A Word From Our President

During Spring Break it was my privilege to travel with the International Biblical Studies class, consisting of 26 students, and 4 additional faculty members to Costa Rica for the annual IBS mission trip. This was the twelfth international mission trip that SBEC has taken dating back to our first trip to Austria in 2000. Since that time we have been to such countries as Brazil, China, Italy, Russia, Romania, Guatemala and several others. On each trip we spend our time working with local missionaries. It has been my joy to go on ten of the trips and all have been unique in their own way. The recent Costa Rica trip was no exception. Logistically, it was one of the best trips we have taken. Though there were a few minor adjustments, the students and chaperones demonstrated great attitudes and cooperative spirits throughout the trip. Our time was well spent.

You may ask why is it important for us to have a class such as IBS and to take these trips. At SBEC, we want our students to see that the world is much bigger than Desoto County, Mississippi. We are blessed to live in such a great place, but the comforts we experience are not common to most people. We also want our students to experience different cultures. Most important, we want to expose our students to what God is doing throughout the world. We serve a God of the nations and He is at work throughout the world. Finally, we want our students to catch a glimpse of what it means to be on the mission field and to learn from some of the many faithful people who have committed their life to being obedient to God’s calling for the sake of the Gospel.

The IBS class, the Home Missions class, and the mission emphasis in our elementary school serve to provide our students with an awareness of some mission opportunities. What a joy it has been over the years to support and to visit graduates and former staff members of SBEC whom God is using on the mission field, both at home and abroad. Who knows, maybe God used something at SBEC to prompt their hearts to go serve Him. 

David Manley

SBEC President

From Our Elementary Principal

Spring Break is a special time of the year for our entire SBEC family.  It is a time when all concerned can be refreshed, renewed and prepared to face that sprint to the finish line and the conclusion of  another school year.  The spring season officially begins on Tuesday, March 20 but for several weeks now we have seen numerous signs and activities that this special time of the year is about to “burst out” with new growth and changing colors.  This new season and the miraculous events that occur in God’s creation, always remind me of the growth that takes place in our students at this approximate time each year. We trust that over these remaining weeks and months of the 2011-2012 school year that we will continue to see our students grow spiritually, academically, and socially and that these positive changes will lead them to a deeper level of maturity and preparation for the coming years ahead.

 

David Fox

Elementary Principal 

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