Tag Archives: Zion Lutheran School

Remembering Our Roots and All Those Little Things…

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Photos by Elyse Sombke, Lutheran High School
Dani’s Dreams is all about the little things – seeds, children and moments that remind us all what’s really important. Our run walk is unique – we really do have the “coolest T-shirts on the planet”, designed for the eighth year by a Zion Lutheran student, Audrey Poole, but the walk/run day is a family celebration as well as an athletic event. We’re celebrating how one person’s life and dreams can continue to have a positive impact even after she leaves this earthly world. Children learn how truly powerful they are and what they can accomplish – whether it’s running around the track just one more time, and crossing the finish line with their great grandfather, seeing hundreds of people wearing your design, knowing your drawing is on the door of an educational facility, and above all, discovering and appreciating your small role in God’s awesome creation.
We so grateful for the opportunity to share Dani’s Dreams with the Zion Lutheran Church and School she loved so much and all of the support over these last eight years. We really believe we are just beginning to take root, and are so grateful for the New Palestine community who supported Dani’s Dreams through either signing up and attending the Run/Walk, or donating and volunteering.
Thanks to all who signed up and came to walk, to run (even a few feet) to enjoy and to celebrate seeing children reach their dreams!

Ooey, gooey Oobleck!

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Tonight Zion Lutheran students took a moment to get in the goo at the Dani’s Dreams table during registration. All those who participated got to take home a shell or starfish to celebrate this “Beach Day!” Check out the reaction to the “Ooey, Gooey Oobleck” experiment and don’t forget to support fun learning moments like this by registering or donating to Dani’s Dreams Memorial Walk/Run this Saturday morning at New Palestine High School.

Here’s the experiment:
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(Source: Science Bob’s Blog)

Dani’s Dreams Scholarship Winner Sees Science at Work

Bryce Kleiman, New Palestine High School graduate, is the 2014 winner of the Dani Griffin Innovation in Education Scholarship. He will be recognized at the eighth annual Dani’s Dreams Memorial Run/Walk Aug. 2, 8 a.m. at New Palestine High School.

The son of Marcy and Brian Kleiman, Bryce will attend Purdue University in the fall to major in Ag Systems Management with an eye to continue in the family business.

“We raise boer goats, but I also show pigs and sheep. You may not think that there is a lot of science that goes into raising livestock, but you would be wrong,” Kleiman said in his scholarship essay. “You have to know the workings of genetics. . . The animals are just like humans; they need their nutrition to keep them in good health. That is science at work and that is why I have chosen it for my future.”

Bryce is the seventh recipient of the Dani Griffin Innovation in Education Memorial Scholarship. He attended Zion Lutheran School for 10 years. Your registration and donations to the Dani’s Dreams Memorial Walk/Run will help support Bryce and other ambitious, focused, intelligent young people to reach their dreams. Check out our sign-up page and register or donate TODAY!

Dani’s Dreams Helpers Make A Difference!

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Remember Our Roots on WHITEHow does Dani’s Dreams gardens grow? Quite well, thanks to Zion Lutheran Daycare children who have been providing the necessary TLC through planting, watering and weeding. Dani’s Dreams provides children with hands-on learning experiences while developing responsibility and appreciation for the environment.
Your registration/donation for the Aug. 2 Dani’s Dreams Memorial Walk/Run gives even more children the opportunity to “Dream It – Do It!”
CLICK HERE to register and get your coolest T-shirt on the planet!

Dani’s Beach Animal Quiz – Guess the Right Answer and Win!

dani019Dani’s Dreams is celebrating summer with newsletters, quizzes, special events and prizes. Check in every day – Like us on Facebook!

Here’s the final clue in our Beach Animal Quiz:

I am an acrobat of the sky, floating motionless in midair by catching wind currents with perfect timing and precision.

WHAT ANIMAL AM I?

KIDS — POST your answers here or on Facebook by July 26 and the first one with the right answer wins a free registration, including T-shirt for the Dani’s Dreams Memorial Walk/Run Aug. 2 at New Palestine High School.

July 6 Clue: I am a scavenger, eating dead fish and bits of seaweed and other types of natural litter and hanging around picnic areas, trash cans and places where people have eaten for whatever crumbs are left.

Weird Little Animals – Check them out!

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•  The jerboa is one of the smallest mammals in the world and is the smallest rodent. Adult females only weigh up to 3.75 grams.

 

 

 

 

smallest-animals4•  This little seahorse is the smallest in the world, reaching only a length of .54 inches and a height of .45 inches.

What I Learned At Dani’s Dreams…

Only two months until our biggest fundraiser of the year, Dani’s Dreams Memorial Walk/Run, Aug. 2 at New Palestine High School. Dani’s Dreams empowers kids to make a difference in the world while learning and sharing important information. Members of Troop 924 fill you in on their afternoon at Dani’s Dreams Outdoor Education Center. Learn about birds and the surrounding nature they observed.

Sign up today online for the walk/run that help Dani’s Dreams sponsor events like Troop 924’s Badge Day!

 

What I Learned at Dani’s Dreams…

Only two months until our biggest fundraiser of the year, Dani’s Dreams Memorial Walk/Run, Aug. 2 at New Palestine High School. Dani’s Dreams empowers kids to make a difference in the world while learning and sharing important information. Sign up today online for the walk/run that help Dani’s Dreams sponsor events like Troop 924’s Badge Day!
Check out this video report from Girl Scout Troop 924 in Hancock County

 http://youtu.be/3K76H_pXb_4

Dani’s Dreams Helps Troop 924 Earn Badges

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Dani’s Dreams Outdoor Education at Zion Lutheran School partnered with Hancock County Girl Scout Troop 924 for a special Badge Day event May 18. The Junior Troop of Megan Brinley, Lyssie Davenport, Alaina Davis, Lyndsay Diefenderfer, Cassie Moch and Sarah Warner earned their Animal Habitat badge and the Brownie Troop members Sarah Stonerock and Lilly Warner completed the requirements for Bird and Bug badges.

The girls and their leaders spend the afternoon at Dani’s Dreams, discovering the types of birds in the area, observing several types of bugs and learning about endangered animals and how they can help. They also filled bird feeders at Dani’s Dreams and made one to take home.

After their hands-on activities, troop members became Dani’s Dreams reporters and shared their knowledge with others through posters, written and video reports.

Here’s a sampling of what the girls learned:

Cassie Moch reported about parrots in the rainforest:

“It is important so there is more animals around and to save them. Kids can help by doing research about the animals and what can help them.”

Lyssie Davenport reported on endangered animals in the Amazon, specifically the scarlet macaw:

“This is important because we need these animals in the eco-system or more animals will go extinct. Kids can help by spreading the word. Sometimes the only things that adults listen to are children.”

Sarah Stonerock found out that the ladybug is found all over the world. It can play dead when it is threatened. Its favorite thing to eat is aphids.

Lilly Warner discovered that the dragonflies eat tadpoles and like to be near the water.

 

Check out more fun facts in the Dani’s Dreams video reports the girls created and plan your Scout, daycare, preschool or class trip to Dani’s Dreams  or email Donna Griffin, director, at dgriffins96@gmail.com. Don’t forget to Like us on Facebook!

 

 

Making memories, learning, growing and discovering our roots…

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Discovery, learning, growing and hands-on activities were the order of the day at the sixth annual Dani’s Dreams Earth Day Dedication Event April 10 at the outdoor education center at Zion Lutheran School in New Palestine.

The warmest day of the year so far was prime time for children and their parents and grandparents to enjoy several outdoor activities and each other’s company, including:

1) A Nature Detective hunt, where children gathered information on butterflies, birds, dinosaurs, weather and photosynthesis. All winning names were placed in a random drawing for an I Spy birdhouse. The Day family won the birdhouse! Watch for future reports on Dani’s Dreams website and Facebook page from the Day birdhouse.

2) Mini Greenhouses – kids and their grandparents took home dirt and seeds and will now get to “Watch ‘Em Grow!”

3) Thanks to the participating families who planted bulbs, one of the gardens at Dani’s Dreams will bloom this summer with colorful gladiolus flowers! Check out the plants’ progress over the summer on the website and Facebook page.

The first round of voting took place for this year’s T-shirt design and essay contest for the Dani’s Dreams Walk/Run Aug. 2, 8 a.m. at New Palestine High School. Finalists will be chosen and placed online where everyone can vote for their favorite!

Kids, don’t forget to talk to your grandparents and get their stories for our “Remember Our Roots” memory book. We are compiling childhood memories and stories over this year. Send them to Zion Lutheran School, in c/o Dani’s Dreams or post them online at the Remember Our Roots at Dani’s Dreams Outdoor Education Center’s Facebook Page.

Remember Dani’s Dreams Outdoor Education Center at Zion Lutheran School  is open every day to spend some quality outdoor time with your family!