Covenant Classical School, Tis Arete Fall 2017

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tis arete covenant classical school • fall 2017

CCS’ ANNUAL DINNER & AUCTION NOVEMBER 2 AT 6 P.M. • 809 AT VICKERY DATE NIGHT ATTIRE • ADULTS ONLY

SAVE theseDATES GREAT CONVERSATION SERIES OCTOBER 20 PROSPECTIVE PARENT NIGHT OCTOBER 24 OPEN CAMPUS OCTOBER 25 DINE OUT & DONATE OCTOBER 26 @ BLAZE PIZZA SCHOOL PICTURE DAY NOVEMBER 1 “STARRY NIGHT” AUCTION NOVEMBER 2 THANKSGIVING FEAST NOVEMBER 16

DINE OUT & DONATE NOVEMBER 16 @ CHIPOTLE THANKSGIVING HOLIDAY NOVEMBER 20 - 24 MOMS’ CHRISTMAS BRUNCH DECEMBER 5 FALL ATHLETICS BANQUET DECEMBER 8 SEMESTER EXAMS DECEMBER 18 - 20 CHRISTMAS HOLIDAY DECEMBER 21 - JANUARY 7 CLASSES RESUME JANUARY 8

FOOD • FELLOWSHIP • FUNDRAISING OCTOBER 26 • 5 TO 8 P.M. 5925 CONVAIR DRIVE 20% DONATED BACK

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from the headmaster You’ve heard the idea that students learn more by what is caught rather than taught. That seems odd, doesn’t it? Why would teachers spend so much of their time preparing lessons and agonizing over curricular choices if most of what is learned comes from things the teacher perhaps never even says? That is the power of culture.

The environment in which we live and learn shapes us – all of us – in profound ways.

Words and lessons are, of course, necessary. But what often is really learned are the values and assumptions embedded in the lessons themselves.

For example, if a theology teacher presents a lesson about the unassailable truth and reliability of the Bible, but chides students for asking certain kinds of questions that may seem too skeptical, the student is actually learning something different from what is in the lesson itself. What is caught? The student has learned that certain questions are off limits in theology. This trumps what was taught – that the Bible can withstand the highest level of scrutiny.

The nuances of learning by catching demands that we ask some very hard questions about the habits and practices of our school culture. That is what we are doing this school year. What are the things being caught by our students? How can we be more intentional about creating habits and practices that more faithfully align with our vision and mission?

In this edition of Tis Arete, you will read about some of our efforts to be more intentional about school culture. In particular, this year’s theme, “Building Up,” is our way of finding ways to encourage one another and create an environment that is loving and edifying. For parents, we are extending an opportunity for you to engage in conversation about the theme, as well. As part of our Great Conversation Series, we have invited Keith McCurdy to talk about how parents can be skilled shepherds of our children in a culture that is pointing them away from our values. You will also learn more about a more literal building up, our capital campaign. As we seek to grow the character of our students, we have very practical needs of expanding our campus and providing space for our expanding enrollment.

As always, we invite you to pray for the school as we try to build up the body of Christ so that “it builds itself up in love” (Ephesians 4:16).

In Christ, Eric Cook, Headmaster

1701 Wind Star Way, Fort Worth, TX 76108 OFFICE HOURS MONDAY-THURSDAY 8 A.M. to 4 P.M. FRIDAY 8 A.M. to 1 P.M. 817.820.0884 phone | 817.246.5027 fax info@covenantfw.org covenantfw.org

f/covenantfw GREAT CONVERSATIONS Raising “Sturdy Kids”

ACADEMICS New Faculty Member Welcome

SPIRITUAL FORMATION “Building Up” the CCS Family

DEVELOPMENT Campaign for Covenant Updates

CAMPUS LIFE Our School Year in Pictures

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4 • GREAT CONVERSATIONS

raising STURDY KEITH MCCURDY CHALLENGES PARENTS TO HELP SHIFT TODAY’S PARENTING PARADIGM

W Series lecturer

great conversation

As a Licensed Professional Counselor and Marriage and Family Therapist, Keith McCurdy counsels, consults and provides a variety of seminars and workshops focused on improving parenting skills, building strong marriages and maintaining healthy relationships. His focus is helping others better understand how a Christian worldview, not psychology, should be the primary influence in parenting and relationships today.

Keith and his wife, Lynnie, have been married for 21 years and enjoy raising their two teenagers.

hen you allow your children to struggle, you set them free. This is the difficult-but-true message Keith McCurdy desperately wants parents to hear. He will be speaking on the topic “Raising Sturdy Kids” at Covenant’s Great Conversation Series Lecture, which will be held in CCS’ Auditorium on Friday, October 20.

McCurdy is the President and CEO of Total Life Counseling, which is located in Roanoke, Virginia. He also serves as Chairman of the Board of Faith Christian School, a classical school in Roanoke.

McCurdy has worked with families, children, parents and individuals for three decades in the field of mental health, and has recognized a trend.

HAPPY IS NOT THE GOAL

“In 30 years in the mental health world, the thing I’ve consistently seen is that parents have gone further down the road of trying to make their kids happy,” McCurdy says.

In the moment, easy feels great. While struggle is inherently uncomfortable and often upsetting to children, the reality, though, is that it’s also required in order for children to grow into what McCurdy calls “sturdy adults” – adults who can face life’s challenges with maturity, resilience and perseverance. If we want our children to be able to do hard things, we must allow them to struggle, McCurdy says.

When today’s parents, knowingly or unknowingly, minimize their children’s natural disappointments, or intervene to rescue them from difficulty or relational

conflict, they win a short-term victory at the cost of a much larger long-term goal.

“We are now seeing the results of pursuing happiness and self-esteem for our children,” McCurdy says. “What we are ending up with are fragile children and fragile young adults. When we make everything easy, our children stay fragile.”

The irony is that despite all the effort we spend trying to make our children happy, what we’re actually accomplishing is ensuring that they will never be able to experience true joy.

THE STRUGGLE IS REAL

McCurdy says that when people are fragile, they shy away from difficulty and challenge in order to protect themselves.

But this means they miss out on many of the richest experiences life has to offer.

“Fragile people can’t handle the rigors of relationship and life, so they can’t experience true joy,” McCurdy explains.

The cycle perpetuates itself through generations. Adults who did not learn to struggle well themselves will raise children who do not know how to struggle well.

The impacts of this progression are felt not only by individuals and families, but by society at large. Children who learn to struggle well throughout their school-age years will grow up to be the natural leaders of the next generation.

As part of McCurdy’s GCS Lecture, he will offer guidance to parents on what we can do differently to raise sturdy kids.

The event is free of charge and open to the public. No RSVP is required.

5 • GREAT CONVERSATIONS

kids

6 • ACADEMICS

welcome to our new faculty ANNE MARIE CURTIS SECOND GRADE

AMANDA STEPHENS ASSISTANT GRAMMAR HEAD

ELIZABETH KOSTOFF THIRD GRADE

YANA CISCO KINDERGARTEN/FIRST MUSIC & ART

JEFF ROZANSKI FOURTH GRADE

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7 • ACADEMICS

PAUL DRAKE HUMANITIES

CAIT YATES ALGEBRA I & II/PRE-CALCULUS

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STEVE MITTWEDE SCIENCE DEPARTMENT CHAIR EARTH SCIENCE/PHYSICAL SCIENCE

ith each new year, the Covenant family grows. New students and families fill the campus, each with high hopes for the school year ahead.

Covenant’s new teachers, administrators and coaches share the same hopes, too, bringing unique qualities that equip them to serve the students that they have been entrusted to teach and guide.

This school year is no different, with seven new classroom teachers, one new fine arts teacher, one new member of the Athletics Department and one teacherturned-administrator.

The Grammar School faculty includes three new classroom teachers: Anne Marie Curtis in Second Grade, Elizabeth Kostoff in Third Grade and Jeff Rozanski in Fourth Grade. They are joined by Yana Cisco, who teaches Art and Music to students in Kindergarten and First Grade.

CALEB ELLIS BIOLOGY/CHEMISTRY/PHYSICS I & II

Amanda Stephens has moved out of the classroom and into a new role within the administration as the Assistant Grammar Head. She works closely with Grammar Head Andrew Elizalde to oversee several elements that affect the Grammar School students, including school procedures, discipline, ongoing teacher training and Contact Moms.

“I’m thankful to welcome such a talented and servant-hearted group of new teachers into our Grammar School. They bring an incredible wealth of experience, passion for their subject matter and sincere love for their students to their new positions at Covenant,” said Elizalde.

“I’m also grateful to have Amanda as such a capable and gifted partner to help with the running of the Grammar School.”

The Upper School added several teachers, too, this school year with Cait

JEREMY MARTIN ASSISTANT ATHLETIC DIRECTOR

Yates joining the Math Department, Paul Drake joining Covenant’s Humanities Department and Caleb Ellis and Steve Mittwede as the newest faculty additions to the Science Department.

“I’m privileged to lead such excellent teachers at Covenant, and humbled by the Lord’s provision of our newest faculty members,” said Upper School Head Brent Stevens. “Their expertise in their respective fields and love for students ensure that we will have a great year.”

Assistant Athletic Director Jeremy Martin has already gotten involved with CCS Volleyball and Cross Country.

“Jeremy has been a great addition to the Covenant team,” said Athletic Director Ron Abrams.

ENCOURAGE

one another

AND BUILD ONE ANOTHER UP - 1 Thessalonians 5:11 -

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9 • SPIRITUAL FORMATION

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any of you have heard the story of Eric Liddell, the famous Olympic runner who refused to run on Sundays. Known as the “Flying Scot,” Liddell was very outspoken about his faith and his calling. Even after winning the Olympics in 1924, he made it clear that while running was satisfying and he was, no doubt, uniquely gifted to do it, there was more to life. He said very plainly, “God made me for China.”

Liddell eventually moved there as a missionary and served faithfully, even under severe circumstances. Despite living in a wretched Chinese internment camp during the latter part of World War II, Liddell lived a godly life and had a profound influence on the people he encountered. When he died, it was said that all of Scotland mourned.

I told this story to our students at this year’s first All-School Chapel to illustrate our theme of “Building Up.” And while it may not sound like the focus of the story is about edification or encouraging others, it truly is. God has gifted and equipped each one of His children not just to find great personal fulfillment in their calling, but to use their gifts for the sake of others. What Eric Liddell discovered and developed was his God-given abilities, passions and experiences for the sake of God’s kingdom and purposes. When he did that, others were blessed and built up.

That is what I want every student at Covenant to understand about themselves and those around them. Students do not need to copy or compare themselves to other students or friends. They simply need to acknowledge that God has given each person “a measure of faith” for the building up of His body.

Eric Cook ON THIS YEAR’S SPIRITUAL FORMATION THEME:

BUILDING UP

“EVERY STUDENT HAS IMPORTANT CONTRIBUTIONS TO MAKE AND GIFTS TO BE USED FOR THE KINGDOM.”

Modern education is often focused on social mobility, economic viability, cultural capital and self-actualization. It is more focused on accolades, personal advancement and a rabid race to perform.

A coherent understanding of one’s place in the world is not part of the program.

At Covenant, we labor very intensely to instill in our students what every child desperately needs – identity, purpose and belonging. They hear and receive the truth that they are a child of the King and are made by God to glorify and enjoy Him forever. Every student, whether he or she is the most academically astute or not, has important contributions to make and gifts to be used for the kingdom. This year, we are encouraging our students to offer their gifts in the service to the Lord and others.

You may wonder what practicing the “Building Up” theme looks like at the school. Here are a few examples. First, I am working with the administrative team to assess everyone’s gifts and passions. A few weeks ago, we met for dinner at my house to discuss and talk about the respective ways in which we have been shaped so

we can encourage each other and work together more effectively. Second, teachers are making a concerted effort to provide specific, positive feedback to students.

They are tracking the amount of times they do this to be intentional and accountable.

We are also teaching the students what it means to be made in the image of God and are calling them to serve their fellow students. Teachers have also developed an intercessory prayer group to support one another throughout the year.

You can participate, too. Encourage your children at home by spending time discussing the ways in which God has shaped them. Ask them what they love to do and why. Encourage the entire family to provide feedback about each family member’s strengths. Discuss ways that they can identify, develop and use their gifts for others and God’s glory.

The Apostle Paul teaches us that when we use our gifts and each part of the body is “working properly,” it “makes the body grow so that it builds itself up in love” (Ephesians 4:16). That is our aim and we invite you to participate.

10 • DEVELOPMENT

This is no small project.

That’s why we’re doing it.

2017-2018 CAMPAIGN FOR COVENANT

with contributions by Eric Cook and Christian Ellis

giving

an update on

95%

Percentage of Covenant’s budgetary needs met through tuition. To keep tuition as low as possible, CCS relies on key fundraisers.

NORTH TEXAS GIVING DAY

$65,040 Monies raised during September’s event that will go directly toward the school’s programming and operational expenses.

STARRY NIGHT 11/2 • 809 AT VICKERY CCS’ annual auction event is an evening of fun, fellowship and fundraising. Come join families and friends of Covenant to celebrate and support our school.

DINE OUT & DONATE 10/26 @ BLAZE PIZZA • 11/16 @ CHIPOTLE Join other CCS families for fellowship at a local restaurant. At the end of the night, Covenant receives a portion of the proceeds.

Dinner without dishes? Now we’re cooking.

Since our school’s founding in 1999, Covenant has been built on one simple, but important phrase from Scripture: “In all things, Christ preeminent” (Colossians 1:15-20). There are profound implications for aligning ourselves to this banner. It is the center of our mission, the reason we exist. This phrase means we stake our school’s existence and value on the Lord’s sovereignty over our school.

The importance of this phrase is also clear when we seek to advance Covenant’s mission, grow our student body and fund future buildings and growth projects. We are not simply trying to raise more dollars, acquire more students or expand our footprint. Ultimately, we are seeking to be faithful to God’s call to raise up a godly generation for the cause of Christ – and to do so in a space befitting this purpose.

To continue the school’s work on this mission we need additional space for our growing student population. To do this, the board and administration are focusing on a few priorities. First, CCS is seeking lead gifts for the capital campaign. As many of you have heard, Covenant has hired Jason Lewis as the interim Director of Advancement. Lewis comes to CCS with a strong commitment to the advancement of classical Christian schools and nearly two decades of experience in fundraising, which will be invaluable as Covenant navigates the ongoing capital campaign and general fundraising efforts.

Second, we are evaluating all available options regarding our facilities buildout.

The master plan that was unveiled in 2016 provides a roadmap for expanding the

campus. However, it is by no means a linear plan. At every stage of growth, we will assess the resources God provides and seek to allocate them wisely. Currently, we are evaluating which new buildings or expansions are the best choices for meeting our upcoming needs, how those should be configured and in what order they should be built. We are also evaluating what short-term options might be available. In our current facilities – even with modest growth – we’ll need additional classrooms by the start of the 2019-2020 school year.

Therefore, we are simultaneously seeking gifts from our devoted constituents while assessing a range of possibilities for adding classroom space.

Third, we continue to pray and seek support for God’s provision. Throughout the history of our school, we have seen the Lord provide exactly what we have needed at just the right time. We will continue to rely on the Lord and His perfect timing.

Many of you have shared how your children or grandchildren are being changed by the education they have received at Covenant. As we continue to develop graduates who are thoughtful, informed, virtuous and wise well beyond their years, we are relying on the Lord’s provision to work in the hearts and minds of our students. It is really no different in the buildout of the school. We will work to plan well and acquire support, but we are wholly dependent upon Him to meet all of our needs.

Thank you for your continued prayers and support of Covenant’s mission and vison. The best is yet to come!

11 • CAMPUS LIFE

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1 - Grammar School Open House 2 - Wilberforce House Mascot 3 - Third Grade Trojan Attack 4 - Grammar Cross Country 5 - Second Grade Lunch Buddies 6 - Rhetoric Volleyball 7 - Open House Ice Cream 8 - Observing the Solar Eclipse

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1701 Wind Star Way, Fort Worth, Texas 76108 www.covenantfw.org | 817.820.0884