The new year at Vacaville Christian Schools promises to be one of hope. It is not just in its teachings — biblical or otherwise — but in the sense of optimism among its students, staff, and administrators after a bleak year and a half for the world at large.
At the nondenominational K-12 school system’s three campuses — elementary, middle, and high school — the feeling was one of jubilation as students returned from their summer break Monday. Ben Davis, the head of schools, felt particularly thrilled to be back.
“Today feels like the culmination of so much energy and effort on behalf of our students and parents,” he said. “It reminds me of the purpose of why we do what we do, why we spend so much time and work and energy preparing for kids to come back.”
Unlike other schools, VCS started the previous year with its campuses open for learning, albeit with social distancing precautions. Davis said the schools would continue to adhere to California Department of Public Health regulations, including thorough cleaning.
However, there will be major differences from the previous year. One is that families will be encouraged to be on campus. Additionally, families will be given the choice over whether or not to send their kids to school with masks.
“It’s our conviction that we provide families an opportunity to make the decision that’s best for them and of their child’s medical interest regarding face coverings,” he said.
Although if a certain number of positive rates occurs on campus, Davis said the schools would require face coverings again. On Monday, a few families could be seen wearing masks, but the majority opted not to.
Davis also said the school is encouraging families to get vaccinated, and staff will be required to disclose their vaccination status. Those who opt not to get vaccinated will take weekly COVID-19 tests.
“We accommodate anyone in the community who wants to be vaccinated,” he said. “I feel confident it’s gonna be a safe campus.”
While Monday was a big day for all students, it was perhaps none more so than for kindergarteners entering school for the very first time. In her first year as an elementary school principal after 19 years as vice-principal, Karyn Kempton was excited about the year ahead, especially after visiting classrooms.
“So far, everything seems to be going well,” she said. “Our teachers have prepared. They have done an amazing job, so we are off to a great start.”
Kempton said the theme for this year, which will be reiterated throughout the Chapel program, is “God makes the impossible possible.”
“I am actually just really looking forward to the things He is gonna make possible through our classrooms, through our students, through our teachers, T.A.s,” she said. “Our entire staff is amazing.”
The night before school began, kindergarten teacher Lisa Short personally called all of her students to tell her how excited she was to meet them. When the day came, students stood in two lines — one for boys, one for girls — and she greeted each of them with a hearty “Good morning.” Some were visibly nervous, but Short assured them this was a natural feeling.
“I see a few tears,” she told her students. “That’s OK.”
Once inside, students hung up their “Paw Patrol,” “Minecraft,” Spider-Man, and “Frozen” backpacks and made their way to their tables with their names on them. Short had her students sing and dance along to videos of songs such as Jack Hartmann’s “Have a Good Morning, Have a Good Day,” KidSpring’s “When I Look” and Greg and Steve’s “Good Morning.” Short complimented her students on their singing and dancing skills.
Afterward, the students made their way to the colorful carpet and picked out a square they wanted to sit in. In her very expressive and energetic teaching style, Short read “Clifford’s First School Day,” about Norman Bridwell’s famous big red dog starting school for the first time. One kid asked how Clifford got so big, and Short said he just grew a lot over time — like her students will.
Short also read Audrey Penn’s “The Kissing Hand,” had her students paint their hands, taught reading and writing skills, went over playground rules, and gave them a tour of the school.
Short, who is in her 10th year of teaching at VCS, said she was impressed with her students so far.
“I love their eagerness and their excitement and their joy about starting kindergarten,” she told The Reporter.
Short will be teaching her students everything from foundational math skills to reading and writing to science to Bible lessons.
“I love helping these children to learn the joy of learning and the joy of school and the joy of loving Jesus,” she said.
Davis said VCS works just as hard in building students’ character as it does in building knowledge, and this year will be no exception.
“My goal for kids this year is they grow in their character and intelligence and their love for God,” he said.
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Vacaville Christian Schools ready for faith-filled new year - Vacaville Reporter
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