The
Chronicle
YMEDACA NAITSIRHC NOTGNIXEL •ELCINORHC EHT • 8102 TSUGUA
THE AUGUST ISSUE
Lexington Christian Academy (859) 422-5700 www.lexingtonchristianacademy.com
A Message From Mr. Cliff Iler Chair, Board of Directors
IN THIS ISSUE BOARD REPORT - 3 BOARD MEMBER PROFILES - 5
Dear LCA Families and Friends, Welcome to the August edition of The Chronicle! I hope everyone has had a successful start to the 2018-19 school year. This year marks a very special time for LCA as we celebrate the school’s 30th anniversary. The excitement for this school year began before the first day of school when on August 9, we officially opened the 6th Grade Academy. This new, state-of-the art learning environment at the Rose Campus allows students to focus on their God-given talents and excel academically as they grow toward junior high and beyond. Hundreds of students and family members attended the ribbon cutting ceremony, marking a very special moment in the school’s history. The following week, the Immanuel Campus held open house events for preschool and elementary students and their families to reveal recent renovations and updates. This marks the first time that students in preschool through fifth grades are on one campus. Another new addition to LCA is the updated website, which will have a dedicated page containing information about the school’s Board of Directors. An email address for the board will be included that will automatically forward to each board member. Dates and times of meetings of the board and board committees will be added to the site's school calendar in the near future. In this issue, you will find a list and descriptions of these committees offering numerous ways for you to be involved in the school. I encourage you to review these and see how you might want to serve LCA. As the board begins work on another school year, I want to take this opportunity to say a special thank you to Melinda Drake and Doug Hacker, who recently concluded their board terms. Melinda and Doug are both profiled in this month’s issue, and I invite you to learn more about their service to LCA. As we go throughout the school year, I ask you to continue to pray for our school’s leadership, employees, and families. May we be reminded of Galatians 6:9-10: “Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up. Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers.”
Melinda Drake Doug Hacker
TEACHER PROFILES - 7 Rebekah Straub Keith Johnson
ALUMNI PROFILE - 11 Kirby Willoughby
PARENT TEACHER FELLOWSHIP UPDATE - 12 LCA HAPPENINGS - 14 Photos from July and August events
#LCAin5 - 17
PICTURED ABOVE Cliff Iler, Chair, LCA Board of Directors, speaking at the opening of the 6th Grade Academy. PICTURED ON THE COVER High school students gathered in the hallways to pray on the first day of school. James Jaeger, 6th Grade Academy Director, cuts the ribbon to officially open LCA's new, state of the art learning environment.
Clifton Iler THE CHRONICLE
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On Monday, August 27, our school board met for its August meeting. The board announced the school committees with their respective board member representatives for the 2018-19 school year. The chair of each committee seeks to fill out each roster with interested parents and teachers , based on the specific skills needed to achieve goals for the year. Most committees meet monthly, typically in the evening; others may convene only as needed to accomplish specific objectives. We are in the process of building our Board of Directors page on the LCA website. Check back to read member bios, committee descriptions and to express interest in serving on a committee.
2018-19 LCA Board of Directors Front row (left to right): Danielle Eckman, Cliff Iler (Chairman), Bill Whitaker, Lori Graham Back row (left to right): Terri Morrical, Gary Wortz, Rachel Harper, Lee Tompkins, Jeff Gehring, Tina Navis, Dave Harris, Steven Potts
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BOARD REPORT - SCHOOL COMMITTEES
Advancement (Terri Morrical, Chair)
Leads parents and volunteers in support of the school's fundraising model. The committee helps balance numerous (and sometimes competing) missions and service requests with long-term initiatives, to maximize funding from all development efforts.
Athletics (Bill Whitaker, Chair) Strives to promote a variety of sports programs across grade levels in compliance with regulatory guidelines and in harmony with LCA's primary mission to glorify Christ in educational ministry. The committee is also responsible for developing policies with respect to athlete's participation.
Education (Lori Graham, Chair) Ensures that curricular materials at LCA are appropriate and effective. The committee provides broad oversight to accreditation, textbook review cycles, course offerings, technology and fine arts programming.
Facilities (Steven Potts, Chair) Works with the administrative leadership to plan for the physical space requirements of our educators and students, whether in academic or co-curricular endeavors. The committee helps determine the most efficient stewardship of both the Rose and Immanuel campuses.
Finance (Tina Navis, Chair) Provides expert guidance with respect to treasury, risk management, internal controls, budgeting & financial reporting, and the annual audit. The committee also gives direction with respect to tuition assistance, legal and other compliance matters.
Long Range Planning (Dave Harris, Chair) Helps facilitate efforts across all functional areas to prepare the school's strategic plan, works closely with the administration to craft the related long-term financial model, and monitors & evaluates progress toward reaching strategic goals.
Nominating (Jeff Gehring, Chair) Consists of directors committed to working with the various committees to identify and develop prospective Board members, evaluating potential candidates, and providing appropriate governance training and orientation.
Personnel (Lee Tompkins, Chair) Develops policies respecting all human resource matters including compensation, benefits, professional development, contracts, discipline, and evaluations. The committee is comprised of Board members to deal sensitively and privately with employee issues.
Student Life (Rachel Harper, Chair) Recommends policy and actions regarding non-academic extracurricular activities and spiritual life and activity of the school. THE CHRONICLE
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AUGUST 2018
Melinda Drake recently concluded her term on the LCA Board, and we would like to sincerely thank her for her service. Find out below what she's most proud of accomplishing during her tenure. Tell us a little bit about yourself and your family. What are some things you would like others to know about you? My husband Bruce and I met in a Food Science class at Western Kentucky University, where I graduated. We have three wonderful sons -- Jack (Class of 2014), Wade (Class of 2018), and Johnny Bruce (8th grade). Each of them attended LCA since kindergarten. A fun fact about me, is that in 2011, I competed in Beijing, China for Team USA ITU World Championship sprint triathlon. If asked, why would you encourage families to send their children to LCA? We chose to send our boys to LCA because we shared the desire for them to grow in a personal relationship with Jesus Christ while encouraging others to do the same. The teachers and the impact they have made on our boys' lives are what kept our family at LCA throughout the years. These special teachers are what sets LCA apart, and I am grateful to so many who have taught and loved them along the way. What have you been most proud of the school accomplishing during your tenure on the board? During my tenure, an Accommodation Plan has been created and passed through committee and board. It has been a long journey and in God's perfect timing that LCA now offers support services to students with learning differences for all grade levels K-12!
What advice would you give to current LCA families? I leave you with Psalm 94:19 "When anxiety was great within me, your consolation brought joy to my soul." God can bring joy by simply knowing He is present, He is in control and trusting in His power!
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Doug Hacker recently concluded his term on the LCA Board after six years. We want to sincerely thank him for his service to LCA during that time. Find out below about some of his proudest moments during his tenure. Tell us a little about yourself and your family. What are some things you would like others to know about you? My family and I have been part of LCA for the past nine years. During my time here, I served six years on the board, chairing the Facilities, Athletics, and Nominating Committees. I also served one term as Board Chairman. I am Vice President of CongletonHacker Company. My wife, Faith, and I have two children. Audrey Grace is a 2016 graduate of LCA and currently attends Centre College. She is majoring in Economics and Finance and is a member of the tennis team. Will is a current senior at LCA and enjoys basketball and golf. Faith and I spend most of our free time watching our children participate in their various sports activities. What have you been most proud of the school accomplishing during your tenure on the board? Although this has nothing to do with my tenure as a board member, my proudest moment each year is attending graduation and watching with pride as the latest class of graduates walk the stage to receive their diplomas. I am certain no other school in this area has a graduation as special as LCA’s. If asked, why would you encourage families to send their children to LCA? Having started our kids’ educations in public school, I am keenly aware of how little the public system is aligned with Christian beliefs. Since we have been at LCA, there hasn’t been a single occurrence that has caused us to have to “unteach” our kids what they learned at school regarding anything that reflects our family’s beliefs. In addition, there hasn’t been a single day of worry since we first entered the door.
What advice would you give to current LCA families? If I could say anything to other families at LCA, realizing that free advice is worth what you pay for, I would tell them that the greatest benefit I received as a board member was the opportunity to meet and get to know so many of the faculty, staff, and administration of the school. They are truly the heart and soul of our school and deserve every ounce of support you and your family can give them. They care for our kids in ways that many will never see or know about and are certainly not thanked enough. Choose support and encouragement over harsh criticism.
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We are excited for you to get to know Rebekah Straub, the LCA Preschool Chaplain. She grew up wanting to be either a chemist or an ice-cream shop owner. Rebekah never ended up owning an icecream shop, but she did become a chef...LCA's very own Chef Sprinkles! Tell us a little about yourself and your family. What are some things you would like others to know about you? I grew up around Beckley, West Virginia in a home where Jesus was the Light. My parents instilled into me from the onset that God was first, He is our foundation, and all else stems from that relationship. Growing up I had my eyes set on a diverse set of goals -- chemist or ice-cream shop owner. I never dreamed I’d follow in my mom’s footsteps by possessing a degree in Christian Education (she served as the Director of Christian Education and the Director of the Preschool at our church, United Methodist Temple). The passion for my faith was ignited when after college, I attended the Focus on the Family Institute in Colorado Springs, Colorado. While a mountaintop experience, it also was an adventure that helped me realize I needed to have a better handle on how I can articulate my faith personally, and not just with textbook answers. So, I decided to pursue a Master's at Asbury Seminary in Worship Media. However, God wasn’t quite done, and I felt called to stay and obtain a Master's in Christian Education. I guess you could say it was in my blood. I never saw myself working with children, leading children’s worship, or anything close. But today, I wouldn’t exchange it for ANYTHING! It has been a huge blessing to me, and I find great joy in this journey at LCA. Tell us about your chapel programs. What should students and their families expect this year? This is my eighth year having the privilege to serve as the Preschool Chaplain for the LCA Preschool. Midway through my first year, the character of “Chef Sprinkles” emerged. “Chef Sprinkles” is often whipping-up things in the kitchen to serve as illustrations for various Bible stories and concepts. Over the years, “Chef Sprinkles” has become synonymous with Preschool Chapel. However, in order to keep things fresh for each year, she sometimes ventures out of her kitchen for adventures. For the first time we are aligning Chapel with the in-class Bible curriculum, and I'm ecstatic about what the "Chef" has on the menu. I’m really excited to have the opportunity to combine the two and help
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TEACHER PROFILE - REBEKAH STRAUB develop this new path! I think it will be a fun-filled, Bible-based excursion with Jesus! My goal is to see these kids fall deeply in love with Jesus, as they learn who He is and seeds are planted for their own personal relationships with Him to flourish. In addition, this is the first year I’m going to have the opportunity to serve as the Chaplain for the TK-Kindergarten grade levels. Chef Sprinkles hangs up her apron for these grades, so there will be a distinguished difference. However, the Bible lessons in the classroom will follow with Chapel, as well. I’m hopeful for the year ahead as we invite the Holy Spirit to be present in our worship and open the hearts and minds of the children to learn about and worship Jesus. Both the Preschool and TK-Kindergarten teaching teams with whom I’m working are made-up of Godly women who I find a delight to serve alongside as we shine the Light of Jesus to
Parents are
the young children with whom we’ve been entrusted.
always welcome to worship with us:
Why do you feel Christian education is important? As people, God created us to be in fellowship with Him and to share Him,
MONDAYS @ 8:45 AM Preschool
His love, and His Son with all of those we encounter on a daily basis.
Planting seeds and helping to cultivate the hearts of students through Christian education helps them to grow into people who reflect His light to the world and to the people around them, as they, themselves, are also
TUESDAYS @ 8:45 AM Preschool
drawn into a relationship with God and His Son, Jesus. It is both an educational and personal journey through which disciples are equipped and Kingdom building takes place.
TUESDAYS @ 10:25 AM - TK/Kindergarten .
Living in our world and culture today, so much is vying for our attention. Being immersed in a Christian education helps to build disciples and learn the scholarly things through a Biblical lens. What advice would you share with families? Adopt a Joshua mentality - “As for me and my house, we will serve the
Adopt a Joshua mentality:
Lord!” Keep God at the center of your family. Attend church as a family. Worship together. Pray together. Establish time for family devotions together. Read the Bible with your kids. And most importantly, model Jesus for them! Be His Light in your home. I’m grateful for parents who established this kind of culture in my childhood home, and I pray that you and your family can do the same. Foundations are key to the future of the Kingdom of God. It is here and now, and you and your family are
As for me and my house, we will serve the Lord!
a part of it! THE CHRONICLE
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Keith Johnson, aka Mr. Fudd, is LCA's Elementary Spiritual Life Director. Find out more about his 28 years of service to LCA and what parents can expect from chapel this school year. Tell us a little about yourself and your family. What are some things you would like others to know about you? I am beginning my 28th year here at LCA. I started in 1991 as a 6th grade teacher when the elementary was located at Southern Acres Christian Church. I taught 6th grade for three years and 5th grade for four years. The past 20 years I have served as the Spiritual Life Director for the elementary grades. I received my Bachelor's Degree in Elementary Education from Birmingham-Southern College. I completed my Masters Degree in Ministry from Moody Theological Seminary in 2005. This summer I began my Ph.D. in Educational Leadership at Columbia International University. This past July my wife, Kati, and I celebrated our 25th wedding anniversary! Kati has her own business called the ACT Mom, where she helps students all over the country prepare to take the ACT College Admission Test. Our oldest son, Brennan, is a graduate of LCA (Class of 2015) and will complete his Youth Ministry degree from Lee University this December. He and his fiancee’, Julie Spaulding, will be married this coming January. Our daughter, Sarah Grace, graduated from LCA this past spring and will also be attending Lee University this fall. Our youngest son, Jack, is a current junior in high school. Tell us about your chapel programs. What should students and their families expect this year? Chapel is the springboard for our Bible curriculum at the elementary level. In our 1st – 3rd grades, students get an entire overview of the Old and New Testament over the course of two years. Last year we started in Genesis and worked our way through the historical books. This year we will begin in the Old Testament poetry books and work our way through the prophetic books. In January, we will begin the New Testament and finish it by the end of the year. Then we will start the cycle all over again. Chapel for these grades is at 10:15 a.m. Thursdays. Parents are always welcome, and I hope you will join us at some point during the school year.
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TEACHER PROFILE - KEITH JOHNSON Our 4th & 5th grade chapel is called "CRAVE Live!" Our over arching purpose with this program is to teach our students how to study Scripture through careful observation, interpretation and application. Cognitively, students can become proficient in the observation phase in 4th and 5th grades. That is where the students spend most of their time in the classroom, and we use CRAVE to help them through the interpretation and application phases. Last year we studied through the entire book of James. This year we will study through the Sermon on the Mount. CRAVE is every Thursday afternoon at 2:10 p.m. I hope you can join us sometime during the year. Why do you feel Christian education is important? The current of culture is very swift. And too often I have seen families swept downstream before they knew it and end up saying to themselves, “This isn’t where I intended to end up.” Simply put, culture is what society defines as normal, and our culture is constantly trying to mold us and our children into its “normal” image. John Stonestreet says it this way, “Culture is for humans what water is for fish: the environment we live in and think is normal.” And like fish we can become so immersed in the patterns of thinking and living in our environment that we become unaware of what might actually be causing us harm. Christian education though, provides students and families with a foundation that is based on Christ -- a lens, if you will, in which to view all aspects of the world whether that be science, literature, mathematics, history, athletics, or fine arts. We are able to view and interpret our world through the eyes of Christ. As Christians we live between the salvation that comes from Christ’s redemptive work and the hope of our final restoration when Christ returns. Therefore, as a Christian school, our crowning achievement is when we successfully partner with parents in raising a generation who fully understands who they are in Christ and how to live in their cultural moment!
What advice would you share with families?
Parents are always
After almost three decades of working with students and their parents, I have observed that healthy, resilient families are the result of those
welcome to worship with us:
who build their identities and their faith around Christ. Their roots go
deep. Therefore, they are able to withstand whatever the world attempts to throw at them. Some of my best advice would be this: Sink
THURSDAYS @ 10:15AM Grades 1-3
your roots down deep (Col. 2:6-7). As parents grow in their faith, and our
faculty and staff grows in their faith, then the natural result will be students and children who grow in their faith. As we KNOW, HEAR and
THURSDAYS @ 2:10PM
OBEY Christ (John 10), there is nothing the world can throw at us that we can’t navigate and negotiate together as brothers and sisters in Christ. THE CHRONICLE
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Grades 4-5
Our Alumni Profile this month features Kirby Willoughby (Class of 2006) who is also the LCA Varsity Volleyball Coach and Asst. Athletic Director. She said she never imagined she'd be back working at the high school she attended, but she's so grateful to be here.
Tell us a little about yourself and your family. What are some things you would like others to know about you? I was born in Knoxville, Tennessee, and then my family moved to Oregon. We moved to Lexington when I was a freshman in high school. I played volleyball and basketball for LCA and graduated in 2006. My two siblings, Blaire and Scott, also graduated from LCA. I attended Eastern Kentucky University to play volleyball and majored in Exercise Science and got my Master's in Exercise Physiology from the University of Kentucky. While at EKU, I met my husband, McKenzie, who was a pitcher on the baseball team. We have two boys, Cooper (4) and Reece (1).
What is one of your favorite LCA memories? One of my favorite memories while I was at LCA was traveling to Florida for spring break. Our baseball team would always play down there so we always had a great time watching them play as well as spending time with friends.
What are you most proud of since joining the LCA staff? I never imagined I would be back working at the high school I attended, but I am so grateful to be here. I think since coming back, the thing I am most proud of as a staff member is that I am a part of a group of people who love the school and who sacrificially pour their talents, gifts, and passions into this place. To be behind the scenes and watch the people I work with give of themselves for this school makes me so proud and blessed to be a part of it. What advice would you give to current LCA students? No matter what you encounter day to day always remember you are a child of the King who is not moved by the world. Your God is with you and goes before you. You do not need to fear because you are His. THE CHRONICLE
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Parent Teacher Fellowship It is indeed a privilege for me to serve as the Parent Teacher Fellowship President during the 2018-2019 school year. This year marks a very special milestone as LCA celebrates its 30th Anniversary, a time to reflect on our accomplishments, and also to look forward to how we can continue to improve and glorify Christ through educational ministry. The PTF welcomes all parents/guardians of LCA students to be a part of our team. Within this community, parents can become involved by participating in volunteer opportunities that support the achievement of the school’s mission. The questions and answers below will further highlight the role and intent of the PTF, and how we as parents can be involved through service and engagement. It is our feeling that everyone’s combined effort will yield the greatest outcome for LCA. Sincerely,
Shannon Clark What is the PTF? The PTF is a parent led organization that
What is the PTF steering committee? How
provides Preschool - 12th grade LCA
do I contact a steering committee member? The steering committee includes parent
parents/guardians opportunities to connect
volunteers in the positions of President, Vice
with the school and build relationships
President, Treasurer, Secretary, and a
through service and interaction. We work
representative from each campus. Contact
together to provide support for all staff and
information for each member is listed below.
students at LCA.
PTF STEERING COMMITTEE PRESIDENT Shannon Clark 859-797-0539 sdclark19@gmail.com
TREASURER Laura Bolling 678-472-1647 lauraubolling@outlook.com
6TH GRADE ACADEMY Beth Joseph 859-983-2783 bjosephlex@aol.com
VICE PRESIDENT Rebecca Weaver 859-494-3923 rebeccarweaver@gmail.com
PRESCHOOL/ELEMENTARY Britney Moughamian 859-533-4734 britney.moughamian@gmail.com
JUNIOR HIGH Kathy Picarazzi 859-333-7772 kathypicarazzi@gmail.com
SECRETARY Amy Johnson 859-797-0887 amymyersjohnson@gmail.com
PRESCHOOL/ELEMENTARY Courtney Soale 502-396-5871 courtney.soale@gmail.com
HIGH SCHOOL Amy Young 859-893-1611 amy@emailyoung.com
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AUGUST 2018
PARENT TEACHER FELLOWSHIP How does the PTF cover expenses? In an effort to establish a fair and efficient system, LCA includes an amount in the tuition that is allocated to the PTF. When you look at your tuition breakdown, this amount is included in the grade level fee. Once LCA has the final enrollment numbers, they provide the PTF with a budget for the year. This budget is reviewed carefully and used to cover expenses that benefit LCA students and staff to complement our educational mission.
What events are the PTF budget used for each year? The PTF supports Kindergarten Graduation, 8th Grade Day of Blessing, End of Year Celebrations, and several high school functions. In addition, the budget is used to show appreciation for the school's staff with an emphasis on quarterly luncheons and Teacher Appreciation Week. The PTF members work together to organize the details for these events.
What topics of discussion are presented at PTF meetings? During campus meetings the PTF will discuss upcoming events and share ways in which parents can get involved at the school. If questions arise that do not pertain to the PTF, guidance will be provided to direct your question to the appropriate individual or group.
How do I get involved? There are many ways to get involved such as volunteering during your child’s lunch or helping with a school-wide fundraising event. All potential volunteer opportunities will be communicated in
Do I have to attend PTF meetings to be involved? No. The meetings provide opportunities to discuss ideas and plan events. We understand that it’s not possible for everyone to attend the meetings, and we hope that you will still consider helping at other events that work better with your schedule.
THE CHRONICLE
"Wingspan," the weekly school newsletter, school emails, and on the website. There will be a link for each event on www.signup.com that will highlight the different ways you can be involved. If you don’t find an available opportunity, and you would still like to help out, please contact your campus chair who will help you get involved.
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AUGUST 2018
Whether it was waxing floors, painting, or mowing, our facilities team worked hard to make sure both campuses were ready for the first day of school. Out technology team also got in on the action by moving playground equipment from one campus to the other.
A student setting up her locker for the new school year...a sure sign of summer ending.
Another sign of the end of summer...football practice.
One of LCA's most inspired initiatives in the school's storied history came to fruition on August 9 during the ribbon cutting for the 6th Grade Academy.Â
The Immanuel and Rose Campuses held various open houses the week before school to make sure everyone was ready to go on August 15!
The Senior Convocation was held on Aug. 23 allowing for a special time of prayer for the Class of 2019.
#LCAin5 Follow LCA on Instagram @lca_ky_eagles Each week, we will share five photos that capture the week at LCA. Check out some of these #LCAin5 photos from August.Â
Follow us on Facebook and Twitter too! @LexingtonChristianAcademy
@LCAKYEagles
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