Second Grade Author Signing Party

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I’m so proud of our second graders for doing such a fantastic job during their author signing party. Each second grader “published” their own nonfiction book on a bird species. The hardback books included photos with descriptions, eating habits of their bird species and habitats. Life-size models of each student’s bird hung from the ceiling along with watercolor framed paintings. I also walked away with a number of “author” autographs! Way to go second grade!

It’s Spring!!!

Today marks the first day of spring! Spring brings the hope of a beautiful season, warmer days and bright colors. Spring is also a time to clean and reorganize, tie up loose ends, and make plans for the upcoming summer. As this beautiful season approaches, I encourage you to take a moment to read Portraits of Giving. We recently had the opportunity to interview a few annual fund donors and asked them why they give. The answers just might surprise you!  By reading each family’s account, I gained insight on what prompted each to give and discovered a deep commitment and love for Grace School. Take a few minutes and read each one. It’s worth it!

CLICK HERE TO READ PORTRAITS OF GIVING>>

Mexican Chicken Chili

I find it so comforting to walk in the house at the end of a long day and smell a yummy dinner cooking. This is my “go to” crock pot recipe. It holds up and is just what you would want a steaming bowl of chicken chili, with a nod to Mexican flavors, to taste like. The best trick is to add two FROZEN chicken breasts on top of all the other ingredients. That way it doesn’t get done too quickly.

The night before, I put the beans, tomatoes, sauce, and seasoning in a plastic container. Chop my onion and put in a separate container and get my corn and chicken breasts cornered in the freezer. Then in the morning, it is just a dump and go.

Mexican Chicken Chili Ingredients:

• 1 onion chopped 1 16 oz can black beans
• 1 16 oz can kidney beans
• 1 8 oz can tomato sauce
• 1/2 small package frozen corn
• 2 cans Rotel (tomatoes with green chilies)
• 1 T cumin (more if you love it)
• 3 T. chili powder
• 1 T. garlic salt
• 1 tsp. crushed red pepper
• Throw in some sliced jalapeno if you want to spice it up 2 large boneless skinless chicken breasts

Instructions:

Combine all the ingredients in a crock pot except the chicken. Stir to combine. Lay frozen chicken breasts on top and sprinkle with salt, pepper, and chili powder. Cook for  approx. 8 hours on low. Shred chicken with two forks and stir in right before serving. Can add sour cream, cilantro, crushed chips, cheese or whatever on top.

I got the original recipe on SparkPeople posted by SUPER_MAMAN. It was called Crock Pot Chicken Taco Chili and called for a packet of taco seasoning. I did make the original the first time and it was very good.

HCHS Students Teach 4th and 5th Grade

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On Tuesday, the Houston Christian High School (HCHS) AP government and economics class were teaching our 4^th and 5^th grade students. As part of their curriculum, the HCHS students were ask to come up with a creative way to teach our Grace students about the three branches of government. Led by their teacher Susan Phenicie (Grace School mom), the class taught the following concepts in five groups: overview of the branches and U.S. Constitution, judicial branch, executive branch, legislative branch and voting.

I’m proud to say that a number of our HCHS visitors had close Grace School ties including Michael McColloch (Grace School alum and son of Debbie McColloch), Meredith Richter (Grace School alum) and Madeline Sneed (Diantha Sneed’s daughter)! This was a great opportunity to show our students that learning can be fun and government can be interesting.

 

Congratulations Bandies!!!

I love every opportunity I have to reflect on the past and look toward the future. As many of you know, our band program was started in 2008 with only a handful of student. Due to the exceptional leadership of Andrew Redmon, our program has grown into two separate bands with more than 50 students participating. I’m so proud to hear that for the second year in a row, our students competed brilliantly in the Village School President’s Day Solo and Ensemble Contest. Click here to see the scores. Way to go!

Happy Valentine’s Day!

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I hope you enjoy some of our Valentine’s Day photos!

We Helped Tackle Hunger!

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Excitement was high on Friday as our Lower School Student Council counted food items collected for the Souper Bowl of Caring. The Souper Bowl of Caring is a national movement created by young people working to fight hunger and poverty in their own communities. In the weeks leading up to Super Bowl Sunday, Lower School students began taking up collections, asking for one dollar or one food donation for people in need.

I’m proud to announce that they raised $106 (each dollar provides 3 meals) and a total of 785 non-perishable food items! Our students donated all the food items directly to the Houston Food Bank. Way to go Lower School!