Dear Friends of Trinitas,
We hope this finds you and your loved ones well as we continue this time of separation.
You may be wondering, “How does a school that has marketed itself as ‘free from digital distractions’ move to distance learning?” Here are answers from two of our 8th graders:
Our prayer team continues to lift up health care workers, first responders, grocery and pharmacy employees, and other essential workers who on the front lines of this public health crisis. You are invited to share the name of friends or family members through the form in the all-school newsletters or by emailing Mrs. Poortenga.
If you asked our students about their favorite part of the school day, you would likely hear many of them answer, “Morning Prayer”. Indeed, what better was is there to live together as a community than by starting our day with prayer, Scripture, and song? We have all missed that time, but we are happy to tell you that there will be a special all-school chapel on Friday, May 8, at noon. Our 8th graders will help lead us, and Mr. Marth will present an introduction to the virtue for May, courage. An invitation will be sent the day before. We hope to see you there!
We know you have all been eagerly awaiting the results of our Roman election this week. It was a landslide victory for all the 8th grade candidates – again. (One wonders how this happens every year!) We thank everyone who attended the speeches on Tuesday and the 3rd-8th Latin students for casting their votes this week.
Official results of Trinitas Classical School’s 2020 Roman Election:
Consul – Natalie
Praetor – Noah
Censor – Abby
Aedile – Robyn
Quaestor – Frankie
Tribune – Maraika
Dictator – Gabriel
Consul? Quaestor? Aedile? Please join us for another “Latin at Lunchtime (at Home)” gathering to learn about these and other political offices from ancient Roman times. The 8th grade Cambridge Green students will be presenting their speeches – in Latin and English! The other Latin students will be able to vote later in the week. These annual elections are always fun, even though they don’t hold much of a surprise. We know who will win. (Right, 8th graders?) Watch for an email invitation.
Our virtue focus for the month of May is COURAGE. These uncertain times certainly provide us with opportunities to be brave. May we all find our courage in the One who assures us, “Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you.” Let’s look for ways to encourage each other to stand firm; we can’t do this alone.
Recommended readings* to read and discuss together:
Grades K-4:
How the Little Kite Learned to Fly (446)
David and Goliath (447)
The Brave Mice (457)
William Tell (480)
Grades 5-8:
Intro to Courage (441)
Our Heroes (461)
The Minotaur (462)
The Brave Three Hundred (473)
*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: God’s word helps us to be brave. As a family, memorize the verses above or other verses about courage. We can also help each other to be brave. Talk about ways to do this (e.g., send a card to a heath care or other essential worker letting them know you’re praying for them.)
Two: Mark Twain said “It is curious that physical courage should be so common in the world and moral courage so rare.” What do you think he means? Talk together about examples from your own life or others’ of moral courage. How can you be brave in this way?
Three: Ephesians 4:10-18 says to “be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power” and to “put on the full armor of God.” Read and discuss these passages together. Draw a picture of the armor of God to remind you to be brave in God’s power.
Four: What scared your parents when they were young? How did they overcome these fears?
People are experiencing this pandemic in a variety of ways. Some are looking for meaningful ways to use extra time. Others are asking, “What extra time?!” Some are struggling with grave situations; others are worrying about or grieving lesser but still significant circumstances. One thing we all share is the desire to continue to prepare our children for “lives well-lived.” In this CCE Corner, we want to look at some “best practices” for continuing your Trinitas education at home. Not surprisingly, they tend to be many of the same practices, attitudes, and habits that work well at school during more “regular” times and in many other areas of life. As a community committed to Christian classical education, it is fitting that we would look not only to tradition but also to each other. Thank you for contributing to this conversation and for furthering our shared mission in your homes.
When things feel out of control, turn toward the One who is in control.
Congratulations to our 5th-8th graders who took the National Mythology Exam in February. They all did well! Several of the students received special awards. Optime, discipuli!
Gold medallion winners (PERFECT score):
Justin M.
Lily T. – A “double gold medalist” this year with a perfect score on the National Latin Exam as well!
Silver medallion winners (scoring 96-99%):
Maraika B.
Sophia S.
Noah S.
Robyn T.
Bronze medallion winners (scoring 90-95%):
Gabriel B.
Gabriel F.
Abigail G.
Natalie P.
Vency R.
Ivana R.
Henry S.
In March, eleven of our 6th-8th graders took the National Latin Exam. This exam is given yearly to Latin students, primarily high schoolers throughout the United States and several foreign countries. The questions cover translation, grammar, geography, mythology, Roman life, history, mottoes, and derivatives. The students all received honors! Bene factum, discipuli!
Intro:
Lily T. – Ribbon & Special Certificate for PERFECT SCORE
Ayanna S. – Ribbon & Certificate for Outstanding Achievement
Ivana R. – Ribbon & Certificate for Outstanding Achievement
Latin I:
Sophia S. – Gold Summa Cum Laude
Henry S. – Gold Summa Cum Laude
Jacob M. – Silver Maxima Cum Laude
Latin II:
Robyn T. – Gold Summa Cum Laude
Natalie P. – Gold Summa Cum Laude
Gabriel B. – Silver Maxima Cum Laude
Noah S. – Cum Laude
Abigail P. – Cum Laude
Unprecedented times. So they have been called, and so they are. And yet, our current crisis unites us with Christians from other times and places as we’re called to stand firm. Pastor Peter Jonker of LaGrave CRC provided an encouraging sermon on how Christians are prepared for such a time as this. It’s based on I Peter 5:6-11:
“Humble yourselves, therefore, under God’s mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time. Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you. Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. Resist him, standing firm in the faith, because you know that the family of believers throughout the world is undergoing the same kind of sufferings. And the God of all grace, who called you to his eternal glory in Christ, after you have suffered a little while, will himself restore you and make you strong, firm and steadfast.”
You can find the March 22 sermon in LaGrave’s sermon archive. We are thankful for all clergy and lay leaders who continue to shepherd their flocks and minister to our city during this crisis.
