Our New Lobby

“I love the colors!” “The school feels more cozy.” “Come see my picture!” “I bet no other school in Abbotsford has a lobby like ours!” Those were some of the comments from parents and students on seeing our newly renovated lobby. Regardless of whether you were as enthusiastically responsive as that, there is no doubt that the renovation is bold, and that it has brought even more excitement to the beginning of our school year. I like that. Two of my most enjoyable times at the beginning of the school year are the first day when staff gather for a continental breakfast during the teacher preparation week, and when all the students come into our opening chapel. The buzz during these times clearly tells me that this is indeed an exciting place to be. Excitement alone can be a fickle emotion, however. It needs to be grounded to have integrity. That is where the boldness comes in. I believe God is guiding ACS to be bold and innovative; to be a leader in quality education. That means taking risks. Julius Siebenga led the charge in developing our new lobby, and walked through the process most directly this summer, but we were all keenly aware of the risks involved. That is why the statements above were so gratifying to hear. Taking bold leadership in education is about more than colorful lobbies. It is discerning what is best educational practice; about letting God “unveil why we’re made”, to quote one of my favorite lines from this year’s theme song. Developing multi-age learning communities is one example of how we are trying to demonstrate that leadership. It is risky, it is a lot of hard work, and it requires continually praying for wisdom and discernment. And it means being fully invested in the process. That is why I love our new tagline – mind, heart, soul. As staff and students, we want to be fully involved in the process – engaging minds, nurturing hearts, and shaping God’s world. Our faithful God, who has carried us through 60 years, demands nothing less. We are humbled by that responsibility and by the trust the parents place in us in our endeavors. Together we rejoice in the sure knowledge that Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today and forever – Hebrews 13:8