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Geneva Journal
Vol.
1
|
Issue
7
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May
2015
Message from the Headmaster:
Some Trust in Chariots, Some
in Accreditation
This is a complicated issue requiring some
explanation.
W
hat, exactly, does accreditation
mean?
Most think it means that a high
quality educational program – verified by
experts -- is in place. “Fully accredited”
therefore would mean This Is a Good School You
Can Trust. Accredited schools market
themselves that way. For example, an online
school claims, “Accreditation is your assurance
of K12’s academic excellence.”1
Yet consider these statistics: only 30% of
Oregon public school 8th graders are rated
proficient in reading and only 25% are rated
proficient in math. Only 68% of ninth graders
graduate on time if at all.2 Moreover, half the
high school graduates that attend community
colleges place into developmental education;
they are not ready for college level work. The
Roseburg School District has a 63% graduation
rate. Of all district students, only 55% met
English/Language Arts standards and only 43%
met Mathematics standards.3
With such poor academic results, how many
Oregon schools have lost their accreditation?
None.
Accreditation also is said to assure continuity in
and quality of governance, as well as the
stability of the administration.
In our area, one college experienced an
unprecedented vote of no confidence by the
faculty towards the president; there were
lawsuits and conflicts of interest. The turmoil
had no impact on the college’s accreditation. A
private school had major changes in its board,
administration, and instructional program
without an impact on its accreditation.
In Massachusetts, a Christian college president
signed a letter requesting a religious exemption
from federal sexual orientation antidiscrimination hiring rules. The college’s
accreditation was called into question.
So then, if 1) accreditation doesn’t guarantee
academic excellence, 2) schools can remain
accredited despite major institutional events,
and 3) politically incorrect stands might impact
accreditation, then what, exactly, does it mean?
Is it something Geneva Academy should even
pursue?
Before proceeding, one should know that there
are different accrediting bodies. Most public
and private schools in Oregon are accredited by
the Northwest Accreditation Commission
(NWAC), which is part of a parent business
called AdvancED. All local schools are
accredited by NWAC. Colleges have a separate
regional accreditation commission. Looking
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towards the future, the Association of Classical
Christian Schools (ACCS) provides accreditation
to classical Christian schools, though only 30
schools so far have passed its very rigorous
process.
As it now stands, there are several advantages
to pursuing accreditation with
NWAC/AdvancED. First of all, once accredited,
students who leave Geneva while still in high
school will have no difficulty with their credits
transferring. Secondly, the accreditation
process will prompt Geneva to put in place
several administrative processes and policies it
has not yet completed. It will prompt us to
document some things that have never been
set in writing (for example, parent surveys,
standardized testing policies, evaluation of
annual strategic plans, etc.). Thirdly, it may
create opportunities for grants only offered to
accredited schools. Finally, it will eliminate an
objection that some parents have to not being
accredited, even though those parents might
have erroneous assumptions about
accreditation.
Therefore, accreditation is worthwhile to
pursue. There are stipulations, however.
Geneva Academy will not surrender its mission
and vision to an outside body, or be coerced
into teaching practices that undermine its core
values. At present, NWAC/AdvancED is
supportive of classical Christian methodology
and will not interfere in Biblical instruction. The
NWAC officials I have met with admire our
instructional program and believe accreditation
will come easily.
There may be a day, however, when secular
humanist educational philosophy and the
coercion of an anti-Christian federal
government turns NWAC accreditation into a
tool of absolute state control. If that were to
happen, Geneva would set that accreditation
aside.
As Christians, we must understand that the
secular education world rests on shifting sand
and there may come a day when “normal”
could come only at the expense of denying
Christ. The Geneva Board is unwilling to fall in
step with the world, especially if it means
walking away from God’s Word and Law.
So to us, right now, accreditation will mean we
have in place the processes larger schools have.
It will accomplish a few things for transfer
students and grant seeking. And it will remove
an objection inquirers may have about the
school.
What about the “assurance of academic
excellence”? Well, that is the responsibility of
not only the Board, but each and every parent.
If what we’re doing is not consistently excellent,
with clear objectives, fair grading standards, an
identifiable sequence and plan of instruction,
great teachers, books, etc., then our teachers
and administration need to be held
accountable. The most valuable recognition, or
accreditation, Geneva seeks is that of the
parents.
1. See claim at K12.com at http://www.k12.com/what-isk12/accreditation.
2. Such statistics are easy to find. One source is
http://oregonlearns.org/oregons-challenge/wherewe-stand/
3. This is according to the 2011-12 District Report Card
proudly issued by the Oregon Dept. of Education. It
can be found at
http://www.ode.state.or.us/data/reportcard/RCpdfs/
13/13-ReportCard-1991.pdf.
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We are blessed and thankful to have many wonderful teachers at
Geneva Academy. Ms. Lindsey Behrens is 3rd and 4th grade
teacher.
W
hile every subject that I teach is my
favorite, history has a special place in my
heart. It was Mrs. Cheryl Sieker who opened my
eyes to a love for history. I am forever grateful to
Mrs. Sieker in the many ways that she mentored
me. History is not just about dates and facts. It
is HIS story, a great story of God’s providence.
Teaching American history allows us to see time
and again of God’s providence in our past.
This year I had the privilege of teaching the
American Revolution. One of the reasons this is
my favorite unit is the opportunity to teach of
our Founding Fathers and their great love for our
Lord.
Here are some truths that I hope you will enjoy
and find encouraging:
Our First Continental Congress in 1774 opened
with a three hour prayer meeting.
During the American Revolution the Continental
Congress called for 15 separate days of prayer
and fasting to seek the Lord’s help as the
Revolution progressed. On May 16, 1776,
Congress called for a day of humility, fasting, and
prayer.
The decree read:
The Congress…Desirous…to have people of
all ranks and degrees duly impressed with a
solemn sense of God’s superintending
providence, and of their duty, devoutly to
rely…on His aid and direction…Do earnestly
recommend Friday, the 17th day of May be
observed by the colonies as a day of humiliation,
fasting, and prayer; that we may, with united
hearts, confess and bewail our manifold sins and
transgressions, and, by sincere repentance and
amendment of life, appease God’s righteous
displeasure, and, through the merits and
mediation of Jesus Christ, obtain this pardon and
forgiveness.
The Continental Congress also called for 15
separate days of thanksgiving and praise to honor
God for answering prayer.
As soon as General Cornwallis surrendered at
Yorktown in 1781, the Continental Congress
made plans to publish a purely American Bible in
English, something Britain had forbidden them to
do as British colonists.
"No people can be bound to acknowledge the
Invisible Hand which conducts the affairs of men
more than the people of the United States. Every
step by which they have advanced to the
character of an independent nation seems to
have been distinguished by some token of
providential agency.” George Washington
I find these facts encouraging as they center
around prayer. Studying our Founding Fathers
should give us encouragement to stand for Truth
above all else. May we restore our spiritual roots
of this country?
Psalm 33:12 “Blessed is the nation whose God is
the LORD, the people he chose for his
inheritance.”
(Facts found on David Barton’s Website:
wallbuilders.com as well as Mrs.
Sieker’s notes on our Founding Fathers)
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School Announcements:
Hello Geneva families,
W
e have less than a week left until our last
fundraiser, the Geneva 3 Gun, kicks off at
the Rod and Gun Club. For those of you who are
not familiar with Three Gun, it's a type of firearms
competition where the competitors use three
different types of guns: a pistol, shotgun, and
semi-automatic rifle (usually an AR-15), in
combination to knock down multiple targets such
as steel, clay pigeons, and paper silhouettes. It's
fast and exciting. Some have said it's the closest
you will ever come to real combat without being
in battle!
If you know of any shooters that would like to
participate, spread the word and have them go to
the practiscore website for more information as
well as registration:
https://clubs.practiscore.com/geneva-3gun/register
If you're not ready to shoot but want to find out
what 3 gun is about, come out and support the
school on May 30.
Spectator tickets are $25 for adults; $15 for kids
(includes entry as well as an amazing barbecue)
and available anywhere you buy raffle tickets;
Spectator names will be on the list as well.
We are running a RAFFLE, and since this is a 3
gun competition, we have THREE guns up for
raffle. Tickets will be sold for each gun separately.
There is a maximum of 100 tickets per gun
available, so odds are good. Tickets are $25 each,
and you need not be present to win. We are selling
tickets at four locations: the Geneva Academy
school office, Waterscapes, Cascade Chiropractic,
and ENT Associates of Roseburg.
1. Custom Glock 17 pistol, upgrades and
gunsmithing performed by Mike Fox from
Heritage Security. A picture says 1000 words...
2. Mossberg 930 JM Pro shotgun - this is an
amazing competition/security shotgun right outof-the-box
3. AR 15-this is not just a basic gun as it has an 18
inch barrel and one of the newest style key-mod
type hand guards. It can be used for home defense
and would be a great rifle for hunting.
I would hope these guns would sell themselves, as
they are really special. Get the word out to family,
friends, and everyone else so that we can make our
raffle a success! If you can, come out, join us and
support the school on the 30th!
Sincerely in Christ,
Jamie Yun
Geneva Kindergarten Makes a Difference in the Community
The Geneva Academy Kindergarten class found a way to celebrate and serve the community in
recognition of completing 100 days of school. The class decided to collect one pound of food for every
day of school to celebrate. Well, they exceeded that goal and collected 131 pounds of food. On March
16, 2015 the Kindergarten class delivered the food to the Sutherlin/Oakland Emergency Food Pantry.
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Afterschool Care
Does your work schedule make picking your child up by 12:15pm or 3:00pm nearly impossible? Let me know.
Please email kshellard@genevaroseburg.com with the number of students you need care for and the time that
would be best for your family for pick-up. The information is needed by June 8, 2015, so we can determine if we
have an interest to make this worth pursuing. I will be in contact with you throughout the summer as we work on
starting an afterschool program.
Connection at Geneva:
Please go to www.renweb.com and register - on the top right hand side of the screen you will find logins.
A pull down menu will pop up, choose ParentsWeb login, choose create a new ParentsWeb
account, district code is GN-OR. You must use the email you provided the school, so the
system will recognize you. Once you log in to ParentsWeb you will be able to see
announcements, calendar items, current and previous newsletters, school forms, a family
directory, and homework and grades for Grades 5-12 that are in the system.
If updates are made at the school they automatically immediately update the directory on
ParentsWeb. It is easy to sign up to stay in touch with school life.
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GENEVA YEARBOOKS
Watch for an email from TreeRing.com inviting you to order your 2014-2015 yearbook AND customize your two free
pages! Yearbooks are completed over the summer and delivered in September. The deadline for customizing your
pages is August 31st. If you have any photos you want to submit for possible use in the layout, please send them
ASAP to GenevaYearbook@gmail.com or deliver on CD to the school office! Contact Gilaine Wright with questions.
541-520-5511. Purchase deadline is September 1st. Price per yearbook is only $38.00!
Message from Kristin Parks
The Umpqua Valley Youth Orchestra Spring Concert is June 2nd @ 7 pm at UCC Jacoby Auditorium. Over
125 young musicians will be performing selections from French Folk Song to Bach's Double Violin Concerto. This is
a free concert. For more information, contact 541/643-5035.
Outline from May Geneva Board & Parents Meeting
Brad Kitchens, Board Chair
RE: Building
 Good news: Mr. Lanterman’s wetlands study is showing 37 dry holes.
 Further good news: a septic system looks feasible
 Sensitivity required as to neighbors; not all are likely to be in favor of a school
 Best case scenario: a building ready for 2016-2017 school year.
 Financing a matter of prayer; no capital campaign yet started
RE: Other News
 Board handbook is almost ready; important for consistency for future of the school.
 Fundraisers & help always needed. Committees need additional helpers always.
 The Recap Meeting is so our parents know the board is approachable for ANY questions.
Brian Turner
RE: Accreditation
 Accreditation candidate with AdvancED officially! We are to prepare for next 6-9 months for the full
review. Some processes need to be documented, others established.
 What does “Accredited” mean? Helpful in some ways but not necessarily a guarantee of educational
quality
RE: Teachers/Student Body
 Enrollment – maybe reach the 100 students mark this fall
 Teachers – Sumpters family are moving; Isaac Hallgrimson is replacing Mr. Sumpter for
Omnibus/Rhetoric.
 Still looking for 1st grade teacher. Job requires good parental instincts. And must be Passionate.
 3rd grade is not full, it's just big! Split 2 groups!
 Mrs. Denham - Classical Christian Ed teacher from Kentucky will be our lead teacher for 3rd. And
another 3rd grade teacher will also be placed. Students will receive most of the same instruction from
one teacher. 10-12/group (15 max)
 Miss Rowe is moving. Pastor Sieker is returning as Latin teacher. Latin I, II for upper grades, too. And
music director. Not grammar music teacher but director.
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RE: Current Campus & Next Year Stuff
 More space made available to share with VSB. Downstairs is 1st/2nd. Other assignments will be made
this summer.
 Open Houses for 1st-12th not well attended. Bring friends for personal open houses!
 We are looking at a few after school programs (but all require adult volunteers to oversee). Ideas:
chess club, ultimate frisbee league, Pastor Sieker's Renaissance Band. The band would start as a
quartet next year, and over time grow. The name will be “The King’s Players.”
 Volunteers always needed; school building summer projects (broken window, railing)
 Last day of school play day - 2nd grade room moms organizing/delegating
 There will be a PARENT SURVEY that we are required to give as part of our accreditation. You are
required to fill one out for each student enrolled at Geneva from your family.
 Supervision/care option after school - is a NEED that is being investigated. Kori sent an email out
asking about interest in that. We would only need 3 paying families to start that for fall.
 We will be installing a Suggestion Box in the office.
 Reading: Deut. 17, Moses reminding the people he's about to die... Gives guidance: new king also it
shall be when he sits on the throne of his kingdom that he should write himself a copy of this law, read
it all the days of his life & observe. That he may not turn aside from the commandment, he and his
children. The king HIMSELF was to write it on a scroll and read from it daily. People of God were
different from the nations. When we talk about the school and training up the children we are counter
cultural and different, but it is right!
Geneva Events for May 2015:
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May 30 - 3Gun Fundraiser, 8:00am
June 2 – Kindergarten Graduation at Covenant Life Fellowship Sanctuary, 6:30pm. All are
invited. Come see what the Kindergarten class has learned!
June 4 – End of the Year Soiree at 6:30pm, students to arrive at 6:15pm (chapel uniform). Bring
family and friends - a grand celebration of the year. We will rejoice for the blessings God gave
over the last 9 months and also say goodbye to some wonderful teachers. Join us!
June 5 – Last day of school
Attention Parents of younger Grammar Students – please remember to bring a car/booster seat
for your child’s field trip. Oregon Law requires that children must use a booster seat until they
are 8 years old or 4'9". Safety is very important! Most 2nd graders and younger must use booster
seats.
School and Teachers’ Wish Lists:
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School is in need of 2 Digital Projectors.
Mrs. Annette Sarkissian needs a flat teaching podium.
2nd grade class is in need of a vacuum cleaner.
School office needs a locking file cabinet, preferably 4-drawer tall.
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SCHOOL ADDRESS:
2152 NE VINE STREET
ROSEBURG, OREGON 97470
Mailing Address:
P.O. Box 1154
Roseburg, Oregon 97470
Website http://genevaroseburg.com/
Telephone - (541) 637-7500
E-mail - info@genevaroseburg.com
Geneva Academy of Roseburg
Facebook.com/GenevaRoseburg
PLEASE JOIN US ONLINE!
http://www.facebook.com/groups/GenevaRoseburg
Editor - Iryna Boehland
E-mail - newsletter@genevaroseburg.com
birynav09@yahoo.com
Business Ads:
Attention Geneva families! Many of our fellow school families own businesses that provide superior goods and
services and that support the school. We’d like to feature a few every month. Please let us know about your
business, and we'll put it in our journal!
This month, we’d like to tell you about
TWE-Computer Repairs
Keeping Your Technology Woes at Bay!




Computer Repairs & Upgrades
Web-site Design & Hosting
Data / Picture Backup
Business Services
Tel. (541) 391-3873
http://twe.dyndns.biz/
1148 NE Division St. Myrtle Creek, Oregon 97457
~ Tyler Wenks is a father of 1st Grade student
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Geneva families don’t miss out on this
opportunity to be entered in a drawing for $500
off next year’s tuition! To be entered you only
need to tour Geneva with an interested parent
or family that you know. Day or evening tours
can be arranged with Mr. Turner.
Parent testimonies are the school’s best
advertising. Please continue to talk to your
friends and extended family about Geneva’s
outstanding education. Some grades are almost
full and enrollment fees increase after June 15.
Geneva’s website and Facebook page are also
great ways for your friends to learn more about
our school.
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