Lion Tales 3/20/25

Upcoming Dates on the School Calendar

Friday, March 21 PTF meeting 2:00 in the gradeschool meeting room - all parents invited!

March 24-28 NO School - Spring Break

March 31 Reminder - Early registration (save $50) ends - don’t forget!

Monday, April 7 Now a STUDENT ATTENDANCE day

Thursday, April 17 Easter Worship Service - 7 pm at CLA gymnasium

Wow - what an afternoon with the weather!

Wednesday afternoon this week was quite an experience!  We are thankful for the protection of our buildings, for God’s sovereignty in keeping us safe during the weather, and for all the good communication among all of our school community to ensure all students and staff were safe! Springtime in the midwest can be exciting and scary! Let’s continue to always pray for God’s protection.

Invite someone to visit Christian Life Academy…

While we do not have any more scheduled open house events, you are always encouraged to share your CLA experience with others and to invite them to visit. Mr. Horning and other staff are always glad to host friends or family. Share the word!

2025-2026 Registration and Enrollment information! 

Enrollment for the new school year is open! We have a new process where our full-time academic families can enroll and re-enroll online through the Gradelink “EnrollMe” feature on our SIS. We encourage early enrollment (by March 31 with a discounted registration fee). It greatly helps us to plan for 2025-2026.  Families that are participating in extracurricular activities only, you may use the re-enrollment link sent previously. Any questions, please contact Mr. Horning ([email protected]).

Girls Softball Clinic days coming up in April! 

To explore the possibilities of girls softball at CLA, a series of clinics will be held in April. They will be after school on April 2, 9, 16 and 22 on ball diamond #1 (located directly behind the CLA grade school building). This is for players in grades 5-12, with any level of experience! There is no cost, but an option to purchase a t-shirt is available. For more information or to sign up, contact Rachel Birkey ([email protected]) or Holly Murphy ([email protected]) or click this link: https://forms.gle/Hm6fVDcdQFAdTKTVA 

 Extra Curriculars Corner

Monday, March 24 High School Baseball HOME game with Normal West JV 4:30 pm 

Saturday, March 29 HS Baseball HOME games with Arthur Christian 1:30 pm (2 games)

Monday, March 31 HS Baseball HOME games with Bloomington JV 4:30 pm

Tuesday, April 1 MS Track and Field at Midwest Central Meet 4:15 pm

Wednesday, April 2 HS Baseball at Olympia JV 4:30 pm

Softball clinic on ball field #1

Current Middle School esports standings:

Mario Kart Green ranked #29 and Mario Kart White ranked #10

MS Smash Green ranked #117 and Smash White ranked #119

Rocket League ranked #6

Current High School esports Standings:

Splatoon 3 ranked #17   

Smash Green ranked #35 and Smash White ranked #79

From the Principal's Desk

Enjoy Spring Break! Next week we will have some time away from the regular school week. Some will take some trips, or sleep in, or do activities much differently than a normal routine. But even in the “outside the norm” times, we wish to be guided by the Holy Spirit and walk in the ways of the Lord! I’ll be excited to see everyone back in the regular routine on Monday, March 31… but in the meantime, enjoy the break and preparation for the “last leg” of the school year!

“I have no greater joy than to know that my children are walking in the truth.” 3 John 4

   Blessings,

        Mr. Horning

Lion Tales 3/13/25

Upcoming Dates on the School Calendar

Monday, March 17 4:15 pm School Board Meeting - HS Community Room

Friday, March 21 PTF meeting 2:00 in the gradeschool meeting room - all parents invited!

March 24-28 NO School - Spring Break

March 31 Reminder - Early registration (save $50) ends - don’t forget!

Monday, April 7 Now a STUDENT ATTENDANCE day

Thursday, April 17 Easter Worship Service - 7 pm at CLA gymnasium

Reminder - dress for the weather!

Our students DO go outside when the weather is suitable… please be sure that your children are coming to school dressed appropriately for going outside for recess - coats, hats, etc.  The late winter/early spring has variable weather, so we want children prepared!

Final Spring Open House is TONIGHT 4-8 pm

While tonight is the final spring open house, we are glad to arrange individual visits. If you know a family that would like to know more about what CLA offers, please have them contact the school, or even bring them to visit yourself! The best advertisement is word of mouth… so share your experience with others!

2025-2026 Registration and Enrollment information! 

Enrollment for the new school year is open! We have a new process where our full-time academic families can enroll and re-enroll online through the Gradelink “EnrollMe” feature on our SIS. We encourage early enrollment (by March 31 with a discounted registration fee). It greatly helps us to plan for 2025-2026.  Families that are participating in extracurricular activities only, you may use the re-enrollment link sent previously. Any questions, please contact Mr. Horning ([email protected]).

Girls Softball Clinic days coming up in April! 

To explore the possibilities of girls softball at CLA, a series of clinics will be held in April. They will be after school on April 2, 9, 16 and 22 on ball diamond #1 (located directly behind the CLA grade school building). This is for players in grades 5-12, with any level of experience! There is no cost, but an option to purchase a t-shirt is available. For more information or to sign up, contact Rachel Birkey ([email protected]) or Holly Murphy ([email protected]) or click this link: https://forms.gle/Hm6fVDcdQFAdTKTVA 

  Extra Curriculars Corner

Thursday, March 13 MS Smash White vs Valley View Jr High

MS Smash Green vs Cassville Middle School

MS Rocket League vs Trautmann Middle

Tuesday, March 18 HS Splatoon vs Blackman High School

Wed., March 19 esports matches TBD

Current Middle School esports standings:

Mario Kart Green ranked #14, White ranked #1 of 73 teams

MS Smash Green ranked #77, Smash White ranked #86 of 142 teams

MS Rocket League ranked #3 of 39 teams

Current High School esports Standings:

Splatoon 3 ranked #26 of 65 teams      Smash Green #35, White #67 of 101 teams

Game and meet schedules for spring sports will be starting at the end of March!

From the Principal's Desk

Beautiful Weather!! This week has been an exciting one, as (finally) the weather has turned beautiful and the kids are outside playing during recess.  It won’t be long until we see green start to show up again, a reminder that “for everything there is a season.” Springtime coming means many things, but new growth, green grass, flowers (and rain) are to be expected.  I’m thankful that we can count on the beauty of creation to remind us of God’s unending and unchanging love.

“I have no greater joy than to know that my children are walking in the truth.” 3 John 4

   Blessings,

        Mr. Horning

Lion Tales 2/27/25

Upcoming Dates on the School Calendar

Monday, March 3 Now a STUDENT ATTENDANCE day

Friday, March 7 End of 3rd Quarter

March 10-12 Spring Conferences - contact teacher as needed

Monday, March 17 4:15 pm School Board Meeting - HS Community Room

March 24-28 NO School - Spring Break

Monday, April 7 Now a STUDENT ATTENDANCE day

Thursday, April 17 Easter Worship Service - 7 pm at CLA gymnasium

DRESS UP DAYS NEXT WEEK FOR DR SeuSS /

READ ACROSS AMERICA!

Monday, March 3 - Crazy Socks (Fox in Sox)

Tuesday, March 4 - Hat Day (Cat in the Hat)

Wednesday, March 5 - Wear Green (Green Eggs and Ham)

Thursday, March 6 - Crazy Hair (Every Who Down in Whoville)

Friday, March 7 - Pajama Day (The Sleep Book)

Thank you for your input! 

Nearly one-fourth of our school population responded to the SWOT analysis survey over the past few weeks, helping our Strategic Planning committee gather information to help map out where God is leading CLA in the future. Thank you!  Also, we had a great attendance including staff and parents at our February school board meeting.  We are excited to see participation in the growth and planning for the future. The next school board meeting will again be held on a Monday afternoon (March 17 at 4:15) and you are welcome to attend! Please keep the school leadership (board and administrators) in prayer. We pray that we always will go where God leads us! And get involved!

2025-2026 Registration and Enrollment information! 

Enrollment for the new school year is open! We have a new process where our full-time academic families can enroll and re-enroll online through the Gradelink “EnrollMe” feature on our SIS. We encourage early enrollment (by March 31 with a discounted registration fee). It greatly helps us to plan for 2025-2026.  Families that are participating in extracurricular activities only, you may use the re-enrollment link sent previously. Any questions, please contact Mr. Horning ([email protected]).

OPEN HOUSE DATES to share!

Monday, March 10 -  8 am to 7 pm - including chapel at 8:30 am

Thursday, March 13 -  4 pm to 8 pm

   Extra Curriculars Corner

Friday, Feb 28 Lion Hoops 2nd-4th grade Game at 5:00 pm

Tuesday, Mar 4 HS Splatoon 3 vs Quitman HS Panthers

Wednesday, Mar 5 HS Smash Green and White vs TBD

MS Mario Kart Green and White vs TBD

Wednesday, Mar 5 DEADLINE for Spring Sports registration (see below)

Thursday, March 6 MS Smash Green, White and Rocket League vs TBD

March 10-11 First official practices for spring sports!

REGISTER FOR SPRING SPORTS!!

Spring Activities Registration NOW OPEN - HS Boys Baseball and MS/HS Boys/Girls Track & Field

Read ALL the information, and then register at this link:  https://forms.gle/36v8Fcs4xx739af57 

Game schedules for spring sports will be starting at the end of March

Girls Basketball Clinic..Softball coming up!

Thanks to Cole and Kristi Espenschied, CLA hosted a clinic for girls basketball, with over 15 girls in attendance. Who knows… maybe the beginnings of a CLA Lady Lions basketball team is on the horizon.  Great job, girls, and thanks to the coaches and parents who helped! Coming up… we’ll have some GIRLS SOFTBALL clinic dates! 4/2, 4/9, 4/16 and 4/22 - look for info about this coming soon!

From the Principal's Desk

Walk by the Spirit!! I would like to thank Seeds Kids Worship for the song that is “on repeat” in my head these days… (cue the music) “But I say, walk by the Spirit and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh!” Ask your children to sing it for you! It’s from Galatians 5:16, and I have been singing it (in my head) daily for the last few weeks! As we learn about the fruit of the Holy Spirit, we are reminded that it doesn’t begin with us trying to make good fruit… but we must start by walking with Jesus so that His Holy Spirit will guide us and will produce His fruit in our lives. So I say… walk with me and together let us walk with the Holy Spirit!  I’m so glad to be on the journey with you.

“I have no greater joy than to know that my children are walking in the truth.” 3 John 4

   Blessings,

        Mr. Horning

Lion Tales 2/20/25

Upcoming Dates on the School Calendar

Monday, March 3 Now a STUDENT ATTENDANCE day

March 24-28 NO School - Spring Break

Monday, April 7 Now a STUDENT ATTENDANCE day

Thursday, April 17 Easter Worship Service - 7 pm at CLA gymnasium

2025-2026 Registration and  Enrollment information! 

Enrollment for the new school year is open! We have a new process where our full-time academic families can enroll and re-enroll online through the Gradelink “EnrollMe” feature on our SIS.  There will be some kinks to work out, we imagine, so be patient.  We already have made a few adjustments based on feedback! We encourage early enrollment (by March 31 with a discounted registration fee). It greatly helps us to plan for 2025-2026.  Families that are participating in extracurricular activities only, you may use the re-enrollment link sent previously. **Please note that re-enrollment through Gradelink can only be done from a computer or laptop- not through your mobile device!

Tuition (as expected) will increase for next year, but the school board has kept that increase at 8% or less in nearly all categories. There are some adjustments in the way family discounts are calculated as well as a small student assistance tuition add-on. We pray that CLA stays affordable (as it has been in comparison with other Christian schools). Any questions, please contact Mr. Horning ([email protected]).

Mark your calendars for the following dates and times, when we will have OPEN HOUSE events. Invite your friends and family to check out Christian Life Academy! Printed and digital flyers are available to share.

OPEN HOUSE DATES to share!

Monday, March 10 -  8 am to 7 pm - including chapel at 8:30 am

Thursday, March 13 -  4 pm to 8 pm

We encourage visits at other times as well if these dates do not work!

   Extra Curriculars Corner

Fri-Sat, Feb 21-22 HS Basketball Varsity @ Arthur Christian for Midwest Championships

Monday, Feb 24 HS Splatoon 3 vs Lewisburg HS at 4pm

Tuesday, Feb 25 Lion Hoops 2nd-4th grade Game at 5:00 pm

HS Splatoon 3 vs Omaha South Magnet High School

Wednesday, Feb 26 CLA Green vs Rickover Naval Academy

CLA White vs Charleston High School

MS MarioKart vs TBD

Thursday, Feb 27 MS Smash 1 vs TBD

MS Smash 2 vs TBD

MS Rocket League vs TBD

Friday, Feb 28 Lion Hoops 2nd-4th grade Game at 5:00 pm

March 10-11 First official practices for spring sports!

REGISTER FOR SPRING SPORTS!!

Spring Activities Registration NOW OPEN - HS Boys Baseball and MS/HS Boys/Girls Track & Field

Read ALL the information, and then register at this link:  https://forms.gle/36v8Fcs4xx739af57 

Game schedules for spring sports will be starting at the end of March… and we’ll have some GIRLS SOFTBALL clinic dates! 4/2, 4/9, 4/16 and 4/22 - look for info about this coming soon!

From the Principal's Desk

An opportunity for growth!! In case you haven’t yet participated, the Strategic Planning committee of our school board/staff is in the middle of a SWOT (Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities and Threats) analysis.  We are looking to get feedback from our community, and you can get involved! An email recently (and we’ll send again soon)another this afternoon) directs you to a form asking for your input.  As CLA reaches into our 18th year, we have a lot of areas we can grow and improve in. We want to identify which areas of growth are important to focus on over the next three years. Thank you for being involved!

“I have no greater joy than to know that my children are walking in the truth.” 3 John 4

   Blessings,

        Mr. Horning

Lion Tales 2/13/25

Upcoming Dates on the School Calendar

Fri-Mon, Feb 14-17 No School - Presidents Day Weekend

Monday, March 3 Now a STUDENT ATTENDANCE day

March 24-28 NO School - Spring Break

Monday, April 7 Now a STUDENT ATTENDANCE day

2025-2026 Registration and 

Enrollment information! 

Enrollment for the new school year is open! We have a new process where our full-time academic families can enroll and re-enroll online through the Gradelink “EnrollMe” feature on our SIS.  There will be some kinks to work out, we imagine, so be patient.  We already have made a few adjustments based on feedback! We encourage early enrollment (by March 31 with a discounted registration fee). It greatly helps us to plan for 2025-2026.  Families that are participating in extracurricular activities only, you may use the re-enrollment link sent previously.

Tuition (as expected) will increase for next year, but the school board has kept that increase at 8% or less in nearly all categories. There are some adjustments in the way family discounts are calculated as well as a small student assistance tuition add-on. We pray that CLA stays affordable (as it has been in comparison with other Christian schools). Any questions, please contact Mr. Horning ([email protected]).

Mark your calendars for the following dates and times, when we will have OPEN HOUSE events. Invite your friends and family to check out Christian Life Academy! Printed and digital flyers are available to share.

OPEN HOUSE DATES to share!

Tuesday, February 18 -  8 am to 7 pm - including chapel at 8:30 am

Monday, February 10 -  8 am to 7 pm - including chapel at 8:30 am

Thursday, February 13 -  4 pm to 8 pm

       Extra Curriculars Corner

Thursday, Feb 13 HOME games with Bethel Church teams - JV 6:00 V 7:15

Friday, Feb 14 HS Basketball @ Midwest Central (Manito) JV 6:00 V to follow

Monday, Feb 17 HS Basketball @ Flanagan  JV 1:00 V to follow

Tuesdsay, Feb 18 HS eSports-Inklings (Splatoon 3) vs Lewisburg High School

Wednesday, Feb 19 HS eSports-Smash Bros Green and White teams vs TBD

Fri-Sat, Feb 21-22 HS Basketball Varsity @ Arthur Christian for Midwest Championships

March 10-11 First official practices for spring sports!

REGISTER FOR SPRING SPORTS!!

Spring Activities Registration NOW OPEN - HS Boys Baseball and MS/HS Boys/Girls Track & Field

Read ALL the information, and then register at this link:  https://forms.gle/36v8Fcs4xx739af57 

From the Principal's Desk

Invite someone!! We are glad to welcome new faces to learn about CLA… and the best way to introduce our community is by word of mouth.  Do you have a friend who you could bring to our OPEN HOUSE next TUESDAY? Maybe even come and be their “tour guide!” I’m excited to see what God has in store for next year at CLA. Maybe the person that you invite will join our community! I’m praying now for our next school year, and I encourage you to join me in prayer! 

“I have no greater joy than to know that my children are walking in the truth.” 3 John 4

   Blessings,

        Mr. Horning

Lion Tales 2/6/25

Upcoming Dates on the School Calendar

Fri-Mon, Feb 14-17 No School - Presidents Day Weekend

Monday, March 3 Now a STUDENT ATTENDANCE day

March 24-28 NO School - Spring Break

Monday, April 7 Now a STUDENT ATTENDANCE day

2025-2026 Registration and 

Enrollment information! 

Enrollment for the new school year opened this week. We have a new process where our full-time academic families can enroll and re-enroll online through the Gradelink “EnrollMe” feature on our SIS.  There will be some kinks to work out, we imagine, so be patient.  We already have made a few adjustments based on feedback! We encourage early enrollment (by March 31 with a discounted registration fee). It greatly helps us to plan for 2025-2026.  Families that are participating in extracurricular activities only, you may use the re-enrollment link sent previously.

Tuition (as expected) will increase for next year, but the school board has kept that increase at 8% or less in nearly all categories. There are some adjustments in the way family discounts are calculated as well as a small student assistance tuition add-on. We pray that CLA stays affordable (as it has been in comparison with other Christian schools). Any questions, please contact Mr. Horning ([email protected]).

Mark your calendars for the following dates and times, when we will have OPEN HOUSE events. Invite your friends and family to check out Christian Life Academy! Printed and digital flyers are available to share.

OPEN HOUSE DATES to share!

Tuesday, February 18 -  8 am to 7 pm - including chapel at 8:30 am

Monday, February 10 -  8 am to 7 pm - including chapel at 8:30 am

Thursday, February 13 -  4 pm to 8 pm

   Extra Curriculars Corner

Thursday, Feb 6 8th Grade night for cheer and basketball!

HOME game will be a Green/White game - JH 5:30

Fri-Sat, Feb 7-8 JV Basketball tournament at CLA, games Friday 5:40 and 6:50

Games Saturday 9:30 through the afternoon

Monday, Feb 10 Senior Night for boys basketball!

HOME game will be a Green/White game - all HS players - 5:30

Thursday, Feb 13 HOME games with Bethel Church teams - JV 6:00 V 7:15

Friday, Feb 14 HS Basketball @ Midwest Central (Manito) JV 6:00 V to follow

Monday, Feb 17 HS Basketball @ Flanagan  JV 1:00 V to follow

Fri-Sat, Feb 21-22 HS Basketball Varsity @ Arthur Christian for Midwest Championships

Look for spring activities registration coming NEXT WEEK!

From the Principal's Desk

Yes, 2025-2026 is approaching quickly! I am excited to share plans for next year, although the necessary tuition increases are always hard to announce. We are growing our program and our school, which is super exciting! If you have questions, considerations, or concerns, please feel free to ask or share with me. If you are ready to jump in for another year, I encourage you to do this right away… because we love to know how enrollment will be shaping up as soon as possible! God is moving greatly in our midst, and I’m glad to walk this path with you all.

“I have no greater joy than to know that my children are walking in the truth.” 3 John 4

   Blessings,

        Mr. Horning

Lion Tales 1/30/25

Upcoming Dates on the School Calendar

Thurs-Fri, Jan 30-31 School Closed due to excessive illnesses. Get well soon, everyone!

Fri-Mon, Feb 14-17 No School - Presidents Day Weekend

Monday, March 3 Now a STUDENT ATTENDANCE day

March 24-28 NO School - Spring Break

Monday, April 7 Now a STUDENT ATTENDANCE day

Praying for healthy families and a great return to school on Monday!

While it is disappointing to not have students in school today and tomorrow, we are anticipating a return to good health. We are attempting to eradicate all the germs being transferred between students and staff. Please pray for a return to good health for the over 25% of our students and staff (and families) that are currently ill. May the Lord (along with sleep, medication, and all that goes with recovery) bring you back to us on Monday.  With that said, please DO keep your child home if they are not fully recovered.

2025-2026 Registration and Enrollment information! 

Enrollment for the new school year opens on Monday, February 3. We will begin a new process where families can enroll and re-enroll online through the Gradelink “EnrollMe” feature on our SIS.  There will be some kinks to work out, we imagine, so be patient.  Details will come, along with instructions. For now, the new tuition schedules are being publicized (attached with Lion Tales). We encourage early enrollment (by March 31 with a discounted registration fee). It greatly helps us to plan for 2025-2026.  

Tuition (as expected) will increase for next year, but the school board has kept that increase at 8% or less in nearly all categories. There are some adjustments in the way family discounts are calculated as well as a small student assistance tuition add-on. We pray that CLA stays affordable (as it has been in comparison with other Christian schools). Any questions, please contact Mr. Horning ([email protected]).

Mark your calendars for the following dates and times, when we will have OPEN HOUSE events. Invite your friends and family to check out Christian Life Academy! Printed and digital flyers are available to share.

OPEN HOUSE DATES to share!

Tuesday, February 18 -  8 am to 7 pm - including chapel at 8:30 am

Monday, February 10 -  8 am to 7 pm - including chapel at 8:30 am

Thursday, February 13 -  4 pm to 8 pm

   Extra Curriculars Corner

Thurs-Sat, Jan 30-Feb 1 JV and V basketball teams at ICCS tournament, Washington

Monday, Feb 3 HOME basketball games with Westfair - JV 5:30 / V 6:45

Thursday, Feb 6 8th Grade night for cheer and basketball!

HOME game with Faith Baptist - JH 5:30

Fri-Sat, Feb 7-8 JV Basketball tournament at CLA, games Friday 5:40 and 6:50

Games Saturday 9:30 through the afternoon

Look for spring activities registration coming in mid to late February!

From the Principal's Desk

Yes, 2025-2026 is approaching quickly! I am excited to share plans for next year, although the necessary tuition increases are always hard to announce. We are growing our program and our school, which is super exciting! If you have questions, considerations, or concerns, please feel free to ask or share with me. If you are ready to jump in for another year, I encourage you to do this right away… because we love to know how enrollment will be shaping up as soon as possible! God is moving greatly in our midst, and I’m glad to walk this path with you all.

“I have no greater joy than to know that my children are walking in the truth.” 3 John 4

   Blessings,

        Mr. Horning

Lion Tales 1/16/25

Upcoming Dates on the School Calendar

Saturday, Jan 18 Board of Directors Monthly Meeting, 8 am  in HS community room 

Monday, Jan 20 No School - Martin Luther King, Jr Day

Fri-Mon, Feb 14-17 No School - Presidents Day Weekend

Thank you for your participation in our CLA Community Annual Meeting!

What a blessing to have so many attend our Annual Meeting last week! The school board and administrative team came away knowing that 1) God is at work…  2) many people are glad to be a part of the CLA community and want it to thrive… and 3) There are avenues to improve!  We have a lot of work to do as we try to grow, change, and follow God’s leading, but there are great people on this journey together! If you didn’t get a chance to attend or see the recap email, you can watch the video here: 2025 Annual Meeting

SNOW DAY??  Although it’s unlikely that tomorrow will be a snow day… keep your Facebook feed, email inbox and text notification/alerts ready… that’s how we will communicate any changes in school schedule due to weather!

Reminder - illnesses

As the winter continues, we know that sickness and recovery are a part of the school year. We’ve noticed some illnesses in various pockets of our school, as usual. This is just a reminder to be cautious, watch the health of your children, and keep them home if necessary. Attendance is important, but their health and the health of their classmates and teachers are also important! Remember, the rule of thumb is that students should be fever-free without medication for 24 hours before returning to school. They also should not be currently experiencing symptoms of illness and coming to school. Please keep our school office and your students’ teachers informed about your children’s health!

Attention! Tax forms coming in mail by next week!

Many people are taking care of taxes… and your tax information for tuition paid in 2024 should be arriving soon in the mail.  If you donated to CLA, then tax receipts should also be arriving by the end of next week as well.

 Extra Curriculars Corner

Thursday, January 16 AWAY MS games at Concordia Peoria, 5:30 5th/6th and 6:30 7th/8th

Thursday, January 16 AWAY HS JV at ICCS Washington, 6 pm

Saturday, January 18 Varsity basketball team  @ FBCA Rosamond Tournament

High School Chess club @ Champaign for Illini Tournament

Monday, January 20 HOME JV/Varsity basketball with Greenview 5:30 JV start time

Tuesday, January 21 HOME basketball games with FBCA 5:00 5/6th, 7/8th and JV to follow

Fri-Sat, January 24-25 HOME Junior High tournament starts 5:30 Friday, 8:30 am Saturday

Look for spring activities registration coming in mid to late February!

From the Principal's Desk

Yes, 2025-2026 is approaching quickly!  For many in the school, the focus is on starting out strong for the second semester. Administratively, we are already fully focused on NEXT school year!  If I can share one important reminder, it is this: the more information we have about the upcoming school year, the better! We will open our re-enrollment and new family enrollment in just a few short weeks.  If you have questions, considerations, or concerns, please feel free to ask or share with me If you are ready to jump in for another year, I encourage you to do this right away… because we love to know how enrollment will be shaping up as soon as possible!

“I have no greater joy than to know that my children are walking in the truth.” 3 John 4

   Blessings,

        Mr. Horning

Lion Tales 1/9/25

Upcoming Dates on the School Calendar

Saturday, Jan 11 CLA Community Annual Meeting, 9 am - Mark Your Calendar!

Tuesday, Jan 14 PTF meeting 2 pm in the grade school meeting room

Saturday, Jan 18 Board of Directors Monthly Meeting, 8 am  in HS community room

Monday, Jan 20 No School - Martin Luther King, Jr Day

Fri-Mon, Feb 14-17 No School - Presidents Day Weekend

It’s this Saturday! - the CLA Community Annual Meeting

Saturday, January 11, 2025 at 9 am

On behalf of the school board of directors and staff, we wish to invite all of the CLA community on Saturday, January 11 at 9 am in the community room of the high school. Please gather with us to hear some updates on what’s happening “behind the scenes” at CLA. As we prepare for enrollment processes for 2025-2026 (yes, next year is always on the horizon) we want to share some potential plans, challenges and directions. Learning about how the school operates is important for all community members! We’ll share some ways for greater involvement as well as some upcoming adjustments. We’ll also celebrate how the school has grown and where we are trying to follow God’s leading into the future.  Please come!

SNOW DAY??  Although it’s unlikely that tomorrow will be a snow day… keep your Facebook feed, email inbox and text notification/alerts ready… that’s how we will communicate any changes in school schedule due to weather!

eSports Signups Closing Monday, January 13, at 3:30pm!

Mrs. Stribling has sent several reminder emails over the past month to families/students interested in eSports. Monday, January 13 is the LAST DAY to get your accounts registered with PlayVS so that rosters and teams can be set.  If you have any questions, please contact Mrs. Stribling at [email protected]. High School eSports starts the week of January 27th!  Middle school eSports will start mid-February.

Reminder - illnesses

As the winter continues, we know that sickness and recovery are a part of the school year. We’ve noticed some illnesses in various pockets of our school, as usual. This is just a reminder to be cautious, watch the health of your children, and keep them home if necessary. Attendance is important, but their health and the health of their classmates and teachers are also important! Remember, the rule of thumb is that students should be fever-free without medication for 24 hours before returning to school. They also should not be currently experiencing symptoms of illness and coming to school. Please keep our school office and your students’ teachers informed about your children’s health!

 Extra Curriculars Corner

Thursday, January 9 AWAY basketball games at St. Mary’s (Bloomington) 5:30 5/6 and 7/8

Friday, January 10 HOME basketball games with Greenview - 5:30 JV / V

Monday, January 13 AWAY (7th/8th) game at  Excel in Dunlap, 5:30 pm

Thursday, January 16 AWAY MS games at Concordia Peoria, 5:30 5th/6th and 6:30 7th/8th

Thursday, January 16 AWAY HS JV at ICCS Washington, 6 pm

Saturday, January 18 Varsity @ FBCA Rosamond Tournament

Look for spring activities registration coming in mid to late February!

From the Principal's Desk

It’s important - please attend!  For those of you that are new to CLA, you might not know that having an annual meeting in January is also a new thing.  CLA is growing… and we are seeing a need to get more information out to our community about the operations of the school.  We wish to get more involvement from you all - new and veteran families alike! As the school grows, we know there will be changes needed and we want to better plan for the future. That cannot be done in a vacuum, nor can it be done without the input and involvement of more people! CLA is no longer a small school, both in physical environment and in the numbers of people involved. As we point to the future, we want to 1) see where God is leading us, and 2) make sure we involve and inform our community here. Please attend the annual meeting on Saturday. I hope to see you there!

“I have no greater joy than to know that my children are walking in the truth.” 3 John 4

   Blessings,

        Mr. Horning

Lion Tales 12/19/24- Christmas program tonight!

Upcoming Dates on the School Calendar

Thursday, Dec 19 CLA Christmas Program at Living Hope Community Church 7 pm

Tickets required for Dinner at 5:30 preceding program 

Friday, Dec 20 11:30 Dismissal - Last day of school before Christmas Break

End of Quarter 2

Saturday, Dec 21 Monthly CLA Board of Directors Meeting, 7:30 am

Dec 21-Jan 6 No School - Christmas Break

Tuesday, Jan 7 School resumes 

Saturday, Jan 11 CLA Community Annual Meeting, 9 am - Mark Your Calendar!

Christmas Season is upon us!

Tomorrow, we will depart for a few weeks of “Christmas Break!” As we finish out this semester of school, stay tuned… there’s a lot going on! Don’t forget the real reason we celebrate… For God So LOVED the World… He Sent His Son as Our Savior. Praise the Lord!

The 17th Annual CLA Christmas Program

7:00 tonight at Living Hope Community Church

A few reminders/details…

• A shuttle will run from the school to the church so that as many as possible park at the school lot.  The shuttle will run from 6:20 until 6:55 and again for about 20 minutes after the program ends.

• If you purchased tickets for the meal, doors open at 5:30 and the meal is served at 5:45.

• If you are decorating a dinner table, the church will open at 3:30 for table decoration.

• Students serving for the meal should arrive by 5:15.

• Students participating in the program should arrive by 6:40 (6:50 for preK)

• General public, seating begins at 6:30

Mark your calendars for the CLA Community Annual Meeting

Saturday, January 11, 2025 at 9 am

On behalf of the school board of directors and staff, we wish to invite all of the CLA community to a gathering soon after we return from Christmas break. Please mark Saturday, January 11 on your calendar and gather with us to hear some updates on what’s happening “behind the scenes” at CLA. As we prepare for enrollment processes for 2025-2026 (yes, next year is always on the horizon) we want to share some potential plans, challenges and directions. Learning about how the school operates is important for all community members! We’ll share some ways for greater involvement as well as some upcoming adjustments. We’ll also celebrate how the school has grown and where we are trying to follow God’s leading into the future.  Please come!

SNOW DAY??  Although it’s unlikely that tomorrow will be a snow day… keep your FaceBook feed, email inbox and text notification/alerts ready… that’s how we will communicate any changes in school schedule due to weather!

Reminder - illnesses

As the seasons change, we know that sickness and recovery are a part of the school year. We’ve noticed some illnesses in various pockets of our school, as usual. This is just a reminder to be cautious, watch the health of your children, and keep them home if necessary. Attendance is important, but their health and the health of their classmates and teachers are also important! Remember, the rule of thumb is that students should be fever-free without medication for 24 hours before returning to school. They also should not be currently experiencing symptoms of illness and coming to school. Please keep our school office and your students’ teachers informed about your children’s health!

Extra Curriculars Corner

Friday, December 20 AWAY games w/ Faith (5:30, 5/6 and 7/8 at Cornerstone, Groveland)

AWAY game (HS) at Decatur Christian (6:00) 

Fri-Sat, December 27-28 Varsity basketball tournament at Arthur Christian School

Monday, January 6 HOME basketball games with Greenview - JH 5:30

Tuesday, January 7 AWAY basketball games at Illini Central (Mason City) 6:00 JV / V

AWAY basketball games at South Side (Peoria) 5:00 5/6 and 7/8

Thursday, January 9 AWAY basketball games at St. Mary’s (Bloomington) 5:30 5/6 and 7/8

Friday, January 10 HOME basketball games with Greenview - 5:30 JV / V

From the Principal's Desk

Can’t wait to worship with you. I’m super excited about tonight’s Christmas program! How wonderful to join together, led by our children, in worship of the Savior… I won’t get a chance to say “hello” to ALL of you individually tonight, but please know that I’m glad we could worship together! How great it is to have a community of Christ-followers at CLA!

“I have no greater joy than to know that my children are walking in the truth.” 3 John 4

   Blessings,

        Mr. Horning