Dear ODCS family,

Let me preface this letter by asking you to please take a few minutes and carefully read through the time-sensitive information in this packet. The packet includes:

• Summer reading program
• A major building renovation project by Church of the Open Door
• An update of key changes planned for next year

As I reflect on this school year and look to next year, I am amazed at what God is doing at Open Door Christian Schools. I have sensed a growing desire among our students and faculty to serve the Lord wholeheartedly. In the surveys we recently conducted, both parents and students highly praised the spiritual atmosphere on campus. On a daily basis people have approached me with ideas of new ways we can impact our community in a greater way for Christ. What a joy!

One of the fruits of these ideas is the new Servant Leadership class that will be offered in the 2010/11 school year. As part of this High School Bible course, students will serve Franklin Elementary school in Elyria one day a week, during their regular class time, by providing reading and math tutoring services. This is a great opportunity to influence lives for Christ.

On the academic front, students are striving for excellence. This is reflected in the 60% increase in 2010/11 enrollments in advanced high school courses. Four new Advanced Placement (AP) courses are in place for next year, and we anticipate more options in the coming years. The enhancement of our Accelerated Reader (AR) program for Elementary and Middle School has led to a “run” on our library! In fact, I just recently reviewed the reading assessment scores for our kindergarten students and every kindergartner is reading on a first grade level or higher.

In the arts…this year’s drama productions have been outstanding! The incredible presentation of Willy Wonka at the LCCC Stocker center was the first ever local high school production to be allowed to perform in that center. We are proud of all our “oompa-loompas!” Many of our art students have received high honors in local art shows. Our musicians have continued their tradition of excellence with outstanding vocal and instrumental performances and multiple awards. We were recently honored once again as one of the “Best Communities for Music Education” in the country by the NAMM Foundation. This is the second time ODCS has received this prestigious honor, and we believe we are the only Christian school in the country to be recognized this year.

One of my favorite opportunities this year has been attending ODCS sporting events. My goal has been to attend at least one game for every team and the effort has been well worthwhile. I have enjoyed the many victories of our Varsity Boys Basketball team and our Girls Varsity Volleyball team. One of my favorite games of the year was the championship game for our 6th grade Boys Basketball team. The boys put forth a great effort and played well to emerge as the champions in just our second year in the league. The athletic department is looking forward to new and exciting opportunities…stay tuned!

Everything we do stems from our desire to fulfill the Great Commandment – “Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength…. Love your neighbor as yourself.” (Mark 12:30, 31, NIV) Every change planned for next year is designed to better equip students to develop their heart, soul, mind and strength so that they will be able to love God more fully and demonstrate love for others.

I hope you share in the excitement I feel as I have reflected on this year and anticipate next year. Bringing about the vision that God is giving us will require a commitment across our entire school community. I want to share with you three important ways you can impact the ministry of ODCS to provide the highest possible quality Christian education for our students.

First…pray. Pray that our entire school community will act in accordance to God’s will. This is more important than any other consideration. The core prayer, both in our administrative team and in my monthly prayer group, has been that we will know and follow God’s will in all that we do. I invite you to pray that ODCS will be the school that God desires it to be.

Second, I am convinced that God wants to see our ministry expand with more students. The expansion is not just to achieve a higher enrollment, but rather for what can be accomplished through a larger student body. More enrollment allows us to influence more lives for Christ and will allow us to advance programs and equip our students to better reflect Christ in our world. You are the best ambassador for ODCS. By sharing your excitement and enthusiasm for ODCS you can help others in your sphere of influence better appreciate the amazing opportunities available here. We value your efforts in this area and offer a substantial Referral Discount to those who send families to ODCS. (Details of the Referral Discount are available on our website or in our High School Office.)
Third, I want to encourage you to consider providing additional financial support for this ministry through a special end-of-year gift. With the strains on our persistently troubled economy, the demand for financial aid continues to climb. In the past four years we have more than doubled our financial aid awards. A direct gift to our Annual Fund will help cover the additional costs from financial aid for this year and position us to be able to offer even more aid next year, providing more students with the opportunity to participate in the excellent education offered at Open Door Christian Schools. Please remember your donation is tax deductible.

I could not finish a letter like this without thanking YOU for your continued support (prayer and otherwise) of ODCS. What a blessing it has been for me this first year! My prayer is that as we move into these next pivotal years at the school, you will continue to pray that we as a school community will act in harmony with God’s will. If we are faithful to follow Him, we will be amazed at what He will bring about!
With anticipation,

Jonathan Burton, Ed.D.
President


P.S. – Be on the lookout this summer for a packet with all the needed forms and other paperwork for the start of school. The school’s summer office hours are Monday through Thursday from 9am to 3pm. We are closed the week of July 5 – 9. The office phone number is 440-322-6386

An Overview of ODCS Changes by Campus