Classical U
Educating Families Classically....And Having A Good Bit of Fun
What is it like to be a newbie parent?
Do any new parents care to share how they discovered CCA and what excited you about it? It will likely be an encouragement to many--even the "veterans."
Chris Perrin
Tags: Classical, Education, New, to
Views: 50
Replies to This Discussion
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Permalink Reply by Jesse Hake on -
During our in-service training this year, CCA staff all shared the stories of what brought us to this school, and I learned so much that delighted and encouraged me. Elizabeth and I came to CCA in 2006 from three hours north (the boondocks of Stevensville, PA) after I decided to get back into teaching full time. I found CCA through a job notice in World magazine and drove down on my own for a day of interviewing, teaching a sample lesson, and visiting the school. I had been home-schooled for much of my life and was still rather skeptical about both traditional schools and classical education in particular. As a history buff, I liked part of what I’d read about classical education, but much of it sounded too stuffy and grandiose for my tastes. I had grumbled about wearing a tie for my own wedding, how was I supposed to wear one to work every day? However, a couple of hours on-site at CCA and I was hungering to learn more. I drove back home very excited after my visit, and that excitement has been growing ever since. I now have to watch that I don’t get too enthusiastic about CCA and neglect my loving family. Now, with a daughter in kindergarten whose delight is quickly outstripping my own, the valuable role that CCA plays in each of our lives continues to grow. It's great to see new families coming each year, and I hope that you're as blessed as we have been.
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Permalink Reply by Lael N. Hassinger on -
Curiosity, exploration, rumination, prayerful consideration, education (about the education)...
Decision.
Sharpen pencils. Begin.
More learning.
Engage. Engage. Excitement!
(Self doubt.)
Positive expectations...
First contact with CCA was just at a Christian schools 'fair' (held at the mall). Two of the most impressive things about CCA are the 'classical' (which is, of course, what makes it unique among all the other area Christian schools) and the people. Everyone we meet is friendly and intelligent, but also very humble. Outside of CCA, this combination of intelligence and humility is too rare. No matter how humble and friendly everyone is, as a newbie parent it can still be a bit intimidating to be just an average person in the midst of so many great minds. But, we certainly have the desire to improve our minds! A desire to learn is such a good thing in and of itself, and that brings me back to what really gets us excited about CCA - the focus for students (and parents alike) to learn the tools of learning. To learn not just discrete subjects, but tools for learning for life. Reading about how different classical education is (online or in the pamphlets or books on the subject) really does make you want to go back and learn everything again, so as a parent of a CCA student -- the more engaged you can be, the more you can actually do that. (This, anyway, is the plan.)
I think we are still so new that our learning and excitement are still growing. The whirlwind of life makes it a never-ending challenge to find that balance, so that one always wants to be doing more but not finding more hours in a day.
Saving the best for last: CCA seems to be a place where a Christian love truly abounds (as opposed to just being claimed). It seems clear that the humility of the CCA community is completely a result of CCA's desire to glorify God, and not individuals or the school itself. There appears to be an openness to learning a wide range of ideas, which is phenomenal. At the intersection of 'Christian' and 'Classical' is a unique synergy - like a flame.
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Permalink Reply by Christopher Perrin on -
Lael,
Thanks for this post...it is encouraging to me. I often resort to metaphor when trying to describe the large, multi-dimensional things that is classical Christian education. I particularly like your image of a flame at the intersection of "Christian" and "Classical"... And no form of education, and no school, will ever be blessed by God without humility. Our classical curriculum and pedagogy will be nothing but straw without humility and love. God grant us love, God grant us humility.
Pax,
Chris
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Permalink Reply by Aleta Leatherman on -
I am a new parent to CCA this year! We began homeschooling Carter (now 10) and Katie (now 8) with the Veritas Press curriculum based on our friends' recommendation. Their children were unique in their love of learning (even among homeschoolers) and the parents displayed a high degree of respect in their marriage. They told us that if they had to start over, they would use a classical Christian curriculum for each of their 4 children. We fully intended, at the start, to homeschool until graduation. We had heard glowing reports of CCA from friends at church (one a former teacher), but it was just a pipe dream until last year when we learned they were transporting from our district. We attended an open house at the Stoughs' and met Headmaster Sanelli. My excitement was growing as I thought about the possibilities of continuing with the wonderful curriculum in a classroom setting. As a former vocal music teacher, I longed for my children to have the great experiences of singing in choirs and interacting with like-minded students. This year we enrolled Carter in Gr. 4 and next year Katie will join her brother at CCA. It has been an answer to prayer for our family! Carter is having a wonderful year, excelling academically and enjoying the interaction with his 16 classmates. Mrs. Swartz has been patient and thorough in helping him transition to "real" school. I have been enjoying conversations with CCA parents and teachers, loving the book salons, the talk-backs after the plays, the contributions on Classical U. CCA is truly unique among even Christian schools. I believe that is due to the focus on Classical Christian education as well as the selectivity in the enrollment process. That MUST be preserved at all costs, even with sustained growth and "bottom-line" considerations, in order for CCA to retain its uniqueness among the Christian schools in the greater Harrisburg area. Here's to many more great years at CCA!!!
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Permalink Reply by Sarah E DelliGatti on -
When we first moved to Harrisburg, I met Natalie Martin at church and asked her to recommend some good babysitters. She told me about a girl they used who was very young but incredibly responsible. Elizabeth Baeshore became our sitter. I think she was only 12 but I was amazed by her maturity. I quizzed her every time she visited to try and find out what her parents were doing right!
We homeschooled Faith in kindergarten, but when God started leading us to find a private school, I recalled that Elizabeth attended CCA. It was the first -- and only -- school we looked at.
I can still remember occasionally coming into opening and crying every time I heard Mrs. Stuckey pray over my children, "Jesus, open our minds to learn. Open our hearts to hear your Spirit today." It struck me that I was praying for my children that way every morning but never anticipated that anyone else ever would. What a blessing!
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