Administrator's Monthly Letter

Dear Parents,

NEWS, NEWS, NEWS! The playground is officially finished! I want to thank Caleb Weir for inspiring us to put the playground as a priority. Caleb used designing the playground layout and building the fort as his Eagle Scout project. His work and vision have paid off. I also want to thank Mr. Conroy for his diligent leadership in getting all the various pieces of the play area together and inspiring others to help out. Thank you Mr. Sitki for your time and strength in digging holes, spreading mulch, etc. Thank you Mr. Bates and Mr. Geppelt for your work as well. Mr. Geppelt built us the “Cadillac” of swing sets.

You will notice the back fence is finished. This has helped stop the foot traffic through the back of our property. We await the Grail Ball towers that are in the planning stage. This will be the first outdoor Grail Ball field and is being designed as another Eagle Scout project.

At the end of the year we received donations totaling $4100 to help us complete the remodeling of the library. This is in addition to the donations already received for the librarian’s desk, fireplace, and some of the bookshelves. Senior Mark Geppelt is using the library remodel as his Eagle Scout project. He began the project last summer and then ran into some delays, but we are again ready to work on it and get it completed. If you would like to volunteer to help Mark finish things up, give him a call. The shelving is in need of some skilled finish carpenters, the ceiling needs some tile cutters, etc. Pray for us as we try to complete the library in the next few weeks.

Other Blessings: At the end of 2007, we received an undesignated gift of $25,000 and other gifts totaling $1275 which help us with our general operating expenses. We also received $2600 to purchase microscopes for the science lab. In addition, $1500 was received for additional supplies for the science program. Upgrading our science and math programs has been a matter of prayer for us. We also received a $500 donation toward our spring production of “The Music Man.” We thank the Lord for all of these donors.

Just this week Miss Phillips was notified that she is the January winner of the Fox 23/Dr. Robert Zoellner “One Class at a Time” award. This is a $1000 grant that is awarded each month during the school year to a teacher to allow them to purchase needed supplies for their classroom. Congratulations to Miss Phillips!

We try to limit our fund raising, but the bottom line is that we need to raise about $150,000 in extra monies (beyond tuition) each year to meet all of our obligations. I hope you will help us. The task of fund raising is everyone’s privilege.

Worldview Academy: There will not be a Worldview Academy session in January. A family fun night is being planned for February 11th, the night Worldview Academy was scheduled in February. We will be sharing PTF news and be inspired by fellowship with one another.

School Closings: When we close school for inclement weather, we make our announcement on 1170 KFAQ and 740 KRMG radio, and Channel 2 and 6 television. Also, remember that if Tulsa Public Schools are closed, we will be closed as well.

Israel Tour: The spring tour we had planned had to be postponed due to a lack of participants. We are putting together an Israel tour for this fall in September or October. A meeting will be held on Monday, January 14th for parents and students of 2008-2009 Juniors and Seniors. We will meet together in the school auditorium at 7:00 p.m. This fall tour will be open to students in 11th & 12th grade, parents, teachers, alumni, Board of Governors, friends of ACA, and pastors. Airline reservations will need to be made soon, so this meeting will help us determine interest and answer questions.

School Make-Up Days: Due to the ice storm in December we have to make up a couple of school days. Therefore we will have school on Martin Luther King Day, January 21st. Saturday, April 19th, will be our Americana Day Festival and that will also be counted as a school day for our students since they will all be expected to participate and attend. Mark your calendars!

Winter Court: This formal banquet on Friday, January 25th, is for students in grades 9 – 12. Tickets are $32 per person and are on sale in the school office. School will be dismissed at noon that day and there will not be lunch or after school care. Girls must have their formal dresses checked by Mrs. Miller. Please see the handbook for the Winter Court dress code.

Up Coming Events:

Saturday, January 12th: “The Music Man” Workshop. This workshop from 9:00 – 3:00 is for students in grades 6 – 12 who want to audition for the spring musical, “The Music Man.” Cost is $25 per student and includes lunch.

Monday, January 14th: Fall Israel Tour meeting at 7:00 p.m.

Friday, January 25th: School dismissed at noon. There is no after school care. Winter Court begins at 6:30 p.m. and tickets are required.

Monday, February 11th: PTF Family Fun Night at 6:30 p.m.

Friday – Monday, February 15-18: Third Quarter Stretch, no school that Friday and Monday.

Monday – Friday, March 17-21: Spring Break week

Thursday – Saturday, April 3-5: “The Music Man” productions

Saturday, April 19th: Americana Day Festival

In closing, I want to welcome our new families who have joined us for second semester. We have four new students this semester and we are happy to have you as part of our ACA family. We are looking forward to a great semester. Blessings to each of you.

Sincerely, Larry J. Ehrlich, D. Phil. Administrator