Dear Parents and Friends,

Our fifth year is now a pleasant memory and God continues to bless us in ways that we know can only be by his hand.

Our search for a facility is ongoing and I hope to have some news for you in the next few days. I hope that you understand that we aren't able to share details of our search in real time because of the nature of any negotiations. We are looking at one church in State College and they are in the process of reviewing our request with the appropriate decision makers.

.....More to come on that as news develops!

Our enrollment prospects look excellent and our estimates are that we will have more student applications than we can accept. Please pray for us to make wise decisions in our student selections.....and if you don't have your application in, please contact us as soon as you can. If our enrollment is full we can put you on a waiting list for the first available opening.

I am convinced that next year will be our best year ever at Grace Prep. The best is truly yet to come! In fact, at this time, our only staff change will be that Michelle Pasterick is making her final transition to her full-time doctoral work at Penn State.  Sarah Shutes will be moving from part-time Spanish teacher to full-time this year and we're very excited abut that. We will certainly miss Michelle and we're thankful that she got a chance to work with Sarah for this entire academic year. (I would write a witty comment in Spanish right now, but my background in the Spanish language is limited to Taco Bell menu items so I'm facing a very unusual quiet moment.) Pause.

So, having all of the rest of the teachers returning means that we can focus on new and innovative approaches and spend more time advancing our academic vision into new areas.  I believe you will love what we have in mind!

As you may also know, we have added a new management position. After 2 years of fine work as Principal, Dave Anderson would like to get out from behind his desk and return to the classroom more.  Besides teaching additional History and Bible classes, Dave is excited to pioneer a new position at Grace Prep as the "Dean" of Student Life and Discipleship. This new job description is based upon Dave's passion for students and their spiritual growth and we're excited that God has provided the financial means for us to allow expanded focus in this area. Consequently, students (and even parents) may notice very little difference externally as Dave will be handling many of the same student issues that he has in the past. 

So, in traditional terms, Pat Sullivan will be the new Principal. I say it that way because our Grace Pep family doesn't operate under a traditional organizational chart like most schools. We operate much more as a family unit and we defer to one another's expertise.  In any event, Pat will be the point man for most of the administrative issues concerning the school as well as the new academic initiatives that will be launched in the Fall.

So this is how it goes. Dave now has the ability to shift all unsolvable problems to Pat. Pat can, at his discretion, shift those problems to me, and I can transport said problems to our Grace Prep Board, (which is currently holed-up in our undisclosed, underground super-secret bunker.)  However, I do have their cell numbers if you have an unsolvable problem.

Again, I want to tell you how grateful I am for our Grace Prep family. It is a patient and kind family that shares the same ups and downs as any family. If you ever have a concern, great idea, bad idea, or just need to vent, please let one of us know.
We need your help to avoid pitfalls, navigate new waters, or heal any hurt we may have caused. My door is always open to listen.

Finally, please keep us in your prayers, it is so easy to try to wrest control from God's hands and think that we are accomplishing these goals on our own strength. We have challenges like any other ministry or organization, but as one special GP family member wrote to me the other day, these are the things God uses to keep us close.  As much as I complain and grumble, at the end of the day, in the quiet of the night, I am thankful that He keeps me close.

As always....We love you. We love your kids.

Bob Gresh
Founder
Grace Prep

Unless the Lord builds a house,the work of the builders is wasted. Unless the Lord protects a city, guarding it with sentries will do no good. Psalm 127:1