📚 Our book buddies have bonded!
🤝 Each 5th grade student has paired up with a kindergarten student, Mrs. Shogren’s class with Ms. Flaga’s, and Mrs. Brown’s class with Mrs. Troost’s. These partnerships will be “Book Buddies” for the school year. 🗓️
They will get together periodically to build friendships, focus on reading, and more. 🌟
#ucathunder #ucaelementary #ucabuddies
#Tuesday Testimonial - the York Family Edition
In May 2016, Lori York took a job at Normandale Community College and became generally aware of a private school just across the street from her on-campus office The York children were finishing 3rd and 1st grades respectively at St. John the Baptist Catholic School in Savage, their home parish.
Fast forward to the 2020-2021 school year when they were ‘shopping’ for Lydia’s next school since St. John’s goes through 8th grade. Having been in private school since kindergarten, they were leaning toward private high school. Thinking mostly about proximity to Lori’s work and therefore easy logistics, they decided to visit and tour UCA. It felt good on so many levels. It was welcoming, right-sized, and financially within reach. But ultimately, hearts and minds were headed in a different direction.
Lydia had a wonderful 9th grade year at a local Catholic high school but as summer break began the Yorks found themselves discerning the next school year. Lydia’s dad Tom recalls how their family’s decision for 9th grade was made during the pandemic; work/life dynamics had changed substantially, and it was time to give UCA another look. They toured and visited again, this time with Lydia as a potential transfer student just one month before Fall Semester 2022 was due to start. Lori remembers being torn in different directions, having already re-enrolled and financially committed elsewhere but knew that UCA was pulling them in. “Mr. Dalrymple, the admission staff, and the academic dean were all willing to work with us, were empathetic to our situation, and assured us that even on a short timeline that they could make it all work.”
According to Lydia’s mom, “Lydia thrived during 10th grade. She found her people and her niche. Choir, art, and theater were the creative outlets she needed. She took real ownership of her academics. We’re so pleased to witness her grow in multiple dimensions and see her learning how to learn.”
Now it is Fall 2023. Lydia is an 11th grader and is joined by her brother Andre who is new to UCA as a 9th grader. On the first day of school Andre reported back to his parents, “This is the best school ever. All the teachers are amazing. All of them. Why can’t every school be like this?” Andre had done a shadow day at UCA during 8th grade and participated in Chess Camp in Summer 2023, both of which helped ease his transition to high school. Both York kids are looking forward to the upcoming high school retreat and Lori will volunteer during the retreat for a second year, noting how “three days in a busy camp kitchen is my happy place. Last year, I got to make desserts for all the students and staff. It was so rewarding.”
UCA is blessed to have the York family as part of our community!
#ucathunder
🛫✈️The aviation adventure begins!
🤩 Recently, our Aviation 1 students took their first steps into the world of flight simulation. As they entered the lab, you could see the anticipation in their eyes!
🛫🌟Flight simulators allow our students a hands-on approach to learning in this exciting and growing field!
Guided by Mr. Poole, our Aviation Program Director, our aspiring pilots learned the intricacies of taxiing on an airfield. The first of many steps in learning the magical world of flight!
#ucathunder #ucaaviation
🎨 Art in Education Week! 🖌️
Last week, the nation celebrated art in our schools, and we would love to highlight our students and teachers.
💜 Mrs. Chant and Mrs. Berry, our two crazy-talented art teachers, have huge hearts for our students and a passion for enlightening them about the art world.
💬They tell the students that "you are a MASTERPIECE, a unique creation made by a loving God, who has BIG PLANS for you. In your Art Class, we will discover how God created all of us with different gifts and talents so we can use them for His glory. We are all creative because we were created in his image, and our God is the CREATOR of all things."
Thank you to Mrs. Berry and Mrs. Chant for pouring into our students! We can't wait to see all of their creations!
#ucathunder #ucafinearts
📣 Fall Spirit Week is September 18-22!
We hope to see many students of all ages participate in the dress-up days.
Roll Thunder Roll!
#ucathunder
🍁 7th & 8th Grade Fall Retreat
These students spent the last three days focusing on the theme of "ENTHRONED." Their speaker shared that God is our ultimate authority AND wants a personal relationship with us. They were challenged with questions like:
❓What is crowding the throne of your heart?
❓What needs to be dethroned in order to give God His rightful place on the throne?
These sessions were mixed in with lots of outdoor time, team-building exercises, skits, and more!
#ucathunder #ucamiddleschool
👑 What is on the throne of your life?
Wednesday evening of their retreat, our 10th-12th grade students were challenged with this question. They then spent the next couple of days diving deeper into that message, strengthening old friendships and building new ones, overcoming challenges and rejoicing in victories.
🤗 These three days always create many memories for our high school students, becoming some of the most cherished times as a UCA student.
#ucathunder #ucaupperschool #ucaretreats
9th Grade Fall Retreat - "ENTHRONED"
🍂The annual fall retreat is an important and special time of the year when students begin to connect with each other and to the Lord in a deeper way. In many ways, this trip sets the tone and atmosphere for our students for the rest of the year. Our students may encounter challenges at camp that stretch them – physically, socially and spiritually – and our desire is that it brings them a sense of accomplishment and encourages them to set new goals to meet through this next year. Our vision for this retreat is that students will come back having built a stronger sense of community and a passion for pursuing their faith. Our theme this year is ENTHRONED.
📷These pictures are just a glimpse into everything our students experience in these three short days!
#ucathunder #ucahighschool #ucaretreats
🏡🐛Mrs. Otterblad's 2nd-grade scientists have been busy learning about the crucial relationship between living organisms and the need for shelter. 🏠🌱 To simulate this, they built a shelter for their marshmallow out of gumdrops and toothpicks.
🐦🦡They've explored the ingenious ways animals build homes, from underground burrows to intricate nests high in the trees.
🌿🌼 They delved into how plants adapt to their environments, including how they use leaves, stems, and roots to shelter themselves and other creatures.
It's fun to see the students light up with curiosity as they explore the world around them!
#ucathunder #ucaelementary #ucastem
📣 Special invitation for UCA Legacy Alumni!
⚽️ We would love to have you join the festivities of SUPER SOCCER SATURDAY on September 23!
Invite your classmates and come on out for a soccer shootout, a free meal from concessions, a special gift, plus an impromptu CLASS REUNION!
💰 The alumni class with the most graduates in attendance will win a $25 gift card for each attendee!
Join us at Gene Kelly Fields, Bloomington:
10:00 am - Boys JV (halftime - Kids scrimmage)
12:00 pm - Girls Varsity (halftime - ALUMNI soccer shootout)
Pre-game (approx 1:45pm) - Honoring of Coach Chad Peters
2:00 pm - Boys Varsity
#ucathunder #ucaathletics #ucaalumni
💬Conversation became free-flowing over a cup of noodles! 🍜
📘Mrs. Mi added the element of eating Ramen Noodles to a not-so-exciting grammar exercise out of their textbook. These hungry Chinese 2 students had plenty of energy after a little snack in a cup!
🇨🇳Open conversations in Mandarin and English over the noodle soup gave students the opportunity to learn some Chinese words such as “yummy”, “Is it good?”, and more!
#ucathunder #ucaupperschool
🇺🇸✉️Juniors and seniors in Mrs. Hohnstadt’s Civics classes have spent time selecting elected officials to write letters to. The letters are a tangible way to say “thank you” to those who serve our community and also a chance to express concern, share an idea, or offer a Bible verse to encourage leaders in our government.
🖊️This very practical project is often the first time many have had a chance to write a physical letter or address an envelope. The best part comes when they start receiving replies and get to share those with the class.
🙏Prayer over the letters and ongoing weekly prayer for our leaders becomes a focus of this class throughout the year.
#ucathunder #ucaupperschool
🧠 Saving Fred: 3rd Grade STEM Challenge 💡
🪱Mrs. Ray presented her students with the mission to rescue Fred (gummy worm), who was stranded in the water with a capsized boat (plastic cup). After writing out a brief plan, students attempted to get Fred into a life preserver (gummy lifesaver) and back into his boat using only paper clips.
🤝Cooperation was key! Each team member had a unique role, and successful execution demanded flawless coordination.
🗣 Communication Mattered! Each group had to convey their ideas, share insights, and adapt on the fly.
🏃♂️ The Power of Perseverance! These students did not give up. They persevered and learned from each setback!
Way to go scientists! 🌟
#ucathunder #ucaelementary #ucastem
🏃🏾♀️"Mini Marathon Challenge" 🏃♂️
👟Mrs. Aunan and our Kindergarten through 4th grade students are lacing up their running shoes for a year-long challenge.
Studies have found that kids' muscles resist fatigue in a similar way to those of elite endurance athletes. The goal for our students is to increase endurance and stamina for running. Each month they will increase the amount of time that they are running, and they will end the year with a celebration.🎉
🖊️Each class has a poster on the gym wall. If they complete the time running without walking, they get to sign the poster. The hope is to inspire them to bring this home and practice on their own.
This challenge is equipping kids to use their bodies in action and to give God the glory for the ability to move our bodies. ☝️
#ucathunder #ucaelementary
🗺️ 🔍6th graders in Mrs. Hohnstadt’s history class were challenged to test their map reading skills. They used the map legend, compass rose, index, and coordinates to answer a series of questions about the state they chose.
🌎 With maps of almost every country in the world and every state in the U.S., students always have more to explore at UCA.
#ucathunder #ucalowerschool
Fall Spirit Week is September 18th-22nd!
Participation in our dress-up days is encouraged for all students!
Monday, Sept. 18th - "America Day" (no political graphics or statements)
Tuesday, Sept. 19th - "Ken/Barbie Day"
Wednesday, Sept. 20th - "TV/Movie Character Day"
Thursday, Sept. 21st - "Generations Day" - Elementary can dress up in any generation. 6th grade=baby, 7th grade=adult, 8th grade=senior citizen, 9th=baby, 10th grade=Teenager, 11th grade=Adult, 12th grade=Senior citizen
Friday, Sept. 22nd - "UCA Day"
⏱️ Setting records left and right! 🏃♀️🏃♂️
☀️Our Cross Country teams had a fantastic meet this week! The weather was fabulous, and the course was flat.
🏅UCA earned 1st place in both the boys and girls varsity races. Way to go Miles and Lauren!
🏅Nine runners set personal records
🏅 Eight runners came away with 'top five' medals in their respective races
🏅 Girls JV was the top-placing team
🏅Boys varsity team came in second place!
Congratulations everyone!
#ucathunder #ucaathletics
🌳🥪Lunchtime Al Fresco! 🌞🍔
The Upper School has a lovely outdoor area right off the cafeteria where our High School students take advantage of the fresh air. It's a simple yet beautiful way to break away from the classroom routine and recharge for the rest of the day.
💬🤣 Students come together to share stories, laughter, and, of course, a quick meal. It's a time of bonding, relaxation, and creating lasting memories.
#ucathunder #ucaupperschool #highschoolmemories
1st Graders' Amazing Taste Test Adventure! 👧👦
👅 This week, Miss Anderson's young scientists put on their taste-testing hats and conducted an exciting experiment right in the classroom. They sampled an array of foods, from sweet and tangy to salty and savory, all while learning about the five senses.
🍫🍋 From chocolate chips to saltines to lemons, and cocoa powder, our little scientists bravely tried it all! It's incredible to see how curiosity and a spirit of exploration can turn a simple taste test into a memorable learning experience. 🤣Some tastes were met with giggles, while others inspired thoughtful discussions about personal preferences.
#ucathunder #ucalowerschool #ucastem
⚽️ 🌟UCA Boys Soccer continues to shine with a big victory over Eagle Ridge (5-1) last week, and another recent win over Metro United (1-0) on Tuesday. Our Goalkeeper, Jeremiah, stepped up with some big saves, and the Defense played great to get the shutout. 🥅
Roll Thunder!
#ucathunder #ucaathletics
