CALL TO A MUTUAL MORAL COVENANT
for our Christian School community
ACSI is a worldwide association composed by 5,500 schools in 108 countries serving 1.4 million students. ACSI exists to strengthen Christian schools and equip Christian educators worldwide as they prepare students academically and inspire them to become devoted followers of Jesus Christ. Your school is most likely one of our member schools, committed to operate in accordance with biblical principles and Christian values. In light of the crisis derived from COVID-19,
ACSI calls this school community
to consider and subscribe to this moral covenant
The governing body and administration of this Christian school commits to:
- Offer the best possible education in every present or future scenario, that incorporates best practices of on-site, on-line and blended education; making effective use of innovative and accessible technologies, but especially the invaluable gift of irreplaceable teachers. (Col 3:23; Rom 12:2; Ex 35:30-36:2)
- Implement the necessary changes pertinent to a new normality, including multiple adaptations to the instructional program in methodology and selection of curricular content, within governmental guidelines. (Phil 4:12; 1 Co 9:19-22; Rom 13:1)
- Facilitate dialogue with the parent community to identify needs and develop effective and mutually supportive responses. (Romans 14:19; Gal. 5:13b, 1 Peter 5:5)
Our teaching staff commits to:
- Pursue professional development for the successful implementation of new and appropriate teaching methods. (1 Tim 4:13-15; Jm 3:1
- Demonstrate the love of Christ in their professional practice, prioritizing the mental, emotional, spiritual and physical health of students and their families over the enforcement of a rigorous instructional program that may add up anxiety and stress to all. (Heb 6:10; Lk 2:52; Phil 4:6,7)
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The expected development of the instructional program has been affected and it is imperative to make the necessary educational adjustments to focus on what is most essential. Achieving expected student academic outcomes when curriculum content is not fully covered may be extremely complex. The traditional face-to-face educational model we practiced not only has been put on hold but it will not be the same. Implementing innovative blended learning management systems is challenging, but not impossible. |
Parents and legal guardians commit to:
- Recognize and be thankful for the heroic effort that educators and schools are making to serve your children, despite present limitations. (1 Thes 5:12; Col 3:15)
- Do your best to meet agreed tuition payments or pursue special deferred payment agreements with the school. (Ro 13:7,8; Lk 16:8-13)
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All educational services —in both public and private systems— are not the same after this crisis. Even though quality of education is suffering, it is important to consider that preparing distance classes, academic activities, and remote sessions —live or prerecorded— represents hard work for educators. Just because your children are not in a classroom does not mean they are not getting education. Only the conditions have changed, so it is fair and vital to make the agreed payments. If you are prevented from meeting regular payments due to layoffs, decreased earnings, or other causes; or you are unhappy with the services received, speak to your school authorities, but avoid a critical, hostile or evasive attitude. Your moral commitment is above temporary discontents or adverse government regulations affecting private schools, if any. Our common educational mission is a shared responsibility that we can fulfill best if we are united. |
Students commit to:
- Fulfill your student responsibilities with due diligence —now more than ever— considering that you are part of the generation that will survive a global pandemic. You are now part of world history that future generations will gaze at with certain degree of unbelief. Work to earn that admiration! (Pro 13:4; Jos 1:7-9)
FINALLY, as members of this school community:
- We declare our trust in the Lord and not in human governmental systems; we declare our dependence in Him as our only and utmost provider, and we declare our hope of salvation coming from God and God alone. (Ps 62; Jer 17:5-8)
- We thank God for being part of a Christ-centered educational model, based on the Word of God, committed to transmit Christian principles and values from generation to generation, as a shared responsibility between family, church and school. (Dt 6:1-9; Is 30:20-21)
- We reaffirm our faith in Jesus Christ as the only Lord and Savior, our hope in the heavenly Father's sovereign plan and our mutual brotherly love, practiced as part of the fruit of the Spirit. (1 Co 12:4-6; 13:13; Gal 5:22; Ro 8:37-39)
May 2020