End of the Year Reflections

A school year is like life in that it comes in several stages.  We have come to the stage of the year that we call the end.  An end is good because it represents a goal with a purpose.  The goal and purpose is to bring to completion that which we have worked on for the year.  This seems to be so difficult at this time of the year because so many activities seem to impede and interfere with the progress that we wish to make in completing the work of the year.  Sometimes the end of the school year appears to be similar to the arrival of a plane at its destination.  We feel that everyone is out in the aisle even though the plane has not come to its final destination. With effort and determination, however, we can reach that goal and can also believe that we have done well that which we were assigned to do. I confess God’s assurance and grace as He sustained me personally in the work.

 
Departure from this school year is unique.  This is the ninth year of our existence and the class that graduates this year will be the first class to complete nine years of continuous education at Eastside.  We will miss these students and some of the parents in the future.  We bid them all a very heartfelt farewell.  The students graduating are Rebekah Glupker, Jmos Herring, Joseph Holstege, Nicholaus Monsma, and Steven Ophoff.  The graduation of Joseph and Steven means that we must also say farewell to Jim and Kathi Holstege and to Steve and Karen Ophoff because this is the last child of their families that will be attending Eastside. As you leave us, don’t forget us.

 
Our reflections on the past must include some reflections on the future.  We are happy to report that all of our current faculty will be back, the Lord being willing, for the 2006-2007 school year.  Their assignments are the following:

                       Mrs. Vicki DeKryger: Pre-kindergarten and Kindergarten

                       Ms. Renee Nelson: 1^st-3^rd grades

                       Mrs. Judie Feenstra: 4^th-5^th grades

                       Mrs. Kristi Thompson: 6^th -7^th grades

                       Mr. Robert Adams: 8^th-9^th grades

                       Ms. Agatha Lubbers, Administrator

 
As we tally up the many blessings we have received at Eastside Christian School we cannot help but mention that the school could not have gone smoothly without the help of many volunteers.  Each teacher was helped in many ways by parents and friends of the school who willingly volunteered multiple hours to the school. We would so much like to list the volunteers but we do not want to take the risk of forgetting someone who has given time and is forgotten.  Thank you all for your contributions.

 
I particularly want to thank Dawn Young, school secretary, for her faithful and good work.

 
Printed with this week’s issue of Events you will find a copy of the calendar that has been approved for 2006-2007.

 
God be with you all during this summer.  Our prayer is that we teachers, parents, and supporters of the school will be prepared to resume the instruction of the children in the year 2006-2007.                   

                                                  

                                                                        Agatha Lubbers, administrator

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 This year has been characterized by a lot of special happenings, which have not been spectacular, but are noteworthy.  The class took up the homophone study that was begun last year, offering suggestions that wee added too the list (over 300 strong at last count).  Our studies in US history introduced people settling on the frontier who turned into “hillbillies”.  This led to some bluegrass music discussions and demonstrations.  This, in turn, generated an idle comment on a capella singing, especially of the barbershop variety.  A few rips of a CD later and we have had some nice opening and background music in our educational environment.  Particularly, for the Mind Fair the creativity of the students came through.  They really did the development and work of the affair. These are some examples of the positive spontaneity that we are privileged to have at our school.

As we close out the year, I must confess the faithfulness of our Father in His sustaining me personally in the labors, and express thankfulness to parents and students alike in their contributions to the good labors of Eastside.  May the Lord continue to bless us.

                                                                                             Pete Adams

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Focus

 When facing the school year last August, I asked myself, “How can I do this?”  How can I affectively teach twenty-three students in three grades?  God answered – one step at a time. 

 I wondered if I would have the wisdom necessary to handle whatever was placed in my path.  God answered – “Whatsoever you ask in My name, that will I give…”

 Where would I get enough energy?  Even Jesus needed time away by Himself when He walked on earth.  Why would I be any different?  I just needed to use my time wisely by prioritizing.

 How could I be sure?  Where was the promise?  Scripture told me, “Through Christ I can do all things which strengthen me.”

 God gave me my moments only one at a time and guided each one of them when I kept my eyes on Him.

 
I can say that I enjoyed teaching this year, made lots of good memories, and learned many lessons.  It is with some trepidation that I let go of the students who are moving on.  But, I am looking forward to next year.  With enthusiasm I have already started the planning. 

 
This summer I will be continuing my writing projects for the mission field, vacation in the South, and spend enjoyable hours with my husband.

 
God’s blessings to you and yours this summer.

                                                                                                Mrs. Judie Feenstra

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One year down, hopefully many to go! Yes, I have survived my first year of teaching here at Eastside Christian School! What an exciting week it is for me as I finish up the year with my class and enjoy some reflecting on the great year gone by.  Although very busy and stressful at times, I have thoroughly enjoyed teaching this year. I have learned quite a bit about children, teaching, and myself.  I have learned to rely on God’s guidance through tough questions. I have learned to slow down in the classroom and enjoy the community of faith instead of trying to ‘get through’ curriculum. I have learned to be consistent in discipline! I have learned to have fun and smile everyday! Here are a few of the things I love from this year:

• Chanting our Word Wall Words everyday in many different voices!
• Singing Christmas songs in Español
• Pop-in prayers
• Flat Stanley letters and responses
• 100^th day activities and chanting every 10 minutes
• Receiving drawings from students
• Jokes during lunch
• Making ice-cream with Mrs. Van Baren (and seeing the faces when we ate a salty bite!)
• Color tag in Spanish

 
Thank you to all of you who have supported me this year.  I have been so blessed this year and I can’t wait to teach again next year!

 
Proverbs 3:5-6, “Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding.  In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.”

                                                                                                Renée Nelson

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Warning: Summer Break Fever has hit.  It’s here and there is no escaping it.  Students and teachers are not immune.  Many students have it.  I have it, too.  But, it’s not here yet.  Summer, that is; which means I still have to work and teach, and the students still have to work and learn.  It’s a flurry of activity and busyness these last few days – final worksheets, exams, last-minute projects, chapel, etc.

 
But, let me just take a moment to sit back and reflect on a busy and fruitful year.  I began the school year as a student teacher here at Eastside, graduating and becoming a full-fledged certified teacher in December.  As has been the case for the past 3 years, I have continued also to teach various subjects and different grade levels while student teaching.  It was with relief and renewed energy that I approached the second semester.  I have thoroughly enjoyed these past several months working with students at various grade levels and subject areas.

 It was a whirlwind of a journey that began three years ago in the spring of 2003, and I would like to take this opportunity to express my thanks to everyone for their words of encouragement and prayers during this time.  Special thanks to Miss Lubbers and the teachers for working their schedules around my Calvin schedule during this very busy time.  A big thank you goes to the school board for allowing me to student teach here and for their encouraging words.  Finally, thanks to my husband, without whose unfailing support and undaunting encouragement I could not have made it.

 
I feel truly blessed and privileged to have been able to work with the teachers and students at every grade level these past nine years, and I am looking forward with eager anticipation to teaching here at Eastside next year as the 6^th/7^th grade homeroom teacher.  There is one particular text that has been close to my heart and continually in my thoughts, especially in the past 3 years.  It is Philippians 4:7 and is one of the texts Judie quotes in her Insights article as well; “I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.”  This small 10-word sentence has been an undying source of strength to me, and the depth of its meaning unending.  May God bless and keep you in the summer months. 

                                                                                                Kristi Thompson

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How does a teacher sum up an entire year’s worth of memories into a paragraph or two?  My students and I have had a good year together, both learning and growing.  With a nod to Robert Fulghum (Everything I needed to know I learned in kindergarten…) I list some of the lessons learned in the Pre-K/K classroom this year.  Some of the lines were spoken by the students almost verbatim.  Perhaps you’ll recognize some of their voices here:

             You can write in a journal even if you can’t spell well.

            Each person’s name is special.

            Learning to read is sometimes hard and sometimes easy.

            Singing for grown-ups makes them happy.

            God loves us even when we are grumpy.

            Cleaning your hands keeps you healthy and your desk clean.

            Blue herons live in wetlands.

            Pushing or hitting others usually just makes them mad.

            Butterflies have fragile wings.

            Anyone can learn to draw a princess if they practice.

            Music can sound sad or happy.

            God hears every one of our prayers.

            Trying something new can be scary and fun at the same time.

            Dutch people used to wear wooden shoes and funny clothes.

            Our families are blessings from God.

            Counting to 100 gets easier when you practice.

            Girls usually take a lot longer in the bathroom.

            There are many ways to eat ice cream cones.

            God is eternal, which means He has been around a lot longer than Grandpa.

            Saying you are sorry makes you feel better, too.

            Snack sale and hot lunch make Wednesdays exciting.

            Praising God pleases Him and makes us smile, too.

            Apple orchards are full of trees that grow only apples.

            Airplanes are kept in big garages called hangars.

            Playing with a friend is more fun than playing alone.

            Recess is the best!

                                                                                                Vicki DeKryger