JUNE 29, 2012

THE WOODLANDS

C H R I S T I A N

A C A D E M Y

THE WOODLANDSCHRISTIAN ACADEMY

Greetings! I trust you are enjoying a wonderful summer. We are enthusiastic about the upcoming school year, and our administrative team is working diligently in preparation for the return of our students on August 15. We’ve hired some outstanding new teachers and, thanks to the generosity of our parents at this year’s auction, our faculty members are participating in some cutting-edge educational workshops. Each morning at 9:00 a.m. our summer team gathers in the lobby of the main building to pray together before spreading out across campus to ask for God’s blessings on our students and His powerful presence throughout our school. If you’re in the area, we’d love to have you join us! I am pleased to announce two enhancements for this next school year – an expanded school store and a new lunch provider. Beginning this fall, we are broadening our Warrior Store to sell more than spirit wear and parent resources. All required reading materials will be ordered through our campus store. The books will be delivered directly to the classrooms to ensure that all students have the same editions and

have their materials in a timely manner. As a parent, this will save you time and money. Ordering in bulk, using the school’s tax exempt status lowers the cost of required reading materials when compared to retail prices. The store will be open five days per week, and the Business Office will bill parents each month for any purchases. Eventually, we hope to add school supplies, uniforms (in addition to ordering directly from Lands’ End), summer reading and AP textbooks. We believe this convenience will simplify shopping for our families. We have purchased the existing kitchen equipment from our previous vendor and are now able to prepare fresh lunches on site. Hence, we will not continue our relationship with The Healthy Lunchbox. Presently, we are negotiating with a new vendor to provide a variety of healthy meals to our students. Many great things are happening at Woodlands Christian, and I know you will be impressed when you return in August. I pray the rest of your summer vacation is a blessed one.

Head of School Notes -- Julie Ambler

Campus will be closed July 2 - 6, 2012Summer offices hours are 9:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. Monday - Thursday

Campus is closed on Fridays.

Governance Board Extends Contract For Head of School A recent article in the Houston Chronicle stated that the new standardized STAAR test requires scores of only 37% to pass math and science and a score of 65% to pass the writing portion of the test. (Houston Chronicle, June 6, 2012). In contrast, we at Woodlands Christian strive for higher standards in all areas - spiritually, academically, physically and socially. The leadership, staff, and faculty continue to refine and improve on each of these areas so that all of our students may reach their highest potential for God’s unique purpose in their lives.

The Governance Board continues to set high goals for all areas of our school. In keeping with these goals, we have extended Julie Ambler’s contract as Head of School through May, 2015. We appreciate Mrs. Ambler’s leadership and her continued adherence to the Governance Board’s strong accountability model and directed goals. We pray you and your family have a safe and enjoyable summer as we look forward to all that God will do at Woodlands Christian in the 2012-2013 school year.

Tom EarleChief Governance Officer

JUNE 29, 2012

Commencement 2012

Family and friends of the Class of 2012 gathered Saturday, May 26 for commencement exercises held at Crossroads Baptist Church. The ceremony was highlighted by speeches from valedictorian Rebecca Earle, salutatorian Kirsten Ham, and the video presentation, Senior Reflections. This Woodlands Christian tradition is a slide show featuring photos of each graduate accompanied by a brief personal reflection given by a faculty member chosen by each senior. In total, the Class of 2012 was awarded $2,405,192 in scholarships. Congratulations Class of 2012!

Rebecca Earle, Valedictorian

Kirsten Ham, Salutatorian

Class of 2012The Woodlands Christian Academy

Lower School News

JUNE 29, 2012

Kindergarten Graduation

The class of 2024 formally made the transition from pre-schoolers to elementary school students with a special graduation ceremony held on May 25, 2012. Well done kindergarten students!

Class of 2024The Woodlands Christian Academy

Upper School News

JUNE 29, 2012

Dads & Grads Breakfast

The Class of 2012 enjoyed the second annual Dads & Grads Breakfast on Friday, May 18. Senior class members and their fathers were treated to a special breakfast prepared by junior class dads. Thanks to all the dads who made this a very memorable event for their graduating seniors. After enjoying their breakfast, the class of 2012 boarded the Woodlands Christian bus for a day of putt-putt golf and lunch at the Kemah Boardwalk. The winner of the second annual Woodlands Christian Senior Class Putt-Putt Tournament was Brandon Accomando.

ATHLETIC DEPARTMENT NEWS

JUNE 29, 2012

Warrior Baseball Announces All State & All District Selections

Warrior baseball players recently received honors at the All State, All District levels. Congratulations to this year’s honorees!

1st Team All State Zach Heard

Honorable MentionAll StateGrant Ware

1st Team All DistrictZach HeardGrant WareDrew Ross

2nd Team All DistrictJake StibbsKyle CaddellMarcos Mora

Honorable Mention All District Adam LozanoTim Mittelstaedt

Warrior Softball All District Selections

Congratulations to the following Warrior softball team members for earning All District honors in TAPPS 3A District 6:

1st Team All DistrictAmanda Allen

2nd Team All DistrictIliana Giorgi

Cross country season gets underway in August at the beginning of the new school year. There will be teams for middle school and high school runners. Practice begins on Monday, August 20 from 6:30 a.m. - 7:30 a.m. Practices will be held on campus. Woodlands Christian will host its first ever cross country meet on Saturday, September 8. We are looking forward to having many schools and families participate in this event. For more information about the cross country program please contact Coach Tom Earle, tearle@twca.net.

Special congratulations to Zach Heard for earning District MVP honors, and All Tournament honors at the state baseball tournament. In addition, Heard was named to the Houston Chronicle’s All Greater Houston 2nd Team.

All School News

JUNE 29, 2012

New Faculty & Staff Spotlight

Anthony Bocciardi - Mr. Bocciardi joins Woodlands Christian as a member of our high school math department. He holds a Masters degree in Mathematics from Eastern Michigan University and a Bachelor of Arts degree in Mathematics from the University of Michigan. He also holds a Masters of Divinity degree from the Reformed Theological Seminary in Oveido, Florida. Mr. Bocciardi previously taught AP Calculus, Pre-Calculus, DE Calculus, geometry, and algebra I & II (honors and level) at Orangewood Christian High School in Maitland, Florida. “Enthusiasm for your subject material is the most important factor in instilling interest in what you are teaching. Students are generally energized by the teacher’s enthusiasm and energy. I love talking about the faith and I love working with students. Teaching in a Christian school has been a very clear calling in my life”

Shelie Goodwin - Mrs. Goodwin joins our staff as Assistant Director of Development. She holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Psychology from the University of Texas. Most recently, Mrs. Goodwin held the position of marketing director at Christ Community School here in The Woodlands. “I believe Christian education is a powerful tool to grow the Kingdom of God. In the school setting you have eight hours a day to impact a student’s life and that has a direct impact on their families and their families circles of influence. It is an amazing opportunity! Communicating the heart/mission of the school internally and externally will have a positive impact.”

Stephen Mawire - Coach Mawire joins Woodlands Christian as Head Boys’ Varsity Basketball Coach and Assistant Director of Development for Athletics and Fine Arts. He holds a Bachelor of Science degree in University Studies with an emphasis in History, Business and Psychology from the University of Texas at Arlington. Previously, Coach Mawire was Head Boys’ Basketball Coach and Assistant Athletic Director at Burton Academy in Arlington, Texas. “I believe it is our goal as Christians to train up the younger generation in their walk with the Lord. It is our job to teach them by example and instill in them the characteristics of success for the real world. I attended a Christian high school and believe it was the foundation for my personal relationship with Christ.”

JUNE 29, 2012

ALL SCHOOL NEWS

Summer Office Hours

Monday - Thursday9:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.

Campus ClosedJuly 2 - 6

Back To School DayWednesday, August 110:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m.

MPRLands’ End Uniforms and more!

Classes resumeWednesday, August 15

New school hours! 8:15 a.m. - 3:30 p.m.

The Warrior Store is open during summer office hours!

9:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.Monday-Thursday