I have been a Bethany member since 2006 and my husband since early childhood. We made the decision long ago that we would raise our children in the church. Our daughters, now 15 and 10, had attended Bethany for Pre-K up to 3rd grade before transferring to our district’s public school. We continued with extracurricular activities at Bethany, youth groups, confirmation, and weekly church attendance. While no longer a Bethany school member, there was always something missing though for our younger daughter which we could never figure out. Her education seemed all right in public school, but she was becoming increasingly unhappy. My normally cheerful girl was barely cracking a smile when she returned home each day. This had gone on for a year or so before we made the decision to begin homeschooling. Shortly after this decision, Covid-19 reared its ugly head and the world joined us at home.

There was still something missing and my children were suffering because of it. During the summer, Linda Fox had reached out to me about a position available in the Kindergarten room as a Teacher’s Aide. I was elated that Bethany was planning on safely reopening their school and begin in-person learning in the Fall. Then it hit me. We were missing out on the community and Christian education we were receiving at Bethany in previous years. The smaller (socially distant) class sizes and personal attention to each student works so well for our family. My daughter needed the extra support as well as the less overwhelming social situations that she was trying to navigate through public school. Most of all, the Christ centered education is invaluable.

We’re now 25 days into the school year and the difference in my daughter is incredible. She is excited to go to school every day. Her smiles at the end of the day are worth every penny. Thank you for the nudge back to Bethany Lutheran School, Mrs. Fox!

Sincerely,

Erin Gavin

Instructional Aide, Kindergarten

Alice Gavin

5th Grade