With lingering uncertainty about how the COVID-19 pandemic will continue to impact our lives as we approach the fall, you may be wondering what you can expect from your child’s school in terms of on-site instruction at the start of the school year. While schools throughout the country are taking varying approaches, PCA has been preparing since March to bring students back to campus safely. This will be made possible in the fall through a unique and customized hybrid learning approach that is designed to serve the needs of our community. Read More
Summertime offers a welcome break from traditional academic work and learning. This year in particular, after ending with the unexpected season of distance learning, we’re welcoming summer vacation with open arms. Learning doesn’t stop in the summertime, though. There are many ways to continue learning during this vacation from school: one of the most important is reading! Read More
After weeks of work-from-home, struggles with focus, engagement, and productivity are common for parents and students alike. It seems that everything takes longer than it should, and we’re all struggling to stay engaged. As you seek to support your child through continued distance learning, identifying which obstacles are in the way of time management and implementing strategies to overcome difficulties can help get your child on a more productive track. Read More
When we think of the arts in education, we picture musicians packed into a room, practicing a challenging piece together. We picture collaborative art classes, with students providing feedback on each-other’s masterpieces. We imagine stages full of actors, reading scripts and dancing together.
None of these images pass the six-feet social distancing test, so how does a school like Portsmouth Christian Academy (PCA), with a strong emphasis on the arts, continue educating students in the visual arts, theatre, and music? Read More
With widespread closure of schools, businesses, and state parks, parents can be hard-pressed to find something to occupy their students’ time during this April vacation. Additionally, with Gov. Sununu announcing that all schools are to continue online instruction for the rest of the academic year, some families may feel a loss in momentum in their home-learning.
Fortunately, academic institutions across the globe have made plenty of projects, exhibits, and educational information available to the public. We’ve compiled a list of some of the fun and instructional activities for you to try out with your child during this vacation. Read More
Why the transition?
WhyIt’s our mission. Though these are trying times for all, the mission of PCA remains steadfast: to deliver a Christ centered education. It is no coincidence that our core value focus this year is Compassionate Community, which we define as “service and love in action.” As a school, we have been given an opportunity to show compassion and serve one another in ways we never would have imagined. Through this lens of compassion, we continue to find new ways to partner with our families to provide an excellent, Christ-centered education. Read More
Everything has changed. Weeks ago, you dropped your child off at school five days each week. You went to work. You picked them up at 3:20. You made dinner. They went to bed. There was a schedule… a plan.
Now everything is different. Your children stay in their PJs for most of the day. Mediating disagreements and monitoring screen time is becoming your full-time job. On top of that, you may be feeling responsible for making sure that your children are learning during this time. Read More
A guest post from Dr. Deborah Osgood
The current pandemic has disrupted life as we know it here at home and across the globe. As we all do our part to flatten the curve and limit the spread of COVID-19, most of us are spending a lot of time at home. While this certainly requires a huge adjustment for us and our families, it does not have to be stressful. As an expert in behavior and work life, two areas where we’re all adjusting, I want to share these tips to not simply survive, but to thrive during these challenging times. Read More
On March 13, with the threat of COVID–19 increasing in our area, we made the decision as a school to prepare for distance learning. This call was made just days before New Hampshire Governor Chris Sununu announced the temporary closure of schools. Over that same weekend, PCA teachers and administrators prepared for distance learning, and by Tuesday March 17, the temporary shift to distance learning had begun. Distance learning has been an adjustment for the PCA community, but continuing to maximize student potential, regardless of the situation, has remained our priority. Read More
Learning from home can seem appealing when one thinks of unrushed mornings, working in pajamas, and getting up to move around whenever desired. However, while some of the options surrounding distance learning seem amazing, it’s important to give thought as to how well it is working for you. The following checklist is intended to assist your child(ren) and you in making the most of learning in these unusual times and to feel comfortable reaching out to your school if you find that things are not working smoothly. Read More
