Dear Parent:
What a beautiful spring the Lord has given us this year!
Because of the “stay at home” directives, I’ve enjoyed springtime beauty this year more than usual. (I don’t have a window in my office.) The blue skies, budding trees, and blooming flowers remind me of God’s greatness, His goodness, and His beauty during these trying times. God is in control in an out-of-control world. His promises are sure. I’m thankful!
Administratively, our current focus—and another area to seek God’s wisdom and trust His promises—is on support and planning.
Giving support. We are making every effort to support the needs of our teachers, students, and families. This crisis is challenging to everyone and in a variety of ways. We want to make sure that we don’t miss anything, so please let us know if your child is facing difficulties in studies, you’re struggling to juggle the school load along with the rest, or any other way we may be able to help you.
Supporting one another. Thank you to those who have already offered to help families facing significant hardship during these times. If you have not had a chance to help and would like to, you can contribute to the Adopt-a-Student fund whatever amount you are able.
Supporting BJA. It’s probably true to say that we’re all using a few more groceries these days. Let’s make them count for BJA by participating in the Box Tops program. Just download the Box Tops app, login, choose BJA as your school, and start scanning your receipts. Voila, your purchase of participating products automatically translates into earnings for BJA. Here’s a quick guide on using the Box Tops app.
Planning for secondary registration and high school summer school. Fall registration for rising secondary students (current grades 5–11) is in a little over a week. I’m excited about a modified schedule and several new courses—with great videos from teachers explaining these courses. Check out what we have planned for the middle school and high school.
The high school team is working diligently toward a decision about high school summer school. By April 22, we hope to have a decision whether summer school will be online or residential. We plan to open online registration shortly after that.
Planning for the end of the school year. We’ve spent extensive time planning the two possible courses for completing the year: returning to the classroom for at least some of the last two weeks or completing the school year by online learning.
We expect federal, state, and local governments to give some indication of direction within the next few days. If that happens, we’ll make our end-of-year decision based on that information and will communicate that with you soon afterward.
If we are not given any additional government guidance, we anticipate needing to conclude the year online. In any case, we plan to communicate a decision next week—and detail the subsequent schedule adjustments soon afterwards.
A few more things. I’ve continued to enjoy seeing your participation in our weekly themed contests on Facebook. This week’s color wheel contest ends at noon tomorrow. Submit your photo soon! Congratulations to last week’s winners, four this time, who won gift cards to Lands’ End: the McClures, Gencoes, Seymours, and Chisholms. Watch for next week’s theme—hint: school spirit.
Be sure to check out a variety of kudos earned by our students—congratulations, you have worked hard, and it shows!
I’m still thinking about God’s sure promises and how springtime reminds me of them. This passage comes to mind.
“Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow; they toil not, neither do they spin . . .. If God so clothe the grass of the field, which today is and tomorrow is cast into the oven, shall he not much more clothe you, O ye of little faith?” (Mt. 6:28, 30)
Praying for you.
Dr. Dan Nelson
Administrator
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