GCA
Volume 1, Issue 1 | March, 2016
PRINCIPAL PERSPECTIVES Phot o Credit : Samaria Kit chen & Maranat ha Novihoho
Feature
SEASON OF RENEWAL By Principal Michael Fluhart
SEASON OF RENEWAL NEW INITIATIVES FOR 2016
By Pr incipal M ichael Fluhar t ? ? It is the first of March, and my experience tells me this last quarter of the year will go by quickly. We are constantly assessing what is working well and what needs to be addressed and are heavily involved in planning for the upcoming year. A key part of that planning is enrollment numbers. Re-enrollment and enrollment is strong, so it would be helpful in our planning for next year if you would complete the re-enrollment process for your child. If you are unsure, I would love to sit down and talk to you about your prospective of the school and give you the opportunity to hear where I think we are going in the future.
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?? ? ? As you reflect on your decision to re-enroll, I would like to highlight a few points. I truly believe that we are receiving the Lord?s favor, which is evidenced by His provision in our school. Many of you have been an integral part of that provision, and I extend my heartfelt gratitude. Rest assured that we are continually working to improve our staff, facilities, and curriculum in order to better serve your child, as well as to grow closer to the level of excellence to which Christ calls us. I would like to highlight some of the great events we have initiated to ensure a quality experience for you and your child during this school year. 2 GCA PRINCIPAL PERSPECTIVES
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New updated curriculum, especially in the sciences. Addition of Robotics and increased colleges classes offerings. In K-2 a new reading program-Super Kids. This curriculum and the way our teachers are embracing it, will have a positive impact on your kids their entire life. New Bible Curriculum in MS/HS. A mission-focusedfour-year pathway. Each year, one Bible class will build on the proceeding year. With the senior class participating in a Mission trip prior to graduation. Re-establishing PIE - Parents in Education Refocusing on respect, attendance, and maintaining good order and discipline. Updated our acceptance policy Purchased 56 new Chrome books, with a plan to add more next year. Modified block schedule, enabling the teachers do go deeper into the material and to increase the amount of lab time in the sciences. A ?Club? period once a week. Please take the time to ask your son or daughter about their club. We are already seeing some tremendous results. A refocus on how and what we teach. We are focusing much more on Project-Based learning and taking education outside of the classroom. Adopting or borrowing the motto ?No Child Left Inside?. This objective has already helped us to receive a grant to build an above-ground garden. This is just our first step in developing and outdoor learning area.
I would encourage you to get your re-enrollment forms in as soon as possible. Thank you for all your support.
GCA ATHLETICS By Rober t Balawaj der - Administr ator of Athletics and Student Conduct Our basketball teams did very well overall this that a basketball team has gone undefeated year. The varsity boys team was MOCAL throughout a season. co-league champions with Delaware Christian as Congratulations to Coach Becky and the girls! Coach they finished with a league record of 9-1. I believe Brent Downing did a great job with our varsity girls this is the 2nd time in the school's history that the team. They didn't have a lot of experience but varsity boys were league progressed throughout the season and champions. They played a tough improved the progress we were looking to The girls finished 19-0 non-league schedule, one accomplish. It's definitely something to which prepared them for build on for next year. league play. Congratulations to As we get ready for the spring season, Coach Hartje and the team! please keep in mind all of the links listed The middle school boys were on our website that are there to help you. COAL co-league regular Click on "Athletics," and scroll down to season champions with Grace view all of them. We have all of the Christian. They finished the major forms listed; physical form, season with a record of 15-2, a concussion form, transportation forms, record which is outstanding. recruiting tools, information from the Our middle school girls team OHSAA, etc. Please check these out as led by Becky Grubich finished they should answer most, if not all of the the season with a perfect questions you may have. Remember that record of 19-0. They were athletes can't even tryout without a signed concussion obviously COAL regular season and tournament form and a valid physical form on file in the athletic champions. They won the championship game in office. Email me if you have questions at triple overtime despite one of their starters fouling rbalawajder@ourgca.com. Go Eagles! out. I believe this is the first time in school history
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If you're interested in playing a spring sport, please contact the proper coach listed below. Baseball - Lamarr Fields - godsmanlamarr@yahoo.com Softball - David Gotschall - dgbaseball@att.net Var sity Tr ack - Tracy Broaddus - gcaneverquit@gmail.com M S Tr ack - Ted Johnson - theodore.w.johnson@gmail.com
'16-'17 SCHEDULING By M ar ti M anko Student Ser vices/Guidance Depar tment ? ? Thank you for taking time in your evening to attend the Scheduling meeting. I had many parents tell me it was ?information overload,? and I would completely agree. If you are in need of help as you go through the scheduling process, please contact me and we can set up a time to meet. I have a sign-up sheet outside my door to allow students to meet with me and discuss any scheduling or college credit plus concerns. I want to share some important links with you: (Touch to open files) -
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PIE/Scheduling Night Presentation ?How-to? for creating a College Credit Plus application in ODE SAFE Account Academic Handbook Scheduling Links to register for next year?s courses 2016-2017 9th Grade Students 2016-2017 10th Grade Students 2016-2017 11th Grade Students 2016-2017 12th Grade Students
I want to make you aware of another College Fair happening on April 16th at the Columbus Convention Center. To see who will be in attendance and register go to: www.gotomyncf.com
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PRESCHOOL HAPPENINGS By M ar sha Hindman - Preschool Director Many things are happening in preschool in the month of March. To start off with, we celebrated one of the best known children's authors, Dr. Seuss. We paraded through the lunch room for the kindergarten and second grade students. Please see our Facebook page: GahannaChristianAcademyOhio for pictures. Fr iday, M arch 25 Good Friday. No School for all preschool through 12th grade. This is NOT an additional day for preschool. M arch 28 thr u Apr il 1 - Easter Break Preschool is open for those enrolled in additional days.
Spring begins Sunday, March 20, and that is also Palm Sunday. Your preschooler will be learning about the many things happening in nature with the arrival of spring, Jesus' entry into Jerusalem, and His death and resurrection. Praise God! Final progress reports will be sent home for all preschool classes except Ms. Summer and Ms. Linda on Thursday and Friday, March 17 & 18. Ms. Summer and Ms. Linda's reports will be done the end of May. All teachers will offer final conferences the week of March 21. Sign-up sheets will be posted outside each classroom the week of March 14. Preschool Gr aduation Progr ams and L ast Day of Preschool May 23, Ms. Lesa, Ms. Carrie, Ms. Danielle's classes May 24, Ms. Summer, Ms. Linda Ms. Becky's classes Preschool Closing due to Weather - The preschool will only close due to weather if it is a Level 2 or above. The preschool is open for ALL students on these days. This is not an additional calendar day that you are required to pay for. REM I NDER - For your child's safety, please do not park in front of building E when bringing or picking up your child. This area is for emergency vehicles only. Upcoming dates: Friday - March 11, Driven Charity Event at GCA 7:00 p.m. Saturday - March 12, Open House 10:00 - 12:00 March 21 - 24 - Book Fair Open until 5:00 Thursday, May 5 - Preschool Zoo Field Trip
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CONTRIBUTORS MICHAEL FLUHART - Principal mfluhart@ourgca.com
ROBERT BALAWADJER - Admin. Athletics & Student Conduct rbalawajder@ourgca.com
MARTI MANKO - Student Services / Guidance mmanko@ourgca.com
MARSHA HINDMAN - Preschool Director mhindman@ourgca.com
Phot o Credit : Samaria Kit chen & Maranat ha Novihoho