First Impressions - Fall Semester!

WOW! It will be October 1 this weekend! The first month of school flew by! Much learning from a Biblical World view was observed in various lessons as I stopped into classes these past 6 weeks to watch teaching and learning. It was a pleasure to hear in one room how children need to be good stewards of their room and assist the teacher in keeping it tidy. The instructor shared that God has given us our school and we need to take good care of it!  In another room I asked a new child who transferred from home education what he most liked about being at ACA. He answered, "Learning about God with all of my classmates in all of my classes!" 

I have eaten lunch with many new 4th -6th grade students who have transferred from other Christian schools or public schools to learn what they are finding as appreciations about ACAor ways we can improve.  Many have responded like this:

Students are friendly and kind here!

The teachers talk to me and I know that they see me as more than just a student!

I like the food here!

We get to pray in school!

I like the small school feel-people treat each other like family! 

Next week when parents/guardians come to conferences be prepared for the instructor to pray for you and your child(ren) at the start of the conference! ACA was built on prayer and we will continue to be a school of prayer. Read in  today's ACA's Announcement about the ACA's Spirit Walk that will take place during chapel times on Wed.Oct. 4, 2017. 

It is a privilege and pleasure to work with the preschool, childcare and elementary children at Ankeny Christian Academy and YOU as parents/guardians who chose a Christian education for them!

Kickoff to School

I love the start of school! Faculty and staff members with administration pray for the students and families who will call ACA their school. Carpets in rooms are freshly shampooed. The paint on walls have been touched up. The playground wood chips have been spread thick. Welcoming bulletin boards have been created by instructors.  Even with all of that preparation something, however is ALWAYS missing until the students enter the school, the classrooms and our lives as the adults who will minister and serve them at ACA! 

As we begin the 25th year Building Christian Character for Tomorrow's Leaders, as elementary principal I want you as parents/guardians to know what an honor it is for the teachers/staff and I to pray for each of  them and YOU-their PRIMARY teacher! God has given you the HUGE responsibility to be in charge of them and you are accountable before HIM for their education and training. We are blessed that you have chosen ACA to support you in your quest!

Should there be things that you feel we need to know about the child(ren) you have that we will work with this year, please communicate important information that will help us know them better and will help them best learn, progress and grow spiritually, academically, emotionally/socially, behaviorally and physically. We want you to know that the elementary team that God has created here at ACA is here to assist YOU. 

One change that we have made to better serve you is to provide only the important information that you will need. Our weekly newsletters have been streamlined so you only receive what is needed rather than a summary of content taught in each subject area each week. With your busy schedules and many families with multiple students, you can discover in the newsletters things such as spelling lists,sight words for practice, Bible verse for weekly memorization as well as timely info. such as upcoming field trips or community service events. We want to make what we communicate to be short and summarize what you truly need to know. We will continue the practice of: 

1. Having students in 3rd-6th grades fill out a planner or agenda so you can know whatt homework they have and when BIG project due dates and quizzes or tests will be coming. 

2. using student learning targets so if you are interested each day when you pick up your child(ren) or visit with them at home each evening you understand the intent from the teacher what they intend fo rthe learner to know or do. Ask your child(ren) what their subject target was for the day. Your son or daughter may reply with something like these statements:

1. In art, "I can list the elements of design." 

2. In Bible, "I can name two names for God using scripture."

3. In PE-"I can demonstrate an overhand throw."

4. In math-"I can solve for x.. If 3+ x =5 ...x  must = 2."

5. In reading-"I can state the key story elements from the reading."

6. In Science-" I can explain the way that igneous rock is formed."

Our instructors work hard on making learning tasks challenging, purposeful and FUN at ACA. We look forward to a GREAT school year educating the minds and the hearts of the students!