Saturday: Activities

Service

Each year our students have required ministry service hours, which can be fulfilled in many ways throughout the year. We hope this instills a life-long love of serving others. Many of our students come into each school year having completed all their hours over the summer. What may be surprising is that typically these students are actively participating in other service opportunities throughout the school year as well. 

Pray for all our students as they seek out opportunities to serve others in their communities.

Mark 10:45 For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.

Wednesday - Thanksgiving

I am thankful for technology! Yes, that may be a weird topic for today, but I have had internet issues both at work and at home which has severely limited my ability to keep this blog updated for you this week. This had me considering all the ways we use technology to connect with our school families and friends - emails, blogs, constant contact letters, websites, youtube, facebook, twitter, netclassroom. We have become used to having information at our "fingertips" and on demand, and it is frustrating when we don't have that power to access or relay it! 

I am extremely thankful for our IT department and the team who serves us diligently. The team is made up of  four great men: Craig Terrell (IT Director), Earl Pittman, Mark Robey, and Rob Rogers. They get the frantic "help me now!" calls, service tickets, and emails and work long hours. They patiently listen to us describe our technical glitches, big and small, and diligently fix the issues. We could not serve YOU without THEM!!!!

Psalm 31:19 How great is your goodness, which you have stored up for those who fear you, which you bestow in the sight of men on those who take refuge in you.

Activities

Athletics ~ Fine Arts ~ Missions ~ Service

Fine Arts

The fall play season is in full swing! Auditions have been held, cast lists were posted, and practices are taking place for our fall plays. At Dayton they are putting on the musical You're a Good Man, Charlie Brown, and at Xenia, the students will perform the comedy The Ransom of Red Chief. Let's pray for all involved in the dramas - adults and students!


Pray for the children who have a lot of lines to get under their belt as well as those who are on stage for the first time and battling nerves. Pray for our student directors, as they learn how to guide their fellow classmates in their roles. Pray for patience as the directors determine the best way to pull out hidden talents from their cast. Pray that the students come together as a team, and the veterans are able to be an encouragement to others. Some of our students are also still participating in athletics along with memorizing lines and keeping up with their academics. Pray for balance in their lives, which can be hard to manage at times. 

From pre-season to the closing night, it takes many people to pull off the shows. Parents, volunteers, directors, student directors, cast members, hair and make-up, stage crew, set designers, costume and prop coordinators, choreographers, pit orchestra members - all of them need our prayers during this busy season!  We look forward to supporting them when the curtains go up!

Galatians 6:9 Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.

Friday: Alumni

We have many alumni who are serving on the missions fields. Many have told us this is a direct result of the missions trips they took when they were in DCSS, but others felt the calling later in life. 

Today we want to specifically pray for those missionaries who serve in areas that are dangerous enough that publishing names and locations may be perilous to their lives. Pray that they remain unharmed. Pray that the people to whom they are ministering are open to the Good News and willing to turn from a lifestyle that only leads to death, even though living a new lifestyle may ostracize them. Pray  for our graduates' families, who are worrying about the safety of their loved ones. 


1 Chronicles 16:23-24 “Sing unto the LORD, all the earth; shew forth from day to day his salvation. Declare his glory among the heathen; his marvellous works among all nations.”

Thursday: Administration & Board

Administration

Today, please pray for both Dr. Dave Rough, DCSS Academic Dean, and his wife and administrative assistant, Cathy Rough. They make an amazing team and have huge hearts! Dr. Rough has served as a teacher, Assistant High School Principal, High School Principal, Director of Curriculum and Instruction, and currently as Academic Dean at the Dayton Christian School System, as well as an adjunct professor at the college level. He has had the opportunity to teach leadership to middle school students and high school students, as well as at the undergraduate, masters and doctoral level in higher education. He and Cathy are parents of four wonderful children, and grandparents of eight of the world’s greatest grandchildren. He has the following prayer requests:

General:
·         To build sufficient margin in my life to be able to listen carefully to God’s voice
·         To obtain and maintain a proper balance between tasks and people

Long-range:
·         To maintain a consistent organizational discipline of data collection and program oversight that we bring the school into alignment for ACSI/AdvancED accreditation in 2014

Specific Short Range Requests:
·         Wisdom in the establishment of biblically integrated principal/teacher evaluation rubrics.
·         An openness and sensitivity to the needs of the six principals as they build and create a school culture - Prayer for the weekly meeting I have with each principal.

Luke 9:23 Then he said to them all: “If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me.

Wednesday: Thanksgiving

Let's praise God for His word today! 

Scripture memorization is a powerful tool and a cornerstone of the DCSS education. Even in mid-September, our students have already tucked away several verses this school year. Some of our students memorize completely on their own, while others enlist the help of family members. This is a very nice by-product, since our families are also learning the verses! 

As I have helped my own children memorize their weekly selections, I am taken with their drive to say the verses perfectly. "You only made one mistake, do you want me to sign my name?" "NO! Let me try again!"  Also, my littlest one (now 3rd grade) has to act out the verses to "make it stick" which has been very amusing to watch. 

May these verses "stick" with our children for years to come, equipping them with promises, faith, hope, encouragement, and wisdom.

Psalm 119:11 I have hidden your word in my heart that I might not sin against you.

Tuesday: Students

Here's a photo of our students at a festival booth in Xenia over the weekend. It is always great to see our children enthusiastic about going to a Christian school. They are our biggest advertisers, really! 

One of our students invited a public school friend to attend our athletic events last year. He really liked the difference. Then he shadowed during the school day. He was totally sold then! Both he and his sister are now in our school system. I don't think I ever have seen him without a beaming smile on his face! He is one of our biggest supporters and is always talking about the difference Christian education has made in his world.

Pray for our students as they reach out to their friends and family, and that their walk is different enough to compel others to want the peace and joy that they have.

Philippians 4:19 And my God will meet all your needs according to his glorious riches in Christ Jesus.

Monday: Faculty & Staff

Staff

Today we are going to pray for our Health Services staff shown here left to right: Debbie Smith, Sarah Schrinner, and Sue Saxe. They take care of all our students when they are sick, keep track of those students with allergies, and are ever vigilant in teaching our children about staying healthy and safe. They have extremely interesting videos and presentations that have sparked more than one conversation at home!

Pray that our Health Services staff stays healthy this year and they are patient when dealing with the not-so-nice by-products of illnesses. Pray that they can quickly and carefully assess situations and that they are able to calm their patients and parents.  Pray that they are able to keep up with all the required codes and paperwork.

Although we do not like receiving those "calls" from them, we love their servants' hearts and know our children are in wonderful care!

2 Corinthians 9:8 And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work.

Sunday: Partners

Parents ~ Churches ~ Friends ~ Donors ~ Grandparents

Friends

We have a lot of friends!! They are people who have no children who have attended our schools, but they are supportive of us nonetheless. They attend our events, they pray for us, and they donate time and money to us. Some of them scream the loudest, clap the longest, and laugh the hardest. You know some, because you introduced them to our school system! 

Pray for all our friends. Pray that they see God in all we do and are positively impacted, no matter what their walk with Him. Pray that they draw closer to Him.

Saturday: Activities

Athletics ~ Fine Arts ~ Missions ~ Service

Missions

Every year we send teams of students and leaders around the world. It's that time for our students to sign up and get their applications in!

In the last 20 years alone, we've sent out 1,518 students and 382 leaders on 122 trips. 

This year our students are currently signing up for four high school trips during J-Term (Costa Rica, Dominican Republic, France, and Jamaica) and one junior high trip during spring break to Chicago.

These trips change the lives of the those we minister to, but also make an incredible impact on our students and leaders. One student told me that she loves going on the trips because the simple yet great love of God the people have in these countries makes her realize what is truly important in life. She feels that sometimes she is the one being ministered to!

Nancy Snook is our Missions Trip Director. She does an amazing job each year of coordinating all the trips and has the following prayer requests.

1. Wisdom for families as they decide about their child going on a trip

2. That each trip will reflect God well as we partner with organizations and missionaries

3. Team members to be willing to give up personal wants/expectations for the good of the team

4. God would begin/continue to work in the hearts of the people to whom we will minister

5. Airline costs to France will go down soon 

Isaiah 52:7 How beautiful on the mountains are the feet of those who bring good news, who proclaim peace, who bring good tidings, who proclaim salvation, who say to Zion, “Your God reigns!”

Friday: Alumni

Here is a 1979 yearbook photo of our students praying together. This is not unusual. You will still frequently find our students gathered together in prayer groups over lunch, in sporting events, in hallways, around poles, and just because! 

But what happens when they graduate? These situations are not so common anymore and sometimes require specific intent.

Our prayers today are that our graduates are still engaged in this kind of communion with God, that they are finding opportunities to gather with Christ-followers, and that they have a vibrant prayer-life. 

Matthew 18:19-20 “Again, I tell you that if two of you on earth agree about anything you ask for, it will be done for you by my Father in heaven. For where two or three come together in my name, there am I with them.”

Thursday: Administration & Board

Administration

This is a photo of those who comprise our administrative team.  From left to right, we have Katie Carl (Special Education Director), Natalie Demana (XC Elementary Principal), Tara Lee (DCSS Homeschool Principal), Rich Garrett (DC Middle School Principal), Mark Shaeffer (Assistant to the Academic Dean), Monica Woods (DC Elementary Principal), Dave Rough (Academic Dean), Bob Elliott (DCSS President/CEO), Brent Davis (DC High School Principal), Jenny Reno (DC High School Assistant Principal), Joe Batchelor (XC Middle and High School Principal), Michelle Miller (XC High School Assistant Principal), Mitzi Hanks (Director of Curriculum and Development), and Ann Skolik (DCSS School Psychologist). 

They meet together several times a month and are affectionately called the A-Team. Please pray them both individually and collectively as they pursue their goals for this school year.


John 15:7 If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be given you.

Wednesday: Thanksgiving

Praise to God that we have over 140 people who have signed up for the Prayer Project! We hope you find it a blessing to pray for our school system this year. 

We in turn praise Him for our friends who support the schools on a regular basis with their gifts and prayers. Without their support, we would not be able to educate our children or offer the various programs we have. 

Psalm 100:4 Enter his gates with thanksgiving and his courts with praise; give thanks to him and praise his name.

Tuesday: Students

Chapel

I remember at an open house last year, one potential student was a musician and could hardly wrap her mind around the fact we had praise bands and chapels. "You are allowed to do this in school?" she asked in disbelief. While she was  thrilled with the possibility of actually playing in a praise band and attending chapel, many of our students have been through hundreds of chapels and the novelty has worn off for some. 

This week please pray specifically for our students'  attitude about chapel and that it would be a meaningful and joyous time for them. Pray that they would grow closer in their walk with Christ, are motivated to praise Him, and really look forward chapel days!

Our faculty and staff members put a lot of time and consideration into chapels, planning topics that will appeal and reach the hearts of our students. We are so blessed to have people with a gift for this critical aspect of our schools. 

Psalms 150 Praise the LORD! Praise God in his sanctuary; praise him in his mighty heavens! Praise him for his mighty deeds; praise him according to his excellent greatness! Praise him with trumpet sound; praise him with lute and harp! Praise him with tambourine and dance; praise him with strings and pipe! Praise him with sounding cymbals; praise him with loud clashing cymbals! Let everything that has breath praise the LORD! Praise the LORD!

Monday: Faculty & Staff

Teachers hold such a special place in our children’s hearts. If one were to ask us who our favorite teacher was, in an instant, we can all recall a name and face. Our own child can do that. When I ask what is the criterion of making a teacher a favorite, the answers are varied: he tells funny jokes, she let us write our spelling words with shaving cream, she taught me how to say my Bible verses a new way.

DCSS  teachers have the responsibility of caring for our children during the day, and we are incredibly grateful that you trust them to our schools.  Please especially pray for your child’s teacher this year, all year. Pray that they see qualities in your child that perhaps you don’t and are able to encourage them as God-given talents start to emerge. Pray for them that on those days when they think they might not know how to reach our children, God grants them understanding and wisdom.

So, who was your favorite teacher?

Proverbs 2:6  For the Lord gives wisdom, and from his mouth come knowledge and understanding.

Sunday: Partners

Parents ~ Churches ~ Friends ~ Donors ~ Grandparents

Today, please remember to pray for our churches.  From our student body, we have over 275 different churches represented! Each week, hundreds of pastors are preparing to speak boldly from the word of God, proclaiming the good news to all who will hear. Pray that they persevere throughout the year and do not grow weary. God has given them a mighty task. Please pray that the students and families are open to truth they hear, are transforming their lives to please God, and are, in turn, changing the world.

2 Corinthians 9:8  And God is able to bless you abundantly, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work.

Saturday: Activities

Athletics ~ Fine Arts ~ Missions ~ Service

Athletics

Please pray for all our student-athletes during this fall sports season, that they are balancing their school work with their practice and game times. 

We have hundreds of students participating in athletics and pushing themselves to do their best in cheer, cross country, golf, football, soccer, and volleyball. Please pray that God would protect them from injuries.

Psalm 139:14 I praise you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made. Wonderful are your works; my soul knows it very well.

Friday: Alumni

Did you know we have over 5,000 graduates from the schools over the years? Connecting with them is a big task, but we have just the man.

Dean Sellers is the Alumni Relations Coordinator for the Dayton Christian School System. He is a graduate of DC, and he is doing an outstanding job reaching out to the former students. He has the following specific requests for this school year:

1. The upcoming DC “All-Alumni Reunion” October 12^th and 13^th – that it will be a true “homecoming” for our graduates!
2. Pray that more alumni will be led to join in the 50^th Anniversary “Prayer Project”, dedicating one day each month to immerse the ongoing ministry in united prayer.
3. For our graduates involved daily in Christian ministry here at home.
4. For alumni who serve overseas in the mission field
5. That we can more effectively reach our 4,095 graduates, to communicate our message from Hebrews 13:1 “Let brotherly love continue” and our mission “To welcome all former students, graduates, parents, faculty, and staff back to the Dayton Christian School family; facilitating reconnection with each other, and interconnection opportunities with the ongoing ministry.”

Philippians 1:6 being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.

Thursday: Administration & Board

Administration

A school administrator wears many hats, which can change at a moment's notice. Days can end up being quite hectic. Please pray that as perhaps challenging situations arise, our administrators respond graciously, controlled, and in a manner that is well-pleasing to our God. So many eyes are upon them - co-workers, students, parents - their burden can be quite heavy but the love for their school is great. We will be praying for specific administrators throughout the year.

During the summer, it is very quiet on the campus. Oddly quiet. I've asked administrators if they like the change from the noisy hustle and bustle of students all over the place to silence and empty classrooms and hallways. They say it's ok for a bit, but then it feels strange - after all, schools are meant for students, and without them, it is unnatural. They miss the kids! Hooray for the enthusiastic start of school where everything is back to "normal" and the sounds of laughter and energy fill the building.

Wednesday: Thanksgiving!

We are humbled by and ever so thankful for God's faithfulness to the Dayton Christian School System.

Here is a specific praise from one of our teachers: When the school year ended last year, a young lady talked with me about the possibility of not being able to return this year due to finances.  I agreed to pray for and with her, asking God to make a way.  The concern was that only one of the children in the family would be able to come.  This summer, while preparing my classroom, the young lady came to tell me that both she and her little brother would be returning to DC.  As we talked, I was blessed to see the amazement in her eyes as she told me that everything fell into place perfectly. We were able to praise God for his provision for her family. He is faithful.   

God is so good - and it is especially wonderful when we see His little ones start to understand just how good He is! I am thankful that our students are in an environment that they can openly proclaim His goodness to all around them!

Psalm 100:5 For the Lord is good and his love endures forever; his faithfulness continues through all generations.

Tuesday: Students

Pray for all our students: PreK-12!!

It is so wonderful to see the little ones lining up in our hallway with their smiles!  Pray that as our young students are adjusting from their summer schedules into their new school schedules, they would be attentive to their teachers and kind to their classmates. They are learning new processes of getting through their days, and this can be a difficult time.

Pray that our new students would be readily accepted, that any fears of theirs would be diminished, and they are enveloped in our school family with open arms.

Our middle school and high school students - wow – have these kids grown over the summer! Pray for smooth transitions from class to class and that they can keep up with their homework assignments.  

Pray for our homeschooled students, that they cooperate with their teaching parent and are patient as they go through this wonderful journey with someone who knows and loves them dearly.

Monday: Faculty & Staff

Faculty and Staff

It's Labor Day, so please pray that our wonderful faculty and staff enjoy their day off. Also, don't forget our dedicated homeschool teaching parents!

Pray that our teachers get to know their students quickly and learn how best to teach each child individually as also they manage their entire classroom, modeling Christ throughout the day. It's not a small task to dive into a full classroom, remember names, faces, likes, and dislikes, but our teachers enjoy it!

During the August Meet the Teacher Night at XC, my son wasn't so much concerned about all the differences between 3rd and 4th grade as much as he was utterly consumed with the fact that his desk was way too tiny for him and that his legs didn't fit under the top. How was he supposed to learn for the year if his knees were unhappy? I told him to be patient, because on the first day, Mrs. Dizer would help him and all his classmates. Of course, she did, and all was well!

1 Samuel 12:23 Moreover, as for me, far be it from me that I should sin against the Lord by ceasing to pray for you, and I will instruct you in the good and the right way.

Sunday: Partners

Parents ~ Churches ~ Friends ~ Donors ~ Grandparents

“The mission of the Dayton Christian School System is to partner with responsible Christian families and their churches in educating their children to become like Christ and preparing them to fulfill God's purpose for their lives.” (DCSS Mission Statement)

I love reading that. Dayton Christian School System is partnering with me! That is extremely comforting. However, even though our mission statement talks about our children becoming more Christ-like, we as parents need to model that daily for them as well. That's easier said than done.

Today, please specifically pray for the parents of our students. Life is increasingly more demanding and busier than ever. Between shuttling children, going to work, attending church, family, sports, and fine arts events, etc., it can be hard to find time to focus on our own spiritual growth, and we can become as dry, brown, and prickly as the grass is in my front yard!  Pray that we become more intentional about drinking from the Word and getting refreshed. 

John 4:13-14 Jesus answered, “Everyone who drinks this water will be thirsty again, but whoever drinks the water I give them will never thirst. Indeed, the water I give them will become in them a spring of water welling up to eternal life.”

Saturday: Activities

Athletics ~ Fine Arts ~ Missions ~ Service

Please pray for our fall athletic teams. It is our desire that as our children use their talents and hearts in various ways, that they remember they are first to be Ambassadors and Warriors for God, and that all the participants (be they opponents, coaches, fans, parents, teammates) are blessed by their actions on and off the field, court, and greens.