bethany christian schools ulletin · 2015-09-18 · those who attend church schools (kinder-garten...

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BULLETIN Bethany Christian Schools Winter 2005 Vol. 50 No. 2 www.bethanycs.net Inside this Issue Alumni News ......................... 6-7 • Alumna Finds Family Building Update......................... 3 From the Principal ..................... 8 Campus News & Calendar ....... 4-5 • Students with a Testimony • Students Express Thanks Church-School Partnership Plan Revised See page 2 Science Rooms Renovated See page 5

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Page 1: Bethany Christian Schools ULLETIN · 2015-09-18 · those who attend church schools (kinder-garten through seminary) later become active church members, many providing leadership

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Winter 2005Vol. 50 No. 2

www.bethanycs.net

Inside this IssueAlumni News.........................6-7 • Alumna Finds FamilyBuilding Update.........................3From the Principal .....................8Campus News & Calendar .......4-5 • Students with a Testimony • Students Express Thanks

Church-SchoolPartnership Plan Revised

See page 2

Science Rooms

Renovated

See page 5

Page 2: Bethany Christian Schools ULLETIN · 2015-09-18 · those who attend church schools (kinder-garten through seminary) later become active church members, many providing leadership

2 BULLETIN Winter 2005BCS BULLETIN Winter 2005 3

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BBethany Christian Schools

ULLETINUSPS 817-760The BCS Bulletin is produced fall, winter, spring, and summer by the Development Office of Bethany Christian Schools. The Bulletin is distributed to all homes in the congregations of Indiana-Michi-gan Mennonite Conference, as well as to parents and alumni of the school. Periodical postage paid at Nappanee, Ind.

Editor: J. Kevin MillerConsulting Editors: Allan Dueck, Susan Gingerich, Merv Miller, Karen Shenk2904 South Main StreetGoshen, IN 46526-5499574 [email protected]

POSTMASTER: Send form 3579 to Bethany Bulletin,c/o Evangel Press2000 Evangel WayNappanee, IN 46550

New Church Support

Plan

Front cover: Two frosh Enivronmental Science students use the new Biology lab to test a water fi lter they created from recycled products.

Partnership Plan RevisedAfter nearly two years of careful planning, Bethany has begun unveiling a new Partner-ship Plan to congregations in the Goshen area. With the new plan scheduled to begin in 2005-06, school leaders have already begun introducing the new plan to con-gregations and anticipate a full itinerary of meetings during the coming months.

The purpose of the new Partnership Plan is twofold: to provide congregations with a vehicle for funding Christian education at Bethany for their youth in grades 6-12 and, equally important, to say to their youth in a tangible way that Bethany is an option worth their consideration. Experience shows that congregations with a church school plan send more students to Bethany. This is the case because of the funding sup-port, of course, but also because students in such congregations feel encouraged to consider attending a church school.

What’s in it for congregations? Studies, such as the Mennonite High School Project of 1997, show that a greater percentage of those who attend church schools (kinder-garten through seminary) later become active church members, many providing leadership for various Christian ministries. For congregations, then, an investment in Christian education at Bethany is an invest-ment in the future of the church.

The new plan departs from the current plan in several significant ways. First, in previous plans congregations paid the most (for many years, the full cost of education), but in the new plan, partner congregations pay the lowest tuition rate. Second, the new plan provides two levels of partnership. Third, the new plan reduces the difference between high school and middle school tuition. Fourth, partner congregations can send a representative to the new Partner-ship Council, a group that will meet twice a year for communication about church-school matters.

In setting up the new plan, Bethany has sought to benefit congregations, families, and the school. The plan will give con-gregations a vehicle to equip their young people for active Christian discipleship and leadership in the church and community. Further, the preferential fee structure will provide a financial benefit in managing the cost of supporting students at Bethany.

The new plan will benefit families by giving them preferred tuition rates and, on the understanding that congregations abide by IRS guidelines, the plan will give fami-lies and other contributors a tax advantage. The plan will benefit Bethany by strength-ening enrollment through increased congre-gational ownership and commitment.

Bethany’s new Partnership Plan represents a bold new initiative to strengthen the ties among school, support-ing congregations, and families. The new plan has significant potential for enhancing Bethany’s effectiveness in achieving its mission: to provide “an excellent education that encourages students to follow Jesus Christ—equipping them to serve others, promote peace, and lead in the church and world.”

Bethany principal Allan Dueck (left) and Berkey Avenue Mennonite Church reps Curt Wenger, Dan Schrock, and Dan Nafziger discuss the new Partnership Plan.

Page 3: Bethany Christian Schools ULLETIN · 2015-09-18 · those who attend church schools (kinder-garten through seminary) later become active church members, many providing leadership

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Building Project

Building UpdateThe fall issue of the BCS Bulletin highlight-ed the completed renovation and expansion of the cafeteria-kitchen. Another compo-nent of the building project completed over the summer was the renovation of the two high school science classrooms.

The most noticeable change is that the Biology classroom has been significantly enlarged, by taking space from the present library. A larger classroom area has allowed more effective use of different instructional styles, such as individual and group work, to occur simultaneously. Since students can spread out and are not as likely to infringe on others’ space, they tend to stay more focused on their tasks.

However, a key impetus for the renova-tion was the creation of 14 full-service lab stations, complete with water, drains, and gas. Previously, Biology students needed to change classrooms with Chemistry/Physics students for lab work.

The Chemistry/Physics classroom has essentially the same configuration it had, but has been modernized with better light-ing, new flooring, a portable fume hood, and refurbished lab stations—many drains, pipes, and other equipment had simply worn out.

While initial renovation plans included installing cabinets for existing desktop computers used in lab work, plans changed to replace desktop computers with portable laptops instead. Laptops were not only more cost-effective than installing cabinets, but are more useful since students can eas-ily move them within the lab area as well as to their desks.

Since school began in August, significant progress has been made on new con-struction begun last March. The auxiliary gym is scheduled to be finished and ready for use in the girls JV basketball tourney on December 22. As of December 1, baskets, scoreboards, and flooring have been installed; installation of bleachers and finishing the lockerrooms and hallways remains to be done.

The new middle school classrooms, media center, and offices are enclosed, and the new parking lot is paved. Masonry work is completed except for the connecting hall-way between the two buildings. Classroom and office areas have been painted and are ready for flooring and furnishings.

Middle school students and office personnel will move into their respec-tive areas as soon as possible after work has been completed. The order in which new construction is to be completed, by the end of Decem-ber or in January, is the gym, then class-rooms, media center, and offices. Updates can be viewed at www.bethanycs.net.Installation of the auxiliary gym floor in mid-November.

Above, senior Physics students analyze data on the new science lab’s laptop computers while another performs the experiment (below).

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CalendarJanuary

31 MS Spiritual Life Week begins

February24-27 HS Musical (see ad below)

March 1 HS Spiritual Life Week begins18-19 Fun Fest (see page 5) 22 Spring Arts performance, 7 p.m.

April 4-8 Spring Break (offices closed) 8-11 MSEC Choir Festival at Iowa Mennonite School 15 Fish Fry, 4:30-8:00 p.m.22-24 MSEC Orchestra Festival at Central Christian, Kidron, Ohio25-29 HS Interterm/Senior Trip29-30 MS Drama (to be announced)

Admissions CalendarDiscovery Day for prospective students

and their parents: Feb. 21

Student Visit Days: Feb. 7 and March 7

Early Application Due Date: March 15

February 24-27, 2005Thursday–Saturday, 7:30 p.m.

Sunday, 3 p.m.

Based on a series of interviews by Studs Terkel, Working chronicles real-life stories of working people in America. From the check-out girl who considers her job to be a constant dance and loves the challenge of it, to the boxboy who has a different view on the food he bags from growing up a migrant worker, to the housewife buying those groceries who knows the underappreciated importance of her role, this montage of characters gives a new perspective on people we see daily. Filled with upbeat songs like

“I’m Just Movin’” and thought-provoking ballads like “Fathers and Sons,” this surprisingly honest musical finds a place of identity for everyone.

Adults: $6.50 • Students: $4

Reservations open February 7call 574 534-2567

Campus News

Students with a TestimonyA new after-school club, Students with a Testimony (SWAT), provides students an opportunity to worship together, share testimonies, pray with each other, and learn more about the Word of God. About 30 students, mostly juniors and seniors, have been attending the weekly SWAT meetings.

Club sponsors, high school phys ed teacher Krysten Parson and middle school math teacher Matt Miller, lead the discus-sions. Students lead in worship, sharing, and prayer. SWAT members have also led in public prayer prior to player introduc-tions at some home athletic contests.

Two seniors lead singing at a SWAT meeting.

Page 5: Bethany Christian Schools ULLETIN · 2015-09-18 · those who attend church schools (kinder-garten through seminary) later become active church members, many providing leadership

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Campus News

Fun Fest: March 18-19Parents are busy planning for the 12th annual Fun Fest on March 18 and 19. The Fun Fest is a school fundraiser for tuition assistance. The Fun Fest committee hopes to net $80,000.

Friday evening activ-ities include auctions, a chicken barbeque, a bake sale, and a car-nival for youth and children. Saturday morning events include a pancake and sausage breakfast and, new this year, a 5K run/walk (registration will begin in late January).

Auction items (quilts, new and used items, silent auction) will be published in a catalogue available prior to the Fun Fest—a pdf version will be available online at www.bethanycs.net by late February.

Plan now to participate in this fundrais-ing event as a donor or buyer—everyone is welcome. Donations needed include baked goods, auction items, money to cover expenses, and volunteer labor.

Students Express ThanksDuring an open mic chapel the day before Thanksgiving, students and faculty stood up to share their thanks for ...

• health, life, newborn babies

• friendships

• disagreeing with others while main-taining mutual respect/friendship

• teachers who mentor them

• their families

• the faith community at Bethany.

On November 10 students and faculty also spent a day serving community orga-nizations as a way of thanking the many people who support Bethany, but especially for those who contributed to the student-wide fundraiser supporting tuition assis-tance. Students raised over $26,000.

While many students did typical fall work such as raking leaves, others had op-portunity to give back to the community by helping build a Habitat for Humanity house, hanging Christmas decorations for a county museum, or packaging school kits for Mennonite Central Committee.

Science teacher Mike Goertzen (left) and junior student hang drywall in a Habitat for Humanity house as part of a school-wide day of service.

A local elementary school student helps demonstrate a Bruin pedal car at the 2004 Fun Fest auction.

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AlumniNews

Marriages

Tim Hochstetler (’93) and Michele Miller, Goshen, on Oct. 2.

Mark Moyer (’93) and Rachael Hively, Goshen, on Sept. 25.

Nick Clark (’98) and Jennifer Griffee, Wakarusa, on Sept. 25.

Rachel Stump (’99) and Christopher Krull on October 16.

Jason Kauffman (’00) and Shelley Habusta, Gos-hen, on June 26.

Rochelle Zehr (’00) and Danny Miller, Goshen, on July 10.

Notes

Dorothy (Hershberger ’58) Hooley and husband Phil, Shipeshewana, Ind., opened a fitness center for women in August.

John Arthur Lowe (’75), Van Nuys, Calif., owner/CEO of JALowePlays, was first runner-up in the customer relation-ship management category in Cisco Systems’ 2004 Growing With Technology Awards. He was one of 15 winners chosen from over 700 applicants.

Jill Landis (’94), Harrisonburg, Va., wrote theAug. 30 to Sept. 5 devotions for Rejoice.

Michelle Norman (’95) serves as Material Aid Coordinator for Mennonite Central Committee Great Lakes at the Depot in Goshen.

Nathanael Arbuckle (’97) began Master of Land-scape Architecture studies at Ball State University this fall.

Kent Holsopple (’98) works for the National Repub-lican Committee. He worked for President George W. Bush’s campaign in Minnesota.

Births

Edward (’87) and Angela McKenna, Goshen, a daughter, Claire Louise, on Sept. 27.

John (’88) and Sheila Troyer, Sturgis, Mich., adopted a daughter, Amanda FuHong, on Sept. 28, born Nov. 26, 2003.

Veronica (Weirich ’88) and Gary Berkey, Goshen, a son and daughter, Colin Bradley and Leah Gen-evieve, on Sept. 26.

Stacy (Schmucker ’89) and Jeremy Stoltzfus, Enola, Pa., a son, Lucas Aaron, on Sept. 25.

Jolene (Hostetler ’90) and Doug VonGunten, Goshen, a son, Garrett Andrew, on Nov. 6.

Natasha (’90) and Aaron (’92) Sawatzky Kingsley, Goshen, a son, Terran Timatao, on Aug. 5.

Chad Smoker (’92) and Britt Kaufmann (’92), Brunsville, N.C., sons Maxwell James and Vaughn Eric, on Oct. 8.

Laura (Yoder ’92) and Jason Moshier, Chicago, Ill., a son, Simon Eli, on Aug. 31.

Jon (’92) and Kris (Sommers ’93) Shenk, Ypsilanti, Mich., a son, Austin Philip, on July 17.

Eric (’94) and Angela Miller, South Bend, Ind., a son, Owen Jacob, on Nov. 7.

Prayer CornerUpdates from previous issue:

Alison Cloud (’06) continues treatment for cancer and plans to begin high-dose chemo in late December. For further updates, see www2.caringbridge.org/in/alisoncloud.

Cheryl Nester-Detweiler (’85, S’92-95), Evanston, Ill. Her three-year-old daughter Holli is recover-ing from chemotherapy and anticipating surgery to remove as much of the cancerous tumor as possible. For further information, register at www.carepages.com and select HolliNesDet.

Weldon Lambright (’68), see Deaths.

We invite your prayers for the following in the Bethany community:

Phil Dintaman (’58), Howe, Ind., as he continues recovering from acute pancreatitis.

Josh Miller (’04), New Paris, Ind., as he recovers from injuries received in an automobile accident.

Ruth Ann Wittrig (F’00-present), Goshen, as she recovers from a brain aneurysm—also for her sixth grade students and Kay Miller, who teaches for her during her absence.

Deaths

Weldon Lambright (’68), LaGrange, Ind., on Oct. 7. Survived by his wife Mary (Davidhizar ’68) and children Stephanie Roth (’91), Cindy Martin (’96), and Cecilia Nuzum (’99).

Ryan and Heather Schumm(’95), Wake Forest, N.C., a son, Samuel Thomas, on Sept. 6.

Anne (Yoder ’96) and Aaron Potoczky, Mishawaka, Ind., a son, Austin Michael, on July 26.

Julie (Yoder ’99) and Tim Dick, Elkhart, a daughter, Grace Elizabeth, on Nov. 3.

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AlumniNews

The class of 1984 held its 20-year reunion on June 12 at Das Essenhaus in Middlebury, Ind. Attendees included (from left): (front) Rebecca Bare, Joleen Miller Myers, Kim Miller Judy, Tammy Stern Miller, Dawn Leatherman, Becky Yoder Stichter, Robin Bryant; (back) Jay Little, John Kolb, Jerrol Shaum, Robert Kurtz, Mike Yoder, Karen McElmurry Pfahler, Randy Miller, Gene Cross, Charles Martin.

Chris Kingsley (’00) was licensed Sept. 12 as an associate pastor of Holdeman Men-nonite Church, Wakarusa, Ind.

Eric Diener Meyer (’00), a senior theater major at Goshen College, earned second prize in the 2004 Goshen College Peace Play Contest with his one-act play “In a Time of War.”

Forrest Ramser (’00), Phoenix, Ariz., works as a golf assistant at Paradise Valley Country Club.

Nick Gingerich (’01) serves as student station man-ager of The Globe, 91.1 FM at Goshen College.

Katrina Maust (’02) serves as yearbook editor at Goshen College.

Angela Gingerich (’04) serves with Reach-ing and Discipling. This fall she worked at a teen center and an after-school program in New Haven, Ind. In December she and three other participants began a seven-

month assignment in Macon, Ga.

Kathy Koop (F’00-02) was ordained Sept. 26 at First Mennonite Church, Winnipeg, Man. She has served on the pastoral team since 2002.

Aaron Gnagey (’03) and Dale Shenk (F’93-) HonoredAaron Gnagey received a $1,000 scholar-ship as Valparaiso University’s recipient of Indiana Independent College’s annual “Re-alizing the Dream” award, which recognizes an outstanding student who is the first family member to attend college.

In addition, Bethany’s Bible teacher, Dale Shenk, received a $1,000 professional development grant as the high school teacher who most influenced Gnagey.

Alumna Finds FamilyFor years Ruthie (Cocanower ’76) Saunders wasn’t willing to search for her biological family in Puerto Rico—fearful of what she might find, or that she couldn’t find any-thing. However, in planning for an August trip to Puerto Rico with her husband, she consented to have a friend search for her family. After weeks of unsuccessful leads, Ruthie surrendered to God her disappoint-ment, fears, sadness, and anger. Then three days before their departure, she learned her biological family had likely been found.

Ruthie met a sister at the airport and after seeing a picture of her mother, now deceased, she had no doubt this was her family. Ruthie, who is involved in lay music ministry, discovered that her mother was also a singer and that music and faith are very much a part of her family.

The eighth of ten children, Ruthie became so sick as a young child that her family could not provide adequate medical care. Though her family missed their “baby sister,” they are grateful to her adopted mother for providing that care—and a home. Ruthie and her adopted and biological fami-lies agree that it was a divine miracle to be brought together after more than 40 years.

Ruthie (Cocanower ’76) Saunders (left) meets two of her sisters after more than 40 years.

Page 8: Bethany Christian Schools ULLETIN · 2015-09-18 · those who attend church schools (kinder-garten through seminary) later become active church members, many providing leadership

Bethany Christian Schools2904 South Main StreetGoshen, IN 46526-5499

Return Service Requested

Non-Profit Org.U.S. POSTAGE PAID

Permit No. 16Goshen, IN 46527

From

the

Principal

Allan Dueck

Notice to parents:Please notify the BCS Bulletin of the new address of your son or daughter.

A question I often hear is, “Why is tuition so high at Bethany?” Others ask, “Why is tuition so much lower at another church school I know?”

Let me begin by saying that tuition is high—not highest among church schools, but high. This year the full tuition rate for the first student in a family is $6,110 for middle school and $8,015 for high school. Fortunately, most students qualify for various discounts and so don’t pay the full amount. More than 25% of our stu-dents receive need-based tuition assistance from the school—this year, totaling nearly $278,000. Furthermore, about two-thirds of our students receive financial support from their congregations towards their tuition.

Having noted that few students pay full tuition, let me address the questions posed at the outset.

First, Bethany seeks to compensate entry-level employees at 90% of the local public school pay. Since employees with greater experience and education are paid a some-what lower percentage, average compensa-tion at Bethany overall stands at about 85% of pay in neighboring public schools. Clearly employees are doing their part to help control tuition levels. Notably, many other church schools pay their employees a lot less—50-60% of local pay is not uncom-

mon. Bethany’s commitment on compensa-tion obviously impacts the cost of tuition.

Second, Bethany does not receive conference/congregational or governmen-tal support at the level many other church schools do. Catholic schools, for instance, often receive much of their funding from the parish while some other Mennonite schools receive substantially more fund-ing from conferences or congregations. Northern Indiana congregations do provide significant support towards tuition for their youth enrolled at Bethany, but the total amount of outright funding towards the school’s operating expenses is just over 4%, much less than at some church schools.

Third, Bethany is committed to small class sizes. A typical class at Bethany has 15-22 students rather than the 25-30 com-mon in many public schools. If we were to increase class sizes to these levels, we could reduce tuition substantially. However, we recognize that small classes are essential for students to succeed academically. Higher tuition pays for smaller classes.

While these factors help to explain the cost of tuition, we at Bethany are working hard to control cost growth. Our primary initiative at present is the new Partnership Plan, which holds promise for increasing efficiency by strengthening enrollment.