August, 2016


Dear Parents of Elementary Students,

It is with great anticipation and excitement that the entire elementary team including administration, faculty, and staff welcomes you back to an exciting new school year! Our team has dedicated much time and preparation to ensure that your student will have an exceptional year of spiritual, academic, and social/emotional growth. The greatest and most important preparation was to cover our school in prayer. Psalm 115:1 "Not to us, Lord, not to us but to your name be the glory, because of your love and faithfulness." We were "Made to Glorify" our Savior and are fully committed to seeking God's will with the confidence and faith that He will bless our year together as an MCS family.

We are eager to have your children back in school, filling our halls with love and laughter, and fully ready to dive into learning! The teachers are busy setting up their classrooms to create an engaging and nurturing environment for students as we prepare to challenge, motivate, and foster their academic curiosity. Through innovative teaching strategies, our goal is to design challenging learning experiences based on students' interests, goals, and passions. 
 
Here are just a few of the elementary goals and focus areas for this school year:
  • Strengthen the overall Bible program to ensure that students are growing in their faith and love for Jesus Christ and that across all subject areas, we are teaching from a biblical worldview. Focused study on apologetics developmentally geared to equip students to apply their faith while building godly character.
  • In collaboration with the middle school Bible department continue to build a strong foundation of biblical knowledge and understanding of God's Word in upper elementary as students begin to prepare for the transition to middle school and a deeper ownership of their faith.
  • Continue to build strong literacy skills through an intentional focus on growing a positive classroom reading environment combined with innovative teaching strategies geared towards progressing students towards higher levels of text complexity.
  • Equip students to become strong zealous writers as they learn how to write within a variety of styles including Opinion/Argument, Information, and Narrative Writing.
  • Provide rich opportunities for students to go deeper in their understanding of math concepts; small group instruction based upon data analysis specifically geared towards meeting their individual needs; project based learning opportunities to give students the ability to apply their math skills in a relevant and creative way.
  • Increased integration of technology across all grade levels with a 1 to 1 iPad to student ratio at the 4th and 5th grade level.  iPads will be used in the classroom and will remain at school.  Addition of a Specialized Digital Coach to further enhance innovative instruction and support digital literacy.
It is also with great excitement that I share with you, the addition of an Elementary Associated Student Body- ASB Leadership Program. Fifth grade students will have an opportunity to run for ASB in order to represent and serve the elementary student body in a variety of ways. More information regarding the details of this leadership opportunity will be announced soon! Lastly, I am excited to share with you the hiring of an elementary Instructional Facilitator who will provide coaching, professional development training, and work collaboratively with grade level teachers to further enhance student learning and academic excellence. 
 
Again, we are thrilled to be in partnership with you as we begin our journey and ask that you join us in prayer. Specifically, prayer for God to continue to lead and guide us in all that we do. That we as a team would always be open to the leading and guiding of the Holy Spirit and that your students will be blessed beyond measure and grow in their authentic faith and relationship with our Savior.

In Service,



Reggie Biancalani
Elementary Principal

Mariners Christian School 
300 Fischer Avenue | Costa Mesa, California 92626 | (714) 437-1700