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News and Events
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Newsday
Vol. 39, No. 10
Belleville Mennonite School
June 4, 2008
717-935-2184
We Know that God Will Make A Way
The Unexpected - Written by Colin Peachey, Grade 5
It was May 28, 08 around 5:00. An unexpected fire destroyed the 5th grade room burning almost
everything. The firemen went to the Elementary, and when the door was opened, they smelled and saw smoke. They opened the 5th grade door and saw that the ceiling was collapsing and on fire. Fans fell off of the ceiling destroying much in the process. But surprising enough, the Bibles and Bible folders were still intact, along with an angel near Mrs. Yoder‛s desk. Channel 10 News and The Sentinel covered the story and got a lot of information. They also got an interview from Superintendent Mrs. R. Ann Kanagy. The resource room was also destroyed by fire, water, and smoke damage with a pile of insulation everywhere.
On May 28th, the fifth grade classroom at BMS caught fire. Officials believe it started in a ceiling light. The fire was noticed by the cleaning crew around five PM Wednesday night. Fortunately, the fire did not spread to many other rooms, and fire crews were able to put it out quickly. However, almost everything in our classroom was destroyed. We were able to salvage only about five percent of all the books and personal belongings. The room next to
our classroom was also severely damaged, mostly by water and debris that fell from the ceiling. There was also smoke damage. The other classroom was a resource room that served the children for learning support and enrichment activities.
The community has been a wonderful example of Christian love and has shown genuine concern for everyone involved. With the help of numerous
volunteers, by Friday afternoon the rooms were pretty much gutted and cleaned out. People came from all over to help with the clean-up and offer assistance in any way. People have come to me personally offering me their assistance, and one person even offered a desk and filing cabinets to replace the ones that were lost. To me it has been a testimony of the Christ-like love that we strive to teach the kids everyday. What a wonderful example this community has given!
Written by Mrs. Angela Yoder—Grade 5 teacher
SUMMER OFFICE HOURS
Monday—Friday 9 AM to 3 PM
Friday, July 4th—Office Closed
CONGRATULATIONS—CLASS OF 2008
Brittany Anne Byler
Saralyn Grace Byler
John Wesley Dellape
Emili Jenai Grabill
Anna Marie Harvey
Latisha Marie Hess
Ashlee Jo Kauffman
Jena Richelle Kauffman
Logan Ross Metzler
Danielle Elaine Neff
Allyson Jade Peachey
Byron Evan Peachey
Chelsie Marie Peachey
Christine Danae Peachey
Rebecca Joy Peachey
Aaron David Spicher
Danielle Leigh Strauser
Janelle Dawn Yoder
Note from Angela Breon
To all BMS parents, students, and staff—thank you so much for your gift of diapers, gift cards, etc. Your thoughtfulness is greatly appreciated!!
SCHOOL SALE
It’s not too early to be thinking about next year’s Annual Auction—April 17-18, 2009. We are accepting donations of good quality, new merchandise all year round—so be on the lookout for good deals over the summer! Contact us to make arrangements for pick-up or delivery: Sale Coordinators—Kurt and Dena Stauffer, 935-5094 or kdstauffer@embarqmail.com.
Announcements
Last Day of School - June 5, 12:00 dismissal.
Commencement—Thursday, June 5, 7:30 PM @ BMS.
2008-09 Registration Reminder—Please remember to hand in your student’s registration to the office for the upcoming school year.
Week of July 28—Summer mailing
August 13—11th Annual Golf Classic at the American Legion Country Club, Mount Union
August 18—Registration
August 27—First day of school 2008-09
Elementary/Middle School
What a terrific school year! God has been good! Please continue to pray for next year as decisions are made and teachers are hired.
Elementary Field Hockey is scheduled Thursdays from 6:00 to 7:00 PM.
Also, fifth grade parents (6th next year), mark your calendars for middle school orientation August 18, 7 PM, in the chapel.
Cafeteria News
Cafeteria Volunteers—A BIG Thank You to everyone who volunteered in the cafeteria this year!! We couldn’t do it without you! Your help is invaluable to us!
The BMS Relay for Life Team
The BMS Relay for Life team would like to thank the school for their penny donations. The entire school raised $620.00 in pennies.
The junior class was first prize winner of a breakfast party. The second grade was second prize winner of a snack party.
Our team was able to raise about $1,500 for the American Cancer Society. We will be participating in the 24-hour relay which takes place June 7—8 at the Derry Township Park. Thanks again for your support!
Fire Update
Please continue to pray for all those involved in decision making regarding the Elementary building. We’re grateful to God for good insurance coverage.
Restore-core, a building restoration group, is working here this week.
Plans include: the present property committee will become the building committee with Don Peachey, Chair. The building is expected to be completed prior to the start of the new school year—August 27.
From the Business Office
Again we are thankful that the elementary building was not damaged any more than it was on May 28. Now we are working with the insurance
agency and trusting that all of the expenses will be covered. The process is just beginning, so I am sure we will find some snags along the way. Continue to pray for the remaining process and the rebuilding adventure.
We would like to remind those of you who have not yet registered for next year to do so as soon as possible, since it greatly helps us to take care of all the paperwork. Also, there is still some financial aid money available to
those who have a need. You should fill out a form and sent it in to FACTS, or you may do it on-line to speed up the process.
At this point, we are hoping to chip a little more away from our operating budget debt. How big a chip that will be depends on how many things come together. One of the biggest unknowns is the response to our fiscal year-end mailing that should be coming out next
week. Let’s pray for a miracle to happen and reduce most of the operating debt!
From the Athletic Office
There is a change in what is needed regarding physical exams for athletic participation. The blue form has been replaced by a four-page form with three of those pages being filled out by a parent and a longer report from the doctor. We are suggesting that if you are going to a family doctor sometime between now and August 9, that you get it filled out at that time. We will still offer physicals here at the school, provided we can find a doctor to give them. The girls’ physicals will be on July 31, starting at 3:00 PM. The fee this year will be $15 due to the more in-depth physical. This physical will be good for the entire year, unless someone is injured and not able to play; then they will need to be recertified by a doctor. Hopefully, this is not too complicated! If you have any questions, please feel free to ask Mr. Zook.
First date for official field hockey and soccer practice is August 11.
Fall and winter sports schedules are pretty much completed and should appear on our web site. Again, if you see any thing that does not look right, please give Mr. Zook a call.
We are planning to go to Penn State again this year to work the concession stand. The first two home games are August 30 and September 6. Sign-ups will take place during registration.
From the Guidance Office
Summer Hours
The Guidance Office will be open Monday through Thursday during June, and Monday through Friday during August.
Student of the Month
Congratulations to the following students for being named Student of the Month for May:
Grade 6 – Samuel Morgan
Grade 7 – Matt Zook
Grade 8 – Shannon Hoefel
Grade 9 – Drew Zimmerman
Grade 10 – Sal Cirignotta
Grade 11 – Jon Peachey
Congratulations to Janelle Yoder who was named MERF Radio Student of the Month for May. And congratulations to Chrissy Peachey who was named MERF Radio Student of the Month for April.
Class of 2009
Students in the class of 2009 should be developing a short list of possibilities for post-graduation. The process of preparing college admissions applications, scholarship applications, and financial aid applications comes quickly in the fall. Solid preparation now will allow for well informed decisions in the fall.
Class of 2008
Once again, BMS is privileged to witness the graduation of an outstanding senior class. Here’s a list of the scholarships they have been awarded and their future plans. May God bless them and use them in an awesome way for His glory.
Brittany Byler-Workforce this year and then college
Saralyn Byler-Fitchburg State College
John Dellape-Grove City College *Charles C. Zook and David D. Borland Scholarships
Emili Grabill-United States Air Force Academy *Full Academic Scholarship
Anna Harvey-Penn State Altoona
Latisha Hess-WyoTech
Ashlee Kauffman-Malone College *J. Walter and Emma Malone Scholarship *MC-2000 Nursing Scholarship
Jena Kauffman-Workforce
Logan Metzler-California University of Pennsylvania
Danielle Neff-Kent State University *Trustee Scholarship
Allyson Peachey-Workforce/Possibly Missions
Evan Peachey-Workforce/Possibly Hunting Guide School
Chelsie Peachey-Mt. Aloysius College *Mercy President’s Scholarship
Christine Peachey-Central Penn College *Central Penn Academic, Club, and Summer Scholarships *John Roberts Randolph Scholarship
Rebecca Peachey-Mansfield University
Aaron Spicher-Eastern Mennonite University
Danielle Strauser-Dubois Business College *DBC Academic Scholarship
Janelle Yoder-Workforce/Possibly Cobleskill University
From the Development Office
Calling all Golfers!!! - Please schedule Wednesday, August 13, on your calendar as the day to play golf at the American Legion Country Club in Mount Union. Cost is $60.00 per adult and $40.00 for 18 and under.
School Pops: We received a check for $87.59! Just start your shopping at www.schoolpops.com selecting BMS as the school you wish to help.
Race for Education: There are a few mailers still trickling in. The Race boxes are currently in the Development Office and will be there through the end of June. Now is the best time to check to see who sponsored your child in the Race for Education. Please do this before July 1 - at that time the sponsorship files will be placed in storage!
Volunteer of the month: The fall of 1987 saw this family join BMS as patrons. The mother has helped with banquets, school sale, volunteered in the cafeteria, gone on field trips, baked pies and desserts for banquets, and helped to decorate doors for Teacher Appreciation Week. The father has served several terms on the board, was head of the building committee when the middle school wing was built, and helped with the cattle sale. Please join with me in saying THANK YOU to Sheldon and Barb Peachey for giving many volunteer hours to BMS. May God continue to bless you and your family through the years. We will miss you, as your daughter graduates this year.
Cash4causes & Scrip: Please have your Giant Card order in by 8:30 AM on Monday. Please address all Giant Card & Scrip orders to Juli Sunderland. Remember: Scrip money needs to be into the office before your order will be released. These programs will run all summer!
Funding Factory: We received a check for $119.00 for cartridge recycling. Please continue to send in cartridges, toners, and used books with a retail value of $12.00 less than 5 years old.
Please keep the page “Ways to help Belleville Mennonite School” in a prominent place to serve as a reminder of the many ways to help.
Congratulations Seniors on your graduation!
My prayer for you is this:
“The wise are mightier than the strong, and those with knowledge grow stronger and stronger. So don’t go to war without wise guidance; victory depends on having many advisers.”
Proverbs 24:5-6 (New Living Translation)
In Christ,
Debra Stitt
Administration
Your path led through the sea, your way through the mighty waters,though your footprints were not seen. Psalm 77:19
I’m challenged by this scripture in Psalm 77 as the writer reflects on the story from Exodus 13 and 14. We know the
story well…God led the Israelis to the Red Sea…to an impossible crossing…He took them there. It didn’t just
happen…they didn’t miss the interstate highway…He simply led them to an impossible place.
I invite you to take time to read Exodus 13:17-14:31 and reflect on the ways of God.
And then there’s Exodus 17 where the Israelis along with their leaders, Moses and Aaron, were faced with an
impossible situation. They were in the desert camped out at a place, Rephidim, that had no water. There wasn’t a
drinking fountain in sight, no reservoirs or wells…and the local weather report definitely did not include rain in its
forecast!
So, once again, what did God expect of His people? How had they arrived at this impossible place?
God’s Word in Exodus 13:21, 22 reminds us:
By day the LORD went ahead of them in a pillar of cloud to guide them on their way
and by night in a pillar of fire to give them light,
so that they could travel by day or night.
Neither the pillar of cloud by day nor the pillar of fire by night left its place in front of the people.
So the people found themselves in a desert place with no water; not by mistake, as some of them assumed, and not by
poor leadership as others loudly contended, but led there by Almighty God.
So what does any of this have to do with all of us in the 21st century AD?
The Psalmist reminds us in Psalm 119 that God’s Word is a lamp to our feet and a light to our pathways. The
windows given to us in scripture on God’s work in the past are actually to light our way as we look with the eyes of
faith for His footprints through the waters.
At this time, at Belleville Mennonite School, we give praise to God as we wait upon Him to supply the water in a
desert place where He has led us.
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