Warsaw Christian School Celebrates Its 50th Anniversary
Posted
David Slone-dslone@timesuniononline.com
Not only are the children of past students attending Warsaw Christian School now, but grandchildren also are enrolled.
John Boren attended the school from 1958 to 1960. All four of his children attended the school from preschool to sixth grade. John's grandchildren, Noah and Whitney Boren, now continue the tradition. John's wife, Patricia, is the preschool director and teacher at WCS.
Having two or three generations of the same family attend WCS fits into the theme of the school's 50th anniversary celebration this year. The theme, based on Psalms 145, is "Celebrating education for life, proclaiming faith for living."
Psalm 145, verses 4, 6-7, reads, "One generation will commend your works to another; they will tell of your mighty acts ... they will celebrate your abundant goodness ... I will proclaim your great deeds."
Activities to celebrate the milestone are planned for this weekend and throughout the year.
WCS Administrator Norman Gunsolley said, in an interview Monday afternoon, Community Grace Brethren Church was started in the building at 909 S. Buffalo St., Warsaw, in 1956, by Clyde Landrum. Bob Cover was the church's first pastor. Two years later, Landrum also started Brethren Elementary School at the location.
The school kept the name for awhile, but it soon was realized the purpose of the school was for the community, to build a heritage on the foundations and principles found in God's Word. In 1967, the name of the school changed to Warsaw Christian School.
The school began with 40 students in grades kindergarten through third grade. Through the years, more grades were added. By 1973, the school had classes for students up to eighth grade.
Gunsolley said there was a desire in the community at that time to have a separate school for students in junior high and high school. WCS didn't have the facilities, but the community was asked if there was any interest to have such a school for junior high and high school.
In 1973, WCS gave up junior high grades. In 1974, Lakeland Christian Academy was started. "We still consider LCA a sister school," said Gunsolley.
The difference between WCS and LCA, Gunsolley said, is that WCS is still a church-sponsored school. LCA is an independent school. Gunsolley said the purpose of WCS is not to teach Grace Brethren doctrine, however, it's to try to focus on principles that unite Christians and the Body of Christ.
During any particular year, 40 to 50 different churches are represented at WCS. Last year, Director of Development Bob Hartwiger said 53 churches were represented.
In 1970, WCS had about 112 students. It now has 203 students, with 24 total employees of which 15-16 are teachers, Gunsolley said.
At its top enrollment in 1978, Gunsolley said the school had 282 students. Of course, he said during the late 1970s, that was before preschool became big. WCS had all-day pre-kindergarten, and started a full-day kindergarten in 1964. A lot of the enrollment at that time was focused on early childhood development.
As the number of preschools in the area grew, the number of students at WCS dropped. In 1988, WCS launched Noah's Ark Preschool, with Patricia Boren as the early childhood director and teacher. Boren is still with the school, and three sections of pre-school are being offered. In 2004, Noah's Ark Preschool received national accreditation through the Association of Christian Schools International.
In the 50-year history of WCS, Gunsolley pointed to many changes the school has undergone, not only with enrollment growth, but also in areas of programming and development.
There are more than 100 computers in the school, with more than 30 of them being in the computer lab. Last spring, the school hired a full-time IT director and facility coordinator, Dennis Brown. Much of the school curriculum uses computer software.
The school has a full-fledged music program, band, choir, choir chimes, art program and an outdoor education program. Gunsolley said Principal Doug Buller is the key man behind the outdoor program.
"I hired him (Buller) my second year here, and this is his 20th year. He hasn't been principal the whole time," Gunsolley said.
In 2001, the school board hired an outside consulting firm to evaluate the school's effectiveness. One of the firm's suggestions was to add to the administrative team to help with the workload. Buller, who already taught at the school, was approached about being a half-time teacher and a half-time principal. He accepted and went on to get his degrees for his role as a principal. Hartwiger also was hired, and Gunsolley's position changed to that of head administrator.
While the school is celebrating its 50th anniversary, the school's Grandparents Association also is celebrating its 25th anniversary. The association was founded by Landrum.
Three grandparents have established endowments for the school, two of which are through the Kosciusko Community Foundation. One of those endowments is for helping families with tuition who can't pay the full tuition amount themselves.
"That has been a real blessing," said Gunsolley.
In 1993, the school board developed a strategic plan for school improvement. One of the needs identified was to meet the special educational needs of children. In 1996, with the help of a private grant, a new program was launched called Special Education Reaching Various Academic Needs Together. SERVANT provides academic or behavioral help for each student needing additional support beyond the regular classroom.
Nine years later, the school was providing services to 16 children in SERVANT Center, and the enrichment program was launched with 22 children enrolled.
The 50th anniversary celebration kicks off Friday morning with Grandparents' Day.
Hartwiger said about 300 grandparents are expected to show up Friday. Entertainment will be provided, and a project for them will be presented.
Throughout the day, the grandparents will be able to visit the book table with their grandchildren. Grandparents can purchase books or videos for the school library in their grandchildren's honor. Hartwiger said about the entire library has been built from grandparents' gifts. The morning ends with a program in the sanctuary.
For lunch, grandparents may take their grandchildren to area designated restaurants that will give a percentage of the money spent by the grandparents at the restaurants back to the school.
Beginning at 6:30 p.m. Friday, alumni, past and present faculty, board members and current parents will attend a catered banquet. During the banquet, a Christian actor will perform his one-man show. Recognition of various people and organizations will be given. All of that, said Gunsolley, goes back to the celebration theme.
"We realize this school is built on the foundation of people who have gone before us," Gunsolley said.
Hartwiger said the banquet will end with a slide show of years past.
But children will be able to join in on the celebration Saturday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
A family fair will feature carnival-type games and soccer and volleyball matches. "It's just a fun day," said Hartwiger.
Gunsolley said that throughout the rest of the year, other events will be planned that will focus on the school's 50th anniversary.
The golf outing in the spring is the school's largest fundraiser. It will have a theme related to the celebration, with the purpose of the outing to raise money for scholarships for students.
Members of the school board for Warsaw Christian School are Chairman Tim Kurtaneck, Vice Chairman Mike Fisher, Secretary Dr. Don DeYoung, Dr. Jim Lesko, Gene O'Hara, Matt Starrett and Jennifer Stichter.
