Some of the recent library additions

VCA’s Library now boasts new additions of books and puzzles thanks largely to the Visiting Authors series, and the Local Author series, both sponsored by the Philipsburg Jubilee Library of St. Maarten in 2010.  The new titles include Book 1 and 2 of “The Adventures of Starr” children series written by Jacky Rom of JAX Publishing UK; and “The Sausage Ranger” written by one of the island’s youngest authors, Michel Hodge.

A significant addition to the library comes from Melissa I. Eights who donated her entire collection of puzzles depicting local scenery and culture of St. Maarten, along with the full selection of all the books she has written, including “Rehabilitation & Recovery Poetry and Short Stories” and “It is Going to Rain”.  The latter, was presented to the school with “Grandpa Herbert”; a stuffed doll designed by her mother, Mrs. Valerie Eights-Rowe in honor of Mrs. Eights’ father who recently passed away.

Grandpa Herbert will be introduced to the Kindergarten program in February, as he is to assist in teaching the children how to dress themselves (fully removable coat and hat), and tie their shoelaces.  A formal presentation of the doll and the accompanying book which includes coloring pages, will be done in the first week of February as a part of the 5th Anniversary celebrations.  It is hoped that the author and Grandpa Herbert creator will be on hand to introduce them to the current Kindergarten class.

Grandpa Herbert w/Accompanying Reading & Activity Book

Other donations to the library came from persons within the neighboring community who desired to enhance the reading program promoted by the school.  Encyclopedia sets, Dictionaries, Bibles, and in-fair condition reading and reference books on a wide genre of topics were received over the past semester.  The director, Dianne Greenaway, expressed her gratitude for the contributions and stated that with the additions, the library now needed to be upgraded and expanded to properly house and accommodate them.

I HAVE AN URGENT NEED!  It is not for myself, it is for the children who are currently enrolled at VICTORY CHRISTIAN ACADEMY.

For those of you who do not know the school, it is now celebrating its 5th Anniversary since opening in 2006 and is the only school on the island that offers a CHRISTIAN CURRICULUM in all subjects.  Yes, you are reading this right…a Christian curriculum in every subject, Math, English, Science, Foreign languages, Art, etc., etc., etc.  Oh how God has been good to us.

The need that now prevails is for student workbooks for the current and if possible the next school year.  A set of workbooks in any subject costs $30.00 and I would like you to consider purchasing one set (or more where possible) in honor of the school’s 5th Anniversary.  Your contribution (names only) will be noted in our newsletter at the end of the month, and on our website, www.academy.trulycaribbean.net

Rom first visited VCA during the “Visiting Author” series organized by the Philipsburg Jubilee Library earlier in the year.  Students were introduced to “STARR” in her first children’s book called “The Amazing Adventures of Starr – The Missing Extra”.  On this visit she brought copies of her second book in the series, “The Lost Script”.

The story-telling and drama session was well-received and complemented the one-hour dance session directed by her daughter, Mikki.  The entire morning was punctuated with sounds of the children laughter, music, as the acted out scenes from the books, and “rocketed into space” for another adventure with Starr.  It was a good day for the Roms, who were surprised when the children invited them to stay and have lunch with them at the Christmas party they had scheduled for the same day.

School director Dianne Greenaway said “We are happy that the Roms chose to visit us again and we look forward to future collaborations.”

The Roms are scheduled to return in late March 2011 for a week-long drama and dance workshop series as part of the 5^th Anniversary celebrations for VCA.  A presentation of the week’s activities will be made on the final day of the week.

The school will begin its third official school year on Monday, September 1 and the director said it has been amazing to see the growth of the program and how many community-minded companies and individuals enabled them to get here.

“Despite all of the many challenges in the past year, our school average across all levels from kindergarten to high school was 97% when we closed for summer. That is a lot to be thankful for. Our program really works and it makes us proud when the parents are appreciative of the growth of their children that is noticeable immediately,” explained the director.

According to Dianne Greenaway, the school’s director, now that the USONA funding has run out there is a need for assistance to continue providing a quality education to the 30 students enrolled.

“Since its inception in January 2006, our vision was to keep our costs low to allow more families to enjoy the individualized attention that each student receives here at VCA. This means that we have been very dependent on the contributions of the community-minded businesses, which have supported us from the beginning. Right now we need help to continue paying our teachers and to maintain the quality learning that we provide.”

Companies can choose to sponsor on a monthly or annual basis and the director says its costs 500 guilders per month to teach a kindergarten/elementary student and 600 guilders per month to teach a high school student or 5000/6000 guilders annually.

For more information about the school, visit www.academy.trulycaribbean.net or call VCA at 524-6521.

Dianne can be reached for radio and TV interviews at 524-6521.

According to Nerissa Golden, the school’s Administrator, Life Enrichment Classes begin Monday, February 5 at the Weymouth Hills campus.

“In the afternoons we are offering our Reading Readiness program for children ages four to 14, who want to learn to read or are having difficulties with reading in their regular school program. It is a multi-sensory, phonetic program that takes 12 weeks. They will become acquainted with phonics through animals, songs and stories. It is a method which helps students learn letter sounds, alphabet sequence and word relationships,” explained Golden.

Golden added that in the evenings, they will start an Office Procedures Course, which is taught in the same methodology as their day school curriculum.

“Our class sizes are limited to allow us to teach each student based on their needs. We have business persons registered, who need to learn how to write proposals, handle bookkeeping, so they will learn how to use Microsoft Office and other programs in a way that they can immediately use in their daily work. It is designed for those who want to start a new career or those who want to get better at their jobs or even start their own business. It is about empowering our people to have more options for work in the future,” the school head said.

Victory Christian Academy was opened in January 2006 as an alternative learning program for students aged 3 and older. They now have 23 students registered in classes from pre-kindergarten to high school. The small class sizes and individualized workbooks allows each student to work at the level they are at and provides opportunities to fill in gaps in their learning before it is too late.

More information on the life enrichment classes and Victory Christian Academy can be received by contacting Nerissa Golden at 523-3731 or email academy@trulycaribbean.net.

For interviews please contact Nerissa Golden at 523-3731.