Twin Oaks institutes the Pledge of Allegiance and prayer in new morning routine

By Amanda Compton
Photo Credit: Miss Ashley Prosser

Twin Oaks Christian School instituted a new morning routine this semester aimed at calming and readying students' minds for learning, building community and thanking the Lord for the land He has called us to steward according to His truths.

Each morning at 8:30, Head of School Ms. Kendall Brewer greets students over the intercom by asking them to rise for the Pledge of Allegiance. This is followed by birthday and school announcements as well as a brief devotion from the book, Thoughts to Make your Heart Sing by Sally Lloyd Jones, and then a concluding prayer.

"My hope is to build school-wide community and create a routine at the start of the school day that is both positive and reflective," noted Brewer, adding, "This also gives me an opportunity to connect with the students as a new head of school." 

To encourage a sense of responsibility among students, Brewer will periodically visit a classroom where students help lead the Pledge of Allegiance and observe as she shares the daily devotion and leads the school community in prayer. On occasion, Brewer will even invite moms and staff members to join in on the fun.

"I felt honored that Ms. Brewer included me and the other PIE moms in this new morning routine," said Partners In Education President Laura Perry and parent of three Twin Oaks students, who helped lead the Pledge of Allegiance during a PIE Committee meeting with Ms. Brewer.. "I'm excited that my kids will have the memories of coming together with their school friends and teachers to show respect to our country in this way."

Perry went on to say that she appreciates how the Twin Oaks staff and faculty seek to point students to Christ in even the little things. "I think the new morning routine accomplishes this wonderfully!" she said. "When I heard that Ms. Brewer had incorporated the pledge into the morning announcements it took me back to my own childhood!"

On Wednesdays, Assistant Head of School Mr. Eric Wildermuth takes the mic for what has been deemed, "Wildermuth Wednesdays." After the pledge, Mr. Wildermuth kicks his announcements off with the unique National Day such as "National Noodle Ring Day" and "National Men Cook Dinner Day," which often prompts laughter among the students. He then shares a section from the Heidelberg Catechism, along with its applicability to everyday life.

Fourth Grade Teacher Mrs. Amy Warren uses this time to instill in her students a reverence for God and how this deep adoration is beautifully exemplified through prayer and placing one's hand over the heart for the Pledge of Allegiance.

"I absolutely love that our administrators implemented the pledge and prayer at the start of the school day!" added Warren. "It has brought so much structure to my class. When Ms. Brewer comes on over the intercom my students immediately get silent and stand for the pledge. It has been such a blessing to my class."

​Twin Oaks Christian School, a ministry of Twin Oaks Presbyterian Church

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