JONHARVEY, MIDDLESCHOOLPRINCIPAL

Dear Middle School Viking Families,

As the summer draws to a close, I am excited to welcome you back and hope that your family had a wonderful summer filled with rest, relaxation, and fun I know that you are entrusting your children's education to us, and I want to assure you that we are committed to providing them with a challenging academic program that is rooted “in educating students in the light of God’s Word.”

We are also excited to be adding three new teachers to our faculty this year: Jonathan Carver, who previously taught in Haiti, will be teaching 7th and 9th grade social studies; Jennifer (Boulet) Eikenberry (LCS Class of 2003) is returning to the classroom again to teach 6th grade Bible; and after graduating from the University of South Florida, Lexi (Walton) Adams joins us to teach 6th and 8th grade science We are thrilled to have them join our Middle School team!

I am confident that this year will be a great year for our school. We have a talented staff, a strong curriculum, and a supportive community. This year we are excited to launch our new Advisory program called "Engage." It will include:

A focus on helping students develop emotional management skills, build healthy relationships, and make responsible decisions from a biblical worldview

Study Skill activities to assist students in habits and systems to manage their workload most effectively Digital Citizenship lessons and discussions related to navigating the use of technology

Academic support time each day to study and catch up on work as well as periodically meet one-on-one with their academic advisor to set goals and check-in

Fun, engaging, community-building student life activities

Assisting us with Engage and other student activities is Heather Rhoden, Director of Student Life, and Stephanie Terry, School Psychologist We are excited at the possibilities ahead! Our team will work daily to create an environment where students can thrive academically, spiritually, and socially. I am confident that this year will be a year of growth and transformation for all of our students.

I want to thank you for your continued support of our school. Your partnership is essential to our success. Feel free to contact me or Stephanie Hicks, the Middle School Administrative Assistant, with any questions or concerns We're always here to help

We are honored to be a part of your child's journey and excited to see what God has in store for students this year.

In

Christ,

Jon Harvey Middle School Principal

MICHAELZAVADA, DIRECTOROFUPPERSCHOOLACADEMICS

MICHAELZAVADA

Dear 6th-12th Grade Viking Families,

In Esther 4:13-14, we come across a Scripture verse often referenced and found on posters publicizing special events. The short quote, “For such a time as this…'' commonly celebrates a new campaign or opportunity. While that is appropriate for this moment as we begin school, further reading actually references Mordacai’s rebuke of Esther not to take for granted her role in God’s kingdom. I appreciate that admonishment as I enter into the calling as Director of Academics for the Upper School at LCS

My family and I come from working at other Christian schools (most recently the Geneva School of Boerne in Texas and Trinity Presbyterian in Montgomery, Alabama) and in ministry (Bible Study Fellowship International). While we celebrate this amazing opportunity to be on mission with you, we do not take it lightly. My family is blessed to have this opportunity in God’s sovereign time to grow in learning and community with a school enjoying such a rich heritage. On this journey, I look forward to meeting you as we walk together with our faculty and your students to carry out the mission LCS has lovingly carried for close to seventy years

I desire to highlight a few roles that will be critical to what we do as a faculty team at LCS this year and going forward. Long-time faculty member and LCS alum, Geoff Stabler, will be critical to our focus on biblical worldview integration in the curriculum. Geoff and I have been partnering to recruit fantastic faculty who are skilled at integrating enduring understandings of God’s word in every discipline we offer at LCS. He will be leading the Bible department and will be helping every faculty member in 6th-12th purposefully pursue a growth journey with the Lord that will come through in their teaching

Esteemed history faculty member and Department Chair Carrie Wilkinson has broadened her role to include the role of Curriculum Coordinator. She and I are working on the overall curriculum map for the Upper School. We endeavor to ensure that our students are exposed and begin mastery of essential questions and enduring understandings that will fulfill our mission and prepare students well for any and all challenges ahead.

The two key endeavors our team will be embracing in unison with our faculty are the use of the highly-regarded Understanding by Design unit curriculum development practice and Metamorphosis: A Framework for Authentic and Accountable Faculty Growth. We will build off of last year ’ s introduction to the faculty by developing the former with full integration in the History and Bible Departments. Faculty in other departments will also have the opportunity to pilot the unit planning techniques of UbD. Metamorphosis is a comprehensive strategy for growth in one's craft. It will be implemented with new and selected faculty

One of my favorite writers, John Maxwell wrote: “Leadership is influence, nothing more, nothing less.” With your decision to partner with us at LCS, you instinctively know that you are trusting your sons and daughters to our faculty with the expressed purpose of Godly influence. We rest in this trust and rely on the Holy Spirit to guide us as a faculty united and on mission for Him.