Dear Providence Christian Academy Family,

As we wrap up November, we are grateful for the many ways our school community has reflected this month’s Fruit of the Spirit – Peace. From our Thanksgiving Chapel to classroom moments of cooperation, kindness, and calm perseverance, it has been encouraging to see students learning not only academic skills but also how to pursue peace with one another.

This month has been full of meaningful activities and memorable highlights: our Thanksgiving celebration, the third annual PCA Gala, service projects, athletic and academic achievements, and special moments from classrooms across every grade level. Each one speaks to God’s continued work in our school.

We invite you to read on and enjoy this month’s stories, updates, and celebrations. Thank you for being part of the PCA family!

A Heart of Gratitude: PCA’s Thanksgiving Chapel and Feast

On Tuesday, November 25, Providence Christian Academy gathered as a school family for a morning of worship, reflection, and gratitude during our annual Thanksgiving Chapel Service. The celebration began with an energetic, interactive worship song – Hallelu, Hallelu, Hallelu, Hallelujah! Praise Ye the Lord! – inviting students and staff alike to participate with joyful motions and voices. It was a lively start that set a warm and unifying tone for the morning.

The service formally opened in prayer with Ben Giurgiu, followed by Grade 4 leading the congregation in a time of worship. Kindergarten 5 then shared a recitation of God’s Word paired with a song, offering a charming and heartfelt reminder of Scripture through the voices of our youngest readers.

A highlight of the morning was the original skit presented by Grade 8. Created and performed by the students, the skit focused on the power of peace, encouraging our school community to reflect on how peace can transform hearts and relationships.

Dan Leonovich brought a gratitude-centered message, reminding us to anchor our thanksgiving in God’s faithfulness. Grade 3 continued the theme with a thoughtful prayer recitation.

The worship portion of the service continued with two musical offerings. The Upper School Choir, directed by our music teacher Beth Emberley, led in a beautifully prepared piece that highlighted the students’ hard work and unity in song. The congregation then joined together in singing “By Faith,” our school anthem.  The program concluded with closing words and prayer from Board Chairman Mike Placinta.

After chapel, students enjoyed 90 minutes of classroom activities with their teachers. At 10:30 AM, the library hosted an encore showing of last year’s PCA student-made film, The First Thanksgiving.

The morning culminated in our annual Thanksgiving Feast, lovingly prepared by Student Life Coordinator Inna Falceanu and a dedicated team of volunteers. Students and staff enjoyed a delicious meal of turkey, mashed potatoes, corn, cranberry sauce, salad, and dessert. Our high school girls added a special touch by setting up and decorating the tables and helping bring in and organize the food. Thank you to each one who served so generously to make the feast possible!

It was a joyful and meaningful celebration – one that reflected the heart of PCA and the blessing of gathering together in gratitude.

Wolverines Shine at the

Agawam Fall Classic

Providence Christian Academy’s Wolverines wrestling team had an excellent showing at the Annual Agawam Fall Classic Wrestling Tournament, bringing home a total of seven medals across multiple weight divisions.

Our medalists included Mark M., Nate G., Mike T., Levon M., Matthew R., Max P., and one additional teammate. Every athlete wrestled with determination, grit, and commendable sportsmanship.

A special congratulations goes to Mark M. and Nate G., who each took 1st place in their respective weight divisions – an outstanding achievement that reflects their dedication and focus.

Alongside the medalists, several other Wolverines competed fiercely throughout the tournament, representing PCA with strength, character, and perseverance on the mat.

We are proud of the entire Wolverines wrestling team for their hard work and commitment. Congratulations on a successful tournament, Wolverines!

Grade 6 Student Excels at November Gymnastics Meet

earned the first-place all-around trophy in her division—a testament to her hard work, discipline, and steady commitment to her sport.

We are excited to celebrate Nyah’s success and grateful for the way she represents our school community with excellence. Congratulations, Nyah!

Third Annual PCA Gala

On November 15, Providence Christian Academy celebrated a memorable evening at its Third Annual Gala, held at the beautiful Farm Table in Bernardston, MA. Families, friends, and supporters gathered to enjoy a night dedicated to strengthening the mission of PCA and celebrating the work God is doing in our school.

Guests were welcomed into a warm and elegant setting featuring student artwork, thoughtfully arranged gift baskets, and a lively selection of raffles and silent auctions that added excitement throughout the night. A special video presentation- a “Day in the Life of PCA” – offered a glimpse into classroom life, community rhythms, and the heart of our students and faculty. Another guest favorite was the charming Kindergarten 5 feature, “What Is Joy?”, capturing the delight and wisdom of our youngest learners.

The evening’s program included remarks from Executive Board members Mike Placinta, Slavic Falceanu, and Igor Komerzan, along with Principal Linda Temby, who shared updates, expressions of gratitude, and a vision for the continued growth of the academy.  A highlight of the night was hearing from our keynote speaker, Dr. Terry Dorsett, former Executive Director–Treasurer of Baptist Churches of New England (BCNE). His message encouraged and inspired guests to see Christian education, and specifically PCA, as a vital investment in the lives of children and in the future of our community.

A special word of gratitude goes to our Gala organizers – PCA parent Heidi Corona, Student Life Coordinator Inna Falceanu, and the wonderful team of volunteers – whose planning, creativity, and tireless work made the evening possible. Many hands contributed to the success of the night through setup, serving, and behind-the-scenes support. We truly could not have done this without them. Their dedication reflects the generous, joyful spirit that defines the PCA community.

We extend our heartfelt thanks to everyone who supports Providence Christian Academy. Your partnership strengthens our work and enables our students to grow in wisdom, character, and faith. We look forward to all that God has in store as we continue to build, grow, and serve together.

Learning About the First Thanksgiving

Right before Thanksgiving break, lower school students spent time learning about the First Thanksgiving through a special Abeka Bible lesson. Using the Abeka flash-a-cards, students learned about the Pilgrims’ journey on the Mayflower, their difficult first winter, and the feast they held to thank God for His care and provision.

Classes also learned about Sarah Josepha Hale – the woman who spent years writing letters to presidents and leaders, urging them to establish Thanksgiving as a national holiday. Her steady perseverance helped bring about the day of thanksgiving our nation observes each year.

The lesson offered a simple and meaningful way for students to see how gratitude and dependence on God shaped this moment in history, and it provided a fitting lead-in to our own Thanksgiving chapel and school-wide feast.

The photo featured in this newsletter are from Grade 2, Mrs. Bagirova’s class, as they enjoyed learning about the story together.

“Sand Art Soup” Buddy Activity

Last week, our students gathered with their buddies for a special project that blended creativity, service, and Thanksgiving cheer. Together, buddies assembled jars of “Sand Art Soup” – layered dry ingredients that create a colorful, ready-to-make soup mix. Students worked side by side, measuring, pouring, and building each layer with care.

Once filled, each jar was topped with a fabric circle cut ahead of time by our grade 7 and 8 students. A rubber band held the fabric in place, and a ribbon was added to attach the recipe card. The soup recipe was printed on the card, and students wrote a short note inside to personalize their gift.

Many students chose someone special to receive their finished jar – family members, church friends, neighbors, or someone who might need a little extra encouragement this season. It was a joyful project that brought together creativity, teamwork, and service, offering students a simple way to bless others as we enter Thanksgiving week.

A special word of thanks goes to Mrs. Rebecca Miller, whose creativity and behind-the-scenes work made this project possible. She sourced and organized every ingredient, jar, measuring cup, fabric circle, ribbon, and label — no small feat with more than ninety students participating — and prepared the full setup for the entire school. We are also grateful for the volunteers who helped her arrange the tables and supplies, as well as Mrs. Aliona Lashtur and our seventh- and eighth-grade students for cutting the cards, fabric, and ribbon. Their hard work and cheerful teamwork brought this project to life for all of our students.

Grades 7 & 8 Serve Through Thanksgiving Projects

November has been a full and meaningful month for our seventh and eighth graders as they poured time and effort into two major Thanksgiving projects. Students helped prepare materials for the school-wide buddy activity, “Sand Art Soup,” cutting fabric circles, ribbons, and other supplies so that every younger student could participate with ease.

In addition, the group worked diligently to create the PCA Gratitude Tree displayed in the dining hall. They prepared more than 100 paper leaves for students and staff to fill with words of thanks and praise, helping transform the space into a visual reminder of God’s goodness.

It was encouraging to see our middle school students serve with care, teamwork, and a desire to create something both beautiful and meaningful for our whole school community. We are grateful for every student who contributed to these projects.

Pre-K November Classroom Highlights

November has been a month filled with learning, excitement, and steady growth in our Pre-K class. Students have been busy building important early literacy and math skills while also learning foundational truths from Scripture.

In Phonics, the class learned several new consonants—T, L, B, and N—and began forming simple blends. It has been encouraging to see their confidence grow as they connect letters and sounds. In Numbers, students are now counting to 20 and exploring number families, laying the groundwork for future math readiness. Fine-motor skills continue to develop through hands-on activities, including tracing letters and shapes in colored sand—a class favorite.

Bible Time has focused on the importance of obedience and the blessing that comes from following God’s instruction. Students also learned about the very first Thanksgiving: the Pilgrims’ difficult winter, God’s provision, and the friendship formed with the Native Americans. The lesson helped students see that we can always give thanks for God’s care.

Throughout the month, the class has also practiced character traits such as kindness, sharing, thankfulness, and dependability. It has been encouraging to see these qualities take root as students learn to work and play together.

We are grateful for a full and meaningful month of learning in Pre-K and for the support that makes this nurturing environment possible.

Grade 2 Researches Great Americans

Our second graders are hard at work on a special research project highlighting “Great Americans.” Each student selected an important figure from American history, conducted age-appropriate research, wrote a short informational text, and created a poster to display what they learned. The project will conclude with in-class presentations as students share their work with classmates.

Third Grade Christmas Service Project

This month, our third graders participated in a meaningful Christmas service project by filling two shoeboxes for Samaritan’s Purse Operation Christmas Child – one for a girl and one for a boy. Students eagerly collected small gifts, school supplies, and personal care items, and were delighted to see the shoeboxes come together for children who may not otherwise receive Christmas presents.

As part of the project, the class will be tracking their shoeboxes to find out which country they eventually reach, adding an extra layer of connection and learning. Seeing the students’ enthusiasm as they worked to bless other children was a true encouragement.

We are grateful to all the third grade parents who helped their children choose and donate items for the shoeboxes. Your support helped make this project possible and meaningful for our students.

Fourth Grade Explores God’s Creation -From Classroom to Bog

Fourth grade students recently enjoyed a hands-on study of God’s creation through both classroom science and outdoor exploration. In class, students dissected a lily to examine the reproductive parts of a flower, giving them a close look at plant structure and design.

To build on their learning, the class took a trip to Hawley Bog, where they observed the unique flora and fauna of this Massachusetts ecosystem. Students learned about the plants and wildlife that thrive in a bog environment and made connections to the early colonial heritage of the region.

We are especially grateful to PCA parent Mike Corona for chaperoning and supporting the students throughout the experience. His help made this day of learning and exploration possible.

It was a memorable opportunity for students to combine scientific investigation with real-world observation, deepening their understanding of the world God has made.

Fifth Grade Shares Their

Celestial Body Research

Anchored in Peace

As we look ahead to December, my prayer is that our school community will remain anchored in the peace of Christ – a peace that steadies our hearts, shapes our interactions, and reminds us of God’s presence in every moment. Peace is not simply the absence of conflict; it is the deep assurance that God’s presence holds us steady in every season – whether joyful, challenging, or full of change. His peace does not depend on our circumstances. It flows from who He is, reminding us that we are never without His guidance, His comfort, or His care.

Scripture reminds us of this promise:  “You will keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on You, because he trusts in You.” — Isaiah 26:3

Thank you for your partnership, your prayers, and the steady encouragement you bring to our students and staff. Your support strengthens our mission and helps shape a school community where children can grow in wisdom, character, and faith. We are grateful for each of you and for the way God is at work among us.

Wishing you a very Happy Thanksgiving, and a peaceful and blessed month ahead,

Linda Temby

Principal, Providence Christian Academy

December Prayer Points

Pray for Hearts to Be Drawn to Christ Through the Christmas Concert

As students prepare and share their musical offerings on December 12, pray that every song, word, and moment points clearly to Jesus—and that hearts in our community would be softened, stirred, and transformed by the gospel.
“For what we proclaim is not ourselves, but Jesus Christ as Lord.” — 2 Corinthians 4:5

Pray for Peace and Unity Across Our School Community

Ask the Lord to anchor our students, families, faculty, staff, and volunteers in His perfect peace during a busy season. Pray that classrooms would be marked by calmness, kindness, and unity.
“And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to which also you were called in one body; and be thankful.” — Colossians 3:15

Pray for Strength, Joy, and Renewal for Faculty and Students

As we approach the end of the calendar year, pray that God gives renewed strength to our teachers and staff, and a spirit of joy, diligence, and perseverance to every student.
“Those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength; they will soar on wings like eagles.” — Isaiah 40:31