12/17/2021

Head to Heart: Child Safety Protection Network

December 15, 2021

TO: Pan American Christian Academy Parents

Warmest greetings of the Advent Season! We have experienced the joy of coming together as a body over the past two weeks with the High School Drama “The Winter’s Song” and the Pre-Kindergarten and Elementary School Christmas celebration “Isaiah Jones and the Seekers of The Lost Christmas Treasure.”

October’s H2H addressed communication, grievances, and conflict. This month the focus moves to another aspect of community interaction – special emphasis on child safety.

PACA’s Child Safety and Personal Protection Policy

In October 2019, PACA held its first on-site, staff- and school-wide child safety training workshops; representatives of the Child Safety and Protection Network (CSPN) were consultants. Training in child safety practice is a necessary global aspect of school preparation, by which we hope to increasingly offer safe and inviting atmosphere in every aspect of our interaction with students, families, and the community. PACA policy mandates that all parents be informed of child safety policy and procedures to follow in reporting. PACA’s “Child Safety and Personal Protection Handbook” (CS&PP) is available here on the PACA website. PACA’s Child Safety Lead is Mrs. Brenda Stockment, who receives all electronic reports submitted.

It is vital that parents, teachers, and students are aware of the procedures in place at PACA. Quoting from page 1 of the CS&PP handbook, “It is the responsibility of all Pan American Christian Academy employees, adult volunteers, and students to report any suspected cases of child harassment or abuse to the Child Safety Team” and we add “parents” to complete that list of those responsible to report. Because child safety is a community matter, please spend the 20 minutes or so to become familiar with the CS&PP Handbook, either in English or Portuguese.

PACA SARS-COV-2 Protocols

One unavoidable aspect of child safety these days is health safety and COVID-19 impacts. PACA’s contracted COVID-19 consultant Escola Segura advises regularly through Member Care Director Luana Sousa.

Parent Roundtables – Second Semester

I share two of the comments from first semester roundtables below.

Thank you and Mr. Fray for sharing at length about Board of Trustees organization, philosophy, and goals.
Please leave more time for parent discussion and dialogue.

That is good advice. A roundtable is for dialogue; we intend to offer more of that in second semester roundtables. Items on the agenda will include:

A briefing on Board of Trustees philosophy, representation, and long-term focus
Info/Dialogue on what “return to normal” and/or “the developing new normal” will mean for PACA
Dialogue exploring PACA’s purpose
Dialogue on expected student outcomes (assessing wholeness, achievement, stewardship, &b catalysts)
A second real-time mini-survey on parent satisfaction
Topics raised by parents in writing in advance (will be offered via registration form)

Second semester roundtables will again be held in-person only. Appropriate safety protocols will be followed.

Wishing you and yours a Christ-filled Christmas,

Sincerely,

John Nelson,

Superintendent

................................................................................

15 de dezembro, 2021

AOS: Pais da Pan American Christian Academy

Saudações calorosas neste momento do Advento! Experimentamos a alegria de nos reunirmos como um corpo nas últimas duas semanas com a Peça de Teatro do High School"A Canção do Inverno" e a celebração natalina do Pre-K e Elementary "Isaías Jones e os Caçadores do Tesouro Perdido de Natal".

A H2H de outubro abordou comunicação, reclamações e conflitos. Este mês, o foco passa para outro aspecto da interação comunitária - ênfase especial na segurança das crianças.

A Política de Segurança Infantil e Proteção Pessoal da PACA

Em outubro de 2019, a PACA realizou suas primeiras oficinas de treinamento presencial em segurança infantil; representantes da Rede de Segurança e Proteção da Criança (CSPN) foram nossos consultores. O treinamento em práticas de segurança infantil é um aspecto global necessário da preparação escolar, pelo qual esperamos oferecer uma atmosfera cada vez mais segura e convidativa em todos os aspectos de nossa interação com alunos, famílias e a comunidade. A política da PACA exige que todos os pais sejam informados sobre a política de segurança infantil e os procedimentos a serem seguidos nos relatórios. O "Manual de Segurança Infantil e Proteção Pessoal da PACA" (CS&PP) está disponível no site da escola. A líder da PACA em segurança infantil é a Mrs. Brenda Stockment, que recebe todos os relatórios eletrônicos enviados.

É vital que pais, professores e alunos estejam cientes dos procedimentos em vigor no PACA. Citando da página 1 do manual da CS&PP, "É responsabilidade de todos os funcionários da Escola Cristã Pan Americana, voluntários adultos e estudantes denunciar qualquer caso suspeito de assédio ou abuso infantil à Equipe de Segurança Infantil" e acrescentamos "pais" para completar essa lista de responsáveis a denunciar. Como a segurança infantil é um assunto comunitário, por favor, gaste cerca de 20 minutos para se familiarizar com o Manual CS&PP, seja em inglês ou português.

Protocolos PACA SARS-COV-2

Um aspecto inevitável da segurança das crianças hoje em dia é a segurança da saúde e os impactos da COVID-19. A consultora contratada da PACA COVID-19 Escola Segura, aconselha regularmente através da Diretora de Member Care, Luana Sousa.

Mesas Redondas para Pais - Segundo Semestre

Compartilho dois dos comentários das mesas redondas do primeiro semestre abaixo.

Agradeço à escola e ao Sr. Fray por compartilhar longamente sobre a organização, filosofia e objetivos do Conselho Diretor.
Por favor, deem mais tempo para a discussão e o diálogo com os pais.

Este é um bom conselho. Uma mesa redonda é para o diálogo; pretendemos oferecer mais do que isso nas mesas redondas do segundo semestre. Os itens na agenda incluirão:

Um briefing sobre filosofia, representação e foco a longo prazo do Conselho Diretor.
Info/Dialogue sobre o que "voltar ao normal" e/ou "o desenvolvimento do novo normal" significará para o PACA
Diálogo explorando o propósito do PACA
Diálogo sobre os resultados esperados dos estudantes (avaliação da totalidade, realização, administração, &b catalisadores)
Uma segunda mini sondagem em tempo real sobre a satisfação dos pais
Tópicos levantados pelos pais por escrito com antecedência (serão oferecidos através do formulário de inscrição)

As Mesas Redondas do segundo semestre serão novamente realizadas apenas presencialmente. Os protocolos de segurança apropriados serão seguidos.

Desejamos a você e aos seus um Natal preenchido por Cristo,

John Nelson,

Superintendente

The Christmas Story by the Kindergarten Students

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12/9/2021

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Christmas Program & Livestream Links

CHRISTMAS PROGRAM

The PACA Christmas program will be on Saturday, December 11 in the gym. Every year, the PK-5th grade students participate in this special event.

Session 1: 4:00 pm

Preschool (PK1 and PK2), 2nd grade, and 3rd grade will be part of the first performance.

Students are expected to be at their classroom by 3:15 pm.

>> ZOOM LINK <<

Session 2: 6:00 pm

Kindergarten, 1st grade, and 4th grade will be part of the second performance.

Students are expected to be at their classroom by 5:15 pm.

>> ZOOM LINK <<

5th-grade students will have a very special role in this program:

They will perform at both sessions and are expected to be at PACA by 3 pm.

The audience will be comprised only of the immediate families (parents & siblings) of performing classes, as well as PACA staff members. We will also have a link available for extended family and friends to watch online. More information to come.

PROGRAMA DE NATAL

O programa de Natal da PACA será realizado no sábado, 11 de Dezembro, no ginásio. Todos os anos, alunos do PK-5º ano participam deste evento especial.

Sessão 1: 16H00

A pré-escola (PK1 e PK2), o 2nd grade, e o 3rd grade farão parte da primeira apresentação.

Alunos deverão chegar em suas salas de aula até às 15:15 horas.

>> ZOOM LINK <<

Sessão 2: 18H00

O Kindergarten, 1st grade, e 4th grade farão parte da segunda apresentação.

Alunos deverão chegar em suas salas de aula até às 17:15 horas.

>> ZOOM LINK <<

Os alunos do 5th grade terão um papel muito especial neste programa:

Se apresentarão em ambas as sessões e deverão estar na PACA até às 15:00 horas.

O público será constituído apenas pelas famílias imediatas (pais e irmãos) dos alunos que se apresentarão, bem como pela equipe da PACA. Também teremos um link disponível para que família e amigos possam assistir online. Mais informações em breve.

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12/9/2021

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The school is in mourning...

TO: All Parents of PACA Students (PK-12)

There is significant sadness on the PACA campus this morning.

We learned late last evening of the untimely death of a former student Abner Almeida, the son of Merari and Jose Carlos, PACA’s transportation colleagues, in a motorcycle accident in São Paulo. Abner had been enrolled for several years at PACA, but left after his sophomore year in 2020. He would have been a member of the current senior class.

Early this morning, the Leadership Team (LT) assembled to implement the Crisis Management Plan we have adopted. We have met with each high school class as well as the faculty and support staff

Not only is the senior class in a state of shock and/or disbelief – other students in the high school are also feeling the impact of Abner’s sudden passing, not to mention our faculty and staff. Of course, all of us know Merari and José and their loving staff who serve PACA students so safely on the streets and avenues of São Paulo. Let’s be unified in prayer for their family as well as all PACA staff and students.

PACA has suspended today’s semester exam schedule for Grades 10-12, as well as all athletics practices both today and tomorrow (Friday Dec. 10). Mr. Stockment has revised the Gr. 10-12 exam schedule for Friday-Monday and will share it shortly in a message to high school students and parents.

Mrs. Luana Sousa (School Psychologist), Mr. Silvano Kubo (Campus Pastor) and Mr. Stockment (Principal) have met with homeroom teachers and are currently meeting with students in the auditorium to provide general grief counseling. Other pastoral counseling is also available on campus. For all seniors, especially those who are not on campus due to having an exam exemption, Mrs. Kuhnast is available today by WhatsApp from 11:30 am – 1:30 pm and after 5:00 pm.

We are allowing students in Grades 10-12 to arrange to go home as soon as possible. They may also stay on campus, as well, and await their bus’s departure at 3:30 pm. If the parent agrees the student will return home earlier than 3:30 pm, please follow one of two courses of action:

Call the school office and state the time the parent will pick up the student (Gr. 10-12 only), or
Call the school office to provide permission for the student to take other transportation (e.g., taxi, Uber).
To inform PACA of either of the above arrangements, please use one of these phone numbers:

Front Desk (Katia Villa): 5929.5000 or 5929.5001
High School Office (Vanusa Abreu): 5929-9515

Condolence cards or other written messages may be left at the reception desk today and tomorrow, and PACA will deliver them to the family.

I am deeply grateful for our faculty and staff and leaders and others for the care they have provided our grieving students already this morning. An update will be included in my December Head-to-Heart message tomorrow.

With gratitude for your prayers for the Almeida family,

John Nelson,

Superintendent

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12/1/2021

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Giving Day

GRATITUDE IN THE MIDST OF CHALLENGES

This is the moment to live out our faith…

November 24, 2021

Dear PACA Alumni, Former Parents, Former Teachers and Friends of the School,

Like you, PACA has not been immune to challenges brought by the pandemic. Yet, also like you, we have many reasons to praise God for His provision. Please join us in this season of gratitude by making a gift to PACA on Giving Day, Tuesday, November 30. Here are six examples for our gratitude to Him:

Spiritual growth on campus with students of all ages being baptized or making a commitment to follow Jesus.
Impressive 2021 AP testing results amongst our high school students with 98 AP exams across 18 subjects, of which 85% were a 3 or higher.
Notable university acceptances for the Class of 2021 into institutions such as Johns Hopkins, Liberty, Purdue, SCAD, UC Berkley, UCLA, Notre Dame, Wheaton College, Universidade Mackenzie, FAAP and many others.
Enrollment that has allowed us to cover our operational costs.
Successful recruitment of experienced new local and international Christian educators to further our dual curriculum program.
A safe return to presential school and co-curricular events, such as plays, athletics, the Reading Contest and the Christmas program.

God’s blessing far exceeds these six praises of gratitude. But, if I could highlight one more specific point, it would be God has continued to bless us with incredibly dedicated and unique faculty – who teach to transform lives! Giving to PACA impacts teachers and students.

One hallmark of PACA’s education is the campus atmosphere around our teaching and support staff – faculty willing to model what it means to be a life-time learner. In a matter of seven days at the start of the pandemic, we were able to successfully migrate to online classes by embracing new technology and new methodologies. And while it is stressful to teach during a pandemic, our faculty have demonstrated over and over a higher calling – to be transformational models who integrate the Christian faith into our quality academic program. It is our teachers who nurture hearts, develop minds and educate for eternity. God uses teachers – available vessels – to bring spiritual and academic growth at our school!

Over these 20 months, we have migrated from initial survival mode back to embracing the challenge of integrating the Christian faith and a liberal arts education via our dual curriculum program. Faith and reason walk alongside each other. We continue to guide our students to think critically and act biblically, prepared for the future, whether that be university placement, a sudden family relocation, or a job placement.

Tuesday, November 30 is “PACA Giving Day.” Whether you are an alum, a former teacher, a current family, or only recently have become a friend of the school, your gift of gratitude will be invested in teachers that inspire and lead students to become whole, to achieve, to be good stewards that catalyze change.

I recently received this encouraging quote sent to a high school teacher from Isabella Bann (’18), currently attending Duke University, “There are a million and one humans you will meet after high school who did not have the privilege of discussing hard subjects in a safe space under truthful instructors.”

Thank you for prayerfully expressing your gratitude for PACA’s impact on your life by contributing to “PACA Giving Day.” Equally importantly, keep us in your prayers.

Um grande abraço,

Kevin Bruce Flurry

Director of Advancement (’87)

P.S. Did you know PACA has two teachers with 2 PhD’s, 10 with Master’s Degrees, and 1 finishing a Master’s in Education? During “PACA Giving Day,” you can make a gift in Dollars or Reais. Click here to give!

P.P.S. Donations in Reais can be “Deposito Direto” to PACA’s account (Nome na Conta: Pan American Christian Academy - Itaú (341) - Agência 0736 - Conta Corrente: 46.497-5

CNPJ: 61.802.294/0001-60) or using the new PIX technology: doacoes@paca.com.br.

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12/1/2021

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The Winter's Song - Drama 2021

Ticket sales will be through Sympla's platform ONLY.

Buy your tickets today by clicking on the button below.

Os ingressos do show só serã vendidos pelo sistema Sympla.

Compre seus ingressos hoje clicando no botão abaixo.

Buy You Ticket Today - Compre Seu Ingresso Hoje

Come join us Dec. 3 and Dec. 4 at 7:00 PM

for PACA’s production of

"The Winter’s Song"

PACA DRAMA 2021

Based on the story “The Winter’s Tale” by: William Shakespeare

An original adaptation by: Jeremy Davis

Two divided kingdoms mean the end of the world:

unless what is lost is found!

Come for a night of wonder and intrigue as a fallen king, an honest counselor, a spunky shepherd girl, and a sailor seeking adventure find the truth about the past and

a way forward at the borders of the world!

Tickets:

Adults - R$40,00

Senior Citizens/PACA Students/PACA Teachers - R$20,00

Tickets being sold through Sympla only.

We will not sell tickets at the door of the event.

COVID-19 Protocols for the State of São Paulo

will be followed for this event. Families may sit together.

All attendees will have their temperature checked as they enter the campus and must wear a mask at all times.

Buy Tickets - Compre Ingressos

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12/1/2021

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Aplicação da avaliação SAEB 2021

São Paulo, 30 de novembro de 2021.

Prezados pais,

Gostaríamos de informar que nossa escola foi selecionada para receber a aplicação da avaliação SAEB 2021. O Sistema de Avaliação da Educação Básica (Saeb) é um conjunto de avaliações externas em larga escala que permite ao Inep (órgão Federal) realizar um diagnóstico da educação básica brasileira e de fatores que podem interferir no desempenho do estudante.

Por tratar de uma avaliação externa com aplicadores selecionados pelo INEP, a escolha de datas e horários ficaram bem restritos. Por isso os testes acontecerão nos dias 6/12 e 7/12, e serão aplicados em 2 sessões de 3 horas de duração cada (8h20-11h20), exceto para o 3º ano do EM que fará em apenas uma seção dia 7/12. Os testes serão realizados na sala de aula.

Serão testados os alunos que cumprem a dupla certificação dos anos: 2º ano do Ensino Fundamental (2nd grade); 5º ano do Ensino Fundamental (5th grade); 9º ano do Ensino Fundamental (9th grade) e 3º ano do Ensino Médio (12th grade). Os estudantes responderão a um questionário e testes de língua portuguesa (leitura) e matemática. O 2º ano do Ensino Fundamental será avaliado em formato amostral.

Pedimos aos senhores pais e responsáveis que colaborem conosco, permitindo que os alunos tenham um dia tranquilo e uma boa noite de sono nos dias antes ao testes.

Me coloco a disposição para quaisquer esclarecimentos e aproveito a oportunidade para agradecer mais uma vez a parceria das famílias.

Sinceramente.

Ana Lúcia Soldi

Diretora de Estudos Brasileiros.

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Head to Heart: Child Safety Protection Network

Christmas Program & Livestream Links

CHRISTMAS PROGRAM

PROGRAMA DE NATAL

The school is in mourning...

Giving Day

The Winter's Song - Drama 2021

Compre seus ingressos hoje clicando no botão abaixo.

Aplicação da avaliação SAEB 2021

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