~ Principal's Perspective~
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Dear Friends,
An eighth grade student recently asked me what my
favorite thing was about working at HCA. Without much hesitation I was able to honestly say that, like the apostle John, “
I have no greater
joy
than to hear that my children are walking in the
truth
.” (3 Jn 1:4) Last week two of our graduates, Mackenzie and Seth (seniors at Quabbin and Saint John’s), were the student speakers at a Young Life banquet. How awesome! This week I heard that another grad had just gone back to church after a long and potentially destructive detour. Currently, we have
eight students enrolled at HCA who are the
children of our grads!
We have graduates who are living for Christ in:
- corporate America
- their own homes, serious about raising the next generation in the Lord
- the military
- the mission field
- the medical field
- the secret service
- schools
- church planting
- the pastorate
- academia
- no politics yet!
- all kinds of employment, making a positive difference where they are called
We also know that at any time there may be some who have detoured from the path God has planned for them. They let go of His hand and are in need of prayer. We
love them as well, and we know that the hand of Christ is always within reach. He is always available.
Last Monday, the School Committee hosted a lovely dinner for the staff with the express purpose of
connecting with one another. Dan Marinone was the master-mind and MC of the evening. He put a cup of questions on each table and each person was to pick one and answer it with those at the table (a great idea for Thanksgiving too!). The questions were simple but meaningful. Mine was something about a current blessing at HCA. I answered that I am thankful for the
longitudinal view I have gained by staying in the same area for a long time. My husband and I have been ministering in Barre since 1980, and we’ve both served HCA since 1994. What a blessing it has been to have witnessed the faithfulness of God in the lives of so many dear people for so many years. It is thrilling to see the results that one person coming to Christ can have on their family, friends, and future generations!
We pray that you will have a blessed time with family and friends at Thanksgiving. Please keep in mind that the holiday season can be difficult for those who have lost a family member, are going through sickness, are separated from family by miles or military, or other painful situations.
Please reach out to them! I pray that no matter where you are coming from this year, you will remember that
God is faithful, He loves you, and He never gives up hope for us because
HE IS LIVING HOPE. As always, we need to rejoice with those who rejoice and weep with those who weep, just like Jesus did and is still doing!
Thankfully,
Susan Hayward, Principal
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Operation Christmas Child
Holden Christian Academy has so far collected 61 gift boxes for Operation Christmas Child. Collections may be made
until Monday, November 20th. Please drop off boxes in the lobby of Holden Chapel. Thank you for your support.
Pictured: HCA Chapel on Monday Nov. 13 ...
We pray that as these Operation Christmas Child boxes go out with love, that they will be received and opened with smiles of joy. May the children opening these boxes know the love of our Lord Jesus.
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Nov 22-24 Thanksgiving Break
Nov 27-Dec 1 Scholastic Book-fair
Nov 28 Picture Retake Day
Dec 8 Christmas Shoppe
Dec 14 Christmas Program
Dec 22-Jan 1 Christmas Break
Jan 12 Development/Home-school Day
Jan 15 MLK Jr. Day
Jan 19 Term 2 ends
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Parent Council Christmas Shoppe
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In just a few short weeks, we will be having our annual
Christmas Shoppe. This is a great opportunity for our students to be thinking of others and shop for family members for Christmas. This fun event will take place
Friday, December 8
th.
We will be collecting donated items the week of December 4
th so check your attic and basement to see what you can put aside to contribute. Some suggestions of what to donate include gently used toys, games with all the pieces, art supplies, women’s accessories, jewelry, scarves, purses, men’s sporting goods, fishing gear, tools, ties, regifted new items, CD’s, home décor, bath and toiletry items, garden items, kitchen items, gift books, cookbooks and similar. There will be more information to come…
The Parent Council
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Prayer Requests and Answers
We request prayer on behalf of our former custodian Tom Simms. He is currently in the hospital.
We rejoice with Yvonne Egan who is continuing to recover from major surgery. Glory to God who is our healer!
Remember that prayer requests may be submitted to the school office for the parent prayer team at any time. Yes! We do pray for you!!!
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Lucier's Library Lowdown
Greetings from Mrs. Lucier. I thought it was time to let the parents know all that has been happening and will be happening at the HCA Library. Term 1 was a flurry of busyness. All grades were introduced to the library and given a tour of where resources are located. Grades K-4 have a scheduled library time where they are introduced to great books and are given the chance to check out books for the week. Grades K-2 have library on Wednesdays and Grades 3 & 4 have library on Thursdays.
Grades 5-8 also have access to the library with a more "self-service" approach. They are able to come to the library during teacher approved times and have quickly learned how to check out books using our new scanning system. I am impressed with how responsible our students are with borrowing and returning library books.
Our first Scholastic Book Fair "
SADDLE UP AND READ" will be held the week we get back from Thanksgiving Break,
November 27-December 1. Grades K-8 will preview the book fair on Monday and Tuesday. They will be coming home with a wish list. Purchasing will take place during library times for Grades K-4 and on Thursday for grades 5-8. Friday will be last call to purchase for students.
The Fair will be open to parents and grandparents, Wednesday and Friday from 8:15-10:30 and after school Wednesday and Thursday 3:00-4:30. This year parents also have an exciting option to purchase books online from the Online Book Fair. You may
purchase books online from November 22-December 5. You may even download the Book Fair App. Details can be found in the flyers sent home today or on
scholastic.com/bookfairs.
Thank you for your participation at this year's Scholastic Book Fair. With every dollar spent, HCA receives a percentage towards purchasing new books for our library. We are excited to ignite a reading culture in our school as we "
SADDLE UP AND READ".
Mrs. Lucier
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Many Blessings
We are excited to announce that we received a grant from Holden Garden Club to install an Aeroponic System in our 8th Grade classroom.
We were also greatly humbled and encouraged by a recent large anonymous donation. The words typed in an unsigned note explain, "Holden Christian Academy blessed our family in many wonderful ways over the years. Now that the Lord has given us a financial blessing, we want to share that with others for the growth of His kingdom."
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Dance Ministry at the Christmas Program
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This is Jenn Jonay, your friendly school secretary AND a minister of
DANCE
! It is on my heart to create a dance ministry piece for the Christmas Program. The song will be "Mary Did You Know" sung by the 7th grade. The ministry is open to any children interested from grades K through 8. Classes are free but children will be required to wear a simple and modest garment for the concert. (more info to follow)
Practices will be held on Mondays from 3:15 to 4:15
: 11/20, 11/27, 12/4, 12/11. Please reply by email with your child's interest/your consent, to me:
admissions@holdenchristianacademy.org
. The program is coming up quickly so the piece will be simple, but God's grace will perform this dance! (and hopefully more to follow after this!)
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Service Hours Opportunities
- At home service hours: Making ornaments*
We have collected supplies to make Christmas ornaments. We would love to have some parents assemble them at home to be sold at the Christmas Shoppe.
- Christmas Shoppe volunteers
- Recess Monitors (11:30-12 pm; 12:30-1 pm)
- Before School Monitor (7:30-8 AM)
- Parent Prayer Team Weekly
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* items with stars may be completed outside of school hours
Contact
Jenn Jonay
to get further details and "plug in" to a position. We need parent leaders as soon as possible!
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Do you believe in the power of prayer? Has God laid a burden on your heart to pray for our school? The parent led HCA Prayer Team meets Thursday mornings immediately after drop-off at the Holden Chapel prayer room. Feel free to send prayer requests directly to the school office.
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Each image below is a link to a PDF document for "Team" newsletters. Click the image to open the document. (Close the document to return to your email.)
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From BoxTops, to Read-A-Thons, to running a 5K, there are many ways you can help support HCA. Even shopping on
smile.Amazon.com
, can earn cash for our school, with no extra effort or expense. Find out all the ways to participate on our Support HCA page!
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