Back to School: The First Week!

 And we are back! In full swing....or as close as we can get! School started back up on Wednesday, August 26. The first three days are made of fun activities for students to get to know each other well and getting to know their teachers, tasky items like checking out textbooks, navigating Google Classroom, email and PowerSchool (online grading system), etc. On Friday, the middle school has a tradition of a Back-to-School Bash. Each grade dresses in a certain color; 8th in red, 7th in blue, 6th in green and 5th in yellow. Students compete against the other classes with fun games with the winning class earning a fun treat at the end. This year, while the stipulations are different (can't play games outside because of safety regulations), students and teachers still had a lot of fun! The Chaplains department planned and implemented the fun games and activities. I have some photos that our principal took to share with you. Come and see a few glimpses of our fun first week back at school! 

Each grade has at least two teachers assigned to help students navigate the tasky things before diving into the academic schedule. Some of these things include navigating the technology, going over the student handbook, checking out textbooks, bringing in Kleenex boxes, our new hygiene guidelines, etc. We had an hour set aside each day to go over and complete the list of items. 

Here are some 5th graders enjoying snack time! We have a ten minute break time in the morning after the first two classes. After our ten minute break comes two more classes, then lunch. 

Here are our 8th grade girls!! Can't believe they are this tall already! 

This is our middle school student center on the 5th floor of our main building. We moved the couches and bean chairs so everyone could fit for our all-school assembly. Our principal shared some guidelines that govern our middle school (making good choices, being responsible, safe and respectful) along with separating our trash (recycling, paper and regular trash), elective options for the first quarter (cooking with ME, sports, board games, chapel team), inter-murals (an extension of our PE program with sports activities after school on T and Th), Chrysalis (youth group night on Thursday evenings), introducing teachers and more! We are going to have a great year! 

Friday afternoon was Back-to-School Bash!!! This is where students dress in their grade color and we play games in the gym! The 8th graders wore red, 7th blue, 6th green and 5th yellow. The 8th graders made a huge sign from a red sheet that one of their teachers brought in. So, the 7th graders also decided they needed to create a sign which is what you see below. :)

At the end of our day, we moved to the auditorium where the teachers donned blue garbage bags and Mr. Kooiman (our principal) was the conductor and we 'played' in our orchestra. I 'played' the trombone but am on the other side so am hard to see. The first picture below is of our students waiting but don't know what they are waiting for!! 

Thank you all for your love, encouragement and support as I serve missionary students here at Black Forest Academy!!!! When I think of you, I am filled with delight! I was listening to John Piper this morning as he spoke on Psalm 16: 1-3; "Preserve me, O God, for in you I take refuge. I say to the Lord, "You are my Lord; I have no good apart from you." As for the saints in the land, they are the excellent ones, in whom is all my delight."