The Fresno Christian Covid Prevention Plan (CPP) -2021/2022 has been updated.
Click HERE to peruse this document.
This link will give you information regarding the State of CA Recommendations for K-12 Schools.
This link will give you information regarding the Fresno County Covid Data to date.
Tuesday, September 22, 2020
Dear Fresno Christian Families,
The news we’ve been working, praying, and preparing for has arrived; FCS has received K-5 waiver approval from both Fresno County Department of Public Health and the State of California Department of Health!
We will reopen the elementary building to all enrolled students on Monday, September 28!! Here are a few bullet points with more information to follow this week.
Thank you for your continued support, prayers and encouragement. Stay tuned for more information regarding the Monday elementary reopening, and updates should be forthcoming regarding reopening to secondary students.
Jeremy L. Brown
Dear FCS Community,
I want to start by thanking everyone for the prayers and support for FCS Administration and the FCS Board as we met concerning the 2020/20201 school year.
September 8 First Day of School
FCS Board and Administration reviewed our pathways to open for in-person instruction:
Fresno County is still on the COVID-19 watch list
The Fresno County Department of Public Health is not reviewing ANY school waivers
And there has been no significant movement with any legal efforts to open schools
Bearing those points in mind, the Fresno Christian Board of Directors has decided to open the 2020-2021 school year using the FCS Alternative Learning Model that was shared with our community last week. We will continue to be ready to move to in-person instruction. In fact, when we are released to provide in-person instruction, FCS will be prepared to transition in 48 hours! Our Alternative Learning Model in conjunction with our on-campus clubs/activities is the best model available to our community. We will continue to develop ways to improve both the educational and community needs of our students.
Have I told you that we have missed your students? It has been wonderful to see them on our campus for MAP testing, Picture Day, and Sports Camps!
As we continue preparing for the start of the school year, please know that we are all ready to have your students in our classrooms when that time comes. Until then, we will continue with our sports camps, clubs, and student/family orientations.
FCS/Peoples Church Student Support Program
Knowing that FCS not having in-person instruction presents complications to the families in our community, Peoples Church and FCS will be starting a Student Support Program beginning September 8th. This program will provide a safe and secure place for students to engage in their Alternative Learning Model that will provide:
Supervision
A safe environment with reliable internet access
All students will need to :
Bring their own device
Bring all of their own school supplies
Know their particular school schedule
Bring activities that they can do in between class sessions (reading book, etc.)
This program is provided free of charge to our community. There will be limited space available and priority will be provided to essential workers, first responders and families in need. If you are interested in more information, click below for the flyer which includes a link to sign up.
FCS/Peoples Church Student Support Program
As always, direct any questions you may have to info@fresnochristian.com.
Thank you,
Jeremy L. Brown
Superintendent
Hello FCS Families,
Earlier this summer I felt God telling me to post something I had previously studied. So for 7 days, I posted the verse from Mark 9:40:
“For whoever is not against us, is for us.”
The context of this verse is that John and some other disciples were walking about and saw people driving out demons in the name of Jesus. So, since John and the other disciples didn’t know them, they told them to stop. They came to Jesus very proud of what they had done. They left with a shift in perspective. If we spend our time in the world looking for ways that people are different we will find and feel separated.
If we spend our time looking for things that unite us, we will feel more unity and community. In this season, I invite you to choose unity and community.
While I feel that God has given our board and myself the path that we are on, I support our brothers and sisters at Immanuel Schools in their path. Unity and Community.
I support our public schools and those families in our community that want to take the most precaution. Unity and Community.
I have talked to dozens of families this summer for various reasons about their worries for the upcoming school year. We have found common ground in unity and community.
As September 8 approaches, things do not look good for re-opening in person. I plan on making the final decision next week. Please be in prayer with me and our community as this decision is made.
Earlier this week, we were able to have our staff on campus and it was a blessing! While it is overwhelming to consider the new world that we are in, everyone on campus agrees we miss our community.
In the weekly video posted above, Mrs. Deffenbacher and Mrs. Reneau shared information about how we are preparing and touched on the points below:
Picture Day for all students: Thursday, August 20 in the PC Gym. An email was sent yesterday to all families with details regarding picture day. Elementary parents: in the field where it asks who your child’s teacher is, fill in the grade or put “don’t know.” Even if you’re not purchasing photos, please have your child come so they get their yearbook photo taken. All students will receive a complimentary photo ID.
MAP Assessments: A sign up form will be on its way via email soon. Because we’ve already completed assessments for incoming kindergarteners, this testing window is for grades 1-12. Please plan to bring all students in your family during the same testing session. As a reminder, these will be given prior to the start of the school year to each student to give insight into our students’ instructional levels and how to maximize their academic success.
Elementary Clubs/ Camps: Our elementary staff has created a few opportunities to bring students on campus. While we already have sports camp running for grades 3-8, we have created opportunities for our K-2 community as well. A list of those clubs, along with details about each club will go out next Tuesday, 8/20. Attached to that information will also be a chance to sign your child up for a club that fits their interest.
Middle & High School Clubs/Camps: Clubs will be built around existing programs. Students will hear from their teachers regarding meeting days/times. If your student is interested in a club (class) in which they are not currently enrolled, please email us their interest (info@fresnochristian.com) and we will get them on the teacher’s contact list!
Chamber Choir
High School Concert Choir
Middle School Choir
Instrumental Music (Percussion, Band)
Colorguard
Drama
Yearbook
Reading Club (for Honors & AP)
Other elective club options in development!
In-person on-campus student orientations specific to the age/grade of your student. Sign-ups will be headed your way soon!
New Families- Week of August 24
Returning Families- Week of August 31
Reopening Plans
We will be sending out communications unique to elementary and secondary schools as it relates to what our learning models will look like for fall.
Schoolwide, we are committed to quality educational experiences, whether in person or alternative, that cover different aspects of learning.
We will be following the Direct Instruction, Guided Practice, Independent Practice model (OR I Do, We Do, You Do for the little people).
We will unpack for you what both in-person and alternative learning programs will look like so you can best support your student(s) in their learning.
Be looking for those emails early next week.
As always, direct any questions you may have to info@fresnochristian.com.
Thank you,
Jeremy L. Brown
Superintendent
Hello FCS Families,
I spent time in a devotion earlier this week titled “The Confusing Call of God” out of Luke 18. The author touched on the parable of the persistent widow, the parable of the pharisee and the tax collector, the rich man and Jesus, and when Jesus predicted his death. 34 The disciples did not understand any of this. Its meaning was hidden from them, and they did not know what he was talking about.
Speaking of not understanding… as we continue to prepare for opening, please know we are continuing our efforts to open with every student every day. We also felt it necessary to give more details about what our Alternative Learning Model will look like if needed. If you haven’t already, watch the video to hear more about this and other upcoming events from our elementary and secondary principals, Katie Reneau and Amy Deffenbacher. A few points they touch on include:
Assessments prior to the start of the school year for each student to give insight into our students’ instructional levels and how to maximize their academic success.
Picture day prior to the start of school so ID cards are ready and no instructional time is lost once school begins.
In-person, on-campus student orientations specific to the age/grade of your student. Sign ups will be headed your way soon!
Details as to what our Alternative Learning Model will look like, should it be necessary to start school that way.
We also understand that one of the challenges of this season is the isolation that it causes in our children. Beginning next week, FCS is kicking off a three week Summer Youth Sports Camp for children in grades 3-8. This will include a series of sports and Bible related activities hosted by our FCS HS athletes and staff. We will be following the most recent California Department of Public Health/Cal OSHA guidelines. All 3-8th grade families were sent an email yesterday, Thursday, August 6. If you did not receive that email, contact info@fresnochristian.com immediately as the deadline to sign up is Sunday, August 9.
Reminder: All communications to date regarding COVID-19 and the reopening of school are posted on our website’s main page so you can refer to these as often as you wish or, if you’re just joining us, get caught up!
As mentioned in last week’s video, email and FAQ communication, the FCS Board of Directors authorized limited funds to be set aside to help offset childcare costs for elementary families should Fresno Christian not be able to open on campus in September. If interested, fill out the form on our website under the admissions menu to apply for these funds.
As always, direct any questions you may have to info@fresnochristian.com.
Thank you,
Jeremy L. Brown
Superintendent
Hello FCS Families,
Thank you for your prayers, encouragement, support, and great questions as we move forward towards the 2020-2021 school year. As you know, the FCS Board made the decision to delay the start of school until September 8, 2020, and it is our fervent hope that we can do so on campus.
Thanks to all of you who submitted questions! Click HERE to see the most frequently asked questions with current answers. If these answers change or more questions are added to this document, we will update you.
FAQ topics include the 2020-21 school calendar, specifics regarding what’s happening between 8/13 and 9/8, questions about finances and tuition, alternative learning options for our families once school resumes in person, our pursuit of waivers, legal options, other private schools opening, and, if necessary, what our alternative learning models will look like.
I appreciate the faith you show in us as we navigate these uncharted waters. Our Board, administrators, and soon, the teachers, are working extremely hard, in many cases doubling our efforts to be ready for two scenarios. God has huge plans for your child(ren) and with His help, He will use us to create an amazing learning experience for them this year.
Hello, FCS Families!
The last few days have been action-packed and the decisions listed below made by our Fresno Christian Board of Directors and leadership team are to deliver the best educational experience possible for your children:
The Board has made the decision to delay opening until September 8, 2020.
Our Board desires, as does leadership, to open in person. We are exploring every option to be obedient to the authorities while pursuing this goal.
A delayed start date gives us extra time to be prepared to open in person and more time for Fresno County’s COVID-19 numbers to drop. Let’s be in prayer for our community.
This also gives us more time to explore legal options and work with other private schools regarding opening.
Athletics – see more information below
Some activities will begin on campus to get students involved and in community with their peers. We will let you know what those activities are once plans are in place. We anticipate that will include some music and academic activities.
There is an opportunity at the end of this email to submit questions. We will compile the questions and come up with a Frequently Asked Questions document that will be available to our community.
Athletics: Our high school athletics programs will have practices in-person, on campus, while observing CIF/FCDPH regulations, similar to the summer conditioning and practices that took place. Middle school and elementary athletic activities will launch soon!
A survey was sent out to high school parents to indicate their student(s) interest in sports with regards to the new schedule. If you would like to see the upcoming Fall or Winter/Spring sports schedule, please view it here: https://www.fresnochristian.com/athletics/sports-schedules/
IF we are unable to open in person on September 8, the staff will spend time preparing and training to deliver the best model of alternative learning available in the Central Valley. The statistics from last year show our students were engaged, challenged, educated, and held accountable throughout their time in our alternative learning model. Fresno Christian also has the capability to switch rapidly to in-person teaching once that is an option.
You will continue to receive regular email updates that offer answers and assurance in all the efforts our FCS leadership team is doing for our students.
Click HERE to submit questions.
Prayer on campus
I would like to invite our community to come to FCS Tuesday – Thursday mornings to independently pray over our campus, families, students and community.
This crisis is not just a health issue, it is impacting our community and city emotionally, spiritually, and financially, as well as socially. If you come on campus to pray, there will be prayer guides outside of the elementary and secondary offices. You will find them by the center doors. You can also click HERE to access the current prayer guide.
The Fresno Christian Campus will be open for prayer Tuesday – Thursday from 8:00 – 12:00pm. Please follow social distancing protocols if you are on campus for this purpose.
Hello, FCS Families!
We wanted to briefly touch base with our community and give insight into what FCS leadership is doing to navigate the new constraints outlined by the State of California. We will send out more information on Friday but for now, here’s what our leadership team is working on:
Exodus 17: 8-16
The LORD is our banner!
Prayer on campus
I would like to invite our community to come on to our campus beginning this Thursday morning, July 23, to independently pray over our campus, families, students and community.
This crisis is not just a health issue, it is impacting our community and city emotionally, spiritually, and financially, as well as socially. If you come on campus to pray, there will be prayer guides outside of the elementary and secondary offices. You will find them by the center doors.
The Fresno Christian Campus will be open for prayer, Tuesday – Thursday from 8:00 – 12:00pm. Please follow social distancing protocols if you are on campus for this purpose.
Until Friday,
Jeremy L. Brown
Superintendent
Hello FCS Families,
As many of you have heard, Governor Newsom held another press conference this afternoon concerning the opening of schools for the 2020/2021 school year. I had different video recorded yesterday, ready to release this evening.
Like the great philosopher Mike Tyson once said, “Everyone has a plan until they get hit the face.”
So, in lieu of releasing that video I wanted to address the Governor’s press conference.
Here is a summary from the state of CA:
The rest of the information was either not new or things that our FCS leadership team had anticipated.
I want to stress something to our community…breathe! In my now no longer relevant video, I talked about how in 2 Peter 3, we are reminded that there will be a new Heaven and new Earth, that God is a just God and that the Lord’s patience means salvation. Think about that, how can patience mean salvation? It means salvation for those who don’t know Him. Meaning that those who don’t know him have time.
That is where we come in. When the world is in chaos…WHERE is there peace? In Christ. When there is chaos WHO should have peace? His followers. Let’s all spend a little less time on social media, a little less time worrying. Let us all walk in peace so that the world will have a chance to take advantage of His patience.
Know that your FCS staff and FCS Board are working hard to safely and responsibly bring back every student, every day. While we re-work our plan, Be praying not only for our community but also for those who don’t know Him; that in this season the Lord’s patience means salvation for others.
Please stay tuned for more updates and thank you for all of the emails Thank you for your supportive texts, emails and phone calls.
Jeremy L. Brown
Superintendent
Hello FCS Families,
The mission of Fresno Christian Schools is to equip young people for life and service for Jesus Christ through biblical foundations, Christ-like character development and academic preparation in partnership with the home and local church.
When faced with challenges, it is always healthy, on a personal or organizational level, to re-center ourselves with our mission/purpose. FCS exists to serve this generation of students. Not just the school, but the whole FCS community takes part in serving our students.
This is an important perspective to keep as we move into this new school year. Being able to give the news that we will be able to provide on campus instruction to “every student every day” was not a flippant decision. There was much to process. FCS does not take the phrase in our mission statement “…in partnership with the home and local church.” lightly.
The responsibility of providing a physical, spiritual and emotionally healthy environment will be shared by all of us. The FCS Board of Directors has authorized FCS administration and staff to create a plan that coincides with the guidelines of Fresno County and the State of California. Using those guidelines, FCS will be able to move forward in fulfilling our mission for “every student, every day.” The foundation of these guidelines are daily health screenings for every student and staff, social distancing, protocols for the classrooms, hallways, restrooms, recess, PE, choir, athletics… every aspect of the school day.
In the coming weeks, FCS will host some events that will allow our community to receive updated and more specific information regarding the 2020/2021 school year. As everyone that can read or watch the news knows, these guidelines continue to be adjusted so we will adjust.
It may get frustrating when things change or when small details are still being developed because in stressful times, we want answers. Please be patient. There is frustration on every side of the equation. FCS will continue to re-center ourselves, remember our mission, and move forward together as a community.
In a recent email to our FCS Board of Directors I felt pressed to have them pray for a spirit of unity, grace and love. I ask you to join us as well.
Thank you for being a part of our community and I look forward to being able to continue the mission of FCS for every student, every day.
Jeremy L. Brown
Superintendent
