✨This week was the grand finale of Mrs. O’s 2nd grade habitat project! 🌵🌳
The classroom was filled with mini ecosystems, each student proudly presenting their carefully crafted habitats. 🦜🧊 From lush rainforests to icy polar regions, the creativity was truly astounding. Every detail, from the construction paper trees to the fuzzy animals, reflected the hard work and imagination these little scientists poured into their projects.
🧑🏫 💫 Our students confidently presented their projects to their fellow students from other grades, turning the classroom into a hub of curiosity and learning. The enthusiasm was infectious as these young presenters explained the unique features of their habitats and the incredible creatures that call them home.
Great job students! 👍
#ucathunder #ucaelementary
👩🔬🔥 Our amazing chemistry students turned up the heat in the lab with a Flame Test experiment!
💥Armed with safety goggles and excitement, they explored the unique spectrum of colors produced when different metals were introduced to the flames. The heat added energy causing the color of the flame to shift as the electrons emitted varying frequencies of light. From vibrant reds to sizzling blues, the lab became a canvas of chemical art. 🧪🎨
#ucathunder #ucastem #ucaupperschool
👩🚒👩⚕️Our kindergarteners have wrapped up their unit about community helpers. To celebrate, they got to dress up for a day!
👨🍳Ms. Flaga’s students were all bakers, and Mrs. Troost’s students chose their favorite helper. 🧑🌾👮
The festivities included drawing community helpers, singing songs about them, and even decorating and eating cupcakes!🧁🧁
#ucathunder #ucaelementary
#Tuesday Testimonial - New Family edition
💜 We love to hear from our families about their experiences at our school. This week, we feature a family that is new to UCA this year. Please help us welcome the Fegter family!
"Before we even started looking for schools, I thought about how much pressure it was to find a school that would forever be with our daughter. We had to find a school where we didn't have to be afraid for her safety, afraid for her emotional well-being, and afraid of the enemy using the system to influence her mind. This was her future.
After a brief and timid search online, we found UCA and one other private Christian school. We interviewed at both, and we liked both, but UCA provided more. The staff at both made us feel secure and sure, but UCA felt different. There were no loud neon signs from God to go one way or the other, like I had hoped, but what there had always been from the beginning was His quiet and gentle nudge towards UCA.
A few weeks before making our final decision, we still weren’t 100% sure if God was really directing us one way or the other -until UCA had an evening event that featured their new building plans. We attended as guests, just to see what this community was like in action.
To my surprise, I instantly felt a spirit of honor and humility when walking into this event, held at a local church. It was like we had just stepped into a Kingdom. I felt that we were witnessing a community, a family, a team working for the Lord. They opened the event with worship, lead in a sanctuary. A sanctuary! How was I so deserving of a school that follows the Lord for our precious child? I was truly humbled. I felt it was ours to have, without even having applied or been accepted yet. It was like the Lord was opening my eyes and telling my heart, "you're home". It was the divine power of the Spirit, easing my soul, reassuring my fears listed above with peace and security.
Seeing teachers and school leaders lifting their hands and worshiping God was an incredible experience. Never did I think a private Christian school would ever be in my future. What an honor.
When open enrollment for the school year came, we applied for UCA with confidence. My husband said a couple days prior, "maybe we should also enroll at the other school we interviewed at, just in case Avery doesn't get accepted into UCA", he didn't want to risk not having a school for our daughter, but in my heart I KNEW we did not need a backup plan -this was the plan. We did not apply for the other school and after a few months of waiting, we were accepted into UCA.
Now, a couple months into our first year at UCA, I never imagined partnering with a school that would help us build the foundation that our daughter will always stand on. I never imagined going to a school where they open their parent-teacher conferences with prayer, where their leaders are proudly led by His spirit, where HE is the center of it all. With all the crazy evil things going on in the world, we are protected and favored. We stand separate from the others. Knowing we will not have to fight the school system in how we raise our daughter is one of the biggest blessings we, as parents, could EVER ask for. We continue to be honored and humbled to be a part of UCA."
UCA is so blessed to have the Fegter family as part of our community!
#ucathunder #tuesdaytestimonial
❓ 📖 Is this statement biblical?
What seems like a simple question led to great classroom discussion in Mr. Hilgenkamp's Ethics class. 🇬🇷 🇮🇹 As they cover the philosophies of people such as Plato, Aristotle, and Aquinas, they were presented with a statement about whether our true identity is found in the body or the soul.
Small group discussions led to decisions for, or against if this idea is biblical. Mr. Hilgenkamp also posed questions about tattoos and other ways people change their bodies.
Our teachers do a stellar job of facilitating discussions in a safe environment so that each student's viewpoint can be heard. All while drawing everything back to that same question...is this biblical?
#ucathunder #ucaupperschool #christcenterededucation
🇲🇽🇳🇮 Miss Luttio took our sixth-grade Spanish students on a journey through different Spanish-speaking countries, learning about common foods, landmarks, and the capitols.
🎵🎸 The students took the words and information that they learned and used them in a Mexican lullaby. The classroom was filled with students singing beautifully in Spanish!
#ucathunder
🎉🪀 Our Lower School had a special guest this week - Dazzling Dave, National Yo-Yo Master!
Our students were filled with laughter and amazement as Dazzling Dave spun, flipped, and looped his way into the hearts of our students. 🌀💖 His visit was not just about yo-yos; it was a captivating lesson in the "Science of Spin" that had the entire school buzzing with energy!
Shoutout to Dazzling Dave for sharing his passion, skills, and infectious enthusiasm with our young learners! 🙌
Yo-yos will be on sale before school on the following dates: Oct 16, 17, 18, 23, and 24. *Only cash will be accepted*
#ucathunder #ucalowerschool
Boys and Girls Soccer teams continue their Section play this Thursday!
Girls - 2:00 PM, at South West Christian High School - Tickets can be purchased online here. https://mshslr4a.hometownticketing.com/embed/event/75
Boys - 7:00 PM, at Providence Academy - Tickets can be purchased online here. https://mshslr4a.hometownticketing.com/embed/event/62
No Cash will be accepted at the games.
🏐 Farewell to a Volleyball Legend! 🏐
After 26 years of dedicated service and passion, Coach Larson has decided to hang up her whistle and retire from coaching.
Denise has been a mentor, leader, and friend who has left an indelible mark on our volleyball program, both at UCA and Christian Life Academy (one of our Legacy Schools).
💜 “Coach Larson teaches her players valuable life lessons that will impact them not only on the court, but off the court as well, for the rest of their lives. She has taught me the value of integrity, respect, and accountability. These qualities have shaped me into the leader, coach, and woman of Christ that I am today” ~Jase Anderson, former player of Coach’s and current UCA JV Volleyball coach
🙌🎉 Let’s come together and celebrate Coach Larson and express our gratitude for her years of service. We will hold a celebration after her last, regular-season home game on Tuesday, October 17th and 7:00 pm.
🤠 In true Denise fashion, the night will have a theme…so come in your Western attire to support our players and their coach!
#ucathunder #ucaathletics
🤷Could you describe the plum pudding model?
🌐🔬 Our Physical Science students presented their atomic models, unveiling the secrets of the building blocks that make up our universe.
🌌💫Whether it was the electron cloud or the planetary model, they delved into the complexities of atomic structures, sharing their insights, breakthroughs, and creative representations.
#ucathunder #ucastem
🔥🚒 Today was a blazing success for our PreK students who got a firsthand lesson during Fire Safety Week! 🚒🔥
🚨👩🚒 Our little ones had the fantastic opportunity to meet some local heroes – the firefighters! They listened attentively as the firefighters showed them all of the equipment on their truck, and the features of their turnout gear.
A huge shoutout to the Bloomington Fire Department for making today extra special. Your dedication to educating our little ones and ensuring their safety is truly appreciated! 🙌👩🚒
#ucathunder #ucapreschool #ucaprek
✝️ Today's Upper School chapel service was student-led. Having the students hear from their peers is very meaningful and special.
🧠 📖 Today, one of our 11th graders, Hero, spoke about wisdom and referred to Proverbs, chapter 4.
#ucathunder #ucaupperschool
🔍Mock Murder Mystery🔍
Our top-notch biology students have been asked to assist in investigating a most unfortunate incident. An autopsy was performed on a mock murder victim and revealed what they ate just prior to the time of death. The forensic pathologist removed the contents of the victim's stomach for our students to analyze in order to determine where they ate their last meal.
🧪 Our scientists performed several different tests in a macromolecule indicator lab to try and solve the mystery!
#ucathunder #ucaupperschool #ucastem
🍁🌲Mrs. Brown's 5th grade class joined Mrs. Troost's Kindergarteners to help them create beautiful artwork using natural elements.
🫐🌿The students used sticks, leaves, berries, pinecones, grass, and more to create animals, people, and landscapes. The 5th graders worked hard to collect all of the elements outside, thinking ahead about what their buddy would like to use.
🤝Creativity, cooperation, and collaboration were flowing!
#ucathunder #ucaelementary
✈️ Our aviation students are actively engaging with cutting-edge technology as they explore the world of unmanned aircraft systems. 🌍💻
The students got hands-on experience with drones, from takeoff to landing, and more. They navigated the skies and learned the intricacies of drone piloting and coding. 🕹️🛫
Who knows what heights they'll reach next? 🛰️🌟
#ucathunder #ucaaviation #ucastem
⚽️ 🥅 The UCA Boys Soccer team is currently at the top of their conference with a chance to win it this week. They are ranked in the top 20 for State (Class A) with Section play starting next week.
🎓This team is led by a large senior class that has played together for many years.
📆 The last home games of the season are Monday at 4:00 and Friday at 5:00 at the Marsh Playfields.
#ucathunder #ucaathletics
🥁 🎤 This week, we witnessed the birth of some musical magic as our 1st-grade superstars transformed their music class into a full-fledged band!
🎶🌟Our little musicians embarked on an incredible journey with Mrs. Tasler as they explored the world of rhythm, melody, and teamwork. With a sparkle in their eyes and instruments in hand, they eagerly embraced the challenge of "making a band."
#ucathunder #ucaelementary
🍏 📚Ms. Flaga's classroom recently transformed into an orchard of wonder as our kindergartners learned about the life of John Champman, aka Johnny Appleseed, as he followed God's leading to plant apple trees!🍎🌱
To go along with the folklore, we made hats that looked like pots, learned the Johnny Appleseed prayer song, and did many fun activities to celebrate apples! We even went down to the school office to perform our song!🎶
🍏 What's a Johnny Appleseed day without some delicious apple treats? Our kindergartners enjoyed a healthy snack time, savoring the goodness of freshly sliced apples.
#ucathunder #ucaelementary
🇨🇳 Learning Chinese characters is a fascinating and rewarding journey!
Mrs. Mi is leading our 6th graders through this journey using Play-Doh as they learn about Chinese characters. Like learning any language, practice and repetition are key to mastering Chinese characters. What a fun way to learn!
#ucathunder
📚Our 9th and 10th grade Language Arts students created reading timelines highlighting ten books that have impacted their lives.
📈💡Students created their timelines in whatever format they desired while exercising executive functioning skills to plan and create as they worked to meet the content and literacy criteria.
🌎 They were excited to share their creativity and talk about the books from infancy until today that have influenced their love of reading and/or shaped their knowledge of the world.
#ucathunder #ucaupperschool
