Dear PCA Families,
Can innovation be taught? Yes, absolutely! Innovation is fundamentally a mindset which constantly acknowledges that status quo is not sufficient to meet tomorrow's needs. Most important for PCA's mission, this mindset is being taught in the Upper School Software Engineering courses. Every project assigned has an "innovation component" which encourages the student to go beyond the basic assignment and to do "something special" to differentiate their work from classmates who are doing the same assignment.
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The grading of projects provides incentives where "doing the minimum well" can typically earn up to a 90 or 95. Those wishing to differentiate their work often look to solve the problem more creatively. Over the years, I have been very pleasantly surprised by the innovations of my students and have witnessed more than a few "Wow!" moments. Last month, I challenged my students to create Christmas trees using the coding process, which is much more difficult than it appears. Some students even created fireplaces, stockings, or the illusion of falling snow!
Can creativity be taught? The article links below provide research which explains how children, even those who are toddler-aged, can excel at innovation if allowed:
Lastly, innovation is a process which identifies problems in need of creative solutions. "CA Technologies," where I previously worked, produced a
short video
which featured employees who had several patents and who answered the insightful question,
"How do you do it?" PCA's Software Engineering class is not your typical programming class which focuses exclusively on coding syntax and principles. The students learn the bigger picture of why coding matters and the role they play in the innovation process. Our goal is to teach innovation as both a mindset and a process.
Thank you for the privilege of working with your students! I pray that your family and you will have a wonderful weekend.
Blessings,
Mike Shevenell
Director of IT and Software Engineering Instructor
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Congratulations to this year's Spelling Bee winner Yohan Koshy from 7B (pictured in back row, far right) and to our runner-up Avery Wamberg from 6B (pictured in back row, far left). Students in grades 3-8 competed in 27 rounds last week with the final word being "Sauna." Yohan will be representing PCA in the NH State Spelling Bee in Concord, NH on Saturday, February 23.
Congratulations to all of the class representatives who did such a good job competing this year!
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Full-Time Custodian Needed
PCA has an immediate need for a full-time evening custodian to work from 3:30 pm to midnight, Mondays through Fridays. Benefits are available.
If interested, please complete a
Staff Application
found on the employment page of our website.
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Substitute Lunch Delivery from 11:45-12:45 pm on Fridays during the month of January and possibly February
Administrative Volunteer on Wednesdays or Thursdays for approximately 2 hours.
Mother-Son Event: Coordinator needed to assist in planning the Annual Mother-Son Event coming up in the spring.
Please contact
Jodi Karnes (ext. 119) if you are available to help with these needs.
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Preferred Re-enrollment for current families will open in just one week! Seats and
Variable Tuition are offered to current PCA students first and then will open to the public. Variable Tuition applications are open now (must re-apply each year).
LEARN MORE about Variable Tuition and State Scholarships. Save your child's seat for next year during Preferred Re-Enrollment and save $100 per child.
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HURRY! Early Bird Special Ends Soon!
CLICK HERE
to save!
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Thank You, Seacoast Dream Dentistry!
Many thanks to
Seacoast Dream Dentistry for its continued generous support and for becoming a Legacy Sponsor at our 24th Annual Auction!
We have many sponsorship options available. If you are interested in sponsoring our event, please find out more
HERE.
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Whether you have a lot or a little time available, we have a volunteer opportunity just right for you!
CLICK HERE to see how you can help!
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Our Annual Auction is the largest fundraiser to benefit families through Variable Tuition. There is something for everyone at this exciting event, including a juried art contest.
CLICK HERE for the latest Auction news!
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The Auction Committee welcomes your donations:
- Restaurant gift certificates
- Sporting event or theatre tickets
- Services (e.g. landscaping, auto detailing)
- Vacation home or time-share
- Teaching a craft or hobby
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Tomorrow!
Friday, January 11 at 8:20 am
Main Gym
Parents are welcome to attend the Lower School's Geography Bee. The top ten contenders from grades 4-8 will be competing for a chance to represent PCA at the NH State Geography Bee which will be held on Friday, March 29, 2019. Contact
Jennnifer Maley with questions.
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Saturday, January 12 from 6:00-9:00 pm
Troiano Hall
All Upper School students are welcome to join us for our annual Silver Bell Dance. Visitors are welcome to attend but will need to fill out a
visitor's form prior to the event (available in office). Cost is $10 at the door. Contact our Dean of Women,
Sarah Carri (ext. 128), with questions. NOTE: Back-up snow date will be Saturday, January 19.
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Attention:
Upper School and Junior High students!
Monday, January 14 through
Wednesday, January 16
This spring's musical will be "Mary Poppins." Show dates are Thursday, May 23 through Saturday, May 25. Sign-ups are now posted in the PCA libraries.
CLICK HERE for audition information. Please contact
Christopher Ouellette with questions.
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Free Parent Workshop
Monday, January 14 at 6:30 pm
Troiano Hall
Join us for a special parent session with Dr. Peg Dawson. Dr. Dawson, co-author of the book
Smart but Scattered, will share three strategies to help children acquire the skills they need to be successful.
CLICK HERE to learn more or RSVP.
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Now through Thursday, January 17
Bravo, young PCA Artists! Come visit the Dover Public Library and view our grades 2-4 students' artwork which is proudly displayed on the walls.
CLICK HERE for the library's hours. Contact
Susie Stevens with questions.
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Friday, January 18 at 8:20 am
Main Gym
Families are welcome to join us in the Main Gym to recognize our Lower School students for their Quarter 2 academic achievements. Contact
Sue McKenney (ext. 112) with questions.
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Will be emptied on Friday, January 18
Please encourage your child to check Lost & Found to see if anything belongs to him or her. Unclaimed items will be donated to a local charity. The Upper School's Lost & Found is located in the main lobby of Runey Hall, and the Lower School's is on the Lower Level outside of the main music room (#124). Our locker rooms in the gym also have bins for items found on the fields or in the gyms.
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Early Bird Special Ends Soon!
Saturday, January 19
Admission to our event is complimentary. You may wish to purchase tickets to our delicious catered breakfast which are
now on sale!
- $120/table for 8
- $160/table for 10
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Saturday, January 26 at 7:00 am
Runey Hall: Board Room (2nd floor)
All dads are invited to a time of fellowship and prayer each month. The meetings will be held in the Board Room of Runey Hall on a Saturday morning.
CLICK HERE for the 2018-19 meeting dates. Contact
Anders Lund with questions.
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Saturday, January 26 at 9:00 am
Begins in Troiano Hall
Bring a friend or share the news: Our All-School Open House includes an interactive morning of STEAM exploration, a tour of the campus, and casual conversation with PCA faculty. Invite friends and family so that they can experience what makes PCA so special.
CLICK HERE
to learn more or to register.
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All PCA Parents Welcome to Attend
Thursday, January 31 at 6:30 pm
Upper School's Troiano Hall
Laurie Warnock, NH Education Coordinator from Northern New England Poison Center, is coming to address our parents about the latest fad being marketed to today's youth:
Vaping and the use of Electronic Nicotine Devices. She will provide statistics surrounding this growing epidemic as well as facts about the chemicals found in these products, along with the dangers and harm to the brain and body caused by using these products. Below are links to three recent articles about this teen epidemic. Please contact
Kim Cummings (ext. 123) with questions about the meeting.
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Recognition Ad Deadline:
Friday, February 1
Whether your son or daughter is a senior or a freshman, a recognition ad is always a great idea to tell your child that you are proud of and love him or her.
CLICK HERE for examples of ads which other PCA parents have placed.
ORDER FORM
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HURRY! Senior Yearbook Deadlines:
Senior Portraits- Friday, February 8
Quotes & Bio- Monday, February 25
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Begins Saturday, February 2
Ends Sunday, March 3
Read-a-thon is a beloved annual tradition at PCA and an opportunity for students to dive into more reading during these weeks of winter. What will this year's theme be? Stay tuned to find out!
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EVENING SESSION!
Thursday, February 7 at 6:00 pm
Miller Room in Runey Hall
All parents are welcome to join Dr. Connie Lawrence for her next LIFE Series lecture where she will be discussing "Self-Management." Prior LIFE Series attendance is not necessary in order to attend this session.
MORE INFO.
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Friday, February 15 at 7:00 pm
Saturday, February 16 at 2:00 & 7:00 pm
Troiano Hall
Three Black Box Productions will entertain you and provide food for thought this season! Admissions is $12/adults and $10/students for the two evening shows and $10/adults and $8/students for the Saturday matinee.
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Employment Opportunities
For a list of all of our current employment opportunities,
CLICK HERE.
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Portsmouth Christian Academy | 603.742.3617 | pcaschool.org
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