Dear Families and Friends of Open Door Christian Academy:

 

It is my goal to provide as much communication as possible to the families, guardians and friends of ODCA. With that in mind, I wanted to close the 2014-15 school year with some information about the school and the vision for the upcoming year.

 

First and foremost, I want to thank all of you for making me feel so welcome in my transition to the school. I am aware that it has been a challenging year in many respects for the families and faculty. We worked diligently to serve, pray and sort out the challenges together to strengthen the school for the future. There will be changes as the Lord leads some of the faculty to new endeavors in their lives, yet, we are confident that the Lord is bringing the school into a new season for ODCA to thrive.

 

Many of you are aware that several teachers have retired. Mr. Taylor, Mrs. Bogert, and Mrs. Kirkner. Mrs. Faulkner will also be leaving and going into new ministry adventures. After the end of the school year, Mr. Dave Smith informed us that he is also moving on to a new position in a Christian high school where he will be able to coach a varsity sport as he has long desired to do. We will surely miss him and all that he does for the students. We will continue to pray for him as the Lord leads him into a new season of his life. Some of the retiring teachers have indicated they would love to be able to serve as substitutes so the students may continue to see them around the school.

 

So, I have been asked by several parents...

"Is the middle school falling apart?"

 

With so many changes that will affect the middle school, it is a natural question but certainly, no, it is not falling apart. In fact, although we will miss the long time service of those who have impacted generations of students, we look with anticipation for what the Lord will be doing to grow our middle school. The middle school will see some restructuring to strengthen what is already being done there. We have received several applications from outstanding candidates for the math/science position and I am certain the Physical Education one will be highly sought after as well. We intend all sports to be in place and successful. We are looking to preserve the traditions that the students look forward to as part of being a middle school student at ODCA as well as adding some clubs, students council and opportunities for them to choose electives in study hall time (hopefully by Spring).

 

Another question...

"What's going on with curriculum?"

The curriculum committee has been meeting over the last three months to map out the ways we are going to strengthen the curriculum. We have changed the science text to a more rigorous one by the publisher Bob Jones that should advance what the students have already been learning. We will be adding Writing as a subject and leading the students to become confident, successful writers in preparation for their future plans. The teachers will be mapping the subjects in the coming year which should help us to identify any weak areas or repetitive concepts. We added the A-Z learning and Raz kids to supplement our reading curriculum and allow for differentiation for readers on different levels. The teachers will be spending time in orientation and in-service throughout the coming year to improve instruction with more hands on experiences. Another area we have been and will continue working to strengthen involves the students with unique learning challenges. We have been connecting with the MICU to expand current services. They will also be providing learning opportunities for our faculty to gain techniques to work with learning challenges in the classroom and differentiating work and expectations as needed.

 

Announcement:  To support the work already being done and bridge the changes being made, Kevin Stewart has been named Assistant Principal for the 2015-16 school year.   Moving forward, Kevin will be providing leadership for the middle school, guiding the events and activities through the year (which he has already been doing) and serve in other areas as needed. He will continue leading the fine arts programs, providing music lessons as well as his new responsibilities in leadership.

 

The school set a conservative budget based on 121 students for the coming year as we are seeing it as a year of re-establishing ourselves as the loving, nurturing school with outstanding academics and extra- curricular activities. We have had many new families join us for the upcoming year and look forward to those who the Lord is bringing over the summer. We are already closing in on that number and anticipate it growing much higher. Although I have many years of experience in Christian schools, I find myself constantly amazed at how much this school has to offer and how well the students do in so many ways during their years here and beyond. This school is truly unique and I have found all of those connected with it to be committed to providing the highest level of education and experience possible while deeply passionate about the family atmosphere. That resonates strongly with my heart and desire for the future of the school. As we seek the Lord's wisdom and direction moving forward, I ask anyone that can join us for nights of prayer and petition before the Lord on behalf of the school to make these dates on your calendar. July 13 and 27th at 7:00pm at ODCA. We will meet in the library and those who want to do prayer walks through the school can also do so at that time.  

 

The inside of the school will have a fresh, new appearance as efforts are being made to paint the hallways and redesign the office to make it more efficient. There are new signs, a donation of mulching to our gardens, and many other surprises in store.

 

I hope this information has helped the communication of our efforts moving forward and guides you to feel you are part of what is happening at your school. Please come and meet with me if you have any lingering questions or ideas about the school. I appreciate the parents who have come already and shared their thoughts with me in an effort to improve the school. Contact me at the school 215-542-9795, ext. 314. I am at the school Monday through Thursday from 9:00am until 2:00pm and later.

 

If you cannot reach me there, please call me on my cell phone at 609-377-9784. You can also email me at [email protected].  

I would love to hear from you.

 

You will be receiving a letter in the mail from the Board President, Tom Vetterani, to report on the year at ODCA and give the board's encouraging perspective.

 

Have a great summer and keep ODCA in your prayers.

Meg McHale, Principal