Preschool, Lower School,
Middle School
Website: www.cgca.org
A Ministry of Crossroads Bible
Church
The Mission of Cedar Grove
Academy
is to give a quality Christian
Education
emphasizing traditional
Biblical values.
215-379-3096 – church
215-725-3383 - school
#5
10/10/14
SPECIAL ANNOUNCEMENT:
Monday, October 13, both school and daycare will be closed for
Columbus Day.
#1 PRIORITY ON PRAYER:
Once again we started our school year off with an attitude of
prayer. This year, we are emphasizing prayer in a different way each day, encouraging children and
our families to make prayer for our school a #1 priority. This began Oct. 1 st and will continue
throughout this month. We encourage you to pray daily, keep a journal, and pray that many will
remain faithful in prayer all month. Please go to the CGCA website for the priority of prayer
calendar. There's a theme for everyday.
MIDDLE SCHOOL RETREAT (OCTOBER 29 - 31 ): If you would be willing to sponsor a student
to attend the Middle School Retreat, the cost is $125. Partial sponsorships are always welcome,
too. Students should have their completed forms and the students in grades 6, 7, and 8 will be
going to Spruce Lake in the Pocono Mountains for the Middle School Retreat on October 29-31.
Departure time is scheduled for 8:00 am on October 29th and return on October 31th by 3:30 pm.
MIDDLE SCHOOL RETREAT UPDATE: First thank you for being so flexible about our retreat as
we try to keep all your children safe. We have continued to monitor the situation in and around
Spruce Lake. At this point, Spruce Lake is still open and running at full capacity. CGCA has been in
contact with the local police in the Canadensis area. They informed us that area is safe and there is
no danger around Spruce Lake Retreat area. Travel to that area is not a concern to them. We
will call back the week before retreat for an update. If the manhunt continues and/or we foresee
there is even the possibility of danger, we will postpone our retreat to March of this year. Please
join us as we continue to pray this man is caught before October 29th!
HELPING HANDS FIGHT HUNGER FUNDRAISER: We are excited about our upcoming fundraising campaign, but we need your support! Next week, Cedar Grove Christian Academy will be
launching our Helping Hands Fight Hunger fund-raising campaign. This special event is being
organized to help raise much needed funds for our organization. Specifically, funds raised will be
used towards the purchase of various school related needs, a “new” bus fund, and helping to pay
off the new gymnasium. The event will be held on October 16, 2014, starting at 6pm. You can
RSVP online at www.cgca.org and click on “about” and “Helping Hands.”
PTF MEETING: Parents and teachers PTF will held not be held on Tues. Oct. 14 th. Instead PTF
will combine with the Helping Hands Fight Hunger campaign on Thursday night Oct. 16th at 6pm.
See you all there.
NO SCHOOL SKATE THIS SATURDAY
A HEALTHY SCHOOL: Cedar Grove Christian Academy has taken steps to help keep our children
safe during this cold and flu season. We have been even more aware of the needs for these
measures this year with all the threats that have been publicized so much on TV and other forms of
media. We as a school need to be vigilant to help keep our children healthy. Cleaning and
sanitizing are a priority. One virus in particular has been exceptionally bad this year. The following
statements are from a CNN broadcast concerning this virus.
… “it is important to remember that these infections are very common," said Dr. Anne Schuchat.
Schuchat is the assistant surgeon general for the U.S. Public Health Service and the director of the
National Center for Immunization and Respiratory Diseases. This particular type of enterovirus -EV-D68 -- is uncommon but not new. It was identified in the 1960s, and there have been fewer than
100 reported cases since that time. But it's possible that the relatively low number of reports might
be because EV-D68 is hard to identify. The reason health officials are concerned this year is that
there have been so many hospitalizations.
The threats of this virus, as well as the recent reports on the Ebola virus, are cause for increased
need for awareness and prevention. Please be aware that CGCA is taking precautions to help
protect our children. One way you can help us is by encouraging your child to wash their hands
often with warm soapy water.
Below is an informative link about the recent threats and provides suggestions for parents on how
to help remain healthy and how to help keep our children healthy.
http://www.cnn.com/2014/09/08/health/enterovirus-d68-symptoms/index.html
TRUTHS FROM PROVERBS: There are 5 specific scriptures the Lord wants children to learn. All of
these scriptures speak of being obedient and respectful first to parents and then to people in
authority. Please go over these with your children. Exodus 20:12, Deuteronomy 5:16, Colossians
3:20, Ephesians 6:1-3 and Hebrews 13:17. The Lord promises in Proverbs that if children learn
these truths when they are young, they will continue to practice those truths as they grow older.
OPERATION CHRISTMAS CHILD: CGCA will participate in distributing shoe boxes packed with
Christmas gifts and the Gospel of Christ’s saving grace for needy children around the world.
Operation Christmas Child is made possible through Samaritan’s Purse. Please send in items that
can be used for this mission project: barrettes, combs, small stuffed animals, toothbrushes,
pencils, pens, soap, t-shirts, socks, small tablets, and small toys. We will be collecting until Friday,
October 24. We also are in need of monetary gifts. The cost of shipping is $7.00 per shoe box. If
you can cover the cost of 1, 2, or a number of shoe boxes, all monetary gifts will be appreciated
and will help very much. We also need many empty shoe boxes, wrapping paper, and adhesive
tape. Thank you for your support with this school missions project.
DROP OFF AND PICK UP ALERT ! - It is very important that you practice safe driving
practices around the school. Please do not double park, make U turns or K turns near the
intersection of Martins Mill Rd. and Lawndale Ave. This is a very busy intersection and these
types of turns near this intersection are not safe. Please do not park where the buses drop
off on Bingham St. It forces the buses to stop in the street, creating a dangerous situation
for our children.
PRAY EVERYDAY: The following students led our school in prayer over the PA for the needs of
our school this week:
10/6/2014 - Daijah Fleming & Kristen Iles - 5th grade - Miss Moody
10/9/2014- Mr. Howard
10/10/2014- Elias Mejias Hernandez- Mrs. Hurley
10/10/2014- John Davis- Mrs. Hurley
SUMMER READING PROGRAM: The following students read ten or more books over the summer
and we want to recognize them for their best effort in reading this summer.
1st grade- Miss Parke - Ronnie Hill (10), Isabella Azevedo (10), James Samuel (10)
1st grade – Miss Schermerhorn -Taliyah Cannon(10), Kenneth Davis (10), Aston Tinsley (10)
2nd grade-Miss Russell - Gabrielle Alexandre (10), Morgan Blount (10), Dylan Exilus (10),
Eleana Huynh (10), Grace Neff (10), Lyriana Noel(10), Abigail Tazeem (10), Carmelle
Tertus(10), Typhany White (11), Nicholas Williams (10), Timothy Wilson (10)
2nd grade-Mrs. Quigley - Shaila De Alba (10), Alyssa Dinvil (10), Jayson Hall (10), Madison
Johnson (17), Julia Lewis (10), Makaylah Nelson (10), Mackenzie Purnell (10),
Reagan Roth (25), Sydney Wright (10)
rd
3 grade – Mrs. Bryan – Ryan St. Fleur (29), Sayuri Brown (10), Kayla Strickland (10)
3rd & 4th grades ACE-Miss Woods - Shemaiah David (30), Abigail Matthew (10),
Brianna Young (14)
4th grade- Mrs. Nolan - Winita Assaye (10)
ABSENTEE CALLS NOW REQUIRED FOR MIDDLE SCHOOL STUDENTS: Parents are now
required to call the school office (215-725-3383) by 8:45 am if your Middle School child will be
absent. This will help us be more consistent with our records and help ensure the safety of our
children.
Shorts and CGCA: Our handbook states that uniform shorts may only be worn in Sept. May and
June. We are adjusting this slightly this year and adding October to the list of months.
MORNING HOURS: Children who arrive before 7:45 am must report to the daycare until 7:45 am.
Grades 1-8 will be supervised at 7:45 am in the yard. Lines enter the building at 8:05 am and
school begins at 8:15 am. All children should arrive by 8:10 am at the latest. The late bell rings at
8:15 am.
LUNCH PROGRAM: Students may also purchase beverages and snacks. A menu and order form
is sent home every Wednesday and should be returned to your child’s homeroom teacher along
with the payment by Friday. The new form is now on our website under student life tab. It is just a
printable copy, not a click-able form, but we are working on that.
AWANA: Families looking for a youth program are welcome to bring their children to the
Crossroads Bible Church AWANA program on Fridays from 7:00 to 8:45 pm. All children from 1st
through 6th grades are invited to participate. The AWANA program meets at Crossroads Bible
Church, 855 Old Huntingdon Pike, Huntingdon Valley, PA 19006. Middle school students are
invited to participate in the youth group which meets on Fridays at 7 pm. Lawndale Baptist Church,
located just across the street from the school, also has an excellent AWANA program for boys and
girls on the same night as Crossroads and a youth group on Wednesdays for the teens.
ATTENTION ALL PARENTS: Parents are discouraged from calling their children during the school
day, unless it is an emergency. Messages will be delivered to them only during lunchtime. Any
messages regarding changes in transportation or daycare for the day must be called in before 2:30
pm to ensure your child gets the message. The office is too busy after that time to deliver
messages. Children are discouraged from using the office phone. If a call is absolutely
necessary, the child will have to pay 25¢ per phone call, unless they’re sick or have an emergency.
DATES:
Mon.
Thurs.
Wed.
Fri.
Tues.
Thu-Fri
Mon.
Oct. 13
Oct. 16
Nov. 5
Nov. 7
Nov. 11
Nov.13-14
Nov. 17
NO SCHOOL – COLUMBUS DAY - (DCC)
Fundraiser – Pack-a-Thon kick off
Picture Retake
End of First Quarter
PTF Meeting 7pm - Samaritan's Purse – Operation Christmas Child
NO SCHOOL OR DAYCARE – Teachers Conference – (DCC)
NO SCHOOL – Parent-Teacher Conferences – Report Cards Issued
(DCO)
SPAGHETTI DINNER: Thursday, November 6th - COME AND HAVE DINNER WITH US!! LET
US DO THE COOKING FOR YOU! Spaghetti Dinner forms will be sent home soon . All proceeds
will benefit the 7th grade ski trip.
SOCCER SCHEDULE:
Tues. 10/14
Boys - Vs. Open Door
Girls - @ Open Door
Wed. 10/15
Boys - @ Holmesburg
Thurs. 10/16
Indoor Soccer Vs. Timothy
Fri.
10/17
Erdenheim Girls Tournament
Open Door Boys Tournament
3:30 – 5:15pm
3:30 - 5:30pm
3:30 - 6:30pm (Stop for dinner)
3:30 - 5:30pm
noon-6:00pm
noon-6:00pm
LADY LIONS BASKETBALL (NOT Saturday Intramural)
October Practice Schedule:
Tuesdays and Wednesdays from 3:15 – 4:45 pm
• Those who are on the Outdoor Soccer or Puppet Teams need not worry about
missing basketball practices this month.
• After the MS Retreat an official permission slip will be sent home and
mandatory practices will begin.
CGCA BEGINNER INTRAMURAL BASKETBALL LEAGUE PRACTICE SCHEDULE:
Boys practices - Tuesdays from 6-8pm (6pm – red and gold & 7pm – blue and green)
Girls practices - Thursdays from 6-7pm
PHILADELPHIA FIRE DEPARTMENT CITY WIDE ESSAY CONTEST: The Essay Contest is open
to all sixth, seventh, and eighth grade pupils attending any of Philadelphia public, private, and
parochial and charter schools. The theme of this year's essay contest is “Be A Safe and S.M.A.R.T.
Senior through Community Risk Reduction”, or any related fire prevention topic. Essays are
required to be 250 words or less and composed around a residential fire prevention theme.
Entries will be judged for fire safety thought and content, as well as neatness and originality.
ESSAYS SHOULD DEMONSTRATE SOME IMAGINATION AND Not Read Like A Fire Safety
Brochure. The contest began on Monday, September 22 and conclude on Friday, October 24,
2014. First place will receive a trophy and a $200.00 award. The first place winner's school will
receive the perpetual trophy, to be held for one year. Second and third place winners receive a
trophy and $150.00 and $100.00 awards respectively.
INSTRUMENT LESSONS: Information about band instrument lessons was sent home for 4th
through 8th graders. Lessons are available for the following instruments: flute, trumpet,
trombone, clarinet, saxophone, french horn, baritone horn, tuba, and percussion. There is
no cost for lessons, other than instrument rental or purchase. If you want this opportunity for your
child, please indicate that on the form. Strings and Piano lessons are available upon request,
but are handled by visiting teachers that do this as a business and there is an hourly fee. Please
notify our school office if you desire your son or daughter to take lessons. You may also contact the
teachers directly by phone. Their contact info is listed here:
Piano: Jessica Beir - [email protected]
Strings: Kathleen Thomas – [email protected] 610-348-7126
STRINGS: Group String music lessons will be available at Cedar Grove Academy in the fall of
2014. Lessons will be offered on the following instruments: Violin, Viola, and Cello. Click here for a
copy of the registration information. You may download, print a copy, and bring it to the school
office, or you may up the forms from our school office.
CELL PHONES: Students are not permitted to have cell phones in school. If, however, it is
necessary for your child to carry a cell phone, it must be left in the office while he/she is in the
building. Parents must sign the cell phone form for their child. Middle schoolers are required to turn
their phone off for the day. 5th and 6th grade students turn their phones into a homeroom teacher. 7th
and 8th graders may keep their phones in their lockers and are solely responsible for the safety of
that device.
DAYCARE BILLING: Just a reminder that daycare bills for grades 1-8 is sent home the first of
every month. It is not included with the tuition payment. Daycare services are available from 7 am
to 7:45 am and/or from 3 pm to 6 pm. Flexible hours are billed at $5.00 per hour.
After 6 pm pickup is charged $20 for each 15 minute interval or part thereof. Please be aware that
daycare workers appreciate being able to leave at or before 6 pm.
Bus Transportation: We appreciate the effort put forth by our school bus company, All City. They
have worked hard to adjust routes and make changes to get our students to school. They have
worked out many of the problems that plagued us at the start of this school year. Please realize
that there will still be the occasional issue. Thank you for being patient during these first weeks of
school. When there is an issue with your child's bus please call our school office so that we can
speak with the driver and report the problem. Most of the our drivers are approachable and willing
to work with you to make sure each child arrives at school and home safely.
BUS AND CAR TRANSPORTATION: Please call the school office (215-725-3383) before 2:30 pm
if your child will not be riding the school bus on a given day. There is no parking permitted on
Bingham St., except for school buses. Cars should never be driven into the school yard, even
during inclement weather. Please have your child leave and board your car at the curb. Also, for
the safety of our children, please do not double park or park in the drop-off only zone on
Lawndale Street.
Responsible students are available from 8 – 8:30 am to assist preschool
students in getting safely to their proper classroom. Thank you.
CAMPBELL’S LABELS & LABELS FOR EDUCATION: Thank you for continuing to save labels for CGCA.
We earn money to purchase equipment and other classroom needs.
CGCA AND UNITED WAY: I.D. #1197
You can designate your United Way contributions to be used for CGCA. Two of our programs
(Discovery Center and Daycare) meet the requirements to be a part of the United Way Donor
Choice Program. All you need to do is designate your United Way contribution to Cedar Grove
Christian Academy and use our I.D. #1197 on the pledge form. Thank you very much.
In His Grip,
Jeffrey Howard, Principal