Living like we are "Easter" people!

I was reminded by the pastor today to live like I am an "Easter" person---to live with the excitement of the Resurrection in my daily life! What a great reminder! I pray you enjoyed a blessed Easter weekend.

I want to thank Mrs. Ahna and our third grade students and teachers for blessing us with a wonderful chapel last week! As one teacher said, "the chapel led us right into Easter worship!"





Mrs. Ahna had a busy day last Thursday! We want to thank our first grade choir, Ahna's Angels, and our first grade teachers for traveling to Mulder Church last Thursday to perform their final concert for this year! Mrs. Ahna and the Angels did a great job blessing all those in attendance!


Please have a wonderful week as we head into our final weeks for this school year!


Notes:
*Spring Band Concert this coming Wed, April 27th, 8:15 a.m. in Willett Hall.











http://www.hampsteadinstitute.org/

Authentic Learning Experiences!

I read an article this week reminding educators of the importance of making a learning experience as authentic and real as possible. This can be tough, as all of us know, due to many factors---time, space, money, etc. After reading that article, I began to think of how often I see authentic learning experiences all over our campus! It is constant! This week alone, I was able to observe or participate in several incredible learning experiences just in lower school. All of that credit goes to you, the teacher! You are the dreamer, the planner, the organizer . . . .the one who makes it all happen. I know you don't really have the time but you make the time because you know that if it excites you . . . .it will excite and ignite learning in students! Thank you for dreaming big and collaborating with others to develop authentic learning experiences for our students. Have a blessed weekend as we head into Holy Week and Easter Sunday! Easter Blessings!



I certainly enjoyed being a part of this wonderful "market day" authentic learning experience! (complete with "starbucks" paper money and a truly authentic cup of "Starbucks"! Thank you, third grade!)

Catching His Perspective on Things!

I don't know about you but this weather is my kind of weather! To be able to get out and walk in the sunshine is truly a gift! I enjoy walking with friends but it is extremely important that I have my alone time while walking to pray and praise. Yesterday was one of those days! As I walked and listened to praise and worship music, I was reminded of how much outside stimuli we, in a school setting especially, are subjected to constantly on a daily basis. I so encourage you to find time to get alone (I know this is hard with children at home) and get still before Him--it truly makes a difference in our "perspective" on things. As I was walking and praising, I thought of Kathryn Wolf who spoke here in Montgomery this week---at our school and at a larger gathering. The one word that comes up every time she speaks, it is the importance of God's heavenly, eternal "perspective" in all of our daily situations. She always reminds the crowd that most people in her situation would not be joyful (like she is) but they may not have her perspective on it given to her from God so she can handle the situation victoriously through Him. As I kept walking yesterday, I was reminded that His perspective is what we are striving for in all situations and this only comes from studying His word, uniting in worship with other believers, and spending time with Him so we can "catch" it! I hope you enjoyed your weekend and had some "perspective" time with Him.

There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under heaven . . . a time to be silent and a time to speak.
Ecclesiastes 3:1,7


Oh, what a difference a few words can make!


This is the time of year to reflect and think about those in our class that may need one more parent phone call of encouragement or an email of reassurance of how much you have enjoyed teaching their child. I heard a teacher sharing the other day about taking the last 5 weeks of school and calling or emailing 4 a week until she had made her way through her class. It certainly ties a bow on the end of the year and reaffirms to all where you stand on their child no matter what twists and turns the year may have taken. You have invested much this year and I thank you for your humble hearts and Christ like attitudes that encourage me daily and hold me accountable. I am blessed to have the honor of working beside you. We are in the home stretch for this 2010-2011 school year! Good job!


Upcoming Events in Lower School:

*Monday, April 11: Midterm Reports Go Home
*Monday, April 11: Lower School Division Meeting (and Celebration for Kelly Harrison)
*Tuesday, April 12: Breakfast and Books for AR Monthly Top Scorers (for March) 7:45 a.m. Science Lab
*Tuesday, April 12: Fifth Grade Assembly on Social Networking 1:30 Old Gym
*Wednesday, April 13: Upper School Choral Performance for the Lower School Students 8:15 WH
*Thursday April 21: Lower School Easter Chapel 8:15 WH This will be led by our third grade students!
*Friday, April 22: Holiday-Good Friday

iSummit 2011

You may have heard faculty members talking about an exciting trip to Nashville coming up June 22-24, called iSummit. Please click here to learn more about this unique time of professional development that occurs each summer. If you are interested, a sign up sheet is on the counter in our LS office at this time. This trip will be covered by your professional development funds.

Kahn Academy Link Added

A link to a valuable site called Kahn Academy has been added under Quick Links for this blog. Please check it out by clicking here as well.