Upper Room Christian School Graduation Pictures June 28, 2008

The Stage Was Set!

Awards and Scholarships!

Hundreds in Attendance!

The Charge to the Graduates From The Word of God!

Beautiful Vocals to a Powerful Slide Show!

Our Valedictorian!

Congratulations Class of 2008!

Investments

Luke 12:33&34
Give to the needy. Provide yourselves with moneybags that do not grow old, with a treasure in the heavens that does not fail, where no thief approaches and no moth destroys. For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.

Matt 6:20&21
Lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.

Matt 13:44
“The kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field, which a man found and covered up. Then in his joy he goes and sells all that he has and buys that field.

I want to encourage you and give you an opportunity to sow into what God is doing here through Upper Room Christian School on Long Island, NY.

Students are being inspired to be all they can be in Christ! They are being encouraged that the Lord goes before them and that He is their rear guard! They are being rescued from failing educational systems and environments that hinder their growth and progress! They are being protected and preserved from a world belief system that in many cases directly opposes the teachings of Christ! They are being instructed in excellence and uprightness! They are being raised up and nurtured in the things of God in an atmosphere that proclaims Jesus to be the supreme creator and ruler of the universe and all that's in it!

Over 300 students were promoted this year. 44 sent on to Colleges and Universities. Most from middle class families in struggling neighborhoods and school districts. Some with "Individual Education Plans" that other schools would not or could not service.

If you would like to partner with and invest in what God is doing in and through Upper Room Christian School in the lives of these precious children contact me at 631-242-5359ext.203 or write me at rjonodde@aol.com.

Sow a seed of hope and promise in the life of a child!

Grace and Peace,

Ed

Big Ideas to Consider

1. There are basically two kingdoms: a kingdom of light and a kingdom of darkness. It seems strange to have those who walk in darkness educate children of light. It doesn't fit.

2. If Jesus Christ is Lord, then He is Lord of all. We cannot divide things into secular and sacred.

3. All truth is God's truth, and God's Word sheds light on our path. Only in His light can we see light. Education is not focused on possibilities but on certainties found in God's Word.

4. Deuteronomy 6 tells parents that, in all they do, they should provide a godly education 24/7.

5. Three key institutions that shape a child are the home, the church and the school. Children are served best when all three institutions point them in the same direction.

6. Only an education that has the liberty to address the whole child -- social, intellectual, emotional, physical AND spiritual -- reaches the possibility of excellence.

7. The best preparation for effective service is to be well grounded in one's mind before direct engagement of the culture.

Grace and peace,

Ed

http://www.urcwc.org/

Upper room Christian School Graduation Ceremony June 28, 2008

Our annual graduation ceremony is this Saturday at 11am. We are so excited to be graduating our largest class of seniors! This graduating class of 44 students has been accepted to over 42 different prestigious colleges and universities throughout the country and have been offered over ¾ of a million dollars in total scholarship money!

Here is a partial list of Colleges and Universities that our graduates will be attending in the fall:

Adelphi U

Bryan College

Briarcliff U

Bridgewater State U

Central Bible College

CW Post

Dowling College

Fashion Institute of Technology

Florida Atlantic U

Gordon U

Hofstra U

Kings College

Liberty U

Marymount Manhattan College

Molloy College

Morgan State U

New York Institute of Technology

Niagara U

Pace U

Regent U

Seton Hall

St. John's U

St. Joseph's U

St. Peter's College

Stony Brook U

Southeastern U

University of Conn.

University of North Carolina

Congratulations Graduates!

Grace and Peace,

Ed

http://www.urcwc.org/

What Parents Say About Upper Room Christian School #11.

Mrs. Diane Keppel had this to say, " I sent my son to Upper Room Christian School to receive a Christ-centered education and to learn how to incorporate Jesus Christ into his daily living and relationships. My son loves Jesus Christ and he loves everything about Upper Room. He says he would never want to go to public school. Upper Room has been an extended family to him and has helped shape his beliefs and values. The school has been supportive to my child and myself. The teachers are genuinely concerned about my child and they keep in touch with me on a regular basis. I want to thank the Upper Room Christian School for the wonderful experience my son has had growing up with the guidance of the teachers and pastors."

Mrs. Keppel's son is one of this year's graduates and is going on to college in the fall. We will miss him but know that just like most of our graduates he'll be back whenever he's in the neighborhood to say hello to his extended family at Upper Room.

Grace and Peace,

Ed

http://www.urcwc.org/

What Our Graduates Have to Say About Upper Room Christian School.

Christian Education is not just Christian teachers teaching from a Christian point of view with biblically principled values and methods. It also includes a spiritual environment that encourages students to grow in spirit, soul and body.

Conscientious Christian parents want their children to be trained in the discipline and instruction of the Lord, and they want the Christian school experience to aid them with this goal.

As we end our 2007-2008 school year we thank God for our Bishop and Upper Room Christian World Center's elders and congregants for all of their prayerful support. These are a few quotes from some of our graduating seniors.

" I am very grateful to have met such great people." Brian Agard

" Thanks for giving me an opportunity to come to a school I grew to love." Carlos Bolanos

"I'm going to miss Upper Room and my friends." Fedes Casmir Jr.

"Thank you for giving me the opportunity to be in this school. Tawana Charles

"Thanks for helping me see who I am and who I am going to be." Priscilla Claudio

"I am so happy to be a part of this graduating class." Sarah Eck

"Being at this school helped me become a better person and lead me to salvation." Victoria Esteve

"I am left with wonderful memories and I will miss you all and love all of you very much." Jarrett Hansen

"We are all the body of Christ and i thank Him for that daily." John Leon

"I am going to miss each and every one of you." Lauren Marchant

"Character is based on what you do when no one is looking." Joy Marinelli

" Mom and Dad, thank you for working your hardest to keep me in a Christian School." Breeana McDonough

" You were the best teachers I have ever had. You guys are mad real with it. I want to thank God for blessing me with incredible friends." Gabriella Pinto

"Upper Room Christian School has changed my life completely, I love you all and you left a huge imprint on my heart forever." Lysanne Sanchez

"Upper Room Christian School as a whole has taught me so much and caused me to grow in ways I never thought I would be able to. I was encouraged and loved for my three years here and the memories that were made, I will never forget." Roseanne Scipio

"This year was a wonderful year because we are on fire for God. So many have been moved by the Spirit of God in this place." Yearbook Staff

Grace and peace,

Ed

http://www.urcwc.com/

What do Parents Say About Upper Room Christian School #10

Mrs. Margarette Bordenave said she sends her son to Upper Room Christian School "to give him a better education." She says, "he has more self control and respect since coming to Upper Room."

Mrs. Bordenave has a son in 7th grade.

Mrs. Traci Alexis says, " I send my child to the Upper Room Christian School because of the Religious influence and the pleasant, structured atmosphere. I also love the way the teachers take an interest in the child as a whole. My son loves this school." His grades have improved and he doesn't complain about going to school like he used to. He is learning and taking on an interest in Religion."

Mrs. Alexis has a son in 10th grade.

Mrs. Sherry Jones says, "Upper Room Christian School has a small class ratio and a good Bible based environment. My daughter is growing into a very lovely young lady. Her love for Christ is great and that is a very important foundation in our lives. The school has made a big difference."

Mrs. Jones has a daughter in 6th grade.

Grace and Peace,

Ed

http://www.urcwc.org/

Advice From a Founding Father to Our Youth

The command to honor your father and mother comprehends not only due respect and obedience to your parents; but all respect to other superiors. The distinction of age, is one established by God himself, and is perhaps the only difference of rank in society, which is of divine origin. . . . in doing honor to age, you honor a divine command, and secure to yourself a source of permanent consolation.
Noah Webster, 1823, "Letters to a Young Gentleman Commencing His Education"

Honor thy Father and thy Mother-an uncompromising commandment.

Take a deeper look with your children at education and a Biblical worldview and prepare them to protect the liberty we cherish today!

Grace and Peace,

Ed

www.urcwc.org

What Do Parents Say About Upper Room Christian School # 9

When asked how has Upper Room Christian School made a difference in your child's life Mrs. Corrine Hibbert said, " The importance of Jesus Christ has been instilled in my child's life without taking away or lessening, in any way, an excellent education."

When asked Why do you send your child to Upper Room Christian School Mrs. Kim Wilson said, " To get a quality education coupled with Christian Values. Upper Room Christian School has grounded my daughter in her Christianity and given her an education with spirituality."

Mr. and Mrs. Adesina said, " We send our child to Upper Room because we have always wanted her to have a private school education. Upper Room Christian School has given us peace of mind regarding the love and attention she gets. The Christian values have been uppermost in the difference the school has made in our daughter as well as the love instilled in my child."

All of these families children are in our elementary department. We also have a middle school and high school. Check out some of the other testimonials throughout this blog.

Grace and Peace,
Ed
http://www.urcwc.org/

What are Current Employers Looking For?

Employers are looking closely at this new crop of workers. A collegegrad.com survey reported on what employers want most in examining the talent pool of recent grads. It featured 500 top entry-level employers for 2008 and notes the following factors as the criteria that entry-level employers rank as most important:

1. The student’s major (44%)

2. Their interviewing skills (18%)

3. The student’s internship/experience (17%)

4. The college the student graduated from (10%)

5. Other miscellaneous qualifications (5%)

6. The student’s GPA (4%)

7. Their personal appearance (1%)

8. The student’s computer skills (1%)

Didn’t go to MIT or Harvard? Not a problem. According to the survey, factors other than the school you graduated from all count more in employers’ eyes. Regarding that number one factor on the list, your major, which ones are most in demand?

• Mechanical Engineering

• Electrical Engineering

• Accounting

• Business Administration/Management

• Economics/Finance

• Computer Science

• Information Sciences and Systems

• Marketing/Marketing Management

• Computer Engineering

• Chemical Engineering

Grace and Peace,

Ed

What Parents Say About Upper Room Christian School #8

Mrs. Diane Odeh says, "I send my Children to Upper Room Christian School to afford them with a well-rounded Christian Education. Upper Room Christian School has established the foundation in moral principles of the Bible for my children as well as modeling how Christian Children should behave as it will apply to them in their adulthood."

Mrs. Odeh has a girl in Kindergarten and a boy in 1st grade.

Mrs. Betty D'onofrio says, "I send my son first and foremost to insure him a Christ-Centered environment where he will both learn and experience the principals of Christ and His Kingdom. And secondarily to expose him to the best academic environment that I can give him. Upper Room Christian School provides both. Upper Room Christian School has made a difference in every way in my son's life. His social, spiritual and academic development is a testimony to the wonderful faculty and staff at the school."

Mrs. D'onofrio has a son in 7th grade.

Grace and Peace,

Ed

http://www.urcwc.org/

Is There a Christian Approach to the Content of Education?

The content of education, unlike the specific curriculum, has an implied value. Content rests on an implied value. Let’s see…

In the non-Christian, school there is no absolute or ultimate truth. It is each person’s responsibility to decide their final or overarching truth.

A true Christian education studies all of life in submission to the word of God, the Bible and its precepts, or truths.

When we look at content this way we see a significant difference. God designed us to seek the truth; He declares truth will set us free – from bondage to sin.

The content of education is an aspect that we must seriously consider and pray about.

Partner with Upper Room Christian School a school that begins its content with the truth of the Bible.

Grace and Peace,

Ed

www.urcwc.org

What Parents Have To Say About Upper Room Christian School # 7

Mrs. Annette Corbitt said, " I send my children to Upper Room Christian School for it's Christian Values and Discipline. My children attest to the positive impact the school has made in their lives. The uniforms and structured day provide a much better atmosphere then the public school's"

Mrs. Corbitt has a daughter in 8th grade and a son in 10th grade.

Ms. Nicole Williams said, " I send my son to Upper Room Christian School because I want him to receive both Christian training along with his academic education. The school has made a difference in his knowledge of God and the Bible and his attitude toward others. I choose to send him to Upper Room because public school gives no attention to religious training."

Ms. Williams has a son in 3rd grade.

Grace and Peace,

Ed

www.urcwc.org