First Day of School
WRITTEN BY EMILY TUTTLE
Yesterday at Casa Bernabé we celebrated the first day of our new school year. In Guatemala, the school year runs from January to October, with November and December serving as our "summer break." We've had an amazing two months of rest, and now we're excited to start a new year at Casa Bernabé Christian School.
Casa Bernabé Christian School offers Christ-centered education to children and youth in the Casa Bernabé community and beyond. For over 10 years, the school has opened its doors to families in the surrounding area who face economic and social challenges, providing them with a chance for formal education they may not have otherwise had. With Pre-K through 9th-grade classes and 24 teachers and staff members, the school impacts 350 children. Approximately 70% of them come from the surrounding community, and the rest are our residential kids from within CB.
Our school is one of the biggest impacts Casa Bernabé makes on our local community, and we're so thankful for the opportunity to expand the mission of what's happening on our campus to the families living nearby. We strongly believe education is an important part of breaking the cycle of poverty and helping more children be able to stay with their families.
In typical Central American fashion, the first day involves a lot of pomp and circumstance. Everyone gathered at 8:00 am on the soccer field, the kids lined up by grade levels in their new classes, and the ceremony began. One of our house dads, Danny, was the DJ and worship leader for the morning. The kids were welcomed by the team serving at CB this week from Cornerstone Baptist Church in Morton, IL.
Miss Wendy, the school Director, opened in prayer, Danny led everyone in worship, and Miss Denise and the pastor from Cornerstone shared devotionals. Then our teachers lined up to be introduced to their new classes. Cornerstone provided three days of professional development for the teachers this week before the kids arrived, and they did a school supply drive before coming to Guatemala, so they passed out backpacks full of supplies to each of the children to equip them for the new year. Once everyone had a new backpack, it was time to head to the classrooms.
Please join us in praying for our teachers and students as they begin the new year. Our school is able to be a resource to so many families because we subsidize many of the community students' tuition, as well as that of our Casa Bernabé kids, which is made possible by the generosity of our Education Sponsors. We will keep you updated throughout the school year on interesting events, specific ways you can pray, and needs the school has that our extended Casa Bernabé family could have an opportunity to help meet. Before we know it, October will be here and we will be celebrating another graduation!
