HEAD OF SCHOOL
OF
CLASSICAL EDUCATION
NEW FAMILY
SPOTLIGHT
MS KIRBY: MUSIC
SIMPLY PROVIDENCE
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
SETTING FOUNDATIONS
GROUND WORK TEACHER ORIENTATION
CONVOCATION
WELCOME HOME
PARENT ORIENTATION / MEET THE TEACHER HOUSE INDUCTIONS
SPORTS
CROSS COUNTRY VOLLRYBSLL
UPCOMING EVENTS
CEBRA’S CORNER
Welcome back, Providence family! I hope you had a summer of restandrenewalandarereadyforagreatschoolyear.
Our administration team has so many exciting things to share with you We have hired several new teachers and staff, added to our board of directors, updated our security system, refurbished rooms around campus, and rededicated ourselves toclassicalChristianeducation
This summer as we began preparing for the opening of school, we had a two-fold desire: setting our focus on God, academic excellence, and the pursuit of virtue – and helping our students see the need for all three. To meet these goals, we have adopted Romans 12:9-21 as our school verses for the year and renewed oureffortstoeducateourstaff,students,andcommunityonthe benefitsofclassicalChristianeducation
Mornings at Providence begin with prayer and devotions. Students and teachers across our campus recite the Opening Prayer and then dig deeper into Romans 12, discussing verse by verse the marks of the true Christian In these 13 verses, Paul shares the characteristics of virtuous Christianity – people who love others unselfishly and put God’s love into action, always holding“fasttowhatisgood.”
These words sustain us throughout theacademicday Hereat Providencewe don’t departmentalizeGod HisWord iswoven
in our classical curriculum where the goal is not just pure knowledge–thoughourfacultyandstudentsexcelinthisarea–but the desire is wisdom, the ability to use one’s knowledge and experience to glorify God and love others – marks of a true Christian
The content we teach at Providence is not based on the whim of the culture or of a teacher’s interest. It’s a thought-through, thorough scope and sequence, based on objective and identifiable truth and standards that have stood the test of time and are known to produce graduates who are fully-formed human beings A classical education is a liberal arts education, liberalbecausethosewhohavemasteredthesethingsarefreeto pursue knowledge equipped to do this thinkers and philoso evaluate.
The Lord tells us in andaskfortheancie laid down by God be for[our]souls”(ESV
We covet your praye our children hold fa abilities to examine faith
Robert Hertha Upper School Teacher
It’saquestionyou’velikelyaskedyourselfatsomepointduring your journey into classical education, and it’s one I myself began asking during my initial interview at Providence when I was asked whether I would be willing to teach Latin Having only taken Greek and Hebrew, I stammered, “Well, I don’t know Latin ” I was assured that many teachers learn Latin as they prepare to teach it I found myself intrigued Four years later, I’ve progressed to teaching upper level Latin grammar classes, and I am absolutely convinced your students will benefitfromstudyingLatin
When I explain the benefits of studying Latin to inquirers, I emphasize how the Latin student benefits both internally (how his own mind is shaped) and externally (how he is equipped to understandtheworldwhereGodhasplacedhim).
Internally, no subject sharpens the mind as Latin does. This is because Latin is a language of rules, structure, and logical progression. In teaching English grammar, I find myself mainly instructing students to learn a series of exceptions and irregularities to rules rather than the rules themselves But in learning the grammar of Latin, students must master and apply a set of rules, and in doing so, will emerge with a mind sharpenedtoengageintheneglectedartofcriticalthinking
Externally, Latin is the subject that binds all other academic disciplines Indeed, it is “the mother tongue of Western civilization,” as Memoria Press and Highlands Latin School founder Cheryl Lowe puts it Latin provides the linguistic foundation for the five Romance languages: French, Spanish, Italian, Portuguese, and Romanian Studying Latin will more than cut in half the task of learning any of these modern languageswhilealsoequippingstudentstogainamuchfirmer grasp of the English language, of which half of vocabulary is composedofLatinderivatives
Latin is also the language of most professional fields. Whether you have an interest in law, medicine, psychology, economics, or theology, learning Latin will give you a foundation for mastering the vocabularies of any one of these fields which developedinourmothertongue
Producingstudentswhoserveintheirvariousvocationswitha mind sharpened for God’s glory is how we as a school can best serve our country And keeping Latin at the center of our curriculumwillhelpusdothat
Welcome the Orsi family! Husband and wife Marcelo and Jaqueline Orsi have two children Benjamin and Sarah at Providence
The family moved from Raleigh, North Carolina due to ministry work Their son Benjamin is in Mrs Keihn’s sixth grade class and Sarah in Mrs. Salmon’s second grade class. Marcelo and Jaqueline state that they are most excited about the community at Providence and “are looking for a place where our kids can developrelationshipsforlife!”
The parents cite Dee Bridges, Director of Admissions, as one of the main reasons they visited and enrolled their children at ProvidenceClassical.
The family loves “to play board games, going to the beach, and enjoying outside activities–and of course, Carowinds! Ben loves soccer,andSarahlovesballetandgymnastics ”
Greenville, S.C. native, Virginia Kate Kirby is Providence Classical’s new music director A Furman University graduate in Music Education, Ms Kirby has had a life-long love of music that was instilled in her by parents, family, and “incredible music teachers ” She plays a bit of piano and guitar, but singing is her calling She sings in her church choir and helps lead the youth choir
Another life-long desire is teaching As music director, Ms Kirby will combine her love of students with her love of music When job searching, she “felt like God was opening all the doors” for her at Providence She “loved the idea of getting to help structure a music curriculum and teach students of every age group.” Two of her goals this year are to “instill a love of music in each of [her] students and to grow in the love and knowledge of Christ and of music.”
Music glorifies the Lord She states that “when we lift our voices in song and use the talents that God has given us as an offering back to Him, it glorifies Him God is the author of all beauty - when we sing and listen to beautiful music, it points us to heaven. Let everything that has breath praise the Lord. Psalm 150:6.”
On August 27, 2024 Simply Providence officially welcomed thirteen students to their first day of school. This unique classical Christian academic program for students with intellectual and developmental disabilities is officially embarking onyeartwoofitsjourney
Using the “Simply Classical Curriculum” published by Memoria Press, Simply Providencestudentsaretaughtarithmetic,reading,cursive,spelling,science,art, and music like their Providence peers Class sizes are smaller, visual schedules adornthewhiteboards,andlessonsincorporateamultisensoryapproach.
The motto at Simply Providence is “Viget in Pace” which is Latin for “Flourishing inPeace ”Themissionis“tolove,educateandempowerstudentswithintellectual and developmental special needs to live flourishing lives in the peace and knowledgeofJesusChrist aswecultivatestudents’hearts,mindsandsoulsin pursuitoftruth,goodnessandbeautyforthegloryofGod.”
Days at Simply Providence begin with a morning assembly where students are learning to recite the Providence school prayer orally and in American Sign Language. Next, they sign and say Romans 12:12. A hymn always follows suit. Currently students are singing “Peace Like a River” accompanied by ASL One cannot help but stand in awe to hear and see the students pray, recite Scripture, andworshipGodthroughsong
Mandy works on the letter “M” and staying between the lines
Author and founder of the “Simply Classical Curriculum,” Cheryl Swope, visited Simply Providence in January of 2024 to observe and provide feedback to the staff. Her article “Beautiful Mountains” was published in “The Classical Teacher” journal this Summer. Cheryl’s endearing reflection on her visit to Simply Providence is evidence that the Lord is at work. You are invited to read, rejoice in the Lord’s grace,andprayforthestaffandstudentsofSimplyProvidence
Brandon Hall grew up in Lancaster where he attended high school and received his associates degree at the University of South Carolina He moved to Rock Hill to attend Wintrop University and made his home here Mr Hall and his wife Sarah have two children, Eve and Deacon at Providence They attend Ebenezer PresbyterianChurchwhereHall“appreciatesthesolidteachingandspiritofunitywithinthechurch ”
Hall believes that he, the Board, and the administrative team can help Providence become one of the top private Christian schools in the state He wants to aid graduates in the “next phase of their lives as godly young men and women who lead lives filled with wisdom, humility and grace for all those around them–makinganimpactinwhatevertheychoosetopursue,advancingGod'sKingdomwhiletheydoit ”
One of Hall’s biggest concerns with modern progressive education is the public school curriculum “devoid of Christ ” He states, “No parent can counteract the effects of a humanistic school system that has their child in itsgraspfor30plushoursaweek ”
He believes that the return to traditional education and values help “teach our children HOW to think The current public alternative is telling them WHAT to think A mind that is founded on a biblical worldview that understandshowtocriticallythinkisamindthatcanmakeanimpactforGod'sKingdominsociety
Jamie Reidy, who was raised in La Plata, Maryland, has been married for over 14 years and has one son, Mark,whoattendsProvidence ThefamilyhasbeenattendingOurLadyofGraceforoverthreeyears Reidy statesthatfamilyis“abigpartofourlives[and]ourChristianfaithisapriority inourhome ”
Reidy answered the call to join the Providence Board of Directors because of her deep passion for children and the lack of God in the public school system She said, “I love all that Providence Classical School representsandwhatitprovideschildren,families,andteachers.Iwanttoseeitgrowandthrive,andIwant to see children learn in the proper manner and setting I want children to know who they are, where they camefrom,theirplaceintoday'sworld,andthattheyarelovedbyourgreatGod ” ReidybringstoProvidenceherskillsasalocalbusinessownerandasapreviousboardmemberoftheRotary ClubandBlueCrossBlueShield
Her biggest concern for modern progressive education is “its lack of all that is true, good and beautiful ” Instead of a God-focus and whole-student curriculum, “the focus is on social and political ideologies and testing outcomes.” At Providence Classical, David’s words in Psalm 78 are lived out daily as we teach “the cominggenerationthegloriousdeedsoftheLord,andhismight,andthewonderswhichhehaswrought he commanded our fathers to teach to their children; that the next generation might know them, the children yetunborn,andariseandtellthemtotheirchildren,sothattheyshouldsettheirhopein.”
JohnRichmondwasbornandraisedinupstateNewYork HeattendedRobertsWesleyanCollegeinRochester, NewYork HehaslivedinRockHillsince2019
He and his wife Kim have five adult children and eleven grandchildren He loves spending time with family, watchinggrandkidsplaysports,reading,fishing,andworkingonprojects HeandhiswifemovedtoRockHill in 2019 where they spend half their time and the other half in Lincoln, Missouri They also divide their church timeinthetwostates:EastsideBaptistinRockHillandWarsawBibleinWarsaw,Missouri
Richmond has a two-way connection to Providence One through his Eastside Baptist attendance and one through his grandson who attends Providence He has been serving on the Board of Directors since May 2024 Richmond joins the board with a wealth of experience, having served as Executive Director of Youth for Christ for almost 40 years as well as National Director of Development for Rachel’s Challenge He has served on several boards, including McKeel Christian Academy, Back to the Bible, Youth for Christ, Hope 51, Refine, and severallocalchurchboardsinNewYork
Richmond sees the need for Christian classical education The modern, progressive education movement has excluded God in curriculum and classroom. One of Richmond’s goals is to help “our children understand and becommittedtoabiblicalworldviewsotheywillbecomelifelongfollowersofJesus.”
The end of summer break is always a bit bittersweet, but the faculty and staff of Providence were happy to begin their school year with Teacher Orientation Week onMonday,August12
The new administrative team had worked through a busy summer of planning and setting agendas, schedules, and facilities – getting everything in placebefore welcoming teachers and staff The mornings began with breakfast, prayer, and Biblical instructions fromlocalministersandschoolboardmembers
These morning sessions laid the strong Biblical foundation for the upcoming school year Pastor Nick Vinesett of Eastside Baptist spoke of the renewed ties between Providence and Eastside and the reciprocal good will given and received on both sides Tuesday morning, Reverend Darren Russo spoke words of encouragementandblessingsoverProvidence
This summer everyone -- from students, to parents, to staff, to hired painters and fixer uppers -- pitched in to clean and renew our campus.
Wednesday, the Board of Directors joined the PCS faculty and staff Board Chairman Randy Heinzl introduced board members, Brandon Hall, Jamie Reidy, and Keith Roberson, before speaking of the role of the board in conjunction with the administrationteamtobestservethestudents,parents,andstaffandemphasizedthe importanceofopentwo-waycommunication
Interim Head of School, Adrian Swain and Principal Richard Cebra led breakout sessions on various subjects ranging from safety to bullying to schedules to daily routines There were Q & A sessions within disciplines and grade levels, giving new staffmemberstimetodigestandsolidifyproceduresandtasks.
One of the most soul-strengthening and uplifting events of the orientation was the prayer walk throughout the school Teachers prayed in the hallways, the offices, the grounds,andtheclassrooms–touchingeachdeskandprayingovereachstudent
This walk is just one example of the ways Providence differs from other schools Our goalisnottojustteachacademicsbuttoinstructstudentsinthepathsoftheLord We want to grow the whole student, equipping each one, not only for college and careers, buttousehisorhergiftstoserveChrist,thechurchandthecommunitytothegloryof God
Tuesday, August 20 marked the tenth Opening Convocation for Providence Classical School. This year’s ceremony took place in the sanctuary with over 240 students, grades K-12 as well as our SimplyProvidencestudents
The opening processional was led by bagpiper Zach Synder playing “The Highlander Song” as double rows of students filed into place with the 2025 graduates balcony bound while the graduating class of 2037 (our kindergarteners) filled in the front row–white roses in hands for their mothers The stately navy and burgundy tartan-clad students lent an air of dignity and respecttotheceremony.
Once the congregation was seated, Providence’s new musical director, Ms. Virginia Kate Kirby, led in the Hymn of Praise: “All Creatures of Our God and King,” an English hymn by William HenryDraperbasedonapoembySaintFrancisofAssisi
The service, like each class day at Providence, started with the school Opening Prayer Then, Interim Head of School, Mrs AdrianSwaingavethewelcomemessage
n’s message focused on the uniqueness and of a classical Christian education and Providence’s ach to academic mastery but more importantly, to wholeperson,providingstudentswiththenecessary uire, comprehend, express and defend knowledge calworldviewandtoequipthemtofulfillthecalling their lives Many area schools might meet the first ovidence’scommitmenttothetriedandtrueclassical and to teaching all subjects through a Christian marksourschoolasuniquelyanddistinctlydifferent
alsoencouragedtheyouthtoseektheancientpaths spoke of–paths that God had put in place for our paths that had proven right and true. These paths akeusonaneasyjourney,buttheycertainlywilltake OODjourneythatleadstosalvation
ichard Cebra continued the ceremony with the his year’s Bible verse, Romans 12:9-21, focusing on hemarksofatrueChristian Mr Cebraemphasized trueChristiansareto“holdfast”toGodandloveand thers.
ptist Church’s Pastor Nick Vinesett’s exhortation to ur academic and religious walks concluded the
nding note of the bagpiper, all arose Studentsinspired, and challenged to seek the good pathsclasstobegintheir2024-2025schoolyear.
On August 15 and 16, we welcomed families and students to Parent Orientation Night and Meet the Teacher Parents were provided with many exciting school updates, and the next day, students enjoyed meetingtheirteacherandexploringclassrooms.
While checking out their new classrooms and lockers, they visited with oldfriendsandmadenewconnectionsattheRoamLocalSorbettruck.
This school year marks Providence Classical’s ninth House Induction Twenty-six students were inducted into our three Houses: Augustine, Edwards, and Mueller. House Advisors Mrs. Paige Oliver, Mr Colton Guffey, and Mrs Amanda Patterson presidedovertheSeptember10ceremony
The upper school gathered in the sanctuary for the event. The inductees sat together, eagerly awaiting their secret white envelopes.
After the House Advisors’ short speeches, the inductees were called in alphabetical order Seventh grader Jency Bridges was thefirsttobeselected.Jencyexcitedlywaitedasthestillnessbuilt until Mr Guffey handed her the envelope with her name and houseassignmentinside
The ritual continued with the formal signing of the House Book Jency signed her name, joining her older sister Esther Bridges in House of Edwards. Tradition holds that most siblings are grouped in the same house, but there have always been surprises throughtheyears
After the seventh graders were inducted, the new upper school studentswerecalledandselectedintothevarioushouses
Seventh grader Naomi Dunaway wanted to be in House of Edwards like her older brother She got her wish! Many students like Naomi have a certain house they prefer, but unless a student is a “legacy” student (a student who has an older sibling in a certain house) the choice lies predominantly with the administration Many students do not have a real preference in houses. Mara Gordan, seventh grader said, “I didn't care what houseIgotaslongasIgotinahousewithsomeofmyfriends ”
Throughout the year, the houses compete against each other, earning points through volunteering, leadership, participation, andservice HouseofEdwardshasheldtheHouseTrophyforthe past two years. House Leaders play a major role in motivating members and organizing activities At the end of this year’s induction ceremony, the new House Leadership team was announced.
Newly appointed House of Mueller Leader Senior Adah Lambert, stated, “The House system plays a key role at our school and provides opportunities to make new friends and increase camaraderie It is an excellent way to participate in fun events with classmates outside of school and give back to our communitythroughserviceprojects ”
Dedicated runner, Nick says, “I
as
The Providence Cross Country Team led by head coach Caleb Thompson and assistant coaches Matthew Thomas and Heather LaSala started their season at McAlpine Creek ParkinCharlotteonAugust26wheretheeight-memberseniorteamcompeted.Thefirst official meets for both teams started September 3 For many of the twelve-member middleschoolteamthiswastheirfirsttimecompeting.
Sixth grader Addie Russo stated that the summer cross country training helped prepare herforthisnewseason EdenBryant,7thgrade,agreed:“Traininghelpedmegetbetterat runninglongerdistanceswithoutstopping,anditalsohelpedmegetusedtorunningin 90to95degreeweatherandalsorunningintherain ”
Oneofthebestmomentsoftheseasonsurroundsalong-termrivalrybetweenProvidence and Liberty Prep. A set of Liberty twins always manage to come in first and second in everyrace Notthistime SophomoreNickLaSalatooksecondplaceMonday,September 23 Bryantsaid,“AfterLaSala’swin,theentireteamincludingcoaches,parents,runners, andthosewhowerenotrunningwerebesidethemselveswithjoy ”
The team is certainly a tight-knit group who know that they are not running for their glory, but God’s Assistant Coach Matthew Thomas stated, “I’ve been particularly impressed by the spiritual and athletic leadership demonstrated by our captains Micah Thompson, Reagan Swain, and JD Kiehn With a younger team and smaller roster than last year, they’ve really stepped up to encourage and push the team’s athleticism and character ”
ThePaladinscompeteintheCSAAStateChampionshipinMooresville,NCOctober19
Head Coach Melissa Wyatt, Coach Destiny West, and the Providence Varsity teambegantheyearwithapre-seasonvolleyballmatchatArborbrookChristian Academy of Waxhaw in early August. Their first official match was Thursday, August 22 against Carolina Christian at our home territory of Rock Hill Sports and Event Center The small Christian school from Albemarle, N C played hard, but our Varsity Paladins won the day with a 3-1 victory and our middle schoolgirlswitha2-0winundercoachesJannaLambertandBrittanyFraney.
juniorKatherineFordspikestheballoverthenetasseniors AdahLambertandMayaLosee,juniorsAnnaRobersonand Elizabeth,andfreshmanSarahTillmanstandready
Our next big middle school win was against Saint Anne’s where we crushed it with a final score of 2-0 The middle school girls are seeded second in the conference, having just two losses so far this season. One of the biggest wins was against Arborbrook Christian Academy The Providence middle school team had a fantastic night Our team stayed at least 10-15 points ahead of the Falcons But winning isn’t the best part of MS volleyball, according to eighth grader Elizabeth Roberson, “One of the best things about playing volleyball is havinggoodfriendshipswithmyteammates ”
The third seeded varsity volleyball team is one of the most cohesive teams on campus. New student, junior Grace Powers, loves being a part of the Paladins. Powershadtheopportunitytoattendsummercampwhich“allowed[her]toget better acquainted with the team” and quickly establish herself as a contributing member of the team Senior Adah Lambert, a Providence volleyball veteran of eight years, agreed, stating, “Participating in summer practices and our team campatDavidsonCollegegreatlyhelpedmeandmyteaminnotonlyskilllevels butteambonding ”
Bondingtranscendsbeyondplayers CoachWyattviewstheteamasfamily She saidthatoneoftheirteamtraditionsistosay“‘family!’whenwebreakdownthe huddle The players love one another the way Christ has loved them and play withhonor,integrity,andexcellenceforthegloryofGod ”
OPEN HOUSE DATES
NOVEMBER 14: K-2 PRIMARY SCHOOL OPEN HOUSE 6:30 PM
DECEMBER 5: K-12 OPEN HOUSE: PREVIEW DAY 9:00-10:30 AM *RSVP REQUIRED
JANUARY 30: K-12 OPEN HOUSE 6:30PM
PSAT/SAT
FALL SPORTS BANQUET
OCTOBER 9: SP PALS APPLICATIONS DUE
Monday, October 7 Wednesday, October 9
BAXTER VILLAGE FALL FESTIVAL
Saturday, October 12
HONORING VOLLEYBALL & CROSS COUNTRY Wednesday, November 4
LAST DAY OF FALL TERM Friday, November 8
FIRST DAY OF WINTER TERM Monday, November 12
EASTSIDE BAPTIST CHURCH FALL FESTIVAL
Monday, October 15 Saturday, October 26
Monday, October 28
THANKSGIVING BREAK November 26 - 29
One of the underlying concepts of the classical Christian school is the “canon” of knowledgepasseddownfromantiquitythatformstheholisticclassicalmodelof education In his book “Who Killed Homer?” Victor Davis Hanson writes regarding classical education: “Classics soon comprised an essential core of Westernlearninginlanguage,reasoning,ethics,aesthetics,andphilosophy The mastery of the “canon” ensured a firm moral sense and competence in almost any profession and vocation that one chose to pursue” (8). It is this canon or catalog of knowledge communicated within the sound biblical worldview, whichprovidesthebasisforwhatwedowithintheclassicalChristianschool
In the Book of Proverbs, Solomon writes: “When wisdom enters your heart, And knowledge is pleasant to your soul, Discretion will preserve you; Understanding will keep you, To deliver you from the way of evil” (NKJV, Proverbs 2:10-12). It is throughtherelationshipbetweentheknowledgewereceivefromtheclassicsand thewisdomfoundinGod’swordandbyextensionthebiblicalworldviewthatthe classical Christian school student grows to maturity well equipped and ready to facetheworld
I have seen a recurring theme in my classical education research: that classical Christian education is about who we become, not simply what we know In summary: “A classical Christian education also helps students link subjects together Although your child’s day will be divided into subject-based classes, classical teachers make clear connections between the Bible and history, history and art, art and philosophy, philosophy and culture, culture and the sciences, and so forth. Your child will learn the “big ideas” that have been proposed throughout history and see not only how they have influenced our culture but how to view them in light of God’s Word” (The Ambrose School, Meridian, Idaho)
It is with these purposes in mind we approach the 2024/2025 school year at ProvidenceClassicalSchool Keeplookingup
Allthebest, R M Cebra