Wednesday, Thanksgiving Chapel and Celebration

MCA will have a special day of Thanksgiving and Celebration. We hope parents will consider this an important day of building school community and even consider joining us. Upper school will have a 2 academic classes, Bible and Spanish. We will then move to a variety of activities including an arts and crafts fundraiser, worship practice, food prep, fellowship with food and Chapel (10:45). Dismissal is 12 PM.
Happy Thanksgiving,
MCA Staff

Attention Soccer Families

Things have changed a bit for the banquet! We don't want you to feel that you have to leave any family members home, so please feel free to invite the whole immediate family. We will make room for everyone! Coach P

Dear MCA Parents and Students-

We want to take a moment to “brush up” on the school dress code, as well as eating in the classrooms.
As the winter months quickly approach, we want to remind you that the dress code allows for navy blue or dark green fleece jackets or pullovers and crew neck pullover sweatshirts. The “MCA” logo is not required on the fleece or sweatshirt, but no other writing is allowed. The sweaters that are listed in the handbook apply to uniform sweaters available for purchase only, and do not apply to any general blue or green sweater that you may have at home. Coats/Jackets are not allowed at any point inside, during the school day. This applies to lunch, chapel and class time.
(There are plain blue or green crew neck sweatshirts available at WalMart for less than $10 each.)
Also, the pants required for both boys and girls must reflect Docker style pants. Jeans are not acceptable, nor are pants of the correct color with rivets, as this would imply jeans.
We, in the upper school, have been a bit relaxed in the area of eating in class; therefore, we are reminding students that they are allowed to eat during the designated snack times only, as well as lunch time. Obviously, if there is a special occasion due to a class activity or holiday, then eating will be allowed. During all other times, however, no food is allowed during class time (whether it be an instructional day or a lab day). Water is allowed in a clear water bottle at any point during the day.

Thank you for your attention to these details as we strive to serve faithfully in the small things as well as the large.

God Bless You All.

We pray that you enjoy this season of thanksgiving waiting….waiting for the birth of our savior!

Blessings,
MCA Staff

7 & 8 Field Trip to Purgatory Falls, Mont Vernon

Thursday 11/20 Students from the 7th and 8th grade class will hike the Purgaory Falls trail. This is a 5 mile hike from Lower Falls to Upper Falls. Parents are welcome. No Field Trip form is needed and there is no charge. Janelle Ostroski will be our other adult chaperon. We will leave MCA at 12 noon.

Bring:
1. Bag lunch and water bottle. Daypack is optional
2. Good footwear, warm clothing, hat and gloves. Temperature is only going to reach the high 30's.
3. Students may wear hiking clothing to school. MCA teeshirt, sweatshirt, or polo shirt required.
4. Digital camera is a good extra.

Students will return to MCA at 3 PM.

Paul Sontag

Suggestions for Christmas Dinner Tickets

1. No tickets for dinner will be sold at the door
2. When you submit your forms, turn them into the office or send them into the classroom
3. Parents pick up their tickets at the office
Thank you!

First Quarter Grades are Posted, Grades 1-12

As you view your grades you will find a box marked POVH that records the number of Primary Operational Volunteer Hours you have logged through the volunteer coordinator, Lisa Brogan.

If you have not confirmed a parent conference date please do so ASAP. Please bring a copy of your report card. Students 7-12 are required to attend the conferences. We hope to complete all conferences by the end of next week.

Thanks you,
Paul Sontag, Principal

MCA Christmas Program

MCA Christmas Program

Dear Parents,
MCA will be holding their annual Christmas Program on Friday December 12, 2008! We are doing something EXTRA special this year and we are excited to have you all attend. This year we are offering a wonderful dinner prior (6pm) to the usual Christmas play! This dinner will be catered by the MCA Culinary Arts students who will be headed up by Chef Nick. Tickets for this event will be going on sale November 17.

The menu will be as follows:
Wilted Warm Greens w/ Walnut Vinaigrette Dressing & Herb Dinner Roll w/butter

Roast Pork w/ Gravy
Twice Baked Potatoes
Sautéed Cauliflower, Broccoli, & Sweet Red Bell Pepper

And for dessert Cranberry Eggnog Apple Crisp!

Cost for tickets will be as follows:

Adults $8
Students/Children/Seniors $6
Immediate Family Cap $22
Please print out order form at

Christmas Program Order Form

Please be sure to include all family member names so we get an accurate headcount for #plates

Bring order form and cash or checks made payable to MCA (memo Christmas Dinner) to the school before December 5th and be sure to pick up your tickets on Wednesday December 10th

It is sure to be a great time and where else can you get a catered meal for the family and great fellowship for 22 bucks! So please invite your friends, extended family, neighbors and church family!

Sports Update

Soccer Banquet
There will be a Soccer Pot Luck Banquet on Thursday, December 4th, from 6:00 to 8:30. Due to the size of the team we have to put some limits on who may attend. Please keep it to two guests or we will not have enough food to go around. The food will be as follows:

First Names starting with: A-F=Lasagna J-M=Dessert N-R=Bread/Rolls and a Salad S-V=3 Bottles of Soda & Paper Goods- talk to Mrs. P

Please notify Mrs. Peterson whether you will be there or not and the number of guests!!! This is very important, as we are expecting over 60 people.

Basketball
Basketball practice starts on Friday November 21st for both the boys and girls teams! Make sure you sign up!!! The forms are available on the web site. If you have any questions contact Coach Sontag or Coach Peterson

Ski Club
Anyone interested in joining the Ski Club needs to get the registration form and emergency contact form into Mrs. Peterson by the end of November. MCA skis at Pats Peak Fridays after school, during the second session. If you have any questions, please contact Mrs. P

Parent Conferences Scheduled for Next Week

Dear Parents,

Please be aware that teachers will be contacting you to schedule parent conferences for next week. Many have been arranged already. For families with multiple students we will try to arrange meetings on the same day with staggered times. Upper school children are required to attend the conferences. We will be requesting that fathers make every effort to attend.

Thank you,

MCA Staff

Elementary Play Update

Well, the play is coming along. It's always around this time that I begin to panic realizing there are only a limited amount of rehearsals left!!! Then, I breathe deeply and remember that God has always come through and He will again this year.

The kids really need to learn their lines. If parents could help me out in this area, it would be a big help. I'd like to take the scripts away and be able to just give prompts if needed. Also, keep on singing to the CD, the last song especially. Other than that, the kids sound great and I have so enjoyed the privilege of working with them.

As far as costumes, each child except for Dave Duckworth (Isaac) and Gary Gofer (Marshall) will be wearing a specially made T-shirt over a solid colored, long sleeve turtleneck or regular neck shirt with black pants and black shoes.

The colors are as follows:

Gretta (Kerry) - Green
Rhymin' Rico (Chris) - Red
Darlin' Design (Kayla) - Pink
Birthday Betty (Carly) - Blue
Penny Postage (Cassie) - Purple
Marty Messenger (Joshua) - Maroon

Dave (Isaac) - a suit and tie
Gary (Marshall) - Suit or a nice sweater and pants

Everyone else should wear a black long sleeve turtleneck or regular neck shirt and black pants with black shoes. No white sneakers. Black sneakers are fine.

Also, I have the t-shirts and the iron-on is getting made. If you could send in $5.00 to cover the cost of the t-shirt by the end of next week, it would be appreciated.

As always if you have any questions or concerns, please don't hesitate to contact me.

Blessings to you!!!

Mrs. Lehoux

Attention Basketball Players! Sports Forms!

The Basketball Letter and Permission Slip are now available on the web site!! Print off the Permission Slip and turn it in to the MCA Office. Any questions, contact Coach Paul Sontag for the Boys and Coach Lenette Peterson for the Girls!

PAC Update!

Next PAC meeting will be held on Wednesday, Dec 3rd at 7pm

Also, PAC members will meet on Nov. 12 to develop work details for the Dec.12 Christmas Dinner and Elementary Christmas Play.

Finally, all suggestions put into the "suggestion box" in the office will be responded to by PAC on the parent blog.

Suggestion Box Items!

Thank you to all the parents and students who utilized the suggestion box. The PAC board had a great time answering your questions. Here are a list of the questions asked and the answers we came up with.

1. Repeal the laptop "chord" law. - Laptops are a great tool to be used in the classroom and the MCA staff encourages students to use them. However, when they are used, they need to be used on the battery unless the student is plugged into a wall socket directly near them. Why? Safety, safety, safety!!! We are a school and the safety of the students and teachers is a top priority. When cords are plugged in all over a classroom is causes a mass of "spaghetti" all over the floor and a person could easily trip. Especially in the event of a fire or other reason needed to evacuate the building quickly. Instead of exiting the building, we'd be tripping over one another. So, the PAC board agrees with the staff on this one. You'll just have to remember to keep you laptop charged.

2. Hoodie sweatshirts with the MCA logo - Now at first glance, this seems like a simple request that could easily be accommodated. Why not let the kids wear hoodie sweatshirts with the logo? Well, here's the reason. The hoods become a place of personal solitude in that the kids will wear them all day and hide their beautiful faces. This makes it difficult for the teachers to teach and for students to interact with one another. So, again. We have to say, "nay" to the hoodies.

3. Chess Elective - If possible, a parent would like to see the kids get involved in a chess club during the school day as an elective. This was brought to Rhonda Lockwood and a discussion with the staff will take place on the issue.

4. Lego challenge for the elementary - This might require a parent volunteer, but it was suggested that there be some sort of elective for the elementary with legos. This also was brought to Rhonda Lockwood and she will have a discussion with the staff and see where it leads.

5. School functions on Friday nights - This was discussed and unfortunately there is quite a split on this one. Some parents feel a week night is fine and would rather not give up a Friday night, while others prefer Friday's. So, we as the PAC board suggested we take a school wide vote to see where you are as a school body. So, if you would please e-mail Angela at petraforce@aol.com and let me know your vote on this, it would be greatly appreciated. The other thought as well, was that if there is another school function on a week night that the teachers do not assign homework for that night. So, this too is a work in progress.

Thank you all for participating in the suggestion box. This is great!!!

Light of the World Christian Church Youth Group Invites You....

....to a pancake breakfast on Saturday, Nov. 22nd, to benefit SHARE. (Not be confused with the pancake breakfast for MCA students tomorrow!)

There is no monetary charge, simply donations of any nonperishables (canned goods, diapers, shampoo, paper goods, etc.) to help stock the SHARE food pantry. You may make a monetary donation if you wish to benefit SHARE.

In addition to running a food pantry, SHARE also provides clothing, emergency cash, Thanksgiving baskets and Christmas baskets, including Christmas presents.

So, please join the LWCC family on Saturday, Nov. 22nd, between 8 AM and 11 AM, to fill your tummy while helping to fill someone else's.

The MCA Eagles played against TriCity Christian Academy in the semi-finals game of the season and it was a very tough played game, especially the second half. TCCA came out on fire, scoring the first goal of the game within the first five minutes. That woke up the Eagles!

Saisha Durham put MCA on the board later in the first half. The first half ended 1-1. Both teams were fired up in the second half and the ball back and forth. The Eagles broke the tie on a goal that started with a shot by Becca Peterson, bounced off several feet and ended up in the net, don't ask me who scored, by players don't even know who score!

Unfortunately TCCA scored two more goals and the Eagles were not able to find the net again. The final score was 2-3. The Eagles finished the season in third place. That was truly their finest game of the season!

To my players! This has been a very long season! There has been more injuries on this team than any other season I have been involved in. There has been some tough to take losses and some hard fought games that didn't go our way. There were times during the season that I really didn't feel like I had a team, but just a bunch of individuals that wanted to show what they could do. In the end, you pulled together and played a like I know you were capable of playing. I learned a lot from you players this year and I certainly hope that you will be taking something with you from this season. Third place is not what we were playing for, but I think the Lord has given us something more than Third Place and that is far more important than the trophy for the lobby. Our team pray came to fruition in our defeat, but in the Lord's great timing He turned our defeat into a great victory! Praise God and see you on the basketball court! Coach P

November 7th - 1/2 day reminder

This Friday, November 7th, is a half-day of school for a Teachers' Conference. Mr. Sontag, Mrs. Peterson, Pastor Gary Williams, and Mrs. Hallowell will be here conducting school for the entire student body.

Schedule:
Extended morning chapel.
Pancake breakfast at 9:30 for all grades, $1 per child.
Extended activity period with Mrs. Peterson until 12 Noon dismissal.

Dress code for the day is PE attire.

Any parent wishing to volunteer for helping with the pancake breakfast should contact the office or Mr. Sontag.