Covenant Parent Connection Meeting

Friday, May 2nd | 8:15 am | CCA Cafeteria

Parents, please join us for the last Covenant Parent Connection meeting of the school year to learn how you can support end-of-year activities and events. 

For questions about Covenant Parent Connection, please contact Andrea Bergstrom, Grammar School Principal, at andrea.bergstrom@ccamail.org.

Covenant Commentaries: Spiritual Discernment

Friday, May 2nd | 8:45 am | CCA Cafeteria

Our final Covenant Commentary of the year will be held on Friday, May 2nd at 8:45 am following the Covenant Parent Connection meeting. 

Jason Lawrenz, CCA Chaplain, will discuss the crucial role of spiritual discernment in navigating public discourse, especially in today’s polarized and noisy world.  He encourages us to seek wisdom through prayer and Scripture, and to practice humility, ensuring that our words and the voices to which we give space in our minds reflect truth, love, and the character of Christ. This is an especially relevant topic to share with our children who might not be able to interpret public commentary accurately.

This session will be recorded for those who cannot attend.

If you have questions about Covenant Commentaries or would like to suggest topics for future Commentaries, please contact Nicole Wise Williams, Chief Advancement Officer, at nicole.williams@ccamail.org.

Teacher Appreciation Week

Monday, May 5th–Friday, May 9th

Teacher Appreciation Week is May 5-9th. We have the best teachers and staff here at Covenant Christian Academy and we want them to feel CELEBRATED this May. We have an exciting week planned to express our appreciation and make them feel special: 

Monday: Notes of Encouragement*

Tuesday: Snacks & Drinks

Wednesday: Catered Lunch

Thursday: Breakfast Buffet

Friday: Grab-n-Go Dessert Bar

We are encouraging each family at CCA to sign up to bring something to take part in honoring our hard working teachers. If you are able to contribute, please sign up here. Donations can be dropped off on the particular day they are being consumed. 

*In addition to a week of snacks and drinks, we are going to honor each of the teachers and staff members with a personalized Note of Encouragement. We would love every family to contribute to this by clicking on the Teacher Appreciation Week Notes of Encouragement Form to share a few sentiments about specific teachers and staff. Because we need time to compile everyone’s comments, the last day to contribute to the Encouragement Notes will be Friday, April 18th. 

Thank you for partnering with us to give our teachers an outstanding week of appreciation.
~The Parent Connection Team

International Student Host Family Application

The International Student Host Family Program is now accepting applications for potential host families for the 2025-26 school year. For more information about the host family program, please reference the ISP Host Family Presentation. 

Click here to complete the Host Family Application Form. 

Following the submission of the application, a member of our team will reach to schedule a home site visit. Please contact the Director of Admissions, Ryan Patrie, (ryan.patrie@ccamail.org) with any questions.

Mother-Son Cosmic Bowling

Saturday, May 3rd | 11:00 am–12:30 pm | Leo’s MetroBowl, Peabody

Moms and Sons, please mark your calendars for our annual Mother-Son Cosmic Bowling on Saturday, May 3rd from 11:00 am–12:30 pm. $17.50 per person to play. Click here to reserve your spot!

Invitations were sent home with all youngest boys!

The Last Dance: Sophomore, Junior, Senior Prom

Friday, May 9th | 6:30 pm | Spinelli’s, 10 Newbury St, Peabody, MA

Students in Grades 10-12 – Get your tickets for The Last Dance! Refer to the email from Mr. Ingersoll for the ticket link. 

Parents, friends, and family – Grab your cameras and join us for an unforgettable Promenade at Spinelli’s located at 10 Newbury St, Peabody, MA. Witness the glamour and excitement as our students make their grand entrance, beginning at 6:30 pm sharp.

The Promenade is a fun CCA tradition where students are announced as they walk out in pairs or small groups and have their pictures taken. After all the groups have been announced, a large group picture will be taken.

Students should arrive for the Promenade at 6:15 pm. The prom is from 7:00–10:00 pm.

Personal Safety Seminar

For Female Rhetoric School Students, Moms, and Female Staff

Friday, May 2nd | 3:00–5:00 pm

Director of Campus Safety, Mr. Ulrich, will host a two-hour personal safety seminar available to Rhetoric School-aged female students (as well as moms and female staff) on Friday, May 2nd from 3:00–5:00 pm. This will be an NRA Refuse to be a Victim curriculum taught by Mr. Ulrich and some assistants. This course will consist of a few basic self-defense techniques and tactical decision/role-playing scenarios. Every college-bound young woman should have a plan in place to deal with: dating violence and stalking behaviors, situational awareness, and road rage.

If interested, please print, sign, and deliver this waiver to Mr. Ulrich by Tuesday, April 29th.

Space is limited to 15 participants–Sign up today!

Questions about the seminar can be directed to Mr. Ulrich at joshua.ulrich@ccamail.org.

Classical Roots Weekly Blog: Progress 

Click here to read this week’s blog post, Progress, and to subscribe to the Classical Roots Substack. Download the Substack app to be able to comment and ask questions. Help us spread the word by sharing this link with your friends. 

If you are interested in learning more about this program or getting involved, please contact Alex Miller at alex.miller@ccamail.org.

CCA Students Raise Money for the Covenant Fund!

Grammar School students Kai V. (first grade) and Brevyn R. (fourth grade) participated in a Kick-A-Thon fundraiser at Middleton Karate. This was part of Middleton Karate’s stewardship initiative allowing students to experience giving back to their communities by donating funds raised to a cause close to their hearts. Collectively, the boys raised $925 and Middleton Karate spotted the rest to make it an even $1,000 donation to the Covenant Fund! We are humbled to be the recipients of their hard work and grateful to Middleton Karate for encouraging this initiative. Great job, boys! 

Katie Bartels, Grammar School Faculty, Third Grade

What is your role at Covenant, and how long have you worked here? I am one of two third-grade teachers, and I am in my third year here!

What has been your biggest learning experience here so far? I have learned how to have confidence as a teacher, both in my teaching style and in communicating with families. 

What’s your favorite thing about working at Covenant? For one, I have loved the close relationships I’ve been able to form with students. Not to earn brownie points, but I also have loved how supported I feel by our grammar school principal Andrea, and those I work with. I’m grateful that God placed me here. 

Can you share a Bible verse or passage that has had a significant impact on your life or career? There are a few I could say, but one that has brought me comfort and reminds me I am not in control is Proverbs 16:9 “In their hearts humans plan their course, but the Lord establishes their steps.” Jesus surrendered Himself to His Father’s plans for us.

What do you enjoy doing outside of work? Living on Gordon Conwell’s campus allows my husband and I to stay busy with the community there. I enjoy hosting friends, baking, reading, walking, playing spike ball or pickleball, and painting and drawing every once in awhile.

If you could travel anywhere in the world, where would it be and why? Who doesn’t want to go on a trip to Italy?

Describe one way you see God’s hand in Covenant’s mission or work. Moving to a new area 3 years ago could have been tough, but having this community made all the difference. I feel purpose in my work here. Each day offers an opportunity to be a Christ-like example to students and colleagues. I’ve grown and been humbled in this job. This is one of the best schools I could imagine working at.

What’s your favorite food? When I go back home to California I love to eat a good Carne Asada burrito.

Who on the team inspires you the most, and why? I work most closely with Kathleen Blosser. She inspires me with how she is a full-time mom to five children and a teacher here at CCA. She has an amazing work ethic and is a joy to work with. She has been one of the easiest people I’ve ever had the honor to collaborate with. 

What’s a fun fact about you that most people don’t know?  I worked at a zoo as an artist during summers and breaks throughout high school and college.

What’s your favorite CCA tradition or event? I love the International Festival! 

What’s your favorite book, movie, or hobby? My favorite book is “The Hiding Place.” I have read quite a few books from this time in history, but hearing about Corrie Ten Boom’s faith walk during her life is something everyone should read about. 

How do you find balance between your faith, family, and work commitments? I will never have a perfect balance. In the practical sense, though, I am willing to admit that I do not check my work email unless I’m at work. This has helped me keep my home life a little more stress-free. I also love being active in serving in my church. This keeps me tied to that community there as well. Something else that helps is that my husband, Joseph, does his seminary school work while I’m working. This allows us to have more quality time at home as well.

Is there anything else you’d like the community to know about you? I’m a fairly open book! Say hi when you see me!