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the voice of the abingtons abingtonsuburban.com | june 22, 2017
A classical music concert is planned for the Waverly Comm|PAGE 3
It’s Strawberry Festival time in Clarks Summit this weekend |PAGE 5
Two University of Scranton students won special awards |PAGE 10
A NEw RolE
A shuffle in leadership at Summit Christian Academy by Linda Scott
Gard served for eight years as a volunteer when the academy was founded, SPEciaL to tHE abinGton SUbURban as Summit Baptist Academy, in 1974. He joined the school’s board in 1975 and Chuck Gard has assumed many roles at became the administrator in 1976. He conSummit Christian Academy. He will now tinued to serve in that capacity until 2000. take on a new one after being recently apCurrently he is the business manager. pointed supervising administrator. During that time, he oversaw efforts He will be responsible for the school’s to find temporary classroom space in the overall operation, with an emphasis on area, as well as the eventual purchase of strengthening the focus of the ministry the school’s current property in 1980. The and creating a stronger foundation for the secondary building was built with volunfuture. He previously worked at Geisinger Community Medical Center as a trauma case teer labor and opened in 1982. “I am thankful for Chuck’s influence manager/discharge planner. at the school both past and present,” said Gard’s education includes courses in Marianne Rivers, who was the acting Christian school administration from Grace Theological Seminary. He also holds supervising administrator and will now serve as the principal. “We were thrilled degrees from Baptist Bible College (now Summit University) in religious education with Chuck’s appointment, and now I can concentrate on the curriculum. This is a and from Marywood University in teachfantastic opportunity for the school.” ing psychology. “I am thrilled as a parent to see what His son-in-law serves on the board. In the school is doing, and the teachers the fall, Gard will have four grandchildren are doing a great job,” said Jean Lynott enrolled at the school. a board member and whose daughter The school, at 660 Griffin Pond Road in South Abington Township, offers a Biblically attends the school. “The school is wellrounded and the teachers make that centered curriculum for preschool to ninth grade. Over the next three years, a grade will happen. The board is very excited about the move. This allows Marianne, who has be added each year until 12th grade. a doctorate in curriculum, to focus on the “The approach of all subjects taught curriculum, students and teachers. Chuck in the school is focused on the Bible and guided by God” said Gard. “God is the key will focus on the school’s administrative needs. With his long history at the school, word and through the Bible is how we he brings a lot of experience to that role.” learn God’s word.” “As a teacher and parent, I can keep an eye on every aspect of the school,” said Karla Himka, who attended the school herself when Gard was principal. She returns to teaching at the school having TS_CNG/SUBURBAN/PAGES [S01] | 06/21/17
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Chuck Gard will be Summit Christian Academy’s supervising administrator.
taught there from 1993 to 1997 and 2013 to 2015. She and her husband John graduated from the school and have a daughter attending. They also have two sons who both attended the school. She will teach third and fourth grade in the fall. “I then can promote the school as having a positive aspect in the community,” she said.
“My goal is to seek to provide the best and highest-quality Bible-based educational opportunity to every parent,” said Gard. “The church is desiring that for their children.” The school will hold an open house for prospective students and their families Tuesday, July 18, from 6:30 to 8 p.m.