The first semester came to an end with a bang!

We had a great close to the first semester with two very successful fundraising events. First, the Young Artist’s Auction was a great success. Our student artists brought in just over $1,200 for our school. Please remember to visit the Art Sonia website to view the student’s work and to purchase items for yourself, your family, or friends.  Then, the Christmas program brought in another $1,100 for our school through ticket sales to family and friends. I want to express my most heartfelt thanks to all of you for your participation in these events. Lastly, the first semester went out with our Crusader’s Basketball team winning a total of 4 regular season games; 3 in a row at the end of the season. We won one additional game in the Tournament and finished the season tied for 3rd place overall!

Now, we turn our attention to the second semester. This launches an entire new set of important events for you to remember. Girl’s Volleyball kicks off with a home game on Friday, January 29th at 6:30pm. Please make plans to be in attendance for this game. As usual, there is no charge for admittance to our athletic events. February will bring our annual Rock-A-Thon, scheduled for Friday, February 19th. This is a very important fundraiser specifically for our athletic programs. March will bring our annual Science Fair and the open house event on Friday, March 26th at 7pm. April brings the annual WCBC Youth Conference, scheduled for April 7th through 8th, in Lancaster, California. May is packed with activities: Human Race event on Saturday, May 8th; 12th Annual Sports Banquet on Monday, May 10th; Friday, May 21st is our annual school-wide field trip (location TBA); Academics Awards presentations on Wednesday, May 26th at 9am; Kindergarten Graduation on Thursday, May 27th at 7pm; Last day of school on Friday, May 28th at noon, and High School Graduation on Friday, May 28th at 7pm.

Lastly, 1st Semester report cards will be sent home on Friday, January 22nd. If you do not receive your student’s report card (either by email or in print) contact me right away.

The first quarter is coming to a close on October 23rd, and I am very pleased with the progress of all the students in the Upper Learning Center.

October will conclude with a very busy schedule for our students and student athletes. The Crusader Basketball team will host a game this Friday, October 23rd at 6 p.m. This is followed by three road games over a nine day period: Monday, October 26th in Fairfield; Thursday, October 29th in Antioch; and Monday, November 2nd in Napa. In addition to this, we are conducting rehearsals for our annual Christmas Drama three days per week. This is a taxing time, and it is very important that the students remain focused on their assignments and avoid falling behind. You can help me by holding them responsible to you for their daily work. If you need help using the parent module on your student’s laptop please stop by and I will instruct you in its usage.

Please make sure to keep your scheduled parent conference appointment. If you have not received your appointment please contact the school office right away and speak with Mrs. Smith.

Thank you for your support.

Yes, it’s that time once again. Time for us to pack up and head into the redwood forests of Mt. Gilead. Following is information regarding this event:

• Dates: September 21 - 23, 2009
• Departure: From BBCA, Monday, September 21st, 9:00 a.m.
• Return: To BBCA, Wednesday, September 23rd, 1:00 p.m.
• Cost: $195 per teen (included in your annual fees)
• Adult Chaperones: Mr. Dalton Abshire, Mr. Jim Andrews, Ms. Erica Abshire
• Where: Mt. Gilead Conference Center, 13485 Green Valley Rd., Sebastopol, CA, 707-823-4508

This retreat is a very important time in our school year. It provides us with the opportunity to get to know one another, and more important, to draw stronger in our personal walk with God. The days will be filled with challenging activities and messages; the teens will enjoy the atmosphere and the aura of the majestic redwood forest. Our theme this year is: “Find Us Faithful” taken from 1 Corinthian 4:2. Each student will be challenged to live their lives faithful to: parents, family, school, friends, country, etc.

Please do not underestimate the importance of this retreat; it will have a long reaching impact on the character of your teen. Students who have graduated and go on often speak to me of the fond memories they have of their days at Mt. Gilead.

If you have any questions please contact me directly.

That’s right parents and teens! It is nearly time for another school year to start! Only twenty-seven more days until we begin another year of classes!

We have three new students in our classroom this year: Lynea, Ryan, and Serif. I trust that all of you “old hands” will make them feel welcome in our class.

We will hit the ground running this year. Basketball training will begin immediately following the start of school and Christmas program rehearsals will begin right after our annual retreat to Mt. Gilead. It will be a “fast” start into the school year, and I am looking forward to a great year!

Please make plans to attend the Parent Orientation scheduled for Friday, August 21st. We will meet and discuss the changes for the coming year. You will not want to miss this important meeting. If you have any questions please be sure and contact me directly. I am looking forward, with great anticipation, to the start of the new year!

Spring is here once again, and with spring come our annual Fine Arts Competitions. We began these competitions twelve years ago, with the only category of competition being art. Now, we offer competitions in a variety of areas: Music (including singing and instruments), Art (painting, drawing, lettering, etc.), Academics (English, Math, History, Spelling, and Bible), Strategies (Chess and Scrabble), Culinary Arts (Entrees and desserts), and Photography. Please encourage your child to use the talents God has given them and to enter these competitions. Parents are invited, and encouraged, to come and see your student compete. More information will be forthcoming.

The 3rd quarter is coming to an end (Friday, March 13), and it is time to gear up for the end of year push. I would like to meet with each family to review your student’s progress this year, and to chart their coming year’s lesson plan.

Please contact Mrs. Smith (584-7275) and schedule an appointment to meet with me during the week of March 16 thru 20. Appointments are available from 3:00 to 5:00 p.m. I would ask that both parents (if at all possible) be present for this meeting; student attendance is optional.

We have had a tremendous year, and I am so very pleased with all of our students. If I can ever be of any help to you please do not hesitate to call on me.

Following is the new P.E. schedule for all U.L.C. students:

• Boys P.E. - Monday and Friday, 1:30 - 2:00 p.m.
• Girls P.E. - Monday, Wednesday, Friday, 2:00 - 2:30 p.m.

Each student should be prepared to dress down for P.E. Please refer to the student handbook for the appropriate attire for P.E.

SCIENCE FAIR projects and reports are due by Friday, February 27th. Please make sure your student is prepared. An open house will be held on Friday, February 27th at 7 p.m. At this open house parents may come and view all the projects submitted. Awards will be issued during the open house.

I want to take this opportunity to wish all of you a Happy Valentine’s Day. Following are important dates for you to remember:

• February 16 - President’s Day; no school, no extended care
• February 17 - BBCA Girl’s Volleyball Home Game - 6:00 p.m.
• February 27 - Science Fair projects due, 9:00 a.m. - Open House, 7:00 p.m.
• March 1 - Re-enrollment begins; open enrollment begins on April 1
• March 3 - BBCA Girl’s Volleyball Home Game - 6:30 p.m.
• March 6 - BBCA Girl’s Volleyball Home Game - 6:30 p.m.
• March 10 - BBCA Girl’s Volleyball Home Game - 6:30 p.m.

 If you have any questions concerning these or other matters please do not hesitate to contact me.

Time waits for no man. This is a very old, and very true, statement. Our annual retreat is behind us, and it is time now to focus on the Harvest Carnival. There is much work to be done, and I am counting on all of you to help me reach our goal this year.

Please stop by the classroom and sign up to work one of the game booths, as well as donate some of the items posted. Together we can make this carnival a great success for our school. Please speak to me if you need more information.

Also, please remember the “farewell party” for Jacob this Friday. Bring along some snacks and help us say goodbye to Jacob and Mrs. Graves.

It is hard to believe that it is time, once again, to retreat to the beautiful redwoods of Mt. Gilead Christian Conference Center. This is one of the highlights of our year, and a favorite of all the students. We will depart from the school parking lot on Monday, September 15, 9:15 a.m., and will return on Wednesday, September 17, approximately 12:30 p.m. Please make arrangements to pick-up your teen at that time. Classes will be closed on Thursday and Friday, September 18 and 19. Students should bring in their laptops on Monday morning and synchronize before departing for camp. Then, upon return, they will be able to work at home on Thursday and Friday. Information was sent home last week detailing what to bring and what not to bring. Please confirm that your teen is in compliance with these guidelines before arriving at school on Monday morning. Please remember, there are no wireless phone signals at the campground; therefore, cell phones will not work. A pay phone is available, and you may contact the campground (707-823-4508) and they will get a message to us. Also remember, parents are invited to attend our evening services (7:00 p.m.) on Monday or Tuesday evening. Driving directions are available at: www.mtgilead.org. Copies of all sessions (5 total) will be available for purchase on CD upon our return. If you have any further questions please do not hesitate to contact me.