My interactions with John Atsma, site superintendent for Fricia Construction, are usually two-fold: sometimes he stops by my office, or I give him a call. However, our conversations are rarely dull. Here are a few examples: “John, did you guys turn the water off? None of the taps work in the school.” “Mike, we need [...]
Do you ever feel like you have one foot on the dock and the other foot in a boat…as it slowly drifts away? I suspect this is a sentiment many can relate to these days. The dock is dry, stable, safe, secure, known. The boat (hopefully) promises a great day on the lake, with sunshine, [...]
Gut check time. I’m wiped…I was told I’m supposed to be authentic and honest…. So here it goes: I was supposed to go to Whistler during our past long weekend. It’s been a long road from early August when preparations for this school year began. But Whistler was coming! It’s an annual trip my wife [...]
I have a new energy and a new motivation this school year. Seeing staff every day and having students back in the building reminds me why we do what we do. We engage minds, nurture hearts, and shape God’s world. We do this by educating through relationship. The best way to foster these relationships, and [...]
My final blog of the year, and the end of my first year as principal…what do I want to share? One simple word. Thanks! Everyone I talk to seem to pity me to some degree: “Wow! This is an intense first year!” “I bet you didn’t anticipate being a principal during COVID-19!” “How are you [...]
“Be gentle with yourself and generous with others” is a phrase that Ed Noot, Executive Director of the Society of Christian Schools in BC, shared with us school leaders during one of our many virtual meetings over spring break. It’s a phrase that has stuck with me over these last few weeks and something I’m trying to [...]
I’ve been thinking a lot about value lately. Part of that has to do with our family’s decision to sell our house and move out to Abbotsford this year. You never really think about the value of something until you want to sell it…. We have put in a lot of time and energy into [...]
There are plenty of jobs I’ve had to do this year as a principal that seem a little outside the “norm.” We often refer to these things as “other duties as required.” It’s a joking reference to a line in our contracts that doesn’t really exist…but it should! My “other duty as required,” along with [...]
“What do you want to be when you grow up?” Ah, the age-old question that begins as a fun activity to do with your kids. One of my daughters wanted to be a mermaid when she grew up…. At some point along the way, usually in high school, the question remains but changes ever [...]
“Are you excited to be principal at ACS next year?” I was asked this question a lot over the summer. I always answered that question without hesitation. YES! Some of you might be wondering, how can he say that? Doesn’t he know what he’s getting himself into? As a recovering math teacher, allow me to run [...]
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