3/18/2022

One-On-One Bonding Time Enjoyed at Lake Center’s Father’s Friday

Lake Center Christian School’s kindergarteners spend the morning with special guests

By: Emily Chesnic, Campus Communications & Volunteer Coordinator

HARTVILLE – Sixty-six kindergarteners at Lake Center Christian School (LCCS) first handmade invitations in early March to personally deliver, and then, patiently waited, with anticipation, for a very special occasion to occur alongside some very special guests. 

That occasion – Father’s Friday – happened the morning of Friday, March 18, when more than 60 visitors, one for each kindergartener, arrived on the school’s campus to bond with their little learners.

“I am so thankful to provide this special time for our kindergarten students and their fathers, grandfathers, and step-dads,” said LCCS Kindergarten Teacher Mrs. Nancy Swanson, who has taught at the school for 20 years. 

“Father’s Friday is filled with smiles, hugs, stories, games, playtime, and fun,” she said.

“This event is near and dear to our kindergarten families and central to our mission of partnering with families in equipping students for lifelong learning and service to Christ,” explained LCCS Elementary Principal Mrs. Dannon Stock. “Lake Center Christian continues to be thankful for the example fathers show and the support they give our school.”

The fathers and their children visibly enjoyed the morning as they attended weekly chapel together; made a craft side by side; worked together on a science experiment; and spent time snuggled up with a book. They also walked the halls of the school hand-in-hand, heading outside for interaction on the playground, where lots of laughter could be heard. 

“Seeing fathers read, learn, and play alongside their children is such a joy,” said Mrs. Stock. 

LCCS dad Eric Francisco stated he was “very grateful” to experience the event with his kindergartener, Mark. 

“My son talked about it for so long so I was really looking forward to this one-on-one time together,” he said. “I am thankful Lake Center Christian champions the role of father and believes in the importance of providing a dad and his child with a special bonding experience.”

While tossing a rubber ball back and forth on the playground with his kindergartener, LCCS dad Adam Behr said, “This is just wonderful. My son, Oliver, could proudly show me his school, and I could see all the amazing things he is doing here.”

Playing outside alongside her father, LCCS kindergartener Amanda Mason was asked why the morning was a special one.

“Because daddy is here,” she exclaimed. 

 “It has been so fun to spend this one-on-one time with my daughter,” added Amanda’s dad, Jeff Mason.

LCCS father Zachary Kemppel said his kindergartener,  Jude, was so excited for Father’s Friday, which made him excited to get to spend “a morning together having fun.” 

LCCS dad Justin Chesnic enjoyed the morning with his son, Jonah, and appreciated the opportunity to meet his kindergartener’s friends and their fathers.

“It was wonderful to talk with other dads I otherwise may not have met this year,” he said. “It was great to connect with them and learn about their families.”

“It blesses me to see the dads so actively involved in their child’s life. What godly role models,” said Kindergarten Teacher Mrs. Sandra Amann, who has taught at the school for 23 years. “ What blesses me is to have children of my previous students investing in a Christian education for their children.”

Following the Father’s Friday activities on campus, many of the dads and kindergarteners went out to lunch for additional time together.

To learn more about Lake Center’s kindergarten program, visit www.lccs.com/academics/kindergarten/ or call Admissions Director Jackie Gilin at 330-827-2049.

Lake Center Christian School, now in its 75th year,  is a private Christian school serving 750 students in Pre-K-12th grade on its 50-acre campus on Kaufman Avenue NW in Hartville. LCCS is accredited through the Association of Christian Schools International (ACSI) and Cognia, providing a comprehensive curriculum with a Biblical worldview. 

For more information on Lake Center visit www.lccs.com.