I N S I D E T H I S I S S U E

Please Pl EAGLE January 1, 2015 Volume 5 Issue 5 NEWSLETTER Mission Statement With God's guidance, Jefferson Christian Academy will cultivate and maintain an environment where the student is nurtured and challenged to realize his/her potential in spiritual maturity, academic attainment, athletic achievement and social and emotional development. Jefferson Ch ristian Academy ~ 1500 Heritage Place Drive ~ Birmin gham, AL 3 5210 www.jcaweb.n et 205-956-9111 (phone) 205-956-9508 (fax) JCA Annual Elementary Christmas Program On Thursday, December 11 th the students in the 1 st through 5 th grade classes entertained the audience with a wonderful program called Snow Day. The program was written and directed by music and art teacher, Jenni Brooks. In the program, students at JCA were visited by Anna, Elsa, and Olaf, who have confused Irondale for Arendelle. The students begged Elsa to make it snow despite the fact that the parents were against it. In the end Elsa decides to Let It Snow, and everyone has a great time. I N S I D E T H I S I S S U E 1-2 C H R I S T M A S P R O G R A M S 3 T R E E D E C O R A T I N G 4 C O M M U N I T Y P E R F O R M A N C E S 5 C O U P O N B O O K S A L E 6 P R E S I D E N T S D ESK On the following Thursday, students in K2 through K5 performed A Storybook Christmas. Mrs. Baker, who wrote and directed the show, read the students in each class their favorite book, and the students provided the audience with lots of laughs with their songs, readings, and other entertainment. All of the students filled the audiences with Christmas cheer, and were visited by Santa Claus on both nights. It was a fantastic way to kick off the Christmas holidays. 7 B A S K E T B A L L 8 E L E M E N T A R Y B A S K E T B A L L 9 E A R L Y L E A R N I N G C E N T E R 10 D E C E M B E R I N P I C T U R E S January 2015 5 th First Day 2 nd Semester 8 th Enjoy the City Coupon Book Sale Kick-Off 13 th Elementary, Middle & High Honor Roll Awards 19 th MLK-School Closed 23 rd Homecoming 27 th National Honor Society Induction

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Eagle Newsletter Page 3 A Decorating Tradition Several years ago, upon the return from Thanksgiving break, JCA began a fun tradition of decorating the Christmas Tree in the main lobby. Each class, from the toddlers through the 5 th grade, hand makes their own special ornaments to hang on the tree. After placing their ornament, Mrs. Scott gives each child a candy cane for their hard work. We love to see the faces of our children as they participate in this annual tradition. As you can see, they did a beautiful job!

Page 4 Eagle Newsletter JCA Performs for the Irondale Community The Irondale Chamber of Commerce held its community wide Christmas Parade Saturday, December 6 th. JCA was asked to be a part of the festivities. We thought it would be a great opportunity for our chorus to perform and they did not disappoint! After representatives from our sports teams and chorus walked the parade from Irondale Community school to the City Hall, the parade s grand marshal, Nancy Moore Atchison, who played Little Idgie Threadgoode in Fried Green Tomatoes - and her son helped City Council President Bobby Joe Wilson light the Christmas tree in front of City Hall, where everyone was treated to special Christmas music by our choral group led by Miss Sarah Jane Driskell. We are so proud of our students here at JCA and our Irondale community. Sports representatives: Steven Gordon, Brandon McCaskey, Austin Colvin, Phillip Lester, Ethan Williams, Kyle Wilkerson, and Andrew Kingsley. Choral representatives: Madison Weber, Shelby Walker, Piper Perkins, Adrienne Dixon, Zoria Smith, Marley Glenn, Allison Taylor, and Sarah Jane Driskell. Christ Formation and our Chorus Bring Christmas Cheer! Several of our students from the Christ Formation Club and the Choir spread some Christmas cheer by caroling at Fair Haven Nursing Home in Irondale on December 17th, and at the Colonel Robert L. Howard State Veterans Home in Pell City on December 18th. Both of these days were half-days of school, in the middle of a busy exam week, and our students still took time out of their schedules to bring some cheer to the residents of these homes. JCA is blessed with some special students who possess a spirit of service and love for their fellow-man.

Eagle Newsletter Page 5 Enjoy the City Coupon Book Sale Begins January 8th! We are very excited to present to you the Enjoy the City Birmingham Area Savings Program. This book sells for only $20. JCA earns up to 50% of all sales. Tuition and fees only cover about 85% of the operational costs of JCA. Programs such as this cover that deficit and allow us to grow, prosper and do many of the things you see going on at JCA. We cannot do it without your support. Enjoy the City is a product that virtually sells itself featuring: More than $3,000 in valuable offers many deals are buy-one-get-one-free offers and there are many deals that you will not find anywhere else; More than 500 great savings offers for everyday value whether it s fine dining or casual dining, fast food or specialty food, recreation or entertainment, retail or services there s something for everyone; More than 190 popular participating merchants throughout the area and nationally; It s a great gift idea and is a gift that gives back year-round. We encourage you to consider this product as a gift idea for the birthdays, anniversaries, or other important days that you have on your calendar; Use the book just once or twice and it pays for itself! The book sells for only $20 and all checks or money orders should be made payable to JCA. Please take orders for the book between January 8th and January 29, 2015. Once you have finished selling the books please place all checks and/or money orders in the order envelope and return to the classroom no later than January 29, 2015. Enjoy the City and Jefferson Christian Academy does not allow door-to-door sales. Simply sell the book to family, friends, and co-workers and the fundraiser will be a great success. Enjoy the City Coupon Books can also be sold in other states, but they must be processed by JCA to receive credit (no online orders). We look forward to another record setting year in sales and can do it with your help! Thank you for your support of JCA!

Page 6 From the President s Desk Eagle Newsletter Jefferson Christian Academy is ranked in the Top 20 Private High Schools in the State of Alabama According to privateschools.com, there are 501 private schools in the State of Alabama serving 67,961 students. In Jefferson County alone, there are 111 private schools serving 10,915 students, according to privateschools.com. What does all of this mean to you? Well, when a school is rated number 16 out of the top 20 in the state it does not seem particularly special but, when you realize that it is number 16 out of the 501 private schools in the State of Alabama, and number 3 out of the 111 private schools in Jefferson County, it takes on a whole different meaning. Niche.com is a website that seeks to assist families in choosing a K-12 school or college by providing a more transparent process to evaluate schools. In 2014, Niche.com set out to answer the question what schools are best by creating a Best Private Schools ranking system. Using reviews and insight from everyday experts, they compiled a list ranking the top 20 private high schools in the State of Alabama. The Best Private High Schools ranking provides a comprehensive assessment of the overall experience at private high schools in all 50 states and the District of Columbia. It uses data sourced from various government and public data sets, Niche s own proprietary data and 123,218 opinion-based survey responses across a variety of topics from 16,688 current students, recent alumni and parents. A high ranking in Overall Experience generally indicates that: Students are very happy with their experiences in all aspects including academics, teachers, health, safety, resources, facilities, extracurricular activities, sports and fitness; The school is an exceptional, academic institution in terms of teachers, students, resources for learning and student outcomes; The school is made up of a diverse population and fosters an accepting, positive school culture; Students are actively involved in a variety of extracurricular activities and sports that the school offers. Niche.com In conducting this study Niche.com analyzed 7,669 schools nationwide, of which 3,880 received a numerical ranking. Factors considered in the rankings were: Academics 60% Student Culture and Diversity 30% Survey Responses 10% We are very proud of our faculty and staff. Students and parents were not satisfied with a good school and through their work and dedication they have made Jefferson Christian Academy an outstanding school. Bill Brown President and they shall mount up on wings like Eagles Isaiah 40:31

Eagle Newsletter Page 7 We are heading into our third and final month of the JCA Eagles basketball season for our Varsity and Junior Varsity teams. We have had an exciting season with our Varsity Boys placing first at the Sumiton Christian Tournament and the Varsity Girls placing first at the Saint Bernard Tournament. Currently, the Varsity Boys are ranked number four in the state! Come out and support them as they end their season! Eagles Basketball January 2 nd vs. Collinsville 4:00 p.m. (JVB, VG, VB) January 5 th @ Wellborn 5:00 p.m. (JVB, VG, VB) January 6 th vs. Dora 6:00 p.m. (VG) January 9 th @ Cornerstone 4:30 p.m. (JVB, VG, VB) January 12 th @ Fultondale 3:00 p.m. (VG, VB) January 15 th @ Berry 4:00 p.m. (JVB, VG, VB) January Schedule January 30 th vs. Fultondale 4:30 p.m. (JVB, VG, VB) January 16 th vs. Cornerstone 4:30 p.m. (JVB, VG, VB) January 17 th @ Collinsville 2:30 p.m. (JVB, VG) January 23 rd vs. Westminster 4:00 p.m. (JVB, VG, VB) *Homecoming January 24 th @ Dora 12:00 p.m. (VG) January 26 th @ Shades Mountain 5:00 p.m. (JVB, VG, VB) January 29 th vs. Wellborn 5:00 p.m. (JVB, VG, VB)

Page 8 January 3 rd Elementary Basketball January 24 th Eagle Newsletter The Birmingham Regional Independent Athletic Association s (BRIAA) goal is to create a positive athletic experience for the players by placing an emphasis on fair play and creating an atmosphere of respect for coaches, players and officials. It is the goal of this league to establish principles that will encourage players to have the desire to develop their athletic skills in years to come for later school competition and for them to consider basketball as a long term part of their wellness lifestyle. Our students enjoy being a part of this basketball league. They practice once a week and games are usually on Saturdays. The younger teams are coed, but when they enter the third grade the teams are split into boys and girls. This is a great way for your children to learn about a sport and have fun as well. Parents and teachers love to come support our Elementary students each Saturday when they play. Below is the schedule for the season. See you there! K4/K5 Dutton 8:00 a.m. @ JCA K4/K5 Kizer 9:00 a.m. @ JCA 1 st /2 nd White 10:00 a.m. @ JCA 3 rd /4 th Pugh 11:00 a.m. @ Highland 3 rd /4 th Singleton 2:00 p.m. @ Highland 5 th /6 th Bradley 12:00 p.m. @ SMC 5 th /6 th Burrows 11:00 a.m. @ Indian Springs January 10 th K4/K5 Dutton 8:00 a.m. @ Highland K4/K5 Kizer 9:00 a.m. @ Highland 1 st /2 nd White 11:00 a.m. @ Highland 3 rd /4 th Pugh 9:00 a.m. @ JCA 3 rd /4 th Singleton 10:00 a.m. @ JCA 5 th /6 th Bradley 11:00 a.m. @ JCA 5 th /6 th Burrows 3:00 p.m. @ JCA January 17 th K4/K5 Dutton 8:00 a.m. @ JCA K4/K5 Kizer 9:00 a.m. @ Highland 1 st /2 nd White 9:00 a.m. @ JCA 3 rd /4 th Pugh 8:00 a.m. @ Cornerstone 3 rd /4 th Singleton 9:00 a.m. @ Cornerstone 5 th /6 th Bradley 11:00 a.m. @ Cornerstone 5 th /6 th Burrows 12:00 p.m. @ Cornerstone K4/K5 Dutton 8:00 a.m. @ JCA K4/K5 Kizer 8:00 a.m. @ JCA 1 st /2 nd White 9:00 a.m. @ Highland 3 rd /4 th Pugh 9:00 a.m. @ JCA 3 rd /4 th Singleton 10:00 a.m. @ JCA 5 th /6 th Bradley 11:00 a.m. @ Cornerstone 5 th /6 th Burrows 11:00 a.m. @ Indian Springs January 31 st K4/K5 Dutton 9:00 a.m. @ JCA K4/K5 Kizer 10:00 a.m. @ SMCS 1 st /2 nd White 10:00 a.m. @ JCA 3 rd /4 th Pugh 11:00 a.m. @ JCA 3 rd /4 th Pugh 1:00 p.m. @ JCA 3 rd /4 th Singleton 11:00 a.m. @ Cornerstone 5 th /6 th Bradley 12:00 p.m. @ JCA 5 th /6 th Burrows 2:00 p.m. @ JCA February 7 th K4/K5 Dutton 10:00 a.m. @ Advent K4/K5 Kizer 8:00 a.m. @ JCA 1 st /2 nd White 8:00 a.m. @ SMCS 3 rd /4 th Singleton 9:00 a.m. @ JCA 5 th /6 th Bradley 10:00 a.m. @ JCA 5 th /6 th Burrows 3:00 p.m. @ Highland February 21 st K4/K5 Dutton 10:00 a.m. @ Advent K4/K5 Kizer 9:00 a.m. @ Advent 1 st /2 nd White 9:00 a.m. @ SMCS 3 rd /4 th Pugh 9:00 a.m. @ JCA 3 rd /4 th Singleton 9:00 a.m. @ Cornerstone 5 th /6 th Bradley 1:00 p.m. @ Cornerstone 5 th /6 th Burrows 2:00 p.m. @ JCA

Eagle Newsletter Page 9 JCA Early Learning Center The Butterflies are all smiles! Babies The Bumblebees hope you had a very Merry Christmas! K3 The Caterpillars enjoyed P.J. Day! Toddlers The Owls had a crafty December! K3 Fireflies love lunch time! K2

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