I want to take a moment to communicate the great things that are happening at in the Elementary department at UC Academy this fall, and to update you on some recent developments.
New
Elementary Administration Team
I have enjoyed adjusting to my new role as Principal, with Marijoy Currier as my Assistant Principal. For me, it feels like coming home. I
have been blessed seeing the growth in the students I knew previously as
Principal, as well as getting to know the students who have come since I was
last in this position. There are some big changes in the Elementary department
this year, and we are all up to the task of incorporating them into our
program! Mrs. Currier and I have both spent the past several weeks preparing
for the start of the year, visiting classrooms, and loving times we get to
interact with the students and their parents. We are very excited about the
growth in the Elementary department! We have appreciated the mentoring and
guidance of David and Pat Haney, and we know this is going to be a unique and
excellent year!
Picture
Day
On
September 23, we had our fall Picture Day. It went very well, and the kids all
looked terrific! 100% of our Elementary students came to school wearing their
uniforms, and I want to thank you for your support! I also want to acknowledge
the concerns that were expressed to Administration about the change to students
wearing uniforms on Picture Day. We decided to try that this year because, as
“school pictures,” we felt the students’ time at UC Academy would be more fully
and appropriately captured in their daily attire, and they would all look sharp
in the yearbook and class pictures. Having said that, we have heard the
concerns that were expressed by a few parents, and will consider those before
making any decision for next year’s pictures. I also happily inform you that
when we have our optional Spring Pictures taken on March 10, the students may
come in “free-dress” (within the Dress Code, as outlined in the Student
Handbook) if they are having their picture taken.
New
Children’s Building Construction
This
week, we will begin to see construction for the new Children’s building, adding
7 classrooms to the campus. This is very exciting for both the church and
school! As you know, no construction project is “inconvenience-free.” We have
had to close the north parking lot by the current Children’s building and Gym
to accommodate the project. Elementary families are invited to use the southparking lot (Parking Lot F) to park and drop off their students. For pedestrian
safety, we are blocking off a walking area with orange cones. We would
recommend entering from the east (from Red Oak), then making an immediate right
turn, then driving around the south side of the lot to find a parking space
behind the blocked-off Student Crossing Zone. Remember, this is all in the name
of student safety!
Arts
Academy
We
have had an amazing rollout of the new Arts Academy! On September 16, we had
197 students go to 11 new classes for instruction in Dance, Fine
Art, Recorders, Ukulele, Tonebells, Orchestra, Band, Musical Theater, Choir,
and Orff Instruments! This new program allows our students to learn important
skills that are being lost in many public school districts due to budget
constraints. We believe that as our students grow in these areas, they will
also mature academically, as many studies indicate. These Arts Academy classes
are now offered in addition to our traditional Enrichment courses
such as P.E., Computers, and Spanish! This is an exciting and promising new
program that we know will greatly benefit our school program and our students.
Monthly
Character Traits – September and October
Last
month’s Character Trait for students was “Responsibility,” based on Romans
14:12. I led a Chapel on that topic on September 4, teaching our K-5 students
the importance of knowing and doing what is expected of them, by their parents,
their school, and by God. October’s Character Trait is “Patience,” based on I
Corinthians 13:4, and Mrs. De Los Santos’ 5th Graders led our Chapel
October 2 to teach about that important attribute.
Spirit Day
On September 26, we had our first Spirit "dress-up" day! The theme was the Old West, and we saw many darling cowboys and cowgirls dressed to represent "those thrilling days of yesteryear!" We had a fun spirit rally in the afternoon, with games and music! Yee-haw!
Spirit Day
On September 26, we had our first Spirit "dress-up" day! The theme was the Old West, and we saw many darling cowboys and cowgirls dressed to represent "those thrilling days of yesteryear!" We had a fun spirit rally in the afternoon, with games and music! Yee-haw!
Eagle
Award Recipients
Each
week before Chapel, the teachers select a couple students from their classes
whom they want to recognize for good behavior. Those names are then read in
Chapel and those students are given an “Eagle Award.” On September 25, we
randomly selected two Eagle Award recipients from each class to have lunch with
me and Mrs. Currier that day. It was a fun time, and we believe it is good for
us and the students to meet informally in this way. We will be having these
lunches every month!
After-School
Programs – New Additions!
We
are excited about some new additions to our After-School enrichment programs!
This year, we are introducing Bricks 4 Kidz and Challenge Island in addition to
our other after-school programs. Bricks 4 Kidz and Challenge Island allow
student teams to build items out of LEGOs or everyday materials, sometimes in
competitions! These new programs encourage higher-order thinking and will be
great compliments to forthcoming programs for our advanced learners, as well as
Chess For Success, 100 Mile Club, and Dramatic Performing Arts! A packet of
flyers was sent home last week. Please look them over, and be sure to check out
the web links that some have provided on their flyers for more information.
These programs begin THIS week, so sign up now!
May the Lord continue to add His blessing on our students and UC Academy!
