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B.C.
NEWS
The Future is NOW!
By Dr. Thomas Burkett
“For I know the plans I have for you says the Lord…” Jeremiah 29:11 is a powerful testimony to the
omnipotence and omniscience of God. I find great comfort in knowing that His ways are not my ways and
His thoughts are not my thoughts. As I look back over the past 11 years, I am reminded of the conclusion
to the famous poem “Footprints in the Sand”: “The Lord replied, ‘The times when you have seen only one
set of footprints, is when I carried you.’” I am so grateful for God’s grace in the humble beginnings of
Banner Christian School.
Over the years, the Lord has blessed Banner in remarkable ways. The student population has
increased, a tremendous faculty and staff are in place, Bethany Place Baptist Church opened its doors to a
new venture, and Banner was able to acquire 125 acres of land through donations from Chesterfield
Community Church and other generous friends. I am in awe of how God’s hand has been upon this place.
However, Banner is now ready to embark on the next phase in our history. The time has come to build!
While we never want to get ahead of God’s perfect timing, we also do not want to lag behind. This year
Banner’s student population grew by over 7 percent; and with anticipated growth continuing in the coming
years, new facilities are necessary. Banner has hired Stumpf and Associates, a resource development firm, to
conduct an initial feasibility study as we begin the development of the land. Stumpf and Associates has
nearly 40 years of development experiences, and has
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been involved in major capital projects with schools like the University of Virginia, the University of
Richmond, and a number of large private k-12 schools. They will be conducting this study over the next
six weeks and will provide Banner with strategic plans and timelines moving forward. They will be
meeting with board members, employees, parents, students and community leaders to gain a sense of the
“global” impact of Banner Christian School. I want you to be aware that you may be asked to talk with
them or be in a focus group. While they will not be able to communicate with everyone involved with
Banner, if you have something you feel would benefit this study, please feel free to contact me and I will
put you in touch with them. I am so excited to begin this process and am thrilled that we can take this
journey together as the Banner family. Buckle your seatbelts and enjoy the ride!
Blessings,
Dr. Burkett
Forging the Gap
Bible Buddies is a program led by the “Forge” servant leadership team to promote relationships between the older and
younger students at Banner. Once a month, upper school Bible classes teach a Bible lesson to their assigned lower school
classes.
Each lower school student is assigned to an upper school Bible Buddy mentor, who sits with them during the lesson, prays with
them, and helps them complete any activities associated with the day’s lesson. These mentors may also send their “buddies” a
note of encouragement, speak to or “high five” them in the halls, or find other ways to develop and strengthen the mutually
beneficial relationship between them.
Middle School members of the “Forge” team also accompany the
upper school classes on Bible Buddies days and serve as junior
leaders in the LS classroom. This allows them to become familiar
with the program as well as developing relationships with both
the US and LS students in their assigned classes.
One notable result of this program is the presence of Lower
School students at Upper School graduation and Upper School
students’ presence at kindergarten graduation. Bible Buddies is
one way that Banner promotes unity and fellowship between the
lower, middle, and upper schools.
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HONOR ROLL
Congratulations go out to the following Lower School students who achieved all E's or
all A's and A/B Honor Roll for Kindergarten- 5th grade (excluding penmanship):
1st Grade
Seth Benefiel
Noelle Cornett
JJ Motes
Ethan Murrell
Heaven Pryor
Davis Waite
Jacob Wiiki
• K5
Courtney Adams
Taylor Hamlett
Jocelyn Marais
Ethan Morgan
Jack Pollock
Junie Florida
Amy Massey
Jordan Taylor
5th grade
Robert Taylor
Rachel Amos
Audrey Bobb
Gabe Irwin
Bree Lander
Carmen Regan
Logan Wilson
David Yang
2nd Grade
4th Grade
Adrian Wiersma
3rd Grade
Brian Archer
4th grade
Daphne Bobb
Gabriel Bryan
Caleb Burtner
Tali Hayes
Brandon McClung
Alex McGarvey
Thomas Propts
J’dn Taylor
Ellie Wenger
Chloe Gonzalez
3rd Grade
Olivia Armas
Cole Benefiel
Micah Burtner
Clint Ellison
Caleb Lander
Gretchen Pollock
5th grade
Julius Bradley
Kim Chamberlain
Betty Desta
Zoe Gonzalez
Tremaine
Granville
Liam Hunt
All E's
All A's
All A/B's
We are all very proud of how hard you have worked to
accomplish this goal!!
Mrs. K. Ivill
Banner Christian School
Lower School Assistant Principal
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HONOR ROLL
Congratulations go out to the following Middle/Upper School students who achieved all
A's or all A/B’s to make the Honor Roll.
6th grade
Shelton Latimer
Tess Petersen
Jayla Rollins
7th grade
8th grade
Emma Culver
Alex de Haas
Michaela Ellison
Natalie Wiiki
Sidney Carroll
Scott de Haas
12th grade
10th grade
11th grade
Abby Baucom
McKinley Burkett
Amanda Brooks
James Dodd
Noah Petersen
Molly Roberson
Emma Wenger
•
9th grade
Lucy Tignor
7th grade
6th grade
Scarlett
Blankenship
Alex Camus
Katie Daniel
Danny Hall-Bristole
Sophia Jennings
Connor McClung
10th grade
James Corbett
Devin Curran
Abby Eskinder
Elijah Jennings
Tre Hester
Kristin Liles
Kidus Desta
Jessica Flaherty
Reigna Forrest
Matthew Gardner
Lexi Hale
Asia Irons
Jonathan Miller
Sydne Moses
Jacob Pacelli
Nadia Vugteveen
Evan Wiersma
8th grade
Nate Adato
Gabe Bowman
Nicole Camus
Joshua Daniel
Jeremy Vugteveen
Jonathan Wenger
Sarah Camus
Scott Hayes
Taylor Pacelli
9th grade
Beth Culver
Meredith Grant
Alyssa Hale
Tanner Hayes
Beth Herndon
Chris Hopkins
Grace Jennings
James Zhong
12th grade
11th grade
Melvin Bagby
Macy Blankenship
Tayler Bogert
Jacob de Haas
Anne Peters
Max Petersen
Jo Yuan
Kelsey Alred
Kelsie Arrington
Daniel Chan
Shawn Shan
Ryan Spangler
Will Wolf
All A's
All A/B's
We are all very proud of how
hard you have worked to
accomplish this goal!!
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November 2014
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3 Mistakes Successful College
Applicants Don’t Make
What’s the best (and least painful) way to succeed?
Learn from the mistakes of others! Today, our friends
at Accepted share 3 common mistakes you need to
avoid.
The preparation for successful college application
does not happen overnight. In fact, it is the
culmination of years of work throughout high school.
The most successful college applicants take a
number of components into consideration as they
approach the application process. Here are three
mistakes they don’t make:
1. Blow off essay responses. They know a strong GPA and test scores are not enough. They invest time and thought
in their essay responses and they don’t wait until the last minute to submit their applications. They keep deadlines in mind.
They request letters of recommendation in a timely manner to allow a teacher/counselor time to reflect before writing a
recommendation. They use their essays as an opportunity to demonstrate their specific interests, life experience, and
aspirations to not just repeat information found elsewhere in their application. They share something that helps fill in the
overall picture of who they are and how they can contribute to the overall college environment.
2. Neglect to consider appropriate college fit. Their initial list might begin with colleges that family members or
friends recommend but it doesn’t stop there. They apply to a range of schools that are a good fit for them- they include fall
back and dream school options. They invest time to research which schools are the best fits for them on many levels
(consider: size of student population, distance from home, financial obligations, academic interests, special programs, alumni
ties). They use on-line resources to provide information and insight into the sorts of programs and activities available at a
college. They schedule campus tours and reach out to college counselors whenever possible. They speak with current
students and recent graduates. They ask their tour guides/hosts questions about how they selected a specific college and
about experiences at the college that matched their expectations, as well as, what they might do differently in hindsight.
Successful applicants can articulate why each school they apply to is a good fit for them.
3. Take it easy in senior year. They take a rigorous curriculum throughout high school, demonstrate an upward trend
in academic demands, and maintain extracurricular involvement with increasing leadership responsibility. They don’t blow off
senior year.Yes, of course they have fun but they keep future goals in mind as well. They make sure to stay on top of
assignments and prepare well for exams.
Although this discussion seems logical, nonetheless, these are common oversights. Successful college applicants don’t make
these mistakes.
By Marie Todd, an Accepted.com consultant who has worked in college admissions for over twenty years.
This article was originally published on the Accepted Admissions Blog.
- See more at: http://magoosh.com/sat/2014/3-mistakes-successful-college-applicants-dont-make/#sthash.MDLKuSB7.dpuf
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Congratulations to the newly elected BCS Student Government Officers.
President - Scott Hayes
Vice President - Jacob de Haas
Parliamentarian - Will Wolf
Secretary - Emma Wenger.
Proverbs 11:14 (ESV)
Where there is no guidance, a people falls, but in an abundance of counselors there is safety.
Seventh Graders Visit
the Museum of the
Confederacy
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MISSION TRIPS: Where Has Banner Been and Where Are We Going
Peru, 2008
Dominican Republic, 2008, 2009, 2011
Kentucky, 2010, 2012
Costa Rica, 2010
Italy, 2015
B.C. News
Russia, 2010
Panama, 2012, 2013
Ecuador, 2011
Idaho, 2009, 2011
Bahamas, 2014
Belize, 2015
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BEWARE: Five More Sites for Parents to Scrutinize
11. Ask.fm is a social site that lets kids ask questions and answer those posted by
other users -- sometimes anonymously.
Why it's popular
Although there are some friendly interactions on Ask.fm -- Q&As about favorite
foods or crushes, for example -- there are lots of mean comments and some
[inappropriate] posts. This iffy content is part of the site's appeal to teens.
What parents need to know
Bullying is a major concern. The British news website MailOnline reported that the
site has been linked to the suicides of several teens. Talk to your teens about
cyberbullying and how anonymity can encourage mean behavior.
Anonymous answers are optional. Users can decide whether to allow anonymous posts and can remove their answers from streaming to
decrease their profile's visibility. If your teens do use the site, they'd be best turning off anonymous answers and keeping themselves out of
the live stream.
Q&As can appear on Facebook. Syncing with Facebook means that a much wider audience can see those Q&As.
12. WhatsApp lets users send text messages, audio messages, videos, and photos to one or many people with no message limits or fees.
Why it's popular
The price is right; for teens who have a hard time keeping within the limits of a standard texting plan, the ability to send unlimited messages
for free is a definite [attraction].
What parents need to know
It's for users 16 and over. Lots of younger teens seem to be using the app, but this age minimum has been set by WhatsApp.
It can be pushy. After you sign up, it automatically connects you to all the people in your address book who also are using WhatsApp. Beyond
that, the app often encourages you to add friends who haven't yet signed up.
Kids may need some limits. Although unlimited texting may save you cash, capping kids' communication can help them stay focused on the
more important transmissions.
13. Omegle is a chat site (and app) that puts two strangers together in their choice of a text chat or video chat room.
Why it's popular
Being anonymous can be very attractive to teens, and Omegle provides a no-fuss opportunity to make connections. Its "interest boxes" also
let users filter potential chat partners by shared interests.
What parents need to know
Users get paired up with strangers. That's the whole premise of the app. And there's no registration required.
This is NOT an app for kids and teens. Omegle is filled with people searching for [inappropriate] chat. Some prefer to do so live. Others
offer links to [extremely inappropriate] sites.
Language is a big issue. Since the chats are anonymous, they're often much more explicit than those with a user who can be identified might
be.
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14. Yo. is a bare-bones social app that sends a short text message to friends and family, simply reading "Yo" (and speaking the word aloud).
That's it.
Why it's popular
This admittedly silly concept has taken off big-time since the app's release in mid-2014. Although it may not seem like much, this single word
has the potential to let friends and family know you're thinking of them and just wanted to say, you know, "Yo."
What parents need to know
It's relatively harmless -- but watch out for hackers. The app's simple design and explosive popularity has made it a target for hackers.
Yo. may be a flash in the pan. Although your kid may be obsessed with sending "yo" greetings to everyone in her address book today,
tomorrow could be a different story, as apps like this tend to have a shorter lifespan.
15. Whisper is a social "confessional" app that allows users to post whatever's on their minds, paired with an image.
Why it's popular
With all the emotions running through teens, anonymous outlets give them freedom to share their feelings without fear of judgment.
What parents need to know
Whispers are often [inappropriate] in nature. Some users use the app to try to hook up with someone nearby, while others post
"confessions” of desire. Lots of eye-catching nearly pics accompany these shared secrets.
Content can be dark. People normally don't confess sunshine and rainbows; common Whisper topics include insecurity, depression,
substance abuse, and various lies told to employers and teachers.
Although it's anonymous to start, it may not stay that way. The app encourages users to exchange personal information in the "Meet Up"
section.
The bottom line for most of these tools? Take inventory of your kids' apps and review the best practices.
November Important Dates:
Fri., Nov. 21:
Grandparents' Day
Mon., Nov. 3:
ACSI Accreditation
Tues., Nov. 4:
ACSI Accreditation
11:30 am dismissal
Wed., Nov. 5:
ACSI Accreditation
Fri., Nov. 7:
Dress-down Day
Seniors order announcements
from Jostens
Fri., Nov. 14:
2nd Quarter Midterm
Senior meeting with Jostens
Thur., Nov. 20:
B.C. News
Winter Concert @ 7:00 pm
Wed. Nov. 26:
Thanksgiving Break
Thurs. Nov. 27:
Thanksgiving Break
Fri., Nov. 28:
Thanksgiving Break
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Banner Christian School truly reaches the world
(by hosting others)!
Here is a list of students and countries that have been represented
Australia
Serbia
Nigeria
Thailand
Meghan Ahrens
Marko Randjelovic
Osondu Kelvinson
Manu Manakongtreecheep
South Korea
Venezuela
Sun Jin Kim
Jhon Boutros
Austria
Germany
Beri Kolmer
Elisa Campeggi
Jae In Lee
Dennys Boutros
Bastian Beerboom
Sungmin Lee
Gabriel Carrillo
“Jonathan” Han
Diego Diaz
Cameroon
Pierette Tchaptchet Djobia
“Jason” Han
Hong Kong
“Tom” Han
“Lawrence” Ng
China
“Daniel” Ming Tak Chan
“James” Yucheng Zhong
“Marco” Chan
“Jet” Haneul Yeom
Hansik Jung
Sweden
“Shawn” Zewen Shan
“Sherry” Feng
Japan
“Jo” Yuan
Hanae Ozaki
Latvia
Linards Gruntins
B.C. News
Louise Nilsson
Switzerland
Silvan Strassle
Rebecca Acosta
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Should Christians Be Afraid?
According to Huckabee, October 18, 2014
• Out of 80 million self-identified evangelicals in American, 1⁄2 do not even vote
• And of those, only 1⁄2 vote in a Presidential election
• And only 1⁄2 of those vote in an off election, as the one this week
Let’s do something: go out and vote!!!
What Is Your Child’s Learning Style?
Understanding how your child learns can reduce frustration and improve achievement.
by Emily Graham
If your child constantly squirms and fidgets when he’s doing math homework or insists on listening to music while
studying vocabulary words, take heart. Although it may seem like he’s trying to drive you crazy, he’s probably just using the
strategies that help him learn. “I like to study at a desk in silence, and my daughter can’t think that way. She likes to
bounce around on a ball with music in the background,” says author Maureen McKay, whose website, Optimistic
Outcomes, provides tips for parents based on a child’s learning style. “Sometimes kids are just doing what works for
them.”
Educators have long been aware that learning is not one-size-fits-all. In a typical classroom, some kids process information
best by hearing the teacher explain it, some learn by seeing what’s on the chalkboard, and others learn through hands-on
exercises. Colleges have increasingly begun teaching new students about learning styles so they can develop effective study
habits. And many primary and secondary schools conduct surveys to give teachers insight into the learning styles of their
students. Three basic learning styles are auditory, kinesthetic, and visual.
Auditory learners prefer listening to explanations over reading them and may like to study by reciting information aloud.
This type of learner may want to have background music while studying, or they may be distracted by noises and need a
quiet space to study. Kinesthetic learners learn by doing and touching. They may have trouble sitting still while studying,
and they are better able to understand information by writing it down or doing hands-on activities.
Visual learners process new information by reading, looking at graphics, or watching a demonstration. Children with this
learning style can grasp information presented in a chart or graph, but they may grow impatient listening to an
explanation. Most people use a combination of styles but have a clear preference for one. Understanding your child’s
learning style can reduce homework frustrations and make it easier for families to communicate, says McKay.
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She observed different learning styles while working as a teacher’s aide, and she started researching strategies for working
with different learning styles when her daughter began having trouble in elementary school. Because her daughter had
difficulty listening in class, McKay looked for exercises to strengthen listening skills. Her daughter especially enjoyed one
approach, listening to an audio book and reading the book at the same time. She’s now doing well in middle school, and
McKay attributes her success in part to the fact that her teachers and parents came to understand her unique style of
learning.
Once you know your child’s primary learning style, it’s a good idea to let his teacher know what kind of approaches help
him learn best. “I find that educators are much more willing to work with you if you’re giving them ideas that work for
your child,” McKay says. “The great thing is that the things that benefit your child are really going to benefit all the kids,
so you’re not asking for the moon.”Although it may be tempting to stick with what works, keep in mind that a child’s
preferred learning style may change as she grows and that people who can learn in a variety of ways can more readily
absorb information. McKay advises parents to help their children practice using different kinds of skills. “Really wellbalanced students will be able to be comfortable learning in all ways. Knowing that and working on that when they’re
young gives them a competitive edge,” she says.
Parents can use a variety of approaches to help kids learn math facts, for example. When a kid gets bored with flash cards,
a visual and auditory strategy, McKay suggests letting him play a family board game that uses two dice and asking him to
count how many spaces each player should advance. This is a more kinesthetic approach but may also appeal to visual and
auditory learners. “Being able to tap in to different styles allows you a lot of novelty and adds a lot of fun to homework
and chores and interactions at home,” McKay explains. For example, if a child resists studying her spelling words, you can
ask her to spell the words on a table using Scrabble tiles. Being aware of your child’s learning style can reduce homework
battles and strengthen parent-child relationships. “It’s very empowering for families to really understand each other and
how they learn and how they think to work out problems,” McKay says. “This kind of involvement is a great way to bond
with your kids and to impart knowledge, and it’s really fun.”
Homework Tips for Each Learning Style
Auditory learners are typically good at absorbing information from spoken words.
Strategies that work well for auditory learners include:
• Talking to themselves or with others about what they’re learning
• Reciting important information aloud, perhaps recording it and playing it back
• Reading a book and listening to the audio book at the same time
• Using word associations
• Setting information to a tune and singing it to help remember it
• Limiting distracting noises
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Kinesthetic learners prefer to be active while studying and may not be able to focus while sitting still.
Strategies for kinesthetic learners include:
• Reading aloud and tracking words on a page with a finger
• Writing things down multiple times to commit them to memory
• Highlighting and underlining
• Playing with a stress ball or toy while studying
• Moving around or taking frequent breaks
• Doing hands-on activities, such as building models or playing games
Visual learners benefit from seeing information on a chalkboard or in an illustration and may grow impatient listening for long
periods of time.
Strategies for visual learners include:
• Using flash cards
• Studying charts, tables, and maps
• Drawing illustrations
• Writing things down and reviewing notes
• Highlighting and underlining
• Color-coding information
Emily Graham is a senior editor for School Family
Media. She lives with her family in Oklahoma.
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FACTS ACCOUNTS
As you know, we are currently using FACTS to pay for tuition. However, as many of you found out already,
Renweb does not bill you right away when you order lunches (as it did last year). Instead, what happens every
Friday, the charges get posted to your Renweb account for the following week. From here you have three
options: 1) You can pay them through Renweb when they appear. 2) You can wait until the end of the month to
pay for them on Renweb; this way you do not have to make weekly payments 3) After 30 days, if your Renweb
account has any charges on it, they will be moved over to FACTS. You will receive an email informing you that
charges have been added to your FACTS account and they will be withdrawn with your next tuition payment. If
you do not have a tuition payment, the balance will be withdrawn from your bank account on the 1st of the following month.
Originally, we were just going to move over any balance on your account to FACTS each month, but a number of parents wanted
to keep tuition payments separate. However, any balance, whether it be sports fees, lunch, aftercare, or other miscellaneous
charges on your Renweb account that have been there for 30 days, will be added to your FACTS account and be withdrawn from
your bank account.
VISITING?
All visitors need to report to the front office to sign in and receive a
visitor badge. The badge must be returned to the front office to sign
out prior to leaving the premises. In the event of a fire, the "Visitors’
Log" is taken outside, allowing us to account for everyone in the
building. If you have not signed out, we will send a firefighter in to
search for you. Thank you for your assistance.
LOST & FOUND
Lost something? We may have found it! There
are numerous items being found each day.
Remember to LABEL, LABEL, LABEL!!!
BANNER CHRISTIAN SCHOOL • 1501 S. PROVIDENCE ROAD N. CHESTERFIELD, VIRGINIA 23236
P: 804-276-5200 • F:804-276-7620 • WEB:WWW.BANNERCHRISTIAN.ORG
B.C. News
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