As we look ahead to the coming school year, we are excited for a season of cultivation. Much like a well- tended garden, the soil has been readied and the seeds have been planted. Now, our attention turns to care, consistency, and intentional growth—nurturing what has been planted so that it can take deeper root and bear lasting fruit in the lives of our students. At the heart of this work remains our school’s mission: to Challenge Minds and Lives for Christ. For us at the elementary school, this means bringing that mission more fully into the everyday practices of classroom life. Sometimes that work happens in surprisingly simple ways. After reflecting on our Building Block of Faith focused on belonging, one teacher intentionally began greeting each student by name at the classroom door every morning. Before long, her students began taking turns welcoming one another, creating a daily reminder that every child is known, valued, and part of the community God has given us. It is practices like these that help us think more deeply about the reasons behind what we do so that our teaching becomes even more intentional.

One of the greatest joys of this work is walking alongside our dedicated teachers as we continue learning and growing together. Our faculty brings a wonderful blend of joy, humor, experience, fresh ideas, deep love for students, and a shared desire to faithfully point children to Christ each day. The work of cultivation is often less visible than the work of building, but it is no less important. We are excited to discover all that God has in store as we continue this important work together.