Recently, I finished the last few files for Omnibus VI. Omnibus is a six year pattern of working through the great books. It is extensive (but not comprehensive—after you are done there are plenty of other books that you should be reading). I have been working during the last 10 years on creating curriculum for the project serving as the managing editor of the project. I also wrote a few chapters in each volume. Volume VI is the last volume, so now, some would say, the project is over. (I am glad that I will not be writing quite as much and that I can broaden my reading.) (more…)
Archive for the ‘Education’ Category
The End of an Era?
Tuesday, December 20th, 2011Macbeth for 4th Graders?
Wednesday, November 30th, 2011Some recent questions arose concerning our 4th grade play. Typically, we have done Macbeth (a substantial, but revised, version for kids). Sometimes parents have some concerns with the choice of Macbeth. There are two root concerns, but they end in one questions: “Is Macbeth really appropriate for 4th graders?” To parse it, the concerns are: “Can 4th graders really handle Shakespeare’s content academically?” The second, and usually loudest, concern is: “Is this play—full or murder, intrigue, and sin—appropriate for 4th graders?” In this brief space I will attempt to answer both of these concerns.
What is Missing?
Monday, November 28th, 2011Brian Wallace’s story in the paper today is a demonstration of the great problem of having the government involved in education. Here is the story:
Christianity and Writing
Thursday, November 17th, 2011Here is a neat video from Douglas Wilson concerning why Christians should write and what they should write about:
Rush Limbaugh on Classical Studies
Thursday, November 3rd, 2011Every once in a while someone asks me if I listen to Rush. I do not. I am at work while he is on. I did, in an earlier life, listen to him as I traveled to work while studying at seminary. I generally enjoy his humor (at least I did during the Clinton Administration). I have not listened to him regular for 15 years. I was interested, however, that he made, during a verbal joust with an angry Occupy caller, a dig at getting a degree in classics in college. (more…)
Seeing the Future
Wednesday, November 2nd, 2011Each day I encounter (sometimes it feels as if I am assaulted by) information that could cast doubt on God’s goodness or on hope for the future. Each day I try to beat back the fear and look at the world with a measure of realism mixed with optimistic hope remembering that Jesus Christ has conquered sin and death and that He rules now from Heaven over this world governing things like geopolitics and every hair on my (graying) head. (more…)
Is Halloween Over Yet?
Tuesday, November 1st, 2011Here is a story from Miami that a friend sent to me recently. They have stopped giving students Midterms and Finals, so that the students won’t be stressed out by them:
Educational News Continued
Friday, October 28th, 2011Yesterday, the State Senate in PA passed a voucher bill that will give voucher to students trapped in the 5% of schools that are chronically bottom performers. It is unlikely right now that this bill will pass the PA House. If it does, however, the governor will sign it. My heart goes out to these students. They need rescued from these schools. The present situation illustrates how the state is going to attempt this rescue. Yesterday I was at a meeting of Christian administrators in the area. Our governor, Tom Corbett, was hoping to be there, but in the end he was not able to attend. Would he have attended and would I have had a chance to speak with him this is what I would have liked to say.
Strategic Plan: Another Opportunity to Help
Tuesday, October 25th, 2011Dear Families,
Recently, I learned of an upcoming opportunity for families at our school to host some students from overseas for two weeks in the Spring of 2012. I need to respond quickly to let the mission organization (represented by our own Karen Kuch) know quickly whether we would be interested in hosting these students. Saying “yes” now does NOT commit you to doing it, but to considering it. This hosting would entail providing food and lodging for two students for two weeks. Most of the students will be from China and some might be from families that are considering working with the missions organization to send their child here to America for schooling at a Christian school like Veritas. They will be visiting classes here at Veritas for some of the days during their visit. (more…)
Strategic Plan
Thursday, October 20th, 2011Recently, I had a great question from a parent concerning our strategic plan: “So, how much will our tuition go up?” Here is my answer:
Great question! (You are the first, but other might have thought it.)
As we built this plan, we analyzed the increases in tuition over the last decade. We found that the average was around five percent annually. (I think that we have the lowest average increase as compared to others schools locally.) We found, however, that we were not consistent in our increases. We would have a year of 0% and then the next year we would have an increase of 10%. We want to move tuition forward predictably instead of jumping around. We are planning on raising tuition at around 5% annually. So, this plan does not include any increases in tuition at higher rates than has be true over the last 10 years. It does, however, mean moving it forward in a more disciplined and predictable manner. (more…)
