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DALAT NEWS
Volume 24, Issue 17 1, December, 2006
DIRECTOR'S MESSAGE
Christmas Commercial
When I traveled back to the U.S. in mid November I was surprised to see Christmas decorations already on display in stores and shopping malls. The Christmas season has become incredibly important to many businesses and corporations around the world. Stores throughout the U.S. will do 75% of their business in the months of November and December. The average American will spend close to an estimated 1,000.00 USD on gifts for family and friends this coming Christmas.
I love Christmas for many reasons and one of the reasons is the gifts. No not what I get from my family or what is under the tree, but more the fact that we do have a season where we seek to give to others. Generosity brings good cheer whether a person is a Christian or not. I love it for the gift that is the purpose of the season – Christ and what that represents to my family and me. The spirit of giving and receiving is wonderful and deserves to extend beyond the holiday season.
Each year pastors preach sermons and editors write articles about the commercialization of Christmas and the loss of Christ from the season. I join them in my concern but instead of writing about that I just want to suggest that we take small steps this year in our family to nullify some of the commercialism and materialism that is seeping into our celebration of Christ’s birth. Listed below are some suggestions that might help you and your family stem the tide of commercialized Christmas. This list is lengthy but by no means complete and may even help you germinate some of your own ideas:
1. For a gift this year write a letter to each of your family members listing
the ten things you love about them. If you have children help them write a letter to each family member.
2. Give the gift of time to your children in different ways – a commitment throughout the year to set time each month / week / day with them. You can do this with a certificate that states the time you plan to give to them.
3. Give of yourself – a coupon book for future services (back rubs, dates, mowing the lawn, building furniture, changing diapers, etc.) that can be redeemed by the family member.
4. Instead of buying a toy or something from the store see if you can find a book that you loved growing up and give it to your child. If you can find the actual book you had somewhere in storage have it rebound and write a note on the inside cover.
5. Do a cost analysis of how much you spent on Christmas last year and commit to giving the equivalent of 25% to an organization or person working with the needy. Involve your children in this process.
6. Compile a CD of the family member’s favorite music. This can be done through iTunes®. The difference between this CD and store-bought ones is the time and thought you put in to selecting the songs.
7. Take one of your favorite family pictures from the year and frame it as a gift to a family member (grandparents, spouse, etc.). Like the CD, what makes this idea special is the thought put into selecting the picture and framing.
8. Buy a game for the family that can be played together throughout the year (anything that turns off the TV and has the family having some fun together is a golden gift).
9. Turn off the TV. Although the kids might not see this as a gift, if you find alternatives for them to do with you, they might not complain so loudly.
10. Make something instead of buying it. Go to a craft store with your kids and find supplies to make your own creation.
11. Husbands, learn how to do some aspect of work in the house and commit to helping out at home more often (cooking lessons, learn how to do the wash, etc.). Commit to making breakfast for the kids one Saturday a month so mom can sleep in. Any of these ideas can be given Christmas morning with a homemade certificate.
12. Make them work for it . . . instead of giving the gift straight to the child and have him/her unwrap it, give it to your child by means of a treasure hunt. The fun of the treasure hunt will make the gift more memorable.
These are just some suggestions. If you have some that you already do with your family, or new ideas you’ve thought of after reading the list, let me know. I would love to hear about them.
Have a great weekend!
Karl Steinkamp High School Principal
HIGH SCHOOL NEWS
Final Exam Schedule: The first semester final exams take place December 11th – 14th. The exams will take place each morning with the afternoon given for review and studying. The final exam schedule will be posted on our web page next week, or you can click here, and they will be handed out to students by Wednesday. Please be aware of the different schedule the school has during those four days. Karl SteinkampHigh School Principal
MIDDLE SCHOOL NEWS
Penang Japanese School and St. Christopher’s International Primary School
This week I had the privilege to visit two of Penang’s fine schools. On Tuesday I went with the 5th grade class to visit the Penang Japanese School. Mr. Takashi, the Headmaster, and Mr. Toru, the Assistant Headmaster, certainly made us feel welcome. Our students were paired up with students from the Japanese School and went to classrooms to make Byun-Byun Goma, a Japanese toy. One of the Japanese students gave one to me. It is fun to play with! Then we went to the gym and tried hanetsuki (battledore and shuttlecock), otedama (juggling beanbags), komamawashi (top-spinning), kendama (wooden t and ball) and taketonbo (bamboo propellers). We all had fun, especially the adults. Mr. Takashi showed us how he could set his top spinning and catch it in the air on the palm of his hand. They treated us to a Japanese song and we sang one of the songs from our Christmas musical for them.
Thursday I visited St. Chris with Mr. Steinkamp, Mr. Holden, Mr. Chinn and Mr. Mahoney and the high school band. Keanu Lee, Mico Ampil, Hannah Dalton, Stephanie Oh and Sarah Hoffmann also attended. They are 6th grade students at Dalat who attended St. Chris last year. Tokihito Shioya, one of our senior band members, also attended St. Chris. We had a lot of fun and I think the St. Chris students did, too. The band played a piece from Pirates of the Caribbean, Mr. Holden dressed up like a pirate and Mr. Chinn gave them a treasure map (an internet version!). It has been great having Keanu, Mico, Hannah, Stephanie and Sarah at Dalat. We hope more St. Chris grads will choose Dalat next year.
David Wilson Preschool-Grade 8 Principal
ELEMENTARY SCHOOL NEWS
You’re Invited! What: Elementary Sports Day When: Wednesday, Dec. 13
Time: 8:30 – 12:00 Where: Dalat School Campus
Come and cheer on the elementary children.
Parent volunteers are still needed in each class to escort groups of children around to the different events. The kindergarten grade needs two volunteers,
Grade 2 and 4 need four parent volunteers each and Grade 3 needs six parent volunteers. Contact your child’s teacher if you can help out.
Elementary StuCo: Locker Decorating Contest starts next week for grades 1-4. Decorate your locker with a Christmas theme!! You may start decorating on Monday, Dec.4 until Thursday, Dec.7. Judging will take place on Friday, Dec.8. Happy decorating!
Bronwyn Bodley
THIS WEEK
Sunday, 3 December 6.30 p.m. Christmas Praise & Worship Tuesday, 5 December 7.00 p.m. M.S. Band Concert
Wednesday, 6 December 6.30 p.m. Prayer Meeting Thursday, 7 December 7.00 p.m. H.S. Band &
Christmas Concert Friday, 8 December 3.00 p.m. M.S. Drama
Saturday, 9 December ACT Test
THIS WEEK’S MENU
Monday, 4 December Chinese Pepper Steak/White Rice
Vegetables Sandwich Bar & Salad Bar Milk & Milo/Ice Cream
Tuesday, 5 December Chicken Kurma/White Rice Steamed Vegies Sandwich Bar & Salad Bar Milk & Mils/Fruit
Wednesday, 6 December Cheese Pizza Sandwich Bar & Salad Bar Milk & Milo/Fruit
Thursday, 7 December Beef and Broccoli/White Rice Sandwich Bar & Salad Bar Juice/Milk & Milo
Friday, 8 December Thai Chicken Curry/White Rice Vegetables Sandwich Bar & Salad Bar Milk & Mio/Swedish Spice Cookies
FROM THE ATHLETIC DIRECTOR
U9 Soccer Results: 10 teams participated in the St. Christopher sponsored football tourney held at Penang Free School this past weekend. In the regular play Dalat boys won 3 of their 4 games. In game 1of the playoffs we rolled over PFFC 4-0. The semi - finals us them playing Smith United from KL - the team they lost to in regular play. This was an exciting game that ended in a 0-0 tie in regulation play. The game went to a 3 min. Golden Goal with Dalat's Justin Strong scoring to give Dalat the win. Dalat went on to win the championship 3-0 against Uplands. Coaches Carla Loehden & Tim Parsons say: “the boys did an awesome job of representing Dalat both on and off the pitch. Many thanks to the parents who came out to support our team.” Well done folks! Basketball Results: Our U15 Girls B'ball team entertained Convent Green Lane this weekend. We had enough players for 4 complete lines & word on the street is that the girls really enjoyed themselves...We even shared some of our players with CGL! Plus the fact that they clearly dominated the game! Well done Ladies! Volleyball Results: Coach Lisa Munson & Shauna Archer traveled with their girls to Union School for a 6 game set on Wed, Nov 29th. Our girls had fun & learned a great deal. Following the game we had a season finale spaghetti dinner at the Steiert’s for both the volleyball & basketball teams. B’Ball Tournaments: Dec 1st –2nd: Varsity Boys U18 Basketball Tourney. The Draw is now filled & closed with 10 teams: Dalat Varsity & JV; MKIS; Alice Smith; GIS; Uplands; Sacred Heart; St. Xavier’s; Heng Ee & Berapit. Action is slated to begin about 1:00 with our JV boys playing @ 4:00 & the Varsity @ 5:00. That’s it for this week…stay tuned eh!
Gerry Steiert PE Dept HP 012-430-6896
CHARITY AND COMPASSION
It is in giving that we receive.
Charity & Compassion Christmas Projects
Itemized List of Supplies Needed
• Backpacks (6 years to 12 years old): 12 generic colors (blue; grey; black; brown; tan)/14 girl colors/11 boy colors.
• School supplies: pens, markers, pencils, color pencils, erasers, pencil sharpeners, color paper, lined paper... 37 children.
• Toys for small children 0 – 5yrs: 8 month old girl; 1 yr old girl; 1 new born boy/6 boys;(1-5yrs old)/7 girls (1-5 yrs old).
• Toiletries for teenage girls: brush, comb, hair ties, nail polish, shampoo, conditioner for16 girls (12 – 17 years old).
• T shirts for 23 men: 5 – XL; 13 – L; 5 – M. • Sarong for 29 women: Indonesian made, approximately RM13 per
piece. • Care packages: hand towel, soap, brush, comb, biscuits, jam, - 18
elderly ladies. • Cash for Chrystal Home, Taiping - Christmas at Paradise RM 410 Bus
tickets, dinner, and van usage. • Running Shoes for training – 2 Elite Athletes with Disabilities • Basic Food Supplies – 40 families in Teluk Kumbar; Gertak Sanggul;
20 families in Kulim • 60 - 10kg bags of rice • 60 – 5kg oil • 60 – Cintan unflavoured non-fried noodles, jumbo pack • 60 – Large bags bihun (rice vermicelli) • 60 - Everyday milk powder – 1.2 kg or 2.5kg • 60 – Milo powder 2kg • 240 – Cans sardines in tomato sauce • 240 – Cans baked beans in tomato sauce • 120 – Cans sweetened creamer
Requests for assistance are coming in daily. Additional Food, Milk Powder, Diapers, Toys, Books, Clothes; Backpacks, School Supplies will gladly be accepted and distributed to those organizations who have yet to call or may call later in December.
If you would like to help with this project or any of the other C& C Christmas Projects please let me know. Beth Steiert [email protected]
Where Charity & Love exist, God is there. God Bless you and your family this holiday season.
MOVIE REVIEWS
Entertainment is a big part of our student’s lives. Making sure the entertainment is safe is a big job. Every week movies are reviewed by Dalat Staff to let students and parents know what, according to our school’s values, is appropriate entertainment and what should be avoided. These reviews are to be used only as a guide for your entertainment. Keep in mind that some are appropriate for older age groups but because of certain intense situations may not be appropriate for younger viewers. I have included the US Rating as well as the Malaysian Rating. I use the website Christian Spotlight on Entertainment for input on reviews.
December 1, 2006
Movie _____ ____Rating
AppropriateDéjà vu US-PG13, MY-U Violence and terror, disturbing images and some sensuality. OK for older teens Happy Feet US-G, MY-U Animated movie, fun for kids Ciplak MY-U Movie describing the dangers of DVD pirating
Not AppropriateCasino Royale (James Bond) US-PG13, MY-U Language, violence and torture scene
Larry Chinn , [email protected]
FINE ARTS AT DALAT
Upcoming Fine Arts Department Events:
Christmas Praise & Worship Sunday, December 3, 6:30 PM
Middle School Christmas Concert Tuesday, December 5, 7:00 PM
High School Christmas Concert Thursday, December 7, 7:00 PM
Middle School Drama Friday, December 8, 3:00 PM
K-5 Christmas Musical Tuesday, December 12, 7:00 PM
COMMUNITY CHRISTMAS PRAISE & WORSHIP
Before we go our separate ways
To enjoy our holidays
Let’s come together to give Him praise!
Our Lord, Emmanuel.
At 6:30 PM on Sunday night
The Chapel will be our gathering site
For a time of giving Him delight, Our Lord, Emmanuel!
A little tradition, a little fun,
Could be something for everyone,
But mostly we’ll be honoring the Son, Our Lord, Emmanuel!
And so we hope to see you there:
Students, staff, parents who care. He came for people everywhere,
Our Lord, Emmanuel!
Christmas Concerts
Please join Dalat’s Band and Choir students for two evenings of musical entertainment!
Middle School Concert--Tuesday, Dec. 5, 7:00 PM
…Featuring the Middle School Bands and Choir, with the Jazz Ensemble as special guests. Both the 6th Grade Band and the
7th/8th Grade Beginning Band will appear in their first performance, followed by the Middle School Choir,
Intermediate Band, and Jazz Ensemble.
High school Concert—Thursday, Dec. 7, 7:00 PM
…Featuring the High School choral and instrumental ensembles. Enjoy both holiday and non-seasonal music
performed by the High School Concert Choir, Concert Band, Vocal Ensemble, and Jazz Band.
’Twas the Fight
Before Christmas
A Comedy in One Act
by Anne Coulter Martens
During P period (3:00) on Friday, December 8, the Middle School Drama Exploratory will present a Christmas comedy in the Chapel.
Everyone is invited to come and see how Ranny nearly spoils everyone’s Christmas.
“MEET ME AT THE MANGER”2006 K-5 Christmas Musical
On Tuesday, December 12, at 7:00 PM in the Chapel, Dalat's students in grades kindergarten through 5 will be presenting "Meet Me at the Manger." This musical drama tells the story a cranky store owner, a caring clerk, a lady who runs a mission for the less fortunate, and a kids’ choir that shares the Christmas story in song and helps the store owner to see what he has been missing. Each K-5 student will play a special part in this musical, whether as a member of the choir, as a soloist, or as part of the cast. Choir members are asked to dress nicely, preferably in Christmas colors (red, green, or white). Long pants for boys and dresses or skirts for girls are encouraged, but any nice outfit will be appropriate. Cast members will wear clothing appropriate for their characters, as outlined in a letter included in this week’s Friday folder. The students are eagerly preparing for this special event, and look forward to sharing their performance with all of you. Everyone is invited to attend this special holiday performance, as we reflect on the true meaning of Christmas, Jesus’ birth. In the words of Mr. Herod, the store owner, “wise men still follow Him today.”
PTO
For the PTO Social — This Saturday, December 2nd! Come parents, teachers, staff, students as our PTO will meet for simple morning of treats and some holiday crafts for purchase.
A small charge to cover cost, but really a time to enjoy one another and opportunity to purchase local items from Dalat
families and their friends. Date: Saturday, December 2nd Location: School Cafeteria Time: 9:00 -11:00am Charge: 2rm*
*A variety of drinks and light snacks provided.
EMERGENCY PHONE TREE Dalat builds an emergency phone tree each year in case of a school-wide emergency or emergency need to communicate with the entire school community. One example is if the haze and air quality was so bad that school needed to cancel, we would use the list to notify parents. The process asks a team leader to call their group of 2-6 names and these groups are divided into families based on the main language spoken at home for optimum communications.
So where are we with the Emergency Phone Tree for 2006-2007? Thanks to Uma Meyyappan we have a completed list! This is an enormous task--so please thank her if you see her! Uma trained team leaders and ran a test. The list was tested today in order to practice but more importantly to check for contact information errors. How can you help? Please notify the school of any contact information changes, especially hand phone numbers. We hope we won't have to use this phone tree but it is wise to be prepared.
THE PRESIDENT — time to transition
As another semester is in its last stretch, I pause to reflect. The school year is off to a good start! From a PTO perspective, we’ve seen many volunteers help with our daily Lunch Moms and weekly Pop-Corn Thursdays. We’ve enjoyed monthly gatherings of both social and work-project time together. We participated with the Juniors to host an International Foods and Auction Night. We’ve rallied around our own families when in need. We’ve built an Emergency Phone Tree and assisted with DIScovery Program mailings. We’ve shared our traditional crafts and assisted with language classes for those interested in learning Bahasa Malayeu. We’ve even enjoyed monthly Bake Sales and Subway and Rainforest Bakery deliveries, thanks to PTO efforts. Whew! It’s been a busy semester. THANK YOU all involved! We’ve been community together—mission accomplished! It has been my great privilege to serve Dalat’s PTO the past 1-1/2 years! An honor and a joy. It is time for me, however, to step down and allow others to come forward in leadership for next semester. We are actively praying and searching for the person or persons God is calling to complete this school year’s presidency. Please do not hesitate to contact me with questions on this as I would love to talk to anyone interested in leadership for 2nd Semester. If you are interested, please know that PTO is a huge team effort. (Too many to name and thank here!) We have a large dedicated group in attendance and support every week and month to accomplish the list above. It has never been about just one person but all of us working and having fun together. I have no doubt PTO will continue to thrive. Also rest assured, I will still be around to lend support with future PTO activities but for now, I need the time to just be ‘mom’ when I come to campus. Thank you, all, for your support, your prayers and for allowing me to be a part of this community! Sincerely, Mollie Lupinacci [email protected] Volunteer Needed Just one more parent is needed for help in the ESL class on December 7th, 11:40am-12:25pm. Come listen and evaluate the clarity of our HS ESL students and provide valuable feedback. Room 10. Please contact Mrs. Chinn in advance at [email protected] THANK YOU!
FROM PTO section...thanks! The PTO
FROM THE LIBRARY
“Who Is This Jesus?” If the Christmas holiday is new to you and you are wondering about this Jesus, whose birth Christians celebrate this time of year, then the DIS library is the place for you! Now on display in the secondary library are numerous books which
expound upon the life and significance of the person who is the center of the Christian faith. Maybe one of them will be helpful to you!
A Few Things To Note For the School Holiday Break:
• If you are staying in Penang you are welcome to come borrow books.
• The library will be open most days, M-F, 7:30-4:30. Call the school office to confirm on the specific day you wish to visit.
• The campus is closed so students must be supervised by parents and must leave the campus when finished at the library.
• AP Books may be borrowed and taken to homes outside Penang.
BOY SCOUTS
The Boy Scouts are coming to Dalat. Beginning in February of 2007 a new Boy Scout Troop will be organized. This will compliment the current Cub Scout program at Dalat by offering Scouting for boys age 11 (or in the sixth grade) and above. The Scoutmaster will be Dave Loehden and the Assistant Scoutmasters will be Barret Loehden and Doug Yost. Keep your ear to the ground and your eyes on the Dalat News for more information. A parent and Scout meeting will be held in February to launch the troop. We are in need of fathers and other men who would be willing to serve on the Troop Committee and serve as
Scout counselors and assistants. Boy Scouting is an outdoor program of hiking, camping, and adventuring. For more information contact: Doug Yost at Dalat International School.
DIS DAILY BULLETIN
The Dalat International School Daily Bulletin contains announcements for students, staff, and parents. You can subscribe to receive the bulletin by email. To subscribe simply send a blank message to [email protected].
DIS INFORMATION
Online back issues are available at http://www.dalat.org/news.html
Dalat International School [email protected] Tanjung Bunga
11200 Penang, Malaysia +60 (4) 899-2105
