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 Dear WA Community,
In a few weeks we will be having our annual State of the School Address on Monday, November 14, at 6:30 PM at the Coral Ridge Country Club. It is also known as the Headmaster's Council Dinner. Please know that everyone is invited to attend. If you are a Headmaster's Council Member, you will receive a complimentary dinner. If you are not a member of the Headmaster's Council, then the cost of the dinner is $25.00. For more information or to purchase a dinner ticket, please contact Claudette Pearson in the Development Office at pearsonc@wacad.edu.
To become a Headmaster's Council Member, we ask for a donation to the school ministry of $1,500 for the school year. A school year is calculated from July 1, 2011 to June 30, 2012. The funds received for the Headmaster's Council are used to close the gap between what we received in tuition and fees, and what it actually costs to operate a school of excellence. This gap is close to ten percent (10%) of our operating budget. The gap is approximately 1.2 million dollars. If you are saying to yourself that this means WA needs to raise 1.2 million dollars in contributions and donations in addition to the tuition to meet its budget-you would be correct. Yes, it is a lot of money. This is why we need your prayers and your prayerful consideration when it comes to making donations to the school. Every donation, no matter the size is significant.
We currently have approximately 900 students and 700 families enrolled at WA for the 2011-2012 school year. The gap of $1.2 million is approximately $1,400 per student or $1,800 per family that we need in donations for a school year (fiscal year).
There are four key stewardship methods to create and maintain financial stability in a school ministry:
1. Raise Tuition 2. Manage Costs 3. Donations 4. Increase Enrollment
At WA, we strive to be the best stewards possible with God's people and provisions in all four categories. As you know, we have frozen tuition and fees for the last two years and we have made some consolidations without impacting the quality of your child's educational journey at WA. We have also increased enrollment without impacting our admission, academic or covenant standards. The last, but some would say the most important, is contributed revenue (donations). This is why, from time to time, we ask everyone to prayerfully consider giving a donation to WA.
Please know that we fully understand that there are those who are not in a position to give a donation. We ask and encourage those who are in this position to become prayer warriors for WA. For those who have the wherewithal and feel led by God to give, we encourage them to know that every gift, no matter the level, is used to benefit the children of WA. All gifts and donations are meaningful to WA and tax deductible.
During the past two years I have been overwhelmed and humbled by the generosity of our school community. Your love, prayers and donations have been amazing. During the past two years we have closed the gap each year with donations exceeding the million dollar mark. Thank you for your prayers and partnership at WA.
Please continue to feel free to visit with me concerning this, or any other matter at WA. Your feedback is vital and your input is both helpful and very much appreciated. We hope to see you at the State of the School Address and Headmaster's Council Dinner on November 14.
Blessings to you and your family in the Name of Jesus Christ,  Leo Orsino Headmaster orsinol@wacad.edu |
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Come to the Pumpkin Patch!
 The Lower School is excited to host a pumpkin patch on Wednesday, October 19 from 10:00 AM-2:00 PM. Parents, grandparents and family are welcome to come and enjoy the petting zoo, play games and much more! The 8th grade students will be selling pumpkins. Please see Kari Curtis in Student Services to pick up a pre-sale form to order a pumpkin for $12 each.
Come and join us in our celebration of fall harvest! |
Family Information Needed
Student Directories Available October 12! Please update your family information using RenWeb. Update Instructions are outlined below:Please log on to ParentsWeb by either clicking here or by clicking the ParentsWeb link on the top, right-hand corner of our website. Once logged in, click on Family Information i n the menu on the right.
From there, click on the Family Demographic Form, under Online Filing Cabinet in the center of the page.On the next page you can access the the following forms: a. Enrolled Students b. Student Medical c. Custodial Parents d. Emergency Contacts e. Transportation f. Grandparents
Please review, complete, and update all relevant information then click Save for each form. NOTE: For Student Medical forms, please be sure to indicate any medical conditions or allergies and select the appropriate answer next to Permission to treat. Student Directory: We are excited to help our school community stay in better touch, by providing an online Student Directory for our school community. This new online directory is very user-friendly, and users can search for parents or students by grade levels, names, etc. By completing the above forms, your family listing in the Student Directory will be updated. Please know that the Student Directory will be available online on Wednesday, October 12.
If you would like a printed copy, please stop by the Admissions Office or the Upper or Lower School Office.
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New Band Classes Begin 
A new addition to our instrumental music program has begun with master classes for each type of instrument used in our band program. Mrs. Allison DeMarco, a professional flutist and music educator from Covenant Conservatory in Boca Raton, presented the master class to the WA flute students.
Mrs. DeMarco's playing, as well as her insights and individual encouragement, are a blessing to our flute students.
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Come Home-
Homecoming Weekend 2011!
All Westminster Academy alumni and families-we hope that you can join us for Homecoming Weekend, October 21-22!
Friday, October 21, 6:00 PM
Free Alumni Barbeque and admission to the Homecoming Game for alumni and their families.
Westminster Academy Athletic Complex
3701 NW 44 Street
Lauderdale Lakes, Florida 33309
7:00 PM Homecoming Game Kick-Off!
Halftime: Traditional alumni halftime photo on the football field
Saturday, October 22, 10:00 AM
Alumni vs. Faculty Flag Football Game at the WA east campus. If you would like to play, please contact Alumni Association President Sandy Hall at halls@wacad.edu.
11:30 AM: Free barbeque for all players and fans!
12:00 PM: Tour of the campus for the Class of 1981 and 1991, as well as all who may be interested.
For more information, please contact WA Development/Communications Director Laura Brash '87 Bishop at bishopl@wacad.edu or call 954.771.4615, ext. 2637.
We'd love for you to stay connected!
Sign up for Westminster Academy's weekly E-news!
Join the Westminster Academy Alumni Group on Facebook at Westminster Academy--Ft. Lauderdale, FL Alumni.
Go Lions!
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Parent Symposium
Tuesday, November 15
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Joining the Headmaster's Council
As we continue to answer God's call to improve His school ministry and enrich the education of our students, please prayerfully consider becoming a member of the Headmaster's Council for our new fiscal year (July 1-June 30, 2012). Headmaster's Council members pledge to pay $1,500 or more, which is used to assist our exceptional faculty, enhance technology, improve the co-curricular programs and maintain our facilities. We greatly appreciate your support and would like to provide Headmaster's Council members with complimentary tickets to:- All of our exciting home athletic games
- The "State of the School Address" on November 14
- Our wonderful Shakespearean-themed "Madrigal Dinner" on December 5 or 6
- A special pre-theatre dinner on March 2, and tickets to Godspell on March 2 or 3.
Please click here to make a donation and to become a Headmaster's Council Member!
Thank you for your prayers and support. |
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Middle School Ice Skating Party
The Middle School ice skating party is coming up on Friday, October 14, from 1:40 p.m. - 3:50 pm. This is a day off from school and will be a celebration of the end of the first quarter. Proceeds will benefit the 8th grade students travelling to Washington, D.C. For more information, please contact Mr. Critch at critchm@wacad.edu. |
Yankee Candle Sale Begins
October 7! The WA Choirs will be selling Yankee Candles in order to raise money for their trip to the Candlelight Processional at Epcot. The Yankee Candle sale begins on October 7 and will last for just a week. This will guarantee their arrival in time for the Thanksgiving and Christmas holidays!
The candles are absolutely beautiful and we thank you in advance for your support!
Please order now: This sale is for one week only!
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WA Photos Available
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Author Josh McDowell on
This Week's "Homeroom"
on GRACE FM
 Join bestselling author and speaker, Josh McDowell, as he discusses his new book "The Bare Facts" with host Laura Bishop. McDowell discusses how knowledge, not ignorance, is the key to youthful purity and a fulfilling marriage and family. His book builds on that approach and helps teenagers strengthen their faith and understanding of what the Scriptures teach us.
"Homeroom" can be heard every Thursday evening from 9-10 PM on GRACE FM 90.3 FM or on www.gracefmradio.com.
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Pictures Due Back:
School photos were sent home on Friday, September 30. Pictures are due back October 11.
Cross Country Invitational
Saturday, October 11.
Save The Date:
State Of The School Address
Monday, November 14.
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