Greetings from the Principal

Dear Beloved Families of Pusch Ridge Christian Grammar ,

Greetings! We are preparing for your return! In recent days you have received lots of information from the school relating to our health and safety practices. Our PRCA Admin Team has been working all summer to put plans into place for what we believe is a reasonable start to school. We have prayed, studied other ’ action plans, consulted authorities, prayed more, had dozens of huddles, brainstormed, surveyed, made our plans, updated our plans, and circled around the issues tens of times. One of the greatest lessons I am learning in this season is - hold your plans loosely. This is hard for most of us finite creatures, but I am being constantly reminded that I am not in charge. I pray you are learning to keep your hands open to the Lord and His plans like I am.

It has only been five months since our world has seemingly been turned upside-down by what has surprised us, but not surprised our Maker. When we finished last school year and 4th quarter Distance Learning, I believe all of us heaved a sigh of relief, wiped our brows, and thought - “Phew, it’s over. That was hard. Glad it’s done.” You may be experiencing some of the same emotions we faculty and staff are experiencing right now as we look into our near future and realize it’s “not over”. You might, like myself, have feelings of sadness, disillusionment, excitement (to send the kids to school!!!) and concern for all of the unknowns. It is important to come to grips with the fact that we are not going to have a “normal school year”. Social distancing and quality education practices are clearly at odds as we face the 2020-21 school year, and our traditional practices will have to be adjusted to account for this.

HOWEVER, you have a team of teachers and staff that are creative, adventurous, kind, and who want to teach, love, and disciple your children. Our school mission remains the same, even in a pandemic. “To teach our students to become like Christ through a classical, Christian education within a covenantal community” has never had a truer ring.

We are thinking about the balance of excitement and concern you probably feel regarding the reopening of school. Please make sure you keep up with reading the health/safety emails that have been coming your way. The purpose of today’s newsletter is to give you LOTS of announcements and attachments regarding the beginning of school, plus introductory biographies for our SIX new faculty members, and greetings from your leaders. Please read thoroughly so you will be prepared!

We can’t wait to see you on August 17th!

Thank you for joining us in prayer for this school year, Ms. Mandy Rhodes Principal

Greetings from the Headmaster Dear Lions of PRCA –

These are tough times we’re in. Does it seem to you, or to the people around you, with the global pandemic, economic uncertainty, protests and strife in our cities, defiance to law and order, that our social fabric is unravelling?

King David’s compatriots sure thought so in their time of trouble. In Psalm 11, David’s friends and counselors are shaken with fear by their hardships and difficulties. In panic and despair, they urge David to run away and hide himself from the challenges. They urged him, saying:

“Flee like a bird to your mountain. 2 For look, the wicked bend their bows; they set their arrows against the strings to shoot from the shadows at the upright in heart. 3 When the foundations are being destroyed, what can the righteous do?”

“Head for the hills! Abandon ship! All is lost!” the doomsayers cry. “When the foundations are being destroyed,” they yell, “what can the righteous do?” In other words, with the social order falling apart, what hope is there now for decent people? So, let’s run for it and save ourselves!

But David doesn’t run. David doesn’t cave in. David doesn’t fall apart. On the contrary, he stands firm and resolute. He explains how and why in three beautiful words that we, too, can learn from in our times of trouble today:

First, Challenge the voices of doom with the help and strength of God. “In the Lord I have already taken refuge,” David says in verse 1, “so how can you say to me, ‘Flee to your mountain?’” Because “God is our refuge and strength,” David sings in Psalm 46. He is “a very present help in times of trouble.”

Second, Remember God the Almighty rules heaven and earth now and always. David declares in these verses, “The Lord is in his holy temple, the Lord’s throne is in heaven.” Therefore, “we will not fear,” declares David, “though the earth should change, though the mountains shake in the heart of the sea; though its waters roar and foam, though the mountains tremble in tumult.” Indeed, not a sparrow can fall to the ground, nor a hair fall from your head without God’s good and loving will allowing it.

Third, Decide to take God’s testing with courage. These challenges we face, these hardships we endure are not without purpose or reason. David instructs his panicked companions in verses 4 and 5, “God’s eyes behold, his eyelids test, the children of men. The Lord tests the righteous …” In the same way that our God tested Abraham, Moses, and David, so He tests us, His people, now. It is as J.R,R. Tolkien, who endured two world wars, wrote in The Lord of the Rings. When all Middle Earth was about to be swallowed up by an evil darkness, Frodo turned to Gandalf and said, “I wish it need not have happened in my time.” And Gandalf replies, “So do I. And so do all who live to see such times. But that is not for them to decide. All we have to decide is what to do with the time that is given us.”

Dear Lions of PRCA, these are hard times, but we will challenge the doomsayers with the truth and strength of God, for we remember that He sits now in glory upon His throne, and in that light we decide to take the adventures that God sends us with courage and joy.

May this be the best year yet at Pusch Ridge Christian Academy – with God blessing us.

For Christ and His Kingdom,

Rev. Allen Cooney, PRCA Headmaster

Greetings from the PRCA School Board Beloved PRCA community,

I hope your summer holidays are going well and that everyone is enjoying some downtime to rest and recharge after a taxing close to the 2019-2020 school year. We are so grateful to God for His protection and provision, and for the way our covenantal community rallied together for a strong finish to the 2019-2020 school year, despite the unprecedented challenges we faced.

As I look to the 2020-2021 school year, I am still excited for what God has in store for PRCA in spite of the continued challenges we face. I remain convinced that God is leading PRCA to be a blessing to Tucson and the surrounding communities. Our mission “to teach our students to become like Christ through a classical Christian education, within a covenantal community” is more important now than ever. The cultural, societal, and even public health challenges we face are not small. However I am convinced that PRCA is positioned to continue delivering an excellent classical, Christian education while engaging the culture to demonstrate the love of Christ. Only His love can change hearts, heal wounds, and bring people together.

As I write this, final steps are underway in opening new facilities at both PRCA campus sites:

Grammar School

 An outdoor classroom for our science and nature studies unit

 A new educational building with 14 classrooms, including dedicated fine arts classrooms and music practice rooms  A 9,600 square foot modular building donated by Roche Tissue Diagnostics (RTD) in Oro Valley

These three expansion projects come at such a perfect time, it could only be providential. In the wake of COVID-19 and its impact upon PRCA, physical distancing has become an element of our reopening plan. While we spent the fourth quarter of the 2019-2020 school year pursuing remote learning, we are all eager to return back to campus for our 2020-2021 school year. Campus life is a large part of what fosters our covenantal community. Without these new facilities, our ability to deliver PRCA’s and pursue our mission, while abiding by physical distancing recommendations, would have been impossible. Praise the Lord for His provision at exactly the right time! Even in light of the recent announcements of new restrictions and closures due to a spike in COVID-19 cases in Arizona, we know that there will be a time after COVID-19. Further we trust that the Lord has started a good work in PRCA, and that He will be faithful to complete it. (Philippians 1:6)

The entire school board has asked for God’s continued blessings upon this school year and we invite you to do the same. Thank you for your commitment to classical Christian education. And thank you for your commitment to PRCA.

In His service,

Todd Vanden Branden PRCA Board Chair

Train up a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not depart from it. Proverbs 22:6

Grammar School 2020-2021 New Faculty

Below are new members to the PRCA family. Enjoy reading their story and acquaint yourself with these dear people who God has brought to us this coming year. Thank you in advance for praying for them as they work hard to ready themselves for the upcoming school year. We remain amazed at our Lord’s provision when it comes to bringing the right people to join our faculty and staff.

Mrs. Mikaela Robinson (Developmental ) Mikaela was born in New York and moved to Arizona at 6 years old. She went through the Amphitheater Public Schools and then moved to Flagstaff where she attended Northern Arizona and received her degree in Elementary Education with an emphasis in Early Childhood Education. Mikaela returned to Tucson and began teaching in the fall of 2010. Throughout the past 10 years, she has taught at a lab at CDO High School, as well as kindergarten and first grade in MUSD. Mikaela found her way to PRCA through her sister-in-law, Casey Robinson. Her prayers have been answered as she joins our family this school year as our new DK teacher. She is excited to welcome our tiny Lions in August and engage in play-based learning as the children prepare for kindergarten. Mikaela and her husband, Patrick, just celebrated their sixth anniversary. All in God’s timing, they were blessed with their daughter, Quinn (15 months) and son, Beau (3 months). Mikaela is loving every minute of being a mom and is thankful to be able to continue her passion of teaching with our tiny Lions. She and her family attend St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Church. This opportunity is truly a dream come true for Mikaela, she can’t wait to create a partnership with our community and provide a foundation of God’s love.

Mrs. Mary Markley (Kindergarten Core) Mary is a native of Tucson with the exception of the time spent pursuing multiple degrees at Northern Arizona University. Her background began with a degree in Fashion Merchandising and a Minor in Marketing, but after graduating and working in retail for a year realized God had something else in store. She returned to school and earned her Post Graduate teaching degree and continued on to earn a Master’s in Educational Leadership. She has 21 years of teaching experience working with 4-year olds through Third Grade. Kindergarten has always been a favorite of hers and where she has spent half of her teaching career. She has been married for 25 years to Chris who works for Raytheon and has two children, Cailyn (22) and Makenna (19) both are PRCA Alumni. Their whole family has been and continues to be very involved with St. Andrew’s Presbyterian Church where they have been attending for over 22 years. She enjoys being active with bike riding, camping, hiking, baking and time spent with good friends and family. She is excited to be joining the staff of PRCA where she can not only work with longtime friends, but also make some great new ones.

Mrs. Gail Shinn (2nd grade Core) Gail was born and raised in Iowa; however, she has lived in 10 different states, 5 of those after getting married. She has been married to Logan, a manager with Island Hospitality, for 23 years. They have 3 children: Addison a senior at U of A, Eleanor a sophomore at GCU, and Elijah will be a 5th grader at PRCA. Gail has a Master’s in Training and Development from Iowa State University, but she and her husband decided that she would stay home and raise their 2 kids. After moving to Tucson back in 2010, Gail got a job at Davidson Elementary as the librarian. In 2018, Gail went back to school to receive her Masters in Elementary Education from GCU. She has been teaching at Davidson as a 3rd grade teacher for the past 3 years. While teaching 3rd grade, Gail met their 3rd child, Elijah. He became a part of their family in 2019. The family is learning all about RC cars while continuing to do the other things they enjoy; sports, cooking, going estate sale shopping, and exploring different parts of the United States together. Gail and her family attend University City Church. Gail is confident in God’s calling her to teach and experienced His leading to this current 2nd grade position at PRCA. She is excited to become a part of the Pusch Ridge family.

Ms. Nancy Fish (Grammar School Art Teacher) Nancy spent her early years in Pennsylvania, moved to Tucson with her family at the age of eight, and considers Tucson her hometown. Nancy attended the University of Arizona and received a dual certification in elementary education/art education. She worked in the Sunnyside School District for thirty-six years, twenty-five of those years were spent teaching elementary art. Nancy’s interests include U of A sports (basketball), West Coast Swing, home decorating projects, and hiking. She is involved in ministry at her home church, Sonoita Bible Church, where she has been a member for twenty-six years. Nancy has two grown, married children (Doug and Tessa); and is looking forward to her first grandchild in September! Nancy is honored that God has placed her at PRCA and is excited to begin this next chapter in her life.

Miss Chelsea Kosiba (Grammar School Music and Band Teacher & Aftercare Director) Chelsea grew up in Phoenix, Arizona before moving to Tucson in 2015 to attend the University of Arizona. She fell in love with the city and decided to stay after she graduated in December of 2019. Chelsea has a passion for learning and teaching Irish music because of her experience studying abroad in Ireland in the spring of 2018. She also loves to swim and play soccer as a goalie and defender. Chelsea’s inspiration to become a music teacher began in eighth grade where two of her teachers, now close friends, instilled in her the importance of never giving up on something and staying true to a commitment. She has learned to look for wisdom in the people she surrounds herself with and will always continue to be a student in addition to her teacher position. Chelsea loves to watch children and nanny and found Pusch Ridge while taking one of the kids she watches to a basketball camp at the Upper school. Since one of her mentors also works at a in Phoenix, Chelsea knew in her heart she wanted to be a part of the community and fellowship here at Pusch Ridge Christian Academy.

Mrs. Alise Sommitz (5th grade Core) Alise was born and raised in Tucson. After graduating from the University of Arizona in 2013 with her English degree, she moved to New York City to work in publishing at Penguin Random House. She then worked for an educational nonprofit that awards scholarships to low-income families so their children can attend private school. It is a mission that is close to her heart, but ultimately, she felt she was called to impact the lives of children as their teacher. This conviction brought her to Success Academy Charter Schools in Brooklyn, where she taught second grade. She moved back to Tucson this spring to marry her high school sweetheart. Her now husband, Caleb, has worked in hospice care in Tucson for six years. Together they attend The Village Church. Alise is an avid reader and coffee drinker who loves long, lazy mornings and spending quality time with family and friends. She attended Christian school from kindergarten through high school. The impact it made on her life—the reason she’s a believer!—has led her to PRCA, and she is so excited to continue teaching and loving God’s children.

Some more modifications related to COVID: Morning Opening Exercises - The first day of school we will gather grades 1-5 on the basketball court at 8:10am in lines spread out so we can open the year together in person with excitement and prayer. Beginning the second day of school, when the bell rings at 8:10, students will line up at their classroom door, be admitted according to our safety protocols. Once students are settled in their classrooms, Opening Exercises will be live-streamed into the classrooms.

Chapel - Chapel will be live-streamed into classrooms, so on Wednesdays you will drop your student(s) off on the school grounds instead of at the church. This means student drop off for the GS is curbside, in front of the school office, Monday - Friday. Students will play outdoors until the 8:10 bell, then they will head to their classrooms to participate in the live-streamed chapel.

Lunch Time - We will have 3 lunch periods this year so there will be less students in the outdoor lunch area. We have enough tables for 4 students per table to be spaced out and eating in the shade. We are not offering hot lunch for 1st Quarter, but will revisit that for 2nd Quarter. Adults will sanitize tables between lunch periods.

Grammar School Dress Code As you are doing your school uniform shopping (or trying on last year's uniform clothing to see if it still fits!), please keep in mind our Standardized Dress Code Policy. Grace will be given the first week of school, and then after that any student that is not in dress code clothing will be discreetly sent to the office to borrow a dress code-appropriate item to change into for the day. The item will need to be washed and returned to the office by the following Monday or charges will incur. Our office staff will handle all matters with the utmost graciousness. Please review the attached dress code and sanctions section for these details and check out the attached images of what is ok/not ok to wear.

Special reminders below, but please read Dress Code for further detail: *Rule of thumb - solid colors! (4 color choices for shorts/pants/skirts/jumpers - see policy) *Please no ombre shirts or lettering (words) or graphics, unless it is a 2 inch or smaller logo on the chest. *Solid color socks (one color). Small logo in second color ok. *Tucked in shirts with a belt for 2nd grade and up! *No belt required for kinders and 1st. *Please remember the length of shorts/skirts must extend to below the fingertips when standing. *If young ladies choose to wear leggings/tights under their skirt/jumper, only solid color leggings/tights! *We will review the special half day dress code in September before our first half day. 2020-21 Dress Code and examples are attached below.

2020-2021 Shuttle Bus We are happy to offer Shuttle Bus service between the Grammar School and Upper School Campus again this year. Notice was sent out to all parents/guardians this week. The deadline to email bus agreements to Hannah Seery at [email protected] is 3:00 pm, Thursday, August 6, 2020. Shuttle Bus Schedule and Bus Agreements can be found on the Resource Page of Lions Den. 2020 2021 Shuttle Schedule 072220 GS Bus Agreement 2020-2021

Aftercare Program We are pleased to announce the return of our Aftercare Program for the 2020-21 school year which begins on Monday, August 17. The Aftercare Program is available on all full days beginning at dismissal and ending promptly at 5:30pm (and half-days from 11:50am-4:00pm) unless otherwise communicated. Chelsea Kosiba, Aftercare Program Director, will be available for questions and to receive your registration agreement during Meet the Teacher Open House, Friday, August 14, in Classroom 4. Please note: 2020-21 rate is $6.00 per hour. 2020-21 Aftercare Registration form is attached below.

2020-21 Grammar School Calendar Please make sure you have the most current grammar school calendar. It should be dated 7.17.20 in bottom left corner.

2020-21 GS Calendar is attached below.

5th grade Families only: We hope to start Band and Choir in September. For now, 5th graders will have Music class. More information to come!

4th grade Families only: We will keep you updated when it is time to buy your recorder for Music class!

REMINDER of Required Forms for 2020-2021 School Year:

IMMUNIZATIONS Please take the time this summer to make sure your child's immunizations are up to date. IF your child needs new immunizations, please be sure to ask your doctor for a copy of your child's updated shot record to turn in on or before August 14. By law, your child CANNOT start school without all the required immunizations or proper exemption documentation being on file. Questions? Call school office. 2020-21 Immunization requirements are attached below.

DK-5 Annual Physical: Alicia - can you please insert the info blurb we sent to parents earlier this summer and attach the form? Can you make sure the form you attach is the updated one that has the yellow highlighted section saying “within the last 12 months”.

MEDICATIONS All medicine (Prescription and Over-the-Counter) must be submitted to the school office with a Prescription and/or Over-the-Counter medication form. Contact Kimberly Rollman, DK-12 Health Services Coordinator at [email protected] with questions. 2020-21 Prescription & OTC forms are attached below.

Ice Cream Cards: We all scream for ice cream! Ice Cream Wednesdays will begin after Labor Day. Look for information on how/when to purchase ice cream punch cards for your child(ren) in upcoming editions of the Week at a Glance.

Attachments: (click to print)

*2020-21 Aftercare Program Information Form 2020-21PRCA Grammar AC Information *2020-21 Shuttle Bus Schedule 2020 2021 Shuttle Schedule 072220 *2020-21 Class Supply List 2020-21 GS Supply List

*2020-21 Dress Code PRCA GS Dress Code 2020.21 *2020-21 Dress Code Examples-Boys Boys Dress Code examples2020.21 *2020-21 Dress Code Examples-Girls Girls Dress Code examples2020.21 *2020-21 Grammar School Calendar 2020-21 GS Calendar.final.7.17.20 *2020-21 Grammar School Parent Handbook GS Student Parent Handbook 2020-21 *2020-21 Immunization Requirements Immunization Requirements 2020-21 *2020-21 Tuition and Fee Schedule Tuition and Fee Schedule 2020-21

Click to print the following forms (All forms below due by August 14)

*2020-21 Aftercare Program Registration Form 2020-21PRCA Grammar AC Registration Form *2020-21 Bible & 3rd-5th Grade Book Club Order Form 2020-21 GS Bible & Book Club *2020-21 Over-the-Counter (OTC) Medicine Form OTC Meds Permission Slip20.21 *2020-21 Prescription (RX) Medicine Form Prescription Meds Permission Slip20.21

Note: many forms listed above can also be found in the Lions Den login under Resources