New Car-Rider Procedures Begin November 2nd

Dear Pinewood Families,

Beginning Monday, November 2, morning drop-off and afternoon pickup will move to the north parking lot beside the gym and Grand Hall, using the north entrance from Knight Boxx Road. We're excited for this next step and all the progress we've seen toward the completion of the parking lot renovation!

Please review the attached diagrams and morning drop-off instructions before Monday. They explain where to enter, how the waiting lanes will work, and how to exit. Please share them with anyone who regularly drops off or picks up your children.

A few key reminders:

• This plan will begin Monday, November 2. Until then, parking and traffic should remain the same.
• Follow staff directions. Wait for their signal before moving from a waiting lane into the loading and unloading area.
• Students must enter and exit on the right side of the vehicle. Please arrange seating accordingly.
• Afternoon lineup may begin at 2:20 p.m. Pickup begins at 2:30 p.m. Please buckle children securely in the pickup zone before moving; there will not be a separate pull-over area. 
• Pre-K pickup will have a different set of instructions that will be sent out this week.

As with the beginning of the school year, this transition may take a few days as everyone learns the new routine. Thank you for your patience and for giving our staff and one another grace along the way. We’re grateful for your partnership in keeping our students safe and helping each school day get off to a good start.

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

Boosterthon Day 1 Update

Dear Parents, 

We’ve raised $7,211 so far! We’re making great progress toward our goal of $30,000 for Phase 2 for School Improvements.

As part of our Knights Fun Run fundraiser, students are also taking part in a fun character program focused on positive traits. Today, they explored a kitchen in South Korea while learning about patience - you’re welcome :)

Tonight, our challenge is signing up and getting at least a $25 donation.  If you sign up then you can help your class win a popsicle party.  If you get $25 donated then you can earn a special edition 30-year anniversary Pinewood Christian Academy shirt.
 
Whether you donate, share your student’s page, or volunteer your time, it all helps Pinewood Christian Academy. Thanks so much for your support!

Sign Up for Our Knights Fun Run!

Dear Families,

It’s time to rally together for our Knights Fun Run fundraiser! Our goal is to raise $30,000 for School Improvements, which will enhance our school’s resources and provide our students with an even better educational experience.
Great Wolf Lodge is helping us have more fun during our fundraiser! One lucky family from our school will win a Great Wolf Lodge night’s stay! Register on MyBooster.com to be eligible, and earn additional chances to win every time you share your donation page. Plus, all students earn wolf ears just for receiving their first donation!

Bonus for Middle School Students! Add 10 email addresses to your student's MyBooster page to earn our Epic Prizes Bundle featuring LED Lights and a Gummy Bear Squishy!
Here’s how you can help:

1. Sign up at MyBooster.com
2. Share your student’s donation page with friends and family
3. Donate if you’re able

Thank you for your support!

Boosterthon Information

Dear PCA Families,

Boosterthon is almost here! We're looking forward to another wonderful event as our students, families, and staff come together to celebrate and support Pinewood Christian Academy.

We know many of our families are new to PCA and may not be familiar with Boosterthon. We wanted to share a little about how it works, what you can expect, and how you can be part of the fun!

What Is Boosterthon?
Boosterthon is a two-week fundraiser leading up to our Boosterthon Race Day on Friday, October 30.

This year, funds raised through Boosterthon will support campus building improvements. As Pinewood continues to grow, we're committed to providing facilities that serve our students well and support the excellent, Christ-centered education we strive to provide each day.

We love that Boosterthon gives our entire school community an opportunity to be part of that vision. It's not simply about raising money. It's about families, students, and staff coming together to invest in a school and a mission we believe in.

How Does Boosterthon Work?
Throughout the two weeks, students will participate in special activities, classroom challenges, and opportunities to earn prizes while working together to support our school.

Students can earn prizes and incentives by:

• Registering for Boosterthon
• Sending emails to family and friends
• Receiving donations
• Participating in special challenges
• Working together to reach classroom and schoolwide goals

There are plenty of ways to participate, and we want every student to enjoy being part of the experience. We recognize that families have different circumstances, and participation is encouraged at whatever level works best for your family.

Boosterthon Race Day – Bring the Family!
Last year, we loved seeing our PCA families come together to cheer on their children, enjoy the activities, and spend time with one another on Race Day.

Parents are welcome to stay, cheer on their students, and even join them for the race! It's a wonderful opportunity to enjoy a day together as a school family.

This includes 3K families who attend three days a week, even though Race Day falls on a Friday. We'd love for everyone to be included!

What Can You Expect on Race Day?
Students will rotate through three activities throughout the day:

1. Boosterthon Race: Students will participate in the race, with plenty of encouragement from teachers, families, and friends!
2. Bounce Houses: Students will have time to enjoy the bounce houses and play with their classmates.
3. Kona Ice: A refreshing treat to enjoy during the day's festivities!

We'll send a detailed rotation schedule soon so families can plan to attend their child's activities.

Kona Ice Information
Kona Ice will be joining us for Race Day!

• Students who have prepaid for Kona Ice will receive their treats as usual.
• Parents and siblings will also have the opportunity to purchase Kona Ice during the event.

We Need Volunteers!
An event like this takes plenty of helping hands, and we'd love for you to be part of it!

We've included a volunteer sign-up in our school newsletter. Whether you're able to help with activities, assist during rotations, or lend a hand wherever needed, your willingness to serve helps make this a special day for our students.

We're Looking Forward to October 30th!
One of the things that makes Pinewood special is the partnership we share with our families. We believe deeply in the work God has given us here: helping children grow in their knowledge of His Word, develop their God-given gifts, and pursue excellence in all they do.

Boosterthon is one more opportunity to celebrate that partnership. We're excited about the races, the prizes, and the fun, but we're even more grateful for a school community that believes in what we're building together.

Thank you for loving Pinewood, supporting our mission, and entrusting us with your children. We're looking forward to a wonderful couple of weeks and a great Race Day on October 30!

Rooted in Christ, Growing in Excellence!

Blessings,
Pinewood Christian Academy Administration

Reminder: Veterans Day

Dear Pinewood Families,

Our Veterans Day Program will be November 10 at 8:30a.m. We'd love to feature all mom, dad and/or grandparent service members of our PCA students.

By October 15th, please email the following information to Beth.Mathews@PCAKnights.org:

• Name
• Branch of Service
• Rank
• Picture
• PCA Student

In order to have your family member featured, you must send in the requested information by email. If you do not send in the requested information by email, your family member will not be featured.

We have many military families, and we would love to see all service members honored!

Pinewood Administration Team

Sign Up for our Knights Fun Run

We’re ONE week away from kicking off our Knights Fun Run fundraiser! We’re excited to have fun, build community, and work toward our goal. It all starts by signing up at MyBooster.com!

Mrs. Endlich's Class is in the lead with raising just over $700. 
54 our of 295 students are currently registered for Boosterthon. 
8% of the total students signed up have already raised money. 
Help your class earn a popsicle party by signing up today! 
Earn just $25 and you will receive a vintage throwback 30 year anniversary t-shirt!

Important Dates and Details:
Goal: $30,000
Supports: Phase 2 for School Improvements
Kickoff Date (in school): 10/20/2026
Event Date: 10/30/2026

Get Started on MyBooster.com TODAY:
 1) Sign Up
 2) Search for “Pinewood Christian Academy”
 3) Create your student’s page
Once you're signed up, share your student's page by email, text, and social media.

Biggest Tip for Success: Share, share, share using the easy online tools at MyBooster.com!

Thanks for your support! Find a fundraiser overview video HERE.

Boosterthon

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. 
• 
  

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!