Lions Guide Upper

LIONS G U I D E

2024-2025

Our mission is to teach our students to become like Christ through a classical, Christian education within a covenantal community.

Since 1998, Pusch Ridge Christian Academy has been coming alongside families like yours to help raise children who are inquisitive, creative, and inspired - all for Christ and His kingdom. With our amazing faculty, top-rated academics taught from a Biblical worldview, robust performing arts, exciting trip opportunities, and championship athletic programs, it is no wonder parents often tell us their children enjoy coming to school each day.

We couldn’t achieve this experience without the help, support, and commitment of every family. As a part of our covenantal relationship, we ask three things of every parent: First, think of yourselves as partners with us in your child’s education. Join us in supporting, guiding, and nurturing your child and in helping him or her take full advantage of the many opportunities we offer.

Second, commit yourself to participating in the school community. We encourage you to join with Covenantal Parent Fellowship (CPF) in promoting events at Upper and Grammar, volunteer with House Events at South, and offer your time and talents when requested.

Finally, consider making PRCA a part of your family’s giving. Many of our trips, experiences, facilities, and resources wouldn’t be possible without support from our school community - families like yours. Your involvement matters – to your child and to your school family!

We are glad you're here!

Christine Moon, Grammar School Principal Mrs. Moon grew up in California and has lived in Tucson for over 20 years. She holds a B.A. in political science with a minor in Spanish from the University of Arizona and an M.Ed. from Arizona State University. She first joined PRCA as a parent and began teaching 3rd grade in 2022. She and her husband, Sang, have two children who currently attend the Grammar School. As a family, they enjoy visiting museums, traveling, and exploring the outdoors.

Brian Rafacz, Middle School Principal Mr. Rafacz was born and raised in Elmhurst, IL and earned his B.A. in Science and M.Ed. from the University of Arizona.

He began teaching 8th grade at PRCA in 2014. As an avid outdoorsman and former U.S. Navy Seal, Mr. Rafacz helped develop, and currently leads, our Expeditionary Learning Program. He and his wife, Kim, have three children who currently attend, or are alumni of, PRCA.

Jordan Raikes, High School Principal Mr. Raikes grew up in Tucson before moving to Chicago where he earned a B.A. in Theology and a B.A. in Biblical Studies from Moody Bible Institute, and his M.A. in Theology from Trinity Evangelical Divinity School. He is currently finishing his second M.A. in Educational Leadership with a focus on Classical Christian Schools from Gordon College.

He joined PRCA in 2014 in the Bible Department and has helped lead our student leaders & House System since 2020.

Mr. Raikes and his wife, Victoria, enjoy puzzles, podcasts, quiet evenings with friends and going on adventures together.

Jonathon Basurto, South Principal Director Basurto graduated from Salpointe, earned his undergraduate degree at the University of Arizona, and received his Masters of Divinity at Columbia International, where he is also pursuing his PhD. He has over a decade of experience as an educator + administrator with Tucson International Academy Public Charter District in South Tucson, and has been working tirelessly for PRCA South.

New School Year C H E C K L I S T

Purchase Textbooks

Uniforms

Textbooks can be purchased from bnck-12.com, our online bookstore. Textbooks can also be purchased from another retailer; however, you must use the ISBN on the bnck-12.com website when purchasing books from another location to ensure the books match the requirements. You can also check the Pusch Ridge Christian Academy Book Swap Facebook page for available books.

Uniform details and purchase options can be accessed through your Lions Den account under 'Resources', or viewed under Uniform Central on the website. You can also check the Pusch Ridge Christian Academy Uniform Swap Facebook page for available uniforms.

Complete Summer Assignments Find Upper School summer reading assignments under 'Resources' in Lion's Den.

Attend New Student + New Parent Orientation Orientation is a time for new students and their parents to become acclimated with their new school culture.

Wednesday, July 31, 9:00 AM to 12:00 PM

Back to School Shopping Find school supply lists, dress code information, and the PRCA Spirit Store under 'Resources' in Lions Den.

New School Year C H E C K L I S T

Confirm your Access to Lions Den

Access the Academic Calendar

Make sure you are able to access your Lions Den account and that you and your Upper School student have separate Lions Den accounts. This ensures you receive our weekly campus e-newsletter, 'Week at a Glance'. Contact Mary Revie for support at mary.revie@prcak12.org.

Mark your calendar with important dates.

Upper School Calendar

Create a Lions Den Account for your Student Your Upper School student will need his/her own email to set up a Lions Den account.

Submit Health Forms in Lions Den These forms, along with the Authorized Pick-Up form, can be found in your Lions Den account within the first week of school.

Download physical forms to be completed before the start of school.

Physical Form (to participate in a school sport) A paper copy of your child's birth certificate and immunization form are required to secure enrollment.

Register For Sports - Upper School All athletes must be registered on Register My Athlete.

Practices for High School fall sports often start before the school year begins. Get a complete list of teams and practice start dates by contacting Jacob Beach, Assistant Athletic Director.

Attend Student Registration Pick up your lock for your locker, P.E. uniform (if needed), and find out about parent volunteer opportunities and other important information before school starts.

Tuesday, August 6, 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM

Confirm Class Schedule Schedules will be available during Student Registration on August 6 Tuesday, August 6, 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM

Join us for Back to School Night Learn more about PRCA, student life, important dates, and ways to get involved. Meet teachers and other families in the PRCA community. Information will be emailed.

Tuesday, August 27

Beyond the Bell

Class Trips + Retreats Middle School October Trips: The 6th Grade Trip to the Grand Canyon allows students to experience and document the vastness of God's Creation through hiking, sketching, exploring the region by train, and refining their etiquette during an evening at a four star restaurant.

The 7th GradeTrip to Catalina Island provides an opportunity for students to become good stewards of nature and wildlife through camping, exploring ocean life, and nighttime snorkeling.

The 8th Grade Trip to Washington D.C. & Pennsylvania allows students to experience our nation’s history and culture through visits to national monuments, the Battleground of Gettysburg, and other historical locations. (This trip is not covered by tuition.)

High School Retreat Week in August: The Freshman/Sophomore Day Retreats take place in the Tucson and Phoenix areas, serving the community, playing games, having fun at local attractions, hiking, and bonding with other students.

The Junior/Senior Retreat takes place at a northern Arizona camp where students spend three nights in a time of teaching, small groups, and friendly competitions.

Between senior finals and graduation, the Senior Trip gives students an opportunity to fellowship with one another and to enjoy fun activities together. (This trip is not covered by tuition.)

Stay Informed There are a variety of ways to stay in touch with all the latest news and happenings at PRCA. Week At A Glance (WAAG) Every Sunday during the school year, an email about campus life, news, announcements will be sent to parents. Please contact Mary Revie if you are not receiving these updates.

Lions Den (Parent/Student Portal) Lions Den is the resource for forms, registrations, student grades, homework assignments, teacher communications, and so much more. Upper School students must have their own Lions Den account registered with their own email address.

School Directories Student, parent, and faculty directories are located in Lions Den.

Stay Connected Be sure to follow PRCA on Facebook and Instagram to stay up-to-date on all the latest happenings.

PRCA Website Find helpful information and updates on PRCA.ACADEMY.

Annual Magazine In the fall, the PRCA Annual Magazine will be mailed to your home with important information and highlights from the previous academic year.

TROUBLE GETTING CONNECTED? Please reach out to Kathy Elliott: kathy.elliott@prcak12.org

Lions Den Lions Den is your one-stop resource for all school-related information.

Student/Parent Handbooks Supply Lists Uniform Central Summer Reading (Grades 6 -12) Register My Athlete (Grades 6 - 12) Student Grades Classroom Weekly Plans Homework Assignments Student Schedules

Accessing LIONS DEN To access Lions Den, visit PRCA.ACADEMY, click on 'Community' and choose 'Lions Den' from the drop down menu.

You will log in with your username and password. Students will be assigned a username and will use it to log in to their own account.

First time user or forgot your password? Click the 'First Time/Forgot Your Password' link and the system will send you new login credentials to the email address on file in the Lions Den.

TROUBLE ACCESSING LIONS DEN? Please reach out to Mary Revie: mary.revie@prcak12.org

Get Involved There are many ways to get involved in the PRCA community. Join us!

Covenant Parent Fellowship CPF works to support the school and community through mission-centered events, faculty appreciation, new parent orientation, and much more.

As part of the covenantal agreement, all families are encouraged to find ways to be involved with school life. Find out more at one of the quarterly CPF meetings or by contacting the 2023- 2024 Upper School CPF Coordinator, Merissa Fazio.

Volunteer Opportunities There are a variety of classroom, trip, office and event volunteer opportunities available, as well as community involvement such as: Moms in Prayer Middle School Coaching More information on these opportunities will be provided at Registration.

CPF Coffee in the Courtyard CPF hosts a Coffee Cart event periodically for PRCA families, providing an opportunity to connect with with others in the PRCA community.

Contact Merissa Fazio for more information.

Support PRCA Support PRCA through your gifts of time, talent, and treasure through donations to our Lions Fund, Giving Tuesday, the Annual Spring Fundraiser as well as taking advantage of volunteer opportunities and keeping PRCA in your prayers. Contact Heath Pulver for more information.

Athletics #4HIM

HS FALL

MS FALL

August - October Football - Boys Volleyball - Girls Cross - Country - Boys | Girls Swimming - Boys | Girls Cheerleading

August - October Tackle Football - Boys Volleyball - Girls Cross - Country - Boys | Girls Tennis - Boys | Girls Cheerleading

HS WINTER

MS WINTER

November - January Basketball - Boys | Girls Soccer - Boys | Girls Cheerleading

November - January Soccer - Boys | Girls Softball - Girls

HS SPRING

MS SPRING

February - May Baseball - Boys Softball - Girls Track & Field - Boys | Girls Golf - Boys | Girls Tennis - Boys | Girls Volleyball - Boys

February - May Basketball - Boys | Girls Track & Field - Boys | Girls Cheerleading

Pusch Ridge Christian Academy offers a comprehensive sports program for both middle and high school student-athletes, centered on glorifying God and honoring others in and out of competition.

PRCA Athletics completes and complements a Christian classical education with its focus on sportcentered virtue training of student-athletes through our Discipleship Coaching program. Studentathletes are discipled by Christian coaches who work to equip students for excellence in every dimension – growing in faith in Jesus Christ, competing and performing at the highest level possible with excellence, exercising integrity and sportsmanship in all circumstances, and proclaiming Christ’s truth, goodness, and beauty as a witness to all we encounter.

Athletics #4HIM

For more information about PRCA Athletics: Athletic Director : Mrs. Amy Garnand 520.797.0107 ext 137 amy.garnand@prcak12.org

Middle School Athletic Directors: Brian Graham/Lindsay Baeder 520.797.0107 ext 137 brian.graham@prcak12.org lindsay.baeder@prcak12.org

Assistant Athletic Director : Mr. Jacob Beach 520.797.0107 ext 132 jacob.beach@prcak12.org

Register My Athlete Upper School students must register with Register My Athlete in order to receive communication regarding individual sports. Contact Jacob Beach with RMA questions.

Spirit Dress Days

Fridays are Spirit Days at PRCA! Show your school spirit with blue and gold. Find your Lions gear here and here. GO LIONS!

Student Support PRCA has a variety of resources devoted to our students' continuing success beyond graduation.

Student Services Center The Student Services Center provides resources for students, parents, and teachers to accommodate learning needs. For more information, contact Sheryl Roberts.

Guidance Office Our Director of Guidance serves all students in the Upper School (MS and HS). Jackie Picton can assist with general academic guidance, course selection, student advocacy, and preparation for college. Family guidance appointments will be offered for 8th and 11th grade students.

College Lab Application Class This one semester class is offered to our Seniors and focuses on the process of applying to colleges and universities. During this one-on-one time with the Guidance Department, students apply for admissions, financial scholarships, and they refine their resumes.

Dean of Student Life The Dean of Student Life works alongside students and families to support students’ academic achievement, personal, and social development. For questions, contact the High School Dean of Student Life, Perry Roof, or the Middle School Dean of Student Life, Callie Hime.

Key Contacts Topic

Upper Campus

Absences and Tardies

Marie Lowery

Academic Curriculum

Jason Clapero

Admissions

Valerie Turner

Athletics

Amy Garnand

Academic Guidance/Course Scheduling

Jackie Picton

Disciplinary Action

Callie Hime (MS)/Perry Roof (HS)

Illness + First Aid

Rebekah Palmer

General School Questions

Jody Knox

Lions Den Questions

Mary Revie

Personal + Social Concerns

Callie Hime (MS)/Perry Roof(HS)

High School Academic Concerns

Jackie Picton

Middle School Academic Concerns

Callie Hime

Senior Year College Applications

Susan Wixon

Student Records + Transcripts

Mary Revie

Standardized Testing

Jackie Picton

Textbooks

Lori Abrams

Scholarship/Financial Aid

Kirstan Tobin

Ways to Give

Heath Pulver