Why a Christian Education at Sonshine?

Reasons to register your child (or grandchild) at Sonshine Christian School:
1.      Sonshine Christian School is a ministry of First Baptist for over 30 years.
2.      Church members get a 20% tuition discount.
3.      Excellent teacher/student ratio
4.      Discounts given for having more than 1 child enrolled.
5.      Bible-based curriculum
6.      6.  7.  8.  …..
Rather than continuing to list reason after reason, I had the opportunity to talk to a couple of last year’s “graduates” recently. Both Josiah Poush and Chase Emery are 6th graders this year, and were excited to give me a list of how Sonshine impacted their lives.


How did Sonshine Christian School prepare you academically for middle school?
Josiah:                                                 Chase:
1. On track or ahead in        1.  Gets assignments done        
most of my classes                more quickly
2. Especially in Math            2.  Especially in Math
    and Language Arts
3. Cursive writing                  3.  Cursive writing:
("Most kids can’t write           ("Most kids can’t even
in cursive")                                 read cursive!")


What are some of your favorite memories about Sonshine?
1. Math Olympics                     1. SeaKrest
2. Great friends                        2. Great teachers
3. We’re like a family              3. Like my extended family


How did Sonshine prepare you spiritually for your future?
1.  Helps me make              1.  Good Bible foundation
     good decisions


Because of the small class size at Sonshine, capping at 20, teachers are able to get to know the students, encourage them in life skills as well as academics, pray with them, and be a listening ear when needed.  During the year, students can earn awards in reading, Bible memorization, honor roll, even P.E. and Music.  However, the award that students (and their families) look forward to all year are the character awards.  These affirming awards, given at the end of the year, recognize those Christ-like attributes displayed by the students.


Sonshine Christian School also has a number of extra-curricular activities.  Both Josiah and Chase competed in the ACSI Math Olympics and did very well.  Josiah placed 1st in Math Reasoning with a 100%. (by the way, Math Reasoning means . . . . story problems!)  Besides the math Olympics, Sonshine also participates in the ACSI Spelling Bee, ASCI Track & Field Meet and hosts the ACSI Regional Speech Meet each year.  Both Josiah and Chase also remember the fun field trips, especially the overnight trip to SeaKrest Lodge. An overnight stay at the beach with their classmates is a great bonding time and provides some lasting memories to the 5th graders who are leaving Sonshine.


Open enrollment has just begun.  If you have any questions concerning tuition or would like to schedule a tour, please call the Sonshine office at 503-375-5764.


Are you glad you went to Sonshine Christian School?
            Josiah & Chase:  YES!!

- Mona Breach,
Sonshine Christian School Music Teacher

Junk Email to Outreach

I almost ignored the email and did the “junk ~ block sender” routine as just another bothersome ad.  But surely the Holy Spirit directed me to pay attention, and after several attempts at a meeting, Pastor Jeff  and I met with Louis, the local representative for Uncharted Waters, a sports camp ministry.  After their (very positive!) references were diligently checked out the process of finding the perfect location began.



What a learning process, and the path was paved with an increasing sense of excitement as the vision for a new and potentially enhanced capacity of outreach took hold of our collective heart.  Walker Middle School was chosen as the location – it’s close by, right in the heart of our local area of influence, with an abundance of unchurched families within walking distance.  All the elements we need are there – gym, cafeteria, and abundant green space.



Potential for outdoors … at a local school … flag football, basketball, soccer, cheerleading, and motor-skills training for the 4 & 5 year age ~ how inviting AND non-threatening as an outreach tool into our own neighborhoods and the area around Walker!  All the powerful components of VBS, all the heart, dreams, and vision for outreach are there, in a venue that will surely open a door of invitation to a wider range of families.



Inherent in the program are the same strong outreach components of VBS ~ one-on-one interaction with godly mentors (coaches and assistant-coaches), Bible Stories, memory verses, snack time, play time.

I don’t like to wish my life away … but I am so stoked and ready for summer to come!  My prayer goal is for 100 children to come to salvation this year.  This is surely a powerful tool; I hope you’ll be involved in what God will do!

Sherri Sperling, Children's Ministries Director

 

_____________

SOUND THE TRUMPET:  ASSEMBLING THE TROOPS FOR PRAYER

The Bible says that we are stronger together.  That is nowhere more true than when it comes to prayer.  When we unite together in prayer God uniquely responds because He loves unity (Ps. 133:1-2).  Let's continue praying for each other.  Send in your prayer requests for the prayer wall:  prayer@fbcsalem.org or text to 62953 (put sfb in the message and then your request).

Keep visiting the Prayer Wall:  Your friends need you. 

                            First Baptist website: www.fbcsalem.org

go to SFB prayer wall