Dear PCA Parents & Friends,
 
As we embark on this unprecedented journey, we are incredibly blessed to be a part of a community so devoted to caring for our students and families. Even though we are not physically meeting together, we can still engage in compelling shared experiences over the next few weeks. We’re in this together. We are hearing early feedback of PCA families structuring their days to adjust to the new routines. Your postings and stories are truly inspiring! Please keep them coming!

The superhero in our teachers is coming out! The posts of their instruction from home is heartwarming, humorous, and robust. We are blessed to have a team of dedicated, creative, and committed faculty and staff. Please pray for our teachers as they continue to provide instruction through a variety of formats in an effort to keep our students growing academically and spiritually during these unusual times. Check out our high school teacher, Mr. Jeff Schmidt, as he pumps his students up for the lesson of the day!
We are praying for you as you and your student as they transition to #PCAkeepslearning ! This move to an online learning environment will be an adjustment to family schedules, school routines, and more. Students will likely experience common reactions that may move quickly from the initial novelty of learning at home to frustration and isolation as the reality of school closure and all that entails becomes their new reality. It may be helpful to remind your kids that there are millions of other students going through the same thing. Reassure them that their feelings are valid and reasonable. 

Please check out some thoughts we came up with that may be helpful:
 
REMIND
Remind your students that we do not face troubled times without hope. Whatever trials may come, whatever anxiety or cares we are experiencing, remember that Jesus knows what concerns us and strengthens us through it. This verse is so comforting; 2 Timothy 1:7 tells us, “For God has not given us a spirit of fear and timidity, but of power, love, and self-discipline.” What a reminder that each challenge or fear that we face is an opportunity to grow personally and as a school community.

ROUTINES
Your PCA faculty is working hard to keep students on schedule for the year. Remember that establishing daily routines will be vital for your family. Try and commit to normal wake up time, mealtime, curriculum time, and “lights out” schedule.
 
REST
Be sure to emphasize the importance of sleep for good health and emotional wellbeing.
 
REJUVENATE
Make time to exercise - thank goodness for our PCA Physical Education Team! 
 
REINVENT
This might be an opportunity to take up a new hobby or learn a new skill - or even learn how to play an instrument! We encourage our students to stay focused and resist consuming too much of their days with binge-watching or video games. We are praying for you as you help your kids explore areas of interest or curling up with a good book! 
 
The coming weeks will be fluid, and we want to assure you we will collaborate daily to streamline the best ways to receive instruction, turn in assignments, and effectively communicate in this e-learning environment. We will continue to provide resources, discussion groups, and videos that will promote learning, spiritual growth, and a sense of calm in this new challenge. 

We are committed to working diligently and daily, encouraging our PCA students and families. Please don’t hesitate to reach out if you or your student needs additional support or encouragement. Remember, this is only a “season” of time, and we have the confidence that the Lord has gone before us. Please regularly check your email, PCA’s social media, and our website as information unfolds. 

In Him,
Caryn Huntsman
PCA Superintendent
When does 3rd Quarter end?
We will follow our already scheduled calendar dates with the 3rd quarter ending this Friday.

Will my students receive tests during this time and if so, how will they take them?
For secondary students, yes, and we are currently in the process of investigating the best platform for distance testing.

For elementary, s ummative testing will resume following our return to school. The teacher may also do other quick and simple assessments such as write & respond, participation points and PASS assessments.

What are you recommending for daily schedules at home?
We believe that routines and schedules are very important for our students during this time of uncertainity. Our teachers are working 9 am-3 pm during the day. In the coming days, you will receive more information about scheduled events such as school worship and chapel, and if you need access to our staff, you can receive that between 9am - 3pm.
We also recognize that families have different needs based on parent work schedules as many are balancing working from home, while organizing the learning for their children.
As mentioned above, we recommend routine scheduling as much as possible, with flexibility for each family as you determine what works best for your children.

Will we have weekly chapels?
Yes, Elementary Chapels, hosted by Mrs. Larabee, will be delivered on Thursday via a video that will be emailed to parents. It will also be posted on PCA's Facebook & Vimeo pages.

Secondary Chapels will be delivered via FB Live early next week. Time to be determined.

Are you taking attendance?
No, we are not taking attendance during this time of distance learning.

When are elementary assignments due?
Elementary teachers will provide directions regarding due dates.

When are secondary assignments due?
Currently, secondary assignments are due according to each teacher's scheduling. We are investigating options to streamline this process and will share that information when it becomes available.

What about the Junior/Senior Banquet? It is scheduled for May 8 and that falls within the 8-week verbiage we are hearing.
The Junior/Senior Banquet has been rescheduled for Friday, May 29.

Stay Connected
Now more than ever we need to stay connected to our school family! We are blessed that the Lord has provided us with our school community.If you'd like to join our online conversations, please follow us on
our social media platforms!

Thanks to so many who have
already shared your stories, encouragement, humor, and pictures with us using #pcakeepslearning !

Today's adorable photo brought to you by the Thornton family! " Day 3: Daily 5, read to someone.  #pcakeepslearning "


Join the conversation today!