the oak leaf Fall 2012

A Quarterly Publication ofTrinity Oaks Christian Academy

“So that you may live a life worthy of the Lord and please him in every way: bearing fruit in every good work,

growing in the knowledge of God.”Colossians 1:10 2012/2013 Year Verse

Fall/Winter CalendarThanksgiving Recess

November 21-23Christmas Concert Grades 3-5

December 6Christmas Gift Chapel

December 21Christmas Break

December 24 – January 6

E q u i p p i n g f u t u r e g e n e r a t i o n s w i t h w i s d o m , k n o w l e d g e a n dc h a r a c t e r t o i m p a c t t h e i r w o r l d f o r C h r i s t w i t h s e r v a n t s ’ h e a r t s .

leading the wayNews from in & around our school and community

We serve a truly amazing God. We have seen God’s hand of blessing all over Trinity Oaks these past few months. This past July we were able to move into a new permanent home. Our school families came together in a wonderful show of support as we move the contents of the entire school in just 6½ hours. Since the move in late July we have been very busy setting up classrooms and learning a new building. Everyone has made a great transition to our new home. If you have not had the opportunity to visit us I would encourage you to come by and take a tour, we would love to show you our new home. We have an outstanding group of students in our first ever 9th grade. We are thrilled that 17 new families committed themselves to our mission of partnering with the home in the training of children to lead Christian lives; in all 33 new students enrolled this year. Joining these new families are three new faculty members whose stories I would encourage you to read in this issue of the Oak Leaf. It has been great to see these families and students joining right in and getting involved with the activities highlighted in this issue of the Oak Leaf and many others that we do not have the space here to talk about.

None of this would be possible without your prayer and financial support of the ministry of Trinity Oaks Christian Academy. Thank you for helping us train the next generation to anchor their lives on the Word of God and learn to live by those biblical principles in order to impact the world for Christ. Please continue to pray for our students and faculty as they pursue living out their lives fully committed to Christ.

Paul WrobbelHead of School

First Day of School Smiles Smiles filled the hallways and classrooms as we started the 2012/13 school year opening the doors to our new permanent school home! Students, parents and teachers alike were excited to be a part of this incredible journey in leaving a legacy for Trinity Oaks Christian Academy!

Back to School

Meet Brittany BrookePioneering the way for our high school program is Brittany Brooke, our 9th grade algebra teacher. Mrs. Brooke began her teaching career in Austin, TX and moved back to the area 3 years ago, when she taught algebra 2 and geometry at Dundee-Crown High School. Taking a year off to start a family with her husband, Eddie, Mrs. Brooke is now looking forward to what God has in store for her here at Trinity Oaks.

When not in the classroom, Mrs. Brooke enjoys serving at her church, Christian Fellowship, in the women’s ministries as well as the nursery. She loves to read, cross-stitch and take walks with her family while exploring the great outdoors with her 18-month old son, Troy. And if this doesn’t keep Mrs. Brooke busy enough, she is making plans to welcome a new baby to the family in early January. For now though, she finds peace in her favorite verse, Jeremiah 29:11, knowing “that God has everything planned out for me.”

A heartfelt welcome to Mrs. Brooke – we are looking forward to “the hope and a future” that God has in store for you here at Trinity Oaks Christian Academy!

honorable mention

Meet Anthony Pollina An answer to many, many prayers, and not only his, this recent graduate from Taylor University with teaching certificates in mathematics and physics joins the faculty at Trinity Oaks teaching our junior high students in math and science. At first, Mr. Pollina was feeling discouraged moving back to the area and not finding a job right after college. That soon changed when he was offered the opportunity to join the TOCA community. “The parents and staff at Trinity Oaks have warmly welcomed me into the “family” and it is truly a blessing to be surrounded by such nice people.”

During his spare time, Mr. Pollina works as a lifeguard and enjoys family time with his parents, brother and sister when she is home from college. Mr. Pollina finds encouragement these days in the message from the book of Philippians and “how we are all strengthened by the presence of the Holy Spirit.” We are indeed thankful that “all things are possible through Jesus Christ” and for his partnership in equipping the next generation to impact their world for Christ – welcome Mr. Pollina!

honorable mentionMeet Gretchen RunyanWhen you first meet Mrs. Runyan, you might not guess that this new 9th grade English teacher lives on a 160-acre farm in Huntley with cattle, ducks and geese! But she does -along with her husband, Andrew, and two sons, Will and Ben. Having received her Bachelor of Arts in Education/English from Trinity International University, Mrs. Runyan is “so excited to be a part of TOCA” and to be sharing her passion teaching this subject -simply ask her to break down the longest word in the dictionary- pneumonoultramicroscopicsilicovolcanoconiosis – and you will witness this firsthand!

A new believer since July 1990, Mrs. Runyan treasures Romans 8:38-39 – “For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.” She and her family are members of Willow Creek Community Church in Crystal Lake and serve in Impact – the student ministries at their church.

Welcome Mrs. Runyan – we are thankful that God has directed your path to Trinity Oaks Christian Academy!

Prayer Bench Painting – A Keepsake from the Class of 2008On October 6, 2012, families and friends gathered to celebrate and dedicate our new school home – a vision anchored in prayers over 21 years ago and answered abundantly so! Special guests, Shannon Morrison, Brad and Josh Mugler, Katie Pratt and Maggie Losey, shared how Trinity Oaks has made an impact their lives throughout their academic journey reminding all of us that God is working in and through the lives of our students.

Fall Banquet – A Night of Celebration & Dedication

school activities

Walking WorthyJunior high and high school students started off this school year “walking worthy” as they spent two incredible days in Wisconsin laying a strong foundation for the upcoming year. The purpose of the retreat is to grow closer to the Lord and to one another while enjoying team building activities.

Sweet Stades!Imagine this – a picture perfect fall day, friends enjoying an afternoon of fun followed by a glowing bonfire surrounded by TOCA families sipping warm apple cider after a nice hayride underneath the harvest moon. You just pictured our incredible Stades Farm Outing sponsored by H.O.P.E!

See You at the Pole1Timothy 2:1-4 encourages us to pray for all of those in authority, “that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness. This is good and pleases God our Savior….” On September 24th, junior high and high school students across the nation, including Trinity Oaks, gathered around the flagpole to do just as Paul wrote, praying for our leaders and local communities.

The Class of 2016 Incoming freshmen paving the way for Trinity Oaks High School!

Grandparents Day Each year, Trinity Oaks Christian Academy sets aside a very special day to honor our grandparents and their wonderful legacies in Christ. It was a beautiful day filled with song and classroom visits celebrating our grandparents and the many handprints they leave on the hearts of their grandchildren.

Trinity Oaks Christian Academy233 Trinity Oaks Way, Cary, IL 60013

847-462-5971 | www.trinity-oaks.org

CHUR

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HOME

SCHOOL

The mission of Trinity Oaks Christian Academy is to partner with theChristian home and church in the training of children, maximizing theirpotential to lead Christian lives according to biblical standards..

Joy ContiScott Cufr, Board PresidentBrian DornShelly McCarthyMark Morrison

Dorothy MurdockJen PoppeBill WalkiewiczGreg WarrenPaul Wrobbel, Head of School

Our Mission: A Community of Believers

Board of Trustees