by Kelly Knowlden
In the student handbook we have two statements concerning communication that I want to bring to your attention. The first is under the GOALS section and states: “To maintain regular communication with parents.” We want to do this because parents are primarily responsible for their student’s education. The second is in the section titled: PARENTAL RESPONSIBILITY. It says that “Communication with the school is a parental responsibility…” We are asking parents to stay in touch with us about homework, concerns, ideas, forgotten items, etc.
One of the problems that we are faced with is that with all the various forms of communication used by people today, there seems to be NO ONE WAY to keep in touch with all parents. That is why we have a Facebook page, use e-mail, send paper copies, and can even text you with information. However, in a sound-bite age, it is difficult to communicate larger truths that are necessary for us to maintain community. Even this blurb is too big to text to someone and therefore is relegated to the too-many-words-to-read category.
So two things we are asking. One is that if you have other suggestions on how to communicate with you that would be effective and sensitive to time use (no, I cannot call all families with information), then we’d like to hear it. The second is that YOU are responsible to keep in the know. It is incumbent upon you to find out what is going on at the school, making sure that you are timely with returning forms, and being in the know about current issues affecting the school. (Watch for EITC information coming soon. This could affect your financial outlay for next school year!)
Our desire is to help you in the process of education. Please be in touch with us about what you’d like to see continue as well as those things that you need more information about.
Tuesday, March 27, 2012
Monday, March 19, 2012
Thanks are Due!
by Kelly Knowlden
One of the marks of Christians is that they are thankful. They understand that God, who is good, oversees all things and can be trusted to bring what is good. They recognize the work of others and are thankful, as well.
So, I would like to commend the students for their hard work on Friday. Many students proved their good work ethic by going above and beyond what I expected. The third floor itinerant room had everything removed to the hall, and shelves, window sills, floors and desks thoroughly cleaned. Then before things were put back, there was a determination made as to what was worth keeping.
The back side rooms of the auditorium were also thoroughly cleaned and rearranged to be ready for the drama production! (Mr. Knowlden, the younger, was thrilled!) Stairwells and edges of the hall were scrubbed, metal trash discarded and items needed for the future were put in storage.
Meanwhile, Mr. James Wolfe, a parent of one of our students, was painting the walls in the art room, and long after the students went home, Jerry and Becky Tomassacci were sealing and waxing the third floor hallway!
Of course, the teachers in the classrooms and particularly Mr. K and Mr. Riggall were busy overseeing students and making things happen.
On top of all that, we were served by parents and friends of the school going to the Elementary Speech Meet as chaperones and judges! Jen Shoemaker, Carola Galliani, Jerry Tomassacci, Michelle Patalau, Kim Broskoskie and a former graduate, Jenessa Tomassacci, all helped. They were headed by Megan Kerrick. Kim Broskoskie also helped with the in-school practices for these students and should be commended. Brian McGrory also went as a judge!
Here is the neat thing: I was interviewing a potential school family during part of this and they were impressed by the ownership of Christian education by the students and parents here. Thank you all for demonstrating that!
One of the marks of Christians is that they are thankful. They understand that God, who is good, oversees all things and can be trusted to bring what is good. They recognize the work of others and are thankful, as well.
So, I would like to commend the students for their hard work on Friday. Many students proved their good work ethic by going above and beyond what I expected. The third floor itinerant room had everything removed to the hall, and shelves, window sills, floors and desks thoroughly cleaned. Then before things were put back, there was a determination made as to what was worth keeping.
The back side rooms of the auditorium were also thoroughly cleaned and rearranged to be ready for the drama production! (Mr. Knowlden, the younger, was thrilled!) Stairwells and edges of the hall were scrubbed, metal trash discarded and items needed for the future were put in storage.
Meanwhile, Mr. James Wolfe, a parent of one of our students, was painting the walls in the art room, and long after the students went home, Jerry and Becky Tomassacci were sealing and waxing the third floor hallway!
Of course, the teachers in the classrooms and particularly Mr. K and Mr. Riggall were busy overseeing students and making things happen.
On top of all that, we were served by parents and friends of the school going to the Elementary Speech Meet as chaperones and judges! Jen Shoemaker, Carola Galliani, Jerry Tomassacci, Michelle Patalau, Kim Broskoskie and a former graduate, Jenessa Tomassacci, all helped. They were headed by Megan Kerrick. Kim Broskoskie also helped with the in-school practices for these students and should be commended. Brian McGrory also went as a judge!
Here is the neat thing: I was interviewing a potential school family during part of this and they were impressed by the ownership of Christian education by the students and parents here. Thank you all for demonstrating that!
Monday, March 12, 2012
The King is Coming
by Kelly Knowlden
Picture this: a man dressed in uniform with sword strapped to his side, regal in his bearing, strides to the front of a crowd. On his head, a circlet of gold. Splendor and majesty mark his bearing. His face is set with determination that is fearful to behold. He casts out evildoers from his presence with his glance. He smiles with twinkling eyes at those who love him. He is adored by thousands. And his enemies do not have a chance against the arrows of his indignation and they know it. He is the King. For us, it is King Jesus!
Now read this: “What we will be has not yet been made known. But we know that when He appears, we shall be like Him.” While this passage is not primarily one about physical resemblances, it does imply likeness of character. And, if we love King Jesus (live for Him), that will be you and me!
My purpose in writing this is the same as the apostle John. In the midst of trials here below, the overwhelming work or the severe circumstances, the encouragement of a coming King who will set all things to right buoys our hearts. Gone will be our sin of boredom, our impatience at sameness, our lust for excitement. Gone, too, will be tears, hurts, fears, and needs. What a day!
Encourage your children, too, with that biblical hope!
Picture this: a man dressed in uniform with sword strapped to his side, regal in his bearing, strides to the front of a crowd. On his head, a circlet of gold. Splendor and majesty mark his bearing. His face is set with determination that is fearful to behold. He casts out evildoers from his presence with his glance. He smiles with twinkling eyes at those who love him. He is adored by thousands. And his enemies do not have a chance against the arrows of his indignation and they know it. He is the King. For us, it is King Jesus!
Now read this: “What we will be has not yet been made known. But we know that when He appears, we shall be like Him.” While this passage is not primarily one about physical resemblances, it does imply likeness of character. And, if we love King Jesus (live for Him), that will be you and me!
My purpose in writing this is the same as the apostle John. In the midst of trials here below, the overwhelming work or the severe circumstances, the encouragement of a coming King who will set all things to right buoys our hearts. Gone will be our sin of boredom, our impatience at sameness, our lust for excitement. Gone, too, will be tears, hurts, fears, and needs. What a day!
Encourage your children, too, with that biblical hope!
Monday, March 5, 2012
Eat, Drink, and Be Merry
by Kelly Knowlden
Because we think about life in terms of what is seen, felt and heard, we often get caught in these circumstances thinking, “This is a bummer!” “I don’t like this!” “This is stupid!” “Why did God let this happen?” “Why doesn’t anything ever go my way?” etc. The consequence of this thinking is to make choices based on how we feel at the given moment (anger, yelling, mental predictions of what will happen next, withdrawal, frustration, etc.) which we later regret and repent of and tell ourselves we won’t do again.
Into this cycle (which we don’t learn from very well) put this thought: "Whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God" (I Cor. 10:31). Here we have a statement that tells us that ALL of life is spiritual. What does this mean? It means that when Freddie won’t eat his oatmeal (do his homework, take out the trash, etc.) there is a spiritual dynamic to this event that MUST not be ignored. On one hand is the spiritual stuff that is going on with Freddie. “Why doesn't he want to eat it?” “What spiritual truth does he need to know?” “What appropriate correction is necessary here?"
There is, on the other hand, our own spiritual response to him not eating. “Why am I angry?” “Do I feel affronted by a kid who will not listen to me?” “What reasons would I give to God for my responses?” “Do I know what it is to not want to do something?” “Do I let him off the hook because it is a universal response?”
Ultimately, we want our children and ourselves to find that peace in the midst of ALL circumstances that comes from entrusting our days to Christ and submitting to His good and perfect will. In so doing, we will be able to truly eat, drink and be merry.
Because we think about life in terms of what is seen, felt and heard, we often get caught in these circumstances thinking, “This is a bummer!” “I don’t like this!” “This is stupid!” “Why did God let this happen?” “Why doesn’t anything ever go my way?” etc. The consequence of this thinking is to make choices based on how we feel at the given moment (anger, yelling, mental predictions of what will happen next, withdrawal, frustration, etc.) which we later regret and repent of and tell ourselves we won’t do again.
Into this cycle (which we don’t learn from very well) put this thought: "Whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God" (I Cor. 10:31). Here we have a statement that tells us that ALL of life is spiritual. What does this mean? It means that when Freddie won’t eat his oatmeal (do his homework, take out the trash, etc.) there is a spiritual dynamic to this event that MUST not be ignored. On one hand is the spiritual stuff that is going on with Freddie. “Why doesn't he want to eat it?” “What spiritual truth does he need to know?” “What appropriate correction is necessary here?"
There is, on the other hand, our own spiritual response to him not eating. “Why am I angry?” “Do I feel affronted by a kid who will not listen to me?” “What reasons would I give to God for my responses?” “Do I know what it is to not want to do something?” “Do I let him off the hook because it is a universal response?”
Ultimately, we want our children and ourselves to find that peace in the midst of ALL circumstances that comes from entrusting our days to Christ and submitting to His good and perfect will. In so doing, we will be able to truly eat, drink and be merry.
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