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May 2011 Celebrating Mom!Scattered throughout the year there are a number of holidays that some people call “Hallmark holidays.” These are holidays that may not be important to many people but seem to have been created by creative marketing professionals. An example might be National Cookie Day or Take Your Child to Work Day. One holiday occurring annually in May that might have begun that way is Mothers Day. I can picture a group of advertising executives sitting around thinking about how they can sell more cards, perfume, flowers, etc.

Mothers Day has much more meaning than that for me. I have always been close to my mother. She is kind and caring. She taught us by example to give back, as she was always involved with one service project or another. I cannot remember anyone ever having an unkind word to say about her. Today, at 91, she lives with me and helps to enrich my life and those of my children.

Once I became a mother I gained another perspective on motherhood. My mom was always there to bounce ideas off and to listen to my complaints, questions, and fears. And now that I’m “Mimi” I’m able to do the same for my daughter and grandson.

Last year on Mothers Day my daughter gave me the book Mom Because of You. I have to admit that it meant so much to me that I did not read it with a dry eye. I thought this month I would share some things from that book for moms themselves instead of books you can share with your children.

• Because of you, I believe in myself. Long before I was a success, my mother made me feel like I could be one. (Toni Morrison)• Because of you, I feel safe. She made me a security blanket when I was born. That faded green blanket lasted just long enough for me to realize that the security part came from her. (Alexander Crane)• Because of you, I feel inspired. When she thought I wasn’t looking, I saw her hang up my first painting on the refrigerator and I wanted to paint another one. (Anonymous)• Because of you, I know generosity. My mother had a heart so large that everybody’s joys found welcome in it. (Mark Twain)• Because of you I find beauty everywhere. Mom would say, “See if you notice the rose in the vase instead of the dust on the table.” (Matthew McConaughey)• Because of you, the holidays are magical. In the childhood memories of every good cook, there’s a large kitchen, a warm stove, a simmering pot, and Mom. (Barbara Costikyan)• Because of you, I know unconditional love. Mother’s love is always open arms. (Leo Buscaglia)• Because of you, I feel treasured. Children will not remember you for the material things you provided, but for the feeling that you cherished them. (Gail Grenier Sweet)

So, cherish every moment. Happy Mother’s Day.

Blessings,

Helen JacksonHead of School

Vision StatementSouthminster School provides a foundation through education which inspires individuals to use their God-given talents and gifts to the best of their ability so that God is glorified. We pray that they develop a life-long love of learning and a heart for Christ, which serves other people.

Mission StatementThe mission of Southminster School is to provide the highest quality educational experience for children who want to learn within a Christ-focused environment from teachers and staff who care for and nurture the whole person - mind, spirit and body.

Important Dates

• May 10 & 11Preschool Splash Days

• May 12Last Day for TTH PreschoolTTH 4 year old Advancement

• May 13Last Day for MWF & 5-day PreschoolMWF 4 year old Advancement

• May 17Last Day for Pre-K & Bridge Hot Lunches

• May 19Last Day for Pre-K & BridgePre-K Advancement @ 10:00Early Dismissal for Pre-K & Bridge Only @ 11:00

• May 24Last Day for K-5th Hot Lunches

• May 265th Grade Graduation @ 6:30

• May 27Last Day for K-5thEarly Dismissal @ 11:00NO AFTERNOON EXTENDED CARE

Science FairCongratulations to our 3rd, 4th and 5th grade Super Scientists who went to the district Science Fair in Webster this month. Every student received the highest rating possible - “Superior.” South-minster rocks!

The students who participated were (Front row): Madeline Purdy, Amelia Schroeder, Juliann Cherukara and Sheryl Cherukara. (Back row): Michael Swanson, Travis Aga, Stone Simmons and Donovan Gionis

Fourth & Fifth Grade Earth Day ProgramMissouri City’s Urban Forester, Paul Wierzbicki visited Southminster to teach our fourth and fifth graders the importance of trees to our planet. Each year the students look forward to this program. This year we were blessed to also have Don and Penny Johnson teach about composting and insects, the Brightwater Garden Club helped with tree potting and gardening, and Margaret Spencer read her short story “My City Tree Cares for Me”. Missouri City Councilman Robin Elackatt was on hand for the program. The fourth and fifth grade students planted two trees near the Elementary playground – an Asian silverbell and a winged elm. While working, the students also learned many important tree facts.

We are very grateful to Missouri City for giving us the trees and continuing to allow Southminster to participate in Earth Day programs. For pictures of the program, please go to the last page of the newsletter.

Fifth Grade Austin Trip Each year the graduating 5th graders embark on a field trip to Austin. This is a two day educational trip loaded with FUN! Students tour the Capital, have a picnic lunch on Capi-tal grounds, visit the Bob Bullock Museum, and visit the Aquarena Center in San Marcos. In between all the excursions, students find time for fellowship and even a little swimming at the hotel pool. What a fun way to end their last year at Southminster!

Fine Arts ProgramOn May 5, Tom’s Fun Band was on campus to give elementary students a lesson in the science of sound. Demonstrations of unique sounds were introduced to students through the performance by the Tuba, Guitar, and Didgeridoo! Tom’s Fun Band is part of Young Audiences of Houston. Young Audiences’ mission is to educate and inspire childen through the arts. Thank you to the Southminster PAB for making these programs possible for our students.

Re-AccreditationCongratulations to Helen Jackson and all of Southminster School’s staff. On April 27 the SACS CASI QAR team decided to re-accredit Southminster School.

The QAR team spent two days at the school interviewing stu-dents, parents, and teachers. The final report from SACS CASI stated the following:

“The Quality Assurance Review Team commends Southminster School for:

An academic environment that is personalized, nurturing, and promotes a community spirit among all stakeholders

The visionary leadership of the Head of School who works collaboratively with her teachers and staff

Adherence to wise stewardship principles in regards to school budgetary concerns

Attention to individual student academic needs with a focus on the whole child: spirit, mind, and body

On behalf of the Quality Assurance Team, we extend:

Our appreciation for your hospitality, support, and profes-sionalism;

Our respect and acknowledgement of the dedicated staff;

and

Our congratulations for completing the Quality Assurance Review process.”

Congratulations on a job well done!!

Proverbs 31:26-31

“She speaks with wisdom, and faithful instruction is on her tongue. She watches over the affairs of her household and does not eat the bread of idleness. Her children arise and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praises her. Many woman do noble things, but you surpass them all.Charm is deceptive, and beauty is fleeting; but a woman who fears the Lord is to be praised. Give her the reward she has earned, and let her works bring her praise at the city gate.”

Preschool TipsThe Wonders of Water

Preschool children are curious about the world around them. You can use this natural curiosity to help your child learn about the wonders of water.

Begin with three different bowls of water-one cold, one lukewarm, and one very warm, but not to warm for your hand. Have your child put his hand into each bowl so that he can feel the different sensations. Next let him fill an ice cube tray with water which can then be put in the freezer. Ask him if he already knows what will happen. Later let him see and feel the solid ice cubes.

You can discuss some of the uses of water: (1) To drink when thirsty; (2) To wash with when dirty; (3) To swim in when hot; (4) To cook veg-etables; (5) To water flowers and house plants; (6) To wash clothes.

Your child can also learn that some objects float on water while other objects do not. Let him engage in this specific experiment: Collect objects to put, one by one, in a large tub of water: a stick, a stone, a feather, a nail, a piece of paper. Before he drops each object into the water, ask him to predict whether the object will float or sink.

At first his predictions will not be very accurate, but with practice, his ability to predict will greatly improve. By teaching your child about the wonders of water, you are helping him to be more observant and more aware of other wonders of nature in his environment.

A Sonnet for My Incomparable MotherI often contemplate my childhood, Mom.I am a mother now, and so I knowHard work is mixed together with the fun;You learned that when you raised me long ago.I think of all the things you gave to me:Sacrifice, devotion, love and tears,Your heart, your mind, your energy and soul--All these you spent on me throughout the years.You loved me with a never-failing loveYou gave me strength and sweet security,And then you did the hardest thing of all:You let me separate and set me free.Every day, I try my best to beA mother like the mom you were to me.

By Joanna Fuchs.

Thank You!

Southminster Thanks Its Donors

Southminster would like to thank the following donors for their contribution to Southminster School’s 2010-11 Annual Fund. Their generosity enables the school to enhance the learning environment and educational experience of students at Southminster School by sustaining the school and funding ongoing and new enrichment programs in many areas including Fine Arts, technology, and advanced specialized training for teachers.

Platinum Donors ($2000)

Texas Direct Auto, The Williams Family

Bronze Donors ($500)

AutoMax, The Manoochehri Family

Capital Legal Solutions, Dharmesh Shingala

Copper Donors ($250)

Kerby & Alice Saunders - Dunphy FamilyMagnalube, Inc. - Dunphy Family

General Magnaplate Corp. - Dunphy Family

4th & 5th Grade Earth Day Program

Southminster School4200 Cartwright Rd

Missouri City, TX 77459www.southminsterschool.org

281.261.8872