Dear SouthLake Christian Family,

I hope you have enjoyed a restful and relaxing summer. August begins the mad dash to the starting line. For those new to SouthLake, I send a monthly update on or near the first of each month called First Thoughts. Let me officially welcome each of you to a new school year. As you finish (or begin?) your back-to-school preparations, perhaps you will find this information helpful.

First, we plan to announce our COVID safety protocols later this week, most of which will seem rather mundane by now. Of course, we have paid close attention to research on the Delta variant and new guidance from health agencies related to masks. Our teachers return to campus on Wednesday when we will discuss the matter at length. We also plan to host a school-wide panel discussion on Zoom this Sunday with three SouthLake parents who are medical doctors on the front lines. They will discuss Delta, masks, vaccines, and answer your questions. With so much new information every day, I would rather us take time to get this right rather than make quick announcements we later retract. Please be patient and reserve sharing your opinions until after Sunday afternoon meeting. I will send more information near the end of the week. If you’d like more insight into our decision-making process, I’ve written on the subject here.

Second, we have new faculty members to introduce. In our Lower School, please welcome Sarah Drake (JK teacher), Angela Roberson (JK assistant), Katie Henline (JK assistant), Julie Salony (K teacher), Michelle Lahetta (K assistant), Deborah Sammons (grade 1 teacher), Brittany Darland (grade 1 assistant), and Jacqueline Nicholls (grade 3-4 assistant and PE teacher). To our Middle School, welcome Cami Parsons (grade 7 math) and Andrew Bennett (grade 8 math and technology). To our Upper School, welcome Lucy Lepeley (Spanish III and IV), Tyler Melton (US history, government and economics), Noel Powell (chemistry), and Joshua Bas (math). Adding fourteen new teachers reflects the recent enrollment growth we have seen at SouthLake, particularly in our Lower School. For the first time in years, eight of our fourteen grades now have wait lists and others are near capacity. Because we keep class sizes small, almost every teaching space on campus will fill. Campus space now represents one of our greatest future challenges. And on that subject …

Third, we will soon send to print the final draft of our school’s strategic plan. You will see it in your mailbox early this fall. We began the planning process in late 2018 and finished in early 2020 after sustained consultation with hosts of our constituents. When you read it, you will note how many things we have already accomplished in the few months since we completed the plan. I remain grateful for how well our families continue to support SouthLake during a global health crisis, economic strain, and political upheaval. Together, we continue to rise above contentious cultural currents, keeping our focus on educating and ministering to the children God gives us. For this, and because of you, I have hope and excitement for the new year ahead.

Blessings,

Matthew S. Kerlin, Ph.D.
Head of School
SouthLake Christian Academy