Powerful First PTSO Meeting

I stayed late at work today to attend the first PTSO meeting of the year. The highlight of the evening was going to be the Chili Cook Off supper prior to the meting. I was looking forward to the opportunity to visit and fellowship with the faculty and families. It was to be the single bright spot in my “business as usual” day.

Well, nothing could have been further from the truth. Yes, the chili cook of was a smashing success and tons of people came to enjoy one another’s company. But the story does not end there! Throughout the entire evening, the Lord presented me with precious snapshots of what makes Unity Christian School a diamond in the rough, a gleaming testament of the power of Christ’s love in action.

The PTSO leaders gave sacrificially of their time to make sure that everything was ready for the meal and when it was over, they quietly remained behind to help make sure that the room was left better than it was found. Their positions are entirely voluntary and still they serve because they want to do whatever they can in supporting the faculty in their ministry of teaching – and is it ever a ministry!

Parents are such an incalculable asset at UCS because of the extra mile they will go to provide their children with a loving, Christ-centered learning environment. It struck me tonight when one of the officers encouraged other parents to pray about how they might be part of the plan to fulfill the improvements and hopes they have for the school. Anyone can want things to be better or different, but it’s a devoted few that will take those desires and turn them into an action plan for completion.

God has blessed Unity with its first middle school football team this year and it has generated a feeling of excitement and anticipation amongst the students and families unlike anything I’ve seen while I’ve been at UCS. But beyond the thrill of new uniforms and new cheers emanates a growing school spirit that is anchored in the Christ-honoring leadership provided by godly coaches. As we watched the team’s video and listened to Casting Crown’s “All Because of Jesus” soundtrack playing in the background, I was reminded of what a beautiful and radically different message is being lived out in every facet of Unity Christian. Where else in our community are children going to truly learn that their efforts in the classroom and actions on the field can glorify our Savior just as boldly as the praise they sing on Sunday? Amidst the spiritual warfare that is being waged against our youth, I cannot imagine trying to raise a child without such Christian brothers and sisters as my partners!


As the meeting continued so did God’s work to soften my heart to hear Him. After winning a prize drawing, one staff member refused to accept it and asked that another name be drawn so that one of the teachers could receive what was (in this individual’s mind) more rightful theirs. How blessed I am to work in such a selfless and supportive environment. As one teacher put it following the meeting, whatever decreases an employee of UCS may have to take in financial compensation he gets back many times over through the professional support and personal affirmation given so freely and liberally here at Unity. We are a tight-knit family of faith and it impacts the way we do our jobs and the attitude with which we do it.

The best example of what I saw tonight comes not surprisingly and perhaps most fittingly from one of Unity’s first graders. He had been downstairs with the other children but was missing mom so one of the workers brought him to her. After some brief consoling, he began to recover and dry his eyes. It’s what happens next that made a big impression on me. Turning around to survey the room, he caught a glimpse of his Kindergarten teacher and with a spark of excitement in his eye immediately began making his way to greet her. The two hugged and shared a private exchange of whispers with smiles all around. Whatever had been upsetting before was completely washed away by the familiar loving kindness of his former teacher. Later in the evening when it was time to go home, he and his mom walked passed his new first grade teacher who had won a drawing prize earlier. As the pupil approached his new teacher of ten days, he exclaimed with joy in his voice, “I’m so glad YOU won the prize!” I wish each of you could have heard the pride and happiness in that small voice. What a testament to the powerful bond that teachers and students share at UCS!

I came away tonight with so much more than I had anticipated! You might think that after working at UCS for over three years that I’d be used to the wonderful and unexpected ways God continues to work in the school and its family, but it’s not so. I must constantly remind myself that the Holy Spirit is and will continue to be as creative with the hearts and souls of others as he is with my own. As Mr. Getchell always says, “We might not know how the Lord will provide but we can know that He will provide.”

Page Thomas
Communications Coordinator