Dear PCA Families and Friends,
I wish I could bottle and share the excitement and energy flowing throughout the campus. All of us-- students, staff, faculty, parents, and even our mailman and faithful contractors-- all are ready for the beginning of the Christmas holiday recess and the celebration of the birth of our Lord and Savior. Our school, at this time of year, is a wonder to behold. Most evident to all are the joyful and exceptional Christmas concerts, creative volunteers decorating the buildings, and happy children singing carols in the lobby. Then, of course, are Christmas parties in the classrooms, and the beautiful blanket of snow we received on Tuesday. All contribute to the infectious spirit of expectancy and hope from the Lord for each and all of us, for our world.
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Considering all that is going on across campus, on behalf of the staff and faculty I extend our thanks for all who sent in gifts, cards, and treats these past weeks. Your generosity is deeply appreciated.
Thank you to our families who contributed to the Lower School's Coat Drive! We were able to collect 64 coats to help local families in need stay warm this winter. Thank you for your generosity and care.
Looking ahead, please plan to join me at one or both of our upcoming State of the School meetings in January. We have an afternoon event scheduled Thursday, January 23 at 3:30 pm (child care will be provided) as well as an evening session that same day at 7:00 pm. Both events will be held in the Upper School's Troiano Hall. I look forward to seeing you and engaging with you.
All of us at PCA wish each of you and your loved ones a blessed, safe, and Christ-centered Christmas as well as a healthy, happy, and prosperous new year. We thank the Lord for 40 years of the school, and as we look to 2020 and beyond, we are so thankful for you and what is to come.
Together in Christ this Christmas and throughout the year,
Mike Runey
Head of School
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A special "Thank you!" to our Security Coordinator, Gene Watson, for making us smile and laugh throughout the past couple of weeks with his festive holiday costumes!
Stay tuned to see the final holiday costume of the season that he will be donning tomorrow!
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The Winter Track team started their season with a great meet which included a new school record! Congratulations to freshman
Brianna Malone
who broke PCA's 1000m record with a time of 3:13.53! Additionally, while running the anchor leg in the 4x400 meters, Brianna got the baton 15-20 meters behind the leader from Phillips Exeter; by the end of the race, that lead was gone as Brianna carried it home to win the race.
George Cheney
(junior) also had a super day with very big PRs in both the 600m (by 6 seconds) and long jump (by 1 foot!). Other PRs include
Emily Vaccaro
(senior) in the 600m,
Trevor Garton
(junior) in the 55m, and
Luke O’Halloran
(freshman) in the 1500m. Great job, Eagles!
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Left to right: Trevor Garton*, Cort Baussmann, Laurel Pigman*, Mary Gubitose*, Abigail Vaccaro*, Audrey Smith (President), Emily Vaccaro*, and Julie Stevens*
PCA welcomed 6 new members* into the PCA chapter of the Tri-M Music Honor Society last week! Tri-M is a nationwide music honor society with over 8,000 chapters in all 50 states. Students were chosen on the basis of academics, leadership, and service. Bravo, Eagles!
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SEMESTER Opportunities
Arriving Early January: Grades 9-11
Host families receive a stipend of $1,000 per month per student. Please contact
Elaina Russo (ext. 116) for more information.
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Christmas Decoration Removal
Parent Volunteers: Saturday, December 28 from 9:00 am to 12:00 pm. Please contact
Jodi Karnes.
Substitute Lunch Volunteers needed from 11:45 am -12:45 pm on Mondays. Please contact
Laura Lupinacci.
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Tonight!
Thursday, December 19
Grades K-3 at 6:00 pm
Grades 4-5 at 7:00 pm
For family members and friends who are not able to attend the concert, PCA will be live-streaming the concert.
CLICK HERE to watch.
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PCA will be closed for our Christmas break from December 21 through January 5. Classes will resume on Monday, January 6.
Enjoy this special time of year with your family!
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Saturday, December 21 at 7:00 am
Upper School: Runey Hall Board Room
All dads are invited to a time of fellowship and prayer each month during the school year. Join us this weekend for a special time together as we go into the Christmas season and into the New Year. Sons who have returned home from college for the Christmas break are welcome to attend too! Contact
Anders Lund with questions.
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Attention Grade 6-12!
Begin Thursday, January 9, 2020
This year's spring musical is "Guys and Dolls." Dates for auditions are Thursday, January 9 (Upper School) and Monday, January 13 (Junior High) with call-backs on Tuesday, January 14 (Upper School & Junior High). More information and sign-ups are posted in the Upper School and Lower School libraries.
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Friday, January 10 at 8:20 am
Main Gym
Parents are welcome to attend the Lower School's Spelling Bee. The top spellers from each class will compete for a chance to represent PCA at the State Spelling Bee to be held in Concord, NH on Saturday, March 7, 2019. Contact
Jennifer Maley with questions.
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Saturday, January 11 from 6:00-9:00 pm
Troiano Hall
All Upper School students are welcome to join us for our annual Silver Bell Dance. Visitors are welcome to attend but will need to fill out a
visitor's form prior to the event (available in office). Cost is $10 at the door. Contact our Dean of Women,
Lois Blatchley, with questions. NOTE: Back-up snow date will be Saturday, February 1.
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Tuesday, January 14 at 3:30 pm
Spread the word! Our Kindergarten Open House features activities for children, a peek at learning at the primary level, and an introduction to our fabulous upcoming kindergarten teachers. Be sure to invite any preschool or kindergarten families you know who may be interested in a peek at PCA!
LEARN MORE.
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Wednesday, January 15, 2020 at 6:30 pm
Parents of students interested in traveling to Peru during April Vacation 2021 are asked to join us in the Upper School Library. The trip is being chaperoned and arranged by David Miller and Joy Eisner as part of our World Language curriculum. Please contact
David Miller for meeting details if you are unable to attend.
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Friday, January 17 through
Monday, January 20
Our campus will be closed on Friday, January 17 for our second Teacher In-Service Day. The campus will be closed on Monday, January 20 in honor of Martin Luther King, Jr. Enjoy your long weekend!
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Friday, January 17 at 9:00 am
Upper School: Troiano Hall
During our Teacher In-Service Day next month, parents are welcome to join us in Troiano Hall to hear
Lynn Lyons talk about anxiety. This will be a popular event open to our larger community, but PCA families will be able to register first.
CLICK HERE to register for this free workshop. Please contact
Sue McKenney (ext. 112) with questions.
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Sale Deadline: Friday, January 17
For a limited time, we are offering reduced pricing for tables of 8 or 10 to our 25th Annual Auction.
PURCHASE HERE. You won't want to miss this event!
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Thursday, January 23 in Troiano Hall
Session #1: 3:30-5:00 pm
Session #2: 7:00-8:30 pm
Please join Mike Runey as he shares his thoughts and his vision for our school, as well as answering any questions which you may have. Free childcare will be provided in the MPR between 3:30-5:00 pm for students whose parent(s) are attending the afternoon State of School session. Let us know that you're coming
HERE.
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Friday, January 24 at 8:20 am
Main Gym
Families are welcome to join us in the Main Gym to recognize our Lower School students for their Quarter 2 academic achievements. Contact
Sue McKenney (ext. 112) with questions.
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Saturday, January 25 at 9 am
Invite your friends or come see for yourself! The All-School Open House is a chance for new families (and current families!) to see what PCA holds for each child’s next step! Whether you’re a current family looking to see what’s ahead at the next academic level or you know a friend who is considering PCA, the All-School Open House is a perfect opportunity to take a closer look.
LEARN MORE.
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For a list of all of our current employment opportunities,
CLICK HERE.
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Portsmouth Christian Academy | 603.742.3617 | pcaschool.org
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