Friday Update August 23rd
Lined notebook paper. Sharpened pencils. A brand-new box of brightly-colored crayons. A lunch box ready for the first sandwich of the year. Permission slips. Sports schedules. Class lists. So many details and so much information!
This time of year, shopping for 3-ring binders can seem almost like a 3-ring circus. The lazy days of summer are gone. The school routine brings new courses, nightly homework, and many extracurricular activities. While the arrival of the school year brings a fresh start, it can also bring a lot of worry to a parent’s heart.
Our thoughts turn toward our children's interaction with others. We wonder how our timid child will fare in a brand-new classroom when most of his friends are in another class. We fret about our sneaky middle schooler, praying he doesn’t end up in the principal’s office. We fear for our high school student, worried she will not value her worth.
Maybe we stress over academic concerns. Will our struggling first grader ever make progress in her reading? Will math ever click with our fifth graders? Will our high schooler get into his hoped-for university?
Besides relational and academic concerns, we also long for children who are spiritually healthy and strong. Luke 2 mentions areas that Jesus grew in as a young boy: "And Jesus increased in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and with people." I think of Mary and what it must have been like to parent Jesus, she had the same concerns, hopes, and prayers that we have for our children. Luke 2:19 says, "His mother kept all these things in her heart.” She thought about her son, prayed for her son, and even wept for her son.
As we start this school year, let's turn our anxious thoughts into treasured prayers to the one who loves our children even more than we do. When a concern pops up in our mind, let's drop to our knees and carry that concern to God. When we start to fear for our child's future, let's petition the only one who knows exactly what the future holds.
When we turn our worries into our prayers, we create a space to treasure and cherish the sweet moments with our kids. These paper-and-pencil school days won't last forever. Let's rejoice in all that God is teaching our kids, whether it's how to read, how to forge friendships or how to solidify their walk with Him. And realize they aren't the only ones being taught; we parents are learning a life-long lesson in trusting and treasuring, knowing God is always in control.
Tiffany Jett
Elementary Administrator
UPCOMING EVENTS:
Friday, August 30, Drive-Through Pulled Pork Dinner: If you purchased a ticket for the Senior class Pulled Pork Dinner, pick up will be at the SOUTH CAMPUS beginning at 5:30 pm. Orders will be delivered to your car. Thank you for your support of our Senior class as they begin fundraising for their mission trip to Puerto Rico over Spring Break.
Monday, September 2: No School in observance of Labor Day
Friday, September 6, North Campus Fun Food Friday: Fun Food Fridays begin on Sept 6. On the menu is Little Caesars Pizza for $1.50/slice. Order through your Sycamore account or call the North Campus office at 548-2701.
Saturday, September 7, VCA Golf Outing Saturday September 7th VCA Athletics will be hosting our 3rd annual Golf Scramble. Join us for a day of golf, food and fellowship at Forest Park Golf Course. Teams of 4 can register at https://forms.gle/Wo2Q9VFKvyNp7K479. Go Lions!
September 16-20, Fall Spirit Week with Operation Christmas Child: more information to come
Friday, September 20: Half Day dismissal for teacher training
Friday, September 27: Fall Family Picnic, Dogwood Park, Chesterton 4:00pm - 7:00pm
Tuesday, October 8: Senior students will have the opportunity to take the SAT during their school day on October 8th at 8am. This test is by sign up only and there are 25 seats available. The SAT is a globally recognized college admission test that’s accepted at all U.S. colleges. The SAT measures the reading, writing, and math skills that students are learning in high school. It lets students show that they have the knowledge they need to succeed in college and career. The cost per student is $68. Please contact Mrs. Thomae to sign up at mthomae@vcacademy.info.
Tuesday, October 15: All students in 10th and 11th grade will take the PSAT/NMSQT on October 15th at 8am. Students will automatically be enrolled in the test. The State of Indiana pays the cost of this test for all Indiana students. The PSAT tests include reading, writing and language, and math. The test measures the student’s college and career readiness. It is part of the SAT Suite of Assessments. Students who take the PSAT/NMSQT in 11th grade may enter the National Merit Scholarship Program. Other agencies also use the PSAT to identify students who may be eligible for their scholarships. These scholarships amount to nearly $160 million every year.
South Campus:
Tuesday and Thursday are PE days, please ensure that your child is wearing closed toe tennis shoes (or brings them to school) on those days.
Please make sure that you are sending the proper utensils with your child each day for lunch. If they need to warm something up in the microwave please send the food in a microwave safe container or with an extra plate. Starting the week of August 26 there will be a 25 cent charge for needing a utensil or plate at lunch.
Have you seen the new and greatly improved VCA website? Calendars, forms, school information and much more can be found at https://www.vcacademy.info/
VCA Spirit Wear: The 2024-2025 Spirit Wear store is now open at https://vcaspiritwear247.itemorder.com/shop/home/
Athletic Event Calendar and Website: For a real-time list of athletic events and information, please visit our new Athletic website at https://vcaathletics.com/. For day-to-day game time information check out our Facebook and Instagram pages (Victory Christian Academy Lions Athletics and vca_lions_athletics), respectively.
