📖 Mrs. Nerdahl’s 4th-grade students have been diving into their Deep Roots Bible curriculum to explore the powerful truths of Romans Road. They’ve been learning about salvation, grace, and God’s love through key verses in the book of Romans. ✝️
By understanding the path to salvation, our students are growing in their faith and discovering how God’s Word guides us toward a relationship with Him. We are so proud of their eagerness to learn and their heart for the Lord! 🙌💜
#ucathunder #christcenterededucation #ucaelementary
🎬 As we conclude National Arts in Education Week, the grand finale is our THEATER Program!
🎭Our students have two opportunities a year to dive into the world of drama in the One Act Play and the Spring Musical. They explore everything from acting techniques and stage presence to script analysis and character development. They learn how to express themselves creatively, and collaborate with their peers. We can’t wait to see what stories they’ll bring to life on stage this year. 🌟🎟️
UCA is proud to welcome our new Theatre Director, Shane Lord:
“I have been involved in theatre since age 5. In 2019, I had the opportunity to direct, and since then, it has become a passion of mine. What I love most about directing students is seeing them step out of their comfort zones and perform for an audience. My approach emphasizes that everything we do is for God and God alone. The process is more than putting on a show; it’s about the growth and development that comes through the process. I am excited to bring the skills and talents God has blessed me with to UCA.”
#ucathunder #ucafinearts
🎼As we continue celebrating National Arts in Education Week, today we’re shining the spotlight on our amazing CHOIR & MUSIC Programs!
🎶 ✨Our younger students are mastering the elements of music—learning about melody, harmony, rhythm, and dynamics as they develop their vocal skills. These students are building not just musical skills but also confidence, and teamwork.
🎵 ✨As the students get older and move into choir, they master their vocal skills, learn to harmonize, and work together to create beautiful music. From warm-ups to performances, they’re building discipline, and a love for the arts.
Mrs. Tasler, who teaches our lower elementary students, shared this:
🎤“Music is such a huge part of all of our lives and to get to be the UCA students' first music teacher is very, very special to me. I love encouraging the students in music to HAVE FUN and enjoy themselves as we explore lots of different music activities. It's so cool to see firsthand, when the students start to develop their talents and interests, as we sing, dance, play instruments, and put on performances throughout the year! To have the privilege to teach at a Christian school where we can worship and give glory to God in all we do in class, is absolutely the most rewarding job I can imagine!”
#ucathunder #ucafinearts
🧬 🍬Mrs. Ray’s 3rd graders got hands-on with science this week by using candy to create models of human cells! As they carefully placed each "organelle," they learned about the different parts of a cell and how they work together to keep living things alive.
🔬 The students were amazed by how something so small could be so detailed, marveling at God's incredible design in every cell. It was a fun and tasty way to explore science and appreciate the complexity of His creation! 🌟
#ucathunder #ucaelementary #ucastem
This week, we’re joining schools across the country in celebrating National Arts in Education Week—and today, we’re putting the spotlight on our amazing PHOTOGRAPHY program!
📸 Our photography students are learning the art of capturing moments, exploring different techniques, and discovering how to tell powerful stories through the lens of a camera. From lighting and composition to editing and creativity, they’re gaining skills that help them see the world in a whole new way. 🌟
Here’s what our Photography, Photo Editing, and Yearbook teacher, Mrs. Palazzo, had to say: “Photography offers a way to express creativity, forge new friendships and career paths, and share one’s faith. As students learn to use a camera and understand the rules of photography, I emphasize that these rules are flexible and meant to be tested. Each person’s unique style helps to showcase how they view the world and people around them.” 📷
#ucathunder #ucafinearts
Today, all of our 7th-12th grade students departed for their Fall Retreats. Three different groups headed to three different bible camp locations. Everyone arrived safely and jumped right into their camp activities!
Please pray for the Gospel to be proclaimed this week and for spiritual growth and formation in our student body. 🙏
#ucathunder
🤝🌟Our Pre-K students had an exciting time playing a cooperative game that encouraged them to work together! It was so fun to see their teamwork in action as they cheered each other on and worked toward a common goal. Learning how to take turns, share, and problem-solve builds a strong sense of community from an early age!
#ucathunder #ucaprek
This week, we’re joining schools across the country in celebrating National Arts in Education Week—and today, we’re putting the spotlight on our amazing ART program!
🎨Mrs. Chant (Middle School Art): “Teaching art allows me to guide students in discovering their own creativity, which is a gift that reflects the beauty and uniqueness of God's creation. Arts in education are crucial as they engage the creative side of our brains, helping us express emotions and ideas in ways that words alone cannot. My hope is to help students appreciate and nurture their own unique talents that God has given them.”
🎨Mrs. Berry (High School Art): “As individuals created in the image of the ultimate Creator, we each possess a unique ability to express ourselves artistically. Our class is a space where imagination flourishes and originality thrives, reflecting the diverse tapestry of talents and perspectives among us. Together, we celebrate the creative spark within every student, encouraging exploration, innovation, and the development of our artistic voices.”
#ucathunder #ucafinearts
This week, we’re joining schools across the country in celebrating National Arts in Education Week—and today, we’re putting the spotlight on our amazing BAND program!
🎶🎺Our 4th-12th grade students not only learn how to play instruments but also gain valuable life skills like teamwork, discipline, and creativity. From beginners to seasoned musicians, they’re making beautiful music and building lasting friendships through their shared love of the arts. 🎼🎷
A message from our Band Director, Mr. Curtis:
🎵 “Making music is the second most joyous endeavor for me on this Earth behind following Jesus, and I have the privilege of doing it with elementary, middle, and high school students. Arts education is crucial to creating more complete human beings who can think critically, be curious, and lead productive lives. Playing a musical instrument is the only activity that uses every area of the brain which improves overall brain function as well as performance in other subject areas.”
#ucathunder #ucafinearts
🌅 A Blessed Start to the Day! 🙏
Every morning, Mr. Geselle’s 3rd graders begin their day with a meaningful routine that centers on worship, connection, and community. The day starts with personal check-ins with their teacher and reciting the pledges, followed by sharing prayer requests, praying for one another, and worshiping together.
Today, they specifically talked about what worship is, what it might look like, and why it’s important. It was powerful to hear the depth of their answers, showing they truly understand who God is.
This special time connects our students with God, their classmates, and their teacher, creating a positive and uplifting environment to set the tone for the day. ❤️✨
#ucathunder #christcenterededucation #ucaelementary
GRATITUDE 🙏
We are so thankful for this school and this space where our kids are free to worship.
Praise God!
#ucathunder
🌟 🎯 Our High School Language Arts students took a creative step toward their futures by making vision boards! This project was two-fold, allowing them to reflect on their dreams and goals and giving them a visual representation of where they want to go in life, but it also taught them valuable lessons about project planning and execution, turning a concept into a finished product. 💭🎨
#ucathunder #ucahighschool
✝️ Our 6th-grade Bible curriculum takes students on an impactful journey through all 66 books of the Bible. Today’s lesson tackled the concept of faith, asking how a person becomes good and righteous.
🌱 Through thoughtful discussion and scripture study in Romans 3, they’re learning that righteousness does not come from our own efforts but through faith in God’s grace and love. Mrs. Chant also emphasized that you can’t have faith in a God you don’t know, encouraging these students to dive into the Bible and decide who God is to them. 🙏
#ucathunder #christcenterededucation
🎉 The vending machines are back!!
A new building brings new and improved vending options for UCA. These machines are a favorite of our secondary students looking for a quick snack between classes or a refreshing drink after school. 🍫 🥤
Happy snacking!
#ucathunder
🕵️♂️ Unsolved Mysteries in Language Arts! 📚
Mrs. Stockman’s students are conducting research on an intriguing unsolved mystery of their choice, digging deep to uncover facts, theories, and clues.
But the challenge doesn't stop there—they’re also using what they find to write a well-structured paper in MLA format. This project not only sharpened their research and writing skills but also encouraged critical thinking and creativity as they explored these mysterious topics. 🔍✍️
#ucathunder
🏅 Athlete of the Week! ⚽️
Congratulations to Mariah, our UCA Athlete of the Week! Mariah plays on the girls' soccer team and has had an outstanding start to the season.
Mariah's hard work as goalkeeper kept her team close in a recent game against Faribault, which ended in a 1-1 tie.
We can’t wait to see all the amazing things she’ll accomplish this season! Keep up the fantastic work, Mariah! 👏💪
#ucathunder #ucaathletics
🎨Mrs. Otterblad’s creative 2nd graders dove into a fun project this week—fingerprint art! Using their fingertips and a bit of imagination, each student chose from different examples of animals and recreated them on their own paper. 🐾
As they worked on their creations, they also talked about how each will be unique. The results were adorable and special, from interesting insects to fancy flowers, showcasing each child's creativity and individuality. 🐜🌼
It was a beautiful way to celebrate their artistic talents and the unique way God created each of them, down to their unique fingerprints.
#ucathunder #ucaelementary
📚 📝 Our American Literature class kicked off their journey into The Scarlet Letter with a thought-provoking exercise. Each student was secretly assigned a career, but one student was designated as an imposter—though no one knew who had which role.
Through conversation and interaction, the students had to figure out who was who. This activity helped them experience the themes of judgment, identity, and exclusion that are central to the novel.
It was an eye-opening way to step into the world of The Scarlet Letter and start thinking about the complex social dynamics they’ll explore in the book. We’re excited to see their insights as they dive deeper into the story! 📖🔍
#ucathunder #ucahighschool
⚽️ 👟🏐 Our fall sports seasons are off and running, and these super fans are inviting you to all the events!
Miss Coleman, Miss Ciri, and Miss Andi made themselves "Super Fan" shirts to support our athletes. On the back, you will find the names of every varsity athlete!
Go Thunder!
#ucathunder #ucaathletics
🚀Our Aviation 1 students had an exciting hands-on project last week, building and testing balloon rockets! They were challenged with engineering a balloon contraption capable of lifting as much weight as possible all the way to the ceiling.🎈
🧠Students experimented with different designs, learning about the principles of lift, thrust, and more. It was a great opportunity to apply their knowledge in a fun and interactive way!
#ucathunder #ucastem
