In English 11 last October, Mrs. Dani DeJong shared a collection of essays from National Public Radio’s program, “This I Believe.” She then challenged her students to write their own personal credo about a core principle that defines their life. The array of topics, concerns, and passions were as diverse as the students themselves. The [...]
My third son, Aiden, just got his L. More than any of my other boys, he has been looking forward to driving and has been talking about this day for as long as I can remember. He always loves adventures, risk taking, trying new things, and has the confidence to believe that whatever he tries [...]
This summer, while camping, our three-year-old learned how to ride his bike without training wheels (yes, prepare yourself for many “proud mama bear” blog posts from this principal). Earlier in the summer, he was hesitant to try, enjoying the ease and speed with which he cruised the side streets of East Abbotsford on his orange [...]
BY CHERYL SCHUTTE, ACS PARENT Okay, I’ll be honest…when the kids came home from school knowing that spring break might be a lot longer than we expected, I was pretty excited. Mostly because I love lazy mornings and wearing my pj’s a little longer than I should. Stuck And Yet… But it didn't take long [...]
I have about a two-minute commute to work – walking. For the most part, that is a good thing and most people are jealous when they find out where I live. Every time I get on the Trans Canada and realize that people drive that highway everyday, I am deeply grateful for my commute. Every [...]
BY BETHANY BAKKER, GRADE 6 TEACHER My mom told me I wasn’t allowed to date anyone west of the Mississippi River. After all, I grew up in Wisconsin. I went to Dordt College in Iowa, met a guy from Chilliwack, got married, and moved to Canada a few years later. Now that I’ve lived here [...]
I’m an educator, and yes that means (generally speaking) summer is indeed a break from the regular rhythm of the school year…and yes, we educators are blessed to enjoy time off that most other industries don’t have the luxury of. I like to refer to summer holidays as a teachers’ Sabbath. It’s an intentional break [...]
There are multiple trees in my back yard. Each of them has a story: 1. MAPLE TREE The beautiful maple tree—an Autumn Blaze that sits squarely at the mid-point of our back yard property line allowing for site-lines from all of our backyard windows. My parents gave me this tree for my birthday 12 years ago [...]
3 months into maternity leave Sigh. I am feeling a little more like myself. I think my son, Atticus, and I have figured out nursing, even in public. I am enjoying being home with him. I even did the laundry today. Not folded, just did it. 5 months into maternity leave What am I going [...]
When God, in his infinite wisdom, filled my house with five active boys, He thankfully looked after a few extra details that have come in handy. From the time I was young, I knew I’d live on a farm. I’m not sure how I knew, but I knew it. My mom was a teacher and [...]
