Vita Nova Christian Academy

First Day of School

2008-08-18T12:24:00.003-04:00

Well, the first day of school is upon us once again. We are deeply grateful to God for leading Vita Nova into its second year and into a new chapter with The Summit Academy. Students begin the 2008-2009 year on Tuesday, August 19, and we invite your prayers for the following:

for all students at Vita Nova and The Summit to grow in the wisdom and understanding of the Lord
for comfort and peace as teachers and students return and for those who are joining this family for the first time
for guidance and wisdom among the faculty, administration, and board to lead with all diligence and faithfulness

We are looking forward to another extraordinary year of Classical and Christian education. Check back often for updates and pictures!

Colts Fundraisers

2008-08-18T12:20:00.002-04:00

We kicked off the 2008-2009 school year even before school officially started with our first fundraising event at Lucas Oil Stadium, the new home of the Indianapolis Colts! Vita Nova and Summit Academy families worked together at several merchandise booths from which a portion of the proceeds will benefit our schools.

To see a glimpse of the stadium and some of the people involved, visit www.vitanovaindy.org/colts.html.

United Vision

2008-07-25T12:27:00.001-04:00

Ecclelesiastes 4:12 (NIV) says, "Though one may be overpowered, two can defend themselves. A cord of three strands is not quickly broken." Psalm 133:1 (NIV) adds, "How good and pleasant it is when brothers live together in unity!"

We are bursting with excitement to announce a collaborative effort with The Summit Academy (http://www.thesummitacademy.com/), a Classical and Christian school like Vita Nova in Indianapolis. We had visited Summit back in 2006 when we were first exploring the idea of Vita Nova. Since then we had often wondered and prayed about a possible working relationship.

God answers prayers in wonderful ways! This summer leaders from both schools began talking and the result...well, for that you need to go to the United Vision page of our website. There you will find more about what God is doing with Classical and Christian education in the greater Indianapolis area and the role Vita Nova can play.

Annus Mirabilis

2008-05-22T12:03:00.003-04:00

Annus mirabilis is Latin for "miraculous year." Nothing could be more fitting to describe the first year of Vita Nova's existence.

Those who have followed this blog and checked our ever-changing website have gotten a small glimpse of some of our miracles. By the grace of God we opened in August of 2007 at the Latvian Community Center. By the grace of God our teachers and students worked through a full year of rigorous academic curriculum. By the grace of God our students experienced numerous activities beyond our walls, including opportunities to serve others.

We had our challenges, too. There were the usual bouts of childhood illness. Melissa, our Head of School, was absent for several days while her father was in the hospital. Just recently one of our students faced a potentially serious medical issue, the miracle of which you can read about in the previous post.

What no one reading a blog or website can possibly know, however, is how much the lives of these children have been changed. A year spent anywhere would change the life of a child, but over 180 days spent in a Christ-centered, academically challenging, creatively stimulating environment have shaped these children in ways that will help them to live out the unique calling that God has for each of them.

As we leave for the summer, we thank God for His daily blessing and guidance of this enterprise. We are deeply grateful to all our prayer partners and to those who have supported us in any way, whether through a financial gift, the gift of time in serving, or the blessing of a kind word of encouragement. We pray for all our friends and families to have an enjoyable, rejuvenating summer even as we look forward to seeing old friends and meeting new ones in the fall. We invite you to read once again these foundational words for Vita Nova, words that come from the very heart of God.

Fix these words of mine in your hearts and minds; tie them as symbols on your hands and bind them on your foreheads. Teach them to your children, talking about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up. Write them on the doorframes of your houses and on your gates, so that your days and the days of your children may be many in the land that the LORD swore to give your forefathers, as many as the days that the heavens are above the earth. (Deuteronomy 11:18-21, NIV)

Our Prayer Family

2008-05-19T12:41:00.004-04:00

On the Support page of our website (http://www.vitanovaindy.org/support.html) you can see that we have quite a list of prayer partners from several different states who pray continually for Vita Nova. Recently one of our students had a medical situation, and our prayer team instantly mobilized. The great news is that she is doing fine, but I wanted to share the comments from a friend of mine who is a scholar and member of Christian religious order in Italy. He wrote:

We usually pray only that the will of God takes place, but in this instance will make an exception and we'll pray also for her recovery. I realize firmly that sometimes one cannot follow the rule, and a little girl is a reason sufficient enough.

Indeed, we must always pray for God's will to be done, even if that will seems contrary to what we desire. Yet as my friend put it, a little girl is more than enough reason to pray earnestly and personally. From the way Jesus welcomed children, I am sure He would agree.

Camping Fun!

2008-05-07T16:06:00.005-04:00

The first weekend in May, the families of Vita Nova enjoyed a camping trip at Turkey Run State Park. Originally the trip was to start on Friday after school and an overnight camping experience at the park. The threat of severe weather, however, caused us to delay our departure until Saturday morning.

When we arrived at the campsite at Turkey Run, we went about the business of setting up a couple of tents and building a fire for lunch. The students began making their camp shirts and finding sticks for grilling the hotdogs.

After a hearty lunch of hotdogs and homemade chili, we all headed out to the trails. You can find some of the most breathtaking trails in Indiana at Turkey Run, and our intrepid group headed out for Trail 3, which involved crossing a suspension bridge over Sugar Creek. On the other side of the bridge the students gathered to hear about the rare plant life that dates to prehistoric times that can be found in the park, as well as the unique, glacier-shaped rock formations. From there they continued on Trail 3 to the Ice Box, pictured below.

The Ice Box provided great climbing opportunities and the chance to explore some of the incredible beauty of God's creation.

Returning to our campsite after the hike, the families enjoyed s'mores as chill winds began to whip around us. At last the families said good-bye, and some stayed on through the weekend. All in all it was a great opportunity for our children to grow mentally and physically and for our families to grow deeper in their connections with each other.

To see pictures from the trip, click here.

Risks of Following Jesus

2008-04-23T09:24:00.002-04:00

We are incredibly blessed to be able to operate Vita Nova in a country where our staff will not risk their lives just to teach. The following is a news bulletin from Voice of the Martyrs (http://www.persecution.com/)

SOMALIA Four Christian Teachers Murdered - VOM Sources

On April 13, four Christian teachers, two of them converts from Islam, were murdered by Islamic militants in Beledweyne in south-central Somalia. The four teachers, two British citizens of Somali origin-Mr. Daud Hassan Ali (64) and Ms. Rehana Ahmed (32)-and two unidentified Kenyans, were shot and killed by Islamist insurgents during a midnight raid on the Hakab Private English School. The Islamic extremist group responsible for the violence, alleged that they fired indiscriminately and that the teachers were killed in crossfire. Local people, however, believe the teachers were singled out for their suspected evangelistic work. The wife of Daud Hassan Ali alleged that her husband was targeted because he was a Muslim-born convert to Christianity. Pray the families of those killed will rest in the knowledge that those who die in the Lord will be raised with Him. Pray the perpetrators of this attack will come to repentance and salvation. Pray for wisdom and protection for those serving Christ in Somalia. 2 Corinthians 1:3-4

Spaghetti Success!

2008-04-14T13:23:00.003-04:00

Few words could describe our Spaghetti Dinner on Sunday better than...WOW! We estimate around 70 guests visited Vita Nova and enjoyed a wonderful spaghetti meal, complete with desserts, including a cake with our name on it from one of our families.

And speaking of our families...what a tremendous amount of giving they all demonstrated. Parents and children alike gave of their time, talents, and resources to make this spaghetti dinner and raffle a tremendous success. Not only did we raise nearly $2000.00, but we got to meet some wonderful people, who in turn got to share in the spirit of Vita Nova.

We offer a huge THANK YOU to all who made this possible, whether through their donations or their hard work. We could not have done this without you.

Please click on the picture below, which will take you to the picture page on our website. You may also click here to visit the links to our growing number of community and corporate supporters.

A Roman Emperor on Education

2008-04-09T15:19:00.004-04:00

We have a page on our website that is a growing collection of quotations that enrich and advance the vision of our school. The following is from the Roman emperor Marcus Aurelius, who reigned from 138-161 A.D. He is famous for being something of a philosopher, and his book, Meditations, has been in constant print for nearly 2000 years. Writing in Greek he acknowledged various influences on his life, including that of his father, mother, and great grandfather. What is fascinating is that one of the truths he came to see is one that a rapidly growing number of families are embracing today.

Meditations 4

From my great-grandfather I learned not to go to the public schools and to have good teachers at home and to understand that for such things it is necessary to spend eagerly and lavishly.

We all spend our money on the things we choose. The wise know that there are few better investments than in the education and future of our children. Yes, it is unfair that those who choose Christian education for their children must pay twice, once in the form of tuition and again in the form of taxes that support schools they will not attend. Yet Christians throughout the ages have been willing to suffer, many to the point of death, for what they believed to be right, and we can be confident that if we prayerfully follow God's leading, He will bless our faithfulness more than we can imagine. Remember, it is Jesus Himself Who says, "Give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over, will be poured into your lap. For with the measure you use, it will be measured to you." (Luke 6:38, NIV)

Latvian Friends

2008-03-28T14:54:00.003-04:00

Our students recently had a great opportunity to learn from some of the women in the Latvian community about traditional Latvian arts and crafts. These women are often at the Latvian Community Center, where our students hold class, and have shared some of their wonderful foods with us. It is a blessing for us to be in a relationship with such a wonderful community of people!

Easter Pictures

2008-03-28T14:13:00.003-04:00

I just viewed the Easter pictures of the kids at school. They are great. How wonderful are Ms Sandra and Ms Melissa for teaching the kids about Jesus and the Last Supper. If you haven't seen them check them out on the up close page on the VNCA website.
Thank you also Steve for playing the part of the Roman Soldier.

Spaghetti and Rummage

2008-03-26T20:33:00.002-04:00

Vita Nova will be hosting a spaghetti dinner fundraiser, with raffle, on Sunday, April 13. The spaghetti meal, including dessert, is $10.00 at the door for each person over age 8 and will run from 1:00-3:00 p.m.

Come on out and enjoy some great spaghetti, even better fun and friendship, and a great opportunity to see what Vita Nova is all about! Vita Nova is located in the Latvian Community Center at 1008 W. 64th Street.

Also, many of you look forward to our biannual rummage sale. Our spring sale will be on Saturday, April 26, from 9:00 a.m.-2:00 p.m. in the parking lot of Harris Bank on the corner of 86th and Payne Road. If you have anything you would like to donate, please contact the head of our Parents Round Table, Sandra Rich, at srich@vitanovaindy.org. Once again we invite you to come out and enjoy some great bargains that will benefit the students of Vita Nova.

Easter at Vita Nova

2008-03-26T20:23:00.004-04:00

For much of the world, Easter is the less important of two Christian holidays. Christmas in the secular world is about gifts and parties, bright lights and decorations, but the world does not quite know what to do with Easter. The best the world can offer is bunny rabbits and candy.

Christians, however, know that Easter is the very center of life, for at Easter Jesus rose from the grave and transformed even death into life. It seems only natural that the students of Vita Nova Christian Academy should have made a big deal of this most important holiday.

In the days leading up to Easter, our students experienced a footwashing in imitation of how Jesus washed the feet of His disciples before the Last Supper. According to the teachers, even our youngest children took seriously this solemn activity and learned something of what it means to serve others in the name of Jesus.

The Monday after Easter the students experienced a first-person account of the events leading upt to the crucifixion of Jesus, the crucifixion itself, and His glorious resurrection. The fictional character Publius Sempronius Tuditanus, in full Roman military dress, shared with them the perspective of one of the soldiers who guarded the tomb of Christ.
To see some pictures from these events, please visit our website at www.vitanovaindy.org/easter.html.

Prayer for Kenya

2008-03-03T10:04:00.002-05:00

Our mission is to guide families in the development of their children as lifelong students and servants of God's diverse world. In keeping with this, we are joining in prayer and fasting for the current crisis in Kenya.

Our Head of School, Melissa Perkins, and her husband, Steve, attend Grace Community Church, which partners with Nairobi Chapel and Mavuno Church in Kenya. During the week of March 2-9, Grace Church and the families of Vita Nova will be praying for Kenya and specifically for the pastors that will begin to caravan to five cities in Kenya on March 7. Over 1,000 people have died in the recent political and tribal violence, and over 600,000 have lost their homes.

Even though Kenya is far away, our students and families can reach out to this country by praying for the peace of Christ that passes all understanding to come upon the people, by praying for reconciliation among those at war, and by praying that the light and truth of Jesus will shine through the pastors as they journey to these ravaged cities.

For more information, please visit the Grace Church website at http://gracecc.org/kenya.html.

Now Enrolling!

2008-02-10T18:10:00.000-05:00

We are now enrolling grades pre-K through 4th for the 2008-2009 school year.

To find out how to guarantee a spot for your child, please join us for our Open House on Sunday, March 2, from 2:00-4:00 p.m. It will be a great time to meet with board members, staff, and other Vita Nova families. We look forward to seeing you!

Illuminated Manuscripts

2008-01-31T07:22:00.000-05:00

Yesterday board member and dad Steve Perkins visited Vita Nova to talk with our first and third grade students about illuminated manuscripts. After looking at pictures of some of these Medieval masterpieces, the students got a chance to try their hand at some calligraphy. Steve modeled for the students a type of writing called Carolingian Minuscule, which was popular from the 8th to the 12th centuries and is connected with the reign of Charlemagne. Interestingly, the pre-K students were were learning to read a book titled Pepin The N0t-Big, which is about King Pepin the Short, who was Charlemagne's father.

Carolingian Minuscule is a simple style of writing that looks like this:

The students did an amazing job copying simple biblical texts using dip pens and ink, then "illuminating" their pages with pictures that acccompanied the texts. While they worked, these would-be scribes listened to the soft sounds of Gregorian chant in the background.

Prayer Partners on Website

2008-01-28T14:14:00.000-05:00

We now have a list of our prayer partners on the website, including a map to show where they are from. Check it out at http://www.vitanovaindy.org/support.html.

We are incredibly grateful for our prayer partners, wherever they may be, and we ask for God's continued blessing on them. Thanks, everyone!

Prayer Dinner

2008-01-26T09:10:00.000-05:00

On Friday evening, January 25, we held a dinner for our prayer partners at Vita Nova. There are people throughout Indiana and across the United States praying for Vita Nova on every day of the month. We are so grateful for these prayer partners, many of whom have never seen our school, but who know the importance of prayer and what Vita Nova is working to accomplish.

After dinner, board members, staff, and prayer partners walked through the school and spent time in prayer, often stopping to pray over the chairs where the children sit, the entrance to the school, and in other key areas. We prayed for protection of all who enter our school. We prayed for the families we do not yet know, but who will enroll for the 2008-2009 school year.

When it all was over, we felt so excited and recharged! This is no surprise, however, for as Jesus promised in Matthew 18:20, since we had gathered in His name, He was there with us.

Roman Art from the Louvre

2008-01-09T16:07:00.000-05:00

From September, 2007, through the first week of January, 2008, the Indianapolis Museum of Art hosted an extraordinary exhibit, Roman Art from the Louvre. Nearly one hundred fifty pieces of ancient Roman sculpture, pottery, mosaics, metalwork, and jewelry dating over two thousand years into the past were on loan from the French museum.

During their first week back at school, our students had the opportunity to see these precious antiquities. The previous day Miss Sandra and helped them make mosaics, and the day of the trip Steve Perkins, one of our fathers and board members, talked with them about what they would see. Miss Melissa had also read with them again the story from Luke 2 about the Emperor Augustus and the census that caused Mary and Joseph to go to Bethlehem.

When our students arrived, the first thing they saw was a bust of Augustus dating to 27 B.C., some two thousand thirty-four years old. To put it in another perspective, this is more than 400 times as old as some of our pre-K students!

What was most impressive were the questions our students asked. One girl wondered why most of the busts were white, but another looked blue (answer: it was made of basanite, the others of marble). Another asked why part of a statue's head was missing (answer: it had been damaged over time). All in all it was an exciting and once-in-a-lifetime educational experience. To see some pictures from our trip, visit http://www.vitanovaindy.org/up_close.html.

Welcome 2008!

2008-01-02T16:05:00.000-05:00

We welcome the new year and those who read our blog to see what is going on at Vita Nova. Class resumed today amidst frigid wind-chill temperatures and flurries adding to the cotton blanket already on the ground. This short, first week of school will end with a trip to the Indianapolis Museum of Art on Friday where the Knights of Vita Nova will see some the ancient Roman art from the Louvre.

We kick off the year with some publicity on the State of Indiana website. We are now listed with other private schools at http://www.doe.in.gov/htmls/privsch.html.

There are many things on the horizon for Vita Nova in 2008. We look forward to completing our 501c3 tax-exempt application, acquiring more resources, registering more students for the 2008-2009 school year, hiring additional staff...the list goes on. Our most exciting milestone, however, will be the completion of our first year in operation. We pray for God's guidance as we run toward our goal.

Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already been made perfect, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me. (Philippians 3:12, NIV)

Happy Birthday, Jesus!

2007-12-19T07:59:00.000-05:00

Today the students of Vita Nova are celebrating a birthday party for Jesus. Yes, they are having cake, but you may well wonder what sort of gifts there will be at party for the King of Kings. After all, as any child can tell you, it is not a birthday party without gifts.

This year our students are honoring God by giving to the least among us. In Matthew 25:40 (NIV), Jesus told a parable that taught us something about God. "'I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me." For their birthday presents to Jesus, our students are bringing in grocery bags of food for Shepherd Community Center, an outreach ministry in Indianapolis. These bags will reach the hungry in Indianpolis through the Bag Hunger ministry of Grace Community Church.

We talk a lot about our mission, and our particular vision at VNCA is providing a challenging educational environment where children learn to apply to the present and the future the wisdom of the past in the light of the One Who is truth, Jesus Christ. Giving birthday presents to Jesus by helping the hungry in Indianapolis is a great example of how we are living this out.

Prayers from Italy

2007-12-07T10:03:00.000-05:00

One praise song has the lyrics, "I'm humbled by Your mercy and I'm broken inside." That is how I feel after learning that brothers and sisters in Christ are praying for us today in Italy. Here is how it happened.

I recently discovered a website (http://www.documentacatholicaomnia.eu/) that has existed for about a year and that contains all the Latin writings from the time of the Apostles until the present age. This is truly a magnificent academic site, unparalleled in its scope. I emailed the people involved, whom I do not know, to thank them. One of them, an Italian named Giuseppe, emailed me back yesterday, and after further email with him, he said the following:

Tomorrow we will all pray and will fast for you, your family, your school, and your country, the US.

I was so stunned when I read this last night that I could hardly speak. I am humbled by the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that he would adopt us into a family with brothers and sisters around the world and that He would inspire some of them to be praying for us today. I never cease to be astounded by His grace.

The Value of Latin

2007-12-04T12:24:00.000-05:00

A frequently asked question in today's fast-paced, high-tech world is, "Why study Latin?" One of the best answers to this question appeared in a recent op-ed piece in the New York Times. http://www.nytimes.com/2007/12/03/opinion/03mount.html?_r=1&ref=opinion&pagewanted=print&oref=slogin

As a Classical and Christian school, we strive to offer families the best education. To accomplish this, we believe that a solid grounding in the languages and cultures, the literature and the arts, of the ancient world is essential. As you will see in the above article, this has long been the view. That it is no longer the vision in many schools simply points to the need for schools like Vita Nova to offer what they cannot...a challenging educational environment where children learn to apply to the present and the future the wisdom of the past in the light of the One Who is truth, Jesus Christ.

The Round Table

2007-12-03T20:56:00.000-05:00

The Parent Round Table met tonight for the first time. This is the group of parents that actively supports the Knights of Vita Nova (Knights? Round table? Get it?). It is no surprise why God is able to use these families in the development of this school. Talented? You bet. Skilled? Without question. But what really makes them stand out is their passion. These parents have a passionate desire not only for what is best for their own children, but for what is best for all children. We look forward to seeing what great ideas they will be inspired to lead into reality in the months ahead.

If you would like to be part of the Round Table, please contact Nancy Wright at nwright@vitanovaindy.org. This is a great group of parents and is just the place for a new family to begin connecting with the family that is VNCA.

Christmas Card

2007-12-03T10:19:00.000-05:00

Vita Nova received its first Christmas card! One of our supporters sent us a beautiful Christmas card along with a gift. Thank you so much, and thanks to all of you who have supported Vita Nova. May the peace and joy that surround the celebration of Christ's birth fill the hearts and homes of you all.

Television Advertisement

2007-11-29T07:54:00.000-05:00

We are excited to have our first television advertisement appearing on Channel 20 WFYI, the Indianapolis area PBS station! The spot will advertise our

Open House

Sunday, December 9

2:00-4:00 p.m.

1008 W. 64th Street

Indianapolis, IN 46260

The schedule for the advertising spots is:

Monday through Friday, December 3-7
7:00 a.m. between Reading Rainbow and Maya & Miguel

Monday through Friday, December 3-7
5:30 p.m. between Fetch and Between The Lions

Friday, December 7
7:30 a.m. between Word Girl and Arthur

Friday, December 7
3:30 p.m. between Jakers and Cyberchase

Friday, December 7
4:00 p.m. between Cyberchase and Friday Zone

We are asking all our prayer partners and friends to pray around these times that God will open hearts and minds and direct the attention of families to VNCA.

Our 501c3 Application

2007-11-08T09:32:00.000-05:00

Because Vita Nova is a school, we are a non-profit organization, but to be officially recognized as such by the government and to receive out tax exempt status, we must apply to be a 501c3 organization. This can be a time-consuming, frustrating experience, but the following story shows how God provides when He gives the vision.

A very good friend of board member Nancy Wright, Ken Turchi, used to be on the Board of the Community Development Law Center (CDLC). Nancy had lunch with Ken one day and was asking whether he knew of anyone who would look at our 501c3 pro bono. He stated that we should get in touch with Sheila Jenkins, Director of the CDLC and see if she could help us.

Nancy called Sheila the very next day, left a message, and heard back from her about a week later stating what documents she needed from us. In middle to late October, Sheila contacted Nancy and stated that we needed to do some work on the 501c3 and wanted to set an appointment with Kimberly Huizinga, Esq., Staff Attorney. On November 7th, Melissa, Steve and Nancy meant with Kimberly to review the documents and to see what needed to be done.

After hearing what we are all about, Kimberly gave us great encouragement, suggesting that we are not as far away from having our application in order as we had thought. Her enthusiasm encouraged us greatly, and as if this were not enough, she reminded us that she would help us pro bono.

Thank You, Father, for Your endless provision. May we always take comfort and rest in the truth of Your promise to provide all our needs according to Your riches in glory Christ Jesus (Philippians 4:19). In His name we pray, amen.

For those who would like to know more about the Community Development Law Center and the wonderful people who work there, please visit http://www.cdlawcenter.org/home.html.

Parents' Round Table

2007-10-30T12:11:00.001-04:00

King Arthur had his trusty Knights of the Round Table. The Vita Nova Knights have parents fighting at their side. Because working with families is part of our mission, we want parents to have a place to get involved as soon as their children become part of Vita Nova. We are currently developing The Parents' Round Table, our organization of dedicated parents. If you would like more information or would like to contact someone about being a part of the Round Table, please visit www.vitanovaindy.org/leadership.html.

Parent Dinner

2007-10-30T11:50:00.001-04:00

Last night, October 29, the families of Vita Nova gathered for a pitch-in dinner. We will have pictures on the website soon, but let's just say for now that it was too much fun! There was enough potato salad to sink a battleship, wonderful pasta, and some of the finest hotdogs and hamburgers ever to come off a smoking charcoal grill. Of course the children played in the beautiful area around Vita Nova while the adults grilled, laughed, and enjoyed each other's company. When at last the increasing chill in the air took us inside and away from the stunning fall foliage and brilliant October sky, the children led us in prayer, and we continued the fellowship.

Put a group of parents together and the talk naturally turns to their children. As we shared stories and pictures, we began to reflect on what we are already seeing in our children, though we are but a little more than two months into the school year. Several parents remarked on how their children were using Spanish around the house, and one said that her daughter was helping her older brother with his math. One parent shared that her child no longer cried at night as she had when attending a school that was not able to challenge her or help her grow.

It was wonderful to spend some time together, sharing food and sharing life, remembering that Vita Nova is more than just a school. It is family.

Around Town

2007-10-12T10:00:00.000-04:00

So there I was, driving to a meeting, when I saw a vehicle in front of me with what looked like a familiar bumper sticker. As I looked more closely I realized...it was a Vita Nova bumper sticker! Not only was this exciting, but it made me daydream about the time when this will be a more common occurence as an ever growing number of families joins this unique opportunity in Christian education.

A Thousand Hills

2007-10-07T22:19:00.000-04:00

...for every animal of the forest is mine, and the cattle on a thousand hills. (Psalm 50:10, NIV)

This past Saturday, October 6, we held our fall rummage sale. It was a success both financially and in terms of the people we were able to speak to about the vision of Vita Nova. Sandra Reyes, one of our board members, had helped the students make bookmarks that we gave to each customer.

While some of the Vita Nova family worked the sale, others traveled to Fairland, Indiana, for an auction of items from the Tri-Central School District. For an amazingly small sum of money, we were able to purchase desks, chairs, overhead projectors, a map, multi-purpose carts, and a microwave. It was simply amazing.

As I reflected on the blessings of the day, I could not help but think of the verse above from Psalm 50. Our heavenly Father can more than supply all of our needs. Why would we ever doubt Him?

A big thanks to all who worked so hard to make the fall rummage sale a success. We will have pictures available soon on the website.

A Fly on the Wall

2007-09-21T12:34:00.000-04:00

I recently had the chance to be a fly on the wall at Vita Nova. Well, not really...all the students saw me (I know this because they waved their hands vigorously!), but I did get to observe what was going on in the middle of the day, and it was amazing.

I watched Miss Sandra teach a phonics lesson, and it was wonderful to behold. Not only did the children enthusiastically sing along with the opening song, but they were eager to shoot their hands in the air to answer Miss Sandra's question, which that day was, "What words begin with T?" One student was inspired to say "tree" because she looked up and saw a woodland painting on the wall.

Next I went into the adjoining room and watched as Miss Melissa worked with the older students. The environment was completely different, as it should have been. These were a first grader and third grader, one of whom was working on a handwriting assignment, the other taking a math test. Quiet. Focused. At work.

As an educator, I could not help but analyze and evaluate what I observed. I saw neat shelves, and materials stored in an orderly way to help facilitate concepts of academic order and personal behavior. It was impressive to see how the teachers had taken the larger space of the Latvian Community Center and carefully divided it into small spaces, each well defined with objects and furniture appropriate to the students using it.

How do you measure success at a school like Vita Nova? Already we have seen increased enrollment, continuous positive comments from parents, and discernible growth in the maturity and academics of the students. If my child did not already attend VNCA, I would want to enroll him immediately.

The First Day of School!

2007-08-20T21:40:00.000-04:00

What a day! One of our students was so excited he could hardly eat his breakfast. Another was bouncing around the house, eager for the family picture before heading off to Vita Nova for the first time. Head of School, Melissa Perkins, felt a combination of excitement and nervousness as she started toward the school for the first day of class, but after praying with her family, she was ready to launch into the new adventure.

While the sky poured forth a deluge during most of the day, the students at Vita Nova nonetheless had a promising first day. They opened the morning with song and then began their lessons. A break in the weather allowed for a bit of play outside, and hungry tummies gobbled up the lunches packed carefully by moms and dads early in the morning.

As a board member and dad of one of the Vita Nova Knights, I was eager to see what was going on and managed to arrive at the school before dismissal. I saw backpacks hanging neatly from tiny chairs and books carefully arranged on the table before each seat. Miss Melissa was working with the children in another room, and when I peaked in I saw a group of eager faces beaming atop their navy Vita Nova shirts and khaki skirts and shorts. The energy was contagious, and I soon found myself in a rousing game of Duck-Duck-Goose!

The best news was that all the students were thoroughly enjoying their first day at Vita Nova and were eager to return tomorrow. I know I will be back, too.

Opening Day -- August 20, 2007

2007-08-16T11:49:00.000-04:00

After more than a year of prayer, hard work, and extraordinary blessing from God, Vita Nova will welcome its first students on Monday, August 20, 2007.

We are excited to be working with the wonderful people of the Indianpolis Latvian community to launch Vita Nova. Our school will be located at:

Indianapolis Latvian Community Center

1008 W. 64th Street

Indianapolis, Indiana 46260

We give a special thanks to Andris Berzins and his board for working with us so graciously. We look forward to a great partnership with the Latvian community.

The Vita Nova school day runs from 8:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. If you have questions about the school or late enrollment, please contact Melissa Perkins, Head of School, at mperkins@vitanovaindy.org.

We also want to thank all those who have supported the vision of Vita Nova financially and through prayer. We would not be where we are if you had not answered God's invitation to be part of this school.

Finally, we offer a prayer of thanks to our Lord. Gracious Heavenly Father, thank You for giving us the vision of a Classical Christian school. We thank You for those who have gone before us, laying the groundwork for establishing schools that would help families faithfully live out your design for the rearing of children. You have given us the dream, the people, the resources, and even the faith to persevere when times became difficult. We acknowledge that whatever the success of this school, it can only be credited to Your gracious provision. May we always measure that success in terms of faithfulness to You, and may that faithfulness be reflected in the lives of all those who take part in this grand adventure. In the name of Christ Jesus, our Lord and our Savior, amen.

Open House Thursday, August 2, 2007

2007-08-01T08:18:00.000-04:00

Imagine: Classical Christian Education

Thursday, August 2, 2007
5:30 pm
The Indianapolis Latvian Community Center
1008 W. 64th Street
Indianapolis, IN 46260

The board of Vita Nova invites you to join us as we explore the facility and the vision
for our pre-K through 2nd grade school opening this August.

Children are welcome, and registration packets for the 2007-2008 school year
will be available.

We look forward to seeing you and your family!

For more information:

www.vitanovaindy.org

317.440.1120
En Espanol 317.329.9827

Prayer Partners

2007-07-13T12:58:00.001-04:00

Vita Nova continues to be blessed and led by the Lord, and we know how important it is to remain in prayer. Paul tells us in 1 Thessalonians 5:17 to pray without ceasing. We can do that when we realize that it is not up to us individually, that we can rely on the body of Christ, and that is where you come in.

Would you like to pray for Vita Nova as one of our Prayer Partners? If so, choose one day of the month and make that your day to pray for us. Please email Steve with your chosen day at sperkins@vitanovaindy.org and we can update you with any particular prayer requests. Of course, we encourage you to pray as the Lord leads.

Thank you so much for considering becoming a part of our team!

Staff Applications for 2007-2008

2007-05-08T10:39:00.000-04:00

We are pleased to announce that we are accepting staff applications for the 2007-2008 school year. Please visit the www.vitanovaindy.org/faculty.html for more information.

Rummage Sale Success!

2007-04-23T15:23:00.000-04:00

Our rummage sale was a huge success! Thanks to everyone who supported us in any way:

1st National Bank & Trust for the use of their parking lot

The Latvian Community Center for the use of their tables

All those who donated time and effort, as well as items for the sale

One of the best things about the event, in addition to the incredible weather, was the opportunity to meet so many people who are interested in a school like Vita Nova. We gave away many flyers and talk with lots of folks. That was truly the blessing of the day.

You can get an idea of how big and how much fun the sale was from the photo to the left. To see more pictures on our website, please visit us at www.vitanovaindy.org.

Vita Nova Rummage Sale

2007-04-05T11:05:00.000-04:00

Want to clean out your closets for a good cause?

Want to buy great stuff you can't live without?

Come to the Vita Nova Rummage Sale

Saturday, April 21

9:00 a.m.-2:00 p.m.

Parking lot of First National Bank, corner of 86th and Payne

Want to help with the sale? Have stuff to donate? Contact Cindy Harris at charris@vitanovaindy.org.

Help us raise money for the best new school in Indianapolis!

Statement of Faith

2007-04-05T11:03:00.000-04:00

Our Statement of Faith, which can also be found at http://www.vitanovaindy.org/about_us.html is as follows:

All that we hope to accomplish by the grace of God with students and families is rooted in the orthodox understanding of the Christian faith, chiefly expressed through the Apostles’ and Nicene-Constantinopolitan Creeds. From these creeds, other biblically-inspired texts, and the Bible itself we affirm that:

God exists eternally as three equal persons: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit

As a result of the fall of man, all creation stands separated from God and unless reunited with Him through His grace will remain eternally separated from Him

Through faith in the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ and only through faith in Him can we receive the grace of God that will reunite us with Him

God has given and continues to give us instruction in how we are to live and accomplish His purposes through the works of His Holy Spirit and through His inspired word the Bible

Anything that is true comes from God, including such truths as found in mathematics, natural sciences, human sciences, history, and art, and all other areas of human knowledge and creation

God has given each of us particular, natural talents and, after we have received the Holy Spirit through faith in Jesus Christ, spiritual gifts and/or enhancements of our natural talents to achieve God’s purposes on earth

Children are given by God to families to develop for His glory

Vita Nova must work with families to help them develop the natural and spiritual gifts within their children, in order that those children may live out the purposes for which God has created themAs part of the multi-cultural world in which we live, we must guide children to use their understanding of the world along with their gifts in a variety of cultural settings, with a particular emphasis on missions

Enrollment for 2007

2007-03-07T15:16:00.000-05:00

Vita Nova is beginning the process for enrollment of students in the fall of 2007. Please follow the link for the Letter of Intent to obtain your enrollment and application packet. There you will find a pdf of the Letter of Intent, which you can print, complete, and mail to the address on the form.

We look forward to seeing you as one of the founding families of Vita Nova Christian Academy!

Curriculum and Fundraising

2007-02-15T21:00:00.000-05:00

If it seems as if it has been a while since the last post, it has, but that is because the Vita Nova board has been busy!

Work on the curriculum for Kindergarten and Grade 1 has been continuing. We are drawing much inspiration and many resources from Veritas Press, a renowned publisher of materials for Classical Christian schools. (https://www.veritaspress.com/store/home.asp)

We are also gearing up for significant fundraising opportunities in the days and weeks ahead. Why do we need fundraising? Well, tuition alone covers only about half the operating costs of a school, so fundraising is essential to provide for the other curricular and resource needs. In addition, it is our desire to offer scholarship opportunities so that any family who wants to be part of Vita Nova can find a way to do so. If you would like to consider prayerfully a gift to Vita Nova, please visit the Support section of our website at http://www.vitanovaindy.org/support.html.

Our goal is to begin enrolling students in mid-March, which is about a month away. Until then, please continue to pray for God's will to be done through Vita Nova.

2007-01-24T21:19:00.000-05:00

New Posting Information

We are a bit behind updating our administrative info on the blog, but since we decided on the name Vita Nova some time ago, it seemed appropriate that future blogs should be posted using this name. From now on, blogs will posted with the name Vita Nova Board.

2007-01-04T12:43:00.000-05:00

Our newest board member!

The newest person to join the Vita Nova board is Raimonda Balciunas. Raimonda and her husband, Otonas, have moved to Indianapolis from Lithuania. We are excited to welcome them and their daughter, Urte, to Vita Nova!

2006-12-21T08:46:00.000-05:00

New Board Member, New Email

We are excited to welcome Sandra Reyes to our board! Sandra is a teacher at a local childcare ministry. We also welcome her husband, Cesar, and their daughter, Michelle, to the Vita Nova family!

Our web presence continues to expand become more professional. Our website, www.vitanovaindy.org, is now banners-free, and you can email us at our new email, info@vitanovaindy.org.

Please check out the website for a calendar of events for 2007. We are now just eight months from opening the doors!

At last night's board meeting, after prayerful consideration and much discussion, we decided to open with grades K-3. Applications and registration information will be available soon. If you know anyone with children who will be in these grades in the fall of 2007, please encourage them to email us at info@vitanovaindy.org.

2006-11-29T21:53:00.000-05:00

We have a website! Please visit us at www.vitanovaindy.org. Of course, our website is still in its infancy, but as with any newborn, just watch it grow!

We also have a logo! Although it may seem obvious, the letters in the background stand for Vita Nova Christian Academy. The cross runs through the center of the logo and, as the commanding image, reminds us that this ministry is first, middle, and last to the glory of our Lord, Jesus Christ.

2006-11-15T15:52:00.000-05:00

Mission and Vision Statements

After much prayer and reflection, the board has established the following Mission and Vision Statements for Vita Nova.

Mission: Guiding families in the development of their children as lifelong students and servants of God’s diverse world

Vision: Providing a challenging educational environment where children learn to apply to the present and the future the wisdom of the past in the light of the One Who is truth, Jesus Christ

2006-10-14T10:27:00.000-04:00

Tour of area schools.

On Friday 13 October the school board and our Head of School, Melissa Perkins, toured three Classical & Christian schools in the Indianapolis area. We visited The Summit Academy and The Oaks Academy, both in Indianapolis, and the Cedars of Lebanon in nearby Lebanon, Indiana. It was a productive time as we were able to see three schools built on the Classical & Christian model, yet at very different stages of their development. We learned a great deal about curriculum and facility issues, along with matters of fundraising and staffing.

We continued to work on our logo as well, which we hope to unveil soon.

2006-10-04T21:07:00.000-04:00

Our first financial contribution! We praise the Lord once again for providing us our first financial support through the contribution of an individual who supports the vision of Vita Nova Christian Academy.

We invite everyone who cares about the advancement of the gospel of Jesus Christ, everyone who cares about children growing up with a Christian worldview, to consider giving financial support to Vita Nova. This of course must be after you have given your tithe to your local church, but we invite you to invest in the Kingdom of God through this vision that He is turning into a reality.

Perhaps another time we will post reasons why it is important to support this school (there are many!), but for now we ask God through His Holy Spirit to guide your heart as you consider how to use the financial resources that He has blessed you with.

2006-10-04T20:56:00.000-04:00

We have a headmaster! After much prayer, God has blessed us with a headmaster for Vita Nova. Melissa Perkins comes to us with great gifts and background and will lead our school to faithful success. Melissa holds a B.S. in Education with a concentration in Classical Studies from Indiana University and an M.S. in Educational Administration from Southwest Texas State University. She has an extensive background in the teaching of Latin and in educational administration as you can see from some of her experience:

+ Teacher of Latin at Martin Luther King, Jr. Latin Grammar Middle School in Kansas City, MO

+ Teacher of Latin at Pearce Middle School in Austin, TX

+ Teacher of Latin at The Oaks Academy (a Classical and Christian school) in Indianapolis, IN

+ Assistant Principal at Pearce Middle School in Austin, TX

+ Assistant Principal at Goodnight Junior High School in San Marcos, TX

+ Director of Children's Ministries, including PromiseTown Childcare Ministry, at New Life Community Church in Indianapolis, IN

We look forward to working with Melissa in the days ahead as she helps us develop the foundational educational policies that will drive our school.

Thank You, Lord, for Your continued guidance and provision for this ministry. We glorify You through the mighty name of Jesus Christ. Amen

2006-09-20T22:14:00.000-04:00

We have a name! After much prayer and discussion the board has selected the name for our school...Vita Nova Christian Academy. The phrase vita nova means "new life," and this is appropriate for a number of reasons. First, the children who will study here are new at life, exploring for the first time the mysteries of what God has created. Second, and most importantly, we hope that all those who are involved with this school...parents, children, staff, and friends...will find the new and abundant life that Jesus spoke of in John 10:10.

We also, after prayer and discussion, decided upon a motto. It is credo ut intelligam, the famous dictum from the Proslogion of Anselm. It means "I believe so that I may understand." This, too, is appropriate, since faith must precede all true understanding. Only by believing first in God can one hope to understand the life and world He created. As Anselm went on to say in his Cur Deus Homo,

Sicut rectus ordo exigit ut profunda Christianae fidei prius credamus, quam ea praesumamus ratione discutere, ita negligentia mihi videtur, si, postquam confirmati sumus in fide, non studemus quod credimus intelligere.

Just as the right order of things compels us to believe the deep matters of the Christian faith before presume to discuss them through reason, so it seems negligent to me if, after we have been confirmed in the faith, we do not strive to understand what it is we believe.

2006-09-08T10:07:00.000-04:00

Where are we?

The start-up board has been formed and has begun meeting. We have posted an advertisement for headmaster here www.accsedu.org and here www.aclclassics.org. A job description and application may be obtained by emailing us at vitanova_indy@yahoo.com.

At the next board meeting we will discuss a statement of faith for the school, along with a name and a logo.

Throughout the month of September all those interested in our school are invited to read Foundations of Christian Education by Louis Berkhof and Cornelius Van Til, which is available through online retailers such as www.christianbook.com.

The next general meeting for all interested parties, at which the board will present its current work, will be Wednesday, October 4, 6:00-7:00 p.m. We will begin our meeting with a discussion of the Berkhof and Van Til book, then move into a summary of board action.

2006-09-07T21:17:00.000-04:00

What is a Classical and Christian School? Part II

When capitalized, the word "Classical" refers to the language and culture of ancient Greece and Rome. You can major in Classics or Classical Studies at the university. Of course, you often hear people refer to classic literature, classic cars, even classic rock 'n' roll, so what exactly does this term mean in the title of a Classical and Christian school (hereafter CCS)?

In part, it carries with it the connotations of that which has to do with ancient Greece and Rome. A CCS, for example, typically teaches Latin from the third grade onward. There is an emphasis on understanding the Greco-Roman culture because it was into this world that Jesus was born, and within this world that Christianity first flourished. This world also provided the foundations for Western civilization in its language, architecture, laws, art, and literature.

There is much more, however, to the word "Classical" in a CCS. It also refers to the structure of the education, one that draws its inspiration from the Medieval Trivium and fits amazingly well with the natural cognitive development of children.

The first stage of the Trivium is the grammar stage and corresponds to what Dorothy Sayers called in her essay "The Lost Tools of Learning" the poll-parrot stage. Young children like to memorize things. They naturally enjoy rhythms and rhymes. In his poem "Epistle to Dr. Arbuthnot," Alexander Pope once wrote:

As yet a child, nor yet a fool to fame,

I lisp'd in numbers, for the numbers came.

Here "numbers" refers to poetic meter. If you don't think children enjoy meter, try listening to children who have watched Barney even once. They know the songs because of their heavy rhythms, which make them memorable. At the grammar stage, children learn the grammar of the different subjects. In other words, they learn the basics. They learn the grammar of history...that there are dates and places and people of importance. They learn the grammar of mathematics...that there are numbers and these can be added, subtracted, multiplied, and divided.

The second stage is the logic stage, corresponding to what Sayers calls the pert stage. Anyone who has dealt with a pre-teen or early teen knows that young people of this age have a natural talent for arguing. The logic stage teaches children how to argue well. Rather than becoming argumentative, children learn to argue their position, to spot weaknesses in an argument, and to make that argument stronger.

The final stage of the Trivium is the rhetoric stage, which fits in with what Sayers terms the poetic stage. You may think that rhetoric is simply about public speaking, and that is the word's original sense, but used here it takes on a broader meaning. This is the stage, approximately high school, where students begin to synthesize what they have learned and to present that information to others. Clear communication is key, and a valuable skill for any occupation or relationship in which the child will find himself as an adult.

In summary, a Classical and Christian education is one that explores the wisdom of the past, in the light of the One Who is the truth, Jesus Christ, to enable children to fulfill their God-given purposes for the future.

2006-09-07T20:48:00.000-04:00

What is a Classical and Christian school?

It is helpful to think of the phrase "Classical and Christian" as a brand name. Just as you can have many brands of automobiles, you can have many brands of schools. Most of us are familiar with public schools, which can also be known as state schools or government schools because they are funded and guided by the state. There are private schools, some of which are religious in nature, others of which are not. There are Montessori schools, reform schools, and gender-specific schools. And of course, there are Classical and Christian schools. And just as it is true that not all cars are the same, but certain brands outperform others, so it is with schools.

So that returns us to our question...what does it mean for a school to carry the brand "Classical and Christian?" Classical and Christian schools (hereafter CCS) trace their current configuration to to a man named Douglas Wilson; to the Logos School in Moscow, Idaho; and to the association that came from them, the Association of Classical and Christian Schools (www.accsedu.org). Even the Logos School had to start somewhere, and it takes as one of its formative documents the 1946 essay delivered by Dorothy Sayers called "The Lost Tools of Learning" (http://www.gbt.org/text/sayers.html). And where did Sayers get her inspiration? From the Medieval form of education, one that was successful for more than one thousand years, known as the Trivium.

Ok, so what does all that mean? Let's start with the Christian part of these schools. The Bible is quite clear that the primary responsibility for the education of children rests with the parents God gave them. Consider these passages:

Only be careful, and watch yourselves closely so that you do not forget the things your eyes have seen or let them slip from your heart as long as you live. Teach them to your children and to their children after them. (Deuteronomy 4:9, NIV)

These commandments that I give you today are to be upon your hearts. Impress them on your children. Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up. Tie them as symbols on your hands and bind them on your foreheads. Write them on the doorframes of your houses and on your gates. (Deuteronomy 6:6-9, NIV)

Train a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not turn from it. (Proverbs 22:6, NIV)

Fathers, do not exasperate your children; instead, bring them up in the training and instruction of the Lord. (Ephesians 6:4, NIV)

Because of these commands from God, not to mention that He created everything that is, the only proper way to study anything is from a Christian perspective. Yes, that means there is a Christian way to approach math, a Christian way to approach literature and history, even a Christian way to approach physical education. The God Who has revealed Himself as One God, eternally existing in three Persons...Father, Son, and Holy Spirit...is the God Who created the universe. Therefore, He has something to say about everything from spelling and coloring to string theory and quantum mechanics.

A Classical and Christian school takes this seriously. The CCS works with parents in helping them faithfully live out their God-given responsibilities.

While there is daily worship in a CCS, it is not a mere add-on. It is not something to check off the agenda to qualify as a Christian school. Children are taught from Kindergarten on to understand their world from the perspective of the God Who created it. To pursue any area of study as if God is irrelevant is like constructing a school in which everyone pretends there are no such things as numbers. There would be no numbers in the books, no numbers on the clocks, no numbers on the classroom doors or the gym score board. Does that sound ludicrous? So is attempting to construct an educational system that says, "For the next six hours, we teachers and students will pretend that God does not exist." It is the goal of a CCS to develop help children and their parents develop the only worldview that is consistent and coherent...a Christian one.

Well, you have been reading for a while. More on the Classical part of a CCS in the next post.

2006-09-07T12:39:00.000-04:00

Welcome to the New Life Classical and Christian School blog! We are excited about the opportunities God is opening up for educating children in Indianapolis, and we hope you will be, too. Please watch this blog for further updates on the school.