Welcome!

We hope you will find this site interesting, useful, and an easy way to keep up with everything that's happening at our school. Check back frequently for updates on current events and the latest news.

April 26, 2024

Our Year-End Field Trip destination was Lion Country Safari in Loxahatchee. We gathered at the school house at 6:45 sharp, and were quickly on the way. After a pit stop around the half-way mark, we arrived, and began the tour. There were lots of amazing animals to see, as we drove very slowly through the park.

The lions were mostly relaxing in the shade, but the giraffes and the rhinoceroses were walking around and among our vehicles. It was all really cool to see; God has an amazing imagination, and a sense of humor, besides! After the driving tour, we ate packed lunches in the shade, then the students enjoyed other activities, including a couple of small rides, and testing the paddle boats on a small pond. After Dippin' Dots, they rode down an enormous slide, which was great fun!

On the way home, we detoured to stop briefly on the shore of the famous Lake Okeechobee. We also stopped for fuel (and boiled peanuts), then continued the long trek home. We arrived safely at the school shortly after 6:00.

Big thanks to the school board for their capable, thoughtful planning and directing of the day's activities, and many thanks to God for the safety over miles traveled today!

April 11, 2024

Today's Honor Roll field trip destination was SCAT Headquarters, currently being rebranded as Breeze Transit. We had forty-five minutes to spare, so we hiked through Red Bug Slough and found the World's Largest Snapping Turtle, swimming suspiciously under the dock. He had a fish-hook in his mouth. Tough old geezer, enormous: his neck was easily seven inches around.

We arrived at SCAT/Breeze Transit Headquarters on Pinkney Avenue just before ten o'clock, where the Director of Marketing and Advertising, Miranda, met us and directed us to parking. She ushered us into a slide presentation where we learned all about the history of Sarasota's public transit system. For instance, out of the $44 million budget, only 3 percent of the funding comes from passenger fares. Also, bus route #33, from Pinecraft to Siesta Key, is often standing room only during the winter tourist season. Ooof. Miranda also gave everyone a swag pack; the students had great fun with those items. We got to see the maintenance area, with buses up on lifts having mechanical work done. We also got to sit in a brand-new Breeze bus. It still had the new-car smell, and it looked very nice.

We headed to the Clark Road Chick-fil-A for lunch, where the staff takes good care of us. We like them very much. With rain, storm, and tornado threatening, we decided it would be wise to stay indoors for the afternoon, so we browsed the South Tamiami Trail Target store until it was time to go. We headed out the door only to be met with a downpour of rain. It was great! After getting Slurpees at 7-Eleven, we arrived back at the school house just before three o'clock.

It was a good day.

March 12, 2024

The Honor Roll field trip destination was the Sarasota County 9-1-1 Call Center. We started our tour around 9:00, after Michael met us on the front sidewalk and led us into the building. In the conference room, he described how the call center works, and told us what we'd be seeing on the tour. He also gave each student a goodie cup.

We got to go onto the call center floor, where agents were answering 9-1-1 calls in real time. He showed us how each station is used, complete with maps, screens, and multiple phone lines. There is a lot going on in that room!

We got to peek into the huge computer room and the cafeteria, too. We visited the trainee room, where several new hires were taking training in how to handle 9-1-1 calls.

It's pretty amazing to see all that is involved behind the scenes of the 9-1-1 Call Center enterprise!

After the tour, we spent some time at Myakka State Park, where we explored the Nature Center with its recorded calls of frogs, salamanders, and various creatures besides. We also got to enjoy the full experience of the Canopy Walkway and the tower! That was really neat! Before leaving the park, we took a look at the old site of the weir. For lunch we ate at Chick-fil-A, then spent some time wandering around Target, looking at lots of cool stuff. We finished the day with Slurpees from 7-Eleven.

December 22, 2023

The students did splendid work this evening with the Christmas program! They worked hard for this, and put lots of time into preparation, and it all came together beautifully! The poems, the Scripture recitations, the singing - all of it was well done!

Good job, students! Enjoy your Christmas break!

Special thanks to Kayla C. for the photography this evening!