|
|
|
|
|
VOLUME 4, ISSUE 31 May 10, 2013
|
From Our Superintendent, Merida Brooks
WCA and LA Scholarship Program (Vouchers) You are invited to an informational meeting on Thursday, May 16, at 6:45 in the Opelousas Campus multi-purpose room. We are looking forward to visiting with you. New Reading Program coming to WCA ~ K - 6th Grades Foundations and Frameworks (F and F) is coming to Westminster! We have been looking into this reading program for a decade and the time has come to adopt this brain research-based program in the fall of 2013. F and F was developed at Briarwood Christian School in Birmingham, AL, out of the desire to develop critical thinking in students. Much brain research was conducted resulting in highly successful means to teach students the love of reading, as well as, comprehension and critical thinking. Foundations and Frameworks also addresses our academic goals to do more in the development of the Four C's of Learning ~ Critical Thinking, Communication, Creativity and Collaboration. First grade teacher, Nancy Thompson, has a master's degree in Reading and has piloted the F and F program on the Opelousas campus this past school year. She is so excited about the progress of her students and their excitement to read! Mrs. Thompson spent two weeks last summer and a week in January being trained in the implementation of F and F. Beginning in the fall she will oversee this program at both the Layette and Opelousas campuses. In June all kindergarten, 1st through 6th grade teachers, along with 7th - 12th grade English, Bible and some of our newest upper school teachers will be part of the two-week F and F training. Excitement is building as the fruit is not only in reading, but schools report after two or three years the visual training tools taught begin to transfer to other subject learning as well. Kevin Washburn, Ed.D and Cheryl Blackmon, Ed.D began the research out of their own concern for the lack of critical thinking in their students. When we shared with Mrs. Blackmon the amazing things that are happening here at WCA, she chose to be a part of what God is doing in south Louisiana, so she will be one of our trainers! Please be in prayer as teachers will be in classes from 8:30 - 3:30 daily from Monday June 10 through Friday June 21. Mrs. Thompson will also conduct future trainings as new teachers are hired and for the remainder of our faculty in the future. If you would like to assist in providing snacks for the faculty on any of these days, please contact my assistant, Tonya Lanclos at 948-8607, ext. 112, or at tlanclos@wcala.org. The training will be at the Opelousas campus the first week and at the Lafayette campus the second week.
His!
Merida Brooks
Superintendent
|
|
|
Moms in Prayer Meets Weekly! Please come!
Lafayette Campus - Wednesdays at 7:45 a.m. in the library
Opelousas Campus - Thursdays at 12:00 p.m. in the conference room
Last Thursday of each month no daytime meeting, but a 6:00-7:00 p.m. meeting in the multi-purpose room.
|
|
Quick Links
|
Sign up for emergency notifications and calendar events at eventlink.com
|
|
|
|
Revisions have been made to the May 2013 calendar.
|
|
Attention Parents!
First Day of School for 2013 - 2014
The first day of school for students will be Wednesday, August 14th.
|
|
WCA Offers Dual Enrollment Courses!
Application and fees due Monday, May 13th!
Westminster Christian Academy is both excited and proud to offer our first ever dual enrollment courses for the 2013-2014 school year. Mr. Stuart Salling, our high school American history and world history teacher, will be teaching these courses for high school credit as well as optional college credit through South Louisiana Community College (SLCC). These college credits will transfer to any Louisiana college or university. |
|
Superintendent's Meeting Reminder
Lafayette: Tuesday, June 11th Opelousas: Tuesday, July 16th at 6:45 p.m.
Please join Mrs. Brooks at this required meeting for all new parents of Westminster Christian Academy. Parents may attend a meeting at either campus regardless of where your child is enrolled. We will be hosting the Superintendent's Meeting on each campus, alternating from meeting to meeting to give everyone the most options and convenience to attend. Questions or concerns can be directed to Tonya Lanclos at 337.948.8607 ext. 112 or email her at tlanclos@wcala.org. The next scheduled meeting is: - Tuesday, June 11, 2013 at 6:45 p.m. at the Lafayette campus Multi-purpose Room. Click here to register for this date.
- Tuesday, July 16, 2013 at 6:45 p.m. at the Opelousas campus Multi-purpose Room.
|
 All are invited to attend a volunteer interest meeting on Thursday, May 16th: 7:45 a.m. in the Lafayette campus library and 1:30 p.m. in the Opelousas campus business office conference room. This will be an exciting time to hear about our new fall missions fundraiser from Feed The Need representatives!
|
Register today for the May 27th - 30th session!
This 38 hour course is offered from 8:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. Registration is due by Friday, May 17th. Contact Coach Davis for more information 337-331-5882.
|
|
SOUL Food Sunday Success!
Hosted by WCA's Moms in Prayer
On Sunday, May 5th, the WCA Moms Prayer Group had the opportunity to bless and encourage the mothers and grandmothers of the children attending Hope For Opelousas. It was an opportunity to serve SOUL Food - both physically and spiritually. There were 30 mothers and grandmothers in attendance and each were blessed with a delicious meal, in addition to women's devotionals, Bibles, and wonderful door prizes from supporting businesses. WCA Moms also gave a real and transparent devotional message about the exchange at the cross and being REDEEMED through Jesus! It truly was a special event that touched all in attendance.
Child care was provided for these precious ladies by the WCA High School Mission Team under the direction of Lisa Rivers and Jon Sonbuchner. Nearly 45 children were served a meal and shown the love of God! They were able to play games and make special Mother's Day gifts for their mothers and grandmothers. Special Thanks to the WCA Board members and families who donated resources and time to support this event. From the printing of invitations to constructing a cross for the devotion, WCA families made this happen!
|
Around CampusOpelousas Campus - Junior/Senior Prom 2013
Prom was held Saturday, April 27th at the Petroleum Club in Lafayette. Mr. Thibodeaux was the event photographer for the evening. Dinner was served at 7:00 p.m. After dinner, a video tribute for the seniors played and then Senior Superlatives were announced. A dance followed until 10:00 p.m. The theme for the evening was "A Night in Paris".
Opelousas Campus - 7th Grade Retreat 
WCA 7th graders spent 3 days on a high energy, team building, God focused adventure at Carolina Christian Creek Camp. The kids had an exciting time rock climbing, worshiping, zip
lining, bonding, and completing team building activities. Several of the 7th graders met Jesus in a personal way! Thank you to all the parents and teachers who made this fun trip possible!
Lafayette Campus - Congratulations to Charlie Mendez!
Charlie Mendez is a 6th grader on the Lafayette Campus. He trains at Acadiana Gymnastics fourteen hours a week. Charlie took 1st place in vault at the Region 3 USA Gymnastics Men's Competition in Springfield, Missouri. He also ranked 4th all around in men's gymnastics for Louisiana. He is a Level 6, 11- year-old competitor.
Opelousas Campus - Physics Renewable Resources Project
This year the Physics students in Coach Coon's class realized in Genesis 2:15 that God put man in the Garden of Eden to tend and watch over it. To accomplish this, the students set out to create electricity from renewable resources that are clean, affordable, and plentiful. Students created devices that produce electricity from biomass, wind, water, potatoes and human energy.Opelousas Campus - Volleyball Jambalaya Sale
Last Friday, May 3rd, the girls volleyball team hosted a jambalaya dinner sale in Crusader Complex. The money raised from the sale will go towards sending the team to camp this summer! 
Opelousas Campus - Senior Chapel
On Monday, our seniors attended their very last chapel as students of Westminster. Mrs. Baker welcomed everyone and Coach Badon lead the senior charge. Coach Badon challenged the seniors. He reminded them that the Bible says that a double-minded man or woman is of no use to the kingdom, urged them not to be lukewarm, and he closed the charge with reminding the seniors that WCA wants them to succeed. Coach Vice then gave each senior his superlative. Twelve seniors chose to give farewell speeches filled with thank yous, special memories, and stories. The chapel concluded with each senior presenting a carnation to faculty and staff members who have impacted their lives. This was a special time that we hope these seniors will never forget. 
Opelousas Campus - K3/K4 Spring Program
Thursday, May 9th, the Opelousas K3 and K4 students presented their spring program to parents and relatives. The children sang songs and recited Bible verses. Watch the slideshow below to see a few snapshots from this fun night!
Lafayette Campus - Congratulations to Peyton Dardeau! Congratulations to Peyton Dardeau for a job well done in the LA Music Teachers Association District Piano Rally. Peyton placed fifth in her division based on her performance score. She also received an Outstanding Musicianship trophy for scoring a total of 395 points out of 400 based on scores in performance, keyboard skills, sight-reading, and a written test on music theory and history. Peyton also qualified for the Torgrimson/Swanzy State Level Competition to be held June 1st, 2013. Peyton is a 6th grader at the Lafayette Campus and studies piano with Mrs. Linda Kidd. Opelousas Campus - Madame Buller's Latin I Class Project8th graders enrolled in honor classes, and a few select freshmen, worked all year in Latin I to make their own authentic school supplies. They made their " tabula" (a wooden workbook covered with wax), their stylus (a pen to write on the tablet by scratching the wax), their "volumen" (a rolled scroll), their own ink made from ashes, and a feather quill pen. On Tuesday the students dressed in togas and sandals and Latin class was held outdoors, taught by Mrs. Nicole Buller as the student's "Magister". At the end of this ancient Roman lesson, the students were very thankful and appreciative of their modern class supplies that they use every day!  Opelousas Campus - Senior Sendoff!Farewell to the Class of 2013! Today was their last day of exams and last day of classes. Some students brought pillows and blankets to school in order to "rest" after their final exam. Other students chose to forgo a nap and slide in the mud instead! What a joy witnessing the students be "kids!" The day ended with signing yearbooks, ice cream, and letting their balloons soar into the rain. We will never forget you, Class of 2013!
|
Crusader Sports Beat 
Baseball
Congratulations to the baseball team for a tremendous season and a great run in the playoffs this year! Despite a disappointing 4-1 loss to St. John of Plaquemine in the quarterfinals, the team has much to be proud of. Consecutive wins in the first two rounds against Hamilton Christian and Opelousas Catholic set up the team for its longest playoff run in school history. Coach Manuel and the team did a great job all year, overcoming adversity early on and finishing the year strong.
Track - First ever State Championship!!!
The girls track team reached a historic landmark last Friday in Baton Rouge, claiming the school's first-ever State Championship in any sport, outpointing defending champion Ouachita Christian 69-60 to earn the Class 1A crown. Sophomore Alexis Milton was named the meet's Outstanding Track Performer winning both the 100 (12.35) and 200 (24.45), and also running legs on the second-place 4 x 200, and the fifth-place 4 x 400. Senior Emily Waguespack won her third consecutive pole vault title with a school-record 10-6 clearance, freshman Cortlyn Ventress won her first state championship with a school-record 36-7 effort in shot put, and the 4 x 100 relay team (Martina Wright, Hydi Kennerson, Ivy Cains, Ronnie Trahan) defended its state title with a 561.70 clocking. Other performers helping the cause were Hillary May in the javelin (4th), Marckel Thomas in the 100 hurdles (4th), and Meaghen Albarez in the pole vault (6th). Relay members joining Milton on the 4 x 200 were Wright, Kennerson, and Cains, and joining her on the 4 x 400 squad were Heidi Redd, Britanny Smith, and Mallory Lastrapes.
The boys team also represented well at the State Meet, finishing 11th. Chaze Malbrue set a school record in the triple jump (36-7) while finishing third, and Josh Devillier duplicated his third-place finish from a year ago in the 800. Hayden Marze was fourth in the javelin to round out the teams scoring.
Log onto www.wcala.org/athletics for complete athletics schedules.
|
|
|
|
WCA Board
|
President - Jim Merryman
Vice-President - Tony Kemp
Secretary - Dexter Lyons
Treasurer - Teri Cober
Jim Carter
Sonny Corley
Fran Deville
Helen Hughes
Ken Morgan
Jim Odom
|
|
|
