What better theme for the beginning of any church school year? (And you know the beginning of the church year comes about the same time church school starts also- not January 1st!) What could you do with this theme? Well, you could take the spiritual side of it, and discuss with your staff and students how we can become new this year- maybe look at overcoming weaknesses, or emphasizing things to do to help us grow as Orthodox Christians, such as determining to be kind to others.
Or, the secular, practical side can be looked at. What can be done in the church school area to "make new?" Can it be made more attractive with plants or curtains at the windows? Is some cleaning needed that the students can help with? Can some needed storage be added? Or can the church school take on a parish project for this year- maybe beginning and tending a new garden somewhere on the property? There are many things around a parish that just don't happen- not because they can't, but because no one takes responsibility for them. Maybe this is the year for some of this to happen!
At any rate, we know that as Orthodox Christians, we are always to strive to grow spiritually, and Many of the above ideas, not only the less secular ones, can help us do so. That is, after all, our charge in being leaders in the church school, in addition to presenting the Orthodox faith to our younger members.