Academy - Newsletter

HOPE's Happenings

June 2010

From the Office

Mara's Memos

What a great end of the school year we had here at HOPE Academy. All the teachers, Brandy, and I wanted to say a huge thank you for our wonderful teacher appreciation luncheon. The food was delicious and it was so nice to have parents sit in classrooms while the teachers ate their lunch. Graduations were fantastic. I always enjoy watching our little ones perform and hearing a bunch of 4 and 5 year olds reciting the 23^rd Psalm from memory never ceases to amaze me!

We have some fun events planned for the month of June. On Western Day your children can dress in their best cowboy duds and have fun with a pony ride. Please add $5 to your tuition the week of June 7^th to help cover cost of this "field trip". On Anything on Wheels Day your child can bring in their bike, trike, scooter, roller skates, skate board; well you get the point! We will rope off the upper parking lot and the kids will have a blast riding their toys. On the 23^rd, your child can bring their favorite teddy bear and we will have a picnic luncheon outside. The last week will host our very own vacation bible school just for the daycare kids. We will have a fantastic time with a theme that is out of this world! Please add $3 to your tuition check this week to help cover costs of VBS supplies. So as you can see, we will have a wonderful start to our summer.

The Office

Meet the directors

Mara Dunkin is the Director of HOPE Academy. She was raised in Lexington and graduated from USC with a degree in Elementary Education. Mara's husband of 18 years was in the Air Force for 9 years before coming back to SC to work full time at McEntire ANG as the 245^th Air Traffic Control Squadron Commander. Mara has had experience in after school care and summer camps with the YMCA, daycares, and a Christian Mother's Day Out program before coming to HOPE Academy. She started off in the two year old room and then spent a wonderful year teaching the A Beka curriculum in the Four year old room. Mara took time off to have the last of her four children and came back to HOPE Academy as the Director 7 years ago. Mara and her family attend HOPE Baptist Church and she enjoys reading and scrapbooking in her spare time.

Brandy Schaefer is our Assistant Director. She is from Ohio originally and attended Johnson and Wales University where she obtained degrees in Baking and Pastry Arts, Culinary Arts, and Food Service Management. Brandy started out at HOPE Academy in the toddler room and then moved to the office as Assistant Director. When the kitchen position became available, she moved back into her natural environment. When the Assistant Director job became available a year ago, Brandy was quick to step back into the office when needed. She still watches over the kitchen closely! Brandy and her husband of 11 years have three young girls and worship at HOPE Baptist Church. Brandy enjoys gardening, reading, and running her Gourmet Housewife business.

Pastor's Ponderings

We hear talk about spending "quality time" with our children. What is meant by this phrase "quality time"? Many educators would have us believe that one or both parents should pick out some special event, activity, or even have a "date" night with their child. The idea is that the simple presence of the parent in the mind of the child is proof that the parent really cares. It is not so important what the activity is, or how long the activity lasts, the thing that makes the time of such great quality is the fact that the parent is physically there with them. The truth is that the child is not just interested in the physical body being near, but that the parent has given them their total attention and interest for him and him alone for a set period of time. I have watched parents take the kids to a special event or go to one of their child's baseball games, and spend the entire time on a cell phone or chatting with another adult at the event. Is that quality time spent with your child? True quality time is that time, whatever the amount or location, that you give 100% of your attention to your child and their needs. You listen to them; you get involved in what they are interested in at the time; you play what they want to play, and you put their needs ahead of your own desires. Quality time is when the child knows they are the center of your attention and they are convinced you truly care about them as an individual and you are not simply trying to make an appearance once in a while at your own convenience. I need to ask myself, when was the last time I gave my child 100% of my attention and really listened and interacted in their life?

Pastor Dennis Letts

Pastor Emeritus

HOPE Baptist Church

Dates to Remember

3^rd & 4^th - ½ days public school

9^th - Western Day

16^th - Anything On Wheels Day

23^rd - Teddy Bear Picnic

28^th- 2^nd - Galactic Express VBS

Happy Birthday

Students:

8^th - Jaden Felton

10^th - Andrew Anslow

11^th - Noah Cannon

30^th - Javon Adams & Audrey Schaefer

Teachers:

1^st - Evy Bryant

12^th - Victoria McKnight

17^th - Darla Jones

Things to Remember

·         Be sure to clock your child in and out everyday.

·         Please bring a sweater or sweatshirt daily for overactive air conditioning in some classrooms.

·         Time to start applying sunscreen to your child in the mornings. Do not leave sunscreen, chapstick, or any other chemical in your child's cubbie. All such items must be kept at home.

·         If your last name is different from your child's please write your child's full name on your check.

·         Tuition is due on Mondays. Starting at noon on Wednesdays and every day thereafter, a $3 late charge will be added to your account if tuition is not paid.

·         Please give at least a two week notice of your child's last day if you are planning on withdrawing this summer.

·         Please give at least a two weeks written notice of your desire to use your child's free vacation week.