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Augustine Christian Academy...in Thy light, we see light. Psalm 36:9

This iss

ue is d

edic

ated to the m

emory

of Mr. R

on Mill

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The Augustine ForumThe Newsmagazine of Augustine Christian AcademySpring 2011

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Page 3

S etting priorities is an important part of our lives. Early on, other people set priorities for us. But as we mature, we begin to set our own priorities,

and thus we begin to take responsibility. The important battle is on what basis do we make decisions … what are our criteria … what are our absolutes.

As parents, we try to set priorities and goals based on Biblical principles. Believing that God has set absolute principles that are non-negotiable, we try to live out those principles and help our children adopt them as their own. This is not an easy task, as we all know. We thank the Lord for His personal commitment to send His spirit to teach us, to empower us, to open our spiritual insight. It is no surprise that there is a great battle for our life, our allegiance, and our priorities.

Education plays a large part in the setting of priorities. We study to know what the Lord has said, what the alternatives are, and what our decisions ought to be. The Bible is clear that we are to love the Lord with our mind. To learn, to study, has a high priority in the Scriptures. It is obvious the Lord wanted to communicate in words. He spoke with a word the whole of creation into existence. John, the apostle, tells us that the Lord is actually “The Word.”

The Bible is not afraid to confront tough issues, to confront the culture, and to confront society’s “experts,” the supposed “educated elite.” The Jewish rabbis said that education was so important that if there was a choice between building the temple and establishing a school, one should establish a school. Even in the Jewish ghettos of the Holocaust era, the first institutions established were the schools.

ACA is a school that is not afraid to study, not afraid to confront the issues, and not afraid to stand alone, if necessary, for what is right. As a school, we want to equip our students to learn how to hear the truth in the cacophony of noise from the media. This is no easy task, but study is an essential key. It becomes clear that we need heroes like Daniel, Joseph, Esther, and Ruth in our culture today.

Pray for ACA’s mission, its teachers, families, and students. Success is what God is able to do through all of us.

Blessings,

Larry J. EhrlichLarry J. Ehrlich, D. Phil.

Letter From the Administrator Upcoming EventsTalent Show Sponsored by the Senior ClassMay 6, 20117:00 p.m., ACA Auditorium

President’s Physical Fitness ChallengeMay 9 - 13

Kindergarten GraduationTuesday, May 17, 201110:00 a.m., ACA Auditorium

Grammar School GraduationWednesday, May 18, 201110:00 a.m., ACA Auditorium

Dialectic School GraduationThursday, May 19, 20117:00 p.m., ACA Auditorium

Rhetoric School GraduationFriday, May 20, 20117:00 p.m., Green Country Event Center12000 E. 31st Street, Tulsa, OK

The Augustine Forumpublished semiannually by Augustine Christian Academy

Contributors: Mikki Bates, Deleise Brewer, Kirk Brewer, Garrison Chew, Gina Conroy, Becki Davis, Larry Ehrlich, Anna Jones, Beth Jones, Toni King,

Sandra Massey, Lorretta Miller, Bryan Osborne, Kristy Pinion, Kirk Post, Aaron Reece, Alethia Reece, Victoria

Shields, and Linda Thornhill

Cover Photo: Samantha Oard, ACA juniorFaculty Advisors: Kirk and Deleise Brewer

Proofreader: Vicki CheesemanEditor: Karen Aspenson

Mentor and Liaison: Andrew Johnson

Contact ACA918.832.4600

office@acatulsa.org

On the Cover

Scholarship winners Michael Emerson, Megan Gabbert, Scott Smith, Bailey Turner, Grant Morgan, and Clare Brewer — see page 4 for full story.

For the glory of the Lord

In Memory of Ronald L. Miller (1947 - 2011)Lorretta Miller, Vice Principal

“O ne with a servant’s heart” would be the description I

would give of Ron. Anyone who took the time to see his heart would know how true it was.

When I joined the ACA founders, they got Ron along with me. I was the

idea person; he had the know-how to make it happen. While

I created lesson plans, etc., Ron was out

finding every type of donation possible. He rounded up teachers’ desks, file cabinets, all types of office supplies, and furniture and hauled them to the school. If his office wasn’t using it, Ron was sure we could. When more hands were needed to cook, wash dishes, or haul food from Sam’s, he was there. He took time off work to help with Winter Court, New Life Ranch, or much-needed

maintenance on the school building. He became involved with keeping the financial records and worked on the original

five-year plan for ACA. While his high ethical standards could make us all crazy at times, he protected us from ourselves in those

early days.

The list of things he did for the school is endless. Ron kept the books, served on the Board, and built a myriad of things, including the microwave counter and kitchen remodel. He mowed grass, shoveled snow, changed lightbulbs, replaced ceiling tiles, and performed whatever maintenance was needed. The safety of the students was important to him, and he spent a lot of time helping to replace the wiring and deal with other safety issues.

My favorite memories involve the Dialectic trips. Ron planned with great detail the trips to San Antonio, Nashville, and Port Arthur, Texas. He detailed every stop, every expense, and every event. He wanted the students to be safe while I took care of the education and fun. He would take money from his own pocket to make sure kids could go and that no one was hungry. He readjusted the plans each year to better meet the needs of sponsors and students alike.

The detailed maps and plans Ron left for us will help us in the future. There was never a question about where some of his money and vacation days would go.

His smiling, chatting, teasing ways will be missed not only by me, but the members of our school as well. Ron’s latest desire was to retire and do maintenance for ACA. The school has set up a memorial scholarship fund in his name to continue the work of his servant’s heart.

Top: Annie Matthews after her father baptized her in the Sea of Galilee during ACA’s 2011 Israel tourMiddle: Zoe DeVault and Garrett Jones learn how to handle a baby chick.Bottom: The cast of The Boy Friend

ACA is a school that is not afraid to study, not afraid to confront the

issues, and not afraid to stand alone, if necessary, for what is right.

Please contact ACA to contribute to the Ronald L. Miller Memorial Scholarship fund. Augustine Christian Academy is a 501(c)(3) corporation. All

contributions are tax deductible in compliance with IRS statutes.

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Page 5

ScholarshipsDeleise Brewer, Faculty

The ACA graduating class of 2011 includes three nationally recognized scholars in addition to several other students

earning top scholarship dollars. Two of our students, Scott Smith and Bailey Turner, achieved finalist standing as National Merit Scholars. Also earning recognition is Michael Emerson, who was named a Commended Scholar in the National Merit Scholarship Competition. These awards are based on the students’ outstanding performances on the PSAT taken during their junior year of high school.

“This is an amazing achievement,” said Mr. Post, principal at ACA. “Out of 1.5 million students taking the test, only 35,000 achieve the Commended Level … and out of that number, only about 15,000 make it to Finalist Standing. For us to have two Finalists and a Commended Scholar out of a class of 18 is truly remarkable.”

In recognition of her scholastic abilities, Bailey Turner — Class of 2011 Valedictorian, Falcon House Prefect, and 2011 Winter Court Queen — received a full ride plus to Oklahoma State University by being awarded the Oklahoma State Regents of Higher Education Academic Scholar Award plus the OSU Academic Scholar Award and multiple other scholarships. Bailey will be majoring in therapeutic recreation, a fairly new field of innovative study at OSU, and will be part of the Honors College. One of her many goals is to work with autistic children. (Read Bailey’s National Merit essay submission on page 13.)

Texas A&M awarded Scott Smith with the President’s Endowment Scholarship for $12,000. He will attend there in the fall and be majoring in aeronautical engineering. The university waived his out-of-state tuition fees for an additional $15,000. He also received the National Merit Sponsorship for $8,000. Scott is particularly interested in working in the field of unmanned aerial vehicles.

Michael Emerson — Class of 2011 Salutatorian and Sergeant of Arms for Dragon House — will be attending the University of Oklahoma in the fall where he received the President’s Excellence Scholarship. Michael is looking into several majors with the end goal of working in the medical field.

Several others have also received thousands of dollars in awards based on their high performance on their ACT/SAT scores, academic performance, and outstanding achievements in particular fields of study and/or community service work.

Clare Brewer — Yearbook Editor and Pegasus House Prefect — received the Jewell Scholarship for Academic Achievement for $60,000 from William Jewell College in

Liberty, Mo. She plans to double major in English with an emphasis in literature and French. Clare plans to continue her education with the goal of teaching at the university level.

Grant Morgan — Coach and former Sergeant of Arms for Dragon House — was awarded the Oklahoma State Regents of Higher Education Academic Scholar Award for $42,500 based on his outstanding performance on the ACT. He will be attending OSU and majoring in engineering.

Megan Gabbert will be attending John Brown University in Siloam Springs, Ark. For her outstanding work in science, she received the NSF Success Scholarship for $9,000. She will be majoring in biochemistry.

Four Diploma Tracks

We are thrilled to offer four diploma tracks to all new enrollees and all current students in the Class of 2015

and beyond.

The Advanced Classical Diploma is the most ambitious track and requires 30 total units. Two additional units of Classical Languages, one additional unit of Rhetoric, and four additional Colloquia set this diploma apart from the others. Advanced Classical Graduates receive special honors at graduation, an iPad for schoolwork, and a $1,000 scholarship.

The new Performing Arts Emphasis Diploma requires 26 total units. Its unique requirements include a unit in Theater as well as three additional units of Performing Arts.

Our Standard Classical Diploma requires 27 total units, and the Home School Diploma remains a popular option for our families who continue to educate their children primarily at home.

Each diploma option meets and exceeds the requirements demanded by the State of Oklahoma. Furthermore, ACA is a member of The Association of Classical and Christian Schools (ACCS).

We believe these diploma choices will help our families make wise decisions about the very important high school years as well as make ACA an excellent educational option in Tulsa and the surrounding areas.

Longer School Days Ahead

In order to accommodate new class options and utilize our existing classroom space, we are changing the dismissal

time on Tuesdays and Thursdays to 3 p.m. beginning with the 2011-2012 academic year. Another advantage of lengthening those two days each week is that our Grammar School students will have more class time to work on basics such as math and reading. Our Grammar School teachers are excited about having this additional class time to get everything covered, and our secondary teachers are excited about the new classes that they get to teach.

Junior Classical LeagueVictoria Shields, Faculty

This year, ACA Latin and Ancient Greek students have shown outstanding achievement in testing and competitions

at both the state and national levels. In March, nine of ACA’s Latin Club students attended the Oklahoma Junior Classical League Convention in Jenks. The Latin Quiz Bowl team took home a first place trophy, and students won awards in other competitions, including sight-reading and art. For the first time, students built their own Roman chariot to race against other schools at the conference. In addition, students taking Latin or Ancient Greek this year achieved very high test scores on national exams, for which they have been awarded 11 certificates and four gold medals thus far. Congratulations to all of our award winners! We are truly blessed with a fantastic bunch of students!

Achievements

Above: Greg Landers and Kyle Turner tow Kodie Washington toward the finish line.

Below, kneeling: Anthony Conroy, Joseph Bates, and Kyle TurnerStanding: Sarah Smith, Christa Good, Logan Turner, Joshua Nnaji,

Kodie Washington, and Greg Landers

“For us to have two [National Merit] Finalists and a Commended Scholar out of a class of 18 is truly remarkable.” — Kirk Post

Academics

To help ensure as many students as possible can benefit from the classical Christian education

that ACA offers, please send your tax-deductible donations to either our physical address or website at

www.acatulsa.org.

Thank you for your support!

National Merit Scholars2011 — Scott Smith, Bailey Turner

2009 — Davis Good 2006 — Grant Good2003 — Jared Weir

2002 — Colleen Farish, Becky Thompson

National Merit Commended Scholars

2011 — Michael Emerson 2010 — Philip Spencer 2003 — Stephen Tyree

ACT Scores

Group Avg. Composite Graduates Tested

National 21.1 40%

Oklahoma 20.7 69%

ACA 24.4 100%

Foreign Exchange Students

2006-2010: South Korea, Taiwan, Germany, Vietnam, Brazil, Indonesia

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Page 7

The Preparation & The Performance

Abby Chorley and Emma

Aspenson set up the play’s

model.

David Hamilton, Alex Beeler, Dain Aspenson, and Alex Elliott construct a wall.

Victoria Juarez paints a rolling cart.

Abbie Beeler paints the audience’s seating area.

Isaac Brennecke, Michael Emerson, and Stephen Emerson share carpentry work.

Isaac Brennecke uses the circular saw.

Nicholas Conroy as Tony and

Torie Ferguson as Polly Browne

Stephen Good as Percival Browne and Jenna Johnson as Madame DuBonnetFront Row: Aaron Pinion, Tyler Henson, Noah Raines, Kyle Turner, Joshua Knorr, and

Jordan GayleBack Row: Daniel Maxwell, Alex Beeler, Nathan Rieck, Samantha Oard, Michael Emerson, Grant Spencer, and Matthew Woods

Rachel Knorr and Kale Bloemker as

Lolita and Pepe

Alex Beeler, Julie Karnuth, Joe Clements, Kali Knorr, Nathan Rieck, Katelyn Wilsterman, Grant Spencer, Sophia Redden, Michael

Emerson, Abbie Beeler, Kaleb Dillard, and Channing Rivers

Samantha Oard as Maisie, along with Daniel Maxwell, Matthew Woods, Aaron Pinion, Alex Beeler, Grant Spencer, Michael Emerson, and Joe Clements

The Boy Friend

Christopher Asher as Lord Brockhurst

Abigail Cascairo as Hortense

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Miss Sammi MainKirk Brewer, Faculty

Anyone entering Miss Sammi Main’s classroom at Augustine Christian Academy will likely notice that it is a room where

a lot takes place. The walls are covered with examples of student work, posters celebrating good character qualities, quotes from

Scripture, and lots of color. Along one wall is a set of shelves o v e r f l o w i n g with books, and Main sits on the floor in front of the shelves going through the collection to pick out new books for her students to practice reading. Piles of books surround her as she takes the few moments of silence in the classroom (her students are outside playing with members

of their appointed “House”) to stay ahead of her demanding teaching schedule.

“My students like books with vocabulary words that are challenging or hard for them,” explained Main, as she eyed one particular volume to see if it would qualify. “Parents and students both like it better, and I send home a list of vocabulary words with new book selections so everyone understands what to expect.”

Keeping students challenged is one of Main’s favorite parts of teaching, and she has many opportunities to do so since she is charged with teaching a combined 1st and 2nd grade class comprised of six first-graders and nine second-graders.

“Keeping the second-graders pushing ahead is the harder challenge,” Main explained.

“The first-graders will listen while I go over the second-graders’ math or Shurley English lesson, and the next thing I know the 1st grade students want to try the 2nd grade students’ math problems.”

As a student who is always on the lookout for new challenges herself, Main, who holds a BS in early childhood education from Northeastern State University and will finish an MS in reading this June, isn’t about to squelch initiative in her students. Perhaps that appreciation for achievement is why nine of the ten 1st grade students that Main taught at ACA last year returned as 2nd grade students in her class this year. One of those returning students was Aidan, Main’s adoptive son, whose story reveals another side of her that reaches beyond that of competent teacher.

“I’ve had Aidan since he was 2 years old,” she explained. “He was my nephew and he needed a mom; I realized that I could be that for him.” Main was a single woman attending college when she took in Aidan, but she felt that God was calling her to help. “Where else would he be but with me?” she explained matter-of-factly. Little did she realize that not long after taking on the responsibility of a 2-year-old, she would soon be welcoming his newborn baby sister, Nadia, into her home as well. But Main approached her quickly growing family with a sense that it was all part of God’s plan.

“This was meant to be,” Main said, referring to her ready-made family and her job teaching at ACA, too. When she was a

Faculty SpotlightBridging the Gap — One of the Sweetest Secrets of ACAKirk Post, Principal

On a cold winter night on the last Friday in January, students, alumni, and faculty dressed in their finest and stood around

a kneeling bench in the center of the Great Room, decorated with silver pillars, black arches, and twinkling stars. It was the special time in the Winter Court program when seniors are inducted into an alumni organization called “The New Order of Augustine.”

Adam Jones, Class of 2010, had just been installed as the new Dominus Primus of the order. As his first task, “Sir Firmus” as he is known in the order, welcomed young senior men into the order and dubbed them as knights, granting each a new Latin name. The Domina Prima, Sarah Chorley, Class of 2005, similarly crowned young senior ladies with tiaras.

The last candidate for knight in the Order was called forward and knelt on the bench in front of Sir Firmus. The young man was visibly different from all the senior men who had come before Sir Firmus that night. Greg Anderson, Class of 1999 and the first graduate of ACA, and his wife, Amber, were visiting Tulsa that weekend and chose to attend Winter Court. There was no New Order of Augustine when Greg crossed the platform as the only graduate of a new classical school, yet he has constantly lived out the New Order goals of praying for the school and guarding its

spiritual purpose since he was a student here and as an alumnus ever since.

Greg decided to formally join the Order and knelt before Adam Jones for his induction that night. Here, the oldest member of our alumni knelt before one of the youngest, as Sir Firmus tapped the bright blade of his sword on each shoulder of Mr. Anderson and gave him his new Latin name, Sir Contentus. The years between these young men melted away in the warmth of a common King, a shared purpose, and a mutual love for their years at ACA.

As unique as this event was, it is also a reflection of the relationships we see so commonly at ACA on any given day. Go to the lunchroom and you will see seniors sitting with junior high students, or hear the friendly greetings of elementary students to their high school friends. This is one of the sweetest secrets of ACA. Students here have determined that character matters more than cliques, and that the love of Christ bridges gaps in age, gender, race, and background. It is an important trait of ACA that each graduating class encourages every new class that follows. Ask Sir Contentus … ask Sir Firmus … ask any group of students walking together and laughing in the halls of ACA.

Adam Jones inducts Greg Anderson into the Order of Augustine.

People

Miss Sammi Main teaches the Grammar School students about gratefulness during chapel.

Alumni NewsJacob Zoller (2004) married Leigh Douglas in December 2009. He is currently in training for Reformed University Fellowship at Clemson, and this summer he will be moving to Dallas to attend Redeemer Seminary.

Brinton Raines (2006) was deployed to Iraq in late February for a six-month tour of duty. Brinton is in the U.S. Air Force and is stationed in Japan.

Jessie Zoller (2006) is graduating from the University of Oklahoma in May and will continue her studies at OU to get her master’s in dietetics.

Katie Tracy (2007) is graduating from OU in May with a BA in multidisciplinary studies with a focus in social sciences

and business for nonprofit organizations. She will be moving to Seattle to become a staff intern for Reformed University Fellowship at the University of Washington.

Adam Jones (2010) has been named the new Dominus Primus of the ACA alumni organization, The New Order of Augustine. Adam is currently taking classes at Tulsa Community College and working at QuikTrip, where he was recently rated sixth out of all Oklahoma QT clerks.

Ariel Karlebach (2010) was in the Tulsa Community College production of Once Upon a Mattress in March. The play is based on the story of The Princess and the Pea.

Alumni: Send us your news!

Students here have determined that character matters more than cliques, and

that the love of Christ bridges gaps in age, gender, race, and background.

Miss Sammi Main’s 1st and 2nd grade students

Continued on page 18

... Main approached her quickly growing family with a sense that it was all part of

God’s plan.

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Winter Court Israel — March 2011

Keeping with the tradition of serving at

Winter Court, the 7th and 8th grade students busied themselves with welcoming the guests and ensuring that they had plenty to eat and drink. This experience gives the students an opportunity to practice hospitality and service to others.

Along with the privilege to serve, the Dialectic students are given the opportunity to observe the memorable events that take place at Winter Court, such as the crowning of the king and queen.

Augustine Christian Academy’s 2011 Winter Court was held January 28 in the ACA

Great Room. This year’s theme was “Night Under a Diamond Sky.”

Winter Court is a formal event for high school students. This special occasion includes the crowning of a king and queen, the induction of new members into the New Order of Augustine, a DJ and dancing, and plenty of delicious food and beverages. With the junior high students acting as servants, the high school students get to relax and enjoy the evening.

Seniors who choose to join the New Order of Augustine, our alumni organization, are given a Latin name; the men are presented with a sword, and the ladies are given a dagger. This year, senior Bailey Turner was crowned Queen of Winter Court, and junior Grant Spencer was crowned King.

Bailey Turner and Grant Spencer, 2011 Winter Court Queen and King

Jordan Nettles, Landon Chew, Abigail Sartin, Maranatha Hamilton, Mason Moody, Joseph Bates, Anthony Conroy, and Dain Aspenson share the joy of serving

at Winter Court.

Follow us on Twitter

@acatulsa

“Like” us on Facebook“St. Augustine Academy / Augustine Christian

Academy—Past, Present, Future” and

“Augustine Christian Academy”

One of the highlights of ACA’s biyearly trip to Israel was Annie Matthews’ baptism in the Sea of Galilee by her father, David

(top center). The group, hosted by Dr. and Mrs. Ehrlich, enjoyed a packed schedule that included viewing the Garden of Gethsemane, riding camels, acting out the story of the prophets of Baal and Elijah at Mt. Carmel, swimming in the Dead Sea, and much more. This two-week journey to Israel gave the student and adult travelers up-close and personal experiences in the area of the world where Jesus Christ lived.

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Page 13

Student Work

Inside a New World

Response to The Chronicles of Narnia: Prince Caspian

by C.S. Lewis

I opened the door once more again;this time was different than last.3 years older and I step closer.

Everything has changed, not onlyme, but this place. I remember

what happened. It’s coming backslowly. Taking a breath and finding

a clue. Why am I here? What should I do?

Take another step, find another reason.We went like the wind, and changed

with the seasons. The memories so lost,and the evil so remembered. I dreamed

about this place, but never thought I’d be back. Could I be here for the same

reason I was last time?Or am I just merely dreaming?

I found where I am supposed to be.This is my home and now it’s found me.

I hope I never go; I don’t ever want to leave.I escaped it once and it never left me.

The feeling I have known for such a long timehas never once slipped my mind. I keep it locked

in a box so it can never be set free.

Come with me; please take my hand.I’m afraid to fight this battle without

a sword. Four lives. This battle is resting on the four of us. Again,with no fear, with no regrets, let’s

fight this battle for Aslan and for Narnia.

— Alyssa Duntley,8th Grade

Junior High English

Mrs. Sandra Massey’s 8th grade English students recently completed their third-quarter book responses. The

students were given a variety of response options. Some students wrote essays; others created game boards. Alyssa Duntley and Joseph Bates submitted the following poem and original music composition, respectively.

After reading J. R. R. Tolkien’s The Hobbit, Mrs. Massey’s 7th grade English students put their imaginations to work and created “Expedition Maps.” James Martinez-Keel and Landon Chew share their work below.

— Annie Matthews, 11th grade

Pencil and Ink

“Howl’s Moving Castle” by Hayao

Miyazaki

Death ofLucy Westminster

Response to Dracula by Bram Stoker(page 1 of 3)

— Joseph Bates, 8th Grade

James Martinez-Keel and Landon Chew display their “Expedition Map” project based on The Hobbit.

Senior High Art

Mrs. Linda Thornhill’s art students have been prolific this year. The pieces below represent a small sample of the

variety of work that her students have completed. We encourage you to walk the halls of ACA to see other student work.

—Channing Rivers, 10th Grade

Brush Skills Exercise Incorporating Kanji

—Amanda Schatzmann, 11th Grade

Crazy Quilt, Pencil on Black Paper

National Merit EssaySenior Bailey Turner submitted this essay with her application to attain “Finalist” standing as a National Merit Scholar. The assignment was to show how a significant event led her to decide on her chosen career path. Bailey achieved “Finalist” status.

Over the last few years I have had the opportunity to serve in a couple different settings that allowed certain individuals

to cross my path. These people have made a major impact in my life, so much so that because of them I have found the direction I hope my future will take me.

At my high school, I have had the opportunity to volunteer at a local nursing home and this is where I met Alice. Alice has Alzheimer’s. I found myself drawn to her and even though I didn’t get to know her well, I knew I wanted to somehow help people like Alice.

Then I met Marge. Marge also has Alzheimer’s; she came into my life while I was volunteering with Tulsa Missions with my youth group over spring break. Our group worked at a Day Center in downtown Tulsa. We spent several days with the people there – getting to know them, playing games with them and just hanging out with them. I found myself drawn to Marge, again realizing that the career path that I once thought myself to be on was beginning to look a lot different. I began to desire a career in helping people, and envisioning myself possibly even working at a Day Center.

Along came Cameron. Cameron is autistic. He used to stand at the back of the room in my mom’s Sunday school class where I help teach every week. Each week I would try to bring Cameron into the circle, but he just stayed at a distance. But little by little, week-by-week, I began to connect with Cameron. He would hold my hand and let me sit with him, even letting me bring him in – closer and closer until he finally was choosing to sit with me in the group. He was communicating in his own way with me and I with him. I guess, with Cameron I felt as though I might have a gift to reach people who are on the outside looking in.

This is where I find myself today — looking towards a future helping people like Alice, Marge, and Cameron. Because of the passion and joy I feel when I think of the times I have had with these three amazing people, I cannot imagine doing anything else as a career.

ACA welcomes your online donations atwww.acatulsa.org

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The Dialectic YearsLorretta Miller, Vice Principal

T he Dialectic years are an age where students discover who they are and how they learn. It is important to find

something to motivate all types of learners: visual, auditory, and kinesthetic. During these growing years, we give students instructions both in writing and orally. They copy notes from the overheads as well as from a lecture. Teachers work math problems on the board or overhead, while students use individual whiteboards. We teach the students how to break down a large project into bite-sized pieces with multiple deadlines. They learn how to review — with a review sheet, with partners, in a game, and more. Helping students receive the material in more than one way is critical to their development during this time.

In history, students copy hieroglyphics, study Egyptian art, and actually make plaster Egyptian death masks on a partner’s face. Along with researching topics, they also reenact eras in history. They become knights, patriots, or Civil War soldiers, and participate in battles and conflicts of the past.

During these years, we want the students to experience what they study. In science, we visit the Air and Space Museum, the planetarium, a flight simulator, and finally shoot rockets. In

history, we travel to Dinosaur National Park to see man’s footprint with a dinosaur, and view the caverns in San Antonio. Those who study Greece and Rome visit the Parthenon in Nashville, and the Modern History students experience a Civil War reenactment in Texas.

At ACA, we believe it is important to read, experience, and apply all that is learned during the Dialectic years.

Kindergarten Activities

Grammar: Wonder and Delight Devoted to the support of Christian parents —

Designed to give students a mastery of the facts — Dedicated to enhancing a child’s sense of wonder

Discovering and Giving

Khason and Simon Cheeseman hold two of the baby chicks that hatched in Mrs. Schwenk’s K4/K5 classroom.

Rhetoric: Perfection and Humility Clear, concise communication skills — Integrated learning —

Complete curriculum — Diverse understanding and appreciation for the wonder of our God

Dialectic: Order and WisdomDesigned to satisfy natural curiosity — Trained in traditional logic

— Classroom conducted in discussion mode — Primary sources of information — Ideas have consequences

Rhema Solomon, Henry Pope, Simon Cheeseman, Matthew Domanchuk, Zoe DeVault, and Miles Pope learn about wind power with their pinwheels.

Mrs. Schwenk’s K4/K5 class has had a busy year. Their numerous field trips during their study of community helpers included visits

to a fire station, dentist, veterinarian, physical therapist, grocery store, pumpkin patch, restaurant, and many more. In March, the class was given an incubator and chicken eggs. Of the 18 eggs that they received, 14 of them hatched. Mrs. Schwenk attributes this successful ratio to the many songs that the students sing in the classroom.The students’ latest science project was watching butterflies go through the stages of life. Mrs. Schwenk led the class outside to set the butterflies

free in mid-April.

The kids visit a Tulsa fire station.

With a little help from the fireman, Micah Dickens manages the water hose.

Beau Aspenson plays dentist to Garrett Jones’s patient.

7th and 8th grade students traveled to Texas for their hands-on field trip.

Community Service

Our students reached out to local families during the holidays by hosting a food drive. Setting up a competition between

the Houses helped bring the donations to more than 1,000 cans and boxes, which went directly to the food pantry that Eugene Field Elementary runs for needy families in its district. Dragon House won the competition, and more than 30 families received meals for Thanksgiving.

Pegasus House sponsored the drive, with Prefect Clare Brewer spearheading the event. She, along with Sam Griffin, Evan Hartung, Garrison Chew, and Mr. and Mrs. Miller, delivered the cans to the school.

We thank our ACA families for their generosity, which made this project a big success.

Left: Chris Asher, Ron Miller, and Sam Griffin take a breather between deliveries.

The Kindergarten students gather to watch their volcano erupt.

Right: Garrison Chew, Chris Asher, Clare Brewer, and Sam Griffin deliver food

in time for the holidays.

Khason, Joshua Walker, and

Rhema Solomon at Carmichael ’s Pumpkin

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What is Classical Education at ACA? A Parent’s Perspective

Bryan Osborne, ACA Parent

I f you haven’t read Dorothy Sayers’ The Lost Tools of Learning, I would recommend doing so. But without doing so and digging

into this essay discussing the Trivium with its grammar, dialectic, and rhetoric, and then advancing on to the Quadrivium, one can grasp the rationale for utilizing a classical approach by simply remembering that which is written in Ecclesiastes 1:9 “… there is no new thing under the sun.”

Human nature through the millennia hasn’t changed, nor do I expect it to. Children, in their nature and their development, remain the same as they were 2,000 years ago. I have no hard historical references, but I believe our predecessors recognized this and over many, many years developed a method of educating youth that recognized children’s nature at each age and accommodated it with an approach to learning.

What is the nature of elementary or grammar school children, that which Sayers refers to as the “Poll-Parrot” age? Their nature is one open to learning and an ability to memorize well. They excel at being able to parrot what they hear. I remember my son being able to “read” his favorite book at age 3. Of course, he couldn’t actually read the book, but in listening to us read to him, he memorized every word of the book and knew what was to be said for each page.

The grammar stage of the Trivium recognizes and utilizes this nature, teaching the structure of language through chants and rhymes, and the structure of numbers and math through memorizing numbers and addition/multiplication tables. Children do not have to understand number theory to know their multiplication tables, so let us teach the “what” at this age and the “why” later, when the ability to grasp the concepts has developed.

That which follows is what Sayers titles the “Pert” age. It is easily recognized by a parent as the period during the preteen and early teenage years, with its contradicting, answering back, and catching adults when they’re wrong. I firmly believe that if we were able to discuss our children’s “issues” with someone from

2,000 years ago, we would find that their children exhibited the same “issues.”

It would seem children have arrived at this stage once they don’t say simply, “Are we there yet?” but also ask, “Why not?” It is the point at which reason begins to enter into the thought process of the child. In language, the structure is known and the vocabulary is strong; the move to syntax and analysis begins. In mathematics, students begin the process of learning the abstraction of algebra. They will learn to apply previously acquired rules to learn generalized solutions to problems, and then transfer that knowledge to a specific problem when presented. It is at this point in the child’s cognitive development that critical thinking and the ability to think more abstractly truly begin to surface.

The “Poetic” age is often called the “difficult” age. As Sayers writes:

It is self-centered; it yearns to express itself; it rather specializes in being misunderstood; it is restless and tries to achieve independence; and, with good luck and good guidance, it should show the beginnings of creativeness; a reaching out towards a synthesis of what it already knows, and a deliberate eagerness to know and do some one thing in preference to all others.

For these children, it is the awakening to the greater world, seeing things in an entirely new light as they enter the next level of the process whereby pieces begin to be put together to construct something greater than the sum of the parts. They begin the process of being able to integrate knowledge from different disciplines. Sayers writes:

The doors of the storehouse of knowledge should now be thrown open for them to browse about as they will. The things once learned by rote will be seen in new contexts; the things once coldly analyzed can now be brought together to form a new synthesis; here and there a sudden insight will bring about that most exciting of all discoveries: the realization that truism is true.

In its purest sense, the classical approach to education empowers children to think … to do more than memorize a set of facts, regurgitate them on a state test, and then purge them from their minds. It teaches them to utilize their God-given ability to reason, create, and make a sound judgment based upon a reasoned and disciplined examination of the information presented. I believe it is the key to what unlocks the child’s full potential.

The infusion of Christian values that build strong character; the immersion in an environment that focuses genuine concern on children’s well-being, growth, and development; and an approach to learning that acknowledges the existence of the Creator and the nature of His creation ... ACA has combined these to create success for our children in life — both in this world and the world to come.

Classical Education and ACA

Our Mission

AUGUSTINE CHRISTIAN ACADEMY EXISTS FOR THE FOLLOWING REASONS:

To assist Christian parents in fulfilling the Biblical mandate to educate their children for the glory of God.

To train young minds to learn, reason, and persuade from a distinctively Christian perspective.

To examine the world and all human endeavors in the light of Holy Scripture.

To provide for the development of all staff members for the purpose of achieving our educational goals.

To be used of God to reclaim our culture for His Kingdom and Glory.

Augustine Christian Academy is a small, independent, Christian classical school dedicated to training students to take the lead in their personal lives, in their education, and in their communities. Augustine Christian Academy boasts a climate that is truly conducive to the free exchange and development of ideas.

At ACA, education is built on the best traditions of our academic, intellectual, cultural, and moral heritage, allowing the students to shape their futures in a setting that is both challenging and supportive.

I firmly believe that if we were able to discuss our children’s “ issues” with someone from 2,000

years ago, we would find that their children exhibited the same “ issues.”

Our Distinctives

Although some schools are attempting to add certain aspects of the classical model to their existing program, ACA was founded deliberately and completely as a classical school in its philosophy and methodology.

1. Definitely Classical

2. Non-Denominational

3. Taught to Reason

4. Integrated Biblical Worldview

5. Teach With the Natural Grain

6. The Teacher Is the Key

7. Original and Classic Works

8. Ideas Have Consequences

9. Development of Character

10. Growing Relationships

11. Authority of Parents

12. Moral Law

13. Mission and Outreach

Visit www.acatulsa.org > About ACA > Distinctives to read more about each distinctive.

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ACA Teacher and Author

G ina Conroy has a gift for fiction writing — a gift

that she shares every Tuesday and Thursday with ACA Grammar School students through her Creative Writing class. This gift has led her to fulfill a lifelong goal of becoming a published author. Gina’s Christian fiction novella, Buried Deception, will be released in January 2012 as part of the Cherry Blossom Capers Collection.

A synopsis of Buried Deception follows:

Gina is also the mother of four ACA students: Nick, Anthony, Michael, and Lydia. We congratulate Gina on becoming a first-time author, and we wish her continuing success!

Accolades † Congratulations to 10th grader Calley Skalnik.

During Spring Break, Calley traveled to New York City to compete in the Youth American Grand Prix ballet competition representing the Tulsa Ballet. The senior women’s category hosted 121 young women from 16 different countries. The top 21 made it to the final round, and Calley was among those who advanced. Only four 15-year-olds were included in the top 21! To see and hear Calley talk about her love of ballet, visit http://www.tulsaworld.com/webextra/content/2011/driven/default.aspx. Calley’s segment is called “The Ballerina.”

† Eighth grader Abigail Sartin has been selected to attend the Kirov Academy of Ballet in Washington, D.C., this summer. Abigail is one of only 62 ballet students nationwide selected to attend this academy, which runs for seven weeks. Abigail also studies with the Tulsa Ballet. Congratulations, Abigail!

† Tenth grader Stephen Good, who has been taking violin lessons for 10 years, has been a member of the Tulsa Youth Symphony for five years. Each year, the symphony has a concert that features student soloists playing concertos or other major works. Stephen auditioned this year for the concerto competition and won, so he will be among the soloists featured at the May 2 concert. He will be playing Charles de Beriot’s “Scene de Ballet.” Congratulations, Stephen!

Spring Banquet

Despite having to be rescheduled due to the heavy snow, ACA’s spring fundraiser banquet raised more than $14,000.

The evening of February 25 featured special guest Dr. Everett Piper, president of Oklahoma Wesleyan University and author of the book Why I am a Liberal and Other Conservative Ideas. Dr. Piper’s wise and witty address featured these key points:

• Primacy of Jesus Christ• Priority of Scripture• Pursuit of truth• Practice of wisdom

Please plan to join us for next year’s banquet. Remember to check www.acatulsa.org often for this and other important events at Augustine Christian Academy.

child, she dreamed of becoming a pediatrician because she loved children and felt a strong desire to help them. But when she became a Christian in high school, she determined that she could help even more children as a teacher than she could as a doctor treating ill children. So she prayed about it and went to college to study education.

Eventually, that education degree led her to apply for a 1st grade teaching position at ACA for the fall of 2009, which she landed, even though Aidan would be one of her students — a challenge for any teacher, much less for one beginning her first year of teaching. But having already taken on one challenge for her children’s sake, she decided the opportunity was worth any difficulty that she might face. And it was. She was so successful with that first year of teaching that the school administration asked her to take on an even tougher job the next year — teaching combined grades.

“It’s sort of like I’ve had two first years,” Main explained. Anyone who is acquainted with how difficult most teachers’ first year is can appreciate the impact of that statement, but Main approached it with her characteristic calm demeanor. “God wanted this for me,” she continued. “He wanted me to be a mom to these children, and He wanted me here at ACA.”

Evidently her ability to see God’s hand in sometimes trying situations is something that Aidan is learning, too. “He told me the other day,” Main said with a smile, “that if I weren’t his mom, he wouldn’t be at this school.” She paused as tears welled up in her eyes, but a moment later she smiled broadly. “And he loves it here.”

Main loves it here as much as her son does, and she plans to be around for a while. “I’m here at ACA for my children’s education,” she said, pointing out that next fall Nadia will be starting K4 and Aidan will move on to 3rd grade. She is looking forward to the changes and the challenges.

“I know this is where I belong,” she said. “And I plan to be here until my children graduate from high school if I can.” Judging from her students’ achievements, and her proven ability to tackle challenges head-on and turn them into successes, that plan would be a win-win for her children and for ACA’s 1st and 2nd graders for years to come.

“Miss Sammi Main” continued from page 8

Potpourri

ACA needs lockers, folding chairs, and tables.

If you would like to help, please contact the office at 918.832.4600 or office@acatulsa.org.

New Fall Choices for Secondary Students

Show ChoirPerforming Shakespeare

Classics ColloquiaJunior High Public Speaking

Worldview & ScriptureComputer Applications

Gina Conroy

“He [God] wanted me to be a mom to these children, and He wanted me here at ACA.”

— Sammi Main

4th and 5th Grade News

Mrs. Pam Weir’s 4th and 5th grade students have a busy classroom schedule, but they made time in April for two

field trips. Their visit to Ft. Gibson, Okla., gave them a close-up look at the once-vital military post. The students learned to march with fife and drum, cook for the camp, and card and dye wool. After visiting the post, they toured the U.S.S. Batfish, which was a WWII submarine. They saw how the men lived and worked in the incredibly tight quarters, even sleeping on the tops of torpedoes.

The 4th and 5th graders also traveled to Oklahoma City to visit the Harn Homestead, which was part of a homestead staked in the Land Run of 1889. Their students went to class in the one-room schoolhouse, completed chores in the house, shucked and grounded corn, and cleaned stalls and put out fresh hay.

While in Oklahoma City, the class visited the state capital and had a surprise meeting with Governor Mary Fallin. Besides enhancing their yearlong study of U.S. history, the 4th and 5th grade students took many fun memories home with them from these field trips.

Brennen Leidy, Jordan LaGorce, Mallory Fagg, Kieran, and Asher Stophel are all smiles as they meet Gov. Mary Fallin at the state capital.

5th graders Michael Conroy, Joshua Chasteen, and Kieran share lunch and good times.

Mount Vernon archaeology intern and widow Samantha Steele wants to provide for her children without assistance from anyone. Security guard and ex-cop Nick Porter is haunted by his past and keeps his heart guarded. But when they discover an artifact at Mount Vernon is a fake, Nick and Samantha need to work together, set aside their stubbornness, and rely on each other or the results could be deadly. Will Samantha relinquish

her control to a man she hardly knows? Can Nick learn to trust again? And will they both allow God to excavate their hearts so they can find new love?

Augustine Christian Academy...in Thy light, we see light. Psalm 36:9

6310 E. 30th StreetTulsa, OK 74114www.acatulsa.org918.832.4600

Non Profit Org.US Postage Paid

Tulsa, OKPermit No 1957

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The Augustine ForumSpring 2011

Augustine Christian Academy