Principal's Pennings

MLA Online Week 4

Thank you to everyone who completed the MLA Online Survey.  We are currently working through the information so we can better serve you and your children. 

Governor Parson’s shared that students will not return to their physical buildings this school year.  Even having a confident idea that this was going to happen, it still was disappointing to hear.   Last week, I was walking the school building and there was a sense of emptiness that tried to consume me.  At the end of each day, the teachers and I meet with each other to share information, frustrations, and successes.  I shared with the teachers that it felt like defeat, but as I looked at the Zoom screen, I could see in their faces that there was no defeat.  The teachers showed a confidence that they were going to continue to work hard to provide a top education for the students.  There was no defeat, but an understanding that this is our new (short term) norm.  Although we miss physically being around our students and each other, we are grateful for the ability to see and share with everyone daily.  We are still a strong community founded in our victorious Christ.  

We are continuing to plan for the rest of this year and prepare for next year.  We do not have all the answers but we are planning alternatives for the events we had on the calendar.  Some events will be postponed while others will be recreated.  One of those events is “Donuts with Dad’s” which is renamed “Breakfast with Dad.”  We are encouraging families to log into Zoom using the chapel ID, during breakfast, listen to some jokes, watch some magic tricks, and hear stories from our National Junior Honor Society members.  We encourage everyone to stay logged in for chapel, which will be led by Pr Joe Robb.  He served inner-city Milwaukee Congregations and now serves as the Vice President to Missions in the California LCMS district. 

This is a challenging time, but it is only a season.  During this unusual time, I encourage you to communicate with teachers and myself if it’s too much or not enough work.  You can also communicate if it’s just right.  We are here to help.  We want our students to continue to grow spiritually, emotionally, and academically.  There is a meme on Facebook going around, sharing not to stress about this year and that we would work to get everyone caught up when we return in the fall because that's what we do.  I believe that the hard work everyone is putting forth right now will make it easier when we return to school in the fall.   We will fall back into a routine while implementing new strategies and resources that we have learned during this time.  I find it a joy working with our teachers, with our students, and most importantly you.  

Thank you,

Principal Scot Dixon

Monday 6 April 2020

     I hope and pray that everyone is starting to get into the groove.  The teachers continue to put great effort into continuing to provide an excellent education for our children.  Our children continue to take ownership of their own learning, and you continue to help your children when they need help.  This transition has been an amazing team effort on everyone's part.  I look forward to seeing how God's glory will be shown as we continue to work through this trial, and how our children will grow in this ever-changing world? 
     Holy Week is a week with ups and downs.  We learn about how Jesus entered Jerusalem riding on a donkey and will be denied, beat, ridiculed and put to death.  As we all know, this is not how the story ends.  Three days after His death, we celebrate His resurrection.  Jesus conquered sin, death, and the devil.  He did this not for himself, but for the entire world.  2000 years later, we still find unending joy in knowing and believing this truth.
     This Easter will be one that will not be forgotten.  The physical churches will be empty, with no triumphant music playing, and no joyous people dressed up.  This will not stop God's people from worshiping at home, singing and praising His triumphant return, knowing that He is in control.  I look forward to returning to church, shaking people's hands and singing more joyous than ever.  God's glory will be seen in a way that has not been shown in many years.  

Chapel 
Chapel will be at 8:30 on Maundy Thursday, April 9 and led by Pastor Arnold.
Next week chapel will return to Wednesday at 8:30

Principal Scott Dixon

MLA Online Week 3

Holy Week and Easter this year, was one the most unique that many of us will experience in a long time.  We spent much of the week outside playing, doing yard work, and enjoying the beautiful weather.  We spent time worshipping our Lord and Savior in our homes (which is still a little strange).  During St. Stephen's Easter Service, Pastor Joe shared that he thought this would be one of the most heavily attended Easter Sundays due to the number of services being available online, and I feel he is correct.  I know of a couple of families who even participated in multiple Easter services over the weekend.  

This weekend, we also spent time contemplating the potential benefits of the Stay At Home time.  There are more families walking up and down our street than there are cars in a single day.  Families seem to be spending time together, playing games, having in-home dance parties, and being outside (with sidewalk chalk).  There seems to be a resurgence in quality family time. 

MLA teachers continue to work hard in redesigning classroom instruction to MLA Online instruction.  They have explored online resources that they are using, and I believe will continue to use when we do return to MLA.  As we continue to the remainder of the year MLA Online, we continue to be available for your children and you to continue to nurture our students spiritually, emotionally, and academically.                           

Principal Scott Dixon

MLA Online Week 1
Week 1 is in the books.  We were blessed to start MLA Online with chapel, followed by teachers and students having the blessing of seeing each other online.  This continued throughout the week.  The students' enthusiasm continued to grow during the following days.  I know there were tears over the first few days, but I pray that there were many more moments of pride and excitement at how well the students did the first three days. The adjustment is much harder on us as adults than it is on our kids.  

I am amazed at how quickly the teachers adjusted and are working to adapt there teaching. They have quickly learned how to Zoom, use Google Classroom, and are even learning howto record their lessons and share them.  Thank you to all the parents who are helping their children log into their computers,navigate Google Classroom, and juggle working at home!  

I am grateful for the beautiful weather this week.  I checked out digitally for most of it and was able to enjoy the fresh air with my family.  I  hope you found some peace this weekend as well. 

Our association churches have all moved to digital services.  Some offer a live service and all are recorded so you can worship at your own choice.  Sunday morning,when perusing Facebook, I think I ran across about 10 different worship services taking place.  I never would have thought that my Facebook feed would be filled with opportunity after opportunity to worship God.  Take advantage of the multitude of church worship services, and spend some time in God's word with others around the world. 

Chapel 
This week, chapel will be at 8:30 on Wednesday, 4/1 and led by Pastor Joe.
Next week, chapel will be at 8:30 on Maundy Thursday, 4/9 and led by Pastor Arnold 

Blessings,

Scott Dixon, Principal