A Word From Our President

This morning, for the second time in ten days, we woke up to fresh fallen snow. As the snow accumulates people have different responses. For the students and faculty, there is the anticipation of school being cancelled and an unscheduled day out of classes. For the parents, it is waiting to see if there is a need to make adjustments for their child’s supervision and how their work day would be impacted. But for the administration, snow fall means getting out in the very early hours of the morning and driving various routes to check the roads and the school parking lot conditions. In addition, time is taken to converse with the local public school officials regarding their plans for the day. Needless to say, snow days do not always bring the same excitement as when we were younger.

However, after driving the streets to determine the status of the roads during this most recent snow event, I was reminded of two verses. The first is Psalm 46:10, “Be still and know that I am God”. Though it is not something I would schedule every day, I do experience an enjoyable quietness as I drive. There are few cars out on the road, no stores are open, only street lights are shining, and the snow is steadily falling. It is as if the world is still.

The second verse is found in Isaiah 1:18, “Though your sins be as scarlet they shall be as white as snow.” Just as the brown grass, green shrubs, barren trees, and black pavement are all covered in white, because of Jesus Christ, our sins are also covered. The darkness and blackness can no longer be seen because we are washed as white as snow. During the high school fine arts chapel today, I stood where I could see snow falling outside the door. As the snow caught my attention, the speaker simultaneously referenced this same verse. I could not help but think that the ultimate purpose of Christmas is found in Isaiah 1:18. 

So let me encourage each of you this Christmas to do two things. In the midst of the hustle of shopping, events, cooking, and travel, take time together to “be still” and reflect on who He is, what He has done, and what he has prepared for those who love Him. Second, the next time that it snows, take a moment to marvel that because God loved us so much He sent His Son on the most important mission trip ever taken. As a result, though our sins be as scarlet, they may be as white as snow.

May you and your family experience God’s blessings this Christmas. Thank you for allowing us the opportunity to partner with you in Christian education. 

David Manley

From Our Elementary Principal

 ELEMENTARY MISSIONS AT SBEC

Each year, especially during the Thanksgiving and Christmas seasons, our Bible, chapel and spiritual emphasis programs stress to our Elementary students the importance of supporting and being involved with both local and foreign missions. Our students learn that in today’s world active participation in missions is an integral part of being a Christian. It is our hope that through this process of serving and helping others, our students will gain a better understanding of not only the vast needs that surround us but that they would also learn the many lessons that Jesus taught us about service to others.

  

Throughout the entire school year our elementary students are given an opportunity each week to bring an offering to help support various missions around the world.  Also each year every class or grade is encouraged to select a specific local or world mission for students to identify with, pray for and support.  Many of these missions revolve around the Thanksgiving and Christmas season and some even offer the opportunity for our students to actually go to a local mission site.  Some of the missions that have been selected for this special time of the year are The Desoto Interfaith Food Program, Operation Christmas Basket, Calvary Rescue Mission, Christmas Cards for Soldiers, Operation Christmas Child, Good Shephard’s Fold Orphanage in Africa, Gospel for Asia, and ARMS Ministry in Chicago.

The Bible tells us throughout the Old and New Testament we are to share with others who are in need what we have been so blessed to receive.  Through emphasizing missions to our students at SBEC, it is our hope and prayer that students will grow up with servants’ hearts but even more a heart for sharing  that marvelous story of the Christ Child who came to this world to be our Savior and our King.

David Fox, Elementary Principal

From Our Elementary Assistant Principal

A laptop cart has recently been acquired for use as a mobile computer lab for the elementary division.  This was a result of careful planning over many months.  The first teacher to implement the laptops in the classroom has been Allison Moffett, sixth grade social studies and science teacher.

Mrs. Moffett, with the help of Emily Hopkins, SBEC technology integrator, has set up a blog for every student so they can post what they have learned from that day's lesson.  Mrs. Moffett can give immediate feedback to each student which they see the next class period.  This informal assessment guides the students to any corrections or changes needed in their learning.

The students are also using "Edmodo," a website specifically designed for classroom use.  The classes can view assignments, answer poll questions, and see immediate results of the class's responses to the poll.  Each class also accesses the textbook online to watch videos and explore interactive features that correspond with that day's lesson.

In the near future we hope to see these students creating Power Point presentations and virtual posters which they can present to the class on the SMART Board.  We also plan to expand the use of the laptop cart to other subjects and grades.

Cathy Laster

A Word From Our High School Principal

November is an exciting time for our high school students. Fall sports are in post season play; winter sports are starting to practice; the band has successfully completed their competitive season; the fall drama students are ready to perform; and students are busy in their classes, working toward the semester completion. As the season changes, it seems our schedule increases in intensity.

Because SBEC is a Christ-centered school, we set aside Oct 31^st through November 3^rd as our Spiritual Emphasis Week. This year our speaker was Pastor Ernie Frye from Central Church. Pastor Frye used Genesis 37-42 and the story of Joseph as his focus. He spoke about how Joseph’s life reflected the life of a Christian. God’s vision to Joseph that included trials, temptations, and the forgiveness of others can also be viewed as elements in our own Christian lives. Undoubtedly, our students were challenged and encouraged by what they heard.

On November 7^th the SBEC faculty joined the faculties from five area Christian schools as we came together to hear Dr. William Brown, president of Cedarville University. Dr. Brown challenged our teachers to view our subject areas as reflections of our worldview, which then will affect our perception, explanation, and interpretation of the world around us. From sciences to language arts, we need to discuss and analyze with our students the viewpoints presented in what we read and hear.

As I was reminded today, SBEC exists to help our students obtain knowledge and academic skills, but our primary mission is to introduce our students to the God of the Universe. Whether it is the first time, a re-introduction, or a continuing relationship, SBEC exists to walk alongside our students as they get to know or grow in Jesus Christ. Yes, we play sports; yes, we have a great fine arts program; and yes, our students score well above the national average on the ACT - but our desire is to show Christ. Dr. Brown’s definition of a first- century Christian was “lover of strangers.”  In the first century, a person who possessed a problem would seek out Christians because he knew he would receive help. The prayer of SBEC is that because we are lovers of students, families would seek us out to help with the raising of their children. 

Christmas is coming. What a wonderful birthday to celebrate.

Sam Wrigley

SBEC High School Principal

A Word From Our President

November is associated with crisp fall weather, shorter days, and of course Thanksgiving.  Though the fourth Thursday of November is set aside as a time to express our gratitude for the numerous blessings bestowed upon us, a grateful heart should be a characteristic that permeates our lives on a daily basis. Hopefully, we will never lose sight of how truly blessed we are.  

 

November at SBEC is also a month filled with activities. As we begin the new month our Drama Department is preparing for the upcoming play, “Father Knows Best,” the football team is preparing for their first contest in the 2011 state playoffs, the band is celebrating their successful marching season with our annual “Band Night”, the Elementary Book Fair is soon to be underway and students in grades 4-8 are readying themselves for the SBEC Spelling Bee. These are just a sampling of all that that is occurring as we approach the Thanksgiving season. 

There are three events that we want to make you aware of and for which we ask that you join us in prayer. From October 31^st through November 3^rd we will be conducting Spiritual Emphasis week for the high school (grades 7-12). Pastor Ernie Frye of Central Church in Collierville, TN will be our speaker. We are asking God to use Pastor Ernie as he shares with our students and to have the freedom to do a work in all of our hearts as we set aside four consecutive chapels for this purpose.

On Monday, November 7^th, SBEC will be hosting the faculty and staffs from Briarcrest, Central Day School, ECS, FACS, and Trinity Christian Academy (Jackson, TN) for our fourth biannual Christian School Consortium in-service. There will be over 630 Christian school educators in attendance as we hear from Dr. Bill Brown, President of Cedarville University, on the topic of Biblical worldview. We look forward to a special day as we fellowship with sister schools and learn from the teaching of Dr. Brown.

Finally, on Thursday, November 10^th, we will be hosting an Open House for prospective students.  It will begin at 8:30 a.m.  and conclude at 10:30 a.m.  Scheduling an Open House during the day allows for students to experience a portion of a day in the life of SBEC, and to meet other students and our faculty. Additional Open Houses will be held in January and February. If you know of anyone that may have an interest in visiting SBEC we ask that you contact Mrs. Sheila Sheron in our admissions office at 662-349-5127.

One last note, please do not forget to submit your school survey. We again apologize for the distribution problems. We believe that has been corrected.  We do value your input. If you do not return your survey, then we cannot know how to better serve our school families. 

As earlier stated, we have much for which to be thankful. Thank you for praying for our school.  The greatest investment any of us can make in a life is to pray.  May you and your family experience God’s blessings this Thanksgiving season.

A Word From Our President

At the time of this post we are well into the second nine weeks of the school year. We enjoyed a good “first quarter” and have experienced several noteworthy events both collectively and individually. We are continuously grateful for God’s blessing upon SBEC.

As we move forward, one of the areas that we continue to assess at our school is communication. Because we realize that affective communication is vital to the life of SBEC, it is our priority to keep our families well-informed. To keep you abreast of school news and events occurring at SBEC, we have implemented the use of email blasts, Facebook, and Twitter along with our SBEC website and In Touch newsletter. Soon there will be some additional resources that will further enhance our communication efforts.

One new approach to providing timely information about SBEC begins with this post as we launch our SBEC blog. This will be a weekly publication that will be both informative and brief. Initially, we will begin with a weekly post from a representative of our administrative staff, with plans to expand as we progress. 

Listening is also a key element of effective communication, and we want to listen to you. In the near future you will be extended an opportunity to participate in a school-wide survey. If we have your current email address, you will be emailed a document that we would ask you to complete. Since it is our goal to enhance the things we do well and to address the areas in which we need to improve, your feedback is essential. We thank you in advance for assisting us in this process.

We are honored that you have chosen SBEC for your child. Thank you for entrusting us with your child’s education.  It is our desire that we not just meet but exceed your expectations.  May you and your family experience God’s blessings.

Sincerely,

David Manley