Lifewise expanding to Broadway Elementary School
The LifeWise Bible-based education program is growing in the Tipp City schools with the addition of sessions for second and third graders at Broadway Elementary School.
The program has been offered to first graders whose parents choose to have their children participate at Nevin Coppock Elementary School since fall.
The Nevin Coppock program continues to be held at the nearby Upper Room Worship Center located off North Hyatt Street while changes to a house purchased by LifeWise on Westedge Drive are finalized, said Abby Hufford, LifeWise director in Tipp City.
LifeWise leaders hope to be able to begin using the house for the program soon, she said. Use of the house as program home was delayed in the fall while Lifewise leaders sought a city special use permit. The request was challenged by some neighbors, but eventually approved.
The Broadway school program kicked off last week at the nearby Charis Ministries at 18 E. Broadway St.
The 40-minute classes are held once a week with students transported by vehicle to the program site. The schools selected the time for when the students could leave the school to participate, if desired, Hufford said.
The program focuses on Bible stories that include a lesson on character traits such as respect, forgiveness and hope, among others, Hufford said.
The Nevin Coppock program began with 29 students participating. The number has grown to 47. Initially, 47 children combined signed up from the two grades at Broadway Elementary.
“We have had growth and some good response from the community. The kids are just a joy to work with. It has been really awesome to see the children and watch them grow,” Hufford said. “We are pretty pleased with our growth. We feel there has been good response from the schools. We are grateful to them.”
LifeWise has been pleased to have the support of local churches, she said.
Hopes are that a program can be started in the fall at L.T. Ball Intermediate School, according to Hufford.
She is willing to discuss the program with anyone. She can be contacted at abigailhufford@lifewise.org. More information on LifeWise is available at Lifewise.org/tippcityoh.