The New Classical Academy was pleased to host Maccabi Academy on Friday, December 2 for a presentation by the UNCA Center for Diversity. "Festivals of Light" was the theme, and the students were treated to a presentation on Ramadan, Russian Christmas and Hanukkah. The Macccabi Academy students then joined us for some winter craft and block building fun. We hope this is the first of many shared educational experiences with other schools in the community.

Parents will be happy to note that all of the staff at The New Classical Academy are now certified in adult and child CPR, as well as first aid. Our January staff meeting will feature an inservice on Brain Gym. In addition, Ashley attended a conference at the Grove Park Inn on learning disabilities and ADD (and she also did her continuing education for her law certification in the state of Tennessee). Andy was chosen as "Hero of the Week" by the Weaverville Tribune for his contributions to our school and the community.

We had a successful presentation to the Board of Trustees of the First United Methodist Church on Jackson Street in Sylva. We expect to hear from them by the end of the year, and we will hold an informational meeting in Sylva in January for interested parents. The school will tentatively be held in the new part of the church building which has two large classrooms and a full size basketball gym! The initial grade offering will be K-5 and we will be hiring two teachers and an assistant for the first year. Check the website for updates between newsletters or email us if you would like to be added to the Sylva email list of interested parents.

The Swannanoa school has found a potential site in Oteen, and we will know more about it by the February newsletter. This school is our way of insuring that every student who wants to attend The New Classical Academy will have the opportunity to do so next year.

Congratulations to the staff of "The Pen and Ink" on the publication of their first issue. The students survived leadership changes, arguments, a split into two papers and a reconciliation, all before putting out their first issue! The most impressive thing is, the paper was created without adult assistance. The next issue comes out in January. Stop by the school to pick up a free copy. Other happenings around campus this month: leaf play, handcrafts, play practice, and the addition of study hall every afternoon for those students who just can't get enough reading, writing, and arithmetic!