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Friday, December 24, 2010

Gingerbread House

Do you enjoy chestnuts roasting over an open fire? How about Jack Frost nipping at your nose? Although it’s been said, one or two many times, “Merry Christmas from Middle School Gingerbread House!”

Oddly enough, the kids did not hang out in a house of gingerbread, as much as we were all crossing our fingers for that to happen. Eating Christmas delights with a cup of hot cocoa, the middle school students were rocking their boss PJ’s, telling jokes, playing games, while truly embracing the Christmas spirit. Mr. Vlodica was the head of the fun department, conducting a sweet, yet gross game of Chubby Bunny. Basically, it’s a silly game of stuffing as many marshmallows into your mouth while still being able to say, “Ch- Ch- Chubby Bunny.”

‘Wrapping’ up the night, ELF was on the T.V. as a hysterical White Elephant gift exchange took place. Out of all the gifts, the craziest could have been a bag of delicious Kibbles ‘N’ Bits or maybe the creepy Halloween mask.

The night ended with “a Merry Christmas to all, and to all a goodnight!”
By Timothy Barnett, 12th grade

A Day in the Life...

Throughout school teachers had always joked with me about my handwriting. They often told me, “Mark, you need to go back to kindergarten and learn how to write.” I simply dismissed their remarks as mere threats. Boy was I wrong.

One brisk winter morning Miss Evans approached me and informed me that I was no longer allowed in her class until I went back to kindergarten for a day. Oh, and she told me to write an article about my experience. So, I grabbed my backpack and scooted on over to Mrs. Coopers class.

Both excited and terrified, I opened the door. Despite my rather unusual size for a kindergartener, Mrs. Cooper welcomed me as one of her own. After hanging my backpack up on the rack, I pulled up a chair, sat down next to the blocks, and got to work building an awesome plane. Jake Rodriguez looked up at his new classmate puzzled.
Five minutes later, the bell rang and everyone rushed to their seats. The first business of the day was role and the months and days of the year. Then we repeated our letters and numbers. I looked up at the clock in eager anticipation of recess, but there was one activity left, our writing.

We received our papers and we got started on the letter N. Any self-confidence I had brought with me to school that day was destroyed at that moment. I don’t know whether it was Mrs. Cooper’s flawless handwriting or the fact that my N failed in comparison to all of the other kindergarteners, including four year old Mya Lyon, but I just seemed to fall short. Mrs. Cooper, fighting off the urge to laugh at me, was quick to encourage me to try again. So I resolved to do it better and I’m glad to say I was successful, well…after a few tries anyways.

Morning recess finally saved me from the endless frustration of handwriting. The rest of the day was fun as well. I made new friends, played tag, and even got some nap time in. Then we ended the day with a Thanksgiving party.

I had always wondered why Mrs. Cooper loved teaching kindergarten for so long. But after spending only one day in that class I know why. Those kids are the most loving and fun kids on campus. I see them every day and they still give me a hug. Unfortunately for Miss Evans my handwriting isn’t much better, but my N’s are perfect.

Wednesday, December 22, 2010

Secondary News Dec 2010

Dates and events to remember:
Seniors should be applying to their top three choices of colleges during this time of year. Some early application deadlines have already passed, so be sure that you are checking on application deadlines!

The PSAT results are here for all 9th through 11th graders who took the test in October. Please ask your student to see the results; if you have any questions please feel free to contact me.

Report cards will be mailed home after Christmas break – but as the teachers complete grades for the semester you will be able to access them on Edline.

Parents of Seniors will want to plan to have their taxes done early this year if at all possible for the filing of the FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid), which will have to be completed by March 2nd 2011. On this form, you can estimate your tax information if need be, but it is a smoother process if you have them already completed. Watch for the FAFSA worksheet that I will be sending home soon.

Senior parents please be sure that your senior has ordered their cap and gown. This is the minimum that must to be ordered from Jostens, and the prices all increase after the first of the year, so please have all orders completed.

Homecoming tickets can be purchased in front of the office before and after school; purchase tickets soon as possible because the price will increase as we get closer to the event! The homecoming game will be on Friday, January 28th. The banquet and dance will follow on Saturday, January 29th, 2011.

Elementary Corner Dec 2010

It is hard not to be in the holiday spirit if you have been around the AVCS elementary students. From their excitement and enthusiasm to their touching performances at the elementary music program or the band concert, Christmas was in the air.


Thank you to all the supportive parents who drove kids to early rehearsals, baked and brought cookies, and came to support and enjoy all the performances. It means so much to us and to all our students. Now, we look forward to a much needed break. We wish you and yours a blessed Christmas and a Happy New Year.


When we return, we begin the second half of this rapidly passing school year. Work and requirements will ramp up, and students will be challenged with new material. To prepare your child, please encourage them to read for pleasure during the break.


When school resumes, please try to limit absences to only those that are absolutely necessary. Students can make up the paper work, but they can never recover the valuable teaching time and classroom interaction they miss when they are gone.

Pastor John Dec 2010

Merry Christmas! I must admit that being around AVCS in December is a total blessing (not that it’s not a blessing during the other months!). Let me share with you some of the highlights, and why I view them as a total blessing.

Let me start with the programs. We had three major programs in December: the choir concert, the band concert, and the lower elementary Christmas program. I had several people approach me after the choir concert, some school families and others were outside friends, who commented on how amazing it was that “a school of our size can produce that kind of sound”. At the band concert, we had several guest musicians playing in the band, most of them from the VVC symphonic band. The comment that sticks out to me was the statement, “What an amazing group!” We wrapped up our programs with the K-3 Christmas program. Watching the students up there singing their hearts out for Jesus was an awesome sight!

As if this wasn’t enough, just being around campus is a blessing, hearing people singing Christmas carols, witnessing teachers talk about the birth of Christ, seeing people praying for each other. All I can say is, what a blessing!

The reality is that we live in a day and age where Christmas programs are being replaced with holiday programs. It is a major offense to mention Christmas in most schools around the nation. For the schools that still put up with the notion of Christmas, it is an unwritten rule that there should be no mention of Christ. That is why I feel blessed to be here at AVCS, not only do we mention Christmas and Christ, we put the spotlight on Him! So, in the midst of lights and trees and presents, remember Merry CHRISTmas!!!

Tuesday, November 23, 2010

- Nov. 3oth is the deadline for any student interested in attending a UC school in the fall. This is also the "preferred" deadline for the Cal State sytem.

-PSAT scores will be available in Dec. for all 9th through 11th graders that took the test earlier this year.

-Report cards will be sent home after Christmas break; however, the teachers will be posting their grades to Edline as they complete their grading. Be sure to check on Edline to keep up-to-date for your child's grades and assignments.

-Parents of seniors should plan to have their taxes done early this year. This will help when preparing the FAFSA form for student aid. The taxes may be estimated; however, it is a smoother process if the taxes as already done.

- Josten's will be on campus on Dec. 7th to allow any juniors that wish to to order their class rings. The representative will also be able to sell seniors their graduation announcements. On the 7th, the representative will be here to give information. On the 14th, the representative will be here to take orders. Parents are welcome to attend. The representative will be here for seniors at 8 AM, while the juniors will be taken care of at 8:50AM. Please meet in M5.

Pastor John's Letter Nov. 2010

Happy Thanksgiving! I am so grateful that President Abraham Lincoln had the wisdom to recognize that we as a nation need to set aside a day to give thanks! In 1863 (more than 2 centuries after the first “thanksgiving” was celebrated), President Lincoln proclaimed a national Thanksgiving Day to be held each November.

In this economy, it may be difficult for some to focus in on how blessed we really are, but the reality is each and every one of us has so much to thank God for. With this in mind, I asked some of our students what they were thankful for regarding AVC. Here are some of their responses.

“That I’m learning to read and learning math” – 1st grade
“The mentorship that the teachers give us” – 12th grade
“We have teachers who care about us” – 4th grade
“The teachers care about me and not just about grades” – 12th grade
“The secretaries in the office” – 11th grade
“We get to listen to Christian music while we work” – Office Staff
“People are always in a good mood and friendly” – Foreign exchange student
“The Bible teaching is accurate” – 7th grade
“Being to talk with my American friends” – Foreign exchange student
“I’m so close with everyone” – Foreign exchange student
“For the smaller class sizes, so the teachers can give us one on one” – 8th
“A 4.0 is a low GPA for this school” – 12th
“Mr. Watson’s class” – 12th
“It’s more like a family at AVCS” – 8th

I encourage you to take time and talk with your family about what you are thankful for, including things at AVCS. Happy Thanksgiving!

Varsity Volleyball

Winning athletes are set apart by their drive to go two beyond what is expected of them. The athlete with the rule of two mindset will always surpass their opponent, both in heart and in stamina. This year we had the unique opportunity of blending the refined skills of veteran players with the fresh potential of newcomers. This combination coupled with hard work, dedication, and collegiate level training enabled our varsity volleyball girls to achieve great things as individuals and helped us reach our destination as a team.

Summer league games and training concluded with promise as our Lady Warriors tied for third in the tournament at VVC against local public high school teams. Regular season began with a kick start as the girls took 2nd place in the annual Trona tournament. As the season progressed, so did the skills, confidence, and cohesiveness of our team. This year was distinct in that non-league games were interspersed throughout league competition. Our girls took the opportunity to play each opponent with a winning mindset; every non-league game was won, not only in the hearts and minds of our athletes, but on the scoreboard as well. Being one of five teams within the Agape League, our Lady Warriors had three opportunities to play Hesperia Christian, Victor Christian, AAE, and Excelsior. Each match literally felt like a tug-of-war because the competing teams were of similar caliber. This, however, provided us with the tools necessary to finish strong in league and thrust us into playoffs fully prepared. Clenching third in League, we entered into playoffs with high expectations and the rule of two in mind.

In the first round, against Marywood in Palm Springs, our Lady Warriors swept the Firebirds in three sets, thus advancing our team farther than any other girls’ varsity volleyball team in AVC’s most recent history. This, in and of itself, was a huge accomplishment. Second round, we had the honor of hosting Rolling Hills Prep in our own gym. The first set was a battle, but ended victorious. The three that followed brought to life the phrase, “Leave everything on the court.” These sets displayed every ounce of determination that our girls had in them. Between bloody noses, twisted ankles, bumped knees, loss of wind, and sheer exhaustion, our 2010 Lady Warriors truly left everything on the court, surpassing all expectations and ultimately reaching our final destination…finishing with the rule of two.

Our overall record was 14-7, only losing to three different teams. We are so blessed to have had such an amazing support system encouraging us from day one; God is good. George Mangum, our coach with the “BAM!” and a collegiate level trainer, instilled in us the mentality of a winning athlete spurred on by the rule of two. Thank you George! To the parents and families, staff and student body, whose investment goes beyond words and is without measure, thank you! This was an incredibly unforgettable season.

Coaches, Hannah and JoAnna Tribole

Friday, October 22, 2010

Last year, Mrs. Taylor from a fourteen year legacy as Head Librarian of Apple Valley Christian. This year, the role has been refresed with the grace of Ms. Beth Langdon. Ms. Langdon grew up in Apple Valley and graduated from Apple Valley High School. After high school, she attended and graduated from San Diego State University. Now, she is the new librarian at AVC, and she has a whole new game plan: Challenge students to think about what they read.

My associate and I interviewed Ms. Langson and discovered the caring heart and nature of this rookie librarian. She told us that she decided to become a librarian because of her love of books, people, and thrist for knowledge. This year, she hopes to inspire AVC students to read more and reflect on these books with a Christian perspective to large and encompassing secular world. She plans on accomplishing this by hosting a series of writing contests over the course of the school year. This will give the students a chance to give their opinions to the situations that faced in this day and age.

We also had a few random, personal questions for Ms. Langdon in order to get to know her a little better:

If you could compare yourself to any celebrity, who would it be?
"Well, I have been told I resemble Gwyneth Paltrow, and in all honesty, she's classy."

If you could live anywhere in the world, where would it be, and what would you do there?
"I would live in Scotland and own a castle. In my castle, I read books all day long."

Pastor John- October

One down three to go! Can you believe that the first quarter is already over, and we are into the second? It won’t be too long until students (and staff) will be counting down the days until Christmas break. As we prepare for the second quarter, I want to share some information about our school that I believe not only makes us unique, but also makes our school very desirable.

Foreign Exchange Students – Did you know that this year we have 28 foreign exchange students representing 7 different countries (China, Germany, Japan, South Korea, Sweden, Taiwan, and Vietnam). Our students have the distinct opportunity to learn about new cultures, while sharing their own. We pray that we will be a blessing to these students both educationally and spiritually.

Latin – We have expanded our Latin program with the hiring of one of our alumni, Meagan Shannon. Miss Shannon is teaching elementary Latin. If you have not had an opportunity to read up on the educational benefits of Latin, I encourage you to contact me at pastorjohn@applevalleychurch.org, so that I could share some articles with you!

Smaller class sizes – It is a day and age where classes of 30 or more is common. It is a huge plus that we are committed to smaller class sizes. Our teachers are able to give the extra time and attention to students that many others are not.

High quality music programs – Both our band and choir programs are award winning programs. If you have not had the pleasure of being blessed by coming to one of our concerts, you are missing out! Plan on attending the Christmas concerts; you won’t be disappointed!

These are just a few examples of the excellence and uniqueness of our school. Why not share this info with someone you know who would benefit from having their student enrolled on our campus!

Tuesday, October 19, 2010

Secondary News October

Dates and events to remember:

November 1-November 30th is the deadline for UC applications for all seniors interested in attending a UC in the fall. This is also the ‘Preferred’ application time for the Cal State colleges as well, with budget cuts many Cal States are having Nov. 30th as their only application deadline!

To apply online to any UC go to www.universityofcalifornia.edu/apply
And for the Cal State Universities go to CSU Mentor at www.csumentor.edu

The PSAT results will be posted in December for all 9th through 11th graders who took the test in October.

Report cards will be handed out to the students the week of Oct. 19th – as the teachers complete grades for the quarter; however, you will be able to access them on edline.

Parents of Seniors will want to plan to have their taxes done early this year if at all possible for the filing of the FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid), which will have to be completed by March 2nd, 2011. On this form you can estimate your tax information if need be, but is a smoother process if you have them done. Watch for more information as the time approaches – I will be sending out a web worksheet to make applying online easier!
Senior parents please be sure to check your Senior calendars! If you can’t find yours, see Mrs. Sharon Huff. We have a lot of things happening that your student needs to stay up to date with.

Elementary Corner October

Can you believe we are already starting our Second Quarter? We are in the fullswing of things! Thank you to all the parents who came to meet with us at the Elementary Parent Conferences. It is so valuable to have a few minutes to honestly communicate with you about your child's strengths and areas where improvements can be made. It is our desire to partner with you in the training of your "Christian Leaders Committed to Excellence." If you were unable to make a conference time, please call your child's teacher to reschedule. Thank you.

We are looking forward to the Harvest Festival on Friday, October 29th from5:00pm to 9:00pm . This is a great event, organized by our students, to presenta safe alternative to Halloween. There will be non-scary costumes, games, food, bounce houses and much more. This event is open to the community so please invite your family, friends and neighbors. Tickets can be purchased before and after school on the front steps. As a reminder, please send candy into yourchild's classroom for their booth. We also are in need of parent volunteers to work in each classroom booth. A sign up sheet is located in your child's classroom.

Thank you once again for all you do to support the Elementary teachers!

Saturday, September 11, 2010

Elementary Corner- Sept

The elementary classes are off and running! The first few weeks are spent in review and teaching our students the expectations of their new classroom. Now, with that behind us, we are in the full swing of things. We cannot stress how important it is to have your child here promptly and to avoid any unnecessary absences. Significant ground is covered each day and even though written work is made up, students miss the corresponding lesson leaving them a bit behind.
It was great to see many of you at Back To School Night. We love partnering with you in your child's education. Parental involvement is necessary and invaluable! Thank you for all you do to support Elementary teachers.

Our first Parent Conferences are scheduled for October 19th. Elementary students have no school that day to provide us with ample time to meet with every parent. Sign-ups will begin soon in the school office, and a reminder will be sent home closer to that time.
Students in the second to fifth Grade are involved in the Accelerated Reading (AR) Program. Students are tested and then begin reading books at that level. After a book is read, a computerized comprehension test is taken. Your child's teacher helps each student set a reasonable point goal aiming at a comprehension score of 85% or better. Points are given for reading at the correct level, reading a required number of books, and achieving the comprehension score. Each classroom has rewards and incentives for your child's participation. There is also a grade given on the report card. Please encourage your child to bring their AR books home as part of their homework routine. AR is a proven way to boost reading and comprehension skills in students.

Finally, we are looking forward to some great events in the coming weeks and month. Look for details on the Family Campout, field trips, and our annual Harvest Festival! AVC is the place to be!

Friday, September 10, 2010

Pastor John- September

Those lazy (or crazy) summer days are gone and everyone is getting back in the swing of things for the new school year. I know for the teachers and staff it is exciting to have the campus abuzz with activity. As we begin a new year, I wanted to give you a few ideas on how you can help your student succeed. Here are a few basic reminders:

Attendance-regular attendance in class is extremely important to your student's success. If your student will be out of school for several days, contact the school to arrange for homework assignments to be collected for your student.
Talk with your student about his or her school day. Help him or her see that school is a priority and help him or her develop goals for the school year.
Provide adequate time and a place for your student to study. Monitor your student's progress through Edline. If you do not have an account set up yet, please contact the school office.
Get to know your student's teachers. They are here to help your student be successful. Don't hesitate to contact the counselor if you have a question or concern.
Become involved in your student's school life. There are parent organizations and booster groups that provide opportunities for parent involvement at the school. Consider volunteering in the class room, or around the school (you can pick up a volunteer packet in the office). Support your student's activities.

As I said, we are very excited for the new year, and can’t wait to see what God is going to do in and through the school this year! Have a great year!

Secondary News- Sept

Important information from Mrs. Huff.

Dates and events to remember for all secondary students:
As we approach the mid-quarter please be sure to check edline for your student’s progress. (Anyone still needing an edline login can email Mr. Lockwood for an activation code at rlockwood@avcschool.com)
Report cards will be mailed home after the fall break

ALL 9TH-11TH STUDENTS
The PSAT tests will be on the Wednesday we come back from our fall break: October 13th from 8:00 – 10:50 am. Please be sure that your student has had a good breakfast and a good night’s sleep. They will also need to have a calculator of their own with them for the test as well as 2-3 #2 pencils.

SENIOR PARENTS
If your student is planning to take the College Entrance SATs another time or two, the best test dates would be in October and November. Please go to collegeboard.com to register.
November 1-November 30th is the deadline for all UC applications for Seniors interested in attending a UC in the fall. This is also the ‘Preferred’ application time for the Cal State colleges as well. Applications may be done online.
Parents of Seniors will want to plan to have their taxes done early this year if at all possible for the filing of the FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid), which will have to be completed by March 2nd, 2011. On this form you can estimate your tax information if need be, but it is a smoother process if you have them already done. Watch for more information as the time approaches!
Senior parents please be sure to check with your seniors about due dates. The picture frames for graduation will be available soon for you to purchase and pick up in the office. These are due back before we leave on Christmas Break (December 18). If you have not paid Mrs. Sharon Huff the $35.00 fee for your brick and graduation picture please do so ASAP. There is also a very urgent due date in October for your yearbook tribute page- please contact Miss Evans if you have not already done so.

Family Campout Flyer 2010


Foreign Thoughts

Interview #1 - Shabby Zoroochi (Hamburg, Germany)

Q1: What do you hope to accomplish while living in California?
A: To experience what life is like in California and learn the English language better. Also, I want to meet new people and learn about them.

Q2: Tell us your thoughts on the students and the classes-
A: The students are nice, funny, and sweet!

Q3: Do you think you will lifelong friends?
A: JA!

Interview #2- Roy Peng (Dongying, China) and Wenli Li (Chongquip, China)

Q1: How do you like AVC and the students?
A: (Roy) Its small, but I like it and feel welcome.

Q2: What do you hope to accomplish while in California?
A: (Wenli) Graduate and attend UCLA for Engineering.

Q3: What is your favorite film?
A: (Wenli) Forrest Gump

Q4: What is your favorite sport team?
A: (Roy) The Los Angeles Lakers

Interview #3: Teddy Deng (Wuhan, China)

Q1: What is your favorite film?
A: The Shawshank Redemption

Q2: Who is your favorite musician?
A: Wang Lihong

Q3: What were your emotions on arrival?
A: Happy and excited

Interview #4: Ayaka Hamano (Tokya, Japan)

Q1: What is your favorite sport?
A: Baseball

Q2: Who is your favorite celebrity?
A: Zac Effron

Q3: What do you hope to do while in America?
A: Go to college and become a professional golfer.

Interview #5: Minseong Kim (Seoul, South Korea) and Chao-Chao "Justin" Kao (Taiwan)

Q1: What is your favorite sport?
A: (Justin) Baseball (Minseong) Jump Rope

Q2: Who is your favorite musician?
A: (Justin) I'm not a fan of music.

Thursday, June 3, 2010

Pastor John's Letter May

Can you believe that the 2009-2010 school year is finished?! I know that from my point of view it has been an amazing year and I pray it has been a good year for you as well. As I thought about what to end the year with I thought I would start a tradition of sharing with you quotes from our graduating Seniors. These quotes come from Mr. Watson’s 12th grade Apologetics class where the students are asked, in part, to evaluate the school.

* “I feel that I am more prepared than most college students to take on any challenges to my beliefs.”

* “The education I have received at AVCS has been truly unique; unlike anything I have ever seen before. The quality of instruction and resources, the passion of the teachers, and the depth of learning that has been achieved at such a small Christian school has been amazing.”

* “Had I not made the choice two years ago to attend AVCS, the ideas, the views I now hold of life and of my faith in Christ Jesus would most likely not exist.”

* “During the first year of Mr. Watson’s Christian Thought, Tylenol was my best friend, J”

* “True Christianity isn’t a habit, it’s a lifestyle. It affects your whole being, everything.”

* “Because of Apple Valley Christian, a foundation has been established in me, a foundation so firm that will allow me to truly affect the culture for Jesus Christ.”

* “I am excited to see where this school is going, and I am excited to put what I have practiced for four years into play so that I can make my way into the world and not only to be in it and not of it, but a Christian leader committed to excellence who changes the world for Christ.”

* “AVCS is a tool that God uses, especially in my life, to make sure young Christian know what they believe, and know it well.”

Well there you have it, like I said, it truly was a great year! Have a great Summer, and I hope to see you next year!

Tuesday, June 1, 2010

Secondary News May/June

This year has just flown by, and as I have begun to reflect on all the great events and experiences of this past school year, my mind wanders to the futures of the class that has now reached a milestone in their lives: the graduating class of 2010. They have run the race and now it is time to move to the next phase of their journeys.

Our graduating seniors have chosen a variety of college paths to follow. While some have made the decision to live at home and begin college at Victor Valley College and then transfer to their chosen four year university, others are moving directly into the four year school of their choice. Many of the schools chosen include local Southern California private as well as public schools and some are venturing to out of state schools in Arizona, Georgia, Texas, and Virginia. The following is a representation of the choices made by this year’s senior class:

Azusa Pacific University Biola University The Master’s College UC Riverside
Cal Poly Pomona Victor Valley College
Calif. Baptist University San Diego Christian
Cal State San Bernardino CalState Fullerton
UC Riverside Arizona State University
Schreiner University Menlo College
State Univ. of New York Georgia Institute of Technology
UCLA Providence Christian College
Liberty University

It is with pride and prayer that I see the class of 2010 go off into this big exciting world, but I know when God is for you, who can be against you. My prayer is to see them stay focused on His guidance and walking in His grace and love.

Have a wonderful summer.
Sincerely, Jean Huff

Recipes from "Forward by Faith"

What a pleasure it was for me to prepare dinner for all of you who attended the AVC Presents on May 17, 2010. Many of you have requested a copy of the recipes and so I have posted them below. But first, I want to acknowledge those who helped me prepare, cook and clean up after the meal. I could not have pulled it off without these special friends!

Bunnie Arnold
Mark and Becky Solorio
Cheri Casey
Grace Goodman
Elizabeth Noonan
Jean Huff
My husband, Matt Goodman (who seems to get roped into anything I’m doing!)

Thank you again, so very much for all your hard work in making the dinner a success. Lori

Chicken Piccata
· 1/4 cup all-purpose flour
· 1/2 teaspoon salt
· 1/2 teaspoon pepper
· 4 (4 ounce) boneless, skinless chicken breast halves
· 1/8 cup butter, cubed
· 1/8 cup olive oil
· 2 green onions, sliced
· 1/4 cup white wine or chicken broth
· 1 tablespoon lemon juice
· 1 tablespoon capers
In a large resealable plastic bag, combine the flour, salt and pepper. Flatten chicken to 1/2-in. thickness; place in bag, one piece at a time, and shake to coat. In a large skillet over medium heat, brown chicken in butter and olive oil 4 minutes on each side. Remove chicken from the skillet and keep warm. Saute the green onions until just tender. Stir in wine or broth. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat; Stir in the lemon juice and capers and return the chicken to the pan. Simmer, uncovered, for 12-15 minutes or until chicken juices run clear. Serves 4
Pesto Penne Pasta with Roasted Grape Tomatoes and Asparagus
· 8 oz. Penne Pasta
· 8 oz. grape tomatoes
· 8 oz. asparagus, trimmed and cut into 2” pieces
· Pesto sauce, store bought or homemade
· Salt and pepper to taste
· Parmesan cheese
Boil pasta according to package directions. Toss tomatoes in olive oil and sea salt and quickly roast in a very hot oven (475 degrees) about 10 minutes. Saute asparagus in olive oil until crisp tender. Toss tomatoes and asparagus with the pasta, add pesto and salt and pepper to taste. Garnish with parmesan cheese.
Panna Cotta
· 1/3 cup skim milk
· 1 (.25 ounce) envelope unflavored gelatin
· 2 1/2 cups heavy cream
· 1/2 cup white sugar
· 1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla extract
Pour milk into a small bowl, and stir in the gelatin powder. Set aside. In a saucepan, stir together the heavy cream and sugar, and set over medium heat. Bring to a full boil, watching carefully, as the cream will quickly rise to the top of the pan. Pour the gelatin and milk into the cream, stirring until completely dissolved. Cook for one minute, stirring constantly. Remove from heat, stir in the vanilla and pour into six individual ramekin dishes. Cool the ramekins uncovered at room temperature. When cool, cover with plastic wrap, and refrigerate for at least 4 hours, but preferably overnight before serving. I topped with chocolate buttercream frosting, sliced strawberry and mint leaf. Serves 6.

Friday, April 23, 2010

Secondary Corner- April

Wow, as we approach May we are looking at the last full month of school left in 2010! What a whirlwind!

Hopefully, you, Seniors, are making final decisions for next year, these are exciting times!
Juniors, you should be looking at taking the SATs at least once before this school year is over. You can register by going to http://www.collegeboard.com/.

Next year’s schedule is out, and I will soon be meeting with each of the students to discuss their future plans. Mr. Watson has already introduced the schedule, and the students have had an opportunity to ask any applicable questions.

As just a reminder here are the graduation requirements for our high school:

GRADUATION REQUIREMENTS

BIBLE: Four (4) years or every semester in attendance at AVCS
ENGLISH: Four (4) years
SOCIAL STUDIES: Four (4) years

MATHEMATICS: Three (3) years (Plus one additional year recommended)

SCIENCE: Three (3) years (Plus one additional year recommended)

FOREIGN LANGUAGE : Two (2) years
PHYSICAL EDUCATION: Two (2) years - Each school team sport counts for ½ year
FINE ARTS: One (1) year - Art, Music, Drama

Students must have 270 credits to graduate.

Our standards for graduation are all based on the entrance expectations of the colleges, especially the University of California (UC) system.

As we fly through the end of this school year with much anticipation and excitement for the next please feel free to drop in if you have any questions or would like to be sure that your high school student is on the right track.

We would also like to invite our entire school family to our graduation ceremony for the Class of 2010. The Senior Chapel is Friday, June 4th at 10:00 am; this is held here at Apple Valley Christian School. The graduation ceremony is the same day at 7:00 pm, and this is held at High Desert Church. Come and join us in this wonderful celebration.

Sincerely, Jean Huff

A Message from Pastor John- April

As I sit here today in my office, I am thinking about music. It’s not because I am sitting here listening to “The Best of the Bee Gees” (don’t worry, I’m not). It is because of what is going on within our music departments. As I write this our middle school choir is not on campus, they are gone for the entire day to participate in the ACSI Middle School Choir Celebration. Then I was thinking how next week our bands (beginning, concert, high school, & jazz) will be gone for the ACSI Band Festival. I also reflected on how blessed I am to have my kids at a school that recognizes the value of music. With that in mind, what I want to share with you is taken from an article on the benefits of music education. You can find the article in its entirety at http://www.childrensmusicworkshop.com/advocacy/benefits.html

1) Success in Society - The College Board identifies the arts as one of the six basic academic subject areas students should study in order to succeed in college. Academic Preparation for College: What Students Need to Know and Be Able to Do, 1983 [still in use], The College Board, New York

2) Success in School - Students with coursework/experience in music performance and music appreciation scored higher on the SAT: students in music performance scored 57 points higher on the verbal and 41 points higher on the math, and students in music appreciation scored 63 points higher on verbal and 44 points higher on the math, than did students with no arts participation. College-Bound Seniors National Report: Profile of SAT Program Test Takers. Princeton, NJ: The College Entrance Examination Board, 2001.

3) Success in Developing Intelligence - A research team exploring the link between music and intelligence reported that music training is far superior to computer instruction in dramatically enhancing children's abstract reasoning skills, the skills necessary for learning math and science. Shaw, Rauscher, Levine, Wright, Dennis and Newcomb, "Music training causes long-term enhancement of preschool children's spatial-temporal reasoning," Neurological Research, Vol. 19, February 1997

4) Success in Life - "Music education opens doors that help children pass from school into the world around them a world of work, culture, intellectual activity, and human involvement. The future of our nation depends on providing our children with a complete education that includes music." Gerald Ford, former President, United States of Americae

As you can see, music is important, and I pray that you find our music programs to be a blessing, just as my family does. I encourage you to join us for our choir concert on May 21st at 7pm and our band concert on May 22nd at 2 PM. I hope to see you there.

Hayden Leslie

“I can’t, I have practice.” Story of Senior, Hayden Leslie’s life. For those of us who have known Hayden since elementary school, Hayden’s soccer schedule was busy long before many of us even knew what the word meant. Hayden and soccer have been inseparable ever since we can remember. Practice, games and showcases have dominated his life. Traveling down the hill twice a week for two hour practices and every weekend for games is something that he has grown accustomed to. Soccer has woven itself into Hayden’s life, and honestly, he can’t really imagine (or remember, for that matter) his life without it.

Was it worth it? While we got groups together and went to the movies and bowling, and youth group Hayden went to practice. While his buddy had a sleepover party for his twelfth birthday, Hayden had a game. Did he miss out or did we? As far as Hayden is concerned soccer has given him so much more than what appears on the surface. He has made lasting friends, honed a skill that will serve him well, and most importantly gained scholarship offers to pay for his education. While most of us hadn’t started to think about college until freshman year, college was the plan for Hayden the entire time. He practiced, and played and tried out for club teams for one purpose. That purpose has finally been fulfilled.

In the fall, Hayden will be attending UC Riverside on a soccer scholarship. He will finally reap the benefits of year upon year of hard work and travel. He will be playing the sport that he loves as well as living out his dream of attending a major university. Although his schedule has always been busy, it has finally paid off. When Hayden steps on that field this August, every petty thing he has “given up” for soccer will mean little compared to the excitement that he will feel. His childhood hobby had a purpose that enabled him to accomplish his dreams. Although it was hard and grueling, he proved to himself and others that a person can accomplish anything if they set their mind to it and dedicate their lives. Although there were plenty of things that he couldn’t do as a child because of practice, there are now so many things that he can.

Friday, March 19, 2010

Elementary Corner- March

Wow! We are already ending the 3rd quarter! When we come back after Easter break there will by only 42 days of school left this year! With that, we are in full swing of many elementary activities.



First, Math Olympics did their testing, and we should find out the results in April.

Second, the first round of Speech Meet is this week, and the winners will compete in the semi-finals in the chapel on Thursday, April 8th at 8:15 am.

Third, 3rd quarter Honor Roll students will be announced in April.

Fourth, our K-3 Easter Musical was a great success! Congratulations to all the students who participated and a big "Thank You" to Mrs. Schulder for all her hard work and patience.

Fifth, if you see Brooke Fisher around campus remember to congratulate her for her fourth finish in the District 4 Spelling Bee.



Enjoy your two week break from school. Have a blessed Easter celebration!

Wednesday, March 17, 2010

Secondary News March

Wow, as we approach April we are looking at the last two full months of school left in the 2009-2010! What a whirlwind! Seniors are off to Europe, students are enjoying activities like Musicale, Easter break, Science camp, SAT tests, Catalina, Math Olympics, the Warrior Band at Knott’s Berry Farm, Art to Disneyland, Yearbook to Knott’s Berry Farm as well, and the list continues. Hold on to your hats and watch those calendars!

Hopefully, Seniors are making final decisions for next year. These are exciting times!
Juniors should be looking at taking the college entrance SAT’s at least once before this school year is over. Students can register by going to http://www.collegeboard.com/. Juniors please remember to start planning summer trips to visit colleges of interest.

Next year’s schedule will soon be out, and I will then be meeting with each of the students to discuss their future plans and making sure they are on track for graduation and college entrance.

As just a reminder here are the graduation requirements for our high school:

GRADUATION REQUIREMENTS

BIBLE Four (4) years or every semester in attendance at AVCS
ENGLISH Four (4) years
SOCIAL STUDIES Four (4) years

MATHEMATICS Three (3) years (Plus one additional year recommended)

SCIENCE Three (3) years (Plus one additional year recommended)

FOREIGN LANGUAGE Two (2) years
PHYSICAL EDUCATION Two (2) years - Each school team sport counts for ½ year
FINE ARTS One (1) year - Art, Choir, Drama

Students must have 270 credits to graduate.

Our standards for graduation are all based on the entrance expectations of the colleges, especially the University of California (UC) system.

As we fly through the end of this school year with much anticipation and excitement for next year, please feel free to drop in if you have any questions or would like to be sure that your high school student is on track.

Sincerely, Jean Huff

Pastor John March Letter

We have had a great third quarter here at AVCS, and I wanted to share just a few of my highlights with you. In January, I had the opportunity to go down to Rialto and watch some of your students participate in the ACSI District 4 Spelling Bee. You’ve gotta give it to these students; while everyone is enjoying Christmas break, they have a long list of spelling words that they are supposed to be studying! Our students did a great job, and Brooke Fischer got a ribbon for 4th place!

In February, I enjoyed going to basketball games and watched our girls’ basketball team make a run deep into the playoffs. Our girls made it to the semifinals before being eliminated by the team that eventually won it all. Way to go, girls! We also had our 4th annual auction in February. Lisa Kennedy did an amazing job putting this together, and the evening was a great success. We raised over $8,000 that evening!

To wrap up the third quarter, my wife and I had the awesome opportunity to go down to Pasadena and watch our high school choir participate in Musicale. Our students, under the direction of our choir teacher, Mrs. McLaughlin, participate every year in this three day event. Joy and I were only there on Friday, and we were worn out by the end. I don’t know how Mrs. McLaughlin survives! Our choir did an outstanding job and was ranked first of all 18 Southern California Christian schools in attendance! Musicale ended with a performance of all 900 students singing worship songs to our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

As you can see, Spring break is needed by all, so enjoy your break. You deserve it! Be sure to take time to celebrate the resurrection of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ! That is really why we do what we do around here; it’s all about Jesus! I hope that you and your family will take time to celebrate our risen Savior this Easter. Have a blessed Easter and a restful and fun Spring break!

Friday, February 26, 2010

A Note From Pastor John

Don’t you just love Spring?! I know that it’s not Spring yet, but in the desert Spring seems to come early. I love looking around and seeing the new signs of life, flowers beginning to bloom, trees are getting their leaves, and tumble weeds forming!I’m excited about Spring for a couple of other reasons as well. Spring is when we begin the process of looking forward to the next school year. It’s hard to believe that we are already looking at next year’s school calendar, schedule, and registration packet. This has been an amazing year thus far, and I am thrilled to see what God will do throughout the rest of this year, but I am just as thrilled to see what He is going to do next year. On March 15th stop by and get your registration packet and sign up early. As a quick sneak peek, there is no increase in tuition!Finally, the thing I love the most about spring is Easter! Taking time to celebrate the resurrection of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ! That is really why we do what we do around here, it’s all about Jesus! I hope that you and your family will take time to celebrate that fact.

Friday, February 19, 2010

Elementary Corner February

The 3rd, 4th, and 5th grade classes participated in the Science Fair on February 18th. They used the scientific method procedure for their experiments and a science board to display their findings.

Congratulations to the 5th and 4th grade students that were awarded blue ribbons!
5th grade- Jacob Rice, Ryan Renfro, Brooke Fisher, Tyler Belvin, Noah Leslie, and Josh Berry
4th grade- Autumn Pickens, Annika Losch, and Alex Richart

This year , again, the Math Olympics, will be again held on our campus. The 3rd through 8th grade students will be testing on Thursday, March 11th. Congratulations go out to our qualifiers:
3rd grade- Jonathan Housatchenko, Sara Richmond, Zachary Frye, and Hunter Kennedy
4th grade- Alex Richart, Annika Losch, and Madison Dondelinger
5th grade- Jacob Rice, Aubree Conrad, Brooke Fisher, and Ryan Renfro
6th grade- To be decided
7th grade- To be decided
8th grade- Jeni Eklund, Brianna Ely, Allisah Solorio, and Skylar Duval

The materials and selections for this year's Speech Meet will be sent home the first week of March. All elementary students (1st-5th) will have a selection that will need to be memorized. After an in-class competition winners will go onto the semi-finals in the chapel. The finals will take place at Hesperia Christian School on Friday, May 14th.

Secondary News Feb.

Things are really beginning to gear up around here for next year as we look with excitement and anticipation as to what God has in store for us; next year’s schedule of classes is coming together and registration will begin soon!

As the senior class also begins to look towards next year, they have a whole different focus. Here are some reminders of things that need to be done:

· FAFSA deadline is March 2nd –no exceptions!
· College Application deadlines
· Request of transcripts to go to colleges
· Scholarship applications
· Senior picture frames are past due to the front office
· Senior pictures
· Senior graduation announcements will arrive soon if you ordered through Jostens
· Senior trip (for some)

If you have any questions regarding any of your student's academic needs or questions I can help you with regarding the FAFSA or college applications. Please do not hesitate to call me at school.

As the junior class also begins to wind down the year, they should also be mindful of events to come. It is my recommendation that juniors who plan on attending a four year college begin to prepare for the college entrance SAT test by taking it at least one time by the end of their junior year. To register for this test go to collegeboard.com and follow the link to register for the SATs. When the results come, the student is usually very motivated to begin studying and preparing for the next round of testing in October and November of their senior year. One waPy to prepare is to purchase an SAT prep book from your local book store or online. Another way to study is to visit collegeboard.com where the student can sign up for a ‘question of the day'. Puzzle and brain-teaser books are also an excellent way to develop skills in problem solving which are helpful on the math portion of the test. And for the reading comprehension – what can I say but read, read, read (classics)! This will develop vocabulary and sentence structure. This summer for the juniors should also be a time to visit and have a tour of any colleges of interest. Their senior year will be here before you know it!

Sincerely,

Jean Huff

Spirit Week from a Freshman Point of View

Spirit week, for those who have never experienced it, is a truly special experience. It is a time in which every emotion is put on full display. There are moments of incredible joy and happiness, but there are also those moments where you just feel discouraged and sad. Those feelings, both good and bad, are felt even more when you are a freshman encountering it for the first time, like I was.

I can’t say I was totally blindsided by it. I had seen my brother and previous classes attempt to outdo each other with dazzling and enormous displays. So in a vain attempt to not look totally stupid, I began to plan with my class for the many events of the week. I was quickly overwhelmed by the sheer amount of planning and hard work it took to create a good costume, skit, and cheer. (We forgot completely about the all-important fence decorations.) After many hours though of debate we were done or so we thought.

Arriving at school the next day, I could not believe the strange new world I was entering. A senior completely painted green and a seven foot tall dragon all gave me the feeling that I was quite inadequate. After several moments of embarrassments and a few victories, my class and I were happy to walk away with third for that day.

Our goal in fact had been to win the week. After that first day though we realized our goals were a little bit too lofty. We settled on wanting to just not get last. Throughout the week we did our best. We all had our moments of “wow those are freshmen!” But of course, we also had those times of, “Yep, you’re freshmen.” By Thursday, and I believe I’m speaking for the entire high school when I say this, we were eagerly anticipating the end of the week. It is not that we did not have fun; we just needed a little rest.

Friday for us, and the juniors, was kind of a day to simply accept defeat. The seniors had done so well the previous days that by now they could not possibly lose. I know that sounds bad, but it was probably my favorite day. We were allowed to finally sit back and enjoy the displays that the other classes had taken so long to refine, including a choreographed rendition of “Thriller” by the seniors. After the homecoming game that night, it was finally announced that we had gotten fourth out of four. That disappointed us, but also gave us motivation for next year. We definitely had a lot of fun and are eagerly waiting next year to take on those classes that beat us this year.

A Note From Pastor John

Don’t you just love Spring?! I know that it’s not Spring yet, but in the desert Spring seems to come early. I love looking around and seeing the new signs of life, flowers beginning to bloom, trees are getting their leaves, and tumble weeds forming!

I’m excited about Spring for a couple of other reasons as well. Spring is when we begin the process of looking forward to the next school year. It’s hard to believe that we are already looking at next year’s school calendar, schedule, and registration packet. This has been an amazing year thus far, and I am thrilled to see what God will do throughout the rest of this year, but I am just as thrilled to see what He is going to do next year. On March 15th stop by and get your registration packet and sign up early. As a quick sneak peek, there is no increase in tuition!

Finally, the thing I love the most about spring is Easter! Taking time to celebrate the resurrection of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ! That is really why we do what we do around here, it’s all about Jesus! I hope that you and your family will take time to celebrate that fact.

Friday, January 22, 2010

Sharpshooter

“I dropped my option on low 8, which put me in a shoot off and in my shoot off I ditched my pair on 3 and I feel like a Helen Keller.” What in the world does this random compilation of words mean and more importantly who uses them? I’ll tell you of one person who does. Her name is Logan Brinkley, senior, and she knows her way around a gun.
So what exactly is that phrase? That is shooting talk in its essence. Well, more accurately skeet shooting. Many of you may not know this, but we have a young shooting champion in our school and her name is Logan. She may be too modest to tell you this, but she has accumulated a number of scintillating titles in her short amount of years such as 12 Gauge Junior Lady Champion of the nation at the Junior World Shoot in Mississippi and No. 2 Lady in California (she is ranked number 2 in California for skeet shooting). She has earned these great honors through winning numerous competitions that have taken her as far as Illinois, Mississippi, Texas, and Colorado.
As recently as August, Logan became the 12 Gauge Junior Lady Champion. If you didn’t realize from the title, that puts her in the top echelon of all young shooters. It wasn’t always this way though. A lot of hard work and dedication over the last eight years have gone into her becoming the shooter she is now.
She got interested in shooting through her father. “My dad was a hunter safety instructor, so I was pretty much always around guns.” That love of firearms grew and grew, and she eventually became very serious about shooting shotguns around the age of thirteen. This is where she began to work with coaches including Olympic shooting coach Dan Carlisle.
Shooting is not work for Logan. She still loves playing this sport she has become so deeply entwined with, challenging herself over and over again to get perfect scores. She has met some of the best people she knows through shooting and every experience proves new and exciting.
Some might say though that skeet shooting should be a sport only reserved for males. Logan confidently and succinctly begs to differ, saying, “It is proven that women have the ability to be better shooters. You will never know until you try.” If you need any more proof than that, just come and watch her shoot.
As for the future, Logan is keeping her options open, but her aspirations high. While the Olympics are definitely a possibility, she is taking things one step at a time starting with college. She will be attending Schreiner University in the fall and become a part of their shooting team.
By Mark Medina, 9th grade

Elementary Corner-Jan.

Spelling Bee-
Congratulations to the AVC students who represented our school at at the ACSI District 4 Spelling Bee in Fontana in January.
1st grade- Matti Losch
2nd grade- Haley Richart
3rd grade- Liam Ackerman
4th grade- Brooke Fisher
6th grade- Zach Richart
7th grade- Brittany Richart

Elememntary Honor Roll-
Congratulations to the following students who made the 2nd quarter Honor Roll.

High Honors:
3rd grade- Ryan Boggs, Breck Buccola, Zachary Frye, Jonathan Housatchenko, Sara Richmond
4th grade- Annika Losch, Alex Richart
5th grade- Brooke Fisher

Honors:
3rd Grade- Liam Ackerman, Jacob Cervantes, Hunter Kennedy, Wyatt Myskow, Sydney Ricker, Kamaryn Walker, Xander Witt
4th grade- Madisyn Dondelinger, Sydney Murphy, Ashley huff, Jessica Furia
5th grade- Tyler Belvin, Aubree Conrad, Zak Hodhod, Noah Leslie, Ryan Renfro, Jacob Rice, Valerie Torres, Alexis Zavala

Honorable Mention:
4th grade- Autumn Pickens
5th grade- Josh Berry

A Note From Pastor John

Happy New Year! I trust that you and your family had a great Christmas and a happy New Year and were able to relax and enjoy your break. I don’t know about your family, but my family enjoys taking a little time at the beginning of each New Year and talking about some goals- specifically spiritual goals. We talk about the past year, but really spend time looking forward to the future.

I love that about the New Year; it feels like a fresh start! Perhaps some of you enjoy that as well- a fresh start and focusing in on the future. I’m not talking about your typical New Year’s resolutions- you know, those goals that last only until January 3rd. I’m talking about ideas that you have put thought into and require a plan to accomplish those goals throughout the year.

We, as a staff, are in the midst of this process of setting goals as a school. We have been setting our eyes on the future of AVCS and looking toward what God may have in store for us. I am so excited with what God is doing now and can’t wait to see what He will do in the future. Even as I type this letter, there are four new students planning to enroll in the next couple of weeks! God is good! In October, God provided an opportunity for us to work alongside a consultant who is going to give us a report of possible ways to increase enrollment and donations. He has already interviewed a number of families, and we look forward to the results of this study.

Paul talks about “straining toward what is ahead” in the book of Philippians, and I totally agree with that. We are excited for the future of AVCS and continue to praise God and ask for His continued provision and blessing on our school!