the Year Ahead 1
2018-2019
7000 Ferris Street • Bellaire, TX 77401 • www.veritasca.org
Mission
Veritas is an independent Christian school in the classical tradition that prepares students for lives of service and learning through academic excellence, character development, biblical literacy, and intentional engagement opportunities.
Core Values
In pursuit of its mission, the Veritas community is guided by five core values. Our core values represent the philosophical commitments of our community; these values are reflected in our past and guide our commitment to the future. The core values of Veritas embody the promises made for our students’ development.
Academic Excellence Veritas embraces a history of excellence in academic achievement. We are committed to challenging our students to their highest potential in academics and stretching their intellectual boundaries, seeking to model and impart the virtues of inquiry, preparation, and discipline, in the pursuit of knowledge and understanding.
Character Formation Veritas educates holistically, both character and mind. Moral formation and mature behavior are of equal value with the acquisition of knowledge. We are committed to developing students’ hearts and minds, seeking to instill in them both knowledge and Christian values.
Biblical Literacy Veritas seeks to shape our students’ thinking through scripture both by understanding biblical content and through a deeper awareness of its meaning and ethical application. We believe that our students’ minds are informed and fashioned through Christian studies and by mastering core competencies of the Bible.
Classical Foundation Veritas is committed to a classical pedagogy to develop our students’ intellectual abilities and assist them to acquire the skills for good scholarship. The principles of classical thought inform and guide the school in its curricular aims to prepare our students for success beyond Veritas.
Intentional Engagement Veritas values providing a variety of engagement opportunities, both curricular and co-curricular, for the development of each student. The classroom, the playing field, travel exposure, fine arts integration, and community service are all part of the laboratory of learning for Veritas students.
Inside 4
Welcome Back from the Head of School
6
New Faculty and Staff
7
Faculty and Staff Directory
9
Summer Faculty Highlights
2018-2019
10 2018-2019 Community Events 14 Campus Map 16 Campus Floorplan 18 Athletics Information 19 Academic Competitions 20 Fine Arts Information 22 Cultural Expeditions Program 23 Important Parent Information 24 Get Ready for the School Year! 26 Chapel Theme 27 2018-2019 School Calendar Facebook veritaschristianhouston
Instagram veritaschristianacademy
Twitter veritashouston
4 the Year Ahead
Welcome Back from the Head of School
Welcome to the new school year! I hope you had a wonderful summer filled with lots of fun and time for rest and relaxation. I am always grateful for summer as it provides more time to spend with family, traveling, and reading. As another academic year approaches, I am excited about all the possibilities that new beginnings bring. We welcome new families and students to the Veritas community; we begin the journey of another year in striving to be our best in developing excellence in student scholarship and character. We welcome new faculty to our campus and look forward to the excitement and expertise they bring and the relationships that will be formed with our students. It is a time, yet again, to renew the noble mission that Veritas serves, striving with our students to become the best we can be within an academic community set on improving our scholarly aptitude, character, and most of all developing our disposition to be followers of Jesus. Lastly, it is a new year to move forward with our Strategic Plan. By now, you should have received Veritas’ new Strategic Plan. This plan - which we are thrilled to share with you - is critical to the ongoing success of our school. Accomplishing a plan of this degree will require everyone pulling together to bring it to fruition. We are eager to press ahead and begin implementing the Strategic Plan because of the incredible impact it will have on our students and their overall learning experience. We are already enthusiastically moving forward with the implementation of STEAM this year. Our students in grades 2-8 will now have as part of their curriculum, a specific class in STEAM (science, technology, engineering, arts, and math) led by one of our most experienced teachers, Joy Jones. As our students are getting ready to walk through the doors of Veritas for another year, we hope The Year Ahead: 2018-19 will serve as an initial guide for the upcoming year. You will find within these pages information on our new faculty, important dates, campus maps to help guide you to classrooms, as well as many other things to be aware of as we embark on a new year. We also look forward this year to more communication with our parents through school-wide parent/teacher conferences. We know that at the core of a student’s success is a good partnership between teacher and parent. We have included information about these but more will follow as we begin the school year. As always, we look forward to partnering with you and seeing your child succeed. Lastly, this summer my reading list included the book Mindset by Carol Dweck. If you have not read it, I encourage you to take even a cursory glance at the insights it provides in how we teach our children to embrace challenges, face criticism, and persist in the face of setbacks (illustration on the following page). It is a worthwhile read that will harken you back to your formative years in education, the years your child is now experiencing. As parents or educators, we influence our child’s mindset. Our desire as a school is to impart a growth-mindset to our students, not one that is fixed and static. Having said that, we look forward to this year, readied by a growth mindset for new experiences to sharpen our minds and serve others. I look forward to seeing you on campus soon! God bless, Brad Sewell, Head of School
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New Faculty and Staff Erin Marshall
5th and 6th Grade Language Arts
Erin Marshall is a native Houstonian who was educated at The Village School and Houston Christian High School. She came to have a relationship with the Lord through her teachers and life-long friendships at HCHS. She graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from Texas A&M and went on to obtain her teaching certification from ACT Houston. Erin taught English Language Arts, Spanish, and English as a Second Language at Tanglewood Middle School for 9 years before becoming a stay-at-home mom. In her spare time, she enjoys spending time with her family and friends, running, and reading! She is passionate about teaching kids to love reading, thinking, discussing, and writing. After her time working in public education, Erin is excited to openly teach and analyze literature from a Christian perspective. She is thrilled to join Veritas.
Lauren Evans
5th and 6th Grade Science and Computer
Lauren Evans is a native of Atlanta who recently relocated to Houston. She received her Bachelor of Arts from the University of Georgia then served as the Director of Youth and Children’s Ministries at a bilingual church in Atlanta for four years. She is thrilled about teaching Science and Computer. She loves science and the way studying can help us to know and love God more. In her free time, Lauren loves to travel, rock climb, and swing dance. She is delighted to be a part of Veritas this year and cannot wait to meet her students!
Kathryn Moore 1st Grade
Kathryn Moore is a native Houstonian. She received her Bachelor’s Degree from Austin College, and shortly after began substitute teaching at Veritas Christian Academy. Kathryn loves to travel and has visited 23 countries. In her spare time, she enjoys making ceramics, riding motorcross, yoga, and maintaining close relationships with family and friends. She attends The Story Houston. She cannot wait to teach her new first graders as well as encourage all of them in their walk with Christ.
Jenna Wright
Fourth Grade Co-Teacher
Jenna Wright received her Bachelor’s degree from Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi in Early Childhood Development/Early Childhood Education. She spends her free time traveling as much as possible and participating in community outreach with Clear Lake Church of Christ. She is thrilled to have the opportunity to work, grow, and learn with the students and faculty at Veritas.
Mary Kearney PreK4 Co-Teacher
Mary Kearney began her career in 1998 as a 3rd Grade teacher in SBISD. In 2016, after several years working in business, she returned to her first love of teaching as a PreK teacher at West U Methodist School. She earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Interdisciplinary Studies and a Master’s Degree in Curriculum and Instruction from Texas A&M University and loves all things Aggie. Mrs. Kearney and her husband have two children and are active at West University United Methodist Church and in the Bellaire area. They have a motorhome and love to visit State and National Parks as often as they can. She is excited to join Veritas!
the Year Ahead 7 Office Staff
Other Staff
Becky Cauwels Administrative Assistant
Grace Chace School Nurse
Lety Ayala Food Service Manager After School Care
Lisa Oriahi Fine Arts Assitant
Mary Kearney PreK4 Co-Teacher
Christyne Poage Kindergarten
Early Education (EE)
Tracy Neal Explore Class
Debbie Engle PreK4 Lead Teacher
Faculty and Staff Directory
James Valmore Betty Valmore Facilities
Lower School (LS)
Kim Hering & Alecia Gallegos Third Grade
Kathryn Moore First Grade
Anna Richardson Second Grade A
Randi Prestera Second Grade B
Alexis Ingram Fourth Grade
Jenna Wright Fourth Grade Co-Teacher
Lauren Evans 5th & 6th Science Computer
Laura Arrazolo 7th & 8th Language Arts
Erin Marshall 5th & 6th Language Arts
Elizabeth Olmos History
Rush Hughes Physical Education
Gladys Sakr French
Kim Berger Latin (2nd-5th) Fourth Grade Advisor
Dominique McCormick Choir
Middle School (MS)
Joy Jones STEAM (2nd-8th) 7th & 8th Science
Michael Chace Mathematics
Terry Flores Visual Arts
Pat Moore Librarian
Specials & Auxiliary
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2018-2019 Veritas Administration Brad Sewell Head of School brad.sewell@veritasca.org
Kim Hering Director of Early Education (Explore-Kindergarten) & Third Grade kim.hering@veritasca.org Alecia Gallegos Lower School Principal (First-Fourth Grades) & Third Grade
Zachary Villafuerte Director of Communications & Administrative Associate, Chaplain zachary.villafuerte@veritasca.org
Allicia Tillman Dean of Academics, Director of Development & Athletics allicia.tillman@veritasca.org
Marilyn Hughes Director of Finance
alecia.gallegos@veritasca.org Lina Delgado Middle School Principal (Fifth-Eighth Grades) & Director of Fine Arts
marilyn.hughes@veritasca.org
Demetria Jackson Business Office & Facilities Manager
lina.delgado@veritasca.org
demetria.jackson@veritasca.org
Molly El-Issa Middle School Dean of Students, Bible, & Pre-Algebra (Fifth-Eighth Grades) molly.elissa@veritasca.org
Thanks to those moving beyond Veritas
Laura Brown PreK 4
Elizabeth Campbell Explore
Brooke Fox First Grade
Gwen Moton Latin
Thank you for your service!
Reine Sabbagh Discover Assistant
Stephanie Villafuerte Explore Assistant
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Summer Faculty Highlights Department Heads at the Southern Association of Independent Schools (SAIS) Department Heads Institute Our Department Heads traveled to Asheville, NC to participate in the SAIS Department Heads Institute. They attended workshops in curriculum, pedagogy, and current research on best practices in independent schooling, as well as, interacted with administrators from other SAIS schools.
Ms. Terry Flores launches ArtPark Studios, her non-profit art studio! ArtPark Studios is a dream come true for our Visual Arts Teacher, Ms. Flores. The mobile art truck aims to provide art projects to disadvantaged communities by promoting creativity and providing an outlet for children to express their creative nature. After being awarded a grant from First Presbyterian Church Houston, she was able to launch her vision for ArtPark Studios this summer.
Retiring Teachers Join us for a retirement celebration on September 5, 2018. Jan Heuer Computer
Amy Leonard Lower School Principal
Valarene Whitman First Grade
All alumni and families are invited!
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2018-2019 Community Events
Wednesday, September 26, 2018 at 7:30 a.m. at the Courtyard Flagpole
Annual
CHILI COOK
OFF
Saturday, October 27, 2018 at 4:00 p.m.
School-wide event featuring a chili competition, games, and Adult v. Students Flag Football Game!
Family Day Friday, November 16, 2018 at 8:15 a.m.
GO DAY
Friday, February 22, 2019
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2018-2019 Community Events 2018
Jeans Day
Thursday, August 23rd Thursday, September 27th Thursday, October 25th Thursday, November 29th Thursday, December 13th
2019
Thursday, January 31st Thursday, February 28th Thursday, March 28th Wednesday, April 24th Wednesday, May 22nd
History & Science
FAIR
Tuesday, February 26, 2019 at 6:00 p.m.
Fine Arts Night Thursday, April 25, 2019 at 5:15 p.m. No School Days
Labor Day: Monday, September 3, 2018 Fall Break: Thursday, October 11, 2018 - Friday, October 12, 2018 Thanksgiving Break: Monday, November 19, 2018 - Friday, November 23, 2018 Christmas Break: Thursday, December 20, 2018 - Friday, January 4, 2019 Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Day: Monday, January 21, 2019 President’s Day: Monday, February 18, 2019 Spring Break: Monday, March 11, 2019 - Friday, March 15, 2019 Easter Break: Friday, April 19, 2019 - Monday, April 22, 2019
Early Dismissal Day on Friday, May 24, 2019 Please ensure that your child is picked up by 11:30 a.m. No After School Care is available on Early Dismissal Days
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Giving to Veritas Each year, donations made to The Veritas Fund help supplement the cost of providing an invaluable education to each student. Tuition alone does not cover the full cost of our operations. Donations to Veritas play a critical role in providing the best educational opportunities for our students. We are thankful for the financial support of families and friends of Veritas, and are aiming for 100% participation this year.
$ 250,000
Total 2018-2019 Fundraising Goal: $ 250,000.00 New Student Center: $ 100,000.00
$ 187,500
100% Participation Goal Fundraising and Donations (8%)
$ 125,000
Finanical Aid: $ 150,000.00
$ 62,500
Tuit ion Income (92%)
Save the Date Annual Fund 2018-2019
October 15th - November 9th, 2018
Annual Auction Event Friday, February 22, 2019
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6:00 - 7:30 pm
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5
12
4
13 3
7 C Wing 1
Gymnasium
8 Art Room
2
B Wing & School Offices
9 Teachers’ Lounge
3
A Wing
10 Playground
4
Courtyard
11 The Green
5 Auditorium
12 Blacktop
6 D Wing
13 Playing Field
the Year Ahead 15 Map rendering created by Ramy Hanna of Tiltpixel To learn more, visit www.tiltpixel.com
6
7
9
8
2 10 1
11
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Blacktop
A9
A7 A6 A5
Blacktop
A9 Courtyard
Auditorium Conference Library Room
A8
Teachers' Lounge
Courtyard
A7
Conference Room
A6
Restrooms
A3
A4
A2
Restrooms
A3
A1 A2
Veritas Christian Christian Academy of Veritas Houston
A1
B1
B
B1
B2
Entrance Entrance
Academy of Houston
Campus Map Campus Map
School Office
Kit
Kitchen
Parking Lot
A5
Teachers'
Lounge School Office
Parking Lot
A4
Library
Gym Gym
Cafeteria
A8
Auditorium
Restrooms R
ro
A1 - Ms. Neal, Explore (PreK 3) A2 - Early Education Auxiliary Classroom A3 - Mrs. Wilson, Reading Specialist Ms. Neal, Explore (PreK 3) A4 Mrs. Engle and Mrs. Kearney, PreK 4 Early Education Auxiliary Classroom A5 - Ms. Poage, Kindergarten Mrs. Wilson, A6 Reading Specialist - Auxiliary Classroom A7 -Mrs. Director of Early Education Mrs. Engle and Kearney, PreK 4 and Lower School Principal Office A8 - Ms. Moore, 1st Ms. Poage, Kindergarten A9 - Mrs. Hering and Ms. Gallegos, 3rd
A1 A2 A3 A4 A5 A6 - Auxiliary Classroom A7 - Director of Early Education and Lower School Principal Office A8 - Ms. Moore, 1st
B1 - Ms. Evan B2 - Middle Sc B3 -- Ms. B1 Ms.Jones Ev C1 - Auxiliary B2 Middle C2 -- Mr. Chac C3 -- Athletics B3 Ms. Jon
C1 - Auxilia C2 - Mr. Ch C3 - Athletic
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D3
First Floor D Wing
D2
D1 D3
D7
D4
First Floor D Wing
D8
Second Floor D Wing
D5
D6
D8
Second Floor D Wing
D2
D1
D5
D6
C3 Restrooms
B3
B2
2
D7
D4
B3
Art Room
C3
Restrooms
C1
C1
C2
C2
Art Room
tchen
Cafeteria
n
The The Green Green
Playground
Playground
s Restooms
ns, Computer Lab D1 - Mrs. Prestera, 2nd B A Wing chool Auxiliary Classroom D2 - Mrs. Berger, Latin s, STEAM Lab D3 - Mrs. Ingram, vans, Computer Lab D1 -4thMrs. Prestera, 2ndBBWing Classroom D4 - Mrs. Richardson, 2nd A D2 - Mrs. Berger, Latin ce,School MS MathAuxiliary Classroom D5 - Mrs. Olmos, MS History C Wing and Development Offices nes, STEAM Lab D3 - MS Mrs. Ingram, 4th D6 - Mrs. Arrazolo, English D7 - Mrs. El-Issa, BibleRichardson, 2nd ary Classroom D4 MS - Mrs. A D Wing D8 Mrs. Marshall, MS English hace, MS Math
cs and Development Offices
D5 - Mrs. Olmos, MS History D6 - Mrs. Arrazolo, MS English D7 - Mrs. El-Issa, MS Bible
A Wing B Wing C Wing D Wing
18 the Year Ahead
Athletics Information Veritas Sports by Season Middle School Only (5th-8th Grades) Fall: Boys Flag Football and Girls Volleyball Winter: Boys and Girls Basketball Spring: Co-ed Tennis and Co-ed Track & Field Allicia Tillman will continue to serve as the Director of Athletics. Mrs. Tillman took over the responsibilities as Director of Athletics during the 2017-18 school year and will continue in that role for the 2018-19 school year.
Athletic Physical Forms must be in by the first day of school! Students wishing to participate in athletics, should complete and submit physical forms by the first day of school, August 15, 2018. Completed physical forms can be faxed (713-773-9753), emailed to nurse@veritasca.org, or submitted to the nurse’s clinic in the School Office.
Fall Sports Informational Meeting
Fall Sports Clinics
Friday, August 17, 2018 (Room C3) 5:00 - 5:30 p.m. (after practice)
Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday August 8th, 9th, and 10th 5:00 - 6:30 p.m.
Will cover athletic policies, schedules, and expectations
Girls Volleyball and Boys Flag Football
Visit www.veritasca.org/athletics/ to learn more and find the Athletic Calendar FCA Huddles are on the last Thursday of every month starting at 7:00 a.m. August 23, September 27, October 25, November 29, December 13, January 31, February 28, March 28, and May 9
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Academic Competitions
Dates, times, and locations subject to change by ACSI; further information will be provided to parents of participating students for confirmation.
Spelling Bee
Friday, January 18, 2019 hosted at Alpha Omega Academy - Huntsville 3rd - 8th grades
Speech Meets
Elementary Friday, March 1, 2019 hosted at Alpha Omega Academy or Summit Chrisitan Academy - Huntsville 1st - 5th grades Junior High Friday, March 8, 2019 hosted at Rosehill Christian School - Tomball 6th - 7th grades
Math Olympics
Saturday, February 23, 2019 hosted at The Woodlands Christian Academy 3rd - 8th grades
Math League
Mail-in Event (7th - 8th grades)
Art Festival
Friday, April 5, 2019 hosted at Faith Academy of Bellville 3rd - 8th grades
Music Festival - Choir
Friday, March 22, 2019 hosted at The Woodlands Christian Academy 1st - 8th grades
Creative Writing
Monday, January 28, 2019 hosted at Humble Christian School 5th - 8th grades
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Theater
Fine Arts
Early Education and Lower School Students in Early Education and Lower School have drama/music classes as part of their curriculum. They are taught the fundamentals of performing in front of an audience. Students learn theater etiquette, vocabulary, history, and different classical works. As part of their exposure to theater, students apply their knowledge through an annual Christmas production. Middle School In middle school, students may join the International Thespian Society, an honors society that offers the opportunity to audition for recognition and college scholarships. Eighth grade students are taught the fundamentals of performing, and how to share the gospel through acting. Our eighth grade class performs a full-length production at the end of the year. Theater Program Broadway Up Close is designed to connect theater students with the Broadway community - and with each other through a series of workshops, master classes, and an unforgettable experience at a hit Broadway musical. This year’s workshop will be Hamilton! Important Theater Dates: • Lower School Christmas Production (1st-4th grades): December 13, 2018 • Early Education Christmas Production (Explore-Kindergarten): December 19, 2018 • Broadway Up Close Program (7th-8th grades): April 12, 2019 - April 15, 2019 • Eighth Grade Production: May 17, 2019
Visual Arts
Visual Arts is a core part of the Fine Arts Department at Veritas. Students begin to explore visual arts from early education-eighth grade. Visual Arts is integrated throughout our curriculum, giving students a creative avenue while they work with media and techniques to create unique artwork. Each students’ portfolio of artwork will be displayed during Fine Arts Night in the spring. In addition, students from third-eighth grades may have an opportunity to participate in the Fine Arts Festival, where their artwork is judged and recognized alongside peers from other Houston area private schools. Important Dates: • ACSI Arts Festival: April 5, 2019 • Fine Arts Night: April 25, 2019
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Music
Music and Movement Music is an integral part of the Fine Arts Department at Veritas. The study of music begins with Music and Movement class in the Early Education Department in which motor skills training and development is paired with musical exposure. Exposure to music develops an appreciation in the students for the fine arts early in their Veritas experience. Concert Choir Concert Choir is an opportunity for students to pursue musical expression. Lower and Middle School may participate in one of Veritas’ two award-winning choirs. For consecutive years, our choirs have been awarded “superior” ratings and top honors at the ACSI Large Ensemble Music Festival! This year our middle school students will have the opportunity to choose between choir or band from 5th-7th grades, and choir/band or PE in 8th grade. A form will be sent home and students can make their selections. Placement on these elective courses will be on a first come, first served basis. Recorder, Chimes, Band, and Choir Students will begin studying instruments in third grade with an introduction to the recorder. Through their work with the recorder, students learn the basics of music theory and begin the process of understanding the rudiments of music. Students continue in their instrumental progression by learning the intricacies of chimes in fourth grade and finally stepping into Band and/or Choir from fifth-eighth grade as they begin their middle school years at Veritas. Conservatory The Veritas Conservatory of Music is an optional program that provides students an opportunity to learn string instruments (violin, viola, and cello) from individual and ensemble lessons taught by professional orchestra musicians. Private Lessons For private music lessons in various instruments please contact the school office. Important Band Dates (subject to change): • Band Meeting (new MS Students and 5th grade): August 15, 2018 (after school) • Rice University Band Day (optional for 6th-8th grades): October 6, 2018 • Solo and Ensemble Contest (Saint Edwards Catholic School in Spring, TX): January 26, 2019 • Concert Band Practices: May 4, 2019 (Veritas) and May 9, 2019 (Saint Thomas More Catholic) • Band Concert (Strake Jesuit): May 10, 2019
New Fine Arts Faculty
Dominique McCormick
Choir
Dominique McCormick is a critically acclaimed lyric soprano from New York who has found professional fulfillment in performing in operas and concerts and teaching music to people of all ages and abilities. She received her undergraduate and masters degrees from the Eastman School of Music and Aaron Copland School of Music in New York City. In 2005, she decided to continue her education and embark upon a professional singing career in France. Dominique has worked in liturgical music most of her adult life, in the capacity of staff singer, children and adult choir director, organist, pianist and assistant music director for many churches and establishments including the American Cathedral in Paris, France. Most recently, upon her return to the U.S. in 2015, she worked as a staff singer for St. John the Divine Episcopal Church in Houston. She is proud to be the co-owner of Century Fine Arts, a music and fine arts school in Sugar Land. Her favorite part of teaching is leading children’s vocal ensembles and directing music for children’s musical theatre performances. She is currently writing her dissertation in pursuit of her doctorate in the musical arts. She is looking forward to joining Veritas.
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2018-2019 Cultural Expeditions Program Trips
Texas History Trip - 5th Grade Wednesday, December 5 - Friday, December 7 Austin, San Antonio, and Fredericksburg The annual Texas History Trip is a three-day crash course in San Antonio, Fredericksburg, and Austin, where students learn distinctives of our state’s history, culture, and influential historical figures . Students relive the famous Battle of the Alamo as they explore where the revolutionaries made their fateful last stand. Students also tour the Capitol Building and visit both houses of the Texas Legislature. This trip is intended to be a first hand encounter of Texas state history, and for students to learn about the events that have shaped our state and made it unique.
Washington DC - 6th and 7th Grades Monday, October 29 - Friday, November 2 Washington DC and Charlottesville Meeting: Friday, September 14, 2018 As a part of our Cultural Expeditions Program, we believe that giving students the opportunity to explore and grow in their understanding of their own culture, its history, and their nation’s capital is essential to developing their understanding of civic duty and their identity as U.S. citizens. This trip is intended to immerse our students in the functions of our federal government, our nation’s history, and to experience one of the most important cities of the world.
London - 8th Grade Friday, March 1 - Thursday, March 7 London and Oxford Meeting: Monday, December 10, 2018 The annual London Trip is the capstone experience to a Veritas education. Giving students the opportunity to explore and grow in their understanding of other cultures is a unique educational experience. International travel enhances students’ global awareness and appreciation for cultural differences and diversity. Every March, our eighth graders spend one-week crisscrossing London to take in its culture and history. We visit famous historical landmarks such as St. Paul’s Cathedral, Westminster Abbey, Tower of London, Buckingham Palace, and Oxford University. Overall, the London Trip is a hands-on educational experience par excellence.
2019-2020 Cultural Expeditions Program 4th Grade Meeting Friday, May 17, 2019
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Important Parent Information Parent Teacher Conferences
At the core of a student’s success is a good partnership between teacher and parent. This year, Veritas will hold all grade level parent/teacher conferences to bolster communication between school and home. As always, we look forward to partnering with you and seeing your child succeed. Early Education (Explore and PreK-4) mandatory parent conferences First Meeting: November - December, 2018 Second Meeting: April - May, 2019 Lower and Middle School (Kindergarten Included) optional parent conferences for 2-week blocks (3:30-5:00 p.m. for Lower School and 4:00-5:00 p.m. for Middle School) First Meeting: October 15-26, 2018 Second Meeting: March 18-28, 2019
Parent Teacher Fellowship (PTF) Upcoming PTF Meetings All Parents and Families invited Tuesday, August 28, 2018 at 8:00 a.m. Thursday, January 17, 2019 at 8:00 a.m. Parent Teacher Fellowship Officers
Rebecca Steinbach President
Aleethia Roberts Vice President
The Mission of Parent Teacher Fellowship
Parent Teacher Fellowship (PTF) exists to strengthen the relationships between home and school by promoting and encouraging communication and enhanced relationships among parents, teachers, students, administration and the community. PTF provides support and enhances the educational experience at Veritas Christian Academy through activities, events and fundraisers that bring the community together to worship, fellowship and to nurture one another in Jesus Christ.
Julie Droog Treasurer
Email ptf@veritasca.org for questions or to get more information
Consider where you can serve Prayer Team Family Day Chili Cook Off Book Fair Fundraising
PTF Committees and Teams
Field Day Used Uniforms Fine Arts Night Teacher Appreciation Baking Team
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Get Ready for the School Year! School Supplies All school supplies are provided by Veritas. Parents are not obligated to buy supplies for their students to use in the classroom; however, parents may purchase extra supplies for use in both home and school. These supplies could include but are not limited to the following: pencils • pens • lined paper • glue and/or glue sticks • notebooks • binders • composition books • scissors • rulers
Additional needs, not supplied by Veritas: Backpacks: no rolling backbacks for Early Education and Lower School students (Explore-4th grade) Lunch boxes/kits • water bottles (not glass, sealable and leakproof) Middle School Students may want to purchase locker shelves for their lockers Locker widths are a standard measurment of 12 inches
School Essentials Sale
We are having a School Essentials Sale on Friday, August 10th from 7:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m. in gymnasium! You will be able to buy used uniforms, new Veritas Spirit Wear, PE uniforms, Coats and student Bibles. All used uniforms will be $1.00 (except for Veritas coats, which will be $5.00)! New Veritas Spirit Wear, PE uniforms, and Bibles are regular price. ***SPECIAL: Donate 5 or more used uniforms for the School Essentials Sale and fill a bag for $5.00 (excluding new items). Because these products are for purchase at the School Essentials Sale they will not be available on Back to School Night. Please make sure to visit our School Essentials Sale on Friday, August 10th from 7:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m.
Log-in Procedures
View grades, attendance, homework, and more! • Click on the Renweb link on the front page of www.veritasca.org • Select Parent in the login options • Enter VCAH-TX into the District Code field • Log in using your previously created credentials If you have forgotten your username or password, please click on the link provided
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Information from the Nurse’s Clinic Medical Stay-at-Home Policy (Texas Department of State Health Services Guidelines) Students will not be allowed to attend school based on the following general criteria from the Texas Department of State Health Services: • Children with fever 99.5° Fahrenheit or higher (orally) or 99° Fahrenheit or higher (under the arm) until they are fever free for 24 hours without the use of fever suppressing medication. • Children with diarrhea or vomiting for 24 hours from the last incident without the use of medications to control these symptoms. • Conjunctivitis, bacterial and/or viral: until written physician permission to return or until symptom free. • Any student suspected to have a communicable illness at school will remain in the nurse’s clinic until he or she can be taken home. Visit www.veritasca.org/schooldocuments/ to download all medical forms Username: parent Password: 7000ferris
Forms Needed before the First Day of School • Up-to-date Immunization Records (all students) • Allergy Medical Forms (if necessary) • Asthma Medical Forms (if necessary) • Medication Consent Form and Medication (if necessary) • Carolina Creek Christian Camp Forms (Middle School Only)
School Lunch Information Lunches may be purchased for the entire school year or on a daily basis. Lunch All Year allows you to save the cost of 11 lunches! Daily lunch orders are completed through the Parentsweb portal of Renweb. Once you are logged in, complete the following (computer ordering, Renweb App ordering may differ): • Select Student Information on the left-hand menu • Click Lunch when the drop-down menu appears • Select lunch for the day corresponding to the calendar • Select Create Web Order in the top right hand corner • Complete your lunch order by submitting For multiple student families, you will need to complete an order for each student.
Lunch Pricing (Daily Rates) Explore - First Grade: $5.00 Second - Fourth Grade: $5.25 Fifth - Eighth Grade: $5.75
All orders must be placed by 8:00 a.m. on the day of lunch or the lunch fee will become $10.00 Go to www.veritasca.org/apps/food_menu/ to see the lunch menu.
All Year Lunch orders will save you the cost of 11 lunches!
Before and After School Care Regular school hours are 8:00 a.m. - 3:15 p.m. (3:30 p.m. for Middle School) Normal drop-off from 7:40 - 8:00 a.m. • Early drop-off from 7:00 - 7:40 a.m. at the gym (complimentary) After School Care (ASC) is from 4:00 - 6:00 p.m. Monthly ASC rate is $180/month Daily ASC rate is $15/day Students not picked up by 3:45 p.m. will be sent directly to ASC and will be charged the daily rate after 4:00 p.m.
26 the Year Ahead
Chapel Theme
The theme for this school year’s chapel is Foundations For Life, in conjunction with the school’s overall strategic plan of building an excellent foundation for our students. Luke 6:47-48 says, Everyone who comes to me and hears my words and does them, I will show you what he is like: he is like a man building a house, who dug deep and laid the foundation on the rock. And when a flood arose, the stream broke against that house and could not shake it, because it had been well built. We are not ignorant to the effects of strong, catastrophic storms. A year removed from one of the most devastating hurricanes to hit Houston, Hurricane Harvey serves as a picture of the storms that come into our personal lives. In order to navigate the storms that bombard us on a daily basis, as Luke outlines, we need to be grounded on a firm and strong foundation. Ultimately, the Christian life should be built on a foundation of trust in Jesus Christ. We will walk through foundational elements of the Christian life. Below you will see an outline of each month’s topic; all topics are important foundational aspects of the Christian life. Parents are invited to join your children as we build a strong foundation to be grounded upon.
First Semester
Second Semester
August - Jesus Christ September - The Bible October - Salvation November - Gratitude December - Christmas Productions
January - New Life February - Love March - Faith April - The Church May - Witnessing
Chapel Schedule Weekly on Wednesday Mornings Middle School 8:15-8:45 am
Lower School 8:45-9:15 am
Early Education 9:15-9:30 am
All-School Chapels August 22, 2018 • September 26, 2018 • October 24, 2018 • January 30, 2019 • March 27, 2019 Family Day Practices (Closed to Parents) November 7, 2018 • November 14, 2018 Christmas Productions Lower School Dress Rehearsal: December 12, 2018 Early Education Christmas Program: December 19, 2018 Special Days Presidents Day: February 20, 2019 • Shakespeare: April 10, 2019 • End of Year: May 23, 2019
the Year Ahead 27
2018-2019 School Calendar 2018-2019 School Calendar August S M T W T 5
6
7
September F
S
3
4
1
2
8
9 10 11
12 13 14 15 16 17 18
S M T W T
F
October S
S M T W T
1 2
3
4
5
6
7
8
7
3
4
November F
S
S M T W T
F
S
5
6
1
2
3
8
9 10
1
2
8
9 10 11 12 13
4
5
6
7
9 10 11 12 13 14 15
14 15 16 17 18 19 20
11 12 13 14 15 16 17
19 20 21 22 23 24 25
16 17 18 19 20 21 22
21 22 23 24 25 26 27
18 19 20 21 22 23 24
26 27 28 29 30 31
23 24 25 26 27 28 29
28 29 30 31
25 26 27 28 29 30
30 December
January
S M T W T
F
S
2
7
8
S M T W T
F
S
1
2
4
5
8
9 10 11 12
1 3
4
5
6
February
6
7
3
March
S M T W T
F 1
2
3
8
9
4
5
6
7
S
S M T W T
F 1
2
3
8
9
4
5
6
7
S
9 10 11 12 13 14 15
13 14 15 16 17 18 19
10 11 12 13 14 15 16
10 11 12 13 14 15 16
16 17 18 19 20 21 22
20 21 22 23 24 25 26
17 18 19 20 21 22 23
17 18 19 20 21 22 23
23 24 25 26 27 28 29
27 28 29 30 31
24 25 26 27 28
24 25 26 27 28 29 30
30 31
31 April
May
S M T W T 7
3
4
F
S
5
6
1
2
8
9 10 11 12 13
KEY
S M T W T 5
6
7
F
S
3
4
1
2
8
9 10 11
14 15 16 17 18 19 20
12 13 14 15 16 17 18
21 22 23 24 25 26 27
19 20 21 22 23 24 25
28 29 30
26 27 28 29 30 31
KEY
Event
No School
First/ Last Day of School
No School - Prof Dev
Beginning of Marking Period
End of Marking Period
Veritas Important Dates and Events August 10 New Parent Orientation 13 Back to School Night 15 First Day of School 20 MS Parent Orientation
November 3
Chili Cook Off (Rain Date)
12-16 Book Fair 16 Family Day
No School - Labor Day
18 School Portraits 26 See You At The Pole October 11-12 No School - Fall Break
Teacher In-Service
21 No School - Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Day
6
Yearbook Photos
5-7 5th Grade Texas History Trip
13 Yearbook Photos
13 Lower School Christmas Production
18 No School - President's Day
Middle School Midterms 19 Early Education (Explore-K) Christmas Production 20-4 No School - Christmas Break
27 Chili Cook Off
2-12 Standardized Testing Window 10 Shakespeare Day (Combined Chapel)
22 Annual Auction Event
18 Volunteer Appreciation Breakfast 19-22 No School - Easter Break 25 Fine Arts Night May
26 History & Science Fair
2
27 Class Pictures
17 8th Grade Production
Athletic Awards Ceremony
23 End of Year Chapel March 1-7 8th Grade London Trip
29-2 6th & 7th Washington DC Trip
April
12 Broadway Up Close Program February
December 3
4
19-23 No School - Thanksgiving Break
29-31 MS Student Orientation Retreat September
January
11-15 No School - Spring Break
23 8th Grade Gradution 24 Last Day of School (11:30 Dismissal) 27 Memorial Day
Grading Periods
Progress Reports
Report Cards
Q1 August 15 - October 10
Q1 September 4 & September 25
Q1 October 16
Q2 October 15 - December 19 Q3 January 7 - March 8
Q2 November 6 & November 27 Q3 January 23 & February 12
Q2 January 8 Q3 March 19
Q4 March 18 - May 24
Q4 April 9 & April 30
Q4 May 29
7000 Ferris Street Bellaire, TX 77401 www.veritasca.org 713-773-9605
7000 Ferris Street • Bellaire, TX 77401 www.veritasca.org • 713-773-9605
“Educating the mind without educating the heart is no education at all.” ~ Aristotle