Staff Blog
The fourth quarter of the school year was about to start and we decided to move up some students who were academically progressing to a new grade level. I was delighted, excited, and yet a little bit nervous thinking that I would have a new student who is intelligent, gifted, and of course, well-loved by everyone both in school and in the shelter.
The first few weeks were filled with many things to adapt to, and I prayed that the new student would not be too overwhelmed by the change. Slowly, with the help of the responsive classroom approach we implemented, it supports the student to have an easy transition to a new environment.
In our school, we usually do our morning routines such as greetings, group sharing activities, reading of the morning message, and praying before we start our classes. One of the best memories of my journey with this boy was when he first greeted me with my name as his "new teacher" and hugged me. He even asked me about my morning. He was so excited!
The first day with him was not as smooth as I hoped for. There were a few bumps. This was the reason why we observed him in the classroom and modifications were made to suit the student's needs. He would always choose to be the first person in the line, but I explained that we have our rules on "taking turns," and he already had his chance. When I checked on him outside the classroom the next day, he sat on his spot and patiently waited for others to come. I realized that firmness and consistency are two powerful tools to achieve successful classroom management.
Another classroom scene that made my day was when we had our group sharing. Knowing that younger students are visual learners, I added fun pictures to make our sharing more interactive and to get their attention. As I flashed some images on the screen, I heard him laugh as if he was being tickled. It went on for a long time, and it certainly gave his classmates a stomachache laughing with him which caused a little bit of chaos in the class. So, I gave him 30 seconds, and he did stop. It was effective, then we began with our sharing. Since that moment, we've been working on calling the name of the next sharer. He was very observant and quick to realize that he needed to do the same to his classmates. To our surprise, he was able to call the next sharer without his classmate's help and use the phrase "Popcorn, student's name." Everyone in the class was shocked and happy, telling me, "Teacher Lyrah, have you heard him saying popcorn? He learns so fast!" Truly, success happens not just because of one person working as "the teacher," but it includes the students and peers who help one another and have a common goal to lift each other up.
Moreover, I have noticed that he is gifted and very clever. I had set aside things each morning and prepared different materials that he would need to stay focused in our class. These things will be given after each class activity. It was essential to remind him that he needed to finish his tasks then he could use what is prepared for him. Well, being firm with expectations and setting classroom boundaries are challenging at times; however, at CCHS we always do it with love and care.
He appeared to be adjusting into our classroom setting over the next few days. He also loves to participate when being asked. Though, he needed some reminders from time to time for him to stay on track. There was one instance in the middle of our discussion he stood up and asked for his dinosaur books. We stopped, and most of his classmates reminded him to ask permission every time he stands or wants to have something. He did go back to his seat and asked permission. But it was not time for him to read a book yet. So, he participated in our reading first and answered all the activities. Then he got the book for him to enjoy. Another strategy that was very effective to him was giving him a time frame before he could get his desired reading materials. These things didn't come easy, it requires hard work, patience, determination, cooperation, and above all, love. We made a lot of classroom modifications to cater for his needs and the rest of the class.
To be successful in the classroom, as teachers, we need to set clear classroom boundaries for our students.
As Colossians 3:23-24 says: "Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters, since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward."
Thomas is Home!!
Little Thomas is home! After two weeks of being in the hospital, from the operating room to the ICU to a private room, he was allowed to go home on Tuesday. It was an exciting day for everyone at CSC, especially in the Duterte Home. Our Head Nurse Warlita Manlon said it best in the car on the way home. "We are blessed to have Thomas in our lives." How true. We ask you to continue praying for him as he recovers from the surgery to his skull, and that we would take very good care of him in our nursery.
| Show Comments | | | Leave a Comment | | | Category: | Shelter News |
A little miracle
Sometimes I am called upon to step in and help diffuse a situation happening in a classroom. Yesterday that happened again. A student who was bothering his classmates needed some help. This was someone who had had trouble complying with rules and expressing frustration appropriately when he arrived at the shelter. He was having trouble again yesterday.
After leaving the classroom, I had him cool down while sitting in a chair near me. After a few minutes we talked. He said he was angry and why. He told me what he had done to his classmates to tell them he was angry. We figured out what he should have done differently to tell his classmates he wanted them to stop. He said he’d try that next time. In the world of counseling and school, it was textbook stuff for learning social skills.
As we walked back to his classroom, I marveled at how much he has learned about how to express himself in positive ways when he is frustrated or angry. I thought of the people (counselors, house parents and teachers) who have coached him and modeled this for him.
As we entered the classroom together, he apologized to his classmates and sat down in his seat. Class continued.
A little miracle in the midst of a busy day.
| Show Comments | | | Leave a Comment | | | Category: | School News |
Centralites Are Here
Central Baptist Church of Saint Paul, Minnesota, the home church of Paul and Marlys Healy and Mitch and Ruth Ohlendorf, has sent a team of 11 members to CSC to visit the ministry, fellowship with the children, staff and workers, and run a three day camp for the older children at the Shelter. This has become an every other year tradition at CSC, and hundreds of kids have enjoyed being a part of these camps over the years. The camp will be held in a Christian camp on the beach in Santander in southern Cebu. The kids will have time in the ocean, hiking, playing games, sleeping in tents, eating good food, doing crafts and learning more about God. Chuck Sorley, the youth pastor at Central, will head up the camp once again. Pastor Joel Lawrence is also with the team. He has been busy speaking to various groups, from CSC staff and workers, to the students of the Baptist Theological College.
Thanks to the team for their willingness to come and serve, and for those who are supporting them through prayer and financial gifts.
| Show Comments | | | Leave a Comment | | | Category: | Shelter News |
A meaningful morning
I can't help but feel closer to God after visiting Thomas at the hospital. Thomas was sleeping; he had had his dressing changed earlier and had cried a bit, so he might have tired himself out. I chatted with the Auntie, getting a quick update on how he was doing. There has been some drainage from the surgical site over the last couple of days, so there is a potential for infection! :(
I prayed over him and held his hand, but thought I should let him rest, so soon left. As I was leaving the hospital, I could not help but think on how Thomas is such a testament to God's provision. We have had several meetings, even since before admitting him, about Thomas, his needs and our ideas about how we could meet them. We prayed a lot about these concerns and sought guidance, but inevitably, just had to surrender them to God. And we have seen God provide time and time again. The financial assistance has come through, but even more than that, our plans for how to respond to the problems or possibilities we feared would occur were not even necessary.
God is good.
Sleepy at the moment, but still such a trooper!
His toys, the books he likes to "read," tissue and a Bible---the essentials!
Here he is, receiving excellent care from his Auntie. We are blessed at CSC to have such caring childcare workers!
All the time, God is good. And we have seen His goodness in Thomas' life so many times already and countless times over the life of CSC.
| Show Comments | | | Leave a Comment | | | Category: | Staff Reflections |
Monday Update: Thomas Leaves ICU Behind.
MONDAY UPDATE: Thomas leaves ICU. No more fever. He loves books and the aunties love reading to him.
SATURDAY UPDATE: Thomas had his dressing changed today. He has staples from ear to ear. The doctor checked the surgical site and said that it looks good, with no sign of infection. Thomas was very alert and responsive today, and he made lots of eye contact with his caregivers. Matt Buley, CSC President, who is in Cebu at this time, had a chance to visit Thomas in the ICU and see his progress in recovery. Matt and Marlys brought along a radio and cd player so he could listen to music which he loves.
FRIDAY: Little Thomas continues his fight,making good progress after his serious surger
y on Tuesday. He is still in the Intensive Care Unit at Cebu Doctors' hospital. Yesterday his face was very puffy and he was more uncomfortable than he had been on Wednesday. But today his swelling has subsided. He still has a low grade fever (100.7) which is normal after his kind of surgery. The doctors told us that they will be taking the dressing off tomorrow. As of today, our child care worker who is with him in the ICU is allowed to hold him, which he very much appreciates. It is possible that Thomas will be able to 
go out of ICU tomorrow to a regular room.
Thanks for your prayers for our darling boy! A couple weeks ago, as the surgery was being discussed among specialists in Cebu, his doctor mentioned that he is a little battler, so we all need to battle for him to. Thanks for helping the battle through prayer.
We are so excited and thankful that some CSC friends who have followed Thomas on-line, have responded with financial gifts.
Praise God that, of the estimated costs of $25,000 for the surgery and recovery, $8,000 has already been provided!
| Show Comments | | | Leave a Comment | | | Category: | General News |
