A Word from Dr. Satterly—October 17, 2024

17 Oct A Word from Dr. Satterly—October 17, 2024

​​Dear WA Community,

Last week, I represented Westminster Academy at the annual CESA Symposium. The year’s event was held just outside Denver. Given the recent impact of Helene and the track of Milton, hurricanes were a topic of conversation during breaks and at the vendor fair. With only a few Florida folks around, I fielded lots of hurricane-related questions.

One of the most common questions focused on the four seasons. Did we miss them? What is it like not having them? Since I grew up in Kentucky, I had some sense of the confusion. Typically, they think the only seasons are spring, summer, fall, and winter. Fortunately, I was able to help and point out that we also have seasons–tourist, snowbird, and hurricane.

My colleagues’ concern was genuine, and the curiosity was real. After all, I sometimes wonder about our sister schools in California and earthquakes, but given the recent news from Tampa to Asheville, we all have hurricanes on our minds. Two CESA member schools, Asheville Christian in particular, suffered significant damage, as did several Christian Schools of Florida members.

Given Milton’s forecast, I slipped out of the conference early to catch a flight home. While waiting to board, several school heads sent texts of encouragement and support. Such relationships are one reason for being a part of an organization like CESA. Another is to be among like-minded schools, pursuing excellence, establishing accountability, and engaging in best practices. The Council on Educational Standards and Accountability  (CESA) is just that, and we are proud to be a member school. Strategic relationships matter.

Westminster Academy’s most important relationship is with Coral Ridge Presbyterian Church. Together, our kingdom impact is maximized. One benefit is joining together for community service, such as hurricane relief. We all know people and places that have been impacted. Westminster Academy students have the opportunity to engage in service and meet the needs of others by capitalizing on existing relationships previously forged by the church. In this way, our student’s experience is enhanced. Among the aims we have for our students is to become “compassionate contributors,” and it is something we are determined to instill in our students, as captured in our Portrait of a Graduate.

For the record, I do prefer fall as opposed to hurricane season and winter is for the birds!

To God be the Glory!