Thank you so much for those who have contributed so far to our Year End Giving Campaign! 

As of Monday December 28, we have just over $10,500 in donations from 52 contributors.  This is only 20% of our year-end goal and 40% of the amount we received last year.  We don’t want this campaign to “slip through the cracks” or be laid aside in the midst of the blessings & events of the Christmas season, so we ask that you would take some time this week to pray for this campaign and to consider a donation before the year comes to an end. To make it easy you can donate securely online here – https://www.paypal.com/cgi-bin/webscr?cmd=_s-xclick&hosted_button_id=9449144

Jim Elliot Christian High School is Opening Doors to Opportunities!

Opportunities truly abound for students who attend JECHS!  Let me give a bit more in-depth look at some of these.

• Athletics  - Students can currently compete in soccer, volleyball, cross country, track & field, football, basketball, softball, baseball and golf.  Not only do they have the opportunity to be a part of these teams they also have the same chance as students in larger public schools to win league and section championships, be recognized in the local newspapers, earn all league honors, play on all star teams and be recruited and receive athletic scholarships to colleges and universities.  So what sets Jim Elliot apart in athletics?  It the goal of glorifying God both on and off the field, coaches whose primary purpose is to be Christian mentors & godly examples and student athletes who use their athletic talents to shine for the Lord.
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• Activities  How wonderful it is to know that students have a full slate of social activities that are wholesome, fun, safe and positive.  JECHS provides everything from spirit weeks, homecoming, powder puff football and theme dress up days to game nights, creative social events, formals and a prom.  Student involvement in these activities is extremely high and the memories made, experiences afforded and friendships formed are priceless.
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• Service  is part of everyday life at Jim Elliot.  Students serve one another as well as  the community. On any given day you can find students tutoring other students or working in the snack bar to raise money for student scholarships or volunteering their time to the school.  In the community almost half the students are involved in the Interact Club which serves at the Ashley House (home for the elderly), Cancer Kids spaghetti dinner, Special Olympics, Salvation Army and Hale Park homeless ministry (sack lunches), Lodi House for single mothers, Pregnancy Resource Center, Gospel Rescue Mission, Stockton Emergency Food Bank and the Relay for Life.

• Technology   The  award winning Robotics team is one of the stellar opportunities that is very unique to JECHS. We can say with confidence that students truly expand their world and enhance their high school experience when they join this team!  This year they are being provided a “once in a lifetime” opportunity to go to Israel and compete this coming Spring.  “It’s an amazing opportunity to go to the Holy Land and walk on the ground that our Savior Jesus Christ walked upon. It also gives us a chance to evangelize and be disciples. This trip isn’t just about competing; it’s also about glorifying God,” says Robotic faculty advisor Tom Bray.You can read more about this amazing trip here.
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• The Arts are growing and developing at Jim Elliot and include art classes, ceramics, choir and drama productions.  Students also have the opportunity to enhance their gifts through being on the worship or ministry teams.  We are looking over the next several years to expand our Arts offerings and we know we can do it through the giving of  time, talent & treasure from the   JECHS family who have a passion for expansion of the arts at our school!
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• Leadership  - Every Jim Elliot student  has the opportunity to become a leader during their years at our school.  Whether it is through student council, starting up or leading a club or Bible study, taking leadership on athletic teams and more!  One of the greatest strengths a person can possess is a strong set of leadership skills and at JECHS they definitely have the opportunity to gain these skills

In order to continue to offer, grow & even expand on these abundant opportunities, we count on the generous donations to our Annual Fund from those who believe in the school and its unlimited potential. 

•  Wouldn’t it be wonderful to expand our athletic offerings, fairly compensate our coaches and build much needed athletic facilities?
• Imagine the great opportunities we could have in the community as well as for our student to develop lifelong skills by expanding and improving our art, music & drama departments?
• Our award winning robotics team is already stellar but how wonderful it would be for them to have a corporate sponsor so they can spend less time fundraising & more time learning technology?

The opportunities that we can offer our students truly are endless in the possibilities.   All that is needed is passionate, hard working people with vision combined with action and financial contributions to make it happen!

You are key!

If you have not yet donated to our Year End Giving Campaign please consider making a donation before December 31st to help us continue to provide & expand the opportunities at JECHS.

Blessings,

Beth Lambdin

Director of Development

Jim Elliot Christian High School

 

P.S. – You can  Donate online here  or donate by mail

Checks made payable to: 

Jim Elliot Christian High School 
2695 W Vine St    Lodi, CA 95242

With only a little over two weeks left of 2009, we are continuing to pray for a great outpouring of financial blessings through our End of the Year Giving Campaign.  Please join us in praying  for this campaign and consider making a donation before the end of the year.

Let me take this opportunity to elaborate a little bit more on our campaign theme “Jim Elliot is Opening Doors” -

Jim Elliot Christian High School is opening doors to knowledge! We strive to spark curiosity and inspire students to develop a love of learning that will last a lifetime.  Our teachers challenge the mind, heart and soul of every student.  

One of our recent graduates posted a note on facebook last year  sharing how the teachers, staff and administration had impacted his life, not only while attending Jim Elliot but how their influence continues to challenge, inspire & motivate him today.  As I read his comments I couldn’t help but be incredibly thankful that my own children are  blessed to be able to attend this school with the amazing teachers and staff members  as he described here. I couldn’t ask for a better influence than this!

Here is what he learned from the staff at Jim Elliot:

 Mrs. Weigum taught me to stretch my mind to places that were out of this world. Use logic while at the same time being creative.

Mrs. Rajala taught me that a book can take you on a journey farther than you can ever imagine and all you have to do is pick it up and read it.

Mrs. Osenga taught me to live life with a smile on my face.

Mrs. Stayner taught me to live life outside of the box, see the picture line by line as it becomes a whole.

Mrs. Wegner taught me that I have to work to get success.

Senora Van Meter taught me that we live in a multicultural society and there is no going back.

Mrs. Chester-Bradt taught me to always ask for help.

Mrs. Elliot taught me to use the talents that God has given me.

Mr. Bray taught me that there is a hope left.

Mr. Buchmiller challenged my mind far greater than I would ever push myself.

Mr. Lambdin taught me new ways to study the Bible and search out all possibilities.

Mr. Glass taught me that the Old Testament has a history of significance.

Mr. Hathorn took me to a deeper love in the New Testament.

Mr. Green taught me that numbers and equations are used in all aspects of life.

Mr. Tackett taught me that there is a creative side to life.

Mr. Inscore taught me that God has a purpose for every step that my life takes.

Mrs. Jines taught me that this world still has a sense of compassion.

Mrs. Elmore taught me that there are still classic novel writers.

Coach Kimble taught me that I can give it my all!

Mr. Truka taught me to do the will of God.

Mr. Couchman taught me to have fun while being professional.

Mrs. Henry taught me to have a sense of respect for those around me.

Mrs. Thiesen taught me that a good receptionist always said good morning/afternoon followed by how may I direct your call.

Mrs. Martens taught me to have a deep compassion for the community around me.

Mrs. Fairchild taught me to always strive for the best, do not let the walls of a building contain me.

Miriam Dumlao taught me to truly worship no matter what it takes.

 

Yes, our staff truly desire to make a difference in the lives of the students and they work incredibly hard.  They work closely with colleagues to pursue ways to improve their teaching. They attend meetings and go to professional conferences. They share duties in the lunchroom & parking lot. They support the students outside the classroom by attending athletics, plays and other school events.  They worship with them at chapel, pray for them and counsel them. They write letters of recommendation, set up special study sessions and return phone calls and emails. They coach, chaperone and serve as class advisors. They prepare lesson plans, grade papers and write tests and quizzes.  Then they grade more papers, write more tests & quizzes and prepare more lesson plans, often until late into the evening and on weekends.  Rarely do they sit down and relax in front of the television without a stack of papers on their lap to grade. They work countless hours both in and outside the classroom.

And at JECHS they do all this while making 30% less income with far fewer benefits than their counterparts in the local public schools. And yet they still love what they do!

We desire our teachers to be well compensated for all of their work and as we develop and grow our Annual Fund we will be committing financial resources to that end.  When you make a donation to our Year End Giving Campaign, you are supporting our wonderful teachers, staff and administration as they continue to impact students.  You are key!

Blessings,

Beth Lambdin

Director of Development

Jim Elliot Christian High School

 

P.S. – You can  Donate online here  or donate by mail

Checks made payable to: 

Jim Elliot Christian High School 
2695 W Vine St    Lodi, CA 95242

Dear Jim Elliot Christian High School family,

 

By now you should have all received our End of the Year Giving Campaign Letter – “Jim Elliot is Opening Doors”.  One of the most challenging aspects of putting together a piece like this is being limited to how much information you can share in a small amount of space.  There are simply so many wonderful aspects of our amazing school that we would love to have everyone know and experience.

 

Jim Elliot Christian High School is opening doors to – FAITH!  Faith is our foundation and it is reflected through our devoted staff whose lives exemplify Christ, in the curriculum we teach and in every aspect of daily life and activities at our school.

 

Let me share with you just one of the countless stories of how JECHS is building a firm foundation of faith in the lives of our students. 

 

Months before starting school at JECHS, Tiffana LeMaster was a confused, lost, homeless teenager living out of her car on the streets of Chico.  After coming to a saving knowledge of Jesus Christ that summer, she was taken in by two families in Stockton who both had children attending Jim Elliot.  Through their tireless efforts as well as generous contributions along with the support of the school board & staff, Tiffana was enrolled at our school and began to have the opportunity to learn and become discipled in her new found faith. 

 

What is a “normal” part of Jim Elliot students daily lives was all new to Tiffana -

• praying daily during classes, games, and special events
• worshiping the Lord in weekly chapel services
• hearing dynamic preachers from throughout our community come and share God’s word & life applications
• memorizing Bible verses and other tenets of the faith
• being mentored, discipled and counseled by teachers & staff who strive to always be a godly example
• learning the basics of Christianity as well as how to defend your faith and develop a Biblical worldview
• developing strong friendships based on the Lord that would stand the test of time

The foundation that Tiffana received while at Jim Elliot proved to be life changing. Tiffana is currently serving with a large ministry organization – Youth with a Mission. After attending Justice Discipleship Training School in New Zealand this last fall she is now in serving the Lord in South Africa where her team is helping to stop human trafficking and share the love of Jesus Christ and His plan for salvation with the lost & hurting.

 

“The more educated I become, the deeper my passion is to seek justice for children who are sexually exploited and forced into slavery. If I could just be a part of the restoration of one child, it is well worth it. I have been given the opportunity to take these desires and passions and apply them practically.  I truly believe that this is a divine doorway into a lifelong journey of seeing adults and children rescued and delivered from years of slavery, and showing them the passionate love and grace that our Abba Father desires for them.”    Tiffana

  

Yes, Jim Elliot Christian High School is opening doors to faith. 

 

Please consider helping us to continue to open these doors to young people who will go out and impact our world for Christ by giving generously to our End of the Year Giving Campaign – You are Key! 
–
Blessings,

Beth Lambdin

Director of Development

Jim Elliot Christian High School

 

P.S. – You can  Donate online here  or donate by mail

Checks made payable to: 

Jim Elliot Christian High School 
2695 W Vine St    Lodi, CA 95242

US history students who daily step into Mr. Dennis Buchmiller’s US history class were recently greeted by an atmosphere that was anything but routine. With tables turned on their sides, loud, strange music playing, lights low and air conditioning off for a stuffy atmosphere, Buchmiller greeted students in a serious, demanding voice, saying things like “Get over there! Down on the floor! Put down that backpack! No talking!”.

As students arrived he divided the class into two sections, telling boys to lay on the floor on one side of the room and girls to lay on the other with no talking allowed. They were packed close together to give them a cramped feeling. Though students at first felt confused and disoriented, they gradually clued in that their teacher was out of character for a reason, and that he was in fact “welcoming” them to a virtual slave ship—complete with cramped quarters, a hostile crew and a sense of not being in control of their surroundings.

He then proceeded to describe in great detail the conditions on a slave ship. “Before I knew what was going on my first thought was, ‘Did we do something wrong?’ But I remained silent and obeyed his commands,” said Jamielyn Cabral. Brianna Santos agreed, saying, “It was shocking to walk in the classroom having Mr. Buchmiller yell at us to not talk and to get down on the floor. I was very nervous and confused.”

Buchmiller has been using some very creative teaching methods in order to make history come alive for his students. “My purpose was to try to get the students to get a feel of what the initial shock must have been to these people (slaves) to have their world as they knew it to be so violently transformed in a moment’s time. There is no way to truly recreate that in a classroom but I was able to create some real discomfort for the students. They did not like what I was doing to them and I might have had a rebellion if I had pushed it much further,” he said.

The desired effect was achieved, as students felt the impact. Serena Aartman said, “It made me realize how utterly terrifying it would have been to be a slave on a slave ship, when you have no idea what’s going on.” After enduring just 10 minutes of this simulation, along with disturbing and disheartening descriptions of what the journey entailed for those who became sick or had to use the restroom, the students were more eager than usual to take their seats for the lecture. “This technique was very effective and really helped me think about how it might have been. I never really thought about it until that day,” said Amy Lambdin.

Buchmiller felt that the lesson was successful because of the questions the students were asking and what they wrote down about the experience. “They all said that as uncomfortable as they were for just the 10 minutes (and they all said it felt much longer) they simply couldn’t conceive how the slaves made it all the way to America. They had a new respect for the injustice done to the people from Africa,” he said.

Principal David Couchman, who visited the class to observe, was impressed with the impact the lesson had on the students. “Mr. Buchmiller really stepped outside of the box in order to make an impression. His goal was to give students a tiny sense of what it might have been like to be taken from their homes and shipped to a foreign land as a slave. It moved the students out of their comfort zones and forced them to deal with slavery on something other than just an information level. I thought the activity was extremely creative and effective. The students were very engaged in the follow-up lecture, asking questions as if it mattered to them. I think it really impacted the students,” he said.

 About 25 JECHS students gathered at the cross on the morning of September 23 to pray for their nation, families, school and peers.

“I am praying for our government, especially with everything that’s happening with the leaders that have been put into place. I know that God appoints leaders, but He also says to pray for them…that He would give them wisdom,” said student chaplain Ana Martinez.

“Prayer can affect a lot of things and if we have a lot of people to pray and have faith anything is possible,”said 10th grader  Makenna Cowden.

“At SYATP we prayed for our friends and our country. It helps our country because people are praying for our leadership and helping them make the right decisions,” said 9th grader Connor Landon. 

In a show of unity and support for the greater body of Christ some Elliot students joined hands with students on surrounding area public school campuses during “See You at the Pole”.

“There were five of us from Elliot at Lodi High. I went because I have friends there and was hoping that if I was there it would encourage them to show up and be out there with us. It’s cool to have a national day where we pray in public.”

– Sophomore Michael Callahan 

“Prayer is a really powerful thing and I think if you have enough people praying big things can happen. I thought it was cool at Galt High when everyone started singing Lean On Me. Praying openly in front of a public school didn’t feel too weird because there were a lot of us there. It felt actually kind of normal, which is a good thing.” Senior Sam Towne

 If you ask Jana Flaig-Brummett how she earned the credentialsfor being “number one” for a day at JECHS she will tell you the truth: “I bought my way into the job.”

Flaig-Brummett placed the winning bid on the “Principal for a Day” live auction item at the Denim, Diamonds, and Dreams  fund raiser last April, and started planning immediately.

“The announcement in the live auction description said, “How would you like to be in charge for the day?” And I said, “Man, that is me—I want that,” and it was either that or the 18-pound box of cherries,” said Flaig-Brummett.

She brought a day of delightful diversions to students and staff alike with her first official act at the helm being to bring two dozen donuts for the staff and then pray over them at their morning devotions.

Flaig-Brummett, who had fun with her day in power, moved to Lodi from Hollywood with her family five years ago so her son could attend Jim Elliot, never realizing that such a move would include this special opportunity for a brief  “rise to power”. Summarizing her true motive for filling the role for the day she said, “It’s a win-win situation. The school gets the funds and I get the opportunity to bless the students and the staff with a day that’s fulled with fun and surprises. It is also my hope that other parents will be challenged to jump in, get involved, and bid on the live auction items at next year’s fund raiser, because this is an investment in our kids.”

Here are some highlights of “Principal” Flaig-Brummett’s agenda:

• a prize for each student in every first period class who found a golden ticket under his or her seat
• students allowed to text and finger joust for the last five minutes of second period
• In ‘n Out Burger delivered to campus for lunch
• declaration of a free dress/no homework Friday of that week
• a special rally with a surprise presentation choreographed by  Flaig-Brummett and performed by teachers
• an itunes gift card awarded to Jill Libhart for the best “kiss up” line to a teacher (included below):

To Mr. Tackett: (aka “best teacher ever”) You are so super awesome. I love having your class two times a day. Did you get the get well card I made for you? I’m so glad you’re feeling better. You’re back today to brighten up our day. If there were an award for teacher of the week, you’d get it every single time. 

Students responses from the day were overwhelmingly positive!

“It was amazing because it was fun all day. It was like hardly a school day. Do it again!” – Christian Canepa

“Thank you. You’re awesome!” – Eric Schmidt 

Who will be next year’s Principal for the day? Come bid on it at the annual Spring Auction!

The Robotics Team is sponsoring a fun evening with illusionist John Drebinger Jr. on Saturday, November 14, in the JECHS gym at 7 pm.

Come enjoy the “magic” and a delicious dessert for only $5. All proceeds will benefit the Robotic Israel Trip. Invite your friends. Mr. Drebinger is a great entertainer and is donating his time. Tickets may be purchased in advance in the school office or at the door.

If you can’t come but would still like to donate to the Robotics Team, you can do so by bringing your donation to the school office or making a contribution securely on line through PayPal here.

 After six years as the Robotics team advisor and upper level sciences teacher Tom Bray will be taking the trip of a lifetime as he leads close to 30 members of Team 1662, aka “Raptor Force”, to an international robotics competition in Israel in March 2010. This invitation is one that Bray takes personally.

 “It’s something I believe the Lord’s been putting together for quite a while and now I have kids who are ready to do it. This is my whole goal: that they will come back with an understanding of Israel’s place in our past, present and future. Every time they hear ‘the Sea of Gallilee’, they will be able to picture it. Their experience will help our country make the right decisions with regard to Israel,” he says.

When Elliot competed in Atlanta last year the Israeli General Consul, who was there to visit with the Israeli teams, inquired about the Israeli flag displayed alongside the American flag on the JECHS robot. After explaining that this was his way of showing honor and respect for Israel, Bray received another visit—this one from Brigadier General Asaf Agmon from the Israel Air Force Center, who invited Elliot to compete in Tel Aviv in 2010.

“Our Bible says that if we bless Israel we’ll be blessed; if we curse Israel we will be cursed. And many do not realize that as Christians  we’re grafted into the nation of Israel.  I have students who ask me why I have a Jewish flag in my classroom. I tell them, ‘See that flag there? That’s the American flag. That’s my earthly flag. When I die that will be on my casket. See that flag? That’s the Israeli flag—that’s my eternal flag. That’s the nation I will always belong to for all eternity,’ ” says Bray.

In contact with the Israeli general and government, Bray and his team are putting in the many hours of hard work that a trip like this requires. Once there, they will not only compete against Israeli and other international  robotics teams but will also be visiting Jerusalem, sightseeing, helping locals and being ambassadors for JECHS and the Lord Jesus Christ.

“It’s an amazing opportunity to go to the Holy Land and walk on the ground that our Savior Jesus Christ walked upon. It also gives us a chance to evangelize and be disciples. This trip isn’t just about competing; it’s also about glorifying God,” says Bray. 

Doug Buhr—engineer, former board member, friend of Tom Bray and the founder of robotics at Jim Elliot had a passion for Israel, often reminding others to pray for the peace of Jerusalem.

With the anniversary of his death three years ago approaching, the significance of this trip holds special meaning.

Bray recalls, “Normally what Doug would say to me when I’d get these ideas and con him into going along with me was, ‘Bray—what did you get me into this time?’ Not on this one. He would cry because he and I had talked about this, and he would see it as an opportunity for our students to experience Israel.”

Six years ago when a robotics website had inspired Bray to start a similar program for Elliot, he told Buhr about it. He recalls the conversation that ensued between them:

Doug asked, “What’s stopping you?” I said, “$6,000.” He asked,  “When are you going to need it?” I told him, “In three weeks.” He said, “Oh, three weeks. I can do that.”

And for the next two and a half years Buhr would write many more $6,000 checks.

“He funded the team. He went with us to Atlanta. He thought this was the best thing going—even when the robot got loose and tore up the room. That’s why our robot is known as the Buhr-bot,” explains Bray. 

Perhaps you are as excited as Doug Buhr was about the opportunity that JECHS has with robotics.  There are many ways you can assist the Robotics team on their way to Israel.  Please consider helping or telling someone you know who would like to help about the needs listed:

• engineers for the second and third weeks of January for brainstorming
• small metal lathe
• $1850 per student
• someone to make the team flag
• two solder irons
• pallet scale
• a good chain break
• donation of sodas for us to sell with pizza lunches (fund-raiser), and for us to drink
• chest style tool boxes 

The staff at Jim Elliot is continually improving their skills through ongoing training and pursuing graduate degrees.  Congratulations to the following faculty members who have received degrees and training this year!

Dottie Henry

In May 2009 Dottie Henry received her Master of  Education in educational administration from Grand Canyon University.  She has her California teaching credential, but wanted to hone her professional skills as she moved into the position of vice principal. “As I developed new competencies I gained confidence in myself and my ability to benefit JECHS,” she says. 

Michael Tackett

Mike Tackett earned his Masters of Secondary Education from Grand Canyon University in May 2009. He began the program in October 2007, the same week his son was born. “This was a rewarding but grueling process. I jumped for joy when my advisor reported to me that I had no more classes,” he says. 

Dennis Buchmiller

Dennis Buchmiller attended a week long training session at Sacramento State. He worked with fellow colleagues on best teaching practices and new resources available for teaching. “We discussed the best use of class time so students are prepared for all the material on their AP tests,” he says.

Allen Worcester (Class of ‘08) was recognized for outstanding academic accomplishments by being named to the President’s List at LeTourneau University for the Spring2009 semester.  The Presidents List recognizes students who have achieved a perfect 4.0 (“A”) grade point average for the semester.  LeTourneau University Executive Vice President for Academic Affairs Dr. Robert W. Hudson said being named to the Presidents List is a significant academic achievement and honor. “The rigorous curriculum and high academic standards here are highly respected throughout our country and beyond,” Hudson said. “Le Tourneau University is well-known for its quality education.  To obtain a perfect grade point average for academic performance is, indeed most commendable.”

Stephanie Cline Jenks (‘05) after completing her studies and obtaining honor roll status at Delta College, she  has been accepted to the nursing program at Stanislaus State University.

Anna Newby  (‘05) is preparing for her senior recital at Crown College in Minnesota where she will receive her Bachelors Degree as a music major with a piano  emphasis in December. She has been on the Deans list during this past year.

Do you have any news on our JECHS alumni?  We would love to hear from you!