Summer Blessings

Brain research has shown that, for the human brain to learn optimally, it must perceive that it is safe. To that end, teachers and staff pour themselves into making a learning environment that is safe for the children they have been given. In order for an environment to feel secure and safe for all students, teachers must know each child individually. To know a child is to love him or her. Deeply. Our teachers and support staff have fallen in love with the children in their care. While sliding into their desk and sitting in the gathering area every day, they have been snuggling into the pockets of their teachers’ heart. These children are known, understood, appreciated, enjoyed and loved. Under these circumstances and in this relationship, learning can now take place.

A community has been built in each classroom that could be likened to a family. Each student brings unique gifts and abilities. Each student brings unique challenges. These challenges are what teachers pray over and puzzle about. These challenges keep teachers up at night. These children also experience successes in the care of their teacher. These successes are what teachers pray over and celebrate with gratitude. These successes are what allow teachers to fall asleep at night. Teachers revel in all that each child brings.

Then, out of seemingly no where, along comes this last day. Somehow, the children inside teacher’s heart pockets must be released. The children who kept their teacher awake at night must now leave her side. They will learn from and with another. Students and teachers will rest awhile and meet with wide eyes and open hearts their new family. But on this last day, words are not adequate to convey the emotion felt. It’s deep. The last day is hard. It hurts. Our children must be let go and, though they may come back for a visit, the bond of the classroom community is not the same. The last moments on the last day are a hustle. The bell rings, the buses are waiting, bags must be packed and children must be whisked away. Hallways are lined with children grouped around their teacher for one last hug. Teachers look through teary eyes at the layers of children around her waist and want so much to hold each for a time. To tell them one more time how much they have grown and how proud she is of each individual. Instead, the wide eyes look up into hers, from three rows of children back. Time only for a reached out hand. Fingers on the little cheek and the child must go. She’s off. Off to summertime. Off to go home for her well-deserved break. Off to a new learning environment.

God is in this holy process of learning. Children are discovering Him in the love of their teacher. Children are learning His story in her words. Children are beginning to understand how to respond to God’s call in their lives even as their teacher has done with hers. God does not promise easy, but God promises to protect and faithfully hold the life of each of these precious little ones. This is what the teacher, who walks back into the emptied, strangely quiet classroom, holds to. What a gift. What a blessing. To have been given time with His newest kingdom builders, if even for a short time, is a calling worth crying and heart-aching over.

Thank you, parents. Thank you for sharing with us the most precious gift from heaven that you have been given. Each teacher and each staff member cherishes the gift of time spent with your little one. God bless you always as you walk on with your child. Enjoy your summer.

Now just a few items for next year's calendar.


Keep reading this summer!
HCS Summer Reading Incentive: Catch the Reading Bug! Keep track of summer reading minutes. Receive a prize when school begins in the Fall. Check the Elementary Media Center Webpage.
http://www.hollandchristian.org/schools/elementary_media_centers

Another Summer Reading Opportunity!
Look for information coming home today from Barnes and Noble. Read 8 books during the summer and receive a free book from our local Barnes and Noble store!


Office hours for June
Please note on Tuesday, June 9 the office will open at 1:00 p.m.  Otherwise the school office will be open 9:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m. through Friday June, 12th.

Class lists for the 2015-2016 school year can be found in your email!

Upcoming Events:

June 1-4            Holland Rescue Mission clothing drive
June 2 -              Field Day (afternoon @ SS)

June 3-               1st grade Field Trip

June 5-               Final Chapel (10:45-11:15)  All are welcome to join us

                          Last day - 11:30 Dismissal
August 20-        Open House/Ice Cream Social (6:30-8:00 P. M.)
August 24-        First day of school ((K-9 grades)
August 25-        Meet the Teacher Parent Night (7:00 P. M.)
October 8-        Grandparents Day (10:15 A. M.)