Heritage Christian School R
THE
E G A T I R E H D L A HER JANUARY 2014
Weighing the success of our mission
I
recently read 3 John and my attention returns back to verse 4 where John writes, “I have no greater joy than to hear my children are walking in the truth.” As the focal point of our mission is to assist parents who are raising their children to love and serve Jesus Christ, I genuinely understand what John is saying. I have no greater hope than that, while our children are at Heritage, they are introduced to the gospel of Jesus Christ and grasp the magnitude of this good news. We attempt to train them in every way to carry this hope to the ends of the earth. Thankfully, God knows exactly where He is leading them. We trust that He is at work in and through us to prepare them for the road ahead. The successful pursuit of our mission’s focal point, though, is very difficult to measure in real time. As the old saying goes, “the proof is in the pudding”. In this
edition of the Herald, we’ve asked some to share with you how we’ve done. Our desire is for you to be excited with us as we praise God for His work in our former and present students’ lives. You will also see a snapshot of other ways God is pouring out His blessings on His school. He has, once again, used many of you to support this year’s Annual Fund and we want to share that with you. We also want to introduce you to the direction we believe He is leading Heritage as we continue to grow. See what the Design Team is working on and pray with us that God will provide them wisdom and discernment in the laying of a “new foundation”. In the midst of my 9th year as the principal of Heritage, I can honestly say that I am thrilled to have been present as God has accomplished great things here. I pray that God richly blesses all of you with a wonderful 2014.
I have no greater joy than to hear my children are walking in the truth. 3 John 1:4
An update from Heritage Administrator Mike Annis
Record giving for 2013 Annual Fund God continues to bless Heritage abundantly
Each November, Heritage generates a list of capital needs separate from the school’s general operating budget. In the past, items have included lockers, classroom furniture, technology upgrades, athletic equipment, library materials, and tuition assistance. This year, our Annual Fund “Needs List” totaled $61,000. To date, we have received over $104, 810 in donations. Praise God for His faithfulness!
Spiritual endurance in the Middle East
Steven and Alec Boldt spend a week in the Middle East spreading the gospel through basketball Steven and Alec Boldt (HCS 6th grader) along with a team of three others, visited a missionary family in the Middle East in early January. They spent time working with a fitness program on a university campus to form relationships with students. Praise God for the step of faith of a father and son that are part of the Heritage family! Pray that their encouragement and support continues to bless the family and their ministry after the team returns home.
Steven Alec
Join Us!
EFE 2014
Saturday, February 8 5:30 p.m.
Ticket order forms are available online at www.hcs-nl.com
The Kelly’s From Left to Right: John Michael, Chelsea, Margie, Timothy and Mike
From Pre-K to Alumni: Christ-centered education at Heritage impacts entire spectrum of the student experience
The Grex’s
From Left to Right: Sarah, Brooklyn, Payton (HCS Pre-Kindergartener), Madynn, Ryan (HCS Kindergartner) and David
CHELSEA 2002 Graduate of Heritage Chelsea graduated as a valedictorian from City High School in 2006, and was a National Merit Scholar. She graduated from Northwestern University with degrees in Math and Linguistics in 2010, and worked as an intern with Reformed University Fellowship (RUF) campus ministry at the University of Nebraska from August 2010 - May 2013. She is currently attending Covenant Seminary in St. Louis, working toward a Masters of Divinity and desiring a career in women’s ministry. Heritage taught me things that my peers had not learned in their elementary and junior high educations, and as a result I was wellprepared for the challenges of higher education. But beyond that and far more importantly, I found that Heritage instilled in me the knowledge that my faith is not just one compartment among many in my life but is in fact the foundation for everything I learn and say and do. Heritage taught me Jesus in every school subject and helped me understand that He is Lord over all.
JOHN MICHAEL 2005 Graduate of Heritage John Michael graduated as a valedictorian from West High School in 2009, and was a National Merit Scholar. He graduated from Northwestern University with a degree in Psychology, and is planning to attend graduate school in Psychology in the fall. I feel the background I received at Heritage prepared me well for academic success in my later schooling at West High and Northwestern University. As one example, the grammar instruction I received at Heritage far exceeded that of other area elementary schools. Due to this instruction, I had no difficulty learning to write well at a high school or collegiate level.
TIMOTHY 2011 Graduate of Heritage Heritage’s Pre-K program has been above and beyond any expectations we may have had as a family. We originally chose Heritage as a Pre-K option because the longer school days would help our children transition to full day Kindergarten, the smaller class sizes would challenge them academically, and the opportunity to have a Christ-centered curriculum. We have been blessed to work with both Pre-K teachers, as our son, Ryan, attended the 5-day program with Mr. Neal last year and our daughter, Payton, attends the 3-day program with Mrs. Peters this year. Both teachers have the unique skill of transferring their passion through their students. It is amazing to witness the personal, academic, and spiritual growth of our kids since enrolling at Heritage.
-SARAH GREX
Timothy is a Junior at West High School Heritage provides a strong spiritual foundation, giving students the firmness in their faith needed to combat the evils and temptations of the real world through reading and memorization of Scripture, prayer, and a strong Christian community. It allowed me to see the way in which God works in everything and how present He is in all circumstances, which is both important and also comforting and exciting. In addition to this spiritual foundation, Heritage allowed me to make great friendships thanks to a small, close-knit class and a very unintimidating environment. It helped me become much better in social situations. My education was incredibly strong thanks to knowledgeable teachers who really care about their students and who want them to get the best out of their schooling. Heritage built in me a good work ethic and helped me grow up in the LORD, and for that I am extremely grateful.
Heritage Christian School 255 Hackberry St. North Liberty, IA 52317
NON-PROFIT ORG U.S. POSTAGE PAID PERMIT NO. 29 NORTH LIBERTY, IA 52317
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Our Journey Continues with Him An update from Design Team chair, Phil Holman Phase 2 of the Master Plan
PHASE 2
The Master Plan is available for viewing at www.hcs-nl.com
The journey of Heritage Christian School began on the East Side of Iowa City with the renovation of a small non-descript building that once housed a daycare facility. For the founding parents it was important that the school mission was predicated on having teachers who joyfully followed our Savior and thus were spiritually able to enlighten their students. Within a few years Heritage outgrew the restricting walls of that small daycare facility. Heritage then relocated to North Liberty through a partnership with Grace Community Church and continued to expand its physical space over the years to accommodate growth in the student body. Through vision, emboldened with faith, Heritage relocated to its current campus in 2009. With the continued strong demand every year for the Christ-centered education offered by Heritage, and the need to bolster an already quality learning experience, Heritage is now poised to undertake the second phase of expansion to fulfill its mission. A Design Team, composed of professionals
Gym
Heritage Christian School
This fall, a Design Team was chosen to begin the process of planning and executing the second expansion of the Heritage facility.
with prior experience in similar endeavors and others who are excited to be involved in expanding the excellent education offered at Heritage, has been assembled and charged with designing a plan to meet these goals. The first meeting of the team occurred this past December and consisted of the simple but essential task of walking through the school to better understand the use of the current space. Over the next several months, the Design Team will meet to discuss instructional and auxiliary needs for space and incorporate those into a final design layout. The team encourages parents and supporters to visit the school website to view the Master Plan and the new wing proposed for the expansion. One factor contributing to the academic success of Heritage students is the limitation of classroom size to twenty students, thus allowing for optimal teacher-student interaction. This has led to two classrooms for certain grades over the years. The most successful model for double-track growth is to expand at the lowest grades and continue
to independently track those grades in subsequent years. The addition of a second kindergarten class for the 2013 academic year was the start of this process. Historically, students have joined Heritage not just in Pre-Kindergarten or Kindergarten, but throughout the lower grades. However, in connection with a marketing campaign developed this year by our Marketing Director Kallen Hawkinson, we envision even more success in attracting families into these lower grades. In addition to preparing for growth in the student body, and the designed space needed for those core classes, the team will ensure that the use of existing and new space will also augment cocurricular excellence. The team will make every effort to keep the status quo of the current operation of Heritage thereby minimizing any disruption in classes or student activities. Based on the upcoming 2014-2015 enrollment, immediate needs, and fundraising, the construction of the expansion wing could begin as early as the start of the 2014-2015 school year with a projected completion date in time for the 2015-2016 academic year. We continue this amazing journey at Heritage Christian School. From a small daycare facility on the east side of Iowa City where providers once attended to the physical needs of young children, a seed was planted for Heritage Christian School. This seed has grown into a school of over 200 vibrant children yearning to be taught, excited about growing in their faith, and being led hand in hand in their journey with the greatest provider, our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Please keep the Design Team in your prayers as they humbly continue this journey with Him.