Weekly Warrior
Stay in touch. Stay informed.
Train up a child in the way he should go, Even when he is old he will not depart from it. Proverbs 22:6
What’s Inside:
Week at a Glance
Message from the BOD
Elementary News
MS/HS News
Senior Scoop
Nurse’s Corner   
BCS and You
Prayer Warriors 
Did You Know?
Admin Updates
Quick Links
Week at a Glance
Monday, Oct 14
No School for students
Tuesday, Oct 15
Elementary Chapel, 8:30 am
High School Student Council meeting
Wednesday, Oct. 16
PSAT for 8th-11th grade
Blood drive, 12:30-5 pm
Senior field trip to Austin
Thursday, Oct 17
Varsity Volleyball at Shiner, 6pm
Friday, Oct 18
End of 1st Quarter
Varsity Football at Our Lady of the Hills, 7:30pm
Monday, Oct 21
State Cross Country Meet
A Message from the
Board of Directors
The search for our permanent head of school is underway! If you have not yet read the email sent on Wednesday from the Board of Directors, we encourage you to read it as it explains the process, timing, and people involved in the process of selecting a new leader for our school.

The members of the committee leading in the search are as follows:

  • Levi Montgomery, Board Member and Committee Chairman
  • Gary Grinstead, President of the Board of Directors
  • Andrew Sedlacek, Board Member
  • Michele Woodman, Board Member
  • Fred Hilgendorf, Faculty
  • Candice Thompson, Faculty
  • Dede Wolf, Faculty
  • Maude Rossi, Faculty

The Board of Directors and search committee covets your prayers as we represent the Bracken community through the process of identifying the person God would have lead our school well through the next decades, and to maintain and strengthen the school, so that your grandchildren and great-grandchildren can carry on the Warrior tradition for the glory of God!


Elementary School News
Sheila Kerby, Principal
Parents,
This week was National Fire Safety week. We were honored to receive a visit at Bracken from the Bulverde Fire Department, Engine 71 this past Thursday. Thrilled as ever, K4 through second grade students enjoyed a fantastic tour of the fire engine and the ambulance. The firefighters talked to the students about the importance of having an escape plan and meeting place in case of a fire in their home. They discussed when -- and when not -- to call 911. Thank you to the men and women of the Bulverde Fire Department who help keep us safe and take the time to educate students like ours. (And thanks for the wonderful goodies!)
Reminder: The end of the first quarter is Friday, October. 18. Report cards will be available for parent viewing on October 28.
Parent-teacher conferences are November 1. You will be hearing from your child's teacher about scheduling a conference. This is a very important opportunity for you and the teacher to visit and ensure your partnership is focused on your child's education and spiritual growth.
Even though science is a core subject class, you are not expected to meet with Mrs. Thompson in person for a conference. She will be available for scheduled conferences on November 1 if you wish to visit with her about your child and/or our science program. Mrs. Thompson's available times can be viewed on Sign-Up Genius at https://www.signupgenius.com/go/5080C4BAAAD22A3F58-2019 . 
I pray that Christ will live in your hearts by faith and that your life will be strong in love and be built on love. And I pray that you and all God's holy people will have the power to understand the greatness of Christ's love- how wide and how long and how high and how deep that love is. Christ's love is greater than anyone can ever know, but I pray that you will be able to know that love. Then you can be filled with the fullness of God.
 -- Ephesians 3:17-19
Middle School/High School News
Tashi Land, Principal
Parents,
I just want to thank you for sharing your amazing kids with us day after day. As I walk around during the day I see such a variety of gifts and personalities. I love how God has placed us all together at Bracken to grow and challenge one another. I am so thankful for each student on our campus and my prayer is that as we grow in who we are in Christ, we will learn to love others.

Our verses for next week are:
1 Corinthians 13:4-7, “Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always hopes. Always perseveres.”
Senior Scoop
FAFSA 2020-2021 is open! Apply early as funds are limited. Colleges will require you to complete the FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid)

Oct 16 - Seniors travel to Austin to visit the State Capitol

Oct 26 - ACT Test Date (Register by Oct 13)

Nov 2 - SAT Test Date (Register by Oct 22)

Nurse's Corner
 Robin Urbanovsky, RN
1st Annual Blood Drive
for 2019-2020
Blood Drive Scheduled for Wednesday, October 16th from 12:30-4:45pm
Please call to schedule a time 830-438-3211 
We need at least 38 donors to meet our goal. Please! Will you be one of them?!? Can I count on you? Can those in need count on you?
BCS and You
DONATIONS NEEDED

The Giving Tree
If the leaves on this tree represent classroom resources, our teachers could use your help! Please provide donations or direct questions to the respective school principal.
THIS WEEK'S FEATURED NEEDS:

Elementary Under $10
Gold Fish (K4); Skinny Highlighters, Sterlite boxes 8x10 (1st); age appropriate chapter books (2nd); dry erases markers/erasers, small round magnets (3rd) ; candy (no gum) (4th); cardboard music stands (Music); extension cords, misc critter items (Science)

Elementary Over $10
Teacher-pay-Teacher, Hobby Lobby or Learning Zone gift cards (K4, K5, 2nd);
sound system, short throw projector (5th); portable CD player (2nd)

MS/HS Under $10
Expo Markers, post-it notes, pens, pencils, paper towels, Kleenex,white board erasers (school wide)
Plastic rulers with inches and centimeters (Math)
Canvases, paint brushes, drawing pencils, acrylic paint, oils paint (Art)
Meter (not yard) sticks, magazine subscription (Ideas and Discoveries, Discover Magazine), Women of Science Posters by Anatomology (Science)
Books (novel sets) such as The Hobbit, etc. (English)

MS/HS Over $10
25 graphing calculators (Math)
New skeleton and stand, organ models (Science)
Concordance reference books (Bible)
Volunteer
As ONE school, we must be united in our efforts to ensure Bracken thrives. Bracken needs ALL families to volunteer to support special events, fundraisers, outreach efforts, or other campus activities throughout the year. The following are upcoming opportunities:

-- Golf Tournament (See below)
-- Santa's House
-- Join the future PTA/PTO

Click here to sign up for current volunteer opportunities. If your schedule does not allow you to volunteer your time, please contact Amy Day to determine other ways you can contribute.
Mon, Oct 14, 2019 8:00 AM CST
Bracken Christian School Golf Tournament
River Crossing Club, Spring Branch
We would love to see our families at the River Crossing Golf Course supporting Bracken! This is a family event for all ages! Our initial fundraising goal for the tournament is $20,000. Funds raised will be used to help fund scholarships and teacher Christmas bonuses. You can also sponsor a hole for just $150, enter a team of 4, or enter as an individual player. We would love to see some Father/Child, Mother/Child, or even some Grandparent/Grandchild teams! Invite the guys/gals from work for a fun morning and a nice lunch!
If you would like to volunteer or participate, please visit the links below:
Prayer Warriors
Please be in prayer for the following:
  • Coach Stredic and his family as they mourn the passing of his father. The funeral will take place on Monday
  • Increased participation in the Bracken blood drive on Wednesday, Oct 16
  • Alumni Isaiah Stirm and Noble Simmons as they endure the rigors of military basic training and prepare to serve our country
  • Enrollment
  • The right leadership for the right time

*If you have a prayer request that you would like to share in the newsletter, please contact one of the principals or Amy Day so we can include it here.*
Did you know?
Did you know that our school's namesake, Mr. Sam Bracken, was inspired to donate the 23 acres of beautiful, tree-covered land to Mrs. Betty Kight, the founder of Bracken Christian School, because of the big impact of one little girl?
As a student in Mrs. Kight's class, the little girl was required to memorize Bible verses. Each night, her father would help her read and memorize Bible verse after Bible verse. Before long, the word of God was reaching deep into his heart. The girl's father began attending church with his family and, as the Holy Spirit has a tendency to do, was changed from the inside out. The change was felt everywhere in his life to include his work as a ranch foreman on a ranch owned by a one Sam Bracken. And Mr. Bracken took notice.
Once Mr. Bracken became aware of how his foreman's little girl inspired her father to seek the Lord, he knew there was something special in Mrs. Kight's humble efforts to provide a Kingdom education to children in the Bulverde area. Mr. Bracken decided he wanted to help this little girl and many other children grow in Christ and donated the 23 acres in 1985.
Now, almost 35 years later, thousands of students have walked on this ground, learned in these classrooms, and grown closer to the Lord. It was made a reality all because of one woman, one little girl, one father, one generous man, and one God. That's the power of ONE.
Administration Info and Updates
Announcements
PTA
The first Parent-Teacher Association meeting is tentatively scheduled for November 4 at 6 pm . Please be on the lookout for future announcements as we begin this exciting new chapter!

Employment Opportunity
BCS is currently seeking a dedicated individual to join our after school program staff! This is a part-time job on Monday-Friday from 3:15-6:30 p.m.
Contact Ms. Sheila Kerby, Elementary School Principal, for more details at 830-438-3211.

Servant Hearts
The data from last week revealed that the most popular link in the newsletter was information on volunteering. Forty-eight percent of those who clicked on a link in the newsletter chose volunteering. Thank you for your servant hearts!
Administration
Interim Head of School:
Jerry Beene

Academic Director:
Jill White

Financial/Business Director:
Jerry Beene

Marketing/Communications:
Amy Day

HS/MS Principal:
Tashi Land

Elementary School Principal:
Sheila Kerby

Athletic Director:
Terri Sanders

NILD Coordinator:
Kim Miglicco