Welcome to the ACSI Student Activities Program for 2008-2009!
ACSI stands for Association of Christian Schools International. The mission of ACSI is to develop and sponsor activities and events that enhance God-given abilities, gifts, and talents in the lives of students. SCA participates in seven ACSI events. Please consider having your student(s) participate in as many ACSI events as you deem appropriate.

2008/2009 ACSI EVENTS
Specific dates and locations will be announced in future newsletters.

ACSI District Spelling Bee
Date: Friday, January 23 (Time: TBA)
Place: Vineyard Christian School, 5340 E. La Palma Avenue, Anaheim, CA 92807
Fee: $7.00 per student (Pay on SCA bookkeeping sheet.)

If your student has qualified for the ACSI Spelling Bee, please arrive at the Spelling Bee by 9:00s and check in with Kristina Dyer. She will be checking students in and handing out student 5 x 7 name cards. All students must be supervised! The event will begin promptly at 9:30a with a general assembly in the main sanctuary. Please have your student dressed nicely. During the Spelling Bee you will not be allowed to travel between rooms or use any photography or recording equipment. Pagers and cell phones must be off or silent. Absolutely no other children or visitors under the age of 18, besides the spellers, may attend the District Bee. We are required to provide parent helpers. You will be notified by email which job you have been assigned. Parent helpers need to attend the orientation meeting at 8:30a.

Directions: Take the I-5 N toward Los Angeles. Merge onto CA-55 N toward Riverside. Merge onto CA-91 E toward Riverside. Exit Lakeview Avenue and go north (inland) to E La Palma Avenue and turn right. The school is located on the south side of La Palma between Lakeview and Imperial.

Please notify Kristina Dyer immediately if your student will not be participating in the District Spelling Bee so that she can invite a student who is on the waiting list. The Regional Bee will be held on Saturday, February 21.

ACSI Creative Writing Festival
Date: Mail by Friday, January 30
Cost: $6.00 per piece, per person (Pay on SCA bookkeeping sheet.)

CALLING ALL WRITERS!!! ACSI hosts a Creative Writing Festival in which SCA participates. This is a mail-in event for grades 4-12. Fill out a participation form from the ACSI website. (It is located on page 16 of the Coordinator’s Handbook.) Attach three separate forms to three separate copies of your student’s submission and mail by Friday, January 30th, to Jacquie Antoun

The top four entries from each grade will be submitted to ACSI for evaluation, a rating, and an awards ribbon. To access the categories and rules, please go to www.acsi.org. Follow the navigation instructions above.

Categories:
Short Story
The short story may deal with a spiritual or historical personality, theme, or idea. The writer must stay within the bounds of moral and edifying subject matter. The personalities may be of any era. The story may be, but is not limited to, fantasy, mystery or comedy. It may also be true to life. The following lengths are required: 300-800 words (grades 4-5), 600-1600 words (grades 6-8), 900-2400 words (grades 9-12).

Essay/Personal Narrative
The author must develop a definition, concept, or idea. The subject may be a
controversial one, but moral and spiritual values must be evident. An essay consists of an introduction, a body including two to five points, and a conclusion. Lengths are the same as above.

Poetry (rhymed or free verse)
Topics may include those relating to nature, spiritual concepts, and the feelings and attitudesof people. The poem should evoke one’s thoughts, imagination and emotions. The following lengths are required: 25-100 words (grades 4-5), 25-300 words (grades 6-8), 25-600 words (grades 9-12).

FORMAT
Papers are required to be typed. Parents may assist in helping the student correct spelling, punctuation and grammar. Editing suggestions may be given, but the student must use his/her own words in making revisions. The final copy should be free of handwritten corrections. All submissions must have the entry form attached with three copies.

ACSI Jr. High Speech Meet
Date: Friday, March 6 (Time: TBA) – Registration Deadline: Friday, February 6
Place: New Venture Christian School, 4000 Mystra Drive, Oceanside, CA 92056
Cost: $10.00 per student (Pay on SCA bookkeeping sheet.)

If you have a 7th or 8th grade student interested in this event, check out the ACSI website (see above website) for the Junior High Speech Coordinator’s Handbook and the Sample Materials Handbook. Please email Jacquie Antoun your selection. I will go by first come first serve for that selection. Students will participate in two rounds of judging. This is an all-day event. If you have a child participating in this event, please plan to be a judge. When you email Jacquie, please let her know if you are willing to be our SCA Representative on the day of the meet.

ACSI Piano Festival
Date: Tuesday, March 10 (Time: TBA) - Registration Deadline: Tuesday, February 10
Place: Friends Christian Middle School, 4321 Rose Drive, Yorba Linda, CA 92886

Cost: Solo entries $9.00 per student, duet entries $12 per duet (Pay on SCA bookkeeping sheet.)
Each student memorizes an approved selection at his/her own level of participation and performs before an adjudicator. The festival is NOT a competition: each student is judged against a standard of excellence and not in comparison with other students. Parents, please talk with your child’s piano teacher to select a piece at the appropriate level and to learn the technique requirements. Have the students start practicing and eventually work towards memorization. Festival information, technique requirements, and registration forms are available on the website per the navigation instructions above. For further information, registration or questions in regards to this festival, please contact our coordinator Maisie Nipp.

ACSI Math Olympics
Date: Friday, March 27
Time: TBA
Place: Capistrano Valley Christian School, 32032 Del Obispo Road, San Juan Capistrano, CA 92675
Cost: $7.00 per student

If you have been notified by Sheri Riel that your student has qualified for the Math Olympics and if your student is going participate, please pay on your bookkeeping sheet.

SCA Elementary Speech Assembly
Date: March 31 – Registration Deadline: Friday, March 13
Time: 9:30a–11:30a
Place: Crossroads Church

Students will be selected from the SCA Elementary Speech Assembly to represent our school at the ACSI Elementary Speech Meet on May 8. You may find the ACSI approved selections on the website by following the navigation instructions above. There are a variety of categories. Please sign up your student for the SCA Elementary Speech Assembly by emailing Jacquie Antoun. Please indicate your student’s grade level and the category and title of their speech.


ACSI Sr. High Speech Meet
Date: Saturday, April 18 – Registration Deadline: Friday, March 13
Time: TBD
Place: Vanguard University
55 Fair Drive
Costa Mesa, CA 92626-6597
Cost: $20.00 per student

Participating student interprets, informs, or communicates a prepared literary work, self-written oration, or impromptu speech. Two preliminary rounds will be held in each event. Students are rated according to a standard of excellence and ranked in comparison to other students in that round. Students with high ranking and ratings will advance to the final round. This event is open to all High School students. Whether you are a seasoned speech club member or new to speech, we encourage you to participate in this event and be a part of a wonderful SCA tradition! If you have any questions or concerns, please see Rebecca Nogy.

ACSI Elementary Speech Meet
Date: Friday, May 8
Time: TBD
Place: Victory Christian School
227 N. Magnolia Avenue
Anaheim, CA 92801
Cost: $7.00 per student

Students will be selected for this event from our SCA Speech Assembly. Further instructions will be emailed to the participating families.