The word we’ve chosen to guide us this year is fellowship. During our in-service, we spoke at length about how we can build a stronger sense of fellowship at every level of our school community: among the teachers, the families, and with our school board.
The word âfellowshipâ comes from Old Norse, where the root word means to “invest in a joint venture.” To have true fellowship is to put effort toward a common goal. For Christ the Savior Academy, that goal is a child with a classically-trained mind and a Christ-formed heart. Our understanding of the word “fellowship” is also shaped by the New Testament Greek word âκοΚνĎνίιâ (koinĂłnia) or communion, which highlights the sacred bond we share. We should not only value fellowship, but actively work to foster it within our community.
While the “ship” in “fellowship” isn’t the kind that sails the seas, it can remind us of the Ark of Salvationâthe Church. By God’s mercy, we are all on this vessel together, and the Lord Himself is our pilot.
This year, we will actively encourage fellowship in our community in several concrete ways.
Among Our Families
- We’re recruiting parent ambassadors to welcome new families and plan community activities.
- We’re hosting a series of family events, like our playground playdate and the Back-to-School BBQ.
- We’re launching a Monday ZipCast, a micro-podcast with school updates and parent education to keep everyone connected and informed.
Among Our Teachers
- We have consolidated lunch periods to allow more teachers to share a break together and build camaraderie.
- We’re hosting Thursday lunches in the teacher lounge for a dedicated time of fellowship and conversation.
- We’ve scheduled quarterly teacher fellowship meetings with Fr. Aaron.
With Our School Board
- We’re hosting a school board open house day at CSA, allowing board members to see our school in action.
- Weâre providing a special CSA School Board BINGO card full of ideas for board and school engagement.
- We’re encouraging our board members to join us by hosting a Thursday lunch in the teacher lounge.
We have had such a wonderful start to our school year. Now, we look forward to cultivating deep and meaningful connections as we work together to serve our students and our shared mission.
Katherine Earles
Head of School
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Looking Ahead
As the last days of summer fade, we’re eagerly anticipating all that September has in store for the CSA community. Itâs a month packed with opportunities to gather, celebrate, and strengthen our bonds as a school and a family.
Labor Day (September 1)
We begin the month by observing Labor Day, a time to rest and reflect on the value of hard work and service. This pause gives us a chance to recharge before we embark on a new school year, ready to invest our efforts in our shared mission.
Akathist to the Mother of God, Nurturer of Children (September 5)
Join us for a beautiful Akathist to the Mother of God, Nurturer of Children, Friday, from 6-7 p.m. This powerful prayer service, whose name (áź-, a-, “without, not” and κΏθΚĎΚĎ, kĂĄthisis, “sitting”) literally means “unseated hymn”. We stand in reverence, as we come together and lift up our children by name. We will offer this prayer to the Theotokos, asking for her intercession to help raise our young ones to be worthy heirs of Christ’s Kingdom. Itâs a truly sweet and meaningful way to begin the year. United in prayer for the spiritual well-being of our students, we build our spiritual fellowship as we dedicate our year to God. All parents, grandparents, and godparents are encouraged to attend!
St. George Family Summer Picnic (September 7)
On Sunday, from 5-9 p.m., the St. George A-Men (Antiochian Men) is hosting a family picnic on the playground, and we are all invited. Come and connect with our broader parish community, meet new friends, and share in some great food and fun. CSA will host a sundae booth, serving ice cream and toppings for a donation to our school. Just bring a picnic blanket, a yard game to share, and your own beverages. The menu will feature gyros, Mediterranean chicken, brats, hot dogs, and watermelon. Plus, for the teens, there will be a bounce house and gaga ball. Let’s come together and celebrate the joy of our shared community!
CSA Golf Classic & Gala (September 12)
This is one of our most important fellowship and fundraising events of the year. The Golf Classic & Gala brings together families, teachers, and supporters for a day of friendly competition on the course and a lovely evening of celebration that directly supports the students of Christ the Savior Academy. Whether you prefer hitting the links or dressing up for a night out, there’s a perfect way for you to contribute. Visit buytickets.at/csagolf for more details.
School Liturgy (September 17)
The heart of our spiritual fellowship is our monthly school-wide Liturgy. On Wednesday morning, at 8:30 a.m., we will gather as a communityâstudents, teachers, and familiesâto celebrate a Divine Liturgy in honor of the Holy Martyrs Sophia and her daughters, Faith, Hope, and Love. Their lives offer a powerful example of enduring faith and spiritual strength. Many of our students will actively participate in the service, assisting at the altar, singing in the choir, and reading the Epistle. This is truly a wonderful way to begin our school day. There is no greater expression of koinonia than sharing in the Holy Mysteries as one family. All are welcome to attend!
Donuts with Dads (September 26)
You’re invited to our upcoming Donuts with Dads event on Friday morning, at 8:10 a.m. This is a special morning dedicated to celebrating the fathers, grandfathers, godfathers, uncles, and other important men in our students’ lives. We invite you to join your children for a donut and a cup of coffee before school begins. Itâs a simple, sweet way to foster fellowship and honor the crucial role you play in the lives of our students. Please plan to join us in the chapel for morning prayers before heading off to start your workday. We can’t wait to see you there!
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New Resource for CSA Families
We’re excited to announce our newest communications initiative, the CSA ZipCast!
This weekly, 10-minute audio message is a simple and encouraging way for you to stay informed and connected to our school. Each Monday around 7 a.m., youâll receive a text with a link to listenâno app downloads or complications. While most parents will listen on their smartphones, you can easily listen to your ZipCast on your computer as well.
The ZipCast features essential news and announcements personalized from our leaders along with informative segments from trusted experts around the country. This resource is meant to be shared with our parents and grandparents, giving your family a deeper understanding of classical education in general and Christ the Savior Academy’s culture and vision, specifically.
Keep an eye on your inbox for details on how to subscribe. This wonderful new resource will keep you informed and connected with our CSA community!
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