Category: News

The Christ School extends a warm welcome to Rachel Parks, 6^th and 7^th grade Language Arts and 6^th grade Math teacher.  “I am a mother of three (Nathan, Hannah and Samuel, a 7^th grade TCS Lion), a dog-lover (our dog is named Lucy), an avid reader, and entertaining enthusiast,” she says. “I am at home anywhere as long as I have a book!  I love to make my home welcoming to others whether for small gatherings or larger events. The holidays are my favorite, but my door is always open to family and friends, new and old. I also love live music and watching performances of just about any kind.”

“This is my 14th year of teaching,” says Rachel. “I have always been drawn to teaching, in one capacity or another. My first job was as a summer camp counselor at the YMCA. Since then, I have always found myself in teaching, counseling, and mentoring positions.”

“The most rewarding aspect of teaching is the privilege of being a part of a student’s life over the course of a school year, and often beyond,” she continues. “I love to see my former students and am amazed at all of their accomplishments. It is a wonderful honor to have played a small role in the development of another human being.”

“I am enjoying being a teacher at TCS,” she says. “The Christ School family has embraced me as well as my son Sam who is a new student this year. We both feel so welcomed and encouraged each day! Our school is a very special place and we are so happy to be here.”

“My favorite part of being a middle school teacher is teaching different groups of students throughout the day. It is so interesting how the dynamics change with each group. I don’t have a favorite subject, as each has interesting aspects about it, but I do enjoy sharing my love of reading with students.”

“One of the things I am very much looking forward to teaching this year is a unit on the wisdom of Mr. Rogers with our 6^th grade students,” she says. “There are many lessons that we can learn from Mr. Rogers, and I hope to connect these to the real-life issues facing our students today.”

Rachel shares her favorite Bible verse:  Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it. – Proverbs 4:23

The Christ School will begin a new session of our Tuesday morning Bible studies for students in grades 4 through 8 this Tuesday, October 8.  The Bible studies are voluntary and will meet from 7:15 to 7:45 am every Tuesday for 7 weeks, concluding on November 19. Breakfast will be provided! Watch for an email from your child’s Bible study leader to sign up. Here is more information on our groups, leaders, locations and topics.

Fall Bible Studies
Tuesdays 7:15-7:45 am
October 8 – November 19

4th Grade Girls:
Leaders: Marie DiBiase and Vicki Taulbee
Content: Radiant by Priscilla Shirer
Location: Room 312

4th/5th Grade Boys:
Leaders: Aaron Farrant and Michael Noto
Content: Nehemiah the Builder
Location: Room 315

5th Grade Girls:
Leaders: Lee Combs and Jennie Farrant
Content: Excerpts from We Saved You a Seat: Lasting Friendships
Location: Room 313

6th Grade Girls:
Leader: Jenny Forbes
Content: Just Us Girls
Location: Room 311

6th Grade Boys:
Leader: Tyler Wilson
Content: Parables
Student Ministry Lounge, 3rd Floor, TCS

7th Grade Girls:
Leaders: Thea Nelson and Alissa Plaisance
Content: Promises from Psalm 139
Location: Room 144

7th/8th Grade Boys:
Leaders: Justin Nelson and Mark Davis
Content: The Measure of a Young Man
Location: Room 246

8th Grade Girls:
Leader: Jasmine Simmons
Content: You’re God’s Girl!
Location: Room 217

Middle School
Volleyball
Our ladies are finishing their last matches of the season and heading into tournament play.
Silver Team:
Saturday, September 28: 9:30 am at Windermere Prep
Tuesday, October 1: First round of the tournament starting 4:30 pm at Orangewood Christian
Saturday, October 5: Final round of the tournament starting 9:30 am at Windermere Prep
Gold Team:
Saturday, September 28: 10:00 am at Trinity Prep
Monday, September 30: First round of the tournament starting 4:30 pm at The Christ School
Saturday, October 5: Final round of tournament starting 9:00 am at Lake Mary Prep

Cross Country
Championship Meet, Tuesday, October 1, at Trinity Prep
Girls start at 4:30 pm, Boys start at 5:00 pm.
Let’s Roar Lions! 

Flag Football
Our Lions are heading into tournament play!
Tournament – Thursday, September 26, 5:00 pm at Trinity Prep.

Soccer
Boys Soccer tryouts – Friday, October 4, 3:45-5:00 pm in the gym.
Girls Soccer tryouts – Tuesday, October 8, 3:45-5:00 pm in the gym.
All students must be registered to try out.
Click here for the Girls’ Registration Form.
Click here for the Boys’ Registration Form.
Please be prepared with proper shoes and clothing.

Basketball
Boys and Girls Basketball tryouts – Monday, October 7, 3:45-5:00 pm in the gym.
All students must be registered to try out.
Click here for the Girls’ Registration Form.
Click here for the Boys’ Registration Form.
Please be prepared with proper shoes and clothing.

Fellowship of Christian Athletes
Next meeting: Wednesday, October 2, 11:59 am during paws and lunch in room B12.
Please bring a non-microwavable lunch and your fresh ideas.

Lower School
Volleyball
4th and 5th grade volleyball next matches:
Saturday, September 28, 9:00 am at Faith Christian.

Flag Football
Next games Under the Lights: Friday, September 27, 7:00 pm (3/4 grade) and 8:00 pm (5/6 grade) at Showalter Field.

Soccer Shots
Next class is Thursday, September 26, 3:30-4:05 on the green space.

Flag Football Clinic
Next class is Wednesday, October 2, 3:30-4:10 pm on the green space.

Third grade students are participating in a novel study of Charlotte’s Web. To introduce the novel, their teachers surprised the students by transforming their classrooms into barns! The novel study will include reading, classroom discussions, interactive activities, exploring new vocabulary, and completing projects based on the text. At the end of the novel study, students will recreate their favorite scene from the book by making a diorama to present to the class. This is a wonderful novel study in which students learn all about the importance of friendship and love.

The Christ School is excited to begin a new session of our Tuesday morning Bible studies for students in grades 4 through 8! The Bible studies are voluntary and will meet from 7:15 to 7:45 am every Tuesday for 7 weeks beginning on Tuesday, October 8, and continuing through November 19. Breakfast will be provided! Watch for an email from your child’s Bible study leader to sign up.

Here is more information on our groups, leaders, locations and topics:

Fall Bible Studies
Tuesdays 7:15-7:45 am
October 8 – November 19

4th Grade Girls:
Leaders: Marie DiBiase and Vicki Taulbee
Content: TBD
Location: Room 312

4th/5th Grade Boys:
Leaders: Aaron Farrant and Michael Noto
Content: Nehemiah the Builder
Location: Room 315

5th Grade Girls:
Leaders: Lee Combs and Jennie Farrant
Content: Excerpts from We Saved You a Seat: Lasting Friendships
Location: Room 313

6th Grade Girls:
Leader: Jenny Forbes
Content: Just Us Girls
Location: Room 311

6th Grade Boys:
Leader: Tyler Wilson
Content: Parables
Student Ministry Lounge, 3rd Floor, TCS

7th Grade Girls:
Leaders: Thea Nelson and Alissa Plaisance
Content: Promises from Psalm 139
Location: Room 144

7th/8th Grade Boys:
Leaders: Justin Nelson and Mark Davis
Content: TBD
Location: Room 246

8th Grade Girls:
Leader: Jasmine Simmons
Content: You’re God’s Girl!
Location: Room 217

The Christ School welcomes Denise Mathis as our 7^th and 8^th grade math teacher. “I have always enjoyed math,” says Denise. “I believe that God has given me the ability to break a problem down into steps in order to model how to solve it. I love teaching math because it has a type of process and order to it. In Genesis, at the beginning of creation, we see that God did everything in an orderly manner. As a result, I see God in math because it is done in an orderly manner.”

“I am always looking for new material to bring math to life for my students,” says Denise. “Currently, I found ‘Facing Math,’ which allows students to review concepts while creating a piece of art based upon their answers. These are the pictures that are currently hanging outside my room. I hope you will stop by and see them!”

In addition to teaching, Denise leads a middle school advisory group at TCS. “It is great to get to know the girls in my group on a personal level. We share and grow closer,” she says.

“So far I have really enjoyed teaching at The Christ School,” says Denise. “I love how supportive everyone is here. Everyone truly cares.”

Denise and her husband Don have been married for 32 years. “I married the love of my life who I met my senior year of high school,” she says. “I always look forward to “date nights” with my husband. We love to find good seafood restaurants and then have dessert afterward.”

“I have two boys (young men) who are everything to me. My oldest is a mechanical engineer and works for FedEx. My youngest is finishing up his triple minor: youth ministry, theater, and electronic media from Evangel University.”

Denise continues, “My boys fell in love with the sport of bowling when they were in high school. As a result, I still love to watch them bowl and watch bowling on TV with my family (since I know so much more about it and have a higher degree of respect for it). My oldest is currently a certified Bronze Level Coach for bowling.”

Denise shares her favorite Bible verse: Jeremiah 29:11 – For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a purpose.

“I raised my own children based upon this verse and believe it is true for every student. As a parent and an educator, it is important to come alongside each child to help them discover God’s purpose/plan in their life,” she says.

Hispanic Heritage Month began on September 15 and continues through October 15. It is a wonderful time to appreciate and celebrate the various contributions and cultural diversity of our Spanish-speaking community! TCS middle school Spanish students are being introduced to the importance of this month by watching an informative Hispanic Heritage Month video in both Spanish and English. The students will explore, research and learn more about famous people of Hispanic heritage who have positively impacted our community, as well as learn more about the diverse traditions, food, dialect and music found throughout the Spanish-speaking world.

Middle School
Volleyball
Next Matches of the Season:
Silver Team
Saturday – September 21, 9:30 am at Windermere Prep
Monday – September 23, 6:30 pm at Orangewood Christian
Gold Team
Monday – September 23, 4:30 and 6:30 pm at The Christ School

Cross Country
Next meet is Tuesday, September 24 at Trinity Prep.
Girls start at 4:30 pm, Boys start at 5:00 pm.

MS Flag Football
Next Games:
Friday, September 20, 5:00 pm at Lake Mary Prep
Monday, September 23, 5:00 pm at Trinity Prep

Fellowship of Christian Athletes
For those who have turned in the FCA application, your first meeting will be Wednesday, September 25, 11:59 am during Paws and lunch in room B12.  Please bring a non-microwavable lunch and your fresh ideas.

Lower School
Volleyball
4th and 5th grade volleyball Next matches:
Saturday, September 21, 11:00 am at Faith Christian.

Flag Football
Next games Under the Lights:
Friday, September 20, 7:00 pm (3/4 grade) and 8:00 pm (5/6 grade) at Showalter Field.

Soccer Shots
Next class is Thursday, September 19, 3:30-4:05 pm on the green space.

Flag Football Clinic
Our first class of the six week session will begin on Wednesday, September 25, 3:30-4:10 pm on the green space.

The Christ School is thrilled to offer our new Spanish Immersion program this year with our amazing teacher, Roslynn Gaitero. “My family is from a beautiful town in the south of Puerto Rico called Ponce,” she says. “I have lived throughout Puerto Rico, including Condado, Guaynabo, Dorado, and Humacao. My family and I have also lived in Potomac, Maryland, and Palm Beach, Florida. I have taught Spanish, English, and ESL for about 10 years in Maryland, Puerto Rico and Florida.”

“I have a beautiful 15-year old daughter named Haley,” continues Roslynn. “A fun story that I can share is that while living in Dorado, Puerto Rico, my daughter and I were cast to be extras in a Beyonce video!  We met the singer and her daughter as well. A few fun facts about me are that my favorite color is pink and my favorite candy is anything gummy – gummy bears, gummy worms, you name it!  Also, I LOVE to sing. I sing all of the time at church, karaoke, on Smule, at home, driving, anywhere and everywhere possible.”

“Language is a gateway to appreciating your own heritage and the many cultures we find throughout our community,” she says. “Spanish and English are the languages I speak at school and at home, however, I have also studied Arabic, Urdu, Russian, and Korean, among other languages. The best part about teaching students a new language, whether it is English to native Spanish speakers, or Spanish to students whose mother tongue is English, is the journey of exploration. Students are genuinely curious, excited and eager to learn a new culture and language. It always amazes me how much they truly pick up in a short period of time.  By incorporating lessons where students are immersed in language, students put more effort into listening and attempting to understand. Before they know it, they are able to understand more. I look forward to seeing the growth of my TCS students as they learn Spanish and become more fluent speakers.”

Roslyn continues, “The smiles of students truly make me happiest as a teacher! Learning a new language can be frustrating and rewarding at the same time. Students usually experience a bit of both of those emotions because learning a new language takes consistent effort and patience. It is so rewarding when students begin to recognize their accomplishments and growth.”

“I am enjoying being a teacher at TCS,” says Roslynn. “TCS is a welcoming and warm community. The students’ smiles and energy make each day amazing! One of my favorite parts to the day is chapel. I love singing and praying to start the day!”

Roslynn shares her favorite Bible verse:
Matthew 17:20: Jesus said, Because you have so little faith. Truly I tell you, if you have faith like a grain of mustard seed, you can say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there,’ and it will move. Nothing will be impossible for you.

“If you take the time to actually look up the size of a mustard seed, the verse is a testament to how powerful true faith can be within our lives,” she says.

Second grade students are exploring the science of weather. They are learning about the water cycle, severe weather, and weather safety. On Monday, the students worked in small groups to develop a tornado safety plan for school and then presented their ideas to the class. This was a wonderful opportunity to work on their 4C skills: collaboration, critical thinking, communication, and creative problem-solving. Through this unit of study, the students are reading books on weather topics and learning about key features of an informational text such as how to identify the main idea and supporting details. These skills will be used to write a report about severe weather.  To further their study of weather, the students will conduct science experiments to expand on weather concepts and to develop an understanding of the scientific method.

We are happy to have Mrs. Megan Hoyer join The Christ School this year as 7^th and 8^th grade Social Studies Teacher. “I love teaching Middle School,” says Megan. “I love being able to see different students throughout the day. Every class and every day are different which makes each day interesting.”

Megan continues, “I have always been drawn to the stories of history, and I love to pass my passion for history to my students. This year marks my 10^th year as a teacher! I am enjoying getting to know all of my TCS students, and am excited about all that we will do together this year.”

“It is great to be a teacher at TCS!” she says. “Every staff member is so positive. It’s a great place to come to every day!”

Megan has been married to her husband Ben for almost 17 years. “We have three children,” she says, “Wesley who is almost 12, Ellie who is 10, and Hazel who is 4. My husband and I love to take adventure trips together. My favorites thus far have been hiking the Grand Canyon and running a half marathon in Zion National Park.”

Megan shares her favorite Bible verse: Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothes?  Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they? Can any one of you by worrying add a single hour to your life? – Matthew 6:25-27

Every nine weeks, TCS enrichment students dive deep into a new topic. They started this school year exploring “force and motion at the carnival.” Students are developing an understanding of Newton’s laws of motion as they complete weekly STEAM challenges. Each challenge requires students to use the engineering process of asking, planning, creating, improving, and reflecting. So far, students have collaborated in teams to design roller coasters with drops and loops, built zip lines by creating the best angle and using materials that cause the least amount of friction, and participated in a challenge to construct a car out of a water bottle that can be propelled by a balloon. It has certainly been a thrilling start to enrichment this year!

TCS 4th grade students have been exploring the Scientific Method and how scientists conduct experiments to test hypotheses and answer questions. The students conducted an experiment to test whether Skittles dissolved faster in hot water or cold water. Ask a TCS student for the results!

Middle School
Volleyball
Next Matches of the Season:
Silver Team
Saturday – September 14, 9:30 am at Windermere Prep
Monday – September 16, 6:30 pm at Orangewood Christian
Gold Team
Monday – September 16, 4:30 and 6:30 pm at The Christ School

Cross Country
Next meet is Tuesday, September 17 at Trinity Prep.
Girls start at 4:30 pm, Boys start at 5:00 pm.

MS Flag Football
Next Games – Friday, September 13, 5:00 pm at Lake Mary Prep
Monday, September 16, 5:00 pm at Trinity Prep.

Fellowship of Christian Athletes applications are due Monday, September 16. FCA is open to all middle school students.

Lower School
Volleyball
4th and 5th grade volleyball first match of the season is Saturday, September 14, 10:00 am at Faith Christian.

Flag Football
Next games: Friday, September 13, 7:00 pm at Showalter Field.

Soccer Shots
Thursday, September 19, 3:30-4:05 pm on the green space.

Middle School
Volleyball:
The make-up match for our Silver Team is Friday, September 6, 6:30 pm at Orangewood Christian.

Next Matches of the Season:
Silver Team
Saturday, September 7, 9:30 am at Windermere Prep
Gold Team
Monday, September 9, 4:30 and 5:30 pm at The Christ School

Cross Country:
The next meet is Tuesday, September 10, at Trinity Prep.
Girls start at 4:30 pm, Boys start at 5:00 pm.

Flag Football:
The first game is Monday, September 9, 5:00 pm at Trinity Prep.

Fellowship of Christian Athletes applications are due September 16th. FCA is open to all middle school students.

Lower School
4th and 5th grade volleyball: The first match of the season is on Saturday, September 7, 10:00 am at Faith Christian.

Flag Football Opening Games of the Season!
Our teams all start Under the Lights this Friday, September 6, 7:00 pm at Showalter Field.

Soccer Shots
Tuesday, September 10, 3:30-4:05 pm, and Thursday, September 12, 3:30-4:05 pm on the green space.

Middle School
The next volleyball matches of the season are:
Tuesday, September 3
Gold – 5:30 pm and 6:30 pm at The Christ School
Wednesday, September 4
Silver – 6:30 pm at Orangewood Christian

The next Cross Country meet is Tuesday, September 3, at Trinity Prep. Girls will start at 4:30 pm; boys will start at 5:00 pm.

Flag Football’s next practice will be Wednesday, September 4, 4:00-5:00 pm at Delaney Park.

All middle school students are invited to apply to become a member of the Fellowship of Christian Athletes. Applications are due to Gina Wiborg, Director of Athletics, or Justin Nelson, Science Teacher, by September 16.

Lower School
4th and 5th grade volleyball practice will be Wednesday, September 4, 3:30-4:45 pm in the gym.

Flag Football families – please be on the look out for e-mails from Under the Lights for updates and schedule for your team.

The first Soccer Shots class for TK-K will be Tuesday, September 3, 3:30-4:05 pm on the green space.

TK-2nd grade Basketball registration is open.

With fresh ideas, and eagerness to serve and a joyful disposition, Michael Noto, our Director of Lower School, has been a wonderful addition to our Leadership Team. “My role here at TCS is to help lead, manage and serve the lower school on a daily basis,” says Michael. “This includes supporting the faculty by being in their classrooms and making sure they have everything they need to impact their students in a meaningful way, engaging with students and helping them to grow and model Christ-like behavior, and partnering with families to provide communication and support. These are all-important in helping to ensure everyone in the lower school is working towards the same goal as we collaborate with Mr. Ross, Dr. Farrant and the rest of the leadership team to be in alignment with the larger TCS community and the mission of the school.”

Michael grew up in Florida and attended Florida State University. He has worked in education for 20 years, most recently as Director of Lower School at St. David’s School in Raleigh, North Carolina. He and his wife, Rachel, have two daughters, Emma, a 3^rd grade TCS Lion, and Margaret Anne, a 6^th grade TCS Lion. “As a family, we love to go to the beach and jump waves together,” says Michael. “I love most sports, especially soccer and anything Florida State-related,” he says. “I enjoy playing piano and composing music. I’m also a big science nerd!”

“I really cherished my time growing up in Florida and thought there might be an opportunity to return someday, says Michael. “After spending a long time in Raleigh, my wife and I prayed about where the Lord might be guiding us and when I saw the position at The Christ School, I became really excited; not just for me but also for the thought of my daughters being able to attend school here. We prayed for the Lord to lead us to a place that would be a great environment both for me professionally and for my family. Moving your family from another state is a big deal and we were trusting in the Lord that it would be a good fit for all of us, which it definitely has been!”

“I love learning, I love the Lord and I love people,” continues Michael. “It’s so exciting to be able to combine these passions of mine into my role here. I enjoy the fact that every day is different. I’m having new conversations with people, seeing new things in classrooms and learning new things. I am excited about helping with some science lessons this year; hopefully incorporating dry ice, which is just always cool.”

When asked to share his favorite Bible verse, Michael says, “There are so many parts of scripture I love, but in particular, I like passages that talk about the hope we have in Christ, so here are two of my favorite:

Hebrews 6:19 “We have this hope as an anchor for the soul, firm and secure.”

Romans 5:1-5 “Therefore, since we have been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ. Through him we have also obtained access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and we rejoice in hope of the glory of God. Not only that, but we rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance,  and endurance produces character, and character produces hope, and hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us.”

Transitional kindergarten students are learning about science and God’s creations by planting a garden! They tilled the soil and planted sunflowers, marigolds and pentas. They added earthworms to help their flowers bloom, and gave them plenty of water. They talked about how God created all of these wonderful things and ways they can help to nurture them. There is so much for them to learn and explore as they maintain their garden throughout the year.  Enjoy more photos on our Facebook and Instagram pages.

Hydrogen bonds and surface tension give water some amazing properties! Middle school Marine Biology students experimented to see how many drops of water will fit on the surface of a penny. Sam Parks was able to fit 136 drops of water on his penny!  Through this lesson, the students learned about the properties of adhesion, cohesion, and surface tension of water. Enjoy photos on our Facebook and Instagram pages.

Students in fourth grade are off a wonderful start studying the components of a “High Five” sentence. They have discussed how each sentence must contain a subject and predicate, must make sense, start with a capital letter and conclude with some kind of punctuation. This week students have been working to identify subjects and predicates in sentences they read and write. “I love the sorting and games we are doing in class. It makes our learning more fun!” says Peighton, a 4th grade student in Ms. Combs’ Language Arts class.

Middle School
Volleyball Silver team will have practice next week on Wednesday and Thursday, 3:45-5:15 pm in the gym. Gold team returns to the normal practice schedule next week.
First Matches of the Season:
Monday, August 26
Gold – 4:30 pm at The Christ School
Silver – 5:30 pm at Orangewood Christian

Cross Country will have their first meet on Wednesday, August 28, at 4:30 pm at Trinity Prep.

Flag Football practice will be Wednesday, August 28th, 4:00-5:00pm at Delaney Park.

All middle school students are invited to apply to become a member of the Fellowship of Christian Athletes.  Applications are due to Gina Wiborg, Director of Athletics, or Justin Nelson, Science Teacher, by September 16.

Lower School
4th and 5th grade volleyball practice will be on Wednesdays. The next practice is August 28, 3:30-4:45 pm in the gym.

Flag Football families, please be on the lookout for e-mails from Under the Lights for updates and schedule for your team.

TK-2nd grade Soccer Shots registration is open.

TK-2nd grade Basketball registration is open.

This week, our middle school students and teachers traveled to Southwind Young Life Camp to participate in the annual Middle School Retreat. It was an amazing time of relationship building and spirited worship. Students engaged in team building activities as they participated in the Middle School House Olympics. They also enjoyed recreational activities at the beautiful campground, and many of them faced their fears and rode “The Screamer,” providing laughs, screams, and a wonderful sense of accomplishment. It was a perfect opportunity to discover new friendships and strengthen bonds throughout our middle school community.  Enjoy photos on our Facebook and Instagram pages.

The Christ School welcomes Cindi Theodorson as a first grade teacher.  Originally from Baltimore, Maryland, Cindi attended  Flagler College and studied elementary/exceptional education and youth ministry. “That’s how I ended up teaching and living in Florida,” says Cindi. Well, the beach helped too.”

“I have two wonderful children, Casey and Conner,” says Cindi. “My daughter is attending college and working in downtown Orlando and my son, Conner, is also seeking independence while navigating Aspergers and Dyslexia, in the “adulting” world.”

Cindi continues, “I have been teaching for 31 years in both private and public schools, and have been a literacy coach in Orange County.  I have been a children’s minister as well as a Young Life leader for many years, and have worked as director of a small learning center for children that are both gifted and had special learning needs.  Most recently, I moved to Vermont for a change of scenery and to work on a teaching grant to better prepare children for entering school. That grant was ending and God provided a wonderful opportunity to teach at TCS.”

“I love teaching because I believe it is a gift that the Lord has given me,” she says. “I love teaching about Jesus and showing the Lord’s love. I am a people person and enjoy building relationships. I grew up in this atmosphere so it is very natural to me. I love young children because they are like little sponges, ready to soak up all we can give them, and they have such an enthusiasm for life. I look forward to doing fun things with my students this year that foster a love for learning. I love to get down on the floor and be silly with them while creating a safe atmosphere to be able to make mistakes and learn.”

“I am so blessed and excited to be at TCS,” Cindi continues. “I have been praying about a Christian school that puts kids and Jesus first and practices what they preach. I have found The Christ School to be the most awesome combination of love, families and Jesus. I love to be able to minister to children about Jesus and His love for us. It is the most fulfilling thing that I could ever be given the privilege of doing and I am grateful that the Lord opened this amazing door for me.”

Cindi shares her favorite Bible verses: I can do ALL things through Christ who strengthens me and Nothing is impossible with God.

Middle School
Flag Football (grades 6 – 8) try-outs will be Wednesday, August 21, from 4:00 to 5:00pm at Delaney Park. Register here.

Volleyball Gold and Silver team will have practice next week on Wednesday and Thursday, from 3:45 to 5:15 pm in the gym.
First Matches of the Season:
August 26th
Gold – 4:30 pm at The Christ School
Silver – 6:30 pm at Orangewood Christian

Cross Country will have their first meet on Wednesday, August 28 at 4:30 pm at Trinity Prep.

Lower School
Registration for TCS/South Orlando Soccer Club (SOSC) for 3rd, 4th and 5th grades are open and will close August 16.

Our 4th and 5th grade volleyball lions will have evaluations on Monday, August 19, from 3:30 to 4:30 pm in the gym. Please contact Coach Wiborg if you have not registered and still would like to do so.

Flag Football / Under The Lights for 3rd, 4th & 5th grades is still open. Games are played on Friday nights Showalter East from September 6 through October 25. Register online. Please use coupon code ChristSchool. The deadline to register is August 16.

The TK – 2^nd grade Flag Football Clinic (6 – week session) registration is open. Clinic dates are Wednesdays, September 25 – October 30, from 3:30 to 4:10 pm.

TK-2nd grade Soccer Shots registration is open. This 8 week session will take place from 3:30 to 4:05 pm on Tuesdays (TK & K) beginning September 3, and Thursdays (1^st and 2^nd grades) beginning on Sept 5.

Last spring, The Christ School applied to be part of the GE Additive Education Program, a global STEM initiative to build an ecosystem for 3D printing in education by networking students, machines and content via the Polar Cloud.  The Christ School STEAM program was selected into the Program’s third year class (2019-20)!  GE Additive Education received 3,487 registrations from 48 countries and qualified 1,224 schools.  We are thrilled to have been selected from this large pool of applicants!  As part of this grant program, we have received an additional 3D Printer and curriculum for 3D design and modeling.

Our award was made possible by the generosity of GE Additive, the Program’s founding sponsor. GE Additive has made a $10 million commitment over five years to provide educational institutions access to 3D printers and develop future talent in additive manufacturing. We thank GE Additive for its leadership and commitment to our children’s future.

Do you have a child that struggles with staying organized, anxiety, or executive functioning (EF)? In simple terms, EF refers to the brain’s ability to get stuff done (homework, completing a project or cleaning a room, etc.) Basically, to “execute” complex tasks through to completion. I am excited to share a free event with you that sounds great! The Executive Function Online Summit is for parents, and features thought leaders in Executive Function, giftedness, twice-exceptional 2e learners, emotional regulation, social challenges, anxiety, learning differences, neurodiversity, parenting and more. I follow several of the presenters and am excited to gain parenting and teaching to help our children. 

We are happy to welcome Micaela Thomas to The Christ School as a 4th grade teacher! Micaela grew up in Port St. Lucie, went to the University of Florida for her undergraduate studies (Journalism and Communication Studies), and earned her Masters of Education at UF in Reading Education. “I have two older sisters, a niece and a new baby nephew,” says Micaela. “I don’t have parents, but God has provided me with an entire VILLAGE of people who love me, counsel me and have helped carry me all these years. I love cooking for others and hosting dinner parties. I love the Florida Gators and Beyonce (LOL). I have huge dimples but like to call them ‘Angel Kisses’ because they are a testament to how God has sustained and protected me through so many difficult times.” 

“This is my 8th year teaching,” says Micaela. “I wanted to become a famous journalist, but after visiting struggling schools in the US while on a college trip during my sophomore year, my heart was broken when I saw that there were kids who didn’t know how to read. Reading was always important to me as a child and I attribute all of my academic successes to do it. I couldn’t imagine becoming a journalist that would write brilliant pieces while knowing there were people out there that wouldn’t be able to read them, so I decided to pursue a Masters of Education in Reading.”

“I love teaching 4th grade!” she says. “This year, I look forward to teaching my students Super Cool Science Labs and outdoor math activities. I am already pumped for the Math Olympic games I do every spring with my 4th grade students.  I created an Olympic competition so the students can practice their math activities outside, rather than just at their desks. They take part in challenges including basketball dunks, balloon-popping, and more! It really motivates them to learn and enjoy math.”

“My favorite part about being at TCS is that the students want to learn. They are so inquisitive and excited to be here every day. I love that JOY is embodied in this school. Joy is oozing everywhere and from everyone; and I’m just so happy God brought me here.”

Micaela shares her favorite Bible verse: Psalm 56:3 “When I am afraid, I put my trust in you.”

Greetings from the Student Support Center!  This year we are excited to introduce Yvonne Doria to the SSC team. Yvonne graduated from the University of Florida with a B.S. in Journalism and a B.A. in Theater and from New England College with a M.Ed. in Curriculum and Instruction. Yvonne joins us with several years of experience teaching children with diverse learning needs. She will be serving as one of our Intensive Reading and Academic Support Teachers using the Orton-Gillingham approach to teach reading, writing and spelling. 

Yvonne moved to Orlando this past December with her husband, 3 year-old daughter, and their two dogs. We are thrilled that her journey led Yvonne to TCS. Yvonne is incredibly excited to be part of TCS and the SSC and can’t wait to build relationships with the families and their children. She feels strongly that God has put her right where she was supposed to be all along and is thankful for the opportunity to serve Him and the families who trust her with their children. Yvonne is in room 219. Stop by and say hello! 

A message from Michael Noto, Director of Lower School

Estamos emocionados de comenzar nuestro nuevo programa de inmersión en español esta semana. ¡Por favor, asegúrese de preguntar a sus hijos sobre lo que están escuchando, hablando y aprendiendo!

We are excited to get started with our new immersion Spanish program this week. Please be sure to ask your children about what they are hearing, speaking and learning!

A Note from TJ Ross, Director of Middle School

I am beyond excited to serve in my new role alongside our well rounded and highly qualified middle school team.  It is an honor and a privilege to contribute to God’s kingdom by shaping the hearts and minds of children.  May God continue to guide, guard, and direct our school as we educate and disciple your child(ren) to the best of our abilities.