×

Community Christian School: Developing young leaders

CCS students volunteer at school, in the community

-Messenger photo by Chad Thompson
Jordan Larrabee, 12, a sixth-grader at Community Christian School, writes down some numbers for the class’s program called “My Classroom Economy.” Students are rewarded with bonuses when they perform well. On the other hand, when work is turned in late, students are penalized with a fine.

The students in Hannah Barton’s seventh- and eighth-grade class have had a fun year learning how to become young leaders at school and in the community.

“Last month we rang bells for the Salvation Army,” said Levi Odor, 13, a seventh-grade student at Community Christian School. “I was able to ring the bells on my birthday.”

The Salvation Army works to help those who are hungry and often poor.

Odor was happy to report that he and the students at CCS helped to raise more than $2,000 for that cause.

Anthony Pollash, 12, a seventh-grader, said ringing bells was his favorite thing to do.

-Messenger photo by Chad Thompson
Avenlee Hayek, 10, a fifth-grader, plays the role of banker and does some calculations at Community Christian School recently.

“I liked ringing bells because it was the last time to see someone who left our class,” Pollash said.

He said three of his friends moved away after that.

Pollash said students also held a can drive for the Lord’s Cupboard, which is Webster County’s largest food pantry.

And Leon Cook, 14, an eighth-grader, said he and his classmates put in a free library outside of the school.

During the holidays, Barton reported that her students organized tags for gifts that went to children who ordinarily wouldn’t have received one.

-Messenger photo by Chad Thompson
Israel Alvarez, 11, a fifth-grader at Community Christian School, front, counts some of his money for the My Classroom Economy program as Kayden Gillespie, 10, also a fifth-grader, thinks math is cool and gives a thumbs up.

The students are also learning the importance of having a clean community.

“We all picked up trash around Highland Park,” Barton said.

“Wow, you guys have been busy,” said Angila Moffitt, the school’s principal.

Moffitt is in her third year leading the school.

In 2019, she was asked to be on the accreditation teams for Ankeny Christian Academy and Ottumwa Christian School.

“That was a great opportunity to look under the hood of those schools and bring back new ideas,” Moffitt said. “Networking with other Christian schools was a great opportunity.”

Another highlight has been the continuation of the Little Crusaders Daycare, which opened at CCS in January 2019.

“That’s been an amazing project,” Moffitt said. “Our day care is full (54 children) and it is fun having the little people in our building.”

Children from six weeks old to eighth grade are accepted.

“This past summer we had summer care for infant all the way up,” Moffitt said. “And that was a huge success. We will be doing that again. It was a great way for us to connect with the community because we had a lot of outside CCS kids attend, so it was a great way to meet the needs of the community.”

In 2019, CCS also hired a full-time food service director to accommodate breakfast, a snack and lunch for day care kids and for the school.

Reading has been another point of emphasis for the school.

“This year for our reading program we went to a reading block for K through eighth grade where everyone is doing reading at the same time,” Moffitt said. “We have created small groups for reading instruction — small groups and whole group time, so more kids get individual attention in terms of reading.”

Moffitt said reading scores have improved. And she attributes that to more one-on-one time with teachers.

“I think our teachers know where each kid stands on their reading level,” she said.

Moffitt stays busy throughout the year thinking of ways to improve.

“I am always trying to think of new projects or ideas,” she said, “trying new things and tweaking them.”

Moffitt said the theme of CCS for the school year is, “Let your light shine.”

Classroom cashflow

Students’ financial literacy is put to the test at CCS

Fifth- and sixth-graders in Marsha Halbach’s class have a little extra motivation to turn their assignments in on time.

Students who don’t complete their work are penalized with fines. “If you don’t turn something in, you get a fine,” said Halbach, who teaches at Community Christian School in Fort Dodge.

On the other hand, students can earn bonuses for good work, she said. The money is called “classroom cash.” It can only be spent within the walls of the school.

It’s all part of a program called “My Classroom Economy.” It’s a financial literacy project started by the investment company Vanguard.

Halbach said the Classroom Economy can be an effective way to encourage students to get papers signed by parents. “It has helped get back report cards and permission slips,” she said.

Students also receive monthly paychecks.

What can they buy?

“They can either rent or buy their desk,” Halbach said.

Rent is $1,000, while it costs $3,000 to buy the desk.

About 30 percent of the students are renting.

Brody Ferry, 12, a sixth-grader, is one of the students who decided to rent.

He’s trying to avoid getting fined.

Ferry said he learned a new skill in 2019 — although it didn’t seem to have a direct relation to economics.

“I learned to do a back flip,” Ferry said.

Halbach was quick to clarify that she doesn’t teach gymnastics at the school — only math.

Meanwhile, Avenlee Hayek, 10, a fifth-grader, was serving as the banker. She seemed to be quite popular.

Through the program, Halbach said students are learning how to manage their money properly. “You need to earn and not get fined,” she said.

Newsletter

Today's breaking news and more in your inbox

I'm interested in (please check all that apply)
Are you a paying subscriber to the newspaper? *

Starting at $2.99/week.

Subscribe Today