Category: News

TCS 7th grade students visited SeaWorld for an exciting adventure in preparation for their Writing Assessment Program (WrAP). They learned about SeaWorld’s efforts to rescue, rehabilitate, and conserve wildlife. This knowledge helped them prepare for a debate that focused on animals kept in captivity vs. animals that are wild. The students used argumentative skills, such as claims, counterclaims, and logic, to argue their position on the topic. This debate helped instill the elements needed to succeed on the argumentative prompt they encountered on the WrAP. This field trip also enabled them to learn more about God’s creatures and build a relationship with them to encourage a desire to act more responsibly, including recycling, better boating practices, and cleaning up after ourselves, to help protect these animals.

Middle School Sports
Middle school track and field will practice on Wednesday, April 4, from 4:30 to 6:00 pm at Blue Jacket Park.  The next track and field meet is for the Greater Orlando Athletic Conference Championship. It takes place on Thursday, April 5, 4:30 pm at The First Academy.

Attention all middle school students! Coach Sykes will lead an open gym for middle school students to play pick-up basketball games from 3:45 to 5:00 pm on April 4, 11, 18, and 25 in the gym. Please register by Thursday, March 29. There is no fee to participate.

Lower School Sports
The next Soccer Shots session for TK and Kindergarten will be on Thursday, March 29. The next Soccer Shots session for 1st and 2nd grades will be on Tuesday, April 3.  The sessions will take place from 3:30to 4:05 pm on the green space.

3^rd, 4^th, and 5^th grade volleyball will practice on Thursday, March 29, from 3:30 to 5:00 pm in the gym.

Many of our students begin their day at TCS with a warm greeting from Angela Harrison, TCS Development Specialist, who is always on hand to welcome them as they arrive at school. “It is truly a blessing to be at TCS,” says Angela. “I love welcoming your children in morning carpool – seeing their smiling faces is the best way to start the day!”

“In my role as Development Specialist, I work closely with Dr. Farrant and our Board of Trustees to develop strategies for raising funds for our school,” says Angela. “I also have the pleasure of working alongside Susan Clauss to support our Parent Teacher Fellowship. The best part of my job is working with our amazing volunteers! Most recently, I worked on our annual Mane Event dinner and auction with a team of 22 women who helped bring to life the Totally Awesome 80s Night that raised over $150,000 for TCS.”

“I love being a part of this community,” Angela continues. “I have seen such tremendous generosity, love, and support over the past 7 years here – from my co-workers, the volunteers who work with me, my fellow class parents, and our students.”

Angela and her husband, Jeff, have two sons, Caiden, a TCS 6^th grade student, and Austin, a TCS 3^rd grade student. “When I’m not working, I love spending time with my family at the beach. It’s my favorite place to be! Together, we enjoy kayaking, paddle boarding, fishing, and searching for shells and sea glass,” she says.

“Not only do I get to spend my days at The Christ School, but my children do, too,” says Angela. “I love seeing my boys grow, not only academically, but also spiritually. They spend more of their waking hours with their teachers and classmates at TCS than they spend at home with me, and we feel blessed that at school, they are surrounded by kind, compassionate adults and children who love Jesus. I can’t think of a better place for them to be!”

Angela shares her favorite Bible verse:
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 future.  – Jeremiah 29:11

Middle School Sports
Attention all middle school students! Coach Sykes will lead an open gym for middle school students to play pick-up basketball games from 3:45 to 5:00 pm on April 4, 11, 18, and 25 in the gym. Please register by Thursday, March 29. There is no fee to participate.

Middle school track and field will practice on Saturday, March 17, from 8:30 to 10:30 am at Blue Jacket Park.  The next track and field meet is 4:30 pm on Monday, March 26, at Trinity Prep.

Lower School Sports
The next Soccer Shots session for TK and Kindergarten will be on Thursday, March 15. The next Soccer Shots session for 1st and 2nd grades will be on Tuesday, March 27.  The sessions will take place in the green space from 3:30 to 4:05 pm.

Spring volleyball for 3rd, 4th and 5th grades will begin after spring break. The spring league will play games at The Masters Academy on the following dates: Mondays, April 9, 16, 23, and 30. Nick DeOrio will coach the 5th grade team and Richard Hale will coach the 3rd/4th grade team.  The first two practices for both teams will be on Tuesday, March 27 and Thursday, March 29, from 3:30 to 5:00 pm in the gym.

Middle School Sports
Middle school track and field will practice on Saturday, March 10, from 8:30 to 10:30 am at Blue Jacket Park.  The next track and field meet will be Monday, March 12, 4:30 pm at Lake Highland Prep.

Lower School Sports
Congratulations to our 5th grade boys’ basketball team who won second place in the ACYS League.

The last Kindergarten, 1st and 2nd grade basketball clinic will take place on Monday, March 12, from 3:15 to 4:15 pm in the gym.

The next Soccer Shots session for TK and Kindergarten will be held Thursday, March 8. The next Soccer Shots session for 1st and 2nd grades will be held Tuesday, March 13. The sessions will take place from 3:30 to 4:05 pm on the green space.

Spring volleyball for 3rd, 4th and 5th grades will begin after spring break.   Nick DeOrio will coach the 5th grade team and Richard Hale will coach the 3rd/4th grade team. The first two practices for both teams will be on Tuesday, March 27 and Thursday, March 29, from 3:30 to 5:00 pm in the gym.  Click here to register. The spring league will play games at The Masters Academy on the following dates: Mondays, April 9, 16, 23 & 30.

It is easy to recognize Joanne Fleming, TCS Director of Admission, with her warm smile, welcome greetings, and joyfulness about the many happenings at our wonderful school. As a founder of The Christ School, it holds a special place in her heart. “The Christ School is a blessing to me and my family,” says Joanne. “We have been extremely honored to partner with moms and dads on their parenting journey. Our best friends are those who opened the school with us in 1996. We raised our children together and now have the blessing of 20×20 vision to see how God aligned their paths perfectly. It has not always been easy, but it has always been rewarding. The Christ School remains true to her mission and for that, I am extremely grateful!”

Joanne was born and raised in central Florida and has lived here her entire life. “I have been married to my best friend, Jeff, for 32 years and we are blessed with four children who are all TCS alumni,” says Joanne. “Our children are very close in age. Our oldest was 4 1/2 when our baby was born. It was a crazy time with 3 children in diapers, 4 at TCS at the same time, 3 in high school and 3 in college at the same time. My favorite activities have been and will always be time with my family. We like to have fun!”

Joanne thoroughly enjoys her role at The Christ School. “Although I have had the title of Director of Admission for four years, I have performed the job since before we opened TCS,” she says. “I remember the very first mom who came to my home over 22 years ago to hand-deliver the first TCS application and tuition deposit. Recruiting for TCS is in my blood; it is my passion to see His Kingdom grow through TCS.”

“The Christ School set a solid academic and Christian foundation for our children,” says Joanne. “As TCS students, they thrived in the classrooms and on the sports fields. They were each prepared for success in high school and beyond. All of our children completed undergraduate programs; one is a teacher, one is a lawyer, one finishes medical school in May and our youngest will finish law school in May 2019. Twenty-eight years after starting our educational journey with our children, we will finish next year. Through it all, TCS families and friends have been a common thread. We are grateful for our TCS community and their support!”

Joanne considers every day at TCS a blessing. “There are so many things about this school that I love,” she says. “The Christ School community – our parents and children – are amazing! Our faculty and staff are bar-none! The support we receive from alumni families is heartwarming and hearing the success of our alumni brings pure joy to my heart. However, seeing The Christ School’s mission play out in my children’s lives is the best! I am very thankful for The Christ School!”

Joanne shares her favorite Bible verse:
“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 future.” – Jeremiah 29:11

Middle School Sports
Middle school track and field will practice on Saturday, March 3, from 8:30 to 10:30 am at Blue Jacket Park. The second track and field meet is 3:00 pm on Monday, March 5, at Windermere Prep.

Lower School Sports
Congratulations to our 3rd and 4th grade girls’ basketball team who won first place in the ACYS League.

5th grade boys’ basketball will practice on Friday, March 2, from 3:30 to 4:30 pm in the gym.  Their last game will be for the championship 1:00 pm on Saturday, March 3, at the Frontline Outreach Center located at 3000 C.R. Smith Street, Orlando, FL.

Kindergarten, 1st and 2nd grade basketball clinic will take place in the gym from 3:15 pm to 4:15 pm on Monday, March 5.

The next Soccer Shots session for TK and Kindergarten will be on Thursday, March 1 and the 1^st and 2^nd grade session will be on Tuesday, March 6.  The sessions will take place in the green space after school from 3:30 to 4:05 pm.

Spring volleyball for 3rd, 4th and 5th grades will begin after spring break. The spring league will play games at The Masters Academy on the following dates: Mondays, April 9, 16, 23 & 30.  Nick DeOrio will coach the 5th grade team and Richard Hale will coach the 3rd/4th grade team.  The first two practices for both teams will be on Tuesday, March 27 and Thursday, March 29, from 3:30 to 5:00 pm in the gym.  Click here to register.

Bill Herlong, TCS Director of Business Operations, strives to ensure that everything at TCS runs smoothly. “In my role, I am responsible for the business side of the school. That would be finance and accounting, risk management, security, facilities, contracts, and human resources to name a few. Basically, it encompasses everything from balance sheets to carpool to fixing pencil sharpeners,” he says. Always with a quick wit, Bill likes to make sure that fun is in the mix, too. The guy dressed up as Buddy the Elf at Christmas, hopping on the white crossing lines? That’s Bill.

When not at work, you will usually find Bill enjoying the outdoors. “I grew up in Leesburg, FL and am a sixth generation Floridian – four from Lake County – and my family was in the citrus and agriculture industry going back to the 19th century,” he says. “My youth was spent in, on and under lakes, swamps, the Keys, and the Atlantic and Gulf coasts. I graduated from the University of Florida in 1988, where I worked as a SCUBA instructor in the Physical Education’s Academic Diving Program. After graduation, I worked in Fort Lauderdale as a SCUBA instructor and eventually obtained my USCG Captain’s License. I worked as a captain and ran my own maritime service company for many years, but decided to leave the industry to earn my Masters of Business Administration from Georgia State University in Atlanta. In 2002, I started my own light industrial real estate development company.”

“God called me to work at TCS in July 2011 through a chance encounter with a friend,” says Bill. “I never thought I would be working at a school, but this is God’s plan and He is full of grace and mercy. I enjoy being a part of The Christ School family that is supporting our wonderful faculty who are teaching these precious children all they need to know to excel at the next level, all the while with a servant’s heart. Our administrative staff is amazing, and everyone is focused on making TCS the best it can be. I am humbled to be a part of this organization.”

“I like that we are a family of believers rowing in the same direction for the glory of God,” continues Bill. “I thoroughly enjoy seeing the children smiling and laughing in the halls. It is also awesome to see TCS students literally run into the building at morning carpool. That is strong proof of how wonderful this place is. It is weirdly melancholy when all the students leave for the summer. They are the lifeblood and purpose for us all.”

Bill and his wife, Katie, have two girls, Grace and Anna, who attend Boone High School. “Both of my girls went from the Weekday School’s 2-Day Two’s to kindergarten through 8^th grade at TCS,” Bill says. “They thrived at TCS because of the faculty and staff around them. They were loved, respected and given the tools they needed to perform at the highest levels in High School. For example, I recently asked my daughter why she was not studying for her AP test. Her reply was, ‘Oh, I already know most of that stuff from TCS.’ I also know that they now have the Biblical foundation they need in a world that is changing too fast.”

Bill shares his favorite Bible verse: But the path of the righteous is like the light of dawn, which shines brighter and brighter until full day. – Proverbs 4:18

Theresa Opsahl, assistant to the Head of School, has a love for TCS and its mission in her heart. “I have worked at TCS for 16 years,” says Theresa. “Before I began working here, I volunteered in the office 2 days a week. I started working in the front office and became the assistant to the Head of School when Dr. Powell arrived. Now I am Dr. Farrant’s assistant. I love my job and I love TCS. It is the best place to work because of all the wonderful people that I work with. It is a privilege to be able to come to work and worship God. My job is never boring; every day is different and I really like that.”

Theresa and her husband, Bart, have been married for 35 years and have three children, Lindsay, Luke and Logan. “I also have four of the sweetest grandchildren on the planet,” she smiles. A native of Orlando, Theresa graduated from Boone High School and Florida Southern College with a degree in Business Administration and Human Resources. “When I’m not at work, I like to spend time with my family, go to the beach and read.  I love to watch college football and I cheer for the Noles because all three of my children graduated from Florida State,” she says.

“My two sons and daughter-in-law attended TCS,” says Theresa. “They were so blessed by the teachers and staff that poured into them. They were well prepared for high school and beyond both academically and more importantly spiritually. Both of my children thrived here. They learned valuable leadership skills and used them as they moved on. They made friends here that they are still friends with today – and so did I! TCS was the best decision we ever made for our children and I hope one day my grandchildren will be here, too.”

Theresa shares a fun fact: “My son Luke and my sweet daughter-in-law Shannon met at The Christ School in the 6th grade and dated all through their school years! They have now been married for four years.”

Theresa says, “I have many favorite Bible verses but today the one that I would like to share is 1John 3:18 –Dear children, let us not love with words or speech but with actions and in truth.

Middle School Sports
Middle school track and field will practice on Saturday, February 24, from 8:30 to 10:30 am at Blue Jacket Park.  The first track and field meet is Monday, February 26, 4:30 pm at Trinity Prep.

Lower School Sports
3rd and 4th grade girls’ basketball will practice on Wednesday, February 28, from 3:30 to 4:30 pm in the gym.

3rd and 4th grade boys’ basketball will practice on Wednesday, February 28, from 3:30 to 4:30 pm in the gym.

5th grade boys’ basketball will practice on Tuesday, February 27, from 3:30 to 4:30 pm in the gym.

5th grade girls’ basketball will practice on Thursday, February 15, from 3:30 to 4:30 pm in the gym.

The next Kindergarten, 1st and 2nd grade basketball clinic will take place in the gym from 3:15 pm to 4:15 pm on Monday, February 26.

The next Soccer Shots session for TK and Kindergarten will be on Thursday, February 22. The next session for 1^st and 2^nd grades will be on Tuesday, February 27.  The sessions will take place in the green space after school from 3:30 to 4:05 pm.

Every day at TCS, Susan Clauss, Facilities Coordinator, receives many smiles and hugs from our students. “I have the pleasure of getting to know all of the students here because I do so many things in my role,” she says.

Susan and her husband, Steve, have two children, Taylor, age 22, and Jacob, age 18. Both of her children are graduates of TCS. Susan came to The Christ School in 2004 as a classroom assistant. “I came to work here when my youngest child, started kindergarten,” she says. “I was ready to re-enter the workforce and thought working where my children were being educated was the best of both worlds. I later transitioned into my current role, which I enjoy because I get to work with everyone at TCS; parents, students, faculty and staff. My favorite part of the day is when I see the children. Recently, a kindergarten student told me that he was jumping for joy to be at TCS as he hopped down the hallway to his classroom. How can you not love that?”

“I love knowing that the people here, and I mean every person – staff, students, parents – truly care about each other,” Susan continues. “Being able to pray for each other and worship together is something I never experienced before coming to TCS, but I value it above all else.”

“I am so happy that my children were able to attend TCS,” says Susan. “My daughter, Taylor, was here from 1st through 8th grade and my son Jacob was here from Kindergarten through 8^th grade. The friendships, foundation, and love they experienced at TCS were beyond what my husband and I could have hoped for. My son, Jacob, was having a hard time with some of the academic aspects of TCS and the teachers helped us to navigate and develop Jacob as a better learner.  While no place is perfect, TCS was a perfect fit for my children.”

Susan shares her favorite Bible verse: I can do all this through him who gives me strength. – Philippians 4:13

Middle School Sports
Middle school track and field will practice on Wednesday, February 21, from 4:45 to 6:00 pm at Boone H.S. and Saturday, February 24, from 8:30 to 10:30 am at Blue Jacket Park. The first track and field meet will be held on Monday, February 26, at 4:30 pm at Trinity Prep.

Lower School Sports
3rd and 4th grade girls’ basketball will practice on Wednesday, February 21, from 3:30 to 4:30 pm in the gym.  Their next game will be at 12:00 pm on Saturday, February 17, at the Frontline Outreach Center located at 3000 C.R. Smith Street, Orlando, FL.

3rd and 4th grade boys’ basketball will practice on Wednesday, February 21, from 3:30 to 4:30 pm in the gym. Their next game will be at 10:00 am on Saturday, February 17, at the Frontline Outreach Center located at 3000 C.R. Smith Street, Orlando, FL.

5th grade boys’ basketball will practice on Tuesday, February 20, from 3:30 to 4:30 pm in the gym.  Their next game will be at 1:00 pm on Saturday, February 24, at the Frontline Outreach Center located at 3000 C.R. Smith Street, Orlando, FL.

5th grade girls’ basketball will practice on Thursday, February 15, from 3:30 to 4:30 pm in the gym.  Their next game will be at 2:00 pm on Saturday, February 17, at the Frontline Outreach Center located at 3000 C.R. Smith Street, Orlando, FL.

Kindergarten, 1st and 2nd grade basketball clinic will take place in the gym from 3:15 pm to 4:15 pm on Monday, February 26.

The next Soccer Shots session for TK and Kindergarten will be on Thursday, February 15. The next session for 1st and 2nd grades will be on Tuesday, February 27.  The sessions will take place in the green space from 3:30 to 4:05 pm.

In the short time Dr. Aaron Farrant has been Head of School at TCS, he has made many positive changes that have impacted our school and students. “I have enjoyed getting to know our TCS families, learning about their lives and hearing what is important to them,” he says. “It is important to me to always strive to make things better. I am excited about the opportunity to build upon the strong foundation TCS has established, and am encouraged by the improvements our staff has made this year. A few of my favorite changes are: our middle school house system, growth mindset initiative, and our math pilot program. These additions are improving what we offer at TCS and allowing us to better serve our families.”

Currently, Aaron is focused on even more improvements to our school. “My team and I have been working on another exciting initiative – a STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, and Math) Lab,” he says. “The STEAM Lab will benefit all of our students.  It will be a place where students can engage in hands-on lessons that will bring their learning to life!  I am also excited about another initiative we are planning: a Student Support Center, which will help every student here at TCS fulfill their potential.”

“In my role as Head of School, I am blessed to spend my time helping children become the men and woman God created them to be,” says Aaron. “I love all the various aspects of my job, but my favorite time is when I have the opportunity to step into the classrooms and engage with the students. Activities such as reading to our younger students, dressing up as Johnny Appleseed, leading science experiments, and teaching Bible lessons remind me of exactly why we are so blessed to do what we do each day.”

Aaron continues, “My wife Jennie and I are thankful that our boys, Eli and Austin, are students at The Christ School. TCS is preparing them to impact this world for Christ. They are growing academically, socially, emotionally, physically, and most important spiritually. TCS is reinforcing the values we teach at home.”

“Although our lives can become busy, we always make it a priority to spend time together as a family,” says Aaron. “We have been discovering Winter Garden and enjoy visiting the Farmer’s Market. We also love to play games, make things, and ride bikes and scooters together. My boys and I are still looking forward to our first camping experience in Florida.”

Aaron shares his favorite Bible verse: Dear children, let us not love with words or speech but with actions and in truth. – 1 John 3:18

Middle School Sports

Middle school track and field will practice on Monday and Wednesday, February 12 and 14, from 4:45 to 6:00 pm at Boone H.S.  The first track and field meet is Monday, February 26, 4:30 pm at Trinity Prep.

Lower School Sports

3rd and 4th grade girls’ basketball will practice on Wednesday, February 7, from 3:30 to 4:30 pm in the gym.  Their next game will be at 11:00 am on Saturday, February 10, at the Frontline Outreach Center located at 3000 C.R. Smith Street, Orlando, FL.

3rd and 4th grade boys’ basketball will practice on Wednesday, February 7, from 3:30 to 4:30 pm in the gym. Their next game will be at 10:00 am on Saturday, February 10, at the Frontline Outreach Center located at 3000 C.R. Smith Street, Orlando, FL.

5th grade boys’ basketball will practice on Friday, February 9, from 3:30 to 4:30 pm in the gym.  Their next game will be at 4:00 pm on Saturday, February 10, at the Frontline Outreach Center located at 3000 C.R. Smith Street, Orlando, FL.

5th grade girls’ basketball will practice on Thursday, February 8, from 3:30 to 4:30 pm in the gym.  Their next game will be at 2:00 pm on Saturday, February 17, at the Frontline Outreach Center located at 3000 C.R. Smith Street, Orlando, FL.

On Monday, Coach Wiborg and Coach Sykes, assisted by 8th grade students Sophia Panagakis and Jack Burden, led our first basketball clinic for K – 2nd grades. During the five-week clinic, the students will learn dribbling, passing, shooting, defensive skills, and game play. The next kindergarten, 1st and 2nd grade basketball clinic will take place in the gym from 3:15 pm to 4:15 pm on Monday, February 12.

Soccer Shots for the spring session begins with 1st and 2nd grade on Tuesday, February 13 and TK and Kindergarten on Thursday, February 15.  The 8-week sessions will take place on the green space after school from 3:30 to 4:05 pm.

TCS coach Gina Wiborg has a wonderful history with The Christ School; she has worked here since opening day in August, 1996! “God brought my husband and me here to Orlando and then to First Presbyterian Church,” says Gina. “I was teaching aerobics and kickboxing classes for young moms at the church and Mr. Porter, our first head of school, asked me if I would teach PE and add athletics to the school. I said YES! I am so grateful for this journey that God had planned all along.”

Gina and her husband, Bob, have been married for 36 years and have two children, Chris and Erica, and two young grandchildren. Erica is a TCS alumna who is currently pursuing her doctorate in leadership. Gina loves to go to the beach, ride her bike, paint, watch college football and spend time with friends and family.

Always active in sports, Gina played tennis throughout high school and participated in several intramural sports while in college. Gina says, “I grew up in Virginia Beach, Va. so I was a beach kid. Back in the ‘dinosaur days,’ I was one of the first two females to pass the physical test to be certified and employed as a beach lifeguard.”

“While I attended Flagler College, I was working with an organization called Young Life.  PE was helpful for that work and it led me to pursue my Physical Education degree,” says Gina. “I added a minor in religion and thought Young Life was where God wanted me to work as a career. God changed my course; I got married and had children. Little did I know that God had an opportunity to coach at The Christ School waiting for me in my future,” says Gina.

“I love being a coach at TCS, says Gina. “Here, I can coach and teach from a biblical worldview. Our students know how to play with a Lion’s heart. I love to watch the students learn, grow, play hard and take care of each other while they are playing.”

“Every one of our athletes has a journey that God has set before them. I pray that their experience here will allow them to be open to the opportunities that God will open for them at the next level. I hope our TCS athletes will move on to make whatever they do better because they are leaders. I love to see our alumni doing that year after year,” says Gina.

Gina shares her favorite Bible verse:

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 future. – Jeremiah 29:11

In her role as TCS Director of Academics and Student Programs, Amber Lail serves on the Leadership Team and oversees everything that involves instruction, curriculum, and programs.  “I love working with teachers,” she says. “I enjoy coaching and mentoring them to be the best they can be for their students. I also love to create new programs to enhance the experience at The Christ School for our students.”

In addition to her work, family has always been immensely important to Amber. “My husband, Randy, and I have 3 children who are now grown up and have families of their own. We also have 6 grandchildren and a grandson due in June. All of our children live within a 5-mile radius of us, so we are able to do a lot together as a family,” she says. “I love to cook and we have family dinners at least twice each month.”

“Our granddaughters, Laila and Paityn, attend TCS (4th and 1st grades) and are so happy here. They love their friends and their teachers. For me, there is nothing better than being able to see them every day in chapel, in the hallways or in their classrooms. So many grandparents do not have the privilege. I feel very blessed in my role,” says Amber.

Amber has enjoyed a rewarding career in different areas of education. “I was a kindergarten teacher for 10 years before I stepped into an administrative role as a Lower School Principal (PreK-6th grade), which I did for 12 years. I came to TCS after 22 years of service at another school to provide leadership for the K-8 academic program and build on and improve the programs we now have in place. I see myself as a builder of programs. We should always seek growth and improvement,” she says.

“The best part of my job at TCS is working with teachers and students,” says Amber. “I love to interact with students of all ages. I love the hugs I get from them every day. It is a joy to work with all of my teacher friends who are like family. We pray together and support each other in our work. I like being a part of this team. Lately, I have been helping bring our new STEAM Lab initiative to life; working with a team of teachers and staff to develop and build this program and design the space. We are so excited to roll out this new opportunity for all students next year! I am so thankful to get to do what I love each day and work at a school and with people who love God and love others!”

“I am confident that God has a perfect plan for my life and I depend on Him to lead me,” says Amber. “This is a favorite Bible verse:” 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 future. – Jeremiah 29:11

Congratulations to the 3rd/4th grade girls basketball team who won their first game of the season!

Middle School Sports
Middle school track and field will practice on Monday and Wednesday, February 5 and 7, from 4:45 pm to 6:00 pm at Boone High School.

Congratulations to our boys’ basketball team who finished their season last week in the Greater Orlando Athletic Conference tournament.

Lower School Sports
3rd and 4th grade girls’ basketball will practice on Wednesday, January 31, from 3:30 to 4:30 pm in the gym.  Their next game will be at 10:00 am on Saturday, February 3, at the Frontline Outreach Center located at 3000 C.R. Smith Street, Orlando, FL.

3rd and 4th grade boys’ basketball will practice on Wednesday, January 31, from 3:30 to 4:30 pm in the gym. Their next game will be at 11:00 am on Saturday, February 3, at the Frontline Outreach Center located at 3000 C.R. Smith Street, Orlando, FL.

5th grade boys’ basketball will practice on Friday, February 2, from 3:30 to 4:30 pm in the gym.  Their first game will be at 12:00 pm on Saturday, February 3, at the Frontline Outreach Center located at 3000 C.R. Smith Street, Orlando, FL.

5th grade girls’ basketball will practice on Thursday, February 1, from 3:30 to 4:30 pm in the gym.  Their next game will be at 10:00 am on Saturday, February 3, at the Frontline Outreach Center located at 3000 C.R. Smith Street, Orlando, FL.

Kindergarten, 1st and 2nd grade basketball clinic will take place in the gym from 3:15 pm to 4:15 pm on the following dates:  February 5, 12, 26, March 5, & 12.

The Christ School middle school boys’ basketball team will play in the first round of the Greater Orlando Athletic Conference tournament on Thursday, January 25, 6:00 pm vs. Lake Highland. The game will be played at The First Academy (2667 Bruton Blvd, Orlando, FL 32805). Coach Sykes has done an outstanding job leading this team and the boys have been working hard each week.  Our athletes would love to have your support and encouragement at their playoff game. We invite everyone to come out and cheer for our TCS Lions!

Middle School Sports
Congratulations to The Christ School middle school girls’ soccer team on a fantastic season! The girls battled hard all season and came away with the second place trophy in the Greater Orlando Athletic Conference. Way to ROAR, Lions!

Middle school boys’ basketball will play in the first round of the Greater Orlando Athletic Conference Tournament on Thursday, January 25, 6:00 pm vs. Lake Highland. The game will be played at The First Academy (2667 Bruton Blvd, Orlando, FL 32805)

Middle school track and field registration is open and the first practice will be on Wednesday, January 31.  To register, please complete the online registration form along with Florida High School Athletic Association paperwork.  Please contact Mr. Vais for more information.

Lower School Sports
3rd and 4th grade girls’ basketball will practice on Wednesday, January 24, from 3:30 to 4:30 pm in the gym.  Their next game will be at 8:00 am on Saturday, January 27, at the Frontline Outreach Center located at 3000 C.R. Smith Street, Orlando, FL.

3rd and 4th grade boys’ basketball will practice on Wednesday, January 24, from 3:30 to 4:30 pm in the gym. Their next game will be at 10:00 am on Saturday, January 27, at the Frontline Outreach Center located at 3000 C.R. Smith Street, Orlando, FL.

5th grade boys’ basketball will practice on Friday, January 26, from 3:30 to 4:30 pm in the gym.  Their first game will be at 12:00 pm on Saturday, January 27, at the Frontline Outreach Center located at 3000 C.R. Smith Street, Orlando, FL.

5th grade girls’ basketball will practice on Thursday, January 25, from 3:30 to 4:30 pm in the gym.  Their next game will be at 10:00 am on Saturday, January 27, at the Frontline Outreach Center located at 3000 C.R. Smith Street, Orlando, FL.

Kindergarten, 1st and 2nd grade basketball clinic registration is open and the deadline to register is Monday, January 29.  The clinic will take place in the gym from 3:15 to 4:15 pm on the following dates:  February 5, 12, 26, March 5, & 12. To register, please complete the online registration form.  Limited space is available and registrations will be taken on a first come basis. Once we have met capacity, names will be placed on a waiting list.

Every day at TCS, teachers and staff enjoy the beautiful voices of children coming from the classroom of Jennifer Sweet, TCS music teacher. “I had the honor of becoming a teacher at TCS four years ago,” says Jennifer. “I teach TK-5 general music, a middle school music wheel class, and lead four TCS performing groups  – 9-8-4 (middle school choir), Lions’ Song (lower school choir), The “Ukes” (ukuleles), and Praise Team (middle school voices and instruments). My favorite thing about teaching music is watching the students’ confidence grow with each performance. At TCS, I get to be creative with the students and also let them create. I love when my students learn to appreciate what music is all about!

“I enjoy when the students perform and share their voices with our community,” says Jennifer.  “My students perform on many occasions including the Festival of Trees, the all-school Christmas program, at the Young at Heart Christmas celebration, the Grandparents Day production, and at Orlando Magic Games.”

Jennifer and her husband, Steve, have five children and three grandchildren. She graduated from Ole Miss with a Master’s Degree in Music Education and taught music for three years in Memphis. When she moved to Orlando, she sang with The Voices of Liberty at Epcot Center. “I met my husband there,” she smiles. Jennifer also taught middle school music at Gotha Middle School for two years. “I taught at Gotha until I became a mom, and then I stayed home with my children for 17 years. But I was never far away from music; during that time I taught private piano students, and directed church youth and children’s choirs.”

Jennifer’s daughter, Emma, is an 8^th grade student at TCS. “It has been a blessing to have Emma with me at TCS. I feel that she is not only becoming academically grounded, but spiritually grounded as well,” says Jennifer.

Jennifer shares her favorite Bible verse:
“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 future.” – Jeremiah 29:11

As you may have seen in the news lately, influenza is at its peak and has made its way around the country.  We want you to know that The Christ School is taking the following steps to mitigate the spread of bacteria and viruses at our school:

• Emphasizing the need to wash hands and practice good hygiene.
• Making sure each teacher is equipped with a commercial-grade sanitizing product (Quat-64) to use on desks and other surfaces.
• Placing new hand-washing posters around the school.
• Monitoring clinic traffic for symptomatic students.
• Working with the nightly cleaning crew to implement further sanitizing techniques.
• Researching recent outbreaks for changes in symptoms and signs.
• Monitoring news outlets for medical news.
• Consulting with TCS families in the medical profession.

Please help us keep our Lions healthy by following our standing policy on symptomatic students and staff:

FEVER
Prior to returning to school, your child must be fever-free for at least 24 hours without the aid of fever-reducing medication, e.g. Ibuprofen or Acetaminophen.

VOMITING and/or DIARREA
Your child must be clear of these symptoms at least 24 hours from the last episode before returning to school.

INFLUENZA
If your child has the flu, they should not return to school any sooner than 7 days after the onset of the first symptoms. If there is a persistent cough, more time at home may be necessary.

If you would like to read more from a great source, visit the website for the American Academy of Pediatrics (www.aap.org).

Middle School Sports
Middle school boys’ basketball will practice Thursday, January 18, from 3:45 to 5:00 pm.  They play their next games at The First Academy on Saturday, January 20, at 1:00 pm vs. Foundation Academy and at 3:00 pm vs. Windermere Prep.

Middle School girls’ soccer completed the regular season with an impressive record of 8 wins and one loss. They are the number one seed going into the Greater Orlando Athletic Conference Tournament. They will play in the semi finals on Thursday, January 18, at 5:00 pm at Trinity Prep. Please come out and cheer on the team!

Middle school track and field registration is open and the first practice will be on Wednesday, January 31.  To register, please complete the online registration form along with Florida High School Athletic Association paperwork.  Please contact Mr. Vais for more information.

Lower School Sports
3rd and 4th grade girls’ basketball will practice on Wednesday, January 17, from 3:30 to 4:30 pm in the gym.  Their next game will be at 10:00 am on Saturday, January 20, at the Frontline Outreach Center located at 3000 C.R. Smith Street, Orlando, FL.

3rd and 4th grade boys’ basketball will practice on Wednesday, January 17, from 3:30 to 4:30 pm in the gym. Their next game will be at 11:00 am on Saturday, January 20, at the Frontline Outreach Center located at 3000 C.R. Smith Street, Orlando, FL.

5th grade boys’ basketball will practice on Friday, January 12, from 3:30 to 4:30 pm in the gym.  Their first game will be at 12:00 pm on Saturday, January 20, at the Frontline Outreach Center located at 3000 C.R. Smith Street, Orlando, FL.

5th grade girls’ basketball will practice on Friday, January 12, from 3:30 to 4:30 pm in the gym.  Their next game will be at 11:00 am on Saturday, January 20, at the Frontline Outreach Center located at 3000 C.R. Smith Street, Orlando, FL.

Kindergarten, 1st and 2nd grade basketball clinic registration is open.  To register, please complete the online registration form.  Limited space is available and registrations will be taken on a first come basis. Once we have met capacity, names will be placed on a waiting list.

Mary Crimmins, TCS 7^th and 8^th grade social studies teacher, loves to see her students embrace learning.  “I am always so encouraged by my students when I see that they are growing both academically and socially in such a short period of time,” she says. “We do so many things in my classroom, but my favorite thing is simply learning from my students. Middle school students are extremely fun to work with. I love learning with them and from them. I wish I had recorded all the life lessons they have taught me because it would make an interesting book. Every now and then we hear someone lamenting the future being in the hands of this generation. They wouldn’t feel that way if they had the opportunities I’ve been blessed with.”

Mary, who has been a teacher for 25 years, is currently in her 18^th year of teaching at TCS. “I love the sense of community at TCS and being able to teach to the whole child by sharing my faith and encouraging my students to grow in theirs,” says Mary. “This semester, I am excited about the project-based learning activities I have planned for my students. I look forward to seeing what they will produce!”

“I have enjoyed staying in touch with many of our alumni,” says Mary. “It is rewarding when they text me to ask for a job reference or a letter of recommendation for college.”

Mary and her husband, Pete, have two sons. Peter (TCS class of 2001), who lives in Italy, is on track to be promoted to Lt. Commander in the Navy. Matthew (TCS class of 2005), is currently a training director for Chick-Fil-A and will begin a master’s in accounting at UNC Chapel Hill this summer.

Mary loves to travel and has been to Bahrain and Oman in the Middle East. “This past summer I went to Italy,” she says. “This year during Spring Break I’m heading to Tanzania and will stay with my friend and former TCS colleague Casserly Kuplen.” Mary also loves hiking and has hiked in Oman, the Grand Canyon and Yellowstone National Park.

TCS 5^th grade teacher Angie Harrison has always been passionate about her important role in the lives of her students. “I have been teaching for 20 years and this is my eighth year at The Christ School,” says Angie. “I love to help my students develop their strengths and gifts and use them to serve others. It is a joy to watch them become leaders in middle school.  I love getting to know the students in the lower grades and anticipate being their teacher!”

“This is my first year in 5th grade teaching Bible, social studies and language arts,” she says. “I have enjoyed focusing on those three subjects. Because we switch classes in 5^th grade, I have the opportunity to spend time with all of the students, not just those in my homeroom. It has been a pleasure to get to know all of them. This year, I have especially enjoyed helping the students understand how to develop a growth mindset. I think it is a huge help when they understand that not everything is going to be easy and it’s OK to fail and then keep trying. In 5^th grade, we travel to Tallahassee for our class trip. We had a great time last year in Saint Augustine and I am looking forward to traveling to Tallahassee with my students; it is going to be a wonderful learning experience.”

Angie and her husband Eric have three daughters and a grandson. Two of their daughters, Courtney and Emily, graduated from TCS. “The Christ School prepared my girls for high school in so many ways,” says Angie. “They have strong study habits and were extremely well prepared for AP Human Geography as freshmen. They developed strong friendships that continue today as a sophomore and junior in high school.  I am so thankful for the opportunities each of them had in leadership and service as well as the love and guidance from their teachers.”

When not teaching, Angie enjoys riding her bike, going to the beach, and fishing. “One of my passions is reading and discussing books with friends,” she says.  “I am from Indiana and enjoy college basketball. After moving to Florida, I became a huge NFL football fan as well. We cheer for all the Florida teams, Jaguars being first and then Miami Dolphins followed by Tampa. We are super excited about the Jacksonville Jaguars being in the playoffs.”

The Christ School invites prospective parents to join us on Welcome Wednesdays!
Wednesdays, 8:00 – 10:00 am

Please RSVP to Joanne Fleming, Director of Admission, at jfleming@thechristschool.org,
or phone 407-849-1665.

Explore The Christ School in action as you tour our campus, visit our classrooms, and meet our teachers on a guided tour.

See how we…

• Love God
• Love Others
• Are Family Friendly
• Exude Joy
• Are Constantly Improving
• Develop Great Learners

Ask questions and explore how The Christ School may be the perfect educational partner for your children and family!

Middle School Sports
Middle school boys’ basketball will practice Thursday, January 11, from 3:45 to 5:00 pm in the gym. They play their next games at The First Academy on Saturday, January 13, at 11:00 am vs. Orangewood and at 12:00 pm vs. The First Academy.

Our middle school girls’ soccer team has completed the regular season with an impressive record of 8 wins and only 1 loss. They will be the number one seed going into the Greater Orlando Athletic Conference Tournament which starts next week. The playoff schedule will be determined once all teams in the conference have completed their regular season games by Friday, January 12.

Middle school track and field registration is open. To register, please complete the online registration form. Please contact Mr. Vais for more information.

Lower School Sports
3rd and 4th grade girls’ basketball will practice on Wednesday, January 17, in the gym from 3:30 to 4:30 pm. Their first game will be at 11:00 am on Saturday, January 13, at the Frontline Outreach Center located at 3000 C.R. Smith Street, Orlando, FL.

3rd and 4th grade boys’ basketball will practice on Wednesday, January 17, in the gym from 3:30 to 4:30 pm. Their first game will be at 10:00 am on Saturday, January 13, at the Frontline Outreach Center located at 3000 C.R. Smith Street, Orlando, FL.

5th grade boys’ basketball will practice on Friday, January 12, in the gym from 3:30 to 4:30 pm. Their first game will be at 12:00 pm on Saturday, January 13, at the Frontline Outreach Center located at 3000 C.R. Smith Street, Orlando, FL.

5th grade girls’ basketball will practice on Friday, January 12, in the gym from 3:30 to 4:30 pm. Their first game will be at 11:00 am on Saturday, January 13, at the Frontline Outreach Center located at 3000 C.R. Smith Street, Orlando, FL.

Kindergarten, 1st and 2nd grade basketball clinic registration is open. To register, please complete the online registration form. Limited space is available and registrations will be taken on a first come basis. Once capacity has been met, names will be placed on a waiting list. The 5-week clinic will take place on Mondays:  February 5, 12, and 26, March 5 and 12, from 3:30 to 4:15 pm in the gym.

The Christ School is delighted to welcome Shaneen Hermantin, who began her role as first floor receptionist in December. Originally from Queens, New York, Shaneen and her family have lived in Florida for eight years.  Recently, she relocated to Orlando to attend Rollins College, where she is pursuing a degree in Communications with a concentration in Public Relations. Shaneen enjoys music, writing, and trying new places to eat. “I consider myself a foodie,” she smiles.

“I love how friendly and welcoming everyone has been at TCS,” says Shaneen. “From the parents to the staff, the whole TCS family has welcomed me with open arms and made me feel so at home, and that has made the transition into my new role so easy!”

I love meeting new people and interacting with everyone that comes through the door at TCS,” Shaneen continues. “I love seeing the smiles on the students’ faces when I acknowledge them by name and ask them about their days. It makes my day! I am so happy to be a part of The Christ School family.”

Shaneen shares her favorite Bible verse:
For he will command his angels concerning you to guard you in all ways –  Psalm 91

The Christ School has a friendly new face in our first grade classrooms, Jasmine Simmons, our new first grade assistant. With her warm smile, calm demeanor, and positive outlook, Jasmine is a welcome addition to The Christ School family.

Originally from New Orleans, LA, Jasmine and her family moved to Orlando in 2005 after Hurricane Katrina. She attended Bishop Moore Catholic High School and earned her Bachelor of Science in Psychology with a minor in Spanish from Florida A&M University in 2014. She is currently pursuing her Master’s degree in Clinical Psychology at UCF.

“I am very close with my parents and have a little brother who is a junior at Bishop Moore,” says Jasmine. “My mom is a principal in the Orlando Catholic Diocese. She has instilled in me the importance of an education.” When not working, Jasmine enjoys shopping, traveling, and spending time with family and friends.

“The students in 1^st grade are so loving and smart,” says Jasmine. “I enjoy helping them work through the challenges they come across at this age.”

“My favorite thing so far about TCS is the faith-filled and family atmosphere I encounter every day,” she continues. “Everyone is so welcoming and I am very happy to be a part of the team.”

Jasmine shares her favorite Bible verse:

 Train up a child in the way he should go,
And when he is old he will not depart from it.

– Proverbs 22:6

First grade students explored this month’s Bible verse with a hands-on demonstration. The verse, Ephesians 4:29 – 32, speaks of showing kindness to others. After reading the verse together, their teacher, Mrs. Schwalk, asked the students to say words and actions that are helpful for “building others up,” as in the verse. With each example, a block was added to a tower, showing how kind words build others up. She then asked them what they thought “unwholesome talk” meant, and they determined that it means unkind words. They discussed how unkind words tear others down, and gave examples of unkind things that people may say or do, for example, saying “I don’t want to be your friend anymore.” With each example, they threw a ball at the tower. It fell with only one hit! They discussed how important kind words are and how destructive even just one unkind word can be. This memorable lesson is sure to remind the students of the power of their words and actions.