THE LIGHTHOUSE - June 9, 2010

2009-2010 Theme Verse

"A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another."
John 13:34-35

NEWS AND UPDATES

Update on the Search for our New Head of School

As we approach graduation and the final days of another strong year for SSCA, I want to update you on leadership changes we have made and the status of our search for a new Head of School.

With the passing of Dr. Chamberlain, The Board of Trustees convened a special meeting and appointed Mrs. Warner as Acting Head of School. Mrs. Warner has been serving as Assistant Head of School and Director of College Guidance. She worked very closely with Dr. Chamberlain on all matters relating to SSCA. The Board is confident that she, together with other strong members of our administrative team and faculty, can effectively lead SSCA through this transition period.

The Board has also maintained the momentum around the search for a permanent Head of School. After interviewing three candidates in March of this year, The Board in its capacity as the Search Committee and SIMA, our search consultant, developed a strategy for Phase 2 of the search. This strategy encompasses several key elements. First, we created a compelling presentation of the SSCA opportunity entitled "Building His Kingdom on Boston's South Shore." Second, we formulated a plan to fund the expansion of our administrative team. A larger team will be needed as we grow SSCA in line with our vision. Third, we intensified our networking efforts with key constituents in the Christian education field. And fourth, we developed a "lessons learned" document codifying how we could more effectively engage and evaluate prospective candidates.

At the May Board meeting, Ed Poff of SIMA presented a new list of candidates that was developed as a result of our Phase 2 strategies. The Board was very impressed both with the number and the quality of the candidates in this pool. Since that meeting, SIMA has conducted additional research, reference checking and discussions with these candidates to assess their fit with SSCA. We are encouraged to report that we will interview one of these candidates on June 17. This particular candidate has extensive experience in Christian elementary and secondary education and has served as a Head of School for the last 6 years.

Please be in prayer for this upcoming meeting, for our faculty and administrative team and for our students as they complete the 2010 school year.

Brad Warner

Upper School Schedule for Last Week of School

Thursday, June 10

Final #5 8:00-10:00am Math
Final #6 10:30am-12:00pm Spanish

Mrs. Guenard will bill those who have outstanding and/or damaged books.

Friday, June 11 Last Chapel Schedule

8:15-10:00 Last Chapel Ceremony
Parents are welcome to attend.
10:00-1015 Refreshments
10:30-11:30 Graduation Rehearsal
11:45 Senior Lunch
1:00 Make-up exams (if needed)

Saturday, June 12 Graduation @ 11:00am

SSCA class of 2000

Dr. Carson Wolf
Physical Therapy

On May 22, 2010 Carson Wolf graduated from the University of Rhode Island with his Doctor of Physical Therapy degree. Carson is a member of the SSCA class of 2000. Carson is the first graduate of SSCA to receive a clinical doctorate degree.

Carson's interest in physical therapy really developed during his final year at SSCA after taking Mrs. Stiles AP biology class and during his senior service project. He went on to get a bachelor's degree in Health Science from Eastern Nazarene College, where he played soccer, basketball and was a resident assistant. After his final soccer season at ENC, Carson was awarded the NCAA Division III Senior Scholar Athlete award.

In 2007, Carson moved to Rhode Island to pursue his doctor of physical therapy degree, an intense 3 year program. While at URI Carson was employed as a teaching assistant for four semesters, was captain of his championship intramural soccer team, and participated in several advocacy projects in the community. He also found ways to volunteer his developing PT skills in Africa, England, and Guatemala. Upon graduation he was awarded the 2010 Faculty Recognition Award by his professors for his outstanding contributions and dedication to the physical therapy program.

When asked about his accomplishments Carson says, "Any of my past, present or future success is merely a reflection of those that have invested in me and influenced me growing up. I wouldn't have been able to do any of this without the help, support, guidance and encouragement of those around me. I think we're all vulnerable to many influences during those high school-teenage years. I'm more than lucky; I'm blessed to have been able to spend those years surrounded by influences of quality Christian character. For example, the rigorous academics at SSCA helped prepare me for the high level courses in grad school. The Christianity instilled in me by my teachers and family helped me maintain my walk as a Christian living in this world, not of it. I think the small school aspect of my education at SSCA and ENC helped me develop interpersonal skills that are integral to my practice as a PT. Basically, SSCA has positively influenced all aspects of who I am today, and who I will become tomorrow. I'm excited to be done with my studies and am eager to return all that God has blessed me with by giving back to those that have helped me. More importantly, I intend to demonstrate the same love and encouragement to those developing around me."

Carson doesn't actually intend to end his education. As of now, his plans are to move to Southern California where he can study Spanish and work in an underdeveloped area. He believes physical therapy is his ministry tool and God is preparing him for work in Southern California and Mexico.

Thursday Morning Prayer Group

Thursday morning prayer will continue on through the summer. They will be meeting at the SSCA playground at 8:00am.

A Special Thank You to Stephanie White - Gr. 11

A special thank you to Stephanie for writing several articles for the Lighthouse which gave wonderful insight into the SSCA 2010 Interterm experience. Great job!

ACSI Creative Writing Festival

A number of students who participated in the ACSI Creative Writing Festival advanced to the Regional Festival and where their work was re-evaluated by a different panel of judges. Those students who received a superior rating will have their work published in the ACSI booklet that will be sent to the student and his/her school. Congratulations to juniors, Paul Leary and Stephanie White and senior Alexandria Waterman who all received superior ratings in the competition.

Sports Article Published

Congratulations to senior Julianne Atwater, who recently had a sports article published in the Patriot Ledger. Julianne did her Senior Internship at the Ledger and had to work on the graveyard shift since that is when most of the writing for the sports pages is done. Julianne will attend Eastern Nazarene College in the fall on a full tuition scholarship.

Senior Recognition Night

Last Saturday night was a time of fond memories and recollections for seniors, as their parents and SSCA faculty and staff gathered to honor their years at South Shore Christian Academy. After refreshments, one faculty member at a time shared with a particular senior the words and phrases the Upper School Faculty felt best described that student.

Seniors also received a special Bible verse which was selected especially for them, as well as a SSCA mug filled with the famous "SSCA M&Ms" and a 2010 DVD that senior class parent Mrs. Loughlin collated. It was a beautiful evening of fellowship.

A Note from our Nurses

This is a reminder for all parents who have students with medication in the nurses office. Please stop on the last of school to pick it up or it will be discarded.
Thank you very much.