Dayspring Beacon

Updated December 17, 2025

Upcoming Events

Below is a list of upcoming events. Scroll down for further details. Details will be added as we get closer to the date of the event.

Upcoming Events:
12/16/2025 – Lower School Christmas Concert, Westminster Presbyterian, 6:30 p.m.
12/17/2025 – Upper School Christmas Concert daytime rehearsal
12/18/2025 – Upper School Christmas Concert at DCA, 6:30 p.m.
12/18/2025 – Dayspring Discovery Zone (DDZ)
12/19/2025 – Early Dismissal-Christmas Celebrations (School dismissed at 11:15 a.m.)
12/19/2025 – No Parent Prayer Due to Christmas Celebrations
12/19/2025 – Alumni Drop-in, 9:45-11 a.m.
12/19/2025 – Homecoming Basketball Game at Columbia High School
12/22/2025 – Christmas Break Begins
1/5/2026 – School Resumes

Secret Santa for Upper School

Student Government’s annual Secret Santa is underway. As a reminder to those who are participating, remember that as a Secret Santa, your responsibilities include giving three small gifts each week (not to exceed $15/week) starting this week, and one larger gift at the Christmas party on Friday, Dec. 19. Please keep all gifts school-appropriate, remain anonymous until the reveal, and stay within the suggested spending limit. Label your gift with the recipient’s name, and make sure gifts are delivered in the correct locker. If students have any questions, please contact Favor Johnsons.

Student Government Christmas Party

Student Government’s annual Christmas Party will take place on Friday, December 19, from 8:00 a.m. to 11:15 a.m at school for Upper School students. Students should not bring backpacks or a lunchbox, just come ready to enjoy the celebration. Upon arrival, students must first report to homeroom for attendance, then proceed to the auditorium. Students participating in Secret Santa should bring their gifts to the auditorium and place them under the tree.

The party theme is Christmas attire. Students may dress up and wear red, white, or green. Nice jeans are acceptable. Be sure to follow the school dress code for dress down days (no leggings, shorts, cropped shirts, sandals/slippers, sleeveless shirts/tank tops, sweatpants, jeans with holes/rips).

Food contributions for the Christmas party:

High school and middle school girls: baked goods or sweet treats

Middle school boys: fruits or vegetables

High school boys: drinks (water, sweet tea, or lemonade)

Exciting FREE Opportunity for Parents and Children Ages 3–6!

Event: The DDZ – Dayspring Discovery Zone
Date: December 18, 2025
Time: 9:30-10:30 a.m.

Parents of children ages 3 to 6 who are not currently enrolled in any Dayspring classes are invited to join us for a fun and educational experience at the Dayspring Discovery Zone (DDZ)!

In December, we’ll be discovering the true story of Christmas through:
⛪ A story time
🎨 A hands-on craft
🔍 A discovery activity

While your child explores and learns, parents can enjoy a warm beverage and participate in the learning experience alongside their little one.

Each child will leave with:
✨ Their craft creation
📚 New knowledge about Christmas
🍪 A special snack

All of this — in just one hour of fun and discovery!

For registration, call or email Karol Hasting at 717-285-2000 or khasting@dayspringchristian.com.

School Christmas Concert Details

Lower School

This year’s Lower School Christmas Concert will be held Tuesday, December 16, at Westminster Presbyterian Church, 2151 Oregon Pike. Student participants should report to Mrs. Armstrong and be seated in the sanctuary by 6:15 PM. The concert will begin at 6:30 p.m.
– Concert Attire: Dressy “Christmas clothes” in any of the following colors: red, green, gold, white, black, purple, or dark blue (solid colors or patterns are both fine). Boys are encouraged to wear ties, and girls are encouraged to wear skirts/dresses. Shoes should be dark dress shoes. Please no tee-shirts, jeans, or sneakers.
– Rehearsal: During the school day on Monday, December 15, students will be bused to the church for rehearsal. Students should bring quiet work for when they are not rehearsing, and they may bring a water bottle.

Upper School
The Upper School Christmas Concert program will be held at Dayspring Christian Academy on Thursday, December 18, beginning at 6:30 p.m.
– Middle School boys should wear a white dress shirt, black tie, black dress pants, and black dress shoes (no sneakers).
– Middle School girls should wear a white dressy shirt (shoulders must be covered), black dress pants or skirt (knee length or longer), and black dress shoes (no sneakers or boots).
– High School Choir members should wear their choir dresses/suits.

Early Dismissal and Christmas Break

Christmas break will begin with an early dismissal day (dismissal at 11:15 a.m.) on Friday, December 19. Please be sure to make transportation arrangements for the early dismissal day as most public school districts will not bus students home on our planned early dismissal days. Please be sure to record any transportation changes in SchoolPass by 9 a.m. on the morning of December 19.

This is a reminder that there is no after-school program on Friday.

School will resume on Monday, January 5, 2026.

Spirit Week

Spirit Week Themes
Who will win the spirit stick this year? The reigning champs are our current sophomores. When we return from Christmas break, Spirit Week will run from January 5-9, and this year there are more points up for grabs than ever before! To aid you with planning your winning strategy, the special dress days are listed below:

Monday: Color Day
-12th + K: Purple
-11th + 1st: Blue
– 10th + 2nd: White
– 9th + 3rd: Black
– 8th + 4th: Green
– 7th + 5th: Pink
– 6th: Red

Tuesday: Seasons Day
– Don’t think just Fall, Winter, Spring, + Summer. Consider thinking outside the box like Hunting Season, Baseball Season, or Allergy Season, among many more!

Wednesday:
Upper School = Cuisine Day
– This is your favorite food dish
Lower School = Wacky Wednesday

Thursday: Character Day

Friday: Spirit Day

Note About Uniforms, Fleeces

Last week, many labeled uniform fleeces were reunited with their owners due to names clearly marked on the tags; however, many more unlabeled uniform items were donated to the Used Uniform Boutique.
-We encourage parents to label ALL outerwear items, uniform or otherwise, so that they can be returned to their rightful owner.
-We encourage parents to label every uniform item, especially if your student changes for PE or after-school sports.
– Please periodically check the tags of fleeces to ensure your child did not accidentally bring home a fleece or sweater that does not belong to them. It is easy for students to mistakenly take another person’s fleece after gym class or recess.
-If you are in the building for a classroom event, we encourage you to check the Lost and Found while you are here.
-The Used Uniform Boutique has many items up for grabs, all for free. Come take a look!

Athletics News, Homecoming Basketball Games

The JV and Varsity Basketball teams completed another sweep of Lititz Christian last week. The Varsity teams won over Christian School of York to get their fourth wins of the season. Both Middle School Boys and Girls teams are also competing well. Lower School Cheer performed for the first time this season.

Dayspring’s Homecoming Basketball games will be held this Friday at Columbia High School (JVB-4:30, VB-6:00, VG-7:30). Concessions will be available. Admission is $5 cash for adults. Dayspring students and alumni get in free.

This week’s basketball schedule:
12/15 – V Girls – 4:00 – Harrisburg Christian @ HRec
12/15 – MS Girls – 4:00/5:00 – Catalyst @ Dayspring
12/15 – MS Boys – 4:00/5:00 – @ Catalyst
12/15 – JV Boys – 6:00 – @ Anchor
12/16 – JV Boys – 4:30 – @ West Shore
12/16 – V Girls – 6:00 – @ West Shore
12/16 – V Boys – 7:30 – @ West Shore
12/19 – JV Boys – 4:30 – Veritas @ Columbia (Homecoming)
12/19 – V Boys – 6:00 – Covenant @ Columbia (Homecoming)
12/19 – V Girls – 7:30 – Covenant @ Columbia (Homecoming)

All Dayspring Middle School, JV, and Varsity schedules can be found on Dayspring’s website under Athletics. These are best viewed on a computer as opposed to a phone. Lower School schedules can be found on the SportsYou calendar. You can also access Hudl from Dayspring’s website to watch game film and highlight videos.

Time to Update Your Church Info for Pastor Appreciation Day, and a Change for This Year

Pastor Appreciation Day is Wednesday, February 11. Before we send invitations, we are asking that Dayspring families check to make sure their church information is accurate. During this fun morning, we welcome pastors and youth pastors to enjoy breakfast and then spend time with students for Bible trivia and worship. Every year, we run the report based on what information is in FACTS in order to determine who receives invitations, as well as who to group students with by church, so if you changed churches or began attending a new church, please make the change in your family profile for every family member or email office@dayspringchristian.com so we can make that change for you.

Please update your information by the end of December. E-vites will be sent in early January. If possible, it would be very helpful if you could provide the email address of your youth pastor(s)/pastor when you send us the information (this unfortunately is not a field within the FACTS Family Portal, so it would have to be emailed to the office).

Here are the steps for updating your information:

1) Log into the FACTS Family Portal

2) Click on “Family” on the left-hand navigation pane (if using a mobile phone browser, tap the “three line”

button at the top-left of the screen to open the navigation pane)

3) Click on “Family Demographic Form” at the bottom of the page

4) Click on “Student Demographic Form” next to one of the student names (or “Custodial Parent Form” to update parent church information).

5) Use the “Religious Information” section to pick a church from the list or write in a church if it is not already on the list.

6) Scroll to the very bottom and click “save”

7) This information must be updated for each student/parent

Important Change: Due to space restraints, Pastor Appreciation Day will involve ONLY Upper School students this year. As a result, we will send invitations to youth pastors and pastors for students in grades 6-12 only. We hope to make this event schoolwide again in the future.

School Lunches

December lunches:
Walking Tacos – 12/16
Chicken Nuggets – 12/17
Meatball Subs – 12/18

Important note about January lunches: The only school-provided lunch that will be served between Jan. 5 and Jan. 23 will be the Monday pizza lunches due to scheduling conflicts with Spirit Week and Upper School J-Term.

Guidance Office

For more information on the following topics, please click the “Read More” button.
-Christian Connector Christian Colleges Scholarship Drawing
– Counseling Opportunities
– Grow PA Scholarship Grant Program
– Transcript Requests
– General Questions

Christian Connector – Click on this link to connect with hundreds of Christian colleges and complete the form to receive information from them and enter the $5,000 Christian college scholarship drawing. The Christian Connector, as well as those schools that you request information from, will receive your information so they can respond and meet your information request. Students must be at least 13 years old to complete our forms.

Counseling Opportunities – As stated during our Back to School Night parent meeting, Dayspring is pleased to be able to help with an arrangement for professional Christian counselors here at school. Mrs. Dannel Wissler of Willow Oaks Counseling and Mrs. Abby Foster with Lancaster Therapy Center have agreed to be a resource for DCA students. Our goal is to provide a space during the school day for upper school students to receive counseling. Parents will work directly with Mrs. Wissler and Mrs. Foster, and DCA will make every effort to facilitate the location and time. Mrs.Wissler will provide times of availability at Dayspring on Fridays. Mrs. Foster does online sessions only, but DCA will try to work with your child’s schedule to find a private room during the school day for sessions. For more information or to make arrangements, please contact Mrs. Gainer (Guidance Director) or Mr. Lewis (Spiritual Life Director).

Another counseling opportunity available is with Sit With Me Mental Health Coaching Services with Emily Hilton. At Sit With Me Mental Health Coaching Services, our mission is to walk alongside individuals in every stage of life by offering authentic support, active listening, and purposeful guidance-helping each person thrive in alignment with who God has created them to be. One-on-one mental health coaching focused on emotional support and spiritual guidance; personalized goal setting; deep, judgment-free listening; accountability and encouragement; and growth rooted in faith and personal values are offered in a non-clinical, coaching-based model focused on growth, not diagnosis, for males ages 4-14 and females ages 4 and up. To learn more, email sitwithmecoaching@gmail.com.

Grow PA Scholarship Grant Program – This program created by Senate Republicans as part of this year’s state budget – offers grants of up to $5,000 per year for in-state students who pursue a degree or certification for an in-demand occupation. The application period for grants is open now, with funding awarded on a first come, first served basis.

To qualify for the grant, applicants must agree to live and work in Pennsylvania in that occupation after graduation. Grant recipients will be required to live and work in Pennsylvania for 12 months for each year they receive the grant. Failure to meet this requirement will result in the grant converting to a loan requiring repayment.

Courses of study that qualify for the grant include agriculture, computer science, business, education, special education, STEM education, engineering, nursing, allied health, criminal justice and other programs as approved by the Pennsylvania Higher Education Assistance Agency (PHEAA). Learn more or apply here.

Transcript Requests: If you need a transcript for any reason, please fill out a transcript request form online under the Guidance Tab. Requests will be sent out within 3 business days.

General Guidance Questions: If any student or parent has a question concerning AP (Advanced Placement) or DE (Dual Enrollment) classes, please direct those questions to Mrs. Hurley, Director of Curriculum, at dhurley@dayspringchristian.com. Any questions concerning transcripts, PSAT, SAT, or ACT, the college admission process, or other guidance related issues should come to Mrs. Gainer, Guidance Director, at kgainer@dayspringchristian.com.

DCA Recurrent References

Some of the recurrent Beacon items will now be located under this section. Click on the “Read More” button to see details about the following:

-DCA Home Technology Guide
-2025-26 School Calendar
-DCA Referral Program
-DCA Yearbook Sales
-DCA Amazon Wish List
-DCA Family Business Directory

DCA Technology Guide: Attached is a technology guide which will answer many of your questions on how to set up your accounts for Google Classroom, FACTS Family Portal, and the SchoolPass App. If you have any questions, please feel free to reach out to Adam Gregory at agregory@dayspringchristian.com.
DCA Home Technology Guide

2025-26 School Calendar: Please note that we will announce any date changes to the calendar here. 2025-26 School Calendar

DCA Referral Program: As we seek to continue to grow our enrollment and increase the number of students who receive a Principle Approach education, we are asking you as parents for help. Word of mouth is still the best way for people to learn about Dayspring, and you can be our biggest advocates. To that end, Dayspring brought back its Referral Program.

If you refer a family to Dayspring for first through twelfth grade, you will receive $1,000 off your family’s tuition when they successfully enroll at least one full-time student. For successful kindergarten enrollment referrals, you will receive $500 off your family’s tuition. Let’s spread the word about how special our school is and get as many students into our seats as possible.

Use this form to submit a referral.

DCA Yearbook Sales: An exciting change is coming this year for the DCA yearbook. We will be working directly with our yearbook publishing company, Jostens, to handle all orders, which will simplify the process. All families will receive a flyer with a QR code that leads to the ordering link to reserve your child’s yearbook or you can use this link. The QR code is also displayed on signage in the lobby of the school.

Please note: The cost of the yearbook will now follow a staggered price system. This means if you buy early, you get the lowest price, $50. The price will increase two times as the year progresses, ending at $60. This allows for better planning regarding order numbers and also lessens the stress of last-minute orders in the spring.

The Jostens website will give you all the information you need, providing updates on sales and specials, as well as offering free payment plans for purchases of $30 or more. Please be sure to check the Beacon for yearbook sales updates. The current sale offers yearbooks at the lowest price of the year – $50 – plus any student that adds the name stamp/imprint option to their book for $10 gets up to four free icons on that book. This offer ends on Friday, Sept. 12. If you have any questions about yearbook updates, please email Casey Vinson at cvinson@dayspringchristian.com.

DCA Amazon Wish List: Are you looking for a way to bless your child’s teacher and classroom this Thanksgiving season? Visit Dayspring’s Amazon Wish List to see items our teachers have requested to enhance their classrooms—you may find the perfect way to share a special blessing! Dayspring Christian Academy’s Wish List

If you have any questions, please contact Sarah Dillon at sdillon@dayspringchristian.com or 717-285-2000 ext. 211. Thank you in advance for your generous support of our teachers and their classrooms!

DCA Family Business Directory: We are pleased to provide a directory of businesses that are owned by Dayspring families and employees. If you are in need of goods and services, we sincerely hope that you will consult the directory as needed: https://www.dayspringchristian.com/family-business-directory/

Merry Christmas from the Lower School Team

The Lower School team had fun creating a Christmas card together. If you would like a closer look, you can click here: Christmas Card 2025

For Loyal Beacon Readers

*This week’s Swag Bag winner is Rene Geib. Congrats!

Congratulations to last week’s winner of the swag bag, Anderson Graybill! Thank you to all the readers who entered; you have one more opportunity to win!

This week, we will be giving away one last DCA swag bag. Simply reply “Warriors” to this email and include your name and contact info. We will draw the winner at 2 p.m. on Wednesday.

Inside a sturdy, reusable Dayspring Warriors Shopping Tote, you’ll find the following DCA swag: an insulated mug, a DCA five-color highlighter, a keychain, DCA pens, and a DCA Warriors athletic shirt (multiple sizes and designs are available). All DCA parents and upper school students are eligible to enter.

We wish all DCA families a blessed and merry Christmas and a happy new year!

Community Events

11/28-12/24: Gift Wrapping for United Disabilities Services at Park City Mall
3/15/26 (registration deadline): Exelon Foundation STEM Academy

Summer Camp Opportunities at Dayspring

Creative Arts Camp
Mrs. Bonnie Lucas will once again offer this very popular camp. Creative Art Camp is a mixture of fine art skills and crafting as campers experience a variety of art media and techniques. Projects are more in-depth than in school art class. The atmosphere is relaxed, positive, and fun. Camp dates are either July 13-17 and July 20-24. All camps will run from 9 a.m. to 12 noon. A minimum of 5 participants will be required to hold the camp and will be considered at capacity at 15. If you are considering one of these dates, please do not hesitate, as they have filled up quickly in past years. If a camp does not have the minimum of 5 participants by June 15, we will cancel that particular week. This camp is open to students entering grades 1-8 and cost $185 per student. To register, please click here. If you have any questions, please email Mrs. Lucas at blblucas320@gmail.com.

Got Uke? Summer Ukulele Camp
Mrs. Sally Armstrong will hold the ever popular Ukulele camp June 22-26, from 9 a.m. to 12 noon. This camp is for beginner and intermediate ukulele players entering grades 1-8. Campers will build and decorate their own ukuleles to keep and will learn the basics of playing. A camp shirt, snacks, games, and a culminating concert with “Phredd” from WJTL are all part of this exciting camp! Repeat campers are welcome! The cost for this camp is $250 per student with a sibling discount available. To register and for more information, please click here.

December Bible Memory

The People Who Walk in Darkness, Isaiah 9:2, 6-7

Grades K-5: Verse 6
Grades 6-8: Verses 2, 6
Grades 9-12: Verses 2, 6-7

2 The people walking in darkness have seen a great light; on those living in the land of deep darkness a light has dawned. 6 For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.
7 Of the greatness of his government and peace, there will be no end. He will reign on David’s throne and over his kingdom, establishing and upholding it with justice and righteousness from that time on and forever. The zeal of the Lord Almighty will accomplish this.

Bold. Distinctive. Biblical.

Dayspring Beacon

Latest Headlines

Upcoming Events

Secret Santa for Upper School

Student Government Christmas Party

Exciting FREE Opportunity for Parents and Children Ages 3–6!

School Christmas Concert Details

Early Dismissal and Christmas Break

Spirit Week

Note About Uniforms, Fleeces

Athletics News, Homecoming Basketball Games

Time to Update Your Church Info for Pastor Appreciation Day, and a Change for This Year

School Lunches

Guidance Office

DCA Recurrent References

Merry Christmas from the Lower School Team

For Loyal Beacon Readers

Community Events

Summer Camp Opportunities at Dayspring

December Bible Memory

Dayspring Beacon

Latest Headlines

Upcoming Events

Secret Santa for Upper School

Student Government Christmas Party

Exciting FREE Opportunity for Parents and Children Ages 3–6!

School Christmas Concert Details

Alumni Christmas Social

Early Dismissal and Christmas Break

Spirit Week

Note About Uniforms, Fleeces

Athletics News, Homecoming Basketball Games

Time to Update Your Church Info for Pastor Appreciation Day, and a Change for This Year

School Lunches

Guidance Office

DCA Recurrent References

Merry Christmas from the Lower School Team

For Loyal Beacon Readers

Community Events

Summer Camp Opportunities at Dayspring

December Bible Memory