Principal Points: Using the Internet

I thought I would use this week’s Principal Points both to review some of what we talked about at the PT CARE Meeting for the sake of those who missed it, and add some further thoughts that we didn’t have time to share.

Personal Plans: As a result of the convergence of a number of factors, Kathy, Moriah, and I will be moving to Grand Rapids in July of 2007. While we had initially been thinking that our move might well be a year later, it appears that God has other plans for us. We have purchased a home on Lake Bella Vista, in Rockford, about 15 minutes north of the city. Our plan is to rent this home out until we move.

At this point neither Kathy nor I have jobs lined up, but I am hoping to get on with Cornerstone University teaching in their graduate studies program. This would enable me to “teach the teachers” which is something I have thought of for many years. While the teachers are working on their master’s degrees, I hope to (finally) start my doctoral program. Kathy will be looking to continue her nursing work in diabetic education.

Leadership Plans: Since God has not seen fit to bring in a new person to work with us through a transition year, my plan is to continue working this year as principal of AKCS (80% time) and Vice-Superintendent of Koinonia (20% time) as I did last year. We are continuing to look for suitable candidates who could join the school at any time this year, or begin next fall. Thus far, there have been over 1500 hits on our advertisement at Education Canada Network, so there is a lot of interest, but there have been only four serious inquiries so far. (We are setting our sights fairly high!)

Education Plans: There have been a number of changes in our program this year: Grade 7 & 8 boys and girls will have separate Phys. Ed. and Bible; Grade 9 Non-French students will have access to Resource Room time for remediation or enrichment. Grade 12’s will be going off campus for more of their Phys. Ed. Teachers have access to the internet, and soon will have access to their files from home. And parents can expect improved reporting from the school through the use of a new online grade book program.

Missions Plans: AKCS is involved in a number of outreach ministries: Mexico, Latvia, South Africa (Victory Schools, Children at Risk Project.) The schools we are reaching in South Africa are truly the “poorest of the poor” and our school is setting an example for schools all over the world to follow by contributing 1% of our budget annually.

In addition, ACSI schools in Western Canada raised $100,000 for the Children at Risk project which reaches students in South Africa who are too poor to afford any kind of school. The Canadian International Development Agency matched those funds with another $200,000, and now hundreds of children who had no hope of ever learning to read and write are getting that chance.

Through our existing ministries we are reaching Latin America, Europe, and Africa, but we want to expand that to some kind of ministry here at home either in Calgary or in another part of Alberta. Keep this in prayer as we seek God’s leading in this regard. We have so much; it is only right to seek to share with those who have much less, and particularly those who need to hear the gospel.

Governance Plans: As we are all aware, there is a growing number of formerly private Christian schools becoming public Christian schools. Most recently, and for the first time in the Calgary area, Heritage and Menno Simons have joined with Palliser public school district. This change brings significant advantages in funding (the main reason for the change) but carries with it significant risks as to their ability to maintain their distinctive character. At the same time, there are a number of people in government beginning to question how the present discriminatory funding towards private schools can be justified any longer. There is a real prospect of all private schools receiving full instructional funding within the next year. Your AKCS Board will be reviewing all of this and seeking to determine the best course for our school. Please keep them in your prayers.

Brian Hazeltine, B.Ed., M.A.
Principal, Airdrie Koinonia Christian School