Opening Day Chapel & Welcome Back Parent Coffee

Wednesday, September 4th | 8:15–8:45 am | PAAC

We are excited to welcome back our CCA community! Please join us for our Opening Day chapel on Wednesday, September 4th from 8:15–8:45 am in the PAAC. Chapel will be followed by a time of fellowship and light refreshments in the PAAC Courtyard hosted by the Parent Connection. 

Students in grades 1-12 will enjoy the opening day Chapel service.

Parents of PK 3/5 day students will be attending orientation during this time, but will have future fellowship opportunities.

Hope to see you all there!

Parents in Prayer

Wednesday, September 11th | 8:15 am | CCA Cafeteria

Parents in Prayer is a fellowship co-led by CCA parents Hanna Machatha (mom to 4th- grader Andrew and 2nd-grader Ariana) and Valencia Koomson (mom to 3rd-grader Michelle and 1st-grader Justin) and is open to all CCA parents. We gather the first Wednesday of the month in the faculty/staff lounge following morning drop-off to pray for our students, faculty and staff, administrative leadership of the school and board, parents, and specific prayer needs as they arise. 

You are welcome to join us!

Our first prayer meeting for this school year is Wednesday, September 11th, at 8:15 am. Please reach out to Hanna or Valencia with any questions at parentsinprayer@ccamail.org. 

Upper School History Teacher

Are you a history buff with a knack for making the past come alive? We’re searching for a dynamic History teacher who can inspire our USLR students with engaging lessons and a love for learning about the world. If you’re able to ignite curiosity and foster critical thinking in young minds, this might be the role for you!

Interested? Know someone who would be perfect for this role? Spread the word and let’s find the best talent to continue making CCA an exceptional place to learn and grow.

At Covenant Christian Academy, we’re committed to nurturing academic excellence and character development in a supportive Christian environment. We’d love to welcome you to our family and be a part of something special.

To apply or learn more about this position, click here.

The Anxious Generation

We hope many of you joined us in our community reading of The Anxious Generation by Jonathan Haidt. As a school we are committed to providing an optimum learning environment for our students and current research has made a compelling argument in favor of phone (device) free schools. We will be communicating several dates for those interested in group discussion this fall!

Parent ProTech

Last spring we provided you with an opportunity to become more fully educated on the technology that has become such an influential part of most students’ lives through our partnership with Parent ProTech. The Parent ProTech platform and newsletter are now available to all CCA parents. Those who would like to take advantage of this outstanding resource can do so by registering using this link:  Parent ProTech Registration.

In addition you can view the Parent ProTech introductory video from last spring by clicking here. 

Save the Date: On Thursday evening, October 3rd at 7:00 pm, Parent ProTech professionals will present a workshop for parents on safe technology use for children and adolescents onsite at CCA! Please mark your calendars and save the date for this informative and education presentation. 

Classical Roots Weekly Blog: The Peach Harvest

Click here to read this week’s blog post, The Peach Harvest, and to subscribe to the Taproots 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. 

Important Reminder from the School Health Office

Thank you to those who have already updated student health records in Magnus Health. If you have not yet logged into your Magnus Health account to complete your student’s “To Do” items, please do so ASAP as it is now OVERDUE! This is required for both new and returning students. Refer to the email sent by the school nurse back in July for additional details.  

To access your Magnus Health Account: 

1. Log on to your FACTS Family Portal (If you are having difficulty accessing your FACTS account, please contact Tricia Curtis in the CCA Registrar Office at tricia.curtis@ccamail.org.)
2. On the left toolbar, select the “Student” drop down and click on the “Medical” tab.
3. Click the link to Magnus Health, which will direct you to the new health database.
4. Watch the intro video, then complete the checklist for each enrolled student.

Questions or Problems?

If you are having difficulty navigating the Magnus system, entering data online, or downloading the hardcopy coversheets and forms, or if you have any other questions, please contact customer support at Magnus Health SMR by phone at 919-502-7689 or by email at service@magnushealthportal.com. 

For any additional questions, please contact school.nurse@ccamail.org.

Grammar School Field Trip T-shirts

Grammar School students wear a special bright yellow T-shirt on all field trips to visibly designate the group, allowing chaperones to identify Covenant students quickly. Many returning students may have a Field Trip T-shirt that still fits but we are asking all students who need one to be sure and order a Field Trip shirt. We strongly suggest ordering up a size so you can get multiple years of use!

Click here for size chart and to place your order. 

Jump for Joy Club

2nd–4th Grade Girls | Tuesdays and Thursdays | 3:10–4:10 pm 

$130

Join Mrs. Herwing for the Jump for Joy club, where faith and fitness will go hand in hand! This new club is dedicated to providing wholesome fun through jump roping and other retro-style games. The focus is on physical activity and friendship building, offering a safe space for students to connect, stay active, and share in prayer. The club will meet on Tuesdays and Thursdays beginning September 24th to jump, play, and enjoy the simple pleasures of movement, while creating joyful associations with exercise. 

Click here to register. 

Questions? Please email abbagail.herwing@ccamail.org

Senior Prefect Retreat

USLR Dean of Students Caleb Ingersoll and the Senior Prefect students travelled to Gloucester for their Prefect Retreat. 

The Prefect Program at Covenant is a lead-by-example model which allows seniors to lead the school in particular areas where they may assist adults and organize students to do real work for the benefit of the student body and CCA programs. In the process a prefect will develop important leadership skills learning how to motivate, organize, and hold accountable students that are assisting her or him. The goal is to develop a heart for protecting and serving others while allowing them maximum opportunity to flourish in our school community.

Music Lessons

Don’t forget to sign up for fall music lessons! All of the information about available lesson opportunities, including the lesson registration form link and lesson handbook, can be found at the bottom of the Back-To-School portion of the website. Lessons are available as follows:

• Piano (Grade K and up)
• Acoustic Guitar, Electric Guitar, Bass Guitar, Ukulele (Grade 3 and up)
• All Wind Instruments (flute, clarinet, saxophone, trumpet, trombone, baritone) (Grade 4 and up)
• Percussion (Grade 3 and up)
• String Instruments (Violin, viola, cello) (Grade K and up)
• Voice (Grade 3 and up)

Please remember that lessons are assigned on a first-registered, first-served basis. Questions? Contact Mrs. Coleman, Director of Fine Arts, at lisa.coleman@ccamail.org.

Grammar School Musical, Imagine A Dragon!

We are excited to announce our Grammar School Musical, Imagine A Dragon!  

The dragon is back in town! Well… not really. That’s the story a ragtag band of innkeepers makes up, desperate to draw questing heroes to the struggling Dancing Dragon Inn. Soon the inn is full of unexpected guests, from an army of princesses out to prove their bravery, to a group of overwhelmed heroes trying to hold onto their fame. But what happens if they all discover the innkeepers’ dragon story is made up? Could there be more than one way to save the day? Students in grades 3-6 are eligible to participate in the Grammar School Musical.

Auditions will be held on:

Monday, September 9th

Tuesday, September 10th

Wednesday, September 11th

Register for the Musical by clicking on this link and sign up for an audition time here.  

The rehearsal schedule can be found here. 

More information will be emailed to students in grades 3-6 soon, so be on the lookout!

Congratulations to Peter Grifoni (‘17) and Anastasia Lukens on Their August 11th Wedding!

Peter Grifoni (‘17) married Anastasia Lukens on August 11th, at Pierce Farm in Topsfield. Peter recently graduated Boston University Law and the couple reside in Cambridge. Congratulations, Peter! 

Join us in welcoming CCA’s Director of Admissions, Ryan Patrie!

Ryan is well-versed in admissions at Christian schools, having led admissions efforts at Lexington Christian Academy and Austin Prep and we’re excited to have him join our team. Read below to learn a little more about him and be sure to introduce yourself as you see him around campus.

What will your role be here, and what are you most excited about? Director of Admissions – working with the Admissions Interns Council and helping to introduce CCA to new students and families!

Can you tell us a bit about your background and previous experience? I have worked in faith-based, college prep schools for 15 years. Serving as an Assistant Director of Admissions, Athletic Director, and Director of Domestic Admissions during that time. I have also been very involved in athletics, having coached Boys Varsity Soccer, Girls Varsity Soccer, and Boys Varsity Lacrosse.

What drew you to join CCA? Being in a community that is centered on Christ. I believe in the eternal value of Christian education. I also appreciate the Classical education model and the Pre-K to 12th grade program.

Favorite food: Fish tacos w/ Blackened Mahi

Favorite book: Leading by Sir Alex Ferguson

Favorite Bible verse: Joshua 1:9 “Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be frightened, and do not be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.”

What are your hobbies or interests outside of work? Playing with my sons!

Share a fun or unique fact about yourself: I spent a semester in college doing missions work in Kampala, Uganda. I served with the World Gospel Mission and worked at an International Christian School there. I also coached the Middle School and High School Soccer teams and played in an international soccer league representing Ireland.

What are you most looking forward to this school year? Working with our great Admissions Interns! Student ambassadors do so much for our community. In addition to being a great ambassador to prospective families, they are called to be leaders and servants in our community. I am also looking forward to getting to know all of CCA’s traditions and culture.

If you were to participate in the USLR Lip Sync Battle, which song would you sing? Anything (real) country

If you were to participate in the GS Star Wars dress-down day, which character would you be? Han Solo

Is there anything you’d like to say to the community as you start your journey here? Our family is so excited to join the CCA family! Looking forward to the start of the new school year and welcoming you back soon!