Behold, the old has passed, the new has come. 2 Corinthians 5:17
Behold, I make all things new…Revelation 21:5
Happy New Year! As you read this note, I am in Hua Hin, Thailand with my former LCS colleague, NoreenPowell. Noreen and I taught at LCS in the early 2000’s and have remained dear friends and prayer partners. We are here to serve families who are on retreat from mission in some of the most remote parts of Asia. Noreen and I are back together again in our former role as teachers. A gift from God!
When we say the old has passed, we all know that our God is a God of purpose and deep, significant history. He created history! So when we think of things past, we also remember. Remember what God has done in our hearts and lives, and in the lives of those we know and love. For me that includes my tenure at LCS, and I wouldn’t trade my years at God’s school for anything!
Now, if truth be told, there were certainly a few days when that would not have been my honest reaction to some of my experiences during my years of teaching. Some days were hard! They were hard because of disagreements, bad behavior – both mine and my students – and all the things that can take the beautiful day that God has created and turn it sour.
But not today! Today I am reflecting on all of the moments that God has allowed in order to bring me to this beautiful place, with my beautiful friend, serving these very dear folks. None of it would have come to be unless there was the “old.”
Eugene Peterson is best known as the author of The Message Bible, but he also penned the book entitled, A Long Obedience in the Same Direction: Discipleship in an Instant Society. At this season of my life, with 67 years in the rear view mirror, I can really appreciate the perspective this statement provides. If not for the long life and years of experience that God had graciously allowed me to live, I would not be here today to relish this sacred experience.
I hope that even when it seems hard, even when you might feel like throwing in the proverbial towel, you will be reminded that God is playing the long game. We need to stay in the game with Him, and in so doing, we know that He has rewards in store. In the book of Galatians, Paul exhorts us, “Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.” Please know that your investment in your child’s Christian education, your investment in God’s school and his many wonderful servants here at LCS will yield kingdom value. We don’t know exactly how or when, and we don’t always see the fruit on our timeline, but we know the Author of both the old and the new, and we know that God keeps His promises.
Happy New Year Loudonville Christian School families! Thank you for the trust you place in us again this year.
To God be the Glory!
Kathleen Kiernan
Vice Chair
Loudonville Christian School Board
GOALS FOR 2026
Resolutions are intermittently sustainable, but goals that are commended by scripture and commitment that is fueled by the Holy Spirit are absolutely necessary for the believer. Experiencing the abundant life I have learned, is truly growing and walking out the fruits of the spirit: Galatians 5:22-23 ESV “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law.” Experiencing growth in the fruits IS the abundant life! As we surrender to the Lord and let Him do gracious and miraculous works in our hearts, thoughts, and impact, we begin to look more like Jesus as He displayed all the fruits in full measure. This is not about behaving well, although experiencing peace in the way we live our lives will certainly be a byproduct, it is about transformation. Growing in those fruits indicates we are walking closer to the Lord, which will produce confidence in our identity and communicate hope to the world. My true goal for 2026 is to look more like Christ. When making that claim it does cause a bit of trepidation as it will likely involve strategies that only the Lord will have context for, and yet will be for my good, leading to transformation. I would rather trust Him and take the leap to open myself to whatever He has in store. His story is the full and true story. As a school community, let’s open ourselves to experiencing the abundant life as defined by the Lord and watch our mission fulfilled before our very eyes. Happy New Year LCS Community!!
9-12th
January 6th: Students return to school
January 23rd: End of Quarter 2 for Upper School
January 19th: Martin Luther King Jr. Day---NO SCHOOL
January 21st: 4th Grade Field Trip to NYS Museum 8:20am-2:30pm
January 24th: Open House 10am-12:00pm-please encourage friends, family, and neighbors to check out LCS on this day
Potential Upper School Student Life Activity-details(including date) forthcoming!
February 9th-13th: Spirit Week (details forthcoming)
February 16th-20th: Winter Break- NO SCHOOL
This year we will NOT be canceling a week of classes to give midterm assessments. Instead, teachers will give midterm assessments during class time which may span one period or multiple. The midterm may even be a project that students present. In any case, here are some resources for parents that will support you as you encourage your student. Please reach out to me for any clarification or specific strategies that may work for your student!
SchoolAI is a great site for creating review packets that can be generated for specific units within specific courses your students are taking. Making an account is free. If you set up an account, go to "Tools" then "Worksheet". Type in the specific material you are looking for, such as, "Generate a review packet for Unit 1 of Pre-AP Geometry and Statistics, as well as an answer key," then click on the grade of the student, and finally, "Generate." It should produce a new review packet every time you go through that process. The more specific you are, the more specific the output will be. ****Your student will know which units, subject areas, and types of problems/documents are being tested****
Junior Families, appointments for the Junior Meet College and Career Planning Meeting are still available using Sign Up Genius
Senior Mid-Year Transcripts will be available to send to colleges after January 23rd!
Here is the link to the Parent Calendar: https://www.lcs.org/calendar