Tag Archives: 201 Boulevard

You’re Perfect for This

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We’re off to a great start. 201 Boulevard, 4th grade class of 2015, is on its way. After starting our class with prayer, we had a one-to-one icebreaker. We had the privilege to learn a little about each other. Molly, Gabriella, Zachary, Cecilia, Hannah, Alessia, Madeline and James, consist of the smallest group of students I have ever had, by far. They are a great group of kids!

During the summer, my friend invited me to her church. During the homily, the priest invited the children to come to the altar. He presented them with a beautiful gift bag and said he had something special for them. He pulled a cookbook out of the bag, and asked them, “What is this used for?” Then, he pulled a Bible out, and again asked, “What is this, used for?” His questions blessed me with a great idea to do the same for our first day of class. So, that is what I did.

I brought to class a large shiny, gold Vince Camuto tote bag. They all saw the bag, and with great curiosity, they wanted to know who it was for, and of course, what was in it. Before opening the bag, I told them the greatest gift was in it. It was a priceless education in the love that our God has for us through His living word. I then pulled out the Bible.

Along with a few other things that I pulled out of the bag, one of them was a shape-sorting block. All of the pieces were in tact except one. I explained how this one missing piece makes this toy incomplete, and that is what life would be like without them. I also shared with them, that it is impossible to put the square in the circle, and the circle in the star. In the same way, God has a very special plan for each and every one of us.

God made no two fingerprints alike. We read in Ephesians 2:10 “For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.” In the same way as the shape-sorting block, we were made to fit perfectly into our own space. A young man named Christopher Coleman once quoted God’s words to him, “You’re Perfect for This.” Life would not be complete if it was any other way.

    Christopher Coleman’s story: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qu0yjJgKU0w

Many blessings,

Deanna Danielle

photo

A Leader, A Hero, A Life Changer

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I’ve heard it said, “Inside every child is a leader, a hero, a life changer.” I have to say, my class proved that to be true. As we filmed 201 Boulevard, our 2014 class video, I saw some extremely impressive moments. Picture this. Twenty first-graders, after a long day in school, arrived at religious studies class. When I took them to the pre-K classroom, they were surrounded by a huge collection of “old-fashioned” toys, just imagine, blocks, cars, action figures, puppets, dolls, doll houses, forts, legos, etc! And me, with script and a little video camera in hand, trying to capture their attention in less then an hour and a half!

Nonetheless, through all the craziness, I saw the leader, the hero, the life changer who wowed me as I looked around and through the small lens of my camara. As Nicolas got up to read his lines, and hesitated a bit, Ryan jumped up to help him. When I asked Gianni to read, Ella came to me asking to read with him because his sister wasn’t there to help him. Ella’s a twin, and so is Gianni. Ryan, too, is also a twin. I don’t want to forget to mention, the continued leadership of all the kids helping not only each other learn their lines, but also helping me, make this film happen. The compassion that I saw was more then mature, it simply blew me away.

When I view life, this is how I believe it should be, with each of us using our God given gifts  to serve one another. The best part about film, is you don’t miss a moment. I’m very proud of my first grade class, with all of their big hearts. They did an excellent job! Speaking of which, I would like to like wish all the Moms a very blessed Mother’s Day. In you all is the little girl who became the great leader, the super hero, the life changer and I want you to know that, your doing a great job!!

“She is clothed with strength and dignity; she can laugh at the days to come. She speaks with wisdom, and faithful instruction is on her tongue. She watches over the affairs of her household and does not eat the bread of idleness. Her children arise and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praises her; “Many women do noble things, but you surpass them all.” Charm is deceptive, and beauty is fleeting; but a woman who fears the Lord is to be praised.” Proverbs 31:25-30

“See that you do not look down on one of these little ones. For I tell you that their angels in heaven always see the face of my Father in heaven.” Matthew 18:10

May God bless you always,

Deanna Danielle

Artwork done by Gianni

Artwork done by Gianni

 

New Friends

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From our first game of speed meeting to setting up play dates, 201 Boulevard’s 1st grade class is moving up! From our first blog, ‘ Hello Everyone! Welcome to the 1st grade’ to our last blog, ‘New Friends’, I have to say, it was a really sweet experience…

While our class watched a video, I took them aside one by one. As we sat in the little chairs facing each other, I asked them what they’ve learned. It has to be one of the greatest gifts, as a catechist, to hear a student say, as Ally did, “I learned Jesus loves me, God blessed me, and how to pray.”  This is the same Ally who asked, “…deliver us from evil.” , what does that mean?” and also “Did they get haircuts back then?” As a teacher, I love to see my students seeking questions that will bless them with A Day of Discovery!

Throughout the school year, there have been times when we’ve had a Change Of Plans or relied on Improvisation. For instance, when there were no costumes to play the part of Mary and Joseph, and we used pink tissue on Paula’s head and the paper towels on Jack’s as they embraced baby Jesus. Or, when Ewan raised his hand and asked, “I eat apples, am I bad?” I’m so grateful to have God with us as we enter these precious moments and respond to  sensitive questions! Let me not forget our game of Volleyball, when the hands of Emma and Salvatore were used for our scoreboard.

Whether we are going through the The Storms of Life where we can be encouraged by David defeating Goliath, (even if I have to ask, does anyone know what a giant is?) Or, when Gianluca drew a picture of his fish and himself, reflecting on Unconditional Love, we know there is  A Time For… everything. There is also a time when students leave a great Impression on their teacher. I’ll never forget when my nephew, Ben, brought one of those special moments when he shared, “I prayed to God, and He healed me!” As Charlotte said it so perfectly, “Love is a gift from God.”

So, it could be that Aidan M, becoming the new Pope Patrick or that Aidan S. Is sharing what he learned about Noah having all the animals on the boat, and that God is love. Also, it could be Ashley and Salvatore’s picture being in the Catholic New York newspaper for You’re in My Heart Haiti orphan project. Or, Gianluca and Samantha reenacting a Baptism and naming their baby Jackson. Or, any of the following; Patrick’s little ways, that remind me of ‘The Little Rascals.’ Nikolaus, who is saving for a motorcycle already, Mary, who is always there ready to make things happen, and of course Elizabeth, who came to class with a different braided coiffure every week, and impressed me each time (being a stylist, I just had to mention that). I felt very blessed to have been a part of their little lives, Planting Seeds and watching Blooming Gardens.

I would like to take a moment to share something Samantha said to me, “God is special to us,” and a part of the class that she will always remember is our helpers, Dominique, Kristen, Gabby, and her new friends! (thanks Samantha for giving me the title for our class Blog 🙂

This is my Thanksgiving Prayer. I thank you, Father, for the wonderful gift of Jesus, your Son, and the grace of Your Holy Spirit, who guides us always. Thank you for the blessings of our families, and the New Friends that we’ve become with each other.  As it is written, “And the Scripture was fulfilled that says, Abraham believed God, and it was counted to him as righteousness—and he was called a friend of God.” James 2:23. Thank You for being our Lord and for the privilege of being your friend. May peace, happiness and great health be with us always, and when we look at the Cross may we forever see a Big Hug!  Amen.

P.S. Thank you, Ben, for bringing in the World’s Best Mom project for all the kids. Also, Jack, for putting in so much time setting up the freeze dance game for our class. You helped make it an extra special day!

Many blessings,

Deanna

Imagehttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YuDDo373B9o