TCS Family,   

The first day of school is one month from today and we are continuing to sense God's movement and blessings on The Christ School as we plan for the new school year. Each day, we see progress and excitement builds as we move toward AUGUST 20! I would like to share a few updates with you:

Middle School Director

We have completed a 13 month-long patient and diligent national search and are pleased to share that God has provided our middle school director. Ms. Heather Robinson began in her new position on Monday. This is a great step forward for The Christ School as we implement another step of our strategic plan to provide the premier K-8 experience for our students. The investment in this crucial position will ensure that our quality middle school faculty and students receive the attention and support necessary to ensure an excellent experience.

Heather has spent her career leading middle school students at The Independent Day School in Tampa and understands both the uniqueness of adolescents and what makes the private independent school experience distinctive. She has held many leadership positions including science teacher, coach, class trip coordinator, visiting accreditation team member and assistant middle school director. After serving at the Independent Day School, she recently completed a one year assignment as a project based learning teacher and academic coordinator at The Ameson Foreign Language Institute in Beijing, China. We look forward to introducing Heather to our school community.

Technology

Mrs. Teenie Reddeck has joined our faculty team as a part-time instructional technology specialist. Our philosophy of educational technology is to ensure that our students develop a Christian worldview toward technology as they learn to be responsible, honorable and innovative participants in an ever changing digital environment. This week, Teenie and several other faculty members, worked to update and document the Essential Knowledge, what each student will know and be able to do, in the area of technology. The team also updated our student technology use policy. During the school year, Teenie, in conjunction with and support of our classroom teachers, will be leading our students in their continued development of learning through technology. We are very excited to welcome Teenie to our faculty team!

Music

Please join me in thanking Mrs. Teressa White for serving as our music teacher and chapel music leader for the past two years. Mrs. White has moved on to a new opportunity that will allow her to focus more time on family and we will certainly miss her next year. We are grateful for the calm demeanor she consistently demonstrated and the growth she facilitated in our music program. Because of Mrs. White's work, our music program has a stronger foundation that will support growth and enhancement as we realize our vision for music in the coming years.

Earlier this week, we completed a national search for our new music teacher and selected Ms. Katie Ashley to join our faculty. Katie recently graduated from Calvin College in Grand Rapids, Michigan with a Bachelor of Music Education Degree. Katie completed internships in both middle and elementary schools in Grand Rapids. She understands and shares the vision for excellence in Christ-centered music education. She has also served as a camp counselor, nanny, music events intern, choral director and Sunday School teacher. We look forward to welcoming Katie on campus next month.

Middle School

We also say goodbye to Mr. Scott Stuart, middle school faculty member. Scott served our middle school students in several roles including coach, Bible teacher, chapel coordinator and advisor. Scott has accepted a calling to fulfill his dream in ministry and will serve as the College Pastor at The First Presbyterian Church in Gainesville, FL. Scott has been a great part of the growth of our middle school program and he has made students, faculty and staff smile with his gift to build excitement and enthusiasm in chapel and other special events. We look forward to Coach Stuart making a cameo chapel appearance in the near future. Please join me in thanking him for a job well done and wish him well in his exciting new journey.

Please read on for a few more announcements: 

The Christ School Extended Care staff is eager to welcome their students for the 2012-13 school year.  Stop by room 145 during Meet the Teacher and meet the Extended Care staff, too.  Application deadline is August 1.  If you have not registered, please do so today:  2012-2013 Extended Care Registration.  

Back to School Used Uniform Sales

Have your children grown over the summer? Has your grocery bill grown to feed their enlarging appetites? Sounds like you might need some new school uniforms...and quick! With school just around the corner, come explore the fantastic values at TCS' Uniform Boutique! Our first Sale of the Season will be Wednesday, August 8 with two unique opportunities for you to shop 'til you drop!

For early risers, we will be open from 8:00 am - 1:30 pm on campus in B12. For those who enjoy in-home shows, join us from 5:30 pm - 8:30 pm at the home of  Jen Jones in College Park. This in-home "trunk show" will also feature a few really fun vendors to help "accessorize" your sweet lions' wardrobes. Please email Jen Jones for directions

2012 Yearbook Journalism Staff  

Celebrates Award-Winning Book

The Christ School 2012 yearbook earned Herff Jones' Showcase Awards for Outstanding Achievement in Theme Development and Coverage. The Yearbook Journalism students celebrated with a recognition party and a visit from Herff Jones publishing representative (and TCS mom) Jean Henry.

During the party, 2012 Editor-in-Chief, Matthew Casler, handed over production of the 2013 book to next year's Co-Editors Sarah Berger and Haley Wass.  

2013 Yearbook in Production

The Christ School 2013 Yearbook Editorial Board participated in Herff Jones's "Yearbookpalooza," a state-wide workshop for yearbook journalism.

During the three-day camp in July, middle school Lead Photographers Victoria Petrucelly and Jesse Theobald, Copy Editor Lexee Long, Business Manager Abby Tipping and Co-Editors-in-Chief Sarah Berger and Haley Wass, along with adviser Mrs. Minnick, took part in leadership and technology training.  The team developed a special theme for the 2013 yearbook and collaborated with a professional artist to design a unique cover.

During the closing ceremony, Jesse Theobald received an "honorable mention" for her photography work and Abby Tipping earned a First Place award for the layout she designed during her Pro Yearbook class.

Keep reading lions!

Summer Athletic Update  

Lower School

Soccer - Registration is open! June 9 - August 9 Connect at: www.acys.org and select TCS

Volleyball Evaluations - 4th & 5th grade girls, Monday, August 20, 3:45 - 5:00 pm in the gym.

Middle School

Be sure to get all FHSAA paperwork turned in to the office for the fall season.

Volleyball - First volleyball practice for all middle school teams will be Thursday, August 9, 1:30-3:30 pm in the gym.

Lions Sports Night

Thursday, August 23, 5:00 pm in the gym.

Please check RenWeb for all athletic contests, announcements, forms and information.  Forms and information flyers can be found under Resource Documents.  For all athletic questions please contact Coach Wiborg.