~ Principal's Perspective ~
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Hi, HCA Family!
None of us can quite believe that we are winding up our
25th full year
of operation. But we are! Some of us have been on this ride for the entire time - and even a few years before HCA began - and some have just joined this year. The one constant, as always and ever, is
God
- His faithfulness, provision, guidance, encouragement and strength.
We give Him and Him alone all the praise for all He has done
in our midst these 25 years and look forward with great anticipation to the next unfolding chapter. As Isaiah says (one of my husband’s favorite “go-to” passages): …
”
those who hope in me will not be disappointed
(49.23).”
As we (God willing) begin our 2nd quarter century, we
thank
all the many people who helped organize and orchestrate the wonderful Birthday / Reunion party on June 1, not least
Holden Chapel’s Huge-Events-Coordinator-Extraordinaire,
Eileen Cunsolo
, and her hard-working committee
. Even with so many details to attend to, the celebration came off beautifully with nary a glitch and a splendid time was had by all. We are
grateful
as well to those of you who made the effort to join us that day. We had graduates from our first class right up to our current one. Also, a special thanks to God for supplying the pitch-perfect weather.
And speaking of our current graduating class, we are so honored and, yes,
EXCITED to welcome a 1998 alumnus as our graduation speaker this year
.
As you may know, it is the 8th graders themselves who invite the individual they want to keynote their graduation and represent their class. On our once-every-four-year field trip to Washington DC this past April, we were able to spend an entire morning at the White House. Our tour guide was a
special agent for the United States Secret Service
, the above mentioned 1998 HCA graduate. Perhaps needless to say, that was the highlight of the week. He was extremely affable, informative and (most winsomely to the adults), both encouraging and challenging to the students. He spoke extensively of his own faith journey and how God had led him to this extraordinary place in his life. The kids were smitten. They had the boldness to ask if he might consider speaking at their graduation, which he enthusiastically accepted.
Of course, the entire HCA family is always invited to the graduation ceremony, but we would especially urge you to attend this year
to meet and hear our speaker.
Changes
for next year
“He gives and takes away…
Blessed be the name of the Lord!”
I don’t know about you, but I’d rather skip the take away part.
This school year we are saying goodbye to many beloved families and staff. It’s hard and painful, yet a part of life that God not only warns us about but promises to walk through with us.
God has made it clear to Mrs. Hughes, Mrs. Weaver, Mrs. Jorritsma, Mr. Curtis, Mr. Sullivan, and Mrs. Ravina that He is moving them on, all for different and good reasons.
We are so humbled and grateful for each of their invaluable contributions to HCA
, and as much as we will miss them,
we release them gladly into the Lord’s new pathways
for them. We trust as well that God will bring forth the staff and personnel,
not to replace them, but to further build on what they have accomplished for HCA’s program
. Please pray with us and
spread the word in your churches that we are praying in those God is sending
. As usual, we are looking for those who are passionate about God, kids, teaching, equipping and inspiring the next generation for Christ.
Why so many changes all at once? What is God up to? What is going to happen?
I don’t know, but
what I do know is that no matter how sad, scared, or depressed I get,
as soon as I pour out my heart to God, He is there
. He not only comforts me but encourages me as well. I keep hearing, “I’ve got this” from God. I shared that with Deb Lucier this morning and she said that
God said
the exact three words to her,
... “
I’ve got this
”!
He really is orchestrating the entire thing. He is pruning us. Why?
So that we will bear more fruit
, fruit that will last. Now I can buy into that!
So, we all need to fasten our seat-belts and
enjoy
the ride! It’s always exciting and scary to follow God, especially when He calls us to something new or different. Those being called out feel the same way.
We will all pray for God’s clear leading for those who are leaving and also for those He is calling into HCA
. Please pray for the team commissioned to listen to God’s voice and obediently follow Him as we interview and hire the next team for His purposes.
Finally, please pray for us as we finish our
Food for Life book
and send it off to the editors. It’s about 80% complete and we still hope to have it ready for the Center for Redemptive Education’s fall conference in October 3-4, 2019.
Please give this conference some thought and prayer for yourselves and those in your church
.
I pray that you all have wonderful summers full of God’s grace and love! It has been a privilege to serve you and remember that
you are always a part of the HCA family
no matter where God leads you!
Lovingly in Him,
Susan Hayward, Principal
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Middle School Support of Graduation
Dear Parents,
It is our tradition that
the 5th, 6th and 7th grade students and parents provide the refreshments for our 8th Grade Graduation
, which will be held this year on
Tuesday, June 11
. We ask all parents to provide the items for the reception; assignments are listed below. If you have a child in the graduating class, you are not expected to provide a contribution.
Your contributions will be as follows:
Grade 5: Drinks
- Last Names A-P: bring 1 2-liter bottle of Sprite, plus one bottle of cranberry juice.
- Last Names W: bring 2 cans frozen lemonade concentrate.
Grades 6 and 7: Food
Bring a variety of
finger foods
,
2 dozen each
. These foods need to be
- simple
- neat to eat
- ready to serve
Suggestions – cut up fruits or veggies, brownies, cookies, NO NUTS.
Clearly label all foods and note if refrigeration is needed
.
Allergy friendly items have already been requested and will be clearly marked.
Bring your contributions to the kitchen beside the school office anytime during the day on June 11th.
You are invited and encouraged to join us for the graduation ceremony at 7:00 p.m. in the Holden Chapel Sanctuary.
Thank you
for your help creating this special evening for our eighth grade students!
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Preschool Reminders
Preschool Graduation is
Tuesday, June 11th.
- 9:30 am = slideshow
- 10 am = graduation
- parents are asked to bring a finger food to shared together AFTER graduation
- there will still be a full day of preschool on this day
There will also be a half day of preschool the last day, Wednesday, June 12th. The whole school will dismiss at 11:30am. For those with children in older grades, you may gather them and then come for your preschooler.
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Garden Gnomes Needed
We need your help!
Summer Service Hours Opportunity
: Please help HCA keep our garden during the summer. We have created a
Sign-Up Genius
for parents to sign-up for days to
water the garden every day
(if it rains that day, you are off the hook). Instructions on how to access the water hose, and how to turn on and off the water are detailed in the Sign-up. If you are an experienced gardener, we would appreciate any additional time you spend, but please have any weeding or harvesting approved by the school office, so as not to disrupt plans teachers may have for their garden beds.
Thank you in advance!
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- June 10 - Grade 8 trip to Six Flags
- June 11 - PreK Graduation (details above) / 8th Grade Graduation (7 pm)
- June 12 - Thankfulness chapel, half-day; dismissal for all at 11:30 am
- June 13-19 - Staff Days
- June 19 - Report Cards to be mailed home Grades 3-8, Supply Lists and summer
work to be posted online
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Summer Music Lessons
Summer Music lessons with
Mrs. Suchocki will be offered on Tuesdays in July and Thursdays in August in the music room at Holden Chapel. Half-hour time slots are available from 9:00AM - 1:00PM. See the attached document for full details and to sign-up.
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Art Portfolios:
Students have come home last week with their artwork from the entire year. Please make it a special occasion for them to go through it with family present and show off their amazing talent.
Thank you for allowing me share art with your children.
Mrs. Mikolajczyk
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Bring back my babies! :)
Every Fall I start out telling the students that the library books are like my babies. They can borrow them but they need to take good care of them like they would a baby. I say things like "don't toss them around, rip the pages, forget them on grandma's floor of her car and by all means... return them to me at school." Well, it is that time of year to search through your house and see if you have any of my "babies" - (books that have an HCA bar code or stamp on them). If you do, please turn them to the library so I can put my "babies" to bed for the summer.
Thank you so much!
Mrs. Lucier
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From Mrs. Hughes
How do you say goodbye to a place that is home? I have spent most of my working life at this school. My children were educated here and then I helped educate dozens, and dozens, and dozens, and dozens more. (Maybe a few more dozens!) Time flies when you are having fun! I am so thankful for all of you and your wonderful children.
I guess the easy answer to why I am FINALLY GRADUATING KINDERGARTEN is that I need a change. Change is not easy for me. I would rather plow through than change. This is a giant leap of faith for me. I'm trusting that GOD is leading me into something new; whether it be at this school, with a varied schedule of responsibilities, or something else entirely, perhaps somewhere else.
As God directs decisions this summer, and there happens to be someone totally new teaching Kindergarten in the fall, I do think it’s fitting that HCA gets a change of guard to carry HIS school through the next 25 years!
God is good (ALL the time)!!
Love you all!!
Not goodbye, but see you soon!
Blessings!
Mrs. Hughes
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From Mrs. Weaver
The past two years at HCA have been an enriching opportunity for my family and I. HCA is a school like no other. HCA is an innovative leader in Christian education. HCA is not just a school, HCA is a family. The family of HCA extends across diverse backgrounds between faculty, staff, and students. The pride of the HCA family is something I admired from day one.
As a teacher I have learned so much from being a part of this great school. I learned how to take a concept statement and integrate it into any subject. I found the Big Days to be some of the best days. Big Days allowed my students and I to go beyond the pages of a standard textbook, and enter a fun filled world of experiential learning. The students I’ve taught over these two years have stolen my heart, and it was my pleasure to serve them as their teacher. My fellow staff members are the greatest prayer warriors around. HCA has an impenetrable prayer covering over it.
The Bible declares in Ecclesiastes 3:1 “To everything there is a season, and time to every purpose under heaven….”. I have prayed and sought the Lord and have come to peace with the decision to resign. I would not have made such a decision without first consulting the Lord. God is leading my family and I into a new season.
It is not easy to separate from HCA because HCA is a genuine family. My family and I are being called away for this season. It is our desire to stay connected to this family in some way. We plan to visit when we are able, and support the school through our prayers. Thank you for allowing me to be your 2nd grade teacher for two years. Thank you for loving my family and I with such sincerity. It has been both a privilege and an honor to be a part of Holden Christian Academy.
In Him,
Gena Weaver
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From Mrs. Jorritsma
It is with a heavy heart that I step back from my position as grade three teacher at Holden Christian Academy. It is my plan to continue my education and work as a substitute teacher within the public-school system this coming fall.
HCA is a very special and unique school. The staff here are a dedicated group of believers working hard to educate each child not only academically, but spiritually and in character. I have been blessed to work alongside each one, to love and educate the children that have been a part of Team B and specifically grade three for the last five years.
While I have worked to teach and grow my students, it is I that have truly benefited and learned from them. I am thankful for my years at Holden Christian Academy and will always consider HCA staff and families my family. I will truly miss you all.
Blessings,
Cynthia Jorritsma
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From Mr. Curtis
It is with a heavy heart that I write to inform you that I will not be returning to H.C.A. next school year. These last five years have been wonderful and I will remember and cherish them always.
First and foremost, I would like to thank God for the opportunity to teach at H.C.A. As it is written in Ecclesiastes there is a time and a season for everything, and this season has come to a close. I believe God is calling me into a new season, a season of change. I would also like to thank Mrs. Hayward and School Committee for giving me the opportunity to teach at such a unique and diverse school, where God is preeminent and learning is experiential and connected. I truly believe the method in which we deliver education at H.C.A. is the best way to teach young people about the world God has placed them in and discover how he has gifted each of them individually. Possibly, my biggest thanks goes to Mrs. Cleveland who has served as my co-teacher, mentor, and friend, everyday for five years. I could not have done it without you!
To my colleagues, continue to fight the good fight and do not grow weary of doing good. It gives me peace to know our students are left in such loving and encouraging hands. To my students past and present, please know that I love you and will continue rooting for you as you 'run the race'. Do not let anyone tell you what you are or are not capable of.
This is not goodbye; this is more of a see you later.
Blessings,
Joshua D Curtis
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Redemptive Education Conference
Don’t miss this amazing opportunity!
Act now!
As a believer, would you like some help to compassionately
think through the ubiquitous issues of
transgenderism
homosexuality &
abortion
that face us every day?
Help is on the way in October at HCA! Nancy Pearcey is coming to address these very issues.
Nancy Pearcey will be the keynote speaker of the Center for Redemptive Education’s Fall Conference (see other side for flyer) that will be hosted by Holden Christian Academy on Oct. 3-4, 2019.
There will be workshops and programs for all highlighting our educational approach, described as BRIE:
Biblical, Relational, Integral and Experiential.
HCA’s
Food for Life Program
will be a featured workshop and
our book will be debuted, God willing!
As a special perk, HCA & Holden Chapel families are offered the generous opportunity to register now for the student price of $99 - a $300 savings off the full conference price.
This conference (an international treasure coming to Holden! ) is especially relevant for pastors, church leaders, youth workers, and any of us who have struggled with these issues in our own families. Registrants from across America and even India are planning to attend. Don’t miss your opportunity to be there. It is a perfect fit for teachers at any level and in any venue, including church!
Nancy Pearcey has been hailed in
The Economist
as
“America’s pre-eminent evangelical Protestant female intellectual.”
Nancy’s latest book, Love Thy Body, will be central to this conference. In addition to writing four books of her own, she has co-authored a book with Chuck Colson, appeared on countless TV programs, is a professor, an editor and two-time winner of the ECPA Gold Medallion Award.
Please pray for this event and spread the word!
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Classroom News!
(Click on an image to read the full document.)
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Giving Option: Monthly Donations to HCA
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Legacy Partners
HCA Sustainers ... help keep HCA thriving! Help keep HCA thriving for future generations with a sustaining monthly gift!
When you commit to monthly donations for a minimum of one year, your name will be engraved on a leaf on our Legacy Tree to be installed soon in our main entrance.
Click the picture below to go to our support page. Once you set up a monthly gift (minimum pledge of 12 months), you will be contacted regarding the name to include on your leaf!
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Share with Us
Sending photos to this email address indicates your permission to have them shared on the school's social media pages including
Facebook
and
Instagram
, as well as our
website
.
Thank you for sharing your photos, liking and following our pages, and sharing our posts with your friends online.
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From BoxTops to Read-A-Thons, there are many ways you can help support HCA. 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 all the ways to participate on our
Support HCA
page!
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Teacher Wish List:
HCA greatly appreciates your donations of useful items. However, if you have something you think we may have use for but is not listed here, please call first to see if it is needed and that we have a place to store it until it is used. Thank you all for your continued generosity!
- Select-a-size paper towels for the kitchen. (Bounty or Brawny brands)
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