Kirk Day School: Recent Episodes
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Head of School, Taylor Clement and Director of Admissions, Stacy Engel discuss the end of the year activities, 6th grade speeches, graduation and other highlights from the 2023-2024 school year.
Making Christian education accessible to families is our passion at Kirk Day School and the Herzog Foundation. In this episode, Taylor Clement and Ragan Taylor interview Herzog Foundation's Development Coordinator, Mayela Esser about the history and mission of the Herzog Foundation.
This year, Kirk Day School has hired a new Director of Admissions. In this episode, Taylor Clement and Ragan Taylor interview Stacy Engel about her history at KDS and what she is excited about in her new position.
This summer, KDS parents were asked to share their feedback about different aspects of the school. The goal of this survey was to allow space for feedback about goals to work toward or areas that are going well.
In this episode, Taylor Clement and Ragan Taylor discuss the results and respond to questions parents have.
Why are some teachers leaving Kirk Day School?
What is staff working on over the summer?
What updates are happening before the new school year?
In this episode, Taylor Clement and Ragan Taylor answer all of these questions and more.
Kirk Day School references the Strategic Plan often. But what is the Strategic Plan? Why is it important? And how does it impact our KDS community? In this episode, Taylor Clement, Rebecca Kapphahn, and Jacob White unpack Kirk Day School’s Strategic Plan.
Mr. Taylor Clement, Head of School
Mrs. Rebecca Kapphahn, School Board President
Mr. Jacob White, School Board Member
It may be an uncomfortable conversation but it's an important one, too. In this episode, Mr. Clement and School Nurse, Mrs. Matthews discuss God's view of our bodies, and how to navigate that conversation with your kids.
Mr. Clement interviews Head of Student Life, Mrs. Diane Abeln, about her passion for nurturing students' hearts through discipleship. She hopes to help shepherd students towards Christ-like behavior by encouraging them to reflect upon their behavior and grow in the knowledge of themselves while demonstrating empathy for others. Mr. Clement points out that, “The goal of any discipline or conflict at Kirk Day School is to restore relationships and if necessary transform hearts.”
Mrs. Abeln shares how she utilizes the Peacemakers program, prayer, scripture, and open heartfelt conversations as she guides students through the resolution process. She explains, “When I’m disciplining or discipling a child, I’m looking at them as an image bearer of our great king. I want them to learn, grow, and enjoy the beauty of the way that God has prepared for them.” While conflict is not easy, Mrs. Abeln believes devoting time, energy, and passion to walking with children through this restoration process is so very important.
St. Louis Cardinals First Baseman and KDS Dad Paul Goldschmidt is an avid reader and lover of books. In honor of the Book Fair happening at school this week, Paul sits down with Mr. Clement and Mrs. Rolf to talk about his favorite genres, authors, and books he recommends
In this week’s podcast, Mr. Clement and Mrs. Massey touch on a variety of topics including Mrs. Massey's upcoming departure and Kirk Day School's conflict resolution program (including Peacemakers by Ken Sande). This is a particularly helpful podcast for those interested in learning more about how KDS partners with families to nurture the hearts of students.
Article from Podcast: www.usatoday.com/story/sports/mlb/
Herman Armstrong joins Mrs. Massey and Mr. Clement as they continue the podcast series, "Big Questions, Little People."
Armstrong, a Church Planter with the Evangelical Presbyterian Denomination, is currently teaching Christian Ethics at Westminster Christian Academy and serving on the school board at South City Community School. With years of ministry experience and a Master of Theological Studies from Midwestern Seminary, Armstrong shares insight into a few common questions children often have about God:
- Who created God?
- Why do we pray to God if he knows everything?
- Why did God create the world?
In this week's podcast, Mr. Clement and Mrs. Massey introduce Kirk Day School's new school nurse, Mrs. Catharine Matthews, RN. Catharine shares a bit about her work history, her family, and the connections she has to Kirk Day School. To finish up, they shift their focus to talk about the ongoing pandemic.
Abby Karsten joins the podcast this week to continue the series, “Big Questions, Little People.” Abby is a mother of two KDS students and the Director of Women’s Ministry at Kirk of the Hills Church.
Mr. Clement and Mrs. Massey talk with Abby about why Christians pray, how to talk to children about prayer and what prayer with kids looks like in each of their households. Wrapping up, they share some books on prayer to use as resources for ourselves and our kids.
It's that time of year again when the days are getting colder and shorter... And you’re discovering that your kids seem more tired and less motivated. Along with the lovely parts of fall, another not-so-lovely phenomenon might be hitting your family: The October Blues.
In this podcast, Mr. Clement and Mrs. Massey talk about the October Blues — a period when many of us notice a change in mood of not only our child but also ourselves. They share some reasons for this change and offer a few practical steps to address the October Blues and teach our children to lean on the Lord when feeling down.
Our series, "Big Questions, Little People" continues this week with a conversation between Mr. Clement, Mrs. Massey and Mr. David Ottolini. David is both a KDS alumnus and parent of two current students at our school. He is also the Director of Student Life at Westminster Christian Academy. Together, they explore the question: “If God is good, why is there still sin in the world?”
Chad Townsley, Pastor of Community Life at Kirk of the Hills and father of three students at Kirk Day School, sits down with Mr. Clement and Mrs. Massey to kick off the start of a new series: "Big Questions, Little People."
Recently, the entire KDS faculty attended a Biblical Integration Training that focused on questions like, "What is a Covenant?" "What is Covenant Theology?" and "What Does it Mean to be Reformed?" These are big questions that we grapple with as Christian adults. However, we are not the only ones with theological questions. Our kids have them too.
The purpose of this series is to bring up some of these big questions our kids have and to offer suggestions on how to respond to them. This week, the discussion revolves around the question: "What is the Bible about?"
On the first podcast of the school year, Mr. Clement & Mrs. Massey talk about what's been happening lately at KDS and what to expect as we start the new semester.
Mr. Clement and Mrs. Massey reflect on the highs and lows of the 2020-2021 school year, discussing the unique challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic as well as some unexpected triumphs and blessings. They conclude with a sneak peak of what they believe next year will look like for the Kirk Day School community.
In this week’s podcast, Mr. Clement interviews Dr. Dan Doriani on the Biblical view of marriage, gender, and sexuality. With a strong cultural focus on these issues, Kirk Day School has formed a statement in alignment with the Presbyterian Church in America and Kirk of the Hills Presbyterian Church. Mr. Clement and Dr. Doriani discuss the differing views on these topics within the Christian community, while holding strong to doctrinal truths and understanding the sensitive nature of these conversations.
Kirk Day School is a ministry of the Kirk of the Hills Presbyterian Church, in the Presbyterian Church of America, and all views are subject to denominational oversight.
Dan Doriani (MDiv, PhD, Westminster Theological Seminary; STM, Yale Divinity School) is vice president at large and professor of theology at Covenant Theological Seminary in St. Louis, Missouri, and a Council member of The Gospel Coalition. He has authored a number of books, including Work: Its Purpose, Dignity, and Transformation. He and his wife, Debbie, have two grandchildren who currently attend KDS.
Mr. Clement and Mrs. Massey sit down with the new Pastor of Community Life at the Kirk of the Hills church, Chad Townsley. Chad, a father of three KDS students, talks about how his family ended up in St. Louis and his hope to encourage and bring together the community not only at the church, but at Kirk Day School too.
Mr. Clement and Mrs. Massey discuss “cancel culture." While this is a phrase we hear often in today’s world, knowing how to respond as Christians can be complicated. They explore the intricacies of what it means to be “cancelled” and look at what scripture says about this.
On this week's podcast, Mrs. Massey and Mr. Clement interview Chris Pitts, the Kirk Day School Athletic Director. Pitts talks about his childhood from growing up in New York City to attending KDS in St. Louis. The group also discusses race relations and how to build a better future for our students.
On our third podcast of the series, Mr. Clement and Mrs. Massey talk to Rossi Summers. Summers is the Chief Operating Officer at the Foster and Adoptive Care Coalition and a current KDS parent. She describes her experience growing up as a black woman in East St. Louis and shares stories about how racism has impacted her family. She also focuses on the importance of having intentional conversations about race with others and the hope we have for the generation of kids that we are teaching and raising.
Mr. Clement and Mrs. Massey have a conversation with Anthony Lucas, football coach at Pulaski Academy in Little Rock, Arkansas. Lucas shares his story, talks about how God has used athletics in his life and gives some personal insight on race relations.
We are kicking off a new series titled, “Un-polarizing Polarizing Conversation,” where Mr. Clement & Mrs. Massey sit down to talk with members of the black community who are friends of Kirk Day School.
The purpose of these conversations is to honor diverse Christian voices, offer listeners an opportunity to hear a worldview that may be different from their own and confront topics that can feel difficult to talk about.
This week, Mr. Clement chats with Kenneth Griffin, Principal at Yeatman Middle School in North St. Louis City, who shares his life story, highlighting specific challenges that arose throughout his life. From a difficult upbringing to a successful career, Griffin's life reveals some of the systematic problems the black community faces in St. Louis City. He then goes on to explain a few tangible actions he has taken to support members of the community surrounding Yeatman.
In our first podcast of 2021, Mr. Clement and Mrs. Massey sit down to discuss the school’s recent health days and what the COVID situation is like at KDS as well as things to look forward to this semester and where the podcast is headed.
Mr. Clement and Mrs. Massey sit down with Steve Hughes, a former KDS parent and certified professional speaker. For the last 15 years, Steve has used his public speaking and writing abilities to encourage and challenge audiences all over the United States. During the podcast, Steve goes over a few ways we can embrace challenges and unexpected situations to glorify God. For more information about Steve and his programs, visit https://hityourstride.com/.
For most of us, this Christmas will look different from past years. In this week's podcast, Mr. Clement and Mrs. Massey focus on the Christmas season and talk about a few ways to still find joy and hope amidst the challenges and burdens we are experiencing.
This week, Mr. Clement and Mrs. Massey give an update on COVID-19’s impact at KDS. They review the protocols the staff and faculty are following and discuss how these precautions have continued to prevent transmission on campus. In addition, they discuss the recent restrictions and policy changes from St. Louis County as well as the state of Missouri.
This week, Mr. Clement and Mrs. Massey continue their conversation on the idols of our culture by discussing freedom and happiness. Both of these concepts can lead to us to idols of independence and autonomy. They talk about where we can see these idols in culture and discuss ways to help our students understand freedom and happiness through the lens of the Gospel.
In this week’s podcast, Mr. Clement and Mrs. Massey begin a mini series on cultural idols ingrained in our culture. This conversation is based off of a talk given by Michael Keller, a pastor in New York City at Redeemer Lincoln Square where he shares about five cultural idols (identity, freedom, happiness, power and history) and how they interact with our identity as Christians.
Today, the focus is "identity" and the concept that, "you have to be true to yourself.” They give some examples from culture where you can see this and discuss potential side effects of this mentality on our mental and emotional health. Finally, they talk about our identity as Christians and the biblical framework for understanding who we are in Christ.
In today's world, most of us don’t know our neighbors. And even if we do know them, we may not know how to talk to them about our faith or grow in our relationship with them.
In this week's podcast, Mr. Clement and Mrs. Massey have a conversation with Chris and Elizabeth McKinney, Co-Authors of a new book titled, "Placed for a Purpose," and staff members at The Crossing Church in Columbia, MO. The McKinney's talk about their mission and work to provide Christians with the proper framework to be good neighbors who "live missionally where God has placed them."
Visit https://www.placedforapurpose.com/ for more information.
Purchase Book Here: https://www.amazon.com/Placed-Purpose-Sustainable-Next-Door-Neighbors/dp/0578736489/ref=mp_s_a_1_2?dchild=1&keywords=placed+for+a+purpose+mckinney&qid=1601251651&sprefix=placed+&sr=8-2
It's that time of year again. The days are getting colder. Your favorite pumpkin flavored foods are back in stores... And you’re discovering that your kids seem less motivated and more agitated. Yes, along with all the lovely parts of fall, another not-so-lovely phenomenon might hit your kids: The October Blues.
In this podcast, Mr. Clement and Mrs. Massey talk about the October Blues — a few weeks during the month where you might notice a change in your child’s mood or behavior. They share some reasons for this change as well as some added complexities this year due to the pandemic. To conclude, they offer a few suggestions to manage the October Blues and enjoy the blessings of fall.
This week, we continue our mini series on equipping students to be lifelong followers of Christ by interviewing missionary, Steve Spencer. Steve and his wife, Mary, have spent 30 years on the mission field in Africa and call St. Louis home when they are on furlough from the mission field. All eight of their children have attended Kirk Day School. During the podcast, Steve shares his experience and passion for sharing the Gospel through higher education and stories about the impact of Christian education around the world.
This week on the podcast, KDS Librarian Jody Kouzes joins Mr. Clement and Mrs. Massey. She shares her perspective on the importance of reading, what she loves most about reading and tips to help your students become more avid readers. In addition, she talks about the process of curating the library and selecting books that fulfill the mission and vision of KDS. She also shares some of her own favorite books for children and adults.
Over the summer, the entire KDS faculty read "The Emotionally Healthy Church" by Peter Scazzero, which focuses on 6 key principles of emotionally healthy ministries. Scazzero implores us to recognize and process the emotions we experience in life and explore how those emotions impact our ability to lead. On this week’s podcast, Mr. Clement and Mrs. Massey share some of their insights from reading the book and discuss how it influences their work at KDS.
The Kirk Day School community has successfully made it through the first three weeks of the school year with zero positive COVID-19 cases. In this week's podcast, Mr. Clement and Mrs. Massey look back at the past few weeks and share more about some health and safety protocols at KDS. Later, they discuss new statistics that are informing the KDS Administration's decisions and a few predictions they have for this school year.
On our first podcast since coming back from summer break, Mr. Clement and Mrs. Massey give parents an update regarding the start of the new school year. They talk about what is going well and the areas where they see room for growth in the midst of so many changes due to COVID-19. In addition, they share some helpful ideas and objectives to keep in mind as we continue on throughout this year.
In this week's podcast, Mr. Clement and Mrs. Massey interview three KDS teachers (Mrs. Engel, Mrs. Bowman, and Mrs. McCracken) to chat with them about various aspects of distance learning. Each of these educators share a different viewpoint on the joy, sadness, and uniqueness that this shift in learning has brought to our educational paradigm.
First, a disclaimer. This episode has mature content. We recommend parents listen to the podcast before deciding if they want to share it with their kids. Our intention in having a conversation about sex and sexuality is to help equip parents to have this conversation with their kids.
Possibly the most challenging conversation to have with your child is on topic of sex and sexuality. It is a loaded conversation. It can make us feel uncomfortable. We know the importance of teaching and shepherding our kids in their view of sex and sexuality but can struggle with what to say and when to say it.
This is a re-release of a podcast we recorded last year with Mollie Pfuetze where she shares some tips on how to have “the talk” with your kids. She challenges parents to broaden their scope of the conversation past “the birds and the bees” to include a healthy view of their body. She shares about tangible ways parents can model of their kids healthy relationships between the opposite sex. Most importantly, she discusses ways to normalize and celebrate the way God created sex and sexuality.
Helpful Resources:
Books - God's Design for Sex Series, 4 Books, By: Stan and Brenna Jones
God Made All of Me: A Book to Help Children Protect Their Bodies, By Justin and Lindsey A. Holcomb
I Said No! A Kid-to-kid Guide to Keeping Private Parts Private, By Kimberly King and Zack King
Good Pictures Bad Pictures: Porn-Proofing Today's Young Kids, By Kristen A. Jenson M.A. and Dr. Gail A. Poyner
Generation Z Unfiltered by Tim Elmore
The Period Book, by Karen Gravelle and Jennifer Gravelle
The Talk: 7 Lessons to Introduce Your Child to Biblical Sexuality, By Luke Gilkerson
The Ultimate Guys' Body Book: Not-So-Stupid Questions About Your Body, By Walt Larimore MD
The Ultimate Girls' Body Book: Not-So-Silly Questions About Your Body, By Walt Larimore MD, MD Amaryllis Sanchez Wohlever
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In this week's podcast, Mr. Clement and Mrs. Massey focus on some of the positive things quarantine has brought into our lives. For many of us, this quarantine has given us bonus time and space in our schedules. With less activities in the evenings outside the home, we are all trying to find ways to fill time within our home. In this podcast, they share some ideas to get kids outside and doing fun activities. They also highlight a few creative ways to spend time with family during the evenings. This episode is light and fun.
As part of the prospective parent process, Mr. Clement and Mrs. Massey typically sit down and go over portions of the school handbook that affect the day-to-day life of the school. However, because of the stay-at-home order, we've transitioned this to a podcast. Listen as we examine the mission of the school, volunteering, student discipline, and conflict in our community, all through the lens of KDS.
This week our guest on the podcast was Jeana Roth, a counselor at Revision Christian Counseling. Jeana's training is in Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) which is a form of therapy that focuses on mindfulness, emotional regulation and distress tolerance. Jeana shares about the benefits of mindfulness from a Christian perspective and some helpful ways to integrate mindfulness and emotional regulation skills with yourself and with your kids.
This week, Mr. Clement and Mrs. Massey interview Kirk of the Hills senior pastor, Ben Porter. They discuss how the holiest week of the Christian calendar may be influenced by social distancing and how we can move towards Jesus even when we're told to move away from others.
In today’s podcast Mr. Clement and Mrs. Massey interview Dr. Leo Hsu, director of over 13 Emergency rooms in the greater St. Louis area, who discusses his medical observations of the area impact of COVID-19 and how we can respond as parents and believers in this time of struggle.
This week, Mr. Clement and Mrs. Massey chat with Emily Nienhuis, Director of One Heart Family Ministries, about Trust-Based Relational Interventions (TBRI) and how to implement this practice in our classrooms and parenting. A little over a week ago, our teachers participated in a training all about TBRI interventions. This training was created by Dr. Karyn Purvis, former Director of the TCU Institute of Child Development, to help caregivers provide effective support and treatment for at-risk children. TBRI is used in orphanages, residential treatment facilities, group homes, foster and adoptive homes, churches, and schools.
In this podcast, Emily helps us understand the basics of TBRI and explains how it is helpful for all children, in all situations. The three main aspects of TBRI are connection, regulation and mindfulness. Below, you'll find further information about TBRI as well as some recommended resources if you want to continue learning more.
- Videos:
- https://child.tcu.edu/about-us/tbri/#sthash.F85QT4lH.dpbs
- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ak6z3pqNqFU
- Books: The Whole Brain Child- Dan Siegal
- Resources: https://child.tcu.edu/about-us/research/#sthash.z0GLLCsZ.dpbs
In continuing a series on new habits for the new year, our guest this week is Lindsay Schertzer, founder of Moms Into Fitness. Lindsay’s background and education are in exercise science, and she has spent her career working with people to assist them in the nourishment of their bodies through exercise and fitness. Topics discussed include: the benefits of exercise, ways to make exercising more accessible and tips for incorporating fitness into your family’s lifestyle. If you would like more information about exercise and fitness, visit Lindsay’s website www.momsintofitness.com.
To start off the new year, we are beginning a new series on healthy habits. This week, Mr. Clement and Mrs. Massey sit down with Deb Meyer, author of Redefining Family Wealth: A Parent’s Guide to Purposeful Living and owner of WorthyNest®, a financial planning and investment advisory firm. With over 13 years of wealth management experience, Deb advises families on how to build wealth in a way that aligns with their values; and for KDS families, while kids are still in the home. In this podcast, she offers her expertise on questions about financial management from developing a budget to talking to your kids about finances, to defining your family's values and future goals, among other topics.
The Christmas season is in full swing, and there's a topic on the minds of many this time of year: how to get along with friends and family. For some, holiday gatherings are a welcomed time filled with joy and connection. For others, this might be a season where they are reminded of loss or grief and feel pressure to be merry and cheerful. In this podcast, Mr. Clement and Mrs. Massey share some tips for juggling the expectations of family and friends and suggestions for processing the emotions around holiday parties and gatherings. They also discuss a few ways we can help our kids manage the joys and challenges that come at this time of year.
Dr. Dan Doriani, a theologian and teacher of ethics at Covenant Seminary, sits down with Mr. Clement, Mrs. Massey, and Ms. Wynn to talk about Santa Claus. They start by sharing some of their own family's Christmas traditions, focusing on how Santa was regarded in their home. Later, they talk about why Christians should be careful not to overplay Santa's connection to Christmas or overstate Santa's imaginary powers. Ultimately, Doriani offers wisdom and guidance on ways to make it clear to our children that Jesus is the true King of Christmas, not Santa.
This week, our podcast guest is Kirk Day School Kindergarten teacher, Anna Johnson. Anna shares about her unique family ties to Kirk Day School and what it has been like to return to KDS after teaching elsewhere. She also talks about her passion for education and the different ways she has seen the school grow throughout the years.
The conversation about reality and expectations comes up throughout the year but especially when the holiday season arrives. In this week's podcast, Mr. Clement and Mrs. Massey talk about their struggle as adults in knowing how to manage expectations from others and ways we can help our students manage their expectations for school and friendships. They also look at what scripture says about reality and expectations and ponder how the Gospel ultimately points us to the reality of our need for a Savior.
Mrs. Massey and Ms. Wynn interview Dr. Jay Sklar, Professor of Old Testament and Vice President of Academics at Covenant Theological. Dr. Sklar’s doctoral studies focused on the theology of sin, impurity, sacrifice, and atonement in the Old Testament sacrificial system, resulting in the book Sin, Impurity, Sacrifice, Atonement: The Priestly Conceptions. Dr. Sklar also served as a partial contributor and editor of the Leviticus notes for the ESV Study Bible and recently released a commentary on Leviticus for the Tyndale Old Testament Commentary Series (InterVarsity Press). In this podcast, Dr. Sklar introduces helpful ways to teach children about God’s law and talks about the value of the Old Testament. He also shares beautiful illustrations of how God’s law is for our flourishing and how it teaches us about Him.
Mr. Clement shares a snapshot of some of his biggest takeaways from the Council on Educational Standards and Accountability (CESA) Symposium in Washington D.C. where school leaders from around the country came together to focus on the future of Christian education.
In this week's podcast, Mr. Clement and Mrs. Massey discuss the changing landscape of Christian education as a new generation of parents begin to have school-aged children. Mr. Clement also shares some of his thoughts regarding the ways we can adapt to this generation by changing our methodology while still maintaining our foundation and mission.
No, this is not about hockey returning to our city, nor is it about a failed attempt at baseball glory. This is actually about how October affects our students’ emotional well-being.
Believe it or not, the “October Blues” is a widespread nickname for many hard things that hit independent schools at this time of year. There are articles, interviews, and blogs, that research this topic. If you were to ask other heads of independent schools, “What are your hardest times of the year?” many would say October and February. So, why is this a “thing” and how do we at Kirk Day School avoid falling into this?
First, October is an interesting month in the emotional and pedagogical calendars. It is a month where the newness of school is wearing off. Friendships have settled. Families are in more of a routine. The days are getting shorter. And, the school year feels bigger. Students feel more tired than they did when it was warm and sunny. Their relationships have settled and the kids that were not an issue in their class are, all of a sudden, an issue. As one educator pointed out in an NPR interview, “The best laid plans tumble to the ground like dead leaves.” She’s right.
Second, as these changes take their psychological and physiological toll on students, items that were not magnified become magnified. This is a natural course of the ebb and flow of childhood relationships. But, as a parent who deeply cares about the protection and development of your child, you begin to see small changes during this month. Parents begin hearing classmate names they had yet to hear or words that are not appropriate, and students are more comfortable with each other than maybe we (as adults) would expect. That all boils down to one thing: Parents feel a lack of control.
So, what do you do for yourself? And what do you do for your student?
Here are a few steps:
- Recognize the difference between a phase and a pattern.
Look at your child’s history. Does this occur each year? Or, has this occurred at all in the past? Is your child’s “transition phase” actually over, or are they still transitioning through the phase? Are they wanting attention from others, or more importantly from you the parent? Sometimes, children realize they can control or just affect other’s emotions by their implications. Try to read deeper into this. A good way to read into this is by seeing whether or not the child brings this up or if you do? Sometimes, the struggle is not on the child’s mind at all, but in our love and care for our children, we remind them of something they may have already moved past.
- Can I help my child with self-care?
A lot of people roll their eyes at the term self-care. Why? Self-care requires time, energy, and money, three things that can be scarce in our world today. So, how do we care for ourselves and help our children learn to do the same? First, let’s start with a definition of self-care. Self-care is anything that refuels us. It is the activities we do where we lose track of time. These activities lower our stress level and increase our ability to function in the world. There are two different kinds of self-care: macro and micro self-care. Macro self-care is something like a vacation. It requires planning, time, and money. Micro self-care are those things you can do every day and have your kiddos practice every day. Some examples include: taking a 15-minute walk after dinner, doing a guided muscle relaxation or meditating on Scripture, taking 10 minutes at the end or beginning of the day to talk, write, or think about what you’re thankful for. It may mean doing a family activity on a Saturday. These things do not require many resources but can be incredibly helpful for both adults and children. October tends to be a time when our schedules get busier, so it is a perfect time to make some space for you and your kids to take a breath and enjoy something fun.
- Ask good questions.
Recently, I heard from a leading child psychologist that the worst question a parent can ask their child after school is, “How was your day?” It does very little to connect with your child and to the heart of your child because the question is too open ended. (Full disclosure: I do this EVERY TIME I pick my son up from school.) It’s a habit. However, moving to better questions is better for us and better for our physically and emotionally tired children at the end of the day. It boils down to primarily being more specific. Here are some examples:
- What did you learn in (subject) today?
- What co-curricular classes did you go to today?
- What was the funniest thing that happened at school today?
- What friends did you enjoy today?
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Who did you sit with at lunch?
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Be patient.
Our lack of comfort is one thing, but our children’s lack of comfort can feel overwhelming. We have a natural, created, desire to take pain away from our children. However, as my predecessor, Sue Pitzer, often says, “Prepare the child for the path, not the path for the child.” A coach does not challenge athletes for the easy games but for the most difficult and trying circumstances. We have to allow our students to walk through the uncertainty and be emotionally present with them amidst the conflict and uncomfortable season. We have to be patient.
None of the aforementioned is to ignore what is going on in the life of a child. Jesus displayed great care and concern for children, listening and offering His time to them when others were clamoring for His attention. Nonetheless, we can't forget that Jesus, having his eternal perspective, was able to sleep soundly during the storm, only getting up to calm the storm, and ask his disciples, “Why were you so afraid?” May we have the courage to gently walk with our children through their storms while resting in the Lord’s power, believing that He knows what is best for the people dearest to us.
Mr. Clement and Mrs. Massey finish the conversation on Kirk Day School's philosophy regarding conflict and interpersonal relationships. They discuss the different players in conflict, how best to go about resolving conflict between families, classroom dynamics and ways in which teachers are uniquely positioned to disciple the children in their classes. Ultimately, the podcast focuses on the biblical foundations of conflict resolution.
Standardized testing can cause added strain and anxiety in the lives of students. In this week's episode, Mr. Clement and Mrs. Massey talk with Dr. BJ Wiemer, Assistant Head of School for Academics, about the upcoming Achievement Tests for 2nd-6th Grade during the week of September 30-October 4. They go over the type of test our school uses and share tips on how best to prepare for it.
Grab your sneakers, tutus, tall socks and wackiest outfit…it’s time for the annual KDS Color Run! In this week's BONUS podcast, Mrs. Massey and Ms. Wynn tell you everything you need to know to prepare for the event and help KDS reach this year's Color Run fundraising goal of $50,000. They also talk about the various prizes students can win for collecting sponsors. You won't want to miss it!
This week, Mr. Clement and Mrs. Massey discuss Kirk Day School's philosophy regarding conflict and interpersonal relationships. They share some ideas that inform practices such as Peacemakers (based on the book Peacemakers by Ken Sande). They also mention the methodology of resolving conflict between families. This is a helpful podcast if you’re wanting to learn more about how KDS partners with families to nurture the hearts of the students the school serves.
In this podcast, Kirk Day School Director of Communications Mary Wynn sits down to talk to Mr. Clement and Mrs. Massey. She describes her new role and what led her to take the job here. As a KDS graduate, she shares about the impact Christian education has had on her life. Mary also discusses some of the ways the school is striving to improve communication.
Our guest this week is John Spencer, Director of Youth and Family Ministries at Kirk of the Hills Church. John has spent over a decade working with teens in the context of ministry and coaching. In this podcast, he talks about some of the trends he sees in the lives of teenagers such as the importance of being busy and staying connected to their peers. Below are some questions for further conversation.
- How busy is my family? What am I modeling to my kids about rest and busyness?
- How can I help my kids learn the difference between being lazy and resting?
- What does our culture say about business, productivity and work? What messages from culture are good? Which ones are confusing? What does the Bible say about rest?
New York Times Bestselling author Leonard Sax joins Mr. Clement and Mrs. Massey for a discussion on raising children in the 21st Century. Dr. Sax has written 4 books, including The Collapse of Parenting, which our staff and faculty read this summer. In this podcast, he discusses topics like cellphones and media as well as how the Bible guides our parenting. Below are some questions for further conversation.
Disclaimer: In this podcast, Dr. Sax discusses many of the same topics he went over during his talk on Monday night. In addition, we recommend that, due to the content of this podcast, you listen to it without your kids in the car.
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What truths from our culture have become entwined in our parenting? What truths are in-line with Biblical values? What truths might be different from our Biblical values?
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What are some benefits of our children engaging in social media such as Instagram, YouTube, or Snapchat? What are some of the drawbacks?
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Sax mentions many effective ways to engage more with our kids, such as eating more meals together or not allowing them to put on headphones/earbuds in the car. Can we implement one of his suggestions in our family? What is challenging about implementing some of them? What are some potential benefits of doing so?
The first day of school has finally arrived, and a wave of emotions from anxiety to excitement to nervousness can come along with it. Teachers, administrators, parents and students may experience an increase in anxiety during the first few weeks of school. Questions about lunch, recess, homework, and friendship often flood the heart and mind of all of us.
In this podcast, Mr. Clement and Mrs. Massey discuss some of the trends and emotions kids experience in the first few weeks. We offer tips and suggestions for riding the wave of anxiety and finding some stability in the midst of transition. Below are some follow up questions and the articles we referenced in the podcast for further reading.
Questions to Consider:
- Do I tend to be a thermostat or thermometer with my child? What topics around my child’s school experience cause me more anxiety?
- There is so much out of our control when we send our kids to school. How does it feel when we lose control? How do I respond to people when I feel out of control?
- How can I be praying this year for my child?
Referenced Articles: https://www.health.harvard.edu/blog/back-to-school-anxiety-2018082314617 https://childmind.org/article/back-school-anxiety/
We are excited to share with you some summer happenings around Kirk Day School. In this podcast, we share some of the updates we have done around the school as well as some important dates to remember as we start school. We also discuss the changes to the lunch program and share the school verse for the year. Below is a list of important dates to remember for the coming weeks. We are looking forward to the start of the school year!
Important Dates Friday, August 2- Class Lists Wednesday, August 7- New Parent Orientation Tuesday, August 13- Meeting Your Teacher
- 11:00-11:45am, J-Q
- 11:45-12:30pm, R-Z
- 12:30-1:15pm, A-I
Wednesday, August 14-First Day of School Monday, August August 19- Dr. Leonard Sax
First, a disclaimer. This episode has mature content. We recommend parents listen to the podcast before deciding if they want to share it with their kids. Our intention in having a conversation about sex and sexuality is to help equip parents to have this conversation with their kids.
Possibly the most challenging conversation to have with your child is on topic of sex and sexuality. It is a loaded conversation. It can make us feel uncomfortable. We know the importance of teaching and shepherding our kids in their view of sex and sexuality but can struggle with what to say and when to say it.
In this podcast, Mollie Pfuetze shares about how to have “the talk” with your kids. She challenges parents to broaden their scope of the conversation past “the birds and the bees” to include a healthy view of their body. She shares about tangible ways parents can model of their kids healthy relationships between the opposite sex. Most importantly, she discusses ways to normalize and celebrate the way God created sex and sexuality.
As a reminder, Mrs. Pfuetze will be coming to speak to the 4th, 5th, and 6th students on Thursday afternoon. She does discuss what she will talk to the kids about on Thursday. Below are some questions for you as parents to consider.
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What is it like for me to think about talking to my kids about sex and sexuality? What thoughts and feelings come up?
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What areas does culture influence the way I view sex and sexuality?
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What is confusing about how our culture views sex and sexuality? What is good? What is harmful? What does Scripture say?
Privacy has changed dramatically in the technology driven world we live in. Media outlets are constantly reporting stories of companies being hacked and private information being stolen. Our ability to capture moments in time and share them with the world has changed dramatically with camera phone and social media. We live in a culture that is becoming more and more supportive of authenticity and openness but at the same time wants to be assured that our information won’t be stolen over the internet. Apple has recently started a new ad campaign to assure their consumers that privacy matters to them. So in this digital age, how do we protect our children’s privacy as well as our family’s privacy? What kind of questions and conversations do we need to have with our children to help them understand what privacy is and why privacy is important.
In this podcast Mr. Clement and Mrs. Massey dive into the topic of privacy and pose some questions to consider as we consider what privacy looks like in our culture and world today.
- As a parent, what areas do you struggle with “breathing the air of our culture” as opposed to trusting in God’s wisdom?
- What are the good things that come from technology? What can we embrace about living in a time where authenticity is appreciated?
- What is confusing about technology? What is challenging about living in a technology driven world?
Spring has sprung. The trees are coming alive, the temperatures are getting warmer, and Cardinals baseball is back. Spring is a refreshing and exciting time of the year. We may be anxiously awaiting the arrival of summer vacations and trips to the pool. If a family is transitioning over the summer to a new school, they might be reflecting on the time spent at KDS. In this podcast, Mr. Clement and Mrs. Massey discussing behavior trends seen in school during this time. They then offer some tips on how to embrace this exciting time while also maintain structure for kids. They discuss the importance and challenge of staying present during a season of anticipation and reflection.
Follow Up Questions
- What is your favorite part of spring? Where do you notice your family becoming less structured (homework, dinner, bedtime, ect.)?
- What ways have you seen your children grow this year?
- Being present during this time can be a challenge. In this present season, what are you enjoying? What are you looking forward to for the summer?
In this episode, Mr. Clement interviews KDS graduate Jeff Ehrhardt. Mr. Ehrhardt shares his memories, stories about the teachers he had, where God lead him after KDS, and how KDS impacts him as a businessman and husband here in St. Louis.
Questions to Consider: - Do you have friendships did you have in grade school that were lasting through much of your adulthood? - Where has Kirk Day School met or exceeded your expectations? Where have things been different than you expected? - What is your hope for your child when they look back at their KDS experience?
In this podcast, Mr. Clement interviews Richard Anderson. Mr. Anderson is a long-time educator and high school principal at Grace Christian Academy in Franklin, TN. (Mr. Anderson is also a KDS grandparent.)
In this episode, Mr. Anderson reflects on his 46 years in education and comments on the changes and stabilizers that makes Christian Education so special to families. He offers advice to families and teachers, and tells stories that have lasting impact on the school communities. Listen as he shares the knowledge, experiences, and wisdom, the Lord has given him over the years. Questions to Consider: - What areas do you see Kirk Day School needing to grow? - What areas do you see Kirk Day School providing opportunities to your family? - When you were growing up, can you think of a situation where you were challenged by, or disagreed with, the school (or teacher) but saw it was for your good? - Can you think of a teacher that made an impact, by loving you well through hard times?
Mr. Clement interviews Mrs. Catherine Stufflebam, Kirk Day School’s PE Teacher (and a KDS alum). They discuss the new student discipleship initiative SPORT, while also discussing the importance of a solid relationship between the home and school. Mrs. Stufflebam shares in detail about her experiences as a teacher and the methods she uses to develop relationships with students.
As you listen, ask your student if they can name the 5 characteristics of being a good SPORT. Servant Participant Open-hearted Respectful Thoughtful
In this podcast, veteran KDS teacher Julie Schaffner shares her story, her journey to faith, her philosophy of education, and what she loves about KDS. Enjoy listening to Mrs. Schaffner share her wisdom!
In this podcast, Mrs. Massey and Mr. Clement explore the topic of “The Invisible Man,” look at the how and why children repeat/say bad language, and compare the roles of Parents as Architects vs. Parents as Farmers.How do we as parents handle bad language, inappropriate topics, and repeating things that are above their age level? How do we bring to light what is in the dark in a way that truly shepherds a child’s heart toward Jesus?
In this episode, Mr. Clement interviews two KDS parents: Ben Porter (Senior Pastor at Kirk of the Hills) and Kent Needler (Director of Communications at Covenant Seminary), as they share their views on the impact stories and media have in their homes as fathers, men, husbands, and Christians.
Mr. Clement and Mrs. Massey discuss the change of media from previous generations to the current generation of children.
Mr. Clement interviews theologian and professor Dr. Dan Doriani on the subject of gender. They examine the questions of, "What does society say to our children," "What does Scripture say to our children," and "Why is this a hot-button issue for our society today?"
Mr. Clement and Mrs. Massey discuss the "dos" and "donts" for adults when kids start discussing bullying. Mrs. Massey also opens up about her own experience being bullied as a child.
In this episode Mr. Clement and Mrs. Massey discuss the difficulty in slowing down long enough to actually worship during the Christmas season. We often know what Christmas is truly about, but find ourselves so busy we forget to slow down and enjoy what Jesus has done for us.
In this episode Mr. Clement and Mrs. Massey discuss the time between school letting out for Christmas and the actual holiday of Christmas. We look at two big questions: What do you do with the unstructured time? AND Why is Santa more exciting than Jesus to most children?
Mr. Clement and Mrs. Massey discuss the time for children when school is still in session and the how to begin Advent with your family.
Head of School, Taylor Clement, and School Counselor, Maria Massey, discuss the effects the Holidays have on families. This episode is centered around a discussion on Thanksgiving and the questions: How do you help your kids be grateful? What sneaks up on your family during this holiday? Is it ok for the holiday to be hard?