Quote of the Week

Amen and Amen......

So often I find myself saying this to students.  We have a THINK poster we made and put in all the classrooms last year -
Ask yourself -
Is it true?
Is it helpful?
Is it inspiring?
Is it necessary?
Is is kind?

If everyone asked themselves those five questions before speaking, we'd have a lot less issues to deal with on a daily basis.  Getting students to understand that it may be true, but it isn't kind and therefore, they should keep it to themselves is difficult.  Sometimes the best things are left unsaid, right?

My prayer is like the psalmist in Psalm 141:3, "Set a guard, O Lord,  over my mouth,  Keep watch over the door to my lips!".

If we would join in praying this, perhaps many unnecessary problems would be avoided!

Finals Schedule for MS/HS

Amazing Race: Algebra Edition

One of our MS/HS teacher, Mrs. Barnes, has developed a different method for reviewing information for students before finals.  She created a spin-off of the popular reality show, The Amazing Race, where students have to solve engineering/physics style challenges, complete math problems and then unlock a clue to the next station.  The first team to solve all the problems and get all the clues, wins.

This was the second year for the race.  Students and parent volunteers look forward to it!  They love the fun of the challenge, but really connect the review of the math content as well.

This year the race was held last Friday and consisted of stops all around the downtown area of our town.  We had 42 students participating.

Students gathering at the Floral Clock before starting the race.

Solving a clue!

Another stop along the way

Celebrating the end of the race with lunch downtown

The winners received extra credit points on their final exams!  Way to go students and a big shout out to Mrs. Barnes for the creative final review!

Memorial Day Tribute

Today we are out of school and many are off work to commemorate Memorial Day.



We honor men and women, past and present, for their service.  Many have given the ultimate sacrifice of their life.  Since before even the Revolutionary War, individuals have banded together for a common cause, defending the right of citizens to have representation, to have liberty protected for religion, speech, and more.

I have been fortunate to grow up around family and friends that respect our country and those who serve and protect her.  On both sides of my family there were men who served in the Revolutionary War. I have two grandfathers that served in WWII.  One was in the Army stateside as a drill sergeant.  The other served in the Marines in the Pacific theater and was at Iwo Jima and Japan immediately following the atomic bomb. Many other members of their generation in our family served in WWII as well.  My father was in the Army.  My uncle served in the Air Force.  My stepfather served in the Air Force during the Vietnam War and was a pilot.  My father-in-law was in the Army Reserves during Vietnam.  His father served in WWII.  All of them have faithfully served their country.  I am forever grateful for their commitment and sacrifice.


Today we remember them.

We also remember those who left wives and husbands, children, parents, friends, careers, neighbors and schooling to answer the call of their country. Men and women that have dropped everything in times of war and peace.  They have aided communities in the aftermath of natural disasters, supported local law enforcement during periods of unrest, flown across the world to aid in humanitarian efforts and served to protect other people who couldn't protect themselves against tyranny and atrocities.



Today we are thankful for their service.

We remember the widows and orphans.  We remember the children who never knew their mothers or fathers because they were born during deployment and their parent never returned.  We pray for the hearts of those still grieving their loved ones death.  We remember the injured veterans who lost limbs, eyesight, endured brain trauma or walk around with shrapnel forever embedded in their body.  We pray for those tortured by PTSD and horrific images they cannot erase from their minds.  We pray for peace for them.

We remain forever indebted to them for their sacrifice.

We remember not only those with patriotic hearts and those who answered the call of duty, but we remember those who have left us a legacy of faith.  Growing up in a family that seeks God and yearns to follow his word is not a legacy I take for granted.  I have vivid memories of countless people in my early years reading scripture to me, telling me bible stories and imparting lessons of faith and truth.  My great-grandmother could still recite scripture from memory at 97 years old.  So many wonderful men and women of faith poured into my life as a young girl at my church growing up into my early adult years.  I've been blessed to know others along the way who took me in as family and loved me.

I honor those people today as well.  Some of them have gone on to glory and others continue to live lives of service for the Lord.

Today - pray for the lost that they might find their way to Christ.
Pray for the souls that have gone on before us, that their sacrifice would not be in vain.
Pray for those who stand on walls today, guarding our freedoms and risking their lives each day.
Pray for the ones who make laws and uphold laws - let our freedoms remain intact and let us continue to honor God in this country.
Pray for the families who still yearn for their loved ones to return.  Give them comfort.
Pray that we live like those who have the love of Christ and not those that are in bondage to sin.

Principal for the Day

On Friday, I had a student who was "Principal for the Day". He had purchased this at our annual auction in the fall. We met earlier and determined what he wanted to do. 

He wanted a crazy, mismatched dress down day. He wanted to host a board meeting with some of his friends. 

They came up with some interesting ideas!

He wanted the entire sixth grade to get recess and Popsicles. Throughout the day, he wanted to play music for the bell changes and have dance time. He also called some friends to the office, including his sister. The last request was to bring his hamster, Reba, to the office. I told him that was fine but I didn't want it loose in my office!!!  

We had a fun day. Chamberlin did a great job. He even brought me a Mt. Dew to start the day!

Kids are already telling me they are bidding on Principal for the Day next year. 

TFCA Update 5-21-15

20th Anniversary Celebration for TFCA

Last night, we were able to celebrate 20 years of TFCA!

Here are a few pictures:

We had many individuals join us to celebrate!  Thank you to all who came and to those who have made an impact on TFCA throughout the years.  You are appreciated!

Here is the speech I gave last evening in case you were not here:

20^th Anniversary Celebration Speech

Thank you so much for being here this evening!  Before we go further, I want to take a minute to thank those who have been faithful to serve the ministry here at TFCA.  If you have served as a teacher, assistant, office staff member or administer, we want to thank you for your service! 

I wanted to take a moment to highlight all the many ways God has been so faithful to TFCA through the years.  I have only been involved directly since 2007 when my oldest started preschool here and I joined the Education Committee.  However, I remember fondly going to have lunch or attending chapel with students in my youth group when TFCA was still meeting in Capital City Church.  It was actually my interaction with some of those first families at TFCA that led my husband and I to consider TFCA for our sons.  We were drawn to the Christian atmosphere.  We stayed here after preschool because of the relationships we developed with teachers, staff and other families.  I firmly believe this family atmosphere is possible because of our shared commitment to Christ.

Since the beginning of TFCA, a desire for Christ-centered, high quality education has been the focus.  As our mission statement says, “The Frankfort Christian Academy partners with Christian Academy partners with Christian parents to provide a Biblically integrated education which equips students to embrace Biblical truth, to strive for academic excellence and to exemplify Christ-like servant-hood in homes, churches, and communities.”

God has been extremely faithful to our school.  From the beginning of the school with our original staff and students, to the over 360 students and 50 staff members we have today, God continues to provide.  Through economically lean years, procuring this building, adding a high school and continuing efforts to expand our facilities, God has brought many servants to partner with our school spiritually and financially.

We have students serving here as teachers that are some of our first students to graduate from our high school.  Other students here are children of former students.  We have a strong legacy here at TFCA.  Students are involved in many extra-curricular activities:  our high school baseball team is in its second year and has won 6/7 games; our high school basketball team won the conference tournament last year.  We have HS/MS soccer, golf, cross country, volleyball, dance team, cheerleading and six different basketball teams.  Academically, our ACT scores are high with a 26 composite average school-wide.  Students have been named National Merit Semi-Finalist and Finalists, been selected for the Governor’s Scholar Program and the Governor’s School for the Performing Arts.  Students regularly compete and win in essay contests, speech meets, spelling bees, music festivals, and Academic team competitions.  In addition to those accolades, every homeroom partners with local, state and international ministries each year to donate money, as well as to serve them.  Some of these have included Sparrow Ministries, children’s hospitals, Mango Tree Mission in Haiti, Food Pantries, L.I.F.E. house, Soup Kitchen, The Stewart Home, Wounded Warrior Project, Animal Shelters, Women’s Shelters, Guatemalan Hope for Tomorrow Orphanage, and more.  Several of our students faithfully serve locally and abroad in missions. 

I could go on all night about the wonderful things our students have done or are doing.  I can equally brag on the amazing commitment of our staff and faculty.  They give sacrificially of their times, talents and financial resources to not only provide a top-notch education, but to minister to students outside the classroom as well.

We have experienced over 10% growth in enrollment over the past three years.  This year promises to again show growth as well.  As we look to 2015-16 school year and beyond, we know we need to add more classrooms.  At our current capacity, we already need four more classrooms for next year, possibly five!  The most recent Capital Campaign has produced the HVAC system addition to fully cool and heat the gymnasium, new science lab and some additional classroom space.  We hope you will join us in praying for these projects, for continued financial provision, for current and new families and students and our faithful staff and board.  If you feel able, please consider partnering with us financially in addition to your prayers.  We have a table near the entrance with information about how you can give.  We have Kroger card community rewards, scholarship assistance for tuition, ministry partnerships with Business Choice or churches.  You can make a one-time donation or monthly gift.

We so appreciate your presence here tonight.  Our theme for this school year has been from Proverbs 28:1, “the wicked flee when no one pursues, but the righteous are a bold as a lion”.  We have woven this theme info everything this year.  We tied it to last year’s theme of Love, Learn, Lead and encouraged students to Love Boldly, Learn Boldly and Lead Boldly.  I want to encourage you tonight to do the same.  Wherever you work, wherever you minister, wherever you live – live in Boldness for Christ.  As it states in 1 Timothy 1:7, “For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind.”

We pray God blesses us with another fabulous 20 years!

COSI Trip

On Friday, I went on a field trip with our 6th-8th grade Step Up classes.  We traveled to COSI - the Center for Science and Industry in Columbus, Ohio.  Check out their website here.

 Step Up is our gifted program for students in 4th -8th grades.  We have been doing STEM projects, learning about robotics and engineering and how things work.  We decided to go to COSI because they have many interactive exhibits geared toward what we have been learning.

Student using a large lever to lift a Honda car.

Students were able to get in a submarine, play on space simulators, move a rover with robotics, explore technology progress for the past 150 years, play and build with gadgets in the Gadget Cafe area, explore in the Ocean exhibit, learn about energy and sustainability and more.








Two of our students rode the unicycle high above the main lobby.

We also saw the Jerusalem movie in the NatGeo theatre.  It was an interesting documentary about the Christian, Muslim and Jewish communities that live side by side in Jerusalem.  It showed many of the local holy sites and city walls.

Students preparing to watch Jerusalem.

We hope to go back again and participate in their 21st Century Learning Labs and the classes in the Gadget Cafe.

I highly recommend going there - I hope to take my own family this summer!

ACT deadline

If you need to take the ACT, the next available date is June 13. Go to actstudent.org to sign up today!!

All current Juniors should consider signing up, especially if they have not already taken the test. Current Sophomores should consider the June or September date to get an idea of what they need to work on before taking it again as Juniors. 

Quote/Verse of the Week

At the end of the school year, it is so easy to be weary!  Parents are tired of homework and keeping up with all the juggling of schedules.  Students are ready to be outside and play.  Teachers are overworked and wrung out and ready for a break.

My encouragement to my teachers, to students and to our staff is to FINISH STRONG!

We may only have 13 days left of school, but we need to make each one of them count!  I pray you find energy and joy in the final days of the 2014-15 school year.

Credit to thebettermom.com for the free printable above.  Click here to get it.

Music Contest Winners

This past Saturday, our middle school chorus traveled to Holiday World for a choral music contest.  They competed against other schools and came back with the SILVER trophy!

Way to go Chorus students!  Congratulations to Mrs. Adams, our choral director, for leading them!

Scheduling Classes for High School Students

Last week and this week I am meeting one on one with each high school student to schedule their classes for fall.  It is a great opportunity to sit and talk through courses they've already had, fill out their graduation checklist to determine what courses they still need and discuss plans for beyond high school.

It has shown me what amazing kids we have here at our school!  I am so impressed by the students who have come asking questions, have already mapped out what they need, have looked up information about colleges they are interested in attending and more!

We have a straight 7 period schedule.

Students are required to take the following high school courses to graduate for all three diploma offerings:
4 Bible courses
4 English courses
4 Math courses
3 Social Studies courses
3 Science courses
1 PE
1 Health
2 Foreign Language courses
1 Technology course
Elective courses

To graduate with a Pre-College diploma, students must have at least a cumulative 3.0 GPA and at least 24 credits.

To graduate with an Honors diploma, students must have at least a cumulative 3.5 GPA, at least 26 credits and pursued Honors and/or AP courses in at least two different subject areas.

We offer Spanish as a foreign language.  We are adding Sign Language this fall.
We offer Intro to Chemistry/Physics, Biology, Chemistry, Anatomy & Physiology and Physics for science.
We offer Economics, Ancient World History, World History, US History and Government for social studies.
Pre-Algebra, Algebra I, Algebra II, Geometry, Pre-Calculus, Calculus and College Algebra are our math offerings.
AP is offered in English Literature, English Language and Composition, World History, US History, and Government.  We plan to add Spanish next year.  Eventually we would like to offer AP Calculus, AP Biology and Psychology.

Electives include: Chorus, Praise band, Forensic Science, Drama, Lego Robotics, Public Speaking, Psychology, Sociology, Art, Computer, Journalism, and College/Careers.

TFCA Update

An Evening of Art

Here at TFCA we have been blessed with a fabulous art program.  Our Art teacher, Mrs. Cole, her assistant, Mrs. Hutcherson along with our Music teacher, Mrs. Adams, have put together an amazing display of visual and musical art performances each year in the spring.  Students work diligently all year preparing their visual art pieces.  Our praise band, chorus and individual students prepare vocal and instrumental pieces to perform.

Below is a sample of some student pieces:

We had an amazing turnout of families and students at the art show.

There were many different drawings, paintings and creations honoring our school mascot and yearly theme -
Being Bold as Lions.

Interesting creations inspired by the artist identified on the poster.

These paintings "Flanders Field" were inspired by the artist below.

Paintings by some of our older students.

These were some of my favorites because of all the vibrant colors!

These are favorites of mine each year.  Students in Art I do these ceiling tiles.  They paint the covers of favorite children's books.  Then these are put up in place of blank ceiling tiles in the library.  It is wonderful to walk in and see student work displayed and it adds to the atmosphere of our library!

Glass work done by students: Above is different pieces with patterns mod-podged to the glass. 

Students were able to participate in a glass art workshop with an artist that came to our school.

Students in 4th grade painted roosters and chickens.

Our praise team led several songs in the chapel area.  Individual students played the piano and the chorus sang.

Parents and students were able to participate in a variety of art workshops to create a piece of art to take home.

It was fabulous to see all the student art creations on display!

May the Fourth Be With You....

In honor of "Star Wars Day", we let our kindergarten and first grade classes celebrate on Monday.  One of our first grade students wrote me a letter about two months ago and asked if they could have a Star Wars Day on May 4.  At first I was going to say no because we were doing standardized testing this week.  On second thought, I remembered kindergarten and first grade were not participating in our typical standardized testing.  They were doing individual progress monitoring and would enjoy something to do while everyone else was testing.

Our teachers jumped into it and allowed students to dress up.  

Students did character description exercises, used "light sabers" to practice identifying spelling words and word families, use their light sabers to practice following directions with a Jedi Academy and did Star Wars math centers.

The students were extremely excited and enjoyed learning in the Star Wars attire.  Many thanks to our teachers who are always willing to do something out of the ordinary to facilitate learning!