The Lighthouse - The South Shore Christian Academy Newsletter

Headmaster's Corner

Reflections on Thanksgiving

Back in the day, when I was a boy growing up in Newton, Massachusetts, my pastor at the Immanuel Baptist Church of Newton was Dr. Douglas McCorkle. I remember Dr. McCorkle as a gifted minister of the Gospel, and a truly wonderful man of God.  His sermons were always bible-based, expository, and sufficiently compelling so that they often, or at least occasionally, held the interest of an over-active boy like me (when I wasn't reading the handouts from Sunday School). Dr. McCorkle went on to become the President of Philadelphia College of The Bible.

Today, as I contemplate the upcoming Thanksgiving holiday, I find myself recalling Dr. McCorkle and his ministry, primarily because of the way he prayed. That is because when he prayed, he always finished his prayers with, "for we ask these things in Jesus name, with thanksgiving, Amen."

Even in these turbulent times, or rather, especially in these turbulent times, as followers of Jesus we have so much for which to be grateful.  First and foremost is the transforming relationship we have with God through Jesus and His redeeming work on our behalf on the cross.

Being a student at the Academy is all about growth. The Academy is about intellectual growth, social maturation, and spiritual formation. Growth in Christ means that we strive to cultivate a spirit of joy, peace and gratitude for all that we have spiritually, materially, educationally, and financially.

It can be said that thanksgiving is the expression of gratitude to God for the many blessings that He has given to us every day. That is exactly what pastor McCorkle was doing when he concluded every prayer "in Jesus name, with thanksgiving." He was cultivating a spirit or an attitude of thanksgiving, an attitude of gratitude, if you will.

I believe that our school should model an attitude of thanksgiving in our daily life together and in our witness to others. If we do, then surely they will know we are Christians by our love and also by our attitude of thankfulness.

 As Paul wrote to the church in Colosse "back in the day," so he writes to us at South Shore Christian Academy in Weymouth today:

"So then, just as you received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to live in him, rooted and built up in him, strengthened in the faith as you were taught, and overflowing with thankfulness."

 back to top

Campus News

Financial Aid Seminar

On December 9th at 7 p.m., SSCA will host Dana Parker, director of financial aid at Eastern Nazarene College, who will speak on the college financial aid process.  Please RSVP to Mrs. Warner at 781-331-4340, ext. 3313 or pwarner@southshorechristian.org.  This is open to any parents and students in grades 9-12.  Seniors and their parents are strongly encouraged to attend if they plan to apply for financial aid for college.

And The Winner Is...

Thank you to everyone who participated in the parent survey, your feedback and suggestions are very important as we seek ways to make SSCA a "better version of itself."

Congratulations to the DePaoli family, winners of the drawing for four Red Sox tickets in the 2009 season!!!

Admissions Open House

SSCA's Admissions Open House November 8th was a great success, thanks to our student tour guides, teacher volunteers and visiting families! Thank you for sharing the news about our school with your friends. If you know someone who would have liked to come on the 8th but was unable to attend, let them know about our next Open House on Saturday morning, December 13th!

back to top

Clean-up Day

Many thanks to the parents who participated in the school clean-up on Monday.  Although they were few in number, much was accomplished.  Special thanks to Mr. Murphy and Mr. Morin for supplying their leaf blowing equipment and to the Nevills for their donation of water.

National Honor Society

South Shore Christian Academy's chapter of the National Honor Society will have an induction ceremony next Tuesday morning, November 25, at 9:30 in the school gym.  Congratulations to juniors Christabel Barry, Jesse Loughlin, Devin Olmedo, and Alex Waterman who met the rigorous standards of scholarship, leadership, service, and character for admission to the society.

Important Reminders

Thanksgiving Break

There is no school on Wednesday, November 26. Students will have chapel on Tuesday, November 25, but should wear regular dress code for Upper School and gym wear for Lower School.

A reminder about emergency school delays/closings

In the event of inclement weather or an emergency, parents will be notified about a school delay or closing via the Honeywell Instant Alert system.  In addition, South Shore Christian's Academy's name will be announced on local radio and TV stations if school is closed or if there is a delay.  Please make sure your Honeywell contact information is correct and up-to-date.

Lower School experienced band students

All experienced band musicians in grades 4-8 will meet for full band practice on the following Wednesdays from 8:41-9:26: 12/3, 12/10, and 12/17.  These rehearsals will take the place of regular Thursday lessons on these dates.  Parents-please remind your children to bring their band instruments and music to school every Wednesday in December.

CAA Basketball

Next week, Tuesday, November 25th, will be the first day of CAA basketball practice for everyone. The practice schedule for the first three practices will be as follows for Nov. 25th, Dec. 2nd, and Dec. 9th:

2:30pm - Stone Mountain Security and Main Street Deli will practice and meet together--coaches will go over expectations for the season and there will be a scrimmage between the two teams at the first practice, Nov. 25th.

3:40pm - Mr.DeAmicis' Team -Brookwoods

Following these three dates, coaches will hold regular practice on Tuesday and Thursday in the following manner:

Tuesdays, December

2:30pm - Mr. O'Laughlin's Team --Stone Mountain Security

3:40pm - Mr. Dagley's Team -Main Street Deli

Thursdays

2:30pm - Mr.DeAmicis' Team -Brookwoods

Each team will have a one hour practice once per week unless there is a game.

Please be advised regarding the following facility rules for practice and games held at SSCA. Students will have access to only the gym area after 3pm, so all students should come to practice with everything they will need for the evening. After practice, students can only be picked up by their parents from the front entrance outside the gym or from the courtyard gym entrance by the soccer field. If students are not picked up by the end of practice, they will be sent to aftercare.

Parents, we are in need of one or two parents to be in the gym between 2:30pm and 3:40pm to supervise students who are in the bleachers awaiting their practice. The expectation is that students are doing homework during this time prior to their 3:40pm practice. Please contact Mr. Carter if you can help in this area.

Christmas Craft Fair Tomorrow!!!

SSCA's Parent Fellowship Committee will be holding its second annual Christmas craft fair on Saturday, November 22, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

The Craft Fair will be full of gifts of all kind, activities for the kids, and raffle prizes.  Food will also be available!  Please come and mingle and shop with the local community.

Water Is Served

The Prom committee will be selling bottled water for $1.00 at the elementary basketball practices each day.  The committee is eager to serve the community and also asks that athletes remain committed to discarding their used bottles in the provided trash receptacle.

back to top

After School Procedure

This is an important announcement for students who stay after school for extra-curricular activities or for extra help.

All students in school after 3 pm should to be with a teacher, coach, or administrator.  Students participating in activities in the gym should have their back packs, coats, etc., with them and should be picked-up from the gym.  There will be no access back into the school building through the main hallway after 3 p.m.

Lunch Order Forms Available Online

Lunch menus/order forms are now available on the school website.  Please print, complete, and turn in the order forms with payment by the 15th of the prior month.

"Deck the Halls"

Parent Fellowship is organizing an effort to decorate our school for Christmas.  On Saturday, November 29th, the school will be open for decorating. Stay tuned for more details.

Lunchroom Volunteers Needed

Attention parents!  Wendy Davy still needs volunteer help in the lunchroom for a limited time during the months of November and December. We depend greatly on our volunteers and truly appreciate them.  Come join us for a short time during the day.  Your service helps us more than you can imagine!

back to top

Calendar

11/22          Craft Fair 10 a.m.-4 p.m.

11/25          NHS Induction Ceremony 9:30 a.m.

11/26         No School-Thanksgiving Brk begins

11/29          Christmas Decorating 10 a.m.-1 p.m.

12/9            Financial Aid Seminar 7 p.m.

12/17          Semester I ends

12/19-12/23 Upper School Mid-Year Exams

12/19          Last day of school for PreK-6th grade

12/23          Last day of school for 7th - 12th grade