Children can be so sweet...until they're not. The introduction of sin into the world unleashed an ugly, selfish beast inside all of us. The best way to tame this beast is to address it early. Mrs. Brittany Feola is doing just that with her kindergartners.

 

As one walks into Mrs. Feola's classroom, on the right is a purple sheet titled "Kindness Club Challenge" with two green sheets below it displaying student names. How did those children earn the privilege of having their names showcased?

 

Mrs. Feola's students are challenged to practice kindness by  using kind words, helping someone else, listening the first time, inviting someone else to play, and much more. In order to be recognized, a student must be spied exhibiting kindness by Mrs. Feola. If their name appears on the wall, they have succeeded. Her students are definitely rising up to the challenge!

 

Besides having a wall visual, the students also have a special friend named Jack who occupies a special spot by teacher's desk. Poor Jack came to them all crumpled up because his previous friends said mean things to him. But Mrs. Feola's kids have come to his rescue! Every time they are kind, at school or at home, Jack becomes less crumpled and feels the Spirit moving throughout the classroom.

 

To bring this challenge full circle, these kinder students regularly gather around their classroom collage to write kind words and draw kind acts to reinforce the positive effect that kindness has on everyone around them. What a blessing these children are! Thank you Mrs. Feola for partnering with PCA!

First year PCA parents, 

Ashley and Carl Owens, organized a relief effort for Texas and Louisiana. Carl and his friends planned to load up his large enclosed horse trailer and head out Friday morning, September 1st. Their goal was to load it with desperately needed items such as baby bottles, formula, diapers, wipes, clothes, bottled water, dog food, cat food, toothbrushes, toothpaste, towels, detergent, flash lights, batteries, and more. Mrs. Owens planned four drop off spots around our fair city. Her friends re-posted the donation request on Facebook. It spread like wildfire. Our wonderful community came together to help our brothers and sisters in Christ by donating generously.

 

The Owens family exceeded their goals tremendously. Instead of one trailer, they arrived 37 hours later (after two trailer break downs) with two large diesel trucks pulling two extremely large trailers and an eighteen-wheeler full of donations. They unloaded more than 80 pallets when they arrived at Houston.

 

Half of the pallets went to the Second Baptist Church of Houston and half went to the Heaven's Army crisis ministry. This particular crisis ministry was for battered women and children and people down on their luck. They had only received a handful of donations until Carl's group arrived. Volunteers were sorting the supplies and taking them to the poorest parts of town in Houston. The woman who started the crisis ministry cried the entire time they were unloading. The ministry leader said these poor areas had nothing to begin with, Hurricane Harvey or not.

 

They had only $65 left in their crisis account. Mr. Owens was so touched by their plight that he opened his checkbook in addition to hauling the donations half across the country. The ministry leader completely broke down. Before they left, she led them in prayer and said they were all God's Warriors. She said the more you serve the Lord, the harder the devil works. Even after all of the challenges on their way, they didn't give up and the devil didn't win.

 

It is thanks to people like the Owens and their friends who are doing God's work and making our world a better place. God Bless America and our PCA Parents and Students!

FBLA, otherwise known as Future Business Leaders of America, strives to develop competent, aggressive business leadership.  

That challenge was accepted by three PCA students as they traveled to Anaheim, California over the summer to compete in FBLA's National Leadership Conference. 

Senior Shelby Muirhead, Junior Bennett Velasquez and Class of 2017's Ashley Browne each made their entrepreneurial mark as they represented PCA well. 

Shelby Muirhead says, " The National Competition was a fun way for us to bond as a chapter, and an excellent opportunity for us to try our skills as up and coming business leaders. I learned a tremendous amount about business function and communication, and I had fun while doing it!" 

Shelby competed in Emerging Business Issues, an argumentative event based upon a topic provided by FBLA. She placed 1st in her event at the district conference, which advanced her to the state competition. At state, she also won 1st place, which qualified her for the national competition this past summer in Anaheim. Shelby calls it an incredible experience, "It was an absolute pleasure to represent the state of South Carolina for my event, and I feel my performance lived up to the expectations provided by leaders and advisors, and myself. I was not in a fortunate enough position to place, but I have every confidence that I had the skill set necessary to place in the top ten."

This year PCA plans to grow its FBLA chapter to include additional members as well as educating current members on business topics, leadership skills, and proper business etiquette. After last year's success, Shelby says she has high hopes to compete again at the National Leadership Conference next summer among the very best and brightest of FBLA. "I hope to end my career as an Future Business Leaders of America member on a high note." 

If you have a 9th-12th grade student interested in participating in FBLA, please encourage him or her to attend an interest meeting tomorrow, Tuesday, September 19th in Mr. McDonald's room (B214) at 11:10 am.

The excitement began when a few students joined forces to unfold the flag and help raise it to the top of the flag pole at the Fort Moultrie Visitors Center as the entire 2nd grade proudly recited the pledge of allegiance. 

Once inside they attentively watched a film on the history of two centuries of defense and three rebuilds of the long standing Fort Moultrie. 

Students were also able to explore the historical structure including tunnels, nooks and lookout towers. 

A picnic table lunch on the grounds provided fresh energy for the second half of the fun - visiting the Sullivan's Island Lighthouse!

The 2nd graders all reached for their clipboards to studiously design chalk drawings of the historical lighthouse towering over the sand dunes. Finally, they cooled off their toes in a quick ankle deep stroll through the shallow surf of Sullivan's ocean waves.

How wonderful for the students to experience both the strength and beauty that we have in Charleston!

Be a part of a team committed to building Christian leaders for tomorrow! Palmetto Christian Academy currently has two administrative positions available. If you feel called to serve in either of these important roles, we encourage you to visit our website and apply today.  

View Employment Opportunities At PCA   

We are so excited to announce a valuable addition to the PCA Office staff. Please join us in welcoming Nurse Dawn Boyles. We are delighted to have her caring for our students and providing another measure of quality customer service for our families. We know you will love her as much as we do! Here's what Nurse Boyles shared about joining our team: 

"I'm very pleased to be the school nurse at this great Christian school! I've been a nurse since 1981 and have worked in hospitals and doctor's offices. My husband and I have been married for 37 years and raised 3 sons. One is an Army chaplain, another is an engineer and the youngest is in the Army and jumps out of airplanes!

We have a one-year-old granddaughter who lives in Germany because of my son being in the Army. We live in Mount Pleasant and love the beach. My husband owns a  company called "American Flagpoles and Flags".

Please come to me for anything you want, I want to make posters for common complaints, like headaches or upset stomach, and I would like to use student art for illustrations!"

We are blessed to have several new faculty members that have joined us for the new school year. Each week in our Eagle Edition newsletter, we'll be highlighting those teachers so you can get to know them better!

I'm Ellen Peek. My husband and I have been married for 8 years. We met through Campus Outreach while in college here in the Charleston area. We have one little boy who is our absolute joy! I received my undergrad from Charleston Southern. In 2012, I attained my Nation Board Certification in literacy. I  have spent that past eight years working in Summerville teaching 2nd-4th grade. I am thrilled to be apart of PCA. It has always been a hope to become apart of this faculty. I am looking forward to all that is in store! 

My name is Katie Hyman, and I am truly blessed to be teaching 4th grade this year at PCA. Prior to PCA, I taught fifth grade for five years at Carolina Forest Elementary in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina and English and math for one year in Tanzania, Africa. I am originally from Conway, South Carolina and grew up on a farm with both my immediate and extended family. I attended Clemson University for my undergraduate degree in Graphic Communications and the College of Charleston for my Masters of Arts in Teaching graduate degree. I have been a missionary in England, South Africa, Tanzania, and Costa Rica, and am passionate about God using my life for his glory. In my free time I enjoy: running, reading, kayaking, paddle boarding, and of course watching Clemson football. I have already felt so welcomed by the school family here, and I am genuinely excited to see what God has in store for me this year at PCA! Many blessings!

Hi! My name is Chad Cooper. I'm a native of Augusta, Ga and have been teaching for the last 3 years at Augusta Christian School. This was also the high school I attended, and came to Christ at during my senior year. During my college years, I attended the Citadel, and was planning on joining the Marine Corps, when God changed the course of my life through the ministry of East Cooper Baptist Church and the ministry of Campus Outreach. After graduating, I attended Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary and graduated in 2014 with an M.Div. in biblical counseling. I enjoy teaching, reading, movies, running, coffee, and the church. I hope to be part of passing on the faith to the next generation!

If you are a new family to PCA, we hope that you will join us for "Coffee and Conversation" on Tuesday, September 26th at 8 am at Saveurs du Monde Cafe at 536 Belle Station Boulevard.

We are delighted to welcome you to PCA and look forward to hearing about your new family experiences.

We've got the perfect opportunity for you to show your Eagle pride! It's PCA Spirit Night on Tuesday, September 26th in support of our JV and Varsity Volleyball teams. The Lady Eagles face Robert E. Lee in a big rivalry and we want to pack the gym! Anyone wearing a PCA shirt will receive free admission to the games and a ticket for a free hot dog.   

Again, PCA Spirit Night is set for Tuesday, September 26th. The JV game begins at 4 pm and the Varsity game starts at 5 pm. So tell us.. where will you be?

Thank you to all of our friends and families who joined us for this year's annual PCA Golf Tournament! Because of you, it was another spectacular event. Be sure to check next week's Eagle Edition as we will include a list of our winners! 

Fellowship of Christian Athletes is a group designed to equip, empower, and encourage students to make a difference for Christ. It's a chance to unite your two passions, faith and athletics, to impact the world for Jesus Christ.  

PCA's chapter of FCA will hold its first meeting of the year on Thursday, September 28th from 7:15 am to 7:55 am in the PCA gym. All 6th-12th grade athletes are encouraged to attend. Breakfast will be provided.

Students who plan to attend are asked to sign up so we know how much food to prepare. Please remind your athletes that FCA is designed to build their faith; therefore, students who attend the breakfast are expected to remain for the meeting. Thanks for your support!

 

FCA Breakfast Sign-up For 9/28

The PCA Booster Club is comprised of parents committed to supporting athletic programs in all grades. If you have a child playing sports at PCA, we encourage you to attend our monthly Booster Club meetings and have a voice in what's happening in PCA Athletics! Join us this Wednesday, September 20th at 6:30 pm in Room B214. We look forward to seeing you there!

Our Varsity Eagles made a valiant effort against Hilton Head Prep on Friday night, but lost in a close game. Senior Chad Shimakonis scored the Eagles' first 8 points. Senior Stephen Hickman scored on an 18-yard touchdown pass from Chad to pull the Eagles within 7 points. Behind the passing of Chad Shimakonis and tough running of Da'Von Stuckey, the Eagles kept it close until late in the game.  The team battled to the end but fell short to the Patriots 29-14. 

Head Coach Chris Shimakonis says, "There's no quit in this team. I encourage a large crowd of fans to join us and see these guys in action at Homecoming." 

This week's Varsity Football game has been cancelled and the team has a scheduled bye week on September 29th so they will take to the field again on Friday, October 6th for the Homecoming game.  Be sure to join us for Homecoming 2017 as the Fighting Eagles take on Charleston Math and Science at Park West Field. Kickoff is 7:30 pm.   Come enjoy the festivities and support the Eagles as they give their all for the Blue and Gold!

High points in the individual events were lead by Sam Biggerstaff (11 points), Lauren Pernell (8 points), Brad Chaney (5 points), Will Vandergrift (5 points) and Michael Pernell (3 points). Top three finishes in individual 2A events include Lauren Pernell (1st in 50 free & 2nd in 100 breaststroke), Emi Morgan (2nd in 200 free), Sam Biggerstaff (1st in 200 Individual Medley & 2nd in 100 breaststroke), Michael Pernell (1st in 50 free), Brad Chaney (1st in 100 free), James Miles (3rd in 50 free), and Will Vandergrift (tied for 1st in the 200 free). The Boys Relay team of Biggerstaff, Pernell, Chaney and Vandergrift dropped four seconds in the 200 Medley Relay, placing first in the 2A division. The same four swimmers also placed second in the 200 Freestyle Relay.

The Eagles will be on the road next weekend traveling to Converse College for the Oakbrook Prep Meet on  Saturday, September 23rd.

The Lady Eagles defeated Wilson Hall last Thursday at Lake City Country Club making their first match of the season a huge success! The score was PCA 218, Wilson Hall 228. It was a new school record for the Lady Eagles, plus team member Erin  Wayman set a new school nine hole individual record and 2nd overall for the tournament. Here's a look at individual scores: 

1) Erin Wayman 47

2) Kate Nyers 53

3) Ava Romfo 54

4) Sarah Anne Horne 64

These scores reflect double par rules as opposed to triple bogey max, making it even more impressive! Way to go Lady Eagles! 

The Varsity Girls Golf Team will play tomorrow, Tuesday, September 19th at Kiawah against Porter Gaud. Play begins at 3:30 pm.

The Varsity Girls Tennis team improved to 1-2 overall on the season with a 9-0 victory over Thomas Sumter on Wednesday. The travel team of Emily Shaw, Gabi Noce, Katelyn Howard, Avery Jimenez, Paige Emerson, and Ellie Graham Campbell completed a perfect sweep of the six singles matches and three doubles matches rarely allowing the Generals to even come close. The girls will host Robert E Lee Academy this Wednesday, September 20th at 3 pm at the Volvo Tennis Center as they hope to move their region record to 2-0.