An Amazing Time

While I often am wistful about not being in the classroom on a daily basis, that desire has been particularly strong this week. As a long-time social studies teacher (my Master's is in government and politics)it has been remarkable to watch this election season unfold. In the last 24 hours we have seen the 1st African American to be nominated as his party's Presidential nominee and then today John McCain selected a woman to be his running mate for the first time in GOP history. For our students who have grown up in an age when racial and gender equality is almost taken for granted, I wonder whether they are in wonder regarding the last 24 hours in American political history.

While it is hard to get many students excited about civic issues, this is as good an opening as we are likely to see. And it opens the door to some great conversations you can have at home. The stark differences in style and positions of the two presidential candidates offers a chance for you to discuss with your student the values you hold, why you hold them and why you choose to vote the way you do. The single best predictor of an individual's party affiliation is their parent's politics.

Kids learn best in real world situations. The Presidential election is democracy's learning lab. While I hope we will do our part to engage students, this is a great time to be working together.

A Good Start

After just three days of school I can say with some certainty that we are begining the school year in excellent fashion. And by fashion I mean some satisfaction with the decision to drop skirts from our school dress code. Now if we could just get some of our young men to get their hair cuts....
The feedback we received from streaming chapel hs been very positive, so look for that to happen again real soon. We have a few techical glitches to get fixed, but we are working on them...
Look for an email this week about providing students with email accounts through school. Please know we are taking appropriate cautions to protect student identities. Having an email address will enable students to access the wikis and blogs that our teachers are developing, all with the idea to improve student learning. Parents will have the right to opt out their student, but before you do, please talk with Mr. Orr , Mr. Chalfant or me so we can answer any questions you might have.
We are hoping to fully occupy CPAC by the end of the month. Much of the work being done currently is related to the lines sets for scenery and lighting. Additional work is focused on the sound system.

Almost Time

With school less than 24 hours away from starting, the place is abuzz with activity. Here are a few things I wish I could tell everyone:


1. Please be patient, especially in and around our parking lots and drop-off/pick-up zones.


2. Be engaged. I know we send quite a bit through the mail and we will try to reduce that amount by using the website as a primary means of communication, but that means people have to check the website regularly. Please attend your student's events: athletics, concerts plays. No matter what they may say about "It's no big deal," your presence in their life is much more significant than ours.


3. Pray for your students, their teachers and our school.



On a different note, I have prepared for the Board of Directors an annual report built around a powerpoint presentation which you can view below. Of course, you'll miss my pithy commentary, but if you have any questions I would be happy to answer them. If you are checking this immediately, you'll see it even before the Board of Director's. Is that legal?

Annual Report August 2008

View SlideShare presentation or Upload your own.

Open for Business

The Chapel/Performing Arts Center is ready for occupancy! Well, almost. A temporary certificate of occupancy will enable us to gain access to the lobby, restrooms, storage spaces and the classrooms. The auditorium should be ready by October 1st. Over the last few days some students and parents have helped move band and theater equipment and supplies to their new digs in CPAC. Landscapers have put the finishing touches on our gorgeous amphitheater. New grass and new trees dress it up nicely.

This is a view of the ceiling in the auditorium. Seats will be going in next week and the rigging for the stage will start soon as well.

This is the drama room just waiting for students in 12 days.

The band room is perhaps the largest classroom on campus with room for individual and ensemble practices.

The bell tower reminds all who pass by that this is a Christian school.