Updated: 8/11/2009

July 31, 2009

Dear Student and Parents/Guardians,

I have a confession to make.  I was walking through Walmart the other day and was caught off guard by the rows and rows of erasers, binders, notebook paper and school supplies already in place.  My confession, as the Headmaster of a school, is that my heart secretly sank!  It sank not because I don’t love the students, the learning process, or our school.  It sank because it was the first reminder that the busyness of school was on the horizon. I mention that because this letter may be for you a similar interruption to a fun and restful summer and a reminder of waking early, making lunches, and going school clothes shopping. 

So, if your heart has sunk as a result of getting this letter, please give me a chance to encourage your heart!

There are a lot of new and exciting developments happening at RTCS of which I wanted to make you aware.

First of all, there will be some new teachers around the hallways of RTCS that it is my pleasure to introduce you to.  Our new elementary and upper school Physical Education teacher is Jonathan Haney, the husband of our math teacher Adrienne Haney.  Jonathan is currently studying to be a missionary at Reformed Presbyterian Theological Seminary in Wilkinsburg and has spent most of this summer in Australia doing mission work.  He was also a Chaplain’s Assistant in the Army and will bring a love of sports and the outdoors to our P.E. program.

Our new elementary and upper school Art teacher is Lisa Bodnar.  Lisa has three children at RTCS and combines a great love for art and years of experience to our classroom.  She has big plans for the art department, and we are excited for her addition to our faculty.

There will also be changes to our music program this year, as Kathleen Struble will be taking on less of the Music duties this year.  The Education Committee has interviewed some exceptional candidates and the Board of Directors is very close to hiring a new Music Teacher. We will keep you posted when decisions are finalized.

The upper school will have some new course offerings this year as well.  Jonathan Stark and Bob Alouise will be team- teaching a new course investigating the history and literature of the Medieval period.  Adrienne Haney will also be adding Home Economics and Theatre to her already full math and science course load.  We will also be announcing a new teacher for Senior Project and Yearbook soon. 

We are gearing up for our annual, mandatory Back-to-School Open House on Monday, August 24 from 6:30 – 8 p.m.  This year, we will not be dividing up the evening, but will instead have everyone arrive at the same 6:30 p.m. time.  Everyone will also meet in the sanctuary at 7:15 p.m. for a short assembly and orientation.  Of course, the first day of school is Wednesday, August 26.

Now if that didn’t encourage your heart, maybe this will…you still have over three weeks before school starts!

For Christ’s glory,

Brett Wirebaugh

Headmaster