Category: Gratitude

Have you noticed the many safety improvements around Journey? If so, you are seeing the hard word of the Fun Run Fundraiser in action! Because of your participation, the Fun Run raised enough money to reach our goal and improve safety at Journey.

But these projects don’t get done by themselves, and take a great deal of time and energy to see them to fruition. Behind the scenes, working steadily so that we can all enjoy these improvements you will find a Journey dad, active JPO member, and Journey board member, JIM SMITH.

There is no way to adequately thank Jim for the many hours he has put into seeing that these projects are started and completed. From getting bids, hiring contractors, researching, making decisions, and following up each job, Jim has been there every step of the way!

Here is a list of the improvements Jim made sure got done: privacy screens on the playground, emergency gate on the playground, new rocks on the playground, a shed for fitness and play equipment, an emergency gate exit by the portables, more fencing to close off the back side of the campus by the portables, new camera system, and additional outdoor lighting.

Thank you Jim! Your are definitely a five star Journey Dad!

“Encourage, lift and strengthen one another. For we are connected, one and all” Deborah Day

I am a big believer that we all make the world a better place as we work together in support for a greater cause. It is amazing to see many of you give your time and support in creating an amazing place for our kids to learn and grow.

We are ever so grateful to our Annual Sponsor, Battle Born Injury Lawyers, who has supported Journey three years running. Battle Born’s sponsorship has been a key component in supporting events and fundraisers at Journey over the past years.

Matt Hoffman, a Battle Born attorney, Journey parent, and Journey Education board member has been a supportive and active participant at the school. We appreciate the knowledge, support, and insight he brings to the table as the board makes important decisions.

A big thank you to Matt Hoffman and Battle Born Injury Lawyers for your support of Journey Education!

Students, teachers, parents, and guests all enter through the front doors many times each day. And at entrance is Mrs. Linda, our office manager, the heart of Journey.

There are moments when Mrs. Linda is answering phones, getting something done for the administration, letting a parent in the door, and putting a band-aide on a student, while getting a project with a deadline accomplished…. All at the same time!

I’m so grateful for the cheerful voice at the end of the phone or the smile that greets us day after day. I’m writing this post for no other reason than to express my gratitude and love for the work and dedication Mrs. Linda gives to Journey. She helps create a tone that we all look forward to and rely on.

Take a moment the next time you see Mrs. Linda to express your gratitude for the kind and loving way she works with us and our kids. Thanks Mrs. Linda!

Teaching is one of the most difficult jobs out there, and one that makes the most difference in a child’s life. We have all had a teacher that is an important part of our growing up and learning. One that made us feel important, that sparked a joy for learning, or that we felt safe to learn with or fail with.

At Journey our teachers are the very best! I wish every parent could sit in a Journey Education staff meeting and hear the discussions of pride over a students’ success, or the concern over a struggle, you would be in awe at the loving and nurturing place your student is acquiring their education.

The biggest payoffs of teaching are seeing the “ah ha” moments in a child’s face or watching a child blossom as they learn to read and write. I love to visit our kindergarten class and see the wonderment in those children’s eyes, or walk into a middle school class and hear a discussion on literature, or listen to a 3rd grade student explain how excited she is about writing.

Next time you are visiting with your child’s teacher, make sure to thank him or her for the wonderful experience your child receives every day at Journey.

“Gratitude unlocks the fullness of life. It turns what we have into enough, and more. It turns denial into acceptance, chaos to order, confusion to clarity. It can turn a meal into a feast, a house into a home, a stranger into a friend.” ~ Melody Beattie

As we roll headlong into the holiday season, I’m thankful that Thanksgiving comes first. It is a regular occurrence to be asked “what are you grateful for”.

Think about that for a moment.

What are you grateful for?

Considering what you are grateful for increases your happiness level.

 

When I have a grateful heart, I am more mindful of the many blessings in my life, big and small.

When I have a grateful heart, any lack in my life diminishes.

When I have a grateful heart, I am in more of a space to feel real love for those around me.

When I have a grateful heart, I am happier!

Our students and staff shared what they are grateful for. Here are a few of their responses:

• I am grateful for my mom because she gives me food, water, and shelter. – Nicholas, 5^th grade
• I am grateful for my family because my mom and dad work hard so I can go to Dave and Busters. – Ace, Kindergarten
• I am grateful for modern conveniences because life without heating, a/c, transportation, medicine, running water, sewer, etc would be incredibly difficult and uncomfortable. Prayers for all of those living without. – Mrs. Swallie, Teacher
• I am grateful for the Springs Preserve because it gives me an opportunity to learn when I’m not at school – Sara, 3^rd grade
• I am grateful for gymnastics because it helps me to learn very cool, but scary tricks. – Ethan, 2^nd grade
• I am grateful for my family because they hug me a lot of time. – Chelsea, 1^st grade
• I am grateful for my parents because they are the best thing that has ever happened to me. – Anastasia, 6^th grade

I am grateful for Journey Education because this school has given me a new outlook on life. It’s not only a job, but friends that have helped me, and my sons are at their best. This school has improved every aspect of my life – Mr. Bryant Teacher

Last night my friend stopped by to share some apples that she picked from a local orchard. There is only a short window of time that the honey crisp apples are perfectly crisp and sweet. Such a small gesture meant so much. To be thought of and have a moment to visit, laugh, and enjoy a sweet apple at perfection.
And so it is with our kids. It is the little things that they seem to remember and cherish in their childhood. I wonder at the things my children remember. They will say things like, “I love when we would put up a sheet over the living room entrance and pop popcorn and have family night at the movies (we did it twice) or “remember when we always walked to the ice cream store and all shared the giant sundae?” Small moments become big memories later in their lives.

This blog is to celebrate the little things we enjoy at Journey Education and to remind you to take time for little things with your children. Time to sit by your child’s bed side and tell a story about when you were young, time to eat a bowl of cereal together, time to laugh, play, and let the world go by with only you, your child, and the moment. Because, like with the honey crisp apples, there is only a small window of time before they are grown up.