WINGS
FCA Students Taking Flight for Christ
December 2021
Bryan Alvaré
Headmaster

Matthew 2:11 (NKJV)

And when they had come into the house, they saw the young Child with Mary His mother, and fell down and worshiped Him. And when they had opened their treasures, they presented gifts to Him: gold, frankincense, and myrrh.

Maybe you've heard it, too, in the grocery store, while pumping gas, or even at church. Heard what, you ask? It's Christmas music and the inescapable sounds of the season!

While differences of opinion about Christmas music exist, many enjoy the sense of nostalgia that these carols bring. My favorite Christmas song, hands down, is "The Little Drummer Boy." I've yet to hear an arrangement of the music that I dislike. The melody is enjoyable, and the drums are fine, but it's really about the lyrics of this song for me. In my life, I can certainly relate to the Little Drummer Boy. I've repeatedly felt that "I have no gift to bring... That's fit to give our King." This song is a poignant reminder that even though my offering is humble, I should give what I can to my Savior. God knows me and knows exactly what I have and what I can supply. Isn't it interesting that the boy didn't give Jesus his drum? He offered his talent to the King of Kings. Material gifts are not always necessary. It's about the condition of our hearts as we give the gift.

As we close out 2021, a special thanks to all of you who share your talents, time, and love with the FCA community! Our school is better because of your involvement!
Bryan Alvaré Graduates From Van Lunen Fellowship

In 2019, Headmaster Bryan Alvaré was selected to participate in the Van Lunen Fellowship. The mission of the Van Lunen Center is to provide world-class, executive management training for heads of schools based on the historic Christian faith.  Participants come from all over the world take part in each cohort. After a delay due to COVID, Mr. Alvaré graduated from the program on November 5, 2021. Mr. Alvaré stated, “The Van Lunen program has been by far the most meaningful and impactful professional development I’ve experienced in my 25+ year career.  Learning from other school leaders in this way will help me become a better leader and add value to Faith Christian Academy.” Since its inception in 2007, over 300 Van Lunen Fellows have completed the residency, representing 10,000 faculty members and nearly 500,000 students worldwide. 
LOWER SCHOOL

12/2 - Christmas Concert Rehearsal 12/2 - Christmas Concert

12/3 - Picture Retakes

12/6-10 - Holiday Shop

12/12 - Dickens on Centre

12/17 - End of 2nd Nine Weeks

12/20-1/3 - Christmas Break
(Basketball practice continues)

Happy New Year!
1/4/2022 - Students Return

UPPER SCHOOL

12/2 - Christmas Concert Rehearsal
12/2 - Christmas Concert

12/3 - Picture Retakes
12/3 - Gift of Time

12/10 - Dickens on Centre

12/17 - End of 2nd Nine Weeks

12/20-1/3 - Christmas Break
(Basketball practice continues)

Happy New Year!
1/4/2022 - Students Return

Casual for a Cause Friday
benefitting Angel Families
Lower School collected $296.40
Upper School collected $312.00
Total: $608.40
DEVELOPMENT NEWS
Faith Christian Academy is developing 26 acres on Old Nassauville Road. The school will have 51,000 sqft to serve the spiritual, educational, social, and physical needs of 500 students. To learn more please visit our website!
Join “Together In Faith” with our community to provide our youth the best in Christian Education.
Covenant Partnership
SCHOOL EVENTS - LOWER SCHOOL
For Fire Safety Week, Sparky the Fire Dog and his friends w/ Engine 70 came to talk to VPK about fire safety and when to call 911. The students were able to climb in the ambulance and see all the tools on the firetruck. Fire Inspector Chris talked to the students about what to do in an emergency and gave all the students their very own fire hats at the end of the presentation.
SCHOOL EVENTS - UPPER SCHOOL
FCA FOOD DRIVE BENEFITTING
GRACIE'S KITCHEN
Faith Christian Academy reached out to our community in helping those in need by collecting non-perishable food items for Gracie's Kitchen. The drive started on November 1 and ran through November 18. The whole school from 4-year-olds to 12th graders brought in food items each day. The class that brought in the most items per average was allowed to help take the food items to Gracie's Kitchen and have an ice cream treat from Chick-fil-A.

On Friday, November 19, a final count was taken and FCA had collected 3,722 food items. This was 1,500 more items than last year's food drive. 

The winning class was the 8th grade, who averaged 50 cans per student in their class. They helped to load up the food items and on Monday, November 22, they gave the food items to Gracie's Kitchen. The students wrote about their experience and one student said, "It was fun being able to load up the food and get out of school. The best part of all was being able to help others in need." Another student wrote, "It was great to see the smiling faces of the workers at Gracie's Kitchen as we drove up to deliver the food." 

God has blessed our school and we in turn wanted to bless our community. The food items will be used to help families and individuals in need through the distribution of Gracie's Kitchen. 
Our School is Now Accredited by Cognia (formerly AdvancED). 
Our school is celebrating its 25th year of serving our community!