Our littlest Lions have been learning about all things snow. Since many of them have never seen snow, they decided to create their own snow in their classroom. Using various materials including corn starch, baking soda, conditioner, glitter and shaving cream, they created different types of “snow” and compared the differences between them such as which was the softest, crunchiest, and easiest to make snowballs with. They also made a blizzard in a jar and experimented with freezing a variety of items. These wintery activities were perfect for a not-so-cold January week!
Among our middle school elective class offerings is an option to serve as an assistant to a teacher or staff member at TCS. Our student assistants help in a variety of ways and have opportunities to explore the field of education while building relationships with teachers, staff and students. Students begin the semester by creating a resume, which they use to introduce themselves to their assigned teacher or staff member. To build their resume, the students describe the skills they possess related to their assigned role, calculate their GPA, choose a favorite quote or Bible verse and ask teachers to provide references. This elective offers many opportunities to gain real world experience!
Lower school STEAM students have been hard at work over the past few weeks designing and building a nativity scene. Students studied the Biblical story and completed research to accurately depict the scene. Each grade created a specific part. TK students created sheep using recyclable materials. Kindergarten students made baby Jesus and his manger full of hay. The angel and star of Bethlehem were put together by our first grade students. Mary and Joseph were built and decorated by second grade students, and third grade students built the three wise men and their gifts. The stable and background pieces were designed and constructed by fourth grade students. The fifth grade students used their knowledge of paper circuits to add light features and put the scene together. They worked collaboratively with their class and grade level. This was a challenging task requiring hard work and dedication to make our nativity scene come to life!
Our basketball teams will take a break until we return after the new year. Have a very merry Christmas, TCS!
Basketball Boys Next Games: 6/7th grade Wednesday, January 6, 4:00 pm at TCS Friday, January 8, 4:00 pm at The First Academy 8/7th grade Wednesday, January 8, 5:00 pm at TCS Friday, January 8, 5:00 pm at The First Academy Next practice: Monday, January 4, 3:45-5:00 pm
Girls Next Game: Thursday, January 7, 4:15 pm at TCS Next practice: Tuesday, January 5, 3:45-5:00 pm in the gym.
Fifth grade students were hired by the Gingerbread Realty Group located in the blistering cold North Pole. This season there are an unusually high number of elves seeking places to live. Our young real estate agents were in charge of overseeing construction and decoration of a gingerbread house and placing it on the market for sale. In order to convince prospective buyers to purchase their home, students worked to create a house that stood out from the others. Creative flyers, using vivid descriptions and specific word choices, were distributed by the students to entice elf buyers to tour their home.
Super D Ville is a social emotional curriculum we utilize in the Bridge classrooms. I was very excited to hear that the creators of Super D are extending their resources with a learning opportunity called Super D! Friends: A Fun Safe Space for Kids with Learning Differences (ages 7-12). Weekly online meetings will be held, facilitated by Emma and Maria, older mentors with Learning Differences. Emma has dyslexia and dyscalculia. She studied biology at Columbia University and is going to UCLA medical school next year. Maria has dyslexia, dysgraphia, and ADHD. She is a junior at Missouri Baptist College. She is on the tennis team and is studying psychology. This is a neat way for children with ADHD and Dyslexia to connect with others while learning from role models they can relate to. You can sign up for a free session here.
We have one more game for each of our basketball teams before we head into the Christmas Break! Let’s go Lions!
Basketball Boys Next Games: 8/7th grade Thursday, December 10, 7:00 pm at Lake Highland 6/7th grade Thursday, December 10, 6:00 pm at Lake Highland Next practice: Monday, December 14 and Wednesday, December 16, 3:45-5:00 pm
Girls First Game: Thursday, December 10, 4:00 pm at TCS. Next practices: Tuesday, December 15 and Thursday, December 17 3:45-5:00 pm in the gym
7th and 8th grade Social Bridges students stacked paper and plastic cups, one on top of the other, and collaboratively attempted to pull papers out from under the cups. This game takes incredible precision and balancing skill; most people have to try several times before winning. Students watched as their classmates continued trying and failing over and over again, until finally getting it right. They were wonderful at encouraging each other and using positive words and a growth mindset to support their teammates, even when they failed.
After the activity, the students discussed how everyone fails sometimes. They talked about how we often feel embarrassed and afraid that people will judge us. The students came up with the conclusion, “God wants us to encourage others and make them feel comfortable, instead of criticizing them and making them feel pressure.”
Our middle school basketball teams are off and running with their first games of the season. We are so thankful to see our teams hit the court and compete. Let’s Roar, Lions!
Basketball Boys Next Games: 8/7th grade Saturday, December 5, 9:30 am at Windermere Prep. Monday, December 7, 4:00 pm at TCS vs Lake Highland 6/7th grade Saturday, December 5, 8:30 am at Windermere Prep. Monday, December 7, 5:00 pm at TCS Next practice: Wednesday, December 9, 3:45-5:00 pm in the gym
Girls Our ladies had their first game moved to next week! They will hit the court and ready to compete on Thursday, December 10, 4:00 pm at TCS vs Lake Highland. Next practices: Thursday, December 3, and Tuesday, December 8, 3:45-5:00 pm in the gym.
The Christ School is delighted to welcome a special member of our TCS family to our teaching team. Dr. Terry Farrant, mother of our Head of School, Dr. Aaron Farrant, joins us as our 4th grade math teacher. “Aaron asked me to be in prayer for a TCS class that needed a teacher,” says Terry. “I had been praying about it and God spoke to my heart that He could use me so I submitted to that call and came to TCS.”
“I had wanted to be a teacher since I was a small child. I would play with the neighborhood children and I was ALWAYS the teacher,” continues Terry, now affectionately known as “Dr. F” at TCS. “This will be my 36th year teaching. For four of those years I was the head of the school and still taught a class because I love teaching. I have taught just about every grade. The best thing about being a teacher is having the opportunity to impact my students academically and spiritually. I hope that some of my students at TCS who don’t really like math will fall in love with math.”
To follow God’s call to serve at TCS, Terry moved from Hebron, Ohio, for the school year. “I am happy to be at The Christ School,” she says. “The staff have been so loving, kind and helpful. The parents have also been very supportive.”
Terry has two children and four grandchildren (two TCS Lions, Eli and Austin). “I have been to all 50 states and many countries,” she says. “I enjoy being on the water, reading and watching a good movie with my husband.”
When asked to share her favorite Bible verse, Terry says, “I really have so many favorites, picking just one is a challenge!”
Middle school STEAM students have been investigating homelessness. After discussing situations that may cause homelessness and services available to help, the students were tasked to create a vision for a tiny home community for people in need. They designed the look and scope of their community, created a presentation board and a plan for a tiny home. The students are now working on the construction of a scaled model of their tiny home. In addition to giving the students a deeper appreciation for their many blessings, this project helped them understand many facets of community planning and how they can use their knowledge and skills to help others.
Lower school STEAM students have been exploring engineering all semester! As a culminating project, students are designing and constructing a large scale Nativity scene. Each grade will contribute a different part to the scene. Fifth grade students are investigating electrical systems and circuits to enhance the scene with light features. The final product will be on display in the school the week of December 14. Please stay tuned to our social media pages to see the design, construction, and photos of the finished product!
Middle School Coding and Robotics students researched robots and robotic kits to enhance The Christ School STEAM Lab offerings. Given a budget, each student investigated a robotic kit of interest and created a presentation on why their kit would be the best choice for our STEAM Lab. They pitched their ideas to Mr. Ross, Director of Middle School, shark tank – style, presenting their findings and the reasons why TCS should choose their robot for our Lab. Stay tuned for the results!
Our basketball teams are gearing up for their first games! Let’s give them a big Lions’ ROAR as they begin competing!
Boys First Games: 8/7th grade Monday, November 30, 4:00 pm at TCS Saturday, December 5, 10:00 am at Windermere Prep 6/7th grade Monday, November 30, 5:00 pm at TCS Saturday, December 5, 11:00 am at Windermere Prep Next practices: Wednesday, November 18 and Wednesday, December 2, 3:45-5:00 pm in the gym
Girls First Game: Thursday, December 3, 4:15 pm at TCS Next practices: Thursday, November 19 and Tuesday, December 1, 3:45-5:00 pm in the gym.
With a passion for reading and a love of teaching, Rachel Noto inspires our students to explore their interests through books each day. “My family always says that whenever I get into a good book, I wouldn’t even notice if the house was on fire!” says Rachel. “I am excited to share my love of reading by serving as media specialist at TCS. I enjoy the challenge of finding the perfect book for a student. Seeing a child’s face light up when they find a book they love to read is one of my favorite things about being the media specialist. I love talking with students about their favorite books.”
“It has been wonderful reading through great books with my students and unpacking some of the deeper themes and lessons with them,” continues Rachel. “Even in books they may have read before, there’s always something new to discover!”
“I also serve as yearbook advisor,” says Rachel. “I have been enjoying watching my students gain confidence as they acquire new skills and discover where their strengths lie as they collaborate on different aspects of the yearbook.”
Rachel and her husband Michael, TCS Director of Lower School, have been married for 18 years and have two girls, Margaret Anne, a TCS 7th grade Lion, and Emma, a TCS 4th grade Lion. “I lived in North Carolina for most of my life until moving down here to Florida last year,” she says. “Living here has been great, especially the sunshine and the heat in the winter; I don’t miss the ice and snow. In addition to reading, I enjoy gardening and spending time outside, especially family trips to the beach to look for seashells.”
“I am happy that my family is part of The Christ School family,” says Rachel. “I am encouraged by the close-knit community here and being around people who treasure God’s Word. I am excited for my girls to have a strong academic foundation grounded in a Christian worldview, along with building relationships with faculty and staff that will help them engage with their teachers later on in high school and college.”
Rachel shares her favorite Bible verse: Psalm 105:4 “Look to the Lord and his strength; seek his face always.”
Basketball Our basketball teams are working hard and the first competitions of the season are just around the corner. It’s Hoop Time Lions!
Boys First Games: 8/7th grade Monday, November 30, 4:00 pm at TCS Saturday, December 5, 10:00 am at Windermere Prep
6/7th grade Monday, November 30, 5:00 pm at TCS Saturday, December 5, 11:00 am at Windermere Prep Next practices – Monday, November 16, and Wednesday, November 18, 3:45-5:00 pm in the gym
Girls First Game: Thursday, December 3, 4:15 pm at TCS Next practices – Tuesday, November 17, and Thursday November 19, 3:45-5:00 pm in the gym
As The Christ School’s morning receptionist, Meggen Breen welcomes our students with a cheerful greeting. Midmorning, Meggen transitions to her role as The Bridge Multisensory Math teacher. Her students benefit from her friendly disposition combined with a drive to help them reach their potential. “My goal is to make math meaningful and fun,” she says.
“I have always wanted to be a teacher,” says Meggen. “That desire has never waivered; I love teaching.” Meggen received her Bachelor of Arts degree in Elementary Education and her Master of Arts in Elementary Education from the University of Florida. She is also a Wilson Dyslexia Practitioner and has taught in public school, served as a reading coach and as a private tutor.
“As a teacher, it was frustrating to see children struggle who didn’t fit into the traditional methods of teaching,” she says. “Teaching styles should adapt to student needs, not the other way around. This is why I began to pursue certifications in multisensory math and the Orton Gillingham approach to teaching reading. I want to help children who learn differently.”
Meggen is happy to be teaching in The Christ School’s Bridge program. “I am excited about developing a deep number sense in my students and then building upon that,” she says.
She and her husband, David, have two children who are new TCS Lions this year, Erin in 5th grade and Ryan in 1st grade. “The Christ School community has been so warm and welcoming to us,” she says. In their free time, she and her family enjoy spending time together at the beach.
Meggen 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
Fifth grade students have been studying weather and climate, including the function of the water cycle, the difference between climate and weather and factors that impact both, the tools that a Meteorologist uses, and how different areas experience different types of weather patterns. On Friday, the students enjoyed a special visit via Zoom from Jayme King, Fox 35 Meteorologist, who took them on a virtual tour of the studio. He showed them his weather instruments, discussed hurricanes and tornadoes, and answered many questions. He also shared experiences he has had throughout his career and talked about career opportunities in the field of Meteorology. It was an informative and memorable experience!
Our middle school basketball teams have started their first week of practice. They are putting in some hard work to prepare for opening games at the end of November. Let’s Go Lions!
Basketball Boys: Next practices – Monday, November 9, and Wednesday, November 11, 3:45-5:00 pm in the gym Girls: Next practices – Tuesday, November 10, and Thursday, November 12, 3:45-5:00 pm in the gym
TCS first grade students have been learning about community helpers. They explored the different roles people have in our community. To enhance their understanding of how our chosen careers help in different ways, several TCS parents visited the classrooms via Zoom to tell the students about their profession and how they help our community. Afterward, our students each chose a profession to research. They wrote a paper and created a project board to display their findings. Last week, they dressed as someone in their chosen profession and presented their research to classmates and families (via Zoom).
Thank you to our TCS parents, listed below, for sharing about their professions with our classes!
Mr. Blakley- Banker Mr. Rivera – U.S. Army Reserves Dr. Fawsett- ER Doctor Mrs. Norman – Pharmacist Mr. Enz – Darden Restaurants, Purchasing Mrs. Cordovano – Nurse Judge McGinnis – Judge Mr. Mahoney – Civil Engineer Mr. Mixon – Attorney Coach Oz and Coach Wiborg – Coaches
The Christ School is pleased to welcome Nicole Hamilton as a Bridge intensive reading teacher. “I always knew I wanted to work with children in some capacity, and God led me to teaching,” says Nicole. “I started my career teaching exceptional student education (ESE) in the public school system. When I became a mom, I stepped out of the classroom and started tutoring. At that time, a friend of mine went through training for the Orton Gillingham approach to teaching reading. She explained how her students were finding confidence in reading, and how much she enjoyed watching them blossom as readers. I knew I wanted to be able to give my students the gift of reading as well, so I became trained in Orton Gillingham. There is nothing quite like unlocking a child’s gift to read!”
“I am happy to be working with students in a classroom setting again,” continues Nicole. “It has been fun getting to know them and learning their personalities. I look forward to seeing how my students grow academically and spiritually.”
“Getting to know staff and faculty at TCS has been a highlight of the school year,” says Nicole. “I have been welcomed with open arms, and everyone is so helpful. At TCS, the faculty and staff participate in weekly prayer groups. This is something I have really enjoyed. Praying together for our students every week is a gift!”
Nicole grew up in Rockledge, Florida, and attended Merritt Island Christian School from pre-kindergarten to 12th grade. She and her husband, Bradley, will celebrate their 10 year anniversary next week. They have two children, Calvin, age 2, and Ila Gray, a TK TCS Lion. “I enjoy singing in a band and volunteering at my church,” she says. “I love to host parties and plan events, and look forward to doing these things again soon.”
Nicole shares her favorite Bible verse: My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever! – Psalm 73:26
Los estudiantes en los grados 3-5 están aprendiendo y practicando los adjetivos descriptivos de la personalidad y características físicas. En clase, hacen una variedad de actividades que incluyen conversaciones personales y poemas concretos o visuales. En oraciones completas en español, cada estudiante tiene que escribir un poema concreto en una forma o figura distinta que describe su personalidad y también otras características únicas. Esta semana, cada estudiante tendrá la oportunidad de compartir su poema con la clase esta semana. Su maestra, la Sra. Gaitero, dice, “Todos están muy emocionados y la creatividad y la determinación que he visto son maravillosas.”
Students in grades 3 – 5 are learning and practicing descriptive adjectives about personality and physical characteristics. In class, students are doing a variety of activities, including personal conversations and concrete or visual poems. Using complete sentences in Spanish, each student has to write a concrete poem in a distinct shape or figure that describes their personality and also includes other unique characteristics. This week, each student will have the opportunity to share their poem with the class. Their teacher, Mrs. Gaitero, says, “Everyone is very excited and the creativity and determination that I have seen are simply marvelous.”
The Christ School is honored to be featured in “A World of Difference,” a video series produced by Beacon College, located in Leesburg, FL. Beacon College is America’s first accredited baccalaureate institution dedicated to educating students who learn differently. The segment will highlight our Bridge and STEAM programs and will feature our 4th grade Bridge students. “A World of Difference” celebrates and supports families who are navigating the journey of learning differences. Episodes examine neurodiversity issues related to learning differences from birth through the baccalaureate years. Compelling stories, conversations with experts, viewer Q&As, and interviews with successful individuals bring their experiences to life. We look forward to sharing the video with our TCS community!
Eighth grade Social Studies students attended a virtual theater to watch the play, “Vote?,” presented by the Orlando Rep. The play took students through the history of voting rights in our country from rights for African Americans, to women, to 18 year-olds. After the play, class discussion centered around the role protests played throughout history as a catalyst to change, why democracy works best when it represents the most voices, and how we continue as a country to learn and grow from past mistakes. Thank you to Mrs. Jenna Stallard for providing this opportunity for our 8th grade students.
We are so grateful for our basketball coaches! Coach Oz will be heading up our boys’ teams with an assist from Coach Ingram. Our girls will be led by Coach Winrow with an assist from Coach Schuck and Coach Stallard. We are blessed and excited! Please pray for our coaches and our teams as they hit the practice court for the first time this week. Let’s Roar, Lions!
Next Practices: Boys Monday, November 2, and Wednesday, November 4, 3:45-5:00 pm in the gym
Girls Tuesday, November 3, and Thursday, November 5, 3:45-5:00 pm in the gym
Lower school STEAM students have been exploring the engineering process. They have been collaborating with their classmates to plan and design gadgets that have a special purpose or solve a unique problem. Students have been given age-appropriate problems to put their critical thinking skills to the test! Enjoy more photos on our Facebook and Instagram pages – and be sure to share!
Transitional kindergarten students are building a small home out of popsicle sticks and clay. They will then test the roof under ‘rainy conditions’ to see if they were able to build something in which the inside would keep dry if the outside got wet.
Students in kindergarten and 1st grade have been talking about plants and what plants need to survive. The students are working on a challenge in which they need to design and build a device that can water four plants at one time.
Students in grades 2 and 3 are working on simple machines and are designing and creating a pinball machine out of recyclable materials. The games must have a maze and utilize features of simple machines to play the game.
Students in grades 4 and 5 are designing and building aqueducts. The students were tasked to build an aqueduct that will move water from one spot to the other that includes bends and has a reservoir.
The students n grades 3 – 5 were given a budget and had to be thoughtful as they purchased the right amount of materials to complete their projects.
Los estudiantes en los grados TK-2 están practicando los números 0-15 y todos los colores. El lunes, aprendieron a responder a la pregunta: ¿Cuántos años tienes? Dibujaron un bizcocho de cumpleaños con muchas velas y practicaron a escribir sus edades en español. Además de eso, durante la semana que viene, van a tener conversaciones breves con sus amigos de clase que incluyen una descripción personal, la fecha de su cumpleaños y la edad.
Students in grades TK – 2 are practicing the numbers 0-15 and all of the colors. On Monday, they learned to answer the question: How old are you? They drew a birthday cake with a ton of candles and practiced writing their ages in Spanish. On top of that, during the next week, they will have brief conversations that include a personal description, age, and birthdate.
The Christ School is delighted to have Evelyn Salinero leading our Enrichment program this year. “Teaching Enrichment has been awesome!” says Evelyn. “In my class, we enjoy an open forum where students feel free to share and ask as many questions as they desire. We stop and ponder and discuss. They ask the best questions! Sometimes I know the answer, many times I don’t, so we research and keep learning.”
“I’ve been teaching since 2003, mostly upper elementary students in Miami Dade County, as well as in Orange County Public Schools,” says Evelyn. “Growing up with a brother with special needs highlighted for me the love I have for helping others. He is the reason I am a teacher. I knew from a really young age that I wanted to help students with special needs. When we were young, I played teacher and he was my student. In my current classroom, I teach children who thrive on extra challenges. I love to watch my students become confident learners and develop collaboration skills as they work with their peers.”
“I am a true Floridian,” she says. “I love the heat and sunshine 365 days a year! I was raised in Miami. We relocated to Orlando 15 years ago due to my husband’s career and couldn’t be happier with the path our lives have taken.” Evelyn and her husband, Efren, have two boys who are TCS Lions, Efren in 7th grade and Alex in 4th grade. “They are my world and keep me busy!” she smiles. “One of my favorite things to do is sit on the porch and watch them play outside. I also love running, exercising, and gardening. I’ve run a few half marathons and love the thrill of seeing the finish line and setting personal records.”
Evelyn shares her favorite Bible verse: The goal of this command is love, which comes from a pure heart and a good conscience and a sincere faith. – Timothy 1:5 “This verse is special to me because I learned it from my nephew, Dean,” says Evelyn. “He taught me to love sacrificially and sincerely and to trust in God always, most importantly, when we can’t make sense of things ourselves.”
It’s time for some hoops! Our basketball teams are ready to hit the practice floor.
Boys First practices: Monday, October 26, and Wednesday, October 28, 3:45-5:00 pm in the gym Girls First practices: Tuesday, October 27, and Thursday, October 29, 3:45-5:00 pm in the gym
Please be prepared with the following paperwork prior to the first practice.
The Christ School welcomes Heather Webb as our 1st grade Teachers Assistant. Heather is from Toronto, Ontario, Canada, and studied Nursing at Humber College. In 1998 she followed her passion for art and opened an International Fine Art Gallery in Naples, Florida. Heather closed the gallery in 2012 and moved to Orlando with her Husband, JW, and their daughter, Gabriella. Following their move to Orlando they were blessed with their second child, William, currently a 2nd grade TCS lion.
When William was diagnosed with dyslexia, Heather began to search for a way to help teach her son. She found the Orton Gillingham (OG) Method of teaching. That same year, she became trained with the Institute for Multi-Sensory Education in teaching OG. This began a new path and interest in teaching. Seeking to explore this new-found passion further, Heather began teacher training at the Orlando Montessori Teacher Education Institute in 2019.
“I have taken many different turns in my life and have always loved new challenges” says Heather. “This new chapter with TCS is exciting and rewarding because I can see most personally the incredible growth a child gains when in a supportive and nurturing environment. We feel privileged and blessed to be part of the TCS family. Go Lions!”
Heather shares one of her favorite Bible verses:
“Peace I leave with you. My peace I give you. I give to you not as the world gives. Don’t be troubled or afraid.” John 14:27
