The Friday Finish – February 7, 2025
Red Bird journey takes another fork
Her Red Bird journey started in 1977 when she came from Wisconsin to be a teacher’s aide for a year. Of course, she met Taylor Collins, Red Bird Mission School Principal, but her idea of a one-year stint at Red Bird turned into a marriage with Taylor and a lifetime dedicated to Red Bird Mission and the people living in the mountains. In addition to her service at Red Bird, she developed a career in human service in Kentucky while supporting Taylor’s work as principal in the 1970’s and 1980’s at Red Bird, as a public school administrator in Kentucky and Texas, and again in 2010 when he returned to lead Red Bird as Executive Director of Red Bird Mission, Inc., Red Bird Clinic, Inc., and Red Bird Mission Housing, Inc.
On Wednesday evening at the weather-delayed staff Christmas dinner, Kari Collins shared how persistent redbirds came to her after Taylor’s sudden passing in 2015 both here at Queendale and even while visiting her brother in Hawaii in those difficult weeks. For her, it was a confirmation of the urging from God’s Spirit to apply for the open executive director position and carry through on Taylor’s unfinished plans and dreams for Red Bird Christian School and Red Bird Mission.
Kari said that from the beginning it was hard to be in the office where Taylor had been, seeing his notes and personal items in his office as they were the day he passed. She testified,
“It was hard, but God is present. I would not have made it through those first days without Him. I would have not made it through these nearly ten years without Him. Every day, my prayer is for His guidance and His wisdom.”
Over the past year, she came to the decision to step away from full time service to allow more time for her children, grandchildren and friends. Her family supported her service while she was away from them because,
In closing her remarks to the staff she said,
“The challenges that have been here, and are yet to come are challenges that strengthen us and give us faith in who we know is our Lord and Savior. I’m leaving but I will find ways to help strengthen Red Bird in any way that I can.”
100 Bible verses, gumballs and 100 year old 4th & 5th graders
On Friday, January 31st, students and staff came together to celebrate 100 days of learning, growing and loving at Red Bird Christian School. Acknowledging their progress throughout the year, teachers and staff rewarded students with a day of creative learning activities. DIY decorations, crafts and games were incorporated in each class for the special occasion and theme of “100th day of school.”
With age comes experience and wisdom; respect your elders! Celebrating the old fashioned way, elementary classes transformed into mamaws and papaws for “100 days of School.” Gray beards, floral dresses, reading glasses and walking canes prove that these students are 100 days wiser!
Along with dressing for the occasion, Ms. Patty’s 4th and 5th grade students were heard singing a special worship song as they worked together on a “100 Bible verses” project for Christian Education class. Ms. Chasley’s Kindergarten class showcased their math skills counting to 100 with creative gumball, candy and fish art creations.
The elementary grades were not the only students having all of the fun at Red Bird Christian School. Ms. Adam’s STEAM DIY class decorated the hallways with bright and colorful creations of construction paper chains and hearts to celebrate the “100 days of school” and for Valentine’s Day.
Flu bug strikes
It seemed like school and other activities at Red Bird would back to normal with the return of warmer temperatures this week. Unfortunately, the flu bug moved in to disrupt life. A number of staff and students have been suffering from influenza leading to the cancellation of classes at Red Bird Christian School today. Work Camp cooks stepped in earlier in the week at the school when sickness hit the school food service staff. Illness and family medical issues also hit the Community Outreach staff, but other staff were able to step in to ensure that services like home care was delivered to the elderly and tax preparation assistance appointments could be met without rescheduling.
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