ALL SCHOOL NEWS
Friday, June 3, 2005

Dear Parents,

On a recent morning, I sat behind my desk, listening to the excited chatter of some soon to be Juniors, as they discussed fundraising ideas, possible prom dates, locations, themes and yes, even menus. As the laughter and excitement warmed me inside, it hit me that the 2004-2005 school year is almost over and before becoming totally engulfed with planning for 2005-2006, I wanted to bring closure to the year for all of us involved with this vibrant ministry. Before reflecting, there is some necessary housekeeping:

• Summer reading lists are available in the Communiqué or on the SFCS website. (www.shannonforest.com)
• The Communiqué will be published in June and July in e-mail format only. Please make sure your current e-mail address is on file if you wish to receive this valuable communication tool during the summer.
• The Main Office of the 200 Building will be open this summer for your convenience. Summer hours are 9:00 a.m.-2:00 p.m. - Monday through Friday.
• Stanford testing results will be available for all parents at registration on August 11, 2005.
• The main informational mailing for the 2005-2006 school year will be mailed on or around July 15, 2005.

As I briefly review the 2004- 2005 school year, I state with humble confidence that considering the obstacles this ministry has faced, the year is concluding on a very high, enthusiastic note in both the Upper and Lower Schools. The Shannon Forest Christian School Faculty has caught in admirable fashion everything that I have thrown at them. Their resiliency speaks of their personal character and their commitment to the education of your children.

The Lower School is buzzing with anticipation for the SFCS F.O.C.U.S. (Fostering Opportunities for Creativity and Uniqueness in Students) Program. This long awaited addition to the Lower School curriculum will enhance opportunities for creativity and uniqueness in the learning environment. The half-day Kindergarten has returned to its place of significance and our old friends Jane Sowles and Jan Samuelson will be once again walking the hallways. Finally, Kathy Neely has assumed ownership/ leadership of the PK3-5th Grade Program and will take up permanent residency in the 300 Building Principal’s Office in mid-July. Mary Reinink, Susan Cooper, Roland Underwood and Alvin Sell have been invaluable as they have stepped in whenever, wherever, to do whatever has been needed to keep things moving in the Upper School. The Middle School students have begun to recover from the January shock of learning about gender specific classes for 2005-2006 and Latin is finally going to take its place in our college prep curriculum.

SFCS established a Development Department fundraising goal of $250,000 for the 2004-2005 school year. As of May 20, over $226,000 has been raised to address financial needs. The school leadership came to you for assistance and you promptly made a huge statement with your overwhelming response. Lynn Price and Ed Murphy led the PTF/Booster Club to phenomenal success in fundraising efforts. The Lord placed the right people in the right place to accomplish overwhelming goals for His school this year.

Amidst much restructuring, our constituents have clearly indicated their confidence in the SFCS faculty by re-enrolling at about an 85% overall retention rate. *With a current enrollment of 500, over 497 students have already enrolled for the 2005-2006 school year, including 96 new students! Andrea Culpepper, Lynn Pittman, Elizabeth Sipe and Grae Turner have been incredible ambassadors for our school and the Lord is blessing their efforts in remarkable ways.

The 2004-2005 school year will bring to a close 22 years of faithful service to SFCS on the part of Mrs. Kathy Malphrus. Kathy and her husband Phillip are retiring to begin new careers in service to their parents, children and future grand children. Christian ministries do not replace longtime warriors nor do they ever truly leave us - they are simply remembered with fondness. To the many prayer warriors who have consistently lifted us up to the Lord, I give you my thanks and plead for your continued diligence as our need for Lord’s intervention never wanes even during the heat and stillness of the summer months.

Please be in prayer for the following:

• D’Anne Weaver and the seniors accompanying her to Israel on June 1, for 10 days of service.
• Alvin Sell and the SFCS Mission Trip as it labors for Habitat for Humanity. *Mary Reinink as she takes time to recover from surgery.
• Kathy Neely as she relocates from Pittsburgh and faces new challenges in the Lower School.
• The Lord will bring the History teacher candidate of His choosing for the 2005-2006 school year.
• The Lord will continue to drive enrollment up by bringing not just students, but the right families to become permanent members of our school.
• For continued wisdom on the part of the school leadership as the SFCS Success Plan for 2005-2006 and beyond continues to be fine tuned.

In closing, allow me to end with a passage from Jude 24-25 where He closes with these words: To Him who is able to keep you from failing and to present you before His glorious presence without fault and with great joy – to the only God our Savior be glory, majesty, power and authority, through Jesus Christ Our Lord before all ages, now and forevermore! Amen. Thank you. The Lord Bless you. Have a wonderful summer.
In His Service,
Brenda K. Hillman
Acting Head of School

Whereas, Shannon Forest Christian School’s Acting Head of School Brenda Hillman has been a dedicated, loyal and outstanding servant of Shannon Forest Christian School for seven years; and,

Whereas, during this time, Hillman has served effectively in numerous roles under two administrations; and, Whereas, for the past five months, Hillman has served as Acting Head of School during an extremely challenging and pivotal period in the history of Shannon Forest Christian School; and,

Whereas, Hillman’s Christian servitude, her passion for Shannon Forest Christian School and, especially, her compassion for the lives and futures of its students have inspired and motivated faculty, staff, students, parents and friends alike;

Now, therefore, be it resolved, that the Parent Teacher Fellowship (PTF) Board of Shannon Forest Christian School would like to take the occasion at the end of the 2004-2005 school year to give Brenda Hillman its highest vote of confidence.

Well done, servant Brenda Hillman!
A Proclamation of Excellence from the SFCS/PTF Board

SFCS Math Camp Offered SFCS Math teacher and Math team coach, Harry E. Pohl, is offering a Math Camp from Monday, July 11, through Friday, July 22. The camp is for one hour each day and broken down into the following categories:

9:00 a.m. – 10:00 a.m.
Rising 4th & 5th Grade students
10:15 a.m. – 11:15 a.m.
Rising 6th & 7th Grade students
11:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.
Rising Pre-Algebra students
12:45 p.m. – 1:45 p.m.
Rising Algebra I students
2:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m.
Rising Geometry students
The fee for the total ten hours is $100 or $50 for five hour sessions.

Tutoring during the summer may be arranged by calling Harry Pohl at 225- 3845. Pohl will be available from Monday, June 27, through Friday, August 5, for a fee of $25 per hour. If you are interested in Math Camp or private tutoring, please contact Mr. Pohl at 225-3845 to confirm as soon as possible.

Parents…make a note and head to the bookstore…NOW to get a jump on the SFCS summer reading list! Take note of the following assignments that MUST be completed prior to the first day of School in the fall of 2005. Happy reading!

Upper School English:
9th Grade Advanced: Red Badge of Courage by Stephen Crane
9th Grade Honors/10th Grade Advanced: Lord of the Flies by William Golding
10th Honors/11th Grade Advanced: The Scarlet Letter by Nathaniel Hawthorne
11th Grade Advanced: The Scarlet Letter by Nathaniel Hawthorne
11th Grade PreAP/12th Grade Advanced: Macbeth by W. Shakespeare
AP English: The Awakening by Kate Chopin, The Invisible Man by Ralph Ellison

Middle School Summer Reading:
Rising 6th, 7th and 8th Grade students are required to read two books and must come prepared to write about their readings the first day of English class. Students may choose from the following list and must bring the books with them on the first day of class. Please make sure you utilize an original version and not a paraphrased text.

6th Grade:
The Whipping Boy by Sid Fleischman
Jacob Have I Loved by Katherine Paterson
Vinegar Boy by Alberta Hawse
Roll of Thunder, Hear My Cry by Mildred Taylor
A Lantern in Her Hand by Bess Aldrich
Hans Brinker and the Sliver Skates by Mary Dodge
Up the Road Slowly by Irene Hunt
The Bronzed Bow by Elizabeth Speare
Little Men by Louse May Alcott
Little Women by Louse May Alcott
The Last of the Mohicans by James Cooper
Through Gates of Splendor by Elisabeth Elliot
Four Perfect Pebbles by Lila Perl
The Promise of Zion (any of the series) by Robert Elmer
The Young Underground (any of the series) by Robert Elmer
Daniel’s Story by Carol Matas
Everything on a Waffle by Polly Horvath

7th Grade:
True Confession of Charlotte Doyle by Avi
The Hobbit by Tolkien
The Wind in the Willows by Graham
Incredible Journey by Burnford
Treasure Island by Stevenson
The Adventures of Tom Sawyer by Twain
This Present Darkness by Frank Peretti

8th Grade:
The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes by Doyle
Comeback by Dave Dravecky
Piercing the Darkness by Peritti
Julie by Marshal
Rebecca by du Maurier
20,000 Leagues Under the Sea by Verne
Out of the Silent Planet by Lewis

Rising 1st Grade:
Please read Make Way for Ducklings by Robert McCloskey with your child.
1st Grade teachers encourage your rising 1st Grade student to read (independently or with help) three books by the following authors:
Margaret Hillert
Dr. Seuss
Arnold Lobel
P.D. Eastman
Syd Hoff
2nd - 5th Grades will have classroom activities and/or discussions when school resumes. There is no required written activity prior to the start of the school.

Rising 2nd Grade:
Required book: Horton Hatches the Egg by Dr. Seuss 2nd Grade teachers encourage your rising 2nd Grade students to read three additional books from the following suggestions:
The Story of Ferdinand by Munro Leaf
Frog and Toad Are Friends by Arnold Lobel
The Story about Ping by Marjorie Flack
Anansi, the Spider by Gerald McDermott
Ira Sleeps Over by Bernard Waber
Amelia Bedelia by Peggy Parish
Ira Says Goodbye by Bernard Waber
Henry and Mudge by Cynthia Ryland
The Story of Ferdinand by Munro Leaf
Stellaluna by Janell Cannon
Miss Nelson Has a Field Day by Harry Allard
Millions of Cats by Wanda Gag
Cloudy With a Chance of Meatballs by Judi Barrett
And to Think that I Saw It on Mulberry Street by Dr. Seuss (Theodore Geisel)
Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day by Judith Voirst
Nana Upstairs and Nana Downstairs by Tomie DePaola
Lyle, Lyle Crocodile and other “Lyle” books by Bernard Waber

Any book from the following Series:
Curious George Series by H.A. Rey
Frances Series by Russell Hoban
Christopher Churchmouse Series by Barbara Davoll
Cam Jansen Series by David Adler
Horrible Harry Series by Suzy Kline
The Littles Series by John Peterson
Nate the Great Series by Marjorie Sharr
Magic Tree House Series by Mary Pope Osborne

Rising 3rd Grade:
Required book: Socks by Beverly Cleary
Additional Reading Suggestions:
Any book from: The Boxcar Children by Gertrude Chandler Warner
Any book from: My Life. . . Series by Bill Myers
Any book from: The Hardy Boys Series by Franklin Dixon
Any book from: An American Girl Series (Different Authors)

Rising 4th Grade:
One selection from the following lists is required:
The Mouse and the Motorcycle by Beverly Cleary
Family Under the Bridge by Natalie Savage Carlson
Charlie and the Chocolate Factory by Raold Dahl
Henry Huggins by Beverly Cleary
Snow Treasure by Marie McSwigan
Stone Fox by John Reynolds
Bridge to Terabithia Katherine Patterson
The Black Stallion by Walter Farley
Misty of Chincoteague by Margaurite Henry
Hatchet by Gary Paulson

Any book from the following series:
Dear America Series (Different Authors)
Mandie Series by Lois Gladys Leppard
American Girl Books (Different Authors)
Chronicles of Narnia by C.S. Lewis
Sports Stories by Matt Christopher
My Life as . . . Series by Bill Myers
Hardy Boys Series by Franklin Dixon
Grandma’s Attic Series by A. Richardson
Elsie Dinsmore Series by Martha Finley
Christian Heritage Series by Nancy Rue
Redwall Series by Brian Jacques
Encyclopedia Brown Series by D. J. Sobol
Left Behind -The Kids - Series by Jerry B. Jenkins
Little House Series by Laura Ingalls Wilder
Nancy Drew Series by Carolyn Keene

Rising 5th Grade:
One selection from the following lists is required:
Sounder by William Armstrong
The Great Brain by John D. Fitzgerald
Stone Fox by John Reynolds
Little Women by Louisa May Alcott
On My Honor by Marion Dane Bauer
Midnight Fox by Betsy Byars
Bud Not Buddy by Christopher Paul Curtis
Summer of the Swans by Betsy Byars
Charlie and the Chocolate Factory by Raold Dahl
The Reluctant Dragon by Kenneth Grahame
Dangerous Journey by Oliver Hunkin
Old Yeller by Fred Gipson
The Wind in the Willows by Kenneth Grahame
Across Five Aprils by Irene Hunt

Series List:
Dear America Series (Different Authors)
Mandie Series by Lois Gladys Leppard
American Girl Books (Different Authors)
Chronicles of Narnia by C.S. Lewis
Sports Stories by Matt Christopher
My Life as . . . Series by Bill Myers
Hardy Boys Series by Franklin Dixon
Grandma’s Attic Series by A. Richardson
Elsie Dinsmore Series by Martha Finley
Christian Heritage Series by Nancy Rue
Redwall Series by Brian Jacques
Encyclopedia Brown Series by D. J. Sobol
Left Behind - The Kids - Series by Jerry B. Jenkins
Little House Series by Laura Ingalls Wilder
Nancy Drew Series by Carolyn Keene

(Lft. to rt.) Shala (Reckard) Wilson, Marshall Wilson, Charlotte Reckard, front, James Wilson

Rising 6th Grade student James Wilson and Class of 2005 graduate Marshall Wilson share a unique heritage at our school - they are second generation students at SFCS. The Wilson brothers’ mother, Shala (Reckard) Wilson is a graduate of the SFCS Class of 1978. Her class was the second graduating class of the school. Recent graduate, Marshall Wilson goes on record as being the first child of a SFCS alumna to graduate from the school. Shala started her education at SFCS in 1971, attending the 5th Grade. She continued at the school until her graduation, as the school added a grade each year of their growth. Shala’s mother, Charlotte Reckard, was also active as a PE teacher and Girls’ Basketball, Volleyball and Softball coach from 1972 to 1976. Shala participated in Crusader Athletics playing Basketball and Volleyball. Her father was also Chairman of the SFCS Board and awarded Shala her diploma upon graduation. Nathaniel Wilson, Marshall and James older brother also attended SFCS from PK3 through the 8th Grade.

The Wilson family is also active in the life of Shannon Forest Presbyterian Church. Marshall is a member of the Alabaster Youth Program and his parents have been active members since 1968. Marshall is traveling to Israel on a mission trip this summer and will attend Erskine College in the fall. SFCS looks forward to the graduation of a third generation graduate as James enters the 6th Grade in the fall!

SFCS teachers Dilsa Johnson and Julie Sellars, along with Carman Sellars, a 2003 SFCS graduate, will travel to Kawai, Peru from Saturday, July 16, through Sunday, July 24, as members of a Maudlin United Methodist Church mission team. The group will be building bungalows that will be rented out to Peruvian tourists as income for Scripture Union – a missionary organization for Peru’s street boys. They will also spend time with the boys – playing soccer and singing. This is the second trip for Johnson and Sellars and a first for Carman. Johnson will act as one of the Spanish interpreters for the trip. Donations may be made to Mauldin United Methodist Church, Peru Mission Trip, 100 E. Butler Avenue, Mauldin, SC 29662.

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