JANUARY11,2013

THE WOODLANDS

C H R I S T I A N

A C A D E M Y

THEWOODLANDSCHRISTIANACADEMY

5800ACADEMYWAY.THEWOODLANDS,TEXAS77384.936-273-2555.WWW.TWCA.NET

Governance Board Update

The primary role of the Governance Board is to assure that The Woodlands Christian Academy challenges its students to reach their highest potential in Christ and equips them - spiritually, academically, physically and socially – to become effective leaders. To perform its job, the Board adopted John Carver’s model of Policy Governance in 2008. Policy Governance shifts the focus of the Board away from day-to-day operational management and committees, to a long-range strategic focus on the future of our school. Through the establishment of policies and limitations, the sole focus of the Board becomes the creation of policies and the governance of the Head of School to ensure compliance with the policies. The Head of School, who is the sole employee of the Board, has the authority to work within established limitations to pursue those policies. The Board interfaces with the Head of School to monitor the current plans and progress made by the administration in achieving the ultimate end goals. In accordance with this model, Julie Ambler and her administrative team have done an excellent job of implementing best educational practices and consistently improving the quality of all programs at Woodlands Christian. We are tremendously pleased with the efforts and goals of the school’s Leadership Team and we are excited about the future of Woodlands Christian under their guidance. We are additionally pleased that our outside auditor has, once again, given our school’s financial operations a clean report with no concerns or conditions. In preparation for our twenty-year anniversary and our re-accreditation with SACS

and ACSI next fall, the Board has begun a series of dialogues – with both internal and external experts - to test the long-term vision for Woodlands Christian. The first meeting assembled the original founders of Woodlands Christian, many former Board members, and current school administrators to discuss the founding vision of the school. We saw unmistakable evidence of God’s hand throughout the school’s history and alignment between the original vision and present reality. The second meeting included local pastors along with Ryan Highley, our Campus Pastor, to discuss the school’s role in the spiritual formation of its students. The discussion highlighted the need for Christian educators to follow the spiritual walk of alumni (we began annual surveys of graduates in 2010). This discussion also proved fruitful in furthering connections with local youth pastors, support for local churches, and ideas for future mission projects. This spring, the Board will hold two more discussions. The first will include local leaders and politicians to discuss the role of Christians in leadership, and the second will include college educators to examine the role and experience of Christians in higher education. Amazing things are happening every day at Woodlands Christian and we, as a Board, look forward with great anticipation to all the blessings God has in store for the future of our school.

In Christ,

Tom Earle, Chief Governance Officer

Janice FreetGary MueckJim O’ConnorLoren RegierNancy Yanochik

Lower School News

JANUARY 11, 2013

Congratulations, Mrs. Mahan!

Mrs. Karen Mahan, 1st grade, has been named an A+ Teacher by Kidnnected magazine! Read the article here.

Attention Lower School Dads!Mark your calendars for Wednesday,

February 6, 7:55 a.m. - 8:45 a.m. and plan

to join us for Donuts With Dad!

ATHLETIC DEPARTMENT NEWS

JANUARY 11, 2013

Warrior Varsity Basketball Update

The boys’ varsity, the girls’ varsity, and the boys’ junior varsity basketball teams hosted the Cougars of Faith Academy for Saturday afternoon games on January 5. The boys’ varsity team came away with a 69-45 win. The girls’ varsity team and the boys’ junior varsity both fought hard but were unable to overcome the Cougars. District play for all teams began on Tuesday, January 8 when the Warriors played host to Cypress Christian. The boys’ junior varsity team got the action started followed by the girls’ varsity. Both teams played with

intensity but did not come away with a win. The boys’ varsity closed out the evening

with an exciting 66-55 victory. On Friday, the boys’ and girls’ varsity teams travel to Houston for a district contest against St. Thomas Episcopal. Scheduled tip-off times are as follows: girls, 6:00 p.m. and boys, 7:30 p.m. The

teams return home for more district games on Tuesday, January 15 when they face St. Joseph Catholic School from Bryan, Texas.

All School Winter/Spring Sports Pep Rally

Thursday, January 176:30 p.m. SLC

Join us for food, fun and fellowship as we salute our winter and spring sports teams!

Warrior Softball Welcomes Dowdy As Assistant Coach

Warrior softball is pleased to announce that Becky Dowdy (photo at left) will join the coaching staff this season. Mrs. Dowdy teaches high school anatomy, biology and chemistry here at Woodlands Christian. Her most recent softball duties include three years of coaching experience at Ansbach Middle High School, a school for U.S. military families in Ansbach, Germany, where she played a major role in working with the school board to gain approval and funding to form the team. As a college

student, she played softball four years at Sweet Briar College in Virginia. Welcome Coach Dowdy!

There will be a parent meeting for the middle and high school teams on Thursday, January 10 in the lecture room of the Timothy Building beginning at 7:00 p.m. Middle and high school practices begin Monday, January 14. For more information please contact Head Coach John Ledbetter at john.ledbetter@LibertyMutual.com

ATHLETIC DEPARTMENT NEWS

JANUARY 11, 2013

Up to the minute schedule information for your favorite teams is just a click away!

Boys’ Varsity Basketball . Girls’ Varsity Basketball . JV Boys‘ Basketball

Varsity Baseball . Varsity Softball

Varsity Swim Team . Varsity Golf

MS Gold Boys’ Basketball

MS Green Boys’ Basketball

MS White Boys’ Basketball

MS Gold Girls’ Basketball

MS Green Girls’ Basketball

MS Softball

Are you ready? Warrior baseball begins January 21!

Track & Field Meeting There will be an important meeting for parents and students participating in middle and high school track on Thursday, January 17 at 5:45 p.m. in the MPR of the Timothy Building. We will discuss the plans for our entire season; therefore, attendance is strongly encouraged. The meeting will conclude promptly at 6:30 p.m. to allow everyone time to enjoy the food and fun at the Winter/Spring Sports Pep Rally!

All School News

JANUARY 11, 2013

Inclement WeatherAlert System Now Available!

In order to better serve our school community, Woodlands Christian has established a special Twitter account specifically to communicate urgent messages such as school closings due to weather or other unforeseen circumstances. You do not need a Twitter account to receive alert notifications! To register for Woodlands Christian alerts text the message follow@twcaalerts to: 40404. This Twitter account will not be used for social communications.

Purchase tickets for your opportunity to win tuition for the 2013-2014 school year

and/or a sporty new Fiat 500!Ticket prices are as follows:

1 - $1006 - $500

13 - $1,000Click here to purchase your tickets or visit

the business office during school hours.

Got tuition? Want to own a Fiat 500 convertible?

Save the date! Woodlands Christian Auction & Gala April 13, 2013