FEBRUARY 2013
C O L L E G E
CHCS News H E I G H T S
C H R I S T I A N
Winter Banquet
HOMECOMING 2012…
A Winter Wonderland
S C H O O L
by Hailey Hembree by Michaela Keele
Every year our freshmen plan a night during which alumni will return to meet up with old high-school friends and teachers. This homecoming night is when our high-school basketball teams play their games at the big OCC gymnasium. We also announce our homecoming court, which differs greatly from those at public schools. At our school, we choose our court by characteristics. Lauden Baker was chosen for the trait of “integrity” by his senior classmates, along with Kristen Crumpacker, who was chosen for “love”. As for the juniors, William Conroy and Annie White were honored for their nature of “faithfulness”. Josh Woodmansee and Lydia Buford walked together, representing ” kindness” for their sophomore class. The freshmen elected lifetime student Caitlin Good and Hunter Jones, a new student this year, to demonstrate the attribute of “ gentleness”. The homecoming games were tough ones versus Verona High School. While the first half of the girls game was very rough, our girls stepped it up in the third quarter but it wasn’t enough to save the game and bring in a win. The boys, who played directly following the girls, lost also. Kirsty Green and Jasmine Johnson played in their last high school homecoming, as they are both seniors. Joseph Sherwood, Caleb Stratton, and Dagen Worthington all played their final high school homecoming game as well.
Welcome Alumni CHCS Alumni were treated to a special reception during the January 4th Homecoming games. A large number of former CHCS students attended the event, enjoying reconnecting with old friends, cheering on the basketball team, and recalling past experiences. Alumni were treated to a fantastic buffet set up in a reserved spot just for them. We are blessed to have so many alumni return to support our school!
Each year the high school student council is in charge of planning the Winter Banquet, which recently took place on December 15th. This year’s theme was Hollywood and it was done very well, even including a red carpet. They decked out the MSSU Ballroom with glamorous decor. Each guest had a star with his name on it, which also served as place cards, along with a movie slate key chain as a remembrance of the night. Everyone had been encouraged to dress up as a movie character or to be ready to walk down red carpet in style. The food was delicious and cheesecake was served for dessert. It’s only natural to think of movies when you think of Hollywood so the entertainment was student-submitted videos that were three minutes long of one clip or several clips from a movie that they filmed themselves. After having some laughs, popcorn, candy, and giggles, students voted on who they believed was the best in each category given. Finally, the awards ceremony began after the votes had been cast. Oscar awards were given out to each person or group who won. It was quite a marvelous night.
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Getting to Know BRIDGETT SPARLIN
by Allison Strawn
When you ask Bridget Sparlin for her job description she might laugh and say a million different things. To kids at school she is a nurse and someone to talk to while waiting in the office. She also is an assistant to Mr. Lewis and Coach Johnson, performing various tasks which include coordinating athletic events, obtaining student records, maintaining student and family database, and setting up student transportation. Mrs. Sparlin does all of these things and so much more. Where does she get these great skills? Well maybe from her previous job working as a legal assistant. She liked her job at the legal office, but one thing College Heights has that it didn’t have is the kids, which is one of her favorite things. Bridget has a son, Colton, who attends College Heights. Outside of College Heights, she runs and has participated in two half marathons. She enjoys spending time with her husband, Ron, son Colton, and her dogs. While doing all this she still makes time to throw some of the best districts parties for the cross country runners.
Christmas Appreciation Day This year high-school seniors organized a fun day for all secondary students. Middle- and high-school students were encouraged to wear their best Christmas outfits and really portray the festive feeling of the season. Everyone school wide enjoyed seeing the creativity of our students. There was even a contest to name one student Head Elf!! While it was hard to pick just one, seniors decided that Josh Woodmansee was overall the best representation of this fun-filled time of year. We can’t wait to see what next year’s Christmas Appreciation Day will bring!
A Little Shopping CHCS’s elementary-school students got to take part in shopping for their loved ones right at school during the Christmas season. Volunteers set up a mini store and assisted the shoppers by helping them pick out gifts and even wrapped the gifts for them so they were ready to go directly under the tree. The elementary students look forward to this event each year and put a tremendous amount of thought into each gift they pick out for their loved ones. A really big thanks to everyone who helps to make this event possible.
Cultural and Foreign Exchange Programs at CHCS
by Michaela Keele
OLIVER KAECKS German Exchange Student
This semester, our school has played host to a few interesting people. These people are the students who have come from Germany and Guatemala to visit our country and learn about our culture. Culturalexchange programs such as Faces and Our Cultures offer exchange programs for American students to go to other countries much like these students have come to our country and school. Students coming from other countries to America, learn about our culture, but we can also have the honor of learning about theirs. Talking to these students about the differences in our cultures is an excellent way to learn about other cultures. This year we have had exchange students from Germany and Guatemala. Some students come during their summer break (during our school year) and others attend CHCS for the entire school year. Regardless how long they stay, we always miss them when they leave.
Essay Winner Congratulations to MATTIE BEARD for winning the Patriot’s Pen Essay Contest for District 7 of the Veterans of Foreign Wars of the United States.
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Elementary Art This year’s Christmas Elementary Art Contest winners are CADE CARLSON, 5th grade, and ADDISON LAWRENCE, 2nd grade. Each year our elementary students participate in an art contest, drawing pictures that represent what Christmas means. Winning pictures were used on this year’s Christmas letter, sent out to all CHCS families. Congratulations Cade and Addison!
Elementary Reading Night December 14th was an exciting night for CHCS elementary students. The evening started with the students creating nativity snacks and enjoying visiting with each other. Soon after snack time, they met Luke, who wrote the story of Jesus’ birth. Students 3rd grade and younger created a Christmas book while 4th and 5th grade students spent time in the computer lab creating their own online books. The night ended with a living nativity, with live animals, Mary, Joseph, baby Jesus, and shepherds.
On Broadway
by Glenda Austin & Annie Ashwell
Outreach, the CHCS choir, has been busy all year. But this semester proves busier than ever. On Sunday, Feb. 10, at 3:00 p.m. they will present ON BROADWAY! Get ready to be amazed at the comedy, the drama, and the talent! This program, which is only performed every two years, spotlights musical selections from great Broadway shows and musical theater. Some shows included are Oklahoma, The Secret Garden, South Pacific, Gentlemen Prefer Blondes, H.M.S. Pinafore, Shall We Dance, Mama Mia! and many more. Listen to songs including “Lollipop, Wash the Man Right Out of My Hair, In My Own Little Corner, Diamonds are a Girl’s Best Friend” and many more. This performance will be held at Corley Auditorium, on the MSSU campus. It will knock your socks off! On Monday, February 25, soloist and members of ensembles will present a concert in preparation for upcoming district and state music contests. It will be held in the chapel of CHCS and begins at 7:30 p.m. Outreach is a non-select choir that meets everyday and includes freshmen through seniors. All concerts are free and open to the public. Plan to attend and see what great talent we have at College Heights! Glenda Austin and Melissa Belk are the vocal directors.
A Fishy Tale
by Zach Nichols
Gossett Signs Senior BRANTLY GOSSETT signed a letter of intent to play soccer at Crowder College beginning Fall 2013. Gossett (2012-13 CHCS soccer team captain) holds the school’s single-season record of 41 goals and 120 goals in his high school career. Congratulations, Brantly!!
Spelling Bee Results For the second year in a row, WILL SECKER, 6th grade, won the CHCS elementary spelling bee! After winning last year’s event, Will went on to place fifth in the regional bee. We can’t wait to see how he does this year! Tessa Greathouse, 5th grade, was this year’s runner up. We are proud of this year’s contestants!
Do you like fish? Do you enjoy watching them swim around, petting them, and feeding them? I know from past experiences I do, and still to this day I can remember the trip I will share with you today. Every year Mrs. Kinder and Mrs. Pechawer take the fifth-grade class to the Tulsa aquarium for an educational trip. The teachers say they take the kids on the field trip because the kids enjoy the trip and it is educational. The kids are in the ocean unit in their science book, making the trip even more educational. This year the kids went on November 16, and many say they enjoyed it greatly. They got to pet sharks and stingrays, and see puffer fish, stonefish, and sea otters. To make the trip even more educational, the class filled out a small worksheet throughout the field trip. After the field trip, the students were assigned to write an article about what they enjoyed on the trip and what they learned. The students say they had a great time. I know when I went how amazing the trip was. Still to this day, it is a fun and educational trip, one I would recommend for anyone who loves ocean life.
n SENIORS, HAVE YOU…? COLLEGE CORNER Seniors should have already applied to any and all colleges and universities they might be seriously interested in attending during the fall of 2013. Students/parents should have requested to have Mrs. Kruse send official transcripts and test scores to these institutions for application purposes. At the end of the school year, seniors must again request to have their final transcript and confirmation of graduation sent to the colleges or universities of their choice. n JUNIORS, HAVE YOU…? Juniors should have signed up to take the ACT on any one of the three remaining test dates for this school year: which are, February 9th, April 13th, and June 8th. Registration can be done at www.actstudent.org/start. A photo ID is required for both registration and the actual test day. Students do not need the Plus Writing Test unless they are planning to attend a college that specifically has that requirement. n WHAT IS FAFSA FRENZIE AND WHY SHOULD I CARE? The official date for this year’s FAFSA Frenzy has been set for Sunday, February 17th, from 2:00-4:00 pm at MSSU’s Billingsly Center Ball Room (#335). FAFSA Frenzy is designed to help students and parents with the filing process. Even though MSSU hosts the event, it is for all families, regardless of choice of college. In addition, students who attend will have the chance to win a scholarship to a Missouri institution for the upcoming fall semester.
Bananas Anyone Every year the students challenge the faculty to see who can collect the highest number of food items during our annual Thanksgiving Food Drive. This year the students won, which meant that a faculty member had to dress up in a banana suit. Coach Eric Johnson was the lucky one. Thanks for being such a good sport, Coach!!!
Transportation Improvements In September 2012, we happily announced the purchase of a newer bus. The students and staff have been enjoying the updated means of transportation. We are once again blessed to say that in January 2013, CHCS purchased another bus that will be added to our updated transportation fleet. Upgrading our fleet helps to ensure the safety of our students as they travel to school-sponsored events. Thanks to the financial support of PTF and Annual Fund donations, these purchases have been made possible.
IT Coordinator Named We are pleased to announce that MATT PERRY has accepted the position of IT coordinator. Matt is a CHCS alumni, class of 2000. Matt and his wife, Priscilla, attend College Heights Christian Church. He comes with extensive experience in network administration and technology support. We look forward to welcoming him back into the CHCS family!
Renweb Parents, don’t forget to take advantage of Renweb, our online school management system. You can check homework assignments, lunch menus, student grades, the school calendar, etc. If you are having problems accessing Renweb or have not set up your account, please contact the school. A Renweb phone application is now available. This is a great tool to use to stay informed about your students’ progress.
ECFA ACCREDITED – On November 12, 2012, the Evangelical Council for Financial Accountability announced the accreditation of College
Heights Christian School. Accreditation is based on the ECFA’s Seven Standards of Responsible Stewardship, including financial accountability, transparency, sound board governance, and ethical fundraising. When an organization is accredited by ECFA, it demonstrates its willingness to follow the model of biblical accountability.
MISSION STATEMENT
CHCS glorifies God through excellence as a Christ-centered learning environment that produces servant-leaders with a Biblical worldview.
COLLEGE HEIGHTS CHRISTIAN SCHOOL n 4311 E. NEWMAN ROAD n JOPLIN, MISSOURI 64801 n 471-782-4114 n WWW.COLLEGHEIGHTS.ORG