![](https://blog.mtparanschool.com/hubfs/finalsite_assets/c1qytvpcecnqjrq3jmik.webp)
6 Tips for Hosting Community-Building Events
America is a melting pot, they say - a place where people from the world over have long sought refuge or a chance at the “American Dream”. Perhaps instead of the tired melting pot metaphor, we can think of this country as a tossed salad - whereby each “ingredient” remains unique but contributes to the whole.
The same is true when considering diversity within our schools. Students of all racial and ethnic backgrounds, differing learning abilities, and various socioeconomic situations all bring meaningful contributions to the classroom experience and to a school’s community. Read on to discover ideas for how schools can recognize the value and uniqueness of each individual person, ultimately for the glory of God.
![DSC02287](https://blog.mtparanschool.com/hs-fs/hubfs/DSC02287.jpg?width=845&height=475&name=DSC02287.jpg)
Prom with Purpose
TUCK ALFORD '13 AND SLATON SMITH ‘22
Prom. It’s one of the most anticipated rites of passage for high school juniors and seniors. The word itself conjures images of sequined gowns, sharp tuxedos, flower bouquets and boutonnieres, pre-parties and pictures, limousines, fancy dinners, and post-event celebrations. Hours are spent shopping for the perfect attire and planning details for the night. Thousands of dollars are spent for this one special occasion. It’s little wonder that, on average, Americans spend nearly $7 million on prom each year. A group of Mount Paran Christian School alumni aimed to change all that, encouraging high school students to rethink prom.
![Founders of promRED](https://blog.mtparanschool.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Founders%20of%20promRED.jpg?width=845&name=Founders%20of%20promRED.jpg)
Strategically Planning to Elevate Our People, Programs, and Place
In September 2019, the Mount Paran Christian School community embarked upon a comprehensive, community-wide strategic planning process meant to engage all stakeholders, solicit feedback, ask bold questions, and create a plan to guide all decisions and goals in the ensuing five years.
The board of trustees, head of school, faculty, staff, parents, students, and alumni examined and then affirmed or adjusted the mission, vision, and core values of MPCS to ensure all new strategic initiatives met missional specifications. The result is “Elevate: The 2021-2026 Strategic Plan for MPCS.”
![StratPlanCover wide](https://blog.mtparanschool.com/hs-fs/hubfs/StratPlanCover%20wide.jpg?width=845&name=StratPlanCover%20wide.jpg)
How to Imagine, Innovate, and Build for the Education of Tomorrow
How does a growing high school — with 450 students learning in a space originally designed for just 250 — plan for a building expansion that captures the imagination of its community, while also implementing thoughtful design to prepare students for a 21st-century education? Mount Paran Christian School asked this very question as the school undertook the seemingly insurmountable task of creating a new, purposeful educational facility that would house radical spaces to learn, test, collaborate, and grow. The process for designing the new Murray Innovation Center was itself an unconventional exercise, with key takeaways that other schools and organizations might not consider before embarking upon large-scale initiatives.
CommUNITY: A Call for Justice and Reconciliation
ANNA FARLEY '21 AND RAPHAEL PARENT '21
In these trying times, when we continually find ourselves asking, “Why, God?”, it is prudent to take a step back and dive into the Word for answers. God reveals that justice and reconciliation are the path to moving our country forward, uniting people who have been divided for too long.
![BlackWhiteBiblehandsCROP-1](https://blog.mtparanschool.com/hs-fs/hubfs/BlackWhiteBiblehandsCROP-1.jpg?width=845&name=BlackWhiteBiblehandsCROP-1.jpg)
How To Raise Empathetic Children in Today's Culture
Given the current situation in America, with protests calling for social justice reforms, there is a real need for change. In an age of selfies, “look at me” social media, and an all-about-me mentality, teaching the next generation about empathy for others can be a real challenge. By their very nature, children are self-centered – an innate self-preservation tool that makes them seldom aware of their surroundings or the needs of others. It is up to adults to model and teach children how to love others as Jesus did through empathy and a genuine desire to want to help.
![EMPATHYIMG_0759](https://blog.mtparanschool.com/hs-fs/hubfs/EMPATHYIMG_0759.jpg?width=845&name=EMPATHYIMG_0759.jpg)
Imago Dei: Why Diversity Matters
Writing and/or speaking about diversity is never easy. In some ways, I feel as though I will never satisfy everyone who reads or hears what I have to say. However, to remain silent about such issues, especially as the head of school at a good-sized Christian independent school would be wrong. It would be cowardly. Now, I know I do not have all the answers. I may not even have a lot of the answers, but I am always seeking them. Likewise, I am hopeful that you will come to this blog desiring to learn, to understand others’ perspectives, and to better exemplify the kindness of God here on earth.
![TimwithPK twins with HM IMG_2213](https://blog.mtparanschool.com/hs-fs/hubfs/TimwithPK%20twins%20with%20HM%20IMG_2213.jpg?width=845&name=TimwithPK%20twins%20with%20HM%20IMG_2213.jpg)
School Strategy In The Pursuit of Excellence
Strategic planning is a process that independent schools, non-profit organizations, and for-profit businesses and industries typically undertake on a regular basis to ensure they are meeting their mission, acting upon their core values, and appropriately setting goals around those strategic initiatives. As such, over the course of the 2019-2020 school year, MPCS is engaging in the strategic-planning process. This process is meant to be comprehensive and allow every stakeholder (students, alumni, parents, grandparents, board, faculty, and staff) to provide input into the direction of the school over the next five years. By engaging our people, our goal is to inspire and unite our community through the process, allowing us all to be a part of something bigger, so that our students may flourish.
![strategyLR-8657](https://blog.mtparanschool.com/hs-fs/hubfs/strategyLR-8657.jpg?width=845&name=strategyLR-8657.jpg)
WingTips
Welcome to WingTips, a Mount Paran Christian School Blog. The MPCS Blog features many independent school contributors and thought-leaders.
Subscribe Here!
Recent Posts
Learn More About MPCS
Recommended Series
PRIVATE SCHOOL PRIMER:
- How School Choice Programs Increase Educational Opportunities for Families
- 5 Tips for Making the Middle to High School Transition
- What Families Should Expect
- 2 Most Important This to Consider When Choosing a Preschool
- 4 Benefits of Choosing a K-12 School for Life
- 3 Reasons Why I Believe in Christian Schools
- 7 Tips for Affording a Private School Education
- 4 Reasons We Chose Mount Paran Christian School
- How to Choose the Best Private School for Your Family
PARENTEd. TALKS:
- Helping Students Boost Their Brain Capacity for Success
- Teaching Children Fiscal Responsibility
- Tips for Parents to Help Teens Avoid Drugs and Alcohol
- Excelling in the Midst of Adversity
- 3 Tips for Navigating the Hidden Dangers of Social Media
- The Blessing of a B Minus
- Real Talk for Moms
COLLEGE SERIES:
- Finding the Right Fit - An Individualized Approach to College Counseling
- ParentEd.: Here’s What You Need to Know About College Admissions
- To Save or Not to Save: 529 Plans are the Question
FROM THE TEACHER’S DESK:
- The Importance of Play
- What Families Should Expect
- Play is Learning Through the Arts
- 4 Tips to Capture the Minds of Your Students
CHRISTIAN LIFE:
- What is a Covenant School?
- Seeing Through a New Lens: A Biblical Worldview
- Faith and Intellect as One
- Philosophy of Belonging: 4 Tips for Fostering a Diverse Culture
- Innovation in Education: Teaching Cultural Awareness
- A Call to Brotherhood: Martin Luther King Jr.’s Wisdom for Today
- CommUNITY: How Do We Love One Another?
- Campaign for CommUNITY
- How to Raise Empathetic Children in Today’s Culture
- Imageo Dei: Why Diversity Matters
Providing academic excellence in a Christ-centered environment, Mount Paran Christian School unites with home and church to prepare servant-leaders to honor God, love others, and walk in Truth.
6 Tips for Hosting Community-Building Events - 02/23/2023
America is a melting pot, they say - a place where people from the world over have long sought refuge or a chance at the “American Dream”. Perhaps instead of the tired melting pot...
Prom with Purpose - 05/12/2022
TUCK ALFORD '13 AND SLATON SMITH ‘22
Prom. It’s one of the most anticipated rites of passage for high school juniors and seniors. The word itself conjures images of sequined...
In September 2019, the Mount Paran Christian School community embarked upon a comprehensive, community-wide strategic planning process meant to engage all stakeholders, solicit...
How does a growing high school — with 450 students learning in a space originally designed for just 250 — plan for a building expansion that captures the imagination of its...
CommUNITY: A Call for Justice and Reconciliation - 06/17/2020
ANNA FARLEY '21 AND RAPHAEL PARENT '21
In these trying times, when we continually find ourselves asking, “Why, God?”, it is prudent to take a step back and dive into the Word for...
How To Raise Empathetic Children in Today's Culture - 06/04/2020
Given the current situation in America, with protests calling for social justice reforms, there is a real need for change. In an age of selfies, “look at me” social media, and an...
Imago Dei: Why Diversity Matters - 02/19/2020
Writing and/or speaking about diversity is never easy. In some ways, I feel as though I will never satisfy everyone who reads or hears what I have to say. However, to remain...
School Strategy In The Pursuit of Excellence - 11/18/2019
Strategic planning is a process that independent schools, non-profit organizations, and for-profit businesses and industries typically undertake on a regular basis to ensure they...
WINGTIPS
Welcome to WingTips, a Mount Paran Christian School Blog. The MPCS Blog features many independent school contributors and thought-leaders.
![topcampusMtn DJI_0070crop topcampusMtn DJI_0070crop](https://blog.mtparanschool.com/hs-fs/hubfs/topcampusMtn%20DJI_0070crop.jpg?width=3895&name=topcampusMtn%20DJI_0070crop.jpg)
Recommended Series
PRIVATE SCHOOL PRIMER:
- How School Choice Programs Increase Educational Opportunities for Families
- 5 Tips for Making the Middle to High School Transition
- What Families Should Expect
- 2 Most Important This to Consider When Choosing a Preschool
- 4 Benefits of Choosing a K-12 School for Life
- 3 Reasons Why I Believe in Christian Schools
- 7 Tips for Affording a Private School Education
- 4 Reasons We Chose Mount Paran Christian School
- How to Choose the Best Private School for Your Family
PARENTEd. TALKS:
- Helping Students Boost Their Brain Capacity for Success
- Teaching Children Fiscal Responsibility
- Tips for Parents to Help Teens Avoid Drugs and Alcohol
- Excelling in the Midst of Adversity
- 3 Tips for Navigating the Hidden Dangers of Social Media
- The Blessing of a B Minus
- Real Talk for Moms
COLLEGE SERIES:
- Finding the Right Fit - An Individualized Approach to College Counseling
- ParentEd.: Here’s What You Need to Know About College Admissions
- To Save or Not to Save: 529 Plans are the Question
FROM THE TEACHER’S DESK:
- The Importance of Play
- What Families Should Expect
- Play is Learning Through the Arts
- 4 Tips to Capture the Minds of Your Students
CHRISTIAN LIFE:
- What is a Covenant School?
- Seeing Through a New Lens: A Biblical Worldview
- Faith and Intellect as One
- Philosophy of Belonging: 4 Tips for Fostering a Diverse Culture
- Innovation in Education: Teaching Cultural Awareness
- A Call to Brotherhood: Martin Luther King Jr.’s Wisdom for Today
- CommUNITY: How Do We Love One Another?
- Campaign for CommUNITY
- How to Raise Empathetic Children in Today’s Culture
- Imageo Dei: Why Diversity Matters
Providing academic excellence in a Christ-centered environment, Mount Paran Christian School unites with home and church to prepare servant-leaders to honor God, love others, and walk in Truth.
Archives
- August 2024 (2)
- July 2024 (1)
- June 2024 (2)
- May 2024 (2)
- April 2024 (2)
- March 2024 (1)
- February 2024 (2)
- January 2024 (1)
- December 2023 (1)
- November 2023 (2)
- October 2023 (2)
- September 2023 (2)
- July 2023 (1)
- June 2023 (1)
- May 2023 (1)
- April 2023 (2)
- March 2023 (2)
- February 2023 (2)
- January 2023 (2)
- December 2022 (2)
- November 2022 (1)
- October 2022 (2)
- September 2022 (2)
- August 2022 (2)
- July 2022 (2)
- June 2022 (2)
- May 2022 (1)
- April 2022 (1)
- March 2022 (2)
- February 2022 (2)
- January 2022 (2)
- December 2021 (1)
- November 2021 (2)
- October 2021 (1)
- September 2021 (2)
- August 2021 (1)
- July 2021 (1)
- June 2021 (2)
- May 2021 (2)
- April 2021 (2)
- March 2021 (2)
- February 2021 (2)
- January 2021 (2)
- December 2020 (2)
- November 2020 (2)
- October 2020 (3)
- September 2020 (2)
- August 2020 (2)
- July 2020 (4)
- June 2020 (3)
- May 2020 (3)
- April 2020 (3)
- March 2020 (3)
- February 2020 (3)
- January 2020 (3)
- December 2019 (2)
- November 2019 (3)
- October 2019 (4)
- September 2019 (2)
- August 2019 (3)
- July 2019 (2)
- June 2019 (2)
- May 2019 (5)
- April 2019 (2)
- March 2019 (3)
- February 2019 (3)
- January 2019 (4)
- December 2018 (2)
- November 2018 (2)
- October 2018 (4)
- September 2018 (2)
- August 2018 (2)
- July 2018 (1)
- June 2018 (3)
- May 2018 (4)
- April 2018 (3)
- March 2018 (4)
- February 2018 (5)
- January 2018 (3)
- December 2017 (3)
- November 2017 (3)
- October 2017 (4)
- September 2017 (5)
- August 2017 (5)
- July 2017 (4)
- June 2017 (4)
- May 2017 (4)
- April 2017 (4)
- March 2017 (3)
- February 2017 (2)
- January 2017 (4)
- December 2016 (2)
- November 2016 (6)
Visit
Get to know the heart of Mount Paran Chrisitian School.