Mr. Gesin has asked me to share this with the school family. He has asked that you show your appreciation with emails or text. HE DOES NOT WANT ANY FANFARE. I am asking that you please honor his request on this!!!!!!
Thank you Mr. Gesin for your years of service! God brought you to us and we have been so blessed. You are a master teacher and we can only say thank you from the bottom of our hearts for the time you were here investing in the lives of students and staff. You have left a huge impact on our lives.
Faith Christian School invites the community to take part in a parade to honor Mrs. Linda Foster who will be retiring at the end of this school year. Mrs. Foster has been on staff at FCS since the fall of 1991 and has served as principal since 2006. The drive-thru event will take place on Wednesday, May 19, from 2:30 p.m.-4:00 p.m., at Faith Assembly Church of Grand Detour, 3886 Wisconsin Street, Dixon. Parade participants are welcome to decorate their vehicles to show their love and appreciation to Mrs. Foster for her years of faithful service to the school and its students. There will be signs marking the route to the church.
For more information on the event, please contact the school office at 815.652.4806
or visit their website at www.fcsfalcons.com.
An Unusual Can Food Drive
Submitted by Mr. Gesin
Instead of collecting cans this year for the CAN FOOD DRIVE. We are asking families to donate to the Dixon food pantry. The Dixon Food Pantry told me that cash donations would be more beneficial for them. The pantry can use the cash to buy canned food from their outlets at a much better price per can than what we pay at the store.
As in the past, there is no requirement for our students to get involved in this activity. We have had great response to the can food drives in past years. We thank you for that.
There are two ways to donate:
1) Send the money directly to the food pantry instead of bringing it to school.
The address is:
Dixon Food Pantry
2001 West 4th Street
Dixon, Illinois
2) Drop the money off at the food pantry. They are open mornings starting at 9:30.
Thank you for your participation!
What a blessing to have a week of beautiful fall weather in November. It has been great that almost every day the students have been able to get outside and get some fresh air.
All grades will continue to go outside as many days as possible so we ask that you remind your students to wear the proper clothing.
We appreciate your understanding in the adjustments we have made to the calendar this year.
We were already scheduled to have Friday, November 20th off
Calendar Change: NO SCHOOL: Monday, November 23 and Tuesday November 24
NO SCHOOL NOVEMBER 20 – NOVEMBER 27
As we look toward the next few weeks, we wanted to share with you the reasoning behind the calendar change for the week of Thanksgiving. We met with Pastor Jon and discussed how best to proceed. Since we have next Friday, November 20, off, we felt that it would be in the best interest of both students and staff to take Monday, November 23, and Tuesday, November 24, off with the hopes of limiting exposure for those two days. We see the toll that COVID is taking on school districts around us…many closing classrooms because of close contacts to positive COVID cases, others being forced to close in-person learning because there aren’t enough subs to staff classrooms. It has been our goal since the beginning of the year for students to be in school every day. And yes, while we are adding two days off, we are hopeful that this calendar change will help us to be better prepared to finish the semester with in-person learning.
We thank you for your cooperation and understanding. We know that this season isn’t easy for you either. Please know that we do not make these decisions lightly but put much thought and prayer into how best to use the time that God has given us. We are thankful that we have the opportunity to partner with you in the education of your child!
Daily assignments and classwork are being posted on the website. Students should check their email, online learning, and Seesaw accounts each day.
“The LORD is my strength and my shield;
in him my heart trusts, and I am helped;
my heart exults, and with my song I give thanks to him.Psalms 28:7
Many Blessings,
Linda Foster
Principal
Friday, October 30 – NO SCHOOL
December 18 – NO SCHOOL – This was previously a half day.
Note that all scheduled early dismissal days for the remainder of the year will be NO SCHOOL.
I have recently submitted a letter to the Faith Assembly Board letting them know my intentions to retire at the end of the 2020-2021 school year. I have been blessed to work with so many great people over the years. It has been a joy to be involved in the lives of so many students and watch them grow and develop. God has confirmed in my heart that this decision Is right for the school and for me. I trust and believe that God has a plan for who will be the next principal. I know I will miss the staff, students and families, but it is time for me to invest in other areas of my life and have fewer responsibilities. I have been humbled and honored to be a part of this ministry for 30 years, 13 as principal.
We have much to accomplish yet this year and it is not time to say good-bye. Please continue to pray for the staff as we face the daily challenges of teaching and mentoring students.
Picture order forms went home Monday and Tuesday. The envelopes are due back by Friday, November 6th. Feel free to view all of the photos online at www.hagephotography.zenfolio.com, password is FCS2021.
Two ways to help!
We have masks available at school for students who forget to wear a mask. Our supply is getting low due to many students forgetting. Please try to remind them to bring a mask. If you know your student is prone to forget, you could donate some to the school to help replenish our supply.
Since we have experienced our first snowfall on October 26, I wanted to remind you of our cancellation protocol. The best way to get the information is to sign up for our textcaster. If you need information to sign up, please call the office and ask for a form. The information will then come directly to your phone via a text. We will also post it on our school website and Facebook page.
We are aware that our families travel from many different directions and some travel many miles. We understand that weather conditions and road conditions can be very different depending on where you live. Please use your own discretion. If you do not feel it is safe to travel…keep your students home.
Blue Freedom Farm Market
Our 2nd quarter fundraiser is in progress. Orders are due by Wednesday, November 11. Contact Terri Heller with any questions. 815/677-1329 or theller@fcsfalcons.com.
If students are out of school due to quarantine and are able to do their work…we encourage them to keep up through the online learning tabs and the SEESAW app.
Thank you for all your cooperation, encouragement, support and PRAYERS. We are so thankful for each of you. We are so thankful for God’s help, strength and blessing as we walk through the year, one day at a time.
Linda Foster
Principal
We are so thankful for your help and support as we navigate the new procedures this year. We appreciate you paying attention to symptoms and understanding the prudence in being extra careful regarding students attending school. We are thankful that we have completed the first quarter.
CALENDAR CHANGEFriday, October 30 will be a full day off school. This was previously scheduled as a half day.
DROP OFF AT MAIN BUILDINGDrop off at the main building begins at 7:50. Please WAIT with your student until the staff (Mrs. Hage, Mrs. Foster) come out to start temperature checks and symptom checks. Please form a line on the east side of the driveway and wait. After we have done the temps/symptoms check you can pull up to the sidewalk for students to exit the car.
STUDIESHomework
The staff is working very hard to keep all assignments on the learning tabs.
We are also using Seesaw to keep communication going. If students are absent, they are able to get assignments and keep up with class work. We especially encourage this if they are home due to quarantine or awaiting test results, BUT are not sick. If students have questions regarding their work they can email the teacher. Staff email are first initial, last name @fcsfalcons.com. (lfoster@fcsfalcons.com).
Reminder About Study Hall
Due to the shortened school day, most students do not have a study hall.
They do have some time in the morning while waiting for first hour and during Activity time. Students who are having difficulty with getting homework done should take advantage of these study opportunities to get work completed. They also have that extra time at home to work on assignments.
FUNDRAISINGWalkathon
We are still accepting pledges for the walkathon. We have only received a few pictures. If you have pictures of your family walking, please submit to cworrell@fcsfalcons.com. We have a little gift for our favorites.
Blue Freedom Farm Market Fundraiser
In place of the Yankee Candle fundraiser (they are no longer in business), we will be doing the Blue Freedom Farm Market fundraiser. Information is coming home soon. This is a great time to purchase some yummy treats for parties and gifts. Thank you for meeting your fundraising quota.
An Unusual Can Food Drive
Submitted by Mr. Gesin
Instead of collecting cans this year for the CAN FOOD DRIVE. We are asking families to donate to the Dixon food pantry. The Dixon Food Pantry told me that cash donations would be more beneficial for them. The pantry can use the cash to buy canned food from their outlets at a much better price per can than what we pay at the store.
As in the past, there is no requirement for our students to get involved in this activity. We have had great response to the can food drives in past years. We thank you for that.
There are two ways to donate:
1) Send the money directly to the food pantry instead of bringing it to school.
The address is:
Dixon Food Pantry
2001 West 4th Street
Dixon, Illinois
2) Drop the money off at the food pantry. They are open mornings starting at 9:30.
Please continue to be diligent and keep us in your prayers. As a team, with God’s help we go forward in confidence that He will provide everything we need for each day.
Sincerely,
Linda Foster, Principal
I would like to update you on some important items.
Picture Day – October 5Mrs. Hage will be doing pictures on Monday, October 5th. We will NOT be doing class pictures at this time. Hopefully we will be able to do the class pictures later and include them in the yearbook.
Fall Break – October 12-16The week of October 12-16 there will be no school for students.
Parent-Teacher Conferences – October 15Parent teacher conferences will be by request only. Parents or teachers can request a conference. To request a conference, you can send an email to bmorse@fcsfalcons.com or call the school office.
Volunteer JobWe have suspended most of the volunteer position this year due to COVID restrictions. We will reinstate these jobs ASAP in order to help the students and teachers. If we are not able to do so this year, they will certainly be a part of our procedure again next year.
Thank you for your support, encouragement, and prayers.
Mrs. Foster
FCS Principal
Dear FCS Families,
As we find ourselves mid-way through the first quarter, we want to take a moment to make you aware of procedures that we will be following from this point forward regarding COVID-19. As we have said from the beginning, we will be following the Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) guidelines at school. Part of those guidelines include protocols for students and staff who present COVID symptoms, as well as, those who test positive for COVID-19. Attached to this letter, you will find our “Faith Christian School COVID Flow Chart.” The information on this chart was taken from the most current “Decision Tree for Symptomatic Individuals in Pre-K, K-12 Schools and Day Care Programs” published by IDPH. Please take a moment to familiarize yourself with the Flow Chart and information found on the document.
Also, we will be implementing a new symptom-screening procedure during morning drop-off. Staff members who are taking temps will simply ask if any of your students have been exhibiting any COVID symptoms. This will also be in place for any visitors/volunteers wanting to enter the school building. Another facet of the IDPH health code is that, as a school, we are required to report to our local health department, students who stay home (or who are sent home) with COVID symptoms. This information is used to help monitor symptoms and to help prevent the spread of the virus within our school and community.
We continue to follow IDPH guidelines regarding face masks, social distancing, sanitizing and hand washing. We remind students to avoid touching their eyes, nose and mouth, and to cover coughs and sneezes. We are grateful to you and your children for the cooperation and support as we have implemented these new procedures throughout the school day. Thank you!
As always, everyone should monitor their health and stay home if they develop symptoms. We strongly encourage sick persons to contact their health care provider to determine if testing is needed. Anyone who develops severe symptoms should seek medical care immediately. If your child has had close contact with a known case of COVID-19, please keep the child at home and notify your primary healthcare provider, Faith Christian School, and your local health department.
Thank you for your understanding and cooperation as we move forward in the school year. We will continue to monitor IDPH guidelines and will keep you informed of any changes in policies and procedures. We are committed at FCS to provide our students and staff with a safe, nurturing environment…a place where they can grow and learn, becoming who God created them to be!
Blessings to you all,
Pastor Jon Marx
Linda Foster
Carrie Worrell
We are off and running…. we have had a few bumps and had to make a few adjustments, but we are thankful and blessed to be back in school with the students. Please be patient with us in any additional adjustments that will need to be made.
The extreme heat this past week has provided another challenge, but we have endured. The staff at the main building noticed that the building seemed cooler than it would have last year during the heat. We believe it is due to the new roof. What an added benefit to the blessing of a new roof. No more leaks and cooler classrooms.
We are NOT sending home the Falcon Connection this year by hard copy. Please check the website (Falcon Connection) for new information.
Look for Fun Lunch Order Form and instructions for ordering online on the website. A pink hard copy was also sent home last week to explain the new procedure.
The early release time has not allowed students to have a study hall in their schedule. We want to focus on getting the instruction times covered while they are at school and have them use the extra time provided by early release as a study hall.
See Saw is an online learning platform that we will be using this year. We will be using it to give assignments and communication with the students throughout the year. 5th-12th grade students will be getting their login codes on September 8. Students must check their See Saw accounts for homework when they are absent from school.
Due to the extra procedure needed to start the school year, we did not discuss dress code until Monday, August 31. The dress code has not changed from last year. We will need to start addressing the dress code violations this week. We would appreciate your support. If you need any further guidance, we have a dress code brochure in the office.
Listed below are some GENERAL GUIDELINES for dress code.
Clothes should be neat, clean, and MODEST.
No holes in clothing
Sleeveless is allowed with at least a 2-1/2 inch width and tight around the arm and shoulder.
No clothes should be worn inside out
No skin showing at the waist
No under garments should be showing
No tattoos
No unnatural hair color and hair should be neat, clean, and well groomed.
No facial hair
Hats may not be worn during the school day.
Shorts must have at least a 6 inch inseam.
Skirts or dresses- No shorter than 3 inches above knee
Tops must be modest. To check if appropriate put thumbs under your underarm and imagine a line across. You top must be at that line or above.
Tights must have a top/dress that is 3 inches above the knee.
Leggings must have a loose fitting long blouse or shirt that covers both the front and back.
Your prayers are appreciated as both students and staff continue to adjust to new procedures. We are thankful for your support!!
Psalm 91:1,2
He who dwells in the secret place of the Most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty. I will say of the Lord, “He is my refuge and my fortress; My God, in HIM I trust.”
Trusting Him for strength and protection,
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