Oct. 2026 Principal’s Newsletter
Dear CA Families,
As I reflect on these past couple of months, I am so grateful for the ways we continue to see the Lord at work in our CA community. His love is evident in the lives of our students, and it is such a blessing to watch them grow in faith, confidence, and their relationships with one another.
One of the things that has brought me the most joy is seeing the energy, engagement, and school spirit throughout our campus. Our students are showing up for one another, cheering each other on, getting involved, and embracing what it means to be a Beacon. There is a wonderful sense of connection and excitement across our community, and I am so thankful for the many ways our students are helping make CA a place where others can feel known, valued, and loved.
We have so much to celebrate! Below are just a few of the ways we have seen God working through our students and our school community.
Academic Updates
Across classes, students are being encouraged to think deeply, ask thoughtful questions, and apply their learning in meaningful ways. From real-world problem-solving to persuasive writing, projects, and hands-on learning, our students are embracing opportunities to stretch themselves academically. We are so proud of the way they continue to challenge themselves, take risks in their learning, and grow each day. Below are just a few examples of the wonderful work happening in our classes.
- Our new Woodshop class kicked off the year by learning the fundamentals and becoming familiar with each tool. Students will soon have the opportunity to put those skills into practice as they begin their first projects.
- Socratic Seminars continue to flourish in many of our classes, including Scripture and English. Students are given the opportunity to explore complex ideas, themes, and open-ended questions about literature, Scripture, and other current event issues.
- Students in French class put their language skills into practice during a field trip to La Delicious Bread, where they enjoyed an authentic cultural experience and the opportunity to use what they’ve been learning in class. In all of our world language classes, students are also practicing dictations.
- In our new Online Floral Design class, students have already put their creativity and skills on display by creating beautiful, unique floral designs and arrangements while thoughtfully identifying the flowers and plants they use.
- Now in its second year, our Foundations of Leadership class continues to make an impact across campus. Students helped bring the Senior Sunrise, creating a meaningful morning centered on faith and fellowship. They also played an important role in planning a spirited and successful Homecoming Week.
- This fall, CA launched seven online high school classes, providing students with greater flexibility while helping them stay engaged in their coursework alongside busy co-curricular commitments and schedules. We look forward to continuing to expand our online offerings as we support student choice and create opportunities for students to pursue their interests.
Fine Arts Updates
- Visual arts students got working on projects right away. Be sure to pass by the art room to take a look at the creative pieces on display!
- Set build and practices are taking place for our fall play, Queen of Hearts. Opening night is set for Friday, Nov. 13, and tickets will go on sale soon.
Athletics Updates
- Football achieved a 35-7 victory over PACT Charter, which was made even more memorable by the return of Sideline Cheer at Concordia Academy! Cheer hasn’t been an activity at CA for decades, but it’s come roaring back to life thanks to the interest and efforts of passionate CA students.
- The Volleyball team finished second at the prestigious Best of the Best Showcase and is currently ranked 8th in Class AA. They have a big match-up on Oct. 8 at New Life Academy; we would love to see Beacon Fans on the Road to cheer on the team!
- The Cross Country team has had multiple records broken this season and will compete at the Skyline Conference Championships on Tuesday, Oct. 20 at Highland National Golf Course.
- For a full list of game times and locations, please visit our calendar here.
Beacon Blocks
In its second year, the Beacon Block supports students and brings them together in faith and community.
- Opening Chapel — Campus Pastor Andrew Asp delivered the opening chapel message, focusing on this year’s theme, “Backward Blessings,” based on the Beatitudes (Mt. 5:1-12). With this theme, we will study the Beatitudes throughout the school year, taking each one in turn and focusing on the seemingly paradoxical nature of the term “blessed” that Jesus uses. For example: “Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth.” What does that mean? It certainly doesn’t seem to play out in the “real world”; instead, traits like boldness, cunning, and guile, etc., seem to win the day more often than not. So what does it mean to be meek? And what kind of earth are we inheriting? etc. Ultimately, the idea lands here: We are blessed because Jesus says we are blessed, and we can rest in those promises, even when the blessings seem backward. Because Jesus has called us to be on mission with him.
- Beacon Breakouts — This monthly connection time lets teachers lead various activities that support student belonging and connection. Through this program, students have more than a dozen fun options to choose from to support their interests and connect with one another. Examples include faith and sports with FCA, World Culture Club, board games, coloring, Student Activities and Spirit Squad (SASS), and more.
- Assemblies — Through our Beacon Block programming, we can also support school spirit and address additional educational topics with our students during the school day. This helps to support school pride and educates our students on relevant, important topics through a Christian worldview.
- In September, the World Culture Club hosted a Hispanic Heritage Month celebration. Several CA families participated in an assembly, sharing their heritage and answering questions from students. The celebration continued with an assortment of authentic Hispanic candies for students to sample.
- In October, current CA counselor and teacher Mrs. Steivang will speak to students about the importance of developing resilience and grit. Her presentation will focus on how these qualities can help students navigate life’s daily challenges and grow through adversity.
- Academic Support — This Beacon Block provides students with opportunities to check in with teachers, receive tutoring from National Honor Society students, study, complete make-up work, collaborate with peers on group projects, and visit our counseling office. It’s become an important staple of support for our students throughout each week.
- Cohort Conversations — This year’s Cohort Conversations kicked off with an Emerging Artist Cohort Conversation featuring designer Leah Ragain. She shared her journey from opening an Etsy shop to creating work for national stationery brand Minted and having her greeting card designs sold in Target stores nationwide. Leah also offered practical advice for aspiring designers.
Campus Safety Updates
Our mission is to lead, teach, and inspire students to become all that God would have them be. Part of that mission is ensuring they feel supported in a safe and protective learning environment.
- Along with building upgrades completed last fall and multiple improvements to emergency-related protocols, procedures, and drills, CA is also partnering with 360 Security Services to increase safety/security awareness and support.
- In spring 2026, we implemented CHIRP-360, a 24/7 incident reporting system designed to enhance campus safety through proactive awareness and communication. This resource gives our community a secure, confidential way to share concerns, helping us identify and address potential safety issues before they escalate. It is important to emphasize that CHIRP-360 is not intended to single out or target students. Rather, it is a positive step forward in strengthening our overall campus security, focused on care, prevention, and shared responsibility. By equipping our community with an additional layer of support, we are better able to look out for one another and respond wisely to concerns as they arise. We are grateful for the partnership we share with you in fostering a community where students feel safe, known, and supported. CHIRP-360 is simply one more way we live out that commitment together. Please visit our website to learn more about how this program works.
Counseling and College Planning Updates
- Grade-Level Visits: Our school counselors have met with students at each grade level to review important yearly checklists, introduce students to resources available through their Google Classrooms, and make sure everyone can successfully access SCOIR for college and career planning resources.
- Be sure to watch for our monthly School Counseling Newsletter! Each month, counselors share grade-level-specific information, important reminders, upcoming opportunities, and resources designed to support students and families throughout the school year.
- Continued Use of IXL: We continue to use IXL primarily in our math and English classes to help students identify areas for growth through diagnostic assessments and receive individualized practice targeted to their specific needs. IXL also includes free PSAT, ACT, and SAT preparation, giving students another valuable resource as they prepare for future academic opportunities.
- Supporting Student Wellness: As Concordia Academy continues to grow, we’re excited to expand the ways we support our students by adding in-house Christian counseling to the services already provided by our school counseling team. This new opportunity complements the academic, social-emotional, college and career, and other support our counselors have long provided, while giving students convenient access to an additional level of professional, faith-based care when they need it. Tracey Steivang will lead our in-house Christian counseling program. Ms. Steivang holds a Master’s degree in Clinical Pastoral Counseling, a therapeutically based counseling approach rooted in Christian faith, values, and Scripture. Her counseling provides professional, confidential care integrated with Christian values and faith to help students navigate issues like anxiety, stress, grief, life transitions, and more.
- Our school counseling staff will continue to support students in academics, social struggles, emotional issues, college and career planning, and scheduling, but sometimes students need more than this first tier of support. This is where more therapeutic counseling can provide individualized, targeted support.
- Having an in-house counselor also provides convenient access to care during the school day. Sessions cost $25 per visit (insurance is not billed), and students can self-refer or be recommended by parents, teachers, or administrators. Our goal is to partner with families to care for the whole student: mind, body, and spirit. To learn more or schedule a confidential counseling session, students, parents, and guardians can email Ms. Steivang at [email protected].
I am so thankful for the wonderful community that surrounds and supports CA. Our school is strengthened every day by the time, energy, and generosity of our families, volunteers, and friends who continually invest in the lives of our students. I am grateful to witness God’s work unfolding on our campus and to see the ways He is growing and shaping our students each day. I pray this fall brings your family many blessings as we enter this special time of year and look ahead to the holiday season!
In Christ’s Love,
Mrs. Jasmine Anderson, M.Ed., ATC
Principal