CLASS ACTS

TROJAN WEATHER REPORT

This fall our first-graders were visited by TCA alumnus Kyle Roberts ’07 from WFAA Weather. Kyle led a WeatherMinds presentation to empower enthusiasm about the math and science of forecasting weather . . . while also having a little fun with static electricity. We love having Kyle back on campus!

LET’S GET MOVING

Third-grade students had to design a moving car only using two wheels and a variety of circuits in Mrs. Aiken’s STEM class. Each car had two wheels, lights and a horn. They worked in teams to plan, create, test and improve their cars. They had a blast and did very well overcoming challenges.

COMMUNITY CONNECTIONS

PreK students students enjoyed a visit from the Addison Fire Department. Our students loved getting the chance to see a real fire truck, meet real fire fighters and learn about how they keep us safe. We are very thankful for these community helpers and their commitment to protecting our city! NICE SERVE!

Throughout the month of October, second-grade classes took field trips to Feed My Starving Children. Students and parents had an incredible experience serving together and contributing to such an important cause. Way to go, second grade! THAT’S A WRAP

Fourth grade’s annual mission project with Operation Christmas Child was a success again this year! Students prayed over the boxes and the children who will receive the gifts before loading them up for delivery. All of the fourth-grade teachers and students were grateful to be a part of this project to bring hope and love our neighbors around the world!

SUITED UP FOR ALPHABET FUN

To cap off their six-week-long study of letters and sounds, kindergartners celebrated the completion of ABC Bootcamp. Students showed what they had learned with a letter parade, participated in a scavenger hunt and raced in an alphabet obstacle course. Our cadets were also able to hear from former TCA student Cailin Redden ’19, who is currently serving in the Army. We are proud of our students and salute them for a job well done!

LET’S CELL-EBRATE!

Seventh-graders had fun with cells as they explored chromosomes and DNA! The students acted out the phases of cell division with a little Sock-It-To-Me Mitosis, followed by an exciting DNA extraction!

SURGERY BY NUMBERS

Sixth-grade surgeons were called to the operating table to perform the order of operations on poor Mr. Billy Bob. Mrs. Lowe and Mrs. Webber were proud to report that the students successfully put him back together again with their amazing math skills.

AMAZING AMBASSADORS

Some of our eighth-graders served as the face of TCA to prospective families this fall as student ambassadors for admission events. These bright and engaging students greeted guests, escorted them around our new Middle School building and asked and answered questions regarding the families’ interest in life at TCA.

LIGHTING UP WITH ANTICIPATION

Fifth-graders were treated like rockstars by the rest of the middle-schoolers this fall as they were welcomed to their new school family and assigned to their various houses on the first day of the school year. This year, part of the festivities included a dance party with black lights and glow sticks. The Middle School knows how to have a fun while building community!

AUTO-BODIES IN MOTION

SERVICE WITH A SMILE

Tenth-graders collected donations of food, cooking supplies and hygiene items from TCA families schoolwide for the sophomore class service project in December. Forty-five boxes were delivered to the Network of Community Ministries. We are grateful for the chance to partner with them as they support families in need! One of the AP Physics students’ labs this fall involved observing the motion of a cart on an inclined ramp. They collected position and time data with an ultrasonic motion detector that is attached to a Surface tablet. Then they used software to determine the velocity and acceleration of the cart. The key was to catch the cart before it crashed into the motion detector at the bottom of the ramp!

MOUNTAINTOP EXPERIENCE

Seniors started off their last year at TCA taking in the beautiful scenes of Colorado’s Rocky Mountains, bonding with each other and with our daring Upper School teachers during fun outdoor challenges including white water rafting. It’s one of the students’ favorite traditions each year and a great way to learn to be leaders of the student body.

FALL FESTIVAL FUN

Teachers from our Visual Arts Department set up their annual Art-a-que this October, complete with contests, corndogs and cupcakes, to celebrate State Fair season with their students.

ASTRONOMICAL APTITUDE

During the fall, Joseph Acker’s Honors Astronomy class spent some time studying and observing the sun. Using a solar telescope, students were able to observe excited hydrogen atoms in active regions of the solar atmosphere. They also were able to track the movement of sunspots over a period of days.