I send greetings from myself and the Board of Directors of the Lutheran Schools Association. This has been a year of “ Building Up”. This year’s Bible verse charges us to do just that as it states:
"Build up, build up, prepare the way, remove every obstacle out of the way of My people" Isaiah 57:14.
With this verse in mind, this past March we held our first in person Professional Development Day since the end of covid. With over 75 teachers and administrators present, we learned new ways to help build up our classrooms, our children and ourselves. Save the date as our next Professional Development Day is scheduled for October 24 and all are encouraged to attend.
Since then we have also begun holding regional zoom meetings. There are many new and experienced directors in this district and giving them a platform to share successes and opportunities with leaders from other schools has helped them build a stronger community.
As I came on board to LSA this past November a lot of work has been with the schools in NYC. These schools have been provided extra funding to help service their students and staff. After countless phone calls and zoom meetings I am proud to report that the schools in the NYC Department of Education have collectively spent over $326,000 this year on books, software, equipment, development and students. Our schools have looked at new ways to run more efficiently and proactively for our students.
This past year we also made advancements on grants and available monies from our state government. We took measures to protect the funding for our special education programs and stood firm on projects and projections the state promised our schools to complete in a timely manner.
Over the next year I look forward to working with you and your schools as we move forward together in Christ building up what he has already created.
Many blessings to you during your time together.
In His Service,
Donna Haines
Executive Director