Here at Foundations Christian School in Big Flats, we frequently get asked what people can do to help us. We love the caring hearts of the people at Big Flats Wesleyan Church, Grace Church of the Nazarene, and in the surrounding churches. There is plenty you can do to lend a hand as we continue on throughout the school year. 

Prayer
Prayer is the first thing on our list because it really is the most important thing you can do to help us. This year has already been a blessing to us because of our new location, as well as for many other reasons. However, we know that whenever God does something awesome, the enemy is right there, ready to attack. We need some prayer warriors who are willing to stand up to the enemy on our behalf, and who will call on God for our school on a daily basis. 

School Supplies
Each year our students get a nice long list of things they will need to bring in to start the new year. However, it isn't long before those items need to be replenished, or we find that we need additional things for them to use. We're also usually very appreciative of things like napkins, paper towels, tissues and plastic spoons. If you want to help us with some of these items, that would be wonderful!

Volunteering
We have been blessed to be a blessing for anyone who has volunteered with us here at the school. You never know what we might need help with. Sometimes we need substitute teachers, or teacher's aids. Maybe you have a gift you'd like to share with our students, or a special talent that one of our teachers could use during a lesson. Contact us and tell us how you would like to help.

Spread the Word
Now that school is in session, it won't be long before you'll start to see posts on Facebook from exasperated parents. They'll be complaining about their children's schools, and you're bound to hear some anger expressed toward Common Core requirements. Don't be afraid to spread the word about us! Many people don't realize that their kids have an alternative option for school that's not as expensive as other private or Christian schools in the area. They will be happy you told them about us, and our enrollment will grow!

If you're reading this, and you would like more information about Foundations Christian School, we would love to talk with you about what God is doing for our students here in Big Flats. Please contact us today! 

Many parents have spent the 2013-2014 school year cringing over everything from Common Core standards to reports of bullying their kids have experienced in school. If you're reading this post, you may be able to relate, and it's possible that you have started to think about a different form of education for your children. 

Homeschooling and private Christian schools are becoming more and more popular with parents because of their desires to remove their children from public schools. There are many benefits of each, of course. As a parent, it's up to you to make the decision that's best for your children, and for your family. Let's take a look at a few of those benefits. 

Homeschool

Homeschooling has many obvious benefits that many families have enjoyed for years. Parents enjoying having more control over their child's curriculum. They get to decide (within the state's standards) what information is learned by their children, and when they learn it. Parents also have the opportunity to show their kids how much fun learning can be. A simple trip to the grocery store suddenly turns into a math lesson, or a family vacation to Gettysburg doubles as a history field trip. Kids benefit from homeschooling because they are given the individual attention they need (and crave) allowing them to work on areas where they seem to struggle the most in ways that just aren't possible in a public school setting. 

Private Christian School

Private Christian schools are another excellent education alternative for families. When both parents work, homeschooling presents many challenges, especially for younger children. A private Christian school also offers children the chance to grow and mature socially, even though many areas offer similar programs for families of homeschooled children. Christian schools provide teaching that upholds the Christian values that are important to parents, and positive "peer pressure" aids in the adoption of these values at home. Many Christian schools are also small enough that students can enjoy one on one communication with their teachers on a regular basis, giving them the extra help they need, and allowing them to excel at their own paces. 

Here at Foundations Christian School, we offer an excellent education alternative for children, and in the last few months, our numbers have grown even more. Whether you have been thinking about transitioning your children out of public school, or you've tried homeschooling in the past, you might have some questions about how a quality Christian education can work for your children, and benefit your family. 

If that sounds like you, we would love to talk with you. Please contact us today for more information!

*Image courtesy of scottchan, www.freedigitalphotos.net*

If your kids have been in public school this year, it's probably been a rough year for you, as well as for them. Even teachers are complaining about everything from struggling with the material they've been given from the Common Core, to increased bullying problems in school. These issues are more than enough for parents to start looking for alternative education opportunities for their kids. The problem is that many parents don't want to homeschool their kids. In many families, both parents work full time jobs, and they're just not able to homeschool. If that sounds like you, we want you to know that you don't have to feel stuck.

If you live in Horseheads or Elmira, we would love for you to consider sending your kids to Foundations Christian School during the coming school year, and here are a few good reasons.

1. We'll help your kids build a strong, Christian foundation. 

There's a reason why our school is called Foundations Christian School, and it's because we believe that God is the foundation of everything we do. We take the time to pray with the kids, and we love worshiping together and studying the Bible. Each child participates in a Bible class, and we weave the Word of God through everything they learn. 

2. Say "goodbye" to bullying.

If your child has struggled with being bullied in school, Foundations Christian School will absolutely delight you! We are all like a great big family, and the kids truly have grown to love each other. We strive to promote their friendships with each other, and bullying has never been a problem. In public school, many kids develop anxiety over the fear of being bullied by their peers. How much better would your kids' grades be if they didn't have to worry about that anymore?

3. Your kids will be safe.

Each year, it seems as though the news is full of stories of kids bringing guns or other weapons to school. A parent can feel terrified even putting her children on the bus in the morning. Safety is a big concern here at Foundations Christian School, and you won't have to worry about your kids because they'll be in the caring hands of loving teachers, in a Christian atmosphere. 

If you're tired of public school, and you'd like to find an alternative form of education for your kids, we invite you to check out what we have to offer here at Foundations Christian School. We are growing, and we would love for your family to join ours! 

For more information, please contact us today! 

*Image courtesy of stockimages, www.freedigitalphotos.net*

Legislators were surprised last month when they received some negative feedback about the Common Core from prominent governmental officials. Even Governor Cuomo spoke out against the Common Core, saying that the state's execution of the new Common Core standards was "flawed," according to an article in the New York Times. 

The article goes on to quote Carol Burris, who is the principal of a high school on Long Island. She called the state's implementation of the Common Core a "disaster" and said that, "kids don't want to go to school anymore."

Perhaps your kids are in public school, and they're experiencing the same feelings. Many kids in public schools have come home from school feeling discouraged and even defeated because of their inability to understand many of the new Common Core standards. Teachers have become frustrated as well, and many of them don't like teaching the new material they've been given. As a parent, it's likely that you've looked at your kids' homework in an effort to offer them some help, but you can't make sense of it either. 

Those complaints are common among parents this year, and although Governor Cuomo has put a panel in place to recommend changes, that hasn't stopped some parents from seeking out alternative forms of education for their kids. Some parents have decided to homeschool, while others have started looking into private schools. 

If your child is struggling this year, perhaps Foundations Christian School in Horseheads, NY would be a good fit for your family. We would love to talk with you about how we can help your child learn to love school again, while getting a solid, Christian education. 

For more information on Foundations Christian School, please contact us today. 

*Image courtesy of koratmember, www.freedigitalphotos.net*

We're really excited to be opening our doors on this wintery February evening for an Open House, here at Foundations Christian School. 

If you're an FCS parent, you probably noticed that your kids all came home recently sporting these awesome, bright yellow scarves in celebration of National School Choice Week. We felt that it was important to open the doors of our school for our existing group of parents, but also for any parents who are considering sending their kids to school at Foundations Christian School in the coming school year. 

If you're like many parents in New York State, you've probably thought long and hard about whether or not a public school education is right for your child. Every month there are more and more reports being made about how a public school education just doesn't seem to be the right fit for many kids. The Common Core has gotten an incredibly negative response from everyone, including parents, students and teachers. Many families are looking at education alternatives for their kids, and we're proud to be one of your options. 

Even if you're not happy with your child's public school education, you probably have a lot of questions about what we have to offer at Foundations Christian School. That's why we're having this Open House. This is a great time for you to come and meet with the Administrator, Jordan Winderl, as well as to talk with the other teachers and volunteers we have on staff. You'll also get the opportunity to talk with other parents whose kids attend FCS currently, which will provide you with valuable information that will help you make a good decision for your child. 

Of course, if you would like to speak with us over the phone, we're always willing to connect with you and answer any questions. Please feel free to contact us. We're growing here at Foundations Christian School, and we'd love for your child to be a part of that growth! 



*Image courtesy of photostock, www.freedigtalphotos.net*