Heritage Christian School
THE
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E G A T I R HE LD A R E H OCTOBER 2015
Reflecting on the Importance of Purpose
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An update from Heritage Principal Mike Annis
he year is off to a great start. Classes are once again buzzing with the sounds of learning and it is good to have our kids back in the building. In preparation for this year, much time has been spent in reflection. While a time consuming endeavor, reflection is an essential discipline in order to maintain course. I tend to start reflection by revisiting two standing questions, “Why are we here?” and “What is our task?” Since I am pretty clear on those, I follow with “Are we staying faithful to our purpose and task every day?” When God established Heritage through a handful of Christian families in 1992, He gave them the purpose for the school: to help parents “raise children in the discipline and instruction of the Lord” (Ephesians 4:6) and “to raise children who love and serve Jesus Christ” (Heritage
Mission Statement). The most recent question how He says knowledge should be applied that I have been pondering is “Does knowing in all areas of life. It is from our children’s God’s purpose for Heritage influence what I do worldview that they will make sense of life, each day? Why or why not?” (Don’t you love make every decision, determine morality, view that type of question on a test?) It should and those around them, and spread influence. That it does. Knowing God’s purpose, rather than is why it is so important that their worldview having to define it myself, gives great clarity be biblical. It is also from a biblical worldview to the establishment and pursuit of strategic that our children are introduced to their own initiatives. purpose. They must This year, unlike “It is from our children’s worldview be taught that they any other in the that they will make sense of life, make were created by God history of Heritage, every decision, determine morality, view with a purpose, to live an initiative is being Coram Deo. No more advanced that we hope those around them, and spread influence. groping around in the That is why it is so important that will literally impact darkness seeking to their worldview be biblical.” the whole of society. be defined by those We are investing in around them, slaves to the formation of our students’ worldview popular opinion. Upon knowing their Maker because we want them better prepared to live and His purpose, they begin to understand life Coram Deo: Before the Face of God! This more clearly what it means to “work as unto the theme comes from the year-long class that Lord” both as a student, now, and in whichever Heritage teachers are taking. It is intensive and profession He calls them. As a matter of fact, its objective is to equip our teachers to more within God’s purpose and will, every honorable effectively teach our children to think critically, work is considered sacred because every evaluating all knowledge against what God honorable work can be conducted intentionally explicitly says in His Word. This is what we call to advance God’s redemptive plan. biblical worldview formation. When God’s Please pray for our success in this pursuit Word is the absolute standard for all things, and for God to receive the glory from it. We we submit to His right to define all things and want to ensure that the excellence we pursue is rooted deeply in who Jesus Christ is and what He did on the cross.
Heritage
Update
Creation itself reveals that God is creative, and as image bearers we are creative as well. When we create, we have the opportunity to show what we believe, how we relate to God’s world, how sin has impacted creation, and our salvation through Christ. Under the instruction of teachers who are passionate about honoring God through the arts, students are growing and flourishing in a wide range of creative endeavors at Heritage.
HERITAGE SINGERS DIRECTOR: Tresa Munson 2nd-8th grade
ART
TEACHERS: Stephanie Annis and Rachel Super Pre-K through 8th grade
In the Heritage art program, students are challenged to focus on the Master Artist and Creator, God, and to investigate what He has made in order to learn more about Him (Romans 1:20). In addition, as God’s created people made in His image, students are learning what bearing God’s image means and how it should influence how they view all of life’s activities including the critique and creation of art. Students will be reflecting on how they see different themes and ideas in their own artwork, in historical art work and in creation itself. Pre-K through 5th grade students are taught by Stephanie Annis and will be focusing on elements of art (line, shape, texture, form, color and value.) Middle school students are taught by Rachel Super and will be working on techniques relating to painting, drawing, sculpture, printmaking and design.
Involvement in Heritage Singers is an opportunity for students to use their gifts to glorify God and bless the school. It also helps students gain confidence in performing and aids in developing social skills as the choir works together as a team. Students in Heritage Singers learn to develop healthy vocal habits through warm-ups, ear training and diction. The choir performs at multiple school concerts and events throughout the year including Veteran’s Day, the Christmas Concert and Spring Concert.
HERITAGE BAND DIRECTOR: Lynn Jansen 5th-8th grade
MUSIC APPRECIATION
This year, the HCS Band is very excited to be the largest in the 18-year school history with 57 students participating. There are 17 new 5th grade students! Each student has a weekly 15-minute private lesson with Mrs. Jansen. The full band joins together twice a week in rehearsals for the upcoming concerts. The band will be participating in the Veteran’s Day celebration in November, Christmas Concert in December, an inschool concert in March, Spring Concert and Adventureland concert in May and 8th grade graduation in June. This will be a busy and fun year making music together!
TEACHER: Tresa Munson Pre-K-4th grade
Music is one of God’s gifts to us, a gift that we can offer back to Him with thankful hearts (Colossians 3:16)! Pre-K through 1st grade Music Appreciation classes use ABC Music & Me, a curriculum created by Kindermusik International, Inc. This program engages students in music and movement activities such as songs, rhymes, instrument play, and dances, promoting language, literacy, physical coordination and more. The 2nd-4th grade students learn about the historical background of music, gain an incremental understanding of music theory, and expand their musical vocabulary. Elementary students analyze various styles of music and train their ear through the use of solfege and hand signs. As a result of this curriculum path, students benefit from learning to express themselves through different forms of music; using their imaginations as they play and learn that God’s gift of music is all around us!
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Heritage Christian School
Check out our Annual Report! The first Heritage Christian School Annual Report is available on our website. In the report, you will find information about the 2014-2015 school year including: • • • • •
Available on our website at: www.hcs-nl.com/about/annual-report
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