April, 2021
Vol. 8, Issue 3
FOR THIS DAY
Pictured from left to right: Luke, Kim, Matthew, Catherine, John, and Hannah Newton
From left: Jenni, Jeff, Jack, Rebekah, Luke, and Joshua
Beyond the Classroom The Hamm Family Embraces CDA Extra-Curriculars School days stretch the mind, sometimes to the point of exhaustion. By early afternoon, students and parents alike are ready to wind down. Adding a drama rehearsal or athletic contest to the end of the day seems daunting. How can a child successfully perform in the classroom and on the stage or field, and what benefit can possibly be gained from the additional effort? How do you balance academics, athletics, and fine arts? Jeff and Jenni Hamm have fine tuned the balancing act for their family over the years, and the result is four kids who have learned the importance of managing their time. Extra-curricular participation in the Hamm household is the rule, not the exception. Rebekah, a sophomore at Texas A&M University and 2019 CDA graduate, Luke (12th), Joshua (10th), and Jack (7th) have developed relationships with peers, coaches, and teachers that will bless them now and in the future, thanks to their involvement in athletics and fine arts. Inside this edition of “For This Day”, Jenni Hamm shares her thoughts on CDA life beyond the classroom. Coram Deo Academy
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How did you choose CDA?
“To be honest, my kids are better students when they are in sports seasons! They are forced to manage their time in order to get all their work done.”
We went to a preview night and were immediately drawn to the classical education model. We had originally hoped to homeschool our children, so the collaborative model was appealing to us as well. We’ve always said that CDA is the “best of both worlds.” We started our CDA journey when Rebekah was in 1st grade. The boys started in Kindergarten. We always say, “One year at a time. One kid at a time.” So far CDA has proven to be the right fit for each of our children, with different reasons for each of them. For some it has been the challenging curriculum, for some the small school environment, and for some the opportunity to participate in extra-curriculars and athletics.
How would you describe the CDA curriculum?
I would describe the CDA curriculum as appropriately challenging! If we are going to pay for schooling, we want it to be a higher level than what we could offer at home or find in public school. Our kids are all different as far as academic gifting. Some are great readers and some have struggled. Some are great memorizers and some have struggled. Some are naturally strong at presentations, and some have struggled. They have all stepped up to the challenge. I think as a parent you need to evaluate each child, and be aware of what will challenge them and what would potentially crush them. My senior just completed his Senior Author Presentation. It was incredible to watch our math-oriented child give an incredible presentation, demonstrating the English and Rhetoric skills he has gained at Coram Deo Academy.
In which CDA electives (theater, band, athletics) did your kids participate?
All of them! Over the last 14 years, I think we’ve participated in almost every elective CDA has to offer. My kids loved the grammar school electives – enriching and stress free. I’m not equipped to homeschool art or music, so I was thrilled for them to get such things on Fridays! Starting in logic school, our children have enjoyed theater, guitar, choir, and band. CDA fine arts are top notch and incredible exposure to the arts. Our boys especially tend to gravitate primarily to athletics, but we have always encouraged (required!) them to participate in at least one fine art. At many schools, it wouldn’t be possible to play year-round sports while also in band or theater. At Coram Deo Academy, this is not only possible, but encouraged! What an incredible opportunity!
If CDA academics are so challenging, why did you choose to participate in extra-curriculars?
To be honest, my kids are better students when they are in sports! They are forced to manage their time in order to get all their work done. It requires them to think ahead, plan their time efficiently, and stay on task. When we get home from school or practices, we immediately unpack our bags, print out assignment sheets and get an idea of what homework is due the next day. Every night we pack our bags for the next day – school backpack, sports bags, instruments, etc. I regularly ask my kids to look ahead and see what is due the next week, or what tests or big projects are coming up. They know this is just a part of being heavily involved in sports. Luke is going to Wheaton next year to play college baseball. I know he is a better student when he is playing sports so I feel confident that playing baseball will only enhance his overall college experience.
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From left: Rebekah, Luke, Joshua, and Jack (sitting)
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How do these extra-curricuclars benefit your kids physically, mentally, and spiritually?
CDA Athletics have played such a huge part of our educational journey. Our children have consistently performed at a higher academic level while involved in athletics. After a long rigorous day of school or homeschool, 2-3 hours of athletics are a welcomed brain break! They are better students for the time-management required when balancing sports and homework. They are focused on the weekends, knowing they have to work ahead for the next week. As a family who limits technology, we have chosen for our kids to be more heavily involved in athletics. Many boys find their outlet in video games, but we prefer for that outlet to be on the court or field! Playing sports provides so many life lessons, such as learning to work as a team, learning to win or lose with class, and learning to follow directions. We have been blessed with incredible coaches who have become mentors for our children as well. We love the small school dynamic where the older students regularly interact with the younger students. Years ago, my middle school boys participated in summer football conditioning, and they were sold on CDA athletics after spending the summer rubbing shoulders with the older football boys! Through CDA athletics, our boys are being developed into young men as they are called out and shaped to be men of character. I think at many schools, children are forced to From left: Luke, Jack, Rebekah, and Joshua specialize. They have to pick one, or maybe two, things and excel at them in order to be able to simply participate. Year-round select level sports are often required in order to have a chance to make the school team. However, Coram Deo Academy encourages and provides the opportunity for students to participate in many different activities, regardless of skill level.
Is there scripture that guides your parenting decisions?
“And you shall teach them diligently to your children, and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, and when you walk by the way, and when you lie down and when you rise.” Deuteronomy 6 reminds us that as parents we are to be intentional in pointing our children to the Lord, taking advantage of moments that arise during the day. CDA provides incredible opportunities for families to spend time together on their home days, which often lead to family discipleship moments. We most likely would not have allowed our children to be as busy with athletics in our afternoons and evenings if we didn’t have our two homeschool days at home as a family. Some of my sweetest parenting memories will be homeschool lunch breaks that turn into the boys throwing the baseball in the backyard or shooting hoops. These have been priceless opportunities for siblings to interact that would not happen in a typical school situation.
“As a family who limits technology, we have chosen for our kids to be more heavily involved in athletics. Many boys find their outlet in video games, but we prefer for the outlet to be on the court or field!” Coram Deo Academy
From left: Joshua, Jack, and Luke
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What advice would you give parents of grammar and logic students, who will need to make choices about athletics and fine arts in the future?
Do it! Do it! Do it!! It is worth every bit of the investment of time and money. Find carpools for the sake of survival, which will also enhance friendships. One of the benefits of our children being involved in CDA extracurriculars is developing friendships. I think for some, going to school only two days a week can make it challenging to develop friendships. However, when you spend hours together practicing sports, attending band camp or theater rehearsals, friendships thrive! My children’s closest friends have always been the ones they participate in extra-curricular activities with.
“My children’s closest friends have always been the ones they participate in extra-curricular activities with.”
From left: Rebekah, Joshua, and Luke
What does SPEAK LIFE mean to you?
“We have told our children from a young age that their siblings were their best friends and we are each other’s biggest fans. The CDA homeschool model allows them to spend time together, developing those friendships and learning to encourage and build each other up. Speaking Life is a practiced skill that doesn’t come naturally for anyone!” - Jenni Hamm, CDA mom
Parent Resources Moms in Prayer - meets Tuesdays and Wednesdays after drop-off Contact: Michelle Collins P2P - mentoring new families Contact: Jacque Younger
From left: Luke and Joshua
Idea Exchange - for families for grades Pre-K to 4th Contact: Jennifer Jaetzold Straight Talk - for families of grades 5th to 12th Contact: Jacque Younger PTF (Parent Teacher Fellowship) - partnering with CDA FM making our school a great community President: Shelli Plank Staff Liaison: Kristan Williams
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“Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.” Philippians 4:6-7
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Coram Deo Academy