Dear Parents,
Would you believe there is a concept so universally accepted that Biblical scholars and secular psychologist agree upon it? Even more amazing is the fact that we all tend to ignore it. The concept is that striving for happiness creates unhappiness.
You can find this referenced in Scripture as frequently as in Psychology Today. Still, we all arrogantly think that we can create happiness. Not only that, we think we can create happiness in others. As parents, we try to “make our children happy“, even though we cognitively know it’s impossible.  It’s a part of our human need to be in control.
We overload them with great experiences.  We give them whatever they want. We treat them to things they don’t even want – all in the name of making them happy.
We get so busy that we don’t stop for those teachable moments.  Take time to ask about how someone else felt.  Take time to help them learn to pick up after themselves.  Take time to listen to their stories no matter how trivial they may seem.  Take time to work together helping another person.  Be completely honest yourself.
They will be happier doing the right things than they will striving for happiness. Teach and model for them good character – honesty, self-discipline, polite manners, generosity, empathy, and they will have a far more enjoyable life than the selfish pursuit of happiness.
Resolve to pursue the teaching of goodness.
Blessings on your parenting,

August 14, 2018 
Dear Parents,
We all want good communication, but often we think of it in one direction. We want others to communicate with us, but we don’t always think to communicate with them.
In this writing I hope to outline our communication, and I would love your feedback on ways we can improve. I also want to encourage you to communicate with your child’s teacher or the school office.  Let’s make it a two-way street.
Each week, Mrs. Pooley sends out the Friday Tidbits. This provides you with most of the general information about Epiphany. Each home room teacher also sends out a weekly email or some equivalent describing what’s happening specifically in that class. I write a blog geared more to philosophical issues. This year about 25% of our students are new to Epiphany, so I plan to write explanations of our policies.
If you have a question about something, you are always encouraged to ask. Begin with your child’s homeroom teacher or the teacher of the subject in question. If you do not feel your issue was resolved adequately, you are welcome to talk to me. I am available each morning greeting students outside the school and am always eager for your conversation.
We are small enough that within a couple weeks I will know the names of all students and most parents. We want you to feel right at home here.
I look forward to hearing from you soon.
In His Service,


Tim Miesner
Principal

Dear Parents,
I’d like to address the topic of students and devices, one of many topics that I hope to address in writing to you throughout the school year.  If you are reading this and your children are too young to carry devices with them, please read on. It’s only a matter of time until you encounter the issues addressed below.
As students mature, parents often give them electronic devices that are connected to the marvels of the Internet.  With this comes privileges and responsibilities that are very adult-like.  Much like beginning to drive a car, these students now hold in their hands the power to do wonderful things or to create serious problems.
With privileges come responsibility. New users see the privileges but don’t fully comprehend the problems or responsibilities. How do you as a parent help them learn?
Here are some practical suggestions that I hope will help:

• Ensure your child knows the device comes from you and you are in control.  Even if they’ve earned the money themselves, they could not have done so without you.  You are the parent whom God has charged with the responsibility for raising that child.
• Talk with your child about how the device will benefit and potentially harm others.  Ask how much they know already.  Don’t lecture, ask.  Usually they know, but don’t think about it.  Give them a chance to verbalize.
• Know the password(s) for your child’s device(s), and check on them regularly.  Kids will handle devices very differently when they know someone else is looking.  That’s not surprising, since it applies to adults too.  Accountability is good.
• Know your child’s friends and their parents.  That’s easy at Epiphany, but they may also have online friends.  This is also a good reason to check on the use frequently.
• Resist the urge to feel as if you are violating their privacy.  It’s natural to feel this way, but often this used as an excuse to abdicate parental responsibility.

As a school, we are happy to help, but we have practical imitations. We don’t log into children’s devices, which is the most important way to monitor it.  That’s a parent’s role.  When teachers address social media, they are addressing an entire class. There are things they can and cannot say in that setting. As a parent, you can address these issues more effectively, because you are speaking to just one child. You can address their individual questions and concerns with your own set of family values.
Blessings on your parenting, which is undoubtedly the most important task before you!
Tim Miesner
Principal

Dear Parents,
For the past few years I have written to the parents of our students about a topic relevant to families in today’s world. My goal this year is to share my thoughts with you on a weekly basis. In this writing I want to tell you why I feel so blessed with this school year.
First, on Friday I saw so many returning families, and I was touched by the trust that you have placed in us as your school. We value the partnership and will do our best to work with you and your child.
Second, as I saw new families coming in, I was excited at the prospect of forming additional relationships. Thanks for coming through our doors and beginning this new partnership.
Third, this year we have four new teachers whom I believe bring a lot of energy and enthusiasm to our faculty. I look forward to seeing them integrate into our current staff.
Fourth, I am completely indebted to all the returning teachers who continue to give of their time and energy in this ministry. It’s no secret salaries are lower at a Christian school than in public school, and these teachers have continued to serve here because of their love for the Lord, His families, and His children.
But the biggest reason I feel excited about this new year is the way in which the Lord blessed us to bring all these new teachers, returning teachers, returning families and new families together! I have truly seen His hand in it. I’m looking forward to see how He will bless this year.
Next week I plan to address the topic of social media.
Thanking God for our Epiphany Lutheran School family,
Tim Miesner
Principal

"Be still and know that I am God."
Psalm 46:10

Dear Parents,
From time to time I like to share thoughts with you on some research or information that I read and how those things apply to our students.

I noticed a quote from Google CEO, Sundar Pichai, who stated that 1/3 of the jobs in the year 2020 will require skills that are not common today.

What are these skills? The Center for Work and Ethical Development surveyed 1000 employers asking what traits they seek in their employees. The traits listed were attitude, education, specific skills, job experience, work ethic, and work history.

The top one of these skills in importance was work ethic. Second was attitude. These are not academic skills, but they are very important to our students.

As parents and teachers, we want to cooperate to cultivate work ethic and attitude in our students. I think part of the benefit of a small Christian school is that we can partner with parents on this. I hope you agree with me and will encourage your children to be persistent in their work both at school and around the house. Whether it's homework or feeding the pets, having regular responsibilities and following through is a life skill.

Blessings on your parenting,
​Tim Miesner
Principal

Dear parents,

Every one of us has some similarity to an iceberg; 10% is above the surface and 90% below the surface. Dr. Tim Elmore compares the parts that are above the surface to our talent and the parts that are below the surface to our values. I like this analogy.  The parts that are above the surface, our talents, are visible to all. They provide us short-term success and immediate gratification. The parts that are below the surface, our values, are the things that enable long-term success.

For example, a student who is a good musician or basketball player receives some praise in the short-term. Very few of the students will ever make a living as a professional musician or professional athlete. Instead, it is what's below the surface, our integrity, honesty, compassion, empathy, persistence, or positive attitude that will carry us to more meaningful successes in life.

Unfortunately, as parents we often go the way of society and emphasize the 10% that is above the surface to the detriment of the important parts below the surface. It's so tempting to do so.  I can assure you that our coaches, both athletic and musical, understand this and encourage the development of the deeper values, and I encourage you to do that as well. Not only will it be important in your child's eventual success, it is also the part that is most likely to "sink" him or her in the future. A character flaw will cause more trouble than any technical lacking.

How do we help our children grow in these important areas? Hold them to a higher standard for honesty than for grades. Hold them to a higher standard for empathy than we do for attractiveness. Of course, there are many more, but you get the idea.  Focus on the things that matter most and ease up on the things that don't.

I know this is more easily said than done. Everything we see on broadcast or social media goes against it. I encourage you to take a hard look at it once again and do your best.

Blessings on your parenting,

Tim Miesner
Principal

 
Dear Parents,

Have you given much thought about how to help your child make good friends in the future? Within a few years, your child will be headed into the larger world of high school. Almost certainly that will be a more populous setting. There will be a greater diversity of values in that school. Making good friends is not difficult at Epiphany, because our families in general have very similar values. While no one is perfect, almost any student within your child's class at Epiphany could be a good influence.

This may seem to you like the distant future, but beyond a high school there's the selection and getting along with a college roommate. And not far beyond that is the selection and getting along with a spouse. The same skills apply in each case.

I suggest that even now at your child's tender young age you should ask him or her about friends at school. Ask what their positive and negative attributes are. We all have strengths and limitations. Understanding these strengths and limitations helps to better understand the people around us.

Ask your child what he or she does to foster this relationship. Remember, we can't change the other person, only ourselves. Each of us has a lot to put into a relationship whether that's a close relationship or something more peripheral. Be the listening ear and the guiding mentor in your child's life especially regarding relationships.

There's a lot of complexity to responsible parenting, isn't there? Fortunately, there's also a great joy.

Blessings on your parenting,

Tim Miesner
Principal

Read archived newsletters on the Principal's Blog

Dear Parents,
 
Have you purchased the latest gift craze of this season? I didn't realize until I saw the lines outside stores on TV. For this year it's hatchimals.  Every year at Christmas some item becomes the hard to get Christmas present. I always wonder what amazing marketing genius comes up with these ideas.
 
It's impressive how quickly the word spreads about something so "trivial" as a Christmas present. Imagine the impact on the world if the word spread in such an exciting fashion about the greatest Christmas present of all time, God's gift to us in Jesus. Take time during this Christmas season to read about that present in God's Word (Luke 2) and celebrate His coming into our world for each of us.  Invite a friend to church with you.  You are invited as always to come to Epiphany for our worship services.   I'll be here, and I'd love to see you.
 
Have a blessed Christmas celebration,
Tim Miesner
Principal

Read archived newsletters on the Principal's Blog

Dear Parents,
Labor in the United States and around the world is becoming increasingly efficient. A movie theater 30 years ago employed one person for each movie being shown. Today one person oversees all movies, and that person is just watching the program for errors.
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One problem with work today is that much of it is no longer physical.  It's easy to forget how good physical work is good for us. There is the obvious benefit of strengthening muscles and the cardiovascular system without even going to the gym. A lesser known benefit is the "cobweb clearing effect" that is gained by working with one's muscles rather than one's brain.
 
Did you know that children in families whose income is under $20,000 a year are less than half as likely to get summer jobs as teens whose families earn over $100,000 a year? Did you know that students who held jobs in high school find an easier time getting a job once they graduate from college than do those students who did not work during high school?
 
So how do we prepare our students for that working world? First, and I've written about this before, assign them chores. Our children need to learn that working is an important part of life, and there's no time like the present for that lesson. Second, make sure some of these chores involve physical labor. Get them active. It's amazing what kids can do when we just train them and encourage them. Let them bring in some age appropriate part of the groceries. Third, let them know how important work is to you by setting a good example. Speak positively about your own job as much as possible. Fourth, don't put upon them your expectations about what kind of job they will have. Just express your desire to see them have meaningful employment in their future.
 
These are such important formative years in the life of your child.  They will be gone in a flash.  Use each minute as a precious gift from God to build up your children in the way they should go.
 
Blessings on your parenting,
Tim Miesner
Principal