Sounds of upbeat tunes, laughter and warm greetings fill the morning parking lot as teachers and staff usher students out of cars and across crosswalks. Even the family dogs get a friendly greeting. This scene reoccurs each morning as part of the daily welcome ritual.

Impacted by her own similar experience as a parent, principal Amy Deffenbacher brought this idea to other faculty as she stepped into an administrative position at Fresno Christian.

They lived in a little town called Happy Valley, located in Portland, Oregon. As a new family to the town, nerves were eating her up at the thought of dropping off her little girl at a brand new school.

“We didn’t really know anybody and the first day we dropped off our little kindergartener, the principal was in the parking lot and he was waving at all the parents,” Deffenbacher said. “He was helping kids get out of the bus, he was saying good morning to everybody, and for me as a brand new parent to the school, that just meant so much that he was out there greeting people.”

Through all the work that she and the other faculty does, she decided to make it a priority to let our families feel what she felt that first day of school.

New to Fresno Christian this year, elementary principal Stacy Graves appreciated the chance to get to know families in something as simple as a car drop-off lane.

“I can’t speak to the start of this tradition because I am new to the school/role; however, I love the connecting opportunities it brings.” Graves said. “We are able to connect with every child as they start their day at school. We can greet them with a smile, encourage them, pray with them, support them, and celebrate them.”

The teacher and staff welcoming committee give students the motivation to come to school ready and awake.

Sadie Simonson ‘29, “I feel excited to have a new day coming and getting to see my friends. Having work is fun too!”

Zakary Holguin ‘30, “I love the morning drop-off at school and I feel amazing because that’s the best part of my morning.”

As the temperature drops, you will still see our teachers and staff bundled up, greeting the students of Fresno Christian with a friendly welcome. Be sure to thank them as you see them.

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