Grayslake kindergarten, elementary, junior high and high school academy providing Christian families with private academic education.
Recently one of our teachers shared with me the transcript of a radio commentary by Paul Kengor, a professor at Grove City College in Pennsylvania. Dr. Kengor was commenting on the film God’s Not Dead, which is about a Christian college student who confronts an atheist professor.
I’ll admit that when I first saw the film trailer, I thought that the producer was a bit over the top. Were there really college teachers who were that in-your-face about attacking Christianity? [Read more…]
by Kenley
Our beloved Mrs. J is retiring after 27 years of humble, faithful, energetic and joyful service to the Lord at Westlake Christian Academy. A godly woman and amazing teacher who has touched countless lives during her time here. Please join us in honoring her service in the following 3 ways:
*Westlake will be taking on a project of updating our playground facilities in Mrs. Jackson’s honor. When we first mentioned to her the idea of some kind of Westlake memorial in her honor, she demurred, saying (characteristically) that she is not worthy. However, given her love of recess and outdoor time with her students, when we mentioned upgrading the playground, she became excited. So we have approached a foundation who has expressed interest in helping with this project. But we also want to give our school family an opportunity to have a part in this as well so that it becomes a concrete, lasting memorial to her and an expression of our love for her.
Check out this video from our dedication night to Mrs. J for a bit of inspiration.
Pay to all what is owed to them: . . . honor to whom honor is owed. (Romans 13:7)
of whom the world was not worthy (Hebrews 11:38)
This has been teacher appreciation week, and our teachers have been thankful for the many expressions of love that have come to them during those days. It would be wonderful, no doubt, if we could devote part of every day showing our gratitude to those who teach our children. Theirs is a difficult and complex task made all the more demanding by the deep emotional and spiritual burdens they carry for their students and families. They leave each day drained, but still with a pile of work to do in the evenings to prepare for the next day.
In addition to the professional demands of the classroom, our teachers carry with them personal burdens and struggles which weigh them down even more. Among our faculty we have those whose families are facing tremendous challenges such as unemployed spouses, loved ones facing serious illness, financial setbacks, and personal physical suffering.
One of those who has been the object of much prayer in recent months has been our kindergarten teacher, Mrs. DeReus, who underwent cancer surgery shortly after Christmas and is presently undergoing the rigors of chemotherapy, all the while determined to keep teaching her little ones how to trust God for everything. Here is a candid reflection from her about this kind of suffering:
Everyone asks, “How are you doing?” This is a hard question for me to answer. I don’t want to complain, and I want to be encouraging. I know that people want to hear that I am doing well, so I try to sound upbeat. My standard answer is I’m OK. The truth is that this is very hard on many levels. I am so tired. I have had a cold for at least a month-I cough all night. I have to sleep sitting up . . . . I can’t taste anything. . . . I can’t take [my daughter] shoe shopping. I can’t go to [my daughter’s] soccer game. And on and on the list goes. . . . When I stop feeling sorry for myself, I think there are people who suffer more than this. I should not complain, but still I am weary of this whole cancer thing.
This week I taught my Kindergarteners about Jesus’ death and resurrection. We discussed how much Jesus suffered for us. I wish I had recorded their responses. It was one of those moments in the classroom when time stopped, and I knew that there was real learning was going on. Not only for my students, but for me. My suffering is nothing compared to Christ’s sacrifice for me. This suffering I face is short term. In fact all earthly suffering is short term. Because Jesus died for me, I look forward to eternity with Him. An eternity with no pain, no tears, no suffering, and no cancer. And while I am on this earth Jesus is the source of my hope, my strength, my joy, my peace, and my comfort in suffering.
I am amazed and humbled that God brings broken, suffering, imperfect people together here at Westlake Christian Academy and uses them for His glorious, eternal purposes. It is a privilege to be associated with them, and I thank God for them every day.
by Kenley
Westlake is introducing AP Biology this coming 2014-15 school year. Our congratulations to Mr. Naegele on getting his course curriculum approved in less than 24 hours, a testament to his skill as an educator. AP Biology joins the list of upper level courses and other recent additions to the academic program at Westlake. Such on-going improvements offer the rigor and challenge needed for our students to succeed in college and career choices.
AP Biology is a college level course demanding the effort and intensity required for post-secondary education. In addition to rigorous lab work, we will be using two texts: one is a college text in biology, and the second is a thought-provoking look at the issue of evolution. While satisfying the College Board requirements, we are determined that our students come away with a defensible biblical worldview, as is true in all our courses. For more on this, read the Administrator’s Blog here.
275 South Lake Street
Grayslake, IL 60030
(847) 548-6209
