FEBRUARY 19, 2016

THE WOODLANDSC H R I S T I A NA C A D E M Y

THE WOODLANDSCHRISTIAN ACADEMY

Sophomores - Big Bend National Park.5800 ACADEMY WAY . THE WOODLANDS, TEXAS 77384 . 936-273-2555 . WWW.TWCA.NET

Head Of School Notes — Julie Ambler

I am thrilled to report that over 91% of our existing students have returned contracts for next year! This is impressive retention for any school, and we are humbled by your trust and partnership. At this time, we also have 99 well-qualified potential candidates who have completed applications and hope to join us next year. There are many more students still in the application process. With such limited openings for 2016-2017, it appears that we will close with a wait pool for almost every grade. We have already begun an intentional effort to enroll those students who will best contribute to our school community. With such a strong enrollment projection, we are already making plans for next year. Thanks

to parent input from the fall survey and in-person meetings, we will continue to foster optimal learning environments where our students can grow and thrive. In all that we do, it is our desire to partner with you, our parents, and to inspire our students to reach their full God-given potential – spiritually, academically, physically and socially – for the glory of Jesus Christ. Thank you for choosing Woodlands Christian for the education of your children. We are humbled by your trust and partnership as we jointly strive to equip and inspire the next generation of Christian leaders.

Sophomores - Big Bend National Park.

Lower School News

FEBRUARY 19, 2016

Third Grade Students Create Classroom Ecosystem

Second Grade Students Present Poetry Night

This past week, second grade students presented Poetry Night an evening of original poetry readings. Each student wrote poems in four different forms and read their autobiographical poems aloud to the parents and other guests in attendance. Through this exercise, they learned not only how to write poetry but also how to express their feelings in very honest and heartwarming ways. Way to go Warrior poets!

Information & photos submitted by Karen McClenney.

Third grade students have created a fully sustainable food chain/ecosystem in their classroom this year. Warrior, the fat-tailed African gecko lives amongst crickets and mealworms upon which he feasts in the early stages of their lives. The ones who avoid becoming gecko food and reach maturity lay eggs before passing on and becoming food for the next generation of worms and crickets. Students are not only learning about the food chain and life cycles, but they are also learning about the effects of humidity and decomposition.

Information & photos submitted by Stephanie Williams.

Sophomores - Big Bend National Park.

Upper School News

FEBRUARY 19, 2016

Students Coast Through Energy Transformations

This week the college prep physics classes presented their paper roller coaster projects on energy transformations. This project involved the construction of a frame and roller coaster fashioned solely out of card stock paper and tape. The students had to build within certain size parameters, and include a funnel, a vertical loop and horizontal loops or spirals. Students completed potential and kinetic energy calculations at several locations on their roller coaster tracks and used the law of conservation of mechanical energy to calculate instantaneous velocity at certain moments. Students also calculated accelerations and forces at various positions. Bonus points went to the groups that included jumps in their tracks, incorporated a second marble triggered by the first or had the longest coasting time. If you would like to construct your own, templates can be found at the website paperrollercoasters.com. Just add a marble and enjoy!

Information & photos submitted by Pam Masau.

The Rotary Club of The Woodlands recently honored two members of our junior class at the Rotary Youth Leadership Award (RYLA) luncheon. Laura Walker and Ryan Doner were chosen for the award based on their leadership abilities and pursuit of academic excellence. Both students participated in a Rotary Youth Leadership camp in January, which focused on leadership and teamwork. The event was attended by hundreds of other students from throughout the state of Texas.

Information & photo submitted by Amy Rowe.

Romeo and Juliet As part of their study of Shakespeare’s famous play Romeo and Juliet, students in Mrs. Crystal Chapman’s high school English classes participated in various exercises to enhance their understanding of the play. Students selected, researched, and memorized a scene from the play and then performed the scene in class. Additionally, students were given the option to attend a live performance of the play (see photo at left). Photo & information submitted by Crystal Chapman.

Rotary Youth Leadership Awards

ATHLETIC DEPARTMENT NEWS

FEBRUARY 19, 2016

Warrior Basketball Teams Set For First Round Of Playoffs

Warrior Swim Team Earns 2nd Place At State Meet The TAPPS state swim meet was held in San Antonio on Friday, February 12.  The meet started with the recognition of Regional Swimmers of the Meet from January 26.  Hannah Bub and Colin Murphy were honored as representatives of the eastern region.  (See photo top center.) Bub and Murphy kicked off the meet with gold medal and new school record finishes in the 200 freestyle races.  Murphy also broke his own state record from last year in the 200 freestyle as well as his 500 freestyle victory!  Bub brought home the bronze medal in the 500 freestyle with a personal best time and new school record.   Jake Copeland made his first award podium appearance with a silver medal finish in the 100 freestyle and a new school record. Hailey Hanigan earned a bronze medal in the 100 backstroke and had a strong fifth place finish in the 100 butterfly. Katie Albertson improved her seed places and earned points for the Warriors with her fifth and sixth place swims in the 50 and 100 freestyles, respectively.  Mason Swanner made his

initial state appearance in a strong way! He broke both the 200 individual medley and 100 breaststroke school records and finished fifth and sixth in those

events. The boys 200 freestyle relay team of Jake Copeland, Mason Swanner, Danyon Decker and Colin Murphy brought home a gold medal and set a new school record.  This same relay team had an exciting second place finish in the 400 freestyle relay.  The girls 400 freestyle relay team of Hannah Bub, Hailey Hanigan,  Meredith Frey and Katie

Albertson added points to the team score with a silver medal. At the end of the meet, Colin Murphy was awarded as the Distinguished Swimmer of the Meet for his best, overall performance.  Collectively, this is the highest standing the Warriors

have ever achieved at the state swim meet.  The team finished in second place

overall. The boys' points earned them a state runner-up position, with the girls earning fourth place. (See

photo bottom center.) Way to go Warriors!

Information & photos submitted by Coach Kathryn Bub.

The Warriors travelled to Katy on Thursday, February 10 to play the Faith West Eagles. With both teams posting losses to Faith West, this set up additional games for the Warriors. The girls went up against St. Thomas on Tuesday night and came away with 33-26 victory to earn the 4th place seed in their playoff division. The boys once again faced Katy Faith West coming away with a 48-61 loss setting up a road game for their first playoff contest. The first round of playoff games begins on Friday, February 19 with details

as follows: Warrior boys’ varsity vs. Faith Academy Marble Falls. The game will be played at Faith Academy in Marble Falls. Tip-off is scheduled for 6:00 p.m. Warrior girls’ varsity vs. John Paul II Catholic High School. The game will be played at New Braunfels Christian Academy Secondary Campus in New

Braunfels. Tip-off is scheduled for 5:00 p.m.

Go Warrior basketball!

Sophomores - Big Bend National Park.

All School News

FEBRUARY 19, 2016

If you have returned your enrollment contract for the 2016-2017 school year, please stop by The Armory to pick up complimentary t-shirts for your entire family.

We would like to express our appreciation for your decision to entrust the education of your precious children to

The Woodlands Christian Academy.

Let Us Show You Our Appreciation!