ECS June Update
Dear ECS Family,
It has been a busy summer! Please follow this entire post for our supply lists (attached), an invitation to our Discord (attached), and an update on staffing.
First, general supply lists for the 2024-2025 academic year are attached. There is one list for Grammar (PreK-6th) and one for Logic/Rhetoric (7th-12th). Some items have parentheticals showing they are only for certain grades (e.g. - sleeping mats are only in PreK and K). I know stores will soon have school supplies out and on sale, so we wanted to give you the maximum time for preparing (but don't feel rushed, there are still two months of summer).
Second, an invitation to our private school Discord server is attached. Finding a means of consolidating and centralizing communication has been challenging. But we've been testing this for nearly a year, and it affords us both privacy and security with adaptability. Facebook does not reach everyone, emails can get sorted into spam or lost in an inbox. We cannot communicate everything we need to commuicate via mass texts (and you'd be frustrated if we tried). Discord allows us to have video channels, text channels, to share documents or links, and to control who has access.
Finally, we've made significant progress with staffing. I'll start with the bad news. Mrs. Woodard informed us earlier this month she does not intend to return. Her church is starting a co-op, and she has an opportunity to pursue Christian education closer to her home. We wish her all the best and thank her for two years of service.
That brings us to the good news. We have filled the PreK, Teacher Aide, 2nd, 3rd, 4th, and 6th grade positions. Mr. James Watkins expressed a willingness to move up and teach 5th grade. Mrs. Bre Balis and Mrs. Ashli Gallagher will be filling PreK and the Teacher Aide roles, respectively. We have new employees entering 2nd, 3rd, 4th, and 6th. That leaves only K5 and 1st open. Over the last two days I have interviewed three candidates for those two remaining positions, and I have more interviews still scheduled. In summary, we now have more qualified applicants than we have open positions.
I know that the open positions seemed daunting at the start of summer. But by God's grace we are well-positioned to start 2024-2025 with a full faculty roster, and no combined grade levels. As some of our new staff wrap up unfinished business with existing jobs we are excited to begin formally introducing them to you. Thank you for sharing posts, links to our application, and for praying. Please continue to pray as I extend offers for our last remaining positions.
God bless,
Headmaster Batten
