Concord Campus News

October 2nd, 2026

Leadership Update

Jessica Sowa


Greetings, Lion Family!

As we navigate another milestone-filled school year, I am thrilled to share a monumental moment in our school’s story.


For the first time in our preschool’s 57-year history, dating back to the founding of our early education program in 1969, our preschool program has officially been nominated for accreditation from the Association of Christian Schools International (ACSI).


This distinction will not only validate the exceptional quality of our early education, but will hold us to even higher biblical standards as our program continues to raise faithful disciples.


However, accreditation is not a finish line; rather, it establishes a framework for ongoing growth and reflection, ensuring that as educators, we are constantly learning, as our students do the same.


Here are a few highlights across our programs as we build upon this foundation:

  • ACSI Preschool Accreditation: nominated for the first time in our 57-year history, this recognition will commit us to rigorous standards of excellence.
  • CCP Progress: Our CCP program will continue to flourish under these elevated benchmarks, providing our youngest learners with a structured, biblically grounded early learning experience.
  • KidzConnect Impact: KidzConnect continues to thrive as it builds strong bridges between home, church, and school through engaging wrap-around care and student connection.
  • Portrait of a Graduate Lens: We are intentionally training up our staff and students through the lens of our Portrait of a Graduate, embedding core competencies like critical thinking, empathy, and biblical leadership into our daily culture and instruction.


I am honored to lead this incredible community. Every single day, our staff demonstrates what it means to strive for excellence, lead with love, and honor God in all we do.


Thank you for your support and partnership as we nurture the hearts and minds of the next generation.


With Lion Pride,

Jessica Sowa

Principal of Child Development

Upcoming CCS Events & News

Important Reminders

CCS communications will be shared through our primary communication channels of this weekly newsletter, Blackbaud, and our school's Facebook and Instagram accounts.


Our school calendar can be found HERE!

🦁 Celebrating a Year of Impact

We are proud to share the 2025/2026 Impact Report. Click HERE for a closer look at the incredible ways God continues to work through and bless our Concord community. 🙏


From academic and athletic accomplishments to spiritual growth, service, and so much more, there is a lot to be thankful for! 👏

🦁 Help Us Honor Our 30th Anniversary! ❤️


CCS is celebrating 30 amazing years with a special-edition 30th Anniversary Yearbook, and we need our Concord families to help make it unforgettable!



Do you have memories to share? We’re looking for:

  • 📸 Class photos from all grades
  • 🏫 Photos from school events
  • ❤️ Special moments and memories from throughout the years


Help us fill the yearbook with the people, moments, and memories that make CCS so special!


📧 Send your photos to: yearbook@concordchristianschool.org

📅 Final submission deadline: February 1st

Reminders:

  • Students are required to wear their school uniform, including an embroidered/logo polo and school-appropriate uniform bottoms.
  • Hoodies, sweatshirts, and jackets should be removed for both group and individual photos.
  • Please make sure students arrive picture-ready and in the required uniform attire.

LOWER SCHOOL NEWS

Grandparents' Day 2026

Mark your calendars for October 29th! We’re excited to welcome our TK – 4th grade grandparents to campus for a special program as we celebrate these cherished members of our school community. ❤️


We are looking forward to this special day! 🫶

The Book Fair is Coming!

Save the Dates for October 26th–30th 📅


Get ready to shop for fun reads! 📚


Come discover new favorites and books for every reader. We can’t wait to see you there! 🎉

👩‍⚕️ Kindergarten Career Day

Our kindergarteners had a wonderful time learning about different careers and the important roles people play in our community.


From gardeners 🌻 to police officers 👮‍♂️, students enjoyed discovering and learning about the world of work!

5th & 6th Grade Academy and Upper Middle School Happenings

Save the Dates

  • October 2nd: Field Day
  • October 5th - 9th: Fall Break
  • October 15th: Dunamis House Competition

Anticipated Absence Form


With the holidays approaching, we wanted to provide our Anticipated Absence Request Form.



We know family trips and special events sometimes require students to miss school, and completing this form helps everyone stay on the same page. It gives teachers an opportunity to plan ahead while also helping students make arrangements for missed assignments and make-up work.


The process:

  1. Complete and sign the top portion of the form.
  2. Have your student take the form to each of their 5th–8th Grade teachers to discuss missed work and obtain their signatures.
  3. Once all teacher signatures have been collected, have your student return the form to the office/Mrs. Bean so we can obtain the necessary principal signatures.
  4. Once completed, the office will email a copy of the signed form back to you for your records.


*Whenever possible, please submit the form in advance of the planned absence so teachers have adequate time to prepare.

🎓 Senior October Checklist

This year’s Class of 2027 checklist reminders will be posted in Blackbaud and can be found in the student’s schedule under “Class of 2027 Page-1 (0 Period).”
The October checklist items are LIVE now! Students can find it in their assignments. ☑️


Upper School Schedule Reminder

  • Upper School will be in session on Friday, October 23rd for a full, normal day for 9th - 12th students.

 🏛️ Homecoming Dance "Olympic Nights"🏺   

Event Details

  • When: Friday, October 30th | 7:30 PM – 10:00 PM
  • Where: CCS Student Gym
  • Who: Current 9th – 12th grade CCS students and approved guests


Ticket & Guest Information

  • Price: $30 per ticket (maximum 2 tickets per CCS student — 1 for you and 1 for a guest)
  • How to Buy: Purchase tix online HERE

Please note: Tickets won't be sold at the door, and all ticket sales are final and non-transferable.

**Bringing a non-CCS guest? The student must have a Dance Guest Form filled out & signed. The form can be found at the Upper School Office. 


Dress Code: Ancient Greece Theme 🏛️

To keep everyone comfortable and looking great while following school guidelines:

  • Shirts, shoes, and pants/skirts/shorts are required at all times.
  • Hemlines should be at least fingertip length.
  • Tops should fully cover the midriff (no half-shirts, crop tops, or leggings).
  • Tops must have straps at least (2) finger widths wide.

Spirit Week 2026

Get ready, Lions! It’s going to be an AMAZING week! 🎉

👑 Monday: Princess & Superhero Day 🦸

👯 Tuesday: Twin or Group Day

📼 Wednesday: ’90s Day

👗 Thursday: Dress-Up Day

🦁 Friday: Maroon & White — Homecoming Shirt Day 

Guidance Counselor's Corner

Achieving Academic Excellence

Learning IS Fun!

👩‍🍳 Mrs. Spalvins’ Project Lions elective class has spent the month of September learning all about cooking! Students explored kitchen safety, practiced meal preparation, and shared meals together. 🍳


🔬 In her Academy science classes, students have been learning about atoms and their subatomic particles. They even used M&Ms to build models of atoms and bring their learning to life!

Athletic Accolades & Updates

Youth Athlete of the Year

5th grade CCS student, Grayson Ragsdale, is a Youth Athlete of the Year Quarter-Finalist.


Among his many accolades, this 11 year-old is ranked the #1 3000M runner in his age group in the nation!


Vote HERE to help him secure his win. 🏃



WELL DONE GRAYSON! 👏


Athletic Team Stores

Our team stores are open. Check them out HERE.


Support our student athletes by sporting custom swag and attire!



Booster Passes & Banners

Booster passes HERE and banners HERE are now available for purchase. See graphics for details.


Fall Break Basketball Camp

WHEN: October 6th - 8th from 9AM - 12PM

WHO: Boys & Girls grades 1st - 6th

Register HERE!


Lower School Boys' Basketball

Grades: 3rd - 5th

10/15: 3:30 - 4:30PM Tryouts in Student Gym

10/15: 6:00PM Parent Meeting in Training Center

Google Form HERE.


Lower School Girls' Basketball

Grades: 3rd - 5th

10/13: 3:30 - 4:30PM Tryouts in Student Gym

10/15: 6:00PM Parent Meeting in Training Center

Google Form HERE.

Week In Arts

🦁 Fall Production: The Lion, The Witch, and The Wardrobe

🏴‍☠️ ⚓ Spring Production: The Pirates of Penzance


Get ready for adventure, imagination, and incredible performances from our talented cast and crew. Stay tuned for more information!

Support our marching band as they take to the field for competitions this fall! 🎵

🦁 Congrats to our Pride of the Den Marching Band on an incredible showing at their first band competition! 🏆


Competing in AA Division, they brought home:

🥇 1st Place – Percussion

🥇 1st Place – Color Guard

🥈 2nd Place – Band


We are so proud of their excellence! 👏

🎨 Art Events Opportunities 🖌️

There are three exciting Dogwood Arts events coming up for our talented artists to participate in!


Reach out to Mr. Brandon McBath at bmcbath@concordchristianschool.org if you have interest, and he'll help you get registered.

International Program Updates

Welcome Peruvian Students!

Meet our students by clicking on their names: Almendra, Leonardo, Mathias, Daniel


Hosting Dates: October 12th - 22nd

Hosting Stipend: $275

Interested? Email asteger@concordcs.org

Storehouse Happenings

CCS Storehouse

The Storehouse will be CLOSED over Fall Break but open the following days/times the following week:


Monday: 7:30AM - 10:30AM and 3:00PM - 4:00PM

Tuesday: 7:30AM - 10:30AM

Wednesday: 7:30AM - 2:00PM

Thursday: 7:30AM - 10:30AM and 3:00PM - 4:00PM

Friday: 7:30AM - 10:30AM


*New youth dri-fit polos in maroon, black and white along with 1/4 zips in black ALL SIZES in stock. Special 30th Anniversary merchandise arriving soon.


Make sure to stop in and shop with us!

Lion Volunteer Connection

Lion Volunteer Connection is a parent-led organization dedicated to supporting teachers and staff through fun and engaging events.


We need MANY parent volunteers for our upcoming events, and you can register to help HERE!


*Be sure to follow LVC on their Facebook page for more updates throughout the year!

Spiritual & Student Life Office

Chapel Schedule

Thursday, October 8th

  • 5th - 6th Academy Chapel - Fall Break
  • Upper School Chapel - Fall Break

Church's Corner

Worship at FBC

Looking for a place to worship? We'd love to have you join us at First Baptist Concord.


This Sunday, Pastor John Mark will continue our sermon series, “Believe,” as we journey through the book of John.


All are welcome with service times at:

🕗 8:00 AM

🕤 9:15 AM

🕚 11:00 AM


We can’t wait to worship with you and grow together in faith!


Embers | A Rise865 Podcast

Join the Rise865 Preaching Team weekly as they talk about the Sunday sermon, ministry, and how people are inspiring others to follow Jesus across the 865!


Click HERE to listen, learn more, and don't forget to

like, subscribe, and review!


Wednesday Nights

Concord Kids - Elevate

Birth - 5th grade - 6:30PM - 7:45PM (drop-off begins at 6:15PM)


Concord Students - MIDWEEK

Middle School @ 6:15pm 

High School @ 7:15pm

Concord Christian Preschool

Littlest Lion Happenings

CCP October newsletter is HERE. Be sure to read it over carefully to avoid missing important announcements and news!


CCP Is Hiring! ❤️

Join our award-winning program and an incredible team that is passionate about loving, nurturing, and helping little ones grow!


👉 Click HERE for more information about available full-time opportunities with benefits.

Keeping Up With KidzConnect

After School Care Enrollment

Registration is open for KidzConnect After-School Care for the 2026/27 school year and can be found HERE.


Be sure to read the KidzConnect fall newsletter HERE!

Important Dates to Remember

  • December 14, 2026 Field trip to Clayton Performing Arts
  • April 15, 2027 Junior Achievement
  • May 22, 2027 - Class of 2027 Graduation


A Note to Our Families

We kindly ask that if you have any concerns or if we did not meet your expectations, please reach out to me directly by email or phone. CCS is happily opening its doors to welcome homeschooled students as part of their program and to integrate them as much as possible. We are committed to making this a positive experience for everyone, and your feedback is invaluable as we grow together.


Make-Up School Picture Day

Homeschool students may have their photos taken Tuesday, October 13th, at 10:00 a.m. 

Must be registered HERE to have photos taken.


The Best Christmas Pageant Ever

Monday, December 14th at noon

In this hilarious Christmas classic, a couple struggling to put on a church Christmas pageant must cast the Herdman kids—probably the most inventively awful kids in history. You won't believe the mayhem and fun when the Herdmans collide head-on with the story of Christmas!


All performances will take place in the Clayton Performing Arts Center at 2749 Performing Arts Way, Knoxville, on the main Hardin Valley campus of Pellissippi State Community College.


Tickets must be purchased in advance and will not be available at the door for seating with our group. To purchase your tickets, use this link. All sales are final! Not recommended for students under 4. Parents, you must also have a ticket. Please use “student” to add your name and purchase tickets. The last day to purchase is October 30th.


Preplanning meeting: Mapping the Road to High School

2027-2028 rising 8th and 9th grade students! Please join us on November 18th at 1:00 p.m. via Google Meet HERE for a Preplanning meeting: Mapping the Road to High School.

We will discuss:

  • State high school graduation requirements for your rising 9th grader
  • Options for continuing to homeschool
  • Requirements for entering public or private school after homeschooling
  • Future pathways for your student, including trade school and college planning
  • Support for students with learning challenges
  • EFS funding for private schools
  • Meet our high school counselor - Ashley Tipton
  • And much more!


Onsite at FBC on February 23rd 2027 at 6:00 p.m. in the Missions Training Center with registration for the event found HERE.


JA BizTown Opportunity for 4th-6th graders on April 16th

We have an exciting opportunity for our 4th, 5th, and 6th grade students to participate in a Junior Achievement of East Tennessee program at JA BizTown on Friday, April 16, 2027.


This hands-on experience teaches students about entrepreneurship, financial literacy, and work readiness. To secure our spot, I need to gauge interest and commitment.


We will begin our Google Meets on January 4th at 1:00 p.m. Each session will last about 30–45 minutes. If your student cannot attend these sessions due to other commitments, we will record the meetings. Upon registration, I will provide you with a full schedule.



Please note the following details:

  • What: A day-long event at JA BizTown in Clinton, TN
  • When: Friday, April 16, 2027
  • Cost: $25 per student
  • Transportation: Parents/guardians are responsible for providing transportation to and from
  • Prerequisites: To prepare, students will need to:
  • Participate in a brief interview on the Concord campus in March
  • Attend a few preparatory classes (which I will lead via Google Meet)

Interested? Fill out the brief interest form HERE. For more info about the experience click HERE.


Annual Counselor Meeting Requirement - 9th - 12th students ONLY

All high school students and their parents are required to meet with the high school counselor once per year.

To schedule your appointment, please contact Ashley Tipton using the below information:

Set up an Appointment: Academic Planning

Register for University Model HS: Registration


Educational Freedom Scholarship Information

We are an umbrella program registered with the State of Tennessee as a Category IV non-public school and are also a University Model High School. Because of this classification, we cannot accept Educational Freedom Scholarships (EFS)—those are reserved for Category I, II, and III schools. A Category IV umbrella program will never be eligible to use EFS. We are beginning the accreditation process to become a Category II for the Upper Middle school, which will allow us to accept EFS funding in the future. We are NOT eligible at this time.


Sports Eligibility

K - 7(8) students, please watch the newsletter for sporting opportunities high school students, because we are regulated by TSSAA, only students who are registered in our UMS program or paying full UMS tuition are eligible to try out and play sports for CCS.


Badges and Security

Only K - 8th Co-op and UMS students will have badge access to campus. However, badge access is limited, so we recommend that you always use the main entrance on Kingston Pike.


We welcome visitors on campus. Please note the following procedures:

  • All visitors 18 and older must present a government-issued ID upon their first visit.
  • All visitors must enter through the weekday entrance on the church side.
  • Upon entering, check in with the attendant at the desk to receive an identification sticker.
  • This sticker must be visible at all times while on campus.
  • When leaving, return the sticker to the attendant at the entrance where you entered.


Blackbaud System

Our Learning Management System is called Blackbaud. If you have not received your invite to set up your Blackbaud account and your Tuition Management account, please let Mrs. Keathley know.


If you are experiencing difficulty logging into your Blackbaud account, please complete this form HERE. Our team will get back to you as soon as possible.


Remember to check your spam or junk folder, as our replies may occasionally be filtered there.


Parent ID Cards

Homeschool Parent ID Card. Did you know some businesses offer discounts for homeschoolers when you present this card?

To get yours, simply:

  1. Complete the form HERE.
  2. I’ll email your personalized card.
  3. Print it or save it to your phone for easy access


Parking Pass Application

To apply for a parking pass, please complete the application form HERE.


After submitting the form, please email the following documents to me:

  • A copy of your valid driver's license
  • A copy of your current auto insurance card

Once both the application and documents are received, your parking pass will be processed.


Learner's Permit

When applying for a learner’s permit, students must submit the SF-1010 form HERE. Please keep these key points in mind:

  • The form is valid for 30 days after issuance.
  • Allow adequate time for our staff to process your request.
  • Once completed, the form will be sent via email to the address you provide.
  • We do not fax the form directly to the driver’s license office.

To avoid delays, please ensure the form is submitted before the 30-day expiration.


Verification of Enrollment

Homeschool umbrella students may need to provide Verification of School Enrollment HERE when participating in co-ops, extracurricular activities, or other programs requiring proof of enrollment in an approved educational program.

This document, issued by the overseeing homeschool umbrella or cover school, verifies the student’s enrollment status for purposes such as:

  • Academic eligibility
  • Student discounts
  • Sports participation

**Request this verification in advance to ensure timely processing


Transcript Request Form

To request that your official transcript be sent to a college or university click HERE. Please allow 3 business days for your request to be processed.

For God alone, O my soul, wait in silence, for my hope is from him. Psalm 62:5