PRAIRIE CHRISTIAN ACADEMY NEWSLETTER December, 2017 Principal s Message December is upon us and Christmas preparations are beginning to pick up. It is always a bit of a shock how quickly the Christmas season creeps up on us, but here we are. We have wrapped up the fall sports and shifted to basketball and curling. The elementary classes are well on their way to another awesome Christmas performance (Dec 15 @7:00 PM, please come and join us). Our fall band concert is just over a week away (Dec 12 @7:00 PM, love to see you there). Our first musical theatre performance is also approaching quickly (Ants'hillvania, Dec 18-20, Parable Place @ 7:00 PM each evening). I guarantee you will love it. Our kids, our staff, and our Don t Forget to purchase IGA Gift Cards this month (They make great anonymous benevolent Christmas gifts) community continue to do great things here at PCA. But above all, this Christmas season is about remembering the arrival of our Saviour. I am always mindful that the sacrifice at the cross could not have been made without the gift at Christmas, and the gift at Christmas was pointless without the sacrifice at the cross. As we approach December 25, let s remember that before the presents, the decorations, and yes, even the turkey dinner, the season is about the gift we received from our Father. Paul Brandt has a song called The Gift and one part of the song says But wrapped in mercy, grace and love, a gift was sent from up above. Unconditional and free, that little gift changed everything That third line is crucial: unconditional and free. Jesus came down to live as a human and die as a sacrifice with no thought or need for payment on our part. This gift eclipses anything that we can even imagine for Christmas. All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had spoken by the prophet: Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and they shall call his name Immanuel (Matthew 1:22-23 ESV) Yours in Christ Darryl Hern Principal Transforming Lives Inspiring Learners To Discover, Discern and Defend Truth Romans 12:2
Thank you for your support! If you purchased a poinsettia, planter or wreath from a band student, they will be available for pick up at the school on Friday, December 8th from 1pm to 5pm Page 2
Those celebrating birthdays in the month of December are: Inara D. Dec 1 Evelina A. Dec 1 Hannah A. Dec 2 Declan C. Dec 2 Jackson R. Dec 3 Adam P. Dec 5 Benjamin U. Dec 7 Dawson W. Dec 8 Kinley W. Dec 8 Hazel R. Dec 10 Ryan P. Dec 10 Lynn C. Dec 11 Andrew R. Dec 12 Rachel I. Dec 14 Marco H. Dec 15 Makayla L. Dec 15 Samantha B. Dec 18 Olivia R. Dec 20 Marrin H. Dec 20 Ethan K. Dec 22 Silas S. Dec 25 Jamie O. Dec 27 Tiegan P. Dec 27 Markus B. Dec 28 Tyler F. Dec 31 Asha M. Dec 31 Chapel Schedule This year s theme: Life To The Full John 10:10 Elementary: Tuesdays at 8:45am Dec 5 - Mr. A & the Grades 5 & 6 Dec 15 - Elementary Christmas program performed for the Secondary students (Friday) Dec 19 - Christmas chapel Secondary: Thursdays at 11:15am Dec 1 - All school team building rally (Friday) Dec 7 - Mike & Becky Scott Dec 15 - Elementary Christmas program (Friday) Dec 21 - Split Chapel If there is someone you would recommend to speak in PCA Chapel (elementary or secondary), please contact our chapel coordinator, Mike Callaway. Page 3
Subway Lunch Fundraiser The subway lunch day fundraiser this month is on December 21st. Subs must be purchased through School Cash On Line. You will be able to purchase either a 6 sub or a 12 sub of your choice (as well as the toppings of your choice) and a cookie. 6 for $5.25 and 12 for $8.00. Proceeds from this fundraiser go towards expenses for school events like the Terry Fox Run in September, Club 100 Picnic and Bike Roadeo in May, Fun Field day in June, etc. Pizza Lunch Fundraiser The pizza lunch day fundraiser is on the second Thursday of every month so this month s will be on December 14th. Pizzas must be purchased through School Cash On Line. Order ASAP as they sell out quickly. You will be able to purchase a slice of pizza for $3 or a slice of pizza and drink for $4, or a slice of pizza and drink and veggies for $5. Because of this fundraiser we have been able to raise enough funds to support all our sponsor kids and missionary family for the year! For the remainder of the pizza lunches this school year, the proceeds will go to our Grow The Vision Project (see the PCA website) Ticket sales for Antshillvania can be purchased on SCO for the reduced cost of $5 up until Sunday night, December 17th at 10pm. Page 4
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Dec 3 Gr 10 s Christmas party @ 5:00 pm Dec 6 to 22 12 Days of Christmas (see page 5) Dec 7 Gr 10 trip to Samaritan's Purse warehouse Dec 8 Flex Friday Dec 9 Gr 11 s Christmas brunch @ 10:00 am Dec 11 Jr High Ski trip to Nakiska Dec 12 Band Christmas Concert @ 7:00 pm Dec 13 Gr 12 s Christmas party @ 6:00 pm in the common area Dec 13 Jr High Christmas party @ 7:00 pm in the shop Dec 14 Pizza lunch fundraiser Dec 15 Elementary Christmas Concert @ 7:00 pm Dec 18 to 20 Sr High Musical Theatre performances - Antshillvania - 7pm @ Parable Place Dec 21 Subway lunch fundraiser Dec 22 PCA movie night - for all families @ 7:00pm Dec 25 to Jan 5 Christmas Break Jan 8 Back to School Dear PCA Families, Thank you for your prayers and support during Spiritual Emphasis Week, it was an impactful time and students and staff have continued to discuss the content. Please chat with your kids about what they liked and what they learned. We recently advertised for the position of Administrative Assistant for PCAS. We were humbled by the quality of applicants we received. We are excited to announce that we have hired Christy Wideman for this position! As I take the time to connect more deeply with our teachers, staff and students, I am grateful for being a part of the family of God. Listening to, praying for and spurring one another on has brought life to me. Often, it is a challenge to take time to listen and pray with people, but in doing this for your teachers, friends and kids, you will be encouraged and so will the whole body. Christ is the head and we are His body, let s build one another up for His glory and so we each grow in our love and service for Christ. It is hard to believe that we have entered the last -ber month of 2017 (although we have a few more Burrrrr months to go). It feels like the snowball of life gains speed as we enter the Christmas season. Life to the full, takes on a new meaning (too much to do, too little time), but my prayer is that in the midst of all the good things, good events and good gatherings, you will be constantly reminded and aware of the Good Father who has given us the greatest gift, the gift of life through Jesus Christ our Saviour! This Christmas, let s step back, reflect and rejoice! Dave Amendt PCAS Executive Director Page 6
This past month we have seen the end of our volleyball season and the start of our basketball season! Our Jr. A teams finished off the volleyball season with league finals. The girls played well and were able to end the season on an encouraging note at Three Hills School. The boys hosted their league finals and ended up upsetting Trochu to make the finals where they couldn t pull out the win against Linden. The Sr. girls finished third in their regional tournament with a great win over Three Hills school and finished their season at zones in Brooks. The Sr. boys had a fantastic ending the same weekend at Three Hills School in their zone tournament as they battled their way into the bronze medal match, beating St. Joseph s Collegiate in 3 sets to bring home the Bronze medal! We are extremely pleased at the start of our Basketball season as we have all 6 teams once again! We have over 65 athletes on our teams this season! We are optimistic as we look at the month of December and the first three weeks of our basketball season! For a full schedule and up to date information, visit the athletics website! Full Athletic Schedule: go to www.pca3hills.ca click on Sabres Athletics click on Schedules scroll down to see our different sports Mike Callaway Athletic Director/Chapel Coordinator Prairie Christian Academy In him we live and move and have our being Acts 17:28 If you have taken pictures of PCA students in action (sporting events especially) we would love for you to send them our way! Please email all pictures in their original size, and jpeg format, to: michael.robertson@ghsd75.ca Additionally, if you are a parent of one of our honoured grade 12 students; please remember December 15 is the deadline to contact me about claiming a page for a tribute. Let us know what size you want to submit and your School Cash On Line account will be charged for payment. Michael Robertson Page 7