THE PCAG NEWSLETTER: WHAT’S NEWS AT PCAG
Issue 5
5
The PCAG
Newsletter:
What’s News at
PCAG
11.3.16
IN THIS ISSUE
The Great
Pumpkin
Race to the Finish:
Palmetto Pride’s 5K and Fun Run
On Saturday, October 22nd, our
fourth annual Palmetto Pride 5K and
Fun Run crossed its finish line with a
rousing success. From two intricate
Teachers, students, and families alike
courses, numerous family and friends
deem the first week back at Palmetto
who braced the chill for the run, and
Christian Academy of Greenwood (PCAG)
few newInrecords,
the race
a asuccess.
fact, more
thancertainly
just a
was one
remember.
Furthermore,
success,
lasttoweek
was a home-coming.
basedtoon
the number
of participants,
Similar
a familial
get-together,
PCAG’s
we
will
not
remember
thisofrace
ninth year began with a buzz
warmth,
sharing
of recent
news,
and
alone. Instead,
we will
be able
to a
surrounding
sensethe
of multiple
community
for all
discuss it with
loved
the
participants.
ones
and members of the
community who also participated.
Some Things Never Change
Overall, we had a combined total of
Both students and teachers agree: PCAG
over 75 people participants in the
is not just a school; it is a family.
races! What
a blessing!
According
to Dr.
Don Marshall, “PCAG
has a real family-feel to it…especially
In addition to bringing us together,
when students, family, and teachers get
the race also
ourI school
together.”
As arecognized
new teacher,
noticed
and
community
family’s
talents.
this myself during Open House. Mrs.
Congratulations
to all of our
Joan
Gore, the principal
of winners!
PCAG,
Specifically,
we and
wantstudents
to recognize
welcomed
families
not only
with
anWhitt
opening
Instead,
Rose
and speech.
Joel Tiller
as theshe,
along
with
the
other
teachers,
mingled
overall winners as well as Susan
with
families
and
asked
about
Phillips and Locke Simons as sisters,
the
brothers,
parents, of
andthe
prayer
requests,
master winners
5K! We
also
saw a lot of gifted competition
between age groups. Cheers to
Paige Nordlund, Lee Dahlberg,
Elizabeth Van Swol , Colin Blumer,
Jessi Crum, Alec Manley , Sarah
Dorn, Eric Evans, Kathy Chapman,
Russell Harper, Robin Walenceus,
in a way that spoke of years of friendship
Mark Van Swol, Glenda Moore, and
as well as trusted new-beginnings.
Archie Moore for being first in their
age
and genderDifferences
group!
Overcoming
Congratulations
also was
to Jay
The start of school
noOwens,
different.
Leighton
Davisacademic
, Kate Dahlberg,
Despite new
and student
growth,
whichRajincluded
new in
teachers,
and
Kareena
for winning
the
solidification
of
the
athletic
their age groups in the Fun Run!
department through Corey Sinclair, and a
Lastly,
joyous we
influx
wantof
to give
new a special
preschoolers,
PCAG’syou
attention
to each
student has not
thank
to all who
volunteered,
waivered. Asand
Grace
Jackson, anFrom
eleventh
sponsored,
participated!
grader,
described,
her
first
day
minor participants who were back at
PCAG was
It was like [she]
assisted
by“awesome.
their kind strollernever even left.” Her colleague, Elizabeth
pushing mothers, to the participant
Van Swol agreed and added that, “It felt
who
recovered
from
a major
like ajust
family
reunion.”
Though
PCAG still
injury,
to
all
of
the
families
firmly holds to a challengingwho
curriculum
participated
and sponsored,
we it is
that many students
label as “hard”,
could
not have
done
it without
you.
clear that
PCAG’s
focus
extends beyond
Thank
academia.
youInstead,
for making
the our
stafftime
focuses
at on
what
m
PCAG race by!
Our Run/Walk Club
joined together
with a special
guest in order to
run the Pumpkin
Run! Pg.2
Don’t
miss our
Within
Packing
Our
Party
WScope!
for
OCC!
Join us tomorrow,
th
November 4 , at
1:30pm in the
cafegymatorium!
Pg. 3
We’ve Got the Magicee
Last week,
nd
our 2
through
th
5 graders
went on a
field trip
that was
truly
magical.
Pg. 2
THE PCAG NEWSLETTER: WHAT’S NEWS AT PCAG | Issue 5
2
was very interesting because of its odd shape..” –
Milaan Raj
Pretty Pumped:
PCAG’s Pumpkin Run
Running with the Turkey
Yesterday, on November 2nd, the PCAG Run/Walk Team sprinted together to
uphold another PCAG annual event: The Pumpkin Run! Armed with pumpkin
stickers and eager for rubber bands, our students rushed around the school for their
laps as well as improving their health. However, unlike other Run/Walk Club
meetings, this run was different. Students competed with a very special guest: our
friendly turkey! Mrs. Chapman in her famous turkey costume ran alongside the kids
Thisthey
year’s
kick off
Yard
as
tried
notwas
tono
bedifferent.
taggedThe
by School
the gobbling
guest. As one of K3 students, Vera
Shuffle wasexclaimed
a success. From
learning
theteachers
measurement
Hrivnak,
to her
other
upon seeing Mrs. Chapman, “I saw the
of a yard to yard-long popsicles, the students and
turkey!
I saw it! ”
teachers alike certainly did more than just shuffle. C
Yet, the festivities did not just stop with there. Students also enjoyed a course that
was sprouted with pumpkins decorated by Mrs. Sprouse and after the run, a cooler
full of juice boxes and pumpkin-shaped cookies. Lastly, Mrs. Sprouse, Mrs.
Anderson, and Mrs. Chapman gathered everyone around for one more shenanigan
before the day was over: a turkey trot! Each student that earned an orange band
while running participated in a second race to the finish; however, this race was
special. Instead of running straight through a smaller course, the participants now
had to weave through the pumpkins. Although the race was neck and neck, three
winners arose. Therefore, we at PCAG want to especially congratulate James
Thomas Shorter, Cooper LaRoche, and Daniel Hegler for their running! It was truly a
blessing to see the way that teachers, parents, and students came together for such
a pleasurable event. Thank you so much to all of those who made this possible!
We’ve Got the Magic
Thelast
presentation
was great!
We truly
watched a
Our 2nd through 5th graders discovered
week that
magic
PowerPoint and we even saw a volvox! I was the
does exist… or at least so does the science
behind
it. Piled
withsplit
Ms.
only one
in my class
to see aup
volvox
into
Marty’s
delicious
bagged
lunches,
students
and
teachers
traveled
to
colonies.”Justin
Blackmon
Last week, the middle schoolers, alongside the
help
theof Peace
Dr. Marshall
Center
and Dr.
toHegler,
explore
started
“The
their
Science
of Magic.” From making a
“It was really cool that you could see all the
unit
on
learning
about
different
bacterium
teacher float to utilizing the scientific method,
BillofBraggs
different kinds
single-cellcertainly
organisms, and we
through high- powered microscopes. As Dr.
got
to see which kinds
of ones thatthis
were moving,
made
the
show
entertaining
as
well
as
educational.
Moreover,
Marshall noted this allows the students to see
especially the whorls.”- Noah Durham
field trip
students
about science in a way that
bacterium
thathelped
he “didn’t
even get tolearned
see in high
school”.
Here’s
what
our
students
have
to
say:
encouraged excitement through events
that
do indeed
seem
It was
awesome.
We saw
volvoxes, amoeba,
stentors,
euglena,
paramecium,
and a lot of other
incredible.
For
instance,
as
one
student,
Jacob
Hunnicutt
described,
“What I enjoyed about Dr. Hegler’s lecture was
things. It was taught by Jon Hegler and he was
learning
about
how there
are all kinds
living napkin and made actual little flakes
Braggs
“took
a regular,
wetofpaper
awesome(my dad). – Aaron Hegler
things around us that are very small and what
fly…like
snow.”
Jacob
also
mentioned
that the class was also
colors ad size they are so that any person can
“It was very fun! We got to look at euglena,
mesmerized
by
an
optical
illusion
that
made Braggs’
head look smaller
identify them and to also learn about what can kill amoeba,
volvoxes, and many more cool
you
and
what
cannot.”Aniya
Garlington
or bigger depending on the way the device,
which
was mounted
a to see
organisms
and bacteria.
It was reallyon
cool
all
those
tiny
organisms
that
you
cannot
see with
spun.and
What
an engaging
“I power-drill,
really liked Mr. Hegler,
I enjoyed
his class. way to demonstrate science and
the naked eye.”- Millison Davis
The
lecture
gave inprocesses
class he managed
to
the
waythat
ourhemind
the environment
around us! Thankfully,
make
interesting.
It
was
fun
to
watch
the
amoeba
unlike most magicians, Braggs, was ready
theamoeba
secrets
“It wasto
funreveal
seeing the
eatof
thehis
euglena.
eat the euglena. When we found the stentor, it
The
stentors
were
square.
It
was
also
cool
trade for the sake of education. All students and teachers agree. It wasto see
a rather magical event.
THE PCAG NEWSLETTER: WHAT’S NEWS AT PCAG | Issue 5
“Last year, I ran the best mile ever!” However, when
Saluting
our Heroes:
asked if he wanted to beat his own record, Jaxson
have the motivation to
enthusiastically shouted “Yeah!”. He simply cannot wait
exerciPictse. However,
Veterans
Day Chapel
to do his very best.
students are
learning to set his own goals. Jaxson mentioned that
Additionally, Amber Sprouse who mentions that she
loves the sweet-flavored popsicles, is rather sweet
3
herself. Instead of running, several of the bigger
students, including Amber, with the younger
students make sure that they don’t fall
behind. We are so proud of the way that our
students are striving to “get moving”, do
their best, and
Dear Parents, Students, Teachers, and loving Members of the community ,
It is now our turn to recognize your and your loved ones’ tireless dedication and protection of our country! Please join us this
November 11th for our Veteran’s Day Chapel at 8:00am. This event will be one you will not want to miss! As Paige Hodges, a teacher
who was heavily involved in last year’s event noted, it was very exciting to see how our speaker last year, Jim Wheeler, was able to
engage the participants from the youngest K4 child to the oldest member. This year will be no different. It truly is a chance to get
everyone involved and show our gratitude to our veterans. We look forward to seeing you there! Thank you!
Best,
PCAG
Adventure is Out There: MS/HS Opportunities Seminar Update
We at PCAG are certainly excited for the many options God has provided for our students and families just within this semester. As discussed during
the MS/HS opportunities seminar, PCAG now has a plethora of opportunities open to our students as well as strategies in place to make the most of
these new options.
Our first category of new available prospects is sports. As Mrs. Sinclair spoke about at the seminar, several new sports will emerge this spring! For
instance, starting in the spring, students will have the opportunity to play tennis as well as the boys will have the opportunity to engage in a
basketball team which will be most likely certified for competitions. We are so thankful for Mrs. Sinclair’s work on bringing us these two teams. Last
but not least, complements of Mrs. Gore, we will be continuing our Archery Club very soon. Please stay tuned for updates regarding the time. We are
also grateful for Chandra McDowell who volunteered to be in charge of fundraising this year. If you have any ideas for a fundraiser, please contact
the school.
Lastly, with all of these opportunities within our school, it is easy to look inwards at our own talents, abilities, or intelligence. However, that is not
where our hope ultimately lies. As Michael Sauer, the Young Life Coordinator in our area, reminded us at the seminar, ultimately our identity is
found in Christ, which means, as Christians, we are called to encourage our children as well as others in our community with that truth. As Michael
says, “Kids feel pressure from many different places...friends, family and themselves. They are constantly comparing themselves to everyone else
and social media makes that comparison even more difficult. Kids need to be reminded of their identity and that it comes from Christ. It doesn't
matter what their grades are or their performance in school...they are still loved by God and His love will not change. Parents can help remind their
kids of that truth as well as encouraging them to do their best along the way.”
Operation Christmas Child is a Go:
Last Call to Complete the Operation Before the
Packing Party
**WHAT TO BRING
st
K3- 1 grade: Toys ( please do not send toy guns,
knives, or military-related items) Dolls, toy
trucks, stuffed animals, yo-yos, harmonicas, etc.
are all good ideas for toys.
nd
th
2 -5 grade: Hygiene items/ accessories
Middle/High School: School supplies
*PLEASE DO NOT SEND: chocolate or food
items, out-of- date candy, liquids, lotions,
medications, vitamins, breakable items, or
aerosol cans.
Our Packing Party for Operation Christmas Child is tomorrow, Friday
November 4th at 1:30pm! Please join us in our effort to supply others in need
with Christmas presents as well as, most importantly, the gospel. Tomorrow
is the last chance to bring items, so please pile up the cafegymatorium with
your contributions! As Mrs. Durham noted, in order to provide the children
with what they truly need , “we need anything and everything…and lots of
it!” All contributing students will also receive one point for their team in the
Red and Blue War. Don’t let your team down!
Lastly, don’t forget: you have the chance to assist in this endeavor more than
just providing supplies. All students, teachers, and parents who want to
attend are invited to a giant Packing Party during 4th period tomorrow in the
cafegymatorium. If you want to wear pajamas tomorrow as part of the
festivities, please also bring seven dollars in order to pay for shipping for one
child’s box. If you desire to wear a hat, there is an additional seven dollar
cost. Remember: all pajamas must be dress code appropriate. We look
forward to seeing you all there in your “jammies” tomorrow as we seek to
help extend the true meaning of Christmas! Happy packing!
THE PCAG NEWSLETTER: WHAT’S NEWS AT PCAG | Issue 5
4
Just Being Classy: PCAG Inside and Outside of the Classroom
A few of our swimmers
show off their awards at
this year’s Swim Banquet.
We are now ready for fall after Parent’s Paint Night!
Our K4 is all “pinked out” in order to support those suffering
from breast cancer.
Left: Our female
Swimming Lions tote
their awards at the
Swim Banquet.
The eighth graders stand their ground in a riveting debate of
Patriots vs Loyalists in order to decide the fate of America.
More Upcoming Events
 November 4th–OCC Packing Party/ Pajama
Party at 1:30pm
 November 5th –Prayer Breakfast at 9:00am
November 9th – Open House
 November 11th –Veterans Day Chapel
 November 18th – Thanksgiving Feast and
Auction
Levi Whittington: 1st
Madelyn Farmer: 17th
Grant Simons: 21st
Colin Blumer: 28th