The Press-Dispatch
Issue link: https://www.ifoldsflip.com/i/1064171
C-10 Wednesday, December 19, 2018 The Press-Dispatch EAST GIBSON NEWS Submit school news: Email: egnews@ pressdispatch.net Deadline: Noon on Friday By Kenzie Rudolph Gina Dupps has spent 31 years teaching at Francis- co Elementary. She start- ed teaching first grade for half a year at Francisco to fill a spot. "February 19, 1988, my first day of teaching, and I went home and threw up," Dupps said with a laugh. A fter that, she taught third grade for five years be- fore moving to sixth grade, where she has taught ev- er since. The first year she taught sixth grade, she had 36 students in her class. Dupps graduated from Wood Memorial in 1981, and then she took some time to figure out what she wanted to do. Right out of high school, she pursued nursing school, but quickly found out it was not for her. She then went to work and then to school part-time be- fore deciding she wanted to teach. She switched ma- jors a few times, but gradu- ated from USI, the first year that it was an independent school. She added that teach- ing jobs were quite hard to get back then, and that she worked at a grocery store and subbed before landing a spot at Francisco Elemen- tary full-time. While teaching sixth grade, Dupps has children at the end of elementary school, right before they transition to junior high. "My kids in my class struggle with being orga- nized and getting things done when they're sup- posed to. Then they have all of those social issues. Sixth graders are funny because you have those who are real- ly mature and then you have others that act like five year olds and cry, and they're so different. They're emotions are so up and down, and up and down, and I try to be constant," added Dupps. She added that she is strict, and that the kids would say she gives a lot of homework, but she thinks she has prepared them enough for seventh grade. She said, "Whether they remember the content and stuff, I hope they, are as a person, prepared." She is making tie blan- kets with her students right now to donate to Che- mo Buddies and the Ronald McDonald House. She added that she thinks the kids understand what it means to give and help oth- ers. Francisco is 56 percent free and reduced lunches, so she said that a lot of the students do not have a lot. "I think they do under- stand, but I do not know if they understand kids who are sick," added Dupps. She explained to the stu- dents that the children get- ting the blankets can use them to keep warm while they are getting toxins pumped through them to fight whatever they are bat- tling. Throughout the course of Dupps' teaching career, she has seen big waves with technology. She said, "I see kids want instant gratification, you know on Facebook...I still read to them everyday, and they enjoy it, but that never happens anymore because they don't sit and read. When I was a kid I would read in the car, but they have all of this technolo- gy...everything is blingy and flashing at them." "I think some of their be- havioral issues are because they are always plugged in- to stuff and they don't en- tertain themselves," stated Dupps. She has also seen many changes within the curric- ulum that she is supposed to teach, and she has seen many faces, both faculty and students come and go, but Francisco Elementary is her home. Above: Kaleb Sterczer and Ian Clark (in reindeer attire) enjoy each other's company in the morning before school at Francisco Elementary. Kenzie Ru- dolph photo Left: Ryker Georges has fun in the gym Friday morning before the start of school at Francisco El- ementary. Kenzie Rudolph photo Right: Dean Wentworth decked out in Christmas spirit at Francisco Elementary. Kenzie Rudolph photo Gina Dupps, Kenzie Rudolph photo Gina Dupps' 31st year at Francisco Elementary Pentecostal Pentecostal Presbyterian Nazarene Methodist Wesleyan Wesleyan SPURGEON UNITED METHODIST CHURCH 11505 N. Hwy. 61 Spurgeon Pastor 812-922-5362 Church service 9 a.m.; Sunday school 10 a.m.; Bi- ble study, Thursday at 1 p.m. Church Notes Continued from page 3 "My eyes are ever on the Lord, for only he will release my feet from the snare" (Psalm 25:15 NIV ). This Christmas help us to enjoy Christmas with Him and each other. Josh Sanders, Pastor Sherry Julian, Reporter PETERSBURG CHURCH OF THE NAZARENE 118 West Pike Ave. Church 812-354-8851 Sunday school at 9:30 a.m.; morning worship and children's church at 10 :30 a.m.; children's and teen service at 6 p.m.; eve- ning worship at 6 p.m. and Wednesday prayer service at 6 p.m. In the fullness of time– at just the right time–Je- sus came to earth. Isn't it a comfort to know that He is sitting at God's right hand, interceding for us? What a blessed hope this brings to us. Merry Christmas from the Petersburg Church of the Nazarene. May Jesus be present in your celebrations. Upcoming activities and services • Free Community Soup Supper, Wednesday, Dec. 19 from 4:30 -6 p.m. • Senior Bible study in Downtown Terrace Apart- ments, Thursday, Dec. 20 at 2 p.m. • Children's Christmas Party, Sunday, Dec. 23, during morning children's church. • No Wednesday services on December 26 or January 2. Need a church home? Stop in and visit us. We would love to have you be a part of our church family. David Warren, Pastor Jeannine Smith, Reporter HOUSE OF MERCY CHURCH Corner of East and Porter Winslow Pastor 812-789-5229 A Church with open arms and a loving heart. Sunday morning worship service at 10 :15 a.m.; Sun- day school at 11 a.m. Let us celebrate Jesus this season with vigor. The exchange of gifts with our family, especially with the grandchildren and to see their faces of joy. But even greater is the joy on a face of one that has accepted Jesus as Lord and Savior of his/ her life. Remember to lift up your family, friends, and neigh- bors in prayer. Also remem- ber the sick in hospitals, those in nursing homes and finally pray for your Presi- dent and all of government. George Bruce, Pastor OAKLAND CITY FIRST PENTECOST Hwy. 64 East Sunday morning service 9:30 a.m. with children's Sunday school during the ministry of the Word; Sun- day and Wednesday eve- ning services at 6 p.m. All services are CST (Gibson Co. times). "If God is so loving, how can He send people to hell? " I think everyone reading this has heard that question before. The truth is, because of disobedience we were al- ready on our way there. He sent Jesus with an escape plan. Electricity has two sides. It can be a blessing, but if not respected and han- dled with knowledge, it can be death. Salvation is a blessing to those who choose to ac- quire the knowledge of how it works and apply that to their lives. But to those who choose to refuse, it is death. Now remember, no one is sending you. God will not take your will away from you, but He will not allow sin to enter into His heav- enly kingdom. "What is sin? " That which is against God's moral law. Pick up a Bible at your local retailer and read Matthew, Mark, Luke and John. Jesus will explain what you need to know to receive this "gift" of salvation. I pray that you will have a new revelation as to who, Je- sus really is. Ron Vickers, Pastor Elaine Young, Reporter, 1- 812-749 -1122 (leave a mes- sage and number). MAIN STREET PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH 10th and Main Streets, Petersburg 812-354-6844 Sunday worship 10 :30 a.m.; Youth group Monday evening at 6 p.m. Come vis- it us. Our doors are always open to you. "It is a solemn thing to part with the old year," said J.C. Ryle (1816 -1900), the first Anglican bishop of Liv- erpool. "It is still a more sol- emn thing to begin a new one. All before us is uncer- tain; we know not what a day may bring forth, much less what may happen in a year." Ryle offered this chal- lenge for the days and months ahead: "Walk more closely with God, get nearer to Christ, seek to exchange hope for assurance. Oh that you may endeavor so to grow in grace every year, that your last things may be far more than your first, and the end of your Chris- tian course far better than the beginning! " Office hours: 9 a.m.-noon, Monday-Friday. Boyd Heldring, Pastor Amy Melhiser, Secretary HUNTINGBURG HOLINESS CHURCH 813 N. Washington St. Huntingburg Pastor 812-354-4273 Sunday morning service and Sunday school 10 a.m.; Sunday evening worship 6 p.m.; Wednesday prayer and praise 7 p.m. Everyone is always wel- come. For information or trans- portation, call the Pastor. Brent S. Myers, Pastor OTWELL WESLEYAN CHURCH 2277 N. Mechanics Street Otwell Pastor 812-354-3028 Sunday school 9:30 a.m.; morning worship 10 :30 a.m.; evening worship service 6:30 p.m. Nursery available. • Tuesday morning wom- en's Bible study at the fellow- ship hall 10 a.m. • December 30 after the morning worship, we will be having a soup luncheon at the fellowship hall. Every- one is ask to bring your fa- vorite dessert. December 25 By Kathy Miller PETERSBURG WESLEYAN CHURCH 9th and McCoy, Petersburg Pastor 812-632-0773 Sunday morning worship 10 :30 a.m. You are invited to worship with us. Richard Comer, Pastor December 25, the most anticipated day of the year. Thoughts consumed with buying and wrapping, while waiting for Santa to appear. December 25, the most anticipated day of the year. Traveling by the star's guid- ing light, the wise men knew that their destination was near. December 25, rolls around quicker with each passing year. Mass con- fusion, Black Friday, Bell Ringers, a few things one might hear. December 25, arriving with gifts of Frankincense, Myrrh and Gold. The three wise men were witness to the great miracle, of which ever was told. Each year without fail, searching for the best year end sale. Giv- ing no thought to the reason of the true meaning of the season. Misguided direction, no thought of resurrection, praying no heed to the Lord. Spending more than they can afford. Busy with life's daily grind. Eternity never crossing their mind. With time quickly tick- ing, a select few He'll be picking, in the twinkling of an eye, from the split east- ern sky, Jesus returns for His own, the lost, left for- ever to groan. Listening should have been done, to the words from God's Son, who foretold of this day, say- ing "There is only one way." Confusion becomes clear, when thoughts of Jesus are kept near. Then no mistak- ing the true reason of the Holiday Season. December 25, the most anticipated day of the year. Make sure your heart knows Him, allowing this days meaning to never grow dim. December 25, the most anticipated day of the year, upon the day of our judge- ment, when received in His Kingdom, we will reign with no end to the glorious years—Amen. Merry Christmas to you and your family. Remember the true meaning of Christ- mas. We invite all of you to come and worship with us. Roy Stilwell, Pastor Pam Lemond, Reporter