Dayspring Beacon

Updated April 20, 2026

Upcoming Events

This week’s Cycle Days for US:
Monday – Day 5
Tuesday – Day 6
Wednesday – Day 1
Thursday – Day 2
Friday – Flex Friday, no cycle day

Upcoming Events:
4/22/2026 – Sub Sale Orders Due
4/22/2026 – PTG Informational Meeting, 8 a.m.
4/23/2026 – Last Day to Order Hershey Park Tickets (see below)
4/23/2026 – Kindergarten Readiness Check
4/24/2026 – Upper School Flex Friday
4/24/2026 – Seniors PEERS Test
4/24/2026 – Parent Prayer
4/24/2026 – Application Deadline for Math Summer School (see below)
4/25/2026 – Student Government Car Wash, 11 a.m.-3 p.m. @ DCA
4/27/2026 – Lower School Talent Show
4/30/2026 – Kindergarten Readiness Check
4/30/2026 – Spring Sub Sale Delivery Day (Meatball Sub Lunch will NOT be served)

Important Parking Change Notice for Friday

On Friday, April 24, the Mountville Church of the Brethren will be having a viewing and memorial service for one of their recently deceased members. They are expecting a large gathering and have asked us to clear the entire parking lot from 9:30 a.m. through the end of the day. This means that after morning arrival, we will not be able to access their parking lot at all.

Due to the timing of the services and the loss of parking and the loss of the use of the lot for afternoon dismissal, we will be enacting the following protocols. Please pay close attention to the following and make plans accordingly.

Protocol: April 24 Event Parking & Traffic Management

Designated Parking Allocations
Senior student drivers: Park in the Mountville Borough Park (Main Lot on the other side of the baseball field) for the entire day.
Junior student drivers: Park at Sloan’s Pharmacy (Back of lot, closest to the school) for the entire day.
Contingency: If all designated spots are filled, drivers must report to the school (upper lot) to locate Mr. Marin or Mrs. Johnson for instructions.

Afternoon dismissal protocols:

All student pickups are required to be carpool or bus riders. Walk-ups are strictly prohibited for Friday, April 24. No staff will be stationed in the normal walk-up area, as they will be assisting with the traffic plan below. We apologize in advance for any inconvenience.

Traffic Flow & Staging

-Traffic in the school loop will be maintained in a double line.
-Hoover Street: Cars may stage along Hoover until the intersection is cleared.
-All vehicles will exit Right onto Clay Street. For those who need to get to Rt. 30 or those who need to get back to Mountville, we will provide directions.

Restrictions:

-No parking in diagonal spots in the circle unless the driver intends to remain until after full dismissal.
-No parking in the church lot at all during dismissal
–No driving through the church lot during dismissal
-No parent walk-ups for dismissal

PTG: Parent-Teacher Guild

Dayspring is currently seeking to reestablish a Parent-Teacher Guild (PTG). The purpose of the PTG is to engage all DCA families in the life of the school and serve as a liaison between the school and parents. Its mission is to promote open and constructive dialogue that supports the vision and mission of DCA. Thank you to all who attended last Tuesday’s meeting. There will be a daytime informational meeting for parents to ask questions and learn how to get involved for the 2026-2027 school year:

– Wednesday, April 22, at 8:00 a.m. in the DCA auditorium

For more information, please contact DCA parent Laura Geiter at ldgeiter@gmail.com.

Spring Sub Sale - Orders due WEDNESDAY; Lunch orders due TODAY

Spring Sub Sale
Sub Delivery Day is Thursday, April 30. The spring sale will be from R&K Subs and will be picked up at Dayspring Christian Academy at either 8 a.m. or 3 p.m. Please indicate your pickup time on your sub sale form. We encourage as many parents as possible to pick up their subs in the morning, as limited refrigerator space is available.

Proceeds from the sub sale benefit DCA athletic programs. An order form can be found below. Orders are due by 8am Wednesday, April 22. Payment is required along with each order form. Don’t forget to ask businesses, as many will purchase subs or pretzel sandwiches for their employees. Questions may be directed to Daryn Vinson at dvinson@dayspringchristian.com.

Sub Sale Order Form

Sub Day Lunch
– Students have the opportunity to purchase a sub for lunch on sub day, Thursday, April 30.
– Please note that third-grade will be on their Plymouth field study.
– Meatball subs will NOT be offered on this day.
– All sub lunches must be placed online, not on the sub sale order form. These orders must be placed by the end of the school day TODAY (Monday).
– There will be no extra subs available for lunch purchases. If you want a sub for lunch you MUST order online by the deadline.

Discounted Hersheypark Tickets - Deadline is this Thursday, April 23

Again this year, DCA is selling discounted Hersheypark tickets (52% off!) good for any operational day between April 3, 2026 – January 3, 2027. Get a fantastic deal on these tickets and support Dayspring Christian Academy at the same time! Dayspring receives a blessing from Hersheypark for every ten tickets we sell at this discounted rate. These discounted tickets are available to you and your friends, so spread the word! The order deadline is April 23rd, and orders are being accepted now! View the order form here: https://www.dayspringchristian.com/product/discount-hersheypark-tickets/

Order through the Dayspring Christian Academy website or call the Business Office to order with a credit card. Questions? Contact John Riddell at jriddell@dayspringchristian.com or call 717-285-2000, ext. 214.

Application Deadline for Summer School (Math) Is Friday, April 24.

Application Deadline for Summer School (Math) Is Friday, April 24. Dayspring offers summer online courses in Algebra I, II, Geometry, and Precalculus. These courses are for independent, self-motivated learners and include a weekly one-hour scheduled check-in online session. Each course will cost $450, which includes a $100 registration fee. Summer math is for advancement (not remediation) of students who have earned 95% or higher in their current math course. For more information, please contact Mrs. Donna Hurley at dhurley@dayspringchristian.com.

2026 Summer School Application

Student Government Annual Car Wash Fundraiser

Dayspring families, thank you so much for your continued support at events like the Fall Party, Christmas Party, Pancake Breakfast, and more. We are especially grateful to all the parents who have helped make these events possible. We truly appreciate you!

We’re excited to invite you to Student Government’s Annual Car Wash, happening this Saturday, April 25, from 11 am to 3 pm, in the school parking lot. We’d love your help spreading the word! We encourage you to invite your friends, family, church members, coworkers, and more. Everyone is welcome!

Our car wash will include rinsing, scrubbing, washing, and drying your car so it leaves sparkling clean. The cost is $10 per car, and any additional donations are greatly appreciated as a way to bless Student Government and support future events. We’re really looking forward to a fun day filled with laughter, teamwork, and clean cars! With your support, we hope to plan even more exciting events in the future. If you have any questions, feel free to reach out to Student Government President, Joann Favor Johnsons. We hope to see you there!

Transportation for the 2026-27 School Year: Completed Forms Due by Friday, May 1

Believe it or not, summer is quickly approaching, but before we bid farewell to the 2025-2026 school year, we need to know your transportation plans for the next school year. ALL FAMILIES will need to visit our “Transportation To And/Or From Dayspring” page and fill out the Transportation Registration Form as soon as possible. It takes just a few minutes to complete. This information should be submitted no later than Friday, May 1.

This information MUST be collected from each family (even car riders) for two reasons:
1. We have to let public school districts know that students in their districts are accounted for and receiving an education.
2. We have to let district transportation directors know of our transportation needs. They spend all summer figuring out routes, pickup times, dropoff times, etc. and have already begun asking us for this information. Please note that if we do not receive this information and you require bussing, it is not guaranteed that you will be able to utilize bussing from the start of the school year.

When you fill out the form, please email Ms. Rey directly at jrey@dayspringchristian.com if you have special circumstances that don’t work with our form.

Here is a link to the form: https://www.dayspringchristian.com/admissions/transportation-to-dayspring/

*Also, please note that some of the districts require you to complete their paperwork. If your district does require forms and/or registration, please be sure to submit those directly to your district and not to Dayspring. Any questions related to your home transportation should be directed to the district directly. You will want to pay close attention to their deadline dates, as turning forms in past that date may delay your child being assigned to a bus. Links to each district can be found on the transportation page listed above.

Teacher and Staff Appreciation Luncheon

Please join the Dayspring Parents in blessing the teachers and staff at our school. This lunch will be held on Thursday, May 7, from 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. This year’s meal consists of salad, fruit, pastas, and dessert.

This sign-up is for the supplies, help and food for the event. Your help is needed to make this a success. The staff and teachers really appreciate and look forward to this lunch every year. Please place all supplies, labeled (appreciation lunch), on the island in the kitchen and/or special events refrigerator by 9 a.m. that morning.

Volunteers are needed for set-up, clean-up and coverage in the classrooms/auditorium over the lunch hour. This enables our teachers to sit and enjoy the meal. Upper school students are in the auditorium from 10:56 to 11:28 and lower school has lunch from 12:00 to 12:30 p.m. Please review and help where you can.

Contact Erika Straubel at 717-799-6216 or estraubel@dayspringchristian.com or Debra Kauffman at 717-406-6802 with any questions. Thank you!

Lost and Found

The lost and found is overflowing with items. Please encourage your student(s) to stop by and take a look. Any items not claimed by next Thursday, April 30, will either be donated or thrown away.

Athletics News

The Dayspring Track & Field teams performed well at Friday’s meets.
– Noah Huxta placed 2nd and set a school record in the 1600m.
– Ryan Moore placed 3rd in the 800m.
– The Boys 4×400 relay team of Judah Appleby, Noah Huxta, Malachi Warfel, and Ryan Moore set a school record.
– Jed Cooper placed 3rd and set a personal record in the Javelin.
– Dylan Rabold placed 8th in the High Jump.

Spring Sub Sale orders are due this Wednesday (4/22). Sandwiches will be delivered on 4/30. Please indicate whether sandwiches will be picked up at 8:00am or at 3:00pm. Lunch orders must be placed online by the end of the day today (Monday, 4/20). Extra sandwiches will not be available for purchase at lunch on 4/30, so please order ahead!

Upcoming Track & Field schedule:
4/22 – MS/Varsity – 8:30 @ Messiah University
4/24 – Varsity – 3:00 @ Millersville University

School Lunches

April Lunches:

Please note that if students have field studies over lunch periods, they must pack a lunch if a buying option is not available at their destination.

Monday – Pizza: 4/27
Tuesday – Walking Tacos: 4/21, 4/28
Wednesday – Chicken Nuggets: 4/22 (this is the LAST day for chicken nugget lunch for the school year); no hot lunch will be offered on Wednesdays for the remainder of the school year
Thursday – Meatball Sub: 4/23 (please note that meatball subs will NOT be offered on 4/30 due to the sub sale lunch)
Friday – Hot dog: 4/24

2026-27 Preliminary Calendar

Here is the 2026-27 Preliminary Calendar. Please note that dates are subject to change. There are currently changes to the following 2027 events (families of rising seniors received an email from Mr. Stone about end-of-year graduation activities): several overnight field studies, achievement tests, Shakespeare week, graduation rehearsal, evening awards, senior dinner, commencement, last day of school.

Guidance Office

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

Messiah College Camps – Want to learn more about Psychology? Filmmaking? Writing or Cyber Security? Messiah University is offering both day and overnight camps this summer. See Mrs. Gainer for more information.

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:
– Inclement Weather Procedures
-DCA Home Technology Guide
-2025-26 School Calendar (Date changes made for senior thesis defense, finals; dates added for 10th grade field study to D.C.)
-DCA Referral Program
-DCA Amazon Wish List
-DCA Family Business Directory

Inclement Weather Procedures: When a weather situation occurs, the school administration will make a dismissal decision as quickly and efficiently as possible based on weather conditions/forecasts and the public school transportation situation. When a decision has been made it will be placed on the Dayspring website on the home page as well as on the local television and Christian radio stations (WGAL, WDAC, and WJTL). You will also receive a message through our parent alert system (see instructions above).

Lunches on a Two-Hour Delay: When we have a two-hour delay, no hot lunches are served. Students must bring a packed lunch.

Information for public school bus riders: If your child rides a bus from another district and that district has a delay that is different than that of Dayspring, simply follow the delay of your transportation provider. If your child rides a bus from a district that closes school when Dayspring remains open, or has a delay when Dayspring opens at the normal time, you should try to have your children here if it is safe to do so. If you do not have transportation, the absence will be excused, however, we do ask that you call or email the office to inform them of that decision so that the attendance can be marked appropriately.

In the case of an unexpected early dismissal (such as weather), all students who normally ride a bus home will be put on the bus unless we hear from the parent with a change in transportation. If after school activities (such as sports, musical practice, etc.) are cancelled, those bus students will also be put on the bus. This will apply even if your district is dismissing early and Dayspring remains in session. Please make sure that you have signed up to receive notifications from your home district so that you are notified should they be having an early dismissal.

After School Programs During Weather Conditions: After School Program: Please note that if Dayspring has an early dismissal, the After School program will be canceled. Also, should it be snowing at a normal dismissal time, it may also require us to cancel the After School program, depending on conditions. If we find that necessary, we would send an alert out several hours in advance.

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: 2025-2026 Parent Version.docx

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 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/

Parent Tech Resource

ScreenStrong empowers families to prevent and reverse childhood screen addiction with parent-proven solutions grounded in child development science and medical research. If you are looking for resources to navigate through our digitally saturated environment, visit the ScreenStrong website at https://screenstrong.org/.

CPYU Parent Page

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 April parent resource, click here.

Summer Trip Opportunity

Dayspring Christian Academy teacher Angela Adams is offering a trip to the Museum of the Bible in Washington, D.C., on Friday, July 31.

An Executive Coach bus will depart from the Mountville Brethren in Christ Church parking lot at 7:30 a.m. and will return by 9 p.m. Guests are asked to park in the Dayspring Christian Academy upper lot. Meals will be on your own. A list of nearby restaurants will be available. There is also a cafe and a restaurant located in the museum.

Price: Adult- $80.00; Youth – $77.00

Guests will receive a Museum Highlights Tour, a one-hour guided tour of permanent galleries, as well as entrance into the Dead Sea Scrolls exhibit.

There are extra activities for an additional fee: ($9.99-$14.99)
Washington Revelations: Simulated flight through D.C.’s biblical landmarks
All Creation Sings: 25-minute immersive worship experience

Seats may be reserved on Dayspring’s website at https://www.dayspringchristian.com/product/museum-of-the-bible-bus-trip/

250 Years of America: Honoring God, Shaping the Future Essay Contest

As America approaches its 250th anniversary, The Herzog Foundation, in partnership with the Dr. James Dobson Family Institute—whose mission is to strengthen families and advance biblical truth—is inviting students across the nation to reflect on a powerful question:

How has faith shaped the founding of our nation—and how is God calling you to help shape what comes next?

This special essay contest is an opportunity for students to express their convictions with clarity and courage while competing for cash prizes of up to $2,500.

Middle School and High School students are encouraged to reflect on how faith has influenced the origin and development of our nation, and how they believe God is calling them to live with purpose, responsibility, and hope in the years ahead.

Through this initiative, the Dr. James Dobson Family Institute aims to engage and equip young people to understand and appreciate the role of biblical truth, prayer, and faith in America’s founding—and to carry those principles forward into the future.

Essay submission deadline is April 30, 2026. Winners will be announced by the end of May. Click here for more information.

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.

Piano Express Camp
Sopranojam Music Studio will offer Piano Express Camp June 29- July 3, 2026. Students will learn 20 songs or more in 1 week and finish a beginner level in only 5 days, making serious progress in a short amount of time! Piano Express Camp is the perfect “test drive” for new students and a great summer intensive for students who already play! Learn more at sopranojamstudio.com.

Community/Church Events

New Danville Bible Methodist Church Vacation Bible School: There will be a VBS held at New Danville Bible Methodist Church, 2 Kay Drive, Lancaster, PA, from Monday, June 15, through Friday, June 19, from 6-8pm each evening. The theme will be, David: A Man After God’s Own Heart”. For information you can contact Emily Hilton at ehilton61@gmail.com or 717-847-3223.

The Jazz Ministers Big Band and Combo will be performing at the Mountville Church of the Brethren on Sunday, April 26, at 2:30pm. Founded in 2000, the Jazz Ministers Big Band is comprised of 20 musicians who share their talents in presenting a varied repertoire of selections largely based on hymns and Gospel favorites. The members are active performers in a variety of bands in the Lancaster area.

April Bible Memory

Finally, Be Strong in the Lord, Ephesians 6:10-13
Grades K-3 verses 10-11
Grades 4-5 verses 10-11, 13
Grades 6-12 verses 10-13

10 Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. 11 Put on the full armor of God so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. 12 For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. 13 Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand.

Bold. Distinctive. Biblical.