When someone asks me what I do these days, I usually respond with a, " Whatever they need me to do".
However, if you ask my fifth and sixth grade students what I do, you will hear a resounding, "she talks to naughty boys" or "she keeps the school clean". One student replied, "Mrs. Blanker pays all the teachers so that they can live in a house with their families." Wow, that feels like a lot of responsibility ....
I appreciate their belief that I keep them safe. Yes, I do everything I can to keep them safe. They think I organize the staff and give them jobs. Well, I certainly give recommendations and yes, I do give them jobs.
One student noted I visited the classrooms and kept the school under control. Oh.... and they say I drink coffee and walk in the halls.
A principal does a lot of things students, teachers and parents never see. One student wrote my job responsibility was to "make this school an example to lead others to Christ". He is so right. I love the hugs, the smiles, the way they get loud at games and seeing their hands extended during praise gathering. My prayer is they love that about me and know my biggest responsibility is to be a witness for Jesus Christ.
So, what does a principal really do????????????????????? Everything :)))
Tri-unity Christian is more than a school. It is the community of staff and families influencing our students to make a difference for the Kingdom of God.
Preparing our students for L.I.F.E.
Deb Blanker
Head Administrator
Thursday, January 10, 2013
Monday, October 29, 2012
Deep Roots-Strong Wings
Last Friday the auditorium was packed out by parents, grandparents and other special guests. Tri-unity Christian hosts an annual celebration of our grandparents and those special people who have partnered with us to deepen the roots of our students' faith.
Grandparents play a special role in the lives of their grand-kids. Some of us reflect on memories of warm hugs and home baked cookies. Others remember sleep overs and camping trips. The memory I hold closest to my heart is the unwavering wisdom my grandmother always seemed to have.
When I was four, I had my tonsils out for the first time ... yes, the first time. I was so afraid. It was then she began her life long habit of sharing old sayings with me. I can still hear her saying, "Debbie, don't cross that bridge until you come to it". It was followed by so many more.
When I was fifteen, she took me to a small Episcopal Church in Newaygo, Michigan, where her prayer group prayed over me and I received the Baptism of the Holy Spirit. Her influence on my life helped me to become who I am today. She passed away over ten years ago, and I still miss the ways in which she challenged me to be more than I ever dreamed I could be for the Kingdom of God.
This Friday, we will hold our annual fall banquet. It is one of two fund raisers dedicated to keeping the cost of Christian education manageable. Theme: Deepening our Roots.
Please join me in celebrating the people in our lives who have helped us and our kids deepen their spiritual roots. It really does take a village!
See you Friday .....PS: Please contact Ellen and let her know you'll be there.
Deb Blanker
Head Administrator
Grandparents play a special role in the lives of their grand-kids. Some of us reflect on memories of warm hugs and home baked cookies. Others remember sleep overs and camping trips. The memory I hold closest to my heart is the unwavering wisdom my grandmother always seemed to have.
When I was four, I had my tonsils out for the first time ... yes, the first time. I was so afraid. It was then she began her life long habit of sharing old sayings with me. I can still hear her saying, "Debbie, don't cross that bridge until you come to it". It was followed by so many more.
When I was fifteen, she took me to a small Episcopal Church in Newaygo, Michigan, where her prayer group prayed over me and I received the Baptism of the Holy Spirit. Her influence on my life helped me to become who I am today. She passed away over ten years ago, and I still miss the ways in which she challenged me to be more than I ever dreamed I could be for the Kingdom of God.
This Friday, we will hold our annual fall banquet. It is one of two fund raisers dedicated to keeping the cost of Christian education manageable. Theme: Deepening our Roots.
Please join me in celebrating the people in our lives who have helped us and our kids deepen their spiritual roots. It really does take a village!
See you Friday .....PS: Please contact Ellen and let her know you'll be there.
Deb Blanker
Head Administrator
Monday, October 22, 2012
Don't Under Estimate the Little Guy
A couple of weeks ago, I spent time with a recent TCS graduate. She was ecstatic about college life, her transition and the time spent at Tri-unity.
She is enrolled in an Honor's College and experiencing all the excitement and challenges that come with it. Her bubbly personality and bright outlook on life had me asking - how do you like it, how are you doing, have you met new people, etc. etc.
She indulged my questions and shared a conversation she had with her adviser regarding her decision to pursue a specialized degree.
Adviser: "How did you choose that career?". Graduate: "At my school we did a capstone project that allowed us to look into different career choices." Adviser: " That is great. I wish more schools did things like that. You can thank you teachers for the opportunity."
There is a lot to be said about being a school whose promise is to prepare our students for L.I.F.Education for the 21st Century. Watch for future blogs - I will be sharing more about the relationships we are building and excellence we are offering.
Deb Blanker
Head Administrator
She is enrolled in an Honor's College and experiencing all the excitement and challenges that come with it. Her bubbly personality and bright outlook on life had me asking - how do you like it, how are you doing, have you met new people, etc. etc.
She indulged my questions and shared a conversation she had with her adviser regarding her decision to pursue a specialized degree.
Adviser: "How did you choose that career?". Graduate: "At my school we did a capstone project that allowed us to look into different career choices." Adviser: " That is great. I wish more schools did things like that. You can thank you teachers for the opportunity."
There is a lot to be said about being a school whose promise is to prepare our students for L.I.F.Education for the 21st Century. Watch for future blogs - I will be sharing more about the relationships we are building and excellence we are offering.
Deb Blanker
Head Administrator
Wednesday, October 10, 2012
It Was A Great Show ...
I regret I have not seen more of the girls' JV/Varsity volleyball games this year. Last night they put on a great show . Game three had me so anxious, I went home and ate ice cream. I don't even like ice cream!
Not only are they skilled players, but a cohesive, loving, thoughtful group of young ladies. I am so impressed by them. A few weeks ago, these spiritual leaders drew a group of students from Belding High School into their circle and prayed for one of their classmates who had just been injured. Loving - yes ... thoughtful - yes
but more importantly, followers of Jesus Christ :YES!
Although last night was our last home varsity game, I encourage you to mark October 29th on your calendar. This is the start of districts and their march to the state finals. Do you want to see a great show? Check out the girls' volleyball team!
Go Girls!
Deb Blanker
Head Administrator
Not only are they skilled players, but a cohesive, loving, thoughtful group of young ladies. I am so impressed by them. A few weeks ago, these spiritual leaders drew a group of students from Belding High School into their circle and prayed for one of their classmates who had just been injured. Loving - yes ... thoughtful - yes
but more importantly, followers of Jesus Christ :YES!
Although last night was our last home varsity game, I encourage you to mark October 29th on your calendar. This is the start of districts and their march to the state finals. Do you want to see a great show? Check out the girls' volleyball team!
Go Girls!
Deb Blanker
Head Administrator
Tuesday, October 2, 2012
It Starts with Fifteen Minutes a Day
Fifteen minutes isn't very long, but does it get the day off to a great start!
Parents, take a walk around your child's campus from 8:00-8:15am and listen to the stillness. Peek into the classrooms and watch the students reading the Bible or quietly worshipping at their desk ... some days you can even hear small voices singing as if they are alone in the room.
How do you measure a student's relationship with Jesus Christ? In an environment where rubrics and metrics count, how do we chart a student's spiritual growth from point a to point z? It's in the fruit .....
You measure through the responses they give in their quiet time journal entries or the gentleness in which they approach you or another student. You hear it in their conversations and witness their faithfulness. It is the kindness they extend to the new student in their class or the joy they bring when entering a room. And what about that self control thing in the middle of a heated athletic contest?
The metric may not be as clearly defined as an A on an assignment, but in the fullness of Holy Spirit who lives in each one of us, our actions can be defined.
Each day we partner with you to deepen their roots in order to give them strong wings. Tri-unity Christian School IS a unique spiritual environment that is preparing your kids for L.I.F.E.
Parents, take a walk around your child's campus from 8:00-8:15am and listen to the stillness. Peek into the classrooms and watch the students reading the Bible or quietly worshipping at their desk ... some days you can even hear small voices singing as if they are alone in the room.
How do you measure a student's relationship with Jesus Christ? In an environment where rubrics and metrics count, how do we chart a student's spiritual growth from point a to point z? It's in the fruit .....
You measure through the responses they give in their quiet time journal entries or the gentleness in which they approach you or another student. You hear it in their conversations and witness their faithfulness. It is the kindness they extend to the new student in their class or the joy they bring when entering a room. And what about that self control thing in the middle of a heated athletic contest?
The metric may not be as clearly defined as an A on an assignment, but in the fullness of Holy Spirit who lives in each one of us, our actions can be defined.
Each day we partner with you to deepen their roots in order to give them strong wings. Tri-unity Christian School IS a unique spiritual environment that is preparing your kids for L.I.F.E.
Friday, March 9, 2012
It's All About You, God
After 20 years, one might expect the 'awe' of it to wear off .... or maybe have less of an impact. It hasn't. Each time I see a student lift their hands in worship, cry out to God, or fall on their knees, my heart rejoices.
Today, our high schoolers joined students at our 3rd-8th grade campus to declare a healing for Elizabeth Amyx. The presence of God was empowering. Student after student read scriptures and spoke to the power of His might.
When I am asked about Tri-unity's academic program, extra curricular opportunities, sports, etc., I am always proud to say we stand toe to toe with bigger districts. We graduate 99% of our students. We are preparing them well for college. We have alumni who have served our country, pastored large churches, and manage successful businesses. We even have an NBA player to brag about.
It's all important - but not nearly as important as the footprints we are leaving in the Kingdom of God. Today, over two hundred students stood together in one voice to proclaim our God is the God of the impossible. He is the God of all circumstances. He is the God who is healing Elizabeth.
If He is for us, who can be against us?
A parent turned to me at the end of the praise and worship and said, "Have I told you how much I love this school?" I replied, " Mark, have I told you how much I love this school?"
Tri-unity Christian School is committed to preparing our students for L.I.F.E.. So, Mark, thanks for loving our school, because we love your son and all the others we have been entrusted to raise up for such a time as this.
Deb Blanker
Head Administrator
Today, our high schoolers joined students at our 3rd-8th grade campus to declare a healing for Elizabeth Amyx. The presence of God was empowering. Student after student read scriptures and spoke to the power of His might.
When I am asked about Tri-unity's academic program, extra curricular opportunities, sports, etc., I am always proud to say we stand toe to toe with bigger districts. We graduate 99% of our students. We are preparing them well for college. We have alumni who have served our country, pastored large churches, and manage successful businesses. We even have an NBA player to brag about.
It's all important - but not nearly as important as the footprints we are leaving in the Kingdom of God. Today, over two hundred students stood together in one voice to proclaim our God is the God of the impossible. He is the God of all circumstances. He is the God who is healing Elizabeth.
If He is for us, who can be against us?
A parent turned to me at the end of the praise and worship and said, "Have I told you how much I love this school?" I replied, " Mark, have I told you how much I love this school?"
Tri-unity Christian School is committed to preparing our students for L.I.F.E.. So, Mark, thanks for loving our school, because we love your son and all the others we have been entrusted to raise up for such a time as this.
Deb Blanker
Head Administrator
Monday, February 13, 2012
Heart to Worship
Last week when word of Elizabeth's cancer came to us, the first thing we wanted to do was pray. Of course ...
The sophomore class spent most of the day confronting a very real truth about their classmate, a year of hard experiences and what it means to call yourself a family.
"Yes", they said, "We're like a family and we need to get closer." They banded together and talked about Mike's recent loss, Amber's loss, Jessie's headaches, and other things which had effected the 'family' in the last couple years.
Yet, in the midst of personal crisis was a heart to worship. Not the kind of worship reserved for Sunday mornings, but a worship that walks daily with Christ... a voice giving support to others ... love extended beyond ourselves ... a worship that fights the good fight ... meets for early morning prayer...makes a meal...sends a note .................................
Elizabeth and her family have a fight on their hands.
Hey family - stay strong in your worship. Cover the Amyx family with your prayers. We are banded together with hearts to worship the God of all possibilities!
Blessings
Deb Blanker
Head Administrator
The sophomore class spent most of the day confronting a very real truth about their classmate, a year of hard experiences and what it means to call yourself a family.
"Yes", they said, "We're like a family and we need to get closer." They banded together and talked about Mike's recent loss, Amber's loss, Jessie's headaches, and other things which had effected the 'family' in the last couple years.
Yet, in the midst of personal crisis was a heart to worship. Not the kind of worship reserved for Sunday mornings, but a worship that walks daily with Christ... a voice giving support to others ... love extended beyond ourselves ... a worship that fights the good fight ... meets for early morning prayer...makes a meal...sends a note .................................
Elizabeth and her family have a fight on their hands.
Hey family - stay strong in your worship. Cover the Amyx family with your prayers. We are banded together with hearts to worship the God of all possibilities!
Blessings
Deb Blanker
Head Administrator
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