DECEMBER 7, 2012 THE WOODLANDS CHRISTIAN ACADEMY 5800 ACADEMY WAY . THE WOODLANDS, TEXAS 77384 . 936-273-2555 . WWW.TWCA.NET Head of School Notes -- by Julie Ambler At The Woodlands Christian Academy, we believe that parents are the primary educators of their children. The role of the Christian school is to partner with parents and churches to provide an educational experience that, through the power of the Holy Spirit, transforms lives and develops critical thinkers, equipped to fulfill God’s calling on each of their lives. Because of this partnership, we are grateful to the 48% of our families who responded to our annual parent survey. Each member of Woodlands Christian’s leadership team and I have read and analyzed all of the responses. Your input as parents is invaluable as we continually strive to improve our school. Some of you asked excellent questions and raised specific concerns that we will address as appropriate. Please know that we run every suggestion through the filter of best educational practices and our mission to develop leaders – spiritually, academically, physically and socially. Ultimately, we want God to be glorified through all that we do here at Woodlands Christian. The most encouraging exercise was the comparison of your responses this fall to those of four years ago. In 2009, the majority of parents were very happy with their children’s experience at Woodlands Christian and pleased with the school’s overall direction. Even so, the average response to every question this year was significantly higher than four years ago. Based on your feedback, the most dramatic improvements have occurred in the quality of the faculty, the caliber of the academics, the strength and effectiveness of the athletic/PE programs, and the overall spiritual and social climate of the school. Particularly noteworthy was the huge enthusiasm this year for our band, theatre and music programs. Your family feels a strong sense of school community at Woodlands Christian and is well informed about your child’s progress, school events and fundraising. You also report that your children are developing close healthy relationships with peers and faculty. We are undoubtedly going in the right direction, and I am confident that we will continue to do so with teamwork and the wisdom of our board, our administrators, our faculty and you, our parents. Thanks for partnering with us in the education of your precious children.
At The Woodlands Christian Academy, we believe that parents are the primary educators of their children. The role of the Christian school is to partner with parents and churches to provide an educational experience that, through the power of the Holy Spirit, transforms lives and develops critical thinkers, equipped to fulfill God’s calling on each of their lives. Because of this partnership, we are grateful to the 48% of our families who responded to our annual parent survey. Each member of Woodlands Christian’s leadership team and I have read and analyzed all of the responses. Your input as parents is invaluable as we continually strive to improve our school. Some of you asked excellent questions and raised specific concerns that we will address as appropriate. Please know that we run every suggestion through the filter of best educational practices and our mission to develop leaders – spiritually, academically, physically and socially. Ultimately, we want God to be glorified through all that we do here at Woodlands Christian. The most encouraging exercise was the comparison of your responses this fall to those of four years ago. In 2009, the majority of parents were very happy with their children’s experience at Woodlands Christian and pleased with the school’s overall direction. Even so, the average response to every question this year was significantly higher than four years ago. Based on your feedback, the most dramatic improvements have occurred in the quality of the faculty, the caliber of the academics, the
strength and effectiveness of the athletic/PE programs, and the overall spiritual and social climate of the school. Particularly noteworthy was the huge enthusiasm this year for our band, theatre and music programs. Your family feels a strong sense of school community at Woodlands Christian and is well informed about your child’s progress, school events and fundraising. You also report that your children are developing close healthy relationships with peers and faculty. We are undoubtedly going in the right direction, and I am confident that we will continue to do so with teamwork and the wisdom of our board, our administrators, our faculty and you, our parents. Thanks for partnering with us in the education of your precious children.
The Worthy Servants program was created several years ago by Woodlands Christian parents to show love and appreciation to the faculty and staff who touch our children’s lives each day and as a way to offer an alternative to buying individual teacher gifts. If you would like to participate this year, you may donate online by clicking here and designate your gift - Worthy Servants. You may also bring or send your donation to Kathy Montes in the Business Office no later than Friday, December 14. All gifts collected will be equally divided among our faculty and staff. These gifts, along with a card, will be presented at the annual faculty and staff Christmas lunch on December 19. Please note: Unless otherwise requested, each donor’s name will be included on the card. As always, Christmas presents or contributions are never required. However, if you are planning to give gifts, please prayerfully consider thanking our outstanding faculty and staff in this way.
The Woodlands Christian Academy hosts a yearly speech competition for students in grades 1-5. Not only does it give children the opportunity to begin developing their speaking abilities, but it also helps them build poise and personal confidence.
Date: Tuesday, January 29, 2013Location: Woodlands Christian Library
Time: 8:30 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.
Participants in grades 1 –5 may compete in the following categories:
The performance pieces are pre-selected by ACSI (Association of Christian Schools International). Mrs. Lunsford will be happy to assist your student in selecting an appropriate selection from one of the above categories.
ACSI District Meet:
Students with the top scores in the local meet will have the opportunity to represent our school at the district level on Friday, March 1, 2013 at Alpha Omega Academy in Huntsville, TX.
Contact Information:
If you would like for your child to be a part of this rewarding opportunity, please email or call the librarian, Mrs. Gina Lunsford [email protected] or at 936-273-2555 x1002.
AP Scholars The College Board has named nine Woodlands Christian students as AP Scholars, including six AP Scholars With Honor. AP Scholars demonstrate college-level achievement through AP courses and exams by earning scores of 3 or higher on three or more AP exams. Those students are as follows: Brooks Hinnant (Class of 2012), Lauren Lunsford, and Austin Walls. Recipients named AP Scholars With Honor earned an average score of 3.25 on all AP Exams taken and scores of 3 or higher on four or more exams. Those students are: Bixler Baker, Taylor Duroy (Class of 2012), Rebecca Earle (Class of 2012), Kirsten Ham (Class of 2012), and William Wheeler (Class of 2012). In 2012, 46 TWCA students took 67 exams in six AP categories, achieving significantly higher overall scores than the Texas average. Congratulations, Warrior AP scholars!
Submitted by Jay Harmon
Physics In Motion The Woodlands Christian high school science department has been busy working on experiments in and out of the classroom and participating in exciting field trips. Mrs. Suzette Wheeler’s physics classes are actively engaged in the department’s mission of encouraging students to ...develop critical thinking, understand how science applies to their world, and prepare for advanced college studies. In class, students examined Newton’s Laws of Motion by constructing their own hovercrafts (made from balloons, CDs and sports
bottle caps) proving there really is an equal and opposite reaction to all actions! Students continued exploring Newton’s Laws of Motion by traveling off campus to measure the acceleration of local elevators using only car keys and a spring scale.(See photos below).
Submitted by Suzette Wheeler
ATHLETIC DEPARTMENT NEWS
DECEMBER 7, 2012
Warrior Basketball Update
The boys’ and girls’ varsity basketball teams were on the road this weekend for tournaments
in Victoria and Alvin respectively. The girls’ team competed in the Living Stones Tournament and finished in 4th place. In the Faith Academy Cougar Classic, the boys’ team finished in 3rd place.
Both teams began district play on Tuesday night as they hosted Rosehill Christian.
The girls’ team suffered a tough loss while the boys’ team came away with a win. The boys’ team was recently featured in a Houston Chronicle article. Read the article by clicking here. Another district opponent awaits the Warriors as they travel to Katy Faith West on Monday, December 10. The boys’ team gets the action started with a scheduled tip-off time of 6:00 p.m. followed by the girls at 7:30 p.m.
The Warrior football program is pleased to announce that the players earning All District honors for the 2012 season are as follows:
Warrior Football Announces All District Selections
Coach McDonald and I just want to say thank you to our TWCA family. The cards, gifts, dinners, and your thoughts and prayers have been a huge blessing to our family during my recovery. We have been overwhelmed by your love and generosity. Thank you from the bottom of our hearts for being the hands and feet of Jesus.
Join us for these special Christmas presentations!
Presented by - Upper School Theatre Arts Dept.Tuesday, December 116:30 p.m. MPR
Tickets $2.00Available in the Timothy Building at the reception desk.
Presented by - Lower School Music Dept.Thursday, December 13
6:30 p.m. Woodlands Church-Fellowship Campus
High School Student Building
DECEMBER 7, 2012
All School News
Want To Be An Angel This Christmas? Our high school students are joining with the StoneBridge Church Food Pantry to be a blessing to children in our community who are in need this Christmas. Special angel cards are located on the tree in the Timothy Building lobby and on the first floor of the Nehemiah Academic Center. If you would like to bless a child please choose a card and return it to either Marthel Cano, front desk administrative assistant or Ryan Highley, campus pastor. Sponsorship includes purchasing a gift from a wish list ($25) and a gift card to either Target or Wal-Mart ($25). Please return all gifts by Thursday, December 13.
Mark Your Calendar! Friday, December 14- Middle and High School Wednesday, December 19 Final Exams
Wednesday, December 19 Christmas Celebration 10:30 a.m. SLC High school students will gather together to sing carols and focus on the reason for the season - the birth of our Savior. All school dismissal 11:00 a.m. Thursday, December 20- Wednesday, January 2 Christmas Holiday-campus closed
Thursday, January 3 Classes resume Early enrollment period begins
Tuesday, January 15 Middle School Preview Night 6:30 p.m. NAC MPR For parents of students entering 6th grade
Thursday, January 17 All School Winter/Spring 6:30 p.m. SLC Sports Pep Rally & Fellowship
Monday, January 21 School holiday - Martin Luther King Day
Tuesday, January 22 High School Preview Night 6:30 p.m. NAC MPR For parents of students entering 9th grade
Wednesday, January 23 2012-2013 early enrollment period ends
Warrior Dads invites you to watch the Texans on Monday Night Football!Monday, December 10, 7:00 p.m. at Shawn Kesterson’s home.
Bring the kids to play, jump on the trampoline and swim (pool will be heated)!RSVP to Shawn Kesterson [email protected]
