from the director | may 2019

I think this month should be called “Mayhem.” There is so much going on in this threshold month between school wrapping up and summer beginning. The combination of celebrations and endings creates a swirl of emotions. May reminds us that change comes whether we are ready for it or not. Our children grow in ways that mean we need to change and grow as parents. But honestly, this process is hard on our hearts sometimes. Do you feel it too?

In his book Necessary Endings, Henry Cloud offers wisdom that might help us all at the end of this school year. Endings, he writes, are a natural and normal part of life just like beginnings. However, there is also a natural tendency for us to avoid or botch them. Reasons include our fear of the unknown, our desire to avoid the sadness associated with an ending, our fear of letting go, our lack of skills to process endings, our personal history of painful endings that get triggered by the natural ending, etc. Cloud’s encouragement is to metabolize endings: accept them, experience them fully (allowing ourselves to feel), break them down (just like your body breaks down food) to keep what is usable and eliminate what you no longer need.

As we do the heart and hard work this month of saying goodbye to this school year and some of you (sniff), allow me to share some related school news.

• We are saying goodbye to our beloved 4 Day teachers, Tricia Prusnek (22 years at WDS) and Christine Day (14 years at WDS). Mrs. Prusnek is retiring and Mrs. Day is taking a full-time job in the hospitality industry. We are so happy for and grateful to both of these amazing women. We are saying goodbye to the extraordinary Shannon Brown (3 Day Lead). Look for Shannon to pop up teaching in an elementary school in the future.

• Leigh Pantaleon will be moving up to the 4 Day Team next year with Marci Rubio as her assistant teacher. Pat Walkup will float with the 3 Day Team. Tracy Zirkle will move into the 3 Day Lead role with Jenny Hollis as her assistant. Jill Dye will assist Kristen Muhart in 4 Day. Ashley Montanez will do some floating/subbing as she finishes her degree in the fall. Whew...think that just about covers it for now.

• We are saying hello to billing in Brighthwheel for the 19-20 school year. I know this is welcome news to all of you who are returning with us. I also have to give a shout out to our amazing office staff who navigate technology and change so well: Vicki Rutledge, Julie Fontaine, and Karen Evans.

• We are saying goodbye to 4 Day students at the 4 Day Celebration on Thursday. They actually have a few more days of school after that, but this is our formal ending ceremony to celebrate their growth. Kindergarten here they come!

I do want to thank all of you who completed your parent survey back in March. I read each one and take to heart the commendations and suggestions for improvements you give us. Then I share them with the teaching & administrative teams as well. We use your feedback to help shape our goals for the future. You really are such an important reason that Weekday School is such a fantastic preschool. So thank you!

“There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under the heavens: a time to be born and a time to die, a time to plant and a time to uproot.” Ecclesiastes 3:1-2

In Christ,

faith and family | april 2019

Therefore lift your drooping hands and strengthen your weak knees, and make straight paths for your feet, so that what is lame may not be put out of joint but rather be healed. Hebrews 12:12–13

You know, the kind of mother who kept a perfectly clean house? She who served delicious and nutritious meals? She had fun with her kids and never raised her voice? I wanted to be this mom. I wanted to be the best mom that the world has ever seen. As this school year is drawing to a close, I am tired and I feel stretched. My duties haven’t changed, I have.

Today I forgot to make my child a lunch. Minutes before I walked out the door, I dropped several thoughtless items into a lunch box. Maybe it’s just that I want a pajama day as rest from appointments and obligations. Or maybe I feel the strain of my aging parents. My father is nearing the end of his life and my parents live in another state. I feel relief that I do not have to bear the majority of his care and guilt because I am not there. Don’t get me wrong, I love my family and I love my role as mother. Yet sometimes I feel exhausted and stressed out and over tired.

Dear Moms, I am far from perfect but I have concocted a short list of things I will try to prioritize. So, if you feel like me, feel stretched and ready for a loose summer schedule, then look at your activity in the self care department.

• Common sense and women’s magazines remind us to look at our sleep patterns. I KNOW! But hear me out. Sometimes we have to let a task be undone or ask for help and try to nap or get in bed earlier. And, we must not forget our food. We wait for hours without water or food and sip coffee and then I wonder why we feel agitated or stressed. You can’t be a good mom if you are depriving your body of the food it needs to function correctly. If you feel completely overwhelmed, consider if your diet may be partly to blame. Look for ways that you can take care of your body with healthy food and plenty of water. And, while you are at it, consider scheduling a physical with your doctor or a therapeutic massage if it has been a while.

• Are you making time in your day to remember who God is? Seek God. Listen for His voice. Make study and worship songs a part of your daily routine. You can never be a perfect mom but you can serve an amazing God. He will make you all that you need to be for your family. He can lift your mood when you are ready to give up.

• Are you surrounding yourself with Christian friends who can walk this parenting journey with you? You won’t survive on your own. Be humble enough to let your super-mom cape slip a bit and admit to close friends where you struggle. You just might discover that they are struggling, too. It’s a good thing to learn you are not alone.

• And last, let some things go, but don’t be a flake. Limits highlight our priorities. One of the ways we learn to be wise rather than hasty in our commitments is by sticking to them. If we stay up late making those pies for a bake sale, we will think twice before we over-commit again. And we will find out that it is not a sin to say no. It’s not a sin to let someone else volunteer. Someone wisely said, “The need is not the call.”

So ride this part out. Finish your commitments by the grace of God. Do not lose heart. Ask God for strength. And then don’t put anything extra on your calendar for a while. Take a breather and pray for spiritual refreshment.

Heavenly Father,

I come to you today, humble and exhausted, and ask that you carry my burdens. I pray that you lift my weary spirit and fill me with your love and peace so that I may be restored and renewed in body and mind. Lord, pour your heavenly nourishment into my soul and give me the energy to sustain me in my role as a mother.

Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Matthew 12:28

Roberta Smith, Faith and Family Coordinator

keep it short | april 2019

Short Phrase to Repair Relationships

Every parent makes mistakes and missteps in the dance of raising children. Parenting is HARD WORK. It is emotionally draining and physically exhausting. Sometimes, we snap. We react in ways we regret. This is normal. This is what it means to be a human being who is also parenting.

What if, instead of beating up on ourselves for our parenting fails, we viewed them as learning opportunities? What if we used our mistakes to teach our children how to apologize and repair relationships? Here is a short phrase to use:

“I’m sorry I….(describe the behavior you want to apologize for)”

Amanda Morgan writes: “When we apologize for our shortcomings, we model how to make appropriate apologies, but also teach our children that we all make mistakes. When they see us acknowledge and apologize, they learn they can do the same.”

Here’s another helpful perspective: Do not decide on discipline when you are angry, you are likely to overdo it. Do not be afraid to repair or retract a punishment that is excessive.

Laura Kastner writes: “Consistency is important, but carrying out a punishment that is too hard is nutty. Plus, you’ll get to model another desirable parental behavior: admitting to mistakes. ‘I was wrong to decide about discipline when I was upset.’ Be proud if you deliver that line.”

In spiritual terms, this is confessing our sins. When we apologize to our children and admit our imperfections, we can also teach them about the perfect love of their Heavenly Father.

“If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” I John 1:8-9

If you’re interested in learning more about how to parent from the heart in a way that will draw you and your family closer to heart of God, this book is a fantastic book.

from the director | april 2019

Hi, WDS Families!

I’m happy to report that the Peer Review Team for the Christian Schools of Florida (our accrediting agency) has recommended continued accreditation for Weekday School for the next five years. During their campus visit last week they surveyed our facilities, observed our school day and met with groups of parents, teachers, and even a group of squirmy 4 Day students pictured below.

While it’s a lot of work to get everything organized and put our best foot forward, it’s actually a very rewarding process because it helps us celebrate our accomplishments and continually improve our school. The Peer Review Team gives us a list of commendations and recommendations to get us started. I thought I’d share a few…

Commendation: The Executive Board and Advisory Board work well with the Director and operate as ambassadors for the school.

Commendation: The staff is connected and supportive of each other. Staff members are nurturing and encouraging to both children and their parents. They have created classroom that are inviting and well equipped with age-appropriate activities and materials.

Commendation: The school environment is positive and loving. Children feel safe and loved. Parents report being happily satisfied at Weekday School.

Gosh, we love hearing these great encouragements. And we’re also chewing on their recommendations which include updating our playground, continuing to provide spiritual growth opportunities for staff, children, and families, and better promotion of Weekday School in the community. We say “yes” to those improvement goals as well.

With the Easter holiday rapidly approaching, I want to invite you to First Presbyterian Church for our Easter services. I’m linking all of the details below. There are several WDS staff members who help out on a regular basis in Sunday morning children’s space - including Pat Walkup and Cathy Knox. On Easter Sunday, I’ll be helping with children during the 9:45 service as well. So come join us!

Easter Sunday Details

We do have school on Good Friday (April 19) but we are closed the Monday after Easter (April 22). I’ve dropped some additional resources for a preschool-friendly Easter in “Links We Love.”

I hope you know how much I appreciate ALL the encouragement you give us throughout the year. I am so thankful for our partnership.

“Every time I think of you, I give thanks to God.” Philippians 1:3

In Christ,

Mother's Brunch 2019

Please join us for Weekday School’s Annual
Mother’s Brunch
Guest Speaker
Leigh Swanson

Shop & Mingle

K Starkey Designs and Porch Therapy

Wednesday, May 8, 2019
9:15 - 9:30 am 3 Day & 4 Day classroom visits
9:30 - 11:30 am  Brunch in Lee Fellowship Hall