WCA News

Westgate Christian Academy Second Graders Receive Operation Iraqi Freedom Flag

June 1, 2009 (Natick, MA) – The second graders in Miss Masterson’s class at Westgate Christian Academy never knew where their letters to Iraq would lead.

In December, second grade students began writing letters of encouragement and support to Sgt. Nicholas Cate, a Crew Chief with the U.S. Marine Corps serving in Iraq. Over the coming months, students wrote to “Sergeant Nick,” as they called him, several times as part of a unit on letter writing.

The pen pals got to know each other in the months that followed, trading questions about favorite sports, favorite colors, and what the weather was like. “The kids really got excited when we’d receive a letter from Iraq,” said Miss Masterson.

Last month, a package arrived for Miss Masterson’s second grade class from their friend Sergeant Nick. When Miss Masterson opened the box, her students’ eyes grew wide as she unfurled an American flag. But this was no ordinary flag. The enclosed certificate explained that the flag had been flown in a combat mission from the back of a UH-1N Marine helicopter over the Ninewa Province of Iraq. The certificate had been signed by Sgt. Nick Cate, as well as the Aircraft Commander and flight crew.

The Westgate students are very proud of their new flag. Students take turns flying the flag at the start of each school day. At the end of the day, they take it down and fold it properly. And of course, they practiced their letter-writing skills by thanking Sergeant Nick in their next letters to him.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Westgate Christian Academy Cleans Up, Helps Out
May 13, 2009 (Natick, MA) ?  On May 8th, more than 100 students from Westgate Christian Academy fanned out across Natick, helping the community as part of their second annual Service Day. Working in conjunction with the Natick Recreation and Parks Department and the Natick Council on Aging, students of all ages helped out to perform different tasks.
The youngest students, from Preschool to Grade 2, dropped off 60 bags of food to the Natick Food Pantry. Westgate just completed a school-wide food drive the week before, with students collecting non-perishable items from home. The students were delighted to tour the Food Pantry and learn how it works. They also dropped off thank-you gifts of appreciation to the Natick Fire and Police Departments and received a tour from Fire Chief James Sheridan, who, incidentally, went to school in Westgate’s building when it was the East Natick Elementary School.
Energetic third and fourth graders did yardwork for two Natick senior citizens, who were identified by the Council on Aging. These students were grateful for the opportunity to help these residents by clearing debris and raking leaves from their yards. Fifth and sixth graders helped pick up trash around Dug Pond. And finally, seventh and eighth graders remained at school, helping to paint the hallways.
Westgate’s students sent special thanks to the Natick Council on Aging and the Recreation and Parks Department for their help and coordination that made this day possible.

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Westgate Christian Academy Expands Preschool
April 29, 2009 (Natick, MA) ? Westgate Christian Academy is expanding its preschool with separate programs for 3- and 4-year olds. The specialized programs, starting September 2009, will give preschoolers in these age groups the unique preparation they need for more formal learning.
According to Preschool Director Janet Andrews, “Westgate’s three-year old program will help students work on social and emotional skills, developing independence, and readiness activities. The four-year old program will continue to help students develop independence, with an added focus on building strong reading and math readiness skills needed for kindergarten.” Both programs will have a maximum 8:1 student/teacher ratio.
Westgate’s program has an academic focus. Preschoolers study music and foreign language with weekly visits from Westgate’s music and Spanish teachers. Special in-class projects, such as incubating eggs, and field trips to Drumlin Farm and other local sites make learning fun. Preschool hours are 8:30 to 11:30 am, with 2-, 3-, and 5-day per  week options. Parents may also select a full-day option until 3:00 pm, and after school care is available until 5:30 pm.
About Westgate Christian Academy
Westgate Christian Academy serves students from preschool to Grade 8 and is located at 90 Oak Street, Natick. It is an interdenominational school open to families of all backgrounds and provides a high-quality education in a Christian atmosphere. For more information, contact Headmaster Rev. Larry Loring or Preschool Director Janet Andrews at (508) 315-3152 or visit www.westgateacademy.org.

Latin exam winners from Westgate Christian Academy
July 17, 2008 (Natick, MA)  Five students from Westgate Christian Academy, located in Natick, won awards in the 2008 National Latin Exam. More than 135,000 students worldwide take the exam, which allows students to demonstrate their excellence in Latin in a tangible way.
The following Westgate students received national recognition:
Summa Cum Laude (Gold): Elizabeth Hwang (Eighth Grade)
Maxima Cum Laude (Silver): Matthew Caissy (Eighth Grade)
Cum Laude: David Fischer (Grade 6)
Certificate of Outstanding Achievement: Daniel Chin (Grade 6)
Certificate of Achievement: Claire Gerdes (Grade 6)

Music festival winners from Westgate Christian Academy
July 17, 2008 (Natick, MA) ? Four students from Westgate Christian Academy, located in Natick, won awards in the Association of Christian Schools International (ACSI) 2008 Music Festival. Students performing in the festival, a northeast regional music competition, are judged for their musical ability, age, and length of time playing.
The following Westgate students received ACSI awards:
Christian Wenger (Grade 4): Piano – Very Good
Elizabeth Prabakaran (Grade 3): Piano – Excellent
Rachel Guen (Grade 5): Violin – Excellent
Seraphima Sidhom (Grade 3): Piano – Excellent

Westgate Christian Academy Appoints Larry Loring as Headmaster
July 1, 2008  Natick, MA  Westgate Christian Academy is pleased to announce the appointment of Rev. Larry W. Loring as Headmaster to the academy and Janet Miller Andrews to the position of Lower School Coordinator.
Rev. Loring brings a broad base of experience to his new position, with 20 years as a pastor, 10 years as a teacher, and 15 years in the corporate world. Rev. Loring, who is taking over for departing Headmaster Dr. Mike Marrapodi, holds a Master of Theology degree from Summit Bible College of Bakersfield, California, and has served as Westgate’s Upper School Humanities teacher since 2006.
While his broad experience has prepared him for his new role, it is his passion for Christian education that drives him. When asked about the focus of his leadership at Westgate, Loring replied, “We are tasked with the awesome responsibility of preparing the Christian leaders of tomorrow. But education isn’t merely the acquisition of knowledge. Proper education focuses on the healthy formation of the whole child ? intellectual, relational, physical and spiritual. It’s our goal at WCA to assist parents in nurturing the minds, hearts and spirits of their children.”

Ms. Andrews has served as Grade 1 teacher at Westgate since 2006. With over 20 years of extensive teaching and administrative experience, she holds a BA in Elementary Education and is currently pursuing a Master’s degree in Education Leadership. Prior to Westgate, Ms. Andrews taught at Whitinsville Christian School and First Lutheran in Holyoke, and served as Director of Mt. Calvary Christian School in Acton. She also holds special certification in Autism Spectrum Disorders. When asked about her role as Lower School Coordinator, Jan said, “I look  forward to building the success of our students through strong staff unity and vision.”