Slideshow of the Preschool's Christmas Program

Christmas at The Heiskell School is a special occasion. Today, we went to the preschool's dress rehearsal of their Christmas program. It was a sight to behold! Enjoy!

Baby, it's cold outside!

The weather had FINALLY turned cold here in Atlanta! Check out these adorable third graders bundled up ready for recess! Have you ever seen a cuter group? Not me!

Open House at The Heiskell School

Open House

Friday, December 4, 2009
9:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. or 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
Campus tour and orientation meeting

The Heiskell School’s accelerated academic program and its focus on building Godly character have had a life-changing impact in the lives of children for more than 60 years.

Preschool • Elementary • Junior High
Two Years through 8th Grade
Call 404-262-2233
www.heiskell.net
3260 Northside Drive, NW
Atlanta, Georgia 30305

The Governor's House

Third Graders at the Heiskell School trekked over to the Governor's Mansion today for a grand tour! We received lots of looks from passers by on West Paces Ferry Road because we literally trekked on our feet to the Governor's House from our school. The children had a wonderful time, and the weather could not have been better!

Veteran's Day Tribute

As a school, we have been preparing and discussing Veteran's Day for several weeks now. Last Friday, during our chapel service, we paid special tribute to our Veterans. In fact, two very special Veterans were our guest speakers. What a treat! Hopefully, this is something the children will remember for the rest of their lives, hearing two war Veterans share their stories.

Third graders were given the assignment a couple of weeks ago to interview a veteran of the armed forces. Each of them came up with 10 questions and conducted an interview with a hero, which they shared with our class. Today, as we actually celebrate Veteran's Day, one of the students in my class wrote this tribute:
I think we should honor our veterans today because they have left their families and friends behind and gone to serve our country. I think November 11, is one of the most important days of the year. I promise to honor veterans every November 11. Thank you for serving our country.

As an additional way of saying thanks to our heroes, we designated our prayer time today to our soldiers:

• I am thankful for my dad who served and whose life was spared.
  
• I praise God for those who are willing to fight for our freedom.
  
• I pray for safety for the s0ldiers now serving.
  
• I pray salvation for the soldiers who do not know God.
  
• I pray for our family friend who is serving far from home.
  
• I pray the soldiers would have faith and courage.
  
• I pray the soldiers would be comforted while separated from their families.
  
• I pray they would have enough food and water.
  
• I pray they would believe in God.
  
• I pray the commanding officers would have knowledge and wisdom.
  
• I pray for an end to the war.
  
• I pray our soldiers would fight hard.
  
• I pray all necessary equipment would be provided.
  

In Jesus' Name, Amen.

Operation Christmas Child

"Every shoe box offers an opportunity to share the Good News of the Savior with a hurting child." Franklin Graham
It's that time of year again; time to go shopping for children all over the world. This week at The Heiskell School we are collecting shoe boxes for Operation Christmas Child. Boxes are due Friday, October 30. Follow these 5 simple steps and you will be well on your way to blessing and possibly even changing the life of a child:

1. Use an empty shoe box or small plastic container.
   
2. Determine whether you want to give your gift to a boy or a girl and select the child's age category.
   
3. Fill the box with gifts.
   
4. Include a $7 donation to help with the cost of shipping.
   
5. Drop off your box at The Heiskell School by Friday, October 30, 2009.
   

Sharks, Stingrays, and Sturgeons, oh my!

We're Going on a Field Trip

Tomorrow, third grade students from The Heiskell School will embark on a journey never before taken this school year. Our journey will lead us straight up I-75 to Tennessee, where we will follow I-24 to Chattanooga, where we will follow Highway 27 North, which will lead us (eventually after a few turns) to the Tennessee Aquarium in Chattanooga. You can go here to see for yourself all of the wonders we will explore on our trip. As with all field trips, there are a few reminders for you and your children. Please arrive at school no later than 7:40 A.M. tomorrow morning, as we are departing PROMPTLY at 7:45 A.M. Your child needs to wear their chapel uniform; we want to look our best for our exciting trip! Don't forget a sack lunch and a bottle of water in throw away containers. Because our schedule is so full, we will not have time for a morning snack, but an early lunch should be a big help! Cameras and spending money are acceptable, but no more than $10 please. The focus of our trip will certainly not be the gift shop, though it is quite nice! Be sure to visit our blog in the days following our trip to see a picture story of our special day. Until then, enjoy these videos which will offer a snip-it of what we will see tomorrow!

The Heiskell School Family Night at the Movies

Dear Heiskell School Families and Friends,
You are cordially invited to attend The Secrets of Jonathan Sperry at Phipp's Plaza tonight and Thursday night at 5:00 P.M. Tonight, Junior High families will be meeting to view the movie together, and Thursday night Elementary families are invited to attend the movie. There will be no homework on the nights of the viewings, so come out and enjoy a movie with your family. You are sure to be blessed by this heartwarming tale. It is an inspiration to folks of all ages; come and be inspired! You can go here to see a quick preview!
We hope to see you there!

Praying for The Heiskell School

Today, our prayer time in class was focused on our school, The Heiskell School. This is my fifth year teaching here, and I love it! I truly believe that there is no other place quite like it anywhere. My two oldest children are in the Heiskell preschool where they are thriving as little people so our family is committed to The Heiskell School in many ways. May your heart be warmed as you read the prayers of third graders on behalf of their school:

• Help us to raise money for benches for our outdoor classrooms.
• May our school body continue to grow.
  
• We pray for the planning of our fall festival and for Miss Dee who is chairing the event.
  
• We pray our school would grow past the 8th grade, so we can stay here longer.
  
• We pray for Mr. and Mrs. Heiskell who founded our school.
  
• We pray for money for materials.
  
• We pray for safety.
  
• We pray all would grow closer to God.
  
• We pray for the teachers and administration.
  
• We pray for the cub scouts.
  
• We pray for new students who come into the school that they would blend in here.
  
• We pray for our box top fundraiser.
  
• We pray for good health at our school.
  
• We pray we would all do well on our tests.
  
• We pray for Operation Christmas Child, which is coming up soon.
  
• We pray for our field trips.
  
• We pray for the Lawson's food drive, which is coming up soon.
• We pray we would have a great school year!
  

In Jesus' Name, Amen.

Praying for America

Today, our class is continuing to pray for the nations, but our focus is away from Africa at the moment and on America. The Heiskell School is a very patriotic school and we celebrate our great nation many times throughout the year. We are proud to live in a nation where we can freely worship God. We are proud to belong to a school where we can freely proclaim His name. Check out the prayers on behalf of our great nation from the hearts of third graders:

• I want to pray for people who are without jobs.
  
• I want to pray for people to stop smoking.
  
• I pray President Obama will have God around him.
  
• I pray for those who deal with hurricanes and other natural disasters.
  
• I pray for the soldiers who are coming home.
  
• I pray for a better economy.
  
• I pray for Americans to learn to know God.
  
• I pray for the wounded soldiers.
  
• I pray there will not be any more gangsters or criminals.
  
• I pray for salvation of our government leaders.
  
• I pray President Obama will make the right decisions.
  
• I pray we will use our money wisely.
  
• I pray for wounded soldiers.
  
• I pray for sick people.
  
• I pray for our media.
  
• I pray for the soldiers currently in Iraq.
  
• I pray for the homeless and orphans that they will be safe.
  
• I pray for safety for policemen and firemen.
  
• I pray for safety when driving on the roads, especially in the rain.

In Jesus' name. Amen.

Praying for the Nations - South Africa

This week our prayer focus is for the country of South Africa. Last week in chapel, several missionaries came to share with us about their work in South Africa. We enjoyed hearing about what God is doing in South Africa. We also enjoyed a time of worship learning a song in a new language! One of the missionaries said something during her talk that really spoke to and encouraged me. She said, "God is going to call you something much bigger than yourself!" Below are a list of our petitions on behalf of the South Africans and missionaries:

• missionaries would have safe travels
• there would be no sickness
• for the University in Johannesburg
• Christianity would be big
• they would understand each other due to the languages
• good health
• food
• no fighting
• coaches for all the sports
• medicine and cures for sickness
• more Christian population
• AIDS
• Bibles translated into all the languages
• grow crops
• plenty of water
• safety from criminals
• they would know Jesus and follow Him

Praying for the Nations - Somalia

Every class at The Heiskell School studies a different nation each year. In the third grade, we study the nation of Africa. As part of our study of the nations, on Tuesdays and Thursdays we spend our morning prayer time focused on the people in a particular country in Africa. Last week, our focus was on the country of Ethiopia. This week, we will be praying for the country of Somalia. Will you join us in praying for the people of Somalia and for the missionaries who are there sharing the gospel? Will you also ask God to give you His heart for the nations? Here are some of the petitions our students are making on behalf of the nation of Somalia:

people would have glasses if they need them

there would be more Christians

wars and fighting to cease

people would have enough space

children would be able to go to school

there would be money for clothing

provide jobs

medicine and cures for sickness

safety

Bibles

homes and shelter

they would have rulers who are not bad

toys to play with

no one would go to jail

food

1st Day of School at Heiskell

Monday, August 24, 2009, was the first full day of school at Heiskell.  I love to take pictures of the children on the first day because they change so much over the course of the year.  I hope you enjoy the slide show.  We are off to a great start in the third grade!

The Jesus Storybook Bible

Each morning in our class we begin our day in devotion and prayer. What a sweet way to start the day! One of the books I read to my class during our devotion time in the morning is: The Jesus Storybook Bible. The fine print on the cover says, "Every story whispers His name." Wow! It is so true, and we can see from Genesis to Revelation the scarlet thread of redemption. He came for us! I am excited to share with you a message I received from one of the reps at Zondervan: We want to give you the exciting opportunity to help us celebrate the release of the Deluxe Edition this October! All throughout September we'll be sending updates about ways you can win copies of the Deluxe Edition (which features the entire Jesus Storybook Bible read by award-winning British actor, David Suchet) and free resources you can share with others! To register for these updates and exclusive information, visit here and sign up! I can think of nothing better to share with your child than the knowledge that Jesus loves you!