Celebrating
how God has blessed our year!
Dear MCS Family, I pray that you and your family are flourishing as we head into the final leg of this unique and unusual school year. Recently, our staff has been reflecting on gratitude and recognize that, in any given situation, it is usually effortless to focus on need. Our thoughts easily churn on all that we have lost, long for, or don’t have. Yet, it is crucial that we quickly identify the Lord’s provision and intentionally redirect our hearts and minds toward gratitude so that we can dwell in His perfect peace. As the MCS family, we have so much to be thankful for during this season. His faithfulness and abundant blessings are truly remarkable and it is important for us to reflect and celebrate. First, we give thanks for the “daily celebrations” that each student has when they learn something new, make a new friend, or conquer a personal challenge. God is faithful to His children and we see evidence of this everyday. We give Him all the glory for how He is moving and working in their lives. Secondly, we recount our “community celebrations”, some of which are featured in this newsletter. As you read these highlights, notice the incredible ways the Lord has provided, protected, and prospered MCS this school year. As you read this newsletter as a family, reflect on this year and add your own celebrations. What are the things that fill your hearts with gratitude? Where have you recognized the Lord working? For what do you want to give thanks to the Lord? This can be a powerful time of training to reflect God’s goodness. In the spirit of gratefulness, I offer a very special and deeply sincere thank you. Your family has been a vital part of MCS during some very challenging times; times when we may have felt like we were losing cherished traditions and opportunities. Yet, our community has never been stronger in caring, prayer, and generosity. And, all for His name’s sake! All Glory to our God, Heather Harrison Head of School
s e i H ak r Fo e S m a N i k
Bright Future Construction Completed! Our dream of a functional, bright, and beautiful facility has been realized! We
completed our construction in October and students were finally back on campus. There are so many people to thank for undergirding this monumental and miraculous effort. In gratitude, we know it is much more than walls, windows, and doors. It a testament to the Lord’s provision and purpose. Each day we strive to bring Him honor as we love and serve in our beautiful building.
We Opened Our Doors! After a lengthy process, the State of CA approved a waiver allowing us to be
one of the few schools to be in-person this entire school year. We even maintained record high enrollment! We feel blessed to offer in-person and remote learning. Our entire staff has maintained a strong commitment to keep everyone safe and healthy. Our parents and students have worked hard and endured through many challenges. We have remained flexible and, like any loving family, we continue to support and care for each other.
25
Just a couple new faces.. New Faces and New Talent! During this year, we have added 25 new employees
to the MCS family. Some are brand new and a few have stepped into new positions. Each individual brings a caring heart for children and a committed love for the Lord. We are so proud to benefit and grow through their talents and abilities.
Rona Drobot MCS Health Aide
Jenna Tomita Elementary Student Support Specialist
Annual Fund is off the Charts! Each year we rely heavily upon the Annual Fund to
fill the 5% financial gap in the operational budget. The MCS community was so incredibly generous this year that we not only met but far exceeded our goal! We are so encouraged and blessed by this generosity and love! Because the Annual Fund was such a huge success and met our budgetary needs for the school year, we had the freedom to forego the annual fundraising gala which would have had to be conducted online due to COVID-19. We are even more excited than usual to have our next gala and pray we will see you there next Spring, in person.
Thoughts from the Board The MCS Board is deeply thankful for the abundant gifts He
has bestowed upon the school including a Christ-loving and amazing school staff and the Godly leadership of our Head of School, Heather Harrison, who steadfastly and prayerfully leads MCS. We’re also appreciative of MCS’s founding families who stepped out in faith 34 years ago to build a firm foundation through Christ-centered education. And finally, we are incredibly grateful for every family that has given us the trust and privilege of serving their children. Each of us are profoundly honored and humbled to witness the Kingdom work being done at and through MCS. All Glory to God!
Faithful Leadership of the Board Our Board of Trustees generously and prayerfully donate their time, insight, wisdom, and leadership. Their support and
expertise have been especially invaluable through the recent seasons of change and growth we have collectively experienced. This year, the board went above and beyond blessing our staff by personally raising funds for Christmas bonuses, purchasing two gourmet coffee machines and massage chairs for our staff to enjoy! We are very thankful for their involvement.
Mariners Institute of the Arts Says Yes! In a season that can bring “no” or “can’t”, Mariners
Institute of the Arts has created ways to say “yes” and “can.” Though chapels have had to look different, live student-led worship has remained. Through the leadership of students and teachers, all experience live worship every week. MCS continues to say “yes” to pursuing avenues to showcase students’ God-given gifts. Students across all grades recorded virtual Christmas concerts to be enjoyed in the comfort of their own homes. Middle school theater students produced a fall play, “The Best/Worst Christmas Pageant Ever”. We look forward to the Spring elementary and middle school productions as well. It has been amazing to watch our students as they grow in their creativity and craft as the Lord has gifted.
The Rooftop Garden Brings Life! The Rooftop Garden was a new addition this year and a great
blessing as it has provided beautiful scenery and a powerful learning environment. Classes across the campus have utilized this space for reading time and reflections and hands-on learning opportunities. Staff have enjoyed this space for lunch, meetings, and celebrations. All of this made possible by the middle school students in our Agricultural Design class who designed, built, planted, and continue to tend the garden. Elementary students have also contributed by planting a spaghetti garden, strawberry row, and even beans! This beautiful garden has enhanced learning and life at MCS!
Makerspace Celebrates Innovation! Our two beautiful new Makerspaces are filled with creativity and innovation. Not only do they provide great space for
maker education, but we are in awe of the natural light that fills both spaces! Students across the grade levels learn about the design thinking process as they identify a problem, create a solution, design an invention to solve the problem, then share their creation. Most importantly, the students learn to approach the problem from the perspective of someone else - a practice that encourages empathy for other viewpoints. They truly experience how they can be the hands and feet of Jesus in their worlds, no matter their age. Stop by at Open House to enjoy the MCS Invention Convention!
Sports and Competitions Physical activity and
community connection have never been more important. At the beginning of the year, MCS hosted after school enrichment camps for students in all grades. These camps provided great fun, community building, and activity. Teal versus Black competitions have been maintained including the much loved Turkey Bowl for 5th through 8th grade students. After school sports camps have continued this Spring for middle school students with girls volleyball and boys basketball sports camps. After school sports will continue as we look forward to potential inter-league play before the end of the year. We love seeing our gym and field filled with students learning, developing, and competing against one another. Each and every practice is a celebration while maintaining a Christ-focused mindset in all they do. In God’s name we play! GO LIONS!
MCS Awarded the National Blue Ribbon for the 2nd Time! In September, we received the Blue Ribbon designation as an Exemplary High
Performing National School for 2020. This honor is given by the Department of Education to recognize schools that have achieved the highest levels of excellence. MCS is one of 367 schools (50 of those private) in the nation and one of 36 schools from CA to be recognized in 2020. We are so proud to be among this elite group.
Keeping the Traditions Alive
Even though things looked a little different, we are committed to
maintaining the treasured and joy-filled MCS traditions. With some adaptations and creativity, we have been determined to provide a memorable year of fun and learning experiences. Some of these important traditions have included:
ELEMENTARY ► Read Across America Day and Themed Dress Days ► Monthly Power Paw Lunches ► Exemplar Lion Awards ► LIONS Pact Celebrations ► TK: Safari Day ► TK-K: 100 days of school ► 1st: 101 Days of school ► 2nd: Mariner’s Marketplace ► 3rd: Pumpkin Parade ► 4th Sacramento experiences and gold mining ► 5th: Walk through the American Revolution.
MIDDLE SCHOOL ► Fun Friday’s and Homeroom Pep Rally Competitions ► Take Out Tuesdays ► Monthly Share to Wear Themed Dress Days ► Teal vs. Black Competitions ► Exemplar Lions, Lion Pride, and Academic Recognitions ► LIONS Pact (new to middle school this year!) ► Grammar Day ► Pi Day ► 6th Grade Ancient Egypt Projects ► 8th Grade Mariner's Agency for Space Exploration and Colonization ► 8th Grade Washington, DC Adventure
Alumni News n as we love our Once a lion, always a lio ntinue to invest in our
students forever. We co nsition to alumni. students even as they tra e two scholarships— These opportunities includ ship and the Be Brave Alumni Heritage Scholar ni of the Year honor. Scholarship and the Alum chool.com/mcs-alumni Visit marinerschristians umni, we want to hear for more information. Al the form online to let us from you! Please fill out . know how you are doing
MCS Students Shine in the Community We are so proud of our students!
Each year, our 8th grade scholars participate in Chapman University's Annual Holocaust Art and Writing Contest. Students selected a Holocaust testimonial and explained their understanding of the Holocaust, and their own search for inner and shared strength during the Covid-19 pandemic using some type of art form or prose. We were permitted 3 entries. Entries were received from 220 schools in 32 states and 12 countries!
We are proud to announce: ►Mary Jane Pfaff received first place at MCS and first place in the contest for art ►Blake Baek received second place at MCS and was named a finalist placing him in the top 5 of all contest entries for art ►Lucy Stewart received third place at MCS for video
Silenced Emotion by Mary Jane Pfaff Survivor Testimony: Alice Hemar
Alice Hemar’s testimony inspired me to reflect on her experience during the Holocaust. To stay alive, it took great inner strength to keep her emotions silenced, because she felt she, “ could not afford to be honest”. After escaping the ghetto, she was forced to hide in plain sight. Her silence was a matter of life and death.The hand symbolizes how she felt “closed in herself. “ It represents fear, oppression, isolation. Although my Covid experience does not compare, I too have felt closed in and isolated. I hope one day to inspire others as Alice has done for me.
What The Eyes Can’t See by Blake Baek Survivor Testimony: Bert Gosschalk
In What The Eyes Can’t See, I used the testimony of Bert Gosschalk to draw feelings in the form of words. When people see the Holocaust, they see the barbed wire, the tanks, and the planes. But what they can’t see are the terrible feelings hidden from sight. It’s important to remember not only what happened during the Holocaust, but to also remember the tragedy and evil of it as well. Presently, even though we can’t see COVID, we have to know it’s there, and be more mindful, distancing ourselves from others. Like them, we are also “trapped,” the Jews in the concentration camps and us in our homes, having hope that the day will come when we will be free once more. During the Holocaust, the Jews faced hatred and suffering. Our hardships may feel overwhelming, but when compared to what the Jews had to endure, it’s insignificant.
8th grade English scholars also participated in the Daughters of the American Revolution essay contest where they were challenged to imagine they witnessed the events of the Boston Massacre and to describe what role it played in organizing the colonists against the British King and Parliament. This year, Ashley Turner won second place!
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