When Central Kansas Christian Academy hosted the Feb. 6 Great Bend Chamber Coffee, the staff as well as the students had a chance to share what makes their school special.
Principal Sherry Pruter said CKCA is a fully accredited K-8 non-denominational school that promotes values-based Christian education, building community through relationships, and meeting the spiritual, social and emotional needs of students without sacrificing academic excellence.
“Our Biblically integrated curriculum promotes academic and spiritual growth to build a strong foundation for our students’ futures,” Pruter said. “CKCA can be a solution for parents who are disillusioned with their school choice because of bullying, class sizes, lack of community, or a number of other reasons.”
Several students were invited to share what they had written on small posters that all began, “I love my school because ...”
“... We get to pray together; we get to learn about God,” was one example.
Second-grade teacher Tracy Mettling is the parent of a former student.
“We, like many other families, discovered Matt had been bullied in school,” Mettling said. Their choice to enroll him at CKCA was a life-changing decision.
Today, Deputy Matthew Mettling is a School Resource Officer at Eureka 389 and also serves the Eureka community as a Campus Pastor, along with his wife Nicole, at Hope Church in Eureka.
“CKCA is a true hidden gem in our city,” his mother said. She was so impressed with the education her son received, she decided to get a teaching certificate and now teaches there. She praised the strong academics at the school and added, “We also have a very strong Biblical curriculum.”
Kindergarten teacher Donita Donovan then had her students recite the 23rd Psalm, which they recently memorized.
School fundraiser
Central Kansas Christian Academy’s Parent-Teacher Fellowship (PTF) is taking orders for Wooden Spoon-brand cookie dough and Butter Braid-brand pastries. Orders may be placed by contacting a CKCA student or by contacting the office, 620-792-3477 or email ptf@ckcademy.com. Orders are due by Feb. 24 and can be picked up at the school on March 10.
Chamber announcements
• Thursday’s coffee was followed by a ribbon cutting at Ruhe Rituals, 1519 Main.
• The Chamber’s ‘I Heart Great Bend’ Event is going on through Feb. 25. Stop in at local businesses to shop, play and register to win weekly prizes and the Grand Prize worth more than $1,000.
• Now through March 1, Shafer Art Gallery is showing the “Executive Collection” exhibit. Hours are 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Saturday.
• The Central Kansas Partnership meets from 1:30-3 p.m. Monday in the first-floor meeting room at the Barton County Courthouse.
• A Conscious Discipline Parenting Workshop will be offered from 5:30-7 p.m. Tuesday at the Family Crisis Center, 1924 Broadway Ave.
• The FUEL Leadership Lunch Series kicks off at noon Tuesday at the USD 428 District Education Center, with a free lunch for registered attendees.
• Wednesday will be Pink Out Night at the Barton Basketball games. The women’s game starts at 5:30 p.m. and the men’s game at 7:30 p.m.
• Saturday, Feb. 15, will be Hall of Fame Day for Barton Men and Women’s Basketball. The Hall of Fame induction will be at 2 p.m. at the Kirkman Activity Center. The women’s game starts at 5:30 p.m. in the Barton Gymnasium, followed by the men’s game at 7:30 p.m. Barton will host Dodge City Community College.
• Storm Fury on the Plains, a storm education class hosted by Skywarn Spotters, takes place Wednesday at the Crest Theater from 6:30-8 p.m.
• Jason Eades with Massage at Eades was introduced as a new Chamber member.
• The next Chamber Coffee will be hosted by Straub’s Powersports, 200 South Patton Road, at 9 a.m. Thursday, Feb. 13.
• Beugelsdijk Chiropractic will have a ribbon cutting at noon Thursday, Feb. 13, to celebrate the addition of new equipment at the business, located at 1309 Williams St.
