Moving Forward!
It has been an exciting quarter for Heartland Lakes Christian School. We have an approved and functioning Board and have been working hard to spread the word of our existence. Churches have been called, a website has been created, interviews with Christian Radio Stations; QFM, The Pulse, and The Word have been conducted, and we have held our very first and very successful fundraiser, the Swing into Spring Silent Auction and Taco Buffet, raising a little over $4200. Praise God for his provisions! Our commitment has grown from 7 families to 12 with a total of 18 students now planning to enroll in the fall; however, we expect that to continue to rise. God has more than exceeded our expectations and has proved faithful each step of the way. But the Lord is faithful, who shall establish you, and keep you from evil. - 2 Thessalonians 3:3.
However, not everything has been smooth sailing. We have experienced some difficulty with permissions for using the Community of Hope Church for our school since they are located outside the city limits line. Though it won't be impossible, an extra cost of $1500 for a lot size variance and an interim use permit will be required. The township may have other costly requirements placed on us during this process such as requiring us to place fencing alongside county road 34.. We will begin working on this process soon and would appreciate prayers for it to be cost effective and to run smoothly.
During this quarter, Heartland Lakes Christian School has many tasks before us. We will be receiving applications and interviewing for student admission as well as for teachers who have already expressed interest in working at Heartland Lakes. In addition we will be applying for 501C3 status, begin putting together our student handbook, and search for scholarships and sponsorships for the school.
THIS QUARTER'S TOP NEEDS
Prayer
We are in need of continued prayer for Heartland Lakes Christian School. Specifically, this upcoming quarter, we need prayer for the board as we seek to hire teachers and approve students to enroll. We need wisdom and guidance to carefully select staff that will be sound Biblically, love students, and are able to teach clearly. We want to create a united staff at the school. We will also need grace and wisdom to convey why a student would not be accepted at this time if the occasion presents itself. Our hearts do not want to turn any students or families away, but we simply will not be to handle students who need extensive support for severe learning difficulties or intense behaviors in the classroom (especially in the first year). Pray against the schemes of Satan on our behalf. He will seek to cause disunity, quarreling, hatred, controversy, and more around this school. Satan does not want this school to succeed for Christ. Please pray for protection for the board, staff, students and families. Finally, pray for financial assistance in the way of scholarships for families and sponsorship for the school. We surely do not want to turn away any family on the sole basis of not being able to afford the tuition. Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints - Ephesians 6:18.
Financial Contribution
Now that more people in the community have heard about Heartland Lakes Christian School, we have been receiving many requests for information on what the school is about and how to enroll. Several families are wanting to send their children but have expressed that they simply would not be able to afford the tuition for some or all of their children. We are in great need of churches and individuals who would be willing to help these families with scholarships or sponsorships. If possible, churches could help tremendously by taking a special offering just for this cause. With a single special offering, a church could easily sponsor several months for a students tuition. Is this something your church might consider doing on our behalf sometime this summer? We will have a separate fund within the school just for tuition assistance.
Volunteering
The opportunities to volunteer at Heartland Lakes Christian School are many. We have had several people express interest in volunteering in a variety of ways including: reading to students, crocheting, and music. We are still in need of people to come alongside us to help make our school exceptional. Currently, we are hoping to have the following outside partnerships:
Weekly Piano Lessons
Weekly Fall and Spring Homeschool Partnership for Physical Education (softball, tennis, kickball, and other group games)
Weekly volunteering (or pay) for special classes, skills, or activities (Christmas program, crocheting, wood burning, photography, cooking, desktop publishing, scrapbooking, sewing, woodworking, drawing, etc...)
Enrolling Students
Heartland Lakes Christian School now has applications for admissions ready. Parents may email me or call me to request an application at any time. We are looking for students of Christian families who desire to be discipled and educated in a Godly environment. We are accepting students in all grades (K4 to grade 12). Our tuition rates are as follows:
1st Child: $225 per month
2nd Child: $175 per month
3rd+ Child(ren): 125 per month
Board of Trustees
Heartland Lakes Christian School welcomes our new and approved Board of Trustees: Joshua Hawn (Chairman) of Park Rapids, MN; Jas Keysor (Secretary) of Park Rapids, MN; Matt Gerving of Frazee, MN; and Kelly Citrowske of Menahga, MN. God has put together a wonderful board of Godly people who love children and who love to serve. We are united in faith and work very well together while bringing our own strengths to this endeavor. (As every man hath received the gift, even so minister the same one to another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God. - 1 Peter 4:10) It will be very exciting to see this board guide and lead Heartland Lakes Christian School through prayer, wisdom, and humility.