News

New Reading Program For Grades K-2

We are excited to announce that PCA has implemented a new reading program for students in grades K-2 this year! After carefully studying several programs, and reviewing the alignment of programs to student needs, the core team and I selected a new comprehensive reading program. Reading Horizons, grounded in the Science of Reading practices and philosophy, is designed to teach phonics, spelling, and reading with an integrated and responsive approach. 

Throughout the lessons, students will use technology to practice and reinforce their skills. These practice lessons and informal assessments will give instant feedback that will enable teachers to make instructional decisions immediately based on data. They will be able to identify and address areas of reinforcement and enrichment. 

Jessica Hanzsche states, “It's been an exciting time implementing our new program, Reading Horizons! In first grade, the students were more than ready to get started with Phonics. Throughout the entirety of our lessons, the students are sitting, standing, responding to the lesson on whiteboards, sharing with partners, then applying the target skill immediately. This program follows the model I do, We do, You do which begins with explicit instruction, time to try it out as a class, make mistakes and ask questions, followed by time for independent practice. As teachers, we're able to check in with each student instantaneously and digitally make a list of who needs more support and who's ready for enrichment! This feedback is going to be a tremendous help as we get our small groups up and running.” 

Touring Our Nation's Capital: A 10th Grade Experience!

Off to D.C.! Last week the 10th grade class, along with chaperones Charlie Wulff, James Ugland, Izzie Bell and a handful of parent volunteers loaded into a charter bus at 6 am Monday morning and were off on the 2nd Annual 10th grade trip to do and see all that our Nation’s capital has to offer.

The crew hit the ground running and did not stop until they reloaded the buses for home Saturday morning. The group visited sites such as the Marine Corp Museum, the Museum of the Bible, Arlington Cemetery, Pentagon Memorial and Mall, as well as the FDR, Jefferson, and MLK memorials, the Holocaust Museum, the National Archives, the White House, and the Lincoln, Washington, WWI and WWII memorials!!

For a rest evening, they were able to participate in a game and movie night at the hotel! 

With so many places to visit, some areas stood out more to some than others.  

“My favorite part has been the Museum of the Bible,” said Cokey Suddeth, “as well as getting closer with the grade! It’s fun to experience all these things with them.” 

Will Perkins also enjoyed the Museum of the Bible. “I like how interactive it was!” 

Greta Anderson loved being together as a class. "My favorite part was the fellowship on the bus rides!” 

What a phenomenal opportunity for these students to be a part of such an incredible learning excursion.