Do you remember how the beginning of a new school year brought the hope and thrills of a fresh start? I will never forget the excitement of my first day in a rural school with a fresh Big Chief writing tablet (I may be dating myself here), a new pencil, and a new box of 24 crayons.
New is good, and the teachers and staff of Ignite Christian Academy® are excited about a new school year, too. We are eager to begin helping students in Switched-On Online™, the new web-based version of Switched-On Schoolhouse®. New courses are also coming, including World Geography, Integrated Physics and Chemistry, French I and II, and Earth Science. For existing courses, our teachers have been busy over the summer creating various enhancements to make learning easier.
New is also good because our Creator designed us to anticipate and enjoy things that are new. God renews his natural world every year. Repeatedly, the Psalms exhort us to sing a new song. The writer of Ecclesiastes was depressed because he failed to see anything new under the sun. In addition, the prophets foretold that God would do something new, and He did send His Son into the world. Later, at the end of the Bible, God thrills us with a description of a glorious future for His children and says, "Behold, I make all things new" (Revelation 22:5).
New is good because anticipation is good. For example, when we finish reading the Bible, we are left longing for something new and better. It also helps us escape our ruts and venture out toward new success. Likewise, children should rightfully be eager to head back to school, so encourage your student to anticipate success in the new school year. After all, a good start is sometimes half the race.
David Bauman
Principal, Ignite Christian Academy