The Field School

As the culmination of their Ancient Egypt unit, 2nd grade students host an Egyptian Museum during Saturday School, welcoming parents, friends, and fellow students. The exhibit features interactive stations on Egyptian geography and seasons, mythology, hieroglyphics, engineering, and mummification—bringing their learning to life through hands-on creation and presentation.

As part of their study of medieval history, 4th grade students design and build detailed castle models. Their creations feature elements such as towers, drawbridges, portcullises, battlements, moats, stables, and chapels—highlighting the structures essential to daily life within a castle. The pinnacle of the project is hosting other grades as they present their masterpieces.

Last week, 8th grade students took their capstone trip to Washington DC. The trip brought many of their studies of culture and history to life while deepening friendships with classmates. Highlights of the trip included standing before the Lincoln Memorial, experiencing the story of scripture at the Museum of the Bible, connecting curriculum to the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum and National Museum of African American History and Culture, visiting war memorials, hiking Great Falls Park, sitting at Ford's Theater, and encountering firsthand the works of artists like Monet, Giotto, Richard Norris Brooke, and Van Gogh.

Another Saturday School in the books! Students welcomed their parents into the classrooms and proudly showcased their learning through special presentations—from African Animal Projects and an Ancient Egypt Museum to the Early American Speech Festival.

We are especially thankful to our speakers who enriched our community with inspiring seminars:

Amber O'Neal Johnston – Mama Culture: Why Your Personal Growth Matters
Dr. Jerry Root – C. S. Lewis’s The Chronicles of Narnia: Exploring His Purpose in Writing
Paul Canada, Dean of Students – Uncovering and Growing Your Child’s Uniqueness
Yesenia Medina, Spanish Teacher – ¡Alegría! Sharing the Joy of the Lord through Spanish

Last month, families gathered for a beautiful Black History Month Potluck Celebration, where student recitations, solo performances, a decades fashion show, and incredible food made for a truly special evening. A special thank you to the amazing TFS moms for coordinating and making a memorable night for our community!

Another trip in the books for our middle school students! This annual winter retreat is always a highlight—filled with team-building challenges, meaningful worship, and time exploring God’s creation through cross-country skiing, tubing, and horseback riding. Students, staff, and parent volunteers shared unforgettable moments that strengthened friendships, deepened community, and sparked plenty of joy along the way.

Students reflected on the week with gratitude—thankful for the friendships formed across grade levels, for encountering God through the beauty of His creation in the North Woods, and for the meaningful small group conversations that flowed from each evening’s chapel message.

This semester, 20 TFS moms began gathering weekly for a book club focused on connection, conversation, and growth. Led by two TFS moms, the group is reading 50 Things Every Child Needs to Know Before Leaving Home by Dr. Josh and Jen Mulvihill, a book that focuses on raising children to mature into followers of Christ.

Last week, we had the privilege of hosting
for their Celebrating African-American Trailblazersprogram. Students were immersed in beautiful music by William Grant Still—the first African American composer to have a symphony performed by a major U.S. orchestra—Florence Price, the first African American woman recognized as a symphonic composer and a longtime Chicago resident, and Jessie Montgomery, a contemporary African American violinist and composer whose work continues to shape today’s musical landscape.

Last night, our 2nd–5th grade students—joined by the 4th/5th Grade Singing Club and Middle School Choir—performed their annual Christmas Program.
Students performed in Latin, Spanish, and English, presenting centuries of music—from hymns of the 14th and 16th centuries and a modern Appalachian carol, to a piece by George Frederick Handel and the joyful "Feliz Navidad".

One highlight was "Personent Hodie", written in the 14th century. Its translated words beautifully captured the night, and also the joyous Advent season:

“Let resound today
the voices of children,
joyfully praising
Him who is born to us,
given by Most High God,
and conceived in a virginal womb.”

Pre-K, Kindergarten, and 1st grade students filled the auditorium with joy as they shared their Christmas songs and recitations with family and friends—our very first Christmas Program in the new space! Their presentations included Ephesians 6:13–18, Isaiah 9:6, and the poem “I Heard the Bells on Christmas Day” by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow. Students also lifted their voices in “Come, Thou Long Expected Jesus,” the Mexican-American folk song Vamos Todos a Belén, and Jesus, What a Wonderful Child.

It was a morning of celebration, Scripture, and Christ-centered hope—one that continues to prepare our hearts for the Advent season and the coming King.