Head of School Weekly Update
April 5, 2019
Westminster Family,
This week we had several opportunities at both campuses to see examples of coworkers who are partnering with our families to integrate a Biblical worldview. Too often the integration of a Biblical worldview is described in an ethereal manner as if it’s ‘mystic’. The other danger is to approach education and attempt to simply ‘slap a verse’ into a preexisting lesson plan as some sort of religious talisman and think that suffices. Integration simply means to see the world as a whole, and since the fall of man, we have been living in a broken world as broken people. How then can we move students towards seeing the educational process and the world as ‘the Lords and the fullness thereof’? Broken but redeemed teachers, staff, and coaches demonstrate it through our own realization that ‘life is bigger than us’.
Wednesday at Lower School Chapel, one of our parents, Virginia Lynn, interacted with students about a new partnership between WCA and an orphanage in Kenya called Valley Light Home. She introduced the “Hodi Project” last week with a bulletin board display near the library showing pictures from Kenya, photos of the founders of Valley Light and some of their 31 children. Simple questions about friendship and God’s Kingdom began a wider conversation about serving and growing together as a school community in this new partnership. To kick- off the start of direct student connections, 5th graders delivered posters to each classroom revealing one or more matched children at Valley Light. These connections and friendships will grow in different ways throughout the coming years.
Spring is here, which means soon it will be time for the chicks to hatch in first grade. Our students are so excited. Amy Madison and Katie Willis use the chickens that ‘spring forth’ in their classrooms every year around this time to demonstrate scientific processes and to remind students that ‘it’s not all about us’. When we put the eggs in the incubator they take 21 days to hatch. Every day, Amy and Katie use a plastic egg to show the students exactly what developed in the chicks for that 24 hours. Our First Grade Service Project connects beautifully with this learning experience as our first graders raise money to purchase flocks of chicks for needy families through Heifer International's Read to Feed program.
Kathy Hightower has integrated students into several presentations this year, most recently at the rising 6th grade parent meeting which took place last night. Our desire when students have an opportunity to serve, even in something as simple as speaking to parents of younger students, is to help them build the framework through which they see the world. What a gift that students see themselves as participants in this process and not merely receivers.
Renee Bumpas and the Upper School car line crew organized a fun springtime activity for the shuttle riders. Last week they planted "candy seeds" and this week they harvested "smarties." I’m very grateful to work alongside people who love these kids and look for ways to make their Westminster experience one that not only ‘works’, but also one that they thrive in and enjoy. God bless each one of you for sharing your children with us. They and you are loved and appreciated.
Stephen