A Special School Year Begins

 David - Kindergarten         Ryen - Preschool

August 2016

School has officially started for many in our area.  It’s the season for football games, extracurricular activities, busy schedules, homework, and much learning to take place.  This will be an extra special school year for the Bertrand family as our first grandchild begins his school adventure in kindergarten.

In preparation for the new school year, David and his parents attended “Meet the Teacher” night.  School supplies have been purchased, taken out of the bag, and looked at numerous times; books about kindergarten have been read; and new shoes and clothes are ready. 

 What a blessing to have a friend in class.

There will be so many things to learn this year.  David will be given the opportunity to increase his skills in math, reading, music, social development.  He’ll be stronger and know more about the sports he plays.  New friendships will be made.

In his poem, Robert Fulghum reminds us of important life lessons that are taught and hopefully learned and applied in this important year of schooling. 

“All I Really Need to Know I Learned in Kindergarten” 

By Robert Fulghum

Most of what I really need

To know about how to live

And what to do and how to be

I learned in kindergarten.

Wisdom was not at the top

Of the graduate school mountain,

But there in the sandpile at Sunday school.

These are the things I learned:

Share everything.

Play fair.

Don’t hit people.

Put things back where you found them.

Clean up your own mess.

Don’t take things that aren’t yours.

Say you’re sorry when you hurt somebody.

Wash your hands before you eat.

Flush.

Warm cookies and milk are good for you.

Live a balanced life –

Learn some and think some

And draw and paint and sing and dance

And play and work everyday some.

Take a nap every afternoon.

When you go out into the world,

Watch out for traffic,

Hold hands and stick together.

Be aware of wonder. 

What wonderful reminders of important lessons for all of us, no matter what age, to take to heart to help make a positive difference in our world.  And in agreement with Fulghum, "... it is still true, no matter how old you are - when you go out into the world, it is best to hold hands and stick together." 

David, as you embark on this next step in your education, Granddad and I pray that you will be kind, brave, and grateful with your words, thoughts, and actions.  May your excitement and love of learning continue as you apply what you are taught and help make a positive difference in your home, school, neighborhood and church.  We love you, David, and are so excited about your new adventure!

So in everything, do to others what you would have them do to you, for this sums up the Law and the Prophets.

Matthew 7:12 

Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.” 

Joshua 1:9

In all my prayers for all of you, I always pray with joy because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now, being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.

Philippians 1:4-6

For this reason I kneel before the Father, from whom every family in heaven and on earth derives its name. I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power, together with all the Lord’s holy people, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge—that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God.

Ephesians 3:14-19