First Baptist Christian Academy • 7500 Fairmont Parkway • Pasadena, TX 77505 Tel: 281-991-9191 fbcatx.org

From the Head of School

Dear FBCA Parents,

With Re-enrollment now in progress, we begin to plan for next year. We love our current students and are happy that at least 90% will be able to return next year. At the same time we wish to assist other parents who are seeking an excellent school with solid Christian values for their children.

In spite of our advertisements, billboards, direct mail, etc. FBCA is still one of the best-kept secrets in our area. Frequently new parents say, “we did not know the school was here!” So I am asking you parents to help spread the word - Tell your friends and neighbors about FBCA! Invite them to our Preview Night on Thursday, January 24!

Here are some talking points that could assist you:

- Students get an excellent education- on Achievement Tests our students average 1-2 years ahead of national averages for their grade level.

- The Bible is taught supremely! Students learn that God’s word applies in all areas of life and in all subjects. God’s word gives guidance for the best life here on earth and for eternity.

- Students are encouraged to know Jesus personally and have eternal life. Each year 25 or more students come to trust Jesus as Savior.

- Chapel services and Daily Bible classes help equip students to resist evil that is promoted by our current culture. Students learn to stand strong for what is good!

- Students need to know the Bible to know and do what is right. Many students are misled today by media, music, and movies!

- Loving teachers encourage students to be their best. - A safe and nurturing environment is promoted at school. - Students have opportunity to develop talents with art, band, choir, and athletics. - High school students have opportunity to earn 30 to 60 hours of dual credit classes. - The tuition is much less than most schools of our quality!

We have a great school, so please tell your friends. Help us get more good students and help more students get a Bible-centered education!

Mr. Cullins

First Baptist Christian Academy January 2019

January 7 - 18

Elementary Skate Weeks

January 17

San Jac Dual Credit Meeting 7:00 PM

January 16 - 21

Class of 2019 Trip to Disneyworld

January 21

Martin Luther King Holiday - No School

January 24 - 27

YMCA Texas Youth & Government State Conference

January 24

Preview Night - Open to Public 7 PM

January 29

Elementary Class Photos

January 31

Secondary Class Photos

February 4

Prayer Warriors Meeting 6:30 - 7:30 PM

February 6

Progress Reports

February 7

Academic World Quest

February 15

TABS Gulf Coast Regional Convention No School

UPCOMING EVENTS

Please use the enclosed cards to invite your friends and neighbors.

SECONDARY NEWS - Toni Shuman

2 019 is upon us and we are expecting another great year. Secondary welcomes Donna Orsak as our new front door receptionist and attendance clerk. Take time to introduce yourself as she starts getting

to know our student and families.

Congratulations to Dr. Ron McNeel on his successful sub-mission of a course description and syllabi for dual credit Anatomy and Physiology with Colorado Christian Academy. These were the descriptors from CCU regarding his appli-cation: “beautifully designed courses”, “very impressed”, “fantastic”. Of course, we aren’t surprised. These additional eight hours of dual credit course work will be offered in the 2019-20 school year and rotate with the seven hours of approved course work in molecular biology and diversity of life we already offer under Dr. McNeel.

For those students/parents interested in SJC dual credit enrollment for next year, our annual informational meeting is set for January 17 at 7 pm in the Cafetorium.

Fun days ahead for our seniors! Thirty of our seniors are celebrating the final semester of high school with the annu-al Disney trip to Orlando. Be praying for safety and sweet memories to be made during their January 16-21 trip.

ELEMENTARY NEWS - Cindy McDonald

From the Chaplain

This summer, June 8 -15, our high school students will have the opportunity to work alongside church planters in Maine. There will be more details (exact dates, activities, costs, etc…) coming home very soon but please begin praying and thinking about taking part in this great opportunity to help these church planters reach their communities with the gospel. Maine is one of the most “post” Christian states in America. The team for this trip will max out around 20-25 total adults/students so once sign ups begin (within the next month) don’t wait too long.

- Brannon Revel

From the Counselor

Juniors, It's time to sign up for your individual junior interview. We will review your transcript, discuss your college and career plans, and develop an individual plan for you to move toward your goals. Please sign up at the link sent to your email.

You are welcome and encouraged to bring your parents. Just make sure you let your teacher know that you will be out of class if you schedule your appointment during class time.

Send an email to alice.purcell@fbcatx.org if you have any questions.

- Alice Purcell

The FBCA All - School Spelling Bee was held on Thursday, December 13. The winners of the 3rd- 8th Grade Level Spelling Bees competed against each other for the opportunity to progress to the Houston Public Media Spelling Bee in February. Congratulations to the Spelling Bee Winner Catherine Ruzek (5th grade, right) and the 2nd place Alternate Hayleigh Evans (6th grade, left).

Congratulations to the Grade Level Spelling Bee Winners! 1st Grade: Sophia Rosenberry; Dennis Ewer; Clarisa Irizarry 2nd Grade: Wyatt Rieves; Karsten Braut; Caden Amonette 3rd Grade: Noah Saucedo; Kiki Hicks; Ava Estrada 4th Grade: Layla Reynaga; Karsyn Crawford; Hailey Lanier 5th Grade: Alex Diep; Lexy Masson; Catherine Ruzek 6th Grade: Hayleigh Evans; Dylan Guillory; Kylie Petry 7th Grade: Kaleigh Deatherage; Evan Leonard; Allie Allen; Victoria Munoz 8th Grade: Victoria Cruz; Kylee McKinney; Keara Quinn; Angelina Banda

ACSI District Math Olympics Results

Scores include their rating (S=Superior; E=Excellent; G=Good); and some students also placed in their category. The ACSI Area Math Olympics will be held here at FBCA on Friday, February 22.

Students who qualified for the area competition have an asterisk by their name.

3rd Grade Computation:

*Abigail Bresnik-S, 3rd place

*Kiki Hicks-S, 2nd place

*Charli Redmond-S, 5th place

4th Grade Computation:

*Michaela Cooper-E

*Hailey Lanier-E

*Silas Salinas-E

5th Grade Computation:

*Alex Diep-E

*Rachel Froedge-E

*Laney Obel-E

6th Grade Computation:

*Alexander Davis-E, 4th place Jacqueline Lawrence-G

*Julia Mathew-E, 3rd place

7th Grade Computation:

*Matthew Henry-E

*Haley Hillhouse-E, 3rd place *Connor Shim-E

8th Grade Computation:

*Victoria Cruz-S, 2nd place

*Dustin Denny-E, 4th place

Alamea Rogers-G

3rd Grade Reasoning:

Abby Alexander-G

*Ethan Feinstein-E, 4th place

*Katelyn Koester-E, 4th place

4th Grade Reasoning:

*Cameron Parkan-E

*Layla Reynaga-E, 5th place

*Ava Witwer-E

5th Grade Reasoning:

*Lexy Masson-E, 5th place

*Landon Mooney-S, 3rd place

*Catherine Ruzek-S, 4th place

6th Grade Reasoning:

*Lukas Braut-S, 2nd place

*Hayleigh Evans-E, 3rd place

*Makaio Rogers-E, 4th place

7th Grade Reasoning:

*Nathan Mooney-E, 3rd place

8th Grade Reasoning:

*Joe Hedrick-E, 4th place

*Cassandra Vasquez-E, 3rd place

Junior High Basketball played in the Pasadena Faith Tournament this past weekend where they finished 2nd overall. Junior High Basketball is currently undefeated in district play, keep it up Warriors!!

This past weekend the High School Wrestlers competed in a tournament in Willis, TX. Caleb Boyd finished 3rd in his weight class and Micah Swadley finished 1st in his weight class! Great job guys!

Congrats to the following football players for making the All-District Team: Lathon King, Chris Brown, Drew Renteria, and Cole Bice.

Spring Sport Start Dates:

Jan. 14th- (those not involved in a winter sport) High School Softball, Baseball, Track and Field Feb. 4th- Junior High Softball and Baseball Feb. 11th- All Tennis, Junior High Track and Field TBD- Golf

The Advanced Academic Topics class collected items for refugees. They delivered the gifts to the Darjee family, who are Christians from Bhutan/Nepal. The family includes grandparents, an adult son and his wife, a young adult daughter, and a four-year-old grandson. Our FBCA students were able to visit and pray with them.

ACADEMICS & FINE ARTS

ATHLETIC NEWS - Athletic Director Justin Larsen

Assistant Athletic Director David Turner

TAPPS Fall Photo Contest FBCA had 7 entries in various categories and we placed in 3 different categories:

This was something new this year and the warriors did very well! Congratulations!

Waterscapes/Seascapes

Hannah Gabbard: 7th Place

Madelynn Gregory: 8th Place

Animals

Hannah Gabbard: 8th Place

Cityscape/Urban Architecture

Hannah Gabbard: 4th Place

Mrs. Chapman’s 7th grade English student, Santiago Barracchina,

presenting his biographical research on President Reagan.

Elementary students performed “A Rockin’ Royal Christmas”

show for the families and friends!

Photo by Madelynn

Gregory

First Baptist Christian Academy • 7500 Fairmont Parkway • Pasadena, TX 77505 Tel: 281-991-9191 fbcatx.org

FAMILY TESTIMONY - Cathleen Burkland

STAFF TESTIMONY - Dr. Ron McNeel

A ttending a Summer Camp at the

age of 11, I walked the aisle with

some friends, signed the card,

said the right words to the counselor, and

was later baptized. As time went on, I

didn’t see the difference in my life that

everyone talked about. I began to

question if what happened at that camp

was genuine. I battled within myself

about my salvation. The more I sat under the Word, the more

it convicted me. At 14, I at last made a genuine public

commitment to Christ, believing that He died on the cross for

my sins and accepted Him as Savior. Relief flooded my heart

and joy filled my life. That was 54 years ago, and I still KNOW

whose I am. As Dr. Jon Redmond says, “Anything less than

100% sure isn’t good enough.”

FBCA students Conquering Kilimanjaro!! Last week, Joel Redmond, Jr. at age 6, set a record of being the youngest person to climb to the 19,341 ft. summit of Mt. Kilimanjaro!! His sister, Charli Jo Redmond, age 8, also climbed to the summit, becoming the second youngest girl, to reach this highest peak in Africa! Congratulations to these two FBCA Warriors and their parents Joel and Jodi Redmond who also climbed Kilimanjaro during their Christmas break! Joel, the Dad, said this 8 day round trip climb was the most thrilling and most difficult thing he has ever attempted. A team of 24 guides and assistants, including medical advisors with oxygen, directed the climb to ensure safety and to set up camp each night. The family was able to be a Christian witness to their team and to other climbers. In the near future this family will share in chapel some pictures and a report about this adventure!

5th grade teacher Mrs. Susan Watson has decided to retire from teaching. Things have worked out for her and her husband to be able to retire and travel. We appreciate her investment in the lives of boys and girls here at FBCA for the last 7 years! She will complete her work with FBCA on Friday, January 18, 2019. We wish her well as they enjoy retirement and more time to travel.

O ur family has been a part of FBCA for 15 years. Natalie

is a Junior who partici-pates in cheer and track and Myka is in 8th grade enjoying basketball, vol-leyball and softball. I knew FBCA was an an-swer to prayer when my daughter was in first grade, talking about her school to a friend. Her friend mentioned how scary her princi-pal was. My daughter’s eyes got big and said mine is too, he carries a Bible in his arms! Children are busy fearing what peers do and think, they fear failure, and unfortunately fear their lives are at risk. Fearing the Lord and developing our children’s character is what is instilled behind the walls of FBCA. The teachers and staff here are fearless Godly leaders that are raising our children to become mothers and fathers after God’s own heart. I couldn’t ask for more.

FBCA 2019 Skate Week