NRCA Elementary Showcase 2023-2024

LOVE,RESPECT, ANDTHEFIVE SENSES

TOUCH TOUCH

Give a hug to those you love

Shake a hand when you meet someone new

Summer is around the corner. NRCA students and their families will enjoy sunny days poolside or riding waves at the beach, catching fireflies past bedtime, and eating far too much watermelon and ice cream It will be a time for gathering with friends and family to celebrate a national holiday, a birthday, or simply gathering to enjoy each other’s company. As we embark on the journey called summertime, take time to use your five senses to express your love and respect for others throughout the sweet days of summer break.

SMELL SMELL

Give a high five or fist bump to old friends and ones you have just met

Bake a special treat and deliver it to your neighbors

Cook a meal for someone who is sick or in need

Host a backy d b

HEARING HEARING

Engage in conversation with a joyful response

Greet others with a kind word

Express gratitude or thanksgiving to those around you

SIGHT SIGHT

Smile at those you love and those whom you have just met

Look people in the eyes when they are talking to you

Stop long enough to see what is around you, so you can be present in the moment

TASTE TASTE

Invite a friend to enjoy popsicles by the pool

Make homemade ice cream and share it with someone you’ve just met

Roast hot dogs over a fire while hanging out with your neighbors

NRCA seniors take one final bow as they close their 13-year journey with a capstone project. Ellie Poteat, a student who has been at NRCA since kindergarten, created a capstone project that would include her love for Christ and her compassion for people. This project embraced the schoolwide theme of Fully Known and connected a graduate of the Class of 2024 with the future graduates of the Class of 2036.

Ellie’s capstone project was influenced by three individuals whose encounters reminded her that they are fully know and unconditionally loved by Christ. Ellie shared, “My project was inspired by three wonderful people – my father-figure in Costa Rica named Oliver, a beautiful woman in Washington, DC, named Maria, and Simon, our selfless

waiter in Tennessee.” These God-orchestrated moments filled Ellie with a desire to find a tangible way that would allow her to express how Christ fully knows them while weaving in the gospel message.

Ellie’s desire became a reality when she realized she could connect her past with her future aspiration and capstone project. As Ellie reflected on her 13 years at NRCA, she shared, “I remember the huge impact the seniors had on me. Because of that, I wanted to make an impact on the younger classes, which sparked the idea of equipping them for this capstone project, the Fully Known notes.” This beautiful concept of writing gospelthemed notes of encouragement to share with others was the tangible way Ellie could impact the kindergarten students at NRCA.

Fully Known notes are notecards that are created around the gospel message of being fully know by Christ. These gospel-themed notes of encouragement include Scripture, biblical quotes, encouraging words, and beautiful designs. Once created, Fully Known notes will be used as a simple way to brighten someone’s day, put a smile on someone’s face, and encourage someone all while sharing the gospel message.

As Ellie worked to complete her capstone project, she partnered with the kindergarten classes to create Fully Known notes she could use as she ministered to others in her community. Ellie visited all five kindergarten classes, sharing her heart regarding her capstone project. Each class joined Ellie in her effort to create Fully Known notes. The students wrote notes on the cards and decorated them. It was a sweet interaction of a former kindergarten student working with current kindergarten students to create and design Fully Known notes for her capstone project.

Ellie Poteat, a Class of 2024 graduate, took her love for Christ and her compassion for people and created a capstone project that connected a high school senior with NRCA kindergarten students. Together, they crafted Fully Known notes that will be used to impact Ellie’s community. This capstone for Christ culminates Ellie’s desire to share with all humanity they are fully known and unconditionally loved.

By: Mrs. Joy Mathes, Lower Elementary Principal

It was with great excitement that the kindergarten students woke up on January 30, ready to celebrate the 100th day of school! They dressed in their outfits, displaying 100 items of various things. They were very proud to show off their 100th day of school outfits upon arrival. Parents and h k d h k h

“We had a number hunt to find all the numbers to 100! I was so excited because I found the number 100!”

Ellie B Ms. Learned’s Class

“I had 100 dinosaurs on my shirt for 100th day! They were stuck on there. I liked sticking 100 stickers on the crown we made. ” H Mrs C

vorite parts of the 0th daywere the ts, stacking100 cups, akinga necklace, and aringmyshirt with 100 things on it."

Sadie A. Mrs. Allen’s Class

My favorite part was oking at the shirts. I also liked my shirt. My Mimi made mine to look like a creeper from Minecraft. The fashion show was fun because I got to do some fun dance moves and sho off my shirt.”

Sammy L Mrs. Huffman’s Class

One of first grade’s favorite activities this year was Book Buddies. First graders partnered with third graders to practice reading. It was a fun and engaging way to encourage students to read. Students also did a seasonal craft or activity when they met with their buddies

The Book Buddies program matches younger students with those a little further along in developing reading skills, helping build confident readers and develop friendships. The partnership helps struggling readers, especially, become more fluent. Students who find it hard to keep up with the rest of the class can read at their own pace when they are reading with their buddy.

By: Mrs. Becky Mahl, 1st Grade Lead Teacher

SECOND GRADE

A Fun Time and Memory-Maker for Students, Parents, and Teachers

On March 20, 2024, the second grade classes had a beautiful sunny day to have our annual Field Day. Each teacher’s class sponsored a game that our devoted parent volunteers helped run. The classes rotated from game to game. Our games this year were The Pizza Box Relay, The Parachute Challenge, The Obstacle Course, The Hula Relay, and The Medley Course of Rock, Paper, Scissors. We also had parents man our Water/First Aid Station, too.

We started the day with our coordinator, Mr. Kendrick Woodard, welcoming the parents and classes, praying for a wonderful day of fun and safety, and presenting the rules of participation, which were...HAVE FUN!! We had lots of parent cheerleaders who came to support us, cheered us on, and interacted with our sweet children. We ended our games with a picnic lunch outside.

Second Grade Field Day is a special highlight for our second grade students. It’s

been an annual event for many years and continues to bring so many smiles to all who share in this much anticipated day. Teachers are so appreciative of all the parents who willingly sign up to help with Field Day. At Fall Orientation, teachers give an overview of special events second graders experience during the year. Many parents sign up for this event. This special day would not have been possible without our parents coming and giving their time and energy to help set up and run the class games, including clean-up.

This event will be remembered as a favorite for so many reasons. What a fantastic time was had by all! Yes, here at NRCA we are fully known by God and known for our Second Grade Annual Field Day with all God’s blessings along the way.

By: Mrs. Cynthia DeVaughn 2nd Grade Lead Teacher

“My favorite game at Field Day was the parachute game. It was fun going under the parachute and sitting under it with my friends.”

Natalie G. Mrs. DeVaughn’s Class

“I like the parachute game because when we went under it, it felt like a secret place.”

Owen R. Mrs. Leslie’s Class

“ I liked the parachute game because it was fun keeping all the balls moving.”

Ruth B. Mrs. Gainey’s Class

“Ilovedrunningaroundstuff. Ilovedtheparachute mostof all.” JonF. Mrs.Kidd’sClass

“I loved the Rock, Paper, Scissors relay. I actually have a strategy for it. Let’s play and see if I’m right!”

Evan O. Mrs. Stewart’s Class

CANADA

Mr. Tyler Snead graduated from ECU, played in the NFL, and now lives in Canada, where he plays football for the Montreal Alouettes. Mr. Snead shared beautiful pictures of Canada’s landscape, Niagara Falls, Montreal, wildlife, and the impressive Olympic Stadium. He also shared that Canada has a population of 40 million people, and most Canadians speak English. To our students’ amazement, Montreal averages 82 inches of snow each year!

THIRD GRADE GOES

CANADA

For the second year, we were blessed to have speakers to share with our classes about countries where they have lived or extensively traveled. The speakers were parents or family members of our current third grade students. On Friday, April 12, all five classes rotated to hear a 20-minute presentation, including pictures, maps, facts, and products from each of the countries.

By: Mrs. Anonda Nepa, 3rd Grade Lead Teacher

“I would have lost heart, unless I had believed that I would see the goodness of the Lord in the land of living.”

Psalm 27:13

RUSSIA

Mrs. Elena Caldwell grew up in Russia and completed her schooling there. She compared the differences between a school day in the United States versus a school day in Russia, including having a dressing area that Russian students left all their layered winter garments and accessories in each morning and where they changed into their “school shoes.” School was highly regarded in Russia, and the students would never wear their “dirty shoes” into their classroom. Students only attend school for 11 years instead of our 12 years. Mrs. Caldwell also shared that cities in Russia are required by law to decorate for each New Year’s celebration, not Christmas.

“In Spain, there are palaces, fountains, and old churches. They have a lot of seafood. They have a ham restaurant.”

-Olivia S.

SPAIN

“I

learned about Russia and how there are only 11 years of school.”

-Dax D.

RUSSIA

SPAIN AND AUSTRALIA

Mrs. Erika Brooks studied abroad in Spain and Australia. She shared with the class her perspective of both countries as a young lady living with host families and being immersed in their culture. She shared pictures of each country and of her time there. She showed the students places where she ate, like Madrid’s Museo del Jamon, where you select from walls of hanging hams to make your sandwich. In Australia, she talked about the beauty of the land and how she struggled with the food choices there. She did not like the popular Australian foods Vegemite spread and beets. Even McDonald’s has beetroot on their hamburgers in Australia!

“I enjoyed hearing about Japan and making origami of a penguin.”

-Reid J.

JAPAN

Mr. Phillip Law’s job has required him to live in Japan. The students were very impressed to hear that the Nintendo Company and the Pokémon Company were located there. Hello Kitty is also from Japan. They were fascinated by pictures of the ice hotel and Toyko’s impressive architectural designs. He allowed the students to pass a traditional Japanese doll wearing a kimono. He also shared pictures of the famous cherry blossoms. Mr. Law provided origami paper and directions for the students to create penguins and allowed each student to choose a Pokémon card to keep.

“I liked the presentation about Japan a lot. The other ones were also very cool. I loved every fact and prop. Japan makes so, so many interesting things. I thought it was awesome.”

-Maddie R.

VIETNAM

Mrs. Konnie Tran lived in Vietnam as a young girl. She shared the amazing story of her father building a makeshift boat in secrecy to escape under the darkness of night from the Communist government of Vietnam. Ten years later, she and her mother were able to join him. Her son, Ethan, assisted her in her presentation and modeled traditional attire and a nón lá, which is a large hat worn in Vietnam. She shared with the class traditional Vietnamese attire, accessories, and decorative dishes. She showed pictures of the Vietnamese landscape, common food dishes, traditional celebrations, and her life in Vietnam.

“My favorite part was learning about different traditions for celebrating birthdays, like putting money in envelopes in Vietnam.”

-Bekah

F.

Laws of Motion Motion UnitedSkates of Amer

On April 9, the fourth graders had the opportunity to participate in fun and learning Students participated in a STEM-led activity focusing on the laws of motion and how to apply them to everyday activities such as skating. In this fun approach, students learned more about motion, inertia, and friction and had first-hand experience with the laws of gravity Using what they already knew about motion and what they discussed with their instructor, small groups designed their idea of the perfect skate, incorporating all they could to make the most aerodynamic skate possible; to say the least, this was met with great fun and tons of laughter After their STEM lesson and a delicious pizza lunch, students put their knowledge about motion to the test with some roller skating

By: Ms Emely Molina, 4th Grade Lead Teacher

-Khloe B.

I liked the skating trip because it was my first time skating, and I thought it would be fun going for my first time. I loved skating, and although I did fall a couple of times, I still had fun with my friends. I would definitely skate again!

-Hailey R.

The skating field trip was fun because we got to design skates with my friends and have a good time.

-Valerie P.-A.

USS NORTH CAROLIN FIFTH GRADE FIELD T

Our fifth grade students recently embarked on an adventure to the USS North Caro Battleship, following their study of World War II This field trip offered them the opp explore the historic vessel firsthand, from its massive guns to its cramped crew qua immersing themselves in this living piece of history, students gained a deeper unde of the challenges faced by those who served during the war A sighting of an alliga up the warm sunshine just off the boardwalk was a highlight for both teachers and After spending the morning exploring the battleship, a picnic lunch by the river was all What a memorable day for fifth grade!

By: Mrs Lisa Landis, 5th Grade Teacher

STUDENT QUOTE

"Myfavoritepart guns.wasseeingtheSeeingtheold gunsandhowthe peoplesatinthem wasinteresting." -EthanW.

"I loved getting to go down into the ship and seeing all the rooms."

"I saw an alligator on the boardwalk. Going through those massive areas where you could

"It was fun to see where the soldiers slept and ate. They actually had places to do their