November 25, 2020
Dear EC Families:
Recently the Governor of Ohio, Mike DeWine, complimented the schools of our state for doing a good job following protocols to help keep the virus in check. While not free of cases schools have done an exemplary job of following procedures handwashing, wearing masks and distancing as much as possible. Statistics indicate that school age children contribute a very small percent, less than one percent, of the spread of the virus. Our school until now has followed closely what the Lucas County health department has advised.
Earlier today I was notified that the Lucas County Regional Board of Health is ordering schools to close for grades 7-12 by December 4. The order indicates that schools may remain open "to hold religious educational classes and ceremonies." In our recent ACSI accreditation visit Emmanuel Christian School was commended for integrating biblical truth in all of its classes. The accreditation team according to Lee Reno, ACSI legal legislative representative for Ohio, found that our curriculum is designed to present all of our subjects from a biblical base. I will be appealing to the Lucas County Regional Board of Health that all of our classes grades K-12 remain open.
After speaking with our school board chairman, Scott Brown, we have their full support to continue in person instruction five days a week. We will continue to honor the virtual learning for those families who have signed up to use that option but the in person classroom teaching will continue five days per week.
Our mission, as stated in our handbook and on our website reads that ECS exists:
“To assist the family by providing students with godly, loving training that disciples them to exemplify Christ, make biblically-based decisions and attain academic excellence.”
To accomplish our mission in person instruction for all of our students grades K-12 is a protected right under the Constitution of the United States and should be treated as such. This will be my appeal.
Kindest Regards,
Kevin Hofer
Emmanuel Christian School
Head of School
khofer@ecstoledo.org