxes!

If you still have a rainbow loom and bands, please make some bracelets for shoeboxes!

One of the most important things you can place in your shoebox is a note from you. You can include a picture and your address; the child may write a letter to you! Your shoebox may introduce a child to Jesus Christ, so do your best to share His love!

You may pack as many shoeboxes as you wish.

MASKS: Children in impoverished countries need masks as much as we need them in America. If you sew, or if you know someone who does, please consider making or sending some masks for our shoeboxes.

Shoeboxes are due by November 20!  Please drop them off in my classroom (room 124), or leave them with your child’s teacher.. If you have any questions, please email me!

         I am praying for each of your families, and I am continually blessed by my days spent with your children. May God be with you as you enjoy this beautiful autumn weekend.               

Blessings,

Mrs. Desjarlais