Happy Birthday To
Field Trip Facts
Written by: Noah Kidder
Mrs. Darlene’s class went on an exciting field trip to the Children’s Museum last month. The Kindergarteners got to experience what it’s like to be a Veterinarian. They also had a blast putting together giant puzzles and playing in an ambulance. Once they got back, they had a wonderful picnic.
AARON’S ANNOUNCEMENTS
Written by: Aaron Alexander
Alright, imagine March starting with a super fun break! We didn’t need to imagine! It happened! From the very first day until the 10th, there was no school! That’s a whole lot of time for playing games, reading cool books, or just hanging out with your friends and family. Then, after everyone had a chance to relax and have fun, we came back to school on Monday, March 10th.
But don’t worry, because another awesome day is coming soon!
On Thursday March 20th, it’s Grandparents’ Day! Presentations for our Grandparents will begin at 9 am in the gym! Stick around after for light refreshments! This will be a wonderful day to honor your grandparents with special presentations and quality time!
Caroline’s Classroom Chronicles
Written by: Caroline Robertson
In Mrs. Darlene’s class, the Kindergarteners had a strong February! These little ones learned how to count money, finished two spelling tests, and started reading in their McGuffey Primers. As mentioned above, they also went on a field trip to the Lafayette Children’s Museum.
In Mrs. Christi’s First grade class, they learned how to add with doubles in Math, which is double digits and ones, and also learned to tell time to the half hour, and how to divide squares to fourths. Mrs. Christi just finished reading Peter Rabbit aloud to them and has plans to start a new book in March. They also had some fun with spelling and writing in Math, using fake pepperonis on a fake pizza.
Mrs. Jessica’s Second Graders did a potluck party for the South Western states of Arizona, New Mexico, Oklahoma, and Texas. Her class is doing excellent in Math, and are moving ahead at a rapid pace. In their Bible class, they read Exodus, diving into the birth of Moses, the plagues, and the Israelites deliverance from Egypt. They also learned about sea creatures, specifically whales and sharks, in Science. Lastly, in Literature, they read The Borrowers, a book about small people who live in regular human houses who borrow things from the tall people they are so afraid of.
In Mrs. Katies Third and Fourth grade class, they moved to a new book in Literature called Mr. Popper’s Penguins. In Math, they learned long division, and in Science they covered leaves and roots while starting a compost bin. For Bible, they began the book of 1 Samuel, and finished through the entire month. Then in History, they learned about the early colonial pastors, such as: Samuel Kirkland and Jonathan Edwards.
The Fifth and Sixth graders, taught by Mrs. Anna, learned about astronomy in Science. In this class, they made a sundial, which is a device that helps you tell what time it is by using the sun’s position. They also finished The Witch of Black Bird Pond. While doing these studies, Mrs. Anna’s students have also been learning the Greek language.
CCA’s Seventh and Eighth Graders had a full month. They learned percentages, surface area, and lateral surface area in Mr. Jordan’s Math classes. In his Humanities class, they finished Plutarch’s Lives. For Mr. Eric’s Biblical Finance class, they were taught about identity theft, and how to save money. Then, in Ms. Belle’s Grammar class, they wrote a narrative piece about our recent Snow Day. For Physical Science, Ms. Belle divided the class into three groups and each were assigned a Science Experiment – some even filmed their experiments for the entire class to watch! Finally, in Logic, these busy students learned about the square of opposition – they’ll need that knowledge for future Rhetoric classes, trust me!
Our Ninth and Tenth grade class were on a roll this past month. In Writing and Rhetoric, they finished their first two impersonation essays, impersonating investigative journalist, Nellie Bly, and World War I soldier, Henry Williamson, who was an eye witness to the Christmas Truce during that war. In Dr. Stan’s Biology class, they completed their second paper of the school year. Then in Art, taught by Miss Shirah, they finished a drawing of a town of their own design. Lastly, in Humanities, they read Uncle Tom’s Cabin, The Communist Manifesto, Abraham Lincoln: Selected Speeches and Writings, and Christianity and Liberalism. Clearly, our High School teachers are keeping us busy!
Finally, our Juniors and Seniors have done a lot during the month of February, so let’s catch up. In Economics they began learning about stocks. In Miss Shirah’s art class they learned, mastered, and finished their first lesson on Pointillism and Cross-hatching. Their Humanities class, taught by Pastor Scott, found them reading The Lives of Thomas Becket. Lastly, for Public Speaking, instructed by Pastor Brandon, they completed an improved writing assignment.
Every grade had something exciting or special during the month of February, so come back next month to stay in the Classrooms with Caroline.
Sports (& Games)
with Luke & Landon
Track and Field has started, and many students are excited! And, after asking students a variety of questions, it is clear that some are more excited than others.
In Eleventh grade, when asked, “Are you excited for track?”, Jackson Palmer responded, “ I feel like electricity is coursing through my veins, like fire in my bones.” So I asked him why. He responded, “Because track is just walking very fast, and that’s one sport I can do.”
When asked if he enjoyed track, Eighth grader Joseph Leonards, said “I like it, but I wish I didn’t feel like I’m gonna throw up before events.”
Lucas Kidder, a Senior, said, “I’m enjoying track as much as track can be enjoyed.”
When asked why they liked track, Oliver Normand of the Sixth grade said, “I like to run, and I’m very excited to beat Francis.”
Rachel Walling, his Fifth grade classmate, said, “I like running, and I wanna prove I’m not weak.”
After asking Israel Alexander, also in the Fifth grade, if he was excited, he responded with, “Not really.” I then asked him if he was ready, to which he replied, “I’m not.”
Ready or not, here it comes! Track and field will be having several meets throughout March. Be ready Elementary through Middle School (or CSTL), even though your first track meet was delayed, it’s sure to be a busy season! The rest of the CSTL meets will be on the following dates:
March 15th
March 22nd
March 29th
April 5th will be the Championship meet!
For Elementary CSTL, all meets will be held at the Westminster Opelousas Campus.
Our Junior High & High School (ACEL) Track and Field team has already had their very first meet, on March 1st, so the season has begun! The rest of the meets for ACEL are as follows:
March 14th at Westminster Opelousas
March 29th, Regionals, at New Iberia Sr. High
April 12th is the State meet at Tiago High School
Make sure that you know when and where the meets are held. If you have any questions, feel free to contact our track coaches: Mr. Jeff and Mrs. Rachel Cook.
Teacher Highlight:
Miss Shirah Nealy
Written by: Amelia Nealy
This month we are highlighting two of our wonderful teachers here at Christ Church Academy. First up, Miss Shirah Nealy…
Miss Shirah is CCA’s Art and P.E. teacher. Looking at the students’ improvement in art shows how amazing her teaching is. In her free time Miss Shirah loves eating spicy food. She also enjoys working out at 4 a.m. So many teachers and students alike are very thankful for her talent at art and for her teaching in the classrooms.
The work that Miss Shirah puts into teaching her students is clear. Most of the students she has taught started off as terrible artists. Now, after only half a year of teaching, her students are creating amazing works of art. Miss Shirah strives for excellence with her students, and the outcome is wonderful. Her teaching is very valuable to CCA.
I interviewed her and these were her answers. Disclaimer: If this sounds like two sisters talking, well, that’s because it is!
1. Which do you prefer teaching: Art or P.E.?
Art.
2. Why did you choose teaching?
Her first answer was because she was poor, but she quickly changed it to something more heartfelt by saying, “I love art and I love sharing that love for art.”
3. What is your favorite part about teaching?
“When I can see that a kid understands and is excited about the subject.”
This statement shows how much she loves her students and enjoys seeing them excel.
4. How long have you been teaching?
Two years.
“She is one of a kind, but we love her anyway.” – Mrs. Darlene Peterson
“The kids always have a blast with Miss Shirah. She is a great asset to the school.” – Mrs. Jessica Ruiz
“Shirah is fun, loving, and a great change up to our busy weeks by inspiring it with her “stories”!” – Mrs. Katie Normand
“Hilarious! The kids love her! I am so thankful for the incredible skills she has that she’s teaching to our students. What a gift!” – Mrs. Anna Solomon
“Miss Shirah makes school life very interesting, and strives for excellence in the classroom.” – Ms. Belle Roseberry
Teacher Highlight:
Mrs. Christi Waguespack
Written by: Amelia Nealy
Mrs. Christi Waguespack is Christ Church Academy’s First Grade teacher. She’s not only a teacher, but a wife and mother. She’s married to Mr. Jarrod Waguespack and together they have four children: Kyle, Koi, Gabriel, and Johannah. Lesson planning is one of Mrs. Christi’s favorite things, along with crocheting and gardening. Mrs. Christi is also part of a Book Club with other Christ Church ladies. She says she loves being able to discuss the books with these Christian women.
The joy that Mrs. Christi shows about everything is one of her most admirable qualities.
“She has the joy of the Lord and a smile on her face more often than not,” says Mrs. Katie.
Mrs. Belle mentions her joy as well by stating, “She’s always smiling or looking for ways to smile.”
A teacher who shows this much love, joy, and care in her job is a true asset to CCA.
I asked Mrs. Christi a few questions, and here are her answers.
1. What is your favorite class to teach?
Bible or literature. She said that she loves literature because she enjoys reading aloud, and that during Bible her students are always interested and excited.
2. Why did you choose teaching?
She replied by saying that she loves learning, and also that the church had a need for her to fill. She also wants every child she teaches to love learning as much as she does. Another reason she wanted to teach was because she wanted to show that learning does not have to be boring.
3. What is your favorite part about learning?
“I love when they learn but they don’t realize they are actually learning.”
4. How long have you been teaching?
Mrs. Christi homeschooled her son, Gabe, for four years, then worked as a tutor for two years. She worked in Ms. Belle’s former daycare for one year before joining CCA staff as a teacher’s assistant for two years, and 2024-2025 was her first year as a fulltime teacher at CCA.
All of the experience that she has shows within her classroom, and she succeeds in making learning fun.
“Mrs. Christi is a teacher that teaches with joy.” – Mrs. Darlene Peterson
“I have had the privilege to know Mrs. Christi as a teacher’s assistant and now as a fellow teacher and my child’s teacher. She is good with words and is a gracious and loving teacher.” – Mrs. Jessica Ruiz
“Mrs. Christi is loving, kind, and committed. She has the joy of the Lord and a smile on her face more often than not.” – Mrs. Katie Normand
“So kind. She loves our kids and does an excellent job making learning fun and interactive.” – Mrs. Anna Solomon
“Mrs. Christi enjoys making learning fun for the students. She really strives to do the best that she can.” – Ms. Belle Roseberry
Student Showcase:
Physical Science Experiments
This month’s showcase features some of what our Seventh & Eighth Graders are learning in their Physical Science class. While this course is on atomic structure and balancing atoms, our students had fun with their experiments — as you’ll watch below!
Parsonage Wars:
The Broken Truce
The Truce Has Ended.
War has once again been declared!
The day has come, when two sides of a war can no longer contain themselves, and a truce has to be broken. This took place on February 27th, 2025, during the late morning towards the end of “Muffins with Mom.” It just so happened that the 100th day of the school year fell on this very day. Ms. Belle’s Ninth and Tenth grade class, being dressed as old people for the occasion, hid fake teeth (store bought plastic ones and plasters of people’s real teeth) within the Junior and upper High School classrooms. They left a note, on the whiteboards, to return any found teeth to the nurse (Ms. Belle, who was dressed in scrubs) of their temporary retirement home (their classroom). This lead to loads of teeth on Ms. Belle’s desk, where there is now a bowl with the plaster ones surrounding a vase of flowers in the middle.
Now that the truce has been broken, and Parsonage Prank Wars have begun for the month of March, check back again next month for updates involving the progress of the newly terminated cease-fire.
Student Editor
Our Student Editor is Kloey Walling. Kloey is the daughter of Steven and Jennifer Walling and a student in Ms. Belle’s 9th Grade class. This is her first year at CCA and she has shown diligence in her work.
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