To help you get started, we’d like to share Seven Proven Steps for implementing Junior University and the Lighthouse Initiative in your neighborhood schools. Having read this far in the book, many may be excited to implement the JULI model.
We offer a few words of caution spoken so eloquently by Principal Jerry Merza: “Just don’t go into the school with an agenda. The last message principals and teachers want to hear from anyone is what a lousy job they’re doing and how you’ve come to fix their problems. You’re not going to make it past the receptionist with that kind of approach.”
1. PRAY for the students and educators in your neighborhood school. Ask God to call and appoint prayer intercessors to meet regularly to pray for the students, educators, and families in your neighborhood school(s).
2. SHARE the VISION: It is God’s vision that empowers His plans. Proceed with confidence and speak with boldness.
3. MEET the PRINCIPAL: Commend the school principal and teachers for their committed efforts to nurture and educate their students with limited resources.
4. MAKE a PLAN with the PRINCIPAL: The principal is likely to begin slowly to build trust. Opportunities to work directly with students may come later. Select and agree on your project and what you will accomplish.
5. RECRUIT TRUSTED VOLUNTEERS to implement the plan. After winning confidence and trust, don’t hesitate to look for opportunities to integrate Christian faith in programs offered before or after school with signed permission from parents.
6. CELEBRATE with PARENTS: All parents love to see their children succeed, achieve their dreams, and walk with con- fidence into their destiny.
7. ASSESS, DOCUMENT, REFINE, and REPEAT: At the con- clusion of every project, meet with your school leadership. Assess and document your methods and accomplishments with possible improvements for the next opportunity to serve.
Effective Program Examples:
Here are some examples of mentoring ideas that are working well in our Silicon Valley schools. Your school principal may request similar programs:
✧ A monthly lunch provided for teachers and staff
✧ The Light, Life, and Learning character development curriculum, including four to five approximate forty- five-minute lessons (available at TheQuestInstitute.com)
✧ A tutoring program, or the Reading Buddies program (mentors read with mentees, often English-language learners)
✧ The International Space Station program for students in fourth grade and higher. Grants may be available for schools with disadvantaged socioeconomic cir- cumstances. See vimeo.com/142988653 and TheQuest Institute.com/programs/quest-for-space, or search for “Quest for Space” or “The Quest Institute”
✧ Sponsoring classroom hydroponic gardening projects (more about hydroponics in the next chapter)
✧ Weekly instrumental music lessons from community volunteers during and after school hours (consider a jazz band as students develop their skills)
✧ A children’s choir that features “The Declaration Song.” Children may listen to the song playing during class while they are doing their classwork. The Quest Insti- tute for Quality Education offers “The Declaration Song” without cost. See vimeo.com/261758685
“At Hellyer Elementary,” Jerry said, “the kids learn ‘The Declaration Song,’ starting in first grade. It’s a song using the exact words of the preamble to the Declaration of Independence, and they love it. I hear them singing the song all over campus, even when they’re alone, just walking around by themselves. Many times the parents don’t know their kids have learned it, so when we do a concert program where the moms and dads can hear their children singing that song, some parents burst into tears because they are so proud. I have tears in my eyes just thinking about it. The kids sing it with such enthusiasm. They’re so proud of their accomplishments.”
✧ Lighthouse after-school enrichment programs with parent permission, including possible robotics, art, pho- tography, cheer, dance, swim, or other athletic programs (see the table on page 117) and a Kids Club Bible program (see KidsClubConsultants.org)
✧ A large mural at the school entry or other prominent location, funded and commissioned by volunteers, that features the preamble to the Declaration of Indepen- dence with all of the wording exactly as written in the Declaration
✧ An end-of-the-year event for the children and their parents to display the accomplishments of students (for example, demonstrating their new dance, band, art, or robotic skills), including an annual performance of the Declaration song with added patriotic songs.
While offering these programs during the school day, be certain to integrate Common Virtues based on the “self-evident” truths that all “are created equal” and “are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable rights,” including “life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.” These truths can serve as an affirmative message and a strong moral authority to shape a positive school culture of goodness, peace, and joy. They also offer a solid guidance system to explain to students why each of them should view himself or herself as having tremendous value, with a purpose for living and equal respect for others. For after-school programs, Christians may legally integrate Christian faith truths and prayer into any of these programs, with parent permission.
It’s important to celebrate student success at the end of a semester or school year. We invite parents, relatives, and their friends for students to showcase their achievements at a concert, followed by a carnival, with food for all. Parents love to see their children succeed, achieve their dreams, and walk with confidence into their future. Students perform in the jazz band, sing in the choir, dance, show their artwork and robots, perform cheerleading routines, display ISS experiments, and receive enthusiastic and well-deserved applause. The event gives them recognition for the interest, determination, and effort they’ve put into learning new skills. When everybody cheers, and when their parents are out there in the audience taking smartphone photos and videos, the children can bask in much needed praise, admiration, and appreciation.