By: Kristi McInerney, Elementary Principal

What a crazy year this has been!  When the unexpected happened, Timothy Christian School was ready.  Learning never stopped and our school was determined to not only survive the end of the school year, but thrive.  We were determined as an elementary school to keep as many things on the calendar as humanly possible.  That meant chapels continued each Wednesday.  We connected with our students and families on Class Dojo daily.  We made sure that no child fell through the cracks, but that we gave each child and family love and grace during the difficult challenge of at-home-learning. 

Our theme verse this year was Matthew 5:16 “Let your light so shine before men that they may see your good works and glorify your Father which is in heaven.”  We didn’t know then how much we would need to shine this year through the adversity of COVID-19 and quarantining at home.

As soon as the month of May came upon us we collaborated as an elementary team ways that we could make sure our students felt loved and blessed and honored for all of their hard work.  Every year we hold Awards Assemblies and Kindergarten graduation in the chapel.  With the rules and guidelines of COVID-19 in place we would not be able to gather in person this year.  We still felt honoring the students for all of their hard work was important.  We had 22 Kindergarten students and decided that having graduation parades for each of them would be a great way to celebrate their accomplishments.

We set the dates of June 5, 8, and 9and we decided that since we could not have an assembly indoors we would gather outdoors.  We set a specific time to visit each family in those three days and we saw seven or eight students per day.  I wish you could’ve seen us as we pulled out of the TCS parking lot with six of us carrying graduation lawn signs, graduation cookies, balloons, and summer buckets and bringing the school mascot, our amazing Timothy Tiger! (Thank you to Josh Barry, class of ’18 and Matthew Spiess, class of ’19!)  We were a sight to behold I am sure.  We would pull up to each home, beeping the horns, and shouting “Congratulations” as we walked up.   At some homes we celebrated in the front lawn with grandparents, neighbors, and family members.  It was absolutely beautiful.  Mrs. Barry and Mrs. Wildgoose had portfolios and awards to present.  Mrs. Spiess had a lawn sign per child to have and keep and took photos.  I was able to bring diplomas and graduation cookies and Miss Wilkinson brought her amazing school spirit (every Cheerleading coach has it)!  My favorite part of each visit was gathering together to pray over each child and family.

We could not have the assembly in the chapel this year, that is true.  But this year, we had something even bigger and better.  We had community and fellowship and celebration personally with each child.  I could see the joy and appreciation on all the parents’ faces.  It was so wonderful to see all of our students face to face instead of over a zoom screen.  I am so thankful for our Kindergarten team and the way we were able to make this graduation special. 

Maya Angelou said, “I’ve learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel.” Our goal this year was to make sure everyone felt loved and honored.  I think we accomplished that goal!  I am so proud of my elementary team that thoroughly shined through every aspect of this school year!