Sheila Taylor
About Sheila Taylor
Posts by Sheila Taylor:
Open House Invitation
Our Open House is for NEW and Current families!
ACSI Day of Prayer
Please join us as we pray for our school and Christian schooling around the world. This year’s theme is Shalom. Together as the global church body, we can raise our petitions to God and know He will provide peace that surpasses all understanding. (Philippians 4:6-7)
#SchoolsThatPray
acsi.org/day-of-prayer
Merry Christmas
For unto us a Child is born, Unto us a Son is given;
And the government will be upon His shoulder.
And His name will be called Wonderful, Counselor,
Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.
Isaiah 9:6
John Kennedy and
the leadership of
Turlock Christian School
Year End Message – Making a Lasting Impact
Dear TC Community,
Here at Turlock Christian our mission is to prepare students for life, not just during the present, but also beyond their time here. We strive each day to prepare our students in faith, knowledge, and truth. We call this endeavor creating a legacy, both for our students and our school. In the Bible, Proverbs 22 talks about training a child in the proper way and when they are older, they will not depart from the way of their training.
Our community cares deeply about the legacy we are creating for our current students and the students that will come to Turlock Christian in the future. Each of us hopes that we will be able to echo the words of 3 John 1:4, “I have no greater joy than to hear that our children are walking in the truth”.
It is during this time of Thanksgiving and Christmas that we can reflect on the legacy we are creating and want to leave for future generations. As we approach the end of 2021, we each can have the opportunity to be generous with our resources as we consider how richly our Creator has blessed us. In the US we are encouraged to be even more generous in our charitable giving during this time of year because of American tax laws.
During this time, would you consider a special gift towards the legacy of Turlock Christian? Here are a few areas where your gift can make a lasting impact.
- Programs to support our faculty and staff:
- Funding for Professional Development
- Appreciation events
- Increasing staff compensation
- Equipment for Teacher workrooms on each campus
- Facility Needs
- Replacement of outdated fixtures and providing improved furnishings on our campuses
- Student tables & improved seating for Science department
- New fountains with water bottle filling capability
- Kiln and throwing wheels for Art department
- Walk-in cooler and Greenhouse for Ag department
- Renovation of Preschool facilities on East campus
- Expansion of Kinder playground
- Fencing at JH/HS campus and East campus
- Replacement of outdated fixtures and providing improved furnishings on our campuses
- Underwriting of speaker fees for chapel services
- Funds to advance Aqua Culture project in Science department
If you desire to support one of these needs or another area of TC on your heart, please contact either myself or Nelson Gavlani, TC Director of Finance, to facilitate your gift. Our goal is to raise or exceed $400,000. You can also use this link to donate: https://www.turlockchristian.com/giving
Thank you for your ongoing generous support of our students and staff as we work to create this legacy.
John Kennedy
Head of School
Thanksgiving Greeting
As we reflect on the many blessings of our lives,
we give thanks during this season.
May you and your family be richly blessed
during the celebration of Thanksgiving.
The Faculty and Staff of Turlock Christian
Introduction from New Head of School
Dear TC Community,
It is an honor to introduce myself as the new Head of School at Turlock Christian School. My wife Margie and I are delighted to join this extraordinary school community. I hope that this note finds you enjoying the relaxing days of summer and that you and your children are looking forward to beginning a wonderful school year together in August. I share with each of you in the school community a commitment to caring for your children each and every day while providing them with a world-class learning environment.
I arrive at TC after many years serving as a school leader overseas, but I am first and foremost a husband and father. My wife Margie has worked in education as a teacher and librarian for 25+ years as well. We are the parents of 2 grown children, both having studied in and graduated from Christian schools in the US and Singapore. Our daughter Meredith is a High School Art teacher in Seoul South Korea. Our son Andrew is a medical student at University of Kentucky. I look forward to introducing my family to the TC community soon.
The 2021-2022 school year will mark my 14th year in education administration. I have been privileged to serve communities in the US, Singapore, and South Korea. After many years serving in leadership capacities in multiple industries, it is in my position as a head of school where I have been most fulfilled in my life’s work. The head of school position provides me with the chance to work collaboratively with teachers and staff on a daily basis, while also being connected to students learning and their growth in classrooms where God is the center of all we do. I firmly believe that every student can succeed and that the partnership between home and school is central to that success. Christian education provides a Christ-centered nurturing environment where we encourage students to pursue excellence both personally and academically, surrounded by a loving community. As we pursue these goals, please join me as we shape the leaders of tomorrow.
My conversations with TC staff and families over the last few months have brought me privileged insights into the core beliefs and values that are TC’s foundation. I am committed to always exploring new ways to meet the needs of all students and to more effectively communicate with parents and community members.
To our students, I cannot wait to meet you all! I hope that you are excited for this coming school year and that you are enjoying your summer pursuits. It is going to be an exciting year learning together.
To each of you as community members, please know that my door is always open to you. I heartily welcome your conversation and positive input throughout this year. Let us always keep our students the primary focus of our work.
Enjoy the remaining days of summer!
Sincerely,
John Kennedy
Head of School
In the Know – January 2021
January 20, 2021
We’re Done with COVID!
Well, we are, and we aren’t. On the one hand, we are all “done” with COVID, tired of its disruption, tired of hearing about it, thinking about it, talking about and, especially done with dealing with it. On the other hand, we are still dealing with it and will be for some time yet.
Bear with me as I share a few COVID thoughts.
- God has been good. Though some TC family members have contracted the virus, and we have endured numerous quarantines, the school has not been the source of COVID cases and two of our quarantine periods were shortened by overlapping scheduled school breaks.
- Parents have been patient and understanding, even though some have been impacted by multiple quarantines. Thank you, thank you, thank you!
- Teachers and staff have adjusted to new requirements time and time again, taken on added work, and addressed COVID-related problems with creativity and diligence. I am so proud of them and thankful for them.
- COVID will continue to disrupt but we will stay the course of on-campus education because we all know it is best for our students. And we will continue to offer a Homeschool option for those who need and prefer it.
I ask three things of us all.
- If your student is sick, please keep them home.
- If you or someone in your family tests positive or been exposed to a COVID-positive person, please report it to the school.
- Pray. God is sovereign. He is in control. He has chosen to bless us thus far. Let’s ask for His continued grace to rest upon us all.
Momentous Days
Our country has not been so severely divided since the Civil War. We have not seen this level of violence in our streets since the 60’s. We are divided politically, racially, according to class, gender and sexual orientation. Many have lost the ability to argue principals, values and ideas without treating those who disagree with them as evil and enemies to be destroyed. Social Media has become Anti-social Media, a platform for all kinds of extremes and force for ending free-speech. In the midst of this and much more, this week marks two momentous days.
Monday was Martin Luther King Day made more significant in 2021 because of the racial and political strife of 2020. Though flawed, as we all are, he was an articulate visionary and courageous leader. His advocacy of non-violent protest from the 1960’s needs to be heard once again.
“I refuse to accept the view that mankind is so tragically bound to the starless midnight of racism and war that the bright daybreak of peace and brotherhood can never become a reality… I believe that unarmed truth and unconditional love will have the final word.”
And today is Inauguration Day. Perhaps not since the 1860’s has an inauguration been so divisive. Some are ecstatic while others despair. Some believe truth and goodness have
been restored while others believe deceit and evil have triumphed. Regardless of our viewpoints, we all recognize things are going to change, for better of for worse, and that change will be dramatic.
For me, today is neither a day of celebration nor despair, because regardless of who the President is, yesterday or today, we as Christians know who the King is! He is our “constant” in this sea of change. He, not the one who was President yesterday or is today, is our Hope and Leader.
Today is a good day to remember our King has issued a call and made a promise to those of us who follow Him.
| “If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land.” 2 Chronicles 7:14 |
Thanks for the privilege of serving you.
God bless you and your family,
Dr. William Hoyt, Head of School