Dear WCA Families,
The Upper School student retreat to Camp Friendship will be taking place on Wednesday & Thursday, October 8-9. The retreat is open to all Upper School students, as well as 5th-grade students. A recent survey was sent out to see if there was interest in a same day retreat in addition to the overnight offering. Responses for a same day retreat were very low and not enough for WCA to provide both options this year.
If your student will be attending the October 8-9 overnight retreat, please be sure to complete the attached paperwork if you have not already done so. Details about the retreat are also attached. The cost for the retreat is $275 and covers meals, activities, lodging, and bus transportation. Important note: Registration for the retreat must be received by Thursday, September 18. Payment can be done two ways: 1) Charge $275 to your FACTS account in August or 2) Charge $140 to your FACTS account in August and $135 in September.
Additional WCA reminders:
- The WCA Welcome Back event will be held on Saturday, September 6, from 11:00 a.m.-12:30 p.m. WCA Event Flyer
- Family Academic Conference links are included in this newsletter if you still need to sign up for a conference (September 17-19).
Have a wonderful and restful weekend!
In Christ,
Mark Kirk
Head of School
- The WCA Welcome Back event is on Saturday, September 6, from 11:00 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Please click here to RSVP WCA Event Flyer.
- Looking for something fun and enriching for your student this Fall Break?
Register now for 4-H Camp! Ages 6-12
A minimum of 10 students per week is required for the camp to proceed.
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Fall Break Fun: Things to Do!
Apple Picking at Carter Mountain Orchard: Enjoy crisp apples, scenic views, and fresh cider donuts! Plan Your Visit
Virginia State Fair: Sept 26 – Oct 5: Rides, food, animals, and fun for all ages! Learn More
Clay Shoot: Our annual Clay Shoot is scheduled for Tuesday, November 1. There will be awards and giveaways. For more information about sponsorship opportunities and registration, please click on the link to register.
- Please note that preschool will be closed for fall break from September 22–26. We will reopen for part of the break, from September 29 to October 3. Please let your Learning Facilitator know if your child will attend that week and whether you will need before or after-care.
- Academic Conferences and Fall Break: Family academic conferences are scheduled for Sept 17-19, and there will be no school. Fall break will take place from Sept 17 to Oct 3.
- Family Academic Conferences: If you haven’t yet signed up for a conference time for your child(ren), please use the appropriate link below to schedule your meeting.
- Health Reminder: As temperatures drop and illness becomes more common, please remember our Return to School Policy:
As a precaution against the spread of sickness, students are not to return to school after an illness until they are fever-free for 24 hours (without taking fever-reducing medications), free from vomiting or diarrhea for 24 hours, or have been on an antibiotic and have been fever-free for 24 hours. Parents are asked to use caution and common sense when dealing with a sick child. Students will be sent home from school if they have a fever of 100 degrees or higher, have a persistent headache that has not been relieved by over-the-counter medications, or have vomited or had diarrhea. Students who check out of school due to an illness may not return to school for the remainder of that day and may not participate in after-school activities.
Thank you for your cooperation in keeping everyone safe and healthy.
- Weekly Grade Reporting & Mandatory Extra-Help: To better support your child’s academic success, we have begun the following programs:
- Weekly Grade Updates: All student grades will be updated in FACTS by the end of the day every Wednesday. This will provide more timely information about your child’s academic progress.
- Mandatory Extra Help: We’ve also started the mandatory extra help program for students whose grades fall below 73% in any course.
- Please don’t hesitate to contact your child’s Learning Facilitator with any questions or concerns.
- College and Career Readiness: A Look Ahead for Our Juniors and Seniors: On Wednesday, August 13th, Mrs. Renee Cermak met with all 11th and 12th-grade students for a workshop on college and career readiness. The discussion focused on equipping our upperclassmen with the tools and information they need to successfully navigate their paths after graduation.
To help students and families with this important planning, a checklist was distributed. This resource provides a roadmap of key tasks and deadlines to help prepare students for their next steps.
College and Career Readiness Checklist
- Family Academic Conference Registration: Upper School
- Short – Stay Immersion graduates! We are proud to recognize the students who completed our Short-Stay Immersion Program this August! Over the course of their stay, they strengthened their English skills, built lasting friendships, and gained valuable insight into American school life and culture. Their hard work and enthusiasm made a lasting impact on our community, and we are excited to see how they carry these achievements into their next chapter.
- Family academic conferences are scheduled for Sept 17-19, and there will be no school.
- Fall break will take place from Sept 17 to Oct 3.
- The first Gala Committee meeting is on Wednesday, Sept. 10, at 8:15. All are welcome to join as we determine the theme of this year’s event.
- Mark your calendars: Our WCA Annual Gala is on Saturday, April 11, 2026.
- Save the date: Our first spirit night is at Chick-fil-A on Wednesday, Sept 10. This event is mobile-thru only. Spirit Night Flyer
- As we prepare for academic conferences on September 17–19, the PWCA would like to support our incredible faculty and staff by providing snacks and refreshments.
Conference days can be especially long for our Learning Facilitators, and your help can bring a welcome boost of energy and encouragement.
Please sign up using the link below:
https://www.signupgenius.com/go/5080F49AEAA2BA3FF2-58217409-family
Thank you in advance for your support!
- Join us for the Fall Festival on Saturday, October 4, from 3-6 pm.
- The Christmas parade meeting will be on Tuesday, October 7, at 8:15 am
Monday, 9/08/25
3:30 – 5:00 pm – Boys Soccer Practice
3:30 – 5:00 pm – Girls MS & V Volleyball Practice
4:00 – 6:00 pm – Coed Cross Country HOME MEET @ the Williamsburg Christian Retreat Center; dismiss from class approx. 2:00 pm
5:00 – 7:00 pm – Basketball Open Gym for Interested Players
**We are still looking for additional volunteers to help with the race that day, marshaling the course!
Tuesday, 9/09/25
4:00 – 5:15 pm – MS Girls Volleyball GAME HOME vs Richmond Christian School
4:30 – 6:30 pm – Boys Soccer GAME HOME vs Richmond Christian School
5:15 – 6:30 pm – Varsity Girls Volleyball GAME HOME vs Richmond Christian School
5:30 – 7:00 pm – Coed Cross Country Practice Cancelled
Wednesday, 9/10/25
2:30 – 4:00 pm – MS Volleyball Practice
2:30 – 5:00 pm – Basketball Open Gym for Interested Players
3:30 – 4:30 pm – Coed Cross Country Practice @ WCA (Varsity Only 8th – 12th)
Thursday, 9/11/25
6:15 – 7:15 am – Coed Cross Country Practice (last morning practice)
3:30 – 5:00 pm – Boys Soccer Practice
5:00 – 6:30 pm – Varsity Girls GAME HOME vs St. Michael the Archangel School
Friday, 9/12/25
3:30 – 5:00 pm – MS GAME AWAY @ Hampton Roads Academy (739 Academy Ln. Newport News, VA 23602
4:30 – 6:30 pm – Boys Soccer GAME HOME vs Grove Christian School
6:30 – 8:30 pm – Varsity Volleyball Fun Event – Team vs Staff/Parents Game (schoolwide invitation to attend with concessions available that evening)
Saturday, 9/13/25
9:00 – 10:30 am – Coed Cross Country Practice @ The WISC/Warhill Complex
