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100 Days Strong:
Learning, Achieving, and Thriving
Reflecting on a milestone, exciting classroom activities, and the joy of learning at PCA!
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Dear Providence Christian Academy Family,
February has been a month filled with growth, discovery, and exciting opportunities for our students. From celebrating the 100th day of school with creative learning challenges to engaging in hands-on science experiments, students have been expanding their knowledge in meaningful ways. Our school-wide Spelling Bee showcased academic excellence, and a visit from the New England Reptile Show brought science to life in an unforgettable way.
As we look ahead, we remain grateful for the enthusiasm and dedication of our students, teachers, and families. Read on for classroom highlights and upcoming events as we continue to learn and grow together at PCA!
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Scripps Spelling Bee Showdown:
Meet Our Champions!
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Providence Christian Academy is thrilled to recognize the outstanding achievements of our top spellers in this year’s 100th Annual Scripps National Spelling Bee! After weeks of preparation and intense competition, our school-wide bee on January 31 showcased the incredible talent and dedication of our students.
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A huge congratulations to Mihai Taran (Grade 6), our all-school champion! Mihai impressed everyone with his composure, sharp spelling skills, and determination, earning the top spot and a well-deserved trophy.
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We also celebrate our second-place winner, Emily Donceva (Grade 7), who gave an incredible performance and earned a medal for her efforts. Rounding out our top three, Michael Corona (Grade 3) showed remarkable skill and poise, securing third place and a medal of his own.
We are so proud of all our spellers for their hard work, courage, and enthusiasm. Well done, Mihai, Emily, and Michael—you’ve made PCA proud!
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K4: A Month of Growth and Discovery
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February has been an exciting month in Mrs. Komerzan’s K4 class, filled with hands-on learning and meaningful lessons. Students have been making great strides in phonics, mastering word blending at an impressive pace. Math time has been equally engaging, with children enjoying number games and even constructing entire cities with blocks to match their numbers—a creative approach to reinforcing their skills.
In Bible time, the class wrapped up the story of Daniel and transitioned to the inspiring story of Queen Esther. This month’s focus verse, John 13:34-35, encourages students to “Love one another,” and they have been learning how to apply biblical values of honesty, truthfulness, and obedience in their daily lives.
Science exploration brought an exciting sensory experience as students learned about the five senses. A highlight of the lesson was tasting a variety of fruits to identify sweet, bitter, sour, and salty flavors—a fun and delicious way to learn!
With so much joy, discovery, and growth, February has been a month to remember in K4. These young learners continue to embrace each day with curiosity and enthusiasm!
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Second Grade Scientists:
Hands-On Learning in Action
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Mrs. Bagirova’s second-grade class has been busy with exciting hands-on science experiments, using the scientific method to make predictions, test ideas, and analyze results. From discovering what floats to investigating what keeps apples from browning, students have been engaged in interactive learning that brings science to life.
One of the most exciting experiments involved predicting which objects would sink or float. Using a large plastic bin filled with water, students tested a variety of objects, including plastic straws, pom-poms, feathers, pencils, foam cubes, porcupine balls, paper clips, marbles, coins, wooden toothpicks, pipe cleaners, and rocks. The most surprising result came from the plastic straw, which initially floated but eventually filled with water and sank. Students learned that objects made of wood and lightweight plastics, such as foam cubes, pencils, feathers, wooden toothpicks, and pipe cleaners, tend to float because they are less dense than water. Meanwhile, materials like rocks, metal, and coins sank because their density was greater than that of water.
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In addition to these investigations, students also explored Sources of Energy—learning what energy is, where it comes from, and how it makes things move. To illustrate wind energy, they started by blowing bubbles and observing how moving air carried them away. Then, they tested wind energy with a fun competition, using plastic straws to blow pom-poms across the table, discovering that the harder they blew, the faster the pom-poms moved.
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Another fascinating experiment explored what keeps apples from browning. Students placed apple slices into separate cups filled with different substances, including lemon juice, milk, baking soda, and vinegar, then observed them overnight. Before starting, they made predictions about which substance would be the most effective in slowing oxidation. The results were clear—lemon juice was the best at preventing browning, with milk coming in second place. Of course, no apple experiment would be complete without a little taste-testing, making the lesson even more fun!
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Next, they explored water energy by using a stream of water to spin a pinwheel, demonstrating how moving water has the power to create motion. Students also investigated friction and static electricity, using an inflated balloon to lift a volunteer’s hair and even attract tiny salt and pepper flakes from a plate. The moment the static electricity pulled the particles up toward the balloon was a thrilling surprise!
Through these hands-on experiments, students had the opportunity to observe and interact with scientific concepts in a fun and engaging way. Whether testing floating objects, investigating apples, or exploring energy sources, second graders are discovering that science is full of exciting surprises!
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Fourth Grade:
A 100th Day Celebration of Learning
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Mrs. Krueger’s fourth-grade class marked the 100th day of school with a series of creative and educational activities that highlighted their growing skills. Students tackled math challenges by identifying all the factors of 100, reinforcing their understanding of multiplication and division.
In language arts, they put their writing skills to the test by crafting paragraphs of exactly 100 words—a fun exercise in precision and creativity. Beyond the numbers, the class reflected on how they have become “100 days richer” in knowledge, celebrating the many skills they have gained since the start of the year.
The day was a perfect blend of learning and celebration, reminding students just how far they have come in their fourth-grade journey!
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High School Biology:
100th Day Egg Drop Challenge
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To celebrate the 100th day of school, Mrs. St. Jean’s 9th and 10th grade Biology class took on an exciting hands-on challenge: designing a structure to protect an egg from cracking when dropped from the second-floor window.
Students were given a selection of materials, including cardboard cups, cotton balls, plastic bags, rubber bands, string, balloons, tape, and plastic tablecloths. As they built their designs, they explored key physics and engineering concepts, such as using parachutes to slow the fall, creating cushioning to absorb impact, and utilizing balloons to generate drag.
The results were impressive—four out of five eggs survived the drop! This engaging experiment encouraged critical thinking and problem-solving, making for a memorable and educational 100th-day celebration in Biology class.
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New England Reptile Show Brings Science to Life at PCA
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Providence Christian Academy welcomed some fascinating guests this month as the New England Reptile Show visited for an exciting and interactive presentation. Students of all ages had the chance to observe and learn about a variety of reptiles, making for a memorable and engaging experience.
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Students in grades K4-2 enjoyed a meet and greet session, where they observed and even touched different reptiles. From snakes to lizards, they got an up-close look at these unique creatures while learning about their habitats and characteristics.
For grades 3 through high school, the visit featured a full-hour educational presentation, where students explored reptile behavior, adaptations, and conservation. Afterward, they participated in a meet and greet and a Q&A session, asking insightful questions and deepening their understanding of these often-misunderstood animals.
This special event brought science beyond the textbook, sparking curiosity and appreciation for the natural world. Whether discovering a newfound interest or overcoming a fear, PCA students left with a greater understanding of reptiles and their role in God’s creation.
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Closing Thoughts from the Principal
As another month comes to a close, I am reminded of the joy and energy that fills our school each day. Learning at PCA is more than just academics—it’s about curiosity, growth, and building a strong foundation for the future. Our students continue to challenge themselves, explore new ideas, and support one another in a Christ-centered environment.
Thank you for being part of this journey with us. Your encouragement and involvement make all the difference. We look forward to the months ahead and all the opportunities they will bring!
Blessings,
Linda Temby
Principal, Providence Christian Academy
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Mid-March: Parent-Teacher Conferences
End of March: Field Trip to Tsongas Industrial Museum in Lowell, MA
End of March: PCA Skippers jump rope exposition
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March Prayer Points
As we continue into March, we invite you to join us in prayer for the following:
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Parent-Teacher Conferences – Pray for meaningful and productive conversations between parents and teachers, that they may work together to support and encourage each student’s growth academically, spiritually, and personally.
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Faculty Needs and Dual Enrollment Development – Ask God to provide the right teachers for our growing high school, guiding the interview and selection process so that we welcome faculty who are excellent educators and strong in faith. Pray also for the development of a dual enrollment program for juniors and seniors, that it would be structured in a way that best supports students’ academic and spiritual growth while preparing them for future opportunities.
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Students’ Spiritual and Academic Growth – Pray that students would remain eager to learn, grow in their faith, and develop strong character as they continue through the school year. May they be encouraged and strengthened in both their studies and their walk with Christ.
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Strength and Encouragement for Faculty and Staff – Lift up our teachers and staff, asking for renewed energy, patience, and joy as they serve our students. May they be encouraged in their work and find daily reminders of the impact they are making in the lives of their students.
Thank you for lifting up our school community in prayer—your support is a blessing to PCA.
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