College Scholarship Opportunities

Mar 10, 2023

The Alpha Alumni Chapter of Beta Sigma Psi – National Lutheran Fraternity is offering a $3,000 scholarship given out to a Christian male freshman attending the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign in Fall 2023. There is no obligation to join Beta Sigma Psi or be related to a member of the fraternity to receive this award. Runner-ups may be eligible for $1,000. Our scholarship application may be found online at https://forms.gle/thizTCmauHSKSicHA. All applications are due March 4th, 2023.

The Beta Sigma Psi Educational Foundation also offers additional scholarships and grant opportunities for members of the Lutheran community. These opportunities can be found here https://www.betasigmapsi.org/scholarships-for-high-school-students/

Heartland Business Systems is excited to share our Scholarship Opportunity for Highschool Seniors! This scholarship is being offered to Highschool seniors planning to continue their education in the IT field.

Please see here to view our student opportunities page, where you will find our scholarship application.

Rotary Club Scholarships – The Rotary Club of Elgin has various scholarship opportunities.  The deadlines are quickly approaching.

There are Scholarships for: (Open to those graduating by 5/2023)

Community Service Scholarship:  For those who have gone above the required service to the community.  Scholarships range from $1250 to $3000 DEADLINE:  March 22

Rotary District Scholarship:  For students pursuing education for a vocational or technical careers attainable with less than a four-year degree.  Grants will be limited to an Associate Degree or equivalent certification program.   DEADLINE:  March 31

Ralph Helm Memorial Scholarship:  For those pursuing a career for small engine, lawn service equipment technology or a similar line of work.  It is also a vocational scholarship.  Deadline:  March 31

There are also grants available for a Rotary Sponsored Leadership Academy (RYLA): (Open to all grades  –  Freshman, Sophomores, and Juniors)

The website for applications and information is: http://www.rotary5000.org/ryla.htm.

The general membership of the Bartlett Lions Club is offering two scholarship awards in the amount of $2,500.00 this year. Please find the application at https://www.bartlettlions.org/lionroar/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/Scholarship-Application.pdf. 

On July 16-21, 2023, Covenant College will be offering our Summer Institute to rising sophomores, juniors, and seniors in high school. Summer Institute students will experience the best of Covenant College’s mission of providing academically excellent and biblically faithful exploration of creation and culture. In addition to earning college credit, all SI students also receive a $1000 scholarship per year towards their tuition if they enroll at Covenant College after high school. Go to www.covenant.edu/summer for more information about this exciting opportunity.

Elementary Car Pool Safety

Mar 9, 2023

Carpool Safety

One of our top priorities at school is to keep your students safe. Over the past few weeks, we have noticed a few concerns during drop-off, and during both half-day and full-day pick-up, that we would like to address to help keep your students safe.

  • When you pull into the school parking lot, please follow the snake pattern instead of cutting through parking spots. This will keep an orderly flow in the lot and avoid unnecessary close calls.
  • There have been multiple times we have noticed people waiting for students and covering up our crosswalks. As you park and wait in line, please be conscious of where those are.
  • In the morning, during drop off, if your student needs assistance out of the car, please park in a spot and walk them in.
  • For our half-day friends, if you are wanting to stay a little longer so your kids can play, and you can chat with other parents; feel free to do so, but please remember not to leave your car in the pick-up area. You can either move your car further down the sidewalk near the stairs, or park in a parking spot. The area in front of the door needs to remain accessible to other parents, deliveries, and emergency vehicles.
  • Finally, please do not exit your vehicle while you are in the pickup line. If you need to assist your student with buckling their seat belt, please pull forward, park in the gravel lot, and help them there.

We thank you all for working together to make our school a safe place for everyone.

Meet Our new head of school, Carlye Hay

Mar 9, 2023

A few short months ago, it was announced to our community that we were launching a search for a full-time Head of School. The Head of School position is the glue that holds our school together by overseeing all of our departments and programs and moving our school forward in line with our mission, vision, values, and strategic plan. The Head of School also is the connecting bridge between the school and the School Board. This is no small job and the School Board, through the process below, set out to prayerfully and diligently search for the next person that God had chosen for this position. 

First, the School Board voted to form a Head of School search task force, which was made up of two school board members and two faculty members. This task force reviewed the original candidate submissions of resumes, testimonies, videos, and applications. The task force then selected four candidates to move forward and conducted first round interviews with each. Two of these candidates moved on to participate in a 2nd round interview with an expanded interview team, which was composed of 7 people from 6 different churches representing various backgrounds and all levels of our school’s programs. After thorough interview and discussion, the expanded interview team presented a candidate to the School Board for a final interview, approval and hiring. I am so thankful for the hard work, wisdom, and sacrifice of time from each member of the task force and interview team.  

Without further ado, I would like to introduce the next Head of School for WCS,

Carlye Hay.

Carlye holds a Master of Science in Education, and a Bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education and is currently pursuing her Doctorate of Educational Leadership. She has experience in a multitude of areas including principal, teacher, Supplemental Education Services (SES) coordinator, instructional coach, and more. Most importantly, Carlye is a strong follower of Jesus, loves Christian education, and aligns with Westminster’s mission and values. Carlye’s poise, wisdom, experience, work ethic, and love for students and teachers was evident throughout all interviews and affirmed by her references. Carlye is the wife of Don Hay, Christ Community Church Huntley campus pastor, and she and Don have 4 children. 

This is such an exciting time in our school’s history and I look forward to how Carlye will lead the school into the next phase of building faith-rooted and life-ready students!

Although Carlye won’t officially start her Head of School duties until this summer, you will probably see her on campus in the coming weeks as she will be helping with our planning for the 2023/2024 school year. Please introduce yourself and make her feel welcome! Keep an eye out for news and details for a community opportunity to meet Carlye and for more information on next year’s leadership plan and structure as we seek what is best for our students, families, and school!

Last thing, as a new chapter begins, another must end. At the close of this school year, Deb Hoon will be rolling off as our interim Head of School. Deb has worked persistently and tirelessly behind the scenes, while also working her full time job, to ensure that our school continued to operate smoothly while in a time of transition. Her leadership during Covid and beyond allowed our school to remain open, to grow, and to become financially stable. She was instrumental in helping facilitate our school’s separation from Westminster Presbyterian Church which now allows us to thrive as an independent organization. Her calm presence and open door allowed staff, faculty, parents, and students to come to her without hesitation. Deb and her family have been a part of Westminster Christian School for 17 years and I don’t think anyone can match her love, sacrifice, or dedication to the school and all it stands for. Deb will finish out this school year to help make a smooth transition for Carlye, and after that you can find her in her favorite role, as a parent. 🙂

Thank you all who have been praying for this process, it was amazing to see how God worked in and through each step. Please continue to pray for our school, the leadership, and that we will follow God’s plan and will for this next chapter.