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covenant classical school • winter 2018
JANUARY 26 & 27 • WWW.COVENANTFW.ORG/B ID U U M - LATINU M
R E -E NR OLL B Y J A NU A RY 1 9
W W W. C O V E N A N T F W. O R G
JOIN CALVIN COLLEGE PROFESSORS AND C C S TE AC HE RS FOR LATIN LEARNING IN A RELAXED SE TTING OPEN TO STUDENTS OF ALL LEV E LS $95 FOR STUDENTS • $145 FOR A D U LTS
SAVE theseDATES PROSPECTIVE PARENT NIGHT JANUARY 16
SENIOR TRIP TO ITALY MARCH 5 - MARCH 13
OPEN CAMPUS JANUARY 17
SPRING BREAK MARCH 12 - MARCH 16
STATE OF THE SCHOOL JANUARY 18 RE-ENROLLMENT DEADLINE JANUARY 19 CCS FATHERS’ BREAKFAST JANUARY 20 GREAT CONVERSATION SERIES FEBRUARY 5 - FEBRUARY 19 PARENT/TEACHER CONFERENCES FEBRUARY 26
GRANDPARENTS’ DAY MARCH 28 PROJECT HOPE MARCH 29 EASTER BREAK MARCH 30 - APRIL 2 GREAT CONVERSATION SERIES APRIL 6 MOMS’ SPRING FELLOWSHIP APRIL 10
FOOD • FELLOWSHIP • FUNDRAISING JANUARY 25 • 4 TO 8 P.M. 4611 S. HULEN STREET 20% DONATED BACK
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from the head of school As an educator, I have watched hundreds of young people navigate the college entrance process. I have also observed many anxious parents shepherd their children through the intimidating gauntlet of transcripts, financial aid, class rank, AP tests, service hours, etc. For the first time in almost 20 years in education, I am experiencing this for myself now as a parent. My oldest child is in high school. I understand and empathize with the struggle our families encounter. It is so easy to think of the education of our children in two distinct chapters: K-8, and then 9-12 when it “really counts.” We can get so caught up in the stress and the deadlines that we lose track of the big picture and start thinking of high school graduation as the finish line. It isn’t. I have to remind myself of that, too. Of course, it is true that there is an added significance and consequence to transcripts once a student enters high school. Attending college is a good and important goal, but it is not the end goal of education, or parenting, or spiritual formation. If we keep the long game in view now, it will shape our approach to shepherding our children through the sometimes rough terrain of high school. I am reminded that even as we provide the greatest opportunities possible for our kids, we must keep evaluating our priorities and trusting in the promises of God. A classical Christian education is about forming wisdom and virtue in our students that will benefit them for a lifetime. The essential element of a Christ-centered education is to embrace the words of Jesus to “seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness” (Matthew 6:33a). When we do that, Jesus says that “all these things will be added to you” (Matthew 6:33b). The beauty of a classical Christian education is that when Christ-like character is the focus, and godly habits and practices are acquired, students often find that a strong academic record naturally follows. At Covenant we serve students with a fairly broad range of abilities and interests. Academic honors are not guaranteed and no student should anchor his or her identity or value in them. But every student is made in the image of God and is called to serve faithfully in God’s kingdom. Let’s commit to partner together to provide the best opportunities for our children while seeking first the kingdom of God. Eric Cook Head of School
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 ACADEMICS College Counseling
FINE ARTS Afternoon of Shakespeare
ATHLETICS Football, Volleyball & Cross Country
DEVELOPMENT Auction & Projector Program
CAMPUS LIFE Our School Year in Pictures
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4 • ACADEMICS
COLLEGE READY? CCS COLLEGE COUNSELING: PREPARING STUDENTS FOR COLLEGE AND BEYOND written by Deborah Allen and Andrew Elizalde
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ccording to Covenant’s Portrait of a Graduate, Covenant aims to cultivate the hearts, minds and souls of students to seek goodness, truth and beauty in order that God may be glorified in each individual. This vision transcends the walls of the CCS school building. It is a lifelong aim. For virtually all CCS students, college is the next step in fulfilling this aim of becoming a lifelong learner. Finding a university that is the “best fit” for each student is an extension of the school’s ongoing mission and the goal of CCS College Counseling. PARTNERING IN THE PROCESS What is Covenant doing to help our students pursue a college education? First, the school works diligently to establish strong relationships with colleges within Texas and throughout the nation to communicate the distinct advantages of a CCS education and to promote our outstanding students. Rhetoric students are encouraged to attend in-house college fairs held each semester where they can interact with about 75 universities over the course of the year. Colleges are taking note of our impressive students – as evidenced in the remarkably high acceptance rates and scholarships offered to our seniors. (Please refer to the College Connection link on the website for more information.) Additionally, our experienced staff help guide students at every step along the way via college prep workshops, one-on-one counseling, mock interviews and application review and assistance. The bulletin board and college website are updated often with deadlines, application tips, announcements and financial aid and scholarship opportunities. The Covenant advantage is the personal, individualized attention our students receive and Covenant’s ability to advocate for our students. STRIVING FOR IMPROVEMENT With a lifelong love of learning as one of the many goals of a Covenant education, curriculum decisions and reforms aim beyond the kind of achievement measured by standardized tests. Covenant educators seek to cultivate both wisdom and virtue in their students as they progress through the study of history, literature, mathematics,
5 • ACADEMICS composition, Latin and science. This love of learning does equip CCS students well, however, for performance on the standardized tests required by college admissions departments. When compared to the average SAT scores of seniors in various groups across the country – including religious, independent, and public schools – CCS seniors average an overall SAT score that is 8.4 percent greater than the most competitive group. Perhaps more impressive is the fact that the average math and English PSAT scores of a CCS junior are already higher than the highest SAT scores of seniors within these same competitive groups. Not all schools encourage students to take the PSAT as early as freshman year, but CCS freshmen and sophomores take the PSAT to become familiar with the format, pace and difficulty of the test before the stakes are high. CCS measures student progress in mathematics and English throughout Upper School, and student scores increase significantly, often growing by more than 100 points. TRUSTING IN GOD’S PLANS While CCS strives for excellence in the promotion of its students, ultimately a schoolwide trust in the sovereignty of God is an important factor. We believe that the Lord has already determined where our students will flourish, and we pray for His will in all things. Prayer plays an active role in the college-selection process, allowing us to depend upon God and find rest throughout the process. As Christian author Andy Crouch says, “Grace is not a shortcut around our effort; it is the divine blessing on efforts that are undertaken in dependence and trust in God.” This biblical perspective leads CCS to see college and career pursuits in light of a calling that expresses the individuality with which God has blessed each student. We hope students will use their gifts and talents to glorify Him and serve others. Strong and positive relationships with universities, commitment to student preparation, a deep trust in God and continual improvement constitute the foundation of college counseling at CCS. Due to our commitment to student success, Covenant graduates are more than ready and able to continue their journey as lifelong learners in college and beyond.
COLLEGE PLANNING TIPS FROM CCS DIRECTOR OF COLLEGE COUNSELING DEBORAH ALLEN This is a partial sample of what students can expect as they prepare for college.
FRESHMAN YEAR (AND ON): • • • •
Earn the best grades you can. Pursue extracurricular interests and record activities and volunteer work. Attend CCS workshops and events. Communicate openly with your parents.
SOPHOMORE YEAR (AND ON): • • •
Visit the College Connection website at http://covenantfw.org/college-connection. Visit colleges and/or consider attending summer programs hosted on a campus. Talk to upperclassmen about their search.
JUNIOR YEAR: • • • • • •
Schedule a meeting with Mrs. Allen. Attend the College Planning Workshop. Study and sign up for PSAT/ACT/SAT. Establish accounts with Common App, Apply Texas and any other application systems with your school(s) of interest. Brainstorm essay topics and begin seeking teacher recommendations. Complete your list of target schools.
SENIOR YEAR: • • • • •
Attend the College Planning Workshop. Know your deadlines and finish early. Complete the FAFSA form. Research scholarship opportunities. Continue frequent communication with your target schools and the Covenant College Counseling Department.
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Romeo
Juliet
LOVE. PASSION. SUSPENSE. TRAGEDY. THEATRE STUDENTS BRING THE BARD TO CAMPUS
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7 • FINE ARTS
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ive classes of students, ranging between 7th and 12th grade. Two rehearsals. One equine actor named Gustaff. A cast of 49, including two teachers. Private fencing lessons to get prepared for onstage combat. One warm and sunny afternoon perfect for an outdoor performance of Shakespeare’s acclaimed tragedy, “Romeo and Juliet.” On November 4, the Logic and Rhetoric Theatre classes – directed by CCS Theatre Director Kate Hicks – treated audiences to a retelling of the bard’s classic love-and-loss tale of two star-crossed lovers who find themselves caught in some of fate’s cruelest twists. It was an ambitious endeavor for the students, especially considering their division into five separate classes that prepared independently and only had two full rehearsals together before the student actors, crew, live musicians and newly formed choir entertained their audience.
“It’s my favorite of Shakespeare’s works,” says Hicks. “I was happy to share my love of his language with the students. We all hope that the audience enjoyed the efforts of CCS’ growing theatre program.” For the fifth year in a row, the CCS Afternoon of Shakespeare drew crowds in the school’s courtyard. Audience members brought folding chairs, umbrellas and picnic blankets to comfortably enjoy the midday performance. Special thanks go to teachers Jason Merritt, Daniel Faubus, Marcus Foster and Stephen Bryan for acting or performing music in the show, as well as to parent Sam Corlett and student Rachel Jageman for their lovely musical accompaniment. “The Shakespearean way of speaking is so eloquent, and there’s so much emotion behind it,” said one Covenant student-actor. “Performing such a classic piece of art for our audiences has been a great honor.”
teamwork
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avalier fans are having a great year as CCS’ growth continues to feed quality athletics programs. Seniors Nate Fredricks and Justin Hoshauer launched the student section, “Cavs Nation,” in the Cavalier Gymnasium for the first time during volleyball season. The school spirit spread to the cross country trails and football field as well, and kicked off strong for the ongoing basketball season. SETTING EXPECTATIONS Fall saw the return of Rhetoric girls’ volleyball, and an increase in participation on the Logic and Grammar levels. Both Grammar teams qualified for the CSAF Regional Elementary Championship Tournament, with the Navy team finishing second overall and the Burgundy team finishing third. The Rhetoric team even qualified for the state playoffs for the very first time. Unfortunately, they faced off
CAVS NATION WAS ALL IN LAST FALL with contributions by Ron Abrams and Jeremy Sturdivant and photos by Jessie Clark, Shannon Cooper and Trish Woods
against the eventual State Champions from Decatur Victory Christian. The Lady Cavs gave a good showing against the powerful Lady Patriots, but fell in three sets. Matty Schierloh was selected for the TCAF First Team All-District squad, as well as the Second Team All-State squad. Elizabeth Briley, Avery Lemmons and Kristen Watts received Second Team honors. GOING THE DISTANCE Cross Country began the season with a solid group of runners, which increased throughout the season to a team of 25 student-athletes. These dedicated runners proved their commitment by attending pre-sunrise practices before school. The runners obtained several season and personal records, as well as medals in the numerous meets they ran throughout the season. The Logic and Grammar teams finished their season by running in the
CSAF Junior High and Elementary Regional Meet with a good show by all the runners, numerous medals and secondand third-place finishes for the Logic boys’ and girls’ teams, respectively. The Grammar boys brought home a third-place team finish, and although the Grammar girls did not have enough runners to qualify for team honors, the mostly 3rd-grade team competed well. The Rhetoric team completed their season at the TCAF State Meet. Maddie Hornell earned All-State honors after finishing in seventh place in the women’s 3200-meter. GETTING IN THE (END) ZONE The young Logic football team – seven of the team’s 15 players were 6th-graders – had a very competitive and entertaining season, just missing out on a return trip to the CSAF playoffs.
9 • ATHLETICS
10 • DEVELOPMENT
Starry Night
CCS’ ANNUAL AUCTION RAISED $100,000 AND BROUGHT NEW TECHNOLOGY TO CAMPUS November’s “Starry Night” Auction was a huge success, raising more than $100,000 for the school! Guests gathered at 809 At Vickery, an event space graciously provided by CCS parents Jane and Luke Gilcrease. Guests shopped silent auction items in the courtyard, raising about $50,000 by purchasing everything from fun events with teachers, tickets to sporting events and themed gift baskets. Everyone enjoyed dinner inside, then raised almost $20,000 more for the school in a fast-paced live auction. An exciting twist in the evening came with the announcement of the raffle winners. The Auction Committee sold $7,500 worth of raffle tickets for a brand-new golf cart, and Zeb Pent’s name was drawn as the winner of the prize. He immediately donated the golf cart back to the school as an impromptu auction item, raising another $4,500. The Semple family was the final winner and the school received $12,000! This year’s “Paddles Up” game raised money to install new document cameras and projectors in most of the Grammar classrooms. This equipment enables a teacher to place any item – a textbook, tablet, math manipulatives, even a frog for dissection – under the camera so the whole class can get an up-close look at the same time. This technology has been available in the Upper School since that building opened four years ago, but the school needed to raise $49,000 to install them in all the Grammar classrooms. The “Paddles Up” game raised enough money to install the equipment in all the 2nd- through 6th-grade classrooms. If further donations are received, the equipment will be installed in all the Kindergarten and 1st-grade classrooms, too, as well as the Grammar music and art rooms. The remaining cost for those installations is $19,000. “Adding document cameras and projectors in the Lower School classrooms will have an immediate impact on instruction and will be felt for years to come,” said CCS Head of School Eric Cook. “We are indebted to the parents on the Auction Committee who worked countless hours to make this event such a success.”
11 • CAMPUS LIFE
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1 - 4th Grade Monk Day Feast 2 - 5th Grade Colonial Quilting 3 - Thanksgiving Feast 4 - Kindergarten/6th Buddies 5 - 8th Grade Science 6 - House Competition 7 - Pink Out Event 8 - 3rd Grade Greek Olympics
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1701 Wind Star Way, Fort Worth, Texas 76108 www.covenantfw.org | 817.820.0884