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Volume 31, No. 3

June 2020

The mission of James Valley Christian School is to provide a

Biblically based education, transforming hearts and minds to

impact the world for Christ.

Phone: 605-352-7737

Website: www.jvcs.org

Brian Held, Superintendent

Cindy Niederbaumer, 9-12 Principal Paula Kleinsasser, PreK-8 Principal

Ephesians 4:32 Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving each other as God in Christ forgave you.

Students, Staff Finish School Year in Distance-Learning Mode

For the 2019-20 school year, March 12 turned out to be the last day of school in our school building for JVCS students and staff. Guidelines from our state officials pertaining to COVID-19 required that teachers drastically change lesson planning for the remainder of the school year. Video conferencing, packets of worksheets, online tests, emailing, drop boxes, and recorded lessons all became part of the final weeks of teaching and learning. “I teach because of the kids. This was not normal teaching. This was lesson plans, correcting papers, and seeing my students on a computer screen,” explained teacher Mrs. Beth Decker. “Also, I found out that I can’t teach well in my pajamas!” Ms. Kendra Walter missed her students as well. She embraced the challenge of having class from home. “When we are back in the classroom, I will continue to use some of the tools we implemented during distance learning,” she said.

First grade student Max Bartholow learns at home with Koda’s company.

Knox waits patiently for Titus Pichura, JVC 10th grade student, to finish schoolwork.

Averi Glanzer’s mom Wendy found some creative places to motivate her kindergartner to keep reading.

It was schoolwork while camping for JVC 11th grader Caitlin Swanson.

Story continued on page 2

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In Loving Memory of Mrs. Mari Hofer

First grade teacher Mrs. Christie Brantner found it frustrating that teaching was reduced to handing out worksheets and correcting papers. She kept track of the stacks of papers that came from her twenty students. “Grading 3,440 papers (that’s 4-5 papers per day per student for 37 days) wasn’t nearly as rewarding as watching the children grow and learn together.” Mrs. Brantner recorded the Bible lessons for her students to watch as they studied the attributes of God. She also hosted a Facebook group for parents of first graders to use to help keep her young students connected with their classmates. “We could see when someone moved to a new house or lost a tooth or got a pet,” she explained. “Those real life things are important to first graders.” “We really missed the best quarter of school,” reflects Mrs. Paula Kleinsasser, JVC’s elementary prin-cipal. She explained, “Teachers have well-

established expectations in their classrooms. Students have learned so much by that point. The end of the year is when teachers have such a good time with their students, building on the basics covered in the first part of the year.” Students also missed scores of opportunities such as the speech festival, spring concerts, spelling bee, field trips, senior play, track meets, golf competitions, the wax museum and other events and experiences too numerous to name. While we appreciated the many provisions made for us and that we were able to finish the year, it is not the manner in which students or

teachers or parents hoped to hold school. We are already looking forward to August 20, when we hope students will be able to once again attend school inside our building.

Teachers spent hours preparing lessons to be sent home for each student. Mrs. Hamil-ton packaged work for her four preschool classes.

Distance-Learning Mode, continued from pg 1

Our JVCS family is grieving the earthly passing of our well-loved third grade teacher, Mrs. Mari Hofer. Mrs. Hofer went to be with her Savior on March 28. We miss her smile, grace, love and laugh-ter every day. This school year was Mrs. Hofer’s fifth year teaching third grade. Her students have fond memories of a teacher with a calm and quiet spirit who led a structured classroom with much laughter and special relationships. Praise music was often heard coming from the third grade room.

None of her students would question whether their teacher loved and cared about them. We know Mrs. Hofer’s greatest desire for her students was that they would know Jesus personally and be part of His family in heaven someday. What a thought that she is now in His presence! Thank you, Lord, for the blessing of Mari in our lives. We loved her, and we love You. Comfort, carry, strengthen, and protect all those who grieve so deeply right now.

The sofa was a favorite study spot for 6th grade student Micaiah Brantner.

Kielynn Ober, a kindergarten student, worked on letter books at the kitchen table.

Give us a little background. I was born in Iowa City, IA and moved to Worthington, MN at the age of 2. I am one of eleven children; I have 5 sisters and 5 brothers. After high school, I attended South Dakota State University where I graduated in 2010. I was fortunate enough to play on the South Dakota State Women’s Basketball team for 4 years. Before college, I had never traveled outside of the Midwest, but because of basketball I was able to travel all over the United States. While at SDSU I met my husband Troy. Shortly after college we got married and lived in Sioux Falls. I worked for a company called EMBE Avera where I was the Youth Recreation Coordinator. We moved to Huron in 2015. I worked at Madison Elemen-tary for a year before staying home, and Troy works on the family farm. We have three little girls, Isabel (7), Emi-ly (5) and Olivia (3). They keep us plenty busy!

How do you like to spend time when you aren't at school? I enjoy spending time with my family. In the summer, you can usually find us at the outdoor pool, walking around our neighborhood, playing outside or riding along with Troy on the golf course.

Why JVCS? Growing up I attended public school in Worthington. When Troy and I started our family and were living in Sioux Falls, we felt very comfortable with having our children attend public school. It wasn’t until we moved back to Huron and we sent our Isabel to JVC that I noticed it was not just about academic education, but a spiritual education, which we really appreciate about JVC. I began teaching at JVC in 2018. In the first few weeks, it was apparent that God was integrated into everything. Learning Biblical principles through math,

spelling, or science gives students an opportunity to understand how their classes relate to God’s Word. Working with my students as they learn and as they strengthen their relationship with God is something that I have enjoyed every day.

Any advice for our students? Never stop being eager to learn some-thing new or to develop the skills you already have. Perhaps the most rewarding part of being a teacher is helping a student gain confidence in the ability to learn.

Do you have a favorite memory at JVC? I have enjoyed being a fifth grade teacher and am thankful for the opportunity to teach alongside Desirae Robinson. I’ve also enjoyed getting to know coworkers, students, and families through James Valley Christian.

What is one thing you have learned about life? You should never stop learning, even after you are done with your education.

What is a favorite Bible verse? Philippians 2:10-11 says, “That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue acknowledge that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.”

Mrs. Maria Wipf Teaches Fifth Grade

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JVCS Hosts Exchange Students Hanna Inoue from Tokyo, Japan and Mia Dingeldein from Tussenhausen, Germany attend-ed James Valley Christian School as exchange students this year. Hanna arrived in August to stay with Merrit and Jill Mendel’s family. She was in the 11th grade, participated in volleyball, choir, band, and worked in the Junior Store alongside her classmates. Hanna was required to return to Japan early because of COVID-19. Hanna is the daughter of Yukari,

an exchange student who stayed with Jill’s family and attended JVCS for the 1992-93 school year. Mia came second semester to stay at Nathan & Abigail Faul’s home. She was in the 7th grade class and, like the rest of JVC’s students, continued her educa-tion from home. She returns to her German home in June. Nathan was hosted by Mia’s mother’s family when he was an exchange student in Germany when he was in high school.

Front: Mia Dingeldein, Lily Faul, Shem Mendel, Hanna Inoue. Back: Nathan & Abigail Faul holding Levi; Seth, Hope, Jill & Merrit Mendel

James Valley Christian School

1550 Dakota Ave N • Huron SD 57350

Non-Profit Organization

U.S. POSTAGE PAID

Huron SD 57350 Permit No. 279

Alumnus Andrew Glanzer Reflects on JVCS Family Ephesians 6:4 says, “Fathers, do not provoke your children to anger, but bring them up in the discipline and instruction of the Lord.” This is just one of many Bible verses that points directly to parents being responsible for providing spiritual health tools in his or her family. However, I feel blessed that my JVC teachers and staff had the same intentions as my parents: to lovingly, caringly, and forgivingly produce lifelong Christ-followers who seek His will and give glory to God in every word and deed. As I attended JVC, “family” was a common theme. Grandpa was the custodian for most of my thirteen years, and Grandma was the secretary, “graduating” with me in 2002. My other grandma often assisted Rose, one of my favorite cooks ever! And my aunt worked in the business office, so my parents had plenty of informants to keep tabs on me. Additionally, my teachers could be viewed as extended family members because they showed they cared about me and pointed me to Jesus. Over the years, I saw how much “family” meant within the community. When floods threatened the valley school, the community came together and fought. When the water even-tually prevailed, the teamwork displayed in following God’s leading to a better location was felt state-wide. When my sister was unexpectedly killed, the support for my family was incredible. The relatively small class sizes have produced lifelong friends that I still think of as family today. The most life-impacting experience associated with JVC came when a group of us junior and senior guys visited an Argentinian orphanage in 2002. I have a vivid memory of a cafeteria filled with dejected children that looked like it was straight out of Oliver Twist, minus the harsh caretakers. That day, God planted a seed in my heart that finally bore fruit on December 18, 2019, when my wife and I brought our fourth son home from a Haitian orphanage. Experiencing the extended family-like atmosphere of JVC was the base that eventually helped me, my wife, and my other three boys answer God’s call to welcome this little man into our family.

Finally, my work today as an accountant in corporate America gives me countless opportunities to showcase who I live for. For example, I work alongside many LGBTQ+ mem-bers and activists, a Catholic seminarian-turned-Atheist, and, overall, a culture that promotes conduct contrary to my be-liefs and God’s blueprint for success. However, our mutual trust and love for each other allows us to have open and hon-est conversations, in which I’ve seen God at work. With the foundation of JVC and the guidance of my Crosspoint Bible Church family in Omaha, NE, I’ve learned how to stand firm in my faith and prioritize God and family over everything.

Andrew is a 2002 graduate of JVCS. He and Rachel raise their four boys Jarett, Lincoln, Henry, and Duval near Omaha, NE.