~ Principal's Perspective~
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Dear Friends,
Thank you so much for taking the time to attend Parent Night. We realize that it is difficult to come out at night, especially with young children, and we are grateful for your efforts. We believe that the more you know about the school, our plans, and our methods, the
better it is for your children, and the more the learning extends into your homes. We take our
partnership with you very seriously and desire to keep the doors of communication open wide.
One important way to keep in touch is through
Pathways. My article is usually about the
big picture of HCA, explaining why we do what we do. It is important that you
know the philosophy behind our educational approach because this is what makes HCA different, vibrant, and very exciting. After serving as the principal for 25 years I am just as enthusiastic today (really even more), as I was in 1994!
We believe that God directed us to:
- keep Him as the focal point of everything we do and say
- evaluate our methods and curriculum according to His Word, for His reasons
- encourage our students to think, consider, question, and connect ideas freely and openly
- teach in a way that children learn best, according to the way He created them
- focus on one theme at a time, in great depth
- consider the big ideas/concepts that drive the topic and connect best with learners
- consider the concepts and themes through every subject, like facets on a diamond. We read about it, write about it, search the Bible for God’s truth that drives the concepts, look at the science and math that are involved, express the topic through art, music, dance, skits, plays, re-enactments, field-trips, and projects
- learn together, with our students, rotating our themes in a four-year cycle so nothing gets old or boring or taught exactly the same way four years later
- exemplify life-long learning as we all get excited about new information or connections that are new to us this time around.
I recently spoke to a parent of a student who was in 5th grade our very first year. He told me that they struggled with the decision because the school was brand new, untested with no track record, and offered a novel approach to education. They decided on HCA because God made it clear to both parents that He was leading their son here. He is happy he listened and so are we.
After 25 years we have a great track record with hundreds of stories of God’s faithfulness to us.
He has provided tuition when it looked impossible, awesome teachers, grateful families, successful students who have gone into the world equipped to succeed in every area, especially in their faith. It shouldn’t surprise us that God had, and still has, a great plan for His school, His children, His families.
One thing remains the same after 25 years as it will forever:
This school will only exist as long as we do God’s work His way! We are just as dependent today as we were on Day One. We need to continue to bring each situation to Him, each student to Him, each family and teacher to Him, each decision made by the School Committee first to Him. God really does have ALL the wisdom, answers and direction we will ever need. As long as we remember who He is and why we are here, we will walk with Him, and His school will reflect His desires.
May God grant you a deeper walk with Him every day of your lives.
In Him,
Susan Hayward, Principal
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Picture Day is This Tuesday, October 2nd!
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Plimoth Plantation Field Trip
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Teams A & B (Grades K-4) will be taking a field trip to Plimoth Plantation on Thursday, October 11, 2018. We will travel by bus.
Chaperones are appreciated! More information to come soon.
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- Sept 29 - Garden Work Party (THIS Saturday, see flyer above)
- Oct 2 - Picture Day
- Oct 8 - NO SCHOOL - Columbus Day
- Oct 10 - Plimoth Preview
- Oct 11 - Plimoth Plantation Field Trip (Grades K-4)
- Oct 12 - Homeschool Day / Term 2 Development Day
- Oct 15-19 - Spiritual Emphasis Week
- Oct 17 & 18 - Middle School Whaling Adventure
- Nov 2 - Term 2 ends - Plimoth Reenactment
- Nov 8 @ 6PM - Open House: The Whalemobile
- Nov 9 - HCA Veterans Celebration
- Nov 12 - NO SCHOOL
- Nov 14 - Parent Teacher Conferences
- Nov 21-23 - Thanksgiving Recess - NO SCHOOL
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Our After School Program includes play, crafts, healthy foods, gardening, exercise, time for homework ... and bunnies!
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The Whalemobile Is Coming
Save the date for our first Open House of the year:
The Whalemobile is coming to HCA! Save the date and invite your friends and family for this event scheduled for
Thursday, November 8th at 6PM
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Service Hours Opportunities
- THIS SATURDAY, 9/29 - Garden work (see above flyer for details)
- Wednesday Electives - helpers and leaders needed between 12 to 3pm contact: clee@holdenchristianacademy.org
- Wednesdays @ 10:30 to 11AM - Kindergarten art helper with Mrs. M (NO ART ABILITY NEEDED)
- Thursdays @ 1:30 to 2:30pm - Grades 3&4 science aid with Mrs. Jorritsma
- Thursdays @ 1:30 to 2:30pm - Grades 1&2 Music helper with Ms. Stewart
- Fridays @ 10:30am - Kindergarten music helper with Ms. Stewart
- Tues, Wed and/or Thurs @ 2:00 to 2:45pm - PreK Nature Explore helper with Mrs. Younger and Mrs. Bartlett
- Daily @ 11:30-12 pm and/or 12:30-1 pm - Recess Monitors with Ms. Graham
- Garden Helpers with classroom teachers
- Before School Monitor (7:30-8 AM daily)
- Parent Prayer Team Thursday Mornings
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Dance ministry continues to accept new members. Practices are on Mondays immediately after school until 4pm. Contact Mrs. Jennifer Jonay for more details:
admissions@holdenchristianacademy.org
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Congratulations Priscilla and Mrs. Jonay on achieving certification as a pet therapy team!
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Please CLICK ON THE IMAGE of the newsletter you would like to read to view the entire document.
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Team A News (Kindergarten, Grades 1 & 2)
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Team B News (Grades 3 & 4)
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Team C News (Grades 5 & 6)
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Team D News (Grades 7 & 8)
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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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Did you know that you can help HCA as you make your purchases from Amazon? When you shop at
smile.Amazon.com, and indicate Holden Chapel, Amazon donates. Learn about all the ways to support HCA on our
website.
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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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Is there a grandparent or someone else who might like to see our newsletter? Click the "Subscribe to Pathways" button to add them to the email list.
(They can "unsubscribe" at any time.)
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Forward to a friend, relative, grandparent... encourage them to subscribe to stay up to date!
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