I placed 14 new students in classes in the week before school started. It was very busy, but exciting, and unprecedented. While the reasons varied, there was a definite connection, in some cases, to the current situation in the public schools. While it is a blessing to welcome these families into ACES, I am saddened [...]
I really like Susan Dykshoorn’s latest blog post. She did a great job of capturing what seems like an amazing summer break in an acrostic poem, and if you haven’t read it yet, do! You’ll get a very clear idea of the blessing of summer, and you’ll also realize how quickly I have jumped on [...]
I can’t help it…I am a first grade teacher, and when asked to write a blog post, well, this was the idea that popped in my head! An alphabet poem: words about my summer! Maybe there are a few of them that you can relate to? Maybe one or two might jog a memory? Maybe [...]
After three summers of spending weeks away studying and last summer travelling to the East Coast in celebration of our 35th anniversary, I was looking forward to spending some time at home, enjoying our home, welcoming others to enjoy it with us, and getting some jobs done. It has been all I could have asked [...]
I have two very important words to say to you. These two words are for you parents. Just two words. Thank you. You may have heard these words from me before, but today, I want you to REALLY hear them. Thank you—for sitting with your child and reading. Especially during those times when it seems [...]
“Nice dance moves, Buddy!” I wasn’t sure what my brother, calling from Edmonton, was talking about. But then he noted that he had recently seen the Inside Out launch video and proceeded to regale me with how much his daughter—my niece—was killing herself laughing at her Uncle Seth dancing in the library with his students. [...]
“Yeah! My son came home covered in mud again. He wasn't pushed but said that he told the older boys he didn't want to slide but they kept on telling him to slide. I know the responsibility lies with him to walk away or speak up, but I can’t help thinking the other moms don’t appreciate the muddy clothes either. [...]
This is pretty much me: I know some people find fulfillment and enjoyment in running, but for me, it’s agony! Believe me—I’ve tried. My goal was to win against that quick student in my class…only to be easily outrun by a sprite young six year old! Or that 5K I excitedly signed up for, only [...]
I really think it is time to let it go. I have three young daughters who are, like many of my grade 8 students and apparently a large percentage of people generally, obsessed with the movie Frozen. Hardly a day goes by when there is not a musical number from Frozen being staged in my [...]
by Tanya KienekerGetting hired to teach at ACS was somewhat of an accident. It was 23 years ago and Dwight Moody was principal. He was looking for a grade two teacher and asked Nancy Humphries to come out for a visit. Little did she know, she was interviewed and got the job! “But I wasn’t [...]
