Celebrating 20 Years of Impactful Learning
Volume VI 2024
On the Cover: 20th Anniversary Event in Foundation Hall. Inside Cover: 8th grader, Joceli, PreK4 student, Reese, and 3rd grader, Sherry, hanging out during a House Chapel Buddies day.
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Inside this Volume 4
From the Acting Head of School
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Get to Know the New Admins
6
20 Years of Community Impact
8
House System and Chapel Buddies
10 Annual Fund: Thank You! 11
Annual Auction: Rock & Bowl
12
Christmas Productions: Early Education to Middle School
14
Cultural Expeditions Program
15
Athletics Update
16
The First Semester in Pictures
18
Chili Cook-Off
19
Alumni Spotlight
20 Parent Information 22 Remaining Events 23 2024-2025 Preliminary Calendar
Volume VI | 2024
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From the Acting Head of School Dear Veritas Community, My heart is filled with gratitude for the grace and generosity displayed by our incredible community. Your commitment to Veritas Christian Academy has been a pillar of strength, and I am excited to share the vision for our school. As we look ahead, we recognize the Lord’s enduring faithfulness throughout Veritas’s rich 20-year history. Our mission remains unwavering – we are dedicated to supporting Christian parents as they provide their children with a timeless and transformative classical education, all in the pursuit of glorifying God. Our approach to education is deeply rooted in the classical tradition that seamlessly weaves faith into exploring the True, the Good, and the Beautiful. In conjunction with our classical foundation, the educational experience at Veritas is guided by our core values of academic excellence, character formation, Biblical literacy, and intentional engagement. We strive to provide a holistic educational experience that builds our students into young men and women of God. We are engaging in several initiatives in our continued pursuit of academic excellence. Prioritizing ongoing teacher development and training in classical education will ensure our educators are equipped with the tools they need to empower our students with a lifelong love of learning. Also, we are assessing the existing curriculum to provide an education that is rigorous and firmly grounded in Christcentered principles. Through these endeavors, we strive to create an educational experience that is both enriching and transformative for our students. As we navigate the ever-changing education landscape, strategic planning lies at the heart of our vision for Veritas Christian Academy. We are in the beginning stages of crafting our next comprehensive strategic plan. It will serve as a roadmap for our future and will incorporate several areas of our daily school life and culture. Each component is meticulously considered, from academic excellence and teacher development to campus infrastructure and community engagement. This fall, the Southern Association of Independent Schools (SAIS), our accrediting organization, will review our initiatives in the strategic plan. A reaccreditation committee will assess the plan and visit our campus in the fall of 2025, with final recommendations and commendations for approval. In conclusion, I am so grateful for your continued support. As we seize the opportunities ahead and address the challenges, I invite you to join us in prayer for the continued growth and impact of Veritas Christian Academy on our current and future students, all for God’s glory. In His service, Kim Berger Acting Head of School
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Get to Know the New Admins Molly El-Issa Middle School Team Lead
Molly El-Issa has been a founding teacher for 20 years and served as a middle school lead teacher for 14 years. She has been our Dean of Students for the past six years and has taught pre-algebra and middle school math for 13 years. In addition, she has been teaching middle school Bible for the past 15 years.
Mrs. El-Issa has 30 years of teaching and educational experience. She holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Educational Psychology. She was formerly a director of a Center for Language Instruction in Canada. Her center ranked in the top five educational centers in Toronto. She also has an ACSI Secondary Teaching Certificate and a Secondary Administrator Certificate.
Melanie Wilson Early Education and Lower School Team Lead Melanie Wilson is a founding teacher and team leader of Veritas Christian Academy. She has been in Christian Education for over 38 years. Mrs. Wilson currently holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Social Work and Special Education, along with being a licensed dyslexia therapist with certifications as a CALT (Certified Academic Language Therapist) and LDT (Licensed Dyslexia Therapist).
Amanda Owen Director of Admissions Amanda Owen began her time at Veritas during the summer of 2023 as the new Admissions and Advancement Coordinator. She has helped to bring new life into the Veritas social media presence and has helped in providing the necessary aid needed for the Admissions Department at Veritas. Her background includes time in the classroom as a teacher in HISD.
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20 Years of Community Impact Veritas Christian Academy opened its doors in the fall
school’s early years as God clearly had His hand in
of 2003 to a little over 100 students. With the help of
the daily life of the community.
the founding Head of School, Steve Zeal, and Assistant Head, Lamia Raad, the school formulated a plan to
Even in the midst of lean fiscal years for the school,
begin serving students with Biblical and rigorous
the teachers and families remained committed to
academics within a Christian framework. With the
delivering a life-changing and biblically-integrated
first Board of Trustees - Arden Morley (Chair), Chris
learning experience. Parents knew that their children
Weber (Vice Chair), Barbara Boucher (Secretary),
were in a Christ-centered environment where they
Stuart Hudson (Treasurer), Silvia Hassell, Malcolm
were loved but also challenged.
Marshall, and Jeff Whittle - the school
The classrooms,
breezeways, and chapel all echoed the
finalized its bylaws and other
school’s previous motto, “Deep in
governing documents to begin
Learning. Deep in Christ.”
its quest of building a foundation of life into its
Alumni of the school
students.
began to move into high school at some
The following school
of the larger and
year (04-05), Veritas
longer
began to put down
institutions
its roots in Bellaire
Houston.
Upon
at
current
entering
these
location - securing a
schools,
Veritas
partnered lease with
students would excel
then Bellaire Central
and it became evident to
its
Baptist Church.
The
established in
others in the community
church’s leadership at the
that great work was being
time was looking for ways
done
to utilize its resources to impact
at
Veritas,
preparing
students for both academia and for
the surrounding community and found
life. The reputation of the school, carried
the mission of the school a good fit for that impact.
on the shoulders of its alumni, began to grow among
God provided for the school in obvious and tangible
other Houston schools, and those schools began to
ways. Arden Morley recounted, “We needed lockers
seek Veritas graduates to be a part of their high
for the school so as a board, we prayed during our
schools.
meeting for that need. Two days later, one of Lamia’s neighbors, who happened to be working at a local
Today, students of Veritas have gone on to both
Catholic school, offered their used lockers to Lamia
private and public high schools. These include Strake
for the school.” Many similar stories accompanied the
Jesuit College Preparatory, Houston Christian High
7 School, St. Agnes Academy, Fort Bend Christian Academy, St. John’s School, Second Baptist School, etc. Veritas students also have gone on to continue their educational experience at local public schools, mostly in concentrated magnet programs. These schools include Bellaire High School, DeBakey High School, Carnegie Vanguard High School, Clements High School, Dulles High School, Seven Lakes High School, etc. Regardless of where Veritas alumni choose to go, they oftentimes find themselves as some of the top students in the school, continuing the standard and expectations that Veritas places on its students.
To celebrate the impactful existence of the school, Veritas hosted a 20 Year Anniversary celebration in early fall. This celebration invited the entire community of the school - from founding faculty and staff to early alumni and families. Steve Zeal (founding head) and Lamia Raad (founding assistant head) were some of the VIP guests at the 20 Year Celebration. A tribute video, encompassing various members of the board, families, and administration from the past to the present, highlighted the evening’s festivities. With interviews from all of the previous heads of schools including Brad Sewell (2016-21) and Lina Delgado (21-22 Interim Head). In addition, conversations filled Foundation Hall - stories of past shenanigans, memories shared between faculty, staff, students, and alumni, and laughter of current students interacting with one another and old friends. The event proved to be a great time of reminiscing and visiting with friends and family.
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House System and Chapel Buddies Community is an intrinsic part of the student and family experience at Veritas. The familial atmosphere that is ingrained in our school community is evident from the moment you step onto campus. One of the initiatives implemented in the 2023-2024 Academic Year to strengthen our community was to create a new House system that would incorporate events and gatherings to enrich our close-knit community at Veritas.
Veritas Houses Sapentia - Wisdom Integritas - Integrity Fidelitas - Faithfulness Virtus - Virtue
The specific house names are characteristics that are expected and taught to students at Veritas. Each house was also assigned a specific color and logo that would be represented on “house shirts” which students wear on All School Chapel Buddy days. The houses include Sapentia (Wisdom) Purple, Integritas (Integrity) - Blue, Fidelitas (Faithfulness) - Red, Virtus (Virtue) - Gold. Each house also has a Bible verse that corresponds to each characteristic. Sapentia house’s verse is James 1:5 - “If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given to him.” Integritas house’s verse is Proverbs 10:9 - “Whoever walks in integrity walks securely, but he who makes his way crooked will be found out.” Fidelitas house’s verse is Psalm 117:2 - “For great is his steadfast love toward us, and the faithfulness of the Lord endures forever. Praise the Lord!” Last, but certainly not least, Virtus house’s verse is Philippians 4:8 - “Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things.” Additionally, our house system incorporates the school’s Chapel Buddy program. Older students are assigned younger students to have as chapel
9 buddies within each house. The Chapel
other.
Dads had the opportunity to
Buddies Program encourages a sense
catch up with one another as the girls
of oneness and family across all of the
played with each other. Everyone also
school’s divisions. Older students have
enjoyed a Texas classic, Blue Bell Ice
an informal mentoring opportunity as
Cream, with all the fixins. This fun
they get to know and build relationships
event jump started the House Events
with our younger students.
for the 2023-2024 Academic Year.
These relationships are reflected not only
Another event, hosted by Virtus House, was
during All School Chapel Buddies time,
the Mother-Son Kickball Game. Though
but throughout daily student life at
the common Houston rains tried to
Veritas.
There are waves, hugs,
put a damper on the game, Virtus
high-fives, and “hi’s” in the school
house moms were able to regroup and
breezeways as younger and older
moved the game indoors to the Veritas
students alike see their chapel buddy
Gymnasium.
during the school day. Oftentimes, the older students receive “celebrity”-like status
The boys helped carry
their moms and their teams to home base with this event!
as many of their younger buddies whispers to their classmate, “That’s MY chapel buddy!”
The most recent event, hosted by Sapentia House, was a Father-Son Dodgeball Tournament. The dads did not hold
During All School Chapel Buddies
back on their sons, regardless of the
Chapel Days, students get to spend
age, as they relived the glory days from
time together during play, building
their own PE or recess experiences
cameraderie. Cheers often can be heard
playing a classic game of dodgeball.
in the morning as houses meet together
Even the Veritas boys were able to get a
in the Veritas Courtyard.
The excitement
few “licks” in on their dads.
electrifies the atmosphere which carries into Foundation Hall. Chapel Buddies
Additionally, an All House Bingo is on
and Houses sit together during chapel
the School Calendar for mid-March.
and are dismissed for playtime after
The final event of the academic year,
receiving Mr. V’s Bible message for
hosted by Integritas House, will be
the week.
held in April and will feature a MotherDaughter event.
Another aspect of the new Veritas House System is the introduction of House Events.
The House System will continue to grow
A specific House will host an event into which
from its inaugural year, and will undoubtedly
all the other houses are invited.
The
grow in what it offers and in how it will
first of these events was the Father-
encourage Veritas to get closer to one
Daughter Ice Cream Sundae Social.
another. Community continue to get
Fidelitas House hosted and Veritas
stronger through the Veritas House
dads and daughters were able to
system.
spend time together amongst each
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2023-2024
Thank You for your support! 100% Participation Reached! Over $131,000 raised!
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Saturday, February 10 | 6:00-10:00 p.m. PINSTRIPES 3300 Kirby Dr, Houston | pinstripes.com Saturday, Attire February 10“Rock-n-Roll” | 6:00-10:00 p.m. - Casual Raising money for Veritas people & places • Teacher Enrichment - Fulfilling teacher-requested grants • Classical Education - Bringing classical training to our teachers & community • Community Spaces - Renovations to gymnasium floor
Current Sponsors
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Christmas Productions
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Early Education to Middle School
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Cultural Expeditions Program The Cultural Expeditions Program (CEP) consists of four annual trips - one trip per middle school grade level from 5th through 8th grades. It starts locally with a trip in-state and culminates to an international trip to London, United Kingdom. Two of the four trips take place in the first semester, with the seventh grade class taking the initial trip in October. That trip is a three city tour of the Mid-Atlantic and the greater Northeast with visits to Philadelphia, New York, and Boston. Sites visited include Independence Hall, Philadelphia’s Love Park, 9/11 Memorial and Museum, Statue of Liberty, Ellis Island, the Freedom Trail, historic Quincy Market, and the Boston Tea Party Ships and Museum. Added to this year’s itinerary were a tour of the United Nations Headquarters in New York and a concert at hallowed Carnegie Hall. The Texas History trip is the inaugural trip for Veritas middle school students. This is a three city tour of the Texas Hill Country - San Antonio, Fredericksburg, and Austin. Visits to The Alamo, Riverwalk, Tower of the Americas, Mission San Jose, National Museum of the Pacific War, University of Texas at Austin, and the Texas State Capitol are highlights of the trip. As with last year’s trip, Veritas alum, Hannah Nicholas, provided a tour of UT, where she is currently a student. CEP for second semester will feature the capstone eighth grade trip to London and Oxford, and then will end with the sixth grade trip to Washington DC.
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Athletics Update Veritas Athletics has been going well for the 2023-2024 Academic Year. With nearly
Houston
Christian
(WHCAC).
Athletic
Conference
The teams will begin
65% of the middle school students
their playoff schedule with a bye
participating in at least one sport
game and then will host the
in fall and winter, the athletic
semi-final game the week of
program at Veritas has been
February 12th with a potential
steady making a comeback
for playing the championship
since the pandemic put a
game later on in the same
hiatus on sports.
week, should they win their playoff game.
One notable accolade is that for the first time in Veritas’
Anchored by a large eighth
history, both the Boys and Girls
grade
Varsity Basketball teams have
program will conclude with
earned the first seed in the West
class,
the
athletics
spring sports, beginning soon.
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2023 - 2024 Academic Year
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First Semester in Pictures
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Chili Cook Off
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Alumni Spotlight Hannah Nicholas Veritas Class of 2018 Hannah Nicholas is a current student at the Cockrell School of Engineering at The Univerity of Texas at Austin in their Pre-Med Biomedical Engineering program. Currently in her sophomore year, her goal is to become a Navy Medical Officer once she completes her medical doctorate program. For the past couple of years, Hannah has graciously given our fifth grade students a tour of UTA during their annual Texas History Cultural Expeditions Program trip.
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Parent Information Standardized Testing
April 8, 2024 - April 19, 2024 (window for testing)
First through Eighth Grade
In preparation for standardized testing, please ensure that your child: • Does not have any appointments during scheduled testing times • Has a good night’s sleep • Eats a healthy breakfast daily • Arrives to school on-time daily
Parent Teacher Conferences Parent Teacher Conferences strengthens the communication between parents and teachers, as both share the common bond of the success of the student. This time is set apart to provide a dedicated meeting time for deeper discussion regarding student progress, observations within the classroom, addressing any potential issues, and providing encouragement for continued student growth and success. See division specific dates below to schedule your conference.
Early Education PreK3 and PreK4
Early Education Parent Teacher Conferences are mandatory and are available throughout the month of March. Please wait for your child’s teacher to reach out to you regarding a conference.
Lower School First through Fourth Grades (with K) March 20 to 29, 2024
Lower School Parent Teacher Conferences (including Kindergarten) are optional. Your child’s teacher will reach out with an opportunity to schedule a conference, should you choose.
Middle School Fifth through Eighth Grades March 20 to 29, 2024
Middle School Parent Teacher Conferences are optional. Your child’s teacher will reach out with an opportunity to schedule a conference, should you choose.
Parent Teacher Fellowship (PTF) President: Crystal Newsom • Vice President: Jeff Frey • Secretary: Jason Wiley • Tresurer: Heidi Obie PTF Meetings for the remainder of the 2023-2024 Academic Year: March 1 • April 5 • May 3 • All meetings begin at 8 a.m. in Foundation Hall
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8th Grade Production of
Thursday, May 16 | 6:00-7:30 p.m. Friday, May 17 | 6:00-7:30 p.m.
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Remaining Events MAR
Community Events
Parent Teacher Conferences PreK3-PreK4 (mandatory)
MAR 20
MAR
Lower School (optional) Kindergarten included
MAR 20
MAR
Middle School (optional) Fifth through Eighth Grades
29
29
FEB
10
FEB
Go Texan Day
FEB
Veritas Spirit Night
FEB
27
FEB
19
MAR
8
MAR
MAR
APR
11 29
MAY
22
15 1
23 5
Early Dismissal starting at 11:10 a.m.
MAR
MAR APR
President’s Day
Spring Break
APR
12
APR
18
Easter Break
APR
Last Day of School Early Dismissal starting at 11:10 a.m.
22
APR
25
APR
26
Middle School Only International Thespian Society &
MAY
2
MAY
TBD National Honor Society Inductions at 8:10 a.m.
17
MAR
8th Grade CEP Trip
MAY
6th Grade CEP Trip
MAY
1
APR
29
MAY
21
MAR
7
MAY
3
London & Oxford
Washington DC
Eighth Grade Graduation
hosted at Pinstripes
23
27
School Closures
Annual Auction “Rock & Bowl”
16
20
MAY
21
Chick-fil-A (South Rice & Westpark) from 4-8 p.m.
History & Science Fair All Houses Event - Bingo Kindergarten - 5th Grade Boys Campout All Houses Mother and Daughter Event - TBD Athletic Awards Ceremony APR
26
Fine Arts Week - Art Galleries
Spaghetti Supper & The State of Veritas Fine Arts Performance Night National Day of Prayer Early Education End of Year Chapel at 8:15 a.m. MAY
17
Eighth Grade Production featuring Cinderella
Lower School End of Year Chapel at 8:15 a.m. Middle School End of Year Chapel at 8:15 a.m.
Visit our website for more information or to view more upcoming events on our School Calendar
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2024-2025 Preliminary Calendar August S M T W T F S
September S M T W T F S
October S M T W T F S
November S M T W T F S
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2
3
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
1
2
3
4
5
1
2
3
4
5
6
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8
9
10
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
6
7
8
9
10
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12
4
5
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8
9
10
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12
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19
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21
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24
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28
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26
18
19
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21
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23
24
25
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27
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29
30
31
29
30
27
28
29
30
31
25
26
27
28
29
30
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
16
17
18
19
22
23
24
25
26
27
29
30
31
7
1
2
3
4
8
9
10
11
February S M T W T F S
March S M T W T F S
1
5
6
21
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
9
10
11
28
19
20
21
22
23
24
25
16
17
18
26
27
28
29
30
31
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24
25
2
3
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5
6
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8
1
2
3
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6
7
8
11
12
13
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15
12
13
14
15
9
10
19
20
21
22
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
26
27
28
23
24
25
26
27
28
29
F
15
20
January S M T W T F S
T
December S M T W T F S
30
April S M T W T F S 2
3
4
5
7
8
9
10
11
12
4
5
6
7
1
2
3
8
9
10
KEY
KEY
Event
No School
First/ Last Day
No School - Professional Development
A
6
1
May S M T W T F S
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
20
21
22
23
24
25
26
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
27
28
29
30
25
26
27
28
29
30
31
31
Half -Day
Dates and Events
November
R
August 9 12 14 27
New Parent Orienta on Back to School Night First Day of School Spirit Night
September
2 No School - Labor Day TBD MS Retreat 22 House Event (Father/Daughter) 25 See You at the Pole/Parent Coffee
TBD School Portraits 9 Veritas Annual Campaign Ends 11 House Event (Mother/Son) 12-16 Book Fair 16 Family Day 19-23 No School - Thanksgiving Break 28-30 CEP - Texas History Trip
January
6 No School - Teacher In-Service 7 First Day of School 13 No School - Mar n Luther King Day 17 House Event (Father/Son) 22 Open House (Admissions)
February
TBD No School - Fall Break TBD CEP - Phila/NY/Bos Trip 16 Open House (Admissions) 21 Veritas Annual Fund Begins 21-25 Spirit Week 26 Chili Cook Off
TBD Gala 17 No School - President's Day 13 Lower School Christmas Produc on 25 History & Science Fair 16-20 Middle School Midterms 25 Spirit Night 18 Early Educa on Christmas Produc on 19 Alumni Day 20 Middle School Christmas Concert 1-7 CEP - London/Oxford Trip 20 Early Dismissal (1/2 day) 7 Early Dismissal (1/2 day) 23-3 No School - Christmas Break 10-14 No School - Spring Break 19 School Yearbook Pictures 22 House Event (All)
Grading Periods
Progress Reports
D
October
December
March
August 14 - October 11 October 14 - December 20 January 6 - March 7
Q3
September 19 November 15 February 6
Q3
October 17 January 9 March 20
Q4
March 17 - May 21
Q4
April 17
Q4
May 29
Q1
Q1 Q2
4 7-11 11 17 18-21 22-25 23 24 25
May
5-9 14-20 16 16 19 20 20 21
K-5th Grade Boys Campout Standardized Tes ng Window House Event (Mother/Daughter) Athle c Awards Ceremony No School - Easter Break Fine Arts Week Conservatory Recital Spaghe Supper & State of Veritas Fine Arts Performance
CEP - Washington DC Trip 7th & 8th Grade Finals EE End of Year Chapel 8th Grade Produc on LS End of Year Chapel MS End of Year Chapel 8th Grade Gradua on Last Day of School / Early Dismissal
Report Cards
Q3
Q2
April
Q1 Q2
7000 Ferris Street Bellaire, TX 77401 www.veritasca.org 713-773-9605
7000 Ferris Street • Bellaire, TX 77401 www.veritasca.org • 713.773.9605