April 2020
Dalat has been blessed to welcome many alumni and families home to campus this school year, and many others are reaching out to keep in touch with their dear classmates and friends through their alma mater.
We are delighted to welcome you, connect you, support your reunions near and far, and pray for you and your family. Whether you spend all of your school years or just one of them at Dalat International School, know that you are loved by many here!
In this issue:
- That Virus Can’t Stop Dalat from Teaching and Learning!
- Thizbe Page Balzer (1998–2020)
- Spirit Week: Then and Now
- Flashback: 2014
- What’s New With You?
That Virus Can’t Stop Dalat from
Teaching and Learning!
In anticipation of Malaysia’s nationwide Movement Control Order (MCO) declared March 18th and still ongoing, Dalat teachers and staff started early to put plans in place for online teaching and learning from home. Like other educators worldwide, our teachers learned new skills and teaching strategies, taught students some basics and trained parents on technology while still face-to-face in the classrooms, and then planned for how to systematically roll out new strategies never previously implemented at Dalat.
Now, armed with scheduled synchronous (group) and asynchronous (self-directed) learning times and assignments, students of every age are learning from home, most guided by intrepid teachers and dedicated parents! While it’s looking like we may be online for the remainder of the semester, Dalat students are finishing well, staying strong, and encouraging each other virtually!
Parents have shared...
“We really appreciate the school’s effort in communications, and in designing online schooling in this chaotic period of time. We find Dalat’s online schooling program very well organized.”
“Teaching (and learning) via technology never ceases to amaze me. I continue to thank God for how well Dalat prepared its students for online school, and how gracious the staff/teachers have been helping the students (and the parents)!”
Thizbe Page Balzer (1998–2020)
We received recent news of the sudden, unexpected, and tragic passing of Thizbe Balzer, a member of Dalat’s class of 2016. Studying veterinary medicine in Canada, and while out for a run, Thizbe suffered heart failure from an underlying condition. Her brother, Emmett (Class of 2017), was with her in the ICU as she passed. News like this is jarring and grievous. It's shocking and difficult to understand. Thizbe was a tremendous athlete, fit, healthy, and very young.
As a sponsor of her class, I remember Thizbe’s smile and her willingness to help. She had a close-knit group of friends, and was active in drama, music, and dance, gracing the stage on numerous occasions. A gifted musician and singer, she served at her local church. While she was a strong student and participated in sports, clubs, and activities, I think what people will remember most about her was her tender heart, her cheerful spirit, her kindness, and her friendship. Thizbe lived with conviction, wisdom, self-discipline, and purpose. Her teachers described her as a beautiful, teachable spirit who was smart, kind, generous, deeply introspective, and spiritually perceptive.
When faced with a loss like this, I am reminded of a favorite quote by Max Lucado, "When you are in the final days of your life, what will you want? Will you hug that college degree in the walnut frame? Will you ask to be carried to the garage so you can sit in your car? Will you find comfort in rereading your financial statements? Of course not. What will matter then will be people. If relationships will matter the most then, shouldn't they matter the most now?"
Karl Steinkamp
Head of School
Spirit Week: Then and Now
What’s New With You?
Update your former classmates about the latest happenings in your life. A new job? Recently retired? Did you just get married? Have a baby? Made a major life change? Or maybe you just haven’t been in touch with fellow alumni in some time. We can help you reconnect!
In 3–4 sentences let us know how you are doing and if possible, send a current photo. Please include your full name (including your maiden name) and year of graduation. We will share your brief update on Dalat’s website.
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