Middle School - 10/30

As we step into the start of second quarter, I’m encouraged by the growth we’ve already seen in many of our middle school students—both academically and in character. Thank you to the many families who partnered with us during conferences last week. Your conversations with teachers help strengthen the connection between home and school, which is essential to student success. As we look ahead, please continue to encourage our students to stay focused, take ownership of their learning, and pursue excellence in all they do. Together, let's keep building on this strong foundation as our students continue to flourish at MCA.

National Junior Honors Society Induction Ceremony

Please join us in celebrating our newest inductees into the National Junior Honor Society. The induction ceremony will take place on Monday, November 3, as we recognize students who have demonstrated excellence in scholarship, service, leadership, and character. We are proud of the way these students represent our middle school community and the mission of Maranatha Christian Academy.

Upcoming Conferences - November 6–7

As a reminder, Middle School Conferences will take place in the cafeteria and do not require advance sign-ups. During this time, parents will have the opportunity to meet with all of their child’s classroom teachers, so please plan enough time to connect with each one.

Please see below for additional details about our middle school conferences.

MCA Theater Presents: The Hobbit

Performance Dates Nov 13–15

Come join us and meet Bilbo Baggins, a quiet and careful Hobbit who loves his cozy home—until one day, he’s asked to go on a wild adventure to help recover a stolen treasure. At first, Bilbo wants nothing to do with it, but he soon finds himself facing dragons, trolls, and all kinds of surprises. Along the way, he discovers courage he never knew he had. This journey doesn’t just change Bilbo—it helps all of Middle Earth! Don’t miss this tale full of fun, friendship, and adventure!

Tickets for The Hobbit: https://bit.ly/43uUNGS

Please note: These performances will take place at Living Word Northwest: 10925 Trail Haven Road, Rogers, MN.

Blessings,

Allen Banks

Middle School Principal

Our middle school wrapped up the first quarter with fun and games at our End of Quarter Bingo event! Students enjoyed time together celebrating their hard work and the completion of the first quarter of school.

Mr. Bennett's recent science lesson included a demonstration for our Physical Science students in 8th grade on the nature of matter and the transition from liquid to gas.

This experiment had students hypothesizing what would happen when heated liquid in an aluminum can came into contact with ice cold water. What do you think happened?

Parent-teacher conferences are an important part of our shared commitment to student growth. This time together allows parents and teachers to celebrate progress, discuss areas for continued development, and strengthen the partnership that supports your child’s learning experience at Maranatha. When teachers and parents are aligned, our students can truly flourish.

We are so thankful for the partnership and investment you make in helping your child grow both academically and spiritually.

As a reminder, Middle School Conferences will take place in the cafeteria and do not require advance sign-ups. During this time, parents will have the opportunity to meet with all of their child’s classroom teachers. Please plan enough time to connect with each teacher.

Parents will rotate from teacher to teacher as they become available. If a teacher has a line, you are welcome to visit another teacher while you wait. Each conference should be limited to about 10 minutes to ensure that all families have the opportunity to meet with teachers. If additional time is needed for discussion, please schedule a follow-up meeting with that teacher.

We look forward to seeing you next week!

We were blessed to have North Central University come to our campus and do our chapel services for both High School and Middle School this week. North Central University's chapel band, Worship Live, performed worship for our students and met with our chapel band afterwards. Our students were impressed to see college students on fire for Jesus Christ and who were bold to proclaim Christ's name. Big shoutout to Pastor Joshua Edmon, the Dean of Multicultural and Spiritual Life at NCU, for challenging our High School students to be different for Christ.

Our middle schoolers had a lot of fun with NCU alum, Caymen De Jong, who is a middle school youth pastor in the surrounding area. He spoke on a similar note to Pastor Edmon's message and referred to the Book of Daniel.

Thank you so much, North Central University, for blessing our community!

We want to begin by thanking the many students who consistently follow our dress code expectations each day — your commitment to upholding our school standards is truly appreciated.

However, we are continuing to see an increase in dress code violations, particularly with items such as sweatpants, non-MCA sweatshirts, jackets, and other out of dress code bottoms worn Monday–Thursday, which are not part of the approved dress code. As a result, beginning Monday, our Upper School administration team will be conducting periodic dress code checks in classrooms.

To ensure clarity, the following consequences will be in place for students who are out of dress code:

• 1st offense: Verbal warning
• 2nd offense: Lunch reflection and a parent phone call
• 3rd offense: The student will be held out of class until they are in proper dress code (in-school suspension until corrected)

Parents, we ask for your support in helping your student come to school in compliance with our dress code each day. Please take a moment this weekend to review expectations together and ensure that your student is prepared for a successful week ahead.

As a reminder, here is a link to our dress code requirements

Dress Code | Maranatha Christian Academy

If students are not sure if something is in dress code, please have them bring the item separately and ask their teacher or administration for clarification on whether the item is in dress code or not.

Thank you for partnering with us!

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!

November 3: NJHS Induction Ceremony

Parent/Teacher Conferences: November 6–7

The Hobbit Fall Theater Production: November 13–15

Thanksgiving Break/No School: November 26-28

Looking Ahead:

NWEA Winter Testing: December 8-12

Christmas Break: December 20-Jan 4