Principal’s Message December 2013
Dear Parents,
My mother phoned me last week and wanted to know what was on my Christmas list. As I contemplated what wonderful gifts I could ask for, I started to think about the gifts I receive and the gifts that I can give to others. Christmas can be a time where people’s thoughts turn to giving and receiving presents but this conversation with my mom got me to think about the multitude of gifts we can give to enrich the lives of others.
One such gift is an initiative called the Leader in Me program, a program used by many schools in Edmonton Public and across North America. The popularity of this program is largely due to the empowerment it gives students and the subsequent successes which result. The Leader in Me program stresses 1.) Independence: allowing for students to responsibly lead their lives and 2.) Interdependence: for students to work well within teams and with all types of people. Our staff is enthusiastically embracing implementation of this student leadership program and you might soon hear your children using expressions like “begin with the end in mind” or “be proactive”.
Another example of the gifts we give to others comes in light of the recent tragedies caused by the typhoon in the Philippines. Meadowlark Christian students, families and staff have prayed for the victims and survivors and have also supported school events with proceeds designated to help the affected area. Also, many thanks to all the people who have generously contributed towards the annual Operation Christmas Child shoebox program. You will read elsewhere in this newsletter of the results of the bake sales, clothing drive and shoebox campaign, held over the past couple of weeks, to support people in need around our world.
Lastly and very importantly, is the gift our students at Meadowlark Christian receive each day they come to school. Building, strengthening and enriching their relationship with God is at the heart of the work we do. Parents, your commitment to your children by sending them to this Christian environment; the MCS Foundation and its commitment to the Community Christian Education Program and this amazing staff who are committed to developing excellence in our students in the areas of Learning, Living, Leading and Loving are giving the greatest gift of all.
I pray that each of you have a joyous and blessed Christmas season as we celebrate the great news of God’s gift of Jesus to each of us.
Darren Oskoboiny, Principal