Change the World

I'm sure most of you who are reading this have seen the video from Trinity's Facebook page of Sunday's "Change the World" production.  This video has gone viral with over 5,300 views currently.  If you haven't seen it, take a few minutes.  Here is the link:

https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?v=10151417322179006

I just wanted to "blog" about my experience being apart of something like this.  For weeks I had known that my kids were going to sing at all 3 services and had heard them, even Luke, singing a song at home that was really catchy.  But on Sunday when it all came together, it was really moving and emotional.  June Saindon, our Praise Band, Pastor Kathy, and all the youth and members who helped out did an amazing job!

Now, I regulary get emotional when I hear great songs, especially when kids are a part of it.  You've probably seen me beaming with pride in chapel, or maybe even seen me with tears in my eyes during a song I love at church on Sunday.  But this was something entirely different.  This was moving!  This was something that got everyone on thier feet and ready to go out and change the world.  When the Sunday School kids joined in the parade, all I could think of was how proud I am that my kids could be a part of something special, at someplace really special.  How many of you grew up in a church that did things like this?  How many of you remember getting up on Sunday morning and when mom said "Time for church," responded "YES!" Now, don't get me wrong, I liked my church growing up, but I wasn't always excited about getting up on Sundays for 8am service.  My kids actually love going to church.  They love seeing thier friends. They love singing with the Praise Band. They love walking up to Communion for a blessing. They love Sunday School.  They love having donuts afterwards.  They love that they get to spend 6 of their 7 days a week at Trinity.  I am so happy that they are able to have the experiences that they do here at Trinity, and Sunday as I was thinking about all of that, I was truly emotional!  Trinity is a special place, both the Church and the School.  Whenever my mom visits she remarks on how the Spirit is moving at Trinity.  She should have seen it moving Sunday.  To all of us members...let's keep it going.  To our School Family...let's keep it going. 

 As we enter Holy Week and Spring Break next week, may the Spirit move you!  May God bless you with a wonderful break and a Blessed Easter! 

Mrs. Miller

I wanted to take some time today to write about Mrs. Miller, one of our 1st grade teachers at Trinity.  Most of you know that Mrs. Miller is expecting her first child, Little Lucy, sometime in April.  Mrs. Miller and her husband Chad are going to make amazing parents.  I'm so excited for Elizabeth and know that she has exciting days ahead of her. 

This is Mrs. Miller's 3rd year here at Trinity and we are so blessed that she chose to come teach here.  Elizabeth is a creative, organized, planful and reflective teacher.  She has unique ideas and shares them with others.  She is willing to help out anywhere that she can, and truly gives of herself.  Elizabeth loves her students and works hard to make sure she is meeting thier needs.  She is also one of the most patient people I know.  She is currently my daughter Reese's teacher, and if you know Reese, then you can understand how much patience she must have! :)  From a mom's perspective, I can't go wrong with any teacher at Trinity, but Reese has just fallen in love with Mrs. Miller and it's easy to understand why.  Reese feels loved and accepted in her classroom, and I couldn't ask for more. 

As I said before, Elizabeth is due in a couple weeks.  She is one of those teachers who is lucky enough to have a spring baby and can enjoy the summer off with the baby as well.  Sometimes teachers in this situation find themselves feeling "done" at this point in their pregnancy and don't always give all of thier heart and soul to teaching.  I have to say that this is not true for Elizabeth.  She comes to school everyday with as much determination as the day before for getting the job done.  She worries about her students, and wants to make sure they will still do great after she's had the baby.  (Which they will--Becky Wever will be her sub!)  I am truly grateful for Elizabeth's determination and dedication to her job. 

Thank you Mrs. Miller for all you do for Trinity.  You are amazing and we love you!  We also can't wait to meet Lucy in a few weeks.  May God shower his blessings on you and your family!

Mr. Brown

For those of you who have had students in Mr. Brown's classroom, you already know about his Basketball unit. Mr. Brown transforms his classroom into a basketball stadium, welcomes other classrooms in to challenge his students at a game, makes classroom jerseys, and generally creates a lot of "March madness" in his room! Okay, so this sounds like fun, but what are they learning? Well, Aaron has put a lot of thought into why he spends a week (or more) like this. First of all, the kids know that they can learn while they have fun. They are learning math lessons like counting and measurement, they are reading books about sports, they are learning about teamwork, and as Mrs. White would say, they are learning the "life skill" of sportsmanship. Do kids have to learn about winning and losing? You bet. Do kids have to learn that not everything in life will go as they planned? Absolutely. Mr. Brown is teaching them these life skills in a fun, exciting, and non-threatening way. 

 Ask Mr. Brown if he ever imagined he'd be teaching kindergarten and he laughs right out loud. However, he is an integral piece of what makes Trinity unique and exceptional. Thanks Mr. Brown for all you do. Go tigers!

 

Social Media

So, I have to admit, I am not good at Social Media.  I rarely check my Facebook page, I don't do Pintrest, I opened a Twitter account and have only tweeted once (for a class assignment) and I have no idea what Instagram is used for.  

However, that being said, Social Media in Education can be very useful.  Many of you are probably reading this because you followed the link from Facebook.  When I use our Facebook page, I'm helping to spread the good news of Trinity to those who may otherwise not know what's happening inside our walls.  When used in a safe way, and in a way in which our strong values are upheld, Trinity's story can be shared with the larger community.  The buzz in education these days is that if we don't share our story, someone else will.  So, why not share the story that you want everyone to know.  My March resolution is to do just that.  I'm committing myself to sharing our story so that all of you can share it as well.  

Facebook is a way for me to share our story, but I've also created a Trinity Twitter account. Follow us at:

@TrinityTigers1

News, updates, and stories will be shared here.  Help Trinity to make a presence in the Social Media world.  Get your family members and friends involved.  I love Trinity and want others to see how great of a place it is!  

God's Peace to You!

Have you visited Trinity yet?

Well, it's been a while since I've posted anything to this blog.  I aplogize for my absense but have a strong desire to share what is going on at Trinity.  Keep checking in on me!

To all you prospective parents out there: Have you visited Trinity yet?  Enrollment for the 2012-2013 school year is well underway.  I am so excited for all of those who have turned in thier forms and have committed to becoming a Trinity Tiger.  The educational experience that they will recieve will be like no other and the spritual growth that the students will undergo can hardly be put into words.  As a mother of 3 students here, I get to see firsthand every day what an impact our teachers make on our students.  My daughter just asked me the other day, "Mom, why is this school year going so fast?  I don't want it to end."  I think this speaks volumes to what kind of experience our students have in the classrooms.  When they want to be here, that makes all the difference in thier learning journey. 

If you haven't been in for a tour, give me a call or send me an email.  937-642-1726 or lpoling@trinitymarysville.org

I promise to post some pictures and stories very soon.  The kids have fun every day and I want to share that with the world. 

Until then, God's Peace to You!

Go Tigers!

Lutheran Schools Week

Wow, it has been a busy week here at Trinity.  I'm exhausted!  We have been celebrating National Lutheran Schools week and have had a tremendous time honoring all that we are and do at Trinity.  I hope that all of you were able to participate in at least one of our great activities this week. 

The attached picture is from our field trip to St. John's Lutheran School for a joint chapel.  Our students were amazing.  They had great manners, we appreciative, and showed them exactly what Trinity is about.  Our students got to know other Lutheran School students and had a great time making new friends.  We honored God and prayed together as only we can!

Today was our Pancake breakfast with Chris Cakes.  It was so fun to watch who caught and who dropped their pancakes!  A shout out to Mr. Rose who caught a few at half court!  I'll be thinking about whose up for that feat for next year! 

Thank you for all your support of our school.  We wouldn't be who we are without all of you.  And a special thank you to our amazing teachers for all they do for our kids, for putting in tons of hours this week, and for making this school excellent.  They deserve the world! 

God bless you all!

Spiritual Parenting Thought of the Day:
Examine when you try to control the uncontrollable and think about how you can ease up. Take charge of those aspects in your life where you do hold the reins.

Saying Goodbye

We say goodbye this week to a well loved staff member, Mrs. Blumenschien.  Katie has been our Pre-School aide for the past year and a half, but in that short time has implanted herself in our hearts.  She has been a wonderful asset to our staff, has helped us laugh, has helped countless students learn and grow, and has made a difference at Trinity.  We will miss her tremendously. 

With goodbyes come hellos.  I'd like to welcome Jennifer Mauer to our staff.  God has brought her to us and I know that she will do an amazing job for Trinity.  Please introduce yourself to her and welcome her when you see her around the building.

As always, the rest of our school is busy working, learning, and growing in faith, love and community.  The end of February is upon us.  The school year continues to move at lightening speed and there is no end to how busy we are.  But the kids' unending energy and enthusiasm help us to keep on doing what we do!

Spiritual Parenting Thought of the Day
Make each day a new beginning. Let go of the old definitions you have of your children and see them as the spiritual beings they are today.   

Bible Verse of the Day
Follow God’s example, therefore, as dearly loved children and walk in the way of love, just as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.

– Ephesians 5:1-2 (NIV