In This Update

I normally do an update twice a month, and the last one was just last week, but I want to publish this special communication concerning staffing for next year so that all our families are kept informed. I continue to be amazed at the way our Lord orchestrates lives to bring to us such capable and passionate servants to minister with us at Westlake.

Preschool

Mrs. Merrell has served with us for the past two years, coming just when we needed to divide our program and add a capable teacher to our early education. We are thankful for her professional leadership in this area. She has determined that God is calling her to something else for next year. In her place, we have employed Miss Kaitlin Friesema.

This engaging teacher comes to us with a BS in early-middle childhood education as well as an associate degree in early childhood education. She is licensed for early childhood and elementary education by Illinois. She has previous experience in a Christian school in Wisconsin. She will be moving into the area this summer after marrying her fiancé because he recently landed a job with an area fire department.

She deeply impressed both Dr. Healan and Mrs. DeReus during her interview and her classroom demonstration. I am confident our preschool parents will be blessed by Miss Friesema.

Kindergarten & 2nd Grade

In last week’s update, I announced and introduced changes in those two grades. Mrs. Katherine Culbertson, who has been teaching our afternoon kindergarten enrichment program this year, will assume the role being vacated by our new principal, Mrs. DeReus, and will be teaching that grade full days. Mrs. Heather Beckman is coming on our teaching staff for the first time in August to take over second grade from retiring Mrs. Krass. If you missed that update and want to read more about either of these two teachers, click here.

Fifth Grade

Mrs. Harris will be leaving us at the end of this school year because her family is moving to North Carolina for Mr. Harris’s career and to be near extended family. That, of course, is very sad news for us. We will sorely miss this exemplary teacher and the passion and professionalism she brings to our faculty. However, God is never caught off guard as He orders our life circumstances. He knew how He was leading the Harris family, and He was busy providing exactly the right teacher to take her place by making sure that Miss Christiana Farish did her masters directed teaching this spring right here under Mrs. Harris’s direction.  Before I introduce Miss Farish, though, I’d like to let Mrs. Harris share from her heart.

Ecclesiastes 8:5 says, "... and the wise heart will know the proper time, and the just way." I cannot be sure that I have a wise heart ... but I pray for one. It seems the only consistent thing in life, is that it changes. This rings true to our family once again. This summer, my family and I will be moving to North Carolina. It has been a very trying decision wrought with many prayers and tears, but ultimately, we are choosing to be near family. In January I lost my 96 year-old grandmother. The blessing was, that I couldn't be desperately sad because I'd shared a lifetime with her ... I grew up with her and she was a constant in my life.

As our children grow, we realize that, though Westlake has been a perfect home and surrogate family for us, we are moving to pursue a more connected life with grandparents, cousins, aunties, uncles, and memories we would surely regret if we weren't able to make them. My family and I are just a little heartbroken, so please pray for strength in this transition, and on keeping a positive and encouraging demeanor toward our kids in this hard change. I will love you all, truly and fully forever. Westlake has made each member of my family stronger in our faith, in our mission, and in our love of discipleship. Please stay in touch.

Miss Christiana Farish spent the past four and a half months in our fifth grade classroom completing her directed teaching requirement for the MA (Education and LBS1 Special Ed) she just finished at North Park University. Before that, she obtained her BA in Bible and Elementary Education from Moody Bible Institute. A graduate of Christian Heritage Academy, she has been deeply involved in Christian education most of her life. It is ironic that she was Mrs. Harris’s first student teacher (she has always wanted to work with one), and has absorbed so much from Mrs. H. Certainly not a stranger to us, Miss Farish has impressed us with her commitment, her professionalism, and her deep love for her students. She stated in her application: “I am a passionate educator, and I truly believe that the Lord has called me to Christian education. I believe in your school mission . . . , and I would be honored to have the opportunity to help the school grow and to grow as a teacher by working at Westlake Christian Academy.”

High School English

Mr. Hobbie has been carrying a heavy load this year as he took on the 11th grade American Literature and 12th grade British Literature classes. We had hoped that it would only be for a short time, and that is what has happened. God has led Mrs. Kari Cook to us to teach those two courses plus supervise our annual yearbook production. A member of Hope Presbyterian Church in Grayslake, Mrs. Cook has six years’ experience teaching high school.

She wrote in her application, “I am truly excited about the possibility of joining the Westlake family, and my deepest desire is that the work I might do there will serve to further the kingdom of my Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. I believe that this desire, paired with my passion for education and dedication to my students, will allow me to effectively come alongside them and help prepare them for the road they face outside of the classroom, both academically and spiritually.”

Preliminary Calendar for 19/20

As our school year closes, we want to give parents a copy of next year's preliminary calendar. It does not encapsulate all of the events for the year, just major breaks and days off.  One thing you will note is that every Friday will now be a late-start (excepting half-days), beginning the school day at 9am.

Research shows that by giving teachers time to collaborate and work together, schools are able to make significant improvements.  Westlake is committed to providing an excellent educational program, and this late-start shift is one way that we can meet that goal.  Please note that we will continue to offer free supervision on Friday mornings from 7:50-9:00.  At the same time, half-day preschool and prekindergarten will go from 9:00-12:00 on Fridays.  

If you have any questions regarding this calendar, please feel free to reach out to the main office. Any questions regarding the school calendar and events should always be directed toward the office so you're able to receive the most accurate information. Physical copies of the calendar are also available in the office for your convenience.

We welcome each of these quality new faculty to our staff. We are honored by Our Lord in providing them!

Updating you for God's glory,



Dr. Michael Healan
Administrator