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 Dear WA Community,
As headmaster of WA, I receive a lot of helpful feedback and suggestions. The majority of information I receive are praises and testimonies about how God is using our teachers, staff members, coaches, volunteers, school parents and students to impact lives and one another for Christ. I also receive input about misses and mistakes as well as helpful ideas as to how we can improve as a school ministry. All of this information is helpful and much appreciated.
I would like to share one of the praises I recently received with you. This testimony is a reflection of the character of our students and a window into our school culture. It is a brief moment in time, that gives us a glimpse of God's grace at work in our students and how a simple smile and a kind word can impact someone for Christ.
Dear Dr. Orsino and Coach Freas,
I wanted to compliment the swim team and student body on behalf of my mother-in-law who was in town last week for a swim meet at the Westminster Academy pool.
At the completion of the meet, while sitting on the bench outside the pool gate near the elementary pick up line, she mentioned that every swimmer and student walking by smiled at her-some even saying hello despite her being a stranger.
She mentioned in a world of busyness and self-centeredness young people rarely, if ever, take the time to acknowledge an older person, much less to initiate a smile to a stranger. She was overjoyed with this simple action and so grateful that her grandchildren could be attending a school where this joy in life and respect for elders was being taught.
Thank you for instilling these wonderful values in our children.
Sincerely,
A WA Parent
Praise God for Jesus Christ, the author and perfecter of our faith and for His Truth, the foundation of our learning and living at Westminster Academy. May God continue to use WA in a mighty way to impact our students and our school community in His love, grace and Truth for His glory.
Blessings to you and your family in the Name of Jesus Christ,  Leo Orsino Headmaster orsinol@wacad.edu |
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Join Us...
Homecoming Weekend 2011 is Here!
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, their families and faculty/staff.
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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Security Update
Please join us in thanking God that the Fort Lauderdale Police Department and the Broward Sheriff's Office successfully apprehended a criminal living on 22nd Avenue. Please know that WA did not know that the criminal was living near the school or that an early-morning arrest was being made on Tuesday, October 18. We are sorry that some of our community began their day on Tuesday witnessing police activity near the school, but please know that the criminal was removed before 7 AM. We would like for you to know that members of the Leadership Team met to review our safety and security plans. Our principals and facility director will remind all teachers/security to make sure their positions are manned in a timely manner-we do not want to have students dropped off in the morning without adequate supervision. With this being said, please do not drop off your child any earlier than 7:45 AM (for both lower and upper school students). We are also in the process of ordering new security uniforms for our security team, so that it is very apparent to all that we have a solid security presence on campus. We are also pleased to know that a Fort Lauderdale Police officer will be on duty during morning drop-off. We appreciate very much the great work that the Fort Lauderdale Police Department and the Broward Sheriff's Office has done in continuing to keep us safe. Please also know that we monitor the State of Florida Sexual Offenders site and keep our security well informed of any issues or concerns in the surrounding area. If you have any questions about this or any other matter, please contact Dr. Orsino's assistant, Barb Carlen, at carlenb@wacad.edu or at 954.771.4615, ext. 2470. You can also email any questions or concerns to Dr. Orsino at orsinol@wacad.edu. Your prayers and help with the safety of our students and school community are greatly appreciated. Blessings to you and your family in Name of Jesus Christ, The Leadership Team Mr. Jason Beaupied Spiritual Life Director Mrs. Laura Bishop Director of Development/Communications Mr. Mike Critch Upper School Principal Mrs. Sharon Curlee Director of Student Services Mr. Jack Fleck Director of Facilities Mr. Jeffrey Jacques Director of Admissions Mr. Blake Matthews Director of Information Technology Mrs. Rebecca Myers Lower School Principal Dr. Leo Orsino Headmaster Mrs. Shannon Wallhoff Associate Director of Athletics Mr. Matt Weissman Director of Finance and Operations |
Winter Athletic Try Outs WINTER SPORTS TEAM LEVEL START DATE  Basketball (Ladies') Varsity October 24 (Gym 3:30-5:30 PM) Basketball (Men's) Varsity/JV October 31 (Gym 5:30-7:30 PM) Basketball MS (Girls') Middle School November 1-2 (Outside Courts 3:15-5:00 PM) Basketball MS (Boys') Middle School November 7 (Outside Courts 4:15-5:45 PM) Basketball (6th Grade Boys') 6th Grade November 7 (Outside Courts 3:15-4:15 PM) Soccer (Ladies') Varsity October 10 (Athletic Campus 4:00- 6:00 PM) Soccer (Men's) Varsity October 17 (Athletic Campus 10:30 AM-12:30 PM) Soccer MS (Girls' and Boys') Middle School October 24 (East Field 3:15-5:00 PM)
For more information, please contact Shannon Wallhoff at wallhoffs@wacad.edu.
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Two SAT/ACT Prep Courses
Westminster Academy will be offering SAT/ACT test prep courses for seniors who would like to increase their scores and juniors who would like to begin preparing for the SAT/ACT tests. The course will begin on Tuesday, October 25, and end on Friday, December 9. It will be taught during the school day on B-day, 4th hour block, from 1:30 to 3:00 p.m, in room 203. For those students who are unable to attend this test prep course, we will be offering other courses throughout the school year. Some will be offered during the B-day, 4th hour block and others will be offered after school on Wednesdays. If you are interested in taking the course, please contact Mrs. Curlee at curlees@wacad.edu or 954.771.4615, ext. 2522 by Monday, October 24, 2011. Please view details here regarding the Tuesday, October 25 course. Another course will begin on Wednesday, October 26 and end on Wednesday, December 7. It will be taught each Wednesday, from 3:15 to 6:15 p.m, in room 203. Please view details here regarding the Wednesday, October 26 course. Once again if you are interested in taking the course, please contact Mrs. Curlee at curlees@wacad.edu or 954.771.4615, ext. 2522 by Tuesday, October 25, 2011. Additional information regarding future courses will be emailed to you. |
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Young Writers' Workshop
 Award-winning author Bill Myers will be returning to Westminster Academy on Thursday, October 27, to be chapel speaker and run a Young Writers' Workshop in the Lower School Media Center. Parents are welcome from 2:30 - 3:00 PM on Thursday for book sales and autographs by Mr. Myers. |
 Sonshine Book Fair
November 1-4
The Sonshine Book Fair will be held in the Lower School Media Center on Tuesday, November 1 - Friday, November 4. The Book Fair will be open from 7:30 AM - 6:00 PM. Both students and teachers make wish lists that parents may use to purchase items for their children and the classroom. In addition to children's books, there will also be books for adults. Through the Sonshine Book Fair, a wonderful collection of Christian books will be added to the lower school classrooms, the media center, and in homes. Please come by and enjoy the world of books! |
Congratulations to Our Lower School Student Council Representatives!
We are pleased to announce our new Student Council Representatives for 2011. We are proud of our students!
3rd Grade representatives:Joey Brooks
Lily Connolly Connor Hatch Molly Quirk4th Grade representatives: Hannah Billings T.J. Boros Aaron Cameron Jessica Nedry 5th Grade representatives: Andrew Chiwara-Treasurer Lexi Gonzalez-Vice-President Max Lowe Stella Picazio- President Kaitlyn Scallin- Prayer Warrior Maddy Weissman- Secretary |
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Student Directory Now Available Online!
We are excited to help our school community stay in better touch by providing an online Student Directory. This new online directory is very user-friendly, and users can search for parents or students by grade levels, names, etc. The Student Directory can be found on RenWeb, under "School Information," please click on "Directory."
If you would like a printed copy, please stop by the Admissions Office or the Upper or Lower School Office. |
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Parent Symposium
Tuesday, November 15
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The 32nd Annual
Christmas Boutique is Coming!
Start your Christmas shopping early at our annual Christmas Boutique!
The Boutique will be held in the WA gym on Friday November 11 (special preview night) from 7-9 PM, and on Saturday, November 12, from 9:00 AM to 3:00 PM. Shop for great high-quality handcrafted and non-handcrafted gifts, home décor, woodworking, jewelry, clothing, unique holiday decorations, specialty items, a Kountry Kitchen with baked goods and more!
View here for more information.
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Text and Share the E-News with a Friend
Is someone you know not receiving the E-News? Now we have made it easier than ever to sign up for our weekly email.  Here is how it works: Text LIONS to 22828 A text will then be sent. Please reply with an email address in order to join the WA Weekly E-News mailing list. Please text back an email address and presto-friends and family members will receive the E-News! |
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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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WA Photos Available
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Five Things You Didn't Know
Your Teen is Learning
International speaker and author Andy Braner joins
Laura Bishop for a program that will help parents 
and those working with teens walk students
through the most confusing time of their lives.
Based on long experience and his current
involvement with teens, Braner discusses five issues confronting teens today-whether from their peers, the media or society.
"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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