We hear it so often now—everything has changed; everything is different now. Even my Saturdays are different than before. I used to wake up a little later than on a weekday, go for my run, then go ahead with all the errands moved to the “Saturday-To-Do-List.” Typically, this involved a trip for groceries or to [...]
We are in full renovation mode. The middle school administration wing has been dismantled, we are relocated into our new temporary office space, and the walls of the new middle school wing are tilted up and in place. I am also in renovation mode at home. We have gutted our entire living space except for [...]
True confession: I can’t sing and in spite of a few valiant attempts, I cannot play a musical instrument. Among other things I inherited from my mother is the inability to carry a tune. However, I also inherited a love of music from my father. I have discovered that the two are not incongruous and [...]
It suddenly felt like fall. For most of September, it was warm, with comfortable evenings even when it rained. Then suddenly, the nights got colder and we were into fall. The change happened all in an instant. Parent Stuff My life feels like that. The season has changed and it seems to have come very [...]
There is something really gratifying in running down a flying disk to score a point for your team. Just ask any of our middle school students who enjoy playing Ultimate during our lunch breaks. Ultimate is a fast paced game that is a hybrid cross of football, Frisbee and handball. One of the really cool [...]
I am an admitted “neat freak” and I am okay with that. Regularly, I get razzed for how organized my office is. “You can’t be very busy because your office is always neat and clean.” The truth is, I just cannot work when there is disorganization. By the way, if you ever come into my office [...]
Being in the middle school is an opportunity to see students grow and change almost daily. My favourite memory this school year was sailing with one of the grade 8 classes. I was witness again, to students growing confidence and a willingness to try something new and difficult. Some students climbed higher in the shrouds [...]
I really do not like being wrong. Actually, I think this is a common attribute of all sinful humanity. However, in all honesty, I really do not like to make mistakes. Please note: when I am proven wrong, I think I am pretty good at admitting that I made a mistake, but it is my [...]
Every year for the past five, I have set myself a goal on my birthday; I try to run as many laps around the track at Robert Bateman Secondary School as I am years old. (I have to give credit to Vince Van Dyk for this idea.) Since passing the “half-century” mark, this is becoming [...]
As I looked around the room last weekend, enjoying a breakfast for all of the Dordt College grads, I realized I was quite obviously the most senior person graduating. After a few years of hard work, I was graduating with my master’s degree. I had taken the opportunity to attend the ceremony in Sioux Center, [...]
