The Early Childhood Encourager

Transcription

1 Northwest District, Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod 1700 NE Knott Street Portland Oregon is a publication of the LCMS Northwest District Education Department for the betterment of the early childhood teachers and directors as well as Pastors and DCE s of the preschools and early childhood centers the Northwest District. GROWING THROUGH ACCREDITATION Debbie Schwisow Early Childhood Director of Bethlehem Lutheran School, Kennewick, WA Two years ago Debbie Schwisow, Bethlehem, Kennewick, Washington, decided to begin the process of accreditation. The following article is the statement from Debbie and her committee as to the benefit of accreditation for the school, congregation, and Debbie as the preschool director. Accreditation The process of accreditation challenged, enlightened, stretched, affirmed, encouraged, and comforted us. Let me explain. Through much prayer we pushed forward into the process. Challenges: Explaining why accreditation is important and generating support from the school and congregation. Time commitment (The length of time it takes to complete a self-study.) Creating a steering committee Keeping the momentum (We found weekly meetings with regular assignments and a lot of organization through our steering committee secretary was helpful.) Bridging the gaps between various groups (ie. School board, church council, pastor, out-reach board, and so on) Money (With tight budgets, we learned that we need to place accreditation expenses in the budget in advance of site visits and applications to begin the process so that we can cover expenses as they arise.) Volume 4 Issue 1 June 2009 District Support Martha Weniger, Children s Ministry Consultant MarthaW@nowlcms.org Karen Wrye, Early Childhood Consultant RKWrye@teleport.com Robin Fossum, Family Ministry Consultant rgfossum@hotmail.com Laurie Bredehoft, Administrative Assistant LaurieB@nowlcms.org Dick Weniger, Director of Education Services DickW@nowlcms.org Bob Fowls, Associate Director of Education Services BobF@nowlcms.org Inside this issue: Growing Through Accreditation 1-2 Congratulations Krissa! 2 Administrator s Conference Welcome Laurie Early Childhood Opportunities Leadership Seminar Notes Calendar of Events Early Childhood Resource Center 7

2 CONTINUED: GROWING THROUGH ACCREDITATION Enlightenment: As we worked through the process the purpose became very clear. We were improving our communication between the church and school. Stretching: Through the self-study, we learned that we do many things well and found areas that needed some serious attention. (ie. Handbooks, curriculum guides, and policies to name a few) Affirming: We also discovered that our program is right on track for being a quality program. Encouraging: As we continued through the process we saw relationships begin to strengthen not only between church and school, but in our community at large. Comforting: It was a great comfort to know this process doesn t happen alone. Our consultant had many resources for us and answered our countless questions and concerns. We felt very strong support from Martha and Karen at the District Office validating our work with this process. The program is being evaluated, not individual teaching styles. The outcome of these years of work: A recommendation for accreditation from our visiting team! With all of the strengths, concerns and recommendations noted, we have set our sights on the future and plan continued excellence for our program. Debbie Schwisow Early Childhood Director at Bethlehem Lutheran School (jdschwisow@charter.net) CONGRATULATIONS! Congratulations to Krissa and Joel Zander at the birth of their son, Nathan Christopher Zander. Nathan was born on May 1st, 2009, at 9:27 pm. He weighed in at 8lbs. 8oz., and was 20 1/2 inches long. Krissa is currently on maternity leave. Page 2

3 Administrator s Conference The Administrator s Conference for Early Childhood was held Friday and Saturday, April 24-25, 2009, at the Clarion Hotel, Portland, Oregon. Twenty-five early childhood directors from Oregon and Washington were in attendance. Friday afternoon Bob Fowls, Associate Director of Education Services for the Northwest District and Dick Weniger, Executive Director of Education Services for the Northwest District, presented information on the Sustainable Lutheran School Initiative. Aspects of the initiative for early childhood application was discussed. This will be an ongoing discussion as we work toward a way to incorporate the ideas from the initiative into early childhood centers. On Saturday, Kathy Schamber, teacher from Baton Rouge Lutheran School, Baton Rouge, LA. presented on three topics: They re Our Kids Christ s Children Care, Book Buddies, and Toddlin to Jesus. For further information contact Martha Weniger at MarthaW@nowlcms.org, Karen Wrye at rkwrye@teleport.com or directly at the Northwest District office. Kathy Schamber is available at: kschamber@brlutheranschool.org. WELCOME LAURIE Welcome to Laurie Bredehoft who will be serving as Education Administrative Assistant here at the NW District Office during the maternity leave of Krissa Zander. Laurie s professional experience includes working in financial institutions, administrative assistant for a Lutheran Elementary School, as well as support staff for the Foundation Office at Concordia University Portland. Her husband, George, teaches third grade at Pilgrim Lutheran School, Beaverton, OR. In addition to her commitment to the success of our Lutheran Schools, she has a passion for sharing God s word through fabric wall hangings. Her last project was for the Great Salt Gathering. She is currently working on a project for the NW District Convention. You can reach Laurie at ext. 131 or laurieb@nowlcms.org. Page 3

4 Early Childhood Opportunities LUTHERAN SCHOOL PORTAL: The Lutheran School Portal is a web based resource for Lutheran Educators around the world. Within the secure setting of the Lutheran School Portal, users will find the latest information and resources from the LCMS School Ministry national office. The Northwest District will pay for one half of your yearly fee and your renewal fee each year Lutheran School Portal rates for free-standing early childhood centers: < 50 students $70.00 District rebates to you $ students $ District rebates to you $ students $ District rebates to you $ students $ District rebates to you $92.50 You can view information about the Portal, Lutheran Schools in general, as well as other helpful information at Notes from the 2009 Leadership Series Phone Conference Calls January: Passing The Faith-Early Childhood Style Robin Fossum Family Ministry Consultant, Northwest District Office Research and faith development model by The Youth and Family Institute, Minneapolis, MN Faith Training Teaching them about God Teaching faith concepts and values Teaching skills for faith training Four Keys for Faith Development- Caring Conversations conversation that conveys genuine interest in another person Devotions A way to Practice the presence of God Service The day-in and day-out lifestyle that shows caring about others Rituals and Traditions Create regular structures or patterns that communicate meaning and Values Four Keys Outcomes- Children will learn about the God who created them and loves them Children will learn about the Bible Children will be exposed to the four Keys Families will be exposed to the four Keys Robin Fossum, Family Ministry Consultant, Northwest District Office (RGFossum@hotmail.com) Page 4

5 February: Summer Programming DeAnn McCue- Director of Family Ministry, Gloria Dei Lutheran Church, Urbandale, IA What do you do in your congregation or school? VBS, Day Camps, Music, Family Events? It started with a drive through the community on an evening in July. Did we want to offer summer childcare or summer camps? We tried: Preschoolers and Parents, Drama and Sports among other things. What we kept was: God s amazing creation Science camp, God s little princess camp, fine arts, girls in her story camp, summer reading club, patriotic children s choir, kindermusik adventures and beginning ballet and creative dance. Girls in her Story Camps Teaches history can be fun. Girls in her story takes girls through a brief history of America. This hands on camp takes girls back in time to experience some of a day in the life of a young girl in that time period. Statically, this camp averages 75% non-member year after year Summer Reading Club-Similar to what the public libraries do, this club offers kids an opportunity to come to church to check out books and earn prizes for reading in the summer months. While any book counts toward the reading club, it s fun to earn extra points for checking out a book from the church library and watching those points tally up to earn a cool prize! DeAnn McCue, Director of Family Ministry at Gloria Dei Lutheran Church in Urbandale, IA Phone: (515) March: Integrating The Faith Denise Pacilli- Director at Sunbeams Lutheran School in Kent, WA Tessa Miller- Teacher at Sunbeams Lutheran School in Kent, WA Together their experiences of integrating the faith from each of their perspectives is shared. Some of their ideas were: Pray for each student as you set up for the day Invite God and His Holy Spirit into your classroom as a regular participant all day, every day, not just at Jesus Time Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have, but do this with gentleness and respect. 1 Peter 3:15 Page 5

6 CONTINUED: Integrating The Faith Take advantage of times or situations that arise, that lend themselves to connections to God s Word and Promises. Take a field trip to the sanctuary, to other areas of the building, and outdoors around the school to look for signs of God. Take the students on a visit to the Pastor s office so they can ask Him questions. Be aware of the variation of children s development going from concrete examples to the abstract. There are so many ways to incorporate thoughts of God into the day. What does that look like in your classroom? Denise Pacilli Director of Sunbeams Lutheran School, Kent, WA (denisepacilli@comcast.net) April: CONGREGATION AND EARLY CHILDHOOD CENTER RELATIONSHIPS WARREN SCHUMACHER- President, Northwest District Office (admin@nowlcms.org) DICK WENIGER Executive Director, Education Department, Northwest District Office (DickW@nowlcms.org) Warren Schumacher, President of the Northwest District and Dick Weniger, Director of Educational Services for the Northwest District, talk about the relationships between congregations and early childhood centers. In 2005 a pilot project was done to find out what was happening in the free standing early childhood centers. Martha Weniger came on board as the Children s Ministry Consultant to visit with, 23 pastors and early childhood directors, where the relationship of the pastor, director and congregational membership was openly discussed. From this project we are now asking a different question. The Board of Directors, of the Northwest District, want the mission of the Northwest District to strive to see that more people become disciples of Jesus in communion with God and with one another in the Northwest District than the previous year according to Matt. 28:19-20 and Eph. 1: How will that be accomplished: 1 Make sure that Lay leaders and professional church workers are well-equipped, supported, encouraged, and impelled in their congregation s ministry of reaching lost souls. 2 That LCMS congregations, as part of the whole Christian church on earth, work with congregations of various Christian bodies to reach the lost. 3 Help School Teachers and Administrators become well-equipped, supported, encouraged, and impelled in their churches and communities. 4 That defenseless, weak and hurting people, individually and corporately, are cared for and defended as an integral part of our Gospel proclamation. How is your early childhood center and congregation doing at carrying out the mission of encouraging more people to be disciples of Jesus and in communion with God and with one another compared to the previous year? Page 6

7 Calendar of Events October 14-16, NORTHWEST DISTRICT TEACHERS CONFERENCE, Seaside, OR Highlights of the Conference- Breathing New Life into Circle Time Songs, Puppets and Fun! Puppet make and take Behavior Guidance in the Classroom Keynote Speaker Cynthia Tobias will bring you Bringing out the Best in a Strong-Willed Person, They Can t All Have A.D.D.!, etc Teachers Conference is already scheduled Mark your calendar for October 20-22, You don t want to miss it.. Early Childhood Resource Center Children and Prayer in Classrooms and Homes written by Susan Olson and Rev. Pete Peterson. The address is: and go to Check Out What s New to find this article. This is a wonderful resource for schools as well as Sunday School. While you are at it, check out the many other articles that you will find on this wonderful page. The Seminar Program: Foundations in Lutheran Teaching A program regarding Lutheran doctrine for non-lutheran teachers serving in a Lutheran school. As a teacher in a Lutheran school, you are a principal partner in the ministry and mission of the school. Therefore, it is important that you have an opportunity to understand the faith and practice of the Lutheran church. We are pleased to invite you to participate in The Seminar Program: Foundations in Lutheran Teaching. You will find this to be an interesting, inspiring, and helpful program of study. In it you will find clear explication of the Christian faith with particular emphasis upon those doctrines which might be most strongly identified as Lutheran. It is the intent of the program to help you serve well within a Lutheran Christian environment. Each seminar costs $ If you pay for the full program all at once, you will receive $50 off the total cost -- and you will be able to progress through the five seminars at your own pace. You may sign up for the first course, Introduction to Lutheran Teachings, at any time. To find this program go to: and check out the Seminar section. Online Courses In Early Childhood Education There are two sources available at this time for online courses. One is Saint Paul, Concordia at and the other is Vanguard University of Southern California at vanguard.edu/cdp. With Vanguard, the ECE Certificate may be completed in as quickly as 6 months. Courses may be taken individually or as part of the certificate. Please Note: By sharing this information the Northwest District is not endorsing any of these programs. It is the responsibility of the user to thoroughly investigate the materials listed above. Page 7