If you are anything like me, you are becoming increasingly concerned about the rising cost of fuel. Predictions of a nationwide average of $4.00 per gallon may already be a reality in your community by the time this newsletter is released. Not only does it affect how often and how far we drive our vehicles, but its crude tentacles reach into practically every aspect of our everyday lives, such as the grocery store, the lawn and garden store, and the electronics store. If all of the economic prognosticators are correct, little hope for a decline in pricing is looming on the near horizon.

On May 10, 2008, MSN® Money featured an article titled "What if Gas Cost $10 a Gallon?" The subtitle read, "Forget pizza delivery. And cheap airfares. And bottled water. In fact, forget a way of life that looks much like today's." The editor's note made it clear the article was one of a series of "what if" articles. Nevertheless, its contents were definitely thought provoking.

I certainly don't want to go on record making any predictions about what will occur within the next several months. Many reputable Christians stuck their neck out prior to Y2K, only to discover on January 1, 2000, that their predictions were incorrect. However, the underlying theme of many of these individuals, including the late Larry Burkett, was not one of fear, but of prayerful preparation and of developing a contingency plan.

I'm sure you are praying gas won't reach $10 a gallon! Assuming the price does continue to rise or even eventually stabilize, doesn't developing what could become a long-term contingency plan for your school seem to be in order? How will you alter your existing schedule? What extracurricular events may be forced to be eliminated? If you do not offer a bus program, how will you continue to meet the academic needs of parents who live miles from your school? Will you raise tuition costs to cover your rising expenses? If so, how will this affect parents already struggling to meet their monthly obligation? All of these and many more questions should come to mind—not from a negative mindset, but one in which we engage our hearts with the God of creation and seek His guidance in making these plans.

Pardon me if this sounds like a commercial, but may I suggest you consider Alpha Omega Publications® as a major partner with you when developing your plans? Our Switched-On® curriculum's built-in distance learning capability provides simple solutions to many of these issues at an economical rate. Cutting back on your schedule won't mean you have to cut back on academics when utilizing Switched-On. You also won't have to turn parents away who won't be able to transport their children to your school. In addition, our online training services can be customized to meet your needs, and your staff can attend as a group at your facility or from the confines of their homes. The same online service can be provided for parent meetings as well.

We certainly don't have the answer to all of the needs that may arise, but we do believe God has given Switched-On curriculum to us "for such a time as this" (Esther 4:14). We are here to work together with you to further the cause of Christian education in the days ahead. We know the future is not a mystery with our Lord, and believe we are positioned to see what may become some of the best days for Christian education ahead of us. "Known unto God are all his works from the beginning of the world" (Acts 15:18). What a privilege it is to be a part of God's work together with all of you! God's best to you, as you prayerfully plan for your coming school year.

Roy Faletti
Vice President of Educational Services