Educate-Equip-Inspire

Over the past few weeks, our second graders have been working hard to study animals and their habitats in science as well as completing an animal research writing project. To bring their learning to life, we took a class field trip to Fresno Chaffee Zoo.
We were grateful for a sunny day with amazing chaperones who helped our students experience the wonder of observing animals up close. Each field trip group completed a zoo bingo card that sent them on a scavenger hunt to find various animals and habitats as a team. Some students even gathered more details to add to their animal research writing project. It was a wonderful cross-curricular experience. After returning from the zoo, many students have been engaged in reading informational books about animals and collecting information about them to extend their research during independent reading time.
Here are some quotes from our students after we visited the zoo:
“My favorite part of the zoo were the meerkats. The meerkats are little but mighty.”
“My favorite part of the zoo field trip was the stingray bay, the komodo dragon, and the red wolf.”
“My favorite part of the zoo field trip was touching a shark and watching the sea lion show.”
“My favorite part of the zoo field trip was the elephants. I am thankful God made elephants.”
“My favorite part of the zoo field trip was when I saw an actual ostrich.”
“My favorite part of the zoo field trip was when I got to feed the giraffe. I liked feeding the giraffe because they are graceful.”
“My favorite part of the zoo was the stingrays. I like them because we got to feed them and pet them. I think sting rays are incredible.”
“My favorite part of the zoo field trip was the amazing sting rays. You even got to touch the sting rays. They feel so slimy!”
 

Over the past week, my students have been busy researchers, diving deep into the fascinating world of God's creatures. When we think about animals like the kangaroo, which can leap more than 30 feet in a single hop, the cheetah, which can reach speeds of up to 80 miles per hour, the ostrich, which can see from over a mile away, and the elephant, which mourns its dead and comforts the grieving—our students have been captivated. What started as a research unit quickly became something far richer: a front-row seat to the creativity and care of our Creator.

What struck me most as we studied these animals was how intentionally each one has been made. Every creature carries exactly what it needs — not by accident, but by design. The lion doesn’t need to learn how to be a powerful predator from scratch; it was made for it. The lemur is perfectly built for life in the forests of Madagascar. We read in Matthew 6, where Jesus points to the birds of the air and reminds His followers that if God clothes and feeds even the sparrows, how much more does He care for us? These animals, in all their extraordinary complexity, are living illustrations of a God who does not do anything halfway. He is a God of breathtaking detail — and we are His most treasured creation.

That is the truth I hope every one of my second graders carries out of this unit, and it is the truth I want to share with our whole school community: the same God who designed the Giraffe’s impossibly long neck and the Ostrich’s powerful legs made you — on purpose, with intention, and with love. Psalm 139 tells us we are fearfully and wonderfully made. We don't read those words as poetry alone; we read them as fact. When your child comes home and tells you all about the animal they researched, I hope it sparks a conversation about the God behind it all — the One who knit each of those creatures together, and who knit your family together too. We are not accidents in an indifferent universe. We are the beloved handiwork of a very creative, very attentive Father.

In fourth grade, students are learning to read stories not just for plot and character development, but through a meaningful Biblical lens: Creation, Fall, Redemption, and Restoration. This lens helps students see how every story reflects God’s greater story. As we meet in Book Clubs, students discuss how the world of the story begins (Creation), what goes wrong (Fall), how characters seek to make things right (Redemption), and what hope or healing emerges by the end (Restoration). It has been exciting to watch them think deeply and make thoughtful connections between literature and their faith.

As students read The Year of Miss Agnes by Kirkpatrick Hill, Riding Freedom by Pam Muñoz Ryan, and The Sign of the Beaver by Elizabeth George Speare, they are invited to look beyond events on the page and consider the bigger picture. Each book presents characters who experience brokenness, wrestle with challenges, and long for something better. Through small group and partner discussions, students are recognizing how courage, perseverance, friendship, and truth reflect God’s redemptive work in the world.

Most importantly, these stories encourage students to see themselves within God’s Big Story. They are beginning to understand that just as characters face moments of fall and redemption, we too live in a world that is both beautiful and broken. God calls each of us to participate in His ongoing work of restoration through kindness, integrity, learning, and loving others well.

It has been a joy to see our fourth graders engage thoughtfully with literature in this way. Mrs. Bakker, Mrs. Phillips, and I have all enjoyed working with students in their groups and seeing their understanding firsthand. By viewing stories through Creation, Fall, Redemption, and Restoration, they are learning that great books don’t just entertain, but they echo the truth of God’s larger story.

From the first days of school to this month of December, our kinders have grown beautifully both in their knowledge of God and in their academic skills. Their love for God and their desire to be Warriors for Christ is truly inspiring. Throughout the year, they have learned that God created a perfect world before the fall, and through stories, readings, and discussions, they have come to understand how sin entered the world. As we prepare for Christmas, they are also learning that Jesus came to redeem us and that one day He will return to restore all things.

Students have been incorporating these Biblical concepts into every academic subject. In science, they explored how plants and animals were affected by the fall. In social studies, they learned how human behavior was impacted and how citizenship and stewardship reflect our love for God’s creation or how poor choices can harm both ourselves and the world around us. Their kindness, respect, and genuine care for teachers and classmates show their growing understanding in these areas.

Each week, kinders take on various classroom jobs, such as Calendar Manager, Flag Salute Leader, and Greeter, which help them develop responsibility, ownership, and stewardship of their classroom environment.

In November, kinders also learned about 2D and 3D shapes. They applied these skills in a fun and meaningful stem activity where they worked in teams to build a turkey trap using marshmallows and coffee straws. Through this project, students demonstrated the fruits of the Spirit and good citizenship by taking turns, encouraging one another, and working cooperatively to build their structures.

Students also enjoyed drawing scenes from “The First Thanksgiving,” which they often connected to the idea of “loving your neighbor as yourself” (Matthew 22:39). These activities gave us opportunities to share family traditions and reflect on how we can love one another well. And through it all, we continue to remember that the true reason for the season is Jesus.

Psalm 33: 8-9 “Let all the earth fear the Lord; let all the people of the world revere Him. For He spoke, and it came to be; He commanded, and it stood firm.” NIV

There are moments in life that stop me in my tracks: the majestic beauty of the mountains and oceans, and a star-filled night. These scenes stir something deep within me: awe. Scripture reminds us that awe is more than a feeling; it is a posture of the heart. As a Christian, it refers to a person’s inner attitude and disposition towards their sin and God.

Psalm 33 calls all the earth to fear the Lord, not with terror, but with a reverent respect that recognizes who God is. He is the One who spoke creation into existence, who commanded the sea to remain within its boundaries and later parted them for Moses and the Israelites. He is the God who created our lives with a word and sustains them with His constant love. Everything we see and everything we are rests upon His unshakable authority and steadfast love.

He’s the One who saved me, set my feet on the narrow path, and placed them on His solid rock of truth. Awe is not a fleeting emotion the world provides; it is a steadfast posture of respect, love, faith, and trust. When we grasp this, worship becomes more than a song. Obedience becomes more than duty or obligation. Trust becomes more than hope. Each becomes a heart response to the majesty of God.

Sometimes we need the reminder from God to “straighten up with a better heart posture.” If you feel distant from God, pause and ask yourself these questions:

Do I have an unforgiving attitude?
Am I holding on to bitterness or hurt feelings?
Have I taken in more of the world and less of the Word of God?
Am I cultivating awe & gratitude, or letting frustration and fear shape my posture?

To stand in awe of God is to remember that He is both powerful enough to create all that is in existence and personal enough to realign our hearts’ posture. An alignment of obedience that welcomes His correction and guidance. It is to realize that the God who “spoke, and it came to be” also speaks into our lives, calling us, correcting us, comforting us, and anchoring us in truth.

Awe leads to reverence.
Reverence leads to surrender.
And surrender leads to peace.

Today, pause and let your heart acknowledge His greatness. Let awe rise within you and display a posture of the heart that aligns with God. Let worship deepen. Let reverence steady your soul and bring you peace.

Prayer:
Lord, open our eyes to Your majesty. Teach us to fear You with reverence that fills our hearts with trust and obedience. May Your voice guide our steps, just as it did from the moment You first called us.
Amen.

Two charter buses, ten chaperones, ten “Mouseketeer Moms”, and fifty-one of our HCS 7th and 8th grade Warrior Band and Chorus students had an amazing field trip to the Disney Imagination Campus on Friday, October 24. Even though we left at 4 am, the students were wide awake to attend their Disney Imagination Campus workshops. (And play in the park, of course!)

The Warrior band workshop was under the direction of an esteemed Disney educator and professional musician. During their workshop, the students were challenged to sight-read several short selections from various Disney movies, including Cars 2.  They were given the opportunity to record their songs, using state-of-the-art recording studio equipment, and watch them being played back along with the Disney movie clip. This was our first year to take the band, and the students made me so proud. They showed excellent rehearsal ethic, perseverance, and determination as they put their music skills to use.

The Warrior choir attended a workshop that was designed to give them a “Broadway magic” experience. The students were tasked to learn the song, “Belle” from Beauty and the Beast, before we arrived.  In the workshop, they worked with a choreographer and a musical director to cast the scene, learn the choreography, create characters, and perform for the chaperones. The level of excellence and effort that the students displayed was incredible! The Disney educators recognized and complimented our program here at HCS, which is a testament to these students.

Thank you to all of the HCS community for supporting our trip! We had an amazing time and look forward to showcasing our progress in our upcoming concerts. We hope you’ll join us!

Joanna Banta

Performing Arts Director, Chapel Coordinator, Kingdom Builders Advisor

A Heart That Overflows With Thanks

Isaiah 12:4–6 says, “Give praise to the Lord, proclaim his name; make known among the nations what he has done, and proclaim that his name is exalted. Sing to the Lord, for he has done glorious things; let this be known to all the world. Shout aloud and sing for joy, people of Zion, for great is the Holy One of Israel among you.”

This passage reminds us that gratitude isn’t just a silent posture—it’s an active declaration of God’s goodness. A thankful heart naturally overflows into praise, testimony, and joy. The people of Israel had witnessed God’s saving power, and their response was not reserved or quiet but full of celebration and proclamation. True thankfulness grows when we recognize who God is and what He has done in our lives. Gratitude shifts our focus from what we lack to the abundance already given. Even in seasons of uncertainty or struggle, remembering God’s past faithfulness fuels trust for tomorrow. As believers, our gratitude should echo beyond personal reflection; it should shine outward so that others see God’s goodness through our joy, peace, and hope. When we speak of His blessings and live from a grateful heart, we become living testimonies of His greatness. Today, take a moment to recall what God has done for you. Speak it out. Thank Him openly. Let praise rise from your heart and pour into your words, your worship, and your daily actions. A thankful heart is not just a response to blessing—it is a reflection of the One who blesses.

Things to talk about as a family:

What specific blessings or moments of God’s faithfulness can you recall and give thanks for today?

How does your attitude of gratitude influence those around you?

How can you make your thankfulness more visible—through words, actions, or worship?

How might expressing gratitude help strengthen your faith during challenging seasons?

When was the last time your gratitude led you to share God’s goodness with someone else?
 

As those redeemed by grace, we are called not only to believe in Christ but also to walk in a way that reflects the glory of the One who saved us. In Colossians 1:10, Paul writes “so that you may live a life worthy of the Lord and please him in every way :bearing fruit in every good work, growing in the knowledge of God”. The apostle Paul’s prayer for the Colossians was that they would “walk worthy of the Lord” — not as a way to earn His favor, but because they have already been adopted by Him through Christ.

Our theme this year focuses on “Walking Worthy.” Walking worthy means our lives show evidence of the gospel’s power, turning from sin, loving others, and pursuing holiness. This is not a walk of self-reliance, but of Spirit-enabled obedience. As it states in Philippians 2:13, “It is God who works in you to will and to act in order to fulfill his good purpose.”
 

As Reformed believers, we rejoice that our worthiness before God is forever secure in Christ’s righteousness alone. This should compel us to live lives of gratitude, striving to reflect the character of our Savior. The Heidelberg Catechism captures this beautifully: “Because Christ, having redeemed us by his blood,is also restoring us by his Spirit into his image,so that with our whole lives we may show that we are thankful to God” (Q&A 86).
 

Therefore, we walk worthy not to become children of God, but because we are His beloved children, chosen, called, and kept by His grace. Let our daily steps point others to the riches of His mercy and the beauty of a life transformed by the gospel.

Discussion questions.
● What does it mean to “walk worthy of the Lord” according to Colossians 1:10?
● How does this differ from trying to earn God’s favor through our good works?
● Why is it important to remember that our worthiness before God is based on Christ’s
righteousness, not our own efforts?
● Can you share an example of someone you know who walks worthy of the Lord?

Prayer: Gracious Father, thank You for calling us out of darkness into Your light. By Your Spirit, help us to walk in a manner worthy of the Lord Jesus, bearing fruit that glorifies You. Keep us humble, dependent, and joyful in the knowledge that Christ’s worthiness is our confidence, and empower us to live each day for Your name’s sake. Amen.