WCCS CONNECTIONS  12/8/09
Looking Forward...Westminster Catawba Christian School
Weekly E-News
 
Welcome to the weekly E-News from the Leadership Team of Westminster Catawba Christian School. Our desire is to keep you informed about upcoming activities/events as well as provide you with resources that may help you in reaching this mission at home. If you do not wish to receive this weekly e-mail, please contact us at wccs@wccs.org and we will remove you from the list.
Admissions/ Development
Lisa McCutchen 
Thanks to all of our wonderful families and friends that have given to the 2009-2010 WCCS Annual Fund. So far we have raised over $28,500 for our school. Annual Fund gifts make a tremendous impact on all aspects of the student experience. To make a difference that will last a lifetime contact the development office at (803)328-5472.
Business Office 
Bryan Martin 
As we enter the winter season, this time brings with it the threat of inclement weather. WCCS may occasionally be closed, delayed in opening, or dismissed early due to hazardous weather conditions. In the event of inclement weather, WCCS has procedures in place to make decisions about whether school and work schedules will be modified and to notify students, parents and employees as quickly as possible. If a decision is made to close, delay, or dismiss early the primary means of communicating these decisions will be the school website: www.wccs.org. In addition, we will record a message on the two main school automated attendants (803-366-4119 and 803-366-1810), and we will notify the following Charlotte stations: WBTV, WSOC, and WCNC.
STAR
Janice Carter 
Do It Anyway 
 
Sometimes, we all feel a little tired. Sometimes, we get a bad case of the "I don't want to..." or "It's too hard" attitude. Everyone feels this way at some point or another. It happens to our children when a task seems too big or not fun. It happens to us as parents when we are tired of the fight and just want things to stop.  And it is at those moments that we must get a big dose of a sure fire vaccine to these attitudes. This vaccine doesn't hurt and has no bad side effects.  It is 100% effective...a cure not a treatment.  It doesn't taste bad, but it does require certain prescriptive steps in order to work.  Want to know what it is called? "Do it anyway!" It sounds so simple, but it is not. Attitude changes never are simple. Here's the prescription:
 
Begin with prayer as soon as you feel like you may have a case of the "I don't want to..." or the "I can't do it."                     
 
Meditate on and recite Philippians 4:13 "I can do all things in Christ who gives me strength."
           
Tell yourself to "Do it anyway." Then do it.
 
This is not an easy prescription to follow. Especially since we as people have started giving in more to our wants than our own needs.  But these attitudes of 'I don't want to..." and "I can't" will harm us more in the end than any pleasure we get someplace else. Paul tells us in Colossians 3:23 that "Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord."  Jesus himself suffered from a horrible case of the "I don't want to..." in the Garden of Gethsemane.  He did not want to go to the cross.  He loved us so much that He did it anyway. Personally, I'm glad He did!  No struggle is insurmountable with Jesus. 
 
Our students need much encouragement to press on and do what seems difficult.  Remind them again of this prescription that is available to all. I am sure they never thought the Nike slogan "Just do It!" had any relevance to Christ. He is there to help, and so are we.
Head of School - Ray Casey

One Heart, One Mind, One Purpose ... Philippians 2:2 

Legalism, License or Love 

The freeing power of the gospel is inspired by love, enabled by grace, received by faith.  God's love was fully manifest in the life, teachings, and compassion of Jesus.  However, in our fallenness at times we insist on "gospel modification" that robs us of the joy that comes from living in step with the Spirit. 
 
Legalism is one counterfeit that through the loveless and graceless application of scripture, we insist on imposing an exacting and suffocating version of "biblical" standards on ourselves and others.  The result is a lifeless witness that is accompanied by blinding pride and self-righteousness (Matt. 23:23 & 24).
 
License is another deceptively loveless and graceless application of scripture when we insist on promoting destructive permissiveness that perverts biblical standards in our own lives and others.  The result is an empty witness that is accompanied by presumptuous arrogance and self-indulgence (Eph. 4:17-19).
 
Legalism and license masquerade as viable versions of the gospel, but only Christ-like love brings the fragrance of the gospel, and the freedom to enjoy God's presence.  The apostle Paul declared, "I consider my life worth nothing to me, if only I may finish the task the Lord Jesus has given me-the task of testifying to the gospel of God's grace" Acts 20:24.


Catawba Campus - Dave Baniszewski
As Christmas approaches, we will be doing our best to make good use of these last two weeks of school before break. We want everyone to be free to celebrate Christmas and the New Year with a sense of accomplishment and the satisfaction of a job well done. In the midst of our academic endeavors, we will be reminding ourselves of the significance of this advent season. We want to fulfill our academic goals while remaining cognizant of God's great gift to us in the birth of His Son, Jesus.
 
Midterm: The midterm for the 2nd quarter occurred on Friday, December 4.  All student grades will be reviewed on Tuesday, December 8 to determine student standing as regards academic probation.  At that review, students currently on academic probation may come off of it if their grades have sufficiently improved.  Students who are currently not on academic probation cannot be put on academic probation based on this review, but will be issued warning letters if their grades warrant it.
 
Small Group Chapel: The upper school students (7-12) will be having small group chapel on Friday, December 11.
 
Pep Rally: There will be a Catawba Campus Pep Rally at 2:20 p.m. on Friday, December 11, to encourage and support our winter season athletes.
 
National Geography Bee: On Wednesday, December 16, at 8:00 a.m., selected students from 5th through 8th grade will be participating in the WCCS school competition for the National Geography Bee. The winner of this competition will earn the right to represent our school at the next level of competition. The school bee will take place in the Catawba Campus Chapel.
 
Student Teachers: We are privileged to collaborate with Columbia International University in training teachers who not only love the Lord but also teach from a biblical world and life view. Two student teachers will join us in the 3rd quarter. Ms. Nicole Jones will work under the supervision of Mr. Billy Fisher, and Ms. Melody Tuggy will work under Mr. Luke Duggins' supervision. Both young women need housing while they are in Rock Hill. If you would be interested in hosting one or both of them, please contact Sandi Jolly at 803.366.1810 or sjolly@wccs.org.  
 
Early Dismissal: There will be an early dismissal from school on Friday, December 18, our last school day before Christmas break. The intermediate school will be dismissed at 11:45 while the upper school will dismiss at Noon. We will conclude our school day that morning with a special Christmas chapel at 11:00 a.m.The school office will be closing at 1 p.m. Extended School Care is available until 6 p.m. Please contact Beth Epperly for more information at bepperly@wccs.org.
Westminster Campus - Sandi Jolly

The Westminster campus is enjoying the excitement of Christmas as the holiday approaches.  The students are preparing to celebrate the birth of Jesus with great anticipation.  The awe and wonder with which they approach Jesus' birth is refreshing.  We are all very busy during this time of the year, but let us not forget to slow down and enjoy the simple joys of Christmas. 
 
Upcoming Events and Information you don't want to miss:
 
Preschool Mission Project:  Coats with Love is a ministry drive to gather gently used or new coats, mittens, gloves, etc. of all sizes for the Tender Hearts Ministry.  Ainsley, a representative with Tender Hearts, will be on campus after chapel on December 14 to receive the items from the students.  Tender Hearts Ministry is supporting many families this Christmas.  On December 18, the families will receive their "Christmas" and your donations will provide them with warm coats and winter apparel.  Please search your closets and ask your friends and family if they have any items to donate.  The winter clothing items may be placed in the boxes outside the 3 and 4 year old classrooms between now and December 14.  Thank you in advance for your generosity! 
 
First Grade Traveling:  The first grade classes will attend the performance of "If You Take a Mouse to the Movies", adapted by Larry Snipes on December 14 at the Children's Theater of Charlotte.
 
Christmas Chapel:  Please join us for a special Christmas chapel on Monday, December 14 in Westminster Hall at 8:15 a.m.  The Kindergarten music classes will present a short program featuring Christmas songs accompanied by instruments.  The 1st grade Bible classes will recite Scripture. 
 
Birthday Parties for Jesus:  Classes will celebrate the birth of Jesus in different ways, but all of our parties will center on the true meaning of Christmas. 
 
Early Dismissal: There will be an early dismissal from school on Friday, December 18, our last school day before Christmas break. Students will be dismissed at 11:30. The office will be closing at 1 p.m. Extended School Care is available until 6 p.m. Please contact Beth Epperly for more information at bepperly@wccs.org.  
 
Summer Camp Opportunity:   WCCS is hosting Camp Invention - Camp Create, June 21-25, 2010.  SPACE IS LIMITED! Registration is available on line for current K-5th grade WCCS students.  Exclusive WCCS registration available until January 31, 2010. Community registration available February 1, 2010
 
Early Registration $185.00 (valid through 3//31/10)
Standard Registration $210.00 (valid 4/01/10)
 
Secure Your Child's Registration Today with a $50.00 deposit.*
Please visit www.campinvention.org for detailed information and payment terms. 
 
Student Teachers:  We are privileged to collaborate with Columbia International University in training teachers who not only love the Lord but also teach from a biblical world and life view.  Two student teachers will join us in the 3rd quarter.  Ms. Nicole Jones will work under the supervision of Mr. Billy Fisher and Ms. Melody Tuggy will work under Mr. Luke Duggins' supervision.  Both young women need housing while they are in Rock Hill.  If you would be interested in hosting one or both of them, please contact Sandi Jolly at 803-366-1810 or sjolly@wccs.org.

Athletics - Steve Cross 
Our football team will wrap up their tremendous season with an awards banquet Saturday, December 12, on the Catawba Campus at 6 p.m.  Thanks again to Coach McGarity, the entire coaching staff and all the players for allowing us to be part of such a tremendous accomplishment. The WCCS family is so proud of you and the way you represented WCCS.
 
Our varsity swim team will host their first home meet Thursday, December 10, with all MAC schools participating.  The meet begins at 6:00 at the Rock Hill Aquatics Center located at 325 Rawlinson Road.  We hope to see you there to cheer our athletes on to a home victory!
 
Our girls and boys varsity basketball teams are hosting a Christmas tournament Friday, December 18, and Saturday, December 19.  We are particularly excited to welcome a team from Australia, Sturt Sabres.  Our players' families are hosting the visiting players from Sturt Sabres.  We are excited not just to share our love of Jesus Christ during this special time, but to share our culture and local community as well.  Please watch for more details next week!
 
The Indian Club is providing an extra special treat for the December 11 game scheduled with Covenant Day School.  Available from 4 - 8 p.m. will be freshly grilled hot dogs, hamburgers, corndogs and french fries as well as all the other goodies they have on hand.  We will have a pep rally to kick off the excitement.  Please plan to join us for an evening of fun, food and fellowship.