Friday Letters - Hudson Valley Christian Academy

Check below for the past few week's Friday Letters:

December 3, 2009

After many, many years of faithful service to Hudson Valley Christian Academy our dear Nancy Sherwood will be leaving her position as Financial Director. She and her family will be beginning a new chapter in their lives and moving to Maryland in December.

To say that Nancy has been a blessing would be an understatement. She has volunteered her time in many ways and has always been faithful in all that she does. I know many of you echo my sentiments about Nancy. Her gentle quiet nature, her honesty and integrity helped to make HVCA what it is. She will be dearly missed!!!

Nancy will be working with members of the Board of Directors to ensure a smooth transition. At this time I want to inform you that Melani Sessa, who is new to our board this year, will be taking over Nancy’s responsibilities.

Melani comes to us with a wealth of experience in both the corporate and non-profit sectors. She has held the position of Manager for Power & Glory, the Christian Music Club for Columbia House. She is an active member in her church and community.

Melani has been asked to assist HVCA in our goals to remain good stewards of our income and increase the size of our student population. One of her primary responsibilities will be helping our families remain solvent.

Melani will be contacting many of our families in the weeks to come. If you would like to contact her at (914) 457-2280; her office hours are Monday and Wednesday 10am – 11am. She can also be reached anytime via e-mail at melani8@Optonline.net.

Lunch Forms

Lunch forms arre due no later than Monday December 7^th.

Reminder

Our Christmas program is December 17^th at 6pm.

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November 20, 2009

Pastor Dave Anderson from Crosslands Community Church spoke today. He spoke about the importance of being Christians who are focused on the goal of growing in grace and in knowledge of Christ! Pastor Dave modeled his talk on our scripture verse this month.

I’m still not all I should be, but I am focusing all my energies on this one thing: Forgetting the past and looking forward to what lies ahead, I strain to reach the end of the race and receive the prize for which God, through Jesus Christ, is calling us up to heaven. Philippians 3:13-14

Candy money is due by Monday, November 23^rd.

All children who bring their money in by Monday

will be eligible for a special treat!

We are closed Wednesday November 25^th.

Food Contributions

Please send non-perishable food items for our Thanksgiving donation to the Red Mills Food Pantry.

We are still in need of help to cover lunches for the teachers. If you or someone you know can help cover lunch for 1hr a week please call Karen in the office. We appreciate your continued support.

Praise God that we have yet to experience the H1N1 flu virus. We have taken steps at HVCA to help keep the building clean and sanitized. We would appreciate your help in continuing to help us in this endeavor. Please continue to send in a bottle or thermos of water each day for your child. If you can, we would appreciate some additional disposable wipes and anti-bacterial wipes and spray.

Bus Safety

Please make sure that your child does not get on the bus with any loose items. Anything brought to school must be safely stored in your child’s backpacks.

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November 13, 2009

Ms. Crowe spoke today in chapel. She used John 3:16 to illustrate some very important principals of being a Christian. First, going to church does not make you a Christian. Second reading your bible does not make you a Christian. Third being good does not make you a Christian. What does make you a Christian is accepting Jesus Christ as your savior. Know that when he died on the cross he bore all your sins. Confessing to him that you acknowledge that there is nothing you could do that could ever pay for your sins. And receive the free gift of eternal life in heaven.

God Loved

God Gave

We Believe

We Receive

Candy Drive

There are still some boxes of chocolate left! Feel free to pick up additional boxes in the office. Candy money is due back to school on Tuesday Nov 23^rd.

Food Pantry Collection

Please bring in non-perishable foods to be donated to the food pantry for Thanksgiving. If you would like to donate a turkey it would be greatly appreciated!

Parenting Seminar

This Saturday Calvary Bible Church (Yorktown Heights) will host the Focus on the Family live simulcast from 9:00 am – 3:00pm. The charge is $20 per person. Any questions call 914-245-3139.

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October 23, 2009

This morning in chapel we told a story about God using a newspaper. The paper was folded into different things and in the end turned into a lifejacket. We were reminded that our life jacket is Jesus Christ. He alone is our light and our salvation.

Safety Week

We had a wonderful week learning all about different ways to stay safe. On Monday we had our bus safety program. Bus drivers from Mahopac came and showed a video on ways we stay safe on and off the bus. Tuesday Officer Rafaele and his Police Dog Officer Cache came in to talk to us about Stranger Danger. Thursday rounded out our safety week with our trip to the Mahopac Falls Fire House. Children took a tour of the fire station, tried on safety gear, and even got to take a trip around the block in a fire truck. Thank you to all our volunteers for doing such a wonderful job in our community!

Picture Day

Picture Day is Wednesday November 4^th.

Please send your child in that day in their Friday Uniform.

Spiritual Empahsis Week

Monday October 26^th begins our Spiritual Emphasis Week. Folks from the Coastlands team will be with us all week. Each day they will lead a Chapel, sing songs and go to classes with the children. This is their third time ministering to our school. If you would like to learn more about their ministry you can visit them on the web at www.coastlands.edu.

Afterschool Programs

Today was our first afterschool art class. If you are still interested in taking a Guitar Class, Mr. Minnix will run another class when he gets three students. Please let the office know if you are interested.

Reminders

School is closed November 5^th and 6^th for staff development

WHUD was here to record our classes reciting the “Pledge of Allegiance”. You can hear them on occasion at 7:30 AM or go on line (whud.com) and click on the banner (the pledge with Mike and Casey).

We had a great time visiting the apple orchard! Thank you to all our parent volunteers who chaperoned and drove!

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October 16, 2009

Dear Parents:

Today Pastor Brian McIntyre from Lakeview Community Church spoke in Chapel. He spoke to us from Psalm 139. Pastor Brian reminded us that God made us special and unique with special talents. God wants us to use our gifts and talents to serve him and others. He also wants us to go to him in prayer when we need his help and guidance because he knows us better than anyone else on Earth!

Safety Week October 19^th – 23^rd

Monday Bus Safety

Tuesday Lieutenant Cazzari (Carmel Police Dept)

Thursday Mahopac Falls Fire House Trip

Fundraiser

Today children are coming home with a box of chocolate for our Fall fundraiser. Our goal is to sell 100 cases of chocolate. The school s cost for the chocolate has been funded by a donor, therefore if we sell all 100 cases we will raise 5,000 dollars! The bars are one dollar each. Please return all proceeds, as well as any un-sold chocolate to the office by Thursday November 19^th. Anyone who is able to sell additional boxes of chocolate please see Mrs.Walker.

Field Trips

Thursday October 22 is our trip to the Firehouse. Please make sure you have signed and sent in your permission slips.

Friday October 23rd is our field trip to the farm (1^st grade will be staying at school and having a camp-out). Please have children wear their school tee-shirt and sweatshirt. If you have not already sent in your money and permission slips please do so.

Food Pantry Donations

Thank you to everyone for contributing food to the food pantry. The pantry is currently looking for cake mix, frosting and canned fruit. If you would like to contribute, please send these items in on Friday with your child.

Upcoming Events

Coastland Team will be coming October 26^th – 30^th.

School is closed for staff development Nov 5^th and 6^th.

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October 9, 2009

Dear Parents

Pastor Dan O’Brien from Calvary Bible Church spoke at Chapel. He talked about two mice named Marty and Mickie. They were very curious about mouse traps. Even though they had been warned by their mother about the danger of going near mouse traps they just couldn’t resist; the smell of peanut butter was just too alluring. Pastor Dan reminded us of two other people who were tempted and then caught. Adam and Eve were asked not to eat from a certain tree in the Garden of Eden. Because they did they were cast out of the Garden. How often do we find ourselves in trouble when we disobey God’s word. When we live outside his guidelines and disregard his laws we often find ourselves in traps that are hard to get out of!

Upcoming Events

Our candy drive starts next week
We are closed Monday October 12^th for Columbus Day
Field trip to the Hodgson’s Farm Friday October 23^rd
Spiritual Emphasis Week October 26^th – 30^th.
Lunch forms due back October 13^th.
Dress down day October 15^th
After school Art and Music start
- Art Friday October 23^rd.
- Music Monday October 19^th.

Reminders

Please label all clothing
Send in a bottle/thermos with water, in addition to their snack and lunch beverage.

Pastor Dave Anderson our Physical Education teacher will be working with children on the Presidential Physical Fitness Challenge during the fall and spring. Grades first through sixth will be participating. They will be tested in:

Sit-ups
Push-ups
Stretching
Shuttle Run
Long distance Run

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October 2, 2009

Dear Parents,

Ms. Crowe spoke this morning in Chapel. She spoke about how although we all look different; we are created in the image of Christ. He is reflected through us so we must be mindful of how we speak and act.

We are adding “labels for education” to our roster. Similar to “box tops” any UPC code from any Campbell’s product can be clipped and returned to school. All labels collected are worth points that the school can use to purchase supplies and equipment.

We are starting some after school clubs. Art, Drama, and Guitar are being offered this semester. Guitar and Drama are available for third grade and up. Art, is being offered for second grade and higher. If you would like to sign up for one of these clubs, and have not gotten information, please ask your classroom teacher for a flyer. Drama club starts Thursday October 8^th.

THANK YOU! To all the parents who have volunteered for lunch duty. We currently need a lunch person for Wednesday and a recess volunteer for Thursday. Please call the office if you can help.

Our first fundraiser starts the week of October 12^th. This year we will be selling World Finest Chocolate bars with our school name and logo on the wrapper! We have ordered 100 cases of chocolate and hope that each child will be able to sell 1 case (50) bars or more. This sale is an important part of our fundraising campaign and we trust that everyone will participate enthusiastically. We will provide additional information next week.

Attached you will find some useful information regarding the H1N1 virus, along with additional information on the “labels for education” collection.

Have a great weekend!

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September 25, 2009

Dear Parents:

Our Chapel speaker today was Pastor Dave Anderson. He spoke to us about two friends named Tom and Jerry. When times got tough and there wasn’t any food to be found Tom sacrificed himself in a mouse trap to give his friend the last piece of cheese. This is a picture of our greatest friend Christ who laid down his life and became a willing sacrifice for us all. What a friend we have in Jesus!

Thursday was our first practice fire drill. Teachers and children did a great job. We were out of the building in a little over one minute. We will have fire drills monthly.

Thank you to Kristin Poellot for spear heading our box tops for education campaign. As Kristin said our goal is 1,000 dollars in box tops. Be sure to ask family and friends to add their box tops as well.

We are still looking for parents to come in once a week to help with lunch time. This will give our staff an additional break in the day. If you can help us in this way, please let us know as soon as possible. THANKS!

We are taking an offering of non-perishable food items for the food pantry here at Red Mills Baptist Church. They are currently in need of: Jelly, Tuna Fish, and Canned Soup (not tomato).

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September 18, 2009

Dear Parents:

Ms. Crowe spoke today in Chapel. She asked the question “Is there really enough time?”

She brought with her a jar, sand, pebbles and rocks. The sand represented the fun things we love to do, the pebbles our family time and the rocks our time spent with God. It was amazing to see if we put in the sand first (the fun things), then the pebbles and the rocks we couldn’t fit everything. When Ms. Crowe put the rocks (God time) then the pebbles and the sand the jar actually had room to spare! What a great reminder about how our lives should be ordered. Thank you Ms. Crowe!

Food Pantry Collection

In years past we have taken a collection during chapel to support World Vision. This year we will be collecting non-perishable food items for the food pantry here at Red Mills Church. The food pantry has been used a great deal this year to support local families in need. If you wish to contribute please send in a food item on Friday’s with your child. Items will be collected during Chapel. The food pantry is currently in need of:

· Canned Tuna

· Soup (except tomato)

· Jelly

Attention Shoppers

Hannaford Supermarket in Carmel gives back locally to area schools. HVCA has been added to the list of local schools they will support. Please put your receipts into the tower in the front of the store into the HVCA slot. A portion of your receipts will be donated back to the school.

Bus Information

Please make sure your child is outside waiting for the bus. Due to budget cuts drivers are on tight schedules.

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September11, 2009

Dear Parents

This is your first Friday letter. The opening of school has gone extremely well. I would like to send a special welcome to all our new families and a special welcome to all those returning to HVCA. We are so excited about this year and look forward to all the great things in store for you and your children. God is faithful and continues to bless us in so many wonderful ways.

This morning was our first Chapel. Today we talked about how just like you would follow a recipe closely in order to bake a great cake, so we need to follow the instruction in the bible that give us a “recipe for life”. If we follow God’s word closely our life will have a sweet aroma.

SOME IMPORTANT REMINDERS

Any transportation change must be made known to the Main Office. If someone else is picking up your child(ren), PLEASE LET US KNOW ahead of time. A phone call or note from you will prevent last minute confusion. If you arrange to have someone new pick up your child, they should be prepared to show us some identification.
Please send in your lunch forms/money by Monday.
Specials start next week.
Please check your child’s folder DAILY for important information.
If your child is absent, please send us a written note explaining the absence.

ARRIVAL AND DIMISSAL

We have 7 buses arriving to deliver and pick up students. If you are dropping off or picking up children, please do not park in front of any yellow curbs.

We are looking forward to parents coming in during the week to help with lunch time. This will give our staff an additional break during the day. If you can help us in this way, please let us know.

Have a great weekend!

Marigrace Walker

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