Our previous CCEC was about managing fear, frustration, and failure in school. In the short time since then, the Coronavirus has us all facing new frustrations and fears. But, as we see in C.S. Lewis’s sermon, “Learning in Wartime,” these are not really new. You can read his sermon here. If you prefer a shorter commentary of the sermon’s main points, read this. Lewis’s words, rooted in Scripture, encourage us to live our daily lives as best we can. In our next CCE Corner, we’ll return to our scheduled lesson and talk about the importance of friendship in this time of separation.
School News
CCE Corner – “Learning in Wartime” by C.S. Lewis
March 23rd, 2020Protect Young Eyes (PYE) Resources
March 23rd, 2020We would like to provide some follow-up to our Protect Young Eyes event with founder Chris McKenna last semester. We were encouraged by the turnout! We hope this event was not just a one-time presentation but part of a transformation and ongoing discussion. Next week we will send links to refresher videos and reminders for how to stay connected to PYE. With more school children online right now because of the school closures, digital awareness and security are all the more important.
Words of Encouragement
March 17th, 2020As we navigate these strange times together, we want to assure you of our prayers and encourage you in your efforts to adjust to a new normal. While there is some irony in our intentionally low-tech school going online, our teachers are working hard to continue to partner with you to care for your children’s minds, bodies, and spirits. We are praying for patience, peace, and wisdom, and for all to be able to establish good routines including time for schoolwork, reading, chores, indoor and outdoor play, and individual and family devotions.
We are praying especially for those on whom the COVID-19 crisis has placed heavier burdens. If you would like to be part of our Prayer Team or have any requests or praises you would like the team to bring to our Lord, please contact Mrs. Poortenga. It has been our practice since the founding of the school to meet in daily Morning Prayer, including a Psalm and other Scripture. We hope that you will continue in this practice together in your homes. While our minds are so easily filled with concerns, let us take comfort together in God’s Word.
God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear, though the earth give way and the mountains fall into the heart of the sea, though its waters roar and foam and the mountains quake with their surging….”Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth.” The LORD Almighty is with us; the God of Jacob is our fortress. Psalm 46:1-3, 10-11
“All this I have spoken while still with you. But the Counselor, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you. Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.” John 14:25-27
May the peace of the Lord be with you.
All Michigan K-12 Schools Closed Through April 5
March 13th, 2020We are moving forward with plans for distance learning in response to the state’s school closure announcement. Please be watching for important information later today about online classroom accounts for our students. We anticipate that we will, at least to some degree, be ready to go early next week.
Parents who did not pick up textbooks and belongings from school today should do so next Monday. The office will be open from 8:00 a.m. to noon.
Coronavirus Screening Hotline
March 13th, 2020Anyone experiencing COVID-19 symptoms (fever, cough, shortness of breath) should call a doctor or the Spectrum Health hotline (616-391-2380) for a free virtual screening. Health care providers will then determine if further evaluation is needed. For more information, visit www.spectrumhealth.org/covid19.
Anyone experiencing severe or life-threatening symptoms should seek immediate medical assistance.
March Virtue Focus – COMPASSION
March 13th, 2020Our virtue of the month is COMPASSION. During the COVID-19 crisis, we are all called to exercise care for one another, especially those who are most vulnerable. Empathy is an important part of compassion, and now is a good time to pay special attention to occasions for seeing things from another’s perspective. While we are apart, we hope that you will continue to read together from Scripture and from The Book of Virtues and that you will spend time talking and praying together about ways to show compassion.
COVID-19 Update and School Activity Impact Statement
March 12th, 2020Because COVID-19 (coronavirus) is now present in Michigan and the guidance to schools is rapidly changing, we want to communicate again that we are staying current with the most recent information and recommendations from county, state, and federal agencies.
Although the risk to our children is reportedly low, local and state authorities are now telling us that the spread of COVID-19 to our area should be expected. We are committed to doing what we can to protect our community including parents, grandparents, and those at a greater risk. To that end, we want to communicate a number of items at this time:
Monitoring at home and evaluating symptoms
COVID-19 behaves like a common cold and starts slowly with a persistent dry cough. It may not be recognized until several days after onset, meaning it can be spread before a person realizes they have it. Therefore, regardless of travel, we ask that anyone who exhibits a fever (more than 100°F) OR dry cough OR persistent body aches stay home until you are symptom-free for 24 hours or as advised by your physician to help contain any cold, flu or other viruses such as COVID-19. If a student develops these symptoms at school, they will be isolated to our office and parents will be asked to pick their child up promptly.
Call your doctor if you or your child experience symptoms, or use the Michigan COVID-19 hotline (616.391.2380) to schedule a free virtual screening through Spectrum Health. For more information about this screening visit spectrumhealth.org/covid19. Read the rest of this entry »
CCE Corner – Managing Fear, Frustration, and Failure
March 5th, 2020You’ve heard of the 3 R’s of education (Reading, wRiting, and aRithmetic). What about the three F’s? In this CCEC, we talk about Fear, Frustration, and Failure.
Lesson 9. Keep calm and choose well: managing fear, frustration, and failure.
When I asked my children what advice they might give students and parents in their first year of classical school, one of them said, “Tell them things like lit and comp will be really hard for the first year.”
There will very likely be times when you hear something like: “The other kids know so much more!” “I don’t know what the teacher wants!” “I can’t do this!” “I’m gonna fail.”
Over the years, we’ve learned that it’s the parent’s job in these situations to calm everyone down. Yourself first. It’s like they tell you on an airplane: “Put on your own oxygen mask, before tending to your child.” You may be thinking, “I don’t know what the teacher wants either!” But, don’t let your child see your stress. Calmly try to calm him or her down.
We have a few ideas to share: Read the rest of this entry »
Coronavirus Update: Basic Illness Prevention
March 5th, 2020Along with other schools, Trinitas is receiving frequent updates on COVID-19 from Kent ISD, the Kent County Health Department, and state and federal agencies. We are following the CDC guidance for schools, much of which applies to all respiratory infectious disease (e.g., seasonal influenza).
At this time, we would like your help on some proactive steps. First and foremost, please keep your children home when they are sick. Students who exhibit any symptoms of illness (fever of more than 100°F, headache, fatigue, dry cough, sore throat, runny or stuffy nose, muscle aches, nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea) should not be sent to school until their condition has been monitored for a minimum of 24 hours. Before they may return to class, students must be without fever (100°F) or signs of a fever for at least 24 hours without the use of fever-reducing medicines. They should stay home even if they are using antiviral drugs.
Please help us teach basic illness prevention:
1. Wash hands frequently with soap and water for at least 20 seconds and use alcohol-based hand sanitizer (at least 60% alcohol) when soap and water are not available.
2. Do not share personal items (i.e., food, drink, utensils).
3. Avoid touching eyes, nose, and mouth with unwashed hands.
4. Cover noses and mouths with a tissue when coughing or sneezing (or a shirt sleeve or elbow if no tissue is available).
In addition to teaching and taking time to allow for the above proactive behaviors, we are disinfecting common surfaces on a regularly scheduled basis.We will continue to review information and school-specific recommendations provided by the CDC and adopt best practices.
All schools are being told that if local officials report cases of COVID-19 in the area, decisions about closing should be done on a case-by-case basis in coordination with the local health department. Guidance may vary from school to school and from one district to the next. For more information, visit cdc.gov. For local updates, visit the Kent County Health Department.
March Virtue Focus – COMPASSION
March 5th, 2020Our virtue focus for March is COMPASSION. During this season of Lent, we remember the compassion our Lord has for us, and we will practice showing compassion for others.
Recommended readings* to read and discuss together:
Grades K-4:
Androcles and the Lion (118)
Beauty and the Beast (127)
Beautiful (134)
The Legend of Northland (148)
Grades 5-8:
Intro to Compassion (107)
Song of Life (142)
The Angel of the Battlefield (144)
Echo and Narcissus (152)
*Readings can be found in The Book of Virtues, ed. William J. Bennett. Copies can be found on Amazon Smile.
“Try This” ideas for families:
One: “We must make our homes centers of compassion and forgive endlessly.” –Mother Teresa of Calcutta.
Practice doing one extra kind act for a family member each day and be quick to forgive.
Two: “What does love look like? It has the hands to help others. It has the feet to hasten to the poor and needy. It has eyes to see misery and want. It has the ears to hear the sighs and sorrows of men. That is what love looks like.” –St. Augustine
Who can your family visit or encourage in some way this month?
Three: Show compassion when you talk. Try hard not to say anything unkind to or about anyone. Say encouraging words instead. Make eye contact whenever you talk to someone; it shows you are attentive and care about what they are saying.