Learning Support and Enrichment Center . What is D.E.S.I.G.N.? In 2002, this 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 Learning Support and Enrichment Center (LSEC) 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.