"Tell me: Was that a wise choice or a foolish choice?"  The kindergarten teacher gently bent lower to catch her downcast eyes.  The child had been overheard using rude language at recess.
"Foolish choice." The small voice mumbled.

Our children are learning all the time.  Their world is constantly being shaped by the language they internalize.  Our experience of the world is only as big as our vocabulary to interpret it.  Our brains are wired to remember what we say much more than what other people say.  Literally, the words we use have power to shape our lives.

This year we are studying from the book of Proverbs during our weekly chapel in pursuit of wisdom.

Proverbs 1:7 clearly communicates the difference between the wise man and the foolish man.  Each week we look at a chapter in Proverbs with a local pastor or Mrs. See, mining nuggets of wisdom along the way.  

Again and again we are struck by the benefits of wisdom versus the personal cost of foolishness.  

But what is wisdom?  How do we know how to make the appropriate choice in each situation?

"But to those whom God has called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ is the power of God and the wisdom of God.  Because the foolishness of God is wiser than men, and the weakness of God is stronger than men." (1 Corinthians 1:24)

If Jesus is the wisdom of God, then the answer is: follow Jesus, read His Word, and you will be walking on the wise path.

Bear in mind: when we apply God's principles of wisdom with a student, helping them make their own wise choices, it's always with a message of love:

"The Lord loves you enough to save you from your own foolish path."  

The Bible is clear that there are always two choices: the wise, and the foolish path; the call of the Spirit, and the call of selfishness; following Jesus, and following the enemy.  If we are teaching children to listen to the voice of the Lord, while living amid a dark and fallen world, it is imperative they practice recognizing what the wise path and foolish paths look like, in word and in action.

With this in mind, the 2/3rd grade class took the challenge from the beginning of the year and set out to memorize the entire first chapter of Proverbs!  They just finished it and will recite it for the End of the Year Open House.  Each student in the school who can recite the chapter will receive a treasure box with a gold coin and a certificate of completion.  Nothing makes us more excited than when students actively and joyfully recite God's Word from their hearts!  To hear their little voices declare that "whoever listens to wisdom will live in safety and be at ease without fear of harm," impacts your heart in deep ways.

These children are internalizing God's wise path.  They will remember these words when life's choices come down the road.  It is our deepest mission to prepare our students for listening to the wisdom of Christ throughout their lives.  Giving them the vocabulary for God's perspective of their troubles is key to giving them understanding when temptation and confusion cloud their minds.  With His Word, God really does shine His light in our hearts.  This is whole-hearted education.

"The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it."  (John 1:5)

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Tell a child to run across the field, and they might jog.  Tell two children to run across a field, and suddenly they are both racing to beat each other there.

In recent years the idea of competition has garnered bad press as possibly being "harmful to a child's self-esteem." However, there is a beneficial Biblical principle we cannot overlook.

"As iron sharpens iron, so one person sharpens another." (Proverbs 27:17)  

Competition (healthy competition, not malicious or spurred-on by riotous soccer moms, mind you) possesses a mechanism within it that unlocks our hidden potential.  This is why the Olympic games are such a sight to behold: the competitors have trained their bodies and minds for excellence through competition.

Healthy competition:  It's what pushes us from doing okay to doing our best.

In the healthy spirit of sharpening, students at PHCS compete in an array of extra academic competitions within our local community and the broader Christian school community.  With the support of the teachers and staff of PHCS, our students have the opportunity to push themselves to soar in different areas.  

If you're looking for a Christ-centered family atmosphere that emphasizes academic excellence, you'd be interested to know about the competitions our students take part in every year:
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• Our very own Speech Meet is a school-wide competition where every student is assigned a poem, a verse, or a fable to memorize and present.  Teachers choose finalists to compete before community judges who use comprehensive rubrics to rank students into categories including: Good, Excellent, and Superior, based on their presentation skills.

 

• The Spelling Bee is a regional competition with public schools in Western Sonoma County.  This year we placed 7th out of 40 competitors.


• History Day is a regional, state, and national competition.  Ms. Kinser has required her 6th-grade students to participate for many years, often resulting in students moving on to the state competition, and even the nationals!  National History Day is actually a year-long academic program focused on historical research, interpretation and creative expression for 6th- to 12th-grade students. By participating in NHD, students become writers, filmmakers, web designers, playwrights and artists as they create unique contemporary expressions of history. The experience culminates in a series of contests at the local and affiliate levels and an annual national competition in the nation's capital in June.

 

• Math Olympics is another competition we participate in, only with other Bay Area Christian Schools.  Competitions are proctored at individual schools, then mailed in to the host school for grading and ranking.  All students get a chance to qualify and then compete in either computation or problem solving.  We sent in our tests in mid-February and we should be getting them back early April.  Last year one of our PUMA's got 4th place in computation among all the 4th grade computation participants!

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We love our students, and want them to succeed in every area of life.  Adding academic competition into their curriculum encourages them to do their best, and gives special - and rightful - recognition to those who soar to the top of their discipline.  We are so proud of our students, and how they demonstrate that a very small school can do very big things! 

It's one of the most common nightmares: where a person is surprised by a test in school for which they weren't prepared.  The anxiety can be paralyzing.

Students will go to any length of over-performing or giving up altogether to avoid the crippling judgment of failing a test.

But is that the purpose of a test?  To judge a student?

Not at all.  

Test scores are just part of the process of learning.  They hold no power over the value of a student.  Wherever they are in the process,  God's great love for them never changes.  It's our teachers' job to prepare our students for academic excellence, as well as convey their constant worth in God's eyes.

It's not teacher vs. student.  It's teacher ALONGSIDE student.

What if a test at school was like a mechanic turning the key to see if the car will start yet, or if he needs to keep tightening and building the engine?  What if a test is a teacher's way of seeing if her lessons have stuck, or if she still needs to keep teaching the lesson?  

Teachers at PHCS care about their students.  They want them to grow and succeed.  They care because our Father in heaven cares.

One young student this year was introduced to spelling tests.  Their anxiety felt overwhelming, and they felt doomed to fail, so they began shutting down emotionally and mentally.  The teacher caught on to this, and quickly took action.  She stayed in communication with the student's parent.  She talked with the student during recess and they agreed to do a verbal "pretest" right there on the picnic bench, in a relaxed environment, overlooking the trees and grass.  And during the test, she had a teacher's aide sit beside the student, just as moral support.  All of this was to support the student, to show that they were loved, by God and by others, so that they felt free to do their very best.

As our children grasp the immeasurable value that Christ gives us, they begin to tell themselves they can try.  They're willing to study and take tests.  They can try new things, and feel wobbly, and make mistakes without fear.  Because test scores are just part of the process.  And wherever they are in the process, it never changes His great love for them.

Real academic excellence comes from the foundation of a secure, resilient heart, rooted in Christ.  From there, we train our brains and give it all we've got, as if we were learning...as an act of worship to the Lord.  "

"Whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all unto the Lord." Colossians 3:17

"Cast all your anxieties (even test anxieties) on Him, because He cares for you." 1 Peter 5:7

By PHCS parent Dennis Bolt

Every elementary and middle school parent has the experience of their child bringing home the dreaded assignment sheet for that big school project. Be it the science fair, book report, or history diorama, many parents might dread it more than taxes! As the father of three boys who have gone through Pleasant Hill Christian School, I’ve seen it all, especially now that my youngest is in 5th grade. But I’ll be honest and say that I’m a bit of a project-nerd, so I have a more positive attitude about it. That largely is because I have grown to see the benefits of these projects, especially the National History Day project that the 4th-6th graders at PHCS complete every year.

For those who don’t know, National History Day is like a science fair, but focused on history. As the name suggests, it’s a national program/competition for students in the 4th-12th grades. At PHCS, Ms. Kinser has been doing it for several decades, and her students have gone on to compete at the county level, state level, and even the national level. The main elements of NHD are: research on a topic, fitting it to the annual theme (2019 is “Triumph and Tragedy in History”), and then making a project poster, 3-D display, paper, website, video documentary or performance. The main emphasis is finding strong primary sources, which are books written at the time, periodicals, letters, people alive at the time, photos, etc.

Bringing it back to the trenches of elementary school kids and families, I have found that these are the main benefits for a young person:

1. Go to the Source: This element might be the hardest for an 11-year-old, but in this day-and-age, it may be the most important. With “fake news” and “information” readily available online, it is tempting to believe anybody or rely on the first thing you learn about a topic, whether it is history or current events. NHD stresses getting deeper into a topic by looking for the original source of the info and not just reading the Wikipedia page or the Google synopsis of an event. Find the person’s actual writings in a book or in a digital version at the National Archives or some credible source. Reach out and talk to a living expert. One of my sons did a project on the Space Race and he was able to email two astronauts who walked on the moon. It’s amazing how open these important people are when they are talking to a 5th grader! So the main lesson that NHD taught my kids was to go deeper in research and analysis, which is not a common trait at this age.
2. Project Management: All of these big projects have something in common: deadlines! And if there is one thing that all of us adults know is that deadlines and projects are even more important at our job. While it’s fun to do a project about Pearl Harbor, the most important skill that the kids learn is how to take a large project apart into smaller digestible bits and meet a deadline. If your child  remembers anything about your NHD project, it is learning how to manage the many moving parts.
3. Making Connections: The previous two points are probably the most applicable to adulthood, but this one is the most satisfying. NHD tries to get kids to look at events as connected to other events. Nothing exists in isolation. Their topic happened because of a previous event, and then that event had ripples that extended into the future. Learning cause-and-effect is very important for this generation. It may be cliched, but if you do not learn from past mistakes, you are destined to repeat them.

So, how do we, as parents, help our kids with their projects?

I think the first thing to do is help your child break down the deadlines. Sit down and map out when the project is due, and make smaller deadlines. Don’t cram it all in the last weekend before its due, but try to spend 30 minutes a day, or small chunks more often. This concept will carry over to anything like music practice, exercise, memorization etc. Kids need to learn this early. Secondly, as parents you need to be enthusiastic about their work, since if they see you being negative about it, they will assume that is the right way to approach hard work.

To learn more about National History Day click here.
To learn more about PHCS’s extra academic activities like History Day click here.

Last fall this picture posted to our Facebook.  It quickly gathered a cascade of comments.  "What a fantastic idea!"  "They should adopt this in every workplace!"  "Think of the productivity!"  It made a connection that we do not always talk about, or even know is there, but resonates deeply within us when touched upon. 

It made the connection between belonging and learning.
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In a recent survey, one of the top reasons parents choose PHCS is its "family atmosphere," and a "sense of belonging for the children."  In a time when more and more parents are having to both work to make ends meet in Sonoma County, they are relying more on extended family, friends, and even teachers to become their village to help raise their children with the same values they hold.  In short, school becomes an extension of family.  And what is family but a place where you are welcomed and belong?

​Think of it: once you feel welcomed and appreciated, would you feel ready to learn?

Learning is hard work.  It's tough on someone's heart to be faced everyday with facts and skills you don't yet know and aren't yet good at.  Trying a new skill, and failing, and trying again is tremendously vulnerable business.  It brings up the questions, "Am I ever going to get it?  Am I smart enough?  What if I never learn this lesson?  Am I good enough?  What if I fail?  What then?  Will I stop belonging?  Will I still matter?

In the youngest grades, our teachers understand students are forming attitudes toward learning that they will carry their whole lives.  They understand that if a child feels un-welcomed, it may affect their whole school career from then on.  They understand, and deeply care about engaging their student's hearts, as well as their minds. 

When a child feels welcomed, they feel safe enough to open up to learning, trying, failing, and growing.  This practice of spending time at the start of each day welcoming each child, builds resilience into their hearts to tackle the challenges of life from a foundation of love and belonging.  This is what a family atmosphere at a school looks like.  This is the platform from which academic excellence can be achieved.  This is the love of Christ in action: ministering to a child's mind, soul, and spirit.

You, dear parents of young children, are the hub of Christmas.  At least, that's what we hear from all sides.  You arrange the calendar, and make travel plans, negotiate family politics, and shop the deals, wrap and hide the presents, (and, oh yeah, the stocking stuffers too) bake the cookies, and print the Christmas cards,  decorate the house, and (re)decorate the tree after the kids have "helped" with the ornaments.  Then if you're still breathing you hide the elf-on-a-shelf, and visit Santa at the mall, and host a party or two, and bake the pies.  Then you posess that expression of bewilderment when people ask "how are you doing?" in passing.  

Between children, parents, grandparents, and crazy Uncle Rick all wanting a "special" time, you may find a small nervous tick developing just under your left eye.

The holiday season is no joke.  Especially for you, dear mom and dad.  

Here are 4 tools to make the festivities as realistic, and as enjoyable as possible:

• Bedtime is your friend.  You need your sleep.  Your children need sleep.  Everyone will become their very best selves after a good night's rest.  The crying melt-downs of the night before (of children and parents alike), just may smooth out if a faithful bedtime is enforced, foreheads are kissed, and all is forgiven, the night before.
• Establish realistic expectations.  Simplify where possible.  Children are great at letting their imaginations run away with them about what magical times the season will bring.  But we are not set-designers.  We are not fairy-godmothers.  We are parents, who are raising our children to have realistic expectations of themselves, their family, and the world.  Sit down and tell them what you will, and will not do.  There must be as many no's as there are yes's.  Probably more.  Disappointment is painful to endure, but be glad they're learning it at home first, under your tender care.  Think of it this way:  it's like weeding out space around the plants in your garden.  When each one has space around it, it can thrive.  When each activity has times of normal life before and after, it will have time to be looked-forward to, then remembered.  The results should be a well-metered schedule for your family.
• Shop early.  I, as a parent, have spent far too many Christmases standing in long lines of grumpy people, at picked-over stores on December 23rd.  This year, I'm changing my tack. Here's the funny thing: shopping early is not impossible.  Right now is perfect.  Right now is still early.  But what do you get those relatives you're going to visit in a few weeks? 

Listen up!  I've got it.  Here's what you do: this weekend go to the cute little corner schoolhouse at 1782 Pleasant Hill Rd. in Sebastopol.  (Dec.7-9.  Fri. 5-9, Sat. 10-5, Sun. 10-4)
There, they are hosting an Artisan Boutique that is chock-full of all the greatest stuff.  Each of the classrooms are packed with things like wine-barrel furniture, fiber-art, decor, hats, scarves, frames, and all manner of locally-made crafts and unique finds.  I promise you: Aunt Hilda will be thrilled.  Your Mom will be tickled.  And your list will be DONE.

• ​​Connect.  Now that you're done, or even before you're done: take stock.  Maybe slow down.  Take your heart to the Lord.  This whole hullabaloo was all to celebrate His birth.  He sees you, and he cares.  He cares so much He died on a cross to save you from your sins so you can come to him will all your guilt and be washed clean.  Connect with your Creator, and breathe as he made you to breathe.  Slowly.  In good rhythm with Him.  Connect with your loved ones.  Hug your spouse for way too long.  Stare off into the distance with a friend on a walk.  Get down on the floor with the kids and roll around.  Have a good cry if you need to.  Cries are sometimes the best; they open the doorway to a good laugh.  Remember God created you to live in connection, not isolation, even within your own head.  Let him connect you to your people in real and meaningful ways.  Because inside this place of connection, realistic expectations, good sleep, and early shopping, holiday overwhelm cannot even get through the door.

I know our personal worldviews affect our choices, but recently I found them to be powerful enough to change Air Quality Index numbers deemed to be safe for our local public school system.  Let me explain.

The recent California wildfires have filled our air in Sonoma County with thick, noxious smoke that has settled over our county for weeks. As the school principal at PHCS, I was concerned for the health of my students while on campus.  I started learning about Air Quality Indexes so that I could make wise decisions about cancelling school if the air on campus was not healthy.  The multiple sites I used to gather this information all suggested that unhealthy air starts at 150 AQI.

• Wunderground
• EPA's Air Now
• Purple Air

Numbers between 100 and 150 are not healthy for sensitive groups, including children under 18.  So when our numbers were hovering around 170 last week, I chose to cancel school so families could keep their children safely indoors.

My own worldview is that parents are the primary guardians of their children.  

My decisions for the direction of PHCS are based whole-heartedly upon this.  I believe we, as a school, are simply a tool in the hands of parents who want their children educated by loving teachers, in a small, country school environment, where we freely open our Bibles, and learn to love Jesus with everything we’ve got: mind, soul, and strength!  Not for one second do I think that we are smarter than parents, or can offer better health care for their children.

After several days of many schools closing for poor air quality, the county superintendents had a meeting to discuss and decide exactly what levels of poor air quality should close down schools.  The Office of Education boldly emailed all of the local school administrators, including myself, and issued an
Air Quality Index Matrix. The superintendents identified the AQI threshold for cancelling school to be at 275!  This was 125 points more than the “Unhealthy” rating most weather sites identified.

Much to my surprise and that of many parents, a letter was sent along with the matrix.  It explained that many homes were not equipped with the high level air filtration systems present in most schools.  They also charged that when school was cancelled many children may not have indoor activity opportunities.  Overall, this letter claimed that schools were in a better position to care for children in bad air quality than most parents.  

I saw both parents and teachers immediately take to social media over these egregious numbers.  Nevertheless, many public schools were open the following day with numbers between 160-190, though they were closed the day before with similar numbers.  I know parents who kept their children home and signed a petition to have this matrix revisited.

When schools serve families in communities, better decisions will result about when it is healthy to keep the school doors open...and closed.  In this case, the inflated view that schools are more informed/equipped than parents, is hazardous to everyone’s health.  

Do you remember a special person in your life, as a child?  Not a parent or sibling, but someone else: an adult who made you feel important, valued, smart, capable, and loved.  Think back.  They may have been in your life briefly, or as a steadfast character.  Was it a coach?  A neighbor?  A pastor?  A relative?

We, at Pleasant Hill Christian School, know how important these special adults are in a child's life.  They choose to invest themselves into these kids, and for that, we have a special day to honor them.

Every year PHCS has a tradition to celebrate "Special Person Day."  Each child invites one special person to school.  We work hard to ensure every child has a Special Person to celebrate.  The school puts on a program, then the child and their special person have lunch together in their classroom.  The child gets to pack a lunch ahead of time just for their special person.  The school provides dessert for all, then it's off to recess together.  

Every year our Special Person Day is a rewarding time of sharing and giving, enjoyed by all.  The kids are abuzz about who they are bringing as their special person this Friday.  The twinkle in the eyes of the adults honored by this day says it all.  

This event goes beyond the requisite honor of Mothers Day or Fathers Day, or even the traditional family togetherness of the holidays.  This is a "just because" event: just because we think it's important to sing the praises of often un-sung heroes.  This day teaches the children mindful gratitude for relationships with adults that are safe, nurturing, encouraging, and fun.  In a world that feels increasingly dangerous to children, these special persons are those who have taken the time and energy to invest into creating a safe harbor for them to grow up. 
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Harkening back to the African proverb, these special persons are the "village" raising our children alongside of us.

Which adults were in your village as a child?  How did you appreciate them?