Let Everything That Has Breath PRAISE THE LORD!!!

"Let everything that has breath praise the LORD. Praise the LORD." Psalm 150:6

This has been the theme of the music lessons and chapel services for the first week (more or less) of school at PDS. We can do that with our words, songs, instruments, and our actions. (See the rest of Psalm 150)
We also know that creation praises God. The mountains, the stars, the sun, the flowers and the animals all praise God.
Please join us Friday mornings at 8:30 a.m. for chapel. You can help lend your breath in praising God.








Miss Mississippi, Mary Margaret Roark speaks to the students, reminiscing of her days in chapel at PDS.




Mary Margaret Roark, Miss Mississippi praises the Lord with the piano.

              

Bro. Walt Griffith uses books for an object lesson in Friday's chapel service.



Several students celebrate their birthdays in chapel.




3k students wait patiently for the older students to file in so chapel can begin.



Love notes on my white board

Below you will see pics of my white board after some 6th graders "decorated" it for me. They accomplished this within about 7 minutes of their recess time. I promised I wouldn't erase it until I had taken photos of it. I know it may look like mass chaos, but it is a very sweet reminder to me of how blessed I am to be able to work here at PDS. Some, might see a mess. I see LOVE NOTES.

The younger students all think it is really AWESOME.

New Song and Chapel News

New Song has been invited to sing for the Crosstie Arts and Jazz Festival!!!
Yay!
On Saturday, April 16, New Song will be singing at the Crosstive Arts and Jazz Festival on the Cleveland Courthouse square. Our performance time is at 1:30. Southern Halo (Natalia Morris, Christina Morris, and Hannah Morris) will sing at 1:00! I know you will want to come early so you can enjoy their wonderful talents!!! Then, stick around and we will sing after they are done. We've been practicing some great songs for this event.

Note:

• Holy Week is April 18-21. We will have chapel every morning this week at 8:30. PDS families and friends are invited to join us for worship.
• The First Grade play, "Donkey Tales" will be this Friday morning, April 8, at 8:30 in the gym. Y'all come.
• Congrats to the 3rd grade for doing a splendiferous job on their play this past Friday,  April 1. They presented "Sermon on the Mound". What a coincidence: that was also the opening day of major league baseball season.

Stay Tuned. More events coming up!

Saying "So Long"

If you've been in the building at PDS within the last week or two, you are probably aware that Bro. Sid is retiring at the end of this month (that's just a few days away). As one of our 5k students so sincerely put it, "Retired means that you don't get to go to work anymore." Sadly, Bro. Sid won't get to come work and play with us after this week. We are sad and happy, as I know he is. He told me that reality set in when he spoke at his last PDS chapel service last Friday.  There were many tears and hugs from students, parents, teachers, and (shhh) Bro. Sid, too. I have estimated that Bro. Sid has brought God's truth to the students at PDS for 350+ chapel services since he came to First Presbyterian Church in 1999. Now, I'm not even going to try to figure the number of students that have been in those chapel services. Just suffice it to say, he has spoken God's truth into MANY lives.  Mine included.

We all have an opportuntiy to express our appreciation to Bro. Sid, and his lovely wife, Karen, at their retirement reception (behind every good man, is a woman) this Sunday. Please note the invitation below.

The Presbyterian Women

cordially invite   

PDS Family and Friends

to a

Retirement Reception

Sunday, February 27, 2011

from 3:00-5:00 p.m.

Family Life Center

(Gym)

to honor

Sid and Karen Harmon

 

Let's come and celebrate the way God has used Bro. Sid to bless us here and the way he will continue to bless others in Alabama (Roll Tide) , and wherever he goes.

Young Musicians

Ms. Walker's 5k class rhythm hand bells.

Mrs. Thomas's 5k class getting down with the rhythm sticks.

The 5k students have been learning to play instruments in music class. If you'd like to watch them perform,

come to TASTE OF PDS on February 8.



Taste of PDS

The annual "Taste of PDS" is February 8. This is a wonderful night of good food and good fellowship. The evening kicks off in the sanctuary (chapel) with entertainment by YOUR KIDS. Dinner follows in the gym where we can all get a "taste of PDS".
 
The students are preparing some fun songs to perform for parents, grandparents, teachers & special friends. Look for a note in the next week or so indicating the time the singing begins.

I look forward to seeing you all then.

Mrs. Jackson

Happy New Year!!!

WOW! Wasn't  Christmas a whirlwind? When I think back to just a few short weeks ago, my heart races a little. We did SO MUCH in such a short time. Praise God for good health and a school where we can celebrate CHRISTmas, not just a winter holiday.

The Christmas program, "Just Believe", was so much fun. (At least it was fun for me. I hope the kids enjoyed it as much as I did.) I watched the video last night, and the kids sounded wonderful. The bar is set very high now. I'm already thinking about the 2011 Christmas program.

Now that we are back in school, we are beginning to get revved up for our spring plays and performances. We are learning new chapel songs,  traditional hymns, classical music, and silly songs. Soon, the 5th and 6th graders will begin playing recorders. I'm having too much fun.

Come join us in chapel this Friday!!!