Parents and Families, today our PIRATES AND PRINCESSES ELEMENTARY FUN RUN and WCS Middle School/High School Color Run kicked off with an exciting Pep Rally. This year, we’re raising funds for the annual fund, and we need your help! The first step is to register your student on FUNRUN.COM . After that, please support us by gathering pledges from family and friends and entering them on FUNRUN.COM. Make sure to check it out to learn more about our fundraiser. Thanks for helping us make WCS even better!
We have some really great prizes to give out both for individual students and for classes who meet their goals. Your child received a list of prizes to work towards today, and you can stay tuned to our social media pages for reminders and special challenges throughout the week!
Have you ever wondered if the Bible was reliable? If you’ve never wondered, surely somebody has told you that it wasn’t. Did you know how to answer their questions, or tell them why it’s reliable … beyond saying, “It works for me,” or “I was raised that way.” I want to encourage you to watch this video. It will answer these questions. It’s the same video our middle school and high school students watched during chapel this week. It’s only 30 minutes long, but it is powerful. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=15EoR6O-rUA
As the first quarter draws to an end, I stop to think about the changes in the faces of the students and teachers. The past eight weeks have been packed with new experiences and challenges. There have been melt downs…we are all human and we make mistakes. We fail, and we fall flat on our faces. We have difficult days where nothing goes right. Students drop all their books in the middle of the halls. Students lose homework, or the dog really did eat it.
The first week of school, the sixth and seventh graders had a look of confusion on their faces. “Where do I go? I can’t find the right book! Oh, this is the wrong class!” Now those faces are settling into their routine and doing great! The students new to the school had those same confused looks, but they too have found their places. The new has worn off, and there is now a comfort for the students.
For several weeks, the one question I was asked daily was, “When are we getting our ChromeBooks?” Students received and are now enjoying the Chromebooks in class. As I walk through the cafeteria, the note cards and notebooks have changed to ChromeBooks. It is great to see the students using their ChromeBooks to study and share information with one another. I have been able to send links to my class via Google Classroom. It is a new challenge, but the possibilities are endless.
However, the students are not the only ones who have had to adjust. I have seen teachers wearing the same expressions as the students. Being a new teacher is difficult. There are so many things that the teacher has to learn from being in his/her own classroom. On top of the new place and new room is the new technology that we are now able to use. Wait, new technology? Even the most seasoned teachers are facing new challenges and struggles. “I have just figured out how to do the old things with confidence, and now something new is being placed in my hands.” Yet, just like our students, teachers are coming around with the “NEW” stuff. There have been a few teachers that have had their “light bulb” moment. The smiles on their faces when they finally make that first quiz on Google classroom or design the newsletter for their class bring a smile to me. Times change, and we have to adjust to the changes, or we get left behind. That first week of “Teacher Tired” is continuing to follow us, but we will, as Psalms 91:1 says, “dwell in the shelter of the Most High and will rest in the shadow of the Almighty”. God will continue to renew our strength as we work daily for Him.
We are a blessed school. Even though the first few weeks we all walked around in the new “fog”, myself included, we have now reached a new level of understanding. We have achieved many things, with more to come. We have made new friends and have become a larger family. We have cried together; we have prayed together; we have set new goals together. Together, we will make it through this year and become a better school and community.
Shelly Anderson, Middle and High School Assistant Principal
Has anyone ever handed you their business card and said, “call me if you have any questions”; and you think to yourself, “yea right. She really doesn’t want me to call her” and you stuff their card in a drawer. That’s exactly what I did last spring after one of our in-service trainings with a Bob Jones Representative.
Fast forward to August….the countdown is on. I had four days until my lesson plans were due and I had never taught six of the seven subjects using the new curriculum staring at me. Floundering and overwhelmed, the Lord told me to call Cindy at Bob Jones, and that’s exactly what I did. At the time I called her, she was waking up in California yet she still talked to me for almost an hour! Our conversations didn’t stop that day and when there were questions she couldn’t answer, she forwarded my questions to another author. Together, the two of them have spent quite a bit of time with me on the phone, countless e-mails and most recently took the time to have a webinar with first and second grade teachers to answer any questions we had about our reading curriculum. Because of the gift of time these ladies have given me, I am no longer floundering and each day has a direction.
By Courtney Horton, mom of Vaughn, Tristan, and Gabriella
Parents hear their text tone go off, look down at their screen to read their SchoolCast…”VIP meeting Tuesday morning 8:15am”. Parents think, “hmmm, what is VIP or oh no, I’m not going to a volunteering/fundraising meeting”. Let’s take a minute to talk about what VIP is and what it really means.
It was seven years ago when our family “married” Wayne Christian School. I say “married” because we chose the school first for what we fell in love with during the tour and the interview. Our hearts and our minds had been won by this fabulous Christian school. Over the last seven years there have been highs and lows at our children’s school but we have always been determined to see the good and help to find solutions to the struggles or challenges…just like in marriage. We took the perspective that we would make it through transitions and the changes because we knew that sometimes that is what has to happen to make something the best it can be. And from the first school year we decided to become a VIP….a Very Involved Parent(s).
Wayne Christian is an investment in your family, your child, the future. Many people ask, “what does the school do for them?”; but rarely do you hear a parent say, “what have I done to help this school, my child’s school, to be the best it can be for my child’s learning and growth as a person”? Think about it. When was the last time you put your efforts into the growth of the school? We are all very busy people. Why did you select Wayne Christian to invest in for your child? With any investment or anything worthwhile in life, you know you have to work at it. That is the same with the partnership you have with your child’s school. Wayne Christian has open and welcoming arms for families to participate, engage, and help enhance the environment where your children spend many of their waking hours each day. Children spend a minimum of 1,000 waking hours at school each year!
I am a mom of three, and I hear many parents talking about how they cannot connect with their children, their middle schooler, or their teen. This is a whole other topic but what it boils down to is what have you done to connect with your child? A child’s personality does not finish forming until age 26 according to frontal lobe research; so until then it is the parents responsibility to look for ways to connect. The reason I bring this up is because the easiest way to connect with your child is to be in your child’s environment and show them that you care what is going on around them. PRESENCE is a huge connectedness indicator! Even if your child doesn’t speak to you while you are at the school, being involved in and engaging with other kids their age shows a wonderful example of love that they will eventually admire and reciprocate. I have seen this again and again over my seven years as a VIP at WCS.
I challenge you to take the opportunity that God has given you with Wayne Christian to become that VIP, that VERY INVOLVED PARENT. This isn’t about fundraising, this is about your child, your family, and the extended school family you have chosen for your child’s developmental years. Make the choice to make it count!
Friday night wasn’t normal. It impacted me deeply. I was sad. I was angry. I was distraught. I was sad again. I became even more angry. And then, on Sunday, I was thankful. Yes, thankful. I was not thankful that it happened. My week would have started much differently had it never occurred. I was thankful because … Friday night didn’t surprise God. God knew there was going to be a fight. The fight grieved His heart. But, God knew. On Friday night, a handful of student athletes from Bethel and WCS lost control in the midst of the competition. They are being disciplined for their actions. More importantly, they, along with all of their teammates, are learning from it. The reality is, our school (teachers, students, parents, administration) has a lot in common with the other schools in our community. We’re all sinners. As Romans 3:23 says, “For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.” I definitely fit the description of a sinner! I find myself getting angry and lashing out: maybe not with fists, but my words can cut deeply. According to James, that’s worse. God is still working on me. Our school is different, however. Here’s the difference.
We know that there is only one way to overcome the sin in our lives. And that is through the blood of Jesus.
We can try with all our might to be good, but without the power of Christ working in us, we are doomed to fail. We see the symptoms of a fallen world around us every day. On Friday night, our sinful nature was ugly and on display for the whole world to see. And it broke my heart – not because I was embarrassed but because I was reminded of how sinful we can be. Then I was thankful. Thankful for a God who saw fit to send His Son to die on a cross for our sins. I am thankful to be at a school that preaches the Good News of the Gospel.
In order for it to be good news, we have to recognize the bad news: we are all sinners, sentenced to death.
It doesn’t matter how good I think I am, I cannot save myself. It is only through faith in Jesus – of His saving work on the cross and His resurrection from the dead – that God deems me innocent. I am thankful that Jesus stands in my place in front of a holy and just God so that I won’t be condemned to death.
I am thankful that WCS can talk openly about Jesus, the only cure for our sins.
I am thankful that we don’t have to hide our faith.
I am thankful that we don’t just treat the symptoms of a fallen world, but we can share the love of Jesus because He is the only person who can save.
There was a Friday almost 2000 years ago that wasn’t normal. God wasn’t surprised then, either. In fact, he sent Jesus to be hung on that cross. He also knew that He would conquer death on Sunday when He rose from the dead.
Good Friday gives us a hope and a confidence in Jesus’ work on the cross, even when we have “Bad Fridays.” I sure am thankful for Sunday!
Education: BS in Biology, University of Mount Olive Number of years in the classroom: 4 Number of years at WCS: 2 Church: Albertson Missionary Baptist Favorite Verse: ‘”For the mountains may depart and the hills be removed, but my steadfast love shall not depart from you, and my covenant of peace shall not be removed,” says the Lord, who has compassion on you.’ Isaiah 54:10
Favorite thing about WCS: The freedom to be real with students and to share the love of Christ with them. Fun fact: I want to skydive before I meet Jesus face to face. What you want your students to know: That I love them with all my heart!
It is hard to believe that we are already six weeks into the 2019-2020 school year! These first weeks of school, my emphasis has been on meeting with each senior to discuss plans for their future, be that college, the military or the job market. Seniors were given a questionnaire to fill out, with their parents, and to schedule an appointment to meet with me during or just after their school day. During the brief initial meeting, we discuss the hopes and dreams for college or a career. The information on the questionnaire is used to help write letters of recommendation for colleges.
Our first college and career related trip this year for ALL 11th and 12 graders is a trip to attend the College Fair at North Raleigh Christian. The date for this event is Sept. 30th. We will be leaving WCS at approximately 8:00 am and returning by 1:30 that afternoon. Permission slips for this event have been given to the students and will be due back no later than Thursday September 26th. Costs for this trip are covered by the WCS activity fee. While at North Raleigh students will be encouraged to speak with several college representatives concerning programs and majors that each college offers.
As information on scholarships comes to us, we pass that information on to the seniors. Students who expressed interest have already received information on many available scholarships for specific schools. Parents of seniors are encouraged to begin filling out the FASFA online with their students, beginning Oct. 1st. Doing this will ensure that your student is eligible to receive possible scholarship money or financial aid in the way of grants or loans. https://studentaid.ed.gov/sa/fafsa
WCS Juniors will take the PSAT/NMSQT test at Freedom Baptist on October 16th. The scores from this test will assist students in two ways. The test will prepare students for taking the SAT in the spring of 2020 and will give students the opportunity to enter the National Merit Scholarship Qualifying test. Students scoring high enough on this test become eligible to compete for full scholarships to a number of colleges. Practice test booklets will be coming home soon with information and permission slips for taking the PSAT. Individual meetings with juniors will begin in October.
Several juniors received applications for the Wayne Junior Leadership program sponsored through the Wayne County Chamber of Commerce. Those applications are due this Friday, September 20th! I will deliver these on September 23rd. Last year four WCS juniors represented our school in this program. https://www.waynecountychamber.com/junior-leadership/
If you have questions concerning your student’s schedule, grades, or future plans we encourage you to call and schedule an appointment. I look forward to meeting with each of you soon.
Susan M. Ford M.Ed.
Assistant Administrator of Curriculum and Advisement
Position: Assistant Principal of Middle School and High School
Education: BS in Education, East Carolina University Number of years in the classroom: 21 Number of years at WCS: 15 Church: The First PH Church Favorite Verse: ‘He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High will abide in the shadow of the Almighty.’ Psalm 91:1
Favorite Thing about WCS: The family atmosphere and knowing that I am surrounded by prayer warriors. Fun Fact: I love to hunt and fish. One thing you want your students to know about you: I love vanilla caramel coffee and Starbucks.
From Mrs. Christy Britt, middle school science teacher
What have I learned so far? I’ve learned that Middle School is not for the faint of heart. Seriously! I’ve learned that Middle Schoolers are a different species. I’ve learned that Middle School is a place of change, transition, awkwardness, giggles, screams, tears, fears, serious thoughts, and a place where responsibility becomes of utmost importance. They are also fashion critics, have HUGE hopes and dreams and are sure to tell you what’s on their mind. It’s really like being on another planet, it’s Hard!
I’ve also begun to realize that Middle Schoolers are, “in your face honest,” they are like clay- still impressionable, they want to fit in and CAN be influenced positively, they love new ideas, they are electric, they make me laugh, and are SOOOOOO unpredictable. They are all great singers (according to their own opinions) And last but not least, they have a desperate and great desire to be, and feel, loved! I’ve had the opportunity of spending the last 6 weeks with some pretty awesome middle school children. The days are long and the hours are even longer, but I can attest to the fact that I’m where God has designed me to be. God has a way of taking us from the “familiar and comfortable,” and placing us in HIS mission field. That’s Middle School, the Mission Field. It’s an honor to serve in His Kingdom, but to serve those who desperately need to know WHO God is and feel HIS love, now that’s a Mission. We have an obligation at WCS, as parents, teachers, mentors, and leaders to bring our children into His presence. What better way than in the classroom where, “good science always leads to God”? I’m thankful for the opportunity to do what I love, but also be able to share God’s infinite love and mercy with our Middle School Students. Praise God!
Proverbs 22:6 Train up a child in the way he should go; and when he is old, he will not depart from it.
Psalm 111:2 Great are the works of the Lord; they are pondered by all who delight in them.
Talon Times 