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JULY 2019 Volume 2, Number 3
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GOOD-BYES ARE NEVER EASY!
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Time really flies when you are having fun! Three years ago my husband and I set our feet down on the soil of Indiana and called it “home”. During my stay, I’ve had a passion to help teachers, grow schools, and bring spirituality into clear focus. I’ve seen teachers grow and change, bringing new life and the love of Jesus into their classrooms. What an exciting journey! And, as Indiana gears up for GC 2020, I’ve seen the possibilities etched across the beautiful skies of this state. It’s an exciting time and an exciting place to be right now.
Yet, God has other plans for me. At the end of August my husband and I will be transferring to the warmer climate of Arizona to help with his health issues. It breaks my heart to leave when the time is ripe for so much more progress, but I must pass the torch to another. God has the plan! You and I are just ministers of His great love and mercy for one another. We have to all keep our lamps trimmed and burning as we prepare for the return of our Lord and Savior. As you all “Ignite Indiana,” remember that the flame will remain burning brightly in my heart for Indiana and especially the great work going on in our schools. You will be missed!
Please join me in welcoming three new additions to our Indiana teaching staff this coming school year:
Emily Garrett,
Indianapolis Junior Academy, Grades 4/5 Homeroom Teacher and Language Arts Grades 4-8
Samantha Gusky
Indianapolis Junior Academy, Grades K-1
Doreen King
Aboite Christian School, Head Teacher, Grades 5-8
We are so excited as God has answered many prayers!
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Making the Best Plan
There is nothing like a camping trip, hike, bike ride… whatever you can do to get your kids out of the house and away from devices this summer! How will they know there are options if you don’t show them? They will thank you for providing some reality to their virtual world!
“It would be well for you to lay by your perplexing cares and find a retreat in the country, where there is not so strong an influence to corrupt the morals of the young. True, you would not be entirely free from annoyances and perplexing cares in the country, but you would there avoid many evils and close the door against a flood of temptations which threaten to overpower the minds of your children. They need employment and variety. The sameness of their home makes them uneasy and restless, and they have fallen into the habit of mingling with the vicious lads of the town, thus obtaining a street education.”
Adventist Home, Page 141:5
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Is a screen-free sanctuary on your agenda this summer?
It’s easy to watch your children being silently entertained by the hand-held devices they have grown to love, but is it really time well-spent? Our younger generations are losing the ability to have open communication, real relationships, and connectivity with the very beings that God has sacrificed everything for.
Greatschools.org posted an article that I borrowed titled, “How Can I Tear My Tween Away From that Screen?”.
This shift toward personalized screen time could be affecting our children’s development in a number of ways. Not only are kids exposed to a narrower band of content, shaped for their tastes, but they also lose the benefit of a parent’s perspective on the narratives. It also means that families and friends are no longer in the same rooms, and some sense of community is undoubtedly lost.
In addition, because communication through screens is so simple, we probably spend less time looking at each other. Our early adopters — kids and teenagers — may be sacrificing essential social learning. For example, at a Fourth of July brunch I attend every year, adults and children happily mingle, enjoying one another’s company. But a few years ago, I noticed a stark contrast in each generation’s social behavior. As in the past, most of the adults were conversing face to face, but this time, the kids were sitting in a row on a couch, facing forward, staring at their phones. Even in the midst of a swirl of activity, five tween girls ignored one another to focus on their devices.
Humans learn about feelings through face-to-face communication, and research shows that understanding emotions inform empathy. Our facial expressions, our tone of voice, and our body language are just a few of the ways we communicate how we are feeling to other people. The understanding of emotions begins to develop when children are very young, and screens cannot teach the same understanding. The use of mobile technology by children under 8 years of age is rapidly growing, and products like a port-a-potty with a place for a tablet mean fewer places than ever offer screen-free sanctuaries to other people. The understanding of emotions begins to develop when children are very young, and screens cannot teach the same understanding. The use of mobile technology by children under 8 years of age is rapidly growing, and products like a port-a-potty with a place for a tablet mean fewer places than ever offer screen-free sanctuaries.
It is only by intentional planning, quality-time spent that involves the relevant interests of our youth, and prayerful interception that you will build relationships that will allow you to communicate and connect with your child under good and bad circumstances. Build that relationship now…while you still can.
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Adventist Christian Elementary
by Janelle Ruba
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Adventist Christian Elementary (ACE) had a very engaging school year. Students worked hard on a writing workshop and took their topic sentences from ‘boring’ to ‘better’! When given a topic such as trees, students initially wrote topic sentences such as “I love to climb trees” or “There are many types of trees”. After learning about attention-getters in topic sentences, students wrote sentences like, “Ahhh, my sister screamed, and I looked up to see two legs dangling from the pine tree branch.” The stories that followed were entertaining as well.
Our 13 ACE students were involved in many activities and especially enjoyed the many field trips. We all enjoyed a field trip to the Ark Encounter. Students were awed by the immense size and were interested in the animals and the way food was stored. They perused the history of Bibles, and it was fascinating to see many
old Bibles.
One project we did at the end of the year was to write letters to our Armed Servicemen. Students shared Jesus and told the recipients that they were praying for them and their families. They even included colorful little drawings to help brighten their day. The Lord blessed our little school immensely this year, and we are already looking forward to next school year!
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Cross Street Christian School
by Lisa Rhodes
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Matthew 18:20 states, “where two or three gather in my name, there am I with them.” This verse has a special place in the hearts of students and staff at Cross Street Christian School. In the Spring of 2018, students in grades 4-6 initiated a plan for a Prayer Wall to be placed in the school hallway. This Prayer Wall gives, students, families, and staff the opportunity to share prayer requests throughout the school year. In addition, students share their prayer requests during classroom worships as well. The school is blessed to have a group of students who love Jesus and a desire to pray for one another.
Paulette Taylor, the Indiana Conference Prayer Coordinator, joined us for a Friday worship in April, where she presented to the students the topic of prayer. During her presentation, students had the opportunity to learn more about prayer as well as ask Mrs. Taylor questions they had about prayer. Mrs. Taylor’s visit was a blessing to all, and we look forward to having her share with us again.
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Northwest Adventist Christian School
by Katheryn Hickerson
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War, War, War
As a teacher, I don’t even like teaching the subject. It’s a serious reminder of the loss of life, the families that have suffered loss, and loved ones who are no longer with us. But I have a student who loves war, Chase Healy, 8th grade. He knows details that are known only to serious students of history. He can rattle off details that are way beyond my understanding, beyond my desire to understand, honestly.
It just so happened, that our school, Northwest Adventist Christian School, traveled on a field trip to Wheaton, Illinois, to view the 500 acres of Cantigny Park. This is the home of Colonel Robert R. McCormick, abolitionist, creator of the WGN radio station in Chicago, and editor of the Chicago Tribune. This home was named after the battle of France in WWI. The property also contains a wonderful museum. As we were walking through the museum, it was astounding to watch Chase stop at the exhibit, and tell the students around him details about what they were seeing. We continued to notice that other visitors were fascinated with his details and would also stop and listen.
As we entered the Vietnam exhibit, I told him about my uncle being called for duty, yet never going overseas. I noticed a solemn man, with tears brimming in his eyes, standing nearby listening to our discussion. Chase and I stopped, and I asked the man if he served in Vietnam. He replied that he had. Chase reached his hand out, shook the man’s hand, and said, “Thank you for what you did for our country.” The man acknowledged and thanked him for the compliment. Chase and he continued to dialogue about his service. The adults standing nearby were mesmerized by the connection these two shared, one remembering his experience, the other in awe of one who had the experience. This discussion continued as the man gave Chase advice about what he would need to do to join the military ranks and the importance of schooling, something that we have been trying to stress on a day-to-day basis. The veteran brought a profound importance and first-hand insight to help Chase understand how school is important. You don’t just join the military to escape school, that education is so important for your successful future. He saw himself in Chase, and the choices he could have made early on to advance in his military career.
War and heroes now have a new meaning for me.
Chase became our hero that day.
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July
July 7-14 Tween Camp-TRC
July 14-21 Teen Camp-TRC
July 21-28 Family Camp-TRC
August
August 12-17 Oshkosh Camporee
August 19 Indiana Academy School Begins
August 21 Elementary Schools Begin
August 23-25 Hispanic Camp Meeting-TRC
September
September 6-8 Adventurer Family Weekend-TRC
September 20-22 Brown County Blowout
October
October 11-12 IA Alumni Weekend
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IMPACT
