June 4, 2020

Dear GCA Family,

The leadership of Grace Christian Academy in cooperation with the GCA COVID-19 Task Force is making plans to return to campus this August.  The group is developing safety measures and procedures to accomplish the return to school and monitoring available information from local, state, and federal health officials.   The team will continue to evaluate data as it becomes available over the summer to ensure safety for all students and staff.

The team includes GCA Executive Team members, GCA Nurse Amy Smith, Dr. Nick Thornton, Attorney Art Knight, GBC Executive Pastor George Thames, H.R. Director Dr. Kathy Sims, and Facilities Manager Daniel Mathis. 

The GCA COVID-19 Task Force was created with the following purpose statement:

In response to the developing COVID-19 outbreak in the United States and abroad, Grace Christian Academy has convened a COVID-19 Task Force that includes school administrators, facilities director, school nurse, a community medical doctor, an attorney, and Grace Baptist Church leadership.

The COVID-19 Task Force is charged with providing recommendations to the Grace Christian Academy Executive Team on strategies for preparing for and managing any possible campus impacts related to the coronavirus outbreak. The task force will also work with the GCA Executive Team to share important updates, review the school’s pandemic protocols, and provide guidance and communication to GCA families. Members are in communication with state and local government and public health agencies for the most current information, including the latest guidelines and recommendations issued for schools.

The task force’s central focus is on protecting the health and safety of students, faculty and staff and maintaining GCA’s commitment to education and service as we Lead, Build, and Equip our students to serve Jesus Christ.

As your family enjoys summer break, please know that this team is working diligently to use wisdom and discernment in planning and decision making for a successful return to campus.  They also continue to consider the vulnerable members of our community who could be affected by this transition.

Thank you for your continued support and encouragement as we have navigated this unusual and unprecedented time.  We are looking forward with anticipation to a great school year ahead!

Sincerely,

GCA Executive Team

Dear GCA Families,

Thank you for your patience as we have waited for and evaluated public health recommendations and restrictions in regard to public gatherings as we approach the original graduation date for the GCA Class of 2020.  We’re so pleased to announce plans to hold a graduation ceremony for the GCA Class of 2020 to be held on Friday, May 29 at 4pm. 

Due to continued public health restrictions that prohibit large public gatherings, only immediate family members of graduates (those living in the same household) will be allowed to attend the event.  Because we know that many of you are deeply invested in the lives of these students, the graduation ceremony will be livestreamed for extended family, friends, and the GCA community to share in the celebration.

Please see the following video announcement from Mr. Tim Holland.  More details about this upcoming event will be shared in the days ahead.

https://youtu.be/vNxtiXRaNFA

Thank you for your continued partnership in these remarkable times.  We cherish the opportunity to share this journey with your family!

GCA Executive Team
GRACE CHRISTIAN ACADEMY

5914 Beaver Ridge Rd.
Knoxville, TN 37931
865.691.3427
www.gcarams.org 

Dear GCA Family,

It is our prayer that you and your families are safe and well during this time of social distancing.  Please know that the GCA School Board has been in close communication with Dr. Pointer and his team as they continue to focus on expanding and improving the distance learning experience for all GCA students and parents.  We are very grateful for our faculty and administrators as they continue to work diligently to provide a quality learning experience for students in this current climate.  We especially appreciate the parents and students for walking alongside GCA during this challenging time.  We are grateful to everyone for demonstrating patience and grace as we experience and learn from this together. We firmly believe that God has placed us in this season for something remarkable and believe GCA will come out of this even stronger than before.  

One day, our students will look back on the COVID-19 experience and realize they were part of a major event in world history.  They will be able to share their stories with their children and tell them how God worked in their lives during that time.  But right now, we are still in the midst of a disrupting and challenging season.  We want to assure you that the GCA administration and faculty are committed to doing their best to provide a quality Christian Education for you and your children. They are continuing to review, evaluate and adjust their distance learning methods to provide the best experience possible for students that will set them up for success upon entering the 2020-21 school year.

The apostle Paul, in a prison quarantine situation himself wrote to Timothy saying “I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.” 2 Tim 4:7. Through our faith in God we have hope, and we too shall persevere from this season and reflect on His faithfulness in our lives and in our school.

May God bless each of you, 

The GCA School Board
GRACE CHRISTIAN ACADEMY

5914 Beaver Ridge Rd.
Knoxville, TN 37931
www.gcarams.org 

pp. Teri Rash

GCA Family,

In Psalms 18:1-2, David proclaims, “I love you, Lord, my strength.  ² The Lord is my rock, my fortress and my deliverer; my God is my rock, in whom I take refuge, my shield and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold.”  This Psalm was written as a hymn of praise to God for His continual deliverance of David out of the hands of his enemies.  It serves as a wonderful reminder to us that our hope and strength is to be found in God.  It has been an amazing few weeks.  On a number of occasions, I have stood back in awe of what I have seen God doing through the students, parents, faculty, and administration of Grace Christian Academy as we have shifted to a distance learning model.  I am eternally grateful for the outpouring of prayers and support that we have received.  It is an honor to continue to partner with you in the midst of these challenging circumstances to fulfill our mission to LEAD, BUILD, and EQUIP the next generation.   Let us continue to walk in the strength of the Lord in the days to come!

In a press conference held on Wednesday April 15, Tennessee Governor Bill Lee recommended that all schools in Tennessee should remain closed for the remainder of the academic school year.  Additionally, the TSSAA has canceled all athletic competitions for the remainder of the season.  In order to maintain the safety of our entire school community, the leadership of Grace Christian Academy has decided to remain in our distance learning model and cancel all athletic contests for the remainder of the year.  The last day of distance learning instruction will be Friday, May 15.  Monday, May 18 through Thursday, May 21 will be designated as academic recovery days in which all GCA faculty will be available to help students complete unfinished assignments and review any necessary educational content.

In the coming days, our principals and directors will communicate further division-specific information and plans for key events.  It is our commitment to finish the 2019-2020 school year strong!  During the next few weeks of distance learning, our faculty will continue to focus on the essential skills and content in order to prepare our students for future success.  We will joyfully celebrate our students and families of the GCA Class of 2020.  We will rejoice in all that God has done in and through Grace Christian Academy this year.  

If you and your family are in need of prayer or any support, please reach out to me personally at tony.pointer@gcarams.org.  We are joyfully anticipating the opportunity to see you back on campus again soon.   Until then, let us continue to draw strength from the Lord!

God Bless,

Anthony R Pointer
Head of School
GRACE CHRISTIAN ACADEMY

March 26, 2020

Dear GCA families,

It’s been a wonderful start to our distance learning format this week at Grace Christian Academy!  Thank you to students, parents, and staff who have demonstrated creativity, flexibility, and resilience as we needed to make a sudden shift to this new learning platform.

On Tuesday, March 24, Governor Bill Lee requested that schools in Tennessee remain closed through April 24, 2020.  The Executive Team of Grace Christian Academy is continually monitoring the health crisis and recommendations from federal, state, and local officials.  The leadership of GCA has determined that students should continue using a distance learning model until it is deemed safe for students and staff to return to campus.  During this time all extra-curricular activities will be suspended; TSSAA has also communicated their intention to follow the Governor’s directive.  GCA will provide students and parents with acceptable notice prior to the reopening of our campus.

We understand that this time of uncertainty and loss of normal routine is challenging for students and their families.  Timely communication will be shared as our administration continues to evaluate the situation and maintain compliance with health recommendations.

Thank you for your continued partnership and overwhelming support through this temporary transition to distance learning.  It is our greatest prayer that we will be reunited on campus when the health crisis has resolved and that we can finish the year together.

Sincerely,

GCA Administration

March 16, 2020

Dear GCA Family,

On behalf of the entire leadership team of Grace Christian Academy, I want to thank you for your prayers and support over the past few days as we have been navigating through some unique educational challenges. 

In accordance with the recent recommendation from Governor Bill Lee, Grace Christian Academy will move to distance learning from March 25-April 3.  During this time, campus will remain closed and all activities, including athletic events, will be cancelled.  All athletic facilities will also be closed.  Principals will be communicating division specific information by Friday, March 20.  Teachers will begin communicating class information and instructions by Wednesday, March 25.  Spring break, as a result, will continue through Tuesday, March 24.

Thank you for your continued partnership.  We look forward to seeing you back on campus soon!

God Bless,

Anthony R Pointer

Head of School
GRACE CHRISTIAN ACADEMY

March 12, 2020

Dear GCA Families,

In Philippians 4:6-7, it states “⁶ do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. ⁷ And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”  In this passage, Paul is reminding the believers in Philippi that the God we serve is greater than any fear or obstacle we will ever encounter.  Therefore, we can have peace even in the midst of difficult circumstances knowing that God is in control. 

As of today, there have been several confirmed cases of COVID-19 in Tennessee.  Grace Christian Academy is monitoring and following recommendations from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the Tennessee Department of Health, and the Knox County Health Department. 

In response to this issue, GCA is employing the following practices:

·       After we dismiss for GCA Spring Break on Friday, March 13, we plan to return to campus on Monday, March 23.  Should the need arise, however, we are developing plans with our faculty and staff to conduct classes remotely.  As a precaution, we are asking that students take their textbooks, learning materials, including electronic devices home with them over spring break.

·       Consistent with the recommendation of the CDC, individuals who have traveled internationally in the CDC defined high risk areas will not be permitted on campus for 14 days after returning from their travel.  This includes family members in the same household of those individuals who have traveled to these areas. 

·       GCA is routinely cleaned with a non-toxic high-level disinfectant and this practice will continue.  Faculty and staff will continue to sterilize high contact surfaces and exercise regular cleaning practices.

Thank you for your continued partnership in this effort to provide a healthy, safe learning environment for our students.  Because circumstances are fluid, we will continue to communicate as thoroughly and carefully as we can.

The GCA Administration