It has been a busy four months at the Academy. I have loved becoming part of the SBCA family. Working with the administration and teachers has been an incredible experience. As I consider all of the recent campus improvements, I think about the changes we need to make so we can change the word “a” to “the” in our mission statement. At SBCA, we desire to be “the” Christian school option of South Baldwin County, not simply “a” option. With the academic, campus life, athletics, fine arts, and other improvements we are making, we are positioning SBCA to be “the” school of choice.
As you look around campus, you’ll notice several improvements have been made and are currently in the works. Some of the improvements already accomplished include increased campus security (gates, additional security cameras), our prayer walk, and upgraded information technology infrastructure (gymnatorium wifi, better total campus access to wifi, increased Internet security filters).
Upcoming projects include changes to the front office to create a more professional environment with a private area for parents to discuss confidential information with office personnel such as tuition payments or student records. Our Facilities Manager, Lance Odeneal, has been working with a local contractor to make this happen over the past weekend. Part of this project includes SBCA’s first Teacher’s Lounge to give teachers space apart from the classroom to collaborate and plan great lessons as well as be professionally developed. It offers us space to host parent groups as well, like the SBCA Women Connect book club kicking off with an Interest Meeting on November 14th.
I was also blessed to be a part of our recent Grandparents Day event. We asked each of the grandparents if they would like to be a part of our playground improvement project and they overwhelmingly said count us in. The students have raised nearly $5,000 for this project and we anticipate partnering with an organization that designs and works with schools to create amazing playgrounds. Additionally, be on the lookout for changes to our courtyard. This donor-sponsored project will feature upgraded landscaping, additional sitting areas, and other enhancements.
Each day at the Academy, we start by praying for an individual student and a teacher. My prayer is that we make an impact for Christ in each of our student’s lives. We have wonderful teachers that love their content, love their students and love the Lord. I want SBCA to be in a position to impact as many students as possible, and in order to do this, we have the vision to be “the” Christian school in South Baldwin County.
