Middle School - 10/23

As we wrap up the first quarter and look ahead to conferences, we have a huge opportunity to pause and reflect on where our students are academically and to celebrate the growth that has taken place so far. Conferences are a chance to come together as partners in helping our students be encouraged, challenged, and continue to flourish each and every day. I am grateful for the trust you place in our teachers and for the way you partner with us each day. Together, we can continue to challenge our students grow spiritually, academically, and socially into the Godly men and women he has designed them to be.

Half Day Pancake Breakfast, NJHS Rehearsal, and End of Quarter Activities

Our upcoming half-day will be full of fun! We’ll start the morning with a Pancake Breakfast, then move into the NJHS rehearsal and our End-of-Quarter Activities. Grade 5 and 6 students will need to pre-register to join in on the events that day.

Upcoming Conferences - November 6–7

Middle School Conferences happen in the cafeteria and do not require signing up ahead of time. Please be aware that for Grade 5 conferences, you are meeting with at least 3 different teachers (more if meeting with Specialists). This will take more time than our Elementary conferences, where you sign up to meet with your homeroom teacher.

Blessings,

Allen Banks

Middle School Principal

Our Middle School Student Council planned a dodgeball tournament between the 5th through 8th grade classes. Our final bracket was the 6th graders going up against the 8th graders. The winner would take on the staff team.

Congratulations to our 6th grade team for their win against our 8th graders and the Staff team.

Grade 5–6 students who are not picked up at the 11:45 dismissal will require supervision on Friday, October 25 from 11:45 am–3:15 pm.

Students who remain after our half day pickup will need to register and will be charged $24.50/student to cover the cost of pizza, sides, a drink, and supervision through 3:15 pm.

When: October 24
Hours: 11:45 am–3:15 pm*
Pickup: Cafeteria

*Note: Grade 5–6 X-Tended Day is available from 3:15–5:30 pm and our regular school-day rates apply.

Registration is required to ensure we have enough food for all who join! Registration deadline is October 22, 2024 at 4 pm | Click here to register

October marks National Bullying Awareness Month. As a school community, we will continue to focus on spreading kindness, fostering inclusion, and modeling respect, all rooted in God’s love for us.

We invite you to partner with us in talking with your children about the difference between a conflict, a mean moment, and a bullying situation. The word “bully” is often used too quickly and can create confusion or even hurt feelings among classmates. It’s important to help children understand the difference between moments of conflict and true bullying by talking through examples together. When students can recognize what’s happening, they learn how to be both problem-solvers and upstanders in a kind and respectful way.

Matthew 5:9 — “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God.”

Check out these resource guides below that focus on bullying prevention strategies:

• Conflict vs. Bullying: What’s the Difference?

• Signs Your Child Is Being Bullied - Tip Sheet

• Bullying Prevention - Parent Guide

• Bullying Prevention - Student Guide

Please contact our counselors katie.welhouse@mcamustangs.org (5–6) and andrea.shoup@mcamustangs.org (7–8) f you would like your child to receive services or to inquire for more details! I look forward to partnering with you and getting to know your student(s) more this school year!

This week in chapel, we praised the Lord and prayed together. The students got really into the song, "Praise," and it was so fun to see the Middle Schoolers jump and praise Jesus. We wanted to focus on the importance of praising the Lord because He saved us from death. Christ's life, death, and resurrection completely altered the trajectory of all of those who choose to believe and give their lives to Him. We also took the last few minutes of chapel to have some time dedicated to prayer. We hope to continue to do this in the future, as chapel is an amazing opportunity for the Middle School to come together with the goal to praise and glorify our God.

Welcome to the 2025–2026 winter sports season at Maranatha Christian Academy.

Click here to go to our new registration site. This is where you can find the high school sports registration form, the middle school sports registration form, and the MSHSL sports qualifying physical exam form, which is good for three years and required for all athletes competing on a high school team.

All MCA Athletics information can be found on our Mustang Athletics website. If you have sport-specific questions about tryouts or the season, please contact the head coach for that sport.

Here is general information about our winter sports programs.

BASKETBALL, GIRLS

Middle School

• Visit the MCA Girls Basketball homepage for information about the upcoming season.
• Grades: 5–8
• Cost: $200
• Register through MCA. Click here to register.
• Important dates:
  • Registration Closes: December 10
  • Season Start Date: TBD *Early January

GYMNASTICS, GIRLS

• Head Coach: Tammy Hoff – tammy.hoff@hotmail.com
• Visit the Gymnastics homepage for information about the upcoming season.
• Grades: 7–12
• Cost: $190
• Register through MCA. Click here to register.
• Important dates:
  • Registration Closes: November 7
  • Season Start Date: November 10

SWIMMING, BOYS

High School

• Head Coach: Natalie Strauss – straussn@district279.org
• Visit the Boys Swimming homepage for information about the upcoming season.
• Grades: 7–12
• Cost: $190
• Register through MCA. Click here to register.
• Important dates:
  • Registration Closes: November 21
  • Season Start Date: November 24

ATHLETICS DEPARTMENT STAFF

Drew Rongere | Athletic Director

drew.rongere@mcamustangs.org

763-488-7938

Chaz Mahle | Assistant Athletic Director

chaz.mahle@mcamustangs.org

763-488-7933

Jamie Axelberg | Athletics Assistant

jamie.axelberg@mcamustangs.org

763-488-7939

Last Day of Q1/HALF DAY: October 24

Pancake Breakfast: October 24

NJHS Rehearsal: October 24

Parent/Teacher Conferences: November 6–7

The Hobbit Fall Theater Production: November 13–15