News

Celebrating Read Across America Day!

Last week the lower school hallways were a sight of red, white, blue, green and most of all stripes! The first grade celebrated the annual Read Across America Day, which is also the birthday of Dr. Seuss. Dressing up as their favorite Dr. Seuss characters, each subject of the day incorporated a Dr. Seuss book and activity!

“Phonemic and phonological awareness are foundational skills in first grade,” said first grade teacher Melissa Shockley. "Playing with sound while enjoying various Dr. Seuss books is a great way to reinforce these concepts... and a lot of fun!" 

Math students read 1 fish, 2 fish and then sorted and graphed colored goldfish. Hop on Pop involved phonics and the sorting of rhyming words activities. During reading instruction, students focused on non-fiction; learning real facts and information about Dr. Seuss; then they read The Cat in the Hat. Finally, for independent reading, they grabbed their favorite Dr. Seuss book, a partner, and practiced reading together.

The students left that day feeling as happy as “Who’s”. 

Heart For Missions Month: Children Helping Children

February is a month commonly associated with love, but not just for Valentine’s Day, it is also Heart for Missions Month, and if anyone knows how to show their heart, it would be PCA students. 

Introduced via a fun “News” video during last week's chapel, Lower School Student Council challenged classmates to help raise money for school supplies for children living at the Lamb Institute in Honduras, a “Christ-centered, multifaceted ministry based in Tegucigalpa, Honduras [that seeks to] share the hope found in Christ Jesus as we care for, educate, protect, and empower those suffering extreme poverty, abuse, and exploitation in Honduras.”

This idea was birthed by Lower School third grade representative and student in Mrs. Adkins' class, Hadley Silvester. Hadley came up with the idea after Mrs. Adkins' friend came to talk to the class about her work at LAMB. “When I heard of Honduras,” Silvester said, “and how much the children needed, I felt we should donate money to them so life could be easier for them.”

 “After Hadley heard [Suzy] speak about life in Honduras,” Mrs. Adkins added, “she was moved to want to help others less fortunate.”

 In his Lower School chapel Loom, principal Rick Martin said that what he is most excited about in this drive was the fact that it was children, giving to children, to bless children in the name of Jesus. As Dr. Martin reminded the students, “Jesus used 2 fish and 5 loaves to feed 5000! Just think what He can do with a couple of coins.”

 But how can our lower school help with a monetary donation? By going home and busting into their piggy banks or getting creative by raising money. 

 This past Saturday, fourth graders Asher Beckett, Rawls Karnes, and second grader Asa Beckett decided to hold a candy and water sale outside of the Beckett house. The boys put up a table, made a sign, and encouraged neighbors to donate funds. Altogether they raised $145.

 Starting today, jars will be placed in each classroom for students to be able to contribute any size donation for the week. The Lower School student council will be going around on Friday to pick up the jars. The class who collects the most coins in K-2 and grades 3-5 will win a free dress down day.

 We can’t wait to see how much our PCA students raise.