Springing Forward April to June

Continuing on the Covid Roller Coaster

April

At the beginning of April we returned to the classroom grades 1-5. Masks up and taking an Antigen test twice a week. This consisted of spitting in a cup and having our spit combined with a chemical solution that we waited for the colour to climb up a test strip to indicate we were good to go.

May

In May the count of Covid-19 cases in the country began to decline and middle school grades 6-8 returned to the building. Antigen Testing was reduced to once a week and we were allowed to take masks off when outside.

In the classroom we began our plant unit and planted seeds.

The neat thing about this project is how relatable growing a plant is to our Christian lives. The patience and the care needed to cultivate, nurture and help the plant to grow. We had been learning about Jesus' parables and the Sower and the Seed was fresh in their minds when we tested plant growth in different soils and monitored the progress. One student proclaimed "I knew the seeds in the rocky soil wouldn't make it because that is what happened in Jesus' story." True to form they got scorched by the sun over the weekend and withered and died. 

 

 

 

I equate my ministry very much to being the sower of the seeds. Each students' heart is a different kind of soil when I start and it is neat to see over the years how the seed of the gospel is planted in the hearts of our students and I get to watch them grow. 

Taught these guys in grade one and now they are headed into grade seven!

Please be praying for our students, especially those that will be moving on from our school.

June

We had two weeks of school left in June and near the very end we got to go mask free!

We did our annual trip to the zoo. Although Covid restrictions are still happening many places are opening back up. Especially outdoor venues like the zoo.

Just when you think you have experienced it all you have a kid get his leg stuck in a gorilla statue. You read that right. After you instruct the children not to climb on it, one child climbs up on it and gets stuck! We lubed the trapped child up with spray on sunscreen and were thankful for a strong passer by who helped to dislodge him. People asked for photo evidence but this is something you don't think about doing when you have a frightened wailing child stuck in a wooden gorilla statue. So pictures were taken once he was popped out. Another story to go down in the books. His words after the rescue and release... "I hate gorillas."

We survived the 2020 - 2021 School Year!

To say it was a difficult school year would be an understatement. It was unlike any year I have ever experienced! We learned a lot more than just how to read, write stories or add and multiply. We learned to persevere through the unknown and the scary things. We learned how to cope with annoying things like wearing masks all day. We prayed every day for Covid-19 to go away. I even had a student declare he was going to make a spray called No-Vid to make Covid go away. Through it all I got to see God on his throne. Loving the little children and his creation. 

Praying for a day when there is no more sickness and pain.

Jan Amos Komenský

Jan Amos Komenský (John Amos Comenius) was a Moravian philosopher, pedagogue and theologian from the Margraviate of Moravia who is considered the father of modern education. He is a well known educational historical figure and his picture is even on the 200 czech kroun bill. A number of years ago our school started a tradition of giving the J.A. Komenský award to a teacher who demonstrated exemplary teaching and service to their students and their colleagues. This year I was honoured to receive this award.

10 Years with TeachBeyond & CISP!

It is hard to believe that I have been here for 10 years! I signed up for a 2 year contract and fell in love with this country, its people and our school. I started out my journey sharing an apartment with Andrea and we have journeyed together serving with TeachBeyond in different capacities. I am sad that once again we will have to say goodbye as Andrea will be returning to the USA to serve with TeachBeyond in another capacity.

CISP also recognises years of service with a gift. After 5 years I received a pen. This year I got a personalised street sign. These are what the street signs look like in Prague and they are mounted on the sides of the buildings. This one has a double meaning: Třída in Czech means avenue but it also means class. So as a street sign it read the avenue of K. Robinson but it can also mean the class of K. Robinson. So clever and I have to thank one of our Czech teachers for the idea.

Summer Plans

I had originally planned to come to Canada for a visit for June and July. I even had bought my tickets at amazing prices in October. However, with the current situation with getting into the country all the requirements of tests and hotel stays were going to cost the same as my ticket. I prayed about it and I am at peace about the choice to stay in Czech Republic this summer. 

I will be getting involved in an English camp along with pet sitting for friends while we gear up for the next school year starting at the end of August.

Our TeachBeyond Team this year

Praying for Mountains to Move

The giant mountain I am praying away this year will take the miraculous hand of God to move. Currently I am the only returning Elementary staff that we have next year. We are in desperate need  of teachers in grade 3-5 along with special teachers for Art, Music and PE! Currently long term resident visas for missionaries are not being issued by the CZ. Please pray for paperwork to start moving so our staff for next year can get into the country.

We NEED Teachers!!!

  

If you are a teacher and are interested in oversea adventures stop by our school website www.cisprague.org to learn more.

Czech in --> January - March

From January to March

So here is what has been happening since January.

Back to School

In January after our unexpected extended Christmas break (due to quarantine my students were out of the classroom as of  8 December) only grade ones and twos could return to the classroom. We had to wear masks the whole time except when eating but we tried to carry on as much as normal.

Many have asked what it has been like teaching this year and I will have to admit that is has been one of my most challenging years yet. Teaching kids with masks on is horrible. It was like teaching a bunch of bumble bees as the buzzing never stopped. It is the concept that you can't see my mouth so you can't hear what is coming out of it! Not being able to see faces and read facial cues is so hard! Fortunately most of the time I could get away with wearing a face shield when I was distanced from the children and they could see my full face. My students didn't have this luxury as face shields in their size were not available. But despite the challenges we soldier on.

 

Even our puppet friends abide by the mask rules

February

We got hit by the polar vortex at the end of January and beginning of February and got to enjoy some beautiful snow!

 

 

Happy 100 Day!

Although we were all alone in the building we celebrated the 100th day of school with flare. We hid 100 zeros throughout the building and went on a zero hunt to build ourselves a googol (a 1 with a 100 zeros). 

 

What we will look like when we are 100

Winter Break

With restrictions in place going anywhere for our breaks currently is out of the question. So we explored the joys that the city of Prague has to offer. 

One of the neat things about Prague is their dedication to green spaces within the city. There are a number of large parks and even forests that are within the city limits that we can get to easily by a short bus ride.

This forest is behind a mall about 20 minutes from where I live. I got to adventure out there with some friends before we went into full lockdown.

Mitten trees were common along our trail; where lost gloves and mittens are poked onto branches in hopes that they will be retrieved by their owners at a later date.

 Wheel of Covid

Things are in constant change these days and so just when I am about to do a post everything changes and I am caught on the spinning wheel of Covid. My friends and I have a theory that decisions about restrictions and what stays open and what closes are put on a wheel and that wheel is spun to determine what restrictions we have to follow that month

Covid cases in Czech Republic are climbing and in response came the increase of restrictions. Starting with curfews of being home between 9pm and 5am. Moving to restrictions of only being allowed to wear respirator masks on transit and in stores (no more cloth masks allowed).

On March 1st our strictest measures went into place when a new State of Emergency was declared, where all schools closed including pre-schools. So back to online learning we go. People are confined to their districts unless they have written permission to go outside their village or district. Thankfully Prague is considered one district so we are allowed to move within the Prague districts, but no leaving the city unless for work or an emergency. Lock-down is in full effect. 

The feelings about Covid from our students and families are strong and heart breaking. There have been many tears and our constant prayer request at the top of the list every day is that God would make Covid go away!

We take comfort in that God is on his throne and he is in control!

Please be praying for us as we go through this new version of lock-down.

Currently my only in person human interactions this week have been with the Tesco delivery guy and an old man who waved at me from the street when I was sitting in my window today. I am a people person and being confined to my home for long periods of time is very challenging. I am thankful for the internet and facetime and the ability to communicate with friends and family over long distances by the touch of a button.

We have been learning about the Lord's prayer this week and the kids shared what was their favourite part of the verses. The responses were so encouraging as they shared how much they liked that God is wonderful and powerful and that he forgives us and gives us what we need.

God is doing great things even amongst the sadness and stress that a pandemic brings.

Another assignment from our chapel talks had students share what they were grateful or thankful for our list included:

1. family

2. friends

3. food

4. pets

5. playdates

6. homes

7. air

8. for toys to play with while in quarantine

9. plants

10. Being at home with my family

11. suggles

12. pancakes

13. my lego set

14. books

15. playing with my sister and my brother

16. 3D puzzles

17. Miss Robinson

18. My mom and dad

19. My fish, my dog, my cat

20. God

We are thankful for a God that hears our prayers and comforts our hearts.

Thank you for your prayers as we go through this difficult time.