Dear CGCA Family:
On behalf of the faculty, we would like to welcome you to Cedar Grove Christian Academy for the coming year. We are thankful that you were sent by God to attend CGCA. If you have difficulties, seek out any of the teachers or either one of us, and we will do the best that we can to help you. We are here to make this year in school successful, both spiritually and educationally. As you try hard to make CGCA the best, share any additional ideas that you have with your teacher or CBS representatives. Your ideas may be printed in the next edition of the handbook!

In Christ,

Mr. Jeffrey R. Howard, Headmaster

Pa Background Checks for Volunteers

Below are listed 2 links to help you understand and apply for the Pennsylvania Criminal Background Check and for the Pennsylvania Child Abuse History Clearance. Both clearances are now required by law for any volunteers working with children. There is no cost for these record checks. If you wish to particiapate in most volunteer capacities at CGCA, including class trips, you will need to gain clearances and allow us to keep copies of the clearances on file at school

PA Criminal History Record Check

PA Child Abuse History Clearance form

Insight for Living is a Website for Chuck Swindol MInistries and has many Biblically based guidelines for families. Click on the link to look at the Insights on various topics presented here. What is Christianity download How to share the Gospel with a child download Some helpful ideas for Parents download Internet Safety Tips for Your Child download

Church Home and School working together

Christian Parent, Christian School: A Potentially Powerful Partnership 
Peruse the handbook of almost any Christian school, and you will most likely encounter the verse, “Train up a child in the way he should go; even when he is old, he will not depart from it” (Proverbs 22:6). It is usually found in the school’s purpose, vision, or philosophy statement. In other words, it is the underlying principle for the school’s existence. This should be a comfort and inspiration to the Christian parent whose mission in parenting is the same!
In Scripture, parents are ordained as the God-given authority over children; the church is the God-given authority over believers. With these two entities working together, they can delegate authority to a school that will continue to carry out the same mission in training children as Scripture dictates. Put these three together (the home, the church, and the school) and you will find that “a cord of three strands is not quickly broken” (Ecclesiastes 4:12). If a child is being taught the same truth from the three primary institutions that dominate his or her life, a firm foundation is laid that cannot easily be shaken.
So, what should a partnership between a Christian school and Christian parents look like in order to complete this “cord of three strands”? First, there must be a common and agreed-upon belief system and purpose. You cannot have a true partnership without this. Be sure you understand the school’s statement of faith and are committed to the same basic scriptural principles for training children. If you are in agreement, then . . .
The school should

1. Recognize you, the parent, as the God-given authority in the student’s life. If this is true, the school will teach students to respect and obey their parents. The school will support parents’ decisions and respectfully consider parents’ concerns.
2. Commit to open and frequent communication. There shouldn’t be any surprises when it comes to parent-teacher conferences or when report cards come home.
3. Commit to love and respect each student. All teachers and school staff should be believers who, through their pursuit of Christlikeness, have a genuine love for children and a desire for their spiritual and academic growth.

In turn, the parent should

1. Trust the teachers and administration and give them the benefit of the doubt. Communication is the key to this trust. Get to know your children’s teachers, the principal, and even the office staff. Let them know that you believe the best of them, so that when a problem arises, it will be much easier to discuss if there is a feeling of mutual trust and respect.
2. Support the teachers’ authority. When you release your children into the hands of a Christian school, be sure you understand what is expected of them. You may find that some methods are not the methods you would choose, but recognize the structure and consistency that is needed to operate a school.
3. Be involved. Your child’s education is ultimately your responsibility, so it is imperative that you participate in it as much as you are able.

But what if you still can’t agree? Examine the root of the issue. Is it because you feel the school is violating a biblical command or principle? If it is, remember you are responsible for your child’s training and this may not be the best partnership to achieve your goals. If it isn’t, find a way to reconcile. As with any relationship, there will be disagreements and misunderstandings, but in a partnership founded on God’s truth and a mutual desire to grow in Christlikeness, there is also great blessing. 

School Verse: “Sanctify them by Your Truth; Your Word is Truth.” – John 17:17 MISSION STATEMENT The Mission of Cedar Grove Christian Academy is to give a quality Christian Education emphasizing traditional Biblical values.   STATEMENT OF FAITH The basis of Cedar Grove Christian Academy is the Bible. The school is part of the church at work with a focus on Biblically- based education. We believe the following Statement of Faith summarizes the essential tenants of the Bible:Our doctrinal basis is a belief in the triune God – Father, Son, and Holy Spirit; in the inspiration of the Old and New Testaments, in the original manuscripts; in the Deity of the Lord Jesus Christ and His substitutional atonement for our sins; that salvation is by grace, through faith in Him who died for our sins, and rose again for our justification; and the resurrection of the dead, both just and unjust; and in eternal punishment of the lost; in the personal return of the Lord Jesus Christ to take His Church to be with Himself and to take His great power and reign.The statement of faith does not exhaust the extent of our beliefs. The Bible itself, as the inspired and infallible Word of God that speaks with final authority concerning truth, morality, and the proper conduct of mankind, is the sole and final source of all that we believe. For purpose of Cedar Grove Christian Academy’s faith, doctrine, practice, policy, and discipline, our School Board is CGCA’s final interpretive authority on the Bible’s meaning and application.EDUCATIONAL PHILOSOPHY The Bible teaches that a child or youth should be taught how to live a full and complete life to the glory of God (Ps. 78:4-7). The Bible is accepted as the inspired Word of God and the final authority for our life and faith. God has created and sustained everything through His son, Jesus Christ. The world and life are revelatory of God and glorify Him (II Tim. 3:16-17). All areas of learning must be taught from a Christian perspective. There is no division of “secular” and “religious” because God is the author of all knowledge and all truth is His truth.This educational philosophy requires a Christian view of humanity: that humankind was created by God with the unique capacity to know and respond to God personally. However, people by nature and choice cannot glorify God in their natural state. People can do this only by being born again to do God’s will, which is the ultimate purpose of life. To be born again, one’s faith must be placed in the Lord Jesus Christ as Savior (Rom. 10:9-10).The whole educational process seeks to restore the student to a position of true knowledge and righteousness through Christ. Students must be taught the Bible to understand God, their own nature, and their role as God’s image. This provides a foundation for cultivating spiritual discernment under the Lordship of Christ. Each student must be educated as an individual with unique abilities and personality, learning to live with others at home, in the church, or in society. Diversified knowledge, well-developed skills, and Christian values are needed to assist students in finding their role in today’s world and equipping them for service in Christ’s kingdom (Prov. 2:1-5).The authority for such an education comes both from God’s command that children be taught to love God and place Him first in their lives, and from the fact that parents are responsible for the total education and training of their children. At the parents’ request, the Christian school becomes a partner in providing this education for the children in the family (Deut. 6:6,7). In partnership with parents, Cedar Grove Christian Academy seeks to provide God-centered education in a caring environment. We emphasize Trust, Scholarship, Service, and Community, while encouraging excellence as students impact the world for Christ.

Emergency Procedures

We strive to ensure the safest environment for our students. To do this, we have emergency procedures that we follow for every kind of emergency; including, but not limited to, fire drills, evacuation, intruders, and other threats. These are practiced annually so that students and staff are prepared as possible for emergencies. More information is available if needed.