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www.indysda.org
     an Indiana Conference Quarterly Education Newsletter
April, 2018                                                                               Vol. 1, No. 1

Superintendent's Report

Nicole Mattson



 
I didn’t have to go far in my search to find support for the idea that hands-on learning in science helps students of all ages to learn science better. Quoted from the American Chemistry Society webpage, “Hands-on experiences significantly advance learning at all levels of science education when appropriately designed and guided by qualified educators.” Most of us would agree; we have probably all experienced even as a young child doing such things as adding vinegar to baking soda and waiting for that “wow” effect of a monstrous volcano.
With this in mind, we wanted to encourage learners and educators from around the state to join us for a fun afternoon with Ben Roy, the awesome science educator from Georgia. An avid educator of science and discovery for many years, he now teaches education students in his Science Methods classes at Southern Adventist University.  But of course, he loves what he does so much that he packs up his van and travels all over the country performing science demos for kids of all ages. Mr. Roy has an engaging way of bringing God into learning about science that heightens interest and awareness that addresses learners of all levels. He loves to not only capture their attention, but also employ their help as they assist in a variety of science demos to make science come alive. The students from the Indiana Conference really jumped when a planned and prepared for “explosion” blew a water bottle to shreds on the stage of Indiana Academy. Students from all over the conference as well as many homeschooling families took advantage of this event, and many were called up front to be helpers and doers. This is what learning is all about!  You can catch Ben Roy’s travels and fun at:

Geoscience Zone Website

Science Zone Facebook

Check out another issue of Ed Impact Indiana in July!!

 

President's Corner

Steve Poenitz



 
My fellow pastors, members, teachers, and parents of Indiana, we were doubly blessed at our recent Sabbath Celebration and Music Festival at Indiana Academy this past April 7, 2018.  With all glory to God we were privileged to experience Adventist Christian Education (ACE) at its best.
 
Students from eight of our elementary schools and Indiana Academy participated.  Marguerite Samuel (voice clinician) and Byron Graves (instrument clinician) conducted the music festival training in tandem with our IA Music Department team of Philip Byrd and Robert Leal. We praise the Lord for the talents God has given to our youth!

 
        
Marguerite Samuel                                                      Byron Graves
Additionally, we were fortunate to have Larry Blackmer, the North American Division Education Director, preach for Sabbath Celebration. He challenged our constituents to foster the core values of Adventist Christian Education.
 
As our youth matriculate to higher learning, may ACE also lead them to progress to serve God in many fields of labor as witnesses for Jesus; then our Savior will come. As the Apostle Paul stated, “We have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellency of the power may be of God, and not of us” (2 Corinthians 4:7). One vital component of this “treasure” is Adventist Christian Education that contributes to the destiny of our youth. Shall we not join together to make ACE available for every child in Indiana?

 

For Our Parents

“Do as I say, not as I do”…sound familiar? The truth is, children will learn from both the hearing and the observing, so clearly, what we do and what we say are very important. That’s what makes it hard when what we say and what we do are not our very best. The best modeling for a child is doing  what you want them to do, saying what you want them to say, and keeping it all in harmony with God’s plan. It doesn’t matter whether it is regarding  health, study and reading habits, time spent with God, our attitude, our desire to serve self…you name it. With God’s help, you can be a parent after God’s own heart and in turn, mold the heart of your child to be like God.
“The nobler the aims, the higher the mental and spiritual endowments, and the better developed the physical powers of the parents, the better will be the life equipment they give their children. In cultivating that which is best in themselves, parents are exerting an influence to mold society and to uplift future generations. “  Ministry of Healing, p. 371
 

Education Quote

““Wisdom is the principal thing; therefore get wisdom.” “The tongue of the wise useth knowledge aright.” Proverbs 4:7, 15:2. True education imparts this wisdom. It teaches the best use not only of one but of all our powers and acquirements. Thus, it covers the whole circle of obligation-to ourselves, to the world, and to God.”
Education, p. 225

 

Schools' Highlights & Students' Views

Terre Haute SDA School Social

Pastor Daniel McKibben and his wife Nerida have the Terre Haute SDA school children over to their home 2-3 times a year for a social that includes a small bonfire for cooking their lunch and roasting marshmallows, playing near and in the pond, flying paper airplanes and more. Last social the children asked Pastor Daniel if they could “just take their shoes off” (wanting to imitate Pastor Daniel’s bare feet), and what could he say but “of course”. Well, it didn’t take long for them to be wading in the pond getting their clothing wet and muddy.  So Pastor Daniel had to sheepishly confess and ask forgiveness from their parents/guardians, but they were more than forgiving and enjoyed hearing the story.  They were happy that the children were having such a good time.

Terre Haute SDA church school ministers to many non-Adventist children and when Pastor Daniel first moved into the district, he contacted the parents and guardians to meet them and test their spiritual interest. One of the non Adventists’ grandmother showed deep spiritual interest, so Daniel began Bible studies with her immediately.  She just recently made a decision to quit her job that requires her to work on the Sabbath!
Please pray for us and all of our schools as we gently introduce our children and their guardians to Jesus and the special truths that God has committed to us.
Pastor McKibben with Terre Haute Adventist School Students
Aboite Students Encounter Jesus at School
 
8th Grader
"Something positive about this school is that the students are a family. I get a good education and have people nearby who are close to God. These students are growing spiritually like me, and we get to share experiences. You will feel that you have spiritually grown, and people will tell you. The students are a second family to you. We may have our fights and arguments, but we all make up at the end of the day. We will always have each others’ back. The girls, growing up to be elegant and patient. The boys, becoming young men who are polite. This is what makes ACS like home. It may be a building, but it’s the people inside that makes it a home for sure."
 
Another 8th Grader
"I learn about God personally through reading. In the past years that I've been in this school, we would all get books like Messiah and story books from the Bible and read them as a class. Each student would read as much as they want, and we would stop and discuss what we read. We would spent a lot of the morning doing that even if we went off time and topic, it was ok because talking about God was way more important than other work. Even though math and language are important, I loved that connection with God, and I didn't want it to end.  We would ask deep questions about our Christian walk with our heavenly Father, and our teacher at the time would go really deep into the situation.  It made me want to give my life to Christ."
 
7th Grader
"I learn about God at this school through our class worship, our chapel, our Bible class, and our weeks of prayer. I also learned a lot about God through reading the Bible and studying it at school in previous years up to this one. We marked important verses on different topics. We also study specific verses and memorize them. We studied the books of Samuel and memorized Psalms 91 last year. The year before that each grade memorized a chapter in Romans. We have also been learning about God through music."

 
Elkhart Adventist Christian School

The students at Elkhart Adventist Christian School are looking for God's path for their life. This year we focused on using our talents for God.  In the Bible we know the talents story was a lesson about handling money.  This year we explored the talents (abilities) God has given us.  The students built 3 raised-bed gardens this fall, canned pears, and made pear sauce to give to elderly church members.  We have also become quite good bread bakers. We plan to share our home-made bread with the ladies at the Osolo Library and the office staff at the public school across the street.

God gave us hand bells this fall, for a fraction of the cost, and we pledged to glorify Him with our performances. The students at EACS have been seeking God, and God has honored their search. Four of the five students will be baptized in May.

 
Elkhart Adventist Christian School students making bread.

Indiana Conference

APRIL
12 - Board of Education Meeting

MAY
4-7 - Pathfinder Fair
12 - Indiana Academy Spring Concert
17 - Board of Education
18-20 - Adventurer Family Weekend
27 - Indiana Academy Graduation


JUNE
3-9 - Camp Meeting

 
Check out another issue of Ed Impact Indiana in July!!
Copyright © 2018 Indiana Conference of Seventh-day Adventists, All rights reserved.


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