tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-61519396307527292482024-02-19T08:21:16.529-05:00To Begin WithAdministrator's blog of Calvary Christian Schools, Fruitport, Michigan, Tom Kapanka.Tom Kapankahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17431717152727352230noreply@blogger.comBlogger106125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6151939630752729248.post-8007903409199618442023-06-01T14:36:00.016-04:002023-06-01T18:17:25.157-04:00To End With: "When Your Children Ask in Time to Come"<div class="separator"><i style="color: #990000; font-family: arial; font-size: small;"> A summary of Mr. Kapanka's last chapel message as Head of School at CCS: </i></div><div class="separator"><i style="color: #990000; font-family: arial; font-size: small;">May 25, 2023</i></div><p>We have no school this coming Monday. Does anyone
remember why? [various students replied: "It's Memorial Day."] Yes. When I was a kid, my grandparents called Memorial Day “Decoration Day” because they always went to the cemetery to put
flowers at the MEMORIAL STONES of loved ones--especially those of veterans. Whatever else we did on Memorial Day, I remember walking to familiar stones at Lakeside Cemetery in Port Huron, Michigan, and hearing stories of those who made my life possible. Without those great grandparents, my mom would remind us, you literally would not exist. It sometimes made me dizzy to think of generations that way. Still does.</p>
<p class="western">The tradition of MEMORIAL STONES goes back
thousands of years, but they were not always associated with graves
or cemeteries. There are several examples of MEMORIAL STONES in
the Old Testament.</p>
<p class="western"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiP43KVDjNAa87FrGed4AFpm5OA3QmNOIzxCpcxXaNmPwY8MLXzmF6Jg7sKq1769C3O5DKUcNYbJtBtEpzycBiioXb1t1bHDzdo4az8IH0KLpbSiMhoxYlE-Kq4zDS-KNzsR3itvGmdl4pf61mwT-HSPkmYIvzvbvju0jLb6hFIK2YxqtLz0aJ53NXg5g/s1600/twelve%20stones%20jpeg.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="878" data-original-width="1600" height="110" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiP43KVDjNAa87FrGed4AFpm5OA3QmNOIzxCpcxXaNmPwY8MLXzmF6Jg7sKq1769C3O5DKUcNYbJtBtEpzycBiioXb1t1bHDzdo4az8IH0KLpbSiMhoxYlE-Kq4zDS-KNzsR3itvGmdl4pf61mwT-HSPkmYIvzvbvju0jLb6hFIK2YxqtLz0aJ53NXg5g/w200-h110/twelve%20stones%20jpeg.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>In chapters 3 and 4 of the Book of Joshua, the Children of Israel were about to cross the Jordan River into the Promised Land, and the Lord told Joshua to tell a leader from each of the twelve tribes to take a huge boulder from the center of the river and make a memorial so....<p></p>
<p class="western"><span style="color: #861141;"><i><b>When your children ask in
time to come</b>, ‘What do those stones mean to you?’ ... then
you shall tell them...”</i></span></p>
<p class="western" style="font-style: normal;"><span style="color: black;">Today
we’re going to be talking about Twelve MEMORIAL STONES in the history
of CCS. In fact, I hope to put 12 large stones in the gym-side grove between the front two parking lots this summer, and </span><i style="color: #861141;"><b>when your children ask in time to come</b></i> what those stones mean… you can tell them of the
things I shared today.</p><p class="western" style="font-style: normal;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgylTt0k9bZPf-VVB0tin-wL9YyEyyivgu_xIW64YSt0zFGNf_vsf09OcbLNAD7lpOAgPsFQ9t6eqcjD2Sj8xY5aXUYZ_z8O1vt6T2Di6tzNYJ1sclu8U3xhyqiEoQKw0aeN6fosxmJ_jCZc-MbhbAGYayDMIQnsIxwT-u9AhzGH-fUsasmHg1DUm-lsA/s1280/ccs%20stenberg.jpg" style="clear: right; display: inline; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1280" data-original-width="857" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgylTt0k9bZPf-VVB0tin-wL9YyEyyivgu_xIW64YSt0zFGNf_vsf09OcbLNAD7lpOAgPsFQ9t6eqcjD2Sj8xY5aXUYZ_z8O1vt6T2Di6tzNYJ1sclu8U3xhyqiEoQKw0aeN6fosxmJ_jCZc-MbhbAGYayDMIQnsIxwT-u9AhzGH-fUsasmHg1DUm-lsA/w134-h200/ccs%20stenberg.jpg" width="134" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJzdjggRamASrjx5KEH_phhBNl61zuwa_e7PZv5vWSSL4Sq8Hsy_ifS4huAkCsamw7teOuBNdOR1WzxUkW_mNPQ3_NUaImDKMC37yLSMPJp07AxgyjgnpXAi85yKK3RR93HNRoea7mitCYjyA4zqLgttlnpel22RXaEFBOkBJiZSD1W6NP3Cn96ZciMQ/s504/CCS%20original%20Musk%20Bldg.jpg" style="clear: left; display: inline; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="360" data-original-width="504" height="229" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJzdjggRamASrjx5KEH_phhBNl61zuwa_e7PZv5vWSSL4Sq8Hsy_ifS4huAkCsamw7teOuBNdOR1WzxUkW_mNPQ3_NUaImDKMC37yLSMPJp07AxgyjgnpXAi85yKK3RR93HNRoea7mitCYjyA4zqLgttlnpel22RXaEFBOkBJiZSD1W6NP3Cn96ZciMQ/s320/CCS%20original%20Musk%20Bldg.jpg" width="320" /></a><span style="color: black;"><br /><br /></span></p><p class="western" style="font-style: normal;"><span style="color: black;"><br /></span></p><p class="western" style="font-style: normal;"><span style="color: black;"><br /></span></p><p class="western" style="font-style: normal;"><span style="color: black;"><br /></span></p><p class="western" style="font-style: normal;"><span style="color: black;"><br /></span></p><p class="western" style="font-style: normal;"><span style="color: black;"><br /></span></p><p class="western" style="font-style: normal;"><br /></p><p class="western" style="font-style: normal;">The
<b>1</b><sup><b>st</b></sup><b> </b><b>MEMORIAL STONE</b> would have to be the year
<span style="color: #c9211e;">1980 </span>when Calvary Christian
Schools began with only kindergarten, first, and second grades It was down in Muskegon where the new Muskegon Middle School is now being built. Two teachers were hired for that first year: Miss Judy Holman (who taught kindergarten here for more than 25 years) and Mrs. Deb Stenberg (who retired from CCS in 2019).<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaZ1Zl9-6ECN4IORRpN0nnhiR30n8eEX-JZDdXBVqZcJJzr2OH3X4mhApLvjIx2k-Z3Yi9leDGWAaqCxxl6wn_c5nS5WB0Kb9eBK9aXsNC4I9EeKkdjmdi4VdZcJKivpHPzU4VnyOuTPd3qOf2TjVUPWvjPSKf6_9w9TicjOuaYBqI_Xh-7fyOzBlRFw/s1280/ccs%20mann.jpg" style="clear: right; display: inline; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="914" data-original-width="1280" height="143" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaZ1Zl9-6ECN4IORRpN0nnhiR30n8eEX-JZDdXBVqZcJJzr2OH3X4mhApLvjIx2k-Z3Yi9leDGWAaqCxxl6wn_c5nS5WB0Kb9eBK9aXsNC4I9EeKkdjmdi4VdZcJKivpHPzU4VnyOuTPd3qOf2TjVUPWvjPSKf6_9w9TicjOuaYBqI_Xh-7fyOzBlRFw/w200-h143/ccs%20mann.jpg" width="200" /></a></p><p></p><p class="western" style="font-style: normal;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzfd_pECT46gMxpnhr7KwujpJblPHXmwL__Cytk46faVTdUYmkF69p6u2NfDpK_N2fhEQd6F8dH9csVw8TgQCv1KmJxS5JO2P4TMUTXNT9FNs9aiXBoyFLmumrkC73uAWLHskh8wmXUEBXryPUxnOx8K_7uDlfLLbx2HSj6glQy3dMiqccd8kbwConZA/s658/ccs%20smith.jpg" style="clear: right; display: inline; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="658" data-original-width="470" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzfd_pECT46gMxpnhr7KwujpJblPHXmwL__Cytk46faVTdUYmkF69p6u2NfDpK_N2fhEQd6F8dH9csVw8TgQCv1KmJxS5JO2P4TMUTXNT9FNs9aiXBoyFLmumrkC73uAWLHskh8wmXUEBXryPUxnOx8K_7uDlfLLbx2HSj6glQy3dMiqccd8kbwConZA/w143-h200/ccs%20smith.jpg" width="143" /></a>The
<b>2</b><sup><b>nd</b></sup><b> MEMORIAL STONE would be</b> 1991 when CCS had its first Commencement Ceremony for its first graduating class. In that year's yearbook, we found many other people who still work here at CCS. You see, CCS may have begun with only K-2, but the school then added one grade level each year for the next ten years. Calvary kept growing and hiring more teachers. That's why in the 1990-1991 yearbook, you can find: Mrs. Mann (a secretary back then): Mrs. Becky Smith; Mrs. VanTine; Mrs. Booth (in kindergarten); and Mrs. Lockwood and Mrs. McCallum (in 2nd grade). </p><p class="western" style="font-style: normal;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdqjGfH6-Fw2WxMlbZg5Ircfw8d18D_xDSwHfTqU21GneXIrCJrOYNasXR5ld-kVA8nmwRG3vfKRdos3-DxYgrzPPUNoWiQU3NCf8iKCLYZKCTbDaKZWw-zARuPLTgRvvNJW-jISGaBQXN9IY3gmFwYVSEB4jvIO9dm8FqAiz9okMPgN0JiheZcZjVRA/s1280/ccs%20vantine.jpg" style="clear: right; display: inline; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1280" data-original-width="914" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdqjGfH6-Fw2WxMlbZg5Ircfw8d18D_xDSwHfTqU21GneXIrCJrOYNasXR5ld-kVA8nmwRG3vfKRdos3-DxYgrzPPUNoWiQU3NCf8iKCLYZKCTbDaKZWw-zARuPLTgRvvNJW-jISGaBQXN9IY3gmFwYVSEB4jvIO9dm8FqAiz9okMPgN0JiheZcZjVRA/w143-h200/ccs%20vantine.jpg" width="143" /></a>Side note: Mrs. Lockwood was a senior the very first year I came to CCS. So was a young man named Nick Lockwood. And yes, they were already dating at that time. It would be impossible to place a MEMORIAL STONE for all the couples (and now families) on this planet today who first began dating while attending CCS, but I can think of at least a dozen from the past twenty-five years alone.just think…if Calvary didn’t exist, those couples might not have met and, if not, those family wouldn’t exist. It’s almost the same feeling I used to get when thinking about my family tree.</p><p class="western" style="font-style: normal;">The<span style="color: #c9211e;"> </span><b>3</b><sup><b>rd</b></sup><b> MEMORIAL STONE</b><span style="color: #c9211e;"> </span><b>is 1999. </b>That was the year that CCS moved from the old building in Muskegon to this new building on Kendra Road. No need for a picture because we step into this new building every school day. </p><p class="western" style="font-style: normal;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpR1qbWZaOeYlIBrTUTfnr4wxEAEm2UStVPcGa_5FgmjPo8GAZ38Y19FFrQ7eazFJpzqqYyNz7fZFz-h1M4S79VHauZhotIMMN-yIocrwHeKoj0wcXAEnxhCMz3eZ2FTHE0G8309vb3IRHysVvu0-tinYuwM5vzOk5XxlNQy1nHm004yuFcstSw3ScEg/s1085/ccs%20mandy%20booth.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1085" data-original-width="836" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpR1qbWZaOeYlIBrTUTfnr4wxEAEm2UStVPcGa_5FgmjPo8GAZ38Y19FFrQ7eazFJpzqqYyNz7fZFz-h1M4S79VHauZhotIMMN-yIocrwHeKoj0wcXAEnxhCMz3eZ2FTHE0G8309vb3IRHysVvu0-tinYuwM5vzOk5XxlNQy1nHm004yuFcstSw3ScEg/w154-h200/ccs%20mandy%20booth.jpg" width="154" /></a></div>It is interesting, however, to mention that fewer than 5% of those who enter our school each day were among those to have ever stepped foot in the old building that was torn down in 2000 to make way for the new Hackley ER which was torn down in 2021 to make way for the new Middle School. Strange... we think of our building as "new," yet the building that took its place in 2000 has already been torn down. <div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKUvVwnlcU7G9MjG8PPRH4siAFMGx1WJYbR9kqppXFxf8ge6gMrR2zVdrRWNV40J2exch7_ZYt-eKp_Ojj84cx9MUogoSDrgWbA1DI_SJoIXTuq8k6s-DL2gFSpL41PInr-co0bEZjlfw0uZ_Repe5PjTCOoSX78N-svBT4u8HZ2WLz6JQfp8G2DSvNA/s2014/ccs%20heather%20and%20Laura.jpg" style="clear: left; display: inline; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2014" data-original-width="624" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKUvVwnlcU7G9MjG8PPRH4siAFMGx1WJYbR9kqppXFxf8ge6gMrR2zVdrRWNV40J2exch7_ZYt-eKp_Ojj84cx9MUogoSDrgWbA1DI_SJoIXTuq8k6s-DL2gFSpL41PInr-co0bEZjlfw0uZ_Repe5PjTCOoSX78N-svBT4u8HZ2WLz6JQfp8G2DSvNA/w124-h400/ccs%20heather%20and%20Laura.jpg" width="124" /></a><p></p><p class="western" style="font-style: normal;"></p>The <b>4</b><sup><b>th</b></sup><b> MEMORIAL STONE</b> <b>is Y2K, which stood for the “Year 2000.” </b></div><div>The turning of a century is always milestone in history, but this particular year was very strange. Only the teachers in the chapel now were alive at that time. Many of them remember that many experts in 1999 predicted that because the computers in existence had been built in the previous decades, they did not have the year 2000 built into their dating systems. This technical oversight was going to cause all computers to crash at midnight of the New Year. Airports, traffic lights, municipal water systems. Everything was going to crash. It was a real fear in the news every day. My wife and I filled our bathtub to the brim with clean water on New Year’s Eve, 1999—just in case there was a water shortage beginning the next day. All this fear was summed up in the term: Y2K. The next morning... nothing happened. Life went on. </div><div><br /></div><div>Another big MEMORIAL STONE for me personally also happened in 2000. It was in that summer (July 1, 2000) that my family and I moved from the Christian school in Iowa where I had served for 18 years to west Michigan where I become “Head of School” here at CCS. That was 23 years ago.<div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZo14xWIjBptU2JAMD_jC-brXOTTcABVoTTK9diSZ9Kd6ScphroWd1DSIbYHxA0Kfw7X53yRx9kmRmaNz2hyEa7U_8PbuAd3pXgT_556S92K7N7LvoJYtsc56dA0MxLNzfTrNugs_b5ccyvuyVVp0LCBu8O9CFjRCq9W8IusFjV8omDWDhoA3KDlEF4Q/s1512/bower%20memorial%20in%20bloom.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1512" data-original-width="1080" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZo14xWIjBptU2JAMD_jC-brXOTTcABVoTTK9diSZ9Kd6ScphroWd1DSIbYHxA0Kfw7X53yRx9kmRmaNz2hyEa7U_8PbuAd3pXgT_556S92K7N7LvoJYtsc56dA0MxLNzfTrNugs_b5ccyvuyVVp0LCBu8O9CFjRCq9W8IusFjV8omDWDhoA3KDlEF4Q/w143-h200/bower%20memorial%20in%20bloom.jpg" width="143" /></a></div><p class="western" style="font-style: normal;">The <b>5</b><sup><b>th</b></sup><b> MEMORIAL STONE</b> <b>happened on April 20, 2001,</b> and it already has a real memorial stone right outside the front rotunda entrance of the school. </p><p class="western" style="font-style: normal;">Hundreds of people pass by this memorial every day, but it's possible most do not know what it signifies. It was one of the saddest events in the national news that year, and it all culminated right here in our building. </p><p class="western" style="font-style: normal;">In the Roni and Charity Bowers Memorial (above), the white dogwood tree represents Roni, the mother, and the pink dogwood represents Charity, the baby. Roni Bowers had been a teacher at CCS a few years before. I first met her in the rotunda just outside the school office. She had Charity in her arms and all the ladies from the office were making a big fuss over her. It was to be their last day in our building before leaving for Peru, where they had been serving as missionaries (living on a houseboat, built by some men at Calvary Church, which moored on the Amazon River). I'm so glad I met the Bowers family that day in the fall.</p><p class="western" style="font-style: normal;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgC15mlK_dM5Jyn0i5xhPqbix2qej_yvZvppnohR2Ch5evnJs1iypiNlXXynhvNitvnAxekiFAlq7Zok5BzaVwInv-BqPPV3JYmNKnyH1X2dEICejlVVrYQAY9CCJWujrUZwGeatOztxWJ8m-rpEHZlB-Ynr3inrYF9i-Jy0FqtSv7ztxeiL8hprzICYg/s1280/bower%20book%201.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="914" data-original-width="1280" height="143" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgC15mlK_dM5Jyn0i5xhPqbix2qej_yvZvppnohR2Ch5evnJs1iypiNlXXynhvNitvnAxekiFAlq7Zok5BzaVwInv-BqPPV3JYmNKnyH1X2dEICejlVVrYQAY9CCJWujrUZwGeatOztxWJ8m-rpEHZlB-Ynr3inrYF9i-Jy0FqtSv7ztxeiL8hprzICYg/w200-h143/bower%20book%201.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>Later that year, the spring Junior-Senior Banquet was at the Bil-Mar in Grand Haven. I was talking to Nick Lockwood (a senior in high school at that time), and he asked me if I had heard about what happened to the Bowers. I had not yet heard of the tragedy that was making national and international news. <p></p><p class="western" style="font-style: normal;">On
April 20, 2001, this Bowers family was flying from one village to another
along the Amazon River. The Peruvian Police and American CIA, flying in a US jet, mistook them for a drug smuggling plane and shot them down. Jim and
the boy lived.</p>
<p class="western"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjq6nybvazgAH5so4wMxhTKxA-Ttmm_C4fl0EApdtRRANwSTRLgq8ILRxKP8jTa6GEHZlOBBHjTm38s2sCdp-wKAxI4JiIw-XsT5uCgpFAnPd0Unml7zAim8TI4NpCfF72yjjVyntOfbw1dTJWQV1pyME18jxQcDTnNZlXmAXs_PKTGifUdEcT4XZMung/s1696/bower%20book%202.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1510" data-original-width="1696" height="285" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjq6nybvazgAH5so4wMxhTKxA-Ttmm_C4fl0EApdtRRANwSTRLgq8ILRxKP8jTa6GEHZlOBBHjTm38s2sCdp-wKAxI4JiIw-XsT5uCgpFAnPd0Unml7zAim8TI4NpCfF72yjjVyntOfbw1dTJWQV1pyME18jxQcDTnNZlXmAXs_PKTGifUdEcT4XZMung/s320/bower%20book%202.jpg" width="320" /></a><span style="color: black;">But Roni and Charity who were sitting in the front of the plane (much like they appear in this picture), both died instantly from a single bullet that went
through both of their hearts.</span></p><p class="western" style="font-style: normal;">A
few days later the funeral was held at the CCS gymnasium. School was canceled that day because the building was surrounded by
news outlets from around the world: CNN, Fox News, ABC, CBS, NBC,
Time Magazine—everyone was here there were satellite trucks all
over the place. It was by far the biggest news event to ever affect
this building.</p><p class="western" style="font-style: normal;">Then
less than five months later....</p>
<p class="western"><span style="color: black;">The
<b style="font-style: normal;">6</b><sup style="font-style: normal;"><b>th</b></sup><b style="font-style: normal;"> MEMORIAL STONE</b> <b style="font-style: normal;">happened on
September 11, 2001</b>. In fact, the date literally became the historic name of the event. We call it 9-11. I was in my office at school (talking with a missionary to Togo, West Africa, about our first ever international student at CCS) when Dianne Lihan, the receptionist, told us that one of the World Trade
Center Towers had been hit by a plane. Not seeing the images, we assumed it was a little New York "tour" plane. A few minutes later, she told us the other tower had just been hit by another plane--and that both planes were commercial airliners. That was when we knew it was a terrorist attack. Then the Pentagon was hit, and another jet was
unaccounted for. All this was happening while CCS students were in
their classrooms completely unaware. After lunch we called an
assembly in the gymnasium for MS and HS only. We notified elementary parents that we did not tell their children of that day's events, but we did show the older students some of the
news on the big screens in the gym. We later cancelled the VB and Soccer
games for that night. (In fact, all sporting events across the country were later canceled for the rest of the week.) Nine-eleven was
a horrible event that changed the rest of that year and years to come
for the whole world.</span></p><p class="western">The <b>7</b><sup><b>th</b></sup><b> </b><b>MEMORIAL STONE</b> <b>is the year 2005</b>, when CCS celebrated its 25<sup>th</sup> Anniversary. The pictures below hang in the school office. One is from 2005, the other is from 2009. If you want to see younger versions of many people you know, come in and take a closer look. <span style="font-family: arial;">(Or double click on the photo itself.)</span></p>
<p class="western" style="font-style: normal;"><span style="color: black;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: black;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2qSvujlGErDca20owHjYVMKkY_7qVWXWXrHUoQd6QWaDutqTJd-fwyP2arZpHkncxFam2tclyPZ3ypvmUrfyx_wR2_nBuxa6367bLAXy9-HRkiuFoCJ4K9NVo4VJFqWhpnwbmRUzpqrF2okUFUs1DDpsnrnp4Ur2hK_T0y7HRFpSm1UkW8oVbQyXp7Q/s1920/schoolwide%20photos.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1110" data-original-width="1920" height="370" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2qSvujlGErDca20owHjYVMKkY_7qVWXWXrHUoQd6QWaDutqTJd-fwyP2arZpHkncxFam2tclyPZ3ypvmUrfyx_wR2_nBuxa6367bLAXy9-HRkiuFoCJ4K9NVo4VJFqWhpnwbmRUzpqrF2okUFUs1DDpsnrnp4Ur2hK_T0y7HRFpSm1UkW8oVbQyXp7Q/w640-h370/schoolwide%20photos.jpg" width="640" /></a></span></div><span style="color: black;"><br /></span>The
<b>8</b><sup><b>th</b></sup><b> </b><b>MEMORIAL STONE</b> <b>is the
year 2012</b>, when the CCS school board incorporated as a separate
“non-profit organization.” Prior to that year, the school had
been a ministry of Calvary Church. This school literally exists because of the vision of that congregation, but the church came upon financial
difficulties that had begun in the sluggish economy following 9-11. Long story short
is that even though the church had paid off SIX MILLION dollars on
this campus and building in just twelve years, they were no longer able to pay the
mortgage and it went back to 5/3rd Bank. After much negotiating, however, the bank was
willing to let CCS, the new independent school, lease the building
while they tried to sell it to other interested schools. It was a year of uncertainty as one serious "buyer" in particular, went through the building three times. If they had decided to move their school from Spring Lake to our/campus, CCS would have been displaced to one of the numerous "Plan Bs" we had explored in which to open that fall. I have been asked by various board members through the years to write a short account of how God orchestrated our return to the building we had moved out of for two months. <p></p><p class="western" style="font-style: normal;">If I ever do write such a booklet, I might call it "Plan B: The Patient Providence of God." </p><p class="western" style="font-style: normal;">Why that title? Because the CCS Board and I explored many of Plan Bs that summer, and each one brought a temporary sense of HOPE that we would have a place for school in the fall. Most of them were "top secret," so when people asked me: "Where are we going to have school next year?" I would answer quite earnestly, "Exactly where God wants us to be." I sincerely believed that... even as the doors of several "Plan Bs”after " closed one after the other--and thank God they did. </p><p class="western" style="font-style: normal;">"O, we of little faith!" We had let go of the hope that Plan A (the building that had been built for CCS in 1998-99) could ever be home to CCS again. The lesson some of us learned that year was this: Though it is wise to have a back-up plan, never rule out God's desire and ability to restore Plan A. This is true of all creation itself. In the beginning, God created Plan A, and at the end of each creative day, He said, "That's good.". Then THE FALL took place and put a series of Plan Bs in place. Even so, God promised that someday He would restore His Plan A. Yet century after century, mankind proves that we are prone to forget Plan A... (As the old hymn says: "Prone to wander...Lord, I feel it....prone to leave the God I love). We're prone to settle for Plan B, and were it not for "the patient providence of God," Plan A would be long-forgotten dream. In a much smaller scale, though it was huge at the time, that's what CCS learned in 2012. That year is a very significant MEMORIAL STONE.</p>
<p class="western"><span style="color: black;">The
<b style="font-style: normal;">9</b><sup style="font-style: normal;"><b>th</b></sup><b style="font-style: normal;"> </b><b style="font-style: normal;">MEMORIAL STONE </b><b style="font-style: normal;">is the
year 2014 </b>when CCS purchased
the building from Fifth/Third Bank. By taking on a new mortgage with a different bank, we were no longer renters living
with the thought of losing our building to another school. The
purchase price was $3.4 million dollars, and the current balance is down to
about $2.2 million. Google Earth was new to me that year and for the first time I was studying our building and campus from satellite images online when I noticed a huge CROSS in our building's design. I called the architect in Grand Rapids who laughed and said, "You guys are just now noticing that Cross. It's called a cruciform design--dates back to the Middle Ages. I started with that 300' cross and add everything else to it." </span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: black;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzcge_l_CiWzX_xfZwN98PNTZ8vkgMwDb89QJBUJ_LHR4jmapgUMoKCtdCMwThnRalLK5hRZwP1375mV5OxbdnC2Y73FsaULqtSD_Ms5WDVNwDqB96NkLTk_Gk_CHwOxUeTbV9jNVfLvdBd3rmw8iz0u3Y7hPcPikBRKZmYz8lcepy34QknY0IoTO6sQ/s2687/CCS%20cross%20in%20roof.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2687" data-original-width="1920" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzcge_l_CiWzX_xfZwN98PNTZ8vkgMwDb89QJBUJ_LHR4jmapgUMoKCtdCMwThnRalLK5hRZwP1375mV5OxbdnC2Y73FsaULqtSD_Ms5WDVNwDqB96NkLTk_Gk_CHwOxUeTbV9jNVfLvdBd3rmw8iz0u3Y7hPcPikBRKZmYz8lcepy34QknY0IoTO6sQ/s320/CCS%20cross%20in%20roof.jpg" width="229" /></a></span></div><p></p><p class="western"><span style="color: black;">What a powerful thought: for fifteen years, without ever seeing it, CCS students had been going to school in the shadow of the cross. This discovery happened a few weeks before Easter, and the Muskegon Chronicle did a front page feature about it for the Easter Sunday Edition. Some time later, Scott Meyer built the model showing that cross that has graced our hallway ever since.</span></p><p class="western"><span style="color: black;">Along with the blessing of that year, however, comes a serious reality of stewardship. That mortgage is slightly over <span style="font-style: normal; font-weight: normal;">$15,000
/ month in the school budget. Part of my new job description for the next year or two will be sharing this story with people who see the value of CCS know we could serve families even better if that mortgage were greatly reduced or gone before our 45</span><sup style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">th</span></sup><span style="font-style: normal; font-weight: normal;">
Anniversary in the summer of 2025.</span></span></p>
<p class="western" style="font-style: normal;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgw9vuuFWowbH1ShabHno_y4mBE803sNcI2Chdnqkgtljq19omB08iX2ujrpl5fN4BTMzJUU4uyvCoHt7YeZpzB_11huKShcjRj0RlBCmIiKswhAPqM9rbbK-8sxzegSAQkczxkReZgvPIcuLb0Tn_WtdwdSofNFIDqNZXzq4GWN_Q32nFOZapAVOcPQg/s1856/luke%20anjalt%20chronicle.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1856" data-original-width="1325" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgw9vuuFWowbH1ShabHno_y4mBE803sNcI2Chdnqkgtljq19omB08iX2ujrpl5fN4BTMzJUU4uyvCoHt7YeZpzB_11huKShcjRj0RlBCmIiKswhAPqM9rbbK-8sxzegSAQkczxkReZgvPIcuLb0Tn_WtdwdSofNFIDqNZXzq4GWN_Q32nFOZapAVOcPQg/w285-h400/luke%20anjalt%20chronicle.jpg" width="285" /></a></div><span style="color: black; font-weight: normal;">The
</span><b style="color: black;">10</b><sup style="color: black;"><b>th</b></sup><b style="color: black;"> </b><b style="color: black;">MEMORIAL STONE
</b><b style="color: black;">happened in December 2018. </b>It
is the first of these stones that most of our current school family probably remembers. I wrote about in <b><a href="https://2beginwith.blogspot.com/2018/12/the-waiting-room-of-mercy.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: courier;">a sort of poem</span></a> </b>nearly four years ago..<br /><p></p>
<p class="western" style="font-style: normal;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">The
</span><b>11</b><sup><b>th</b></sup><b> </b><b>MEMORIAL STONE </b><b>is
the present year, 2023. </b><span style="font-weight: normal;">If all
goes as planned, we will be launching an all-day Childcare Center in
September. The preschool will remain where it is, but the </span><span style="font-weight: normal;">child</span><span style="font-weight: normal;">care
will be up in the current art room. The art room will be where the
current library is, and the library will be disbursed into each of
the classrooms by grade-level. </span><span style="font-weight: normal;">Mrs.
Anhalt’s room will be in the current copy room. The copy room and
business office will be in that new room in the cafeteria. And the
teacher’s work room will be down the hall where Mrs. Wilson’s
business office is. So This year of 2023 is going to a year of lots
of exciting changes. It also happens to be my last year as Head of
School—after 23 years—but I will still be here at CCS overseeing
the launch of the childcare (pending final approval) and helping with the financial
sustainability of the school in time for the remaining </span><span style="font-weight: normal;">MEMORIAL
STONE….</span></span></p>
<p class="western" style="font-style: normal;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">T</span><span style="font-weight: normal;">he
12</span><sup><span style="font-weight: normal;">th</span></sup><span style="font-weight: normal;">
</span><span style="font-weight: normal;">MEMORIAL STONE </span><span style="font-weight: normal;">will
be our 45</span><sup><span style="font-weight: normal;">th</span></sup><span style="font-weight: normal;">
Anniversary in the year 2025!</span></span></p>
<p class="western">I
knew this would be a long blog post because when I shared these thoughts in chapel last week, we went over by a few minutes, but it was our last chapel of the year, and the students were very attentive.</p><p class="western"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4ByfcilM_0WbaApkPaUK3AY79ZvTPEkt-V-mdhgihMubuNi9DHNoSs5A26qJ6fiITI9XFNsdlpfA7BQbfc32DcMqmvjK5IAmJSUUMTep0wFMXAPl07XdL_Cfy6zDoxytjSNoMgsmJ1-oPocbo6LDxwUiJHZPrC19w4nb5_nX0du6_yI941AKwyo3WOw/s240/tom%20and%20julie%202007.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="240" data-original-width="180" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4ByfcilM_0WbaApkPaUK3AY79ZvTPEkt-V-mdhgihMubuNi9DHNoSs5A26qJ6fiITI9XFNsdlpfA7BQbfc32DcMqmvjK5IAmJSUUMTep0wFMXAPl07XdL_Cfy6zDoxytjSNoMgsmJ1-oPocbo6LDxwUiJHZPrC19w4nb5_nX0du6_yI941AKwyo3WOw/s1600/tom%20and%20julie%202007.jpg" width="180" /></a></div>I began writing a “administrative blog” for our CCS website twelve years ago. <a href="https://2beginwith.blogspot.com/2011/07/to-begin-with.html"><span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: courier;"><b>My first post in 2011 explains</b></span></a> why I named the blog<i><a href="https://2beginwith.blogspot.com/2011/"><span style="color: #cc0000;"> </span></a></i><b><span style="color: #cc0000;"><i><a href="https://2beginwith.blogspot.com/2011/"><span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: courier;">To Begin With</span> </a>.</i></span> I have called this post "To End With" because it is probably the last post I will write from this office. </b><p></p><p class="western"><b>What better way to wrap things up than with this talk of MEMORIAL STONES<span style="color: #cc0000; font-style: italic;"> </span></b>so that someday… <i style="color: #861141;"><b>When your children ask in time to come</b>, ‘What do those stones mean?’ </i> YOU
MIGHT BE ABLE TO TELL THE NEXT GENERATION THE STORY OF GOD'S PATIENT PROVISION TO CALVARY CHRISTIAN SCHOOLS.</p></div></div>.Tom Kapankahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17431717152727352230noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6151939630752729248.post-2459807275192422682022-12-23T12:53:00.000-05:002022-12-23T12:53:38.243-05:00Mr. Kapanka's Christmas Wish (with thanks to Earl Hamner Jr.)<p><span style="background-color: white; color: #0d0d0d; font-family: Roboto, Noto, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; white-space: pre-wrap;">Some of you are not old enough to remember the TV show called </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #0d0d0d; font-family: Roboto, Noto, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; white-space: pre-wrap;">“The Waltons” </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #0d0d0d; font-family: Roboto, Noto, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; white-space: pre-wrap;">about a family making do through the Great Depression, but I grew up a big fan of the show's early seasons, and I’ve long admired it’s creator, Earl Hamner Jr., whose voice narrated each episode (through the written journals of “John Boy," played by Richard Thomas).</span></p><span style="background-color: white; color: #0d0d0d; font-family: Roboto, Noto, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; white-space: pre-wrap;">
In many ways, the show reminded me and my siblings of our own family “making do” through hard times as we built our home deep in some wooded acres in “the thumb” of Michigan. This was especially true for my mother who had grown up living in a three-generation household with her grandparents.
When I went off to college in 1974, this reading was on the Walton’s Christmas album. The words of Grandpa’s Christmas Wish came to me as I shot this video footage on the last day of school before Christmas Vacation. Heavy lake-effect snow decorated the outside while classes reveled inside. It was a beautiful day!</span><div><span style="background-color: white; color: #0d0d0d; font-family: Roboto, Noto, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="340" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/3SNJSAxmxus" width="480" youtube-src-id="3SNJSAxmxus"></iframe></div><br />
The full reading by Will Geer can be found <b><a href=" https://youtu.be/yhEJ5G8c3Es" target="_blank">at this link</a></b>:
<br /></span></div>.Tom Kapankahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17431717152727352230noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6151939630752729248.post-89298814652403936572022-12-08T16:09:00.027-05:002022-12-11T11:55:32.071-05:00Did You Know? A Brief History of CCS and the Generous Giving that Makes It Possible<p><span style="font-family: Arial, serif;"><span><i>I
still remember arriving at Calvary Christian Schools in July of 2000. My wife and I
had served at a very similar ACSI school in Iowa for 18 years when I
accepted this position. These 23 years have been a blessing, and
they’ve gone by so fast that I sometimes forget that many of our
new families may not know the amazing story of Calvary Christian
Schools. </i></span></span></p><p><i class="x_x_ContentPasted0" style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, serif; font-size: 10pt;"><i class="x_ContentPasted4" style="font-size: medium;">I firmly believe that knowing our story will bring joy to our giving this Christmas because it is an incredible gift to be a part of Calvary.</i></i></p><p align="left" class="western" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Arial, serif;"><span><i>Ours is an incredible story. For instance...</i></span></span></p><p align="left" class="western" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
</p><ul>
<li><p align="left" class="western" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 0.04in; margin-top: 0.04in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, serif;"><span>Did
you know that, for our first 20 years, CCS was located right next
door to the old</span></span></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjABCzunVrnCIXZch-GhpriY7aFx82GWeX9zvSep3zlvibQ43FobOEOuDj8-zZwIjxq6g6k-q1M7OsQhcyA2zkYW7vBx8ZFSaQ1bME-a3kuqjLZcrxE5a4zcUF1mOqofmXBiz6vcRIA8M9R6bSqIE13MAPEZLQkYEksTqZ06Z-i7gsnXv_3WfbrCV6p7g/s504/CCS%20original%20Musk%20Bldg.jpg" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="360" data-original-width="504" height="229" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjABCzunVrnCIXZch-GhpriY7aFx82GWeX9zvSep3zlvibQ43FobOEOuDj8-zZwIjxq6g6k-q1M7OsQhcyA2zkYW7vBx8ZFSaQ1bME-a3kuqjLZcrxE5a4zcUF1mOqofmXBiz6vcRIA8M9R6bSqIE13MAPEZLQkYEksTqZ06Z-i7gsnXv_3WfbrCV6p7g/s320/CCS%20original%20Musk%20Bldg.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-size: x-small;"><i>The original CCS building on Clinton Street in Muskegon</i></span></td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-family: Arial, serif;"><span> Hackley Hospital in Muskegon (now the site of the
new Middle School)? The CCS Fruitport campus was completed in1999.
This building was one of the largest new construction projects in
the county. (The Lakes Mall came a couple years later along with
restaurants, banks, businesses. Soon after our move to Kendra Road,
more than 500 new residential addresses came to our neighborhood.</span></span><p></p></li><li><p align="left" class="western" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 0.04in; margin-top: 0.04in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, serif;"><span></span></span></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEqFhP4ff3Vhp7iWTw6VUiNZ_M6a6ImdzOY2MtE-Fwa9murpCiutf50Np80NOPM64QMNS-aFkdZXW74VCeMPzpHntMqIQaJO7OZyKpfvyU-XmRw11kUpoM4vkahPrib76cLS_4gQJGhrgrNHa_klX9-A_l1hq7-nIILkAEcDt8-470MMKnujRwP7l0Ww/s1280/CCS%20now%20and%20later%20cover.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1280" data-original-width="950" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEqFhP4ff3Vhp7iWTw6VUiNZ_M6a6ImdzOY2MtE-Fwa9murpCiutf50Np80NOPM64QMNS-aFkdZXW74VCeMPzpHntMqIQaJO7OZyKpfvyU-XmRw11kUpoM4vkahPrib76cLS_4gQJGhrgrNHa_klX9-A_l1hq7-nIILkAEcDt8-470MMKnujRwP7l0Ww/w149-h200/CCS%20now%20and%20later%20cover.jpg" width="149" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="color: #b45f06;"><i>1998-99 Yearbook cover.</i></span>.</span></td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-family: Arial, serif;"><span>Did
you know that the original investment in the land purchase, clearing
/ excavation, sewer/water/utilities, construction and landscaping
was a <i><b>nine <br />million dollar commitment </b></i>taken on by the
former host church? A school our size could never have made such an
investment. In the years to follow, the largest church in Muskegon
County met in our gymnasium (three services each Sunday for many
years). During those same ten years, that congregation paid down the
original mortgage balance to 3.5 million dollars. That’s amazing,
and had it not happened, CCS would not exist as we know it today.</span></span><p></p>
</li><li><p align="left" class="western" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 0.04in; margin-top: 0.04in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, serif;"><span>Did
you know that in 2012, CCS became a Michigan non-profit and
independent 501(c)(3) governed by a board rather than a host church? That same year, <a href="https://vimeo.com/calvarymuskegon" target="_blank">Calvary Church</a> relocated, and the school was temporarily displaced. Then in August the mortgage-holding bank allowed CCS to return and occupy the building for one year while the bank attempted to sell it.</span></span></p>
</li><li><p align="left" class="western" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 0.04in; margin-top: 0.04in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, serif;"><span>Did
you know that, upon moving back into this building, the school budget
took on full responsibility of all utilities, inspections,
maintenance, and mortgage payments. This was more than $250,000
above tuition income and any previous budget. We sometimes refer to that year as a “loaves
and fishes” miracle because of how God provided through donors. (Our 501(c)(3) status means all donor gifts are tax deductible.)</span></span></p></li><li><p align="left" class="western" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 0.04in; margin-top: 0.04in;"><span style="font-family: Arial, serif;">Did
you know that the bank was so impressed with our ability to meet our
obligations while taking great care of their asset that they renewed
the lease for the 2013-2014 school year. It was announced at
Commencement, and many people wept for joy.</span></p></li><li><p align="left" class="western" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 0.04in; margin-top: 0.04in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, serif;"><span>Did
you know that in 2014, after two years as renters, the bank
graciously applied every dollar we had paid them (including all
other building-related expenses ) to a negotiated purchase price
that was below half of the building’s appraised value. Ever since,
we have "owned" this building (with the help of a mortgage). </span></span>
</p>
</li><li><p align="left" class="western" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 0.04in; margin-top: 0.04in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, serif;"><span>Did
you know that since 2012, the mortgage obligation has been paid down
a million dollars? Even so, our <i><b>monthly paymen</b></i>t on the
2.24M balance<i><b> is over $15,000.</b></i> While that is an
enormous commitment, our loan history is excellent and our
debt-to-equity ratio (D/E) is about .33.</span></span></p>
</li><li><p align="left" class="western" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 0.04in; margin-top: 0.04in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, serif;"><span>Did
you know that when we add in the cost of heating, cooling,
maintenance, inspections, trash removal, snow removal, insurance,
etc. to our mortgage payment, all building-related costs come to
over $324,000 / year. This does not include any salaries.</span></span></p>
</li><li><span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUbyTSWT9-gwLWp8M6SL3vesq5_x8HGDTxs-C7krEPwxgVVuqlVNAbTFZswh-yS7sLJFhHRntMuJdybbpjNX5GMjqPzwvUlkDYOX8iNOQhiT4fV5u8ICvw1f8WhAVw3Fb6GbzOKfR4qkev6U2ywxwveJ0QdjTWawBJO6O6ZnW6mbtzsYh-aVa7Kto6RQ/s1280/Calvary%20Lakes%20sign.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1280" data-original-width="718" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUbyTSWT9-gwLWp8M6SL3vesq5_x8HGDTxs-C7krEPwxgVVuqlVNAbTFZswh-yS7sLJFhHRntMuJdybbpjNX5GMjqPzwvUlkDYOX8iNOQhiT4fV5u8ICvw1f8WhAVw3Fb6GbzOKfR4qkev6U2ywxwveJ0QdjTWawBJO6O6ZnW6mbtzsYh-aVa7Kto6RQ/s320/Calvary%20Lakes%20sign.jpg" width="180" /></a></span><p align="left" class="western" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 0.04in; margin-top: 0.04in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, serif;"><span>Did
you know that within a few years of 2012, God began using three
things to help </span></span><span style="font-family: Arial, serif;">lower the formidable costs of running an independent
faith-based school: </span><i style="font-family: Arial, serif;">First and foremost</i><span style="font-family: Arial, serif;">, a growing group of CCS
donors who want the mission of CCS to continue; </span><i style="font-family: Arial, serif;">second,</i><span style="font-family: Arial, serif;"> a lease with
a wonderful local church that uses some office space and the
building on weekends; and </span><i style="font-family: Arial, serif;">third,</i><span style="font-family: Arial, serif;"> our teachers who are qualified and
certified with servant’s hearts (some of whom are also contracted
in a share-time program that substantially assists that portion of
the CCS budget.</span></p><p></p>
</li><li><p align="left" class="western" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 0.04in; margin-top: 0.04in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, serif;"><span>Did
you know that while also absorbing the overhead costs of this fine campus and
facility, CCS has also provided more and more families with
need-based financial assistance?. This ensures that CCS never
becomes a school only for those who can fully afford private
education. This assistance helps dozens of families who could
otherwise not share this wonderful journey with us. Providing this
help is a scriptural principle responsibly applied. </span></span>
</p>
</li><li><p align="left" class="western" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 0.04in; margin-top: 0.04in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, serif;"><span>Did
you know that the need-based assistance CCS offers is unfunded?
Some people think that because FACTS processes the applications that the actual dollars awarded to
qualifying applicants are provided by FACTS or some other source. No.
There is always a strong correlation between each year’s GAP fund
(annual appeal for needed donor gifts) and the amount of need-based aid
awarded. CCS donors share the value of keeping CCS available to all
applicants who know both the cost and value of Christian education.
<span>(Even so, unfunded financial
assistance never goes below half of the published tuition rate, </span><span>and
families of all income levels are asked to help close the GAP.</span><span>)
</span></span></span>
</p>
</li></ul>
<p align="left" class="western" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 0.04in; margin-top: 0.04in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, serif;"><span><i>Thank
you for taking the time to read this short history of CCS. <b>Now you know</b> why we share
our need each year and why so many people in our community consider
CCS worthy of their support as this “loaves and fishes” story continues to unfold. </i></span></span></p><p align="left" class="western" style="font-weight: normal; line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 0.04in; margin-top: 0.04in;"><span style="font-family: Arial, serif;"><span><i><br /></i></span></span></p><p align="left" class="western" style="font-weight: normal; line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 0.04in; margin-top: 0.04in;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJpDRj2mOfMzrrrgXAA0l7IigLthJh90ZapGeGQcQiQtzVZfWky1u_lbHPVSneEIaXgOTGfphR5tuJ5enWvIFovRZh7AdoOZI84c4m6Usd0uHzDZ4XD7e268Eu84Me5QoN9u0GND-XLxD-l6tzHlk1sqZDyrWvIxdsMnuhAcWmFU83XUToRemFJW17cA/s1280/12%20days%20student%20participation%202022.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="677" data-original-width="1280" height="211" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJpDRj2mOfMzrrrgXAA0l7IigLthJh90ZapGeGQcQiQtzVZfWky1u_lbHPVSneEIaXgOTGfphR5tuJ5enWvIFovRZh7AdoOZI84c4m6Usd0uHzDZ4XD7e268Eu84Me5QoN9u0GND-XLxD-l6tzHlk1sqZDyrWvIxdsMnuhAcWmFU83XUToRemFJW17cA/w400-h211/12%20days%20student%20participation%202022.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><span style="font-family: Arial, serif;"><span><i><b>Now you know</b> how such
a relatively small school (currently 243 in Pre-K through 12<sup>th</sup>
grade) enjoys such a fine campus and building while constantly
“learning to lean” on the Lord each year. It’s because CCS is a
family of believers, educators, and donors who
believe “learning to lean” is the first step in Christian
education. Thank each of you for doing your part. </i></span></span>
<p></p><p align="left" class="western" style="font-weight: normal; line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 0.04in; margin-top: 0.04in;"><span style="font-family: Arial, serif;">Tom
Kapanka </span></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoAcxmbrUvYqLuc-xg0cLpbmPgPOQ4iNkI1xCF2DPoChteTl8pcf9xNDtvOMb-L1O5CKuuXrdysUMmrqnRhTKJI6ka7gfcG8pPhApKQoWNpcKfiUrt6PUYjFGrXdhgXNoaSoQKYSaKLivSUbrO-ILPHNtjBLIirN_PfjsCjZ_l9qphct8TaFgcC0qoLw/s1280/12%20days%20QR.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1255" data-original-width="1280" height="196" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoAcxmbrUvYqLuc-xg0cLpbmPgPOQ4iNkI1xCF2DPoChteTl8pcf9xNDtvOMb-L1O5CKuuXrdysUMmrqnRhTKJI6ka7gfcG8pPhApKQoWNpcKfiUrt6PUYjFGrXdhgXNoaSoQKYSaKLivSUbrO-ILPHNtjBLIirN_PfjsCjZ_l9qphct8TaFgcC0qoLw/w200-h196/12%20days%20QR.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Send checks to CCS or Scan this QR code<br /> or go to <a href="http://www.calvaryeagles.org">www.calvaryeagles.org</a> to give..</span></td></tr></tbody></table><p></p><p align="left" class="western" style="font-weight: normal; line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 0.04in; margin-top: 0.04in;"><span style="font-family: Arial, serif;"><br /></span></p><p align="left" class="western" style="font-weight: normal; line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 0.04in; margin-top: 0.04in;"><span style="font-family: Arial, serif;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Arial, serif;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="303" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/RndyS-fblw4" width="364" youtube-src-id="RndyS-fblw4"></iframe></span></div><span style="font-family: Arial, serif;"><br /><span><br /></span></span><p></p><span style="font-family: Arial, serif;"><span><i></i></span></span><p></p>.Tom Kapankahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17431717152727352230noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6151939630752729248.post-27127288302563404212022-10-26T14:18:00.020-04:002022-12-12T11:33:06.686-05:00Contentious Days Call For Winsome Ways <div>Four years ago, I was elected Michigan representative for the Association of Christian Schools International (ACSI). Serving in this capacity is an honor and gives voice to dozens of other ACSI schools in the state. Last month, I was asked to represent CCS and the state of Michigan at a "Legal and Legislative Summit" in Washington DC. </div><div><span style="line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="line-height: 115%;">For two days, nearly 100 other ACSI state representatives and heads of schools from coast to coast </span><span style="line-height: 18.4px;">gathered in </span>a large conference room across the street from the Department of <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lyndon_Baines_Johnson_Department_of_Education_Building#:~:text=The%20Lyndon%20Baines%20Johnson%20Department%20of%20Education%20Building,as%20Federal%20Office%20Building%206%20%28FOB%206%29.%20" target="_blank">Education Building</a> to be inspired by speakers addressing two topics: <b>religious freedom</b> and <b>parental choice in education</b>. These two topics are central to the parental role of "training up a child in the way he or she should go." <span style="font-size: x-small;">(<a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=proverbs+22%3A6&version=ESV">Proverbs 22:6</a>) </span>. :<div><br /><div><span style="line-height: 18.4px;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZH5umqDK3ehNE-bgNoVJKpe77gd2qPiVcQljIDR0X7loH9eRZbQAswy62715WE2DTilO5toYhjyN52Mb0-FpskZlgV4pOTmEAfh_7u5jFPfPIeuTR5PYPYdbaDZFyN5xrebjcjx6Ud0w5mGkudq1GJiFghaVYWh4jOGeuUz7uBI2FY1HKkyKvwr0ZHQ/s1280/ted%20cruz.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="914" data-original-width="1280" height="143" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZH5umqDK3ehNE-bgNoVJKpe77gd2qPiVcQljIDR0X7loH9eRZbQAswy62715WE2DTilO5toYhjyN52Mb0-FpskZlgV4pOTmEAfh_7u5jFPfPIeuTR5PYPYdbaDZFyN5xrebjcjx6Ud0w5mGkudq1GJiFghaVYWh4jOGeuUz7uBI2FY1HKkyKvwr0ZHQ/w200-h143/ted%20cruz.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>Speakers included: Senator <a href="https://www.cruz.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/cruz-colleagues-slam-doj-attempts-to-silence-dissent-about-gender-reassignment-surgeries-for-minors" target="_blank">Ted Cruz</a>, <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/D._Michael_Lindsay">Michael Lindsay</a>, President of Taylor University, and many others. Most notable of all, however, was an address by the Lieutenant Governor of Virginia, the Honorable <a href="https://youtu.be/S_J32CMCgqA?t=71" target="_blank">Winsome Sears</a>. </span></div><div><span style="line-height: 18.4px;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZqhR2FUB9m7At6sKF33My4sT-JICH9D4cBug6r-a9lFfiqWysPZrG5LwCWeVSLOE6jCLUFKqqq0Prm6-HcTEFwbLPKW3JPBS3ZjPoAuVuYAf72AyvGwBh1uN3OmdeoEWW72KGCUKBACaBH7qX8c-GguKIB0_8rrJ_k3BteE1sz40WiYtLuwZwTnELjA/s1280/winsome%20sears%20and%20TK%20%20in%20dc.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="914" data-original-width="1280" height="229" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZqhR2FUB9m7At6sKF33My4sT-JICH9D4cBug6r-a9lFfiqWysPZrG5LwCWeVSLOE6jCLUFKqqq0Prm6-HcTEFwbLPKW3JPBS3ZjPoAuVuYAf72AyvGwBh1uN3OmdeoEWW72KGCUKBACaBH7qX8c-GguKIB0_8rrJ_k3BteE1sz40WiYtLuwZwTnELjA/s320/winsome%20sears%20and%20TK%20%20in%20dc.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>What a great name..."<a href="https://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/winsome#:~:text=Adjective%20%5B%20edit%5D%20winsome%20%28comparative%20winsomer%2C%20superlative%20winsomest%29,especially%20if%20in%20an%20innocent%20manner.%20quotations%20%E2%96%BC" target="_blank">Winsome</a>".... it means to be likably persuasive as we represent the connection between the TRUTH we believe and the common sense of living. As a school, for instance, CCS advocates for <b><i>religious freedom</i></b> not because the Bible guaranties it (quite the opposite is seen in the Old and New Testaments). We defend religious freedom because our U.S. Constitution has enshrined it from the beginning. So long as God grants us the freedom to live in this constitutional republic, we will strive to be winsome in defending religious freedom and the role of God-honoring parents in the lives <a href="https://www.washingtonpost.com/outlook/parents-rights-protests-kids/2021/10/21/5cf4920a-31d4-11ec-9241-aad8e48f01ff_story.html" target="_blank">of their children</a>.</span></div><div><span style="line-height: 18.4px;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="line-height: 18.4px;"><a href="https://youtu.be/K-YUYX33VsM?t=16" target="_blank">Winsome Sears</a> is second-in-line to <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Glenn_Youngkin#Cultural_issues_and_curriculum">Governor Glen Youngkin</a>, whose political opponent Terry McAuliffe (then governor of VA) said in a debate: "<a href="https://youtu.be/tiH2ipjtVxw" target="_blank">I don't think parents should be telling schools what they can teach.</a>.." That statement alone sent droves of parents to the polls to defend their God-given authority<a href="https://news.yahoo.com/biden-claims-school-children-don-234147454.html?fr=yhssrp_catchall" target="_blank"> in matters of K-12 education</a>. The <a href="https://www.washingtonexaminer.com/news/campaigns/glenn-youngkin-wins-virginia-governors-race-riding-enthusiasm-wave-on-education-issues" target="_blank">surprising win</a> of Glen Youngkin and Winsome Sears has inspired millions of parents and many new gubernatorial candidates from <a href="https://www.tudordixon.com/meet" target="_blank">Michigan</a> to <a href="https://youtu.be/bG7uba89LAE?t=20" target="_blank">Arizona </a>in November's mid-term election.</span></div><div><br /><div style="line-height: 18.4px; margin-bottom: 1.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; margin: 0in 0in 1pt;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYMnYXlAWgGI0G1gywbxgMew3veD38YoxMStHnMT9tt0B5YY2RpJwhAAH95d9ioiMigbfWuAz0uqBeA6AEJiaJbJueImVnoOk5UbwmZLIfwgLdsjJVqaL3TOxcOJVPYj8Cgy63xVGCBUU2wXxbRXDvz-QTmtkV9oNmY2RlrF2iRekiIp1o5YdYyx3tJg/s1280/Mr.%20K's%20day%20on%20Capital%20Hill.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="914" data-original-width="1280" height="229" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYMnYXlAWgGI0G1gywbxgMew3veD38YoxMStHnMT9tt0B5YY2RpJwhAAH95d9ioiMigbfWuAz0uqBeA6AEJiaJbJueImVnoOk5UbwmZLIfwgLdsjJVqaL3TOxcOJVPYj8Cgy63xVGCBUU2wXxbRXDvz-QTmtkV9oNmY2RlrF2iRekiIp1o5YdYyx3tJg/s320/Mr.%20K's%20day%20on%20Capital%20Hill.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>After two days of <i>inspiration </i>in DC<i>, </i>it was time for some <i>perspiration </i>as all of the ACSI leaders in attendance walked UP Capital Hill (about five blocks UPHILL from the Department of Education building) to appointments with their congressional leaders. </div><div style="line-height: 18.4px; margin-bottom: 1.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; margin: 0in 0in 1pt;"><br /></div><div style="line-height: 18.4px; margin-bottom: 1.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; margin: 0in 0in 1pt;">Most of my time on The Hill was spent in Bill Huizenga's office. It was an honor to be among friends who appreciate schools like CCS. We stressed that parental choice in education will always go hand in hand with religious freedom. </div></div><div><span style="line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="line-height: 115%;">As our nation strays further and further from <a href="https://online.hillsdale.edu/landing/american-citizenship-and-its-decline?sc=MK1021DA1&gclid=EAIaIQobChMI4Mjf7PqA-wIV6KgAAB3PqgEBEAEYASAAEgKL6vD_BwE" target="_blank">its founding principles</a>, churches and parents who believe God's Word "is a lamp to our feet and a light to our path" are in <a href="https://news.gallup.com/poll/394262/fewer-bible-literal-word-god.aspx" target="_blank">a shrinking minority</a>, but even if that is true they are constitutionally protected in this 250-year experiment we call The United States of America. </span></div><div><span style="line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="line-height: 115%;">The handbook and doctrinal statements of every ACSI school in Michigan probably include statements like the following. In many government-controlled schools, these beliefs are being replaced by the <a href="https://youtu.be/LQfTzzoUOAs" target="_blank">indoctrination of special interest groups</a>:</span></div><div><ul style="text-align: left;"><li><span style="line-height: 115%;">The Bible says, "In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth." That notion is mocked as anti-science, but in fact, when <a href="https://answersingenesis.org/what-is-science/what-is-science/" target="_blank">science is properly defined</a> the various theories of origins require just as much non-science (i.e. faith) to believe. Even so, for more than a century the <a href="https://gracevalley.org/teaching/if-darwinism-is-unfounded-why-do-so-many-smart-people-believe-it/" target="_blank">flawed "science" of Darwin </a>was taught as fact. In recent years, the battle cry "Follow the science!" has never come with more reasons to doubt the agenda behind those shouting it.</span></li><li><span style="line-height: 115%;">The Bible speaks of one race--<b><i>the human race</i></b>--and that no one group of humans matters more than another group. <span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="background-color: white;">(<a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Romans+10%3A12&version=ESV" target="_blank">Romans 10:12</a></span>)</span> Yet, it was Darwin's <a href="https://www.discovery.org/a/10661/" target="_blank">now-debunked theory</a> of evolution that gave birth to the worst elements of racism manifested in our times. (As <a href="https://youtu.be/c59mTPRZ3MU?t=2080" target="_blank">explained here</a>.)</span></li><li><span style="line-height: 115%;">The Bible says, "<a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Genesis+5%3A2&version=ESV" target="_blank">Male and female</a> He created them," but that self-evident fact is currently being drowned out in the din of "<a href="https://youtu.be/HMpPalIvGf0" target="_blank">gender fluidity</a>" and a never-ending list of pronouns and "identities."</span></li><li><span style="line-height: 115%;">The Bible says that humans are <a href="https://www.thegospelcoalition.org/essay/man-as-the-image-of-god/" target="_blank">"image bearers" of God</a>. created <a href="https://www.gotquestions.org/dominion-over-animals.html" target="_blank">to have dominion</a> over the earth. Secular classrooms</span>, however, make no divine distinction between humans and animals (except when, in many cases, animal life is <a href="https://www.newsobserver.com/news/nation-world/national/article258505368.html" target="_blank">more protected</a> than human life). Read further at<a href="https://2beginwith.blogspot.com/2020/03/imago-dei-creative-man-and-creator-god.html"> Imago Dei</a>. </li><li><span style="line-height: 115%;">The Bible says "<a href="https://www.thegospelcoalition.org/essay/biblical-view-marriage/">marriage</a> is between one man and one woman," but anyone who still says so in the public square will be <a href="https://dailyjustnow.com/en/what-does-canceled-mean-in-slang-106596/#:~:text=What%20does%20canceled%20mean%20urban%20dictionary%3F%20According%20to,blackball%2C%20isolate%20and%20shun%20an%20individual%20from%20society.">canceled</a> faster than <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/boycott-backfire-new-rankings-show-chick-fil-amanda-prestigiacomo" target="_blank">Chick-Fil-A</a> or <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Masterpiece_Cakeshop_v._Colorado_Civil_Rights_Commission">Masterpiece Cakeshop</a>.</span></li><li><span style="line-height: 115%;">The Bible says <a href="https://www.openbible.info/topics/god_is_the_giver_of_life" target="_blank">God is the giver and sustainer of life</a>. "For you [God] formed my inward parts; you knitted me together <a href="https://youtu.be/OGrYdaKRSCQ?t=11" target="_blank">in my mother's womb,</a>" but never has the beginning of life and the duty of protecting it been more contested in this nation. The current <a href="https://youtu.be/A4eLwceKtpg" target="_blank">clamor </a>is only new it its effort to remove parents from having a say in their children's life-changing choices. <br /></span></li></ul></div></div></div><div><div style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 1.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; margin: 0in 0in 1pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; text-align: left;"><div style="font-size: medium;"><span style="background-color: transparent; font-size: 11pt;">The CCS Mission Statement reflects a more Biblical model for education:<b> Partnering with parents to equip students toward personal excellence and the pursuit of God's purpose for their lives. </b></span><span><span style="font-size: 14.6667px;">To the <a href="https://www.texasattorneygeneral.gov/news/releases/ag-paxton-sues-biden-administration-silencing-parents-labeling-them-terrorists" target="_blank">surprise of many in government</a>, many of the deeply held religious beliefs outlined above are also <a href="https://youtu.be/bpfGXc944v8?t=23" target="_blank">shared by parents</a> whose children do not attend faith-based schools. On such matters, we agree that parents have a God-given responsibility to protect the <a href="https://thefederalist.com/2022/10/18/we-need-the-protect-childrens-innocence-bill-as-a-first-line-of-defense-against-castrating-and-mutilating-children/" target="_blank"><b><i>innocence of childhood</i></b></a>. </span></span></div><div style="font-size: medium;"><span><span style="font-size: 14.6667px;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-size: 14.6667px;"><span><span style="font-size: 14.6667px;">As </span></span><span style="font-size: 14.6667px;"><span style="font-size: 14.6667px;">we approach mid-term elections in a few days,</span></span></span></span><span><span style="font-size: 14.6667px;"> </span></span><span style="font-size: 14.6667px;"><span style="font-size: 14.6667px;">continue to pray for those candidates who are willing to enter the political arena--especially those who understand <b style="font-size: medium;">religious freedom</b><span style="font-size: medium;"> and </span><b style="font-size: medium;">parental choice in education</b>. May God help us to be</span></span><span style="font-family: times; font-size: 14.6667px;"><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal;"><span style="color: black;"><span><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial;"> <a href="https://www.blogger.com/u/1/blog/post/edit/6151939630752729248/2712728830256340421#" target="_blank">winsome</a> as we take a stand and say NO to politicians and proposals designed to strengthen and lengthen their own control of culture, the government, and the next generation,</span></span></span></span></span></div></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "times new roman", serif; font-size: 15.4px; line-height: 17.71px;"><br /></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify;"><span style="background-color: transparent; text-align: left;">Tom Kapanka</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGwKQ9shUi267oZGq_AeFwZ007Io8RfkVFvE6wLBc9GvvB5oRCRAjj0YviwyKrU6d4wGMeMnohd8GPBXnhvkQUmKG3IID58OyCRJlRwuHeafPAGXeoDrIeDIWdcy1qxBy8raNPBtKjnnlBuivhNEQKhnjmu2qW2cIZDHOuZ8l0DiAeL70etOg24J6dRg/s1024/Fear%20of%20the%20Lord.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1024" data-original-width="1024" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGwKQ9shUi267oZGq_AeFwZ007Io8RfkVFvE6wLBc9GvvB5oRCRAjj0YviwyKrU6d4wGMeMnohd8GPBXnhvkQUmKG3IID58OyCRJlRwuHeafPAGXeoDrIeDIWdcy1qxBy8raNPBtKjnnlBuivhNEQKhnjmu2qW2cIZDHOuZ8l0DiAeL70etOg24J6dRg/w400-h400/Fear%20of%20the%20Lord.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><span style="color: #990000; font-family: arial;"><span style="background-color: transparent; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: small;">[Note: The above post contains many links to support material. Click on<b><span> gray</span></b> and <b><span>tan </span></b>text for further reading or video samples.</span></span></span></div></div>.Tom Kapankahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17431717152727352230noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6151939630752729248.post-50332289447408674382022-06-09T13:51:00.003-04:002022-06-09T13:52:37.736-04:00God Bless the Broken Road That Led Us All to School<p><span></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-size: 10pt; text-align: center;"><span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiz67eUcASv1HwXGwXOy6sLYyH57FZXratKQC-ve8QUTMx5kc13lLluECPzYd4cjtCayaE-7BVxi8XTljbdaoW2PdOh8J1cLiiw36J4yvEYEdtMS-KWqjN_6WnkLXa7fNgNAo7qQRsc0i1ymjzyYHY0y4IMoa34En1vDhvmtzpjAcHYKodEya7cuZaQMA/s1000/appian-way-2.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="668" data-original-width="1000" height="214" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiz67eUcASv1HwXGwXOy6sLYyH57FZXratKQC-ve8QUTMx5kc13lLluECPzYd4cjtCayaE-7BVxi8XTljbdaoW2PdOh8J1cLiiw36J4yvEYEdtMS-KWqjN_6WnkLXa7fNgNAo7qQRsc0i1ymjzyYHY0y4IMoa34En1vDhvmtzpjAcHYKodEya7cuZaQMA/w320-h214/appian-way-2.jpg" width="320" /></a></span></div><span>Take
a close look at this picture. Does it look familiar? Some of you may
think that it’s a picture of Kendra Road in Fruitport. The
resemblance is remarkable, but you’ll notice there are actually no
potholes in the picture.</span><p></p><p><span> This is Rome’s famous </span><span><i>Via
Appia, </i></span><a href="https://www.rome.info/ancient/appian-way/"><span>the
</span><span>Appian Way</span></a><span>.)</span><span>
</span><span> built in 312 BC. </span><span>It</span><span>
stretch</span><span>es</span><span>
more than 350 mile</span><span>s,
and m</span><span>illions of tourist
to Italy still use </span><span>it</span><span>
for hiking, cycling, and horseback riding. It was so well-traveled by
the time of Christ that</span><span> </span><span>miles
of it already </span><span>had</span><span>
grooves worn in the stones from </span><span>the
cartwheels p</span><span>ounding it</span><span>
through the centuries. (see photo below)</span></p>
<p style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJtvRK91t6I6nhqfiWereiAQXKop-NGUi3BwajcNDODqT1D9LyHjQoHSK1upJ_k4mx7Lbfqn03IHZTk10eF2sjs7UUXHKphcy3a_oJWyHOOUyF2V7yGLBbRjEsofHVg5t0D8O9W-2O_0o-cH6vT9t_GcsGi9sOCoKuRUdHYhSH3FMbyzEeOs6KpWOd-A/s1024/Appian%20Way.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="768" data-original-width="1024" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJtvRK91t6I6nhqfiWereiAQXKop-NGUi3BwajcNDODqT1D9LyHjQoHSK1upJ_k4mx7Lbfqn03IHZTk10eF2sjs7UUXHKphcy3a_oJWyHOOUyF2V7yGLBbRjEsofHVg5t0D8O9W-2O_0o-cH6vT9t_GcsGi9sOCoKuRUdHYhSH3FMbyzEeOs6KpWOd-A/s320/Appian%20Way.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>For
23 years, parents and students driving Kendra Road to school have
felt like ancient travelers on the Appian Way. Thousands of dollars
have been spent on tires, rims, alignments, and other repairs caused
by the patchwork of potholes on the road Calvary calls home. Only
those who travel Kendra daily know that this is not an exaggeration.
This observation is not meant as a complaint to the fine road-workers
of Fruitport Township. The fault is not theirs but rather the road
itself.<p></p>
<p style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span>You
see, unlike the Appian Way </span><span>of
ancient Rome</span><span>, Kendra
Road never had a proper foundation. We’ve learned from locals, that
Kendra Road began as a two track after <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Interstate_96#:~:text=In%201963%2C%20the%20Michigan%20State,Grand%20Rapids%20to%20I%2D67">I-96
went </a></span><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Interstate_96#:~:text=In%201963%2C%20the%20Michigan%20State,Grand%20Rapids%20to%20I%2D67"><span>through
</span><span>in </span><span>the
1960’s</span></a><span>.
Over the years, it evolved into a two-lane dirt road. Eventually it
was frosted with some pavement, but </span><span>w</span><span>ith
the turn of the century came of the school, the mall, Stillwater
Springs, and other developments, and the traffic has exceeded the
pavement’s capacity. So we thank the road workers who have tried
their best to keep up the thousands of potholes through the years,
but we are even more thankful for the following announcement:</span></p>
<p style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">We
have been informed that<span style="color: #990000;"><b><i> KENDRA ROAD IS GETTING PROPERLY PAVED THIS
SUMMER</i></b></span>. That’s right. When we return to classes in the fall, all
parents and drivers will have a smooth road as they approach the
school. Because Kendra is classified as a local road (rather than
“primary”), this work does come at some cost to the school and
Kendra residents. We are launching a summer fundraising drive to
raise $35,000. About half of that amount is the CCS assessment for
the new road. </p><p style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">The remaining needed funds are for some other timely projects. <span style="background-color: white; color: #0d0d0d; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: times;">We hope to hire a bonded tree service to clear away most of the highway brush and 20-year growth in front of the school (between Kendra and I-96). We have been given permission to clear back the foliage that blocks the view of CCS along the fence line. </span></span> Unlike the Kendra pavement, all of the this tree-service cost
falls to the school. But imagine what Calvary will look like in the
fall—a new road and a clear view to the thousands of cars that pass
us every day in the commute on eastbound and westbound I-96.</p>
<p style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">We
also hope to make about $10,000 worth of inside improvements to the
building that include a new Teacher Break Room (they have not had a
Break Room since 2019. Look for additional information about this
year-end campaign. </p><p style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">In the meantime enjoy this video about the broken
road that has lead us to Calvary all these years. It may be the last time you see Muskegon County's version of the Appian Way.</p><p style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">Tom Kapanka</p><p style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;"><b>God Bless The Broken Road That Led Us All To School</b></p>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="359" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/rmRf96t3rO8" width="432" youtube-src-id="rmRf96t3rO8"></iframe></div>.Tom Kapankahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17431717152727352230noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6151939630752729248.post-3514859556911799482022-05-27T10:30:00.008-04:002022-05-28T20:21:22.888-04:00Between Reminiscence and Anticipation: Written to the Class of 2022 After Senior Trip<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_bVge7qorffBrv8mrYhOHBl6dC0-h0uKKc8kAChz1Mizb6D5DLkiG89PBfPf9qQ9KBvocWe18LlQN0sdFsKHMcnJ3e3xOJd_UYMZx5aWGylUKQmWyYgCHjZnmt-VcAcxduiWDuYvbADIw4s6qb49u_6eRW1AnBMLJsEaHXzITJX-y1zzzZrK7fCOI_g/s1119/2022%20sunset%20jump.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="626" data-original-width="1119" height="358" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_bVge7qorffBrv8mrYhOHBl6dC0-h0uKKc8kAChz1Mizb6D5DLkiG89PBfPf9qQ9KBvocWe18LlQN0sdFsKHMcnJ3e3xOJd_UYMZx5aWGylUKQmWyYgCHjZnmt-VcAcxduiWDuYvbADIw4s6qb49u_6eRW1AnBMLJsEaHXzITJX-y1zzzZrK7fCOI_g/w640-h358/2022%20sunset%20jump.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div><span face="Roboto, Noto, sans-serif" style="background-color: white;">Dear CCS </span><span face="Roboto, Noto, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #0d0d0d; font-size: 15px; white-space: pre-wrap;">Class of 2022, </span><p></p><span face="Roboto, Noto, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #0d0d0d; font-size: 15px; white-space: pre-wrap;">“There’s got to be a morning after…” I hope you all got a good night's sleep last night and woke up (eventually) to enjoy the familiar surroundings of home. Sometimes after big events, the morning after has a sort of empty whisper like when you hold a seashell to your ear. I’m writing you all this collective note on the morning after Senior Trip 2022 because I woke up to a silent house which made me miss you all. I get this feeling every year around graduation, but this year it prompted me to sit down and write you this note.</span><div><span face="Roboto, Noto, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #0d0d0d; font-size: 15px; white-space: pre-wrap;">
The first time Mrs. Kapanka and I took a Senior Class to Orlando was 1988. If that sounds like ancient history, I understand, but please know that to us... it does not seem so long ago. (Likewise for Mrs. Price who graduated from high school that same year.) The Class of '88 I'm referring to was from our previous school in Iowa where we served for eighteen years. We still keep in touch with many of those students (who are now in their fifties). That class did something spontaneously on their last night of Senior Trip that you guys also did: they stayed up all night reminiscing. </span></div><div><span face="Roboto, Noto, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #0d0d0d; font-size: 15px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></div><div><span face="Roboto, Noto, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #0d0d0d; font-size: 15px; white-space: pre-wrap;">The ability to reminisce is a gift. Not all “families” do it. Reminiscing is what becomes of conversations stretched through time—long stretches of time. It happens in rare moments when you realize that time does not pass, it gathers; it is not spent but shared, and while it is not healthy to “live in the past” it is very good now and then to take a backward glance. . . just long enough to say “I remember the us that was.” Doing so helps you remember that God began shaping the “you” you’re becoming before you even knew it was happening.</span></div><div><span face="Roboto, Noto, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #0d0d0d; font-size: 15px; white-space: pre-wrap;">
You did something else Wednesday night in that brief snapshot of time (in those hours before we headed for the airport at 3:30AM): you spoke of important things in the present —beliefs, questions, uncertainties, and confidences—things that will set the direction for your futures; things that will be the backdrop of your reminiscing thirty years from now.
How do I know this? Because that Class of ‘88 had a reunion at our former school three weeks ago. (We were not able to attend but saw photos on Facebook.) I’m confident that, Lord willing, your class will do the same in 2052. Hard to imagine, isn't it? Don't let it frighten you. The passing of time with friends and family is a wonderful thing.</span><span face="Roboto, Noto, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #0d0d0d; font-size: 15px; white-space: pre-wrap;">Watching young people become adults is one of the perks of working for 42 consecutive years in two K-12 schools like Calvary. Just think some of you had Mrs. K in preschool fourteen years ago, and here you are "all grown up" with so much to look forward to.</span></div><div><span face="Roboto, Noto, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #0d0d0d; font-size: 15px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></div><div><span face="Roboto, Noto, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; font-size: 15px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: #0d0d0d;">You asked us Wednesday night who our favorite class was, which is almost as impossible to answer as when parents are asked to disclose their favorite child… My guess is many others from other Senior Trips may be reading this, and they will remember moments unique to their experience. The very thought of them brings a smile the way an </span><b><span style="color: #2b00fe;"><u><a href="http://patternsofink.blogspot.com/2006/04/bookmarks.html">old photograph found unexpectedly</a></u></span></b><span style="color: #0d0d0d;"> </span><span style="color: #0d0d0d;">can make you laugh in a room by yourself.. </span></span></div><div><span face="Roboto, Noto, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; font-size: 15px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: #0d0d0d;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span face="Roboto, Noto, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; font-size: 15px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: #0d0d0d;">I will say this: we can’t imagine having been with a better group than you guys. We love the way you were not a group of smaller groups; we love the way that everyone—no matter how new to the class—was included; we love the way you show patience when it’s needed; we love the thought that you guys will care about each other well beyond next week's ceremony; we love the diversity of the dreams you hold and doubts you share and your apprehension of the fine line between dreams and doubts when you feel alone. We love the unspoken intent to never let any of your friends feel isolated in the years to come. The whole week was fun, but that last night of listening as you guys spoke from your hearts was the most rewarding and memorable event of this trip.</span></span></div><div><span face="Roboto, Noto, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #0d0d0d; font-size: 15px; white-space: pre-wrap;">
Mrs. K and I have “hugged” forty-one Senior Classes goodbye since our K-12 teaching careers began in 1982. We have bookmarks of recollection that help us remember each class (and individuals in each class). I can assure you of this… we will not forget your class and we will not need a bookmark, because your class is a <b><i>bookend,</i></b> holding a long row of senior trips in place. </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #0d0d0d; font-size: 15px; white-space: pre-wrap;">We didn’t speak of it when we were in Orlando, but you guys will always be remembered as our last Senior Trip. Not as a school, but as a trip with the two of us along. Thank you for the many kindnesses you showed when least expected. </span></div><div><span face="Roboto, Noto, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #0d0d0d; font-size: 15px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></div><div><span face="Roboto, Noto, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; font-size: 15px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: #0d0d0d;">The first line of this note is the title of a song from my high school days. I'll close this note with two more from the same era. (If Zander were riding shotgun right now he’d play them for us): The first is a song called “</span><a href="https://youtu.be/4NwP3wes4M8"><span style="color: #2b00fe;"><b>Anticipation</b></span></a><span style="color: #0d0d0d;">” from 1971, which declared “These are the good ol’ days…” and indeed they are. Remember that as you enjoy this summer before turning the page from the CCS years to whatever lies ahead. The other song is a favorite of mine called "</span><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sovVYInjHjw"><b><span style="color: #2b00fe;">Bookends</span></b><span style="color: #0d0d0d;">,</span></a><span style="color: #0d0d0d;">" which is perfect for these thoughts. I used it in this montage to help you remember that life is never lived only in the present… it is a beautiful blend of past and future... reminiscence and anticipation, grandparents and those yet to be born, experience and hope. </span></span></div><div><span face="Roboto, Noto, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; font-size: 15px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: #0d0d0d;">You are </span><a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Matthew%2028:19-20&version=ESV" style="color: #0d0d0d;">never alone</a><span style="color: #0d0d0d;">.</span></span></div><div><span face="Roboto, Noto, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #0d0d0d; font-size: 15px; white-space: pre-wrap;">We love you!</span></div><div><span face="Roboto, Noto, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #0d0d0d; font-size: 15px; white-space: pre-wrap;">Mr. K</span></div><div><span face="Roboto, Noto, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #0d0d0d; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-size: 15px;">
</span><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-small;">Press Arrow to Play</span></div></span></div><div><div><span face="Roboto, Noto, sans-serif" style="color: #0d0d0d;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="297" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/KJK8H6CK_EQ" width="463" youtube-src-id="KJK8H6CK_EQ"></iframe></div><br /><span style="font-size: 15px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></span></div></div>.Tom Kapankahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17431717152727352230noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6151939630752729248.post-72701840852435619432022-04-27T12:47:00.028-04:002022-05-03T08:55:18.752-04:00Worldview Shapes the Formative Years<p></p><span style="font-family: times;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif"><div><span style="font-family: times;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif">Today, we had more than 50 parents and </span></span>prospective students in our rotunda as visiting students were paired up with someone from the class they were visiting. It was a wonderful sight to see. Most of these inquiring families will also be our guests at this evening's Spring Carnival. We hope you can all make it to that event to meet some of them.. </div><div><br /></div><div>We are living in interesting times, and I'd like to remind all of us why the formative years in your students' lives are so important.</div><div><span style="font-family: times;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif"><br /></span></span></div></span></span><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; font-family: times;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNczU37RbwmZmLnAXQ513EqvMnORBJcbwkOGUzO1AgGlNl0YVsqVjtxuzCBRBboaO2b3SOPmMep_Nmq-rDCIUWvJVRqcorHiX5xTGpdJyKe3xwNpz_Tlg12BrfuebEqSFz9obV-hoWC92tIX38w1Vr4vE-Bmce9arYYTO8Su_2k1m289p8T2Urr8NVYA/s4032/motb.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNczU37RbwmZmLnAXQ513EqvMnORBJcbwkOGUzO1AgGlNl0YVsqVjtxuzCBRBboaO2b3SOPmMep_Nmq-rDCIUWvJVRqcorHiX5xTGpdJyKe3xwNpz_Tlg12BrfuebEqSFz9obV-hoWC92tIX38w1Vr4vE-Bmce9arYYTO8Su_2k1m289p8T2Urr8NVYA/w150-h200/motb.jpg" width="150" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: xx-small;">Museum of The Bible, Washington, DC</span></td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-family: times;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif">This past week, I
was at a Biblical Worldview Conference at the Museum
of the Bible in Washington, DC. Scores of other K-12 Christian school
administrators were there from across the country. CCS and these
other schools consider teaching from a Biblical perspective
(worldview) a crucial part of our mission. In all subjects and
circumstances, God's Word is “a lamp to our feet and
a light to our path.”</span><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: xx-small;"><a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Psalm+119%3A105&version=ESV" target="_blank">(Ps119:105)</a></span><span face="Arial, sans-serif"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">
</span>Only in that light can we see the answers to the questions of life
that give a meaningful context for all subjects.</span></span><p></p>
<p class="western" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: times;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif"><span><br /></span></span></span></p><p class="western" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: times;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif"><span>Simply</span><span> put, our
worldview is the lens through which we interpret the past, present, and future of the world in which we live. </span></span></span></p><p class="western" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=II+Timothy+3%3A13-17&version=ESV" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: times;"><span>II
Timothy 3:13-</span></span><span style="font-family: times;"><span>17</span></span></a><span style="font-family: times;"><span>
warns believers that </span></span><span style="font-family: times;"><span>the
time</span></span><span style="font-family: times;"><span>
will come when social “norms” and public opinion will go from bad
to worse, and</span></span><span style="font-family: times;"><span> manipulating deceivers will</span></span><span style="font-family: times;"><span> lead many</span></span><span style="font-family: times;"><span> down </span></span><span style="font-family: times;"><span>false
and dangerous</span></span><span style="font-family: times;"><span>
paths.</span></span><span style="font-family: times;"><span> </span></span><span style="font-family: times;"><span>Friends,
we are living in such a time. </span></span><span style="font-family: times;"><span>The
same passage</span></span><span style="font-family: times;"><span>,
h</span></span><span style="font-family: times;"><span>owever,</span></span><span style="font-family: times;"><span>
</span></span><span style="font-family: times;"><span>encourages
us to train up believers from childhood in the TRUTH of </span></span><span style="font-family: times;"><span>God’s
Word </span></span><span style="font-family: times;"><span>and
</span></span><span style="font-family: times;"><span>the
way to wisdom and </span></span><span style="font-family: times;"><span></span></span><span style="font-family: times;"><span>salvation
in Christ Jesus. </span></span><span style="font-family: times;"><span>The short passage concludes by reminding us that "all scripture is </span></span><span style="font-family: times; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal;"><span style="color: black;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif"><span><span><span><span>breathed
out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction,
and for training in righteousness,</span></span></span></span></span></span></span><span style="font-family: times; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal;"><span style="color: black;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif"><span><span> </span></span></span></span></span><span style="font-family: times; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal;"><span style="color: black;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif"><span><span><span><span>that the
man of God may be complete, equipped for every good
work.”</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p align="left" class="western" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: times;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif"><span>At
CCS, </span></span><span face="Arial, sans-serif"><span>the
home and school </span></span><span face="Arial, sans-serif"><span>are
a team</span></span><span face="Arial, sans-serif"><span> working from the same playbook and game-plan. </span></span><span face="Arial, sans-serif"><span>The
many Evangelical churches in our school family</span></span><span face="Arial, sans-serif"><span>
sometimes summarized our shared Biblical </span></span><span face="Arial, sans-serif"><span>worldview </span></span><span face="Arial, sans-serif"><span>in
three words: “Creation...Fall… </span></span><span face="Arial, sans-serif"><span>and
</span></span><span face="Arial, sans-serif"><span>Redemption.
That outline covers origins, </span></span><span face="Arial, sans-serif"><span>including</span></span><span face="Arial, sans-serif"><span>
God’s original </span></span><span face="Arial, sans-serif"><span>relationship
with his creation</span></span><span face="Arial, sans-serif"><span>;
</span></span><span face="Arial, sans-serif"><span>man’s
willful breaking of that</span></span><span face="Arial, sans-serif"><span>
relationship </span></span><span face="Arial, sans-serif"><span>and
the resulting</span></span><span face="Arial, sans-serif"><span>
“</span></span><span face="Arial, sans-serif"><span>broken</span></span><span face="Arial, sans-serif"><span>ness”
of the</span></span><span face="Arial, sans-serif"><span>
world, </span></span><span face="Arial, sans-serif"><span>and
then through Christ, a</span></span><span face="Arial, sans-serif"><span>
restored relationship </span></span><span face="Arial, sans-serif"><span>(</span></span><span face="Arial, sans-serif"><span>and
eventually a “new heaven and earth”</span></span><span face="Arial, sans-serif"><span>). We also pay heed to what Jesus called the two greatest commandments: Love God (vertical relationship) and love your neighbor as yourself (horizontal relationships)</span></span></span><span style="font-family: times;"> </span><span style="font-family: times;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">.(</span></span><span style="font-family: times; font-size: xx-small;"><a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Matthew+22%3A36-40&version=ESV">Matthew 22:36-40</a>)</span></p>
<p align="left" class="western" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span face="Arial, sans-serif"><span style="font-family: times;"></span></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif"><span style="font-family: times;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEja9pGx6OXFEQkvXPc7Vt0d5pBoxyitmL97oVWgcoHUDi01e54zFjWwK_9RptieYy91hcqdu2n-g2YpDyTepeqQ9sF_19e-0gpJgxVsvLs4csc2tUGgOuUZbQQIaJ314QlNwDglc9hhw3XNbbbckADpsp5-uJxdPMf_5Hd6sq41SmHFqmISZnWja6GbJQ/s900/blind-mans-bluff.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="803" data-original-width="900" height="215" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEja9pGx6OXFEQkvXPc7Vt0d5pBoxyitmL97oVWgcoHUDi01e54zFjWwK_9RptieYy91hcqdu2n-g2YpDyTepeqQ9sF_19e-0gpJgxVsvLs4csc2tUGgOuUZbQQIaJ314QlNwDglc9hhw3XNbbbckADpsp5-uJxdPMf_5Hd6sq41SmHFqmISZnWja6GbJQ/w241-h215/blind-mans-bluff.jpg" width="241" /></a></span></span></div><span style="font-family: times;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif"><span>With</span></span><span face="Arial, sans-serif"><span>
those thoughts</span></span><span face="Arial, sans-serif"><span> in mind, read </span></span><span face="Arial, sans-serif"><span><a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=+Luke+6%3A40&version=ESV">Luke 6:39-40</a>, </span></span><span face="Arial, sans-serif"><span>where</span></span><span face="Arial, sans-serif"><span>
Jesus </span></span><span face="Arial, sans-serif"><span>is
talking about </span></span><span face="Arial, sans-serif"><span>the
influence of </span></span><span face="Arial, sans-serif"><span>teachers over students </span></span><span face="Arial, sans-serif"><span>and</span></span><span face="Arial, sans-serif"><span>
</span></span><span face="Arial, sans-serif"><span>asks,
“Can </span></span><span face="Arial, sans-serif"><span>the</span></span><span face="Arial, sans-serif"><span>
blind lead </span></span><span face="Arial, sans-serif"><span>the</span></span><span face="Arial, sans-serif"><span>
blind?” </span></span><span face="Arial, sans-serif"><span>
</span></span><span face="Arial, sans-serif"><span>i.e.
C</span></span><span face="Arial, sans-serif"><span>an a person</span></span><span face="Arial, sans-serif"><span> </span></span><span face="Arial, sans-serif"><span>unable
to see God’s role in </span></span><span face="Arial, sans-serif"><span>life</span></span><span face="Arial, sans-serif"><span>
</span></span><span face="Arial, sans-serif"><span>o</span></span><span face="Arial, sans-serif"><span>pen </span></span><span face="Arial, sans-serif"><span>other’s
</span></span><span face="Arial, sans-serif"><span>ey</span></span><span face="Arial, sans-serif"><span>e</span></span><span face="Arial, sans-serif"><span>s
to </span></span><span face="Arial, sans-serif"><span>TRUTH</span></span><span face="Arial, sans-serif"><span>?
</span></span><span face="Arial, sans-serif"><span>Can
</span></span><span face="Arial, sans-serif"><span>th</span></span><span face="Arial, sans-serif"><span>ose
who credit a godless existence to</span></span><span face="Arial, sans-serif"><span> “</span></span><span face="Arial, sans-serif"><span>random
</span></span><span face="Arial, sans-serif"><span>chance”</span></span><span face="Arial, sans-serif"><span> give meaningful answers to</span></span><span face="Arial, sans-serif"><span> </span></span><span face="Arial, sans-serif"><span>the
questions of</span></span><span face="Arial, sans-serif"><span>
</span></span><span face="Arial, sans-serif"><span>life? How can we know that the same "<a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Psalm+119%3A105&version=ESV" target="_blank">light</a>" is guiding your student(s) down the same "path"? </span></span></span><div><span style="font-family: times;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif"><span><br /></span></span></span></div><div><span style="font-family: times;">Luke 6:40 </span><span style="font-family: times;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif"><span></span></span><span face="Arial, sans-serif"><span></span></span><span face="Arial, sans-serif"><span>further
</span></span><span face="Arial, sans-serif"><span>reminds
us that teachers should be worthy of being "looked up to" because in the end their students will </span></span><span face="Arial, sans-serif"><span>become
like </span></span><span face="Arial, sans-serif"><span>them</span></span><span face="Arial, sans-serif"><span>.
</span></span><span face="Arial, sans-serif"><span>In
other words, regardless of the subject, <b><i>worldviews</i></b> are “caught” more than “taught,” and education should never be a game of </span></span><span face="Arial, sans-serif"><span>
“blind-man’s-bluff” </span></span><span face="Arial, sans-serif"><span>for
students and “keep-away”</span></span><span face="Arial, sans-serif"><span>
</span></span><span face="Arial, sans-serif"><span>for
parents.</span></span></span><p></p>
<p align="left" class="western" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span face="Arial, sans-serif"><span style="font-family: times;"></span></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif"><span style="font-family: times;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1YIyf4NFNOCtZ7DXJIeZsie7QW555j-eREetIDmu4gmJhupEH7dfoLW138djLNfpCJIcuI6tVx-aEJ6evVtBNple1MuNDR9roMjxsWVrsrK_UVhRyyox9pEdSGYy9FaLXone4_Yy0xvKx3G8d-lWSWHRSDDqOB7V6hX9tKMy6GqnnbeAN6SKkQO0xGA/s186/greyhound%20sticker.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="186" data-original-width="181" height="133" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1YIyf4NFNOCtZ7DXJIeZsie7QW555j-eREetIDmu4gmJhupEH7dfoLW138djLNfpCJIcuI6tVx-aEJ6evVtBNple1MuNDR9roMjxsWVrsrK_UVhRyyox9pEdSGYy9FaLXone4_Yy0xvKx3G8d-lWSWHRSDDqOB7V6hX9tKMy6GqnnbeAN6SKkQO0xGA/w129-h133/greyhound%20sticker.jpg" width="129" /></a></span></span></div><span face="Arial, sans-serif"><span><span style="font-family: times;">When
I was a kid, the nation’s largest bus-line commercials ended with a
jingle:</span><span style="font-size: x-small;"> </span>“<span style="font-family: verdana;"><i><a href="https://youtu.be/3acg_gRPN7Q?t=463" target="_blank">Go Greyhound, and leave the driving to us</a>.</i></span></span><span>”</span><span style="font-size: x-small;"> </span><span style="font-family: times;">Sadly, </span></span><span style="font-family: times;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif">when it comes to what some schools are teaching kids these days, </span><span face="Arial, sans-serif"><span>more
and more school boards and </span></span><span face="Arial, sans-serif"><span>government
officials </span></span><span face="Arial, sans-serif"><span>are
telling parents,</span></span><span face="Arial, sans-serif"><span>
<i><b>“Stay home, and l</b></i></span></span><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;"><span>eave
the </span></span><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;"><span>worldview</span></span><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;"><span>
to us.” </span></span><span face="Arial, sans-serif"><span> In fact, just yesterday, President Biden told a national gathering of top teachers that the students they lead "are not someone else's,<a href="https://katv.com/news/nation-world/theyre-all-our-children-biden-emboldens-teachers-amid-debate-about-parental-rights" target="_blank"> they're OUR children</a>.</span></span></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #121212; font-family: "Open Sans"; font-size: 16px;">... they’re like yours when they’re in the classroom.”</span></div><div><span style="font-family: times;"><br /></span><div><span style="font-family: times;"><span>It
</span></span><span style="font-family: times;"><span>is</span></span><span style="font-family: times;"><span>
one thing </span></span><span style="font-family: times;"><span>for government schools to feign neutrality</span></span><span style="font-family: times;"><span> on religion; it’s another thing </span></span><span style="font-family: times;"><span>for
them </span></span><span style="font-family: times;"><span>to oppose traditional views of the Church and to </span></span><span style="font-family: times;">zealously (religiously?) </span><span style="font-family: times;"><span>advance contrary</span></span><span style="font-family: times;"><span> </span></span><span style="font-family: times;"><span>views to our children on topics like: </span></span><span style="font-family: times;"><span>identity,
</span></span><span style="font-family: times;"><span>life,
</span></span><span style="font-family: times;"><span>purpose,
gender, sex, marriage, </span></span><span style="font-family: times;"><span>family, right and wrong, law enforcement,</span></span><span style="font-family: times;"><span> </span></span><span style="font-family: times;"><span>etc. I have friends and family who have tried to stem the tide of these contrary agendas in their local districts, and I do not doubt that their presence can be used by God if those <i>adults</i> can remain untainted, but when we consider the new social agenda being infused into the curriculum for children, how much tainted water in a well renders it risky to drink? </span></span></div><div><p></p><p align="left" class="western" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif"><span style="font-family: times;"></span></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif"><span style="font-family: times;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfFjJRxJ6wnlpx0rZhEJqopD0Hz_VUQO12hPJwkltpvMNql-yn9nO2r_6X4Oy_0BB6zGMHOaEti_Ol8aC5xELpS2FsLO-a1pU4mWWzDeIS4dkozqBWzPgktoBP4Fzy9AeGvB68HercozrGH5F8JhhvJHdx98Nk_jJtimNyMSTA6IfabDOo6L4ye0XTHw/s236/potters%20hands%202.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="236" data-original-width="236" height="201" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfFjJRxJ6wnlpx0rZhEJqopD0Hz_VUQO12hPJwkltpvMNql-yn9nO2r_6X4Oy_0BB6zGMHOaEti_Ol8aC5xELpS2FsLO-a1pU4mWWzDeIS4dkozqBWzPgktoBP4Fzy9AeGvB68HercozrGH5F8JhhvJHdx98Nk_jJtimNyMSTA6IfabDOo6L4ye0XTHw/w201-h201/potters%20hands%202.jpg" width="201" /></a></span></span></div><span style="font-family: times;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif"><span>We often speak of school days as the "formative years." of life, and it is true. Students are like clay in the potter's hands. </span></span><span face="Arial, sans-serif">Jeremiah 18:2-4 paints a beautiful picture of how God transforms "formative years" into a useful life. The K-12 years represent about 15,000 hours on a potter's wheel. Who's doing the forming? What is the intended outcome? </span><span face="Arial, sans-serif"><span> Imagine a partnership between the home and school that purposefully integrates learning with life, science with conscience, facts with faith, theory with wonder, and wonder with belief. </span></span></span><p></p><p align="left" class="western" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: times;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif"><span>Our nation is very divided on some very basic "facts of life." Never have so many been diametrically opposed to keeping God in his rightful place as <a href="http://hymnbook.igracemusic.com/hymns/o-worship-the-king" target="_blank">Maker</a>, Defender, Redeemer, and Friend. In times like these, we are pleased to see m</span></span><span face="Arial, sans-serif"><span>ore
and more </span></span><span face="Arial, sans-serif"><span>parents </span></span><span face="Arial, sans-serif"><span>choosing to </span></span><span face="Arial, sans-serif"><span>partner
</span></span><span face="Arial, sans-serif"><span>with
schools like CCS </span></span><span face="Arial, sans-serif"><span>that
share </span></span><span face="Arial, sans-serif"><span>their
</span></span><span face="Arial, sans-serif"><span>values
and</span></span><span face="Arial, sans-serif"><span>
</span></span><span face="Arial, sans-serif"><span>teach
from a </span></span><span face="Arial, sans-serif"><span>Biblical
worldview.</span></span></span></p></div></div>.Tom Kapankahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17431717152727352230noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6151939630752729248.post-33345063399498476552022-03-28T10:56:00.003-04:002022-03-29T15:40:16.390-04:00CCS Takes Top Two Trophies at 2022 Student Showcase!<b><i><a href="https://frauenthal.org/about/history/" target="_blank">Frauenthal Center For The Performing Arts</a></i></b> is one of our state's most historic theaters. Each year it hosts the “High School Student Showcase” for the sixteen high schools in Muskegon County (and a few more beyond). It takes two nights of performances to get all the talent on and off that beautiful stage. At the end of the second night they announce the winners, including the two most coveted awards. One is for First Place "group" and the other is what they call the “Showstopper.” <div><br /></div><div>CCS has won 1st place on other occasions, 2nd place a few times, but this was the first year we took home both top trophies. (Each year the Student Showcase Program also highlights non-performing categories such as art, athletics, and academics.) </div><div><div><br /></div><div>Here is another interesting fact about the CCS students who performed this year, and it has been true of nearly all students who have ever performed in Showcase through the decades: they are also athletes. Claire Swanson plays volleyball and Bradley Richards and Kendon Sutherland and Josiah Jackson play basketball and other sports. Josiah also runs his own piano-tuning business. </div><div><br /></div><div>CCS is often compared to "<a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Little_Engine_That_Could" target="_blank">The Little Engine That Could</a>" because we often overcome achieve big school results in spite of being <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RWhby_puiV0" target="_blank">one of the smaller</a> accredited K-12 programs in the state. When you are part of a high school that averages from 60 to 70 students, being well-rounded in many different outlets (including the three A: academics, arts, and athletics) is true of most of our students.<div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/5aa9mhZwgEo" width="320" youtube-src-id="5aa9mhZwgEo"></iframe></div><br /><p><br /></p></div></div></div>.Tom Kapankahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17431717152727352230noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6151939630752729248.post-48307318511661632392022-03-07T13:18:00.025-05:002022-03-28T09:18:35.155-04:00A Backward Glance at the Covid Years<p><span style="font-family: times;">Around 12:01 AM, Sunday, March 13, 2020, we will change our clocks to "spring ahead" for daylight-savings time. As we look forward to spring, that day may be a good time to take a backward glance at the past two years...</span></p><p><span style="font-family: times;">March 13, is the two-year anniversary of the day we called a special assembly to inform the CCS students that all schools in the state were being ordered to close down for two weeks "to flatten the curve." The term was so new that we showed a video in the chapel to explain the theory behind it. <span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal;"><span style="color: #414042;">We
will not complain here that the two weeks gradually morphed into two years. Nor will we rehash what the months </span></span><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal;"><span style="color: #414042;">of
isolation and/or protocols were like. We will pause to remember the loved ones we lost
during these two years, and then we'll thank God we're together again and those two years are</span></span><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal;"><span style="color: #414042;"> behind us.</span></span><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal;"><span style="color: #414042;"> </span></span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: times;">The following timeline of video links is primarily for the sake of the 50 families who have come to CCS since the year the pandemic nearly closed down our school for good. Had our steadfast families not banded together "come what may" during those trying months...had we not stayed true to our tuition commitments...had we we not encouraged each other during those dark months... it is very likely that there would have been no CCS for us to return to in the fall of 2020. </span><span style="color: #414042; font-family: times;">God is good!</span></p><p><span style="color: #414042; font-family: times;">So here is our "Thank you" to the families who were here that 2019-2020 school year; here is our "Glad you joined us" to the 50+ families who have joined the CCS family since that year, and here is a </span><span style="color: #414042; font-family: times;"> </span><span style="color: #414042; font-family: times;">"Welcome to Calvary" for the dozens of new families planning to join us in the fall.</span><span style="color: #414042; font-family: times;"> Please join me in this backward glance lest we forget...</span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #414042; font-family: times;">1. I made this short video and sent it to our school family to provide a sense of "calm" on the very sad occasion of walking into an empty school on the Monday after the closure. The stones in the box had been written on by our high school at Retreat to mark the that year's theme: "Never Alone."</span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/fzdtzd_WQ6U" width="320" youtube-src-id="fzdtzd_WQ6U"></iframe></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">2. Below is the first "video update" we sent to our homes during the closure. We had been in distant-learning mode for one week, and the state state had just announced that none of the classwork we had already begun with our high school would count toward graduation requirements. I wanted to make it clear that the news did not apply to Calvary Christian Schools.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/SI0LhkeUgnU" width="320" youtube-src-id="SI0LhkeUgnU"></iframe></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">3. Eagle's Nest Preschool is an important part of our CCS program. Roughly half of each year's graduating class has been at Calvary since preschool. When schools shut down, figuring out a way to keep the preschool viable was very difficult, but Mrs. K and I began "filming" a little TV show in our basement called "Mrs. K's Cozy Little Cabin," and she kept teaching the regular lessons three times a week. Viewers from well beyond CCS began watching faithfully. I attempted to keep parents engaged by adding little "jokes" that the children could not read. <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/q9iswIPe2_c" width="320" youtube-src-id="q9iswIPe2_c"></iframe></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">4. The next video update was to soften the blow of the news that we were all expecting to hear that week: schools would remain closed indefinitely. I came to the empty building to make this video. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/5DI2yGIGtbk" width="320" youtube-src-id="5DI2yGIGtbk"></iframe></div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">5. All of Mrs. Kapanka's "<span style="color: #2b00fe;"><b><u><a href="https://mrskcozycabin.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Cozy Little Cabin</a></u></b></span>" shows can be seen <span style="color: #2b00fe;"><b><u><a href="https://mrskcozycabin.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">at this website.</a></u></b></span> but I wanted to include this one here in which she discreetly teaches 4-year-olds about the letter Q and transitions from Quilt to QUARANTINE, a concept all of us were still struggling with at the time. In hindsight, it would be easy to forget the caution we were all exercising in those first weeks of the shutdown, and Mrs. K thought it was important to include a word that would typically not be introduced to this age group.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">.<iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/k9iERDcW9iY" width="320" youtube-src-id="k9iERDcW9iY"></iframe></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">6. As some folks know from the archives of this "To Begin With" blog, I have dabbled in poetry NOW AND THEN. By April of the closure, cabin fever was beginning to set in. This was not only from the hours we spent in the basement "filming" the preschool show but ALSO from the lost rhythm of days, weekends, Sundays, etc. The evening news was beginning to concerns about mental health and the growing sense that nothing really mattered anymore. What an unthinkable situation for students. These words came to me on April 1, and I wanted to share them with students to remind them that EVERY DAY COUNTS....</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/bnn7UbVRYDI" width="320" youtube-src-id="bnn7UbVRYDI"></iframe></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">7. Before I moved from the classroom to "administration," I used to teach college and high school speech and literature. Back around 1978, I became familiar with the three pieces of literature that I allude to in this "video chat" from my back yard. It was when the reality that we were unlikely to be returning to school began making people wonder what things would look like on the other side of the pandemic. <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/SKs5tIvNwJ4" width="320" youtube-src-id="SKs5tIvNwJ4"></iframe></div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">8. There were many other videos shared in April and May, but we'll close with this one in which I was trying my best to say that someday this will all seem strange. (I did not know at the time that it would be a two year ordeal.).</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/uV6Q9Se5RqA" width="320" youtube-src-id="uV6Q9Se5RqA"></iframe></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I have posted these video clips (and those at the underlined links below) for the sake of the more than 50 families who are new to CCS since that spring semester (March-May) of 2020 when most of us were living somewhere between <b><u><span style="color: #cc0000;"><a href="https://youtu.be/wvSVCi_tI3A" target="_blank">inexplicable caution</a></span></u></b> and growing frustration. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">As things turned out, we had <b><u><span style="color: #cc0000;"><a href="https://youtu.be/wpP13bLPTdA" target="_blank">a parade on the last day</a></span></u></b> of school and were the first high school in the state of Michigan to have our Commencement Ceremony on the original day it was schedule (albeit outdoors). It was in <b><u><span style="color: #990000;"><a href="https://www.mlive.com/galleries/AZXGH3T2TRAVRJLF6C4F4DMHNA/" target="_blank">all the news sources</a></span></u></b>. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">The next school year we were back in the building, and even though things were not quite normal, it was wonderful compared to the previous spring. Four new "<b><u><span style="color: #cc0000;"><a href="https://youtu.be/ndpi688hwmA" target="_blank">outdoor education pavilions</a></span></u></b>," made the state-mandated protocols much easier to bear. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/XBZV0jX--_4" width="320" youtube-src-id="XBZV0jX--_4"></iframe></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Even so, the 2020-2021 school year was a difficult in many ways, which prompted a much needed "day away" at the <b><u><span style="color: #cc0000;"><a href="https://youtu.be/a99JRd7RLxU" target="_blank">Muskegon Winter Sports Complex</a></span></u></b>. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">By the time 2022 came, we were still reeling from the previous 3 semesters, but in taking this <b><u><span style="color: #cc0000;"><a href="https://2beginwith.blogspot.com/2020/" target="_blank">backward glance</a></span></u></b> at the Covid-19 ordeal and protocols that now seem to be behind us, you might be thinking, "My goodness! You guys sure went through a lot just to keep school open and appealing to families." To which I and the teachers would say, "Yep... we sure did. It wasn't easy, but it was worth it!" </div></div></div><p></p>.Tom Kapankahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17431717152727352230noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6151939630752729248.post-37901484297252327012021-11-24T21:54:00.008-05:002021-11-26T22:10:22.146-05:00Thanksgiving Thoughts 2021 from Mr. K<strong><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">At Grace</span></strong><br />
<br />
Sometimes…<br />
it’s the little things<br />
like putting in the extra leaf<br />
and keeping window watch;<br />
then taking covered dishes at the door;<br />
and hugging through coats<br />
that bring in winter’s air.<br />
Staring fondly at the face<br />
come furthest home;<br />
laughing with the funny uncle<br />
in the kitchen;<br />
holding hands once large and small—<br />
but ever more alike—<br />
around the laden table;<br />
and smiling at the changeless gaze <a href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/1161/614/1600/rockwell%20thanksgiving.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" height="274" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/1161/614/320/rockwell%20thanksgiving.jpg" style="cursor: hand; float: right; margin: 0px 0px 10px 10px;" width="203" /></a><br />
(framed on the far mantle)<br />
of one not there to pray.<br />
It’s the little things<br />
that make Thanksgiving.<br />
The tastes and smells<br />
and long-awaited feast<br />
at best are just<br />
the garnish of the day.<br />
It’s the <em>enormity</em><br />
of little things<br />
<em>providentially</em> in place<br />
that lumps our throats<br />
and lifts our thoughts<br />
…at grace.<div><span style="background-color: white; color: #999999; font-family: arial; font-size: xx-small;"><span><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">©</span> </span><span> 2006 Tom Kapanka </span></span><br />
<br /><span face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif">I wrote these lines fifteen years ago in a time when my family and extended family used to gather for all-day Thanksgiving feasts with 20 to 30 under one roof. Those were good times, but even as I wrote these words in 2006, they were beginning to fade. The "families tree" grows, and the branches reach further and further making such gatherings more rare and more precious. Then came Covid which shook us all to our very roots.</span></div><div><br /></div><div>Last year I put together this video to help cheer up the CCS family (nine months into the pandemic). Who would have guessed that 12 months later this holiday would still be clouded by that virus. It's quite possible that your celebration today, like ours, has fewer people around the table for one reason or another. Even so, let's lift our hearts and "Thank God for This Thanksgiving Day!"</div><div><div><p>.<iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/aWm5eaUjgC4" width="320" youtube-src-id="aWm5eaUjgC4"></iframe></p><span face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif">Lord, we thank you for Calvary Christian Schools. We thank you for meeting our needs through the years and for the hope of continued blessing for years to come. We thank you for the more than 120 homes in our school family, and for the many new families who joined us this fall. </span><br /><span face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif">Praise God from Whom All Blessing Flow!</span></div></div>.Tom Kapankahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17431717152727352230noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6151939630752729248.post-11728547165293496372021-05-19T10:18:00.003-04:002022-03-06T06:33:19.417-05:00Three GenerationsIt takes two generations <div> to bring along the third… </div><div>for the echo of Truth is sometimes heard </div><div>more clearly than the words first spoken. </div><div>A cord of three strands is less likely broken </div><div>than one or two, and equally true and strong </div><div>is a chord of voices intent on passing along </div><div>what matters most from age to age. </div><div>The oldest voice gently leads </div><div>and helps confirm that the Page </div><div>from which the middle voice reads </div><div><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5063351848621437618" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0_M819OI5eh207v2_cJQQYLDeUWA6FNTx5IJCPSEete6RLetOsCvzh5k1StOvmx_L0eAG8ToEo3pKKbsoNi9U_2aP2DIX0grv8aDVlJUM6rgBcMeuZDYSg9RsHGpx0zJr9a5_GMHbh08/s320/3+hands+1.png" style="cursor: hand; float: right; margin: 0px 0px 10px 10px;" />or shares each day is worth the ink </div><div>and worthy indeed to make us think </div><div>beyond our lifetime. </div><div>Some say "it takes a village," </div><div>but more often than is heard, </div><div>it takes two generations </div><div>to bring along the third. </div><div><span style="color: #f6b26b;">© </span><span style="color: #f6b26b; font-family: arial; font-size: xx-small;">2007 / 2021 Tom Kapanka
</span><div><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><o:p></o:p></p><div class="separator"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0_M819OI5eh207v2_cJQQYLDeUWA6FNTx5IJCPSEete6RLetOsCvzh5k1StOvmx_L0eAG8ToEo3pKKbsoNi9U_2aP2DIX0grv8aDVlJUM6rgBcMeuZDYSg9RsHGpx0zJr9a5_GMHbh08/s1600-h/3+hands+1.png" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><br /></a></div><div class="separator"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPngJhlVVP3crpSb_23eLj6R5X4NJFlJ4HauQBoQ2EI66YnT0U9Be2Zb2xYbzfcmqdeAIcKqQy2LYb-xmHK5D55xKKF_iM1GpZYuY54w3tuEZmqAROlBQFuQg56z4qRIFISP1mD_Gd200/s1600-h/Bible+page+sepia.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" height="152" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5063355074141876946" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPngJhlVVP3crpSb_23eLj6R5X4NJFlJ4HauQBoQ2EI66YnT0U9Be2Zb2xYbzfcmqdeAIcKqQy2LYb-xmHK5D55xKKF_iM1GpZYuY54w3tuEZmqAROlBQFuQg56z4qRIFISP1mD_Gd200/w200-h152/Bible+page+sepia.jpg" style="cursor: hand; float: right; height: 138px; margin: 0px 0px 10px 10px; width: 181px;" width="200" /></a></div><p></p></div><div><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="color: #663300; font-family: Arial; font-size: 12.48px;">Originally written for CCS Grandparent's Day 2007 with these remarks from 14 years ago.</span></p></div><div><span style="color: #663300; font-family: Arial;"><span style="font-size: 12.48px;"><br /></span></span>Today was Grandparents Day at the school I oversee. It's a wonderful tradition each spring. We had over 300 guests registered to attend. They're not all "related" grandparents--some are close friends who fill the role for the day. These guests visited classes, had a "picnic" style lunch in the gymnasium and on the grounds, then watched the Elementary grades perform "Pinocchio." We began the day with a general assembly where I'm usually on the agenda for about ten minutes of "opening remarks."<br /><br />Last night, I knew what I was going to say, but I woke up at 4:12 AM, scribbled down the lines above, and went back to bed. When I got up at 6:15, I read them again. To my surprise they still made sense when read with conversational meter. So this morning we printed the lines on narrow bookmarks to give to our grandparents and guests. As I was speaking about our school's mission, heads nodded with supportive understanding, etc.<br /><br />I talked about a picture of a three-arched bridge that hangs in office and how those three strong arches symbolized the gist of the poem. But just as it came time to read these lines, I saw a man and wife sitting on the aisle who have gone through a life-changing trial as they've carried out this third- generational role for their grandchildren. While horseback riding with a granddaughter, my friend was thrown from his mount, breaking the same <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vertebrae" title="Vertebrae">vertebrae</a> as <a href="http://www.chrisreevehomepage.com/biography.html">Christopher Reeve</a>, resulting in the same paralysis and wheelchair. It’s been well over a year, but this grandfather has a marvelous testimony and the same smile I saw the day we met seven years ago.<br /><br />I got a lump in my throat, but I don't think anyone noticed. I decided to pass out the bookmarks without my reading the poem... as if that was my plan all along. Maybe I could have read it; maybe not. It's not that the lines themselves are that "emotional," but in that moment they were too fresh in my mind to know if I could read them without getting misty-eyed. That's pathetic, I know, but it's hard enough to see through the bottom of my <a href="http://consumers.varilux.com/solution/index.cfm"><em>Varilux</em> lenses</a> when my eyes are clear. So why risk it? The older I get the more often I have such moments.<br /><br />It was a great day. We have a choir and band concert tonight followed by what promises to be a sunny weekend.<br /><br /><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="font-size: 85%;"><strong>Sunday evening follow-up:</strong> Having read some of the comments and after visiting with some of the grandparents (who commented about the bookmark at school), I want to say that just as Mother's Day does not evoke the same memories and emotions for all people, thoughts about grandparents or being a grandparent vary for family to family. The lines themselves make no mention of "grandparents" per se, but rather of generations. It's possible that you may represent the first "strand" in the kind of cord we're talking about. The thing we dare not forget is that current "young people" have much to gain from those older than their parents in their lives. It's possible that you may extend or accept such a relationship beyond your "family tree."</span></span><br /><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="font-size: 85%;"></span></span><br /><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="font-size: 85%;">By the way, I've joked in the past about being a poor speller. On over 300 bookmarks, I spelled the word <em>cord</em> "chord," While I was embarrassed by the mistake, until that moment I never made the connection between a "<a href="http://www.m-w.com/dictionary/chord">chord</a>" of three notes and the three strands twisted in standard "<a href="http://www.m-w.com/dictionary/cord">cord</a>" or rope. I later revised the lines to make use of this mistake. =)</span></span><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="font-size: 13.6px;"><br /></span></span></div><div><br /></div><div><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgib9r08evPrWuuosW6FHSwwAc-2tHly89vc8KuGdaNPYoZ9NtmvEJs1LGaDFzHMy76oCrzDHH8rYYgxN5jhyphenhyphenxV4fyUHqgQHlTtAFEw_mWeI3Ry4ABQBdp8AmFz-v3UswhppRVmRlwo0mw/s1600-h/3+generations+6.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img alt="" border="0" height="147" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5063350860778959506" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgib9r08evPrWuuosW6FHSwwAc-2tHly89vc8KuGdaNPYoZ9NtmvEJs1LGaDFzHMy76oCrzDHH8rYYgxN5jhyphenhyphenxV4fyUHqgQHlTtAFEw_mWeI3Ry4ABQBdp8AmFz-v3UswhppRVmRlwo0mw/w350-h147/3+generations+6.jpg" style="cursor: hand; float: left; height: 180px; margin: 0px 10px 10px 0px; width: 429px;" width="350" /></a></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="color: #e69138;"><span style="font-size: 8pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="color: #e69138;"><span style="font-size: 8pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="color: #e69138;"><span style="font-size: 8pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></span></p><span style="color: #ffcc66;">.</span></div></div></div>.Tom Kapankahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17431717152727352230noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6151939630752729248.post-25488321183626169202021-04-01T14:12:00.018-04:002021-04-02T08:57:42.068-04:00"Rounded:" A Note to CCS Teachers and Staff<p><i><span style="color: #073763; font-family: verdana; font-size: xx-small;"> "W<span face=""Calibri",sans-serif" style="line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">henever
you’re feeling worn out, remember that’s how broken things get smooth." TK</span></span></i></p><p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyNswE78GCT-lsfqmmdXQ2HahobjMhh11ipJ9lHz6YBAFsRl3uXUn2VU4qpWaIeBe8uDO5TTIzP6i9y73AhhzYsrMaOH-aRdU_Ci5Cujz5XoP13hQGYrltyBjTUFOc8V_ZFq71Sh8Rkdd5/s338/rounded+rocks+and+boulders.jpg" style="clear: left; display: inline; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="225" data-original-width="338" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyNswE78GCT-lsfqmmdXQ2HahobjMhh11ipJ9lHz6YBAFsRl3uXUn2VU4qpWaIeBe8uDO5TTIzP6i9y73AhhzYsrMaOH-aRdU_Ci5Cujz5XoP13hQGYrltyBjTUFOc8V_ZFq71Sh8Rkdd5/w400-h266/rounded+rocks+and+boulders.jpg" width="400" /></a></p><p><span face=""Arial",sans-serif"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">Rounded</span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span face=""Arial",sans-serif">It's only the God who knows
all time<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span face=""Arial",sans-serif">(and not the man who, at
best,<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span face=""Arial",sans-serif">may catch a glimpse of grandeur)<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span face=""Arial",sans-serif">who truly understands the rhyme<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span face=""Arial",sans-serif">and reason of things at rest<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span face=""Arial",sans-serif">against the rhythm and allure<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span face=""Arial",sans-serif">of things in motion.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span face=""Arial",sans-serif">Like rounded boulders<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span face=""Arial",sans-serif">broken in some distant age<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span face=""Arial",sans-serif">from cliffs along the ocean<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span face=""Arial",sans-serif">by a </span><span face=""Arial",sans-serif">m</span>erciful shrug of God's shoulders,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span face=""Arial",sans-serif">we, too, will weather the
rage<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span face=""Arial",sans-serif">of wind and waves against
the stone…<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span face=""Arial",sans-serif">we, too, of flesh and bone. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="color: #e69138;"><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">©</span><span face=""Arial",sans-serif"> </span><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="font-size: 8pt; line-height: 115%;">Tom Kapanka 4-1-2021</span></span></p><p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: #783f04;">Dear CCS Faculty and Staff, </span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: #783f04;">Rounded stones in nature always fascinate me. We’re told by geologists that smooth boulders and rocks are rounded by wind
and waves and the constant rhythm of time that gradually wears them down.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: #783f04;">The beaches of West Michigan are nearly 100% sand and rocks are scarce, but I
grew up on the beaches of Port Huron, and they are stony. I’m not sure why, but
the good news is the stones are all rounded so you can walk on them down to the waves for a swim. (Though for some, the walking looks painfully awkward until they are waist deep or find the comfort of a sandbar).<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGvKNSDEZVcBh42M3xeUd1CDEMdc9ljWRbhOoi-pSEeTeM2UTg_GmAR3JOEgTPoYoWlVHII1RmI5RaUaiUkAEeG7XjOeJV2QXchtzwKWFyF8A1-jJ9GR1KBnP5XBByBj7JFwgTqDGujR1J/s887/round+rocks+stacking.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: #783f04;"><img border="0" data-original-height="665" data-original-width="887" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGvKNSDEZVcBh42M3xeUd1CDEMdc9ljWRbhOoi-pSEeTeM2UTg_GmAR3JOEgTPoYoWlVHII1RmI5RaUaiUkAEeG7XjOeJV2QXchtzwKWFyF8A1-jJ9GR1KBnP5XBByBj7JFwgTqDGujR1J/w200-h150/round+rocks+stacking.jpg" width="200" /></span></a></div><span style="color: #783f04;">We see the same stony beaches on Mackinac Island where it has become a tradition for tourists to make little
rounded rock towers between the beach and the bike trail. Some of these little monuments (<a href="https://www.apologeticspress.org/APContent.aspx?category=22&article=909" target="_blank">"Ebenezers"</a> if you will) stand for several weeks, but mostly they rise and fall in a cycle of renewed remembrance by many
helping hands. <o:p></o:p></span><p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: #783f04;">I feel like the team at CCS is sort of like rounded rocks.
We all know that we are small representations of “The Rock” of our salvation,
but our vertical relationship with God and His Son (the Cornerstone) does not
mean life will be easy, and in fact, scripture says that the same trials (metaphorically: wind,
waves, etc.) come to the just and the unjust. As believers, however,
we understand that God intends for the trials of this life to purify us and
strengthen us—or to stick with this metaphor—to make us well-rounded for his
use. So… whenever you’re feeling worn out, remember that’s how broken things
become smooth. </span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: #783f04;">CCS is blessed by a team of more than 40 well-rounded faculty and
staff, and by that I mean, you all have so much different life experiences and
gifts that make CCS a better place for students to get a rock-solid foundation
of life. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: #783f04;">A donor called me two nights ago and said, “I’m thinking the
teachers and staff at Calvary are feeling pretty worn out about now. This has
been a tough year hasn’t it?” I assured him that it has been, and in fact, it
has been a tough couple of weeks, but God is good and Spring Break is almost here. “That’s why
I called,” he said, and through my cell phone I could picture his smile as he
spoke and explained his desire to give all of you something to prompt taking a break at a quiet
local place over Spring Break and sip a hot beverage and savor some
delicious food. “I’ll leave the note to you,” he said. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: #783f04;">Enjoy as we celebrate the Sunday when the stone was rolled away!<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
</p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: #783f04;">Tom Kapanka</span></p><p class="MsoNormal">______________________</p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 18.4px; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: trebuchet;">The last two weeks before Spring Break have been exceptionally difficult as Covid-19 numbers in our state and county have seen an uptick. Our school protocols have been well-documented at this blog, and yet even here at Calvary, over half of the grade-levels in our K-12 program have gone to "virtual" mode due to a few positive tests among students and staff. All of the work involved in taking calls, tracing and updating parents, staff, the board, and the County Health Department is draining. </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 18.4px; margin-bottom: 0in;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEim_yowFUo69Jpep4FVoHVy7F2Z8ns5URQI3U_1VFz1yqkIwnJWQc4yFnfBGIak8rSNiOke6wBrcLHN3YVXYuRpqOi3bIsFcBpvwXUiLZe0Kb7u4H9wqAmk_CIUvye4CCdEPjVlcXBq11_q/s1200/brady-bunch-syndrome.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="915" data-original-width="1200" height="153" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEim_yowFUo69Jpep4FVoHVy7F2Z8ns5URQI3U_1VFz1yqkIwnJWQc4yFnfBGIak8rSNiOke6wBrcLHN3YVXYuRpqOi3bIsFcBpvwXUiLZe0Kb7u4H9wqAmk_CIUvye4CCdEPjVlcXBq11_q/w200-h153/brady-bunch-syndrome.jpg" width="200" /></a></div><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: trebuchet;">Most teachers would much rather be in the classroom with their students than in slipping into BBS on Zoom. (BBS is a term I just made up: "Brady Bunch Syndrome." It's that feeling you get when your face is in a box with many other faces in boxes on a screen.) At any rate, we're all feeling pretty worn out and the image of this sonnet came to mind at my desk this morning as I wrote the note above to our Faculty and Staff in a Thank You card which also contained a gift certificate to Grand Traverse Pie Company.</span></p>.Tom Kapankahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17431717152727352230noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6151939630752729248.post-36291411630792900322021-03-26T12:47:00.003-04:002021-03-26T13:00:52.331-04:00Focusing on "A Front Porch Frame of Mind" During Re-Enrollment Time 2021There was a time when more folks <div> had a “front porch” frame of mind, </div><div>and they’d sit out hot nights sippin’ tea— </div><div>makin’ most of a melon rind. </div><div>They knew the beckon of a breeze </div><div>that made ‘em lean back with a sigh </div><div>and say, “Maybe five more minutes…” </div><div>to some silhouettes passing by. </div><div>“Just out for a walk,” a voice responds, </div><div>“Till the house cools down a bit.” </div><div>And by and by, more friends were there </div><div>than there were places to sit. </div><div>It was natural as a cricket’s chirp </div><div>or the smell of a new-mowed lawn </div><div>to gather there like window moths </div><div>(when an inside lamp’s left on). </div><div>Just neighbors visiting neighbors </div><div>in the kindness of the night… </div><div>where differences are dimly lit </div><div>and love needs little light.<br /><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="color: #f9cb9c; font-size: xx-small;"><a name="m1" style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: medium;"><span style="color: #f9cb9c; font-family: arial; font-size: x-small;">© </span><span style="color: #f9cb9c; font-family: arial; font-size: xx-small;">Copyright 1995, </span></a>Tom Kapanka, June 28, 1995, </span></span><a name="m1"><span style="color: #f9cb9c; font-family: arial; font-size: xx-small;">Patterns of Ink</span></a><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxQ4P1E4P1xNbZfrQFOJfZcqSlGo0vq_LIHSi4lKjtxYhtSfryXVFNHYNp9qL2U-Ux41MZSYTh4J2b4Sc_6b49v9HP08VO5yMGQVzlfUSCMdTZY-2CmrEA2BF4Yh7p7IQpAtiMUMUnhx4U/s1600-h/1940+front+porch+Forest+and+Riverview.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5151694251663294754" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxQ4P1E4P1xNbZfrQFOJfZcqSlGo0vq_LIHSi4lKjtxYhtSfryXVFNHYNp9qL2U-Ux41MZSYTh4J2b4Sc_6b49v9HP08VO5yMGQVzlfUSCMdTZY-2CmrEA2BF4Yh7p7IQpAtiMUMUnhx4U/s320/1940+front+porch+Forest%2Band%2BRiverview.jpg" style="cursor: hand; float: left; margin: 0px 10px 10px 0px;" /></a><a href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/1161/614/1600/front%20porch%206.0.jpg"></a>It's re-enrollment time at Calvary, and we have been walking several prospective families around our building each week (up until this unusual week). Due to lingering pandemic protocols that limit mixing of cohorts and the number of guests in our building at one time, Open House and "Friends Day" is quite different than years past. </div><div><br /></div><div><b>This year's re-enrollment response has been fantastic. Most of our current families have returned their forms, etc. In light of our recent transition to virtual in grades 6-12 from now through Spring Break, we are extending the incentive deadline through next week. If you cannot make it to the building in person, please send Chris Stewart a note of confirmation at stewart@calvaryeagles.org. Then just bring in the forms as soon as possible the week after Spring Break.</b></div><div><br /></div><div>Please read on as our goal this spring if for our whole school family to adopt a "a front porch frame of mind" as we welcome new families to our building this spring. Some families have already returned "Family Referral Forms" filled out for both them and the family they have invited to CCS. </div><div><br /></div><div>I wrote the poem above twenty-six years ago. My mom liked it so much that it hung framed by her front door for years. (Even as an adult that meant a lot to me.) She said it reminded her of summer nights on her front porch as a kid in Port Huron, MI. That's my mom's front p<a href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/1161/614/1600/front%20porch%206.jpg"></a>orch in the picture (circa 1939, when the house was only 20 years old). To me, it was Grandma's front porch--nothing fancy but big enough for a glider and a few chairs.</div><div><br />That house still stands on the corner of <a href="https://www.google.com/maps/place/Riverview+St+%26+Forest+St,+Port+Huron,+MI+48060/@43.0043274,-82.4268888,3a,75y,127.35h,88.4t/data=!3m7!1e1!3m5!1s4ACLcN4lY6ntp9dgkbSqzA!2e0!6shttps:%2F%2Fstreetviewpixels-pa.googleapis.com%2Fv1%2Fthumbnail%3Fpanoid%3D4ACLcN4lY6ntp9dgkbSqzA%26cb_client%3Dsearch.gws-prod.gps%26w%3D86%26h%3D86%26yaw%3D175.1775%26pitch%3D0%26thumbfov%3D100!7i16384!8i8192!4m5!3m4!1s0x88259b7e86c17b35:0x9357dba6ad31558b!8m2!3d43.0043389!4d-82.4269319" target="_blank">Forest Street and Riverview</a> (a few blocks from the Blue Water Bridge) The sidewalks in that neighborhood are only about six feet from the front porches. People passing by often stopped to talk. I remember sitting there <a href="http://patternsofink.blogspot.com/2007/01/kept.html" target="_blank">as a child</a> and listening to the grown-ups talk about old times. <br /><br /><a href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/1161/614/1600/front%20porch%20wroght%20iron.0.jpg"></a>Many years later, in 1985, when my wife and I purchased our first home, my parents came to share in the delight. The front porch was enclosed by a white wrought-iron railing and barely big enough for guests to stand aside as the front door opened. On the last night of their visit, Mom and I sat together on the top step, and when my dad and daughters came to join us, there was no room for them. "I wish this house had a bigger front porch like at Grandma's house," I sighed. </div><div><br /></div><div>Mom smiled and said, "You don't have to have a big front porch to have <em>a front porch frame of mind."</em> </div><div><br /></div><div>She had no idea that her words would tumble in my mind for years and end up in a poem. </div><div><br /><a href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/1161/614/1600/front%20porch%20black%20family.jpg"></a>Think about this with me. I've never <a href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/1161/614/1600/front%20porch%20big%20group.2.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/1161/614/320/front%20porch%20big%20group.2.jpg" style="cursor: hand; float: right; margin: 0px 0px 10px 10px;" /></a>read or heard anything on this topic,* but the features of houses (and neighborhoods) say a lot about human <a href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/1161/614/1600/front%20porch%20big%20group.0.jpg"></a>relationships. At the beginning of the 20th Century, front porches were a prominent part of most houses. I like porches. They say, “Our house is your house. Sit a while and visit.”<br /><br />In 1920, when my grandmother's house was built, cars were just coming on the scene, and they did not yet own one. By the Great Depression, those who could afford a car sometimes built a small shed in their back yard to keep it out of the weather. It was not until after WWII, as new homes multiplied that the garage was not an afterthought. By the end of
the century, cars had became part of the family, and the most prominent feature of a house was no longer a front porch but a huge garage door that open and closed automatically behind
the driver. The attached garage marked the beginning of the end of the "front porch frame of mind."</div><div><br /></div><div><a href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/1161/614/1600/front%20porch%20back%20patio.4.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" height="111" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/1161/614/320/front%20porch%20back%20patio.4.jpg" style="cursor: hand; float: left; margin: 0px 10px 10px 0px;" width="132" /></a>This was not just a design change in houses, it was literally a social change that came with the car as people walked less and stores, schools, and churches moved beyond walking distance. The attached garage meant neighbors could enter their confines without so much as a wave to others (depending on whether their mailbox is also attached to the house). </div><div><br /></div><div>As natural neighborly interaction declined, people became more selective with their social time and designed social space moved from the front porch to rear decks and patios (often behind privacy fences). There is nothing wrong with privacy. I'm merely pointing out the difference between back yard gatherings ..and the spontaneous welcome of a front porch near a sidewalk. </div><div><br />There is another modern convenience that ended "the front porch frame of mind:" <em>air conditioning</em>. My grandma’s house with a the porch had no air conditioning (AC) nor did my childhood home. In fact, I did not live in a house with AC until that one in 1985. I'm a fan of AC, but we must pause to consider the unintended consequences of that comfort and how it has changed the social behavior of neighborhoods. </div><div><br /></div><div>Before AC, hot nights drove people outdoors for walks or to their front porches to sit and hope for a breeze. There they were… outside...till all hours of the night with folks strolling by. It was unthinkable not to speak. Hard to stay strangers for long. All that happened on the front porch. Over time, and the cycles of the seasons, neighbors introduced kids (and grandkids). They all knew of graduations, weddings, and the passing of loved ones. In short, the neighborhood shared life face to face—no invitation needed—all because it was a hot night and no one had AC. Once AC came along, however, a part of us closed off from each other along with our closed doors and windows. Sadly, today's neighborhoods have replaced true conversations with a nod of the head from passing cars.</div><div><br /></div><div><a href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/1161/614/1600/front%20porch%207.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/1161/614/320/front%20porch%207.jpg" style="cursor: hand; float: left; margin: 0px 10px 10px 0px;" /></a>Think with me about front porches just a moment longer. Are you more of a back deck, privacy-fence kind of person? Or do you have a front porch frame of mind? It’s not a "right or wrong" answer. Most people are a blend of both, but knowing how you lean <em>socially</em> may help sweep off your “front porch,” figuratively speaking. How about your family? How about your church or “small group,” or the school or your choice? <br /><br /><a href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/1161/614/1600/front%20porch%208.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/1161/614/320/front%20porch%208.jpg" style="cursor: hand; float: left; margin: 0px 10px 10px 0px;" /></a>We've been giving walk-throughs of our school almost every day after school in recent weeks. These prospective observers to the school mention that there’s an inviting atmosphere even under the protocols of a pandemic. Imagine if they could see our school under normal conditions:</div><div><br /><a href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/1161/614/1600/front%20porch%203.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/1161/614/320/front%20porch%203.jpg" style="cursor: hand; float: right; margin: 0px 0px 10px 10px;" /></a></div><div>Typically, the front office counter is a hub of neighborly chatter; my office door is wide open whenever possible, and drop-ins are frequent; teachers are accessible; volunteers feel at home and at any given time there may be a dozen throughout the building; the front rotunda is often a gathering place for talking parents who lose track of the time. Oh, how I miss those days, and we look forward to their return. <br /><br />Even before Covid-19 protocols, CCS operated a "closed campus” for security reasons, but even so, the tone of our school is welcoming and inviting. People comment on this through the years. What’s our secret? How does this feel like a neighborhood in a 60 -acre woods? Why does the UPS man smile as he waits in line for a signature? Why do parents who no longer have kids in the school still stop by to purchase SCRIP? Why do alumni come back whenever they can? Why do teachers and therapists from the public sector enjoy their assignment to CCS (and often continue to serve here after retirement)? There are many reasons, but I think the main one is...</div><div><br /></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">CCS has always had <em><strong>a front porch frame of mind. </strong></em></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><em><strong>Let's let it show this spring!</strong></em></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><em><strong><br /></strong></em></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><em><strong>. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . </strong></em></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: 12.48px;">.</span><br /><span style="font-family: Arial;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: 13.6px;"><br /></span></span><a href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/1161/614/1600/front%20porch%209.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/1161/614/320/front%20porch%209.jpg" style="cursor: hand; float: right; margin: 0px 0px 10px 10px;" /></a></div><div><span style="font-family: Arial;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="font-size: medium;">*</span><span style="font-size: xx-small;">UPDATE: My mom first used that phrase in 1986, and I first wrote the poem and these thoughts (less the part about CCS) in the early 90's. I mention this because while re-writing this post recently, I thought about the fact that I had never heard or read anything on what I consider a significant topic. I'm pleased to say that if you do a Google search with the words "front porch / community" you may find at least three related articles that I had never read. This </span></span><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><a href="http://xroads.virginia.edu/~CLASS/AM483_97/projects/cook/first.htm"><span style="font-family: arial;">one</span></a><span style="font-family: arial;">,</span><span style="font-family: arial;"> provides the history, cultural significance, decline, and reappearance of American from porches--there's amazing agreement in our thoughts. (He tends to give more credit to the arrival of cars and television to the decline of the front porch. I still hold that AC is the biggest factor, because had cars and TV, but without AC, we spent evenings out on the porch and front lawn. This second </span><a href="http://www.extension.iastate.edu/communities/news/ComCon39.html"><span style="font-family: arial;">article </span></a><span style="font-family: arial;">is shorter, but strongly underscores this post. It begins with this quote from a Tracy Lawrence song: <em>"If the world had a front porch like we did back then, we'd still have our problems, but we'd all be friends."</em> Get this... the author describes "Neo-traditional" communities that are going back to front porches: "The streets are designed to encourage walking and socializing among the neighbors. ...The neo-traditional neighborhoods have sidewalks and trees lining the streets for pedestrians. Front yards are shallow so that neighbors converse easily between the sidewalks and the front porches....The porch is a symbol of community, offering an invitation with its front steps reaching out and meeting the sidewalk, drawing passers-by to the comfortable chair or swing. The porch encourages family and neighborly communication." </span><span><span style="font-family: arial;">So there you have it. These articles were written AFTER I wrote this poem and essay twenty years ago. I'm not the only one who believes a "A Front Porch Frame of Mind" can still work in the 21st Century.</span></span></span></span></div>.Tom Kapankahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17431717152727352230noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6151939630752729248.post-91317744828504542472021-02-05T00:01:00.005-05:002021-02-25T16:26:44.883-05:00Once Upon a Snow Day<span style="text-align: left;">Today is our second snow day of the year, and I hope you all enjoy the beauty of Michigan's Winter Wonderland.</span><div><div><span style="text-align: left;"><br /></span></div><div>It's because CCS has worked so hard to provide as "normal" a school year as possible that we have confidence in saying, "Enjoy the snow day!" Most of life/s most important lessons come without lesson plans. </div><div><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4XLDpJIZe5DmoM-rwd3hua5Mcw_hQM2DTkNbLf35htT5mynlKNIue1M97te0iTOFqaeYIUAMUBvPFSG8bR9-Jqi_-t9TuzX764r29UGDl9Gf_p8qpcv-owHF98fFZ3VoAXjK_XneiZM5r/s1280/Finding+Cozy+Cover.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1280" data-original-width="1023" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4XLDpJIZe5DmoM-rwd3hua5Mcw_hQM2DTkNbLf35htT5mynlKNIue1M97te0iTOFqaeYIUAMUBvPFSG8bR9-Jqi_-t9TuzX764r29UGDl9Gf_p8qpcv-owHF98fFZ3VoAXjK_XneiZM5r/s320/Finding+Cozy+Cover.jpg" /></a></div><div><b>But I do have two easy assignments for you and your family on this snowy weekend: </b></div><div>1.Enjoy some time outdoors <a href="https://www.blogger.com/blog/post/edit/6151939630752729248/9131774482850454247#" target="_blank">if safe</a>, then find a way to get cozy so you can do the second assignment...</div><div>2.<b><u><a href="http://patternsofink.blogspot.com/2020/12/finding-cozy.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: #cc0000;">Read this post</span></a></u></b> about a story that began on a snow day about thirty years ago. If I had not gone outside to play with my daughters on that snow day, the story "Finding Cozy" would never have been written. </div><div><br /></div><div>This past fall, my daughter Natalie (CCS Class of 2013) and son-in-law Colton Wilson (CCS Class of 2010) helped me illustrate and publish the book. It's available on <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Finding-Cozy-Thomas-Kapanka/dp/1736329502/ref=sr_1_1?dchild=1&keywords=%22finding+cozy%22+book+by+thomas+kapanka&qid=1609769797&sr=8-1" target="_blank"><b><span style="color: #cc0000;">Amazon</span></b></a> (about 3 days delivery) and at <a href="http://theindiebobspot.blogspot.com/2017/12/the-bookman-grand-haven-mi.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: #cc0000;"><b>The Bookman</b></span></a> in Grand Haven. More than 200 copies have been sold since the week before Christmas. </div><div><br /></div><div>March Reading Month is just a few weeks away, and our CCS librarian, Mrs. Anhalt, is organizing a book signing event (in accordance with our building Covid protocols) at CCS. (Details TBA) I will be donating half of the author's proceeds of pre-purshased books (or purchased at that event) to our CCS library fund. Pre-purchasing your book(s) will help ensure that yours is waiting for you at the event. If you already own a copy of "Finding Cozy," feel free to bring it to that event for signing, etc.</div><div><br /><div><span style="font-family: times;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Click on this link to read the </span><b style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="color: #cc0000;"><a href="http://patternsofink.blogspot.com/2020/12/finding-cozy.html" style="font-size: 12pt;" target="_blank">backstory of "Finding Cozy</a>."</span></b><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> It </span></span><span style="font-family: times; font-size: 12pt;">happened once upon a snow day.</span></div></div></div>.Tom Kapankahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17431717152727352230noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6151939630752729248.post-29695933169189303532021-01-31T16:18:00.009-05:002021-02-01T20:12:30.953-05:00 Winter Wonderland Weather: A Gift From God<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpps_QccwUVf9biqxeYcbUUHtRSbru1djIEMi8U1rAJNhK10ZLWPdHnEDVAHceFFW2QXV-HigHEm8vzZqFtSdNf8jm-c5YQUFVuEOP7UYzDvJANKNyQMaWOKfQggGpQftW6gvD0Os3h5KE/s500/water-winter+wonderland.gif" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="270" data-original-width="500" height="173" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpps_QccwUVf9biqxeYcbUUHtRSbru1djIEMi8U1rAJNhK10ZLWPdHnEDVAHceFFW2QXV-HigHEm8vzZqFtSdNf8jm-c5YQUFVuEOP7UYzDvJANKNyQMaWOKfQggGpQftW6gvD0Os3h5KE/w320-h173/water-winter+wonderland.gif" width="320" /></a></div><span style="font-family: times;">When I was nine, the <a href="https://www.michigan.gov/documents/Fun_facts_MI_lic_plt_trivia_166803_7.pdf" target="_blank"><span style="color: #cc0000;"><b>license plate</b></span></a> on our family car said: "<a href="http://www.waterwinterwonderland.com/about.aspx" target="_blank"><b><span style="color: #cc0000;">Water-Winter Wonderland</span></b></a>," and I was sure it had something to do with the <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Winter_Wonderland" target="_blank"><b><span style="color: #cc0000;">song we sang</span></b></a> at Christmas. My mom went along with it, but decades later I learned that the song was written some thirty years before the Michigan slogan was adopted. In fact, <a href="https://www.tricountyindependent.com/article/20101226/NEWS/312269993?template=printart" target="_blank"><span style="color: #cc0000;"><b>the lyricist</b></span></a> was describing the city park in his home town of Honesdale, Pennsylvania. Nonetheless, to me, that song and my state were inseparable throughout my childhood. I must admit that I had forgotten that feeling since the Covid thing hit. That is... I'd forgotten until this past Thursday.</span><div><span style="font-family: times;"><br /></span></div><div><div><span color="rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.87)" style="font-size: 15px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: times;">The week before this video was made was supposed to be Homecoming Week at school, a January tradition going back more than twenty years. Such events are part of <a href="https://patternsofink.blogspot.com/2018/12/the-rhythm.html" target="_blank"><b><span style="color: #cc0000;">the rhythms</span></b></a> of school like holidays and the change of seasons, and when they don't happen, an inexplicable void gets everybody out of step. It's not just the fun that is needed, it's the marker in time. You see, Homecoming brings "spirit days" (where the kids dress according to fun themes like super-hero day, etc.). Then there's the big pep rally, lib synch and poster contests, the big game, "Fifth Quarter" Pizza Party for alumnni afterwards, and then the banquet on Saturday. None of that happened, however, due to the shut-down of sports, social distancing, and no banquet facility being available. Then the teams learned that their basketball seasons were delayed another month. School spirit was noticeably low. I'm glad we were having school in person at the building, because we were able to see just how sullen the high schoolers were (since Homecoming Week affects them most). </span></span></div><div><span color="rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.87)" style="font-size: 15px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: times;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span color="rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.87)" style="font-family: times; font-size: 15px; white-space: pre-wrap;">What do you do when you know your students need some wind in their sails? Well, in anticipation of these <a href="https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/doldrums" target="_blank"><b><span style="color: #cc0000;">doldrums</span></b></a>, we made made arrangements for an afternoon at the Muskegon Winter Sports Complex just 20 minutes away. We originally had it booked for Friday, but changed it to Thursday so we could</span><span style="font-family: times;"><span style="font-size: 15px; white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: times; font-size: 15px; white-space: pre-wrap;">have the entire place mostly to ourselves. That was important to our Covid cohort protocols. It was fantastic! </span></div><div><span style="background-color: white; color: #201f1e; font-family: times; font-size: 15px;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="color: #201f1e; font-family: times; font-size: 15px;">I cannot describe what happened to two bus loads of kids saw this Winter Wonderland! They began being risk takers who laughed at their mistakes. They defined the word <i>PLAY. </i></span><span style="font-family: times; font-size: 15px; white-space: pre-wrap;">The three hours can be summed up in three words that applied everyone (including my wife and me). These three words brought hope in a time when we all need hope. I thought they might do the same for you:</span></div><div><span color="rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.87)" style="font-family: times; font-size: 15px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span color="rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.87)" style="font-family: times; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>"Being kids again!"</b></span></span></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/a99JRd7RLxU" width="320" youtube-src-id="a99JRd7RLxU"></iframe></div></div></div>.Tom Kapankahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17431717152727352230noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6151939630752729248.post-64254137145749811482021-01-20T12:55:00.022-05:002021-02-02T13:15:33.390-05:00Good News in Hard Times<p><span style="background-color: white; color: #990000; font-family: courier; font-size: x-small;">There is an encouraging brief video at the end of this post</span><span color="rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.87)" face="Roboto, Noto, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; font-size: 15px;">.</span></p><p><span color="rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.87)" face="Roboto, Noto, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; font-size: 15px;">Our "12 Days of Giving" was launched this past December to help bridge the GAP between our annual operational costs and regular income. The need was especially great due to the challenges of these difficult times (e.g. no Fall Fund-Raising Banquet). Our total fiscal year </span><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span color="rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.87)" face="Roboto, Noto, sans-serif" style="background-color: white;">(</span><span style="background-color: white;">July 1-June 30)</span></span><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 15px;"> "GAP" need is just over $200,000, but our stated goal for December (year-end) was an ambitious $120,000 ($10,000 for each day though giving continued to the end of the month). </span></p><p></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5ZOsfFvmngmvidqx6eSwWaSihCKWA5FZXH2iyNOSq1yB7YXoUDYjd-OXCistNZI6ag199d2AL15D19GV3ACB4nSJruNfz85EnKAuFnV3HzJmzcNxHLzNZR5CjscHfQP-llWQ8thV8fM1E/s1280/CCS+Legacy+Tree.jpg" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="1280" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5ZOsfFvmngmvidqx6eSwWaSihCKWA5FZXH2iyNOSq1yB7YXoUDYjd-OXCistNZI6ag199d2AL15D19GV3ACB4nSJruNfz85EnKAuFnV3HzJmzcNxHLzNZR5CjscHfQP-llWQ8thV8fM1E/s320/CCS+Legacy+Tree.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-small;">[click on images to enlarge]</span></td></tr></tbody></table><span color="rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.87)" face="Roboto, Noto, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; font-size: 15px;">After processing all of the year-end gifts, WE ARE THRILLED ANNOUNCE THAT <b><i>WE EXCEEDED THE $120,000 GOAL--</i></b>a new record by far! This essential help puts <span> the</span> budget of this educational ministry on firm ground as we continue to raise the remainder between now and June. </span><p></p><p><span color="rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.87)" face="Roboto, Noto, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; font-size: 15px;"><b>The response was so good that a third "Leaving a Legacy" tree has been ordered for the extra gifts and continued participation from our school family.</b> ($500=bronze, $2,500=silver, and $5,000=gold). The display above was installed in the State Flag Foyer last week.<br /></span></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhREGHoc1Bpc6Lptri6nwAMWH4ENvhpphOioa2fSbRnY8nR0SpSJYjwCgYbVHJMk63qk0GgsHMpqjGa-fyycuT2sZLu743sZ1J8hRUDfWd8CWFVlPv6oojqjuWl_HTQx7AJ9VLP5VCqEVyR/s1280/CCS+Legacy+Tree+sign.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="1280" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhREGHoc1Bpc6Lptri6nwAMWH4ENvhpphOioa2fSbRnY8nR0SpSJYjwCgYbVHJMk63qk0GgsHMpqjGa-fyycuT2sZLu743sZ1J8hRUDfWd8CWFVlPv6oojqjuWl_HTQx7AJ9VLP5VCqEVyR/w200-h150/CCS+Legacy+Tree+sign.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: xx-small;">[click on images to enlarge and read]</span></td></tr></tbody></table><p></p><p><span color="rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.87)" face="Roboto, Noto, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; font-size: 15px;">Speaking of donors, during the recent Covid-19 shutdown, a CCS donor gifted us with a steel flag engraved with "Pledge of Allegiance.". It arrived over Christmas Break and we hung it this week. Today, our First Grade, made it official. In times when we see others burning the symbol of this nation under God, it is encouraging to see tender hearts looking up to an indelible reminder of God's gift of LIBERTY. </span></p><p><span color="rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.87)" face="Roboto, Noto, sans-serif" style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: #990000; font-family: trebuchet;"><br /></span></span></p><p><span color="rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.87)" face="Roboto, Noto, sans-serif" style="background-color: white;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span color="rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.87)" face="Roboto, Noto, sans-serif" style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-size: 15px; text-align: left;">(Encouragement in 90 Seconds from CCS First Grade.) </span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span color="rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.87)" face="Roboto, Noto, sans-serif" style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-size: 15px; text-align: left;"><br /></span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span color="rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.87)" face="Roboto, Noto, sans-serif" style="background-color: white;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/cf1YaFthVuk" width="320" youtube-src-id="cf1YaFthVuk"></iframe></span></div><span color="rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.87)" face="Roboto, Noto, sans-serif" style="background-color: white;"><br /></span><p></p>.Tom Kapankahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17431717152727352230noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6151939630752729248.post-21195441269526707882021-01-07T13:02:00.024-05:002021-01-10T11:19:02.432-05:00In 2021: We're in God's Hands in All States<p> <span style="font-family: times;"><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal;"><span style="color: #201f1e;"><span><span>Dear
</span></span></span></span><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal;"><span style="color: #201f1e;"><span>CCS</span></span></span><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal;"><span style="color: #201f1e;"><span>
Family,</span></span></span></span></p>
<p align="left" class="western" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="color: #201f1e;"><span style="font-family: times;"></span></span></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCptzPletEE7ML74tyWwJGsOzymkDwrSPy77sE5aGLPkDzHFVntMknsTYXNNwQHfTSTvmoaNZc7RJVgNtobwBB85gzoX5nFjxdmW2lO9PUFPBvWkB_S27Agw3ZPsdknrJN16TRK4a0HatL/s1102/hope+in+the+Lord.jpg" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1102" data-original-width="735" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCptzPletEE7ML74tyWwJGsOzymkDwrSPy77sE5aGLPkDzHFVntMknsTYXNNwQHfTSTvmoaNZc7RJVgNtobwBB85gzoX5nFjxdmW2lO9PUFPBvWkB_S27Agw3ZPsdknrJN16TRK4a0HatL/s320/hope+in+the+Lord.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">[Click on Bible references in this post]</span></td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-family: times;">As
you remember, the year 2020 was the 40th Anniversary of Calvary
Christian Schools. The student </span><span style="font-family: times;">body printed “spirit shirts” that
spoke of “20-20 Vision,” we had a great banquet in the fall of
last school year, an unforgettable outdoor Commencement Ceremony for the Class of 2020 complete
with an impressive fireworks display. In many ways, it was a great
year, and we have so much for which to be thankful. For instance, our donors provided over $65,000 in essential Covid-reopen funds last August, and an additional $110,000 in needed year-end gifts came in December. Thank you, donors, for your generous support.</span><p></p>
<p align="left" class="western" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: times;"><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal;"><span style="color: #201f1e;"><span>Let’s
admit it, however… most of us were ready to stick a fork in </span></span></span><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal;"><span style="color: #201f1e;"><span>2020</span></span></span><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal;"><span style="color: #201f1e;"><span>
a week ago tonight. </span></span></span><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal;"><span style="color: #201f1e;"><span>Many
of my friends</span></span></span><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal;"><span style="color: #201f1e;"><span>
did</span></span></span><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal;"><span style="color: #201f1e;"><span>n’</span></span></span><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal;"><span style="color: #201f1e;"><span>t
even stay up to watch the ball drop </span></span></span><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal;"><span style="color: #201f1e;"><span>that
night</span></span></span><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal;"><span style="color: #201f1e;"><span>.
Who can blame them? </span></span></span><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal;"><span style="color: #201f1e;"><span>The
year 2020 </span></span></span><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal;"><span style="color: #201f1e;"><span>for
some was a time of sorrow and for others</span></span></span><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal;"><span style="color: #201f1e;"><span>
a parody of living. Those four digits became an adjective: If something was inexplicably senseless </span></span></span><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal;"><span style="color: #201f1e;"><span>or
defied all odds,</span></span></span><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal;"><span style="color: #201f1e;"><span>
people </span></span></span><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal;"><span style="color: #201f1e;"><span>said</span></span></span><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal;"><span style="color: #201f1e;"><span>:
“That’s so 2020!” </span></span></span></span></p><p align="left" class="western" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: times;"><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal;"><span style="color: #201f1e;"><span>Like many of you, I hoped</span></span></span><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal;"><span style="color: #201f1e;"><span>
2021 </span></span></span><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal;"><span style="color: #201f1e;"><span>would
somehow </span></span></span><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal;"><span style="color: #201f1e;"><span>change
</span></span></span><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal;"><span style="color: #201f1e;"><span>the
trajectory of </span></span></span><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal;"><span style="color: #201f1e;"><span>the
previous </span></span></span><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal;"><span style="color: #201f1e;"><span>year God brought us through </span></span></span><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal;"><span style="color: #201f1e;"><span>together</span></span></span><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal;"><span style="color: #201f1e;"><span><span>.</span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p align="left" class="western" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: times;"><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal;"><span style="color: #201f1e;"><span>The
unexpected turn of</span></span></span><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal;"><span style="color: #201f1e;"><span>
events </span></span></span><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal;"><span style="color: #201f1e;"><span>yesterday
afternoon, </span></span></span><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal;"><span style="color: #201f1e;"><span>January
6</span></span></span><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal;"><span style="color: #201f1e;"><sup><span>th</span></sup></span></span><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal;"><span style="color: #201f1e;"><span>,
</span></span></span><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal;"><span style="color: #201f1e;"><span>
in the Capital Building in</span></span></span><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal;"><span style="color: #201f1e;"><span>
Washington DC </span></span></span><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal;"><span style="color: #201f1e;"><span>was</span></span></span><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal;"><span style="color: #201f1e;"><span>
troubling </span></span></span><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal;"><span style="color: #201f1e;"><span>at
many level</span></span></span><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal;"><span style="color: #201f1e;"><span>s.
</span></span></span><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal;"><span style="color: #201f1e;"><span>T</span></span></span><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal;"><span style="color: #201f1e;"><span>hough
many facts remain to be learned, </span></span></span><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal;"><span style="color: #201f1e;"><span>the
difference between </span></span></span><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal;"><span style="color: #201f1e;"><span>the</span></span></span><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal;"><span style="color: #201f1e;"><span>
peaceful </span></span></span><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal;"><span style="color: #201f1e;"><span>assembling</span></span></span><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal;"><span style="color: #201f1e;"><span>
(in the morning) and what a smaller group </span></span></span><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal;"><span style="color: #201f1e;"><span>of
instigators </span></span></span><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal;"><span style="color: #201f1e;"><span>later
</span></span></span><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal;"><span style="color: #201f1e;"><span>did
inside the capital building is an important distinction. </span></span></span><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal;"><span style="color: #201f1e;"><span>I
know of no one who is not disheartened by the images </span></span></span><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal;"><span style="color: #201f1e;"><span>being</span></span></span><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal;"><span style="color: #201f1e;"><span>
flashed on TV and social media from yesterday's late afternoon events.</span></span></span><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal;"><span style="color: #201f1e;"><span> </span></span></span></span></p><p align="left" class="western" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: times;"><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal;"><span style="color: #201f1e;"><span>The
reality is t</span></span></span><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal;"><span style="color: #201f1e;"><span>his:
</span></span></span><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal;"><span style="color: #201f1e;"><span>we
live in a broken world and the </span></span></span><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal;"><span style="color: #201f1e;"><span>snippets
being looped by networks</span></span></span><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal;"><span style="color: #201f1e;"><span>
</span></span></span><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal;"><span style="color: #201f1e;"><span>are echoes of similar </span></span></span><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal;"><span style="color: #201f1e;"><span>events</span></span></span><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal;"><span style="color: #201f1e;"><span>
through the centuries </span></span></span><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal;"><span style="color: #201f1e;"><span>(and
other events this past </span></span></span><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal;"><span style="color: #201f1e;"><span>summer</span></span></span><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal;"><span style="color: #201f1e;"><span>).</span></span></span><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal;"><span style="color: #201f1e;"><span>
</span></span></span><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal;"><span style="color: #201f1e;"><span>What
was true in</span></span></span><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal;"><span style="color: #201f1e;"><span>
the </span></span></span><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal;"><span style="color: #201f1e;"><span>last
days</span></span></span><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal;"><span style="color: #201f1e;"><span>
of Christ </span></span></span><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal;"><span style="color: #201f1e;"><span>remains
true in the </span></span></span><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal;"><span style="color: #201f1e;"><span>last
days of man</span></span></span><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal;"><span style="color: #201f1e;"><span>:
when</span></span></span><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal;"><span style="color: #201f1e;"><span>ever</span></span></span><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal;"><span style="color: #201f1e;"><span>
human nature reaches a boiling point and is driven by fear rather
than faith, it is most in need of </span></span></span><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal;"><span style="color: #201f1e;"><span>our</span></span></span><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal;"><span style="color: #201f1e;"><span>
Savior’</span></span></span><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal;"><span style="color: #201f1e;"><span>s
words:</span></span></span><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal;"><span style="color: #201f1e;"><span>
“Father, forgive them for they know not what they do.”</span></span></span></span></p>
<p align="left" class="western" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: times;"><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal;"><span style="color: #201f1e;"><span>So
when people of faith are understandably anxious about </span></span></span><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal;"><span style="color: #201f1e;"><span>political
and social upheaval</span></span></span><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal;"><span style="color: #201f1e;"><span>,
they should take heart in the words of</span></span></span><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal;"><span style="color: #201f1e;"><span>
<a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Psalm+112%3A7&version=NIV" target="_blank">Psalm 112:7</a> </span></span></span><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal;"><span style="color: #201f1e;"><span>addressed</span></span></span><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal;"><span style="color: #201f1e;"><span>
to </span></span></span><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal;"><span style="color: #201f1e;"><span>believers:</span></span></span><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal;"><span style="color: #201f1e;"><span>
</span></span></span>“They will have no
fear of bad news; their hearts are steadfast, trusting in
the Lord.” <span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal;"><span style="color: #201f1e;"><span>The
</span></span></span><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal;"><span style="color: #201f1e;"><span>Psalmist
</span></span></span><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal;"><span style="color: #201f1e;"><span>doesn’t
deny that bad news is bad. </span></span></span><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal;"><span style="color: #201f1e;"><span>He
rather implies we can expect it </span></span></span><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal;"><span style="color: #201f1e;"><span>in
the midst of sin, evil and brokenness. </span></span></span><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal;"><span style="color: #201f1e;"><span>So
w</span></span></span><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal;"><span style="color: #201f1e;"><span>hether
the bad news is a troubling diagnosis, a lost job, the death of a
loved one, or bad behavior of people, </span></span></span><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal;"><span style="color: #201f1e;"><span>our
focus and hope cannot be in men</span></span></span><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal;"><span style="color: #201f1e;"><span>—“</span></span></span><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal;"><span style="color: #201f1e;"><span>Our
HOPE is </span></span></span><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal;"><span style="color: #201f1e;"><span>in
the Lord.”</span></span></span></span></p><p class="western" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: times;"><span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variant: normal;"><span><span><span style="letter-spacing: normal;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">Why
can we trust the Lord? He is good (<a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Psalm+106%3A1&version=ESV" target="_blank">Psalm 106:1</a>). He is our help
(<a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Psalm+115%3A9&version=ESV" target="_blank">Psalm 115:9</a>). He reigns (<a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Psalm+96%3A10&version=ESV" target="_blank">Psalm 96:10</a>). He is sovereign (<a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Psalm+135%3A6&version=ESV" target="_blank">Psalm135:6</a>). He is unchanging (<a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Hebrews+13%3A8&version=ESV" target="_blank">Hebrews 13:8</a>). He is near in the midst of
trouble (<a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Psalm+46%3A1&version=ESV" target="_blank">Psalm 46:1</a>). He cares for you (<a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=1+Peter+5%3A7&version=ESV" target="_blank">1 Peter 5:7</a>). He loves you
and His love never ends (<a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Romans+8%3A38-39&version=ESV" target="_blank">Romans 8:38-39</a>). Take a few moments to look
up these comforting verses. Think on them. Rest in them.</span></span></span></span></span></span><span><br />
<br />
</span><span style="font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variant: normal;"><span><span><span style="letter-spacing: normal;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">Simply
put, we can trust the Lord for He is supremely trustworthy, unlike
our circumstances, our health, our relationships, our politicians or
our finances.</span></span></span></span></span></span><span><br />
<br />
</span></span><span style="font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variant: normal;"><span><span><span style="letter-spacing: normal;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: #666666;">So,
what is God’s will for us today? While much more could be
written, <a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=1+Thessalonians+5%3A16-18&version=ESV" target="_blank">1 Thessalonians 5:16-18</a> certainly gives us a great place to
begin: “Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all
circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for
you.”</span><span style="color: #201f1e;"> We're in God's <a href="https://thecreativeblock.marketing/tagline-of-the-month-allstate-updates-its-slogan/" target="_blank">Hands</a> in </span><a href="Philippians 4:10-12" style="color: #201f1e;" target="_blank">all states</a><span style="color: #201f1e;">.</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></p><p class="western" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: times;"><span style="font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variant: normal;"><span style="color: #201f1e;"><span><span style="letter-spacing: normal;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">It
is a joy to be a part of the CCS Family.</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p align="left" class="western" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span><span style="font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variant: normal;"><span style="color: #201f1e;"><span><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span style="letter-spacing: normal;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-size: medium; font-weight: normal;">Tom
Kapanka</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></p><p align="left" class="western" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span><span style="font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variant: normal;"><span style="color: #201f1e;"><span><span><span style="letter-spacing: normal;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: courier; font-size: x-small; font-weight: normal;">Note: I would like to thank my dear friend <a href="https://harbourshores.church/#leadershipteam" target="_blank">Pastor Stephen Schultze</a> who shared the encouraging words and references at the end of this post in a letter this morning.</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></p>.Tom Kapankahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17431717152727352230noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6151939630752729248.post-83616583090496163852020-12-18T13:12:00.001-05:002021-02-02T13:13:54.289-05:00Have a Great Christmas Break!<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/aDWyoqVA9P4" width="320" youtube-src-id="aDWyoqVA9P4"></iframe></div><br /><p></p>.Tom Kapankahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17431717152727352230noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6151939630752729248.post-20682665358981855122020-12-17T10:54:00.004-05:002020-12-17T23:21:36.042-05:00 One Size Doesn’t Fit All for Michigan School Closure Policies<p class="western" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New, monospace;"><span style="font-size: 9pt;"><b>Note:</b>
The following op-ed ran in print and
online in <a href="https://www.detroitnews.com/story/opinion/2020/12/16/opinion-let-nonpublic-religious-schools-return-class-safely/3928028001/" target="_blank"><b><span style="color: #2b00fe;">The Detroit News</span></b></a> Thursday, December 17, 2020. Our accrediting agency, the
Association of Christian Schools International (ACSI), supports the
lawsuit filed by Michigan Association of Nonpublic Schools (MANS) to
help protect the freedom of private schools and support the
responsible reopening of nonpublic high schools in Michigan that have
appropriate health and safety protocols. I have been
coordinating with their regional director Jeff Mattner and others at
ACSI in efforts to support these actions in our state, including
writing this Op-Ed in hopes of benefiting Cavalry and all other
private schools in our area. </span></span>
</p><p style="text-align: center;"><b> One Size Doesn’t Fit All for Michigan School Closure Policies</b></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjGekoc6IHERzZrX6vKCfarRVuJhLZD1I2lhyphenhyphen0QwCCcRhs9pIG_jngFU7O0BeHU26nkdk7ChLZ7IvIlAPRzY39y3Aw9lKAY8KKtlhmm8-412gp9yxPuilnTbcqSwBfaFvv0oAcswImmYdu/s1280/Tom+K+headshot.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1280" data-original-width="922" height="128" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjGekoc6IHERzZrX6vKCfarRVuJhLZD1I2lhyphenhyphen0QwCCcRhs9pIG_jngFU7O0BeHU26nkdk7ChLZ7IvIlAPRzY39y3Aw9lKAY8KKtlhmm8-412gp9yxPuilnTbcqSwBfaFvv0oAcswImmYdu/w93-h128/Tom+K+headshot.jpg" width="93" /></a></div>Just a week before Thanksgiving, one of our seniors at Calvary Christian School, where I am superintendent,
lost both of her grandparents. Under normal circumstances, the entire school community would have personally
come alongside this student, offering fellowship, comfort, and support. This is what schools do as mini
communities, and nonpublic religious schools consider this an inherent part of their outreach to students and
families. <p></p><p>Calvary, like many religious nonpublic schools, has gone the extra mile during this pandemic to meet the needs
of their families for academic rigor in a medically safe community setting. Michigan could be an ally with other
states demonstrating responsible school openings by returning such decisions to the local level. Districts and
nonpublic school systems know their own communities and the effectiveness of the board-approved protocols
within their buildings. </p><p>The CDC reports that mental health visits by children aged 5-11 have increased 24% over 2019, while such
visits by kids aged 12-17 shot up 31%. The American Association of Pediatrics (AAP), as recently as its August
19 update, “strongly advocates that all policy considerations for the coming school year should start with a goal
of having students physically present in school.” </p><p>Is it really necessary and in the best interest of Michigan families to close all high schools regardless of the
different realities from district to district? For instance, the rates of COVID-19 infection in Catholic schools in
Michigan’s largest cities of Detroit and Lansing are currently at a remarkably low 1.1% and 1.6% (Detroit public
schools recently were near a 5% rate). Additionally, NPR complimented our own state by citing a University of
Michigan medical school expert at an October briefing. His view? "The data so far are not indicating that schools
are a super spreader site." </p><p>While politicians and their powerful political allies force all schools (or certain grade levels) to stay closed when
evidence shows schools can be healthy and safe environments, our fundamental question is this: Why do
nonpublic sector schools and their teachers have no voice at all in this matter when, in fact, the majority of them
have a strong record of success, they strive to honor the protocols from the Michigan Department of Health, and
have modeled a cooperative spirit throughout this process? </p><p>We realize that each nonpublic school is different, but they share many similarities in their ability to manage the
current situation in safe and effective ways. It is the existence of such variables that prompts us to appeal for
restoration of the freedom for nonpublic schools, and even school districts or cities for that matter, to act in the
best interest of the children and families they serve in the context of their own resources, rather than be subject
to statewide edicts. </p><p>Finally, we have been following a similar case regarding nonpublic Christian schools in Kentucky and recognize
the recent Supreme Court case in New York that blocked the enforcement of restrictions on churches and
religious gatherings. In fact, we feel that this situation in Michigan clearly has to do with freedom of religion and
we are united in spirit with all religious nonpublic schools in Michigan regardless of affiliation. </p><p>Let nonpublic religious schools do what they do best: serve their wider communities with solid academics in a
safe environment. Let’s quarantine politics from the compelling data that favors in-person instruction. Let’s return
such decisions to the local level, which allow nonpublic schools to meet the needs of students and their families
who often make great sacrifices to provide the education they believe is best for their children. </p><p>Tom Kapanka, Head of School
Calvary Christian Schools, Fruitport, MI</p><p>If you go to the <a href="https://www.detroitnews.com/story/opinion/2020/12/16/opinion-let-nonpublic-religious-schools-return-class-safely/3928028001/" target="_blank"><span style="color: #2b00fe;"><b>op-ed piece in The Detroit News</b></span></a> and click on the comments, you'll see someone named Missy_S has my back in response to an ill-informed critic. He certainly does not know me or our board or the highly qualified "Back2School" team that wrote our protocols. Nor does he know our office staff who communicate with our local county health officials regularly. I'm not sure at the moment who "Missy_S" is, but her defense of CCS is greatly appreciated.</p><div class="coral coral-comment coral coral-reacted-0" data-key-stop="true" data-testid="comment-5447f925-efcf-48c8-9c26-dacc7bad7b4f" id="comment-5447f925-efcf-48c8-9c26-dacc7bad7b4f" style="background-color: white; font-family: "Open Sans", sans-serif; margin: 0 0 var(--mini-unit) 0 !important; padding-bottom: 8px !important;"><div class="Box-root-acb8bd0953d79380f99868ba1e9c06f2 HorizontalGutter-root-42028c0a7886c844bb9f01763cc43000 HorizontalGutter-full-680598106a6954360bcd94b9d3839ca7" style="border: 0px; padding: 0px;"><div class="IndentedComment-open-b186822767a09b4056ab785c6617d05a coral coral-comment-collapse-toggle-indent Indent-root-f1c3f69bc7b8a42d585dedb39be67f9e" style="margin: 0px !important; padding-bottom: var(--spacing-2);"><div class="coral coral-indent coral-indent-0 Indent-open-6c95557cfb5bc79e884881128645d3f6"><div class="Box-root-acb8bd0953d79380f99868ba1e9c06f2 Flex-root-e30c492230d1edb681fe55ee4db5c12e Flex-flex-d2ca733e3f89034ac350e74ab398ca2c Flex-alignBaseline-5ce4e5e615b80033b56022c911dac2c7 gutter Flex-spacing-1-7bd0624564ba26d6c2a0e5d1150663b9" style="align-items: baseline; 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display: flex; flex-wrap: wrap;"><div class="Comment-username-ca460b6a92448c2c4f5e8bf0281046d9" style="font-size: 14px; margin-right: var(--spacing-2);"><div class="Popover-root-3f2ec388eb9c8afe569f3401d3c59b59"><div aria-hidden="true" aria-labelledby="username-popover-5447f925-efcf-48c8-9c26-dacc7bad7b4f-ariainfo" id="username-popover-5447f925-efcf-48c8-9c26-dacc7bad7b4f" role="dialog"><div class="AriaInfo-root-ac26922b116bd99c170b97a18c17d290" id="username-popover-5447f925-efcf-48c8-9c26-dacc7bad7b4f-ariainfo" style="border: 0px; clip: rect(0px, 0px, 0px, 0px); height: 1px; overflow: hidden; padding: 0px; position: absolute !important; white-space: nowrap; width: 1px;">A popover with more user information</div></div></div></div><div class="Box-root-acb8bd0953d79380f99868ba1e9c06f2 Flex-root-e30c492230d1edb681fe55ee4db5c12e Flex-flex-d2ca733e3f89034ac350e74ab398ca2c Flex-wrap-6d1b6ac029ed4bb936d308545730f2ca Flex-alignCenter-26c1ac1572ede070f23436e4a05f81bd Flex-directionRow-2454f15d2085c2be40d132bad0acd66d" style="align-items: center; display: flex; flex-flow: row wrap;"><button class="BaseButton-root-464189d43068742128bd39653c671d89 Timestamp-root-f0b3ebf43486d31ba5226a30c0e02f22" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0) !important; appearance: none; background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border-color: initial; border-style: none; border-width: initial; font-family: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; touch-action: manipulation; user-select: none; vertical-align: middle; white-space: nowrap;" type="button"><time class="RelativeTime-root-d30b4f3b231d2f240c2f63990321529f Timestamp-text-b943991e0f8e51bb4bdba60eabe40535 Comment-timestamp-b603d74501b527b492dba3e2561137cb coral coral-timestamp coral-comment-timestamp" datetime="2020-12-17T20:16:47.434Z" style="font-family: var(--font-family-primary); font-weight: var(--font-weight-primary-semi-bold); line-height: 1.14; margin-right: var(--spacing-1);" title="2020-12-17T20:16:47.434Z"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-size: x-small;">Kenneth... 8 hours ago (the critic who knows nothing about CCS)</span></time></button></div></div><div class="Box-root-acb8bd0953d79380f99868ba1e9c06f2 Flex-root-e30c492230d1edb681fe55ee4db5c12e Flex-flex-d2ca733e3f89034ac350e74ab398ca2c Flex-wrap-6d1b6ac029ed4bb936d308545730f2ca Flex-justifyFlexEnd-d6022468a77727a492ca2de47024ec29" style="display: flex; flex-wrap: wrap; justify-content: flex-end;"><div class="Box-root-acb8bd0953d79380f99868ba1e9c06f2 Flex-root-e30c492230d1edb681fe55ee4db5c12e Flex-flex-d2ca733e3f89034ac350e74ab398ca2c Flex-itemGutter-877c8524cc53828abc11c7fa63399cc4 Flex-justifyFlexEnd-d6022468a77727a492ca2de47024ec29 Flex-alignCenter-26c1ac1572ede070f23436e4a05f81bd gutter" style="align-items: center; display: flex; justify-content: flex-end;"></div></div></div><div class="Box-root-acb8bd0953d79380f99868ba1e9c06f2 HorizontalGutter-root-42028c0a7886c844bb9f01763cc43000 HorizontalGutter-oneAndAHalf-46c5849e8e0ed7bc3ef647b349fd3f5c" style="border: 0px; margin: 0px !important; padding: 0px;"><div class="HTMLContent-root-5770ce4668399900d87c06ad10ba71a5 htmlContent-root-fe3506b39eaecd1a685ceda5e1292c4d coral coral-content coral-comment-content" style="font-family: var(--font-family-primary); font-weight: var(--font-weight-primary-regular); line-height: 1.45; margin: 0 0 calc(1.5*var(--mini-unit)) 0 !important; overflow-wrap: break-word; word-break: break-word;"><div><span style="color: #b45f06; font-size: x-small;">"The last thing children in schools need is to have the incompetent members of local school boards and their stooge superintendents making life and death decisions. They are not healthcare professionals and in many cases, they are nothing but fanatical political hacks with ambitions beyond protecting students."</span></div><div><span style="color: #b45f06; font-size: x-small;">The incompetents on school boards are basically spineless and will respond to incoherent demands of screeching parents who want to impose influence at all cost. </span></div><div><span style="color: #b45f06; font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div><div class="" style="background-color: white; font-family: "Open Sans", sans-serif; margin: 0px !important;"><div class="Box-root-acb8bd0953d79380f99868ba1e9c06f2 HorizontalGutter-root-42028c0a7886c844bb9f01763cc43000 ReplyList-root-9ed1ffcc052193aea6c5e2a3e1b477fc HorizontalGutter-full-680598106a6954360bcd94b9d3839ca7" data-testid="commentReplyList-5447f925-efcf-48c8-9c26-dacc7bad7b4f" id="coral-comments-replyList-log--5447f925-efcf-48c8-9c26-dacc7bad7b4f" role="log" style="border: 0px; padding-bottom: var(--spacing-1); padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><div class="Box-root-acb8bd0953d79380f99868ba1e9c06f2 HorizontalGutter-root-42028c0a7886c844bb9f01763cc43000 HorizontalGutter-full-680598106a6954360bcd94b9d3839ca7" style="border: 0px; margin: 0px !important; padding: 0px;"><div class="coral coral-comment coral coral-reacted-0" data-key-stop="true" data-testid="comment-8b85981d-fd0a-4425-a144-57cf5a2e5258" id="comment-8b85981d-fd0a-4425-a144-57cf5a2e5258" style="margin: 0 0 var(--mini-unit) 0 !important; padding-bottom: 8px !important;"><div class="Box-root-acb8bd0953d79380f99868ba1e9c06f2 HorizontalGutter-root-42028c0a7886c844bb9f01763cc43000 HorizontalGutter-full-680598106a6954360bcd94b9d3839ca7" style="border: 0px; padding: 0px;"><div class="IndentedComment-open-b186822767a09b4056ab785c6617d05a coral coral-comment-collapse-toggle-indent Indent-root-f1c3f69bc7b8a42d585dedb39be67f9e" style="margin: 0px !important; padding-bottom: var(--spacing-2);"><div class="Indent-level1-f5796d6d83dc6a09002304f1f27e42ea coral coral-indent coral-indent-1 Indent-open-6c95557cfb5bc79e884881128645d3f6 Indent-openPadded-d057ed250b036e5148873e33d458e927" style="border-left: 2px solid var(--palette-grey-600); 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display: flex; flex-direction: row; justify-content: space-between; margin: 0 0 calc(0.5*var(--mini-unit)) 0 !important;"><div class="Box-root-acb8bd0953d79380f99868ba1e9c06f2 Flex-root-e30c492230d1edb681fe55ee4db5c12e Flex-flex-d2ca733e3f89034ac350e74ab398ca2c Flex-wrap-6d1b6ac029ed4bb936d308545730f2ca Flex-justifyFlexEnd-d6022468a77727a492ca2de47024ec29" style="display: flex; flex-wrap: wrap; justify-content: flex-end;"><div class="Box-root-acb8bd0953d79380f99868ba1e9c06f2 Flex-root-e30c492230d1edb681fe55ee4db5c12e Flex-flex-d2ca733e3f89034ac350e74ab398ca2c Flex-itemGutter-877c8524cc53828abc11c7fa63399cc4 Flex-justifyFlexEnd-d6022468a77727a492ca2de47024ec29 Flex-alignCenter-26c1ac1572ede070f23436e4a05f81bd gutter" style="align-items: center; display: flex; justify-content: flex-end;"></div></div></div><div class="Comment-subBar-ba921fc4a55c74fb77d6d022771ac877" style="margin-bottom: calc(0.5*var(--mini-unit));"><div class="Box-root-acb8bd0953d79380f99868ba1e9c06f2 Flex-root-e30c492230d1edb681fe55ee4db5c12e coral coral-comment-inReplyTo Flex-flex-d2ca733e3f89034ac350e74ab398ca2c Flex-alignCenter-26c1ac1572ede070f23436e4a05f81bd" style="align-items: center; display: flex;"><span aria-hidden="true" class="Icon-root-c1fc955f8607c3696518db8f02fb9080 Icon-sm-b43dbbab3c3f2b00596ba477436b5c63 InReplyTo-icon-9e2a7d5b036117ad5a18bd238ecd12e9" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; display: inline-block; font-family: "Material Icons"; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; letter-spacing: 0px; line-height: 1; overflow: hidden; speak: none; text-rendering: optimizelegibility; vertical-align: middle; width: var(--font-size-icon-sm); word-break: normal;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: var(--font-family-primary);"><b>Missy_S </b></span><span style="font-family: var(--font-family-primary); font-weight: var(--font-weight-primary-semi-bold);">3 hours ago... (In reply to </span></span></span><span class="InReplyTo-username-b1a83d4fe2733eac13578709b49e9d24 coral coral-comment-inReplyToUsername" style="font-family: var(--font-family-secondary); font-weight: var(--font-weight-secondary-bold); line-height: 1;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-size: x-small;">Kenneth)</span></span></div></div><div class="Box-root-acb8bd0953d79380f99868ba1e9c06f2 HorizontalGutter-root-42028c0a7886c844bb9f01763cc43000 HorizontalGutter-oneAndAHalf-46c5849e8e0ed7bc3ef647b349fd3f5c" style="border: 0px; margin: 0px !important; padding: 0px;"><div class="HTMLContent-root-5770ce4668399900d87c06ad10ba71a5 htmlContent-root-fe3506b39eaecd1a685ceda5e1292c4d coral coral-content coral-comment-content" style="font-family: var(--font-family-primary); font-weight: var(--font-weight-primary-regular); line-height: 1.45; margin: 0 0 calc(1.5*var(--mini-unit)) 0 !important; overflow-wrap: break-word; word-break: break-word;"><div><span style="color: #b45f06; font-size: x-small;">This simply is not the case with the author of this piece.<br /></span></div><div><span style="color: #b45f06; font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="color: #b45f06; font-size: x-small;">Mr. Kapanka is the administrator of the school in Fruitport and does an amazing job. He is not a school board member or "stooge superintendent" as you implied that is out of touch with the challenges that our current health crisis has presented to the education system. He and the staff and the school board are not spineless and do not give in to the "incoherent demands of screeching parents."<br /></span></div><div><span style="color: #b45f06; font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="color: #b45f06; font-size: x-small;">There are several healthcare providers (doctors and nurses) with children in the school on the COVID preparedness panel that develop EDUCATED safety protocols. That is what this piece is about. They have acted in the best interest of the families and students and their safety even at the cost of losing said families that didn't agree with those decisions. <br /></span></div><div><span style="color: #b45f06; font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="color: #b45f06; font-size: x-small;">I understand that the COVID pandemic is serious, however, the more serious situations facing our students is their mental health from being isolated for so long and a lack of community. That is what those of us who chose a nonpublic school option want back - the community to support our students in a safe environment without the politics involved. </span></div></div><div class="Box-root-acb8bd0953d79380f99868ba1e9c06f2 Flex-root-e30c492230d1edb681fe55ee4db5c12e coral coral-comment-actionBar Flex-flex-d2ca733e3f89034ac350e74ab398ca2c Flex-justifySpaceBetween-1e1ecf12d82a80d36b234d1261a4a513" style="display: flex; font-size: 14px; justify-content: flex-start; margin: 0px !important;"><div class="Box-root-acb8bd0953d79380f99868ba1e9c06f2 Flex-root-e30c492230d1edb681fe55ee4db5c12e CommentContainer-actionBar-8f945503291a6fbc016fbde66cee912e Flex-flex-d2ca733e3f89034ac350e74ab398ca2c Flex-halfItemGutter-a202fcab1dcbec6c729d74b586859a0d Flex-justifySpaceBetween-1e1ecf12d82a80d36b234d1261a4a513 Flex-alignCenter-26c1ac1572ede070f23436e4a05f81bd Flex-directionRow-2454f15d2085c2be40d132bad0acd66d gutter" style="align-items: center; display: flex; flex-direction: row; justify-content: space-between; min-width: 150px;"><button aria-label="Respect comment by Missy_S." aria-pressed="false" class="BaseButton-root-464189d43068742128bd39653c671d89 Button-base-3818d3c9d093073437f9d4751fbaac4e Button-flat-409c47973ce75cd86d40ebe592ee565e Button-fontSizeSmall-4e1ba350ee1ef655df8ddab86350c1ee Button-textAlignCenter-73a2738f6e39888509e0aca47606b75d Button-fontFamilyPrimary-5e7cc1810b6bcde618b0fd8adb2a5c64 Button-fontWeightPrimarySemiBold-5526f4e404413a488f7dc9d46867bf11 Button-paddingSizeExtraSmall-1a4f75aa7b8e2ce3a8d168ec4e60330e Button-colorSecondary-3bc2b7c29336486a6a4c1b67d199c162 CommentContainer-actionButton-471f207edf7f9f69483a5fac1602a4df coral coral-reactButton coral-comment-reactButton ReactionButton-button-f00bbe879a882dd9a0213477cbfbe691" data-testid="comment-reaction-button" data-variant="flat" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0) !important; appearance: none; background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border-color: initial; border-radius: 0px; border-style: none; border-width: initial; cursor: pointer; font-family: UnifySans, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: var(--font-size-2); line-height: 1.14; margin-right: 24px !important; outline: none; padding: 0px; touch-action: manipulation; user-select: none; vertical-align: middle; white-space: nowrap;" type="button"><span class="Box-root-acb8bd0953d79380f99868ba1e9c06f2 Flex-root-e30c492230d1edb681fe55ee4db5c12e Flex-flex-d2ca733e3f89034ac350e74ab398ca2c Flex-alignCenter-26c1ac1572ede070f23436e4a05f81bd" style="align-items: center; display: flex;"><span aria-hidden="true" class="Icon-root-c1fc955f8607c3696518db8f02fb9080 Icon-sm-b43dbbab3c3f2b00596ba477436b5c63 ReactionButton-icon-17968b95c8d22a2a68cb7eb449f342fc" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; display: inline-block; font-family: "Material Icons"; font-size: var(--font-size-icon-sm); font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; letter-spacing: 0px; line-height: 1; margin-right: var(--spacing-1); overflow: hidden; speak: none; text-rendering: optimizelegibility; vertical-align: middle; width: var(--font-size-icon-sm); word-break: normal;"><br /></span></span></button><div class="Popover-root-3f2ec388eb9c8afe569f3401d3c59b59" style="margin: 0px !important;"><div aria-hidden="true" aria-labelledby="permalink-popover-8b85981d-fd0a-4425-a144-57cf5a2e5258-ariainfo" id="permalink-popover-8b85981d-fd0a-4425-a144-57cf5a2e5258" role="dialog"><div class="AriaInfo-root-ac26922b116bd99c170b97a18c17d290" id="permalink-popover-8b85981d-fd0a-4425-a144-57cf5a2e5258-ariainfo" style="border: 0px; clip: rect(0px, 0px, 0px, 0px); height: 1px; overflow: hidden; padding: 0px; position: absolute !important; white-space: nowrap; width: 1px;">A dialog showing a permalink to the comment</div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div>.Tom Kapankahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17431717152727352230noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6151939630752729248.post-34171228093523676622020-11-23T18:07:00.007-05:002021-02-02T13:10:59.901-05:00CCS Thanks God for This Thanksgiving Day...<p><span color="rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.87)" face="Roboto, Noto, sans-serif" style="font-size: 15px; white-space: pre-wrap;">As we pause for a short break from the rhythm of school days, we are more eager than usual to be together again. It's been that kind of year. Family gatherings will be different this week. For some they will be especially hard, and we grieve with those who have lost loved ones in this season, but we also thank God to have known <i>"the kind of love that all these years can't wash away." </i></span></p><p><span color="rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.87)" face="Roboto, Noto, sans-serif" style="font-size: 15px; white-space: pre-wrap;">Those words come from </span><span color="rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.87)" face="Roboto, Noto, sans-serif" style="font-size: 15px; white-space: pre-wrap;">a new song by Ben Rector released especially for Thanksgiving 2020. As the song says, "...put your dishes in the kitchen sink and let the left-over year just wash away. 'Cause we made it through, I do believe, the longest year in history... Thank God for this Thanksgiving Day." </span></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/aWm5eaUjgC4" width="320" youtube-src-id="aWm5eaUjgC4"></iframe></div><p></p><p></p>.Tom Kapankahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17431717152727352230noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6151939630752729248.post-79878439193599305512020-11-11T10:57:00.008-05:002020-11-17T00:45:43.197-05:00Veterans Day Concert and the "Virtue of Reality"<p><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;"> Dear Veterans, Grandparents, and CCS Family,</span></p><div style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; border: 0px; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;">Today was to be Grandparents Day at CCS. For over twenty years, Grandparents Day was in May, but last year we began a new tradition of hosting this event on Veterans Day in November. We were so glad that we made that change because the COVID-19 pandemic closed the schools for in-person events last spring. This school-year, we are open for daily classes, but the same pandemic makes it impossible to have hundreds of grandparents in our building. We miss you guys! I mean that with all my heart. If today were normal, we would all have met in the chapel briefly before going to your grandchildren's classes. So if you don't mind pretending with me for just a few minutes... imagine that we are all gathered in the chapel as we've done for all these years. </span></div><div style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; border: 0px; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; border: 0px; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;">I usually share some brief remarks that take us back in time a bit before Mrs. Kapanka explains the plan for the present day's events. If I could talk with you in person today, I would talk about "<a href="https://patternsofink.blogspot.com/search?q=the+virtue+of+reality" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; border: 0px; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;" title="https://patternsofink.blogspot.com/search?q=the+virtue+of+reality"><b style="background-color: #cfe2f3;"><span style="color: black;">the virtue of reality.</span></b></a>" </span><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;">If you click on that link in quotation marks, you can read something I wrote twelve years ago about "virtual reality," a term I had never heard before 1993. In the decades since, virtual reality has become big business--mostly in the world of gaming and entertainment, but during the limited in-person reality caused by the current COVID pandemic, the word "<a href="https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/virtual"><b><span style="background-color: #cfe2f3; color: black;">virtual</span></b></a>" has never been more used. We speak of <i>virtual</i> classes, <i>virtual</i> textbooks, <i>virtual </i>church, and the links below have been called a <i>virtual </i>concert.</span></div><div style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; border: 0px; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; border: 0px; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;">I'd like to go on record, however, as saying that there is nothing virtual about the virtue of reality. The "here and now" that CCS students are experiencing by being in our building <i>here and now </i>came through the reality of hard work and preparation to make our building the safest possible venue for in-person classroom instruction. We take our present circumstances very seriously even as we comply with the "unreal" realities that were unimaginable just one year ago when we were all together in the school for this special day. </span></div><div style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; border: 0px; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; border: 0px; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;">So as you watch the video links below, please know that there is nothing <i>virtual </i>about the work the students put into preparing their songs for you. Due to our COVID protocols. The students came to the auditorium, temporarily removed their masks, and sang separately in their class "cohorts." I then did my best to bring them together "virtually" via video editing. But trust me, there was nothing virtual about the nervousness the soloists experienced... nothing virtual about the desire to get each note right... and the hours or practice and performance that produced the moments we now share virtually with you. It was all very real... as life should be. </span></div><div style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; border: 0px; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; border: 0px; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;">If you're like me, your eyes may blur a bit with tears as you think about what these kids are so bravely facing at this time in their lives and as you listen to songs old and new that make us mindful of the important role of grandparents to our students... the role of veterans to our freedom... and the role of freedom to the nation we all know and love. </span></div><div style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; border: 0px; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; border: 0px; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;">Please take a few moments during this special day to watch all three parts of this "virtual" concert, and do us a favor: <b><i><span style="color: #990000;">click on the small "like" (thumbs up) icon at each video portion</span></i>. </b>It will mean a lot to the kids. Also please share this post and these videos with all the veterans you know. They deserve our thanks and a reminder that "our flag [is] still there." </span></div><div style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; border: 0px; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: courier; font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></div><div style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; border: 0px; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: courier; font-size: x-small;">Click on the links to see the video.</span></div><div style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; border: 0px; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><br /></div><div style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; border: 0px; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><a href="https://youtu.be/ROE_21NoQ0Q" style="background-color: #cfe2f3;" target="_blank">Part One:</a><a href="https://youtu.be/ROE_21NoQ0Q" style="background-color: #cfe2f3;" target="_blank"> CCS Grandparents Day/Veterans Day Virtual Concert </a></span></div><div style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; border: 0px; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><br /></div><div style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; border: 0px; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><span><span style="background-color: #cfe2f3;"><a href="https://youtu.be/X6pMDs6qics" style="background-color: #cfe2f3;" target="_blank">Part Two: Kindergarten through 3rd Grade, </a></span></span><span style="background-color: #cfe2f3;"><a href="https://youtu.be/X6pMDs6qics" style="background-color: #cfe2f3;" target="_blank">CCS Virtual Concert</a></span></span><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: x-large;"> </span></div><div style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; border: 0px; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; border: 0px; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><a href="https://youtu.be/wJXB492mK0s" style="background-color: #cfe2f3;" target="_blank">Part Three: CCS Virtual Band Concert Veterans Day 2020</a></span></div><div style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; border: 0px; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><br /></div><div style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; border: 0px; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>.Tom Kapankahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17431717152727352230noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6151939630752729248.post-62272344845020850162020-10-30T08:19:00.007-04:002020-11-15T12:49:53.241-05:00Emergency Order Under MCL 333.2253<p> </p><p align="center" class="western" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;"></p><p align="center" class="western" style="font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; letter-spacing: normal;">
<span style="color: #222222;"><span style="font-family: Arial, serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b>CCS
is following MDHHS Emergency Order Under MCL 333.2253</b></span></span></span></p>
<p align="center" class="western" style="font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; widows: 2;">
<span style="color: #222222;"><span style="font-family: Arial, serif;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">Below
is the exact "cut and paste" text of the MDHHS "order"
(<span style="background: rgb(255, 255, 166);">highlights </span>added for
clarification)</span></span></span></p>
<p align="left" class="western" style="font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; widows: 2;">
<span style="color: #222222;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Utopia, Palatino Linotype, Palatino, serif;"><span>1.
The critical terms included in this order are defined as follows:</span></span></span></p>
<p align="left" class="western" style="font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; widows: 2;">
<span style="color: #222222;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Utopia, Palatino Linotype, Palatino, serif;"><span>a.
“School” means public and <span style="background: rgb(255, 255, 166);">nonpublic
schools.</span></span></span></span></p>
<p align="left" class="western" style="font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; widows: 2;">
<span style="color: #222222;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Utopia, Palatino Linotype, Palatino, serif;"><span>b.
“Close Contact” means any individual who was<span style="background: rgb(255, 255, 166);"> within
6 feet </span>of an COVID-19 <span style="background: rgb(255, 255, 166);">infected
person </span>for at least <span style="background: rgb(255, 255, 166);">15
minutes</span> starting from two days before illness onset (or,
for asymptomatic patients, two days prior to positive specimen
collection).</span></span></span></p>
<p align="left" class="western" style="font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; widows: 2;">
<span style="color: #222222;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Utopia, Palatino Linotype, Palatino, serif;"><span>c.
“School Associated Case” means a case of probable or confirmed
COVID-19 amongst students, teachers, staff members, coaches,
volunteers, or any other <span style="background: rgb(255, 255, 166);">person
who was present on school property or at a school
function</span> under circumstances that may result in the
transmission or contraction of COVID-19 <span style="background: rgb(255, 255, 166);">during
their infectious period.</span></span></span></span></p>
<p align="left" class="western" style="font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; widows: 2;">
<span style="color: #222222;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Utopia, Palatino Linotype, Palatino, serif;"><span>d.
“School Community” means the set of persons who are affiliated
with the school. This set may include, but is not limited to,
parents, guardians, students, teachers, staff members, coaches, and
volunteers.</span></span></span></p>
<p align="left" class="western" style="font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; widows: 2;">
<span style="color: #222222;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Utopia, Palatino Linotype, Palatino, serif;"><span>e.
“Public Notice” means providing the new and cumulative counts of
School Associated Case(s) of COVID-19, including the date on which
the School was notified of the new School Associated Case(s).</span></span></span></p>
<p align="left" class="western" style="font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; widows: 2;">
<span style="color: #222222;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Utopia, Palatino Linotype, Palatino, serif;"><span>2.
Upon learning that a probable or confirmed case of COVID-19 is a
School Associated Case,<span style="background: rgb(255, 255, 166);"> the
local health department must, within 24 hours, notify the School </span>to
which the School Associated Case(s) relate, including the affected
building or location and other information that may assist the School
with carrying out its duties under this order.</span></span></span></p>
<p align="left" class="western" style="font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; widows: 2;">
<span style="color: #222222;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Utopia, Palatino Linotype, Palatino, serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span>3.
Within 24 hours </span><span><span style="background: rgb(255, 255, 166);">of
being notified by a local health department </span></span><span>of
School Associated Case(s), the School must provide Public Notice to
the School Community in a highly visible location on the School’s
website that covers the impacted building or location. Schools are
encouraged to provide information about measures in place at the
School to prevent transmission of COVID-19, as well as measures that
individuals can take to prevent transmission.</span></span></span></span></p>
<p align="left" class="western" style="font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; widows: 2;">
<span style="color: #222222;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Utopia, Palatino Linotype, Palatino, serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span>4.
Public Notice does not replace the need for direct notification to
persons who were, or are suspected to have been, a Close Contact of
School Associated Case(s); </span><span><span style="background: rgb(255, 255, 166);">such
notice is the responsibility of the local health department.</span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p align="left" class="western" style="font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; widows: 2;">
<span style="color: #222222;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Utopia, Palatino Linotype, Palatino, serif;"><span>5.
Sections 2 and 3 of this order take effect at 8 AM on October 12,
2020.</span></span></span></p><br /><p></p><div>The flow chart below was provided by Public Health Muskegon County (PHMC) who has proven to be a wonderful resource for CCS. The chart is a simplified snapshot of the thought process behind the recommendations the "local health department" makes to schools when a "school associated case" occurs. [NOTE: Not all cases involving students or staff are "school associated cases" if they do not meet the criteria outlined above. The term "school associated cases" requires feasible "transmission or contraction" within a school-related context as explained in the order.]</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjo4acfFNl2iIiwrLh7Xbtrm-wZgKOru-kO_r231KeUkUqkn50zowMBCcXpGgZKHZo9B1mJsA7dMy4OvcQinuufkRxhfcZCCtM42yJ4rrZGCCG-3GoYdOMSs4DDRQie9HxH2J0nDNB3jvrm/s1242/PHMC+flow+chart.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="959" data-original-width="1242" height="505" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjo4acfFNl2iIiwrLh7Xbtrm-wZgKOru-kO_r231KeUkUqkn50zowMBCcXpGgZKHZo9B1mJsA7dMy4OvcQinuufkRxhfcZCCtM42yJ4rrZGCCG-3GoYdOMSs4DDRQie9HxH2J0nDNB3jvrm/w655-h505/PHMC+flow+chart.jpg" width="655" /></a></div><br /><div><br /></div>.Tom Kapankahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17431717152727352230noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6151939630752729248.post-24281375154048858622020-10-08T08:16:00.000-04:002020-11-24T08:22:45.534-05:00CCS Enjoying the Great Outdoors<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/ndpi688hwmA" width="320" youtube-src-id="ndpi688hwmA"></iframe></div><br /> <p></p>.Tom Kapankahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17431717152727352230noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6151939630752729248.post-59572603052603809292020-09-26T14:07:00.013-04:002020-12-14T13:27:30.518-05:00Jumping Through the HOPES...Together<div class="separator"><div style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="500" data-original-width="750" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1UrWnF_hJvGI-XHPOQpyGTJKmOdforOxRxAuNVa4YbbVcDfVRtqMTAYvqpsB7I4VtDrTh3lF0KiPQ2DxlK2j8n2anjle6mUvkxT5DdWTUuIms3IXTBU5mOuomWGRX9lTuvrqfhDieDc-j/s320/hoops+6.jpg" width="320" /></div></div><div><font face="courier">Note: This article was originally posted on July 28, 2020. It includes many common idioms whose origin is explained with a click of the </font><b><font color="#e69138" face="times">orange bold text</font><font face="courier">.n</font></b></div><div>Sometimes speakers or writers have reasons to pretend to be talking about one thing while really making important points about something else. To get their full meaning, we have to <a href="https://www.collinsdictionary.com/us/dictionary/english/to-read-between-the-lines" target="_blank"><b><span style="color: #e69138;">read between the lines</span></b></a>, and that is true of this post about idioms.</div><div><br /></div><b><a href="https://www.theidioms.com/"><font color="#e69138">Idioms</font></a> </b>are expressions that lose their original, literal meanings and are used to convey a more figurative thought. The confusion of idioms becomes obvious when talking to a student unfamiliar with the language. Imagine a foreign student new to English who asks an American friend if it is hard to get a visa to study abroad. His friend replies, "It's really a <a href="https://www.theidioms.com/?s=piece+of+cake"><b><font color="#e69138">piece of cake</font></b></a> if you have <a href="http://idioms.languagesystems.edu/2015/11/friends-in-high-places.html"><b><font color="#e69138">friends in high places</font></b></a>, but it will cost <a href="https://www.theidioms.com/?s=an+arm+and+a+leg"><b><font color="#e69138">an arm and a leg</font></b></a> if you can't <a href="https://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/jump_through_hoops"><b><font color="#e69138">jump through all the hoops</font></b></a>." When the words of those four idioms are translated literally, the inquisitive young man may think that getting a visa could be a delicious hike up a mountain or a horrible fall through amputating swords and hula hoops. <i><b>Sometimes idioms are like that.</b></i><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvzBNkdCp4UdpndLb2pgB4Si9KnGXAsYRUDswx64YrokxfQ6mQS1COHNvO7idpJT3ThbDhiQcY18iStVHBwC99Hj5QStBVwNoPy5PAhyphenhyphen5E8kmg6yVkzmgxrLE3WWc779Dz6QwPYV6mqczo/s460/hoops+5.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="460" data-original-width="350" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvzBNkdCp4UdpndLb2pgB4Si9KnGXAsYRUDswx64YrokxfQ6mQS1COHNvO7idpJT3ThbDhiQcY18iStVHBwC99Hj5QStBVwNoPy5PAhyphenhyphen5E8kmg6yVkzmgxrLE3WWc779Dz6QwPYV6mqczo/s320/hoops+5.jpg" /></a></div>Take that last one I mentioned: "<a href="https://grammarist.com/idiom/jump-through-hoops/#:~:text=The%20idiom%20jump%20through%20hoops%20is%20derived%20from%20the%20circus.&text=Circus%20animals%20that%20were%20forced,to%20jump%20through%20the%20hoops."><font color="#e69138">J<b>umping through the hoops</b></font></a>." Its origins are from the circus (and venues like SeaWorld) where dogs, horses, lions, tigers (and seals and dolphins) literally jumped through hoops to entertain an audience. Why were these acts impressive? Because there is no natural reason to do it, and sometimes the hoops were on fire, which meant the animal was trained to ignore its natural fears. All this to get something in return (e.g. a treat, sugar cube, chunk of meat or fish). Circuses and SeaWorld grew less popular in the 21st Century as people became more sensitive toward animals, but the notion of "jumping through hoops" as an indiom lives on for humans. </div><div><br /></div><div>This idiom typically means that "<a href="https://dictionary.law.com/Default.aspx?selected=1462"><b><font color="#e69138">the party of the first part</font></b></a>" is willing to perform tasks imposed by "the party of the second part" with the hopes of getting something in return (a bike, a car, a diploma, a job, a degree, a visa, etc.) "Jumping through hoops" almost always has a "task master" who places higher value on the "hoops" than those jumping through them. For this reason, the idiom tends to sound like a complaint by the person saying it, as if they fail to see the purpose in all the <a href="https://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/ragman_roll#English"><b><font color="#e69138">rigamarole</font></b></a> (an idiomatic word with a <a href="https://www.google.com/search?lei=XiIhX5SWLNu2tAbGu5TACQ&q=rigmarole%20etymology&ved=2ahUKEwiUvce19fHqAhVbG80KHcYdBZgQsKwBKAB6BAgREAE&biw=1400&bih=652&dpr=1.25"><b><font color="#e69138">story of its own</font></b></a>).</div><div><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkgN6iz-L3R-2NUyK6LJQ6fWUUvNiGtcRPNrRPY58a2_SAwZeBKaju5zcjuLv8iVPw950kUM5hZfPSD6Q61zPPXd00NmOtPxYlqokrfa7yrr5T6lF8pfsy71ovByHAdJaUkQODItRtjuKU/s958/red+tape.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="958" data-original-width="800" height="133" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkgN6iz-L3R-2NUyK6LJQ6fWUUvNiGtcRPNrRPY58a2_SAwZeBKaju5zcjuLv8iVPw950kUM5hZfPSD6Q61zPPXd00NmOtPxYlqokrfa7yrr5T6lF8pfsy71ovByHAdJaUkQODItRtjuKU/w111-h133/red+tape.jpg" width="111" /></a></div>While "hoop jumping" does have a negative connotation--right up there with "<a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Red_tape"><b><font color="#e69138">red tape</font></b></a>." There is usually a "<a href="https://www.theidioms.com/method-to-madness/"><b><font color="#e69138">method to the madness</font></b></a>" that is not all bad. </div><div><br /></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiK_mnkz2ByN79mTgWEqZokMhgrIzuo_5ur_VIran9IB98SB0US54w6fYReYeOEkmg9yOc_N8SX8uMOPlFO5GCHzARAQMcKInKNSPBXIkTJ5zqd8xay0AFgDi9EJFAMLPS_Vj6qQ-IElkH/s470/hoops+8.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="470" data-original-width="276" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiK_mnkz2ByN79mTgWEqZokMhgrIzuo_5ur_VIran9IB98SB0US54w6fYReYeOEkmg9yOc_N8SX8uMOPlFO5GCHzARAQMcKInKNSPBXIkTJ5zqd8xay0AFgDi9EJFAMLPS_Vj6qQ-IElkH/s320/hoops+8.jpg" /></a>For instance, the hoop-jumping principle is at work wherever there are rules to follow. It makes competition fair: Nearly all sports are basically a test to see which team can "jump through the hoops" better or faster than the other. It is frustrating, however, when the objectives are more difficult for some than for others. It is because we value "fairness" that there are weight classes in wrestling, and yet sometimes unequal things are asked to compete. Even so, sometimes a <b><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Tortoise_and_the_Hare" target="_blank"><span style="color: #ff8800;">tortoise may beat a hare</span></a></b><span><span style="color: #ffa400;"> </span></span><font>--and we love cheering for <b><a href="https://grammarist.com/idiom/underdog/#:~:text=Underdog%20is%20an%20idiom%20that%20originated%20in%20the%20United%20States.&text=An%20underdog%20is%20the%20person,win%20that%20contest%20or%20competition." target="_blank"><span style="color: #ffa200;">the underdog</span></a></b>--but if real</font><font color="#e69138" style="font-weight: bold;"> </font>"hoops" had been involved in that race, it may have ended differently. <b><i>Sometimes competition is like that.</i></b></div><div><br /></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiY58y8ZQWfHAl4achPJIWonHMyHs2S_o-sPtjw_pIkBJ3W6rpc8lWXaAB_OYAGcF5KSLfsp8t70-IwXP1EuL1e7odF2rUP7-rsZH4N02tuiB_zflQNyGzlWRnbYKzGp3ZM1x24rwp5nCrb/s1200/clover+leaf.jpg" style="clear: left; display: inline; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="1200" height="146" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiY58y8ZQWfHAl4achPJIWonHMyHs2S_o-sPtjw_pIkBJ3W6rpc8lWXaAB_OYAGcF5KSLfsp8t70-IwXP1EuL1e7odF2rUP7-rsZH4N02tuiB_zflQNyGzlWRnbYKzGp3ZM1x24rwp5nCrb/w219-h146/clover+leaf.jpg" width="219" /></a>The hoop-jumping principle can also bring order to our world: whenever you drive a car and jump through the hoops of getting a license and insurance, buckling up, obeying the stop signs, following speed limits, and driving correctly down a one-way streets, etc. you're basically "jumping through the hoops" that mitigate the risks of driving. Even so, thousands of traffic accidents happen every day, yet millions continue to weigh these risks and rewards of travel each time they pull out of their driveway or enter <b><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cloverleaf_interchange#History" target="_blank"><span style="color: #ff9100;">a cloverleaf</span></a></b>. <b><i>Sometimes risks are like that.</i></b></div><div><div><br /></div></div><div>It's also frustrating when hoops being imposed bring equal or greater risks than the danger they hope to mitigate--especially when the rules for such "hoop jumping" change on a whim. It's even more frustrating if those mandating the hoops give themselves a "<b><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Home_advantage"><font color="#e69138">home field advantage</font></a></b>" and act as if the hoops they impose on others do not apply to themselves. <i><b>S</b></i><b><i>ometimes rules and rulers are like that.</i></b></div><div><br /></div><div>It's confusing when the data behind "hoop jumping" is in conflict with other known data or when statistics are manipulated to justify the talking points of the day. For instance, when Hank Aaron beat Babe Ruth's home-run record in 1974, he had the advantage of a dozen more games per season (for 21 seasons), meaning he had 240 more games and 12,364 at bats to hit 755 homers while<a href="https://www.nytimes.com/1991/03/24/sports/l-ruth-vs-aaron-beat-goes-on-215791.html" target="_blank"> <b><span style="color: #ff5e00;">Babe Ruth had 714 homers with only 8,399 at bats</span></b></a>. The huge disparity of one batter have 4,000 more "tests" at the plate renders the comparison moot. Equally moot would be any comparison between one country conducting tens of millions more "tests" for a virus than countries lacking the capability to conduct as many tests. This is obvious, and yet... <b><i>sometimes statistics are minipulated like that.</i></b></div><div><br /></div><div>Sometimes politicians and fawning media can take several hoops and connect them like a big chain that is used to block something or to change the natural flow of events. It's especially discouraging when the reason behind the hoops or chains seem to favor one group over another, and when the less favored group seems silenced by the same media. <b><i>Sometimes the media and politicians are like that.</i></b></div><div><br /></div><div>I confess, sometimes I'm not happy with the media or the politicians or the "<a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Red_tape"><b><font color="#e69138">red tape</font></b></a>" or the "<a href="https://www.blogger.com/blog/post/edit/6151939630752729248/5957260305260380929#"><b><font color="#e69138">hoop jumping</font></b></a>" that hinder important aspects of our shared life. Do you ever feel that way?</div><div><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFiDtlPIBRbvOr3AUgK0TtbG_ni9Bv5xscKqojT0yvgq-lOUy9BKn1d_EMG-YCqrDRHmmyAnM2z1oDRvBGK1Rwf_hbE06Qnk6v0THFgzEQfxVyZrt9i0iI8PSxCMY1zJUnTEvO-7VmYQjW/s378/hoops+11.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="378" data-original-width="300" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFiDtlPIBRbvOr3AUgK0TtbG_ni9Bv5xscKqojT0yvgq-lOUy9BKn1d_EMG-YCqrDRHmmyAnM2z1oDRvBGK1Rwf_hbE06Qnk6v0THFgzEQfxVyZrt9i0iI8PSxCMY1zJUnTEvO-7VmYQjW/s320/hoops+11.jpg" /></a></div>"After all," we rightly tell ourselves, "We are free people--not trained seals needing fish from someone else's hand. We are not going through the motions to please men like animals in a circus cage. We were meant to live freely and to weigh the risks and rewards of our own hoops." </div><div><br /></div><div>I get that, and it's true, we are citizens of an exceptional country that has operated under an enduring constitution for more than 200 years, and as such it is frustration to see the constitution ignored or "overstepped" by over-reaching people temporarily in authority. Even so, there is a right way and a wrong way to respond to such frustration. We see wrong ways playing out on the evening news each week. <b><i>Sometimes human nature is like that. </i></b></div><div><br /></div><div>But as believers we are more than "<a href="https://youtu.be/2ANkzlpi_ew?t=127"><b><font color="#e69138">free indeed</font></b></a>." We are image bearers of the Creator God. Even those who do not acknowledge Him are His image bearers, but they are not <a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Matthew%205:14-16&version=NIV"><b><font color="#e69138">the light of the world</font></b></a>. As U.S. citizens, we understand that it sometimes takes time to restore a country (or the original intent of founding documents). Likewise. as believers we understand that since <a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Romans%205:12-21&version=KJV"><b><font color="#e69138">the fall when sin first entered the world</font></b></a>, God has held out the promise of restoring His original intent. He will restore the original meaning to His creation in His time.<b><i> <a href="https://bible.knowing-jesus.com/2-Peter/3/9"><font color="#e69138">God's plan</font></a> is like that.</i></b></div><div><br /></div><div>In the meantime, His Word tells us that the trials of this life <b><a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/verse/en/1%20Peter%201%3A7"><font color="#e69138">purify us like gold</font></a></b> ... that sometimes its by deferring to "hoops"<a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Philippians+2%3A14-15&version=ESV"> <b><font color="#e69138">without complaining</font></b></a>" that we beam in the darkness around us and <a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Philippians+2%3A14-15&version=KJV"><b><font color="#e69138">shine like stars</font></b></a>... (Philippians 2:15). This was the tone of <a href="http://2beginwith.blogspot.com/2020/08/guiding-principles-of-back2school.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: #e69138;"><b>our "Back 2 School" Plan.</b></span></a></div><div><br /></div><div>So from here in our<b> <a href="https://www.phrases.org.uk/meanings/26150.html"><font color="#e69138">corner of the world</font></a></b>, perhaps this is our time to shine to more than 200 nations/territories attempting to mitigate a new virus that has spread around the world in nine months.</div><div><br /></div><div>All things considered, we are doing a pretty good job of mitigating the risks without losing all of the rewards of freedom. Sure, it is an imperfect and sometimes frustrating process, but let's not lose HOPE as we jump through the hoops. </div><div><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYISDzXPe9CTw02Ug5RIHFibGQ9NccbY45FI8F93uCy-T-P2WOjN_X4e2Vbq-gu4dHsMIO0_0QIneK76worPo0Pu-pHjs0brXzsFrew1tjV0BLdkl_4RuqIWtWRmz_BkxwlIdi0dFr3W9o/s1200/hoops+9.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="799" data-original-width="1200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYISDzXPe9CTw02Ug5RIHFibGQ9NccbY45FI8F93uCy-T-P2WOjN_X4e2Vbq-gu4dHsMIO0_0QIneK76worPo0Pu-pHjs0brXzsFrew1tjV0BLdkl_4RuqIWtWRmz_BkxwlIdi0dFr3W9o/s320/hoops+9.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>This, too, shall pass, and as long as<i> TEMPORARY HOOPS CAN REMIND US OF OUR ETERNAL HOPE</i>... and of what we believe and why we are here on this earth... so long as this can be said of us in these times... <b>let us jump through the HOPES together </b>and do whatever it takes to be exemplary as we gather safely together for school in the fall. Better days are yet to come. <b><i>Sometimes HOPE is like that.</i></b></div>.Tom Kapankahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17431717152727352230noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6151939630752729248.post-62158807195116299592020-09-26T08:47:00.002-04:002020-09-27T17:57:12.280-04:00Guiding Principles of the CCS “Back2School” Committee:<p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIxCXYNrquN6AI9kQM-CNolt72eZjBPsWgXlDsEH1sNlnUkSvB6WdeBq8iMSgjAXKwsS-bVDUC0a3ML81nUrfk2gLZW9KqNewuZa0oxWBw4IjxDCpXXetqe-_rsP1-HK-y9QHaMRKChswu/s1200/back_to_school_sm.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="1200" height="175" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIxCXYNrquN6AI9kQM-CNolt72eZjBPsWgXlDsEH1sNlnUkSvB6WdeBq8iMSgjAXKwsS-bVDUC0a3ML81nUrfk2gLZW9KqNewuZa0oxWBw4IjxDCpXXetqe-_rsP1-HK-y9QHaMRKChswu/w262-h175/back_to_school_sm.jpg" width="262" /></a><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: courier;"> [Originally posted August 12, 2020]</span></p><p>I have been a part of many committees thoughout my career in K-12 Christian education, and I can truly say it has been a pleasure to problem-solve with our CCS Back2School Committee since our work began last June. Our team consisted of veteran educators and health-care/public safety professionals with degrees in medicine, IT, health, administration, etc. Together they have more than 100 collective years in leadership at CCS.</p><p>Together we have worked hundreds of man-hours with the goal of laying the best possible footing for returning to our campus and classrooms in the fall. Individually, we have also worked hundreds of hours researching the ever-changing landscape of a now 6-month long global health emergency. We have also reviewed countless plans of other schools (public and private).</p><p>Each school district has its own challenges and assets, and we appreciate our state's invitation to take to full advantage of our school's strengths in addressing current concerns. CCS is uniquely suited to mitigate risks while maintaining educational best practices as much as possible. We are very pleased with the plan that our board will approve on August 15, 2020. Throughout the process, we have maintained <i><b>unity</b></i> (which does not require unanimity). Such unity is reflected in a spirit of <b><i>deference</i></b>, explained below. This has been the key to our functioning as a committee and school family, and it will also be the key to a great school year ahead.</p><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><b>Guiding Principles
of the “Back2School” Committee:<o:p></o:p></b></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="margin: 0in 0in 6pt 0.25in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-size: 10pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">1.<span style="font: 7pt "times new roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size: 10pt; line-height: 107%;">CCS
is a faith-based, non-public school whose mission does not change with changing
times. Partnering with likeminded parents has always been a hallmark of CCS. A
parent survey will be conducted before a final plan is shared with the CCS
family (state-established deadline for posting the final plan is August 17,
2020.) </span><span style="font-size: x-small; line-height: 107%;"><i>[This survey was completed and processed in early August, and an outdoor, socially distances parent meeting was held in the rear courtyard of the school on August 13. Both the survey and the meeting reflected a positive spirit of unity and overwhelming support for adopting the prescribed protocols in order to be in person/on campus.]</i></span></p><p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="margin: 0in 0in 6pt 0.25in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="font-size: 10pt; line-height: 107%; text-indent: -0.25in;">2.<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span><span style="font-size: 10pt; line-height: 107%; text-indent: -0.25in;"><b>Educational
“best practice” will be a factor </b>in all temporary modification of methodology
necessitated by other concerns. <b>Our goal will be to mitigate risks not to retreat
from life.</b>We all know no institution, regardless of size and resources, can guarantee to eliminate the risks involved in daily living. Just as seatbelts mitigate the risks of car occupancy while driving to school (but they cannot remove all risks of riding in a car), our protocols will mitigate the potential concerns we face in this present situation.</span></p><p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="margin: 0in 0in 6pt 0.25in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="line-height: 107%; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">3. </span></span><span style="font-size: 10pt; line-height: 107%; text-indent: -0.25in;">Teachers
will always be informed of matters that directly affect them before the school
family or public.</span></p><p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="margin: 0in 0in 6pt 0.25in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="font-size: 10pt; line-height: 107%; text-indent: -0.25in;">4.<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span><span style="font-size: 10pt; line-height: 107%; text-indent: -0.25in;">Because
CCS is a school, we will use events beyond our control and responses within our
control as teachable moments. We will foster a God-honoring culture of <i>faith</i>
not <i>fear</i> as we proceed, keeping passages like Psalm 46:10: “Be still and
know that He is God.” Romans 12: 18: “As much as depends on us, live peaceably
with all…” and Philippians 2:14-15: “Do all things without grumbling to be an
example to a forlorn generation for by doing so we will shine like stars in the
universe.” At age appropriate levels, in
addition to our regular curriculum, in the current context of the <a href="https://www.cidrap.umn.edu/news-perspective/2008/10/world-bank-says-flu-pandemic-could-cost-3-trillion">first global pandemic since 2008</a>, (or the <a href="https://www.cdc.gov/flu/pandemic-resources/2009-h1n1-pandemic.html">2009 H1N1 pandemic</a>) our students will learn related principles of
scripture, <span style="color: #e69138;"><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Scientific_method">scientific method</a></span>, health, hygiene, history, human nature, civic responsibility, self-governance,"can do" problem-solving, teamwork, the U.S. Constitution (as a basis for how a nation maintains order and freedoms amid conflicting cultural responses), etc. </span></p><p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="margin: 0in 0in 6pt 0.25in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="font-size: 10pt; line-height: 107%; text-indent: -0.25in;">5.<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><span style="font-size: 10pt; line-height: 107%; text-indent: -0.25in;">CCS is an accredited member of <b><u><a href="https://www.acsi.org/"><span style="color: #e69138;">ACSI</span></a></u></b> and have received
and will continue to seek counsel from ACSI and other non-public and public-school
organizations as we proceed to finalize our plan. Our plan will reflect the
principles taught in our curriculum, etc. Priority
will be given to common sense, consideration of a full scope of pertinent data. Life involves calculated risks mitigated by knowledge, experience, shared information, and "best practice." Some mushrooms are poison, some are on pizza. As we consume food processed and prepared by others, we enjoy the calculated yet unspoken risks and rewards or our culture. Our goal is to mitigate risks in exchange for the rewards of living
freely for the glory of God.</span></p><p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="margin: 0in 0in 6pt 0.25in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="font-size: 10pt; line-height: 107%;">6.<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><span style="font-size: 10pt; line-height: 107%;">Fostering UNITY (but not necessarily
unanimity) will be a priority. </span><span style="font-size: 10pt; line-height: 107%;">The first
page of our Parent-Student Handbook has included this statement for two
decades:<span style="color: #783f04;"> “Because
education is a partnership, its goals are more effectively met when the home
and the school are confident that each party values the best interests of the
other. As a practical matter, however, the school cannot be administrated by
the many different homes it serves. <b>To function agreeably as a school
community, we must exercise <i>deference</i> (i.e. courteous, respectful
compliance to guidelines which may not reflect our own <i>preference</i>).
</b>Order, unity, and the mission of CCS are best achieved when [we respect the
‘deference-over-preference’ principle.]” </span></span></p><p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="margin: 0in 0in 6pt 0.25in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="font-size: 10pt; line-height: 107%;">7.<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><span style="font-size: 10pt; line-height: 107%;">The committee and administration will
present a plan to reopen on the Tuesday after Labor Day. The School Board
ultimately approves the policy, timeline, contingencies, etc. and decides when
to present it to parents, the MDE, etc.</span></p><p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="margin: 0in 0in 6pt 0.25in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="font-size: 10pt; line-height: 107%;">8.<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><span style="line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-size: 10pt;">The Governor’s “roadmap” asks that each school’s plan be submitted to the MDE and the Michigan Treasury
Department by August 17, 2020. The fact that each district (CCS is considered its
own district) has to submit THEIR OWN PLAN implies that these plans are rightly considered “local” matters rather than one-size-fits-all approach across the state. We appreciate the wisdom of that latitude, and that the premises behind the
Governor’s “road map” can be individually adapted to meet the realities of each district. It is the committee's intention to provide a </span><i style="font-size: 10pt;">prima facie </i><span style="font-size: 10pt;">plan
that is acceptable to our clientele, compliant with the most reliable data within of state guidelines, and compelling to the broader CCS community beyond the families we serve.</span><span style="font-family: courier; font-size: xx-small;"> [These plans were completed and presented as intended.]</span></span></p><p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="margin: 0in 0in 6pt 0.25in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="font-size: 10pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="margin: 0in 0in 6pt 0.25in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="color: #990000;"><span style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 0px;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-style: italic; line-height: 17.12px;"><b>NOTE: </b>On it’s opening page, our CCS Parent-Student Handbook says, <b>“Though all families agree to defer to the policies herein, these pages are not intended to dictate the atmosphere of our building or the “spirit” of the day to day operation of our school.” </b>The same holds true for the temporary protocols adopted to make our re-opening possible this fall. The presentation and implementation of “Reopening Plan” protocols will reflect the mutual respect and deference we are called to model within the Church, within our school, and within our community.</span></span><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 17.12px; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0px;"> <span lang="EN" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 17.12px;">On its closing page, our handbook says <b>“<i>Like-mindedness is best achieved through unity in essential matters, liberty in deferential matters and charity in all matters." </i></b></span></span></span></p><p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="margin: 0in 0in 6pt 0.25in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-align: center; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="color: #990000;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 17.12px; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0px;"><span lang="EN" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 17.12px;"><b><i>TOGETHER WE'LL GET THERE!</i></b></span></span></span></p><p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="margin: 0in 0in 6pt 0.25in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="color: #990000;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 17.12px; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0px;"><span lang="EN" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 17.12px;"><b></b></span></span></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #990000;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 17.12px; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0px;"><span lang="EN" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 17.12px;"><b><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQq4mILIJWhIQyETBaB5ldpvXlVs8DSSzjuvle-LEwZIK6JSo6Bc3ZzwdIDyHPhpUvz64VAy3iOg50HfP4oZGlBIYOGuFMMGAXG5K5ZWzcPs7MN5Jl6XoHNQoIny8ua8IShzvKmI3phmgc/s960/Together+We%2527ll+Get+There.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="540" data-original-width="960" height="288" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQq4mILIJWhIQyETBaB5ldpvXlVs8DSSzjuvle-LEwZIK6JSo6Bc3ZzwdIDyHPhpUvz64VAy3iOg50HfP4oZGlBIYOGuFMMGAXG5K5ZWzcPs7MN5Jl6XoHNQoIny8ua8IShzvKmI3phmgc/w512-h288/Together+We%2527ll+Get+There.jpg" width="512" /></a></b></span></span></span></div><span style="color: #990000;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 17.12px; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0px;"><span lang="EN" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 17.12px;"><b><i><br /></i></b></span></span></span><p></p>.Tom Kapankahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17431717152727352230noreply@blogger.com0