Words From A Recent DCS Graduate


The following, used by permission of the author, are
excerpts taken from an email sent to a veteran DCS teacher by an
appreciative former student. The purpose of sharing it is several-fold:
first, to affirm the depth and degree of our teaching a Biblical
worldview and the positive affects of that, secondly, to give a heads-up
to students almost ready to graduate from Damascus Christian - to alert
them to the pressures they will face as they depart the school, and
thirdly, to commend this former student for her willingness to stand
alone in the face of open and on-going challenges to her beliefs. Read
on... (parentheses are the editors).

"Just thought I would write to let you know what all is
happening at (my secular college). I love being here - the classes are
great and the friends I have made are really fun. The only downside to
it all is that I have not found any Christian people wandering the halls
at school. It really is a haven for every secular person interested in
(my course of study). I have three roommates and each are involved in
different beliefs. One is a pagan, dutifully involved in witchcraft;
one is a transcendentalist, and the other really isn't around enough to
talk to. The majority of the people I hang out with are hardcore
atheists - it breaks my heart to hear their stories of why they hate
'organized religion,' specifically Christianity. I can't believe what
some Christians have done to make them feel alienated, not loved, and
just feel like the trash of the earth.

The only thing I find comfort in is that they have all said
that I am different from the run-ins that they have had previously. So
I am truly hoping that I can be a light in the darkness. I never knew
how much I took for granted being in a school where all my friends held
the same beliefs and the teachers cared about what we did, or took
interest in our lives. I don't think I could have ever fathomed how
much pressure there would be to conform to people's ideals. I have had
to defend my faith so much, even over little things. Everyone is
interested in what the 'resident Christian' thinks about gay marriages,
abortion, dating, other religions, ghosts, music, and lots of other
things. I am so grateful for all you taught us in your class. I can't
believe how much it has helped me out in all areas of life. I still
have the book and all the notes that I took in that class. I read
through them tons.

I know of two DCS students who may be interested in
attending my college. Please tell them to be prepared for the worst. I
don't think that anyone can prepare you for going to the heart of the
secular world. I don't want to scare them from the school because it is
a ton of fun, but you just have to be on your toes constantly and know
what you believe and why. I would hate for them to be thrown into this
world unaware of what is going on in the world because then it would be
super easy to be turned and think that what the people tell you here is
all true. Everyone seems to have done massive studies on all areas of
life - religion, world news, and anything in-between. It's hard to keep
your footing if you weren't grounded in everything to begin with.
Please pray for me that I would be able to impact my friends
and everyone else I come into contact, and that everyone I talk to would
have an open heart to what I say and not just blow me off as some
religious nut. Thank you for all that you have instilled in my life. I
do not know where I would be without your wisdom shared in your class.
I don't think that I can begin to explain how helpful that class really
was."

We appreciate hearing from our graduates. It is gratifying
to know that our mission of assisting Christian parents in the training
of their children spiritually, academically, socially, emotionally, and
physically, is paying off by producing faithful followers of Jesus
Christ for God's glory and the building of His Kingdom. Scripture
reminds us to "...guard our hearts with all diligence for from it flow
the springs of life" (Prov. 4:23 NASB). We are to watch and "Don't let
the world around you squeeze you into its own mould, but let God
re-mould your minds from within..." (Romans 12:2 JB Phillips). "Don't
let others spoil your faith and joy with their philosophies, their wrong
and shallow answers built on men's thoughts and ideas, instead of on
what Christ has said" (Col. 2:8 TLB). In short, we are to think (and
therefore act) biblically - to assess all information, circumstances,
and situations through the screen of Scripture. Please pray for our
graduates (and the class of 2006) that they would choose to impact their
sphere of influence for Jesus Christ.


Thanks A Bushel!


A special thanks to all of you who purchased pears and
apples during our Discovery fund raiser. Your generous support of this
project will assist our educational therapists in attending the National
Institute for Learning Disabilities (NILD) Regional Conference and, in
addition, will pay for a classroom teacher to attend. We are thankful
for this professional growth opportunity.


Spirit Week And Homecoming Coming


Spirit Week and the culminating Homecoming games are coming!
Monday through Friday, January 9th-13th, the classrooms, halls, and gym
will rock with excitement and enthusiasm. As reported earlier, the
purpose of Spirit Week is to rekindle school spirit.
Each day is marked by different activities and dress-up
themes - Monday - Pajama Day; Tuesday - Favorite Sport or Team;
Wednesday - Dress All-In-One-Color Day; Thursday - Cowboy Day; Friday -
School Spirit Day (school colors - maroon and gold). On Tuesday, there
will be a special lunch and talent show. Wednesday will focus on class
competition games in the gym. Thursday is slated for class lip syncs,
and Friday will culminate the week's activities with an all-school pep
assembly.

During the week, high school students will vote on their
class representatives for Honor Court based on consistent Christian
testimony, school spirit, respect and encouragement. The Honor Court
will be introduced at Friday's Pep Assembly and again at the Friday
night basketball games with Jewell. Game times are JV girls - 2:30; JV
boys at 4, varsity girls at 5:30, and varsity boys at 7 PM. Be sure to
arrive early for a good seat and to cheer for the DCS Eagles!!


Resolutions?


If you are like me, you had great intentions to read bunches
of books over Christmas break. I have good news for you! Many of those
books are in your DCS library just waiting to be read during those
wintry months ahead. Maybe one book per month could be a great New
Year's resolution! Thanks to many of you who participated in the
December Book Fair, we have many new books from which to choose. With
proceeds from the Fair, I was able to purchase $300 in new books. Thank
you for your support and encouragement. Linda Dennis, librarian.


Report Cards Coming Out In January


January 20th, marks the end of the first semester. Report
cards will be handed out on Wednesday, January 25th. In preparation for
that event, enjoy the following: The little boy wasn't getting good
marks in school. One day he made the teacher quite surprised. He
tapped her on the shoulder and said, "I don't want to scare you, but my
daddy says if I don't get better grades, somebody is going to get a
spanking." Please encourage your children to continue to show diligence
and consistent effort in each subject.

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