Parents in Prayer

Wednesday, April 2nd | 8:15 am | Faculty/Staff Lounge

Parents in Prayer (PIP) 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. PIP gathers the first Wednesday of the month in the Faculty/Staff Lounge following morning drop-off to pray for students, faculty and staff, administrative leadership of the school and board, parents, and specific prayer needs as they arise. 

You are welcome to join!

The next prayer meeting for this school year is Wednesday, April 2nd at 8:15 am. Please reach out to Hanna or Valencia with any questions at parentsinprayer@ccamail.org.

Student Maker’s Market

Monday, April 14th | 3:30–5:30 pm | Small Gym

Friends and families are welcome to shop at CCA’s inaugural Student Makers Market on Monday, April 14th. Over 20 students will be selling handmade items. What a great opportunity to shop for birthdays, Mother’s Day, and more! 

Questions about the Student Maker’s Market can be directed to Amy Prichard: amy.prichard@ccamail.org.

Evening of Gratitude

Thank you to everyone who attended our Evening of Gratitude event. Your presence and support made the evening truly special. We are grateful for your participation and for the opportunity to celebrate together.

Stay tuned for pictures and a highlight video!

Virtual Raffle and Silent Auction

Bidding & Raffle Ticket Purchases Close Tonight at 8:00 pm TOMORROW, Friday, March 21st at 12pm!

Last Friday, we kicked off our 2025 CCA Virtual Raffle and Silent Auction – an exciting opportunity to come together as a community, support Covenant, and make a difference in the lives of our students. Thank you to everyone who has participated, and CONGRATULATIONS to all auction and raffle winners thus far!

We realize there was some misunderstanding regarding the separate silent auction bidding and giveaways/raffle, so we have extended the bid and raffle ticket purchase deadline for all remaining items to TOMORROW, Friday, March 21st at NOON!

Click here: https://covenantchristianacademy.betterworld.org/ to bid on a host of awesome teacher experiences, getaways, sports memorabilia, fun experiences, and sports outings, as well as to purchase raffle tickets for the following items:

• Glow Up: Luxury Facial Experience with Pure is Lovely Spa
• Spring Into Fresh Cushions Couch Cleaning 
• Prides Crossing “Eggstra Sweet” Easter Gift Basket
• Print and Prosper Package
• Inn-credible Maine Stay in Ogunquit
• Dine Around Town Restaurant Package
• CCA-Only Item: Ultimate Covenant Swag Pack
• Pristine Machine Interior Car Detail
• CCA-Only Item: Five Alarm Fun Ride on a Peabody Fire Truck
• CCA-Only Item: Unisex One-of-a-Kind Under Armour Duffel with CCA Logo
• CCA-Only Item: Women’s One-of-a-Kind North Face Fleece with CCA Logo (Size L)

The on-site preview in the PAAC hallway will be on display through this evening for viewing.

Again, thank you for your partnership, and Happy Bidding!

Auction: 

Myopia Tee-Time Trio: Lindsay Chace

Dinner with David & Ashley Anastasi: Les Baird

Themed Baskets:

Fun in the Sun: Erica Monteiro

Family Hang Out: Spencer Liu

Teen Scene: Heather Gaillard

Tee Time: Stephen Machatha

Relax and Rejuvenate: Ava Anastasi 

Raffles: 

Cutting Board and French Rolling Pin: Kirsten Sanders

Personalized 2-Hour Makeup Masterclass: Erica Santos

Sail on the Schooner Thomas E. Lannon: Kirsten Sanders

“Seussical” Musical Package: Kirsten Sanders

Confidence Boost w/ Former 4th-Grade Teacher Mrs. Larson: Kathleen McIntyre

Lumbar Pillow: Jason Sheppard

Handmade Wool & Fleece Mittens: Amy Prichard

Men’s CCA North Face Fleece: Krissy Davey

“Red Carpet Ready: Prom Edition”: Jennifer Jukanovich

La Vida Adventure Camp: Rebecca Draper

CCA’s Family Volunteer Day! – POSTPONED!

Exciting update downloading! Stay tuned for more details and a reschedule date.

Thank you for your continued investment in CCA! 

Questions about Family Volunteer Day can be directed to Chief Advancement Officer, Nicole Williams: nicole.williams@ccamail.org.

Share CCA With a Friend!

First Wednesday Open House: Wednesday, April 2nd | 9:00–11:00 am

CCA is offering Admissions Open House events on the first Wednesday of every month from October through May. This is a terrific opportunity for you to see us at our best “In Action!”  Visitors will have the opportunity to enjoy a personalized, student-led campus tour. If you know of any families looking for more info about what CCA has to offer, please share these events with them. It’s a great opportunity for new families to check out our campus and hear about all aspects of Covenant!

Spaces are limited and must be reserved in advance. Contact ryan.patrie@ccamail.org for more info, or click here.

Student Safety Training: Lockdown Protocols in the Cafeteria

Last week, students in grades 1-6 participated in a security-related training focused on lockdown procedures in the cafeteria. The session included a brief, age-appropriate lecture, followed by an exercise and discussion. Students were encouraged to identify and use the nearest exits to evacuate the cafeteria and find a safer location to hide and barricade themselves if necessary. We also reviewed the evacuation procedure to our reunification site at the Community Covenant Church on Lake St.

The training emphasized creative problem-solving, immediate action, and, most importantly, the importance of following teachers’ instructions. We understand the importance of preparing for potential emergencies as part of our school security planning. Rest assured, the students were attentive and engaged, and the faculty performed excellently throughout the session.

As always, Mr. Ulrich, Director of Security, is available to answer security-related questions you may have. joshua.ulrich@ccamail.org 

School Health Advisory: Influenza

We have seen a marked increase in flu-like illness within our school community. Influenza (also commonly known as the flu) is a respiratory illness that may range from mild to severe. Flu viruses are spread through tiny droplets released in the air through coughing or sneezing, or by touching a surface that has the virus and then putting one’s hands in the mouth or nose. Symptoms of flu may include, fever, cough, sore throat, headache, body aches, and fatigue. Treatment primarily involves rest, fluids, and over-the-counter medications for symptomatic relief as the body fights the virus.

Please remember if your child has a fever of 100 degrees Fahrenheit or higher, they must stay home from school until they are fever free for at least 24 hours without the use of fever reducing medications. Please DO NOT medicate your child for fever in the morning and then send them to school. For more information, you may visit the CDC website, or contact your health care provider if you have any questions or concerns about your student. Feel free to contact school.nurse@ccamail.org if you have any additional questions.

Grammar School Family Roller Skating Social

Tuesday, March 25th | 5:00–6:45 pm | Roller World, Saugus

Lace-up your skates and join us for an evening of fun and laughter as we glide around the rink together! All Grammar School students and family members are invited to our Roller Skating Social at Roller World in Saugus on Tuesday, March 25th from 5:00–6:45pm! Enjoy rollerskating and available concessions for dinner. Click here to view the flyer with more information. 

Click here to register.

Questions about the Roller Skating Social can be directed to Andrea Bergstrom: andrea.bergstrom@ccamail.org.

Morning Star In-School (and Online) Book Fair

Friday, April 4th | 8:00 am–4:30 pm | Small Gym

The Grammar School book fair is fast approaching! It will be held in the little gym on Friday, April 4th. This is our second year using Morning Star Bookstore, a local Christian bookshop with two locations: Nashua, NH, and Leominster, MA. The book fair provides families with shopping opportunities while also serving as a fundraiser for our library!

One significant modification to our book fair this year is that online shopping is available! Anything you order online by March 31st will be delivered to the school and can be picked up by your child on the day of the book fair! Please visit: https://morningstarbookstore.com/ and click on the tab titled “2025 Book Fair”. The items listed within this tab are specifically geared towards students, yet CCA will receive credit for any item purchased from anywhere on the website as long as you use promo code: CCA25 during checkout. We HIGHLY encourage parents of students in PreK-grade 2 to utilize this online shopping feature for books and then you can send them in with $5-$10 for trinkets and other small items if you’d like them to have the “shopping” experience.

For further information and more specific details regarding the book fair, please refer to the email sent earlier this week week by Mrs. Favini, the Library teacher. For questions or more information please contact Donna Favini (donna.favini@ccamail.org).

Spring STEM Camp

March 24th, 26th, & 27th | 3:00–4:15 pm | USLR Science Lab

Grades 2-5 

Calling all science explorers in grades 2 thru 5! Do you want to have fun in the lab after school doing experiments and competing in science challenges? If so, please join us for an afterschool Spring STEM Club on March 24th, 26th, and 27th from 3:00 pm until 4:15 pm. Club time will focus on topics in chemistry, biology and engineering and will be hosted by Rhetoric School Science Teachers and the STEM Council. 

Cost: $60/ student ($50 for additional siblings). Families will be billed though FACTS. 

Logistics: Rhetoric School students will pick up participants from their classrooms at 3:00 pm. Participants will be ready for pickup at the PAAC door by 4:15 pm. Please pack a snack for your child. 

Click here to register.

Questions about the Spring STEM Club can be directed to USLR Science Teacher Mrs. Corbin: dawn.corbin@ccamail.org. 

GS Girls Dance Clinic

Monday, April 28th–Thursday, May 1st | 3:00–4:30 pm | PAAC

Girls in grades 4-6 are invited to join Miss Perrotta for a four-day dance clinic! Miss Perrotta danced for 19 years and competed on a Division 1 team in college. This clinic will help students work on stretching, basic dance techniques, and jazz choreography. No prior dance experience is needed, all girls in grades 4-6 are welcome!

Click here for more information. 

GS Girls and Boys Running Clubs

Calling all Runners Grades 3rd–6th!

We are running the Grammar School Running Club (pun intended!) again this year for both girls and boys! Participants will learn about running basics, techniques, stretches, and drills, set personal goals, and run with their friends! Led by faculty members Sarah Smith and Jill Isabella (girls) and Daniel Hendricks (boys).

First joint meeting: Tuesday, April 15th I 3:00-4:00pm I Small Gym

Boys meet: Mondays and Wednesdays I 3:00-4:00 pm I Meet in Small Gym

Girls meet: Tuesdays and Thursdays I 3:00-4:00 pm I Meet in Small Gym

Clubs will run the week of April 28th through the week of May 19th.

Cost: $75 (t-shirt included) and space will be limited.

Click here to register. 

We are in need of parent volunteers (especially for 3rd grade)! No running experience needed–just additional adults to help supervise. Please reach out to:

Sarah Smith sarah.smith@ccamail.org to volunteer for the girls club or

Daniel Hendricks daniel.hendricks@ccamail.org to volunteer for the boys club.

USLR Progress Reports

Friday, March 21st

Progress reports, with snapshot grades and narrative comments, will be distributed on Friday, March 21st.

Classical Roots Weekly Blog: Garden Video Guide: Bean Poles 

Click here to read this week’s blog post, Garden Video Guide: Bean Poles, 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.

Nelle Higgins Named to the University of Hartford’s Dean’s List and President’s List

The University of Hartford is pleased to announce that Nelle Higgins (’22) has been named to the Dean’s List and President’s List for the fall 2024 semester.

The Dean’s List recognizes students achieving superior academic standing. The requirement, with some exceptions, is a grade point average of at least 3.0 and no grade below C.

The President’s List recognizes a select group of students reaching the highest level of academic standing. To be placed on the President’s List, students must maintain a GPA of at least a 3.75 and receive grades of C or better.

Haddon Baker and Elijah Pekari named to Grove City College Dean’s List with Distinction for the Fall 2024 Semester

Haddon Baker (’22), a junior Computer Engineering major at Grove City College from Ipswich, has been named to the Dean’s List with Distinction for the fall 2024 semester.

Elijah Pekari (’22), a junior Phys/Gen Sci Sec Educ major at Grove City College from Peabody, has been named to the Dean’s List with Distinction for the fall 2024 semester.

Students eligible for the Dean’s List have a GPA of 3.40 to 3.59; for the Dean’s List with Distinction a GPA of 3.60 to 3.84 and for the Dean’s List with High Distinction a GPA of 3.85 to 4.0.

Discount on Welli Bins™ for CCA Community

Welli Bins Co. is the first company dedicated to making storage sustainable and to offering a full line of washable, durable and plant-based consumer products that are built to last. They’ve been featured on KonMari and earned the Good Housekeeping Best Cleaning & Organizing Award. 

Welli Bins™ Founder (and CCA Parent) Kathleen McIntyre is offering the CCA Community a 40% discount! Click here to read more about these versatile and sustainable bins and to shop for some of your own! Use code CCAT at checkout. 

YES Service Group Informational Meeting

Sunday, March 23rd | 4:00 pm | The Sandford’s home, Hamilton

YES is a service group, led by Kristin Larson (former CCA teacher), in collaboration with Mandi Sandford (CCA Parent), that at its heart, is the coming together of families that envision their children learning and growing through and in service. We invite all students, parents, pastors and people with a passion for our community, serving others, and guiding children to lives of meaning to join us in growing this youth service club.

The group will serve as a regular place to:

• Talk and think about what service is. Is it always far away? Does it only happen when you do it in a group?

• Learn from invited guests and to ask questions and brainstorm with them

• Watch inspirational films around service and process them together (with snacks of course)

We envision that the service club would meet several times a year for educational sessions and hands-on volunteer opportunities.

If this concept interests you, please join us to share your thoughts and ideas for what YES can grow to become!

When: March 23rd at 4:00 pm

Where: At the Sandford’s home, Hamilton

What: Light Dinner & Discussion

RSVP: Kristin Larson: 781-439-1968 (text only) or Mandi Sandford: mandisandford@gmail.com

Click here for more info. 

Being Human Conference

March 24-26, 2025

Rhetoric School Faculty member and CCA Classical Roots Program Steward Alex Miller will be the writer in residence at the Being Human Conference next week at Covenant College in Georgia. Being Human is a three-day conference for students, faculty, staff, and the community that explores the art of the flourishing life through the lens of biblical anthropology.

https://www.covenant.edu/beinghuman/

Morgan Johnson, Rhetoric School Faculty, Math

What is your role at Covenant and how long have you worked here? I am a Rhetoric School Math Teacher and this is my fourth year at CCA.

What’s your favorite thing about working at Covenant? My biggest learning experience here so far has been teaching AP Calculus! It’s been a wonderful way to grow my critical thinking and problem solving skills while supporting my students in doing the same. It can be a challenge to bring college-level curriculum to high school, but it has stretched my thinking in how to get our students ready for their academic journey beyond CCA.

Can you share a Bible verse or passage that has had a significant impact on your life or career? Proverbs 3:5-6: Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him and he will make your paths straight.

What do you enjoy doing outside of work? I enjoy cooking, baking, cheering on Notre Dame football, hiking (especially in the White Mountains), traveling to see friends, listening to Taylor Swift, and reposting math memes on @cca_algebros!

If you could travel anywhere in the world, where would it be and why? I would travel to New Zealand! I have never been but the combination of mountains, beach, and city put it at the top of my bucket list.

Describe one way you see God’s hand in Covenant’s mission or work. I see God’s hand in Covenant’s mission through the tightly woven community He has formed here. No person who walks through these doors goes unnoticed and is immediately invited into a mission greater than just classroom learning.

What’s your favorite food? Brownie ice cream sundae! Fun fact: This summer I probably ate about 40 bowls of ice cream in 10 weeks at camp.

Who on the team inspires you the most, and why? Mrs. Draper inspires me the most! She is unwavering in her support of and commitment to our students and she does it with grace, confidence, and diligence. I want to be like her when I grow up.

What’s a fun fact about you that most people don’t know? A fun fact about me is that I am really good at archery! I learned at Camp Brookwoods and Deer Run when I was 13 and I can even do it right and left handed (mastering left handed was this past summer’s passion project).

What’s your favorite CCA tradition or event? My favorite CCA tradition is how festive our community makes the Christmas season. It just feels like there’s Christmas cheer in the water and everyone seems so happy to be at school. I love that each class gets to decorate their hallway because it’s a great opportunity for students to show off their creative side. Plus, my advisory does a wonderful Christmas brunch.

What’s your favorite book, movie, or hobby? My favorite hobby is baking. I have perfected a pumpkin brioche French toast bake that some of my students have been lucky enough to indulge in. Next in my repertoire to perfect is homemade chocolate croissants.

How do you find balance between your faith, family, and work commitments? I find balance between my faith, family, and work commitments by continually reflecting on how I spend my time. At the end of every week, I try to do an “inventory” of sorts of how I used my time, the places I went, and the people I engaged with. If I find that one of these categories drastically outweighed the others, I’ll make changes for the week ahead to better balance my commitments.