DESIGN . What is D.E.S.I.G.N.? In 2002, the D.E.S.I.G.N. program was created and launched at Lakewood in order to identify each student’s unique “DESIGN Package” and to provide opportunities for God to use “DESIGN tools” to shape the lives of students. DESIGN Package . DESIGN Tools God Uses to Shape Us D Disposition (personality) D Daily interactions with people E Experiences E Education S Styles of learning S Scripture I Intelligences & interests I Indwelling of Holy Spirit G Genes & abilities G Grandstand crowd (Heb. 11) N Name/address/family of origin N Negative and positive experiences D.E.S.I.G.N. is an acronym that stands for what makes each of us a unique design. (See above.) We believe very human being is born with a unique combination of personality traits, learning styles, intelligences (ways we are “smart”), genes, and abilities. The environment or culture in which we grow up, our family of origin, and even our name and address distinguish us from all other people past, present, and future to complete our unique, God-given “DESIGN Package.” When we become believers, God uses “DESIGN Tools” to shape us into vessels He can use to bring glory to Himself and to bring others to Him. Max Lucado, in his book Cure for the Common Life, puts it like this: “When you place your trust in Christ, He places His Spirit in you … Remember, God prepacked you with strengths. When you become a child of God, the Holy Spirit requisitions your abilities for the expansion of God’s Kingdom, and they become spiritual gifts (pg. 70)…. You offer a gift to society that no one else brings. If you don’t bring it, it won’t be brought. (pg. 33) … Exploring and extracting your uniqueness excites you, honors God, and expands His Kingdom. (pg. 19)” As you can see, education is one of the tools God uses to shape His children for their earthly calling and for eternity. At Lakewood, the D.E.S.I.G.N. program is the umbrella for three aspects of EDUcational excellence: Exploring, Developing, and Utilizing … a student’s DESIGN … all based on a biblical foundation. Under this umbrella, we also teach students to treat others with love, respect, dignity, and compassion because every person is uniquely designed by God and precious in His sight. Exploring Your DESIGN (EYD) One of our goals is to help students explore and understand who God created them to be. This includes an understanding of the elements of their DESIGN package, as well as an appreciation for the DESIGN tools God is using and will continue to use to shape them throughout their lives as believers. This is starting to occur in every classroom and extra-curricular activity on an informal basis, as staff implement a variety of teaching methods and strategies to meet the needs of every student and help them figure out how they were designed. On a more formal basis, we launched a program in 2005-2006, for elementary students (1st – 6th) who love to learn, read, and study new topics. Since we feel every child is gifted in one way or another, we offer these class to anyone that is interested. Each session focuses on a topic that has wide appeal and can be narrowed down to fit the interests of the participants. The students select one aspect of the topic, research it, and create an interactive project to help others learn about it. During the 6 – 8 hour classes, students also explore and identify various aspects of their God-given DESIGN Package. Watch for information on upcoming after-school and summer sessions; it will be posted on this website. Developing Your DESIGN (DYD) The second feature of a Christian EDUcation is offering students a variety of opportunities for developing their DESIGN package and showing them how God is using DESIGN tools to shape their lives. This too happens every day at school – in the classroom, on the playground, interacting in the halls, participating in field (study) trips and on sports teams, worshiping in chapel, etc. The staff uses discipline, counseling, prayer, “teachable moments,” and the classroom curriculum to develop each child’s DESIGN. It also happens outside the school day as students sign up for community sports teams, learn dance or gymnastics skills, take voice or art lessons, etc. In addition, Lakewood has developed the Design Learning Center (DLC) where a student’s academic, social, emotional, communication, and/or organizational weaknesses can be addressed through the student’s DESIGN package. This is for those who need some help with homework, reading, math, study skills, behavior, and other areas where they have weaknesses. Our goal here is to show that weaknesses are not flaws. They are areas where God expects us to depend on Him and on other people. The learning center is open during the school day, after school, and for six weeks during the summer for students in Pre-K – 12th grade. It is available for both Lakewood and non-Lakewood students. Detailed descriptions of what is offered through the Learning Center is listed below. Utilizing Your DESIGN to Leave a Legacy (UYD) Our main goal at Lakewood is to help our students apply what they are learning to serve God and serve others. This occurs in music, art, drama, sports, speech class, core classes, and many other places throughout the day. It also occurs as our students do community service in PowerPlus groups, collect items for a missions project, participate in the March of Dimes walk, volunteer in the front office, or make/sell items at the 4th – 6th grade bazaar to raise money for a school family going through a tough time. When we combine our efforts so that each person’s DESIGN complements others, we are a powerful tool that God can use in our churches, communities, homes, and here at Lakewood. Our ultimate goal is to have every student graduate with a portfolio that documents what has been discovered about his or her DESIGN; what has been done to develop his/her DESIGN and allow God to shape that person; and how he/she has used it to leave a legacy at our school, in the community, and through his/her church. Your greatest treasure and your greatest contribution to the building of God’s kingdom, doesn’t come from trying to become something that you are not. It comes from identifying and living out that which God designed you to be. When you discover your God-given design and live it out in the context of godly character and wise counsel, it can fill your tanks with energy, purpose, enthusiasm, influence, and meaning in life. - Dr. Jeff Myers, Myers Institute For more information on the D.E.S.I.G.N. program, contact Mrs. Bruns at extension 227.

Design Learning Center “A learning plan designed with your child in mind.” 260-925-1393, ext. 237 or 227 5555 CR 29 Auburn, IN 46706 [veiw map]   The Design Learning Center is a place where your student can learn at his or her own pace, progress to grade level, and learn study/organizational skills that he or she can apply in future learning situations. As a parent, you can expect the following: • A partnership between the Design instructors, classroom teacher(s), your student, and you to help your student achieve and celebrate success • A learning plan created to fit your student’s unique needs and D.E.S.I.G.N Package, developed by a certified, experienced teacher. The plan will incorporate creative teaching methods that will build self-confidence and strengthen skills. • Individual attention in a small group setting (one to three students per group) with a trained and qualified instructor. These groups meet one to five times per week. Each session lasts 30 – 50 minutes, depending on the age of the student and recommendations from the classroom teacher: • On-going assessment of your student’s progress towards the objectives spelled out in the learning plan. • Regular communication with you to convey student’s progress, modifications of the learning plan, and ways you can help the student at home. Conferences may be requested at any time and phone calls/emails are returned in a timely fashion. • Transformed attitude towards school and learning as your child experiences success and begins to understand that he/she is “fearfully and wonderfully made.” We want your student to develop, utilize, and celebrate the strengths of his/her God-given D.E.S.I.G.N. package; understand that areas of weaknesses are only places where he/she may have to humbly depend on God or other people; and learn strategies that will help him/erh overcome or compensate for these weaknesses • Affordable prices. Lakewood students pay $6.25 per session, while non-Lakewood students pay $10 - 20 per session depending on the student plan. “A learning plan designed with your child in mind.” 260-925-1393, ext. 237 or 227 5555 CR 29 Auburn, IN 46706 [veiw map] Reinforcing Foundational Skills Reading & Spelling This program is designed for those readers who need to establish a firm foundation in reading. Basic phonics rules, sight vocabulary, and reading fluency form the main components of this program. Your student will progress from easy to increasingly more difficult texts that build confidence and proficiency. Reading Applications This program is designed to increase your student’s reading ability by focusing on a variety of reading strategies such as advanced phonics, vocabulary development, structural analysis, context clues, and comprehension skills. Your student will not only read the words on the page, but fully grasp what the words and passage mean by learning to draw conclusions, make predictions, identify cause/effect relationships, find the main idea, and state the author’s purpose. Math Math Builder is a basic math course designed to fill in the skills your student is lacking, and then progress to grade-level and beyond math skills. Components include hands-on activities, memorizing math facts, applying math skills in real-life situations, and periodically reviewing skills to ensure retention. We start with basic math, fill in the gaps, and then move on to more complex skills. Math Applications includes tutoring in Algebra I and II, Geometry, and the higher-level math classes such as calculas and trigonometry. Language Arts Written communication is an essential skill that is needed in every subject area. We use the 6+1 Writing Traits framework to teach students the traits of good writing: (1) ideas and details (2) organization, (3) voice, (4) word choice, (5) sentence fluency, (6) conventions, and (7) presentation. The conventions trait includes spelling, grammar, punctuation, capitalization, and paragraph formation which may be developed separately or in conjunction with a piece of writing. Study/Organizational Skills Students in grades 4 – 12 often need help with their study/organizational skills. Your student will identify components of his/her learning profile and then learn to use them effectively to do assignments, study for tests, and complete projects. They will learn how to read for information, take notes, study for tests, manage time and materials, use reference materials/sources, and establish goals. The student will often be held accountable for applying these skills in one subject area, although he/she will be able to apply these strategies in any subject. Special Needs Accommodations Some of our students have trouble learning because of a behavior or learning problem. Some have been formally evaluated through the public school, qualify for special education services, but are on service plans with us because the parents chose us over the services provided by the public school. Others have behavior plans and learning plans that accommodate their needs in the regular classroom for most of the day and allow them to work in the learning center for 30 – 50 minutes per day. We currently serve students with all variations of autism spectrum disorder, sensory integration problems, learning disabilities, OCD, ADHD, communication disorders, hearing impaired, visually impaired, and emotional problems. A speech and language pathologist does provide free services here for those who qualify for speech and other communication disorders. DESIGN Instructors   Director of DESIGN Mrs. Sherrie Chambers schambers@lakewoodpark.org Design Instructor Mrs. Kathy Bruns The DESIGN program has been created by Mrs. Kathy Bruns. Also serving as the elementary principal until June, 2007, Mrs. Bruns majored in elementary education at the undergraduate level and focused on reading and special education when she received her MS in Education. She has an Indiana teaching license, certification through the Association of Christian Schools International, and over 30 years experience in the field of education. She has taught nursery school, Kindergarten, first grade, and fourth grade; done substitute teaching in Canada from K – 8; served as the executive director of the Steuben County Literacy Coalition for 12 years; volunteered as an ESL tutor; and taught GED classes for adults before she became the elementary principal at Lakewood in August, 1998. Raised in Ohio, she now lives in Angola with her husband, Dave. She attends Fairview Missionary Church in Angola, where she helps Dave with men’s ministry events and assists with women’s events as needed. Her daughter, Liz, graduated from Lakewood in 2004. Christian education has become her passion because she believes home, school, and church need to form a strong partnership in order to raise children to have a solid, biblical worldview and a heart submitted to Christ’s transforming power. She says, “It’s exciting to serve in a Christian school where that partnership is cultivated and strengthened by a caring, godly staff; a challenging, biblically-based curriculum; and a school-wide vision for assisting every student understand and develop his/her unique, God-given design.” kbruns@lakewoodpark.org 260-925-1393 ext. 227   Lead Teacher Mrs. Jan Tabler A graduate of Ohio University, Mrs. Tabler has been teaching in Christian schools for 17 years. Her husband was in the army so she has taught third and fourth grade in schools all over the US and in Europe. They have been in the Fort Wayne area for about 5 years and attend Wallen Baptist Church. In addition to teaching full-time at Lakewood Park., she also teaches a basic skills class one night a week at IPFW. One of her former principals wrote the following in her reference letter: Jan loves teaching and continually strives to perfect her craft. (She) has taught for a number of years and has a unique gift to appreciate and care for each child who passes through her doors. She does not turn her back on the troubled child, but in a Christ-like manner encourages and affirms positive growth when the child feels like everything is impossible. Students leave her third grade classroom feellng a little more special. It is her love of teaching and the unique way Mrs. Tabler connects with each of the students, that makes her an excellent lead teacher in the Design Learning Center. She works with math students from K – 6th grade and also helps several of the high school students with their study skills. jtabler@lakewoodpark.org 260-925-1393 ext. 237 Mr. Tom Leitner I graduated from Huntington College in 2000 and after working as a substitute teacher in my hometown of Richmond, Indiana for a year, I have been at Lakewood Park since 2001. During my time here, I have taught 4th and 6th grade and coached the 6th grade boys basketball team. I am currently pursuing my master's degree in Elementary Math Education through Walden University. My wife, Maleah, and I attend the Auburn Church of Christ where I am involved on the Deacon Board. Growing up, I attended a small Christian elementary school and had always desired to return to Christian education when I graduated. Being at Lakewood gives me the opportunity to positively impact the lives of students by sharing the love of Christ with them and helping them grow in their physical, emotional, and spiritual maturity. tleitner@lakewoodpark.org   Mrs. Janelle McElhoe jmcelhoe@lakewoodpark.org Mrs. Monica Witmer mwitmer@lakewoodpark.org Mrs. Barb Dusseau bdusseau@lakewoodpark.org Mrs. Jennifer Ford jford@lakewoodpark.org The Learning Center also utilizes a number of volunteers who are either former teachers or have some educational experience. If you are interested in tutoring or helping with the Exploring Your Design camps, please contact Mrs. Chambers.