From Our High School Principal

School seems especially busy right now. Basketball season has ended, but the spring sports of track, soccer, baseball, tennis, and softball are practicing and preparing for their seasons. The spring musical Oklahoma is being performed this week and combines the talents of over 70 students plus a large portion of the high school band. Re-enrollment is complete and new families are applying for the next school year. The Latin students competed in the Mississippi Junior Classical League activities and brought bringing home many 1^st place honors. A lot is happening.

With so much activity, it is easy to become distracted and miss the primary focus of SBEC. Our mission statement states:

As a Christ-centered college preparatory school, SBEC enables our students to:
• know and honor Jesus Christ
• grow in knowledge and wisdom
• reach their God-given potential

As the high school principal, I must always keep that mission foremost in all we do. It is great to have the excellent sports program and the outstanding drama productions, but these activities serve to augment what SBEC is called to do. We teach; we play sports; we perform; we do all for His glory and honor and we want to do everything well because God has called us to excellence. But we must not forget our mission.

Each February our current families decide if SBEC is staying true to its mission and whether they will make a commitment to partner with us for another year. New families come to examine SBEC and see if this is the place they want to send their children. In both instances, my desire is that parents see something unusual at SBEC. I pray they see a school that loves God, loves their children, and loves them. May SBEC never lose sight of its mission nor the God we serve.

Sam Wrigley

High School Principal

From Our Director of Development

Our re-enrollment process has been positive. First, we introduced online enrollment. This web-based advancement in the admissions process confirmed our commitment to being a leader in the integration of technology.

Second, we have experienced a high level of re-enrollment. Within two weeks after the end of our priority re-enrollment period for returning students, we completed the process for 85% of all potential re-enrolling students. Further, an additional 55 students are in some stage of completing their application and making their payment, which soon should bring the re-enrollment percentage to 90%. Approximately 70 other students are in the decision-making phase of the re-enrollment process.

Significantly, we have received 69 applications together with down payments from new students. This week we will begin testing and evaluating these students for enrollment. This number of new applications represents over a 100% increase in new applications that we had at this same time one year ago. Interest in the school is high with daily phone calls, campus tours, and mailing of admission information.

The final Open House of the spring will be held this Sunday afternoon, February 26, from 2-4 PM. Teachers, admissions personnel, and administrators will be present to talk with families about enrolling their children and what to expect in next year’s classes. Tours of the campus will be available together with light refreshments. There is no better time to get to know the school than at our Open House. Moreover, potential students can schedule visitation days to spend a day or less visiting the school with a current student, attending classes, and meeting faculty and other students.

You may come and go or stay as long as you wish at the Open House. For more information, please contact our Admissions Director Sheila Sheron at 662.349.5127.

George Carnall

Director of Development

From Our President

The television game show “The Family Feud” popularized the phrase “the survey said!” At SBEC we have not been playing “The Family Feud”. However, our administrative staff and faculty leadership team have been investing time evaluating what “the survey said”. As you may recall in early November we distributed a survey to school families, school staff, former families, alumni, and current SBEC seniors. Upon our return for the second semester, we began to review the initial results from the survey company, and just recently received hundreds of pages of information that comprise the final document. There were a significant number of people participating in the survey. As a result, we were provided with many valuable insights.

We were so encouraged by the overwhelming number of positive commendations that were voiced regarding SBEC. At the same time, we are equally grateful for the constructive comments that were offered for the purpose of assisting us in our desire to be better. We have taken the time to read through the results and have held discussions both at the administrative and faculty leadership levels. Some of the cited areas have already been addressed, and we will continue to evaluate the information. It is our goal in the near future to provide you with various aspects of the survey results. Thank you for assisting us in this endeavor and for the privilege to partner with you in Christian education.

David Manley
President

From Our Elementary Principal

CAMPUS SECURITY

Our elementary playground and band practice field were recently enclosed by a brand new 6 foot fence.  This new section that is along the north side of our property will now completely enclose the playground area and also add another measure of security to our campus. Our campus (inside and outside) is now being monitored by approximately 60 cameras and additional camera placements are currently being considered, one of which will be positioned to focus on the elementary playground.

As always, we are thankful to have Officer Bruce Holbrook on our campus to assist us with our campus security.  During the school day, Officer Holbrook is constantly patrolling our hallways, parking lot, playground and other outside areas. He also does a great job in assisting our parents and students as they enter and exit our campus from the Getwell Road area as well.

David Fox

Elementary Principal

From the Elementary Assistant Principal

Exciting things are happening in our senior kindergarten classes!

With the addition of several iPad2’s for kindergarten, students are getting their hands on these fabulous educational tools.  Teachers have searched the App Store for applications that complement the topics the students are learning.  Math exercises, comprehension activities, basic sight word drills, and much more are available for preschool in a fun format. Students are able to use the touch screen to play games while they learn important age-appropriate skills.

The teaching staff is amazed and thankful for the student engagement level the iPads have brought to their classrooms.  Teachers are learning about the capabilities of this unique classroom technology device.  This has enabled them to provide a fresh approach to daily practice in important areas while maintaining a playful atmosphere for five and six-year-olds. 

Thanks goes to Emily Hopkins, who serves as SBEC’S technology integrator, for assisting the kindergarten teachers in helpful training and wonderful ideas for their students.

Cathy Laster

Elementary Assistant Principal

From the High School Principal

Genesis 1:26
Then God said, “Let us make man in our image, after our likeness… 

Because we are made in the image of God, every student, every teacher, every staff member of SBEC is a special individual. Each is unique in their gifts and talents and each is worthy of respect and encouragement. As we heard in chapel on January 12^th, God has a unique plan for each student and we try to provide a curriculum that nurtures the student. SBEC exists in part to help students realize what their talents are and to help them develop those talents in a safe environment where failure can occur. Our faculty and staff are ready to assist in student explorations and to pray with and for our students.

With the start of the second semester, seniors are determining their post high school plans, the spring musical Oklahoma is in rehearsal, and basketball is in mid-season. These activities, as well as the academic program, are designed to provide opportunities to help our students flourish. We want each student to reach his or her God-given potential. Since a student’s particular calling may not be known until after graduation, a varied curriculum is provided so that the student will be equipped for whatever God calls for them.

It is easy now to think ahead to spring break or even graduation and miss the daily joys that God places in our path. I try to encourage students to not look too far down the road but to enjoy each day that God provides and to experience His joy. The month of May comes soon enough. For now we will enjoy today.  

Sam Wrigley

High School Principal

A Word From Our Director of Development

January, 2012 brings a new year, new semester, and a chance to begin anew. We enjoy every beginning of a new year. New students have enrolled and our current students have the opportunity to score better than they did last semester.

January also is the month in which we begin our enrollment process for the 2012-2013 school year. For prospective parents and students who want to know more about the school, SBEC will host an Open House on Sunday, January 8, 2012, from 2:00-4:00 pm. Information about our school and personal tours will be available. Families can talk with school administrators and teachers and learn the many benefits of an SBEC education in a relaxed setting with light refreshments. Our school is a Christ-centered, college preparatory school with opportunities in drama, band, and choir for elementary and high school students. In addition, there are seventeen different high school boys and girls athletic teams as well as competitive 5^th and 6^th grade and elementary intramural athletic programs for all students. You may come and go or stay as long as you wish. For more information, contact our Admissions Director Sheila Sheron at 662.349.5127.

We have great news for our enrolling families. SBEC will be offering online enrollment beginning later this month. This web-based advancement in the admissions process confirms our commitment to being a leader in the integration of technology.

For our elementary students, “MUM's the word!” Elementary parents and students are looking forward to "Move Up Mornings" (MUM) in January. Families will be able to "move up" to their child’s grade for next year to hear from the teachers of their next grade level about the exciting and fun things prepared for them. The dates are:

January 10, from 8:30 - 9:15 A.M. for grades Senior K through 2

January 10, from 2:15 – 2:45 P.M. for Junior K afternoon classes

January 12, from 8:30 - 9:15 A.M. for grades 3-6

There is much to be excited about as we begin this new year.

George Carnall

SBEC Director of Development