The Spero :: Christmas 2018

Spero Celebrating Christmas • 2018

December 2018

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Frog Dissection Interim Headmaster: Cady Wilson Advancement Director: Parker Page Christmas 2018 Issue Written and prepared by: Stefanie Edwards Communications Director For inquires or submission suggestions please email sedwards@nhafranklin.org

Second semester begins Monday, January 7th

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Upper school students study the integral workings of a frog’s body.

December 2018

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A letter from our Interim Headmaster

Trusting in our Sovereign God

By Cady Wilson

Merry Christmas NHA Community!

For the past five years, I have served as Academic Director of New Hope Academy. Today, however, I come to you as our Interim Headmaster. I am honored that the board has entrusted me with acting in this capacity during this transitional period. I have complete confidence in our faculty and staff, which is the core of our school. We have what we need to thrive in fulfilling our mission. We will join together, helping out however needed, to continue to serve our students and families well, in the name of our Lord Jesus.

I am excited about the future. Sure it’s a challenge making a change mid-year, but we can trust in our sovereign God. He is in control and He is moving NHA in the direction that He sees fit.

For the past five years, I have walked very closely with Stuart, overseeing New Hope Academy and making sure we fulfilled our mission to our students. I have complete confidence we will continue to operate effectively with the highest academic standards, excellence in community and character building, and ultimately in equipping our students with the love of Jesus.

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Through continued prayer, I know that God is calling us to a stronger community – amongst parents and staff – all joining together. We have a staff committed to serving in any role that is needed, and we pray you too will rise up to serve. The foundation of our school is built upon volunteers serving as active participants in the success of our mission.

We will empower NHA to be strong and secure as our board does their due diligence in casting a wide net recruiting our new headmaster. There is a new season coming at NHA, and we will make ready.

I wish you peace this Christmas season. I am focused on celebrating Emmanuel “God with us.” God has given us His presence in order that we may have a relationship with Him. Luke 2:10 (ESV) says, “And the angel said to them, ‘Fear not, for behold, I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people.’”

What God has ordained for us is not nervous exhaustion during the hustle and bustle of the holiday season, but rather a peaceful rest and reflection over the coming of His Son. The first thing our faith does is grant us rest from the heavy burden we carry. God releases us and sets us free.

Luke 2:14 (ESV) - “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace among those with whom he is pleased!”

Christmas Blessings!

Cady Wilson

December 2018

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Third Grade Olympics December 2018

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A Musical Blessing For the past 12 years, Teena Boone has led New Hope Academy students in their musical education. Without knowing a thing about the school, she received a call from our headmaster in response to her resume submission.

“Stuart gave me a tour and explained the purpose of New Hope Academy,” Mrs. Boone said. “He told me I was exactly the type of instructor they had been praying for. I’ve never had a position where someone told me I was an answer to a prayer.”

Thereafter, she accepted the part-time position and began witnessing how God had a plan for a music program at New Hope Academy. As a certified music instructor, Mrs. Boone was able to bring the proper instruction to the students, but the department had next to no resources available. “I had been here maybe two months when Stuart walked in one day and told me to make a wish list for furnishing the classroom,” Mrs. Boone said.

“He gave me no guidelines, except to dream big.” Having previously furnished an entire music program at another school, Mrs. Boone had the experience to design and plan accordingly. She turned in her list and left it at that. A short while later, over $15,000 worth of equipment was provided to New Hope Academy (all but one item on her original list) through a generous donation.

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The one item not supplied from the wish list was music text books. “The next donation was continued evidence that God had His hand upon New Hope Academy and that He cared that quality music education was provided to our students,” Mrs. Boone said. Hearing about the need, a school in Iowa received new music curriculum books and reached out about donating their retired materials to our school.

The mother of the Iowa music instructor graciously packed them up and drove them down to New Hope Academy.

“God has continued to provide whenever we have had a need,” Mrs. Boone said. “Several years ago, a parent with a music industry employer connection acquired a donation of a classroom set of acoustic guitars for our upper school students,” Mrs. Boone said.

To this day the upper school students begin their education of stringed instruments on the Appalachian dulcimer (see photos) and then transition to the acoustic guitar.

“Working in this role at New Hope Academy has given me so much faith in God’s provision,” Mrs. Boone shared. “Everything that we have ever needed has been donated and provided for our program.“

There is a set plan for how the music program ties into the students’ curriculum in the classroom. For example in the upcoming spring performances: 3rd and 4th grade - Feb. 7th at 6:30 In third grade, the students learn about ancient Greece as the birthplace of drama.

In fourth grade, they study African culture.

Together they perform a dramatic musical production of an African Folk Tale.

5th and 6th grade - April 4th at 6:30 Presented as an Arts night with ties into American History. Both grades present a museum-style experience to their parents with a discussion of their artwork, followed by a music program.

Lower grades discover different orchestra instruments and learn to connect those with different classical composers and compositions they study in their humanity lessons.

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A Musical Blessing Once students make it to third grade, they have the option to join the choir or percussion ensemble, which consists of students from 3rd to 6th grade. “I don’t audition kids for choir or percussion ensemble,” Mrs. Boone said. “When students are interested in music groups outside of their general music class and are willing to come before school starts or stay after school to be part of these ensembles, I acknowledge their commitment. I recognize the love of music that God has put into them, and strive to help them grow these gifts.”

“The faculty and staff have been so supportive of the music program and have offered to help out in a lot of ways,” Mrs. Boone said. “For example, I couldn’t hold the rehearsals for the large number of students in choir without the amazing help of Mrs. Morrison.”

Throughout the years I have been blessed to watch musical talents rise up in so many students,” Mrs. Boone shared. “We have the opportunities at New Hope Academy to let children try out their voice, experiment with instruments, and discover their musical gifts. It has been a blessing for me.”

Those who attended this year’s Christmas concert may have noticed that all the songs were a reflection of our Christian faith. “It is wonderful to teach students that Scriptures tell of God singing and that our songs are pleasing to God. It is an honor to present a Christmas program that glorifies God, and the birth of Jesus.” p.10

Mrs. Boone leading the choir for their off campus winter performance with the assistance of Mrs. Morrison.

December 2018

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Practice for the Big Concert

Lower school students in Kindergarten, first and second grade gathered for an hour dress rehearsal for their evening concert.

All of this comes after weeks of regular study in their individual music classes.

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December 2018

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Christmas Musical Performance p.14

“A Special Night in Bethlehem� was the musical production put on by the NHA Choir and all Kindergarteners, First and Second grade students. They sang and performed a beautiful collection of Christmas songs.

December 2018

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The Polar Express Kindergarten students enjoy the fun of wearing their pajamas to school to experience The Polar Express Christmas story.

Complete with their golden ticket to ride the Polar Express, the students had a lot of fun playing make-believe before settling down to watch the classic film.

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December 2018

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4th Grade Fungus Exploration Before the cool temps of December kicked in the fourth grade students had the opportunity to search for and learn about fungus in the ecosystem existing on our property.

December 2018

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Run For Hope embodies the community-spirit by inviting hundreds of runners around the nation to race for an incredible cause . . . OUR SCHOOL! You too can be a part of this experience by asking your friends, family, co-workers and neighbors to support you in Run For Hope. It’s going to be an amazing event as we celebrate TobyMac’s 10th and final year with us.

Don’t wait until next year to register! Mark April 26th and 27th on your calendar, REGISTER TODAY at RunForNewHope.com, and start fundraising to receive incredible perks.

Special incentives for early registrants Register at RunForNewHope.com by December 31st for your chance to win great prizes.

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Presenting Kindness Fourth graders created their own Christmas program consisting of songs, jokes, poems, and a solo performance, and presented their gift to the residents of NHC Franklin assisted living facility.

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Parent Feature

Saying Goodbye to The Guice Family For the past year and a half, the Guice family has made their mark at New Hope Academy.

“It feels like we have been a part of this community for much longer than we have,” Chandler Guice said. With three children enrolled, and two active parents, the Guice family has made multiple friendships and truly embraced the mission of the school.

“New Hope Academy has opened our eyes to the beauty of diverse community and the possibilities that come from it,” Chandler said.

“Amidst a mixture of cultural and socioeconomic people groups, we have welcomed more people into our lives and are stronger as a result.”

Referred by their church pastor, the Guice family has found New Hope Academy to fulfill more than just the educational role in children’s lives. “Our kids get an excellent education here for sure, but I have also discovered that academics is not the most important thing they receive, or that I want them to have,” Chandler said. “The education at New Hope Academy caters to all kids, from all walks of life, and my children are taught uniquely and in a manner that draws out their own skills and interests. All while being p.22

grounded in the truth of God’s Word.”

“New Hope Academy does such a great job of meeting my kids right where they are,” Chandler shared. “Our oldest son, Sam is adopted from the Congo. He needed a school that offered him a community where he could be around other children who looked like him, as well as a school that loved him and helped him overcome his challenges. In our second year here, he is blossoming. School is still hard for him, but he is excited to come to school and that is huge.”

While on campus throughout the past year, you may have noticed Chandler holding a new baby from time to time. “Our family has also found another way to serve and add diversity through SAFE Families,” Chandler said. “We have cared for children while their parents recover from a surgery, deal with an urgent issue, or whatever else. All with the intent of lending a helping hand and keeping that child from entering the foster care system. This model is so similar to the love we have found at New Hope Academy in which families come around each other, no matter their walk of life, and help each other out.”

While Chandler is busy caring for the kids

(both her own and those from Safe Families), Griffin works as a physician. It was his job that brought them to Franklin, and it is an even better job offer that is calling him back to Birmingham, Alabama. “We both grew up in Birmingham, and most of our family is there,” Chandler said. “This move feels like we are going home, but it is hard to leave New Hope Academy. I’m not sad about leaving middle Tennessee, rather I’m trying to grasp what life will be like outside of the relationships I have formed at New Hope Academy.”

“I do feel like New Hope is the type of place we will always be welcome,” Chandler said.

“When we come up to visit we are all coming on campus to catch up with friends.”

As Chandler prepares for the move to Birmingham, she leaves this parting advice to current families. “Don’t take New Hope Academy for granted. It is a special place, and it has taken a lot of prayer and hard work to create such a school.”

“Start showing up and get involved if you want to experience New Hope for yourself,” Chandler said. “Don’t just look at it as a place to send your kids to get an education. New Hope Academy is worth your investment in

time, resources, and money. Don’t miss that.”

The Guice family have begun their transition to Birmingham and will wrap up their season at New Hope Academy at the end of this semester. “When we return to Birmingham, we want our lives to be different, and to be more open to people who are from different walks of life,” Chandler said.

They are returning to their beloved church and have found a rental home in a more diverse section of town as they establish their roots. Griffin will be working at The University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB) Hospital, and Chandler and the kids will be homeschooling.

They are grateful for your prayers as they make this transition. Chandler shared that she has already been blessed by NHA families reaching out to help with packing, watching the kids while she handles moving needs, and more.

“When we were originally looking a school for our children, we wanted a Biblical community of people to come around our family and engage with,” Chandler said. “We found that at New Hope Academy in the most amazing way, and we hope you will invest your time December 2018

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Learning to Code Fourth graders learning to code as part of the National Hour of Code movement.

December 2018

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A Farewell Hug for Mr. Tutler For the final day of the semester, Mr. Tutler lead the students in a special devotion, wishing them well and promising to come back to visit. Two six graders honored him with a parting message and gift and we all prayed over him, for his future beyond New Hope Academy.

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December 2018

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Adventure Science Center with 3rd Grade The entire first semester, third graders study the solar system. As a capstone of the semester, they travel to Nashville for the a day at Adventure Science Center, studying the exhibits, watching the Planetarium show and “moon-walking�.

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Creating Their Christmas Trees First graders create Gustave Klimt inspired Christmas trees in art class.

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Merry Christmas from all the teachers and staff!

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