From the Eagle’s Nest – February

By: Julie Cordray, Head of School

As I write, it’s snowing outside. Of course this isn’t the first of it. Starting in the pre-dawn hours of Wednesday morning, our streets and homes have been gradually covered in a thick coat of white. The flakes are so fine and fall so delicately that it’s hard to believe the way they’ve piled up! Have you ever noticed the tendency for small things, persisting over time, to make a big impact?

We’ve been working hard this year to make changes that, at first glance, may seem small but are moving us forward in our pursuit of excellence for the growth of your students and for the glory of God. At last month’s Annual Meeting, we shared areas of growth as they align with our strategic goals–the specific ways we intend to address key aspects of our mission. Following are some highlights –

Programmatic Distinction:

• Outdoor Learning: We have plans to convert the “little playground” area into a garden space for our students. Stay tuned for further developments!
• Middle School Drama Club: Meeting once a week for the rest of the year, this after school club will culminate in a full-scale production of Peter Pan.
• Robotics–We are exploring ways to introduce this STEM initiative schoolwide, perhaps with LEGO Leagues and/or in partnership with Boeing.

Academic Distinction:

• Defining “Academic Excellence”: We believe “academic excellence” involves each child meeting his or her full potential by participating in rigorous, relevant, and engaging learning activities, using high quality curriculum, taught by dedicated teachers from a biblical worldview. This definition will guide us as in our growth.
• Language Arts Curriculum Review: Our students must be strong readers and writers. Our review process is targeted and thorough to identify curriculum that is rigorous and engaging, adaptable, and vertically aligned.
• Refining Vertical Alignment: We are committed to ensuring that the skills and concepts covered in each grade dovetail with the ones coming before and after.

Christian Community:

• Partnering with Parents: You are an important part of the”3-legged stool” between home, school, and church. Listening sessions and surveys invite you to partner with us.
• Read-a-Thon: We’re taking a fresh approach to our spring fundraiser by choosing an event that’s fun and academic. Stay tuned for more details!
• Early Childhood: We are intentionally planning to incorporate students from Preschool-Grade 8 in cooperative learning and fellowship opportunities, such as Grandparents’ Day and Crew.

Institutional Viability:

• School Board: The School Board is diverse and strong with new members and committees.
• Salary Scale: We are studying ways to more competitively pay teachers to attract and retain high-quality staff.
• Accreditation: We are preparing for our next CSI review, which will help us evaluate our strengths and weaknesses and culminate in an on-site visit in spring of 2023.

Like a seemingly gentle snowfall, the collective impact of these initiatives may not be immediately evident. But as we steadily and persistently steward all that God has given us, we can expect him to bring forth an increase that will leave Twin Oaks Christian School heavy–not with snow–but good fruit. We will never stop striving to bring our very best for the students we love and serve. Thank you for partnering with us to glorify God by nurturing the children He has entrusted into our care.