Training Students...Transforming Lives
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Did you know that Faith Christian Academy students as young as Kindergarten are learning coding, the language of computers? For several years our elementary computer teacher, Bryan DeOms, has been teaching elementary students basic computer coding in his computer classes. Now Faith is taking that one step further by purchasing numerous coding and robotics activities for teachers to use throughout their curricula.
We have purchased the following items from Barnes and Noble (using Title 2 Funds) and are teaching our teachers how to utilize them in the classroom: Code-A-Pillar, Lego Boost, Robot Turtles, Little Bits, STEAM Student Set, Ozobot Classroom Kit, Dash and Dot Classroom Bundle.
Each of these is a fun way for teachers to teach critical thinking, teamwork, and basic computer coding throughout their classes. The classroom kits come with lesson plans to assist teachers in implementing standards in the classroom. We have also applied for grants to purchase additional classroom sets of the Dash and Dot Robot. The International Society for Technology in Education (ISTE) has standards and objectives for computer science classes from kindergarten through grade twelve. We have reviewed these standards and are planning objectives, activities, and courses that will help our students prepare for the future.
Click here
to read a great article from ISTE that highlights the importance of learning coding in the elementary.
Our middle and high school students have added activities and technology such as the “raspberry pi.” This micro-computer is the size of a credit card and allows students to learn coding, physical computing, controlling motors, LED's, cameras, and more. The 9th grade Computer class learns the basics of web design by creating websites using HTML, CSS, and Bootstrap. Seventh grade learns to code in Python using Scratch, a block like coding language, to create games and stories. Everyone in our kindergarten through 8th grade participates in the hour of code.
We have also added an "Introduction to Computer Science" class. This class focuses on learning to code in Python. Students create programs that interact with the users input and are even given a free account with AWS (Amazon Web Services) to create chatbots and other things.
All of these changes are designed to help our students learn to think critically and prepare for a world of computer science, engineering and mathematics.
Click here
to view the video of the Ozobot's in action.
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Congratulations to Faith Christian Academy eighth-grader Sydney Dugger and sixth-grader Diego Zavala. They both recently auditioned for the WV All-State Middle School Orchestra, and both were awarded spots in the 1st Violin section of this prestigious ensemble comprised of the state's 51 best middle-school strings students.
Both Sydney and Diego have taken private violin lessons for many years; however, students are only eligible to audition for all-state if they are enrolled in a string orchestra ensemble as a class in their school. Both of these excellent performers are active in the FCA Falcon Band & Orchestra, directed by Mr. Jason Crawford. Sydney also plays the violin with the youth band at her church, and this is her second year in all-state. Diego plays the violin at his church and also in local youth orchestras.
Sydney and Diego will represent FCA at the WV Music Educators Association annual conference in Charleston, West Virginia on March 7th and 8th, 2019. They will rehearse for two days and perform an amazing concert under the leadership of guest conductor Mrs. Margaret Selby from Charleston, South Carolina.
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Mr. Kurt Tiegs has been a faithful board member for over 20 years. Kurt owns a local business, Mountaineer Kitchens & Baths.
Over the years Kurt has done many projects with the school such as remodeling the bathrooms, replacing the windows, building cabinets for classrooms and the list goes on and on. Our ministry has been very blessed by Kurt's servant heart and his love for our school. In his downtime Kurt enjoys spending time with his family, and hunting. Recently we spotted him roller skating with his oldest granddaughter, Chloe. Kurt lives in Berkeley Springs with his wife, Ramona.
A huge thank you to Kurt and his dedication and faithfulness to our school mission and vision.
(Pictured above is Kurt with his oldest granddaughter Chloe)
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Ms. Jennifer (Bunny) Mann has three sons. Her three boys graduated from Faith. Mrs. Mann was born and raised in Martinsburg, WV. After graduating from Heritage Academy in Maryland, she received her bachelor’s degree from Covenant College in Lookout Mt., Georgia. This is her 30th year of teaching at Faith. She has taught children in every grade of the school. She is currently teaching 6th and 7th grade math and elementary music.
“As a graduate from a Christian high school and college, I am committed to Christian education. I am thankful for the opportunity to share my faith and encourage young people in their walk with Christ. Music is one of the greatest gifts God has given us and I have the privilege of enjoying it every day as I teach for Him.”
(pictured above is Ms. Mann with her three grandsons: Solomon, Ezra and Abram)
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A handful of our students and teachers attended a missions trip to Lifesong for Orphans-MBO in Bercy, Haiti. Some of the things they did while there were: taught high-school students the game of Uno, played soccer, organized supplies, planted cherry trees, mended fences, and walked through the village praying victory over voodoo. They went to be a blessing and ended up being blessed. Isaiah 58:10 "If you pour yourself out for the hungry and satisfy the desires of the afflicted, then shall your light rise in the darkness..."
Testimonies from two of our students who went on the missions trip.
"Haiti has been the most unforgettable and humbling experience. Haiti is full of love and brokenness, yet it is amazing to see how God works in the lives of the Haitians."
Dominic Brinkley
"In Haiti I experienced
Volunesia
which is the moment you forget you're volunteering to help change lives, because it's changing yours."
Anastasia Monro
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Some quick did you know about our "Green Club"
- The challenge is aimed towards elementary: K-2 vs. 3-5 with a monthly winner announced and treat awarded. Middle school and high school still participate with a collection bin in the gym.
- They have collected a little over 400 pounds of soft plastic bags since we started in October!
- Students are learning the value of recycling instead of plastic bags ending up in landfills
- 8 students in the club: Abigail Adams (not pictured), Deanna Hercules, Hannah Marambio, Emily Boehler, Olivia Bates, Sydney Dugger, Kiersten Gardner, and Claire Charlton
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We were so blessed by the auction this year! It turned out wonderful! We had fantastic items and a perfect venue for our event! We were able to raise over $17,000. A huge thank you to our presenting sponsor
Ark Animal Clinic - Dr. Erick & Jenny Hess.
Our big winners for the evening were Mr. and Mrs. Philip Gardner. They purchased 7 houses throughout the evening! Thank you to everyone who attended. We have already set the date for next years auction.
Save the date for November 8th at the Holiday Inn.
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Move to the Head of Car Line
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Ever think it would be great to skip car line??
This year at the auction we auctioned off the first parking spot for car line. This lucky family was the winner!
Next year this could be you if you are the highest bidder!
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Healthy Lunch Packing Ideas
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Looking for a healthy suggestion for lunch for your kiddos. Check out Melissa's article on healthy lunch and having your kiddos pack their own!
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FCA Interact Club In Action
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Our Interact Club has been serving a monthly meal through "Helping Hands Ministry" for the last 2 years. The second Sunday of every month our students prepare a warm meal and meet at First Baptist Church on King Street. They are able to serve a meal to those who need an extra hand and offer a smile of encouragement to those in our community.
Our club was recently awarded the Rotary International Presidential Citation for all of their work within the community.
Pictured above are: Tyler DeOms, Danielle Moran and Amanda DeOms.
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Environmental Science Adopt A Highway
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FCA adopted Greensburg Road many years ago through the Department of Highway. Mrs. Mann and her Environmental Science class have been faithfully picking up trash along Greensburg Road as part of their efforts to give back to the environment.
Pictured are the students braving the winter weather to keep our community looking good!
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In the athletic department this fall, Faith had 70 student-athletes competing on five different teams: middle school and varsity boys soccer as well as middle school, junior varsity, and varsity girls volleyball. Our teams were marked by youth - 27 of our 33 middle school athletes came from grades 5,6, and 7. On the high school teams, 37 of our 40 athletes came from grades 8, 9, 10, and 11. This would make for a very important season of laying the right foundation for our upcoming years. Our teams and coaches handled this challenge admirably with positive attitudes and great effort.
Because of lower interest in the upper middle school grades, we were able to offer the opportunity to join the middle school soccer team to our 5th-grade boys. This is something that only occurs if the opportunity presents itself. A total of 12 5th and 6th-grade boys came out for soccer this year, building a good base for future teams. The highlight of the season came with the opportunity to build a relationship with a new school from Winchester, VA, Eukarya Christian School. Our middle school boys defeated Eukarya 4-2 in a late-season home game. Our varsity boys team was also a young group with just 3 seniors on the roster. The highlight of the varsity boys season came in the first round of the Mason Dixon Christian Conference (MDCC) playoffs. The boys team traveled to Shalom Christian to play under the lights in a #3 (Shalom) v #6 (Faith) matchup in the first round of the MDCC tournament. Faith found the goal first and would cling to a 1-0 lead for the rest of the game earning a bid to the league Final Four. Faith would lose to Calvary Christian (Cresaptown, MD) in the Final Four, but earn the opportunity to play in the third-place game at North Hagerstown High School on MDCC Championship Saturday. After falling down 4-0 at halftime, the Falcons came roaring back in the second half scoring 3 unanswered goals before falling just short, 4-3 to Heritage Academy (Hagerstown). Great job this year and thanks to our head coaches Jason Swinehart (MS - also our director of technology) and Brock Keppley (varsity - also our Dean of Students).
Our middle school volleyball teams would be under the direction of two first year coaches: Ashley Kerns (MS - also our ms English teacher) and Sarah Michael (FCA alumni class of 2009 and three sport athlete). Our middle school girls highlighted the year with a nice home win against Broadfording Christian. With only 3 8th graders on the 15 player roster, they are looking to build on their work from this year next season. Our JV girls finished with the best record of any of our teams this fall and added some notable wins against New Life, Heritage, and Broadfording. Our varsity girls took both regular season games from Broadfording and ended their home season with an exciting come from behind 5 set victory over New Life. After competing in the MDCC tournament, our varsity girls took the trip to Cedarville, Ohio to compete in the National Christian School Athletic Association (NCSAA) fall championships hosted at Cedarville University. This was the second year in a row our girls have taken this trip. After completing their pool play on the first day of the tournament, they went on to a bracketed, single-elimination tournament and finished second in their bracket. Great job girls!
If you’d like to keep up with the latest in Falcon Athletics, you can follow updates on Twitter @FCAFaclonsWV or search for Faith Christian Academy Martinsburg, WV on Facebook (all tweets are cross-posted to FB). Mason Dixon Christian Conference standings, results and tournament information are available at
https://sites.google.com/site/masondixonchristianconference/
. Glorify God and never quit! Let’s Go Falcons!
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Open House - Enrollment
Re-enrollment begins February 1st
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