In July, we started our second session of summer school. What a great group we have this summer! I’m not sure who is having more fun, the kids or the teachers!

A quick reminder that we have a few openings for the fall for 3’s and 4’s. For more information, visit www.noahsarkcr.org.

Summer school is so rewarding and we can enjoy the fruits of our labor. Everyone is familiar with our routines, knows the rules, and feels comfortable with the teachers. In just one month, we will be back to the beginning: new students, who are very unsure and sometimes very unhappy to say goodbye to their moms and dads. It is very stressful on them and we need to tend to all their needs. Our job as teachers is to create a safe, loving environment so we can actually teach, but that can take time. Consistency, love, and honesty is what makes Noah’s Ark so special. Once children feel safe, we can pour in God’s love. The transformation is so beautiful.

Are you creating a safe loving environment at home, work, school? Once people feel safe with you, they can open their hearts and you can start pouring in God’s love, too. Beautiful!

Leslie Clauson,
Noah’s Ark Preschool Director

What a wonderful year we had at preschool! Thank you to all the great families who trust us with their
precious little ones. We really love these children and have grown very attached to them. Saying “goodbye” will be hard, but they are ready to fly beyond the Noah’s Ark nest. We are very honored to be able to serve the community for 49 years.

All the ‘end of the year’ programs are scheduled for the last day of regular classes. A reception will follow each program. All friends and families are invited to attend. Our last day of school will be Friday, May 25.

April classes focused on good touches, magnets, and construction. All classes had an Ice Cream Social, which is always a big hit. We had a field trip to the downtown library. The older classes also visited our Methwick friends one last time. Our favorite Police Pal Glen Keiler came and talked to us about safety.

May is always a very busy month so please look at the calendar closely for special events. Registration
for 2018-2019 is still underway. If you know anyone interested, please have them call or email us. We will have a couple weeks off and summer school will begin Tuesday, June 12. There are still spots available if that is something your current Noah’s Ark student would like to do.

Leslie Clauson
Director of Noah’s Ark Preschool

It’s the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown! Ok, maybe not. Announcing plans for a new ministry, the Pumpkin Patch! Coming soon to Cedar Hills! Plans are in the works to till a patch of ground on the south and west side of the shed and plant pumpkins and gourds. Why? It‘s fun!

We also would like to create more community around a common theme—growth! Our thought is to use our land wisely and create fellowship among different teams already operating in our church. Our core team consists of people from both services. We are enlisting the assistance of the Youth Group, Young adults, Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts, Noah’s Ark, and any of you who don’t fall into one of those communities. If we don’t receive more snow, we plan to till soon and plant by May 15.

Questions? Ask a team member or contact the church office. Watch for a harvest by October 1.

Members: Deb DeHaan, Jim Boeke, Wayne Josifek, Mary Landhuis, Leslie Clauson, Beth Brockette, Jeremy Van Genderen, and Dennis Rozendaal