Gayle Denny, ELEA Director

If we don’t want to take the time and effort to connect with the world around us, we can always find an excuse not to. Many of our early childhood centers and schools have had to limit, if not eliminate, field trips and off-campus excursions due to increased legal restrictions. Transporting other people’s children involves seat belt laws, background checks of drivers and other volunteers, parent permission, as well as restrictions at facilities, such as nursing homes and crisis centers which may be their destination. Following guidelines which assure the safety of the children in our charge, as well as those we come in contact with, can make community connections difficult, but not impossible.

Although laws vary state by state, most jurisdictions require either State Patrol or FBI background clearance checks on anyone coming in contact with the children in our schools and centers in either a paid or volunteer capacity. Is it worth the effort to conduct and pay for clearances for a group of high school students working with preschoolers? Yes! Is it worth the effort to be sure all policies are followed in taking a group of third graders to a local nursing home to interact with residents? Yes—at least I think so!

Sometimes we have to get creative—asking for more parent participation in transporting their own children—having more visitors come on site and less time of taking children off-site—involving children in projects of a more global scope, such as securing pen pals and exchanging letters and crafts. As you will find from the articles in this issue of Views & Vision, many of our schools and centers are finding creative ways to reach out beyond the walls of our facilities and connect with, get to know, and serve those in the community and world around us. I really believe it starts with an attitude by educators which will lead to action.

I have heard our Lutheran schools criticized by some as “havens” for white children in ethnically mixed areas—where not only are the children not taught to be a part of the greater community, they are given a “respite” from it. Unfortunately, there are a few instances where this is true. Are these facilities places where Jesus would go ballistic if he visited today? Would he turn over the desks and tables as he did with the money-changers in the temple long ago? I cringe when I think that even a few of our Lutheran educational institutions have this reputation. If our mission is indeed to spread the Gospel, it simply cannot be done without teaching children to reach out, interact with and serve those fellow human beings in our world.

Opportunities abound for our schools to connect with our local and global communities. Jesus connected with all around him—even when it was controversial. Don’t be afraid to start some new connections—you’ll be in good company.

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