“The Standard”

 Abridged Version, Volume 1, no. 1, Fall 2008 Northeastern Conference of Seventh-day Adventists  Department of Education
115-50 Merrick Boulevard
Jamaica, New York 11434
 www.northeastern.org 
(718) 291-8006, extension 249 or (978) 660-7293, cell

 Editor’s Note:

Our Educational Team says ‘thanks’ for selecting us to work with you through the next four years.   We thank our superintendent of the last seven years, Dr. Pollyana Barnes and her team for the work that they have done in the Department.  We now build on that work. 

The work of Education in the conference is like a relay race, each team carrying the baton to the finish line, in ‘fighting the good fight’ to ensure that “all our children are taught of the Lord”

To all Pastors, First Elders, Church Educational Secretaries 
Church Home and School Association Leaders

 A Call to High Standards

 Dear Colleagues  

I call us today to the highest standards in our schools—high spiritual standards, high academic standards,  responsible finance and excellent service to each other.  Ellen G. White in the book Education states clearly that “in the highest sense the work of education and the work of redemption are one, for in education, as in redemption, "other foundation can no man lay than that is laid, which is Jesus Christ."    Jesus preached, healed and taught, all smartly wrapped into one neat package which the multitudes gobbled up. We’d like you therefore, to make education, a part of your evangelism and church budget plan for 2009. The school should be an avenue of evangelism for baptisms and souls and where there is no school associated with your church, then focus on children of school age.  We follow the example of Jesus in our schools, and so we are emphasizing SAFE schools that are spiritually sound, academically strong, financially responsible and excellent in service to parents, students and the community.   Here is what we are doing and then what we want you to do:

 1.                 Spiritual Improvement—Our school chaplain will work closely with pastors, principals and Bible teachers to improve the spiritual tone and religious program of each school.

 2.                 Academics—we have launched an intensive program to improve academic standards and performance, to provide new books, and the best qualified teachers. Employees who do not deliver the goods will e asked to find other employment.

 3.                 Finances—there is a financial responsibility that we need—the schools need your financial support, not only from tuition and fees, but from the churches. The schools cannot survive without this financial support of each member and we want you to take a conscious personal effort to assist as your pastor and elders lead in this area.

 4.                 Excellence in Service—we should be kind and nice to each other. This is one of our expectations for all school personnel that we show th—we rich harmony of working together as Christ would have.

 5.                 February 19-20, 2009—we are bringing together all the Home and School leaders and all the Educational Secretaries of all the churches in Albany to launch a conference-wide recruitment and enrollment program for the schools.  We will share details on all this very shortly.

 What Can You Do?

 1.                 Plan  Education Days in your church and use the students in the church schools to bring programs and sermons.  We will send you a kit for that purpose.

 2.                 Home and School Days--If your church has a Home and School leader, encourage the parents to send their children to the school

 3.                 Joint AY Rally and Education Programs--Team up with the Youth and AY to have joint AY, Youth and Education programs—invite our staff in to assist you and to engage in talkbacks

 4.                 Support the Education Summit (February 19-20, 2009)  to be held on the heels of the Albany Training Convention; place an amount in your 2009 church budget for this purpose.

 5.                 Invite Us to Your Church--Plan a musical program in the afternoon and let us talk with each other on your dreams for the conference in this area, and how we can work together to support and strengthen the school systems.

 These are your schools—this is your church and YOU have a voice. The  Seventh-day Adventist church has the largest Protestant system of education in the United States . Let us continue to keep it as the largest, and the best quality.

 Sincerely 

Sylvan A. Lashley, Ed.D., J.D. 
Superintendent of Schools