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In the mock trial competition, students take on the roles of attorneys, witnesses and defendants in a mock case. The fictitious case was about someone charged with negligent storage of a firearm and negligent supervision of a minor. At the local level these teams compete against other area schools and are presided over by chancery or circuit court judges. The mock trial competition is sponsored at the local level in Tennessee in part by the Tennessee Bar Association. Our congratulations go out to all our mock trial participants for their hard work, which culminated in such an award winning effort.
Two teams from Family Christian Academy won in Chattanooga and went on to the state level competing against public, private and other church related schools throughout Tennessee in the competition in Nashville on March 15th and 16th. In the final round it was the two Family Christian Academy teams against one another. The decision in the last round was handed down by a real judge in the Davidson County Courthouse. When he announced his decision he said it was really, really close.
The teams were coached by attorneys, Jeff Atherton (head coach), Matthew Hargraves, and Nora McCarthy. Coming in second on the blue team were Mandy Blankenship, Jesse Blankenship, Jon Gibbons, Andrew Jones, Justin Stinson, and Laurel Stinson. The FCA Red team going to the national competition in Minnesota in May includes Beth Coleman, Anna Downer, Joshua Downer, Matthew Downer, Amber Gruber, and John Poston. With them go our hopes and prayers.
See Pictures - be patient while the pictures load.
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Friday April 5 at Volunteer State, Gallatin, TN, Shaun M. Williams an FCA student competed in the National Geographic Society Geography Bee. The winner of each state advances to the national finals in Washington on May 21-22 to vie for the National Geographic Bee crown. First prize is a $25,000 college scholarship and a lifetime subscription to National Geographic Magazine. The competition was created in 1989 to reawaken interest in geography. Apparently it is succeeding because nearly five million students participated this year.
Out of the 100 students competing at Volunteer State only 10 would go on to the State level. In the semi-finals each student was asked 8 questions which ranged from Geography questions to current events in the world. In the competition the student was given 15 seconds to answer the question. In the final tally only 3 students answered all the questions right so they were automatically forwarded to the state contest which left 7 spots open to be filled up by the next tier of students, of which there were 13 students, who only missed one question in the semi-finals. Our Shaun was one of them. In a very intense tie-breaker all the contestants where asked the same question and had to write the answer on a sheet of paper. On the first round only 2 answered the question correctly, so it went to a second round where 5 answered correctly and the spots for state were filled.
Shaun went on to the state in the afternoon. The state competition was broadcast on the local public television station. Shaun took 7th place in the state competition. Not high enough to win a spot at the nationals but still very impressive. Congratulations to Shaun. We are proud of him.
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Middle Tennessee
East Tennessee
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We need your help to plan for it. We are hoping to have a better year than ever. We would like for you to complete a survey form on the web. Please go to
https://www.advances52.advances.net/fcacademy/secure/activity.cfm
click on the links at the bottom of the page and complete the form. You will need to know your member ID and password. If you are not internet connected you will have an opportunity to complete a paper survey when you enroll. We hope by making the survey available early we will be able to better plan for next year so if you can complete it on-line please do so.
One of the most important things we are trying to discover is which courses we should add to our tutoring program. We need you to tell us which ones would be most helpful to you.
We also ask things like:
Which of these seminars and activities from the 2001-2002 school year would you like to see again next year?
Seminar - Introduction to Home Schooling
Seminar - Choosing the right Teaching Style for your
Child's Learning Style
Seminar - Moving from Parent-Child to Teacher-Student,
Managing the New Relationship
Seminar - High School and College for FCA Students
Seminar - Preparing for the Stanford Achievement Test
Seminar - Tax advice for Home Schooling Families
The Mobile Ark - a close look at some endangered species.
Chess Club
Bowling League
Would you be interested in seeing us add a career day for our children next year? We would have some of our parents give presentations about what they do for a living and allow the students a chance to question them about it. It is a great way for our children to begin to think about how they are going to serve the Lord with their lives.
What other activities would be helpful for you?
We are also trying to get a sports program launched for next year and we want to know which sports our families are interested in.
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- Enrollment for the 2003-2004 school year will open June 1st
- Graduation June 15, 2002. (See More)
- Don't forget to submit your final attendance and progress reports for the 2001-2002 school year by July 15th.
Visit our on-line calendar at http://www.advances52.advances.net/fcacademy/calendar/ to learn more about these and other important dates.
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Some of the things we are working on for the near future
- Video streaming delivery of seminars over the web
- Internet based support groups for special interests (i.e. home school parents with hearing impaired children or children with other special needs)
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Everyone is invited to attend this year's home school graduation, as it will be a most memorable event. This joyous evening will always be remembered as one of the highlights of your family and friends' life as they see the graduates recognized for their hard work and achievements.
Delta Ballroom Opryland Hotel in Nashville June 15, 2002.
Kindergarten and 8th Grade Graduation 1:00 - 3:00 P.M.
Senior Graduation 4:00 - 6:00 P.M.
The afternoon will be full of excitement and will hold precious memories for all. Come early so that you may visit with the camera crew or engage in sight seeing. Opryland Hotel is known for it's beautiful variety of indoor gardens, which cover over ten acres. Each evening there is an enchanting light and water show.
This year we have planned an earlier graduation program to allow families to dismiss for their choice of fine dining. There are many excellent restaurants nearby.
See http://www.familychristianacademy.com/72info.html for more information.
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See http://www.familychristianacademy.com/tkd.html for more details.
Starting January 7, 2002 Family Christian Academy has a new Administrator, Thor F. Carden. Mr. Carden has served as webmaster for FCA for four years. He and his wife Trisha attend Love One Another Gospel Church in Madison, TN. They have three children and seven grandchildren. To learn more about Thor Carden visit http://www.tcarden.com. Our new administrator introduces himself:
"I was home schooled as a child as well as spending time in both parochial and public schools. Not only was I able to sample all three major educational systems as a student but also as a parent. I believe this gives me some unique insights into the major systems of education and makes it credible for me to claim that home schooling is best.
"In 1987, after fifteen years in the computer industry, I felt the Lord leading me in the direction of becoming involved in Christian Education. I began to prepare myself for my new life. From supporting financial computer systems I moved to educational technology and later into professional training. I returned to college and earned a bachelors degree and took 21 hours of post graduate work towards a Masters in Education. I was involved in various tutoring programs both as a volunteer and professionally. In retrospect, I believe He has been preparing me for this all my life but I have only been aware of it for the last dozen years. I have become Administrator of Family Christian Academy. Please, pray for me.
"I have two major goals for the 2003-2004 school year. First, I want to increase the number of FCA sponsored support groups, activities, and seminars. Second, I want to streamline and improve records administration."
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Family Christian Academy has expanded our education resources to the world wide web with our school on-line. For those that are wanting to home school but perhaps do not feel qualified and for those that are looking for teaching support for your student our online academy is what you need. Using the award winning software, Switched-On Schoolhouse, the students do their work at home or come to our location and work here with our computers. Either way it is then uploaded to our server to be graded and evaluated by our teachers. Computers will be available for loan to the students who choose to work from home.
This curriculum is available for students in grades 3-12 in the core subjects of English, Math, History and Science with electives in Spanish, Health, Consumer Math and Tennessee History. The online academy gives you the convenience of having teachers for your child's questions, the affordability of paying in installments and the flexibility of your student being able to do his work anywhere with a computer. This curriculum also allows you to design your classes by diagnostic testing to pin point your student strengths and weakness along with the flexibility of setting your child's school calendar. For further information see our website at www.familychristianacademy.com.
See http://www.familychristianacademy.com/318.shtml for more information.
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Two FCA students made perfect scores on the Scholastic Achievement Test.
Six Flags Kentucky Kingdom is offering big discounts for Home schoolers on May 24th. You must purchase by May 10th to receive the $10.99 tickets. Enjoy "The Outdoor Classroom" especially for home schooled children from across the region. 1-877-881-0506 for more information.
Spanish students from the FCA extension programs in Chattanooga and Nashville are joining with a local church for a missions trip to Mexico in late April.
Home schoolers Physical Education classes. Fitness Plus in Goodlettsville. Discount membership for all FCA members, only $49 a month for full-member benefits. A regular group of home school families meet each Tues and Thurs from 9-11am.
FCA Now Offers a High School Counseling Service:
The counselor will view your child's file and complete a checklist for graduation requirements, determine academic path (General or College) and type of diploma to be issued (FCA or parent directed). Also discussed will be Grade Point Average, and possible colleges. The fee is $25.00. To schedule appointment contact your book store. Available in Nashville now, available everywhere Fall, 2002.
Family camp out canceled. The legislature and governor did not get the parks re-opened in time for us to be able to make our plans. We will try again next year. We apologize to all those who have been disappointed by this.
New support groups are being formed for next year. Be sure to complete the survey at if you are interested in participating go to https://www.advances52.advances.net/fcacademy/secure/activity.cfm
and click on the links at the bottom of the page and complete the form. Knoxville already had their first meeting last month. You will need your member ID and password.
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Activity Schedule:
Bowling - always 3rd Wednesday
Skating - always 1st Monday (Christian night)
Support Group/Chess Club - always 2nd Thursday
Family Fun Night - 2 Fridays out of the month, it usually falls on the 2nd & 4th Friday. On occasion it will fall on the first and third Friday, so check the web calendar or stop by you bookstore for an activity calendar.
Visit our on-line calendar at http://www.advances52.advances.net/fcacademy/calendar to learn more about these and other important dates.
More Information
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You can pick-up test results at our bookstores and other locations. Check http://www.familychristianacademy.com/345.shtml for the location of your test site, the appropriate location will be listed along with the pick-up date. In order for tests to be picked up, the parent must show an FCA ID card or driver license. Test results can only be picked up by the parent who produces his/her ID card. Friends cannot pick up tests for other friends. We will mail results that have not been picked up by the end of July.
Email us at Registrar@FamilyChristianAcademy.com to request your SAT to be sent via email as a file attachment.
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Our Extension Program is being expanded for all FCA locations next year. This program is being offered to help and assist home educators with their high school and middle school students. It is like having the best of both worlds. Your students maintain the flexibility and advantages that home schooling provides, with the benefit of a teacher's instruction and classmates at certain scheduled tutoring times.
We offer tutoring in Advanced Math, Algebra I, Algebra II, American Government, American History, Apologetics, Arithmetic, Art, Band, Bible, Biology, Business Math, Calculus, Chemistry, Chorus, Civics, Computers, Debate, Drama, Economics, English Grammar, English Literature, French, General Science, Geography, Geometry, Handwriting, Health thru Biblical Living, History, Home Economics, Language Arts, Literature, Logic, Math, Music, Physical Education, Physical Science, Physics, Pre-Algebra, Reading, Science, Sewing, Social Studies, Spanish, Speech, Spelling, Tennessee History, Trigonometry, Typing, U.S. History, World History through our extension program next year.
Be sure to complete the survey mentioned on page 2 column 1 if you are interested in your student participating in these classes.
ese classes.
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