About Us

Dear PCA Family,

Every day is a gift, and every single day, from the beginning of the year, has been one blessing after another. As the weeks turned into months, our campus has been thriving and full of learning that is engaging, exciting, challenging, personal and student-centered. Our gracious God has gone before us to bless and protect. It has been most difficult on our high school students and staff, yet their resilience and courage is inspiring. Through it all, His hand is always guiding and His promise to “never leave you nor forsake you” (Hebrews 13:5) has never been more evident across 2020!

As the future unfolds, we hold fast to the promises that God has given us in His word. Paul wrote in 2 Timothy 1:12-14, “I am not ashamed, for I know whom I have believed, and I am convinced that He is able to guard until that day what has been entrusted to me. Follow the pattern of the sound words that you have heard from me, in the faith and love that are in Christ Jesus. By the Holy Spirit who dwells within us, guard the good deposit entrusted to you.”

We are privileged to help guard your children. We experience the joy of teaching your students each day and on behalf of all the teachers, thank you for entrusting us with your most precious treasures. We not only prepare our young people academically, we provide them with life-changing opportunities to invest their own hearts and hands in love and service to others “in His name.” We want to leave a mark, not of worldly success, but of the hope of Jesus.

As we pause to reflect on another year of God’s provisions, it is only natural to share with you what He alone has done and invite you to be part of what comes next. With your prayer and continued financial support, we can continue to fulfill our mission to raise up a generation of leaders who will impact our world for Christ.

At this blessed Christmas season, please consider including Plymouth Christian on your giving list

before the end of the calendar year. Your support is needed as we move forward into this new year and your heartfelt and gracious gifts benefit all students! Thank you for being a part of shaping the next generation of leaders for His glory in new and innovative ways.

Educating for Eternity,

Mrs. Caryn Huntsman, Superintendent

ALL SCHOOL NEWS

Giving Back This Christmas in PCA’s Food Fight 2020!

Each year, during the finals months of the year, Plymouth Christian Academy students and staff look for ways to give back and serve others. This year, PCA is partnering with the Detroit Rescue Mission Ministry to serve those in need.

As of today, students have collected a whopping 3,099 cans of food for the mission! According to their website the DRMM was founded in 1909 and since then the mission has “helped to rebuild thousands of lives that were destroyed by addiction, homelessness, and poverty.” They have accomplished this mission by “sharing the love of Jesus Christ and giving the most hopeless citizens of Detroit the chance for hope and a future.” According to the DRMM website, “In Detroit, there are over 18,000 homeless people in need of shelter on any given night. Detroit Rescue Mission Ministries is providing 600 of them emergency, transitional, and permanent housing each night.” Each day, the mission serves more than 2,200 men, women, and children. PCA has worked with the mission many times in the past during the school’s Christmas service projects and during the annual school Servathon in the spring. To learn more about the DRMM, please visit their website, http://drmm.org.

We are praying for a great outpouring of God’s love as we serve Him by serving others during

through our Food Fight donations this year. We look to the promise in Isaiah 58:11 which says, “Feed the hungry! Help those in trouble! Then your light will shine out from the darkness, and the darkness around you will be as bright as day. And the Lord will continually guide and satisfy you with all good things and keep you healthy too; and you will be like a well-watered garden, like an ever-flowing spring.”

Thank you for your sacrificial support of Plymouth Christian and your joy in making it better every day. 

Oh What Fun!

This week’s festivities were fun, festive and flat out competitive! Check out this week’s door competition winners! By the way, the declared winners this week… drumroll please…. The preschool-2nd grade door! (Mrs. Lewan, Mrs. Warmbier, Mrs. McCreedy, Mrs. Larabee) Thanks for playing! ‘Til next week…

Shop with SCRIP and Save

SCRIP is a fund-raising tool for schools, but PCA is unique in that we apply any rebates you earn directly against your tuition account. It’s a great way to fundraise for your own tuition account! Simply sign up with SCRIP using our school enrollment code. Contact Laura Imlach for details: laura.imlach@plymouthchristian.org or 734-459-3505 x3156.

Good news! TRIP rebates have been applied this month!   We pulled in all rebates earned from April 1st through November 30th (this past Monday), and applied the funds to your balances just in time for Christmas.  Our top earning family earned $645.17, but there were seven families earning over $450.  We are so glad this fundraising program is helping you reduce your tuition costs.

Our next rebate will be applied in April, 2021 and will reflect all rebates earned from December 1st through March 31st.

Calling all PCA and CBC Moms

Dear PCA Moms in Prayer,

In light of the governor’s announcement limiting gatherings, PCA Moms in Prayer will take a break from meeting in person. We will email prayer updates to our group each Monday until we can resume our in-person meetings. If you would like to be added to our email list, please contact Jen Hock at jstreblow@gmail.com or Sarah Batson at sarahebatson@gmail.com. Please join us in praying for our PCA family in this challenging time.

Blessings,Jennifer Hock & Sarah Batson, Moms in Prayer Coordinators

A Special Message from Mrs. Caryn Huntsman:

During this giving season, I ask you to consider a special, year-end gift that will build upon the blessings that God has provided our school over the past 44 years. If you have already made a financial contribution this year, I want to thank you for your partnership. Your faithful support demonstrates your commitment to educate and equip lifelong learners, leaders and servants who influence our culture for God’s glory. I want to thank you, along with the faculty, staff and the administration for your dedication, time, resources and gifts that provide the resources that support new academic initiatives, faculty resources and facility improvements. We know how critical it is to carefully plan for and take steps into the future as the Lord leads.

Your investment in our students provide the funds needed to nurture and develop the leaders of tomorrow. God greatly blessed our school this year and we look forward to many more years of being good stewards of the precious treasure of Christian education.

“The Giving Wall” is PCA’s 2020-2021 giving initiative that flows from our mission to educate and equip students for a lifetime of learning, leadership and service. If we all double our efforts, our $55,000 year end goal is within our reach! Every gift to “The Giving Wall” makes a difference and participation is so important this year. It’s the percentage of friends and families, and ministry partners who give to the Annual Fund that becomes the number we celebrate.

Simply click on one of the giving envelopes on PCA’s Giving Wall or make a contribution in any amount using any of the ways you already give to Plymouth Christian including credit and debit cards, online via plymouthchristian.org/giving, mail in check, cash, non-cash assets, recurring giving, on PCA’s new Giving Wall, and more. The staff in our finance office is available to help answer any questions about giving you may have.

Contributions are gladly accepted by our school’s fiscal year-end on June 30. However, many contribute before December 31 to take advantage of a tax deduction for the current year. Please click here to contribute on line: https://www.plymouthchristian.org/giving/fundraising-events/the-giving-wall/

As we celebrate the joy of the season and usher in a new year, we acknowledge that every gift comes from God. We are eternally grateful and especially mindful of the greatest gift ever given – our hope and our salvation, Jesus Christ. I pray that God will richly bless you and your family!

Health & Safety

Daily Health Screening

When determining when to keep your sick child at home and when to return, please refer to the Wayne County screening tool at the right. Click HERE to download this document that you should refer to daily.

Security Car Stickers

At Plymouth Christian, we are commitment to school safety and continue to address ongoing and emerging security practices for the safety of our campus. As an added layer of protection, each family will be receiving three security vehicle I.D. stickers. Stickers should be placed on the driver’s side, lower left window (outside). These stickers are vinyl, approximately 1/1/2 inches in diameter and can be safely removed at the end of each school year. Extra car stickers should be given to designated family or friends for student pick up. New stickers will be re-issued at the start of each new school year. Our goal is to distribute PCA car stickers in student backpacks on Friday, December 17, 2020.

ELEMENTARY NEWS

PRESCHOOL

Gingerbread Fun!

AUTHOR VISIT IN ELEMENTARY

Students are bombarded with false messages about God, about themselves, and about right and wrong. Our award-winning books help counteract the world’s assault on your children’s character by filling their minds with truth and beauty. Having raised twelve children, the author understands the desire to see young people develop an unshakable faith in God that will last through adulthood. Their stories are saturated with love, tenderness, wisdom, and truth about the Creator who loves them and their family so much.

Christian Author Gary Bower will be visiting Plymouth Christian Academy on Tuesday, December 15th. Book order forms are being sent home and can be returned on December 15th. You can visit www.GaryBower.com for more information on his books. We are excited to welcome them to PCA!

Character Counts and TRFFCC Tickets! 

As a school, we are committed to introducing students to Jesus Christ and in partnership with the home and church, helping them learn to know and love Him. We want our students to know the importance of living a meaningful life—centered around love, relevance, and authenticity. Our prayer has been this year, through our character education program called Godly Character Counts, that our students would learn and be trained and imitate the Godly character traits found in our six pillars (Trustworthiness, Respect, Responsibility, Caring, Fairness, Citizenship). Students receive what we call TRFFCC Tickets as faculty and staff observe their Godly character in action. As these students follow the Scriptures and humbly point away from themselves to Christ, we will see a generation carry out God’s mission around the world like never before. We are so excited to what God will produce in their lives in the years to come.

We have ONE Festive Thursday left!  

Next Thursday, December 17th, your child may wear dress code pants along with a dress code red, white, or green shirt, blouse, sweater, or Christmas sweatshirt.

Elementary Christmas Concert

We are excited about this year’s Elementary Christmas Concert, “Hotel Noel.” The students have been busy learning their songs and lines and can’t wait for you to see their efforts. Because of restrictions in auditorium use, our concert will look different this year. We are finalizing our Christmas Concert film to distribute to all of our elementary families. In a couple of weeks, you will receive the completed video in the Google Classroom. Please understand that this video cannot be shared on any social media site. We only have copyright permission to send it to our families. We are so proud of our students!

MERRY CHRISTMAS

Elementary Wish Lists are also located on our website at https://www.plymouthchristian.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/ElementaryWishList2020-21.pdf

SECONDARY NEWS

Spiritual Formation 

Students have the opportunity to participate in weekly Spiritual Life Groups and Chapels where they dig into the Word of God, pray for each other, and keep each other accountable in an uplifting, inspiring and fun environment. We are blessed with chapel speakers who seek to motivate our students to go deeper in their walk with God.

This month, students and staff engaged in a December Christmas Chapel series highlighting the more obscure scenes in the Christmas story. Pastor Phil and Pastor Jordan were key speakers and the remarkable message they shared, that God became one of us so that we could become one with Him, resonated with our young people! Please enjoy Pastor Phil’s message here. Stay tuned for Pastor Jordan’s message next week! ://drive.google.com/file/d/10G4gPMU5hJz-dLVfTHGOhaXrJfzvnyZZ/view?usp=sharing

SPOTLIGHT ON SECONDARY SCHOOL COUNSELOR, MRS. DANA ZAMBECK

Position at PCA: Secondary School Counselor

Family Info: I have been married to my husband, Nick, for 29 years. We have 3 awesome kids – Jake is a senior at Alma College, Isaac is a Sophomore at Kettering University and Abby is a Senior in High School.

Where did you grow up? In Monroe, MI where I attended Trinity Lutheran School thru 8th grade and graduated from Monroe High School.

Where did you go to college? I graduated from Adrian College with a Bachelor’s degree in Social Science and Family Life Studies and played volleyball, basketball and track. I later received my Masters at Michigan State University in School and Community Agency Counseling.

Favorite Snack: Smoothies

Favorite Bible Verse: Jeremiah 29: 11&13 “For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future…You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart.”

When you were a kid, what did you want to be when you grew up? I wanted to be a high school teacher and coach for as long as I can remember…following in my Dad’s footsteps. I had a wonderful school counselor in high school and became interested in school counseling while working with him on my career and college plans.

Most interesting thing about yourself? I enjoy watching my kids play sports – football, volleyball and track. And as a family, we have many competitive volleyball games while at the lake – girls vs. guys – my daughter and I are a pretty good team!

Can you think of a positive thing that came from COVID Quarantine? We got a puppy!!! Rey (the Jedi) is an adorable Mini Bernedoodle that was a much needed addition to my family during quarantine.

Guidance Counselor’s Corner

Mrs. Zambeck would like to shout out to the SENIORS! “Make sure you’re working hard on getting those college applications in and let me know of any acceptance letters that you get.” She’s already heard from some of you, so keep up the good work! Mrs. Zambeck made the Senior College Decision Board in the Senior Cove. Check out the picture above.

Admissions

One of the best parts of my job is meeting new families and introducing them to PCA!  We have been averaging a whopping 7-12 tours a week these past few weeks from families seeking a Christian education.  We already have multiple applications for next year rolling in!  We are excited to open our third section of kindergarten beginning January 19th.  We only have four remaining openings for that class!  Our PCA family is spreading the word about the PCA difference and it is such a blessing for me to meet your friends and neighbors and tell them about PCA.  A comment that comes up often during the tours is that they can sense we are like a family  here — one family even commented that we are like a “small town” tucked away here in Canton.  I love that!  We do love each other and pray for each other!  We miss our high schoolers and other online students and can’t wait to be reunited again!  Keep spreading the word!  Please visit Facebook, Niche, Great Schools and Private School Review to write a review.  It really helps!  And if you are ever willing to share your story about PCA, please let me know!  We would love to share your God-story on what PCA means to you!

Continuous Enrollment News

With enrollment on the rise at Plymouth Christian Academy, we are either at or near waitlists in many of our grades. Placement in next year’s class is an increasingly sought-after spot. Throughout PCA’s history, more than 85% of students annually enroll for the following year. We love our students and are proud to see such strong retention year after year.

Our desire is to make our re-enrollment process even simpler for PCA families and that’s why we are launching “Continuous Enrollment.” We’ve thrown out the February re-enrollment process altogether, including the $100 deposit that was required to hold your spot! This simple Continuous Enrollment process is known as the “Once An Eagle, Always An Eagle” model. With continuous enrollment you will guarantee your child’s classroom seat from now until they walk across the graduation stage.

Beginning November 20, 2020, our “Once an Eagle, Always an Eagle” model begins, which means your family will remain at Plymouth Christian unless you notify us otherwise. Our families will never have to think about re-enrollment at PCA again! Instead, we can all have confidence that our Eagles will always be Eagles!

Q: How does Continuous Enrollment work? 

A: You will be part of the PCA community unless you tell us otherwise, and your child’s spot in their class will be secure until graduation.

Q: What if things change for our family? 

A: You will have until April 30th to fill out the Intent to Withdraw form, simply notifying the school and face absolutely no penalty.

Q: Are there any deadlines to be aware of? 

A: Families will be responsible for 10% of tuition after the April 30th deadline. For major life changes/unique circumstances resulting in withdrawal after the deadline, Superintendent and Regent Board approval is required to waive the 10% tuition fee.

We work hard to plan and prepare for students to return each year and we want to invest these tuition dollars wisely so we can provide the quality Christ-centered education you have come to know and love at PCA. We know you’ll appreciate the simple process Continuous Enrollment provides.

For questions about Continuous Enrollment, please connect with Leanne Windle (leanne.windle@plymouthchristian.org or 734-459-3505×3190)

Mrs. Leanne Windle, Admissions Director

High School Robotics

High School Robotics has been meeting virtually this month. Some of the fun things the design team has been doing is using Fusion 360 (see pic below) for CAD/CAM to 3D print and the software team is learning to code using Java.

The upcoming meetings are scheduled below:

12/10 Thursday CAD/CAM 3D Printing 6-7 pm

12/15 Tuesday General Meeting to work on Registration 6-7 pm

12/16 Thursday CAM/CAD 3D Printing 6-7 pm

12/16 Thursday Software Meeting 7-8:15 pm

The Atoms Family, in action by following their Facebook page HERE.

WHAT HAPPENS WHEN YOU DON’T GET WHAT YOU WANT

2020 hasn’t been a banner year in many ways. I don’t think any of us had even a clue what was in store for us when the clock struck midnight on January 1st. After enduring much turbulence and disappointment over the past year, we are hesitant to be hopeful that 2021 will be any different.  The recent news of yet another extension of restrictions, the possibility of small or no Christmas gatherings, and more virtual meetings instead of face-to-face interactions was met with a heavy sigh—weighing the reality of a deadly virus against the mental anguish of trying to regain a sense of normalcy. Our country, our state, even some of our families, are passionately divided on what the best and right course of action should be during this time. And when decisions are made that are not agreed with, the rift grows larger.

Working in Admissions at PCA, I hear very intelligent, Godly people weigh in on both sides of all kinds of arguments but the most pressing this past year is the response to Covid-19.  As a people-pleaser (I know, not a good thing to be), I want everyone to be happy. I quickly learned that with Covid-19, no one was going to be happy. There was no “middle road” that would make both sides fully satisfied. The most recent news conference announcing another 12 day restriction on high school in-person learning and athletics made my stomach churn for two reasons: the people who ache to be active and involved in school and the people who mourn the possible tragic health consequences that large gatherings invite. I thought, “no one is going to be happy today.”

As I was praying about it on my drive home, I asked the Lord, “What happens to us when you don’t get what you want?” The more I thought about it, three areas came to mind:

Change in vision: our focus either broadens to have an eternal perspective or narrows to see only how things impact us personally.  In the book of Genesis, we read how Joseph faced many difficult circumstances, but instead of focusing on the unfairness he endured, he was able to say with confidence that what was meant for evil, “God intended for good.”  On the other hand, when the Israelites were delivered from Egypt in a miraculous way, they encountered hardships on their way to the Promised Land. When faced with hunger and thirst, instead of trusting the God who parted the Red Sea, they grumbled and complained and never got to see the good things that God had planned for them.

Change in heart:  We can become blessed or we can become bitter.  In the book of Ruth, we read about a woman named Naomi, who not only lost her husband, but both her sons. In her grief and despair, she returned to her hometown with her daughter-in-law, Ruth. When her friends saw her, they hardly recognized her. Naomi told them to call her “Mara” for she was very bitter over what happened to her. But God was gracious to Naomi by giving her a daughter-in-law who was absolutely devoted to her. Through circumstances only God could’ve orchestrated, Naomi saw God provide a new family through Ruth and Boaz.  In the last chapter of Ruth, those same friends who were told to call her Mara now called her “blessed.”  Her circumstances did not change, but Naomi saw the difference between being bitter and being blessed – and so can we!

Change in faith:  Our faith can either deepen or dry up when going through difficult times.  Jesus talks about this in the parable of the sower in Matthew 13. In the parable, He describes the different ways seeds fall – places where it was eaten up quickly by birds, rocky soil where it failed to take root and soon withered in the heat, or where it was choked by thorns. Only the seed that fell in good soil grew to produce a bountiful harvest because it was watered with the Word of God.  I’m reminded of those heroes of the Faith written about in Hebrews 11.  In verses 39-40, the writer of Hebrews says that “they were commended for their faith, yet none of them received what was promised since God had planned something better…” When things don’t go our way, we can either plant ourselves deep into the Word of God to weather what God has allowed us to go through, or we can dry up.

No, we don’t always get what we want, but God always gives us what we need.  May we be found faithful as we make the choice to keep an eternal perspective, a heart of joy and blessing and a faith that is strengthened by the Word of God.  Our love for one another is a witness to the world that there is a difference in those who are Christ-followers.

Leanne Windle, Admissions Director

EAGLE ATHLETICS

Reminder!  Executive Order 2020-180 specifies that athletes must wear a face covering for all sports practices and contests except for cross country and tennis. This includes all off-season training for baseball and softball as well. If you do not have a mask, you cannot participate. If you are involved in any of our sports and have questions, please contact your coach. Please note that spectators are still limited to two per player for all games at this time. All home games in the Butler Gymnasium will be live-streamed at NFHSnetwork.com.

Athletic Website & Schedule Alerts

Please follow our athletic website, www.plymouthchristianeagles.com, where you can view scores, schedules, articles and team/sport-specific updates. Enjoy keeping up on PCA sports! When you are on our PCA Eagles Home Page, be sure to sign up for VNN Alerts for your team. Click on ‘Sign Up For Alerts’ located just above the purple banner on the upper right side of our PCA Eagles home page or click on this link https://alerts.getvnn.com/#/profile/alerts. Remember to check your student’s online game schedule frequently as changes often occur during their season.

Physicals & Forms

If you have a student that is interested in participating in a PCA sport, he or she must have a current, MHSAA physical and our Sports Participation form on file in the Athletic Office BEFORE they can participate in tryouts, practices, or games. Forms are online at our school website HERE (scroll to the athletic tab), in the Secondary Office, and Athletic Office. A physical dated April 15, 2020 or after is considered a current physical and is good for the current school year until April 15, 2021. NOTE: Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, if your student had a current physical for the 2019-20 school year, (dated 04-15-2019 or after) the MHSAA is allowing that physical to be valid for this school year. If this applies to your student, you must complete the 2020-21 MHSAA Sports Health Questionnaire and turn it into the Athletic Dept.

Athletic Team Practice/Game

If the practice or game is not taking place right after school (starting by 3:20pm), students must report to the Study Table room, or be meeting with their teacher, in order to remain on campus. Thank you for your help with this!

GAMES THIS COMING WEEK:

GAMES SCHEDULED THROUGH 12-19-20:  None

EAGLE FINE ARTS

Thank you for your continued support for PCA Arts!