A Glance Back and A Look Forward

A Quick Review of Our Inaugural Year and Information for the Upcoming Year

Summer is moving out and the new academic year is quickly moving in. Welcome back to all our returning students, and welcome to many new students and families joining our CMCS community this year. We are so glad to have each of you and excited for all God is doing at CMCS!

Last year (our inaugural year), was one for the history books! Below are some quick statistics, fun facts, and exciting accomplishments to review our first school year:

• We began with 28 students and ended with 42!

• We added Mrs. Bethany Trout to the team as a teacher and event coordinator.

• We took approximately ten field trips across the grades and had multiple classroom and chapel guest speakers, including two missionaries, career specific guests, historic reenactment guests, and many others.

• We hosted an occupational therapy fair day for our students, programmed and facilitated by Southwest Virginia Community College's Occupational Therapy students.

• We successfully hosted our first Vision Dinner (our largest annual fundraiser supporting the school's annual fund and scholarship goals), raising approximately $30,000 at this inaugural event.

• We packed 28 Christmas Joy Boxes with toys and necessities for local families in need and donated those to the Elk Garden Community Ministry.

• We hosted our first Christmas program and End of Year Exhibition, as well as, Muffins with Mom, Family Field Day, multiple meals from around the world, and more!

• Our students knocked end of year testing out of the park!

Now for looking forward! We are in for an exciting new year with many new faces. To date, we have 72 students enrolled and have hired two new full-time teachers, Andrea Lutzo (Kindergarten/1st grade) and John Hubbard (upper grades teacher), along with Lindsey Kegley as a new administrator.

We are also excited to share the opening of our new library and computer lab space. This space will be fully equipped with books for all ages and academic levels, along with a quiet study/reading space, and comfortable, cozy seating for independent study or reading time. This space will also be equipped with multiple computers that can be used for student research, writing, and testing.

Because we have added many new faces and classes, we have expanded our classroom space, as well! This year, we will not only take up the classrooms located in the main academic hallway on the first floor, but will also be occupying newly constructed and updated classrooms upstairs.

We are excited for the growth that has come with this new academic year and expectant for all God is doing in our school and community. We are certain that although the many accomplishments of our first year have come with much hard work, they are ultimately the result of the Lord's blessing. He has been good to us and we are so grateful.

Now for some important information for the upcoming year:

• August 8th is the Annual Back to School Barbecue and Open House. This event will last from 6pm-8pm and is a great opportunity to meet teachers, fellowship with other CMCS families, and meet the many new faces joining us this year. This will also be an opportunity to see your student's classroom and get any classroom information you may need. Schedules for all 8th grade and up will be available this night.

• No snacks will be provided by the school this year. If your student would like a snack during the day, this will need to be packed in your student's lunchbox.

• We will not be having pizza on Fridays this year. We are so grateful for the generous donor that provided pizza for our students every Friday last year, however due to growing enrollment, that will not be continued this year. Please remember to pack lunch every day of the week this upcoming academic year.

• Car line will function a bit differently this year. If your student is in a car seat or needs assistance getting out of the vehicle, please park in the center of the parking lot while unloading your student and walk your student into the building. PreK-K students will dismiss at 3:20 this year. You will receive a new car line map in your email and this map will also be available at this link soon. https://www.clinchmountaincs.org/general-6

• We will no longer be allowing cell phones during school hours. Students who bring phones to school will be required to turn them into the office upon arrival and will be able to retrieve them at the end of the day. There has been irrefutable data that cell phones are doing much more harm than good for our students, and we want to create an environment that is free of distraction and prime for growth and learning.

• If you have not paid your matriculation fee for this upcoming year, please do so along with your first month's tuition.

What are some ways you can contribute to this new year?

• Pray! Pray for our faculty, staff, students, and administration to know, love, and experience God this year. Pray for safety and for an enjoyable and productive learning environment. Pray that our students will grow academically and spiritually and will build lasting friendships with those around them.

• Give! If you would like to contribute monetarily there are multiple ways to do so, these include monthly gifts, one-time or annual gifts, planned gifts, or in-kind gifts. See Emily Farmer for more information about giving to CMCS or for assistance in planning your contribution.

• Substitute or Serve! There are plenty of opportunities to volunteer or substitute at CMCS. If you are interested in either, you can email us at the email listed below.

We are looking forward to a great year with all of you! As always, if you have any questions or concerns, feel free to contact us at clinchmountaincs@gmail.com.