Good Shepherd Lutheran School, Plainview, New York...
Excellence in Education

By Linda Grund, Director

     Excellence in education.  This is something every school strives to achieve.  Three years ago the Good Shepherd Lutheran School in Plainview, New York, accepted the challenge to take a really good school and make it even better.  How?  Linda Grund, school director, heard about a special program being offered by the ELEA entitled “Ministry of the Congregation” a self study of ministry and relationships.

     Linda sent for the program.  She formed a small team including herself, the senior pastor and the school board chairperson who promoted the program to the school board and the church council.  It wasn’t long before the group successfully completed their work.

     With congratulations to all, the church and the school glowed in the knowledge and pride of a job well done.  It was then that Linda received an invitation in the mail from ELEA National Director, Gayle Denny.  Come to a one-day workshop to learn about ELEA Early Childhood Certification!  The challenge to strive always towards excellence was made.  Good Shepherd was ready once again.

     This time the work was a little more intense.  A larger committee was formed, including the school director, pastor, school board chairperson, one teacher and several church members who were parents or board members.  Over the next two years, this committee met monthly to examine eleven standards including mission, philosophy, administration, curriculum, staff development, parent interactions and physical environment.

     Why would we chose to go to this much effort?  We believe in providing the highest quality program to our students.  We believe in the importance of nurturing children and their families in the faith.  We are a congregation that enjoys a good challenge!

     When we finished our evaluation of the standards, the Church Council endorsed our efforts, and we were ready for the visitation team to come and review our school and our documentation.  Marlene Lund, Executive Director of the Lutheran Schools Association was asked by Gayle to be the team leader.  She invited Kristen Schulz, LSA Early Childhood Facilitator, and Cleide Capelozza, Director of Rainbow Christian Day Care in Woodside to round out the team.  During one whirlwind visit - the team interviewed teachers, administrators, church members, parents, and even our young students.  They sat in on classes, examined our facility, and reviewed our policies.  After careful deliberation, their decision was made.  We were delighted to learn that we were being recommended for a full five year certification!

     But that was not the end of the journey.  The visitation team sent us a document highlighting both the areas in which we excelled, as well as providing insights in to what we could do even better.  The challenge is still before us and that’s what is so exciting.

     We scheduled November 9th as a special celebration Sunday to rejoice in our accomplishment.  All members of our church and school were invited to join together for morning worship celebrated by our Bishop Reverend Dr. Stephen Bouman.  Brunch followed with congratulatory remarks presented by Linda Grund, Marlene Lund, our interim pastor Reverend Dr. Gerard R. Gaeta, and Bishop Bouman.

     As Gayle Denny wrote in her letter of congratulations, Good Shepherd “is a place of quality, nurture and faith.”  We think so too and look forward to tomorrow’s challenges with energy and enthusiasm!

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