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Cornerstone News Students Measure Centuries by the Foot
It started as a class gift to the school from the sixth grade class of 2007, and like Clifford, it grew and grew and grew. Now it’s a one hundred fifty-four foot reality, as the first half of our Timeline of World History (1 A.D. through 2000 A.D.) has been completed. Because history is the central organizing element of the curriculum in classical Christian schools, we are always looking for ways to enhance our study of history, as well as visually demonstrate that its significance in our curriculum. When buildings Two and Three of our campus master plan were completed in 2005, their long, unbroken facade was a dramatic reflection of the unusually linear and narrow shape of our school property. Wondering what we could do to improve the aesthetic appearance of this “face” to the community (on an extremely busy arterial street), someone suddenly realized that long spaces are ideal for posting time lines!
From there the idea grew. The idea of making a permanent timeline out of ceramic tiles utilizing our newly purchased art room kiln was a natural. Teachers quickly came on board, because they realized that this timeline would be big enough and dramatic enough to give students a better conception of the broad sweep of history than the reduced scale timelines they had been using in their classrooms. We were all excited about a project that would combine historical research with artistic production. The contribution of the school-leaving class of 2007 was to raise the funds for the initial purchase of tiles. Mrs. Susan Rosenberg, their room mother organized a “healthy dog food” sale and the students contributed ingredients, mixed and baked gourmet dog food biscuits, selling enough to raise over $500 toward the purchase of tiles for the project. Before leaving the school in June, 2007, these sixth graders also measured the entire building, devised the scale which would be followed for the timeline in years to come, and selected the initial events to be depicted for the twentieth century section of the timeline. So excited were these students that even thought hey had been promoted to middle school, they continued to meet in students’ homes over the summer to design and paint the first twenty-three tiles to complete the twentieth century section. By the time school resumed in the fall of 2007, Mrs. Kristen Haynes, a parent of a sixth grader in the class of 2007 and younger students a CCA as well, had devised a plan for completing the project. All students would have an opportunity to work on and paint the “spacer” tiles which mark the years when no specific events are marked, but a group of volunteer students with a special interest in art would meet after school to sketch and paint the event tiles for each century. So the Timeline Club, under the leadership of Mrs. Haynes and art teacher Kathy LeMay, was born! During fall, 2007, the Timeline Club met once every two weeks for an hour after school, but in eager anticipation of being able to finish the A.D. section for Building 2 by the end of the school year, they increased their meetings to weekly starting in January of 2008. At various times about fifteen different students were involved in the sketching and painting of the years 1 – 1900 A.D., as well as four different moms.
By Saturday, April 19, 2008, the tiles were ready to mount on the facade of the building. A group of four dads and an older brother spent about seven hours mounting the timeline into place. The finished product is comprised of 460 tiles depicting one hundred ten discrete events of the years since Christ’s birth, beginning with the crucifixion in 33 A.D. and ending with the founding of Cornerstone Christian Academy in 1998. Aside from the intrinsic benefits for those who participated, the most, the remainder of the school is benefiting, as well. A “timeline game” has been created in which pairs of students compete to be the first to locate certain historical events on the face of the building. Since this involves a lot of running, it is sure to become a favorite among the students. Future plans include: (1) a B.C. timeline for Building Three; (2) the Seven Days of Creation timeline for our kindergarten building; and (3) the Twenty-first Century Timeline for the administration building. We anticipate that former students will be coming back for many years to show friends the permanent evidence of their study of history in the form of these beautiful tiles.
Cornerstone Arrives at Full Accreditation
Cornerstone’s campus was abuzz with visitors and activity during the week of September 26-28, 2007. A team of teachers and administrators from four different schools in two states visited every classroom, every office, and interviewed not only every teacher, but board members, parents, and even students. The results finally became know as we were informed in December that at their semi-annual commission meeting, the Rocky Mountain region of the Association of Christian Schools, International, has granted Cornerstone Christian Academy accredited status for the maximum period of seven years. In their review of our self-study and campus observations, the site team found one hundred five specific areas to commend in Cornerstone’s overall program. In addition, the team made fifty-seven recommendations for further improvement at Cornerstone. In his closing remarks, Site Team Chairman Eric Dowdle, principal of Casas Christian School of Tucson, noted, “We were particularly impressed by the congenial attitude exhibited by parents, staff, and students when they were queried about the school and its programs. The students’ love for their teachers and their appreciation for the school at large was especially evident and a blessing for the team to observe.” In addition to Mr. Dowdle, team members included Mrs. Rita Charlton, second grade teacher at Casas Christian; Mr. Brett King, superintendent, Rocky Mountain Christian School in Niwot, Colorado; Mr. Kyle Maestri, Superintendent, Trinity Christian Schools of Chino Valley, Arizona; and Mrs. Pam Panchot, second grade teacher sat Desert Christian Elementary School, Tucson. Search and Teach recognizes first graduate January 18, 2008
Cornerstone Christian Academy implemented a developmental learning program for five-year-olds this year called “Search and Teach,” and we are pleased to announce that Karissa Bowers, a student in Mrs. Fiello’s first grade class, is our first graduate. Karissa completed the individually-paced program on Friday, January 18, 2008, and celebrated by reading a Magic Treehouse book with her tutor, Mrs. Liz Johnson. During her semester in Search and Teach, Karissa encountered and progressed in skills such as auditory and visual perception and memory. According to Mrs. Johnson, “Karissa was very attentive, and thoroughly enjoyed all the games and tasks we worked on together. She always tried her best and progressed very quickly through the tasks.”
Karissa’s parents, Dr. and Mrs. Kevin Bowers, were among the first Cornerstone parents to take advantage of Search and Teach for their child. Mrs. Bowers believes “Search and Teach felt like a gift designed just for our family…The methods of Search and Teach are fun and relational, so the child can enjoy the process. Search and Teach provided my child an opportunity to create superhighways in her brain so she can spend less time managing her brain files, and more time engaging with her world.” There are three remaining Search and Teach students in this first year of implementation, one studying with Mrs. Johnson, and two with Mrs Kathy LeMay, Cornerstone’s art teacher and reading tutor. Mrs. Johnson and Mrs. LeMay were trained in implementing Search and Teach at a summer workshop in California in June, 2007. Play Structure Takes Shape
An industrious group of CCA dads labored hard on Saturday, January 12, to get the new playground structure nearly half completed! Under the leadership of John Webster, those who served include Clint Cole, Kerry Graham, Joe Atkinson, Jim Fredlock, Brett Hurtienne, Charlie Hicks, Bryan Olson, Michael Maas, and Atilla Vékony. Monica Webster provided child care, lunch, and in general, supplied cheerleading. Chuck Hicks also assisted John for several days in the planning before Saturday’s work event.
According to John Webster, “We are planning to finish the assembly work and leveling next Saturday morning (January 19) at 8:00 a.m. I hope everyone that wants to help can make it. In the days following assembly completion, I will arrange for the footings to be poured and the wood chips to be delivered. We may need some more manpower to wheelbarrow cement and move and spread wood chips. If all goes well the kids should be playing on the playground by the end of the month!” The whole Cornerstone community is indebted to these gracious volunteers for their generous service. Thanks be to God! Cornerstone Students Honor Sports Ministry December 5, 2007
For the past two summers Catalina Foothills Church and St. Andrews Prsbyterian Church have invited teams from Uncharted Waters (UW) sports evangelism ministry to provide summer athletic camps for northwest Tucson. Each year over sixty boys and girls have enjoyed interacting with young college role modles as they teach them soccer, basketball, and cheerleading skills, as well as motivating athletic stories. Each day's camp included Christian praise songs written especially for children and a gospel presentation. On December 5th, UW announced a "UW Pride on 5" day and invited photos of former coaches, interns, and campers from all around the world. Click on the UW logo below to see their website display, including photos of CCA students who wore their "Uncharted Waters" gear on December 5th.
Race attracts hundreds, raises thousands November 30, 2007
Cornerstone’s first (and probably annual) Race for Education took place under unusually cloudy Tucson skies on Friday, November 30, 2007, in the school courtyard. With virtually every CCA student participating, there were hundreds of spectators, including parents, siblings, grandparents, to cheer on the racers as they rounded each tenth of a mile lap around the playground perimeter.
Even kindergarten, who had their private race at 9:00 AM generally averaged fourteen to fifteen laps, over a mile and a half each! First through third graders raced at 10:00 and fourth through sixth graders at 11:00, with a number of racers completing more than three miles! Individual winners for each grade level may be found by clicking here.
Racers succeeded in soliciting over $22,000 in cash donations through our mailers by the day of the race (with more expected to trickle in for some time). This far exceeds our goal of $15,000, enabling us to sign a purchase order for our new playground equipment two days before the race even took place! From Game Time Play Structures, the large unit will feature a colorful structure with multiple slides, ladders, bridges, rope and wall climbs, towers and “hang out” places, and much more! Much excitement was generated by the competitions that went on before the race, as well. Mrs. Schmidt’s kindergarten and Mrs. Leon’s third grade classes each won an ice cream party for 100% participation. Students who brought in the most address labels in each grade will be having a pizza party with Dr. Askew in January. They are: Calliann Gooding, Louis Choi, Josiah Noller, Thomas Webster, Allison Bergendorff, Kristen Clark, Emily Dale, and Shania Cole.
And as in the past (whenever the school reaches or exceeds a major goal) all students celebrated with a huge Hokey Pokey dance in a school assembly, led by race directors Wendy Choir, Monica Webster, headmaster Tom Askew, the Chapel Chicken, and Wilf the Elf. Cornerstone set to observe first annual safety week September 10 - 14, 2007
September 10th through 14th will mark Cornerstone Christian Academy’s first ever Safety Week, which will feature instruction and rehearsal in a wide range of safety-related issues, including a bike safety class and bike rodeo, sun safety presentations, a booster seat demonstration for parents, and daily lessons at morning exercises in “Safety, Order, and Decorum.”
Getting a jumpstart on the official week, fourteen Cornerstone faculty and staff members will renew their First Aid certification in a three hour training Friday afternoon, September 7. Then at unannounced times during the week, students will rehearse fire drill and lock down drill procedures, following appropriate instruction by their teachers. Office staff will rehearse what to do in the case of a bomb threat.
A special highlight of the week will be the introduction to the CCA staff of the new Emergency Response Plan manual, a product of several years’ preparation by the faculty Safety Officer, Miss Susan Rich. “It gives us great comfort to know that there is a plan and procedure in place for any emergency that could arise on our campus,” said Mr. Brian McKinley, Assistant Headmaster. Safety, Order, and Decorum lessons began several years ago as Headmaster Tom Askew’s way of teaching the students “ground rules” for improving the school environment. Those lessons are not compiled into a handbook for the teachers. Specific lessons that will be reviewed for the children during Safety Week include “sidewalk safety” and “restroom etiquette.”
A special chapel on Wednesday will feature Krisann Traisoff, a Child Life Specialist from University Medical Center, who will be speaking on food allergies, emphasizing the care and respect that each member of the community must have for individuals afflicted with such problems. Cornerstone benefits enormously from the active participation of its parents. Parents who were long time members of the Safety Committee included Mrs. Kathleen Bean and Mr. Mike Bauerlein. Mrs. Margo Tetrault has been instrumental in arranging the bicycle, booster seat, and sun protection instruction. Assistant Headmaster Brian McKinley is the overall coordinator for this event. Parents are welcome to participation in any portion of the week’s activities. Click here for a complete schedule of the week's events. The Great Pizza Disaster of 2007! Peanut butter saved the day! August 17, 2007 Near tragedy was averted
Lions and tigers and...Reillys? Oh my! Second grader Blake Reilly started school two weeks late this year – but
While Dr. Reilly was busy at the clinic Diane and the boys were experiencing missions on their own. In ministries related to Franklin Graham’s Samaritan’s Purse, Diane and the boys visited orphanages (serving primarily AIDS orphans) and schools among the African community. “We gave the orphans soccer balls and lollipops,” commented Blake. “These children have so little, they are grateful for the smallest attention and thoughtfulness,” his grandmother continued. Worshipping with African Christians was a treat for the Americans, especially Exploring African cultural differences was a special benefit for the boys. On a safari they saw giraffe, impala, wildebeest, water buck, and zebra close up, and in large numbers! Hippos were in the river that they saw at a distance. Beautiful birds - and a "camel safari" made it perfect for Grant and Blake.
Cornerstone duplicates itself in Guadalajara! Jim, a former school administrator in Maryland, and his wife Patti, a teacher, began Redeemer Academy in the fall of 2005, after several years of preparation. Sponsored by and located at Redeemer Presbyterian Church in the Guadalajara suburb of Bugambilias, the school was originally conceived to be uniquely bilingual in a country where most schools teach exclusively in Spanish. In the course of their preparation to open Redeemer, the Haynies read several articles about classical Christian education and were captivated by its vision. Their search for an American school to partner with was narrowed to Tucson, because Tucson and Guadalajara are official Sister cities, and partnering with a school here would give Redeemer some unique cultural and legal benefits. In 2006, Dr. Askew went to Guadalajara as the guest of (then) Redeemer Academy, and a delegation from Tucson Sister Cities. While there, Dr. Askew and the delegation were welcomed by the mayor of Guadalajara at a special breakfast in the City Hall. The Haynies gave a tour of historic sites and Dr. Askew way also able to see all the ministries which have been launched through their mission activities there. In a special meeting with representatives form the Ministry of Education, Dr. Askew presented information about Cornerstone Christian Academy of Tucson, with the result that an official agreement was drawn up by the state of Jalisco recognizing Cornerstone of Tucson and Redeemer Academy as sister schools under the provisions of the Sister Cities program. It is in honor of this agreement that Redeemer has changed its named to Cornerstone Academy. Redeemer Academy, like all Christian schools, is a seed-sowing ministry, but sometimes results come right away. Jim Haynie shares this story with us from the early years of the academy: “Hiding God's Word in the heart of children can bear some interesting results. Three and a half year old Lily was walking around the neighborhood in Bugambilias with her mom, dad, and little brother. God had recently provided them a lovely home to rent at a great price, and her mom exclaimed, ‘This house was such a steal!’ Wide-eyed, Lily stopped in her tracks and piously announced, ‘Thou must not steal, Deuteronomy 5:19.’” Teachers use summer to convene, confer Three Cornerstone faculty will be presenting at this conference. Susan Rich, former area Wal-Mart Teacher of the Year, will be featured at the opening general session, speaking on “Reflections of a Master Classical Teacher.” Later she will do a breakout entitled “Feasts and Festivals, Fairs and Banquets in the History Classroom.” Jeff Jones, CCA Athletic Director and Latin Chair will be presenting a breakout on “Enrichment for Latin,” in which he will tell about the new Latin Club at Cornerstone and its national affiliate, the Junior Classical League. Dr. Askew, CCA Headmaster, will be making tow presentations, “Inductive Grammar,” which tells how we use Daily Oral Grammar at Cornerstone, and “Integrating the Fine Arts.” On Tuesday, August 7, the entire Cornerstone faculty will join over two hundred Christian schools teachers and administrators for the fourth annual Southern Arizona Christian Teachers Association’s Back-to-School Rally at Casas Church. The featured speaker this year will be John Stonestreet of Summit Ministries, who will be talking on Christian worldview issues in the classroom
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First there was an ambitious teacher. Then there was a concerned parent. Then there were some knowledgeable parents and community helpers. Eventually there was a safety committee. Along the way there were professional training conferences and hours and hours of research and writing. And now, five years later, we have a full-blown Safety Week.
Quickly the entire office staff flew into action to fend off the impending tragedy of hungry faces at lunch time. Mr. McKinley got on the intercom and announced to all teachers to take a head count of those who had counted on buying pizza for lunch. Five minutes later, Mrs. McKinley telephoned each classroom teacher and got an accurate head count of those who would be without lunch. Office Manager Mary Yantis combined an errand away from campus with a quick stop at the grocery store for fresh bread. Dr. Askew and Mrs. McKinley quickly assembled peanut butter sandwiches and were able to serve a nutritious alternative of peanut butter sandwich and apples to those students without a lunch.
This is the body of Christ in action - each doing its part for the good of the whole! This is shepherding kids’ hearts (and stomachs!). This is Cornerstone, because Cornerstone cares! 
he’s not in trouble! His excused “absence” was a mission trip to Kenya with his grandmother and grandfather Reilly and his cousin Grant. Dr. Bob Reilly and his wife Diane have been making an annual one month trek to Kenya for the past five summers to donate their services to Kijave Medical Center, about an hour from Nairobi, Kenya. Dr. Reilly is not only a grandfather of sixteen wonderful covenant children, but a professional urologist, and his medical expertise has been a great blessing to those there in Kijave during his annual summer visits.
In the past three summers Bob and Diane have taken five different grandchildren along with them. This was Grant’s second trip, and Blake’s first. “Our grandmother wanted us to be on a mission trip,” Blake explained, “and to spend time with us!”
on “Multi-cultural Sunday.” “Many different tribes came together that Sunday,” Mrs. Reilly said. The Reilly’s especially enjoyed the fact that Kenyans like to jump when they are singing in church!
Encounters with African language (“Jambo means ‘how are you?’ in Swahili,” remembered Blake) and local delicacies (“Crocodile tastes sweet and it’s hard to chew,” Blake observed) rounded out their missions adventure. Blake’s classmates welcomed him to 
school on Day 10 and are happy to have them back at Cornerstone for a new school year. Blake will have many memories to share with his schoolmates as the year progresses.
Redeemer Academy of Guadalajara, Jalisco, Mexico has now renamed itself “Cornerstone Academy” to further underscore our sister school relationship which began two years ago, when Mission to the World missionary Jim Haynie found our school web site by looking for a classical Christian school in Tucson.
In its first two years, Redeemer grew from 6 children in preschool and kindergarten to 27 children in pre-school through grade 6. The Haynies have since returned to the states and the school is in the hands of missionary Keith Thomas, who has been serving at Redeemer Presbyterian Church for 11 years.
Since that visit, a private basketball club, the Clippers, has visited Tucson twice under the Sister Cities program, and because there are members of Redeemer Presbyterian Church on the team, Cornerstone has hosted them for games and fellowship twice, during the Easter season of 2006 and at Easter of 2007, as well. Many other possibilities are in the talking stage for future exchanges between the two schools. 
Fourteen full and part-time staff members will be joined by three school board members or spouses at the second annual Southwest Classical Christian Educators Training in Phoenix August 1-2 at 
6450 North Camino Miraval
Tucson AZ 85718
(520) 529-7080
info@cca-tucson.org