The Friday Finish - Faith-filled Start, 47 New Students - Welcome Back! - Dedication in 12 Days - HB Sourdough at Farmer's Market
- Tim Crawford
- Aug 14
- 4 min read
August 14, 2026
Faith-filled Start with 47 New Students
There were new faces in the halls and classrooms of the Lawson Building (K-12 building) and the Schaeffer Building (Pre-K classroom space) on Wednesday as the 2026-27 school year opened for Red Bird Christian School (RBCS). By the second day of class Principal Jennifer Wilder reported to the Red Bird Mission Board of Directors that 47 new students were now at RBCS. Most are coming as a result of the action taken by the board to make RBCS tuition free.
Chapel services are held normally on Wednesday at RBCS so it was natural that elementary, middle and high school students kicked off the school year singing praise and worship songs on Wednesday morning. Principal Wilder laid the foundation of this year’s theme at RBCS, “Faithful”, by talking to the students about how God is faithful and what that means for each person.
Tying knots in a rope to illustrate characteristics of God’s faithfulness, she said,
“So when you see this rope, remember, God keeps his promises. God is always with us, and God never changes. And that's why we can trust Him.”
Welcome Back!
Red Bird Christian School & Early Childhood Program Launch the New Year
This week, on Monday, August 10, Red Bird Christian School K-12 and Red Bird Christian School’s Early Childhood Development Preschool Program kicked off the year with their “Back to School” events and officially opened their doors and filled their classrooms for the first day of school on Wednesday, August 12. Parents, we made it through the long, hot, mostly rainy summer and we made it through the dreaded back to school shopping. Now, let’s be honest, we’re more than ready for these young’uns to go back to school and get back into a routine.
At Red Bird Christian School, families started the evening of the “Back to School” event in the chapel. Principal Wilder welcomed everyone and shared with new and returning parents the history, values, and expectations that shape Red Bird Christian School. Afterward, students and parents filled the hallways, meeting teachers, checking out assigned lockers, and finding classrooms. Kids were laughing and hugging, glad to see their classmates after the summer break.
With the new “no tuition” policy beginning this year, we saw a lot of new faces as more families consider Red Bird Christian School and enroll their children. This policy is a blessing for our families and opens a new door to a future full of possibilities for our students right here in these hills. Let’s keep praying for a wonderful school year, full of caring teachers and students who are eager to learn. This first week of school will be all about getting back in the swing of a routine, getting to know their teachers, and seeing what this year’s going to hold.
Over at the preschool, longtime teachers “Miss Amy” and “Miss Kendra” were happy to welcome sixteen preschool students back into their classroom. New teacher “Miss Hannah Young” is ready to begin her journey in the program and meet her little crew. Children’s laughter and the sounds of toys clanking together filled the room as students were welcomed with balloons and cupcakes. This first week, the preschoolers will be getting used to classroom routines like circle time, sharing, washing hands, and all the little habits that help them grow strong and kind.
As we all begin the new school year, parents, remember, don’t let that child nap after school, even if they stayed up all night the night before. Start working on those morning and afternoon routines of family time, chores, homework, bath time, and bedtime. Below, I have resources for parents who are interested, because we all could use a little help and advice. This isn’t just a change for them, it is for us too. Let’s make it our mission to work hard, play hard, and remember that every evening at the kitchen table and every sleepy morning in the drop-off line is building a year they’ll never forget.
- Kayla Smith, Development Gifts and Media
For Parents & School Transitions
Helpful Guides & Web Resources
PBS KIDS Back to School Hub: Articles, goal-setting ideas, and routine charts to help younger children transition back to school and handle after-school meltdowns.
Sleep Foundation: Back to School Sleep Tips: Detailed guidelines on recommended sleep hours by age, creating bedtime routines, and managing screen time/blue light.
Marker Dedication in 12 Days!
Friends of Red Bird,
It is with great pride and a grateful heart that I invite each of you to join us for a truly historic occasion as we dedicate the Kentucky Historical Society Historical Marker honoring Red Bird Mission.
This is more than the unveiling of a marker. It is a celebration of 105 years of faith, education, service, and the countless lives that have been forever changed by Red Bird Mission.
Whether you are a graduate, current or former employee, parent, student, member of the Red Bird community, friend, or simply someone whose life has been touched by this special place, this day belongs to you.
Together, we’ll honor those who came before us, celebrate the legacy they built, and recognize the enduring impact Red Bird Mission continues to have on our mountains and beyond.
I hope you’ll make plans to stand with us as history is made.
Historical Marker Dedication Ceremony
Wednesday, August 26
1:30 p.m.
Red Bird Mission Beverly Campus
GPS Address: 164 Cow Fork Road, Beverly, KY 40913
Please help us spread the word by sharing this invitation with your family, classmates, former coworkers, and fellow alumni. Let’s fill the Beverly Campus with generations of Red Bird family as we celebrate this monumental milestone together.
Patty Vance, President
Red Bird School Alumni Association
HB Sourdough Now at Red Bird Farmers Market
The summer veggies are winding down and fall plantings won’t be maturing for a couple of months, but the Red Bird Farmers Market welcomed another vendor for the first time, HB Sourdough, today. Heather Huddleston brought a wide variety and good quantity of her homemade creations to the market today and folks were buying even if they’d never eaten sourdough bread. Heather brought classic flavors like Garlic and Herb and Jalapeno Cheddar as well as the week's feature flavors, Dill Pickle and S’mores; cinnamon rolls; and sourdough muffins over the mountain from her home bake shop located in the Wooten community of Leslie County.
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