Growing and Learning Together!

Teachers: Marie Yolette and Jean Renald
Class: Third Grade
Region: Deuxième-Plaine 

How has God shown up in your class?
[Marie Yolette] The presence of God is manifested in my class each day as we pray before starting class. His presence helps my students to trust Him and become more productive in their studies. I have seen through them that they become friendlier and respect each other.

[Jean Renald] God has shown up in my class through the way my students behave and the friendship they have with each other. They are motivated to learn new verses every week and love to sing the new Christian songs that I have taught them.

What are some notable updates or activities that your class has been a part of? (i.e. holidays, celebrations, traditions)
Flag Day, Labor and Agriculture Day, recreation days, Christmas.

What was the occasion and why is it important to your culture? 
[Marie Yolette] We celebrate Flag Day every May 18th. It is important to us because the flag represents freedom. On this day we do coloring, let the students describe the flag and what it means to them and participate in the parade we have in our town.
Labor and Agriculture Day is usually the first of May. We tell them about the important role agriculture plays in our country and also encourage them when they are older to learn professional skills to support themselves.
Recreation days are usually held on special occasions that the school organizes for students to have fun, such as going out to visit a place or monument, giving lectures, and other fun activities.
We celebrate Christmas to honor the birth of Christ with the whole school by doing fun activities like singing, dancing and games.

[Jean Renald] Flag Day is important to us and we celebrate it every May 18th; our students love to participate. On this special occasion, as we celebrate the freedom we have as a free nation, we take part in parades, and we wear blue and red to mark the special event.
Recreation days are held on a special occasion; we visit places, discuss a topic, and let the students have fun that day.
For Agriculture Day, we encourage our students to take care of nature and plants. Sometimes we bring plants and tell them how we can use them for good things to cure certain diseases or to eat. For Christmas we celebrate the birth of Christ and why He came into the world to save us from our sins. We sing new Christmas songs, poems and dances.

What is your favorite memory from this year so far? Something that made you laugh? Cry? Praise God?
[Marie Yolette] One of my students was not feeling well and the other students prayed for him before he went home. This made me happy because they trust and believe in God.

[Jean Renald] One student came to school with a basket of fruits just to tell me thank you for being his teacher and to show appreciation for all I have been doing with them.

What are some activities or events that you and your class are looking forward to?
We look forward to playing soccer with other classes, going out with the school to visit a nearby town, Flag Day and Christmas.

Is there a Bible verse that your class has been studying? Or maybe a verse that God has put on your heart during this season? 
[Marie Yolette] We are studying Psalms 37:5. It is always a great pleasure for them to learn a verse and to share it with other students. 

[Jean Renald] We are studying Romans 3:16 and we look forward to learning more in the coming weeks of school. It plays a crucial role in the lives of my students by making them be honest and respect other people in their surroundings.

What would you like to say to partners who are supporting the class and students?
[Marie Yolette] I want to say thank you for opening your hearts to support my class and students. May God continue to bless you for your good deeds toward His people. We will keep you in our prayers to stay healthy and to continue making positive impact in His kingdom.

[Jean Renald] Thank you for all you have been doing for my students through the love of Christ our Savior. Your support means a lot to my class and my students. We will pray for you that God will bless you more and keep you healthy. We look forward to meeting you in the future if possible. May the peace of God be with you.