Newsletter

THE WOODLANDS

THE C H WOODLANDS RISTIAN

A C A D E M ACADEMY Y CHRISTIAN APRIL 19, 2013

Head Of School Notes -- Julie Ambler Grateful For Our Gifts, The Woodlands Christian Academy’s 2013 auction and gala was a resounding success! Approximately 300 guests gathered at the Woodlands Waterway Marriott on Saturday night for a fantastic evening of food, fellowship and fundraising. I’d like to extend my heartfelt appreciation to our auction chairperson Candi Guilbeau (see photo at left, Candi Guilbeau on left with Judy Duroy on right), and her outstanding team of volunteers for their efforts in making this night so special.

A preliminary accounting indicates a net profit of $400,000 which includes $150,000 designated for furniture to outfit the classrooms in our soon to be built lower school building. (See page 2 for exciting news regarding our capital campaign!)

We give thanks to God for all the blessings He has bestowed upon Woodlands Christian, not just monetarily, but also through the generous hearts and hands of every person who took part in this year’s auction. We are abundantly blessed to have such a talented and generous school family!

5800 ACADEMY WAY . THE WOODLANDS, TEXAS 77384 . 936-273-2555 . WWW.TWCA.NET 9

Lower School News The Capital Campaign Has Met Its Match!

The Build. Grow. Excel. capital campaign is now underway to fund construction of a permanent lower school classroom building, with a goal of $3.5 million. Initially, the building will accommodate all of our 1st through 8th grade students, providing permanent classrooms for all Woodlands Christian students from 1st through 12th grade. Many have generously pledged to this campaign, and we are grateful for your early support.

An unexpected blessing from this year’s auction came in the form of a family who offered a challenge match for our capital campaign. For every new or additional pledge dollar received by April 30, this donor will match it, dollar for dollar up to $400,000! If we can match the $400,000

by April 30, we will have met our goal, and we will break ground on the new building in early May, with plans to complete the building in approximately six months. Since the challenge was announced, we have raised $172,000 toward this $400,000 match. A total of $228,000 in pledges is needed to break ground. What a tremendous opportunity for you to stretch your pledge contribution! Note: all pledges may be made payable over three years.

Please prayerfully consider your participation in this campaign by taking advantage of this matching offer, by April 30, 2013. To make a pledge, please contact Nancy Sievert at nsievert@twca.net or pick up a pledge form at the reception desk in the Timothy Building.

If you would like additional information on the campaign and how the new building will benefit our students for years to come, please contact Head of School, Julie Ambler at jambler@twca.net.

Enlarge the place of your tent, stretch your tent curtains wide, do not hold back; lengthen your cords, strengthen your stakes.

Isaiah 54:2

APRIL 19, 2013

Lower School News What To Say When...

As much as we would like to, we cannot protect our children from ever hearing about bad things that happen in the world and to other children, or even from bad things happening to them personally throughout their lives. From Newtown to Boston, the world can be a scary place and our children will be effected by it. Chances are many of your children have been asking questions.

As Christian parents, how do we comfort our children in the face of such horrific events that we may not even understand? Debbie Fulthorp, of Fulthrop Ministries, gives us some ideas of how to address tragedies with our children: 1) Use age appropriate words. For young children, be sure to use terms that are accurate and understandable, but that won’t unduly frighten them. For example, we explained: “A very bad man hurt a lot of people this morning. Many of them died. Their families need our prayers.”

2) Know the right time for discussion.

Find a time for discussion when your kids will be most attentive so (a) they can understand the seriousness of the topic and (b) you can have the time necessary to discuss how to view such news as Christians. Family devotional time is ideal, if you have one. Allow enough time for prayer as well. When you pray, keep the focus on God’s love for those who are hurting rather than on the evil of what happened (John 14:16).

3) Reiterate we can trust in Jesus. We might live in a world where evil happens, but we can trust in Jesus for our hope and our salvation (1 Peter 1:3).

4) Don’t offer false hope. Saying things like, “This will never happen to you,” only offers false hope and an inaccurate view of the world. As painful as it is, we can only protect our children so much. We must entrust them to the care of the Lord. What we can say is this: God is always and will always be with them and if they knew Jesus, they are with Him

in heaven now. (This is also a great time to talk to your children about what heaven might be like!

While we love this world, it is not our true home and Heaven is going to be so much better!)

5) Read them a narrative story from the Bible showing God’s sovereignty. One story I am finding most appropriate is Matthew’s story of Jesus’ birth (Matthew 2:1-19). Jesus was born in very dark times, but He is the light and the hope for the world.

6) Point them to Jesus. We often assume that because we are Christians and go to church, our children have a relationship with the Lord as well.

They need to grow and cultivate their own relationship with Him, however. We can use difficult times like this to talk to our kids about the importance of having Jesus in their heart no matter what circumstances surround them.

As parents, we need to take every opportunity we can to speak Truth into our children’s lives. As much as I don’t want anything bad to happen to my children (I have plans for my children and will protect them to the best of my ability…that is certainly our job as parents), I also understand that God has plans for my children. The negative things that happen in life are part of the journey and, even if we cannot see the purpose, God certainly can. We need to prepare our children for the world outside “The Woodlands Bubble” so they understand that God is truly good, even when something terrible happens to them. We have a promise for an eternal inheritance and He has plans for us that include giving us a hope and a future, regardless of the tragedy that may befall our earthly lives! (Jeremiah 21:11) In the midst of tragedy, remember that Jesus tells us the ultimate battle has already been won! In John 16:33 He declares, "I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world."

Amen.

APRIL 19, 2013

Friday, April 26, 6:00-9:00 PM

Summer Camp

Blastoff

Lower School News

Everyone Kinder - 5th Grade is invited!

Come get a taste of the amazing fun that you could have every day this summer at Warrior Camp 2013!

Friday, April 26, 6:00-9:00 pm The Woodlands Christian Academy SLC 3 hours of intense fun!

Pizza $25 Admission

space is limited registration and payment due by 4/24 Students are welcome to bring money for the Snack Shop!

Join Coach Daysha and Coach Nate for some super summer fun before summer gets here! Bring a friend!!!

Detach here

YES! I want to come to BLASTOFF! on Friday, April 26th Student Name: _________________________________ Grade: ________ Parent email: _________________________________________________ Attach $25 payment - make checks payable to “Warrior Camp� Thank you

APRIL 19, 2013

Upper School News Science Teachers Attend Conference Last week the science teachers were able to attend the National Science Teacher Association national conference thanks to the generosity of parents from last year’s auction Fund-A-Need which was designated for faculty professional development opportunities.

The NSTA national conference was held in San Antonio this year. Over 3000 teachers attended the four day conference. Each day special speakers (such as Bill Nye, The Science Guy), exhibitors, teachers and specialists presented a variety of workshops. In all, there were over 1500 workshops from which to choose! Hundreds of exhibitors were also on hand, so we could look at new curriculum, see new teaching ideas, and even try out dissections or get some hands-on real-time probe training.

Sea World was also an exhibitor, so you could pet an otter, watch a porcupine waddle by, or see how long it took handlers to catch an escaped wallaby (that kept trying to run to Mrs. Goodney!).

Some of our favorite workshops were on new moodling techniques, using magic illusions to teach and how to teach about dark matter.

Submitted by Suzette Wheeler

Interact & National Honor Society News Come out to the varsity baseball game on Friday, April 19 and enjoy some delicious chili and desserts at the Interact Chili Cook-Off. The judging begins at 5:00 p.m.

The National Honor Society will also be on hand to collect used sports equipment for Destiny Sports, and for an orphanage in Mexico.

APRIL 19, 2013

ATHLETIC DEPARTMENT NEWS Warrior Golf Wins Regional Championship

On Monday, April 15 the Warrior golf team convincingly won the TAPPS 3A south regional tournament by 33 shots. They also recorded a school record score of 325! The team was led by Justin Jeggle who shot an amazing even par 72 to take home the individual medalist honors. James Ray finished with an outstanding round of 78 to lock down the 6th place spot as well. In a sudden death playoff, it took Austin Andersen one extra hole to lock up the 10th place individual spot. Davis Galassini and Travis Ray also finished with excellent scores to help solidify the strong team win.

The golfers are now preparing to compete in the TAPPS 3A state tournament on April 29, 2013 in Killeen, Texas. Way to go Warrior golf!

Submitted by Coach George Leppert Photo by Tiffany Ray

Warrior Baseball Rolls On In District Play Warrior baseball continues to do well in district play chalking up wins against Rosehill (13-12 in extra innings) and St. Joseph (7-2). The Warriors will play their final home game of the regular season against Faith West on Friday, April 19 at 6:30 p.m. The Class of 2013 will be honored in a special pre-game ceremony, so come out and support your Warrior baseball team!

The team closes out the regular season on the road with their final district game against Cypress Christian on Monday, April 22. This game will be followed by two non-district games at John Cooper on Tuesday, April 23 and Episcopal High School on Thursday, April 25. District playoffs begin on April 29. Game time and locations to be announced.

APRIL 19, 2013

ATHLETIC DEPARTMENT NEWS Warrior Softball Honors Seniors The Warrior softball team honored the Class of 2013 in their final home game of the regular season on Friday, April 12 (see photo at right).

The team closes out their season on the road with a doubleheader against Faith West on Friday, April 26 at 4:00 p.m. and 6:00 p.m.

Warrior Softball Class of 2013 (from left to right) Laura Freet, Lauren Lunsford and Iliana Giorgi.

Warrior Track It was a busy time as we split our squad for two track meets last week competing at both the Houston Episcopal relays and the Rosehill Eagle relays. While the previous week saw the boys setting five new school records, this week it was the girls’ turn. We have six new school records!

- Haley Pounds - 200m - 28.36 - Haley Pounds - 400m - 62.72 (ranked 4th in state and is also ranked 4th in state for the triple jump) - Riley Farra - mile - 5:52.75 (ranked 4th in state and is also ranked 4th is state in the 800m) - Katy Adams - 2 mile - 13:31.35 (ranked 3rd in state and is also ranked 6th in state in the mile) - Rachel Earle - 100m hurdles - 17.18 (ranked 3rd in state and is also ranked 3rd in state in the 300m hurdles and tied for 2nd in the high jump state rankings) - Girls 4x400m relay - 4:23.38 (ranked 4th in state) Congratulations to Logan Shearer on his #1 state ranking in the 800m and Luke Shearer on his #4 state ranking in the mile.

The team has one final meet at Cypress Christian on Friday, April 19. The girls’ team will seek to defend their district championship at the district track meet April 23 & 25 at Cypress Christian.

Article and photos submitted by Coach Tom Earle

APRIL 19, 2013

All School News

Free Dress Day! Deadline extended to Wednesday, April 24 At last week’s auction festivities, guests were given the opportunity to purchase a free dress day for their students.

On Friday, May 3 students in lower and upper school may wear clothing of their choosing to school.

(Clothing must be within appropriate modesty guidelines.)

If you were unable to attend the auction and would like for your student to participate in Free Dress Day, there’s still time to get in on the fun!

The cost is $25 per student.

Online payments accepted.

Under payments choose Other and designate Free Dress Day in the Notes box.

Click here to get your free dress day!

APRIL 19, 2013