Middle School - 9/3

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Good afternoon middle school families,

Beginning the week of September 14, 5th and 6th grade students will take NWEA MAP Growth assessments in Reading, Language, and Math.

Why We Test

MAP Growth helps us understand each student's current academic level, identify strengths and areas for growth, and make informed instructional decisions. Teachers use the results alongside classroom work, assessments, and observations to better support each learner.

How Families Can Help

Please encourage your student to:

• Get a full night's sleep

• Eat a healthy breakfast

• Arrive on time

• Take their time and give their best effort

Students do not need to study for MAP Growth. Some questions are designed to feel challenging, and that is okay.

Afternoon Dismissal

Dismissal for 5th and 6th grade begins at 3:10 PM. Students are picked up at Door 2.

Please DO NOT PARK along the curb during lower school dismissal as it interferes with lower school parents being able to follow the designated traffic flow and pickup procedures shown on the MCA dismissal map.

On Tuesday, September 29th, we will be hosting a Parent Meeting for all Middle & High School students (Grades 5-12). This meeting will include a deep dive into the House System as well as other important update.

Time: 5:30PM

Location: MCA Cafeteria

Dr. Rachel David

5th & 6th Grade Principal

Maranatha Christian Academy

This week in chapel, our K through 6 students spent time talking about what it really means to be an MCA Mustang. We introduced our Pre-K-6 School administrative team, then focused on how each student helps shape the culture of our school through the choices they make every day.

Culture in Action is more than a phrase, it is the daily practice of choosing kindness, respect, courage, responsibility, and Christ-centered character in classrooms, hallways, at lunch, during recess, and everywhere in between. Using Colossians 3:17 as our foundation, students were encouraged to ask themselves, Is it true? Is it kind? Is it helpful? Does it honor God? We also challenged them to put Culture in Action into practice this week by choosing to Notice, Include, and Serve.

Our hope is that students understand that being an MCA Mustang is about more than what they know. It is about who they are becoming, young people who love Jesus, value others, and actively help build a school culture where every person feels known, valued, and loved.

Monday: PJ Day

Tuesday: Duos/Trios

Wednesday: Rep your Sport

Thursday: Dress your House

Friday: Spirit Day x Fall

September 4 | No School (PreK-12)

September 7 | No School (PreK-12)

September 14th - 17th | NWEA MAP Growth Testing

September 21-25 | Fall Fest Spirit Days

September 29 | Parent Information Session (Grades 5-12)

Dear 7th & 8th Grade Families,

The year is in full swing! It is important to us that parents are informed about what is happening in your child's classes. I'd encourage you to familiarize yourself with the Schoology Parent Guide attached to this newsletter that has instructions for how to see assignments, grades, and teacher comments.

Our first spirit week of the year is coming up at the end of September. I've included information on the dress up days, keep in mind that our modesty dress code still applies on these days when you are planning outfits. More information will be shared with all of the activities happening that week as we get closer.

Sarah Rothstein, Ed.D.

Grades 7-12 Principal

This week, our chapel message centered on the concept of character, rather than just a recitation of school rules. Dr. Rothstein emphasized that the school's focus on enforcing expectations is not about handing out consequences but is driven by a belief that our students are capable of more. She defined character as who you are when you have a choice: what you do when nobody is watching, how you respond to frustration, and whether you tell the truth even when it costs you. The message highlighted that character is built in small, daily choices, and that it is truly revealed when doing the right thing is difficult. She explored the distinction between respectfully disagreeing with a rule and intentionally choosing to disobey it, reminding students that their response to things they don't like reveals who they are becoming.

We looked to Luke 22 to see how Jesus modeled character in the Garden of Gethsemane. Facing immense suffering, He prayed, "Not my will, but yours, be done," choosing obedience over His own desires. While school rules are not comparable to the cross, Jesus provides a powerful picture of choosing what is right even when our feelings pull us in another direction. She also discussed Luke 16:10, emphasizing that being trustworthy in "very little" matters because those small choices shape our trajectory. The core challenge presented to the students was to shift from asking, "What can I get away with?" to "What is the right thing to do?" Dr. Rothstein clarified that having character does not mean being perfect, but rather owning mistakes, telling the truth, and trying again.

8th grade students who are enrolled in high school credit classes which include Geometry, ASL 1, and Spanish 1, follow high school grading policies, including high school course/assignment weighting procedures and final exams.

Please note that their semester grades will be included on their high school transcript. I wanted to ensure that parents are aware and if you have any questions, don't hesitate to reach out.

Monday: PJ Day

Tuesday: Duos/Trios

Wednesday: Rep your Sport

Thursday: Dress your House

Friday: Spirit Day x Fall

With increased AI use, it is a priority for us to teach acceptable AI use at school with regard to assigned coursework. Please take a few minutes to read through the AI Use Policy as this is what will be taught to students and enforced in the classroom.

This year we are strengthening our enforcement of the cell phone policy. In order to help us enforce the policy, if your child 1) does not have a cell phone, or 2) does not bring their phone to school, please complete the attached form and return it to Mrs. Andrea Shoup, Assistant Principal, by email or dropping it off at school.

If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to reach out to Mrs. Shoup directly.

To ensure the safety and well-being of all students and staff, we have implemented an updated bag policy.

What You Need to Know

• Students will not be permitted to carry backpacks or messenger bags throughout the school day
• This policy applies to all hallways, classrooms, cafeteria, etc...
• This decision was made in response to increased student population in our building, which has resulted in more crowded common areas and classrooms

Why This Policy Matters

The safety of every student and staff member is our top priority. With our growing school community, it is important that we take proactive steps to:

• Keep hallways and classrooms clear and accessible
• Reduce overcrowding in shared spaces
• Create a safer environment for everyone

What You Need to Know

• Each student has been given 15 hallway passes per quarter to use during class time.
• We are continuously evaluating this number to ensure it is the right number of passes and may make adjustments as needed.
• Students are encouraged to utilize passing periods between classes for bathroom and other hallway needs.

Why This Policy Matters

Over the past couple of years, we have noticed a significant increase in students spending time in the hallways during instructional time, including extended absences from the classroom. This policy was created to:

• Keep students engaged in their learning during class time
• Reduce unnecessary time spent in the hallways
• Help students develop important time management skills
• Maximize valuable instructional time

Working Together

We believe that partnership with families is key to success of this policy. Your support in encouraging your child to:

• Plan ahead and use passing periods wisely
• Use passes responsibly throughout the quarter
• Communicate with their teachers if they have concerns

Below is the Weekly Schedule for Grades 7-12 for the 2026-2027 school year (with lunch times).

On Tuesday, September 29th, Dr. Rachel David and I will be hosting a Parent Meeting for all Middle & High School students (Grades 5-12). This meeting will include a deep dive into the House System as well as other important update.

Time: 5:30PM

Location: MCA Cafeteria

As a new school year is upon us, please take a moment to refresh your memory on our parking lot flowchart and assigned parking areas for families.

• Friday, September 4: No School, Professional Development Day
• Monday, September 7: No School, Labor Day
• September 14: Clubs Begin (Club information coming soon!)
• September 14-18: NWEA/MAP Testing
• September 21-25: Fall Fest
• Tuesday, September 29: Middle & High School Parent Meeting (5:30PM)