Back to School

Brazosport Christian School

Back to School

Written by Anna Magallanes, Director of Development

Colorful Illustrative Back To School Classroom AnnouncementBrazosport Christian School is SO very excited for the first day of school! Are you ready?? We have been working hard at getting the campus set up for “Meet the Teacher” night and the first day of school. This year you’ll find new staff, new electives to choose from, and new families joining our Eagle Team! We are blessed with growth and are looking forward to having you all back in school.

Here are a few tips for those interested for the first day of school:

    • Drop off lines that curve in front of the school are for preschool and elementary drop off. Junior High and High School Drop off location is at the black gate by the gym. Drop off will start at 7:15 and doors will not open prior to that time. If you have any questions for drop off or pick up, please contact the front office.
    • As students (especially the younger ones) are getting back into the routine, it’s important that you make sure they have a healthy breakfast to tide them over until lunch. Mrs. Sanders will have a few options available at the cafeteria window from 7:15 – 7:40 for your convenience. Some of the options will be pastries in the vending machine as well as pancakes on a stick and breakfast bowls.
    • Schedules are great to have for your students to get back into the routine too! Try having their clothes set out, lunches made, and homework done the night before. It helps for a smooth morning.
    • Pack a healthy lunch. Kids LOVE lunch time! They get to visit and relax a bit, and meet some new friends on the first day of school. Make sure they have some healthy options to keep their brain working all day long! If you plan on buying lunch from our school cafeteria, feel free to visit your parent FACTS portal to sign up in advance to make sure lunch orders are made on time. (All lunches must be ordered by 8:00 AM the day of to ensure the right amount of lunches are ordered for all students). You are able to go online and order well in advance for your convenience, and to ensure your child has lunch the day(s) they want to order.
    • Last, but not least, bedtime routines are a must for growing minds! Even with our older students, a good night’s rest ensures that they are paying attention in class, are absorbing the lessons, and are prepared for the day. A decent bedtime routine is a great start to a strong student.

These are just a few tips and tricks to help your child’s first day of school at Brazosport Christian School go smoothly. We are looking forward to a great year and are blessed that you are a part of our Eagle Family. See you Wednesday!

Merry Christmas from Brazosport Christian School

Brazosport Christian School

Merry Christmas

Written by Anna Magallanes, Director of Development 

Merry Christmas from Brazosport Christian School 

Christmas shopping“It’s the most wonderful time of the year”, at least that’s what we hear if we are listening to Christmas carols in December.  Most of us (Including myself) are hustling and bustling, trying to get items for events, trying to get Christmas shopping in, and then they throw a loop on us that there may be a shortage of gifts this year….Wait What??!!  Work can be intense as you’re trying to finish things by the end of the year deadlines, how in the world is it the “most wonderful time of the year”?

I personally have been so blessed to have been able to surround myself with a phenomenal support group on all things work related and personal, and am very much encouraged to take a step back and enjoy the stillness, the quiet, the sabbath.  While in these quiet times, I am able to allow myself some of the truly amazing parts of this season that do make December “the most wonderful time of the year”.  The thoughtfulness of handmade or perfectly shopped for gifts for those special people in our lives, the parties where we all gather and spend our precious time together, the extra time off of work that seems to be the most special of times off, and the music….it’s just all so happy, so perfect.

Little girl receiving a Christmas presentI have not allowed myself to enjoy receiving gifts in so long, mostly because the focus of giving for the season was on my children, and I went without and thought nothing of it.  I relish in the excitement of my children opening their gifts on Christmas morning. It brings me such joy to see their happiness and know that the past few days they were anticipating this very moment and that their expectations were met.  In my book there is absolutely nothing more joyful than this feeling in my heart at this very moment while I’m relaxed in my pajamas and enjoying coffee watching them open gifts.  I know I’m not the only person who feels this happiness, for in Proverbs 11:25 it says “A generous person will prosper; whoever refreshes others will be refreshed”.  Jesus teaches us the happiness that is in giving and knows that it refreshes our soul.  I very much look forward to this same moment in time again this year as I anticipate my children’s excitement.

Christmas present being given or receivedThis year has been a little bit different though, I have shopped for my kids with great anticipation for watching them open their gifts, but I too have been receiving gifts daily at work by a secret gifter from our awesome PTF!  It was truly unexpected, and each day has been filled with a little bit of joy as I anticipate what my next gift will be!!  I’ve gotten snacks, Christmas decor, a beautiful necklace, and so many other wonderful things!!  I felt a little bit like a kid on Christmas morning as the gifts were chosen just for me, and my secret gifter had been great at keeping their identity a secret!  It reminds me so much of how this is truly a wonderful time of year…..there aren’t any other month’s that we get this special attention, these special gifts from friends and loved ones.  It seems to last and last….and yet also goes by so fast.

As I have learned to sit back and relish in receiving gifts this year, I’m reminded of the greatest gift of all.  Ephesians 2:8 states “For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God”.  A true selfless gift that was made just for me, to save me from my own sins.  How can I accept this gift, how am I worthy of such a wonderfully perfect gift?  It’s explained to us in Matthew 18:3-4 “And he said ‘Truly I tell you, unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven.’”  Those sweet little happy faces that I anticipate seeing every Christmas morning are what we are supposed to be doing too!

Joy of ChristmasThat joy, that happiness, that simple little act of believing and the anticipation of the most wonderful things from God! Our Lord and Savior knew we would struggle with this simple act, and he died so that we may be forgiven.  Forgiven of every sin that we have ever done.  When I think back on my lifetime, that’s huge.  And all he wants from us is to come to him like little children, eager to see him, smiling, and just knowing with all of our hearts that he is the best gift of all.  I have truly enjoyed my secret gifter this year, as it reminded me of being childlike and how simple happiness can be if we let it in.  I am very much looking forward to my children’s Christmas morning happiness again this year and this time relishing that God too is watching me and my happiness in that moment with the same anticipation and joy.  It’s truly “the most wonderful time of the year” as we are reminded of God’s gift to us.

Family praying at Christmas dinnerTake the time this year to enjoy the little things, be childlike in your anticipation of gifts, and remember Jesus’ love is your gift, selected just for you!!!!  This time of year is a reminder of that gift and time to relish in it.  Merry Christmas from the entire BCS staff, we look forward to seeing you again in January.

*** Update***. My secret gifter shared her identity with me on the 12th day of my 12 days of gifts.  Mrs. Menard, thank you for making my December special!

My Dad The DOSO

Written by Elijah Burris

My Dad The DOSO

(Director of Secondary Operations)

Director of Secondary OperationsDa Priest. Construction Cody. Master Griller. Pastor Brownie. Coach Poppy. He goes by many names, but the name that I know him by is…Dad. Let me begin by telling you a little bit about my dad’s back story. He was born and raised in a small East Texas town named Corrigan. Actually my dad Is very similar to me in many ways. As a kid, he played basketball, football, baseball, golf, ran cross country and powerlifted. My dad loves to hunt and he has always enjoyed the outdoors, especially snow-skiing.
My dad (Cody) grew up in a family that prioritized going to church. The summer before his senior year in high school he decided to go to youth camp with his church. It was there that he felt convicted of his sin and placed his faith in Jesus as his Savior. A short time after that he felt that the Lord was calling him into the ministry. When he graduated he attended East Texas Baptist University in Marshall Texas. It was there that he served on the Rec Team, led the evangelism team for the Baptist Student Ministries, and worked at three churches serving as youth minister. While at ETBU he also met and fell in love with my mom, Reese. I have to mention that when my mom was a sophomore in college she was a foriegn exchange student at Hong Kong Baptist University (thanks to the relationship between ETBU and HKBU). What’s pretty stinking awesome is that my dad flew over to see my mom to show her how much he loved her (even though he had never flown before). A few months after my mom got back to ETBU, my parents got engaged and were married while still at college. My dad would go on to serve as a youth minister in two more churches totalling twelve years in student ministry. He has also been a pastor for the past ten years as well. Three years ago, Cody took on a second job teaching and coaching at Bay City ISD where we have lived for the past sixteen years. Thankfully the Lord brought him to Brazosport Christian School as an administrator and a coach this year. There is so much more I could say about my dad, like how even though I can at this age beat him at most everything we compete at, he still dominates me in bowling…but those stories are for another time.

BCS High School Electives

Written by Klark Parten and Selina Dan

At Brazosport Christian School, there are a multitude of electives available for students that are in grades 6-12. Students in grades 6-8 rotate around Music, Art, and Marketing/Yearbook every nine weeks. However, students in grades 9-12 are allowed to select one elective to stay in for the entirety of the year. Students have the option to take Marketing/Yearbook, Art, Music, Mr. Lawhon’s Holocaust Class.

Bo CarterThis year BCS has a new head of Musical Arts. Bo Carter started at BCS this year and has since taught the kids in his music class how to lead a student lead chapel. The students have become musicians and have a full praise team with a lead vocalist, guitarist, and a keyboard player. Some female students sing in a trio or quartet, such as Kaylee Conner, Bella Newby, and Carlie Martinez. Hunter Simmons leads the group as lead vocalist and guitarist. Seth Henderson backs him up with the guitar. Callie Listak plays the keyboard and Luke Coburn plays the Cajon.

Mrs. Magallanes teaches Yearbook and Marketing. This is her first year teaching this class. With a background in marketing, she is more than qualified. We interviewed Mrs. Magallanes recently. When asked what sparked her passion for marketing, she said that her experience and passion in marketing stems from her parents being in the business themselves and she learned the ins and outs of the business from a very young age. She has been in business for years learning marketing and business trends as she went along and she still helps her mother run a boutique that they started about 7 years ago. She hopes to be able to implement some new idea’s and marketing strategies for the school as a whole, but also share her information to the students at BCS.

David LawhonMr. Lawhon is returning for his third year at Brazosport Christian. Mr. Lawhon teaches the Holocaust class during 6th period. When asked why he felt the need to teach this elective he said, “ It is his calling…why wouldn’t a liberator’s son do it?” He takes this elective seriously because he “owes his research to over 11 million people.” He has seven students that attend the class and loves every single one of them.

Homecoming 2021

Written by Hunter Simmons and Elijah Burris

BCS Homecoming students around table watching slideshow

Homecoming 2021 an amazing success! Student costumes flooded the hallways and school spirit filled the atmosphere. The week was an amazing celebration of all that BCS holds close, school spirit and student community.

BCS Homecoming students gathered aroundHomecoming, in general, has always been centered around the football team. It is a celebration of the last home game for the team. This year the Eagles were matched up against St. Joseph’s Catholic School. Many students and alumni came to watch and cheer on the Eagles. The game was a fierce clash which unfortunately ended with a loss for the Eagles. However, the following week the Eagles secured a victory against Grace Christian, ending their season with a win.

BCS Homecoming MCsThe Homecoming dance is the other main event the week holds. This year’s dance was amazing and gained much acclaim from all the students. The theme for this year’s dance was a “Night in Venice”, immersing students in an Italian dinner and a great time of laughter and dancing. Many memories were made that night, from the hilarious “Who’s Who?” awards, which showcase students on a range of different aspects, to the funny commentary given by the MC’s.

BCS elementary class gathered for a picture to show school spiritHomecoming brings the school together and allows students to show their support for the school. It brings an energy and excitement to the atmosphere of the school that is just contagious. Homecoming 2021, you were awesome! We can’t wait to see what is in store for next year.

Quality over Quantity

When speaking with our Head of School, Mr. Sikes, about a feeling of overwhelmingness when it came to my load for that week, he simply smiles and answers “Quality over Quantity”.  These words seem so simple, yet they hold so much.  I usually feel the anxiety come off of my shoulders and back immediately when I hear that I am supposed to follow them.  However, before I know it, I’m back into the overwhelming feelings of balancing work, family, and life in general.  

As the holidays approach, I fear that the feeling of anxiety will not dissipate and I’ll be left as a frazzled mother trying to do her best in the midst of children excited that school is out and that holiday festivities are near.  I try to remind myself regularly of this “Quality over Quantity”.  What does this mean for me?  What does it mean for any of us?  As I was planning this blog on the hustle and bustle of the holidays, I looked up bible verses that brought peace, and I came across Matthew 6:25-34.

“Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothes? Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they? Can any one of you by worrying add a single hour to your life?”

“Do not worry about your life!”  How is it that I have not been following this simple advice my entire life?  The Lord our God provides everything that we need to be able to live in his name.  This wonderful verse goes on further by saying “Can any one of you by worrying add a single hour to your life?”  That’s where it hit me, can I add more time to my life?  The answer is simple.  No.  No amount of working harder, no amount of stressing over work load, no amount of working longer hours is going to add any additional time to my life.  “Quality over Quantity” rings in my ears again.  

There are enough hours in our days to do the important things.  Work is definitely up there, but when the work hour is done, it’s time for family, it’s time for fun, and it’s time for rest.  “Quality over Quantity”, do your best during those work hours, spend good quality time on the tasks at hand, doting on them and doing less multitasking……less quantity.  Less stressing over the little things, less time stressing over that big pile of work, more time working on a committed task to get it done well.  There will always be work, and it will sit there and wait patiently for you to return and tackle it meaningfully. 

As the holiday season is approaching fast, this year try to put into practice “Quality over Quantity”.  Spend more time with your family and friends, take some time off to share recreational activities with them, enjoy the sabbath, pray, and enjoy peace as it is certain to be found.  Keep things simple.  Enjoy quality time with the ones that you love.  Set the tone for the rest of the family and I assure you, they will all fall into place.  As November approaches and we look forward to celebrating Thanksgiving, I hope you keep Mr. Sikes advice of “Quality over Quantity”.   May your holiday season be filled with many blessings and peace.  

 

Anna Magallanes