Upper School Newsletter
March 12, 2018
Dates to Remember:
March 15 - Combined Chapel at HCS
March 18 - Open House, 2PM
March 20 - End of 3rd Marking Period
March 22-24 Seussical the Musical
March 23 - Teacher In-Service Day, NO SCHOOL
From the Principal's Desk:
I am sure that some of you have had the same sensation I have the last few weeks- God seems to be gently nudging you to ponder a particular aspect of His character. Of late, God has been laying on my heart the necessity of pondering His goodness. Between the news of another school shooting and several difficult providences like unexpected deaths and sicknesses plaguing members of our community, it seems God is teaching us the need to trust His goodness. When we observe and experience such effects of sin and evil in our world, many questions arise in our minds, and heaviness can weigh down our hearts; however, God did not leave us without revelation regarding His character.
In pondering these difficult providences, I was reminded of two bedrock truths that we must hold on to during these trials. First, God is good. He is never the author of evil. “God cannot be tempted with evil, and He himself tempts no one. (James 1:13)” He is never surprised by evil. “I am God…declaring the end from the beginning and from ancient times things not yet done. (Isaiah 46:10)” He will not allow evil to thwart His purposes. “My counsel shall stand, and I will accomplish all my purpose. (Isaiah 46:10)” God does not find some sort of strange pleasure when His creators experience the effects of evil. “I have no pleasure in the death of anyone, declares the Lord God. (Ezekiel 18:32)”
Second, all of history has a purpose- no event is meaningless. Paul had to remind the Corinthians of this truth because they were enduring unusual difficulty for Christ’s sake. He writes to them, “We are afflicted in every way, but not crushed; perplexed, but not driven to despair; persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed…For this light momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond comparison, as we look not to the things that are seen but to the things that are unseen. (II Corinthians 4)”
John Piper commenting on these verses in II Corinthians said, “Not only is all your affliction momentary, not only is all your affliction light, in comparison to eternity and the glory there, but all of it is totally meaningful. Every millisecond of your pain from the fallen nature or fallen man…is producing a peculiar glory because of that. Of course you can’t see what it is doing- don’t look at what is seen- when your mom dies, when your kid dies, when you have cancer at 40, when a car careens into the sidewalk, don’t say it is meaningless. It is not, it is working for you an eternal weight of glory. Therefore, do not lose heart, but take these truths and day-by-day focus on them. Preach them to yourself.”
God has a good purpose that will not be thwarted by acts of evil or the painful effects of sin. Just like Job in the Scriptures, we do not know all the reasons for evil or trials, but we still say, “Though God slay me, I will hope in Him…For I know that my Redeemer lives, and at the last he will stand upon the earth. (Job 13:15a; 19:25)”
Seussical Volunteers Needed
Front of House Volunteers sign up: https://ttsu.me/a5as4d
Cast and Crew Meal sign up: https://ttsu.me/seussicalmeals
Canned Food Drive
Combined School Chapel
We are excited to announce that on Thursday, March 15, two schools with one purpose will come together to worship one LORD in our first annual CSAGH Upper School Chapel at Harrisburg Christian School (HCS). We are so excited for HCS and WSCA’s Upper Schools to come together to worship God and discussion His truth in smaller groups throughout the day on the 15th. Tomorrow, our entire Upper School will receive a field trip permission form with details regarding departure and arrival times and lunch (students can purchase lunch at HCS or pack one). Our school start time and end time will not be affected by this event, but we are looking for assistance in transporting our students to HCS. If you are interested in assisting us transport students to HCS and attend this combined chapel event, please email Jen Wempa at jwempa@westshorechristian.org indicating how many students you can transport. Please pray for this event to glorify God and bring unity to our school system!
Scholarship Opportunities
Mark Your Calendars: Junior-Senior Banquet
Due to difficulties in securing a venue reservation, the Junior-Senior Banquet has been re-scheduled. The Junior-Senior Banquet will take place on Saturday, April 28th from 6:00-9:00 p.m. at Strock Farms. Mark your calendars as the juniors start to plan a fun and memorable evening for our seniors. More details regarding ticket sales, etc. will be coming out soon.
Tickets for "Seussical, The Musical"
Bus Trip to Naval Academy in Annapolis
Are you and your high school student interested in the US Naval Academy? The United States Naval Academy Parents' Club of Central PA is sponsoring a bus trip to the Naval Academy in Annapolis on Saturday, March 31, 2018. The purpose is to learn about the application/appointment process and meet with current midshipmen from our local area. The cost is $90.00. If you are interested, please contact Mrs. Werner.
Open Houses for Prospective Families
We have now entered "open enrollment" time at WSCA, meaning that we are accepting applications from new families to join our WSCA family. Please help us advertise our upcoming Open Houses:
Sunday, March 18, 2:00pm, PreK-12th grade open house
Tuesday, April 10, 6:30pm, PreK-12th grade open house
If you have any questions about re-enrollment, enrollment for new families, or how you can best help advertise our school to prospective families, please contact our admissions director, Mary Beth Gilge, at mbgilge@westshorechristian.org. For starters, share events and posts from the WSCA facebook page to your personal page!
Financial Policy Update
WSCA has assumed the following CSAGH financial policy as it relates to early withdrawal:
Early Withdrawal Fee: When a family withdraws a student(s) after enrolling for the school year, an Early Withdrawal Fee is assessed. While a student might leave the school for unavoidable reasons (illness, job transfer, etc), the school continues to bear the costs of the student(s) with no tuition income. Families must pay one month's tuition, in addition to all tuition expenses up to and including the final month of the student's attendance, as an Early Withdrawal Fee. If a family has not paid their Withdrawal Fee within 30 days of the student's withdrawal, the Withdrawal Fee amount will be automatically deducted from the family's bank account on file in FACTS.
Withdrawal Prior to June 15: Withdrawal Fee is one month's tuition (enrollment fee is not refundable).
Withdrawal Prior to August 1: Withdrawal Fee is one month's tuition plus the tuition payment for the month of July (enrollment fee is not refundable).
Substitute Nurse & Teachers Needed!
Large Plastic Bins Needed
The Upper School is in need of 10-12 forty quart clear plastic storage bins. We are continuing to clean up the attic and large bins would helpful. If you are willing to donate a bin, please bring it to the Upper School office. Thank you for your help!
We have received five so far! Thank you!
Volunteer Cashier Needed
SAT/ACT Registration Dates:
West Shore Christian Academy
Email: info@westshorechristian.org
Website: www.westshorechristian.org
Location: 201 West Main Street, Shiremanstown, PA, United States
Phone: 717.737.3550
Facebook: www.facebook.com/westshorechristian
Twitter: @WSCA1