Report Online
Thoughts on media violence
By Kraybill Principal John Weber
Children are the most valuable asset a nation has for its future. This holds true for Lancaster Mennonite School as well.
How we prepare the next generation to be stewards of civilization was recently brought to my attention in a most convincing way at a meeting sponsored by Lancaster General Hospital and the Lancaster-Lebanon Intermediate Unit 13. The meeting—attended by local school representatives, medical personnel, state police and emergency first responders—was convened to help communities better understand and respond to school violence/shootings.
Brain research studies show that viewing violent TV programs and playing combative video games reduce the reasoning and logical thinking abilities of the brain. Indiana University School of Medicine, using MRI’s and sophisticated diagnostic tools, discovered a reduced cognitive level of brain activity in the left hemisphere of the brain and an increase in aggressive behaviors during these activities.
If the brains of children and youth are being impaired by viewing violent video games and TV programming, we need to ask what we can do to help them develop Christian character so they can choose lifestyles of servanthood and peacemaking.
It’s not too late to change! Studies indicate that damage done to the brain’s ability to function can be reversed over time when a person is no longer exposed to media violence. So, let’s turn off the TV and video games and replace these activities with conversation and creative interactions that strengthen their cognitive abilities.
As persons of faith we understand Christ’s call to build each other up. We adults can build each other up by making wholesome lifestyle choices and significantly limiting TV. Let’s say “no” to media violence in our homes by adopting constructive viewing guidelines.
Together we can guide our children and youth toward Christ-like transformational growth so they can help to bring healing to our world.
Looking Ahead - All Campuses
| Nov 22-26 | Thanksgiving vacation, No Classes |
| Dec 9 | Handel's Messiah, 3 p.m., Lanc. |
| Dec 16 | HS Christmas concert, 3 p.m. |
| Dec 20 | All-school MS Christmas concert, 7 p.m., Lanc |
| Dec. 24–Jan.1 | Christmas vacation, No Classes |
Looking Ahead for:
In This Issue...
- 2008-09 registration
- Christmas programs—everyone welcome!
- High school dramas—mark your calendar
- Achievement tests—reminder
- Game tickets for PreK–8 students and families
- Calendar clarification—February 4 Open House
- Summer program director
- Honor rolls
- Internet safety
- Achievements
- Delays and cancellations
ALL CAMPUSES
2008-09 registration
Parents, you will receive registration materials in early December and be able to register all your children on the same form. There is a registration fee of $100 per child to register current or new students for next year. The registration fee is due Friday, February 15, 2008; after that the registration fee is $150 per child. We look forward to having your child(ren) at Lancaster Mennonite next year. If you have questions about the registration process, please check with your campus principal or, for the Lancaster Campus, with Eliza Booth at (717) 299-0436, ext. 312.
Christmas programs—everyone welcome!
The high school will present two Christmas concerts this year—Handel’s Messiah on Sunday, December 9, and an instrumental concert Sunday, December 16. Both will begin at 3 p.m. in the Fine Arts Center. The Messiah performance will also include alumni and friends (those who have sung the Messiah may still inquire about participating; write to millerjj@lancastermennonite.org). Messiah guest soloists are: Madeline Bender, Phoebe Brubaker, Timothy Bentch, and Dan Whelan.
Middle school students from all campuses will present a joint Christmas concert Thursday, December 20, at 7 p.m. in the Fine Arts Center.
Locust Grove students, grades K–2, will hold a Christmas concert Friday, December 7, at 7 p.m.
On December 14, at 7 p.m., Kraybill and New Danville will hold Christmas programs—grades 1–3 for Kraybill and K–2 for New Danville.
High school dramas—mark your calendar
The Robe, set for January 24-26, is the story of Roman Centurion Marcellus Gallio who wins Jesus Christ’s robe at the crucifixion and his journey into faith. The musical, Les Miserables, to run April 24-26, chronicles the story of Jean Valjean, a man who resolves to help the needy and destitute after being imprisoned for 19 years for stealing a loaf of bread.
Achievement tests—reminder
Grades 2–8 assessment tests will be administered in early January: January 3–9 at Kraybill and January 7–11 at Lancaster, Locust Grove and New Danville. Please avoid educational trips with your children during this time. Thank you for your cooperation.
Game tickets for PreK–8 students and families
Lancaster Mennonite High School will host three special nights during the basketball season to recognize all our PreK–8 families. On your campus’s designated night, your family will receive a family pass for a high school JV/V basketball game.
Junior varsity games begin at 6:30 p.m. and varsity games at 8:00 in Gym B. More information and tickets will be provided in December.
Calendar clarification—February 4 Open House
Please note that Monday, February 4, is an early dismissal as listed on the school calendar—not Tuesday, February 5, which appeared on the condensed one-page calendar that some parents received.
Summer program director
Geoff Groff has been hired to give leadership to LMS summer programs. He will meet with faculty and parent groups at all campuses to discuss ideas for expanding and promoting these programs. Geoff, a Lancaster Campus coach and physical education teacher, has been involved in running summer programs for the past 18 years. Summer programs may be offered at any campus, or off campus, and may run half days or full days, one week or multiple weeks, or even all summer. Parents or others interested in running a summer program should contact Groff at groffgc@lancastermennonite.org or (717) 299-0436, ext. 363.
Honor rolls
Honor rolls for first quarter are available here:
Internet safety
The Internet is a wonderful resource for information, but it is helpful to have a healthy awareness and respect for the inherent dangers of cyberspace. The following Web sites provide resources for parents as they help their children use the Internet in safe and positive ways: www.safekids.com for parents of younger children and www.safeteens.com for parents of teens.
Achievements
- Sophomore Bryant Betancourt won the Lancaster County Health Care Hero writer’s contest. His essay, written in Janet Banks’ Writing Skills class, was forwarded to the State competition.
- Junior Darian Harnish has been selected as the Paradise Rotary Club Student-of-the-Month for December.
- The 2006-07 Laurel Wreath received the gold medalist award from Columbia Scholastic Press Association for the 14th consecutive year. The yearbook also received All-Columbian Honors for concept, coverage and photography.
- The 2006-07 Silhouette (school literary magazine) and the 2006-07 Millstream (school magazine) have been awarded silver ratings by the Pennsylvania School Press Association.
- Junior Maggie Nicholas and senior Hana Grosh, both soprano I, placed first and 13th respectively in PMEA District 7 Chorus. In addition, Nicholas placed 13th in LLMEA County Chorus.
- Seniors Seth Charles, Erika Christopher, Racheal Erb and Serena Jeblee, along with three 2007 graduates, have earned the designation of AP Scholar by the College Board in recognition of their exceptional achievement on the college-level Advanced Placement Program (AP) exams. The students became eligible for the honor when they completed three or more AP Exams with grades of 3 or higher. Senior Darren Weinhold earned the Scholar with Distinction honor in recognition of an average of 3.5 or higher on all exams taken and 3 or higher on five or more of these exams.
- See sports accomplishments in the athletics section of Report.
Delays and cancellations
For weather-related delays and closings, call (717) 299-0436, ext. 561, or tune in to TV stations: WGAL-TV (channel 8), WHP-CBS (21 or 15), or WHTM (27). FM radio stations: BOB (94.9), KISS (99.3),WDAC (94.5), WHP (580), WJTL (90.3), WIOV (105) WLAN (97), WITF (89.5) or WRVV (97.3). For the status of the day’s athletic events, call(717) 299-0436, ext. 563.
Don't miss the other sections of Report Online:
