Mr. Warner's Blog

Recap from 5th and 6th grade trips last week!

2011-05-20T08:14:00.000-07:00

5th Grade - A famous saying in the South is "A good time was had by all!!" and that can certainly be said for the fifth graders who attended the field trip to Camp Carson last week. Fifth graders experienced basketball, soccer, table games like Foosball, canoeing, and a zip line that ended in a lake. Lunch was served family style and included delicious fried chicken fingers, mashed potatoes, hot rolls, and a yummy "dirt" pudding. But the best part of the day was the worship and pantomime done by Doug Horner. He presented the gospel in a very moving performance that ended with a communion type service that included grapes and fresh bread. Doug's challenge ended with "This is my body, broken for you. Do this in remembrance of me." The teachers and Doug are praying that the students will always "remember" Jesus and the the good time we had at Camp Carson.

6th grade - Why in the world would 67 sixth graders and 28 adults meet in the ECS parking lot at 5:30 A.M. on a school day? I’m sure some of those students and parents wondered the exact same thing last Thursday. However, complaints of the early arrival time weren’t murmured throughout the bus as it headed toward the Creation Museum. Instead, we had our own surround sound presentation of “Father Abraham” blaring from the back of the bus throughout the road trip.

If you haven’t been to the Creation Museum, I would highly recommend that you spend a day there. I’ve been the past four years, and I’ve managed to learn something new each time. The excitement level was high as kids and chaperones walked through the exhibits that explain God’s redemptive plan. Light bulb moments happened faster than they could be counted, and the kids were eager to share what they learned. Students were able walk through the Garden of Eden and the ark’s construction zone. Let’s just say it was one construction zone that was enjoyable!

The petting zoo was a popular spot; some students were brave enough to take an intense camel ride! The botanical garden was beautiful and filled with bridges that the kids managed to rock, run, and jump across while meandering through the garden. There may have even been a few adults that pretended to be Indiana Jones when they crossed the treacherous bridge in the swamp.

Before leaving the museum, groups also visited the special effects theater to watch Men in White. Not only were they surprised with some spectacular effects, but spiritual truths were shared in this light-hearted video. The planetarium was also a must see! I think the parents were excited for an opportunity to kick back in the reclining chairs to relax while the students were ready to blast off into an outer space adventure. A good time was had by all!

After supper and a ride on the double decker carousel at the Florence Mall, we started the journey to Country Lake Christian Camp in Underwood, Indiana. After arriving, we rode in covered wagons to our cabins. We wrapped up the day with a Bible study. The sixth graders shared insights from the museum, scriptures that they’ve studied and were reminded of when walking through exhibits, and students led the group in praise and worship. It was a perfect end to the day.

Friday morning we were served breakfast by the camp staff, and then we worked on a few different service projects. One group stained fences, another cleaned the tepees and worked in the landscape beds, and the last group weeded landscape beds, raked leaves, and spread new mulch. The students and adults served in the different areas for about four hours. During that time, they worked hard, got dirty, and didn’t complain. Every year that we have taken this trip, the teachers and parents have been amazed at the work ethic of the students. The camp staff was so impressed the first year that they wanted to provide a pizza lunch for the kids. That gesture has continued throughout the years, and the staff always comments on the work ethic of our students. The staff usually has to come up with additional jobs because the kids are eager to work; this year was no different! Not only did the sixth graders do a great job, but they demonstrated Christ’s love and a servant’s heart. Several students made the comment that they didn’t want to quit working until the job was completed. I wish you could have seen the smile on this proud teacher’s face!

Parent Education/End of Year Address

2011-05-18T11:05:00.000-07:00

Summer is a relaxing time of swimming, sun and sports, however, it is also important that we, as parents, use this time to keep our kids engaged academically. The video below focuses on that point and gives practical ways to do just that.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jFjbMGPsYro

The websites mentioned in the video are:
www.EvansvilleChristian.org
www.ARBookfind.com
www.KhanAcademy.org

The 7th grade class trip was a success

2011-05-18T06:09:00.000-07:00

This past week, the seventh grade students went on their three day class trip to St. Louis. Below, you will find Ms. Rudolph's recap of the trip. What a blessing it is to see our young people making a difference for Christ in the world. Enjoy!

Day One

Wednesday morning, students frantically boarded the coach with one goal in mind: sit by a friend or perish! We embarked, and after a couple hours of harmoniously suspect Disney medleys we arrived at our first destination: The St. Louis City Museum. What was once an old shoe factory had been transformed into an amazing series of tunnels, caves, and slides that kept the seventh graders busy for hours. An outside wire jungle gym, towering high above the ground was also a source of great adventure and risk for anyone afraid of heights. Pizza and blue slushies filled the students’ stomachs and lined their lips with hypothermic color as we went to our final destination of the day: The St. Louis Arch. Students were in awe of its enormity and architecture. After the Arch we shared a delicious meal at the Spaghetti Factory , checked into the hotel, and students swam until bedtime. Day one, obviously, was a great success.

Day Two

Thursday consisted of two destinations: The St. Louis Science Center and the St. Louis Zoo. The Science Center had its fair share of hands-on, interactive amusements. Students dug up fossils, created their own computerized fish, and built a replica of the arch. This was a great start to our day, however, the zoo stole the show for most of the students. Now I know what you’re probably thinking, It’s just a zoo. Don’t you work in a zoo-like environment every day? Well, yes, but this zoo’s animals don’t talk so much. An aquarium exhibit gave kids the opportunity to pet stingrays. An insect exhibit tested whether or not certain girls could stifle their screams. The weather was perfect and the animals were awake. After the zoo we had dinner and shopping time at Union Station. Somewhat of a ghost town, we had the run of the place. Boys bought flat bill hats and one girl almost bought a new straightner. It was a nice place to wind down and get off our feet. Hotel and swimming closed day two.

Day Three

Today was the most exciting day - it was time to serve as the body of Christ. We arrived at Jubilee Church early Friday morning. We split into groups and were assigned certain areas outside to cultivate. Weeds were pulled, mulch was laid, and trash was collected as we attempted to landscape the border of the church’s parking lot. What once looked like an unkempt piece of land became a really beautiful scene. And it was on this day, in these moments of working side-by-side with my students that I became entirely aware of how unique they really are. Throughout the entire trip those we worked with or innocent bystanders offered up compliments toward these students. They were impressed with how respectful and well-behaved these students were acting. They commented on their work ethic and maturity. It is unfortunate that these strangers only saw a glimpse of what I have observed all year. Yes, these students deliberately served Jubilee Church within those several hours of the day, but I have been so blessed to have observed such a large group of kids who are willing to respect and serve each other on a daily basis.

To sum it up: this class is full of really great kids. I think it is safe to say that this trip was a blessing to everyone. To the kids , they had time to hang out, take weird pictures, and buy superfluous souvenirs. Their behavior and service project were not unusual tasks because they have been in constant practice of these things at ECS. But to the adults, this trip was a refreshing reminder of what a great group of kids we have all had the opportunity to influence and encourage. And , finally, to the strangers and Jubilee Church, it was a chance for the students to show Christ’s love in an impactful and tangible way. To God be the glory.

After our project we left town and headed home. To most kids the drive home was a chance to drink more soft drinks and discover each others’ hidden talents – making weird shapes with their tongues, wiggling their ears, and learning how to whistle. For me the drive home was a chance to thank God for the privilege I’ve had to teach this group of students. I pray that I have been a blessing to them as much as they have blessed me.

Parent Education - Open Communication Lines

2011-04-12T16:13:00.000-07:00

It is extremely important that we keep open lines of communication with our children. This video discusses ways to create relationships with your children where open communication can become a reality. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6_3Y0oq0VSc

Parent Education - Technology

2011-03-11T10:56:00.000-08:00

Technology is a great tool that offers great opportunities for our children. We need to be careful to protect them by preparing them to use it appropriately. Click the link below to view this months video entry.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E6Fxge3c8ks

Parent Education - February

2011-02-15T11:30:00.000-08:00

This month's entry is "Modeling Behavior for our Kids." Click the link below to view this month's video.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IeCeAwLWbTE

New Chapel Small Groups

2011-01-19T08:29:00.001-08:00

Today, was our first chapel in grades five through eight where we met in small groups following the message. The message topic was "The Fruit of the Spirit: Peace." The students met in groups of anywhere from eight to twelve students. Our small group leaders were comprised of teachers, office staff, church staff and parents. The leaders facilitated discussion on peace and challenged the students to think critically about peace and what the speaker said about it. They initiated questions that allowed students to see how they could apply the teaching of peace to their lives today, no matter what their age or grade. There has been overwhelming positive feedback already, from the leaders and the students, as this time allowed them to digest the information and get an understanding of what others believe. Students were transparent with their groups, sharing personal stories, positive experiences of peace as well as struggles they are facing that challenges the peace that they have. What a wonderful opportunity for our students and the leaders to build relationships, better understand what others believe, and heighten the personal and spiritual accountability of the students. This is but one of many ways ECS is reaching our mission to educate, equip and engage our students with excellence.

Auschwitz Survivor speaks at ECS today

2011-01-14T13:54:00.000-08:00

What a great opportunity we had today! What has been in the plans for over a month came to fruition today when Mr. Phil Gans, a survivor of the holocaust, spoke to our sixth, seventh and eighth grade students along with some parents and relatives. We learned of Mr. Gans from the holocaust museum in Washington D.C. when our eighth graders traveled there in October and made contact with him. Phil was so gracious that he agreed to come and speak to our students at no cost to the school. We had some technical difficulties, which postponed our start time, but once he began speaking, the room was focused on his every word. He spoke of his family and their life before the war. He gave details of the period of time when he went into hiding to avoid the concentration camps. He explained how his family members were removed from the group only to be gassed and cremated, without him having the opportunity to say goodbye. He continued on with details of his stay at Auschwitz until he was liberated twenty-one months later. His message to the group was to stand up for what is right and don't be a spectator. The students asked some great questions and should be commended for their attention and level of respect for him. As a gift, some ECS students wrote some essays titled "What is a survivor?" and I created a blanket out of it. At the top, it had Survivor, Phillip R. Gans, along with his birthday. The rest of the blanket was covered with these letters that were written by our 6th, 7th and 8th grade students. He was moved by the gesture and thanked us many times. What a great opportunity this was! A special thanks to Phil for making this possible!

Parent Education - January

2011-01-12T14:27:00.001-08:00

This month's parent education is focused on the importance of letting our children struggle. Through life's struggles, our children build character, strength and self confidence. Click the link below to watch this month's video.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rrV0DuWERrE

Parent Education - December 2010

2010-12-13T10:21:00.000-08:00

This month's video is about evaluating the plans you have when working with your kids. Enjoy!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dD4ZX80UOCk

Parent Education - November - Peer Pressure

2010-11-01T06:36:00.000-07:00

The following is an entry from Tony Dungy's "All Pro Dad." It is definitely a worthwhile read with useful tips. Enjoy!

10 Ways to Help Your Kids Stand Up to Peer Pressure
“If Johnny jumped off a bridge, would you do that also?” Peer pressure. We all experience it as children and as adults. The company we keep has a great say in the type of people we are. Thus, it’s highly important we surround ourselves with friends who bring us up. Who enlighten. Challenge us to be better. Not the kind that drag us down. The kind that lower our standards and take us places we should not venture. Your child faces tremendous peer pressure on a daily basis. To smoke, drink, do drugs, cheat on school work, have sex and a myriad of other issues. Acknowledge the battle they are in and take steps to help give them the armor they require to win the war. Here are just a few tips to get you started:

1. Eyes Like A Hawk
Constantly observe the habits and behavior of your child. Know him better than he knows himself. Abrupt changes in dress or attitude could signal trouble. Maybe your straight-laced son will begin dressing head to toe in all black. Possibly he will start using curse words in your presence. It could be more subtle differences. Newly-formed friendships are almost surely at the root of the change. Children, of course, go through phases. No need to overreact at every turn. However, always have hawk-like eyes and be on top of trouble the minute it shows up.

2. Meet The Crew
Your daughter’s friends are very important to her. So they should be very important to you as well. That means taking a vested interest. Make her friends feel welcome in your home. Talk to them when possible. Feeding them is a very good way to make that happen. Everybody talks when breaking bread. Offer to drive them where they want to go. The car is another good place to start conversations. The more they talk, the more you learn.

3. Meet The Parents
Going upon the same theory, make an effort to know the parents of your child’s friends as well. Throw a backyard party. Invite all the children and parents as well. Do they share your same values, beliefs and convictions? Establish an open communication. If problems arise, you will then feel more comfortable bringing it up.

4. To Sleepover Or Not To Sleepover
All kids enjoy sleepovers. They make forts. Stay up later than they normally do. Generally have a whole lot of fun. Awesome. What else is going on? If your daughter is sleeping over at her bff’s house, how do you really know? Are they watching movies you would not approve of? Talking about things that are new and beyond her young ears? Before allowing a sleepover, make sure you know the child and her parents. Peer pressure thrives in this unlikely environment.

5. Maintain Proper Influence
You are not his friend. You are his parent. There is a major difference. So many parents fall into the trap of wanting so much to be liked by their children. They give up influence in the process. Of course, you want a fun and loving relationship. As long as it does not impede on your ability to have the final say. Many a great parent has heard the words “I hate you” as the child storms up the staircase. It’s hurtful and hard to take. However the reply is always, “You will thank me later.”

6. Family Virtues
“If you don’t stand for something, you’ll fall for anything.” Great country song. Your family should have a set of standards that all are expected to live up to. Choose 5-10 virtues that you consider vital. Instruct your children in them and be sure to lead by example. Make it a matter of family pride. “It doesn’t matter how the family down the street does it, this is how we do it.”

7. Opportunities To Teach
Our world today provides more than enough chances to point out good and bad behavior. We have televisions. High speed Internet. Our mobile phones are now mini-computers. We are never without instant access to any type of news, sports or entertainment. That is a whole lot of influence on everyone in the family. If you are watching a show with your son that portrays a desirable quality, point it out. If you are listening to a song with your daughter that has lyrics glorifying loose behavior, point it out. Counteract the bad influence with discussion and other options.

8. The Big Picture
People have a tendency to believe their own behavior does not affect others. We feel small in a giant world. Completely untrue. Try teaching your children to see the bigger picture. Pose questions to them such as, “What if everyone shoplifted like your classmate Richard?” “What if everybody cheated on their tests?” “How would these things affect society?” Give your kids the ability to understand how they affect the world and not just themselves. It builds wisdom and strong character.

9. Concern For Others
Children certainly can be and will be cruel. Vicious at times. Teach empathy to your child. A concern for the feelings and well-being of others. A child that has these qualities is much less likely to follow the pack at any cost. They will understand the damage being done and stand against it. Society needs leaders who bring out the good. People who stand for justice. This starts by teaching empathy.

10. Unique Purpose
Most children that fall victim to destructive peer pressure have lower self-esteem. It’s normal to feel lost as a teenager. A group that shows acceptance and understanding is very attractive. Criminal gangs all over the globe recruit young souls based solely on this knowledge. Do not let this be your child. We are all created with a unique purpose. Every single person has much to offer this world. Help your child discover his or her path. Discover talents that bring out who they truly are. A child with self-confidence and moral strength is nearly impossible to corrupt when guided with love and care.

Washington D.C. Class Trip

2010-10-29T12:00:00.001-07:00

Late last night, the eighth graders returned to ECS from their class trip to D.C. We were there for four days, where we went, nonstop, from pre-sunrise to post-sundown everyday. We were blessed to have our same tour guide again, Miss Carol. She has so much knowledge, is good with the kids and has a way of bringing history to life. As a group, we always knew where we were going as we followed Miss Carol holding up her red umbrella with a yellow path sewn around the top of it. She told the kids to "follow the yellow brick road." The students really enjoyed her. We were also blessed to get Kenny, our coach driver who is also a licensed tour guide. He related so well with the kids. I know the kids will miss them both.

Our students were so excited for this trip as they soaked up the information presented to them everywhere they went. Some of the highlights of our travels were Arlington National Cemetery where our students laid a wreath at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, Gettysburg, the Holocaust Museum and the Veteran's Memorial. I was so moved to see the reverence of our kids at the memorials but especially the Holocause Museum. They really took their time to diligently read about this horrific event and the philosophy behind it. Tears in their eyes and down their cheeks were not uncommon. There was an appropriate mix of anger and empathy, resulting in a solemn demeanor from the group for a while after the visit to the museum. This visit made the holocaust a tangible event that the kids could understand.

The days were long and the information plentiful. The students and chaperones did a great job of pressing forward. After arriving in Louisville, after a two hour delay I might add, a gentleman from our flight sought me out at the baggage claim. He walked up to me and stuck out his hand and said, "I wanted to say that this is one of the best mannered groups of kids I have ever seen. I just wanted to tell you that." I thanked him for the kind words and he walked away. This man's comment was true of the entire trip. This group, including chaperones, were wonderful to work with. Information was learned, friendships were strengthened and memories were made that we will always remember.

Parent Education - October

2010-10-06T11:50:00.001-07:00

Developing a Discipline Plan

As kids enter adolescence, they will begin to push boundaries. Parents, who once felt like they had everything under control, are now becoming frustrated because of new behaviors from their pre-teen/teen. Many parents have come to me for advice because, in the moments of frustration, they react or respond in ways that are not Christ-like and they are not proud of. These parents were looking for counsel on ways to deal with the disrespect that seems to be creeping in their child's life. The honest truth is that for every one of these conversations I have had with a parent, there are probably ten others out there that simply haven't asked but are having the same issues. I want to address how to prepare for this in this month's parent education.

You need to realize that frustration comes from not having a plan. The inappropriate responses from you, the parent, usually stem from anger/frustration (emotions) brought on by the child's misbehavior. It is important to note that emotions escalate the situations. Taking emotions out of any situation will result in control. For these situations to improve, you will need to address both developing a plan and taking the emotion out of your discipline with your kids (taking back the control). That is what I will try to help you do in this entry.

To develop a plan, you and your spouse need to sit down together and create responses to the infractions you are encountering from your children. A few offenses could include lying, disrespect, cheating, irresponsibility, etc. In your responses, imagine your child just, for example, responded back to you with a disrespectful remark. Taking emotion out, what would you say to them and what would the consequences be? Some parents I have talked with have used going to bed fifteen minutes early for each disrespectful comment as a consequence. Your response might be, "We have discussed this. That is fifteen minutes. Do you want to rethink that response and try again?" If they continue with the disrespect, you simply add another fifteen minutes and restate what they should do. It may take this child a few nights of going to bed at 6pm, but they will get the message. Most kids will hear that response from you, be reminded of a better choice, take their fifteen minute consequence and learn from their mistake. It is important to realize that both parents need to implement the same responses and consequences consistently. Children need structure, routine and clear expectations to be able operate well. Without clear expectations, kids cannot strive for something. Without consistency, kids will have difficulty understanding any absolutes. Your discipline and the tone of delivery should be something they can count on.

There may be times when you encounter a situation you weren't necessarily prepared for. It is okay for you to table a discussion or consequences to gather your thoughts. Use this tactic to, again, remove yourself from the situation to remove the emotion of the moment (both you and your child) and gain wisdom from your spouse. When you come back together, there will be level heads to discuss the learnings and in the administration of the consequences.

You need to be aware that your kids will learn behaviors by watching you, the parents. How you handle conflict will most likely be how they handle conflict. Your tone in speaking to your spouse is likely how they will speak to their spouse. My question for you is, " What are you teaching your kids by your actions?"

Action Steps:
1. Develop a plan - Responses
2. Both parents implement - Unite
3. Be consistent - Absolutes

If you do these things consistently, I am confident you will begin to see improvements.

Fathers that lead

2010-09-14T12:25:00.000-07:00

I am sure most of you have heard the song Lead Me by Sanctus Real. I heard it for the first time at Crossroads around Father's Day. Since that time, the song has blessed me so many times and helps me to keep a Heavenly focus on how I lead, how I prioritize my time and how I relate with my family. We, as fathers, have such a wonderful opportunity to lead our families, not only by our words, but especially by our actions. The only way we can truly lead is if we are following God's direction. Below is a link to the song on YouTube. I hope this song blesses you as much as it has me.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rGE6Davndh0

September - ECS IMMS Parent Education Video

2010-09-02T13:05:00.000-07:00

Parents,
Below is the link to this month's parent education video regarding setting up a structure for homework. I hope this is helpful.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UpsUeSVXzpk

Congratulations to last year's 8th grade algebra 1 students

2010-09-01T14:37:00.000-07:00

This past spring, last year's eighth graders took their end of course assessment (ECA), or graduation requirement test, for Algebra 1 after completing the course. Twenty-nine of the forty-three eighth graders (67.4%) were enrolled in Algebra 1. We are very excited to announce that 100% of our students passed the test with twenty-two earning a score in the pass+ range. These results are possible because of the amazing math teachers at ECS along with the support from the parents. The partnership between the parents and the school is such an intricate part in the educational readiness of the students. Congratulations to those students! We are proud of you!

The importance of intentionality

2010-08-13T12:51:00.000-07:00

Reb Bradley wrote, "....surrounding our kids with Christian influences is certainly good (Christian music, Sunday school, youth groups, etc.) but it is no substitute for "training." Training is a conscious, active effort of instruction, discipline and modeling, and not a bi-product of a good environment or a loving home. Consider that no wild horse was ever broken or trained by being grouped together with trained horses."

This quote is a great example of why we as parents and teachers need to be intentional in training our kids. Notice that Reb Bradley was specific to point out training and not teaching. Teaching can be passive, one dimentional and, sometimes, it can focus more on the information being given instead of the focus being on the person.

Training, however, is active. It requires the child to not just know what to do, but to put into practice what they know. The best way to learn something is to do it. For example, if you want your child to be reverent, the way you train them is by giving them opportunities to be reverent. Training also allows for dialogue. The child needs to have the opportunity to ask questions and have them answered. Training also focuses on the understanding of the information rather than the content alone. Training allows kids to face real life situations and conflict. When faced with it, parents should use this time to teach their kids to think critically and problem solve. This allows them to experience a potentially tough situation in a safe environment before encountering it later in life without your guidance. Lastly, training has a long-term perspective with clear goals. When training our kids, we need to be sure the decisions we are making regarding our kids is in line with the goals we are striving for. If your decisions are not conducive with the overall goals, I would challenge you to rethink that particular decision.

I encourage you all, to sit down with your spouse (or alone if you are single), and develop a plan with a long term perspective. This is a great way for you to be intentional and accountable for training your kids in all areas of their life. This is important, whether your child is in kindergarten or eighth grade. Realize, it is never too late to start!

Parents Night Out - August 23, 6-7:30pm

2010-08-11T07:32:00.000-07:00

Parents,
Below is a link to a video from Brad Christmas and Jessica Hill, our IMMS Health and PE teachers, regarding our new abstinence education curriculum. Click below to view it.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A6DLMVARGw0

End of the year

2010-05-20T15:51:00.000-07:00

It is amazing to think the year is over. Click on the link to hear an end of the year address.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X-DtxvZ5atk

Good News Report!

2010-05-20T13:38:00.000-07:00

Hey guys! Last week our 7th graders went on a trip to St. Louis. Click the link below to hear about the trip and some highlights!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9fzgviSgCr0

Chapel today

2010-04-20T12:51:00.000-07:00

A few weeks back, the student leadership team took a trip to Boonville Middle School and worked with students in the moderate and severe/profound disabilities classrooms. They played games with them, talked with them and watched them learn and practice the art of screen printing t-shirts. This experience made an impression on all of the team members. At a debriefing session, they discussed how they could bring back what they learned at BMS to the students at ECS. Today, the six members of the team spoke during chapel on the fruit of the spirit and how they saw the students of Boonville Middle School exemplify those qualities. They each chose the fruit they wanted to talk about, how it related to the students at BMS, and researched other scripture that tied into their topic. They all did an amazing job! Keep up the good work Carli K., Alex L., Evan B., Claire E., McKenzi G., and Caroline C! I also want to thank the praise team for using their gifts to lead the worship time. What a blessing to see these young people using their strengths to glorify our risen Lord!

Parent Education - April 2010

2010-04-13T08:04:00.001-07:00

Parents,
Below is a link to the parent education video this month on successful parenting. Happy viewing!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GM6mH9YnH4U

Parent Education - March 10

2010-03-15T12:14:00.000-07:00

Quite often, I have parents ask me for ideas on how to appropriately discipline their children. In Tedd Tripp's book Shepherding a Child's Heart, he talks about the fact that we need to not focus so much on the behavior, but the heart. With disciplinarian as one of my roles, this book has grabbed my attention and I am sure it will yours as well. Here is an excerpt from the book.

"Luke 6:45 says, "The good man brings good things out of the good stored up in his heart and the evil man brings evil things out of the evil stored up in his heart. For out of the overflow of his heart his mouth speaks." This passage is instructive for the task of childrearing. It teachs that behavior is not the basic issue. The basic issue is always what is going on in the heart. Remember, the heart is the control center of life."

"Parents often get sidetracked with behavior. If your goal in discipline is changed behavior, it is easy to understand why this happens.The thing that alerts you to your child's need for correction is his behavior. Behavior irritates and thus calls attention to itself. Behavior becomes your focus. You think you have corrected when you have changed unacceptable behavior to behavior that you sanction and appreciate."

""What is the problem?" you ask. The problem is this: Your child's needs are far more profound than his aberrant behavior. Remember, his behavior does not just spring forth uncaused. His behavior - the things he says and does - reflects his heart. If you are to really help him, you must be concerned with the attitudes of heart that drive his behavior."

"A change in behavior that does not stem from a change in heart is not commendable; it is condemnable. Is it not the hypocrisy that Jesus condemned in the Pharisees? In Matthew 15, Jesus denounces the Pharisees who have honored him with their lips while their hearts were far from him. Jesus censures them as people who wash the outside of the cup while the inside is still unclean. Yet this is what we often do in childrearing. We demand changed behavior and never address the heart that drives the behavior."

ECS Student Leadership Team Trip

2010-03-15T11:27:00.000-07:00

This past Friday, Mr. Wilhite and I took the student leadership team (SLT) on an overnight leadership training trip with the help of two ECS moms. We started off by going to Boonville Middle School where we worked with the students in the moderate and severe/profound special education classes. The students were able to play games with the BMS students and also observe them screen printing t-shirts. The school received a few grants that allowed them to purchase all the equipment necessary to start a screen printing shop. This allows the students to work on their life skills with an emphasis on their gross and fine motor skills. The students were able to see, first hand, the struggles that some students face and the determination and positive approach they face it with. The students didn't want to leave.

We left the school and traveled to Gray Brother's Cafe in Mooresville, Indiana for dinner and then on to the hotel. We had a great debriefing session! The SLT students talked about the fact they were nervous going into the class but were surprised how easy it was to talk with the BMS students and how willing they were to accept our kids as friends. They reflected on the fact that the BMS students were so positive and they helped each other in their weaknesses. One ECS student commented on the fact that they grew excited over what we consider a menial task. She went on to say that it showed her, "just how much we complain and also how much we take for granted." We went on to look up some scriptures together as a group. To conclude our meeting, we talked about how we could take the insights they have gained from their experience and pass them on to the students at ECS. When the meeting was over, we all spent the next hour or so in the pool and hot tub. It was a lot of fun!

The next morning, we had breakfast and started our day off with a Bible study led by Mr. Wilhite. The focus was leadership and how Christ said to be the first you must be the last. When we concluded our study, we traveled to the Children's Museum in Indianapolis for the afternoon. The students went around to the different exhibits and just enjoyed themselves for a few hours. It was a great opportunity for the students to build deeper friendships.

We got back to ECS Saturday night around 6:30pm. What stands out about the trip was the answers given to the question, "what was the best part of this trip?" Given all the fun stuff we did, all the students said their favorite part of the trip was working with the students at BMS. They all wanted to go back. It was great to see the Lord speak to them on this trip about attitude, perseverance, complaining, leadership, acceptance, etc. Please pray that the Lord will continue to use them to make a difference, not only here at ECS, but also in our community.

February Parent Education

2010-02-24T07:11:00.000-08:00

This months parent education topic is being proactive. Click the link below to view the blog.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bXkKGvqaBW8

ISTEP next week

2010-02-24T05:43:00.000-08:00

This next week is the first of two testing windows of ISTEP. It is very important that your children are here every day. It is always a good practice, but even moreso this next week, they should get plenty of rest (9-10 hours) and have a good breakfast each morning. Talk to them about using their test taking skills they have learned. They have worked so hard this year, let's make sure they have the best opportunity for success.

Parent Education - December 09

2009-12-01T12:58:00.000-08:00

We are trying something new! Check out the parent education on video. Click on the link below.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-gPoCSAvmJQ

Rigor in the IMMS

2009-11-11T12:42:00.001-08:00

This year, the IMMS set out to improve our already strong academic program. Our goal was to keep the rigor in the program while attempting to lessen the student work load. Some of our action steps were the use of differentiated instruction, the implementation of the Acuity test and the use of homework as a means of needed classroom enrichment. I would like some feedback from you, the parents, on our goals. If you have a personal concern, please contact me at the school as this venue is designed to be generalized. Your words of encouragement and constructive criticism is appreciated.

November 09- Parent Education

2009-10-28T08:07:00.000-07:00

The more I work with preteens and teenagers, the more I realize how important it is for parents to be active in the lives of their children and to monitor the influences in their lives. There are many books out there for parents that give insight into parenting teens. Though they have great insight, what I have found is that we have a tendency to think that the issues talked about in the books that kids deal with aren't happening in the lives of our own kids. We find it hard to believe that our kids have been introduced to drugs, sex, pornography, online predators, peer pressure or sexual harassment. This list could go on and on. Our kids don't talk about it around us so we assume it must not be a problem. Now realize, not every child has been introduced to these issues, but more have been than people think. We need to be aware that naivety can be our worst enemy.
I have taught in the public school system and now here at ECS. The barrage of negative influence "those" kids face is the same barrage that "our" kids face. Many times we talk about those not-so-fun issues with our kids on a level that is beneath them. We do this because we want to protect them and we don't want to teach them something before they are ready to handle it. I will preface my next comment by saying I completely agree with the protecting the kids, however, I have found that, many times, the kids know much more than we realize and we aren't dealing with them on the level they are at. We want to teach them how to spell the word "hip" when they already know how to spell the word "hippopotamus." Though they shouldn't know some of the information they know at this age, it is important to realize that most of them do. The reason for this is all the ways our kids are influenced. The technology age we live in sends an overload of information to our kids, much of which can be negative and destructive. Some of the influences in our kids lives here at ECS include facebook, myspace, cell phones, texting, gaming systems and the internet. I encourage you to consider what you are allowing to have access to your child. Avenues, such as facebook and myspace, create a portal where they can talk about whatever they want with no record of it happening. I have personally seen some of what is talked about on there and can guarantee that you, as a parent, would not allow it to happen if you knew of it. Also, FYI, to have a facebook or myspace account, the person signing up has to say they are at least thirteen. These policies would prohibit the vast majority of ECS students from having an account. As a parent, we should be actively monitoring what our kids are doing and the influences in their lives. If you choose to allow them to have these accounts, I recommend you require they give you their login and password. I also recommend you create your own account and be friends with them. On my January blog, I posted an excerpt from "Reaching Teens in their Natural Habitat" by Danny Holland dealing with issue I raised in this entry. He recommends six steps for parents. They are:

1. Recognize that distractions destroy dreams.
2. Train your kids and teens to guard their own focus. Only your kids can protect themselves.
3. Control the type of music, media, and teen entertainment that your kids are exposed to.
4. Starve wrong relationships. It only takes one person to destroy their future.
5. Allow and encourage relationships that enhance their focus on their life purpose.
6. If it doesn't feed, fuel, or fertilize positive focus, forget it.

I am so impressed by the parent involvement here at ECS. Know that our mission here falls right in line with what you want for your child. We strive to motivate students to achieve their God-given potential and to equip them to impact home, church and society for Christ. For them to reach this goal, we must, as a school and as parents, help them guard themselves against what the world and Satan will throw at them, in a developmentally appropriate and timely manner.

Parent Education - October 09

2009-10-07T11:40:00.000-07:00

This month's excerpt is from Creative Correction by Lisa Whelchel.

p 60-63

"The transition from correcting our children's behavior to motivating their hearts is vital. If our kids don't learn to own their decisions, to understand why they should make good choices, they will suffer for it. We can't always keep them from making bad decisions; eventually they must make their own choices. That's what God intended when He gave us free will. He wants our hearts to be in the right place when we make a decision. He says, "If you love me, you will obey what I command" (John 14:15). Our attitudes are more important to Him than our actions-so much so that He doesn't want us to do the right things for the wrong reasons. In fact, God condemned the religious leaders of His day for obeying out of fear, pride, and habit instead of love (see Matthew 23:26).
As a parent, I think I understand why God wants this. Love and obedience that are coerced aren't nearly as wonderful as when they're given freely. For example, as much as I love the kisses I steal from my sleeping children, they're not nearly as sweet as the ones they give me when they wake up in the morning, run down the stairs, and climb onto my lap. With God, the principle is the same. I envision Him sitting on His heavenly throne, anxiously waiting for His children to wake up and pour out their love on Him.
God has given our children the free will to choose or reject Him, so we, their parents, must give them good reasons to follow His ways. The goal is for our kids to make obedient choices because they know it's the right thing to do, because it pleases God-not because they want to avoid correction. If our children are motivated to obey only out of fear, they'll miss the whole point of obedience.
I must confess that if I'd been able to force my children to obey me out of fear while they were young, I would have parented that way. It is so much easier-but it's the wrong approach. In hindsight, I am glad I was unsuccessful at using fear tactics. It would have made life simpler while my kids were young, but I'd rather see them obey me, and God, wholeheartedly, out of love.
Of course, there's always the temptation to let the pendulum swing too far to the other side and neglect to discipline the flesh. If we do not discipline them when they're young, they will have a difficult time disciplining themselves when they are older. We have all seen lives cut short because of self-indulgence. One of the reasons parents often pamper and indulge their kids is that they want to have a wonderful relationship with them. I want that too-but placing too much emphasis on friendship is risky. When we try to be best buddies with our children too soon, giving them lots of pep talks without any corrective discipline, we put ourselves on their level, and they lose the security of knowing someone bigger and wiser is looking out for them. What our children really need when they're young is a parent, not a best friend.
One of the greatest rewards of parenting is friendship with our children; but if we get the prize before we finish the race, the ones who end up being penalized are our children. Our friendship with them will evolve later, as they mature."

September 09- Parent Education

2009-09-09T08:44:00.000-07:00

I am reading "Creative Correction" by Lisa Whelchel, aka Blair from "The Facts of Life." This is a wonderful, easy read that I encourage you all to get. I am using a piece from her book this month. It was insightful to me as a father and a principal. I am sure you will find it insightful also.

p58-59
"Until our children learn to obey by their own free choice, they will continue to think the objective is to see how much they can get away with without getting caught. That's why it's critical, especially as our children get older, for us to take a two-step approach to parenting: We must teach the heart as well as discipline the flesh. While it's important that our kids learn to follow our instruction, they must also understand the reasons behind our restrictions and standards so that they may choose, by an act of the will, to obey. This is the real heart of obedience."
"Children who grow up in legalistic, strict environments in which the parents never explain the purpose of discipline will often obey just as long as Mom and Dad are watching, then act up the second their parents turn their heads. On the other hand, kids who grow up in homes that lack rules and standards, where the parents are buddies rather than authority figures, often know the right thing to do but don't have the willpower to carry it out."
"It takes time and energy to teach our kids why they're being corrected, rather than simply dole out the punishment. For example, if one of my kids interrupts me while I'm talking on the phone, the most convenient thing for me to do is to send them to their room. This stops the negative behavior and allows me to continue my conversation with only a brief pause in my personal agenda. But it's not the best approach, because all they have learned is that this time they got caught. The next time they have a burning question, they will probably interrupt again."
"I am not saying we shouldn't sen children to their rooms, but discipline alone isn't enough; we must follow up. So after I send a child to their room, I should cut my conversation a little short and then join them upstairs. That way I can explain to them why interrupting is inconsiderate...both to me and to the other person on the line. I can relay that when they interrupt me, they are communicating a selfish message: that what they have to say is more important that what I or anyone else has to say. This gives me the opportunity to talk to them about putting others first."
"Of course, we as parents should be sensitive to our kids, too. Often the question is important! So at our house, we use a wonderful technique, called the "Interrupt Rule," that we learned in a parenting class. Using this technique, our kids will gently rest a hand on my side when they need to get my attention. I'll lay my hand on theirs, acknowledging the request to speak, and then at a logical break in my conversation, I'll excuse myself and briefly turn my attention to my child."
"It takes time to follow up our discipline by explaining the rules and then describing what to do in the future. But it's worth it! We'll be raising children who do the right things for the right reasons."

5th - 8th Day 1 a success

2009-08-13T11:23:00.000-07:00

On the first day of school, all fifth through eighth grade students went to Triple T Ministries with the goal starting the year off on a positive note. The students started the day off with a chapel titled "Everything we do, we do unto the Lord. Mr. Wilhite led the worship, the teachers acted out a drama skit, and Mr. Thompson gave the message. The students spent most of the day in their homerooms where they planned out what they will do on service day, participated in a teambuilding activity involving a furniture dolly and gloves, and challenged other classes in an adapted game of charades called, "Bird, Beast or Fish." The students given a challenge for the year to strive to be more like Christ. The day was a great success. The students and teachers were laughing, bonding and truly enjoying the day. What a great way to start off the new school year!

Parent Education - May 09

2009-04-30T12:58:00.000-07:00

This month's entry comes from Reaching Teens in their Natural Habitat by Danny Holland.

Escape the Tunnel Vision, p70-72
When police officers go through a law enforcement academy, much training time is spent learning to handle their firearms. They study shootings and learn the latest techniques for surviving a life-and-death battle. One natural tendency they need to unlearn, though, is tunnel vision. When we're faced with a threat, we automatically direct all available attention and energy to neutralizing that threat. For police officers this presents a serious problem because they must often engage multiple threats simultaneously.
Police officers are trained to fire at their targets and then sweep their eyes to the left and the right before re-holstering their weapons. Why? Because in the past officers were re-holstering their weapons before making sure the scene was clear of other threats. Officers who survived the initial threat but still focused on it even after it was gone were being killed by other threats they never saw. Their tunnel vision kept them from seeing other dangers.
We as parents can fall prey to tunnel vision too. Focused on social influences, peer pressure, and other threats to the moral upbringing of our kids, we wield our parental defensive weapons with tactical excellence. But if we're not careful, we can become so consumed with protecting our sons and daughters that we may ignore the powerful offensive role we must play as a successful life coach. A dominant, defensive survival mind-set tends to react to negative circumstances, influences and events. Parenting from this posture can limit our role as parents to be emergency responders who engage the dangers to our children's future.
When it comes to our kids, no matter what their age, we need to be strategic and intentional rather than just reacting to negative circumstances. I know many kids who create negative situations to foster interactions with their parents. We parents need to find a balance between being proactive and reactive. Ask yourself, "Why am I protecting my son/daughter?" When it comes to convincing our teenagers to avoid behavior that could hurt them or cause them painful regrets, a positive reason can be much more compelling than a negative one.
When I turned fifteen, I participated in an abstinence program called Tru Love Waits. I signed my name on a card pledging that I would not have sex until I was married, and I received a ring from my parents as a reminder of this decision. I have to admit, though, that I thought I would be married by the time I turned eighteen! Twenty-one, twenty-two, twenty-three, twenty-four--the years slowly crept by. What had I been thinking? I began to recall my motivation, envisioning my wedding night, handing the ring to my wife and seeing the look on her face. I knew she would be able to trust me the rest of our lives because I havd been faithful to her before I ever knew her. I knew I would have no regrets, no diseases, no children by other women and no unwanted faces in my mind. At twenty-five I finally walked down the aisle with my wife. In our hotel room on our wedding night, I handed Amanda my ring and said, "Amanda, before I ever knew you, I loved you enough to save myself for you." My dream of what I wanted my marriage to be like kept me pure. Sure, regrets crossed my mind, but the positive vision of my future compelled me to stay on track.
We parents need to intentionally prepare our children and teenagers for their future by both providing a hedge of protection around them in the form of rules, accountability, structure, and giving them powerful reasons for doing the right thing. After all, if a coach prepared his team only to stop the opponent's strong offense, his team would still be defeated. As we coach our children, let's not forget our offensive strategy.

April - Parent Education

2009-04-08T13:29:00.000-07:00

This month's exerpt is from Reaching Teens in their Natural Habitat by Danny Holland.

Teaching Versus Training (pages 62-64)

"There is a key element that is impacting and shaping kids. Knowing that it exists will give you, the parent, a greater advantage in reaching your teens. Most of us have sat our kids down and given them talks. We teach our kids from our well of knowledge and try to impart vital information. Teaching is an effective way of giving kids information. Let's look at a typical teaching moment."
"We sit Johnny down and envision turning on his internal recorder. We then go on to explain why homework is vital to getting good grades, why good grades are vital to getting a good ob, and why a good job is vital to success in life. No matter what the topic of our talk, we reach the point where we feel either that we have exhausted the topic or Johnny has grasped the information. At this point we often assume that Johnny has turned off his internal recorder since our talk is over. But teaching isn't the only vehicle we have for getting information to our kids."
"Every waking moment our kids are with us, their learning recorders are on. They watch us eat, talk, argue, manage our time, manage our resources, and so on. Every day they watch us live, and by watching us, they are being trained. We teach kids by sharing what we know, but we train them by who we are. I remember the first time I noticed this process in action."
"When my son was about two years old, we had a yellow Lab named Bud. He was the most compliant dog on earth, but because Bud was a big dog and we had little kids in the house, we still had to be very strict with him. One day my son decided to discipline the dog. "Bud, NO!" he yelled. I looked over at Bud. He was standing in the corner looking around, rather dumbfounded. It took me a second to realize that my son had never been taught how to discipline a dog, but he had been trained to do it by watching me."
"The story of Evan Ramsey, a school shooter from Alaska, also comes to mind. Evan was interviewed by MSNBC about his actions at his Bethel, Alaska, school. Something in that interview jumped out at me. Evan's father, Don Ramsey, had been arrested years earlier for storming the Anchorage Times when the paper didn't publish an article he had written. Armed with a small arsenal of wepons, he had fired warning shots into the ceiling and taken people hostage. He later surrendered. There, when dealing with some difficult issues at school, Evan did exactly what his father had trained him to do by his actions. Evan took the same type of weapon, stormed the school, and fired warning shots into the ceiling. Evan was actually assigned to the same jail cell that his father had occupied after his rampage. I seriously doubt Evan's father intentionally taught him how to go on a rampage, but clearly Evan had been trained."
"Let me give you another example. Growing up, baby Juan occasiounally sees Dad come home from work on Friday in a bad mood. Dad sits in his chair, drinks a few beers, and seems to feel much better. Fourteen years leater, Juan gets his report card at school and realizes that his social life is pretty much over as he has known it. So Juan goes home and smokes some marijuana. Mom walks in on him and is horrified by his drug use. In this scenario, what did dad do? He used a legal chemical to change the way he felt. What did Juan do? He used an illegal chemical to change the way he felt. Juan had been trained."

This is very relevant to Proverbs 22:6 "Train up a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not depart from it." God is calling us to raise our kids by training them, not teaching them. We as parents and educators can talk all day, but the kids will be watching us more than they are listening to us. To train them, we must be a living example.

March - Parent Education

2009-03-02T11:56:00.000-08:00

This month's entry is an excerpt from Danny Holland's book Reaching Teens in their Natural Habitat. pg 53-55

Love
"It's no secret that our kids need to know we care about them. Telling them that we love them is good, but communicating the message with our actions is even better. When I was a young baseball player, I wanted to pitch. With my dad's encouragement, I asked my coach if I coule try pitching. The coach answered, "You can't pitch. You ain't got no arm." I was disappointed. Several weeks later my father and I went to the store, where he purchased a catcher's mitt, a new basebal and a home plate. My dad informed me that he had permission to use the school gym every Tuesday and Thursday night and that he would teach me to pitch. Two days a week my father took me up to the school and let me pitch to him. I knew he had other things he wanted and needed to do, but he made sure to be there with me week after week.
The next year I pitched my first no-hitter in a tournament game against the same coach who had said I didn't have an arm. I got the game ball, and my dad wrote on it in marker, "He ain't got no arm." And to this day I have our home plate in my office. It symbolizes an act of extravagant love. It also reminds me that there are no shortcuts to making my boys know they are special to me.
Parents occasionally ask, "Danny, how do I tell my daughter I love her? I don't know what to do." Dads, remember when you were dating your wife: Remember how anemic the words "I love you" felt compared to what was in your heart? If you were anything like me, you would look for all kinds of ways to communicate your love for her, and you knew what to do because she captivated you and you studied her. We need to study our kids and look for opportunities to demonstrate our love for them. Handing over a credit card to make up for not spending time with them might bring some excitement, but no material items can fill the void within them that is designed for thei parents' love."
Bishop T.D. Jakes writes, "Start today to act like a gourmet chef. Carefully and with love, mix all your ingredients together. Stir that pot with compassion and understanding, and season the mix with support, encouragement, and respect. Don't neglect it; it might boil over or burn. Instead, tend to the pot with a watchful eye, let it simmer gently, and the flavors will blend, creating a dish fit for a king."

Parent Education - February

2009-02-05T07:31:00.000-08:00

This month's entry is from the book Reaching Teens in Their Natural Habitat by Danny Holland.
In one of his earlier chapters, Mr. Holland discussed the impact that television, internet, video games and music have on our children. He addressed the issue saying that parents need to monitor what their kids are watching, experiencing and listening to as the effects of being exposed to different media is alarming. Below is an excerpt from his book regarding video games.

"Nearly three out of four school-aged kids have a video-game system, which they play for about forty-nine minutes per day. And let me tell you, games today are not at all like PONG.

Grand Theft Auto recently passed Super Mario Brothers as the most popular video game of all time. It involves much more than stealing cars and driving around. The games in this series simulate criminal life. Players start as low-level criminals and progress to kingpin status. Along the way they have sex with, beat up, and kill prostitutes, and they kill other people with a variety of weapons including a golf club, a knife, a chain saw, a gun and fire. It even allows players to advertise their destructive deeds through tattoos in the exact same way real gangs use tattoos to communicate their criminal accomplishments.

The impact these games are having on our kids is still being researched. We do know, though, that video games have been used since the Vietnam War era to train our soldiers and that school shooters often do exactly as they have trained on their home simulators. In Jonesboro, Arkansas, for example, two middle-school students pulled a fire alarm, set up a military kill zone and opened fire on students and faculty. The military strategy they used was from a video game they loved to play called Soldier of Fortune. How can we justify marketing such video games both to our military for training in combat and to our kids for entertainment?"

The games he mentioned in his book are not new, however, it shows you a glimpse of what is out there to influence our kids. He offers six things parents can do to direct their teen's attention.

They are:
1. Recognize that distractions destroy dreams.
2. Train your kids and teens to guard their own focus. Only your kids can protect themselves.
3. Control the type of music, media, and teen entertainment that your kids are exposed to.
4. Starve wrong relationships. It only takes one person to destroy their future.
5. Allow and encourage relationships that enhance their focus on their life purpose.
6. If it doesn't feed, fuel, or fertilize positive focus, forget it.

Parent Education - January

2009-01-13T08:52:00.000-08:00

This is an exerpt from Reaching Teens in their Natural Habitat by Danny Holland.

VOICES OF INFLUENCE
Increased Time = Increased Strength (pgs 27-28)
Whatever you look at most will gain strength and eventually be the strongest attraction in your life. Let me give you an example. I used to have a fascination with Jeeps. I loved looking at Jeeps, checking out the modifications Jeep owners made, and even studying the Jeep concept vehicles. I would dream of taking my new Jeep Rubicon top down, wife and kids strapped in, onto the beach and giving its thirty-three-inch B.F. Goodrich Mud Terrain tires a workout as waves crashed around us. You get the picture. The more I dreamed about having a Jeep, the more often Jeeps caught my eye. I noticed every Jeep that passed me even when I was driving on the interstate at seventy-five miles per hour. By allowing Jeeps to repeatedly capture my attention, I unintentionally trained my eye to notice them.
And what captures our attention is not as important as what keeps it. So study and be an expert in whatever keeps your child's attention. It might be something educational and positive. It might even give you a clue as to what your child's purpose is in life. It might be a musical instrument, sport, or civic or church activity. And once you find that captivating item or activity, go out of your way to feed that source of attention.
While I was growing up, my father was the news director of a popular radio station, but he was laid off when the ownership changed. I was a teenager at the time, and suddenly I became interested in playing the bass guitar. I had a cheap one, but I quickly outgrew it. After nearly twenty months, my father had not found a job. But even though money was tight, he made a huge investment in my future by buying me an eighteen-hundred-dollar instrument and a thousand dollars worth of accessories for Christmas. I understand something today that I didn't know then: my father saw my attention and energy being drawn toward something positive, and he fed that source of attention. Even though some might see his purchase as a poor financial decision for a man in his position, he saw my interest as the opportunity of a lifetime. It's been said that the opportunity of a lifetime must be seized during the lifetime of the opportunity, and that is never truer than when it comes to our kids and their interests.

Upcoming Trips and Events

2009-01-12T09:46:00.000-08:00

CHAPERONES NEEDED
Tuesday, January 13, we will be accepting registrations at the office for the 6th and 7th grade class trips as well as the new 8th grade trip to the City Museum in St. Louis.

6TH GRADE - CREATION MUSEUM
-The cost for the students this year is $70. We will only be taking one coach so chaperones will need to drive or carpool. The cost for chaperones is $30 plus your driving expenses. There is no limit to the number of chaperones.

7TH GRADE - APPALACHIA MISSION TRIP
-The cost for the students this year is $140. We will only be taking one coach so chaperones will need to drive or carpool. The cost for chaperones is $70 plus your driving expenses. There is no limit to the number of chaperones.

CITY MUSEUM - 8TH GRADE END OF YEAR TRIP
-There is 8 spots available for chaperones on this trip. This is a day trip leaving bright and early in the morning and returning around 8pm on May 20. The cost is $32. Registration will also start Tuesday, January 13. Chaperone registration for this trip is first come first serve.

HOLIDAY WORLD TICKETS FOR MAY 20
-If you plan on attending Holiday World on May 20 with your 7th grader, you may purchase a ticket through the school at a discounted rate. The student price for the trip is $25, including the ticket and travel. The adult price is $20 as you must drive yourself to the venue. Tickets must be paid for when you order them at the office. The last day to order tickets is Friday, February 6.

Parent Education - December 08

2008-12-17T12:14:00.000-08:00

The following are disciplinary techniques to consider from the book Getting it Right with Children written by Madelyn Swift.

Disciplinary consequences
- Consequences should be fair, reasonable, direct and related to the behavior.
- Don't ask, "Do you understand?" Instead, have them repeat what you said.
- Use words to help you get a point across. For example, say, "you need to pick things up" not "I need you to pick things up."

Direct child to remedy or amends
- "The paint is spilled on the floor. The sponges are in the cabinet."

Problem? Think!
- Help guide your kids through alternatives and problem solving. Do not abandon children who have not developed problem solving skills.

Take action
- Be sure to follow through on what you say. Discipline doesn't have to be damaging, but it has to be definite.

Use Humor
-Humor: either you have it or you must develop it. Humor is situational.

8th grade Holiday World changed to St. Louis City Museum

2008-12-03T09:50:00.000-08:00

The 8th grade Holiday World trip on May 20 is being changed. The 8th graders will now be going to the St. Louis City Museum. It is not your conventional museum but an entire building filled with caves, secret passage ways, climbing, seven story slides and more! We will leave early in the morning and return late evening (8pm). The following day is their last day and graduation. The students will love the museum. It will be a blast! Check out their website at www.citymuseum.org.

Merits vs. Demerits

2008-12-03T09:49:00.000-08:00

I want to clear up the difference between merits and demerits in Renweb, as many parents have mistaken a merit for a demerit. I apologize for the confusion. Let me take a minute to explain the difference between the two. A demerit is a consequence for student behavior that is against the policies of ECS. A demerit accumulates for the year and removes them from the discipline free trip each quarter. In most cases a demerit is given, the parents are called to notify them of the incident that took place involving their child. A merit is simply a way for ECS to track student behavior. Every behavior incident entered in the computer is emailed to me. I then look at the child's history to check for patterns or issues. One child, for instance, might have gum in first, second, third and fourth periods (4 different incidences). Each teacher tells the student to get rid of it and logs it in as a merit. The teachers in periods 2-4 don't know that the student has already been warned by the previous teachers. In a case like this, gum is not the issue. The student is being disobedient. It is important to know that merits do not dismiss a child from the discipline free trip each quarter. Thank you for your patience with the new system. We are working very hard to make it as smooth as we can. I have heard mostly good things about it from you, the parents, and we believe it will only get better.

Welcome to the 21st Century

2008-11-10T09:41:00.001-08:00

This is new to me. I am going to learn how to do this. More to come.......