CCA’s International Festival

Friday, January 31st | 6:00 pm | PAAC

We look forward to hosting Covenant’s community celebration of our many cultures and traditions! Join us for an evening of food, fun, and celebration in the PAAC from 6:00–8:00 pm.

The International Festival is an evening where families represent their heritage and culture by sharing food, drinks, art, music, decorations, etc. We will line the PAAC with tables from different countries and have an open house atmosphere where you can walk around and sample various foods, talk with parents and students, and learn about the many cultures that make up our incredible CCA community.

If you want to be part of a table and provide food to share, click here. If you have any questions or ideas, please contact the Global Community Council Student Prefect Davi Silva at davi.silva.2025@ccamail.org. 

🇧🇷 🇧🇷 If you are interested in being part of the Brazilian table, email Erica Santos at erica.santos@ccamail.org. 🇧🇷 🇧🇷 

Covenant Parent Connection Meeting

Friday, January 31st | 8:15 am | CCA Cafeteria

Parents, please join us for the Covenant Parent Connection meeting to learn how you can support upcoming activities and events. 

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

All-School Wear Red Day

In Honor of Tyler Simoes’ Birthday (2/8)

Friday, February 7th

The whole school is invited to wear red on Friday, February 7th to honor Tyler Simoes’ birthday (2/8). Tyler was a bright light to all who knew him and his favorite color was red. While he is no longer here with us to celebrate this day, we will continue to keep his memory alive. Special thanks to his friends in the eighth-grade class for always thinking of ways we can honor and remember Tyler. 

Covenant’s Evening of Gratitude

Saturday, March 15th | 6:00–9:30 pm | Olio, Peabody, MA

Please mark your calendars and plan to join us as we host Covenant’s Evening of Gratitude for you, our Covenant family, on Saturday, March 15, 2025 at Olio (Peabody).  

Planning is underway, so stay tuned for more details in the coming weeks.

Questions regarding the Evening of Gratitude can be directed to Nicole Wise Williams, Chief Advancement Officer, at nicole.williams@ccamail.org.

Support Our Silent Auction: Help Build a Stronger Future for Covenant

We are excited to announce our upcoming silent auction, which will take place via mobile bidding in mid-March.  Teacher experiences, themed grade baskets, and select auction items will be displayed in select locations throughout the school and on our social media channels, with all items being featured on our mobile bidding platform and school website, as well as in our digital auction catalog. All auction proceeds will support our 2024-2025 Covenant Fund goal of $300,000 to replace a significant portion of the parking lot, replace our interior lighting with LED, install a playground shade, and make program investments in Science and Fine Arts.

To make our auction a success, we are reaching out to community members, local businesses, and organizations for donations of goods, services, or gift cards. We would be so grateful for your generous contribution, whether it’s an item, an experience, or a gift certificate that we can offer to our auction participants.

Here are just a few ideas of items that could make a great addition to the silent auction:

• Gift certificates to local businesses or restaurants
• Spa or wellness services
• Tickets to concerts, events, or attractions
• Unique experiences or adventures
• Art, jewelry, or handmade crafts
• Vacation packages or getaways
• Sports memorabilia or equipment

Your donation will not only help us raise much-needed funds, but it will also showcase your support for our community. All contributors will be acknowledged on the mobile bidding platform, and your business name or personal recognition will be included in our digital program, on our website, and across our social media channels.

We kindly ask that all donations be received by Monday, February 24, 2025, in order to ensure they are included in our auction catalog. If you would like more information about the Silent Auction or have any questions regarding the donation process, please do not hesitate to contact Nicole Wise Williams, Chief Advancement Officer at nicole.williams@ccamail.org.

Thank you so much for considering this opportunity to make a positive impact on our community. We truly appreciate your support!

Two Weeks Left to Reserve Your Ad in the Covenant Community Business Directory!  

Ad Reservations Due: Friday, January 31st 

Are you a business owner? Church leader? Frequent patron of a local business? The Covenant Community Business Directory is open to members of our community and places you frequent or would recommend to others. Business listings and ad space are available for purchase in the Directory, which will be an invaluable resource and an exclusive opportunity to bring the extended CCA community closer by fostering connections, encouraging support, and sharing resources. Have a friend that might be interested in this exclusive opportunity? Share the links below.  

Click here for listing and ad placement levels and here to reserve your ad space.

As a reminder, the deadline for ad reservations and artwork is Friday, January 31, 2025. 

The directory will be available for sale in print and digital formats in the spring. Pre-sale orders will begin the week of January 27th. 

Questions about the Covenant Community Business Directory can be directed to: 

Nicole Wise Williams, Chief Advancement Officer, at nicole.williams@ccamail.org or 

Erin Sheppard, Director of Marketing and Communications, at erin.sheppard@ccamail.org.

Thank you for supporting building a stronger Covenant community through local connections. 

Team Tyler Bake Sale

Thanks to all who came out last week and supported the Team Tyler Bake Sale led by Caroline C. and friends from the eighth grade class. Together they raised $600 for the Jade A. Williamson and Tyler Luiz Simões Memorial Scholarship Fund. Great job, friends! 

Covenant Fund Update

Thank you for your incredible support of the Covenant Fund! Your contributions directly impact our students by supporting programs, resources, and opportunities that enhance their education.

We’re excited to share that we’ve reached almost 70% of our 2024-2025 $300,000 Covenant Fund goal! This year’s annual fund will help to replace a significant portion of the parking lot, replace our interior lighting with LED, install a playground shade, and make program investments in Science and Fine Arts. With your continued generosity, we can reach 100%! Every gift, no matter the size, makes a difference.

If you haven’t yet had the chance to contribute, it’s not too late! Click here to make your gift today. Together, we can make this year extraordinary for our students (and cars)!

Thank you for being an essential part of our community!

International Student Program Host Family Informational Dinner

Last Thursday, the Office of Admissions hosted CCA families for an informational dinner about the International Student Host Family Program. Covenant aims to relaunch the International Student Program for the 2025-26 school year. The Host Family program will support that effort in providing a home away from home for our international students. 

Guests enjoyed a great meal, conversation, and presentations about the Host Family program. Mr. David Anastasi, Head of School, discussed how the International Student Program and Host Family Program are aligned with CCA’s mission and Mr. Ryan Patrie, Director of Admissions and Interim International Student Program Director, shared information about the program. A special thanks to Gregg and Rita Detwiler as well as Yuejia Wang ’23 for sharing their host family experiences! If you are interested in learning about what it means to serve as a host family, contact Ryan Patrie at ryan.patrie@ccamail.org. 

Save the Date: SnowBall Dance

Saturday, February 8th | 6:00 pm | PAAC

The annual Father-Daughter SnowBall Dance for all of the Grammar School girls and their distinguished gentlemen guests is just over two weeks away! This beloved and highly anticipated event is such a great way for our girls and their guests to enjoy a sweet time of fellowship and fun.

Invitations will be sent home with youngest daughters soon!

Embarking on CCA’s First Ever In Situ Program in Orvieto, Italy!

On Friday, January 17th, 19 juniors and seniors and 4 faculty/staff members leave for CCA’s first ever In Situ program in Orvieto, Italy. In Situ means “in place.” The group will explore Orvieto for nine days, with day-trips planned to Assisi, Florence, and Rome. Students will have historical and devotional emphases every day, and will also engage in a print making project utilizing the art studio on site at Gordon College’s Orvieto campus.

Please join us in praying for a safe, healthy and awe-filled experience. We will provide regular updates to the students’ families and a full recap with pictures to the CCA community in The Current upon their return.

Rhetoric School Semi-Formal!

Saturday, February 8th | 6:30–9:30 pm | 7 Mile Road Church, 84 Green Street, Melrose

The RS Semi-Formal will be on Saturday, February 8th, from 6:30–9:30 pm! Students in grades 9–12 are invited to enjoy a delicious dinner, capture moments with a professional photographer, and dance the night away with friends.

Dress code: Semi-formal attire required.
Tickets: $40.

Don’t miss out on this exciting evening!

For registration details, check your email from Mr. Ingersoll. 

Celebrate Valentine’s Day with Carnations and Chocolate Roses!

Orders Due: Monday, January 27th

In celebration of Valentine’s Day, Upper School Students (grades 7-12) and their parents have the opportunity to express their affection for each other by sending carnations or chocolate roses!

Students may send a carnation or a chocolate rose and a private note to anyone in the Upper School – friends, siblings, classmates, teachers or administrators! The carnations are red and cost $2 each. The chocolate roses have red foil and are also $2 each. All flower orders will be hand-delivered on Thursday, February 13th. There’s no limit on how many you can buy, so fill out the order form below by Monday, January 27th. The total charge for carnations will be added to your student/family account and appear on your next invoice. All funds raised will go towards the USLR Musical, Seussical. 

Click here to order carnations!

Classical Roots Weekly Blog: Light a Fire Under Your Gardening Plans 

Click here to read this week’s blog post, Light a Fire Under Your Gardening Plans, 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.

USLR Jazz Band and RS Choir at Providence Bruins Game

This past Friday, the USLR Jazz Band and RS Choir had the privilege to perform during a Providence Bruins game. The RS Choir started the game out on the ice with the teams, performing “God Bless America”. During the first and second period breaks, the USLR Jazz Band played from the stands as hype music for the youth hockey games that were being played. The RS Choir also helped with the hype music by singing “September” right before the teams took the ice for their last period. The groups were rewarded with lots of compliments from the fans and the Bruins employees. It was a great night and we look forward to going back next year!

Upcoming Seussical rehearsals:

Friday, January 17th: Blocking/Choreography for scenes 9 and 10

Tuesday, January 21st: Blocking/Choreography for scenes 5 and 15

Wednesday, January 22nd: Blocking/Choreography for scenes 13 and 14

Thursday, January 23rd: Music rehearsal for scenes 2, 6, 11, and 12

Senior Riley Baird was featured in The Boston Globe All-Scholastics section last week highlighting her successful volleyball season. All-Scholastic Awards celebrate and honor the accomplishments of high school student-athletes. We’re proud of you, Riley! 🙌🏻

You can read the section online here. 

Miles for Miracles: Running the Boston Marathon in Memory of Tyler Simões

CCA parent Mike Quail will be running the 2025 Boston Marathon in April in honor of our beloved Tyler Simões, who passed away in July at the age of 13 after valiantly fighting RAC2 (an autoimmune disease) for many years. Although losing Tyler has been a tragedy, we know that God can use tragedy for goodness. 

Can you help bring some light and love to this tragedy? Mike has teamed up with Boston Children’s Hospital’s Miles for Miracles to run the 26.2 miles in Tyler’s memory and to raise funds for the very best medical care, breakthrough research, and vital support services for sick kids and their families. He and Danielle, Tyler’s mom, would love for as many people as possible to donate to Miles for Miracles in Tyler’s memory, even if it’s just a dollar, to help the next child and family at Boston Children’s Hospital. 

Please click here to support Mike’s fundraiser on behalf of Tyler’s legacy.