OACS News Service

Cross-grade devotional time generates positive outcomes at Trenton Christian School
Principal says initiative aligns with school vision of building community
Wednesday February 3, 2010 -- Michelle Strutzenberger
A cross-grade devotional time at Trenton Christian School is generating positive outcomes within its student body, says principal Allen Bron.

Based on a school-wide devotional program developed by the Prairie Association of Christian Schools (PAOCS), the initiative at the Trenton school involves groups of students from varying grade levels meeting monthly to study a common biblical topic.

The school theme this year is the fruit of the spirit, with a different spiritual trait, such as love, joy or kindness, focused on each month during these cross-grade devotional times.

“The effect of it has been tremendous in terms of students working together and recognizing each other on the playground,” says Bron, noting that the entire day is geared to boosting the sense of community, with an all-school assembly following the devotional time.

The student council also organizes spirit day activities for the groups to participate in and earn points.

“We have primary students being more comfortable around the senior students, and senior students helping out more often with the primary students when it comes to the buddy system, helping students get on the bus, those types of things,” says Bron.

He notes the initiative aligns with the school’s goal for the year of celebrating and demonstrating greater enthusiasm for the Trenton Christian School community.

“I think one of the pluses of this whole program is we’re trying to build a community of respect and recognizing the gifts of each other, and this is one opportunity to do so,” says Bron.

The principal adds he recommends other schools consider a similar school-wide initiative.

The cross-grade devotional program from PAOCS on the fruit of the spirit includes monthly lessons that consist of a co-operative activity, story, discussion and prayer within each group.

Other all-school devotional programs from PAOCS study the beatitudes, the Ten Commandments, the parables and saints in the Bible.

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