Mr. Mitchell's Chapter 5 notes:
Probably the most important point I try to drive across to anyone who is a donor to FMCS - "thank you for your investment into our children!"
This chapters starts to focus on a key area right now - finances! It used to be that when people asked for help, they needed a certain amount to help cover what they could not pay. Now it is getting to the point that they want it all - a full ride - and we do not do that.
However, and I mean HOWEVER: I totally agree with the last sentence of the second paragraph on page 54!
If you have never read it, please read Jenna Billman's testimony on our website: http://fmcs-fl.org/category/praise/
pg. 55-57 - wow, no cell phones!
Pg. 57-59, question to ask: great! As well as ROI
Out of this chapter, weren't he stories powerful? Coming soon "Tell Ma A Story..."
Affluenza - food one!
Stewardship = Surrender!
Page 63 is excellent!
It's your turn:
Best chapter so far! It really focuses on what's important for our children- I love the ROI- provides so much more than solely "academics". I am guilty of losing sight of that on occasion. I enjoyed the reminder.
ReplyDeleteWhat stood out to me in this chapter is on page 58, "...kids, like adults often adopt the values of their peers and teachers, and we saw signs that this was already starting to happen. ..... But seven hours a day,five days a week, they were being subtly reeducated, marinated in a secular worldview that was competing for their precious , maleable minds."
ReplyDeleteSome parents feel like they are doing their kids a favor by getting them "out there" to experience the "real world" in public school which they think will better prepare them for adulthood. What they don't understand is that there's plenty of real world experiences in Christian school. There are temptations and plenty of opportunities for a child to make the wrong and right choices. And the experiences that the kids aren't going to be exposed to, well lets face it, we'd hope our children would never have to deal with, in school or beyond.
I really appreciated the statement on page 63 that talked about the two paychecks written. "The first is the check the parents write for tuition. The second is an invisible check many teachers write in the form of the difference between their salary and the bigger salary that they could be receiving in the public sector. This is their financial investment in their students' futures." Well stated and brings home the aspect of the call to Christian education and wanting to pour into the lives of our students. There is a cost at times but the eternal rewards are much more valuable.
ReplyDeleteParaphasing the first paragraph on page 63 'we can't afford to send our kids to a Christian School and then adding... it should be we can't afford to NOT send our kids to a Christian School. Sunday's message in church was from the ole' familiar passage in Matt. 6:33, you putting Jesus first in your life and then you'll have everything else. His primary example he used was parent's putting Jesus first in their kids lives...role modeling, choosing good friends, prayer, teaching about Jesus. He didn't say it, but that is everything a Christian school is.
DeleteMy thoughts echo those above... especially that popular page 58 quote, which is the first thing I circled in the book. If parents truly catch that outside of Christian SChool, their children for "SEVEN HOURS per day, FIVE DAYS a week" are "being SUBTLY REEDUCATED, marinated in a SECULAR worldview" (caps are mine), perhaps they'd be determined to make the commitment to Christian education.
ReplyDeleteNext paragraph I marked is page 62: ..."we live in an affluent, sports-crazed, entertainment-driven, success-minded, and secular culture that has embraced fatally misplaced priorities. Unfortunately, many churches and Christian families appear to be buying into this culture." Are we not seeing this with the recent migration of families (although to a sister Christian school) due mainly to sports opportunities?? Where is the importance of a stellar academic education, student opportunities of ministering to our community, strengthening character and spiritual qualities in the children and in the family?
Also page 64 quote, "I am convinced that one of the biggest obstacles......is materialism" and... "apathy and dissatisfaction. Enough is never enough". I can say this does NOT characterize very many families in our school, but it is true of many families in the larger circle of "the church".
FMCS is like the best kept secret for educating children PreK3 through 8th grade in this community. Attending the same school through 8th and then saving the BIG school change for high school is a completely wonderful way for parents to look at our school.
Thanks for posting Jenna's testimony, Mel. If the parents would agree, we should have parent testimonies available for viewing/reading on our web site and in our promotional material. Nothing makes an impact like a personal testimony!
I also liked the writing two paycheck comment. I obviously am fully committed to the school and don't mind doing my part financially. Sometimes I wish I could do more.
ReplyDeleteI do wonder sometimes if teaching the Christian World View is as important to our families as it is to me, and if it isn't, how can me make them see the importance of having and believing a Christian World View? Are we all on the same page...really?
Jay, I would say that teaching the Christian World View isn't as important to ALL of our parents as it is to us. However, that is the beauty of our job. We are given the opportunity to show those families the greatness of a Christian perspective on how they view the world. These parents, trust us enough to say the following:
ReplyDelete1. I am entrusting you with the most precious possession I have, my children, for 7 hours a day.
2. I am financially making an investment in the future of my child and I BELIEVE that the "product" you have is the best for my child's future.
3. I give you PERMISSION to speak into my child's life.
When I realize the gravity of what these parents are saying by sending their child to FMCS, it is sobering.
Bottom line, we provide an amazing Christian education. Are we for everyone, no! However, the families that choose FMCS will not leave regretting that choice. We, as a staff, have to take that responsibility upon ourselves.
One's child is a top priority , so should their school be a top priority. If we, the educators, can pour as much faith as we can into our students, then this coupled with what they receive at home and church completes what we are trying to achieve. This doesn't happen in public schools. These great educators are here at FMCS!!
ReplyDelete