Dean of Students’s Message

Mr. Brock Haylock

Dear parents,

One of the most beautiful patterns of Jesus’ behavior in the Gospels is his commitment to meet people where they are at and his heart to meet their needs in a manner that inspires them towards growth. He simply refused to let people remain in their present state. He was also consistent in his challenge that people move beyond their weaknesses and sins as a means of finding God as their ultimate source of strength and refuge. This can be seen in countless interactions but also through the many parables he told.

As educators in a Christian school like SPH, the character and approach of Jesus places an important challenge upon us and this could not be felt more strongly than within our Student Services department. The very nature of student support demands that we meet student needs right where they are at. Some students struggle academically. Some struggle behaviorally. Others can struggle socially and emotionally. Identifying student needs is an important first step, but more importantly, how we choose to support students in a manner that brings about their highest potential.

When dealing with children, one thing that both teachers and parents can forget is how it might feel for them to be judged for not measuring up to the standards placed upon them. In this way, our words and our actions can be just as important as the actual support we provide. Again, Jesus’ own teachings demonstrate the important and delicate balance of identifying weakness but also doing so in a manner that is gracious, loving and relational. Is this how we deal with our students or with our children?

As we all partner together with the goal of serving the children in our community, might we be challenged by Jesus’ own model of love. Where might we do better? How might we serve better?