Wednesday, May 31, 2017

Investing In Our Children:

I’ve noticed tuition packages starting to make their way in from our families asking them to financially commit to our next school year. The investment that paperwork represents is significant. Perhaps you, like myself, have been asked why do we do this?

It is not because our academic program is superior to all others. We work hard to ensure we provide students with a diverse and robust student program to teach skills and share content. Our learning program is delivered by qualified staff who use the best techniques and resources of our age, but we are aware that other schools also are capable of this.

It is not because we have sin parked out front, unable to enter in. Although we do enjoy an above average degree of harmony and unanimity here at LCES, we do face problems, conflict, and the results of poor choices. We frame our response to them around the idea of forgiveness, restoration, and growth.

It is not because it is easy. The long road of the oldest child starting JK or SK through to the youngest completing grade eight or beyond is full of challenges for families. It includes risks and leaps of all kinds – fiscal, social, relational, faith and more. And yet, in the words of a grandparent who shared their take with me, “there is no money I have spent in my lifetime with greater joy and satisfaction – both then as we participated and now as we watch it bearing fruit in the lives of children and grandchildren.”

It is because it is a package deal. Life at LCES is joy-filled flurry of living and learning by God’s grace. Having students at LCES makes them aware of the reality of a world affected by sin, but redeemed by the incredible love of God. It is the intertwining of faith and fact, wisdom and learning, knowing and doing. It is the daily presence of a teaching staff entirely committed and vocationally called to the craft of Christian teaching. They love each child and see them as God created them – talents, weaknesses, abilities, passions and vulnerabilities - all included. It’s a vibrant community of believers, committed to a common goal and to each other. It’s a daily pattern of faithfulness that has implications into eternity. 

May you be blessed by your commitment to “impress upon their hearts” the things of God. (Deut 6:6&7)

SJ

Wednesday, May 24, 2017

Everyday Courage: Doing the Impossible


“I wish every Friday could be field day.” Now that is a positive review!

These were the words of one of younger students participating in Field Day last Friday. The Lord blessed us with a perfect day in terms of weather, a positive community atmosphere, and a safe stu
dent experience as our students used their athletic gifts and talents in a competitive scene. Parents, grandparents, and other friends and family turned out in large numbers to cheer on LCES students. What fun!

A parent shared with me the joy of seeing their child be a part of an experience where students were being encouraged for their efforts by their teachers and classmates for giving their best, regardless of the outcome. “There aren’t enough places where that happens in life” said the parent. “It shapes a person. Encouragement brings life to your soul and makes you do things you didn’t know you could.”
Profound thoughts as we cleaned up the school and grounds at the close of a day. I’ll admit that I wasn’t considering such things at the moment, but it did leave me thinking: How can you describe the
value of encouragement?

In my long-distance travels I recall seeing an enormous billboard near an interstate attempting to challenge the hurried travellers with the following: “Encouragement is to raise confidence to the point where one dares to do what is difficult.” Life’s journey can become very hard. Indeed, “we are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed.” (2 Corinthians 4:8-9).

Please join me in praying that our staff and students will be encouraged in their need to do what is sometimes difficult – living as faith-filled people in a world that sometimes snuffs out hope. And remember “…there is nothing in all creation that will ever be able to separate us from the love of God which is ours through Christ our Lord.”(Romans 8:39)

SJ

Wednesday, May 17, 2017

Travelling In The Most Excellent Way

There is more to a race than finishing first. Sometimes finishing alone is an accomplishment.

Imagine racing across the US for 4800 kms on a bike, all alone without a support team. Coast to coast through all the weather and terrain extremes you can imagine. The winner of last year’s Trans Am race did it in 18 days, 10 minutes. (https://transambikerace.com)

How does one go about preparing and training for such an event? Endless practice to develop physical stamina, mental resolve, and deliberate strategy were no doubt involved in making it to the finish line. It is a truly amazing story that makes you stop and consider what one can do when perseverance and dedication are applied to specific goals.

Perseverance and dedication. These two admirable and valued character qualities are a requirement
for biking, but even more so – for life. Throughout the year I’ve heard these words frequently at LCES.

When those two qualities are matched with an intentional, worthwhile purpose – like easing the burden of those around us, being a faithful presence in all circumstances, an being an encouraging force, an agent of blessing by choice -  then we truly have travelled the road in the most excellent way. In doing so, we aim to “…use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God’s grace.” (1 Peter 4:10)

How good it is that we can teach our children in this most excellent way at LCES each day! May we
seek the kingdom (Matthew 6:33) with perseverance, dedication, and purpose in all we do and say
this week.

SJ

Monday, May 15, 2017

Making it Work: Moving Our Christian School Forward



“We make a living by what we get. We make a life by what we give.” -Winston Churchill -

What does it take to make our Christian school work? Essentially, I would propose three things:

a) The Lord's gracious provision of committed teachers and staff, a great student program, and building that enables it all to come to life.
b) A strong sense of community.
c) Financial means to support all of the above. A number of weeks ago many friends of LCES gathered in the gym to enjoy an evening of food, fellowship, and fund raising at our spring auction.

There is something intensely gratifying about being in the company of people who share the same vision and are willing to release funds in a positive, happy atmosphere. For those who bought items or services, realize you got more than you bargained for; you advanced the cause of quality, Christian education at LCES. Thank-you for one of the most successful auction results in recent years!

In two weeks our annual golf tournament will see a group of golfers enjoying the late May outdoors, chasing a white ball all over the Forest City golf course. It too is a situation where people in our community come out and willingly give funds that enable the school to carry out its mission and vision. Who do you know that might be interested in coming? It is always a fantastic day outside connecting with friends and making new connections.

And there is more. We have volunteers who work in our thrift store, and those who pickup items to be sold. We have grandparents, some whose grandchildren have already graduated, that continue to come to the school to purchase gifts cards. Our Bright Futures capital campaign has connected us to many who have overwhelmed us with their gifts.

We are thankful for these expressions of support!

SJ

Wednesday, May 3, 2017

Leaving for Learning on Field Trips

With the return of favourable weather and an eye to the remaining months of the school year, our fleet of yellow chariots will soon take our students to all sorts of unique places. Although these are memorable excursions, there is more than memory making going on. Consider:

God formed sky, land, and sea;
stars above, moon and sun,
making a world of colour, beauty, and variety—
a fitting home for plants and animals, and us—
a place to work and play,
worship and wonder,
love and laugh. Our World Belongs to God: A Contemporary Testimony

Class trips happen throughout the entire year, from JK through grade 8. The length, educational focus, and structure of the trips is always different, but one thing remains the same. Why does LCES send students on class trips? I can think of several reasons:

1. These experiences help our students to see God’s world as a place of beauty and offer experiences to develop wonder and praise for an amazing world of people and places.
2. Taking the classroom on the road creates invaluable “touchstone” moments for our students to connect previous learning or prepare working examples for future learning as they see God’s world as a connected, purposeful, and intricate place prepared for his children.
3. Students see their teacher, classmates, and even parents in a different way as they respond to different topics and ways of learning. They understand each other’s interests, passions, and talents more fully. We build community when we become a community in a different place.
4. Students can see the world in its brokenness, and yet see hope in the ways they can be involved in redeeming it.

Taking the classroom on road is part of the bold assertion that indeed, Our World Belongs to God!
SJ