Dayspring Beacon

Updated August 24, 2026

Upcoming Events

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

Upcoming Events:

8/25/2026 – First Day of School for Preschool
8/26/2026 – Sacred Convocation (All School) 8:10-8:50 a.m.
8/27/2026 – Parent Meeting for Juniors – (6:30 pm – 7:30 pm)
9/4/2026 – Parent Prayer, 8 a.m.
9/7/2026 – No School: Labor Day
9/9/2026 – Upper School Drop/Add Period ends
9/10-9/11/2026 – Upper School Retreat: Grades 6-12 at Refreshing Mountain Retreat
9/11/2026 – Parent Prayer, 8 a.m.
9/18-9/2026 – Lower School Musical
9/18/2026 – Parent Prayer, 8 a.m.
9/21/2026 – School Picture Day
9/22/2026 – The Protectors, Student Assemblies
9/22/2026 – The Protectors, Parent Assembly, 6:30 p.m., DCA Auditorium
9/24/2026 – New Family Coffee with the Headmaster and Principals
9/25/2026 – Upper School Flex Friday
9/25/2026 – Parent Prayer, 8 a.m.
9/28/2026 – Headmaster’s Oration Finalists Assembly, Grades 10-12
9/29/2026 – Headmaster’s Oration Finalists Assembly, Grades 4-9

Student Arrival and Dismissal

Arrival:
The school day begins at 7:55 for grades PreK-12. Students are expected to be in their classroom by 7:55, so it is recommended that students are dropped off no later than 7:50 to allow them the needed time. Please note that students not in their classrooms by 7:55 are marked tardy for the day.

Parents should drop off their children in the carpool line (the semicircle in front of the building). Staff members will be on hand to assist.

Dismissal:
Dismissal happens at 3 pm. All carpool riders will go to the auditorium to await being called for dismissal. Student drivers will exit the building and proceed to the crosswalk to their assigned parking area. There is no walk-up option for pickup; all parents must enter the carpool line.

To keep the traffic flow moving, please note:

We will use a double-line. Please do not change lanes unless directed.
While it will make things easier, you do not have to get in the right/left side to turn right/left at the exit. The traffic director will allow both right and left turns from both lines.
Please pay attention to traffic directors and follow directions. Our priority is student safety, followed by smooth traffic flow, so everyone’s cooperation is necessary.
As we work through this new procedure, we will communicate any changes.
Parents are asked to have their bright green family name sign posted in their car. These signs were handed out at Back-to-School nights. Remaining signs that were not picked up will be sent home with students for the most part today, but a few may be sent home tomorrow. If you do not receive a tag by Wednesday, please contact the school office at office@dayspringchristian.com.

Transportation Changes
Please note that all changes to a student’s afternoon transportation must be recorded in SchoolPass by 1 p.m. If you must make a change after 1 p.m., please call the office at 717-285-2000. Calling the office will ensure that the message is received and the appropriate changes can be made.

Parking for the 2026-27 School Year

As follows is the information that was emailed last Friday:

We want to provide you with some important information regarding parking changes for this year. Please read the details carefully.

Unfortunately, we are not permitted to use the Mountville Church of the Brethren parking lot in any way this school year. This includes student and staff daytime parking, parent and guest parking, and transient parking for arrival and dismissal. We are asking for your cooperation in honoring this restriction. (Parents with student drivers, please communicate this to them.)

Here is how we will proceed:

Daily Parking for Students

Dayspring student drivers will need to park along the street on Clay St. and Hoover St. On Thursday’s Back to School night, the 11th and 12th grade homeroom teachers will take a walk with the students to show them where they can park. We will also send out a map/diagram next week. Students will be provided with instructions for traffic flow and walking routes. There is a construction project planned for Hoover St., and we will provide instructions for that situation soon.

First Day of School

We have made arrangements to leave plenty of parking open for parents on the first day of school. If you prefer to walk your students in on the first day, you may plan to park in DCA spaces in the upper lot or along the side of the school.

Morning Arrival

After the first day of school, all non-bus students in grades Pre-K through 12 are required to be dropped off from their car in the traffic loop. We will not be able to have parents park and walk their children in on a regular basis, with the exception of the youngest students in Preschool. We are planning to have extra staff on duty to keep the traffic flow moving.

Afternoon Dismissal

After the first day of school, all non-bus students are required to be picked up at the traffic loop. We will not be able to have parents park and walk in to retrieve their children.

Parent/Guest Parking During School Day

Parents who need to park briefly for appointments or to drop off or pick up students at times outside of arrival/dismissal may use the upper lot by the auditorium.

Field Study and Special Day Parking

We will provide instructions on these days as the year progresses.

Event Overflow

For our upcoming Back-to-School Nights, see details above about where to park. For future events, parking instructions will be provided via e-blast and Beacon for each event.

While the loss of the use of the church parking lot does make things difficult, we believe that with your cooperation and understanding, we have and will continue to formulate plans that are workable. Thank you for your attention to these details, and please do not hesitate to reach out if you have questions.

Chapel Days/Sacred Convocation

Upper School Chapel will again be on Mondays this year, and, except when noted, all Upper School students are required to wear their Chapel uniforms on Chapel days.

All Upper School students should plan to wear their Chapel uniforms on Wednesday, Aug. 26, for Sacred Convocation.

After School Care

After school care is available at DCA. Those interested in after-school care can click here for more information. Please note that the application and fee are due PRIOR to a student attending after-school care.

Parent Partners Sought

The PTG (Parent-Teacher Guild) is looking for parent partners for each homeroom at DCA. If you are interested, please fill out the attached form and return it to the front desk or send it via email to PTG@dayspringchristian.com.

PTG Parent Partner Interest Form

Upper School Retreat

All students in grades 6-12 will attend the Upper School Retreat from Thursday, September 10, to Friday, September 11. The retreat is held at Refreshing Mountain Retreat Center located at 455 Camp Road, Stevens, PA.

Parents received an email and letter that included two links to required forms that must be completed for every student attending the retreat. These two forms are the waiver form and the Back to School Retreat Form. The extra activities are optional, however, if your student(s) does want to participate in these extra activities, you will need to pay the $30 fee online using this link.

To make sure we have everything in order before the day of the event, we are asking that both of these forms and the optional activities fee be submitted no later than 3pm on Wednesday, September 2, if you have not already done so. Please note that we are limited in the number of students who can ride the two buses so if you are needing your student to ride a Dayspring bus to/from the retreat, you will want to complete these forms sooner rather than later.

I have attached the original letter which includes important information on arrival and dismissal times and instructions on what to pack and what not to pack.

Upper School Retreat Information and Form Links

School Lunches

Your child may bring his or her lunch from home or purchase a school-based lunch prepared and served by Upper School classes. Lunches prepared and sold at school are fundraisers for our Upper School classes to help defray the cost of their senior field study. Please note that no hot fundraiser lunches will be offered until the week of Sept. 14. Details about these lunches will be released soon.

Students should bring snacks and a water bottle for the day. Water bottles are allowed in all classrooms, and we have bottle fillers in all of the major hallways. PLEASE BE SURE THAT WATER BOTTLES ARE LABELED WITH YOUR STUDENT’S NAME. These are a big lost and found item, and we can’t get them to the correct student if their name is not on it.

When sending in lunches, please keep in mind that microwaves are very limited and students may have to wait for one to become available. To save time, families may find that sending items in that do not need to be microwaved may be a better option.

40 Days of Prayer

Please join Dayspring staff, faculty, administration and students at 7:58 each morning for prayer. We want to join together in concerted prayer for Dayspring this year, and the first 40 days of school will be dedicated to this. Please set an alarm for 7:58 a.m. Monday-Friday and, if possible, stop where you are and join us in praying for Dayspring.

New Update on Dr. Myers

Please join us in praying for Dr. Myers as further testing has revealed that the tumor is more aggressive than originally believed. He will be pursuing surgery and further treatment. It is a very serious condition and he needs the people of God to intercede on his behalf. If you’d like to follow the journey, please email the office at office@dayspringchristian.com for the Caring Bridge link.

Parent Prayer

All DCA parents are welcome and encouraged to join us on Friday mornings to pray with parents, grandparents, host families, and staff. Starting Friday, Sept. 4, at 8:00, meet in Mr. Stone’s office for a time to praise the Lord in prayer and take our requests to the One with the answers.

Upper School Drop-Add Period

The Upper School Drop-Add period for the 2026-2027 academic year is now open. All students wishing to modify their current course schedules must finalize their requests by the deadline, Wednesday, September 6, 2026, using this form: Drop-Add 2026. All completed forms must be submitted to Mrs. Hurley (Director of Curriculum and Instruction) no later than 3:00 p.m. on Wednesday, September 9. Students will remain in their current class until Mrs. Hurley has reviewed and approved the course change(s). Note: Hard copy Drop-Add forms are in the mailbox outside of Mrs. Hurley’s office.

Lower School Musical - Save the Date

Get ready for The Fab 4 Kids Show—a wildly creative musical that combines laugh-out-loud fun with life-changing truth! Inspired by the kinds of shows kids love to watch today (think: science experiments, over-the-top YouTube challenges and slime), this 38-minute musical brings the story of Jesus to life through unforgettable songs, big energy, and the joyful chaos of live kids’ ministry. Lower school DCA students will present the show on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday, Sept. 18, 19, and 20.

At the heart of the show is The Fab Four, a quirky band that teaches Bible truth through music and fun. When their usual producer is suddenly replaced by a fill-in who doesn’t quite “get” the mission, the group presses on to share the Gospel through the books of Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John. With laugh-out-loud moments, doo-wop temptations, country parables, rap battles, and a powerful presentation of the Gospel, The Fab Four will have your kids singing and dancing all the way to the cross. Featuring Anne Wilson’s moving hit “The Cross,” along with original songs like “Seeds,” “The Good Samaritan,” and “What Kind of God?” this show leads kids on a journey from laughter to the life-changing truth of the Gospel.

More details and a link for reservations will be posted soon on the DCA website.

DCA Family-Student Handbook

The Family-Student Handbook for the 2026-2027 school year has been posted on the DCA website. Updates and revisions include the following: organizational structure, community standards, uniform guidelines, complaint/dispute resolution policy, and updates to the discipline policy. If you have any questions, please feel free to reach out to any member of the administration.

2027 Student Brazil Trip Opportunity

Over the past two years, we have partnered with the Principle Approach organization in Brazil (AECEP) and received Brazilian students to Dayspring for a couple weeks to immerse them in Dayspring and American culture. From the beginning of this program, our hope has been that it would be a true exchange.

After two years of hosting, we are excited to announce the plans to travel to Sao Paolo, Brazil, during Summer 2027. Here are the important preliminary details (subject to change):

– When: July 13 through July 26, 2027
– Who: DCA high school students (9th-12th grades) + Dayspring chaperone
– Where: Sao Paolo, Brazil
– Why: To experience the Brazilian Principle Approach school culture and also Brazilian culture generally
– Cost: $3,000-$3,500 (rough estimate per student – subject to change as final costs are determined). This will include travel, food, hosting, and site-seeing.

More information to come at our Back-to-School Nights. Feel free to reach out to mvalverde@dayspringchristian.com if your student would have interest.

Volunteer Clearances

Welcome to a new school year! If you are new to Dayspring Christian Academy you will need volunteer clearances to volunteer in your child’s classroom or to attend a field study. Below is a list of items you will need to provide clearances to the school. If you have gotten clearances for your church in the last 5 years, you can provide copies of those clearances to the school. Clearances expire every 5 years. If you should have any questions on clearances please feel free to contact Candace Engle at cengle@dayspringchristian.com, and she can help you with the process. If you currently have clearances on file but would like to verify their expiration date, please contact Candace.

All copies (volunteer application, residency waiver and PA State and Child Abuse clearances) must be turned in to Candace Engle for processing. The following forms can also be found on the form library section of the Dayspring website.

Items needed for processing:
Volunteer Application
Residency Waiver Form
Mandated Reporter Information
Volunteer Clearances Needed

Immunization and School Physical Requirements

Immunization Requirements – A complete list of required vaccinations can be found in the Form Library section of Dayspring’s website or by clicking here. All students must provide proof of vaccination or complete and return an exemption form. An exemption form can be found on Dayspring’s website by clicking here. Although Dayspring does not mandate whether you immunize or request an exemption, all families are required to have either an immunization record or statement of exemption form on file for each child.

School Physicals – If your student is entering Kindergarten, Grade 6, Grade 11, or if they are entering school for the first time, they will need to have a physical examination before beginning school in the fall. This form is available on Dayspring’s website by following this link.

Annual Medical Forms – At the beginning of the 2026-27 school year, the school nurse will collect various health forms. These forms have been updated in the form library on the DCA website in the event that any parent would like to have their doctor fill them out over the summer. All families are required to fill out the Health Profile and Consent to Standing Orders Form, but the Prescription Medication Form and Authorization for Self-Carry Medication Form are required only if applicable to your student(s). There will be reminders about required forms posted in the August edition of the Beacon and at Back-to-School Night. An explanation of medication forms can be found here.

Athletics News

Student Managers needed: We are looking for Upper School students interested in serving as team managers for our Middle School and Varsity sports. Please email Athletic Director Daryn Vinson at dvinson@dayspringchristian.com if interested.

Adult Volunteer Coaches needed for Lower School Soccer: We are looking for volunteers to help facilitate Lower School Soccer Monday night practices (9/14-10/12) and Saturday morning games (9/19-10/17). Please email dvinson@dayspringchristian.com if interested.

Athletic Trainer needed: We are looking for an Athletic Trainer for a Varsity Soccer game on the morning of 9/26. Please email dvinson@dayspringchristian.com if interested.

Last chance for Kdg.-6th grade Coed Soccer: If your child is interested in participating, email dvinson@dayspringchristian.com by this Friday, 8/28. Please include your child’s name, grade, and T-shirt size. Register on the Dayspring website.

Weekly Schedule:
8/24 – 4:00 – V Tennis @ Warwick
8/25 – 4:00 – V Soccer @ Littlestown
8/25 – 4:00 – MS Soccer @ LCCS
8/25 – 4:00/5:00 – MSA/MSB Volleyball @ LCCS
8/25 – 5:00/6:00 – JV/V Volleyball @ Donegal
8/26 – 1:00 – V Golf @ Four Seasons
8/27 – 4:00 – V Golf @ Highlands of Donegal
8/27 – 4:00/5:00 – MSA/MSB Volleyball @ Logos (York)
8/27 – 6:00/7:00 – JV/V Volleyball @ Logos (York)
8/28 – 4:00 – V Soccer @ Hope Born in Christ
8/28 – 4:00 – V Tennis @ Susquehannock
8/29 – all day – V Volleyball @ Solanco

Guidance Office

For more information on the following topics, please click the “Read More” button.
– SAT Registration
– Counseling Opportunities
– Grow PA Scholarship Grant Program
– Transcript Requests
– General Questions
– Informational Night for Parents of Juniors
– Seniors/Parents of Seniors
– Turning Point Academy Prep Year

SAT Registration – Any junior who wants to sign up to take the SAT this year, be aware that registration is now open for the August through December 2026 SAT Weekend administrations. This year, there will be testing dates available EVERY MONTH through the end of the year, beginning in August. Spring 2027 SAT dates will be available later this fall. You know what to do – just use your College Board Account and sign up for the date and location of your choice. See Mrs. Gainer if you have any questions!

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.

Informational Night for Parents of Juniors: There will be a meeting for all parents of 11th grade students on August the 27th at 6:30 pm. This is a brief, but important, meeting to go over Apprenticeship Class and all of the events and options that will occur for your child throughout this school year. If you have any questions, please contact Mrs. Gainer.

Seniors / Parents of Seniors: Welcome to your senior year! This is just a notice to be on the lookout for an email in the first few weeks of school to schedule a meeting with me to discuss your student’s plans at this point for after graduation. This will be a meeting that both parents and students should attend.

Turning Point Academy Prep Year: Prep Year is a nine-month in-residence program that equips 18-20-year-olds who are looking to grow in faith, leadership, understanding of American history, philosophy, and ethics. Students live in community, learn from incredible speakers and mentors, participate in service projects, events, and more, which prepare them to be young leaders in their community. Students interested in being considered for the fall of 2026 class in either Elgin, IL, or Fort Worth, TX, should apply soon. All accepted students will be granted a $25,000 scholarship to cover the cost of housing, food, trips, events, and programming, so students can attend for only a $2,000 registration fee. Learn more at turningpointed.com/prepyear.

Dayspring Acceptable Use Policy

Signed Acceptable Use Policies were due last Friday. All students need to sign the Acceptable Use Policy in order to use Chromebooks at Dayspring. All families should have received an email with this information from Mr. Adam Gregory, IT Director, but the AUP is linked here for your convenience. The questionnaires for Upper School and Lower School students can be found at the bottom of the policy. Any questions can be directed to Adam Gregory at agregory@dayspringchristian.com.

DCA Recurrent References

Some 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: How to access FACTS, Google Classroom, SchoolPass App and more
-2026-27 Calendar
-DCA Amazon Wish List
-DCA Family Business Directory

Community Events

Piano and Voice Lessons – Are you interested Piano Lessons and Voice Lessons for your student this year? Schedule a demo lesson with you and your child sometime for the fall rush! Teen Voice, Sing with Friends, and Piano Express are all available to you.

Dayspring has partnered with Sopranojam Music Studio for many years, and many of our most talented and involved musicians have learned from Julie Stone over the past 25 years! Julie Stone and Mikayla Stoltzfus (both DCA grads!) give lessons at Sopranojam Music Studio located IN DAYSPRING! We offer options for after-school lessons or some classes during the school day as well.

Learn more at https://www.sopranojamstudio.com/sjms4dca. Reach out to Julie at music@sopranojamstudio.com.

CPYU Parent Resource

The Center for Parent/Youth Understanding (CPYU) has been working for over three decades to increase the ability of parents and churches to nurture children and teens by providing relevant and timely information, analysis, and theologically sound resources on today’s rapidly changing youth culture. To view the August parent resource, click here.

September Bible Memory

Justified by Faith, Romans 5:1-5
Grades K-2: Verse 1
Grades 3-5: Verses 1-2
Grades 6-12: Verses 1-5

1. Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ,
2. through whom we have gained access by faith into this grace in which we now stand. And we boast in the hope of the glory of God.
3. Not only so, but we also glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance;
4. perseverance, character; and character, hope.
5. And hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit, who has been given to us.

Bold. Distinctive. Biblical.