Parent Resource: Bethany's Parenting Seminar

Bethany Christian School hosted an informational parenting seminar. After enjoying the comedic stylings of Dede Lomenick, the audience heard presentations from Sam Kastensmidt, Dede Hunter, and Julie Brasington. To review the slideshow presentation, please click here. 

Attendees were provided with the book 12 Huge Mistakes Parents Can Avoid: Leading Your Kids to Succeed in Life written by Dr. Tim Elmore.

SUMMARY: Sociologists are becoming increasingly alarmed by the stunning increase in mental health issues among young people. Over the past decade, as young people venture into college and adulthood, they are crumbling under the pressures associated with independent life in the real world. The number of diagnosed anxiety disorders has skyrocketed. Though suicide rates are climbing in all demographic categories, the suicide rate among teenage girls has doubled in the past decade alone. Rates of loneliness and depression are venturing into unprecedented territory. With the urgency of this growing mental health crisis, researchers have raced to identify the causes behind these trends. Study after study has pointed to two chief culprits: (1) the inundation of technology at young ages and (2) the trend of over-parenting. 

To read more about the potential pitfalls of technology and "over-parenting," please read the following articles.

Psychology Today: "Why Are Today's College Students So Emotionally Fragile?"

Psychology Today: "Ten Reasons Teens Have So Much Anxiety Today"

TED Talk (video): "How to Raise Successful Kids without Over-Parenting"

Atlantic Magazine: "Have Smartphones Destroyed a Generation?"

TIME Magazine: "We Need to Talk About Kids and Smartphones"

TIME Magazine: "You Now Have a Shorter Attention Span Than a Goldfish"

Bethany Reaccredited with High Praise!

To ensure our compliance with the highest standards of education, Bethany Christian School is accredited by three major agencies, including Christian Schools of Florida, Middle States Association, and the National Council for Private School Accreditation. 

In March, Bethany underwent its five-year accreditation review and evaluation. A four-person team was commissioned to spend a week inspecting every aspect of our program. The team visited our classrooms and interviewed students, parents, teachers, staff members, pastors, and board members.

The team, which included administrators from other private Christian schools, offered Bethany its highest possible rating in each of the seven categories of evaluation, and they found that Bethany was fully compliant with each of the 164 required standards. In the official report, they praised Bethany for offering an “outstanding education” and a “very clear Gospel-centered environment.”

Cheryl Burdin, the Head of Spanish River Christian School, wrote: "The love of Christ and the joy of learning was present throughout campus, and it was definitely shown on the faces of the staff and students. We are greatly encouraged by the incredible Kingdom work at Bethany Christian School!” 

In addition to the healthy community of faith, Bethany was praised for its academic prowess, as demonstrated by our students in the NWEA's Measures of Academic Progress. Ninety-one percent of our 8th grade graduates literally scored off the charts — exceeding the highest available category in the data interpretation guide and demonstrating a grade equivalency beyond the nation’s average high school senior. A stunning 93% of our Middle School students achieved reading scores above the national median score. Likewise, our 5th graders concluded their Elementary careers averaging scores on par with the nation’s average student entering 11th grade.

Congratulations Bobcats! It is wonderful to see that Bethany's students -- from the little ones in our nursery to the young adults in our Middle School -- are flourishing.