NEW PARIS — LifeWise Academy in New Paris will be offering classes this May — the last two weeks of school this year, followed by a full launch this fall — to National Trail students in grades first through fourth.
Students will travel from National Trail Elementary School to The Little School house (5125 U.S. 40, right across the road) where they will meet to receive Bible-based character education, according to LifeWise officials.
“Thanks to our supportive community, we will be able to offer LifeWise classes to National Trail students in grades 1-4,” said Kathy Rea, LifeWise Academy National Trail Director.
“We look forward to seeing how this program will impact the lives of our students and the unity of New Paris, Eldorado and West Manchester as a whole. We’ve already seen our community come together to make this possible, and we’re confident that as more community members see the positive impact, our support will continue to grow.”
LifeWise lessons will be part of the school’s “specials” rotation and will be held one day per week for one hour. With the rotating specials schedule, this allows families to choose to add the religious instruction time while only missing minimal time in the normal special classes.
Students can enroll at lifewise.org/nationaltrailoh.
“I also want to thank everyone who has partnered with LifeWise Academy National Trail. We would not be able to provide this program to students in our community without your generous support,” Rea added.
According to a LifeWise press release announcing the program, LifeWise “helps to strengthen students’ character development and mental health and also benefits educators’ efforts to build strong students in their classrooms. Students learn the Bible chronologically as part of the curriculum. Each lesson relates a Bible passage to a relevant character trait that the students are encouraged to practice in their families and communities. LifeWise Academy comes alongside administrators and teachers as a supportive ally in the fight for better character development, mental health and academic achievement.”
LifeWise Academy is based in Hilliard, and is a “released time religious instruction program that provides Bible-based character education to public school students.”
With parental permission, students are released from school during the day to attend classes that are off school property one hour per week. For additional information about LifeWise Academy, visit lifewise.org.
