From the Director's Desk
I’d like to take this opportunity to welcome all of you to the “new” Northeast Region. As of July 1st, the regional office based in Lancaster, PA, will serve all schools in the Northeast from Washington, D.C. north to Maine. You will see ACSI staff in your area throughout the year at district meetings, student activities, conventions, and perhaps visiting your school. We are being very proactive in being visible and available to you. Please don’t hesitate to give us a call if you have questions, issues to discuss, or if you need someone to pray with you.
These are challenging days for Christian school education. However, the master leader will always look to the opportunities which exist in the challenge. I have seen some schools take the opportunity to dialogue with the other Christian schools in their community to see how they may cooperate. Here in Lancaster County there are two very different schools which will merge into one stronger school beginning in the 2010–11 school year. Another school is challenged by less than adequate facilities. After several years of planning to build, they purchased a building and are moving this summer. There is another school in the region which has significantly enhanced their academic program and is experiencing a greater than 20% growth for the second year in a row. Even with enrollment challenges and school closings, there is record engagement in accreditation. School leaders are seeing the need to go through this critical process in order to improve and have a competitive advantage in their geographic area.
I don’t believe that this is the time to hunker down, isolate, and continue doing things the same way you always have. Let me encourage you to get out to district meetings this fall, taking the opportunity to fellowship and network with like-minded leaders. In looking for ways to save money this year, please don’t cut into or take away your funds for the professional development of your staff. These are investments into the future of your school. The Northeast Region’s conventions and distance education via webinars are effective ways to provide significant growth for you and your staff. I have been encouraging schools to be in contact with their LEAs (Local Education Agencies) to have these professional development activities funded (mainly through Title IIa).
I am looking forward to meeting many of you during the course of the school year. If we have not met, please be sure to introduce yourself to me.
May the Lord richly bless the work of your hands as you seek to provide Christ-centered education and see young people formed into the image of Christ.
John W. Storey, Ed.D.
Regional Director