You who bring good news to Zion, go up on a high mountain. You who bring good news to Jerusalem, lift up your voice with a shout, lift it up, do not be afraid; say to the towns of Judah, “Here is your God!” See, the Sovereign LORD comes with power, and he rules with a mighty arm. See, his reward is with him, and his recompense accompanies him. He tends his flock like a shepherd: He gathers the lambs in his arms and carries them close to his heart; he gently leads those that have young.
Isaiah 40:9-11
The end of COVID? Time with family? Your favorite store or restaurant to reopen? Advent is a season of anticipation for Christ's coming, both remembering his first coming and looking forward to his second coming. Unfortunately, I often look forward to lesser things rather than to Christ. May we each look to Christ this season, may we see his love for us and may we anticipate his second coming.
School Community
The school administration has done a great job helping staff and students make good memories even in a time when so many traditions have had to be canceled. Students missed their class trips that normally happen in the fall and the school had to cancel the annual Christmas banquet. But in the midst of all of this, we have added some extra Spirit days and the school principals lead the way wearing sweatpants below their dress shirts and suit jackets. Student council granted Christmas wishes during the lunch breaks in December giving away fuzzy socks, candy and other fun items.
My students have been working hard this semester and doing a great job overall. My middle school students are making great progress on their academic goals. One senior, who struggled significantly in the past, is managing all of his classes almost completely independently! But we are also facing challenges together. As break approached, many people struggled with varying levels of fatigue. A few of my students are right at the cusp of passing a semester class needed for graduation. Hopefully Christmas break will give them both a time of rest as well as time to prepare well for the end of the school semester and exams coming shortly after they return in January.
COVID Update
Our community stayed COVID free up until two weeks before Christmas break. One home student tested positive and went into quarantine. The school administration made the hard decision at that point to have our dorm students spend the last two weeks in remote learning in order to try to limit potential exposure right before their time of travel. This weekend over 100 dorm students are traveling around the world to return to family as we take a month long break before returning in the middle of January. The school worked to help as many students as possible be able to return home for Christmas. Once the students return in January we will spend the first week in remote learning to allow for the quarantine time to be fulfilled by everyone before returning to on campus learning.
Please Pray...
Praise God for being able to have all students on campus for 14 consecutive weeks
Praise God that COVID has not spread to anyone else in our community
For students as they participate in remote learning immediately after Christmas break
For a decreasing of COVID cases in our state so we will be allowed to have on-campus learning in the Spring
For safe and smooth travel for each student and staff member traveling over the break (including me)
For the seniors to have a successful year academically, socially, emotionally, and spiritually
For opportunities to ensure each of my seniors personally understand the gospel
For support and open doors for new staff members hoping to come for the second semester
Blessings,
Becky
[email protected]
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