The EAGLE CRY from DECATUR HERITAGE CHRISTIAN ACADEMY 2013 – 2014 PREPARING STUDENTS FOR LIVES OF IMPACT Our Leadership Mr. Scott Mayo Headmaster Mr. Jeremy Jones K-12 Chief Learning Leader Mr. Michael Holiday Assistant Principal Mr. Steve Atchley Athletic Director Mrs. Scarlet Bolan Food Service Director Mrs. Melissa Ross Guidance Counselor Mrs. Heather Sasser Chief Financial Officer Board of Trustees Mr. Stratton Orr, Chairman Mrs. Blythe Bowman Mrs. Lyn Cook Mrs. Laura Hellard Mrs. Tricia Heyward Mr. Dan Hicks Mr. Neal Holland Dr. Vernon Hurst Mr. Jeff Parker Mr. Blake Temple Mr. Skip Thompson Faculty and Staff Mrs. Patty Annerton Life Skills & Spanish Mrs. Paula Armstrong Math, PE & Bible Mrs. Noelle Barron Kindergarten Mrs. Debbie Bishop Second Grade Mrs. Glenda Briley Music Mrs. Libby Brown Projects Coordinator Mrs. Melissa Burney Science Mrs. Connie Cambron Math & Technology Mrs. Leigh Ann Chiles Instructional Enhancement Facilitator Mrs. Kelly Cimino English, Logic & Forensics Mrs. Kathy Coffey First Grade Ms. Paizley Coffey First Grade Mrs. Debbie Crews Third Grade Ms. Nadya Davis Science Mrs. Jennifer Densmore Fourth Grade Mrs. Amy Francis Financial Secretary Ms. Beverly Gorden Fifth & Sixth Grade Mrs. Teresa Hall Instructional Aide Mrs. Katherine Helms Government & English Mrs. Mary Kay Hodges Media Center Mrs. Amy Holdbrooks Instructional Aide Mrs. Yvonne Holiday Physical Education Mrs. Sandra Howard Science Mrs. Carole Janorschke Upper School Secretary Mrs. Donna Jarnagin Math Mrs. Rosellen Jones Lower School Secretary Mrs. Karen Keith Science Mrs. Tammy Legg Food Service Staff Mrs. Becky Linderman Third Grade Mrs. Amy Little Health Room Mrs. Kristi Long Fourth Grade Mr. Jason Marshall Physical Education Mr. Steve Meek Physical Education & History Mrs. Connie Murray Instructional Enhancement Facilitator Mrs. Donna Oliver Math Mrs. Kim Parker Instructional Aide Mr. Ty Patterson Assistant Athletic Director & Bible Mrs. Leah Reid Fifth & Sixth Grade Mrs. Lory Schieler Math Mrs. Cathy Schmid Fifth & Sixth Grade Mr. Jonathan Schuster English Mrs. Melissa Simpson Food Service Staff Mrs. Brenda Smith Second Grade Mrs. Sandy Stephenson Fifth & Sixth Grade Mrs. Jodi Suggs Kindergarten Mrs. Angie Teichmiller AP Art & History Mrs. Holly Thompson Athletic Secretary Mrs. Amy Tubbs Art Mr. Jeff Vaughn Band Mrs. Liz Vick Health Room Mrs. Irina Washburn Russian Mrs. Barbara Wright Technology MARCH-APRIL 2014 VOLUME 14, ISSUE 5 When attempting to prepare our students for lives of impact, it would behoove us to examine what sorts of lives those will be – how they will spend their time, how they will earn a living, and where they will live. The odds of our knowing that are slim in that the students themselves rarely have a firm grasp of that future. However, what we do know (based on years of data) is what the next step is for the majority of our Scott Mayo, Headmaster students. That next step is what leads us to describe our high school experience as “college preparatory.” Each graduating class is unique, with different dreams and goals. The path to reaching those goals leads our graduates to continue their formal education after leaving our halls. Over the past ten years, our graduates have been accepted to over fifty institutions of higher education. Approximately eighty percent of our graduates go on to attend a four- year public university, while the remaining twenty percent continue their educations at private and Christian colleges or two-year community colleges. That being the case, what do we do to prepare them for that next step, both academically and spiritually? Our course of study at the high school level is geared directly to preparing our students for admission to college. In fact, we have set our requirements in such a way that it is impossible to graduate without having a transcript that will meet the entrance requirements of our state universities. Some examples of those courses are our two years of foreign language, our math sequence, and our science sequence (with labs) – all of which are required for graduation. Content is only half of the preparation equation. The College Board (producers of the ACT) submits that the single greatest indicator of future college success is the rigor of the high school curriculum. That is why, when given the opportunity to expand our course offerings, we added Advanced Placement classes. These classes are taught at a college (Continued on Page 3)
Transcript
The EAGLE CRY from
DECATUR HERITAGE
CHRISTIAN ACADEMY 2013–2014
PREPARING STUDENTS FOR LIVES OF IMPACTOur LeadershipMr. Scott Mayo HeadmasterMr. Jeremy Jones K-12 Chief Learning LeaderMr. Michael Holiday Assistant PrincipalMr. Steve Atchley Athletic DirectorMrs. Scarlet Bolan Food Service DirectorMrs. Melissa Ross Guidance CounselorMrs. Heather Sasser Chief Financial Officer
Board of TrusteesMr. Stratton Orr, Chairman
Mrs. Blythe Bowman Mrs. Lyn Cook Mrs. Laura Hellard Mrs. Tricia HeywardMr. Dan Hicks Mr. Neal Holland Dr. Vernon Hurst Mr. Jeff Parker Mr. Blake Temple Mr. Skip Thompson
Faculty and StaffMrs. Patty Annerton Life Skills & SpanishMrs. Paula Armstrong Math, PE & BibleMrs. Noelle Barron KindergartenMrs. Debbie Bishop Second GradeMrs. Glenda Briley MusicMrs. Libby Brown Projects CoordinatorMrs. Melissa Burney ScienceMrs. Connie Cambron Math & TechnologyMrs. Leigh Ann Chiles Instructional Enhancement FacilitatorMrs. Kelly Cimino English, Logic & ForensicsMrs. Kathy Coffey First GradeMs. Paizley Coffey First GradeMrs. Debbie Crews Third GradeMs. Nadya Davis ScienceMrs. Jennifer Densmore Fourth GradeMrs. Amy Francis Financial SecretaryMs. Beverly Gorden Fifth & Sixth GradeMrs. Teresa Hall Instructional AideMrs. Katherine Helms Government & EnglishMrs. Mary Kay Hodges Media CenterMrs. Amy Holdbrooks Instructional AideMrs. Yvonne Holiday Physical EducationMrs. Sandra Howard ScienceMrs. Carole Janorschke Upper School SecretaryMrs. Donna Jarnagin MathMrs. Rosellen Jones Lower School SecretaryMrs. Karen Keith ScienceMrs. Tammy Legg Food Service StaffMrs. Becky Linderman Third GradeMrs. Amy Little Health RoomMrs. Kristi Long Fourth GradeMr. Jason Marshall Physical EducationMr. Steve Meek Physical Education & HistoryMrs. Connie Murray Instructional Enhancement FacilitatorMrs. Donna Oliver MathMrs. Kim Parker Instructional AideMr. Ty Patterson Assistant Athletic Director & BibleMrs. Leah Reid Fifth & Sixth GradeMrs. Lory Schieler Math Mrs. Cathy Schmid Fifth & Sixth GradeMr. Jonathan Schuster EnglishMrs. Melissa Simpson Food Service StaffMrs. Brenda Smith Second GradeMrs. Sandy Stephenson Fifth & Sixth GradeMrs. Jodi Suggs KindergartenMrs. Angie Teichmiller AP Art & HistoryMrs. Holly Thompson Athletic SecretaryMrs. Amy Tubbs ArtMr. Jeff Vaughn BandMrs. Liz Vick Health RoomMrs. Irina Washburn RussianMrs. Barbara Wright Technology
MARCH-APRIL 2014
VOLUME 14, ISSUE 5
When attempting to prepare our students for lives of impact, it would behoove us to examine what sorts of lives those will be – how they will spend their time, how they will earn a living, and where they will live. The odds of our knowing that are slim in that the students themselves rarely have a firm grasp of that future. However, what we do know (based on years of data) is what the next step is for the majority of our Scott Mayo, Headmaster
students. That next step is what leads us to describe our high school experience as “college preparatory.”
Each graduating class is unique, with different dreams and goals. The path to reaching those goals leads our graduates to continue their formal education after leaving our halls. Over the past ten years, our graduates have been accepted to over fifty institutions of higher education. Approximately eighty percent of our graduates go on to attend a four-year public university, while the remaining twenty percent continue their educations at private and Christian colleges or two-year community colleges. That being the case, what do we do to prepare them for that next step, both academically and spiritually?
Our course of study at the high school level is geared directly to preparing our students for admission to college. In fact, we have set our requirements in such a way that it is impossible to graduate without having a transcript that will meet the entrance requirements of our state universities. Some examples of those courses are our two years of foreign language, our math sequence, and our science sequence (with labs) – all of which are required for graduation.
Content is only half of the preparation equation. The College Board (producers of the ACT) submits that the single greatest indicator of future college success is the rigor of the high school curriculum. That is why, when given the opportunity to expand our course offerings, we added Advanced Placement classes. These classes are taught at a college
(Continued on Page 3)
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PREPARING STUDENTS FOR LIVES OF IMPACT
“Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says.”James 1:22
NEWS FROM THE FINANCE OFFICERegistrationTo qualify for the early registration fee of $125, completed applications must be received by 3:15pm on March 17. All applications received after this date will require the full $150 registration fee.
FACTSIf you are currently using the FACTS service for tuition payment and desire to continue to do so, no action is required on your part unless your banking information or your draft date will change. Otherwise, you will )���!-�����&%0)$�+!&%��)&$�+ ��0%�%���&�0�����+�!#!%��+ ��%�.��)��+��$&,%+��%���)��+���+����#��*�����)�$!%����+ �+�+ ������%%,�#������&)�,*!%��+ !*�*�)-!���.!##�����)��+����)&$�/&,)����&,%+�&%�&)��)&,%��+ ����+��&��/&,)�0)*+�payment.
August 11 First Day of SchoolSeptember 1 Holiday – Labor DayOctober 13 Holiday – Fall BreakNovember 11 Holiday – Veterans’ DayNovember 24-28 Holiday – ThanksgivingDecember 16-19 Upper School ExamsDecember 19 Classes Dismiss for Holidays
Second SemesterJanuary 5 Classes ResumeJanuary 19*** Holiday – MLK DayFebruary 16*** Holiday – Presidents’ DayMarch 23-27 Holiday – Spring BreakApril 3 Holiday – Good FridayMay 19-22 Upper School ExamsMay 22 Classes Dismiss for SummerMay 22 Senior graduation**Inclement weather make-up days
ANNUAL FUNDWhat a Blessing!
A huge “thank you” to all our donors!
Your giving to our Annual Fund campaign has allowed us to send $134,935 directly to our classrooms this year!
Gifts to the Annual Fund make an immediate, positive impact on our operating budget (and give our donors a nice tax deduction).
Your support is truly appreciated!
The Parental Accountability� sessions were well attended in February� � It is obvious from the discussions that parents are sometimes more invested in their children�s activities� homework� and chores than their children� Consequently� power struggles develop� resulting in less than desirable outcomes�� We discussed learning how to structure our homes around these crazy busy� days while �nding successful ways to weave character�building traits such as respect� responsibility� and resourcefulness into our families�� Parents have such good intentions with their over�involvement� but so o�en� our children are le� being less accountable and thinking they can get something for nothing� Give me a call at ���������� if you would like to talk more about this topic or other parenting challenges you might be experiencing� � � � � �arol Ozier
3Decatur Heritage Christian Academy is a 501-C-3 non-profit organization. All donations are tax deductible to the extent allowed by law. Memorials, honorariums, and gifts may be mailed to DHCA, P. O. Box 5659, Decatur, AL 35601-0659.
TWELFTH GRADETaylor BolanMackenzie BordenJamie CambronJohn William ClarkGrant HarperMatilda HillTrevor KurzhalAustin MarkhamDrew MashburnTaylor NicholsLuke SheltonDaniel South
Blessed are those who find wisdom, and those who gain understanding...
Proverbs 3:13
(Continued from front cover)
level with an objective assessment test given at the conclusion to judge readiness (and garner college credit in some cases). In the few short years that we have offered these classes, we have been pleased both in the results for those students in the classes and the way these classes have raised the bar of expectation for our school as a whole.
If we were just a K-12 educational institution, I could stop my explanation now. Academic content and rigor would be the singular driving force for all our decisions. Those successes would be easy enough to quantify as we examine the results of the Terra Nova, Explore, PLAN, PSAT, and ACT tests while the students are still in our charge and then their college acceptances and subsequent college successes thereafter. Those things we do so that we can continue to improve our students’ academic preparation. However (to paraphrase), what does it profit our students to gain college diplomas and yet lose their souls? In our next and final newsletter for the year, I will conclude with a description of our goal for the spiritual preparation of our graduates.
Spencer, and Lily HollandNot pictured Bella Gillette
“OUR MISSION is to assist families by providing their children with an education
HERITAGE HEADLINES
5tha t i s exce l l en t and wh ich in s t i l l s B ib l i ca l p r inc ip l e s to gu ide the i r l i ve s .”
Welcome New FamiliesAubrey Little, 8th grade
daughter of Antonio and Terri Little
Preston Terry, 7th gradeson of Heath and Kristy Terry�
Addison Faulk, K5daughter of Mary Curtis
Aliyah Prater, 11th gradedaughter of Stephen and Sara Pate
Julia Schoel, 8th gradedaughter of Scott and Susie Schoel
Justin McCleskey, 7th gradeson of Je� and Julie McCleskey
Reaching school campusesfor Christ by:
Uniting the body of Christ in prayer, relationships, resources, and strategy;
Serving student leaders and adults; andEmpowering students to carry out the
Great Commission.
First Priority is a student-led organization that meetsweekly on campus before school. Students hold oneanother accountable, challenge one another to live outtheir faith, and bring their friends to hear the gospel.
First Priority is for everyone! Join us Thursdays at 7am in the Media Center!
Why We Chose Decatur Heritage...At the age of two, I made thedecision to enroll Daniel in theDecatur Heritage childcareprogram that was available atthat time. I have to be honest.It was a quick decision. Becausethe childcare was located so closeto our home, I knew it would bevery convenient for me as I headed off to work each morning. If you don’t think that God is in the little details of your life, then just bear with me as I forgo the traditional story of “Why We Chose Decatur Heritage” and focus instead on “Why We Stayed at Decatur Heritage.”
Daniel presented several challenges to his teachers, especially in the early years, but God provided teachers that could look beyond a rambunctious child and see in Daniel what I saw in him. Daniel was very happy at Decatur Heritage, and he was learning everything that school-aged children need to learn, but he was learning so much more. My husband and I were very pleased with the way that traditional academics were brought together with God’s plan for our lives for a complete education and discipleship. We decided to leave Daniel at Decatur Heritage and have never regretted the decision.
� Every year Daniel grew, it seemed as though the school was growing with him. New programs and activities were added as well as the move to new facilities. We liked the way that the school encouraged students to get involved and explore new interests in order to take ownership of their school and education. Decatur Heritage has been a big part of Daniel’s life, and I feel he has been a big part of Decatur Heritage.
� When my husband was diagnosed with a terminal illness, the compassion shown to us was invaluable. There were a lot of uncertainties in our lives, but one constant that remained unchanged was that Daniel was in a place where he would continue to receive the love and support that he would need more than ever. I could never list in a short article all the acts of kindness and generosity that have come our way. Never underestimate the impact you have on someone’s life by transporting a child to practice, providing a meal, or freely giving an empathic hug. You may have met someone’s greatest need for the day.
As I conclude this article, Daniel is winding up his senior year. Hindsight is a wonderful thing if you can use it to learn a lesson. I smile when I remember the day that I enrolled Daniel in the DHCA childcare program because I thought it would be so convenient for me. I realize now that God was already unfolding His plan to put Daniel where he needed to be and when he would need to be there. How wonderful it is to know that God truly works to the good of those who believe. Debbie South
REGISTRATION DATES:Now open to current DHCA students(information included in re-enrollment package)
March 10 - returning campersMarch 24 - open to the public
REGISTER NOW!!!
6 Visit our website at www.dhca.org.
DHCA Athletic Brains2nd place Project & Research PresentationFirst Lego League Challenge State Competition
Front left to right:: William Barnett, Houston South, David Roden, and Connie Murray (team sponsor). Back: Connor Francis, Connor Steele, and Kyle Anderson, advisor, MICOR Industries. Not pictured Mark Steele, assistant.
Peyton Barthel2014 Good Citizen
Anna Blankenship, 2nd AlternateJuliana Hudry, Champion
Lucy Orr, 1st AlternateDHCA Spelling Bee
Leadership CampSchyler Burney
and Megan Flannigan
Andrew McElroyDecatur Chamber of Commerce
EquipStudent Leadership Program
Congratulations to seniors Taylor Nichols (left) and Austin Littlejohn (right) who received the 2014 MICOR Student Workforce Development Award. This award was developed to encourage students to choose careers within the manufacturing industry.
Austin and Taylor spent a workday alongside MICOR Vice-Present Mr. Dave Ponegalek (center) at the Decatur plant to gain insight of MICOR’s manufacture of machine parts for the oil and gas industries. Additionally, they accompanied Mr. Ponegalek on a trip to Houston, Texas to visit MICOR customers.
A special thank you to MICOR Industries, DHCA Partner in Education, for the opportunities you provide for the students of Decatur Heritage Christian Academy.
Partnering with
Heritage Forensic TeamThe word forensic means “pertaining to, connected with, or used in courts of law or public discussion and debate
2013 Gulf South Athletic ConferenceAcademic Honor Roll.
Sarah is a sophomoreat Shorter University.
Congratulations, Sarah!
Decatur Heritage welcomed award-winning children’s book author, illustrator, TV cartoonist, and musician Mike Artell to its campus. He has written more than 35 children’s books and illustrated most of them. During his visit, he entertained, enlightened, encouraged, and educated students to use their creative skills to write and draw.
Mrs. Crews’ third grade class pictured with Mr. Artell.
Students and Mr. Artell enjoyed a light breakfast
before school.
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HERITAGE HIGHLIGHTS
Decatur Heritage Christian Academy is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools and is a member in good standing with the Association of Christian Schools International.
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SPORTS SCENE
Decatur Heritage Christian Academy is a member of the Alabama High School Athletic Association.
SPRING SPORTSARE IN FULL SWING!
Varsity BaseballMarch 1 at home vs West Morgan
JV BaseballMarch 1 at home vs Athens Bible
SoftballMarch 1 at Decatur High School Tournament
GolfMarch 3 vs West Morgan at Burningtree
Girls’ TennisMarch 4 at Hillcrest Tournament
Boys’ TennisMarch 3 vs Sparkman at TC Almon
Track & FieldMarch 8
SoccerMarch 1 vs Cullman at Wilson Morgan
ShootingMarch 8
Full schedules available at www.dhca.org/athletics
DHCA Wrestling Team completed its second season with much success! Composed of fourteen wrestlers ranging in ages from six to twelve, the team traveled to Birmingham to compete with approximately 300 others from the southeast.� Grouped according to age and weight, each student would wrestle two to four matches for three minutes.�
Because this sport is new to our school and city, most of our wrestlers had never witnessed a match before and had no experience in the sport. Our athletes worked extremely hard and turned into competitive wrestlers.�
Three returning wrestlers received awards at the state tournament. The team claimed second place in the state eight and under division.� Andrew Bruyns earned the state championship in the 55-pound division while Olsen Howard claimed third place in the 50-pound division.� Oliver Howard was awarded state champion and most outstanding wrestler in the 65-pound division.�
Blakley Stephenson signs a softball scholarshipwith Calhoun Community College.
Katelyn Garrie
Je� Hunter Walker Jones
Nathan Ladner Trace Lentz
All-CountyMiddle School
BasketballAwards
Congratulations, Blakley!
Blakley is seated third from the left and surroundedby family and
coaches.
9
NEWS FROM “THE EAGLE’S NEST”
SENIORCHEERLEADER
Mackenzie Borden
The Decatur Daily All-Area Football Team
Left to right: Sawyer Holland, offense; Patrick Metzgar, defense; andhonorable mention: Grayson Gladish, Zach Armstrong, and Dakota Hunter.
Our Purpose:� The Booster Club exists to support the DHCA Athletic Department’s goal to build
a state-championship caliber program across a variety of sports� We accomplish this effort by
� Promoting parental, student, and alumni involvement� Recognizing the efforts of our student athletes� Engaging in responsible fundraising activities to provide items that
go beyond the normal scope of the Athletic Department’s budget
Membership / Board Representation:� 58 families are members of the DHCA Athletic Booster Club, representing 52% of
Upper School families� 27 individuals serve on the Booster Club board of directors either as either an
officer or a sport representative� Our goal is to have every family whose child is involved in DHCA athletics to be a
member of the Booster Club
Fundraising:� Total fundraising thus far for the 2013-14 operational year is approximately
$42,000, most notably from the following sources:
� Membership/Passes $13,641� Golf Tournament $ 9,309� Program $ 7,850� Signage (Gym / Fields) $ 7,670� Dove Hunt at Shaw Farms $ 2,765
Expenditures:� Total expenditures approved by the Booster Club board during this operational
year total $7,961 thus far:
� Softball - Practice Equipment� Baseball - Replacement of Outfield Screen� Fishing Team – Assistance with Association Dues and Tournament
Fees� Cheerleading – Pep Rally Supplies and Vinyl Signs� All Sports – Weight Room Equipment� All Sports – Coaches’ Shirts
� Currently working with the Athletic Department to identify needs that will allow us to be the best stewards of the funds our DHCA family and the community have helped us raise.
2014 STATEOF THE
BOOSTER CLUB
Lady Eagles Soccer kicks off its
inaugural season!
Thank you for your support of theDHCA Athletic Department and Booster Club!
Standing left to right: Schyler Burney, Destinee Blaxton, Alainnah Cheshier, Emily Bender, Hope Gladish, Ryann Spencer, Ann Whitney Chappell, Reagan Gowen, and Anna Akins.Not pictured: Kayla Eaton, Lydia Ruth Strickland, Llewellyn South, Julie Reid, Savanna Naylor, Jala Karrh, Mariah Vincent, Bella GilletteKneeling: Beverly Gorden, Assistant Coach, and Jennifer Smith, Coach
10
Sandy Stephenson’s
Birthday
Donna Oliver’s Birthday
Spring Holidays
Open Enrollment
Begins
Paizley Coffey’s Birthday
Baseball, softball, tennis, golf, girls’ soccer, and track and field continues.....schedules available at
Decatur Heritage Christian Academy is a 501-C-3 non-profit organization. All donations are tax deductible to the extent allowed by law. Memorials, honorariums, and gifts may be mailed to DHCA, P. O. Box 5659, Decatur, AL 35601-0659.
Continues through March 17Application Fee $125 through March 17, 3:15pm
Application Fee $150 if received after printed deadline
Begins March 18Contact Mrs. Connie Murray at [email protected] for details
If you or anyone you know is considering Decatur Heritage as an education option for a student, tours are available daily from
9am til 2pm. It is a great opportunity to witness a school day in actionand meet with an administrator.
