Fourth Quarter Head of School Newsletter

June 8 

Seek

The 2010-2011 school year has been an amazing and sometimes challenging year in which together we decided to seek out new opportunities.  We needed to seek spiritual guidance through the year when we were faced with the challenges of serious medical issues in the community, unexpected and unexplained deaths, and accidents.  God provided healing and strength.  We were able to seek physical achievement in classes and sports.  Aesthetic experiences provided the opportunity to seek accomplishments in the arts. Homework, class work, papers, tests, videos, and projects allowed us to seek new knowledge and build on our skills. Daily life provided untold opportunities to seek the best choice in the process of character development. We worked together to seek the path of journey.  The end of the journey, now, seemed so far away last August, but here it is.  And the journey has been completed.

Outdoor Learning Environment

I hope you have noticed the fences and work underway, which is the first stage in improving the outdoor learning environment for our students.   When you return in August, you will see an entirely new and child-development appropriate and eco-friendly play areas, some interesting “sculpture” pieces, and improved landscape.  Thanks to all who provided input and for everyone’s patience. 

2011-2012 Enrollment

The Admissions office has been very busy!  It appears that we will open next fall with another record enrollment.  We thank God for all these wonderful students.  And we thank you for the confidence you continue to place in Concordia as the best school for you and your family.  Because of the ‘bubble” in Grade 4, we are creating an extra section of that particular grade level.  This is possible because we will have one less section in Grade 1.  Many grade levels throughout the school have reached their optimal class size and have waiting lists. Concordia continues to be the school of choice for many expatriate families!

Building Project Update

Last fall, the school learned of a building code change that could allow for additional space to be added to the Elementary School building. We explored this possibility and were really excited about the potential to expand.  We had an architect draw up some plans for what it could look like. 

Soon after, however, we were told that because of the expansion we wanted to do, the building would have to meet another new building code that was put in place in 2008.  The Elementary School building, which was constructed in 2006-07, is perfectly safe.  But as is often the case, governments make code changes frequently.  The new code requirement makes the cost of the expansion prohibitive. 

We are now looking at finding additional space somewhere else on campus.  Stay tuned; Concordia may not be done yet. 

Comprehensive School Plan for Student Achievement Update

Over the course of the 2011-2012 school year, all teachers and a number of parent volunteers met on various committees under the task of strategic planning and ongoing curriculum development. The committees were divided into four groups with the focuses of communication, curriculum, student support and vision/community ethos. Click here for a four-page summary of the comprehensive school plan for student achievement.

Marketing Update

As a school we have invested much time this past year upgrading our marketing collateral, which includes an updated school logo, to reflect what we have become as a school community. You may have noticed some new images and messages coming out of the Marketing Department.  We have all worked together to better understand what makes Concordia great and those are the things we are highlighting.  Throughout the summer, the Marketing department will be working with IT to put the finishing touches on a new website that will serve as an information source for prospective families and current members of our Concordia community including parents, students and faculty. 

Head of School Search

I trust you have been receiving the updates as provided by the Head of School Search Committee.  The Board members and faculty involved have been hard at work.  I invite you to pray that they will be led to the person that God has already chosen to be your Head of School when I retire in the summer of 2012. 

Until We Meet Again

At this time of year, we also seek ways to say goodbye.  For some, it is just for the summer holiday.  For others, it is goodbye for a longer period of time as they move home or to another international community.  My prayer is that transitions and moves will be easy and that everyone will have a blessed summer holiday.  For those returning, we are seeking ways to continue to improve the Concordia experience, grow in our relationships, and further serve others.

Sincerely,

Dr. Jim Koerschen
Head of School