Fall 2022 Classic Magazine

O U R

M I S S I O N

L I V E D

O U T

A COVENANT DAY MAGAZINE FA L L

W O R D

O F

A D V I C E

Tips for family devotions and reading success

T O P

2022

M A R K S

Covenant Day gets a new Head of School

C O M M O N

G R O U N D S

Students open a coffee shop with a mission

C o ve n a n t Day

2021-2022 Student Art

gallery

G R A H A M LO M A N

M A D A LY N B R A D L E Y

ALEXANDER FISHER

ELLIE BAXTER

3rd Grade

11th Grade

7th Grade

9th Grade

contents 04 08 09 10

TOP MARKS

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G R I T & G O AT S

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LO W E R S C H O O L C H O I R

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S W A R M I N G LO C U S T C A N N O T DESTROY

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Hear the history and heart of our new Head of School as he starts his first year in the new role A one-acre backyard serves as a full farm for one of our CDS families Arts and sports collide on the Charlotte Knights ballpark for the lower school choir

CDS family shares how the Lord showed up

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MOCK TRIAL

Q&A with Mock Trial founders gives insight into the critical skills students develop in this club

C R E AT I N G C H A M P I O N S

Learn the secret for winning a championship from our middle school volleyball team

WORSHIP

CDS worship bandmates gather to reminisce and visioncast for the future of worship experiences

COMMON GROUNDS

Restoration & Sustainability students start a new mission with an on-campus coffee shop

A N YA L I VA S Y

JOHN-LUKE GROB

HENRY BAXTER

CHRISTINA GROB

12th Grade

12th Grade

6th Grade

10th Grade

20 W O R D O F A D V I C E :

FA M I LY D E V O T I O N S

26 B U I L D I N G T H I N G S T H A T L A S T Race to Raise was a thrilling night for the CDS community, and it was just the start of something big

Tips from our Bible teachers

22 W O R D O F A D V I C E :

READING SUCCESS

28 H E A R T . P A R T N E R S H I P. SERVICE.

Tips from our academic resource specialists

CDS parent shares her experience serving on campus

24 A LU M N I S P O T L I G H T

30 S C H O O L S O U R C E B O O K

25 A LU M N I N O T E S

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Charissa Coleman, class of 2016, was in the right place at the right time See alumni news and maybe be inspired to reach out to old friends

Find your essential CDS information for LionsWeb, MyCDS, contact numbers, and more

S AV E T H E D AT E

Mark your calendar for all the important community events and days off for the 2022-2023 school year

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TOP MARKS

C O V E N A N T D AY G E T S A NEW HEAD OF SCHOOL

“I loved the idea of impacting kids and considered youth ministry briefly. I took the Christian education track instead,” said Mark Helmer, our new head of school.

“I wrestled with the questions: Would stepping out of the classroom diminish my ability to impact kids? Would I lose something I really love, shaping and investing in kids?”

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“As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another, as good stewards of God’s varied grace: whoever speaks, as one who speaks oracles of God; whoever serves, as one who serves by the strength that God supplies - in order that in everything God may be glorified through Jesus Christ. To him belong glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen.”

1 Peter 4:10-11

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MARK HELMER

Mark has held many titles in his 24 years working here at CDS. His journey began as a middle school teacher and volleyball coach, although he wasn’t sure how he would enjoy middle school. At that point in his career, he had only taught high school and, of course, there are many stereotypes about middle schoolers that are fairly terrifying. However, Mark loved working in the middle school, which is why he stayed for 10 years.

“I really enjoyed that intersection of getting to know the kids in the classroom and on the court,” reflected Mark.

“There is a real uniqueness to the relationships you can build there.” This led to him becoming Covenant Day’s first assistant athletic director.

During this time, Head of School Marni Halvorson approached Mark about the leadership gifts she saw in him. She wanted to nurture those giftings, so she encouraged him to get his master’s degree.

“I was a little surprised at first because I had not really thought about leadership in that way for me, but as I sought counsel and prayed on it, I decided I wanted to do that and enrolled at Covenant College. I thought I was going to become the first assistant principal for the middle school and high school, but it turns out that as I was finishing up my master’s degree, there was suddenly a need for an interim lower school principal. This was a real shift for me, but I agreed to take the role. It was a 6

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good opportunity and a few months in, Marni offered me the job permanently.” Once again, he embarked into unknown territory only to find how much he loved this new place. He ended up serving as lower school principal for 12 years.

As Mark made his way through each school division, he realized that each division has its own “unique personality.”

“High school is an interesting phase where kids are starting to own their faith, their beliefs about the world and themselves, and their relationship with God. They ask big questions, and I loved the rich conversations you can have there.”

“I have a special love for middle schoolers because of the memory of how hard those years were for me,” chuckles Mark with a knowing smirk. “I had so much empathy towards those kids as they are discovering who they are and how they fit interpersonally with each other.

TOP LEFT: Helmerdances during a Boosterthon Fun Run ABOVE: Mark Helmer and Mark Davis share some stories in the CDS Butterfly Garden RIGHT: Helmer’s office on ocean/ scuba day

I STILL LOVE KEEPING A CONNECTION WITH THE STUDENTS

BY GREETING THEM BY NAME. I ALSO LOVE THE IDEA OF SHAPING THE DIRECTION OF THE SCHOOL.

I wanted to walk with them through those times.”

“Lower school students are bright-eyed, innocent, and ask so many questions… I enjoyed that side of lower school kids.”

Pausing for a while as memories turn to discovery, he continues, “There is something unique and beautiful about each division. They all possess something meaningful, important, and joyful when you interact with them.”

Mark’s trailblazing continues. He served as Covenant Day’s first associate head of school and is now embarking on his first year as our new head of school.

“Being in a leadership role has really pushed me back to my reliance on God in my daily work. Actually, the more challenging the work gets, the more I am drawn back to Christ, which also has a lot of blessing,” said Mark as a grin brightens his face. “As a school, we are a large community of believers, but we are also sinners, so we must face the consequences of sin which is not always an easy undertaking, and when we are in hard issues, it drives me back to seeking God’s will, God’s favor, and God’s help knowing I can’t do it on my own. It’s a beautiful thing to be pushed back to Christ and knowing it’s not about me, it’s about relying on Him.” For Mark, he wants to focus on our students’ faith formation. “I want to consider Covenant Day’s role in their faith journey no matter if they are lifers or here for a short time. How can we authentically nurture their faith and build them up spiritually?”

Early in his career, Mark wrestled when considering the call to leadership: “Would stepping out of the classroom diminish my ability to impact kids? Would I lose something I really love, shaping and investing in kids?”

So far it seems that his 15 years in leadership has only broadened his impact.

“I still love keeping a connection with the students by greeting them by name. I also love the idea of shaping the direction of the school, working with faculty, and the impact it can make on kids’ lives. This work still feeds the original passions that first brought me into Christian education.”

Former Head of School Mark Davis, had a final encouragement to share: “I am delighted that Mark Helmer is CDS’s fourth head of school. Mr. Helmer is a fine educator, a faithful and wise leader, and a man of godly integrity. My prayer for him is to embrace the beauty in leading CDS while exhibiting wise pruning of branches to allow God’s goodness to permeate the hearts and minds of each student. Please join me in praying for Mark as he assumes the headship of CDS.”

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C o ve n a n t Day

Clara and Walker cuddle with their sweet goat kids

“At 6:00 am, Jack is out there caring for his goats,” Kelly Clark says proudly. Kelly, a CDS 5th grade teacher, has four children and ten kids... plus, some momma goats, a flock of chickens, a family of bunnies, and a colony of bees all in their one-acre backyard.

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GRIT & GOATS 8

Stoney Meadow Acre Farm was founded by the Clark family in 2014. “We got the chicks as a surprise,” said Walker, smiling in the coy way a youngest child does.

His siblings chimed in: “Mom and dad surprised us with a box, and it was chirping. The chicks were only three days old, and they were all fuzzy. It felt more like hair!”

Then, the family went to bee school, a 10-week course to become a certified beekeeper in NC. Jack, a 5th grader at CDS, said he scored a 92 on the certification test, but his sisters quickly corrected him to say he got an 88, which made the whole group giggle. Clara, an 8th grader at CDS, excitedly shared that they all passed the test, “Some adults don’t even pass!” (Well done to them!)

Now, this family farm is literally buzzing with activity, not only from all the animals, but also from the hardworking family members.

ABOVE RIGHT: Kelly “As a lifestyle, I love that the does some hands-on kids have responsibilities, and beekeeper teaching it’s not always easy, especially when you have to clean out the RIGHT: The Clark coop and bag up the waste,” said family invited other Kelly. “I like that we work hard CDS families to here and that it teaches them grit. visit their farm, so And it translates into all they do.

Izzy takes the lead in They work hard in school. They teaching about her work hard in ballet. Whatever beloved goats they endeavor to do, they really

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know how to endure no matter what hard situation they are in.”

“My favorite thing is the goat birth because I get to assist in delivering the babies,” said Izzy, a 9th grader at CDS. When their goat, Sugar, was pregnant, Izzy could tell she was having contractions. She and her mom went out to assist with the birth. The first baby came out, and Izzy caught the baby in a blanket and used a suction bulb to clear her nose so she could breathe. Then, the second baby came but the sack that held the baby hadn’t popped.

This is a problem because the umbilical cord was cut, so they had to get the baby out of the sack immediately. So, Izzy had to cut through all the layers of the thick sack to get the baby out. When Izzy finally cut through, she quickly sucked the baby’s nose and stimulated the baby until it started breathing. (Not many folks can say they have saved a kid’s life!)

“It’s super fun,” said Izzy. “I love it! I want to be a midwife. In all this, God has taught me about hard work and determination.” Kelly chimes in to say how proud she is of Izzy, “She is such a problem solver and has the wherewithal to handle any situation and come up with creative solutions.”

Whether you stop by the Stoney Meadow Acre Farm booth at the CDS Holiday Market or visit the farm yourself, God’s glory meets you there in a powerful way. Golden jars of honey and imaginative bars of soap showcase God’s provision. Baby goats racing through the yard or cuddling with you on a hammock let you feel His joy.

“You get to watch the animals grow, and it shows you God’s creation,” said Clara. “That’s what I love most.”

03 TAKE ME OUT TO

THE BALLGAME

“I love it when kids see that you don’t have to choose between sports or music - you can do both!”

In the fall of 2021, Michele Lakey, lower school music teacher, decided to bring back the 3rd - 5th grade choir.

She prayed and asked God for 15 kids to sign up. Little did she know that He was about to do something even bigger.

“I started recruiting and reaching out to parents and ended up with over 62 kids by the end of second semester!

It was one of those moments where I said, wow God, you always do more than we ask, think, or imagine. I cannot take credit for the excitement that grew. I had kids who told me they would never sing, and some of those kids joined choir second semester.”

There is a misconception that choir is only for students who have a “good” voice. Mrs. Lakey wants students to know that choir is for everyone! “A lot of times you have a better voice than you realize after you have a little coaching on how to use it. You’ll be surprised at how well you can sing, once you start using your voice more!”

Students learn some basic vocal skills and techniques that will help them as they develop their voices. In 4th and 5th grades, they begin to learn how to read music by following the direction of the notes and putting the notes and the words together. With vocal technique, comes posture and breathing. They also learn how to present themselves in front of other people.

Mrs. Lakey says that choir not only makes students better overall musicians, but it’s a great life skill for everyone to learn. She said, “When kids start doing performances at an early age, they will be more comfortable being in

front of people as they get older, even if it’s not as a musician, but in any job as an adult. And it’s always easier to do that as a group.”

Up on the wall in the music room is this verse: “Whatever you do, do all to the glory of God.’’ 1 Corinthians 10:31. The ultimate goal of choir is that students would do their best for the glory and honor of God. “I tell my students, this is what we practice for, this is our big game. We have to focus on singing as an ensemble by blending our voices. If you’re not there, it throws off the team. Everyone is important in the choir.”

The “big game” came at the end of second semester when the choir had the opportunity to sing at the Charlotte Knights game. Their hard work paid off and exceeded everyone’s expectations, including Mrs. Lakey’s!

What’s next for choir? Mrs. Lakey said she would love to keep building on the excitement. “I don’t want choir to be a one-time thing that kids try but something they want to do each year to prepare for the future. There are so many musical opportunities in middle and high school at CDS.” If you’re thinking about giving choir a try, go for it!

You might be surprised by how much you love singing with your friends.

ABOVE: LS choir sings at Truist Field BELOW: Students get baseballs signed and enjoy their day at the ballpark

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SWARMING LOCUST CANNOT DESTROY Have you ever received bad news? Of course, you have.

We live in a fallen world. Have you ever received unimaginable news? Years ago, Allison Nelson was told that her seven-year-old son had Crohn’s disease, which is a rare disease that attacks the digestive system. Allison had to take her 2nd grader to get his first of many colonoscopies.

Can you even imagine?

“Even the doctors said Carter being diagnosed in 2nd grade was very abnormal,” said Allison. “At the time, he and his younger brother Daniel were going to our neighborhood school which was so supportive, but I had my eye on Covenant Day for middle school because we wanted to be in a Christian school where the community could be there for us spiritually as well as walk with us through the unknown with Carter.”

With a disease like Carter’s, medications work until

BELOW: Carter smiles down the high-five line after baccalaureate ceremony BELOW RIGHT: Stephen and Carter at the hospital

they don’t. At CDS, Carter had relatively “normal” 6th and 7th grade years, but in 8th grade, his treatments stopped working. He had to begin cycling through medications again, praying that something worked. Ultimately, the doctors told Allison and her husband Stephen that Carter’s intestines were impaired, and he needed surgery to remove as many damaged spots as they could.

Though the surgery was successful, Carter took a turn for the worst at the start of his 9th grade year. He was hospitalized twice before Thanksgiving, missing 25 days of school.

“I would drop Daniel off at school and see all the high school kids parking their cars and walking into school,” shared Allison, trying to fight off tears, “and I would just weep because my kid was at home in bed. He couldn’t even get up. And I would cry, ‘Jesus, please just heal my boy!’”

But then the unimaginable happened.

“When we were in the hospital,” Allison recalls, “I told my husband Stephen to switch with me and be with Carter because I needed to go home and shower and sleep in my own bed for an hour. While I was gone, Trevor (a CDS parent) brought some of Carter’s friends to see him in the hospital. Later, Stephen says to me, ‘Allison, this man that I don’t know just walked in with some kids.

Carter smells to high heaven because he’s been in bed for days. And this man prays over Carter. Who does that?”

Allison shared that people at CDS put out the word about Carter, and family after family started coming to visit to bring gifts and to pray over Carter. “Covenant Day just took our breath away. We will never forget that.”

“Having CDS people visit was amazing and definitely

Me avem nonsult uusulic epotili squidefes ius boViu cons bondum crei

ABOVE: Nelson family gathers at Daniel’s graduation BELOW RIGHT: CDS Team Carter brightly welcomes Carter back to campus

encouraged me a lot through that hard time,” shared Carter. “Even if it was only for a short time, being able to talk to my friends and even laugh with them at times gave me so much strength.”

The CDS community rallied around the Nelsons.

Biology teacher Tim Blumenstein found a way to Zoom Carter into the classroom. (This was pre-Covid!) When Carter came back to school, students had painted the CDS rock and wore Team Carter t-shirts in his honor.

Allison had to tell people to stop sending food because their freezer was overflowing.

During his sophomore year, Carter began to feel better, and life became extraordinarily normal. He made the JV basketball team and scored a three-pointer in the last game. During his junior and senior year, he played on the football team.

“I would cry when I heard his name from the announcer: ‘Ball intercepted by Carter Nelson!’” Allison chuckles,

“It was beautiful. Two years ago, I was crying in my car watching other kids walk into school. It’s like the verse, the Lord brings back the season that the locusts have eaten. ( Joel 2:25)” The Lord used the CDS community to do just that for the family. Carter thrived on his athletic teams and in a Bible study with CDS friends, who are still some of his best friends. He will graduate this year from the University of South Carolina. His younger brother Daniel played quarterback on the CDS football team and was the team’s MVP. Daniel graduated last year from CDS. “God taught me that He reaches out, supports, and teaches you in a number of different ways, one of those ways being through a strong, Christian community,” reflected Carter. “Whether it was the Boys-to-Men Bible Study with my friends and our dads, or friends just encouraging each other in everyday life, the Lord seemed to be using those interactions to bring us closer to Him.” “To the current families and students at Covenant Day, I would say, first and foremost, get involved in some sort of small group Bible study,” encouraged Carter, “whether you create your own with your friends (which is perfectly fine and super fun) or join an organization that already has one. Furthermore, I would say to the students especially, don’t be afraid to use scripture to encourage one another. Take every opportunity to point one another back towards the Lord, whether it be in your celebration with them or encouragement through hard times.”

“That’s our why! That’s why we love CDS and why we love serving here,” explained Allison, who served in multiple roles on the Booster Club including booster president for the last few years.

“There is a place for everyone to plug-in here! Athletics needs people to serve at the games and support coaches.

The Parents Association needs people to help love our teachers. Fine Arts needs people to help with productions. No matter what your passion is, pour yourself into others because our time here is gone in a blink. Imagine if we all brought our talents to campus. It would be huge!”

Joel 2:25-27 So I will restore to you the years that the swarming locust has eaten, the hopper, the destroyer, and the cutter, my great army, which I sent among you.

You shall eat in plenty and be satisfied, and praise the name of the Lord your God, who has dealt wondrously with you.

And my people shall never again be put to shame.

You shall know that I am in the midst of Israel, and that I am the Lord your God and there is none else. And my people shall never again be put to shame.

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MOCK TRIAL Q&A with Mock Trial Founders: Attorneys Shannon Coffey and Amy Cox Gruendel Q: Can you describe the Mock Trial program for someone who is not familiar with it?

Mock Trial is a pretend jury trial. Students are issued a case file with witness affidavits, law, and evidence. This is the same case all North Carolina high school Mock Trial clubs use. Students play the part of witnesses and attorneys and present the case from start to finish with real judges, attorneys, and jurors. We schedule practice trials in the fall and winter where we compete against ourselves and other local schools. The regional competition takes place in February, with those that make it to the state finals competing in March and then a national competition in May. There is a courtroom artist competition as well. This past year, Madalyn Bradley, class of 2023, won the regional artist competition, made it to state finals, and represented CDS at the 2022 National Mock Trial Courtroom Artist competition. Way to go, Madalyn!

Q: How do students participate in Mock Trial?

Our Mock Trial Program has two parts: Mock Trial Club and Mock Trial Competition Team. Generally speaking, we meet twice a week. We try not to interfere with significant school activities. We do not schedule sessions that conflict with football games, homecoming dances, etc. The competition team is announced right around Thanksgiving break and then meets after school twice a week during January with trials against other area schools on non-holiday weekends to prepare for regionals in early February. At regionals, students present both sides of the case in a single day, with finalists participating in a third trial. Regional winners advance to state competition where teams compete in multiple rounds in mid-March. National Mock Trial Competition occurs in May.

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Q: What happens during a typical practice?

Practices vary weekly, but each one involves a lot of laughter and usually goes by too quickly! We do some team building and play games that help us get to know one another and get comfortable speaking up in front of a group. Students spend October learning their roles as witnesses and attorneys, crafting questions to ask, learning trial procedures, and preparing opening statements and closing arguments. These practices may involve playing games that start with broad questions funneling down to more specifics, revealing more about the examinee as we go. We’ve played Jeopardy to learn the case file, and we often set up the lunchroom like a courtroom to mock different parts of the trial. We are blessed to gift the kids with local attorneys who kindly give their time during weekday practices to critique and encourage students as they practice opening statements, witness examinations, or other aspects of trial practice.

After Christmas, coaches host “big picture” meetings with the competition team to help them discuss and synthesize case strategies and points of emphasis. These casual and fun meetings are typically held over pizza or breakfast. Practices in January look much more structured than in October, as the competition team has already integrated the case materials, strategy, and law. These practices focus more on execution and trial practice than on case concepts.

else, you get out what you put in, but we have yet to see anyone not grow from it or wish they never did it. Mock Trial is exciting, sophisticated, and different. It shows up in relationships, at work, and on the SAT. (Hello vocabulary root words!) The benefits are different than sports or other clubs. The stuff you get from the mock trial stays with you.

OPPOSITE LEFT: CDS Mock Trial team 2021-2022 OPPOSITE RIGHT: Students prepare for competition BELOW: Madalyn Bradley hones her artistic skills for competition

Q: What type of student joins Mock Trial?

Mock Trial is for everyone! Not just those who want to be lawyers. It is a win for any student who participates. The skills learned here are life skills: asking good questions to get information from someone, developing executive functioning skills to plan your attack, honing critical thinking skills, understanding the judicial system, and filtering information with a biblical worldview.

Finally, we hope our program helps students mature in their ability to engage with the world around them by (1) helping them recognize that few issues are as simplistic as the media (social and otherwise) portray and (2) helping students develop the critical thinking skills they need to explore, grapple with, and better understand everyday issues they encounter. Key to this maturation is the requirement that students argue both sides of the Mock Trial case assigned to them.

Our world today is so quick to judge. Everyone seems to know the “right” answer before fully exploring and understanding the issues. We hope that students use the critical thinking skills they develop in Mock Trial and the capacity to appreciate nuance when engaging with the world around them. We hope they will recognize that most issues are far from the oversimplified picture they see on social media or hear in “sound bytes.” We hope this recognition leads students to approach their world with patience, a genuine desire for understanding, and respect and compassion for those with differing views.

In this way, we hope that our Mock Trial program equips students with the tools they need to be both good Christians as well as good citizens of a democratic society.

About Shannon and Amy: Shannon has spent most of her career working on juvenile, child custody, adoption, and divorce cases. She has worked with children, guardian ad litems, child psychologists, and several other professionals to identify and serve the child’s best interests. She currently practices law part-time with The Signatry. Amy operates a dispute resolution firm that allows her to serve as a District Court arbitrator, Superior Court mediator, and collaborative law professional. She is also the co-owner of a company (the Dispute Resolution Group) that advises businesses, non-profits, and government entities on effective dispute management.

Q: Why should someone consider Mock Trial?

I hear students say, “I don’t have time. I hear it’s hard.

I’m not interested in being a lawyer, so I won’t be good.”

CS Lewis said, “You can lead a horse to water, but you can’t make him drink, but you should still lead the horse to water.” Every student deserves to be exposed to the skills learned in this club; it is just a matter of whether one wants to tap into what it offers or not. Like anything

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AT H LE TICS

C R E AT I N G Champions

“I was never one who didn’t want to go to practice,” said Emma Weber, who played left back for the middle school volleyball team. “I always wanted to go to practice.” “Yes,” chimed in the other ladies.

Maggie Shannon (right side), Skylar Williams (libero), Olivia Huneycutt (outside), Maizy Jones (setter), and Coach Olivia Hopkins joined Emma to share about the 2021-22 middle school volleyball season. “Really fun!” “So much fun.” “It was my favorite season for sure!” The girls exclaimed over one another, making it very clear this season was different than any other.

They finished the season with a 13-2 record, a regular season conference championship, and a conference tournament championship. Though there were only four returning players for this season, Coach Hopkins noted that it was the girls’ commitment to learning the game and encouraging each other that led to their successful season.

“These girls were very resilient,” said Coach Hopkins emphatically. “With a volleyball team, since it’s so small, if one girl feels down, the team falls apart. So, there were several games when we were down by five, six, seven, eight points, and the girls hung in there. When we played Charlotte Christian, we were down by 12 points and came back to win. The girls were very encouraging to each other, but also very forgiving of themselves. A big part of our volleyball coaching philosophy is that when you make a mistake, you have to give yourself some grace, and move on. And our girls were particularly good at doing that.”

The girls quieted and Maizy spoke up, “If you mess up, you wouldn’t think, ‘Oh my gosh, this person is going to judge me.’ If we do something wrong it’s ok, we can move

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on.” The others concurred in various ways and Coach Hopkins succinctly said, “There’s a lot of trust.”

There exists a strong volleyball culture at CDS that is all about “community with an emphasis on unity,” a commitment that Volleyball Program Director Heather Mills builds up in every volleyball player.

The older girls love and mentor the younger girls, especially at camps and workouts where all grades practice together. There is a big sister - little sister program between the high school and middle school teams. Coach Mills will even give up practice time so the varsity girls can cheer on middle school girls. Then, the middle school players pay it forward by playing with the 4th through 6th graders in the Skill Squad program. All teams have weekly devotions, and during summer camps, the senior players lead devotions for the whole camp.

“This builds bonds, passes support and confidence, and creates a pipeline of strong women,” said Coach Hopkins.

“Middle school is such a critical age for young women to learn that they are strong and capable. One of the returning players was a defensive specialist but I thought she would make a great middle. She kept saying, ‘What? No, I can’t.’

When I finally got her into the middle position, she discovered that she really could do it. When she got her first really big block, the look on her face was priceless. She realized her talent and said, ‘You know, I’m pretty good at that.’

I try to teach girls that it’s ok to be good at something, and it’s ok to say you are good at something. It’s not bragging, it’s taking pride in the gift you’ve been given.”

The girls were more than willing to brag for each other though, raving about Skylar’s dives or Olivia’s game-winning point. It’s a beautiful thing to witness.

Maggie may have summed it up best, “We never got down on each other, ever. We always just cheered each other on.”

Evidently, this creates champions.

They are more than teammates.

That’s the difference.

OPPOSITE: The whole team posed

BELOW: Middle school and high

after their conference championship

school athletes scrimmage one

victory

another during summer camps

ATHLETICS IS AN INTEGRAL PART OF THE CDS MISSION. CDS ATHLETICS WEBPAGE Learn more about CDS Athletics

LIONS BOX OFFICE Get your tickets for the CDS games

CAMPUS STORE Sport the Lion look with CDS apparel

SPORTSYOU Register for teams and stay updated on logistics

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Worship:

A C O N V E R S AT I O N WITH CDS B A N D M AT E S In the small sound studio nestled beside the Lions Theater, bandmates John-Luke Grob, Hannah Kate Burns, and Liam Sauter gathered to share about being on the CDS worship band.

“I remember in my 10th grade year,” shared John-Luke, considering the band’s evolution over the last few years, “an older student told me that the most you’ll get out of a CDS student is going from hands in pockets to hands out of pockets. But now, I feel like we are getting more than just hands out of their pockets; students are really engaging.”

The band put on an amazing performance at the 2022 Art Walk

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RIGHT: The band likes to incorporate a myriad

LET EVERYTHING THAT HAS BREATH PRAISE THE LORD

of instruments, utilizing the unique talents of CDS students

You could feel the joyful energy of these bandmates as they spoke about worship band. Though it’s an official art class that students can take as an art credit, it’s more like a real band. Students audition for the class and perform weekly in chapel and for events. They spend most of their time learning and experimenting with the songs, working to create a more impactful experience for the student body.

Liam chimed in, “We’re trying to make the chapel worship a time where students really engage spiritually. We’ve seen that a lot more this year than last year, and last year, we saw more than the year before.”

Hannah Kate, class of 2025, continues, “What makes worship leadership so special to me is that it’s not just singing, it’s singing with a greater purpose for Jesus.”

But the worship band wasn’t an overnight sensation. Like many bands, it’s taken years for their audience to truly hone into their work and feel its impact.

John-Luke felt that most acutely. “I wasn’t planning on doing worship band at all. I remember in my 9th grade year, students sleeping during worship, and I thought worship was never going to go anywhere. We are going to be stuck in this hole forever.

And now, come senior year, everything is so different. One time, we were playing the song Cornerstone for chapel. Suddenly, we dropped the music, and you could just hear all the students singing. I felt the Spirit in that moment. It was surreal for me because I didn’t think I could ever have a moment like that in all my years of high school.”

This points to a greater shift in the high school culture from a performance during chapel, to a true worship experience.

“It’s incredible,” notes Zach Thompson, worship and choir director, “having students be excited to go to chapel, asking what songs we are going to play or who is speaking that day.

Going from a year, two years, or three years ago when no one was singing ever to people now singing and having their hands raised, that’s about as dramatic a change as you can get.”

The bandmates chuckle in agreement. While worship band has made a difference for the student body, perhaps it’s the bandmates who have been affected the most.

Liam says it’s an experience he’ll carry with him for life.

John-Luke adds that it’s a required class in his book, and he plans to continue doing it in college. Hannah Kate finishes,

“it’s the best part of my day every day. I love the people in it.

As a freshman coming in, the upperclassmen have been really welcoming, and it’s the same with Mr. Thompson. They’ve had a huge impact on me. I’m really excited for the next three years and to see our community engage in worship even more.”

Covenant Day is full of worship. It lights up the campus from the 3rd grade hallway to the aquaponics pond to Warner Park. The Covenant Arts program has a special connection to worship.

“All the aspects of fine arts are in and of themselves an aspect of worship,” says Mr. Thompson. “Singing, playing an instrument, digital art, photography, whatever it is, all are a form of worship. Worship band may have the most direct connection because its purpose is leading the worship experience, but there is worship everywhere.”

PERFORMANCE SCHEDULE: Oct 11-15: MS Musical - Newsies, Jr.

April 13: Spring Band & Choral Concert

Dec 8: MS/HS Band & Choral Christmas Concert

April 20-22: Spring Drama - Clue

Feb 7-11: HS Musical - Guys & Dolls

April 21: Art Walk Celebration

ARTS WEBPAGE Learn more about Covenant Arts

ARTS BOX OFFICE Get your performance tickets

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Common Grounds Last year, ContainIt students traded hammers and nails for spreadsheets and coffee thermometers as they started a coffee shop on campus called Common Grounds. The purpose of Common Grounds was to procure coffee beans from missionaries on the reservation in Pine Ridge, furthering their ministry and bringing a piece of Pine Ridge back to Covenant Day.

Restor ation & Sustainabi l it y

A

s a new venture, the students were able to gain real-world business experience setting up a micro-business that benefitted the missionaries on the reservation. Those students who thought running a business would be easy quickly had a change of heart! Students learned what it takes to create a successful business by establishing jobs and workflows, managing schedules and finances, running marketing and communications, and maintaining high standards for products and customer service.

One example of real-world business skills that students gained was the idea of cost and pricing. One student, Nolan Hall, class of 2024, took it as a challenge to see if he could use his knowledge of spreadsheets to make the most of the inventory. He set up a predictive algorithm

that accounted for usage, sales, and a schedule to keep supplies stocked through automatic ordering. Sometimes there was too much and sometimes not enough, precipitating endless Aldi runs. The task had many variables that helped him better understand the intricacies and dynamics that make something seemingly simple like inventory prediction a complex process when it interfaces with human factors.

Jonathan Chin, director of restoration and sustainability, said, “Although the results of Common Grounds were different than the students expected, I’m eager to see what the students will do with it in the future. Running a small business that stands with purpose and contributes to the causes that move us as believers is crucial to becoming the next generation of leaders for Christ. There are many more lessons for the students as they grow in their faith and experience.”

How has the student body reacted to Common Grounds ? “People can come and take a break from studying.

It’s a nice part of the day. It builds community.”

JACK WILDER (CUSTOMER)

Did this ex perience show you anything about what you might want to do in the future? “Definitely ! I don’t think I want to be an entre preneur, but I want to be in the finance or business world.”

L A U R E N C H A P M A N ( C O N TA I N I T C L A S S M E M B E R )

How does Common Grounds compare to other coffee shops in the area ? “Common Grounds is more customer-friendly than other coffee shops because they know me.”

ETHAN WALDER (CUSTOMER)

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Word of A d vice

There exists this idyllic notion of family devotions, where families consistently and enthusiastically sit together to read the Bible and have spirited discussions about God. Such a lovely dream, but so hard to achieve. Ultimately, we are really striving for our families to know God and enjoy Him forever. Our high school Bible teachers shared their words of advice about family devotions.

TIP

FROM WILL HUNTER

1

B e c o ns i s t e n t a n d e m br a ce the cr a ziness

With three young daughters (ages 5, 3, and 1), dinnertime and bedtime can be quite a challenge. Then, you add family devotions to the mix? Every night at bedtime, we simply read a chapter from a Bible story book and offer a short prayer. Right now, we are using Kevin DeYoung’s The Biggest Story Bible Story Book. Some nights, our kids engage well and ask great questions that lead to deep theological conversations. Other nights, it’s a genuine miracle if we make it through the story, and that’s okay! No matter how old your children are, life is crazy. Whatever devotions look like for your family, be consistent, be patient in the craziness, and appreciate

Word of Advice:

the tender teaching moments when they come.

Speak the language to learn the language. When children are learning to talk, we do not hesitate to use words and concepts they do not yet understand. We know that over time and through constant repetition, they will eventually grow into understanding the language. Why should it be any different with learning theological language? Don’t hesitate to teach your little ones the language of doctrines such as the Trinity, the incarnation, and the atonement.

Learning the theological language early provides the opportunity for children to grow into understanding these doctrines deeply as they mature. I guarantee they will surprise you with how much they can grasp even at a young age! Catechisms that teach the Christian faith in a question-and-answer format, such as The First Catechism

by Great Commission Publications, are a fantastic resource.

fa m ily De v o t 20

THE CL ASSIC

Each night, we take a small portion of Scripture, and I will lead a small devotion (no more than five minutes) out of some portion of Scripture. Currently, we are going through the Psalms. Our boy may not understand it all yet, but he understands bits and pieces. I am encouraged by my reading and then challenged to think through how to simplify the message of the passage. My wife is also encouraged by hearing the Word taught. In time, our children will engage better but doing this practice has taught me and my family much and built up our faith as a whole.

Use good resources. In addition to devotions, we also read through other things at bedtime to help our children.

With Aidan, we have a series of books called Big Theology for Little Hearts. These are wonderful books which introduce young children to big theological concepts and simply define them. Through the book about God, Aidan is able to say words like ‘Holy Spirit’ and ‘Trinity’. He says Jesus is ‘Prophet, Priest and King.’ In time we can build on these concepts as he grows older. We also started a catechism over the summer, A Catechism for Girls and Boys, which is a simple question and answer catechism for children.

o tio ns

TIP

2

Teach for their g o od but also your own

FROM JEFF DENNISON

3

M a k e P r ay e r a Fa m i ly A ffa i r

Our family’s devotional life has benefitted us when we take time to pray together and for one another. It is particularly encouraging to hear our four-year-old pray sincerely and conversationally. It provides opportunity to be reminded of the privilege we have to approach God our Father with our petitions, regardless of how trivial they seem, but also serves as a reminder that our God is the God who hears. When Samantha prays, she does so in faith, believing that God does hear and will answer her prayers. It is a good reminder to me who sometimes loses sight of that simple, yet profound, truth. It also provides an opportunity to grow in our methods of prayer. We encourage one another to be mindful of how we can and should pray, thinking of others before ourselves, and leaning on God’s will just as Christ did so powerfully in the Garden of Gethsemane when He asked His Father to “if it is possible, let this cup pass from me; nevertheless, not as I will, but as you will.”

(Matt 26:39)

FROM OMARI HILL TIP

TIP

FROM DONAL WALSH

4

R e l at e , d o n ’ t repl ace

You can only give away what you possess. Make sure you are keeping your own quiet times with the Lord. Without this, you may be tempted to use the family gathering for yourself or make it into an intense study on a text or topic you would prefer. If you use family devotions to replace your own, you may be less willing to linger with a question or prayer concern brought up by a family member. Anxious to “fill your own tank,” you may become less sensitive to an opportunity the Holy Spirit might make to relate the Word to your whole family or one of its members. Seek to facilitate relationships over meeting personal preferences.

Be sure to actually schedule the time. This might sound like a no-brainer, yet it is helpful to remember. As your family grows, whether by size or in various levels of activities, you will find it challenging to get everyone at the proverbial dinner table. However, establishing a day and time will contribute toward a spiritual rhythm you want for your household. The actual day and length of time could depend on the needs of your family. Some families discuss the Scriptures three times a week and others once. Some for 45 minutes and others fifteen. The goal is to choose at least one day and length of time that makes sense for you and your family, then try it for a month. After a month, your family can decide to increase the time and/or move the day, if needed. Without a plan, it won’t happen.

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Word of Advice:

Three Tips for Better Reading Comprehension 22

TT H HE E C C LL A AS SS S II C C

1

Make a Movie in Yo ur Mind

Creating mental images or “watching a movie” while reading helps readers form connections to text, deepens the meaning, and ensures what your child reads is stored in long-term memory. Helping your child visualize what they read can significantly improve comprehension. While your child is reading a fiction book or novel, ask them if they make pictures or see the story while they read. If your child is not creating images, help them visualize by asking questions encouraging visualization.

Ask a question that uses keywords such as: What did you see when….

What did that look like…

What colors did you see…

What shapes did you see…

What movements did you see…

TIP

T II P P T

Word of A d v ice

3

Highlight Words

Highlighting keywords or phrases in a passage or story is a valuable strategy for helping your child organize what they read. While highlighting, a reader is actively engaged and making connections. Have your child identify the who, what, when, where, and how of a story or chapter in a novel by highlighting keywords with different colors.

WHO (red highlighter) - Names of characters WHAT (teal highlighter) - What the character is doing that is most important WHEN/WHERE (purple highlighter) - When and where the events are taking place HOW (blue highlighter) - How the characters are feeling

TIP

Instead of asking your child to tell you about what they read, ask them to explain what they see while reading. Creating images while reading requires active engagement with the text. Once imagery is created and discussed, your child is then better able to make predictions, inferences, and connections!

2

Know the Meaning of Words

Vocabulary is crucial to comprehension. Readers cannot understand what they are reading without knowing what words mean in any text. A reader must understand 95% of the words they read in any book or passage. Before reading a story or chapters of a novel, have your child skim the pages and find unfamiliar words. If your child is younger, engage in conversation and discuss the meaning of the words and help the child think of synonyms. If your child is in middle or high school, they can use Visuwords, an interactive dictionary thesaurus online that is quick, easy, and engaging. By taking the time to understand unfamiliar words before reading, your child will be more excited to dive into the book!

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C o ve n a n t Day Q&A WITH CHARISSA:

Q

What did you gain from your experience at CDS that has helped you in your career?

A: “I wanted to go into science or be a nurse or a PT. But I played soccer in middle school and volleyball in high school, and CDS nourished that love of sports. I’m such a sports fan! I love the atmosphere of being on a team and people who want to push you and make you better.”

Q: Which teacher at CDS impacted you the most?

A: “Heather Mills was an amazing mentor and coach. She cared about us as players, but we were people first. It was special to have a coach who was also our guidance counselor. She is the most hard-working and patient person. It made me want to be like her when I grew up!”

Charissa in action working at a tennis match

ALUMNI SPOTLIGHT

Charissa Coleman

Have you ever been in the right place at the right time? Charissa Coleman, class of 2016, found herself in the right place at the right time when she snapped a photo at a Clemson National Championship soccer game that went viral! Charissa recalled, “I was really in the right place at the right time.

The person who scored came sprinting right at my camera. It was the shot I needed for our department.”

She rushed off the field to edit the photo, posted it on social media, and rejoined the group of photographers she was traveling with to continue cheering on Clemson.

Shortly after that, Charissa’s boss texted her a link to the photo she had taken earlier in the game. It had gone viral and was on the ESPN and ACC social media pages!

It’s a crazy story, but it didn’t happen by chance.

Charissa credits her experience at CDS, particularly the skills she learned in writing and lessons learned in playing sports, as pivotal in helping her reach her career goals. “So many lessons from playing sports I learned at CDS: discipline, teamwork, and time management, to name a few,” said Charissa.

NAME: Charissa Coleman, CDS class

EXTRACURRICULAR: Played volleyball

of 2016

at Gardner Webb

COLLEGE: Gardner Webb, class of 2020

CURRENT JOB: Athletics

MAJOR: Communications

Communications Graduate Assistant

MINOR: Spanish and Marketing

for Women’s Soccer, Men’s Tennis,

MASTER: Working on a Master in

Rowing, and Gymnastics at Clemson

Human Resource Development

University.

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THE CL ASSIC

Q: If you could pick one class at CDS, which one prepared you the most for college and your career?

A: “A big part of my role in communications is writing. My writing skills impact my ability to do the job my best. I struggled with writing in high school, but Steve Hicks and others transformed my writing. Mr. Hicks’ teaching method stuck with me, and I still use those skills today.”

Q: What’s next for you?

A: I like what I do, and I love being around athletes and coaches. I would enjoy going into creative solutions/storytelling.

Charissa’s photograph that went viral

What are

folks up to

these days?

EXCITING CAREERS. JOYFUL MARRIAGES. BEAUTIFUL BABIES. THERE’S SO MUCH TO CATCH UP ON.

READ ALUMNI NOTES Follow QR code or visit www.covenantday.org/alumninotes

CCoovveennaanntD tDaayy.o.orrgg

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20 22

DEVELOPMENT

Building Things that Last

26

THE CL ASSIC

Our community gathered for a thrilling night at the NASCAR Hall of Fame to enjoy one another and raise funds to transform the field beside the middle school to a turfed field, extending the fields’ footprint, and adding a three-lane rubberized track around the outside of the field.

Why this project?

“Space is tight, and we can’t actually accomplish what we need for K-12,” summarized John Yasenchok, high school history teacher and cross country head coach. “If you have the opportunity to grow your community in such a way where we are accomplishing our mission in every aspect, why would you not steward this property to its fullest potential.”

One day while the track and cross country teams were warming up on this field, students were asked if they would like the field turfed and a rubberized track added. It was a unanimous “yes.” One student encouraged the group saying she would love a different field “but not different people.”

Strengthening community was the real goal of this project and this event. “It had been so long since we had been together,” explained Jason Klohr, CDS middle school principal. “So, this event was community-building in and of itself. You could literally see the community come together, everyone was excited, even during the auction people were smiling and having fun.”

“If you have the opportunity to grow your community in such a way where we are accomplishing our mission in every aspect, why would you not steward this property to its fullest potential.”

Attendees were able to join a pit crew for the night

A thrilling night no matter how you got there

Klohr passionately shared how our students use this field from dawn till dusk, whether it’s with PE classes, recess, athletics, or simply free time, and having the field turfed would be a literal game-changer for CDS. The need was great and the project was large, but at the end of the night, this community raised more than $350,000 for the project.

“Community is a place where we can use the gifts God has given us to serve others and invest in our school.” said Crumpton.

“Our job is to help build up students and set examples, so they can go into the world to be salt and light.”

DEVELOPMENT WEBPAGE Discover ways to support CDS

—COACH YASENCHOK

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20 22

PARENTS ASSOCIATION

Heart.

Partnership.

Service .

“It sounds weird to say you should volunteer at a place you’re paying. There’s a tension there,” said Cherith Peterson, a mom of five CDS students and lower school coordinator for the Parents Association (PA), “but you pay for the Christian education, a biblical foundation, and the wonderful teachers here, and then you get the blessing of serving.”

C

herith began serving with the PA when her oldest son Caleb, a junior in high school, was in kindergarten. She continued as Brooke - 9th grade, Joshua 6th grade, and Lydia - 5th grade came to CDS. Now, her youngest Gideon is in kindergarten, and she’s continuing to volunteer because, as she says, “I know the benefits that I’ve reaped from doing it with my other four kids.”

The PA mission is to support teachers and strengthen community. This encompasses everything from volunteering for lunch and recess to coordinating Fall Fest to providing meals with Covenant Cares. Cherith found that the blessing of serving goes both ways.

28

THE CL ASSIC

“There’s a lot of levels at play. One thing is that I know teachers get worn out. I need them to feel great and feel loved so they can bring that back to kids. Also, as I’ve served, I’ve developed mentor-like relationships with teachers and teaching assistants. I was able to be fed by those women. It’s part of the three-legged stool you hear about all the time: your home life, your church life, and your school life. I’m blessed to walk alongside our educators.”

The idea of school life here at CDS is a fascinating one. Most schools are structured in such a way where kids are dropped off in the morning and picked up in the afternoon and hopefully parents only get invited to campus for parents’ night, to chaperone a dance, or to meet their kid in the principal’s office.

For CDS, partnership with our families is the cornerstone of our mission! Our school

truly cannot stand without it. One of the ways that partnership is lived out is through integrating parents into school life.

For Cherith, she’s thankful for the opportunity to be with her kids during the school day. “I want as many moments as I can with them. I hired out the educational piece to people who are likeminded and with the same worldview, but I still want those windows to see them. I love being with them.”

Even before Gideon started school at CDS, she brought him to lunch and recess duty.

“Gideon loves getting to play with the kids here, and they love him so well. Kindergarten is going to be a breeze for him!”

ABOVE: CDS mom comes to lead story time for the kindergarteners while a pickup football game captivates some 1st grade boys

BELOW: CDS moms chat on the playground

After two years of Covid, CDS had to get back into the swing of having parents back on campus. It started with lunch and recess duty outside and helping with outside class parties. Cherith admitted that it felt a little weird coming back to campus after so much time apart, but she’s thankful for the chance to serve more.

“This is our mission field!” she implored.

“We are covenantal families, but it doesn’t mean our kids are saved yet. So, it’s a gift to get to go in and, Lord willing, be able to shine your light of Christ to them. Just like the teachers are doing, you get to be on the mission field with the kids who may or may not have accepted the Lord yet.”

At the PA Volunteer Coffee last April, Cherith shared her thoughts on volunteering: “It’s the heartbeat of the school, the partnership between us, the service that we experience, and the way we serve each other. Part of what makes CDS special is that we get to come in to serve. It makes us who we are. It’s a privilege, and it’s a benefit to us.”

SUPPORT TEACHERS. STRENGTHEN COMMUNITY. MAKE ALL THE DIFFERENCE! Whether you want to serve the broader CDS community or a specific area of school, on campus or remotely, throughout the year or whenever you have availability, you can make a difference at CDS.

PA WEBPAGE See where you can serve

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20 22

SOURCEBOOK

School

Sourcebook

Who Do I Call?

SCHOOL NUMBERS

CONTACTS

Main Number: 704-847-2385 Lower School: 704-708-6128 (Fax: 704-246-1645) Middle School: 704-708-6135 (Fax: 704-708-6178) High School: 704-708-6186 (Fax: 704-708-6149) Business Office Fax: 704-844-8628 Attendance Line (LS only): 704-814-1043

LS Assistant: Sara McKissick / 704-708-6128 MS Assistant: Christine Whelchel / 704-708-6135 HS Assistant: Doreen Donnelly / 704-708-6195 Admissions: Jennifer Billiard / 704-814-1074 Registrar/Portal Help: Jennifer Harding / 704-708-6129 Academic Resources: January Reed / 704-708-6146 HS Laptop Program: Janice Agle / 704-814-1068 Guidance (gr. 11-12): Heather Mills / 704-814-1065 Guidance (gr. 9-10): Kim Macurda / 704-708-6174 HS Counselor: Emily Lee / 704-708-6100 LS/MS Counselor: Sarah Garbarino / 704-708-6109 School Nurse: Shannon McCrory / 704-814-1086 LS Nurse: Sara Narveson / 704-708-6181 Athletic Director: Blake Van Der Schaaf / 704-814-1072 Booster Club: Jennifer Kincheloe / CDSboosterpresident@gmail.com Covenant Arts: Sherie-Beth Wilson / 704-708-6120 Parents Association: Susan Watson / CDSPA@covenantday.org Extended Day Program: Carmen Welty / 704-814-1041 Spirit Apparel: Erica Crumpler / CDSboosterapparel@gmail.com

SCHOOL ADDRESS Address: 800 Fullwood Lane, Matthews, NC 28105 SCHOOL WEBSITE Website: www.covenantday.org

30

THE CL ASSIC

Where do I

How Do I . . .

Find Stuff?

VIEW THE DINING MENU AND ADD FUNDS?

MYCDS PORTAL School Directories Magnus Health Student Schedules Grades and Report Cards LIONSWEB

(passcode: cdslions)

Report an Absence Printable School Calendar Daily Class Schedule Department Resources Year-Round Resources Carpool Maps Handbooks School Policies Summer Assignments Uniform Guidelines Class Lists And more..

I N S TA G R A M A N D FA C E B O O K @covenantday

Covenant Day partners with Flik Independent School Dining to provide a variety of well-balanced, nutritious, and allergy-friendly meal options for purchase.

Students can decide what food they would like to purchase each day. They do not need to pre-order lunch. Each student will have their own individual declining balance account where parents can add funds online or through the MySchoolBucks app. To pay for their meal, students will provide the cashier with their unique four-digit ID number.

View menus with the Flik app or at https:// covenantdayschool.flikisdining.com Add funds with the MySchoolBucks app or at https:// www.myschoolbucks.com LEARN MORE ABOUT EXTENDED DAY? Covenant Day’s Extended Day Program offers our TK through 8th grade students a nurturing, Christ-centered environment after the regular school day is over to continue learning, get help with homework, and have time for play. Parents can register their students for one or more sessions which include Session A: (1:30-3:00 pm) | Session B (3:00-4:30 pm) | Session C (4:30-6:00 pm). The program is completely flexible!

Parents can choose how many days per week they wish to use the program and can vary their usage from month to month.

Enroll and learn more at https://www.covenantday.org/ lions-web-pages/afterschool FIND OUT ABOUT EXTRACURRICULAR OPPORTUNITIES? Extracurricular opportunities occur throughout the year.

Classes and clinics may include music, art, environmental exploration, sports, and clubs.

REPORT AN ABSENCE? Lower school absences can be reported by calling 704814-1043. Middle and high school absences can be reported online via LionsWeb.

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Covenant Day School 800 Fullwood Lane Matthews, North Carolina 28105 (704) 847-2385

Calendar

2022-2023

Save the Date 2022

2023 Middle School Musical: Newsies Jr.

1/16

MLK Holiday, NO SCHOOL

10/19

Middle School Parent/Daughter Breakfast

1/18

Middle School Parent/Son Breakfast

10/21

Faculty Professional

1/23

McKnight Oratory Contest

Development, NO SCHOOL

1/30

Annual School Meeting

10/11-15

10/26

Giving Day

2/7-11

High School Musical: Guys and Dolls

11/4

NO SCHOOL FOR HS STUDENTS

2/16-20

NO SCHOOL

11/18

Holiday Market

2/27

AP Art Exhibit

11/22

Lower School Turkey Trot

3/1

Junior Luncheon

11/22

Lower/Middle School Spelling Bee

3/3

Southern Soirée

11/23-28

Thanksgiving Holiday, NO SCHOOL

3/6

Spring Guidance Night

Middle/High School Band

3/10

Grandparents Day

12/8

and Choral Concert

3/13-17

Spring Break, NO SCHOOL

12/13

TK-2nd Grade Christmas Program

3/25

Lower School Father/Daughter Dance

12/15

3rd and 4th Grade Christmas Program

3/31

Middle School Spring Bash

12/16

Christmas Holiday Begins, HALF DAY

4/1

Freshman/Sophomore Spring Fling

12/19-1/3

Christmas and New Year’s Holidays, NO SCHOOL

4/7-10

Easter Holiday, NO SCHOOL

4/13

Spring Band & Choral Concert

4/14

Sustainability Clay School

4/15

Junior/Senior Prom

4/20-22

Spring Drama: Clue

4/21

Art Walk Celebration

5/17

Baccalaureate

5/23

8th Grade Promotion

5/24

5th Grade Promotion

5/26

Last Day of School, HALF DAY

5/27

High School Graduation