Religion -- school

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Faith Christian

Faith Christian School alumni, parents, and current and former staff, including school founders Sherry Anast and Ruth and Jim Clapper, celebrated the 25th anniversary of Faith Christian Elementary-Junior High School at a recent fundraiser at the Q Center in St. Charles.

Director DeAnne Appleton kicked off the evening's festivities by reflecting on the Geneva-based school's steady growth and success in a quarter-century of serving families across the Fox Valley and casting its vision for the future.

Appleton also shared results of the Stanford Achievement Test, which revealed that student test scores at Faith Christian exceed the national standard by an average of 3.3 grade levels.

Guest speaker Gene Frost, Head of School at Wheaton Academy, discussed the long-term value he has seen in the education that the school offers from working with alumni who have graduated from Wheaton Academy during his tenure as a teacher and administrator.

Joe Slawek, CEO of FONA International in Geneva, encouraged guests to contribute to a special benevolent fund that will assist families who cannot cover full tuition costs for their children.

Recording artist J. Brian Hill, a Faith Christian parent, performed "Tapestry of Memories" in honor of Sherry Anast and Ruth and Jim Clapper. The gala committee also presented the Clappers with a quilt featuring photos of every graduating class as a retirement gift. The Clappers served as directors of the school from 1982 to 2007.

Anast continues to lead Faith Christian Beginner School as its director, although she is retiring this spring from her second role as a first- and second-grade teacher.

The evening included a sit-down dinner, a variety of silent and live auction items, and music by Jim Guter's Big Band.

Faith Christian Beginner School and Faith Christian Elementary-Junior High School is open to children from age 3 through eighth grade.

For information on Faith Christian Beginner School (nursery school through second grade), call (630) 232-8533. For information on Faith Christian Elementary-Junior High School (first through eighth grade), call (630) 232-7779 or visit www.fces.us.

St. Mark's Preschool

St. Mark's Preschool, 101 S. Sixth Ave. in St. Charles, is expanding its curriculum.

Beginning in the fall of 2008, St. Mark's Preschool offers a new class for 2-year-olds. Children who were 2 years old by March 1 and are fully potty trained are eligible to enroll this class. Children will learn about shapes, colors, rhyming, sharing and learning to play together. The class is designed as a nurturing first school experience.

Academic curriculum for phonics/literacy, math and science will be added for the 4-year-old and the Pre K Plus classes to complement the "learning through play" philosophy at St. Mark's Preschool.

Beginning in 2008, the Pre K class will be called Pre K Plus. Children must have turned 5 by Jan. 1 or enrolled in kindergarten for the 2008-09 school year to qualify for this class. This class will be geared for the older children and the academic content will reflect the age level. The course will be offered as a supplement to kindergarten for families seeking enrichment opportunities.

Beginning in fall 2008, children will receive music instruction twice a month during their preschool day from the B Sharp Music staff. For more information, visit www.bsharpmusicforchildren.com.

For information on the new programs, visit www.stmarksstc.org.