Monthly notes from the Superintendent

November 15, 2011

"Whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God." (I Corinthians 10:31b NIV) Our kids are enthusiastically striving to follow this instruction!

Our cross country team shared their faith at the IHSA State meet! Not only did they run a great race while displaying CHRISTIAN on their uniforms, but they boldly invited other runners to join them for prayer. One of our young men gave a short devotion and opened a time of voluntary prayer with young runners from schools across the state!

Our football team seeks to honor Christ by playing "For Him" each week. If you get up close, you'll notice scripture references written on taped wrists and hands. But from the stands their witness is seen in the way they play, interact with opponents, and react to challenges. Team parents have tagged this team as "Overcomers." The season has been plagued by injury, yet the coaches and young men have achieved victory through adversity!

Similarly, I believe that as a school family we are achieving victory through adversity! Financial struggles have plagued the school and so many individual families, but we are faithfully standing together. Souls have been saved, lives are being changed, and students are growing in knowledge and maturity each day. Earlier this year I challenged us to be light in our city, and I believe that the Lord is using the staff, students, and parents of Aurora Christian School to illuminate His glory. This school year is only about 1/3 of the way complete; we will have so many more opportunities to shine for Christ. We should seize every opportunity! Please continue to encourage one another and to impact our community for the Lord.

Use this season of Thanksgiving and Christmas (and football playoffs!) to share the Truth with everyone you meet!

Believing in God's faithfulness,
Collette House, Superintendent

ACS Testimonies

A mom just mentioned that she is getting her daughter back again. Over the past few years, this mom has felt like her daughter was slipping away. Her daughter was becoming more withdrawn, quiet... not herself. She was struggling with her identity... not really feeling like she belonged or had a place. Just recently, the mom sees her daughter smiling more and reading her Bible more. She is talking about her love for God again. She enjoys coming to school and is excited about getting plugged back into sports. Mom is so grateful she made the decision to send her daughter to ACS!

If you have a testimony you'd like to share, please email it to scott.oleson@aurorachristian.org or, if you are willing, share it here on our facebook page.

Congratulations to Mike Fry for bringing the DeBoef family to the tailgate open house in early October. The Deboefs and the Frys each won $500 scholarship toward tuition for next school year. Be looking for more incentives, including at tonight's Open House!

God Bless,
Scott Oleson, Admissions/Advancement Manager

You may have seen a note in the newspaper during October regarding "a pending lawsuit" by Fifth Third Bank regarding a line of credit. Our summer agreement with the bank included resolution of that issue, but the paperwork remained on file and open to media review. On November 3, the bank's Complaint was permanently dismissed by court order in Kane County and our working relationship with the bank is positive.

We are continuing to work for the long-term success of Aurora Christian School. Please pray for God's guidance and blessing. The goal is to remain on Sullivan Road, and we will share more details when we are able.

ACS Board of Directors

September 15, 2011

I received a personal e-mail from an ACS parent today... no questions... no problems... just a note full of Scripture and encouragement written specifically to me!! I struggled to maintain my composure and took a few moments to thank the Lord for His provision. God provided for us to remain here on campus this year... God provided energetic students to fill our hallways... God provided godly teachers to lead your children... God provided blessings to allow so many families to be here at ACS... and today God provided an emotional "hug" for me when I wasn't expecting it! He truly is an awesome God!!

I shouldn't be surprised when the Lord showers me with His blessings, but I tend to get caught up in the urgencies of daily life. I often forget that while He is faithful to handle my needs, He desires to care for my soul. Has God surprised you lately?

My prayer today for each one of you is Psalm 46:10: "Be still, and know that I am God."

And then my challenge today for each one of you is this: Be the hands... be the feet... or be the surprising "hug from Jesus" that will confirm His amazing love in someone's life! Please don't let this 2011-2012 school year be just another year. I am convinced that Aurora Christian School is here for a reason...that each one of us - staff, students, parents - should shine Christ's Light in our "City of Lights."

Together, we could light up the world!
Collette House, Superintendent

ACS Testimonies

I am excited to share with you some of the amazing testimonies of how Aurora Christian has positively changed the lives of people who call ACS home! If you have a story to share, I would love to hear from you. I have been personally impacted by these testimonies and I hope you are blessed, too.

Late this summer, a dad came into my office and commented on how amazing our school is. He explained: "When I stepped out of my car and put my feet on the parking lot of this school, I felt something very different about this place. As my family and I entered the building, two friendly high school students enthusiastically greeted us and held the doors as we entered and they exited the building. By the time we walked through the doors of Aurora Christian, we knew this was the school for us! I am not sure what it is about this place, but there is something very special about Aurora Christian."

ACS on FACEBOOK

If you haven't already, visit our facebook page and 'like' us to join our online community (www.facebook.com/aurorachristian)! Check out our discussion board and events for new posts, comment on photos, and let us know how we can pray for you! We are working to improve our web presence - if you have great ideas and would like to get involved, please let us know!

If you have a testimony you'd like to share, please email it to scott.oleson@aurorachristian.org, or if you are willing, share it here on our facebook page.

God Bless,
Scott Oleson, Admissions/Advancement Manager

Last year's UnderOneRoof project was incredible! We met so many dads, moms, grandparents, and friends of ACS who volunteered to transform our preschool and elementary wings. I believe that we grew closer as a community by working together toward a common goal. If you were a part of that project: THANK YOU!!! If you missed out on working together for UnderOneRoof, there are always ways to get involved through service.

Do you have a love for landscaping? Do you like to work with your hands? Would you enjoy a project in which you can see immediate, tangible results? Have you been looking for a way to meet more people at ACS? Do you want to get plugged in here, but have yet to find the place to do so? If the answer is "Yes" to any of these questions but you aren't sure where to get started, please email me at tom.chase@aurorachristian.org. I will be in touch with you to discuss where you can best serve.

Thank you for your help - I'm excited to see ACS parents and friends come out of the woodwork!
Tom Chase, Facilities Manager

We are so blessed by the outpouring of support for Aurora Christian School. We are honored and humbled by the Lord's call to serve him through governance of this institution. Please continue to pray for His guidance and wisdom as we plan for the school's future based on our significant financial obligations. We are working with Fifth Third Bank through our attorneys, and are exploring relocation options for 2012-2013. The process is slow and there are many details to consider; so please be patient and trust that we are seeking God's direction and wise counsel. Our goal is to provide you with solid information regarding next school year before the start of this year's second semester.

ACS Board of Directors

August 4, 2011

August is here!! June was a difficult month as we waited for direction, but the Lord is faithful and we are gearing up for a great year! We're continuing to work on long-term solutions for our financial stability, and will have more updates over the coming months. I firmly believe that these difficult times are illuminating areas in which we need to improve. We are growing stronger as a family and healthier as an organization. Thank you again for your consistent prayers, patience, and support. I hope you'll join me this fall to pray for our students, families, and staff... I'll publish Family Prayer times in future communication!

The operating budget for this 2011-2012 school year is based on enrollment of 600 with some basic fundraising efforts. We are excited to have confirmed solid enrollment just over 600 students and are continuing to receive inquiries and meet with new families each week. Praise the Lord that we were able to re-issue contracts to all full time faculty that expressed desire to return! Our teachers are on deck, and we are moving forward with all courses and electives as planned (based on request numbers).

Mr. Scott Etchison is expanding his reach... and will provide principal leadership to Aurora Christian Middle School! He has already been working with the teachers and we're excited about the MS team's plans for a fantastic year! As a result of this change, we have combined our efforts and now have one Main Office. We think you'll love it!

More details will be coming, but I wanted to touch base. We're excited to welcome your kids the week of August 22 and to meet with you for "Re-Orient." Don't hesitate to let us know how you'd like to get involved: chaperoning field trips, volunteering on campus, assisting at events, serving on committees, etc. We'd love for you to fully experience being part of the ACS Family!

Collette House, Superintendent

DETAILS

*** Time Change***
2011-2012 elementary school day is 8:05am - 3:10pm
2011-2012 half-day kindergarten school day is 8:05am - 11:35am

All enrolled families must register online with FACTS Tuition Payment Plan, and payments must be current for students to begin school on August 22. Please check out the Admissions tab of the website or call the Finance Office for assistance.

Supply lists are available on the school website www.aurorachristian.org. Go to your school level tab (PRESCHOOL, ELEMENTARY, MIDDLE SCHOOL, or HIGH SCHOOL), and then click on "FORMS" along the left side of the page.

PS/ES teacher assignments will be published on August 16. Be watching for an e-mail from Mr. Etchison when those are available.

MS/HS student schedules will be posted on RenWeb near the end of next week. Be watching for an e-mail from Mrs. Henning when those go online.

High school sports begin Wednesday, August 10. Make sure that your sports physical is up-to-date! Go to the Athletics Calendar on our school website for event details. Feel free to contact the main office or athletic department with questions.

IMPORTANT DATES

Monday, August 8, 7:00pm: Fall Sports Parents' Meeting
Tuesday, August 9, 6:00 - 7:15pm: MS New Parent Orientation
Tuesday, August 9, 7:30 - 9:00pm: HS New Parent Orientation
Friday, August 12: Midnight Madness/Eagle Rewind
Friday, August 19, 7:00pm: Preschool through 5th grade "Re-Orient"
MONDAY, AUGUST 22: FIRST DAY of SCHOOL! (Preschool through 9th grade)
Monday, August 22, 7:00pm: MS/HS "Re-Orient"
Tuesday, August 23: First Day of School (10th-12th grade)
Thursday, August 25: MS Fall Olympics and HS Class Outings

The school website contains the most current and updated calendar. You can find it under Quicklinks at the top right of the homepage.

July 11, 2011

Hello, ACS Families!

Thanks so much for your patience and prayers over the last few months. We are excited to plan for the 2011-2012 school year! If you have not yet responded regarding your enrollment status, please call the office ASAP. If we don't have a response from you by at least July 20, we will have to assume your student is withdrawn so that we can adequately staff for the fall. Our faculty are anxiously waiting to know if they will have the opportunity to continue teaching your kids! If you have concerns or enrollment questions, please contact Mr. Oleson at scott.oleson@aurorachristian.org

Here are answers to some recently asked questions:

Our lease agreement for the Sullivan campus is through the entire 2011-2012 school year. I can't make any promises about our security on the Sullivan campus after this school year, but I know that God is faithful! I personally believe that He will make a way for us to remain, but we will do our due diligence. In August, we will begin work on long-term solutions and possible alternate plans for the 2012-2013 school year. If a move is necessary, we will announce a location before the start of second semester so that we can appropriately plan and prepare as a community. We should not be in a "down to the wire" situation again, and we will keep the school families informed throughout the process.

Our agreement with the bank is not a foreclosure, but is a "deed-in-lieu." The bank now holds the deeds to our property. We will pay no interest or debt service funds, and any property sales will reduce our overall debt. The lawsuit based on the operating line of credit has been dropped, and the bank will not pursue any further legal action during our lease term.

With the elimination of interest payments and a very reasonable lease payment offered by Fifth Third Bank, we will operate within a balanced budget for 2011-2012. We are continuing to implement financial procedures and controls to ensure a fiscally responsible organization. Expect to see more information throughout the year regarding our annual budgets and financial status.

I received this amazing note from one of our teachers:

It keeps occurring to me that while the LORD could part the sea for us, as he has in the past, he might also be doing a new thing where he sustains us in the desert; where technically, we shouldn't be able to survive. I keep coming across scriptures that talk about that. I read about Elijah being fed by ravens and a stream in the desert during the time of famine. (I think there was no rain because God was using a drought to accomplish his purposes.) Then the Lord sent him to a widow with only a little flour and oil left. She and her son were about to run out of food, but she shared with Elijah and that jar never ran out. It didn't appear to be full, either, though. My guess is it stayed there looking empty but she, her son and Elijah had enough to eat for around three years.

Miracles come in many forms and the almost, but never empty jar is as wonderful as a parted sea. In this time of national financial crisis, maybe a full jar wouldn't be as good as we think. I personally like full jars, and when it comes to the Holy Spirit, I hope my cup runneth over; but maybe right now we need to be okay with the almost empty jar and trust God for our daily bread.

This perspective was very encouraging to me, and I know that my faith is being grown every day!

I hope that you are able to enjoy time with family and friends this summer, and that you are able to spend some extra time in God's Word. I am leaving today for my first trip to Europe! I am meeting a missionary friend (who used to teach here at ACS) in Prague, Czech Republic. We plan to also visit Krakow, Budapest, Vienna, Salzburg, and Munich... so, I'll be out of town for the remainder of July! I will be back in touch and will send another update the first week of August. Thanks for your continued prayers!

Collette House

We are seeking the following positions:

Full-time Staff Position - Financial Manager

Volunteer Position - Finance Committee members

Please contact board member Al Wolff at alnancykaylee@comcast.net if you are qualified and interested.

Thursday, June 2, 2011

Dear ACS Family,

We had a great turnout for our All-School Finance Update last night! I know that many families were unable to attend the meeting, and I want to make sure that you have all the important facts! Tomorrow we will post a video of the Wednesday night meeting on the school website. If you'd like to hear everything first-hand, you may find the link below this note.

I opened the evening with the information contained in this Memo. Our financial advisors, Jay Schuette and Nick Calamos, explained details of our bank negotiations. There was a great time of questions & answers, and Mr. House shared his heart. Families reluctantly retrieved their tuition deposit checks, and the overwhelming sentiments were unity and a desire to "stand together as ACS." So many parents encouraged me and each other to make prayer a priority... the Lord is in control and His plans are perfect!

The following information was shared on Wednesday night:

Please don't believe all of the rumors you may have heard! ACS is NOT closing. We will have school in the fall! Aurora Christian School exists because of Christian teachers and families committed to working together for the education of our children. Our faculty and staff are committed to moving forward. We feel called to educate your kids and lead them toward Christ, and if you - our school families - stand with us, we will move forward together!

The primary financial strain is that we have an $18 million debt from the development of the Sullivan campus. Due to the commercial real estate market, our property values have dropped from over $30 million to around $6 million! So our current property values no longer secure the collateral for our debt. Over the last few years we have trimmed operating costs by over $1 million annually. We are operating responsibly, but there is no way that tuition and fundraising can cover the costs of our large loan. We must find a way to reduce our overall debt. Our financial team has developed a proposal to restructure our debt and are in negotiations with Fifth Third Bank. Fifth Third has been a great ally; they loaned us the funds to develop this beautiful campus, enabling us to provide Christian education on this property for the last 7 years. The proposed plan will not only help ACS achieve long-term financial stability, but should also help the bank as they work with us on a restructured loan.

Our priority is to achieve long-term financial health. Remaining on this Sullivan campus is our desire! But we are proactively planning in case that isn't possible. If we must allow the bank to foreclose on this campus, we will move to an alternate location. We have been researching locations and have some excellent options. If the Lord moves us in that direction, we should be able to release more details by the end of June.

Aurora Christian is moving forward! But we are taking several steps for your financial safety!

Tuition Deposits

We have not deposited any 2011-2012 funds into ACS bank accounts due to our continued bank negotiations. As those negotiations become more difficult, we do not want to jeopardize your money. With your financial security in mind, we are returning all tuition deposits to families! Your enrollment stands firm! We hope that you will hold your check and return it when our negotiations stabilize.

FACTS Tuition Payments

We have authorized FACTS to continue tuition payment draws. Payments drawn by FACTS Tuition Management are held in escrow by a third party vendor. Those funds will not be transferred to ACS bank accounts until negotiations are complete and accounts are secure.

Family Choice

If your family chooses to withdraw from ACS prior to August 1, your tuition payments will be fully refunded. Official withdrawal forms are available in the school offices. (Following withdrawal, if a family chooses to re-enroll, 2011-2012 tuition rates will apply and prior TAP awards will be null and void.)

We hope that every family will choose to move forward with us. The strength of our programs and our school depends on our ability to plan for next year and staff appropriately. Our faculty are amazing and committed, but teacher contracts cannot be renewed until we have a solid idea of our enrollment needs!

We expect to have more answers within a few weeks. However, regardless of the status of our bank negotiations, we will make a decision regarding school location by June 30. I will send a Memo update each Wednesday to keep you in the loop. I will also host a time of "prayer, worship, and update" each Thursday night in June at 7:00pm in the theater.

Our God is an AWESOME God! I have a peace that passes understanding... I believe that He will sustain Aurora Christian School. Please join me in praying boldly for the Lord's provision - He can accomplish more than we could ever even ask or imagine!!

Collette House

Superintendent

***Our athletic director Dan Beebe (along with many of our coaches) will be conducting an athletics meeting this Sunday, June 5, at 4:00pm in the theater to answer any questions you have about interscholastic sports.

ACS All School Finance Update 6/1/11 from dan on Vimeo.

May, 2011

Good afternoon. I decided to hold off on this newsletter until I could give you a recap of some of the "May-hem!"

Our faculty and staff were so impressed by the outpouring of love you showed us during Teacher Appreciation Week. It was evident that so many of you joined together to honor our teachers. Thank you SO much! Additional thanks need to be expressed for the parent volunteers who coordinated the week - their efforts were above and beyond the call of duty! Please see their letter below.

CityServe 2011 was a huge success!! Thank you to all who helped out in preparations and service last Friday! Our students, big and small, impacted our communities in ways that only kids can do. One of my favorite memories of the day was seeing the entire student body assembled in the bleachers, having a great time TOGETHER! The retirement home residents were overjoyed by the songs in the hearts of our preschool and kindergarten children, and they were encouraged by chatting with our 3rd and 4th graders. The cards created by our 1st and 2nd graders are being delivered to local service personnel, and the hats made by our 5th and 6th graders will be distributed in a few weeks. We delivered loaves of bread to 850 East Aurora elementary school families and were able to witness some of the joy on the children's faces! Several of the food bank directors our 7th and 8th grade students served were nearly moved to tears as they expressed their gratitude, and our high school students proved the saying that "many hands make light work" as several of our projects were completed in record time! The kids had great attitudes and definitely were lights in our city! Our mission to prepare children for "a life of service to Christ and their world" was advanced this month through CityServe.

Junior-Senior Banquet, music concerts, elementary Field Day, Senior Reception, and scores of athletic contests have come and gone, and we're counting down the days to Graduation! It's been a great month... a great capstone to a wonderful school year!

As we look forward, I know that there are many valid concerns and many rumors regarding our financial health and survival. We believe that the Lord will sustain and bless Aurora Christian School, and we are making every effort in your best interest to secure a long-term solution to our debt. The bank negotiations are still in process, but we have received no firm commitment. However, we want to give you a complete update on our status so that you can prayerfully seek the Lord's direction for your family and Aurora Christian School. Our board and financial advisors will be conducting an all-family meeting here on campus next Wednesday, June 1, at 7:00pm.

We will brief you on bank negotiations, which have intensified over the last few weeks. In all likelihood, those negotiations will not be fully resolved by next Wednesday's all-school meeting; however, we are compiling best-case and worst-case scenarios to present to the entire school family. We will openly present all options so that you can make informed decisions for your family. Plan to join us next Wednesday night to discuss the status of ACS and our plans for the future. We continue to value your prayers and support.

Collette House

Dear Parents and Grandparents,

Our first ever Teacher Appreciation Celebration "Under One Roof" was a huge success and we wanted to take the time to once again, formally thank each and every one of your for all of your generous donations and for all you did to support National Teacher Appreciation Week at ACS.

All of the events throughout the week were extremely successful and we could not have accomplished any of it without your ongoing support and assistance. Thank you so very much for the various contributions, including monetary donations, the various breakfast and luncheon items, set-up and clean-up, flowers, volunteering to decorate a door or two, assisting with child-care, peanuts, popcorn, cotton candy, animal crackers, etc. We could go on and on; we told you all what we needed, and in your usual fashion, you came through with flying colors!

Our 2011 theme, "Under the Big Red Top" was well received by the teachers, staff, and students alike and by all indications everyone had a wonderful, fun, and enjoyable week. The circus came to town and it certainly was the Greatest Show Around!

We are truly blessed to have such wonderful and amazing teachers and staff at ACS and equally blessed to have great parents/grandparents like each of you.

Thanks again and we appreciate all of your support and generosity.

Blessings,

Jacquelyn Lee-Stevens
Ginger Easton-Abbatacola
Sarah Woolridge

April 15, 2011

It's finally time to pause... to take a breath... to relax at home or to see the sights... to gear up for the final month of the 2010-2011 school year! When we return to school on May 2, there will be less than three weeks to prepare for cityserve 2011!

You'll notice a few changes this year. We are not using this day of service as a fundraiser... we are not asking families to do any personal solicitation. Based on this, the Serve-a-Thon team had been feeling an urge to make the event more personalized to Aurora Christian. So we chose a new name to more accurately depict our purpose: to spend a day filling needs within our local communities. We hope that as we continue to grow this outreach, other Christians and local ministries will join us for the this Day of Service. Sam Miller, a senior student that is excelling in graphic arts... and that you may have seen leading worship with his guitar, or making a huge play on the football field... designed our cityserve logo. He did an amazing job capturing the heart of this project!

One thing that hasn't changed is our need for scores of parents to help chaperone and drive to various locations. I've already received e-mails from several of you who have committed to join in the service... thanks SO much!! We need so many more of you to jump on board! Your participation will help us make an unmistakable impact for Christ on our community. Don't miss it!

Here's a brief overview of the outreach projects for cityserve 2011:

Preschool & Kindergarten	Musical program for senior citizens at local nursing homes
1st & 2nd Grade	Cards for local servicemen and women Attachments to bread loaves for distribution to those in need
3rd & 4th Grade	Social interaction and games with senior citizens at local nursing homes
5th Grade	Bliss Woods trail cleanup
6th Grade	Hats for cancer patients
7th Grade	Assistance in local East Aurora elementary school classrooms
8th Grade	Assistance at several area food banks
9th-12th Grade	Students will be participating in a variety of projects at the following locations: Wayside Cross Northern Illinois Food Bank Kendall County Food Pantry Holmstad Nursing Home Rachel's Place Sunnymere Mutual Ground Twin Rivers Head Start Rebuilding Together Fox Valley Park District Riverwoods Christian Center

*Marketing opportunity: If you have a small business and make a donation of at least $500 to cityserve 2011,
we'll print your logo on our cityserve 2011 t-shirts... hundreds of walking mini-billboards
will promote your business on May 20 and for months or years to come!

Thank you so much for your support and prayers for ACS and our financial team! The bank meeting last week went well, and positioned our advisors for further negotiations. Please continue to pray over the next few weeks as those negotiations continue.

Have a fantastic Easter vacation! I'm praying that the Lord will bless your time with family and friends as you celebrate Jesus Christ's sacrifice and resurrection!!

Collette House

Last month we informed you about our Eagle Ambassador program and asked you to pray about your child applying for this opportunity. Well, the response was amazing. With no history to rely upon and very little understanding of what this program is exactly, we had almost 80 students apply! We were truly blown away by how many students genuinely desire to make a difference in our school.

Over the last four weeks of reviewing applications and conducting interviews, we got to know 79 leaders and often found ourselves crying, laughing, and simply awestruck. The passion, creativity, and leadership skills that these students possess made selecting the Eagle Ambassador team a daunting task. Yet, after much prayer and deliberation, we have made a decision. Please congratulate with us the Eagle Ambassadors for the 2011-2012 school year:

6th Grade
Alyssa Jira
Dawson Poling

7th Grade
Natalie Baker
Brett Seward

8th Grade
Grace Fredstrom
Natalie Hayes
Myles Barnes
Weston Poling

9th Grade
Mary Etchison
Laikin Green
Kori Shaffer
Zach Singer

10th Grade
Rachel Kinsel
Bailey Byers

11th Grade
Teresa Murray
Austin Lash

12th Grade
Maggie McNamara
Grayson Roberts

Thank you for your support and prayers throughout this process. We look forward to working with this dynamic group of students to share with our community the story of what God is doing in our midst.

Randall Rosen (email) & Scott Oleson (email)

March 15, 2011

Spring finally seems to be peeking through, and that means that Serve-a-Thon is just around the corner! As promised earlier this year during the 100 Grand Challenge, we will not have students sending pledge letters. (If you have family or friends that were expecting to support ACS through the Serve-a-Thon, please contact us and we'll help facilitate those gifts!) Our primary focus this year will be increasing our productivity on the day of service. We have already lined up several projects and have an exciting vision for the day.

On May 20, 2011, our students will begin the day with worship and activities while we finalize the "day of event" details. MS/HS project teams will serve in the community from 10am - 2pm. We are also planning some off-site class ministries for our preschool and elementary children. Upon the students' return, we'll have a celebratory ice-cream social before dismissing school for the day!

We will need a host of parent volunteers to drive and chaperone all day Friday, May 20. Please mark the day on your calendar and plan on serving with us!

If you're able to donate service items, we'll be publishing lists in the next few weeks.

If you're interested in helping with the pre-event coordination, please email me ASAP.

If you know of a nursing home that would love some young visitors... or a ministry that could use some volunteer labor... we're accepting new ideas and contact info!

I'm excited about the host of needs that will be filled by the serving hands of our kids! This labor of love may open doors for us to share the love of Christ with our community. Keep watching Fridge Notes and A Week in the Life for more details!

Collette House

Many of you have expressed concerns regarding the school's financial viability, especially as it relates to next year. We want to assure you that the administration and board of directors are keenly aware of these concerns and have been working diligently and prayerfully toward the goal of financial stability. The board, finance committee, and financial advisors are putting into place a financial plan that will allow the school to continue permanently. Long-term financial stability is the goal. To guarantee protection of 2011-2012 tuition deposits, those checks will be held for a few more weeks until our long-term plan is secure. As we work through this process with the bank, your prayers and support are greatly appreciated. We will update you as we move forward with this plan to secure the school's future.

ACS Board of Directors

Whether it's a referee in a playoff game, hotel concierge, a reporter from a local newspaper, or a quick-service franchise operator, people have gone out of their way to tell us one thing over and over and OVER again...

"Your kids are the nicest, most well-behaved group of young people that I have EVER interacted with!"

Although they are shocked, this isn't news to us. Every day we walk the halls and see our students- your children- living by a standard that pleases God and honors others. As the Advancement Team continues to pursue new areas of growth in enrollment, fundraising, and marketing, we have been inspired by these very students to initiate a new program this spring that will officially launch in August 2011: the Eagle Ambassadors.

After hearing far too often that "Aurora Christian is the best kept secret in the Fox Valley," the Eagle Ambassadors will be trained to promote the values and achievements of Aurora Christian to our surrounding community. Ambassadors will be selected through an application and interview process, and will be expected to assist school administration in three primary ways: 1) engage prospective students, 2) host interested students, and 3) support new students. These school representatives will be asked to possess and mature in the following qualities: faithfulness, ambition, articulation, boldness, responsibility, servant leadership, kindness, and teachability.

Please spend this week in prayer about whether or not your child would flourish as an Eagle Ambassador. We will officially roll out the Eagle Ambassadors program to our student body next week in our chapels. At that time we will explain the program and release applications. Here are a few things that you should know:

Eagle Ambassadors
Endorsing ACS Values Through Relationship

Time commitment:
approximately 3 hrs/week (meetings,
service opportunities, event preparation, etc.)

Scholarship:
$1,000/yr

Application:
short answer questions, essay questions, and
a character reference from non-family member

Qualifications:
2.5 GPA; good behavior

Positions Available:
one boy and one girl in current grades 6, 7, 9, 10, 11
two boys and two girls in current grades 5, 8

It is our desire that through this program, Ambassadors will develop in leadership, self-confidence, conflict resolution, networking, public speaking, serving/ministering, accountability, and character.

We look forward to growing Aurora Christian Schools with you,
Randall Rosen (email) & Scott Oleson (email)

February 15, 2011

"I will extol the LORD at all times; his praise will always be on my lips.
My soul will boast in the LORD; let the afflicted hear and rejoice.
Glorify the LORD with me; let us exalt his name together."
Psalm 34:1-3

No matter what... I will praise the Lord!

This message from my pastor this weekend was exactly what I needed to hear. When the snow falls (in record amounts!), when the weather is cold (at record lows!), when the workload piles up, when re-enrollment hits... I will praise my Lord... Please praise Him with me... No matter what!!

*****************************************************************************************

As we praise, here are some requests to lift up in prayer:

The final touches and city inspections are occurring in our Preschool/Kindergarten wing. We could use lots of "unskilled" volunteer help this weekend as we finish up painting and cleaning. Please pray for our teachers, parents, and little ones as they join us to become completely UnderOneRoof!
The Preschool/Kindergarten Grand Opening Open House will be February 28. Please keep our Advancement Team in your prayers as they prepare to host current and prospective families here on campus!
Our board and finance committee are working diligently with the bank and have some important meetings this week. Just like all non-profit organizations and small businesses, we are continuing to fight through this economy. I will give you a financial update in a few weeks. Please keep these groups in your prayers!
Mission Impossible 2011 is at a crossroads: we have the possibility of two great projects, but each has some details still in question. The final project choice will be determined within the next two weeks. Please pray for the MI leadership team (Ed O'Connell and Doug Sievers) to clearly see God's direction for this spring's construction outreach!
Students' lives are being touched by the examples of our faculty and the words of those who minister in chapel. A topic that Christians can't ignore is abuse. An ACS parent who is a local pastor's wife with five children will be sharing her personal testimony with parents during March and speaking with our kids after that in chapels. Mr. Etchison and Mr. Hutton will be sending you more details about our plans to address the topic of abuse in age-appropriate ways. Please pray for a hedge of protection around our children, and for wisdom as we guide them toward becoming healthy Christian adults!
Re-enrollment begins this week. Families continue to express the positive impact of involvement here at ACS, and new families are inquiring each day. Aurora Christian is worth the investment because of all of the great families that are a part of this place! Please pray for personal peace about your own decision to re-enroll and for our general enrollment!

Praising the Lord with you,

Collette House

January 18, 2011

Happy 2011! I hope that you had a great Christmas vacation with family and friends and are now back in the school routine. Thank you all for your patience and cooperation through the consolidation learning curve. I've had a great two weeks meeting and greeting so many more of you! We are settling in here with elementary, middle school, and high school together. The elementary kids are loving their new space, and we're maintaining a healthy separation of the various grade levels thanks to Mr. Etchison's coordination. Anticipation is mounting for when we have ALL of our ACS family under one roof in February! Progress on the preschool/kindergarten wing is incredible! A few dads have done a fabulous job spearheading that project, and our Mission Impossible workday on Saturday resulted in the near completion of walls, flooring, and ceiling tile. We're getting ready to paint, planning time for our preschool teachers to work in their new rooms, and will soon finalize the actual move date. When the date is set, we'll have an UnderOneRoof field trip for the kids and a Re-Orientation so that you can tour the new wing. Be watching for that information.

With the focus on consolidation, you may have forgotten that Re-Enrollment is just around the corner. It's hard to believe that it's already time to start planning for next year! The 100 Grand Challenge was the most successful fundraiser we have ever accomplished, but the fact that we did not meet the final goal has raised questions. Fifth Third, the bank securing our loan, is working closely with us and has expressed a commitment to helping ACS continue to provide a quality Christian education for families in the Fox Valley area. The 100 Grand Challenge monthly pledge donations have positively impacted our budget and shown that Aurora Christian families are committed to this place! The other crucial piece to our financial puzzle is enrollment. A healthy boost in enrollment for 2011-2012 will strengthen our budget and our long-term position with the bank.

We have plans for accommodating more students and teachers on this campus, and we need YOUR help with enrollment. As the middle school and high school grow, we will add course sections as appropriate. At the elementary level, we will cap classrooms at 30 and start waiting lists until we reach 38. At that point, we will split to two classes of 19 to allow for even more growth! Increased enrollment is a "win-win"... as you recruit new families, you help to reduce class sizes for your own children! We will be offering new family incentives and an amazing deal for re-enrollment by February 28! Rates and dates will be coming soon...

Check out the note below from Randall Rosen and Scott Oleson for more details on how we plan to increase enrollment over the next few months.

Please join us on Thursday night at Open House, and bring some friends!!
Collette House

Good news...over the past few months, we have seen an increase in the amount of parents inquiring about ACS. This is a huge opportunity for growth and we need YOUR help!

WHAT'S THE PLAN?

Open Houses - We plan to host at least 3 open houses by the end of the school year.
Feeder Schools - We are developing both new and deeper relationships with our feeder schools by becoming a more consistent presence on their campuses.
Empowering You - For the last 35 years, our #1 marketing asset has been the passionate testimonies shared within our communities by parents and students! The same still holds true today. We're asking you to be intentional in sharing ACS with others.

HOW CAN I HELP?

Invite as many neighbors/friends/relatives as possible to our Open House this Thursday, January 20. You can read more about it online here.
Ask leaders in your church for an opportunity to post an ACS ad on your bulletin board, share a short message about ACS with your small group or even give a brief testimonial to your congregation.
Forward Open House emails to your friends and 'share' events on facebook! You can find our first Open House facebook event on www.facebook.com/aurorachristian along with instructions for sharing this event with your friends!
Make sure you have an ACS sign in your front yard and an ACS magnet on your car. (Stop by the front office and ask Mrs. Anderson or Mrs. McKinney if you need more.)
E-mail us if you live on a high-traffic corner and/or in a strategic location. We'd love to place more high-profile signs to increase awareness about ACS.

Thank you for all you do to support ACS,
Scott Oleson, Community Relations Manager
Randall Rosen, Development Manager

Merry Christmas
to you and yours
from all of us at ACS!

November 15, 2010

ACS family,

Can you believe that we're heading into Thanksgiving already?! We've had such a gorgeous fall that the late date on the calendar is a bit of a shock. But I'm excited about the crisp air... the Lord's consistent yet surprising beauty in the changing seasons never ceases to amaze and inspire me!

The newsletter this month looks a bit different. I'm sharing some exciting news! If you have been a part of ACS for awhile, you probably know our situation; but here's a quick snapshot to get everyone up to speed. In 2004 we secured a loan to purchase and develop our Sullivan campus. We own a large piece of property on Deerpath Road near I-88, and its sale was intended to pay off the loan. Due to the real estate market downturn, that sale has been delayed, but we are actively pursuing investors.

Like most organizations, we have been operating under financial strain for the past several years. During that time, we were blessed by large one-time donations and/or the sale of pieces of our property on Deerpath which enabled us to relieve that strain. For the past year, however, we have not had a large cash donor and the land can not be sold in small pieces to pay off interest. We have continued to make all of our payments, but an enrollment downturn in August compounded the financial issue to create a cash flow problem. Due to that problem, the Advancement Team was charged by the Board of Directors to develop an aggressive fundraising plan to span the entire year.

Then, 3 weeks ago, an anonymous donor gave our plans a "shot in the arm" with a gift of $100,000!!! This donor committed his gift to be matched and multiplied... so we're using a successful fundraising blueprint that many non-profits use. I'm excited to present the

100 GRAND Challenge

The tagline goal of this challenge is "1000 donors giving $100/month for 1 year." That combination of giving would accomplish our goal. But the reality is that donations will come in all sizes. Our donor will match the total of our first monthly giving amount up to $100,000! So we need your help! We need our entire school family to find as many donors as possible to give whatever they can give to help us reach our goal. That may be $25, $50, $100, $200, ??? per month. The target commitment date is December 3!!

This gift has revolutionized our fundraising plan! The 100 GRAND Challenge is our major campaign for the year. Although we will still serve our community in the spring, we will not ask you to send Serve-a-Thon pledge letters or contribute personally to another major event. THIS IS IT...so please jump on board!!

We need everyone on board!!
We need your help NOW!!
We need 1,000 donors to commit $100/month for one year!!
The result will be $1.3 Million!!!!!!

Monthly, sustained giving is the easiest and most effective way to raise funds. We're encouraging each family to find as many donors as possible. Ask extended family and friends... this is charitable giving to a very worthy cause: the Christian education of your children!! [Aurora Christian Schools, Inc. is a 501c3 non-profit organization. All donations are tax-deductible.]

You will be receiving a call within the next few days. For information or to get involved right now, check out our new 100 GRAND webpage! There you'll find Frequently Asked Questions and a whole lot more! Please feel free to email me with your feedback.

I am committed to leading ACS through these refining years, and I need your support as we plan for the future. I'm excited about how the Lord is working here at ACS!

Collette House, Superintendent

September 15, 2010

HELLO & WELCOME
I can hardly believe that it's mid-September already! School is well underway and it seems like we're all settling into our routines. So it's time to mix it up a bit! Our mission statement here at ACS is "To work with families in bringing their children to a personal relationship with Jesus Christ, educating them from a Christian worldview, and preparing them for a life of service to Christ and their world." There's a lot packed into that sentence! Our faculty and staff work daily with your kids, teaching them about Jesus and integrating His Word into the curriculum. We promote service throughout the year with outreach events like Jingle Bell Christmas, and we end the year with the all-school Serve-a-Thon. My concern is that we need to do a better job in working with families! We really do desire to involve you in the ministry of Aurora Christian.

If you've gotten plugged in to ACS by supporting a team or volunteering on campus, you understand the amazing community of this place. Aurora Christian School is not just a place to send your kids for a Christian education; it is a community of students, teachers, parents, friends, siblings, alumni, grandparents and friends! In order to grow that community, we need everyone to pitch in. SO many of you have talents and expertise that could benefit ACS, and SO many of you have expressed interest in getting more involved. We are developing volunteer teams to target specific needs: prayer covering, promotion, communication, fund raising, event planning, faculty/staff appreciation, school culture, etc. My hope is that we don't burn out a few faithful volunteers but that we can get an army of volunteers plugged in to their areas of interest. (You can find out about some of these teams in the specialty corners of this newsletter, and always feel free to email us your area of interest.) I believe that we really are "doing life together" here at ACS, and your experience will be unbelievably better if you rub shoulders with other parents and become part of the mission!

In an effort to facilitate the growth of our community, we're adding quick links to our website for Students, Parents, and Alumni. These pages will be a place for you to interact, post prayer needs, find out about and support ACS family-owned businesses, etc. We have also launched an Aurora Christian Schools Facebook page! We'll use this tool for team/class/group interaction, to promote events, and to keep in touch with our extended ACS family. My only caution is that we collectively guard against allowing these pages to become sites for negativity; please remember that the goal is healthy interaction and community growth. Become a fan, have fun, and help us make these pages worthwhile!!

Thanks!
Collette House, Superintendent

ALUMNI CONNECT
Some of us were going through the "old" yearbooks a couple of weeks ago, and saw many ACS alumni and friends that we have not heard from in a while. I have such great memories of the wonderful times we had together in the halls of Blackhawk, on the fields of Deerpath Road, and in the gym of Illinois Avenue! ACS has meant so much to so many! And now with us coming UnderOneRoof again, I would love the opportunity to reconnect with everyone we can find...graduates, parents, ACS friends and families.

Alumni functions are being scheduled for this fall/winter, and we anticipate seeing EVERYONE again! We desperately want to invite our ACS family back to see for themselves the great things happening at ACS! But I need your help to spread the word! (I got a little help from our Communications Coordinator, Liz Carver, and she has outlined below the steps we'd like you take.)

Here is what we're asking you to do:

Update your information online at www.aurorachristian.org/supportacs/alumni-connect.cfm. The link to this page can also be found on our website in the quicklinks section on the bottom left of every page.
Once you've submitted your information, you'll receive a confirmation email that will invite you to be a fan of Aurora Christian Alumni Connect on facebook! Any former student, teacher, or family member is considered Alumni and we encourage you to get plugged into our facebook group. Please click through the email and 'like' our page. By liking our page, this will allow you to receive notifications of alumni news, post photos, view photos, receive event invitations, rsvp to events, and reconnect with old friends.
Now it's time to locate your fellow graduates through whatever means you think will work best for your class. Many of you have already begun to see facebook as the great tool it is to locate long-lost friends. We encourage you to form a group for your class. That way you would have the opportunity to send everyone in your group a message asking them to update their information, telling them about Aurora Christian Alumni Connect's facebook page, and promoting any other events that your specific class may be planning (reunions, get-togethers, etc.).
Once you've found your classmates, encourage them to update their information through our website so that we can update our database, and encourage them to become a fan of Aurora Christian Alumni Connect on facebook to keep them informed about upcoming events!

In addition, if you would be willing to meet with me and a few other ACS folks to help me with this project, join us on Friday, September 24 at one of our two gatherings: 8:15-9:00am or 6:00-6:45pm in the conference room on the Sullivan Campus. Please RSVP to me if you are willing and able to attend!

I know this is a huge undertaking but if each one you will help us connect with 3 or 4 others, it becomes a very manageable project. I would really appreciate it if you would help us "round up" all of those who mean so much to us here at ACS.

Thank you so much!!!
Mr. "H"
Paul House, Legacy Manager

FUNDRAISERS & FEAR
When was the last time you heard about a fundraiser and immediately busted out into jumping jacks of joy?

I'm sure it's no surprise to you that fundraisers and fear are closely related for many. Yet Psalm 37:21 says, "The wicked borrows but does not pay back, but the righteous is generous and gives." When we, as children of God, truly understand how much God has given us, we can't help but live generously with others; it becomes a joy to give like our Father has so graciously demonstrated.

With that said, it never hurts to have a fundraiser that is fun and exciting. We are in the process of planning a dynamic Fall fundraiser that not only satisfies several financial goals but encourages, empowers, and refreshes all in attendance. If you have any experience in planning/executing large events, or have more time on your hands than you know what to do with, and would like to know how you can impact Aurora Christian for years to come, please shoot me an email at randall.rosen@aurorachristian.org.

"He is ever lending generously, and his children become a blessing." (Psalm 37:26)
What good news to know that our Heavenly Father is kind towards us and we are a blessing to Him.
Randall Rosen, Development Manager

Calling all ACS Testimonies!

We are building a slew of amazing testimonies of how Aurora Christian has positively changed the lives of people who call ACS home. We would love to hear from you. We have testimonies of families who are closer because of ACS, testimonies of parents who have accepted Jesus because their students bring Bible verses or amazing stories home from school, and testimonies of other parents who have been affected by football retreats.

I am so impacted by these testimonies, and would love to share a few with you: A few years ago, a student transferred out of an unhealthy school environment to ACS. Because of the experiences she had, she could hardly even physically enter our building. After a few days she made it through her first day. Today she loves this school and all the amazing things it's done for her and her family. She now has big plans for college! ... Another new student can't even believe how different our school is... Yet another said, "This place is real!" ... We know it's not perfect and that we have a long way to go, but ACS is impacting lives in amazing ways!

If you have a testimony you'd like to share, please email it to scott.oleson@aurorachristian.org, or if you are willing, share it here on our facebook page.

God Bless,
Scott Oleson, Community Relations Manager

What an exciting time here at ACS! The plans for being UnderOneRoof are underway. On September 7th I got to be a part of both the Middle School and High School Chapels at the Sullivan Campus. I was able to share some of my excitement about the move coming in January. The students had some good questions and Miss House, Miss Williams and I answered each question or made notes about plans that we need to make based upon the questions. I also shared some of my experiences from being an elementary teacher when ACS had 1st-12th all in the same building. We can't know all that will come about in this future transition, but we are working diligently to anticipate all that we can. That's why your questions are very important in this planning process.

Preschool students have done a fantastic job of settling into their daily schedules. The teachers are making progress in teaching Bible stories, letters and sounds, and doing all of the activities with the preschoolers. All of our preschool specials (Music, P.E., Library, Recess, and of course, SNACK) are all in place and the kids are enjoying them. I just love to watch them growing comfortable in their new classroom, in the school setting, and with the teachers that love them so much!

Elementary students are very busy in their routines. The teachers are all doing their part, the students are doing their part, and many parents have jumped right in and are helping in so many ways. I'm enjoying watching these students grow and mature as well. We have many new students this year, and I have been keeping an eye out for them! Sometimes they feel left out or afraid to strike up a conversation. Please help us out and effectively communicate any needs with your student's classroom teacher.

Next month, I hope to have a list of ways that you can help in the UnderOneRoof transition. We need many volunteers, and I want to be as organized as I possibly can in preparation for our move to the Sullivan Campus. Especially if you have a decorating and/or artistic ability, we want to plug you in so you can use your gift. I want our preschool facility to be the envy of every child care and preschool! I want our decorations and walls to be age appropriate and so inviting to families and kids. I already have some great artists on my list, but there's always room for more! Imagine our cafeteria being a warm, inviting place for lunch, play area, and extended care! My team of staff planning for this move are working on all the details, and we'd love to plug you in. Shoot me your ideas via email and I'll pass them along to our committee. Exciting things are ahead!

Serving Christ,
Scott Etchison, PS/ES Principal

What an awesome time we are having here at the middle and high school! As we end the third week of school it has been great getting to know our new students and becoming reacquainted with our returning students. As many of you know, we have chapel on Tuesdays. On September 7, 2010, middle and high school students had the opportunity to hear from Mr. Etchison, Miss House and me about our personal experiences when ACS used to be UnderOneRoof. We also took this time to share our focus, desire and expectations for middle and high school students. Students asked questions and shared their thoughts about becoming a school UnderOneRoof again.

I hope your family has enjoyed reading about what goes on here at the Middle and High school through our A Week in the Life... and Family Focus Newsletter. Our middle school students are having fun with their color teams as well as working hard on their play Archie and the Wallflower (October 22-24). Our actors are excited for everyone to come and see this grand performance! High school students are getting ready for Spirit Week (October 12-16)! The Dunham Scholars are working hard to ensure that this week is fun and memorable!

Next week brings one of our favorite events for Parents, "A Day in the Life" (MS/HS Curriculum Night). See the invitation above for more details. We hope to see you there!

In Him,
Latoya Williams, MS/HS Principal

As the school year gets underway, the UnderOneRoof January 2011 consolidation is our main focus! Our goal is to complete the project with 100% volunteer labor - and that means I need your help! I am in the process of setting up volunteer work teams and signing up volunteers to assist in the consolidation project.

Have you been looking for a way to meet new people at ACS? Do you want to get plugged in here, but have yet to find the place to do so? Do you have gifts that you would like to share, but aren't sure where to get started? If the answer is "Yes" to any of these questions, please email me at tom.chase@aurorachristian.org and I will be in touch with you as to where you can best serve.

If you are short on time, but would like to sponsor a part of this project financially (i.e. drywall, paint, electrical supplies, etc.), please email me as well.

Thank you for your help - I'm excited to see ACS parents and friends come out of the woodwork!
Tom Chase, Facilities Manager

Are your tired of sending $5 for Spanish, $10 for Red Zone Wear, $.38 to complete your lunch account? It's a relatively easy process to put a balance on your general account online through RenWeb and be able to take care of all of these fees at once! By managing your RenWeb account online, you'll be able to personally manage your lunch account and any fees (sports, classes, etc.) on your own. This is easier for you and easier for us!

To increase efficiency this year, we are encouraging online deposits through RenWeb. Here are a few things to keep in mind:

When using an e-check, there is a fee of $.85 per transaction; so if you would like to use e-checks, we recommend depositing larger amounts of money less frequently to avoid multiple fees
When using a credit card, there is a 3.75% fee due to third party provider charges. (We recommend using e-checks!)
RenWeb online does not support Visa. If you would like to add money to your RenWeb account with a Visa card, please contact the Finance Office (Sullivan Campus) or Front Office (Illinois Campus)

If you choose not to use RenWeb to make online deposits, please continue to remember that all payments should be made in the finance office at the Sullivan Campus, or the main office at the Illinois Campus. To avoid long lines, your child should plan ahead and make the payment before lunch.

Thank you!
Diane Johnson, Financial Manager

ACS on FACEBOOK
Aurora Christian Schools are now on facebook (www.facebook.com/aurorachristian)! If you haven't already, visit our facebook page and 'like' us to join our online community. Spread the word on your own facebook page. We currently have 80-some fans, and our goal is to have 500 by October 1st. Help us reach this goal by spreading the word through social media. If you're already a fan, check out our discussion board and events for new posts, comment on photos, and let us know how we can pray for you! If you have ideas of how we can improve our facebook presence, email me and let me know!
Liz Carver, Communications Coordinator

CHANGES TO AURORACHRISTIAN.ORG
Our current website has been up since January 2010 and we are already outgrowing it! What a blessing! We are constantly trying to improve our web presence. We are currently working on adding Alumni, Parent, and Student portals to the top of each page. These portals will be just that - hubs of information for our Students (featuring an online student newspaper), Parents (featuring a community board and prayer center), and Alumni (featuring current news and links to the Alumni Connect facebook page: www.facebook.com/AuroraChristianAlumniConnect). In order to make these portals all that they can be, it's really important that I hear from YOU! Because I am not a parent, alumna, or student, I understand the importance of surrounding myself with those of you who can give me that perspective. If you have ideas of how we can adapt our website to better serve the community, please email me and let me know!
Liz Carver, Communications Coordinator

RENWEB FALL CLEANING
You've heard of spring cleaning, but did you know that it's time at ACS for RenWeb Fall Cleaning? In an effort to make sure that we have all correct information (phone numbers, addresses, emails, birthdays, etc.) for you, your family, and your student, we are asking you to review your RenWeb account and verify that all information is correct & all fields complete! We also recently received word from the Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE) that they have implemented new federal race and ethnicity data standards starting this school year (2010-2011). As a result, many of our RenWeb race and ethnicity options have changed. Please make sure that the correct one is selected for your student. Our goal is for all RenWeb users at ACS to have completed their Fall Cleaning by November 15, 2010. Thank you! Please take 5 minutes and complete this important task! Click here to download the Fall Cleaning instructions.
Amy Fratturo, Personnel and District Support

Hello, Aurora Christian family!

I hope you enjoy the first volume of "From the Superintendent's Desk"! You should receive this newsletter from me on the 15th of each month (or the Monday following a weekend 15th). The purpose of this communication is to give you a big picture glimpse of what's happening here at Aurora Christian Schools. I'll include updates on facilities, finances, advancement, whole-school projects, community needs, and campus news. I'll continue to send regular UnderOneRoof updates throughout first semester!

On the 1st of each month (or the Monday following a weekend 1st), you should receive a newsletter from your principal. Details of student life will be shared, teachers will be highlighted, and special events will be promoted. The final general communication piece will be "A Week in the Life..." for grades 6-12, and "Fridge Notes for Preschool-5th grade." This weekly update will provide you with the "nuts & bolts" school information that may affect your family! We will often link you to portions of our website where you can find pictures, forms, staff information, calendar, and so much more!

Our goal is to increase our meaningful communication to you, while streamlining the amount of random e-mails you have gotten from us in the past. It's going to be an exciting year, and I hope that we'll become stronger as a community as each day passes!

Have a great day... we'll see you soon!
Miss House

I am thrilled to announce the creation of an Advancement Team at Aurora Christian Schools. New this school year, the Advancement Team consists of three individuals working within the areas of community relations, development, and investment in the lives of current and future ACS students. Scott Oleson has stepped into the role of Community Relations Manager, where he will be working within feeder schools, local churches, and community organizations to increase awareness of Aurora Christian Schools. He will also be continuing his work with new families as they join our school. Randall Rosen has transitioned from Marketing Manager to Development Manager. He will be continuing his work from last year as he works with financial donors and fundraising.

I am transitioning to the role of Legacy Manager while continuing to be a part of the Bible department faculty. I look forward with anticipation to the work that God will do through me as I coordinate the creation of the Aurora Christian Legacy Foundation. Through this foundation, we will create opportunities for our alumni and family members to invest in the lives of our students here at ACS. The Legacy Foundation will pair investors who will pledge to give $100 per month with students, who will receive tuition assistance and relief. Our goal is to have 1000 donors, investing $100 per month, and seeing their investments realized through the lives of students here at ACS.

Please feel free to contact Randall, Scott, or me if you have any interest in learning more about the Advancement Team, or if you have interest in being a part of the Legacy Foundation.

Blessings,
Paul House, Legacy Manager

Community Relations

God is good!

I can't begin to express my excitement for the upcoming school year. I have had the wonderful privilege and opportunity to meet with over 30 new families in the last two weeks. We have so much excitement at the 9th grade level that we are enrolling one of our biggest freshman classes ever!

I thank you for the privilege of serving your family and our amazing students. May God Bless you and our school this upcoming year. Also, may the gospel be evident by the way we live our lives.

Serving our amazing God with His amazing people,

Scott Oleson, Community Relations Manager

Development

As the Aurora Christian Development Manager, I have often found myself in the tempest created by two powerful fronts. We as a school cannot ignore the fact that the economy is struggling, which has directly affected our enrollment and budget. Yet neither can we ignore our belief that in His goodness, God provides for the needy (Psalm 68:10).

I am looking forward to this upcoming year and all that it holds. I am excited for the faith journey that is sure to stretch, strengthen, and deepen my understanding of God's love and His faithfulness to me and this school. I hold tight to the truth that God will provide, and daily ask Him for the strength to believe in His promises rather than the circumstances.

Please feel free to email me if you have any interest in helping ACS continue to grow in excellence!

With Determined Hope,

Randall Rosen, Development Manager

Financial Accountability

Bible Gateway defines Accountability as "a checks and balance system to protect us from harm from ourselves and others. We do this by being open to what we are thinking and doing so we can receive encouragement and reproof..." Our goal in serving the Aurora Christian School community in the business operation of the ministry is to be fiscally accountable and develop operational practices that are wise and show good stewardship of the resources available to the school.

During the 2009-2010 school year, we worked hard behind the scenes putting new practices into place that have helped considerably! Going forward into the 2010-2011 year, we are excited to use this newsletter to better communicate the additional practices that we are putting into practice.

Thank You,
Diane Johnson, Financial Manager

Preschool/Elementary Update

"Taste and see that the Lord is good; blessed is the man who takes refuge in him." Psalm 34:8

This scripture says it so clearly, and won't it be nice as our kids grow to know that we are doing all that we can to teach them that the Lord really is good?! We are trusting that God will do the work in their lives, but we need to expose them to Him so that as they "taste" and as they "see" Him, they will take refuge in Him. That word, refuge, means a couple of different things. Refuge is shelter from danger or distress, but it also means protection from that danger or distress. But, refuge can also be a specific place! So God is our shelter, and He is a place of protection! What a great God! "TASTE AND SEE THAT THE LORD IS GOOD" is our theme in the preschool and elementary, and I'm excited about helping your child do just that!

As we gear up to the start of Preschool and Elementary, I trust that you are excited about this school year. Please check your email for information about upcoming Parent Orientation Meetings, as well as Preschool Open House. I look forward to this upcoming school year and all of the excitement that it will bring.

Blessings,
Scott Etchison, Preschool/Elementary Principal

Middle School/High School Update

"I urge you, first of all, to pray for all people. Ask God to help them; intercede on their behalf, and give thanks for them. Pray this way for kings and all who are in authority so that we can live peaceful and quiet lives marked by godliness and dignity. This is good and pleases God our Savior, who wants everyone to be saved and to understand the truth. For there is only one God and one Mediator who can reconcile God and humanity-the man Christ Jesus."

I Timothy 2:1-5 (NLT)

Greetings, Aurora Christian Families! Welcome to an awesome year at ACS! The Lord has truly blessed this school by providing opportunities for us to grow and mature in Jesus' name. We are celebrating Aurora Christian School and the blessing it is! My goal as principal, along with our faculty and staff, is to serve you and your children, ensuring that a Christ-centered, academically rigorous and relational environment is apparent here at ACS.

I look forward to knowing your family and providing leadership that is guided by the power of the Holy Spirit. Throughout the year, I ask that you keep your school, leadership, faculty and staff lifted in prayer, as we will keep you and your family lifted in prayer. Continue to check your email and the ACS website for more information!

Latoya Williams, Middle School/High School Principal

Cutting Costs & Looking Ahead

In an effort to reduce energy consumption, some of the facility lighting was reconfigured over the summer to reduce energy usage and cost. In addition, occupancy sensors were installed in several classrooms and offices to assist in the control of lighting requirements and power demands to reduce cost. We're excited about being good stewards of our building, especially as we will all soon be located at the Sullivan Campus.

As we look forward to the January 2010 school consolidation, we are excitedly planning for new changes to our facilities. As was described in last Fridays issue of UnderOneRoof, ACS's new consolidation newsletter, we will be making some changes to accommodate new elementary and preschool students. Many of you have already expressed interest in assisting with the physical demands of the consolidation. Thank You for your willingness to help! We will have many needs, including (but not limited to):

Painting
Decorating/Creative Work
Moving
Building
Cleaning
Organizing

If you would like to be a part of this exciting part of ACS's history, email me at tom.chase@aurorachristian.org and let me know in what way you would like to help!

Tom Chase, Facilities Manager

Senior Administration:
Collette House - Superintendent, collette.house@aurorachristian.org

Scott Etchison - Elementary Principal, scott.etchison@aurorachristian.org

Latoya Williams - MS/HS Principal, latoya.williams@aurorachristian.org

Advancement Team:
Paul House - Legacy Manager, paul.house@aurorachristian.org

Scott Oleson - Community Relations Manager, scott.oleson@aurorachristian.org

Randall Rosen - Development Manager, randall.rosen@aurorachristian.org

District Staff:
Liz Carver - Communications Coordinator, elizabeth.carver@aurorachristian.org

Tom Chase - Facilities Manager, tom.chase@aurorachristian.org

Amy Fratturo - Personnel/District Support, amy.fratturo@aurorachristian.org

Diane Johnson - Finance Manager, diane.johnson@aurorachristian.org

Thursday, July 1, 2010

ACS Family,

I'm so excited to step into the role of Superintendent and provide leadership for the next page in Aurora Christian's history! I continue to pray for wisdom, clinging to Solomon's plea: "Yes, give me wisdom and knowledge as I come and go among this people - for who on his own is capable of leading these, your glorious people?" (II Chronicles 1:10, The Message).

Aurora Christian is a community where we experience life, day-in and day-out, together! ACS is more than just a building... we're a group of people who work together, learn together, eat together, worship together, play together, grow together, win and lose together!

My primary goal is to ensure that our community continues to be God-honoring and a great place for families to raise children. The core values and foundation of ACS will not waiver, but some exciting changes in community life are ahead. We are continuing to improve communication, faculty development, enrollment procedures, and business practices. In addition, God has blessed us with amazing facilities, and we are reviewing our usage in order to be good stewards of all we've been given.

Another goal is to provide opportunities for you as parents to share your gifts and talents with the ACS community; serving the Lord together is one of the greatest blessings available! I'd love to hear your "passion" and ideas. This past year our faculty was blessed by volunteer Teacher Appreciation teams, our kids were blessed by volunteer aides, and our entire city was blessed through the ACS Serve-a-Thon. Aurora Christian wouldn't be the same without each of you, and I believe that we have a long way to go in maximizing our community potential!

You'll find out more each month in my superintendent's newsletter. Watch for the first issue in mid-August! Until then, have a fabulous summer and keep each other in your prayers... our community is a bit scattered during these summer months, but we're gearing up for a great new year together!

In Christ,
Collette House

Friday, May 14, 2010

Dear ACS family,

Several years ago, Loretta and I took a road trip to California in a little camper. We picked up my folks, drove to Carmel’s 17-mile drive, and parked on the beach at Seal Rock. It was a beautiful day as we watched the seals swim, play, and sun themselves. It was an especially fun day for my dad; although he had lived less than 40 miles from this spot his entire adult life, he had never seen it before! He sat looking out at the ocean, and then I heard him quietly say, “I waited too long. I should have done this several years ago. Now it’s too late.” And it was. He had lived near one of the most beautiful spots on the Pacific coast, had worked day-in and day-out for over 70 years, and had never taken time to “smell the flowers.” I have thought much about that day and the parallels to my own life.

Thirty-five years ago, God called Loretta and me to begin this work. We have had a wonderful journey, much of it with some of you! The trip has been exciting and filled with purpose and joy!

For several years the board has been thinking of God’s continuing plan for ACS. What next? What opportunities, challenges, and victories are ahead? Who will lead? We have been in prayer and preparation for the transition that will, and must, take place for the next 35 years to be successful – filled with excellence and growth. It is time for transition to new leadership for the journey before us.

The Board of Directors has, after much thought and prayer, selected Collette House to be our new superintendent. Her experience, academic preparation, goals, leadership abilities, and spiritual vision are what they were seeking in a new leader for Aurora Christian Schools. She will assume her new role on July 1 and will immediately begin assembling her leadership team. A secondary principal search has begun. I will continue to serve ACS as a board member, in supporting and enabling the leadership team in their administration of the school, and in promoting the school to our community.

I am excited for what is ahead! What ideas, innovations, and miracles will God use to prepare students for the lives they will face? What will our/their world be like in 10 … 20 … 30 years? ACS must continue to be effective in the spiritual, academic, and social development of our children. Our goal must remain the same: mature Christian men and women of God, Christian thinkers and doers, reaching their world for Christ! Let’s all rejoice in what God has planned for us. This is a joyful day – great things lie ahead!

Blessings,

Paul

A note from Miss House

I'm excited to step into this new role! I've been praying a lot over the past month that the Lord would give me wisdom far beyond my capabilities to lead Aurora Christian. Together, we have the unique opportunity to capitalize on the strengths of our last 35 years and to make some changes to prepare for the future!

Without a doubt, the most crucial choice I will be making in the next few weeks is the hiring of a new principal. My primary focus will be on finding a man or woman of God that has skill and passion for supporting the faculty! I feel confident that the Lord will send the perfect candidate to lead at the Sullivan campus!

I believe we are immeasurably blessed to be part of this ministry founded on God's Word and anchored by men and women who spent their lives furthering His kingdom through Christian education! I will work with all of my heart, mind, body, and soul to provide leadership and vision as we enter this new phase of Aurora Christian's history.

Working together in Christ,

Collette

Aurora Christian School

About Us