Jan. 17, 2020
Weekly Warrior
Stay in touch. Stay informed.
Therefore, take up the full armor of God, so that you will be able to resist in the evil day, and having done everything, to stand firm. Ephesians 6:13
What’s Inside:

Week at a Glance

Quick Links

Elementary News

MS/HS News

BCS and You

Prayer Warriors

Warrior Spotlight

School-wide Announcements
Week at a Glance

Monday, Jan. 20
NO SCHOOL (MLK, Jr. holiday)

Tuesday, Jan. 21
No elementary chapel

5:30pm: MS Boys Basketball @ Shepherd of the Hills

6:30pm: MS Girls Basketball @ Shepherd of the Hills

6pm: Varsity Girls Basketball @ BCS

7:30pm: Varsity Boys Basketball @ BCS

Wednesday, Jan 22
8:50am: Secondary Chapel

Thursday, Jan.23
7pm: MS Boys Basketball @ NBCA

Friday, Jan. 24
5pm: JV Boys Basketball @ St. Gerard

6pm: Varsity Girls Basketball @ St. Gerard

7:30pm: Varsity Boys Basketball @ St. Gerard

Saturday, Jan.25
ACSI Spelling Bee

UPCOMING :
Jan 27: Open House from 5:30-7:30
Bracken Open House
Spread the word and help grow the Bracken family!
Elementary School News
Sheila Kerby, Principal
Dear Parents and Guardians,
In elementary chapel this past week we recognized the students who received a ribbon for participating in the ACSI District Math Olympics and those who qualified to move on to the Area Math Olympics on February 14.
We are very proud of our students and want to say thank you to Mr. Hilgendorf for preparing them for the competition. Just a reminder that Saturday, January 18, three students will represent Bracken in the ACSI Spelling Bee. We wish them the best. They have been diligently studying their word list since October!
Coach Stredic was our guest speaker at chapel this week. Two words dominated his message: "thankful and grateful." Coach Stredic asked the students if they had received gifts for Christmas and if they were thankful and grateful. The message is that we all have gifts that are given to all believers from the Lord. "As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another, as good stewards of God's varied grace." 1 Peter 4:10
Bracken Uniform Reminder:
All students at Bracken Christian School wear a school uniform. They are required to be in the proper uniform during school hours.

Pre-K - 2nd grade girls may wear:
  • Plaid jumper with white navy trimmed puff-sleeved blouse. (Navy modesty shorts are required to be worn under the jumper.) Blue or black leggings may be worn under the jumper in cold weather.
Or
  • Khaki or navy shorts or pants with a brown or black belt and white or gray knit polo with school logo

  • Athletic shoes with white crew or ankle socks are to be worn with all uniforms.
Grades 3 - 5 girls may wear:
  • Plaid skirt with white uniform blouse. (Navy modesty shorts are required to be worn under the skirt.) Blue or black leggings may be worn under the skirt in cold weather.

Or

  • Khaki or Navy shorts or pants with brown or black belt and white or gray knit polo with school logo

  • Athletic shoes with white crew or ankle socks
Pre-K4 - 5th grade boys:
  • Khaki or navy shorts or pants with brown or black belt and white or gray knit polo with school logo

  • Athletic shoes with white crew or ankle socks
 
All Elementary girls and boys spirit dress:
  • Bracken issued or purchased shirts and blue denim jeans with no holes, tears, or large frays
 
If you have questions, please feel free to come talk with me. The school uniform policy can be found in the Parent and Student Handbook on the Family Portal, on the Bracken website, or here .
REMINDERS:
  • If your child is going to be out, please call the School Office or email tammy.grothues@brackenchristian.com before 9:00 am. Absences will be communicated to the classroom teacher, but you are welcome to email the teacher, as well.
  • Please check your child's uniform before leaving for school including socks, shoes, hair accessories, and outerwear. We observe many students not following the uniform policy.
Middle School/High School News
Tashi Land, Principal
Dear Parents:
Please see the Week at a Glance for important upcoming events. In addition to those events, please be aware of these future dates:
Jan 27: Open House from 5:30 - 7:30
Feb 4: Open Enrollment Begins
Feb 14-17: Winter Break
The ninth grade biology class extracted DNA from peas and spinach this week. They also collected samples from around campus and will culture the samples to determine the presence of bacteria. They will then study the bacteria's morphology under a microscope in an attempt to identify them.

Representing Bracken at the TMI invitational swim meet on Jan. 3, Jess Wean earned a first place and two second place medals in his events! Congratulations, Jess!
BCS and You
There are many ways you can support YOUR Bracken Christian School. Choose to volunteer, donate classroom items, participate in fundraising campaigns, and make monetary donations. See below for many opportunities to help your Warriors thrive!
Revenue Sharing Fundraising
Help Bracken with no extra cost to you.
Raise money for BCS with gift cards through Scrip. When you buy a gift card from Scrip, you give a gift to Bracken. Over 700 merchants. See Tammy G. in the elementary office or go to ShopWithScrip.com and click "Join a Program." Enter code 6BL5A91B6151 .
SO EASY! Use your own Amazon account to login in to smile.amazon.com , make Bracken Christian School your charity, and start shopping. Same products, prices, and features as Amazon.com. With every purchase of eligible AmazonSmile products, 0.5% of the price can go to Bracken! It adds up! Note: AmazonSmile does not work on the iOS Amazon app.
No clipping. No sending Box Tops to school. All you need is your phone . Download the Box Tops app, shop, then scan your receipts. The app will automatically credit your school's Box Tops earnings online.
The Giving Tree
BCS classrooms have several needs that you can help meet. ALL classroom needs can be found on an online sign-up form where you can note the items you will donate. Weekly featured items are below.

CLICK HERE for a complete list and to select items to donate.

Featrued Elementary needs:
1st grade: Highlighters
3rd grade: Dry erase markers/erasers
Science: If you are upgrading your tablets or phones this season, consider donating your old device. There are many activities, computer programming, virtual reality, and robotics programs we can add to daily lessons.

Featured Clinic Needs : Crutches (various sizes) and protein snacks

Featured MS/HS Needs:
Acrylic and oil-based paints, drawing pencils, paint brushes, canvases (Art)
Concordia References Books (Bible)
Teacherdiscovery.com gift cards (Social Studies and Foreign Languages)
Donations for script purchases and set/prop purchases (Drama)
Thank You!!
We wanted to take a moment to recognize the extraordinary support Bracken Christian School received from one of its biggest supporters this past year, Bracken Backers. In the fall of 2019, Bracken Backers raised over $30,000 that helped fund Bracken athletics and a variety of other BCS needs. We thank all of the members of Bracken Backers and those who volunteered and donated throughout the fall. We are so grateful for you all.
Prayer Warriors
 Please be in prayer for:
  • BCS Search Committee and BoD as they evaluate candidates and make final decisions about the new Head of School
  • Health and safety for our athletes
  • 2020-2021 re-enrollment
  • Our leadership
  • Successful implementation of new academic programs

If you have a prayer request that you would like to share in the newsletter, please contact one of the principals or Amy Day to have it included here.

Warrior Spotlight
Congratulations to Class of 2019 alumnus Lucas McCrum on his debut with the East Texas Baptist University baseball team this spring! We look forward to your continued positive impact on and off the field!
Administration Announcements
Bracken has a new logo! Click here to read more about how this new symbol of Bracken embodies our goal to encourage our students’ faith and equip them to be steadfast warriors for Christ. 
Programs and Tuition for 2020-21
Beginning in the 2020-2021 school year, Bracken will offer three distinctly different educational programs designed to allow parents flexibility while achieving an excellent education within the context of a biblical worldview. Below you will find the description and tuition rates for each program.
Additionally, we are now offering a 5% family tuition discount to active military, first responders, and families with three or more enrolled children.
Traditional 5-Day Program, K4 - 12th
The BCS Traditional 5-day program offers professional instruction on campus five days a week. Students are challenged to put their faith in to action by participating in ministries such as Students And Leaders Together (S.A.L.T. Program) and involvement in service projects.
 BCS Traditional 5-Day Tuition:
  • K4-5th - $8,940 per year, $745 per month for 12 months
  • 6th-8th - $9,240 per year, $770 per month for 12 months
  • 9th-12th - $9,696 per year, $808 per month for 12 months
  • K4 3 Day (T,W,TH) - $5,940 per year, $495 per month for 12 months
  • $150 application fee per family
  • $400 enrollment fee per student
BCS Hybrid Program, K5 - 8th
The new BCS Hybrid program offers a schedule that allows families flexibility by providing professional instruction on campus two to three days a week and study at home under the tutelage of parents on the remaining days.  It allows students to take ownership of their education and develop skills in problem solving and time management at an early age. Academic accountability will be monitored by on-campus degreed teachers. BCS Hybrid strives to curate elements from a variety of research-based, educational models that are successful in keeping the gospel of Jesus Christ at the center of all that is taught. Supplemental labs, arts and athletics are available as electives at the published rate. 
BCS Hybrid Tuition:
  • K5-5th - $4,440yr, $370 per month for 12 months
  • 6th-8th - $4,800yr, $400 per month for 12 months
  • Textbooks are not included in Hybrid tuition
  • Friday electives - $450 per class per semester
  • $150 application fee per family
  • $400 enrollment fee per student
BCS Flex Program, 9th -12th
BCS Flex offers instruction from our professional teachers in the traditional 5-day program or our Hybrid program through an a la carte system. We view the Flex program as an opportunity for Bracken and homeschooling parents to partner in the education of their children. Core classes, advanced classes, dual credit classes, electives, and athletics are offered through BCS Flex. Students taking at least four classes each semester are eligible to participate in TAPPS activities which offers fine arts, academic, and athletic competitions. 
BCS Flex Tuition:
  • $2,400 per year per course, $200 per month for 12 months
  • $150 application fee
  • $400 enrollment fee
BCS SHIELD
The BCS SHIELD program supplements all of our academic programs described above. Working through the National Institute of Learning Development (NILD), BCS SHIELD is for students with average to above-average intelligence who struggle with skills such as math facts, spelling, difficulty organizing personal space and time, or spend an unreasonable amount of time on homework. The goal of the program is to equip students with learning differences to succeed academically and in life as independent learners. 
BCS SHIELD Tuition:
  • $5,300 per year, $530 per month for 10 months
  • $60 material fee
Re-enrollment Information
We continue to seek God in moving Bracken to a financially sustainable position and to provide excellence for our students and families. We pray that you will continue to partner with us in the education of your children.

Jan 24:
  • Re-enrollment fee of $350/student will be charged to your account. Automatic re-enrollment for current students occurred on Jan 14. This is required to secure a student’s spot for the 2020-2021 school year. If you have multiple children and would like to space the re-enrollment fees out, please contact Amy Day at amy.day@brackenchristian.com to make arrangements.

Feb 3:      
  • Open enrollment begins for new families

April 1:
  • Re-enrollment fee becomes non-refundable. If you have paid the re-enrollment fee and choose by Mar 31 not to return, your re-enrollment fee will be refunded and you will complete the withdrawal process as described below.

* Should you decide not to return for the 2020-2021 school year, contact Mallory Smith at mallory.smith@brackenchristian.com to begin the withdrawal process for the end of the 2019-2020 school year. The withdrawal process will include completing a withdrawal form and having an exit meeting with the Head of School in May.
Parent-Teacher Organization (PTO)
Join the newly-formed PTO!

A meet-and-greet will be held on January 23 from 2:30-6:30pm in the BCS library.

PTO officers:
President: Christa East
Vice President: Tonya Brand
Secretary: Aarin Farrell
Treasurer: Jennifer McGarity
2019-2020 Bracken Business Network
Please consider supporting our Bracken family business owners when in need of services such as day care, plumbing, dentistry, and more! You can link to the directory for the full list and contact information here: Bracken Business Network.
Employment Opportunity
BCS Warrior Athletic Department is looking for an assistant high school girls softball coach . If interested, please contact Terri Sanders at terri.sanders@brackenchristian.com.

BCS is currently seeking a dedicated individual to join our after school program staff! This is a part-time job on Monday-Friday from 3:15-6:30 p.m. Contact Ms. Sheila Kerby, Elementary School Principal, for more details at 830-438-3211 or click here to email.
Administration:

Head of School:
Jerry Beene

Financial/Business Director:
Jerry Beene

Advancement Director:
Amy Day

HS/MS Principal:
Tashi Land

Elementary School Principal:
Sheila Kerby

Athletic Director:
Terri Sanders

SHIELD Coordinator:
Kim Miglicco