As we gather to celebrate the Thanksgiving and Christmas seasons, let us count our blessings one by one. One of the blessings I am especially thankful for is Coastline Christian Schools (formerly known as Chinese Christian Schools) and Chinese Bible Church. As new immigrants, my family could not afford the tuition. Fortunately, we received financial assistance from the school and church, allowing my siblings and me to enroll at CCS in 1980. My life changed in the 4th grade when my teacher, Mr. Timothy Lee, shared the plan of salvation with each student individually. I realized that I am a sinner, confessed my sins, and asked Jesus Christ to be my personal Savior. Besides learning academics in the classroom, I also learned good work ethics outside the classroom. Throughout my junior high and *high school years, I worked at the cafeteria for four hours a week (which allowed me to skip class twice a week!), cleaned the classrooms every day after school, and worked at the school during the summer. Without CCS, I do not know where I would have ended up.
When my husband and I became parents, it was easy for us to enroll our daughter and son at CCS. It gave us great comfort knowing that our children were safe and well cared for at this school. They enjoyed the healthy, warm lunches prepared by Mrs. Tom and her team. The academics at CCS are also top-notch, with each subject grounded in Biblical principles. They were taught the truth and learned that God loves them. It was “fun” learning the Singapore Math approach with them and helping them with their science projects. In addition to the high academic standards, we participated in many school activities with them, such as cheering them on at various school games, joining RAM runs and field trips, and celebrating classroom holiday parties. We also spent seven years involved in Odyssey of the Mind, sharing the highs and lows of each competition and traveling to Iowa and Michigan for the world championships. CCS provided these opportunities to our children.
After our children graduated from CCS, they enrolled in a public high school. Currently, our daughter will begin graduate school this coming January, and our son will start his second semester as a freshman. I asked them what they are thankful for at CCS. They shared their gratitude for the teachers, who truly cared for each student, from the letters from Mrs. Tsang in kindergarten to the encouragement from Mr. Camburn in 8th grade. The high academic standards at CCS helped them develop strong study skills and discipline, which prepared them for high school and college. Lastly, they developed close relationships with their classmates and continue to keep in contact with them to this day. My son’s friends came to his high school water polo championship game, and my daughter’s friends surprised her at her undergraduate graduation. They said that if they have children in the future, they will enroll them at CCS.
As I look back on all these years, I am overwhelmed with gratitude for the impact CCS has had on my life, my children’s lives, and our family as a whole. The school has not only provided an excellent education but also shaped our character, strengthened our faith, and surrounded us with a loving community. For all these blessings, both past and present, we give thanks and look forward to the generations who will continue to be touched by CCS.
– Mrs. Soo Yee Kong
Alumni – Class of 1990, Parent of CCS Graduates
*at the time CCS was a K-12 School