THE WOODLANDS THE WOODLANDS
CHRISTIAN CHRISTIAN ACADEMY A C A D E M Y SEPTEMBER 4, 2015
21st Century Learning & Innovation Skills - by Steve Zeal, School Principal Last week I discussed how the new millennium was ushered in by a dramatic, technological revolution. We live and teach in an increasingly diverse, global, and complex society where our children are digital natives - native speakers of the digital language of computers, video games and the Internet. At Woodlands Christian we are committed to preparing and equipping our students to positively impact their world and their future for the sake of Christ’s kingdom. This means that as a school community we must learn to speak their language! Consequently, skills and learning are being systematically re-thought and re-engineered to serve the evolving needs of our students in this new millennium. The hardest questions and biggest problems we face today do not have one right answer. The skills our students increasingly need can be best described with this distinctive pairing: non-routine thinking and complex communications. 21st century learning and innovation skills are what will separate students who are prepared for today’s increasingly complex life and work environments from those who are not. These skills are often referred to as the Four C’s and include: • Creativity and Innovation. Students are learning to elaborate, refine, and evaluate ideas in order to maximize creative efforts. • Critical Thinking and Problem Solving. Students are learning to reason effectively as they analyze and evaluate evidence, arguments, claims and beliefs.
• Communication. Students are learning to articulate thoughts and ideas effectively using oral, written, and non-verbal communication skills in a variety of forms. • Collaboration. Students are learning to work effectively and respectfully in diverse teams, exercise flexibility, and assume shared responsibility for collaborative work. Our teachers are being trained to incorporate these skills into their planning and instruction because we believe that learning is activated when we help our students uncover information, not simply cover it for them. It is the process of learning, not the content of learning, that addresses the Four C’s. This is not to say that basics and core subject learning need to be eliminated, far from it! 21st century education must be founded on the solid ground of content knowledge. No 21st century skills implementation can be successful without developing core academic subject knowledge and understanding among all students. The process of knowledge-getting however, is seen as a process, not a product. A large part of this process involves the use of technology. My next article will focus on the role technology plays in this expanding territory we call 21st century learning.
In observance of Labor Day Campus will be closed Monday, September 7, 2015 Classes resume Tuesday, September 8, 2015
5800 ACADEMY WAY . THE WOODLANDS, TEXAS 77384 . 936-273-2555 . WWW.TWCA.NET
 
Lower School News K-9s and Kindergarten Students Kindergarten students learned about community helpers first-hand with a visit from the Harris County Constable Precinct 4 K-9 unit. The students met Deputy Sanchez and Deputy Henson along with their four-legged partners, Rudo and Xsara. The dogs have been specially trained to sniff out drugs and bombs. Students were also interested to learn that the dogs live with the deputies and their families when they are not on duty, and that the dogs were taught their commands in Czech and German. A big shout out to kindergarten student Aiden Sanchez for sharing his dad (Deputy Sanchez) and Xsara with his classmates! We also extend a special thanks to all law enforcement officers for all that they do each day to keep our community safe.
SEPTEMBER 4, 2015
Upper School News High School Teacher Studies At Oxford What’s the best way to put a smile on the face of an English teacher? Send her to Oxford for a month to study English literature! That’s exactly what Brenda Phillips did this summer when she travelled to England to attend the Oxford English Literature Summer School at Exeter College. While there, Mrs. Philips attended lectures covering a variety of topics including Jane Austen, war poets, Anglo-Saxon literature, and Victorian literature. Her areas of concentration included seminars in Anglo-Saxon Culture and Literature, and Shakespeare’s Politics: Then and Now. When not attending lectures, Mrs. Phillips enjoyed the Royal Shakespeare Company’s production of The Merchant of Venice and Twelfth Night. She also visited Stratford-Upon-Avon, Bath and Blenheim Palace. A special treat was reconnecting with a former student who is now the chaplain of Keble College in Oxford (see photo top right). At Woodlands Christian, not only do our students have the opportunity to travel and learn outside the walls, but so do our teachers! Photos submitted by Brenda Phillips.
SEPTEMBER 4, 2015
ATHLETIC DEPARTMENT NEWS Warrior Football Wins First Game Of 2015 Season
Warrior varsity football opened their season in fine fashion with a 21-12 victory over The John Cooper School on August 28. The team is on the road for their next two games the first of which is a special Thursday night contest with Westbury Christian on September 3. The following week, Friday, September 11, they will face Cypress Christian. Make plans to come out and cheer on your Warrior football team as they make their home debut on our new football field on Friday, September 25 against Brazos Christian.
Warrior Volleyball Places 2nd In Tournament The Warrior varsity volleyball team scored a second place finish in the Covenant Christian tournament this past weekend. The team is now 13-2 on the season as they head into their next match against Frassati Catholic High School on Friday, September 4. The match will be played at Legends Sports Complex here in The Woodlands. The junior varsity team gets the action started at 4:30 p.m. followed by the varsity match at 5:30 p.m. The team returns home for two games; the first will be against The Village School on Tuesday, September 8 followed by SATCH on Thursday, September 10. Scheduled start times for both matches are 5:00 p.m. for the junior varsity and 6:00 p.m. for the varsity. Go Warrior volleyball!
Warrior Cross-Country Off To A Colorful Start
With 50 athletes representing the largest cross-country team in the history of The Woodlands Christian Academy, the Warriors got off to a fun and very colorful start to the season at the Trinity Klein Graffiti Fun Run this past Saturday. (See before and after photos above.) The Warrior harriers get down to business on Saturday, September 5 as they compete in the John Cooper Dragon Invitational. The girls’ team is the defending champion of this event while the boys’ team was last year’s runner-up. Go Warrior Cross-Country!
SEPTEMBER 4, 2015
 
ATHLETIC DEPARTMENT NEWS
Fall Sports Pep Rally & Fellowship
The Booster Club hosted an outstanding fellowship and pep rally on Wednesday evening, September 2. Warrior fans of all ages enjoyed a great evening of school spirit and a lot of fun. Show your Warrior spirit and join the Booster Club! For more information visit the Booster Club page of our website.
SEPTEMBER 4, 2015
 
All School News
The Woodlands Christian Academy is proud to partner with CASA, Child Advocates of Montgomery County, to host the 6th Annual CASA Superhero Run on Saturday, October 3. For more information click here!
Dads Wanted! Qualifications desired - a heart for prayer. Join the dads of Woodlands Christian to pray for our students and our school on the first Sunday of every month at 7:00 p.m. The first meeting is Sunday, September 6. Please meet in front of the Timothy Building. Questions? Contact Drew Howard at drewdhoward@gmail.com $40 per player (includes dinner, drinks and door prizes) This is a social doubles tournament for beginner through advanced players. All proceeds benefit The Woodlands Christian Academy.
SEPTEMBER 4, 2015
All School News
Order Your Pie In The Sky Today! Order online by clicking here! Orders due by Wednesday, September 30.
All items are $20. Pies can be frozen and enjoyed during the Thanksgiving or Christmas holidays!
Pies will be delivered to Woodlands Christian on Friday, November 13 All proceeds benefit the Junior/Senior Prom.
Picture Day! Tuesday, September 15 Please return your order forms to your homeroom teacher on or before September 15! Lower school forms will go home in Tuesday Folders on September 8, 2015 Middle and high school forms are currently being distributed, please check with your student. Questions? Contact Marcella Lohmann, mlohmann@twca.net
Reminders From The Business Office Athletic fees for all sports are now due!
Athletic fees are assessed once per year/per student for all middle and high school sports. The athletic fee is to be paid at the beginning of each school year regardless of when a particular sports season begins. Athletic fees may be paid through your RenWeb account.
We make it easy to keep your account current!
Please regularly check your RenWeb account to view and submit payment for recent charges to your bill. Thank you! Questions? Contact Kathy Montes, kmontes@twca.net
SEPTEMBER 4, 2015