From the Desk of the Head of School Sept. 21

AN INTRODUCTORY WORD
What We Practice

A few weeks ago in chapel, I spoke to our students about the difference between hearing the words of Jesus and putting them into practice. In Matthew 7:24–27, Jesus describes two people who hear His words. One acts on them; the other does not. Jesus compares them to builders: one builds his house on the rock, while the other builds on the sand.

The point is clear: hearing the words of Jesus is not the same as ordering our lives around them. The wise person hears Christ and obeys Him, building on the one sure foundation. That obedience does not keep the storms from coming, but it prepares us to stand faithfully when they do.

By this point in the school year, many of our routines are becoming familiar. Students know where to go, what to bring, and what is expected of them. But good routines are about more than making the day run smoothly. Over time, the things we repeatedly practice help shape the people we become.

That is true in academics, athletics, relationships, and especially in our walk with Christ. It is possible to know the right answer without putting it into practice. It is possible to hear God’s Word without allowing it to change the way we speak, respond, forgive, work, or serve.

Our desire is not merely that our students learn biblical truth, but that they increasingly live it out. That kind of formation happens through small, faithful acts of obedience—one decision, one conversation, and one ordinary day at a time. We long to see students who hear the words of Jesus, put them into practice, and build their lives on the rock.

MISSION FOCUS: PARTNER
Formation Is Our Shared Work
Christian education works best when the school and home are moving in the same direction. Parents carry the primary responsibility for the formation of their children, and Pinewood has the privilege of coming alongside families in that calling.

Partnership does not require that we handle every situation in exactly the same way or see eye to eye. What it does require is trust, honest communication, the humility to acknowledge one another’s distinct role, prayer, and a shared commitment to the healthy development and spiritual formation of each child. Teachers see students in the classroom; parents know them in the deeper rhythms of home and family life. When we listen to one another, honor our distinct roles, and work together, our students and families are better served.

This partnership is especially important in spiritual formation. A truth heard in chapel becomes more powerful when it is discussed in the car, practiced at home, and modeled by the adults a child trusts. We are grateful to partner with families as our students learn not only to hear what is true, but also to live it.

CHAPEL THIS WEEK
September 24: Ask God for Wisdom
Scripture: James 1:5
Main Truth: God gives wisdom when we ask Him.
Practice: Pray before making one hard choice.
At Home: Ask: What is one decision for which we need God's wisdom?

PINEWOOD IN ACTION
Serving Across Generations: Upper School Students and Teachers

This past week, we celebrated Grandparents Day at Pinewood. Grandparents and other invited guests joined us on campus for a special chapel, visited classrooms, and enjoyed activities together. Grandparents are an incredible gift to our children and our school, and it was a blessing to welcome and celebrate them.

Our Upper School students played an important role in making the day possible. Student volunteers served food, greeted guests, painted faces, and spent time with younger students who did not have a visitor present. From what I observed—and from the feedback I received—they served with enthusiasm, kindness, and maturity.

On behalf of our entire school, I want to thank these students as well as the Upper School teachers who helped coordinate: Kaylin Lind, Ethan Brannon, Joe Gosyne, Carolina Castellanos, Terry Muntain, and Trishalee Catz.

Their willingness to serve not only helped the event run smoothly; it also gave our younger students a meaningful example of what it looks like to put love into action. That kind of dedication and care is part of what makes Pinewood such a special place.

COMMUNITY PRAYER
Teach Us to Obey
Father, thank You for giving us Your Word. Keep us from being people who hear the truth but fail to live by it. Give our students, families, faculty, and staff willing hearts and the courage to obey You in the ordinary decisions of each day. Strengthen the partnership between home and school, and use our shared work to form children who know what is true, love what is good, and faithfully follow Jesus. Amen.

Thank you for the privilege of partnering with your family!

Your servant in Christ,
Taylor Howsmon
Head of School
Pinewood Christian Academy

Reminders: Open House and Grandparents Day

Good Afternoon, Pinewood Families!

A quick reminder that our Elementary Open House is tomorrow night, September 15, from 6:00–7:30 p.m. We look forward to welcoming families into classrooms and giving you a chance to see what our students have been learning and experience their classroom environment. As previously shared, the Upper School will hold a separate Open House after the move into our new portable classrooms.

We are also excited to welcome grandparents and special guests to PCA this Friday, September 18, from 9:00–11:30 a.m.

One very important reminder: please complete and return the Grandparents Day flyer to your child’s teacher or the school office by tomorrow, Tuesday, September 15.We need these forms to plan for our guests and confirm who is authorized to take each child home. For your child’s safety, students will be released only to an adult named on the form.
The flyer is attached to this email. If you have already returned yours, thank you! 
Friday morning will include a special chapel, classroom visits, crafts, a photo booth, the book fair, and more. Students may leave with an authorized guest or remain at school until our noon dismissal.

We look forward to sharing both of these special events with our PCA families!

Your servant in Christ,

Taylor Howsmon
Head of School 
Pinewood Christian Academy

Grandparents Day

Dear Pinewood Families,

We are excited to celebrate Grandparents Day on Friday, September 18, from 9:00–11:30 a.m.! 

Grandparents Day is a beloved tradition at PCA that reflects our covenantal identity and our commitment to partner with families. We long for our students to be rooted in Christ, and we believe their spiritual formation is strengthened when they are surrounded by generations who nurture their faith. We desire to come alongside parents, grandparents, and the church in that calling.

The morning will include a special chapel, classroom visits, photo booth, crafts, snacks, book fair, and time together on campus. If a grandparent is unable to attend, we warmly invite another family member or special family friend to join your child. 

A few important details:

• Please return the registration form to your child’s teacher or the school office by Tuesday, September 15.
• The registration form includes space to list any adults authorized to take your child home. For your child’s safety, we will release students only to an adult named on the form.
• Please instruct guests to follow the directions of our parking team when they arrive. We will need everyone’s patience and flexibility as we welcome many additional guests to campus.
• Students may leave with their grandparents or special guests at the end of the event.
• If your child is not leaving with their guest, please notify the teacher. Your child will return to class until our noon dismissal.

The attached flyer includes the registration form and additional details. We look forward to welcoming our grandparents and special friends to Pinewood for this meaningful day.

Your servant in Christ,
Taylor Howsmon
Head of School
Pinewood Christian Academy

Morning Arrival and Tardy Policy

Good Morning, Pinewood Families!

As you know, our parking lot renovation has required patience and flexibility from everyone. We have sought to extend that same grace to families as we have asked you to extend it to us.

Since the renovation has affected morning arrival in different ways, I want to make sure every family has the same clear understanding of how tardies will be handled during this season.

• Students must be in the car rider staging area by 8:01 a.m., according to the clock used by our staff. Students arriving after that time will be marked tardy.
• If school staff have already gone inside, a parent must bring their child to the school office and sign them in.
• Parents will receive a notification through FACTS when their child is marked tardy.
• As stated in the Parent Manual, five tardies count as one unexcused absence.
• When car rider line is delayed because of issues on our end, we will adjust the time requirement accordingly.

We will continue to offer grace when school-related circumstances affect arrival. At the same time, a consistent standard helps us treat every family fairly and begin the school day well.

Thank you for your continued patience and partnership.

Your servant in Christ,
Taylor Howsmon
Head of School
Pinewood Christian Academy

Weather Procedures and Pre-K Arrival Update

Dear Pinewood Families,

Yesterday’s adjustment to dismissal highlighted a challenge we may face again during the parking lot renovation. With the extreme heat and frequent afternoon thunderstorms we’ve experienced, we may need to make similar decisions on short notice. I want to be proactive and clear about how we will handle these situations.

Early Car Line
When the forecast shows dangerous conditions during regular dismissal, we may open car rider line early. We will give families as much notice as possible.

On days when we open car rider line early because of weather, picking up your child early will be optional. This is not a change to our regular daily dismissal time. Students may remain at school through normal dismissal without additional charge.

Sheltering in Place
We cannot operate car line when lightning or other dangerous weather is in the immediate area. If conditions are unsafe, students and staff will shelter inside until it is safe to resume dismissal.

We will communicate with families via text. Parents already in line may wait in their vehicles or leave and return once conditions are safe. Please do not exit your vehicle or approach the school buildings during a shelter-in-place situation. We will not release students until the shelter-in-place has ended.

Weather-related dismissal decisions will be made by the Head of School in coordination with our Facilities Director.

Morning Drop-Off Adjustment
Beginning tomorrow, we ask Pre-K parents to turn on their hazard lights when entering car line. This will let our staff and safety patrol know that your child needs additional help getting out of the vehicle and getting to the building.

Thank you for your continued patience and grace as we navigate this difficult—but temporary—season together. As always, we are grateful for the trust you place in us and for the privilege of partnering with your family.

Your servant in Christ,
Taylor Howsmon
Head of School
Pinewood Christian Academy

Chapel Information

Dear Pinewood Parents,

One of the things I’m most looking forward to this year is gathering our entire school together each week for chapel.

Beginning this Thursday, chapel will be held each week from 8:30–9:00 a.m. in the sanctuary. 

We are also making a change from last year. Rather than holding two separate chapels for the upper and lower school, our entire school will worship together at the same time. I believe there is real value in our entire community gathering together as well as the youngest and oldest students singing, praying, hearing God’s Word, and being reminded that we are one school with one mission.

I also want to make you aware of a temporary change regarding parent attendance.

After prayer and consideration with the team, I have made the difficult decision that chapel will be limited to students and staff until the parking lot renovation is complete. With our current parking limitations, accommodating additional vehicles immediately following morning car rider line creates operational and logistical challenges that I do not believe we can manage well.

I know some of you have enjoyed attending chapel in the past, and I understand that this may be disappointing. This is not a change in how we view your place in the life of Pinewood. We value having our parents on campus, and we look forward to welcoming you back to chapel as soon as the parking lot is complete.

I appreciate your patience as we work through the temporary challenges that come with the renovation. I’m grateful for the grace you have already shown our staff and one another.

Your servant in Christ,
Taylor Howsmon
Head of School
Pinewood Christian Academy

Important First Day Information

Dear Parents,

It is the first day of school tomorrow! Please remember that tomorrow is a half day, and the whole school will be dismissed at noon.

As a reminder, car line will look different as we navigate our incredible parking lot upgrade! Above all, please have patience with our team and your fellow parents. This is new to us all, and our goal is to keep your children safe!
Important morning car line times:

• Extended Care drop off: 7:00am - 7:40am. 
• Students of Service (TOTS, Safety Patrol): 7:30am - 7:40am. **Patrols who do not arrive before 7:40 WILL NOT be able to participate in duties that morning and will receive a demerit.
• Prek3 - 8th grade drop off: 7:45am - 8:00am. 
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Please note: You WILL NOT be allowed to enter the parking lot before 7:40 without a magenta Extended or Students of Service tag. If you come before 7:40 for general car line, you will need to circle around and return at 7:40.

Please pay attention to all directions from staff.
 
We will have a staging area, where cars will line up in 4 lines (red area on diagram). When you move into the pick-up/drop-off area (green area on diagram), please put your car into park. When Jake indicates, all students will exit their vehicles. Once staff has confirmed all children are safely out of the pick-up/drop off area, cars will be dismissed one lane at a time. The cars from the staging area will then move up and repeat the process. 
Under no circumstances is a child to exit a car in the staging area. Any child who does so will receive a demerit.
Important afternoon car line times:

• Last early check out: 2:00pm
• Prek3-VPK pick up: 12:00pm - 12:15pm
• K - 8th grade pick up: 2:30pm - 2:45pm

No cars will be allowed to enter the parking lot between 2:00-2:20pm. If you arrive before 2:20pm for car line, you will need to circle around and return at 2:20pm. No one will be allowed in the car line staging area until 2:20pm.

Coaches: You MUST have your green pass in order to enter the parking lot.

We will have a staging area, where cars will line up in 4 lines (red area on diagram). When you move into the pick-up/drop-off area (green area on diagram), please put your car into park. When Jake indicates, we will load the first lane in the pick-up/drop-off area. Once staff has confirmed all children are safely out of the pick-up/drop off area, cars in that lane will be dismissed. Once the lane is empty, we will load the next lane. Once all lanes have been emptied, the cars from the staging area will then move up and repeat the process.
Please give yourself extra time during morning and afternoon car lines, and please have patience and extend grace to staff and parents! Our goal is to keep our students safe!