Volume 1, Issue 1

February , 2002

Special points of interest:

· Send topics for discussion to pyoung@midsouth.rr.com

· In a "Building Schools of Influence" seminar, ninety-five percent (95%) of those present identified as their number one priority a need to strengthen their personal devotional life.

· The most important customer you've got is the one you have. Plan for retention like you plan for enrollment and recruitment.

Did You Know?

Teachers can help keep your admissions department on track. Help them understand they are key players in the re-enrollment process. Ask them to keep your admissions department aware of any student who may not return.

· Set a goal for retention (90%) and reward the first class that reaches that goal. Consider an extra day off for Easter if you reach your school-wide goal.

· Place a list by grade of all students in the teachers' lounge and cross students' names off as they re-enroll.

· Give the faculty a re-enrollment Tee shirt.

We're on the WEB www.ffna1.com

I have always been grateful for faithful men who went before me and helped me develop my philosophy of Christian school education and administration. My life and the life of my school was impacted because faithful men were willing to share what God had taught them as they served in the field of Christian education. Many have impacted my life but none more than those listed here. People like Roy Lowrie ,Sr., Paul Kienel, Bud Schindler, Mickey Bowdon, Derrick Keenan, Ollie Gibbs, Sharon Berry, Tom McClure, Glenn Shultz, David Manley and Eric Alfrey. Some I observed from a distance; others I got to observe up close and personal. I read their books, attended their seminars, and sat at their feet as often as I could. Some were father figures; others were peers, but I am delighted to say all were friends and co-laborers. The one common denominator was that they all had a passion for the Christian school movement. They invested their lives so that the next generation would "know Him and make Him known." The purpose of christianschooladmin.com is to provide a free internet newsletter to Christian school leaders. I will be asking many of you to join me in addressing issues that will be encouraging and beneficial to Christian school leaders. This will be your opportunity to mentor that struggling school administrator who is sitting in that lonely office wondering if anyone anywhere loves him. We need each other. My desire is to encourage, educate, and address issues that are important to you. Help me pass the word on. Our desire is to serve you and address those issues with which you are struggling. Write me at pyoung@midsouth.rr.com with any issue you would like addressed in future newsletters.

Re-enrollment and the "$5,000 Tee Shirt"

Like most schools, we struggled with getting our parents to sign up for the new school year early in the re-enrollment process. We solved that problem with a $5,000 tee shirt. We created a special re-enrollment tee shirt. It had a special school logo design and included a line that gave the year of graduation for each class. It was neat seeing "Class of 2012" out in the community! Just before everyone went home in the afternoon, we made a big deal by presenting the tee shirts to those who had re-enrolled. This did two things: First, kids would go home asking Mom and Dad when they were going to turn in their contracts. Kids put pressure on Mom and Dad to get the contracts in. The school did not have to. Second, fourth graders started thinking of themselves as the Class of 2010 rather than 4th graders. That was good for retention too. That is how a $5 tee shirt turned into $5,000!

Personal Devotional Life-Your Pursuit of an Intimate Relationship

A strong devotional life requires discipline and planning. We often struggle with the early morning hours because we have not planned far enough in advance to go to bed early the night before. I have found two practical things that are essential for a consistent devotional life. You must choose a time and a place to meet with the Lord. I am the father of three beautiful girls. My three daughters are all grown and married now, and one of my most prized possessions is a book that my oldest daughter Kim gave me for my birthday in 1991. It is a book that was compiled and edited by Gloria Gaither titled, What My Parents Did Right. The note that Kim wrote on the inside cover is the reason that this book is one of my most prized possessions. I am sharing a portion of what she wrote, not for you to think more highly of me than you should, but to emphasize the impact of a consistent devotional life on your family and I believe on your school. Kim wrote, "This book would not be complete without giving honor to my dad and the things he has "done right." . . . My dad is a man of prayer. Each morning as I would come downstairs for breakfast, I would find him in his easy chair with his Bible open, spending time alone with God. During my teenage years, he took the time to pray with me before school each week. What a profound impact it had on my life to hear my dad weep over our family, our friends, and our church. When asked how it is possible that all three of us girls managed to escape the rebellion and peer pressures of adolescence, all I can do is point to God's promise in James 5:1"...the effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much."

If you could see the words that Kim penned in the cover of my book, you would notice that the ink is smeared because of tears that dropped to the pages as I read what she wrote. They were tears of joy as well as tears of repentance. For you see, both God and I know how inconsistent I have been in my pursuit of that intimate relationship that He so desperately desires. I am sure there were many mornings when God was waiting at my appointed place and time in order that we could have that special time together, but I failed to show up. I am delight to say, however, that He was always there. As you begin a new year, purpose in your heart to meet with God before you meet with your faculty, students, or parents. He longs to spend time with His children. Make an appointment for a specific place and a specific time. He is always willing to work you into His schedule. Will you work Him into yours?

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P.O. Box 488
Hernando, MS 38632-0488
Phone: 662-429-3473
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Email: pyoung@midsouth.rr.com

www.christianschooladmin.com is a service of Family Financial Needs Assessment- http://www.ffna1.com/

The creation of www.christianschooladmin.com is a fulfillment of a commitment to give back to the Christian school movement. So many have invested time and energy into my life. My desire is to provide an avenue for older, more experienced administrators to offer mentoring opportunities for those young struggling administrators who desire to make a difference. It is not that we have all the answers; in fact, after twenty years in administration, I am not sure I know all the questions! But we have traveled down this road, and if we can assist those of you on the journey, we want to be of service. Perhaps we can guide you around the potholes or share the mistakes we've made or maybe we can just be a sounding board for your ideas. Bounce them off us before you try them out on your board. My desire is to make this forum practical and beneficial. Let us know the issues you want to discuss. I'll find someone to tackle the issue with you.

Paul E. Young
pyoung@midsouth.rr.com