FBCA 2020-2021 Impact Report

FORT BEND CHRISTIAN ACADEMY

IMPACT REPORT 2020-2021

A Letter from FBCA Head of School, Joshua Gettys, M.Ed. Thank you for your steadfast partnership in helping to further the FBCA mission.

This academic year, FBCA celebrates 35 years as an independent Christian school. We are committed to relentlessly pursue excellence for the glory of God by equipping our students to think critically, lead courageously, and love compassionately in all areas of their lives.

As we celebrate our 35th Anniversary, we are reminded of the important legacy our families provide through financially supporting the current and future students at FBCA. Not only are you donating for today, you are donating to impact generations and paving the way for students to have this amazing community and impactful experiences.

For 35 years, FBCA has been preparing lifelong learners, who are grounded in God's word, strong in their faith and well equipped to achieve academic and spiritual success in college and in life. Your partnership in FBCA Advancement campaigns, such as the Annual Fund, help our school to provide opportunities, tools and community experiences to make this possible for our students.

Around campus, you will notice a number of changes. We have new and updated facilities and strategic technological enhancements to our academic programs, all of which will help to further the experiences of our students and families and advance FBCA as the premier Christian school in our region. These improvements were made possible by your generous giving during the Annual Fund Campaign (Together we give. Together we grow.) and the Boots, Blues, and BBQ concert.

FBCA relies on the generosity of parents, grandparents, faculty, staff, alumni, alumni parents and community friends to support our innovative teaching and excellent Christian preparatory education. Your partnership makes a difference and we remain grateful for the legacy your gifts create. I encourage you to learn more about the reach of your gifts to FBCA during the 2020-2021 school year in this Impact Report.

I’m grateful to your commitment to Christian education at FBCA and financial generosity.

Joshua Gettys, M.Ed. Head of School

Mission & Vision of Fort Bend Christian Academy Inspiring students to excellence for the glory of God. Fort Bend Christian Academy exists to glorify God through excellence in college-preparatory Christian education. It is the mission of Fort Bend Christian Academy to equip students to thrive spiritually, academically, socially, emotionally, and physically.

Fort Bend Christian Academy is committed to a superior academic experience integrated with a consistent, Christian approach to learning. All subjects are presented from a biblical perspective, and students learn to serve God in all areas of life and in whatever vocation they are ultimately led. With this Christian approach to education, FBCA seeks to mold the character of each child and provide them with a solid foundation for life.

Mission of the FBCA Office of Advancement The Advancement Office promotes and advances the mission of Fort Bend Christian Academy (FBCA) through fundraising, special events, alumni relations and community engagement. Achieving this mission takes a strong partnership of faculty, staff and parents working together for the good of our children. Through the FBCA community's generosity, participation and engagement, we have established a strong foundation to meet the immediate and emerging needs of our students, faculty and programs throughout FBCA.

STRENGTH IN NUMBERS August 1, 2020 – July 31, 2021

$241,590

$102,403

674

Net total dollars raised through the Annual Fund campaign.

Net total dollars raised through Special Event Donations.

Total donors* who contributed to the Annual Fund and Special Event Donations.

STRENGTH IN NUMBERS August 1, 2020 – July 31, 2021

57%

85%

100%

Total parent participation in the Annual Fund Campaign.

Total staff participation in the Annual Fund Campaign.

Total Board Of Trustees and Executive Leadership participation in the Annual Fund Campaign.

*Figures represent individual, not household donations.

POWER OF PHILANTHROPY Edward Anthony Scala, Sr. Band Room A generous gift from the Scala family helps provide a new, state of the art Band Room for the Middle and Upper School students. The Band Room reinforces Fort Bend Christian Academy’s long-term vision and commitment to excellence in fine arts.

The updated Band Room features enhanced sound proofing and felt walls that help musicians to accurately hear the notes they play, locker storage for students to store their instruments, an additional 300 feet of room for a growing program, large wall graphics with images of FBCA students at band concerts and marching at athletic events, new flooring and paint, and ceiling enhancements.

The Scala Family has been part of the FBCA community for over eight years. The years that their family has spent in fellowship at FBCA has been very impactful and meaningful to them. The family chose to honor the memory of Ed Scala, Sr., who passed away in April 2020, by naming the Band Room in honor of him.

"We are honored to contribute to the renovations of the band room as music has always brought much joy to our family. Praise and worship exalt and thank God for his goodness - they reveal his glory. We hope that many students are encouraged to make a joyful noise in this beautiful new space!,” Alicia Scala, FBCA Parent and Board of Trustees Vice President, said.

Chandler Parker MacDonald, FBCA Director of Advancement, knew this renovation would greatly help our student musicians and support the needs of our Fine Arts program.

“I was confident from the beginning of this plan that this renovation would create a space that would support the needs of our community and serve as a wonderful place for students to make beautiful music,” MacDonald said.

POWER OF PHILANTHROPY New Batting Cage & Athletic Weight Room Thanks to the generosity of athletics stakeholders and the FBCA Booster Club, the batting cage underwent extensive renovations this summer. The weight room also received improvements and upgrades.

The expansion of facilities and partnership with the Booster Club allows coaches and trainers to enhance the way that athletes work out and play.

All sports will be able to utilize and benefit from the multifunctional spaces. FBCA is excited to be able to provide this facility to our community, but also a space where local, collegiate and professional athletes come to improve their skill sets and work with athletic programs.

“We’re deeply grateful for the contributions from our Booster Club and for the generous donation by an FBCA family for these training facilities. The project included enhanced space and equipment in the batting cage and weight room for instruction, team building and training for current student athletes and community partners," Chandler Parker MacDonald, FBCA Director of Advancement, said.

photo of ribbon cutting

“We are so grateful for the visionary support of our donors and of the FBCA Community who have given to help achieve this milestone," Kelly Carroll, FBCA Director of Athletics and Head Softball Coach, said.

This expansion reinforces Fort Bend Christian Academy’s long-term vision and commitment to excellence for our student athletes. photo of use of facilities Thank you to the FBCA Booster Club for your partnership with our school and your generous support of our athletic programs.

POWER OF PHILANTHROPY Annual Fund The Annual Fund: Allows FBCA to promote academic excellence by providing the best resources to create a challenging and nurturing Christian educational environment.

Enables FBCA to inspire community growth by offering technological advancements that keep students engaged, stakeholders connected, and provide additional tools for faculty.

Ensures that students are able to use their talents to the fullest because they have the proper equipment and passionate leaders who help them perform their best.

Empowers our students to be contributors to society because they are equipped with the knowledge and compassion that is received through our Biblical curriculum.

The Annual Fund Campaign is October 1-31, 2021. fortbendchristian.org/donate

Server & Network Upgrade Student Desk & Chairs

Chromebooks

Art Room Tilt Table Tops

POWER OF PHILANTHROPY Volunteer Stewardship As a community this year, we have grown closer together through our shared dedication to our students, to each other, and to our outstanding school. On behalf of the faculty, staff and especially the students, thank you for your ongoing generosity of our parent volunteers and donors and for your steadfast partnership in our mission to provide an excellent Christian, college preparatory education.

"It’s hard to adequately describe the impact that FBCA has had on my kids and my family. We were familiar with FBCA’s summer camps and had relationships with a number of the staff and their families for years. We finally made the switch for 3 of ours kids from public schools to FBCA in 2020. The curriculum is challenging and the Christ-centered environment is exactly what we were looking for in a school. My kids are thriving in every way since starting school at FBCA. The staff is exceptional; it’s clear that God is at the center of all they do. The students welcomed my kids with open arms.

We all look forward to embracing all that FBCA has to offer in the coming years, and mostly we look forward to giving back to this school in big and small ways any time we get the chance."

- The Covarrubias Family Melissa and Alejandro Covarrubias, and their children - Alex ('22), Valentina ('24), & Renata ('26)

Community Engagement Volunteers

Front Desk Volunteers

POWER OF PHILANTHROPY Gala Our first virtual concert and auction experience with Grammy award-winning artist Keb' Mo' was a spectacular success! Thank you to everyone who participated in the Boots, Blues & BBQ concert and auction.

We want to recognize and say THANK YOU to our 2021 Concert Event Chairs: Heather Brown, Katie Harris and Leah Henley, and the committee: Courtney Bass, Charleen Burleson, Casey Cook, Kristi Cox, Jana Forastiere, Tiffany Harris, Catherine Kubala, Laura McGowen, Tracy Pipes, Adriana Polasek, Susan Ratterree, Tiffanie Reina, Jamie Rozell, Lisa Sette, Mackenzie Shimek, Angel Stallings and Tiffany Tyler.

Their hard work and dedication made the Boots, Blues & BBQ Concert, a fun and entertaining experience.

Your partnership and generosity strengthen FBCA's Mission and Vision and allows us to meet the immediate and future needs of our students, faculty and programs. Hear from our school administrators, faculty and students in this thank you video.

We appreciate and are thankful for our auction donors, volunteers and event sponsors. Thank you!

- North Campus Gym Projector, Screen & Sound - Sound Systems for Softball & Baseball Fields - Upper School Praise Team 88 Keyboard - Middle School Math Room Whiteboards - Middle School/Lower School Art Class Interactive TV and iPad Pens for Digital Art - Lower School Library TV/ Sound System/Interface Enhancements

Math MathRoom RoomWhiteboards Whiteboards

2021 Concert Event Chairs

Praise Team Keyboard

POWER OF PHILANTHROPY Engagement: Parent-Teacher Fellowship The PTF is a group that promotes partnership, connection and celebration of FBCA. This group was established to bridge partnerships with the school, families and staff, connect the community to campus, and celebrate all the ways that God moves within Fort Bend Christian Academy. A key pillar for the PTF is fellowship, so everything done is for the betterment of our school community. Every stakeholder in the FBCA family is automatically a member of this group, and anyone can sign-up to support the school through a number of volunteer opportunities!

Through volunteering with the PTF, you will have the chance to contribute to division-specific special events, hospitality efforts for your child’s class, and more. You can also get involved by being a PTF Community Engagement Volunteer and support efforts at school events, such as: Back to School Fair, Eagle Extravaganza, Homecoming, Christmas Decorations, Christmas Luncheon, Grandparents Day, Teacher Appreciation Week, Field Day, Field Trips, Student Exam Weeks, and more.

PTF at Eagle Extravaganza

PTF Fellowship

“I’m so blessed to have the opportunity to volunteer at FBCA. Giving back through volunteering has been instilled in my life since I was young. I feel that we should serve just as God continues to serve us.

We love FBCA and are so happy to be a part of this community.”

Tiffanie Reina PTF LS Volunteer Coordinator The Reina Family

WHO YOU IMPACT Students explain the impact that FBCA has had on their lives.

"FBCA has helped me find confidence, friends, and has given me a great education. I love worshipping God with my friends not only in the chapel, but also anywhere on campus. This school is like a second home to me. FBCA is a really special place and I am grateful to be part of it! GO EAGLES!" Tinsley Huynh, Class of 2030

“FBCA is the best school! I have been here since I was in Kindergarten, and I have met all my friends here. I walk through the front doors every morning and see all the teachers and people that make me happy. I am thankful that my parents can give me this opportunity.”

Brooks Booher, Class of 2029

“My time as a student at FBCA has been an incredible journey. My teachers inspire me, and I have experienced humorous moments to life lessons with them.

However, my most important aspect has been the lifelong friendships I’ve made. I value all of it, and I know years from now I will have amazing memories of FBCA.” Adam Ali, Class of 2022

WHO YOU IMPACT Families and staff explain the impact that FBCA has had on their lives.

"As a lifer, FBCA gave me the opportunity to grow up surrounded by people who wanted the best for me spiritually, academically, and emotionally. I can honestly say it was the best 14 years of my life, so far! I feel 100% prepared for my next life chapter at Samford University. I am confident the foundation I received from FBCA will remain solid for many years to come."

Owen LaRocca, FBCA 2021 Alumni & FBCA Lifer

“Being an Administrator and Coach at Fort Bend Christian Academy is a gift that God has allowed me to walk in. I’ve had the opportunity first hand to see middle and high school connections, and it is obvious that God is doing a work of art. Whether it’s on the practice field or inside the halls of FBCA, kids’ lives are being changed for the greater kingdom. The continued financial support we receive as a school is instrumental in allowing us to transform our classrooms and programs into one of Houston’s top education institutions, but most importantly servers of Christ.”

Mike Williams, M. Ed., Assistant Head of Middle School

“Right now, the world is topsy-turvy, yet the one thing I do not worry about is the education of my four grandsons at FBCA. The school not only provides a traditional education but works at their spiritual growth, their citizenship as members of a community, and their individual responsibility to contribute to the betterment of society. FBCA is the perfect environment to mold intelligent and caring young men and women.”

Karen Sue Burns, Grandparent of FBCA students Alton ('23), Abbott ('29), Klein ('31), & Ellis ('33)

HOW TO GET INVOLVED FBCA OFFICE OF ADVANCEMENT Annual Fund October 1 – October 31, 2021 We are excited to share our Together We Give. Together We Grow. Annual Fund campaign.

Gifts of $50 or more to the Annual Fund made between October 1 – October 31, 2021, will be thanked with a limited edition FBCA Christmas Ornament. If you double your impact and make a gift of $100 or more to the Annual Fund during the timeline, you will also receive a pair of Skeeters Holiday Lights tickets! We remain grateful for your support of FBCA and thank you for helping us grow!

Homecoming October 22, 2021 Homecoming festivities begin at 5:30 p.m.

Enjoy a delicious BBQ dinner and dessert--tickets can be purchased on the website: $14/adult, $8/child (10 and under), FREE for alumni, Class of 2022, staff & their families.

Have the ultimate tailgate fun, with dinner, games and a DJ. Then stay and help us cheer on our Eagle Varsity Football as they take on St. Joseph’s High School at 7:00 p.m.

Annual Gala February 5, 2022 Save the date for the FBCA annual gala! We hope you join us on Saturday, February 5, 2022 for a night of fellowship and fun! If you are interested in being a sponsor for this event or volunteering on the Gala Committee, please contact Sarah Fiore at sfiore@fortbendchrisitan.org or 281-263-9192.

HOW TO VOLUNTEER & ENGAGE: Click this link to see all of the volunteer opportunities at FBCA, including the PTF, Grandparents Club, Book Fair, Gala Committee, Alumni Mentors, Community Engagement and more!

Click this link to make a monetary gift to support FBCA.

FBCA OFFICE OF ADVANCEMENT

1250 Seventh St. Sugar Land, TX 77478 281-263-9186 advancement@fortbendchristian.org

Fort Bend Christian Academy is a 501(c)(3) organization.

All gifts are tax-deductible contributions as allowed by law.