It is Homecoming Week at PCA, and the campus is alive with color, cheers, and cowboy hats. In this episode of Mondays with Mike, Head of School Mike Runey sits down with Upper School leaders—Student Body President Kyla Collins, Vice President Anna Odom, Athletic Prefect Marion Spur, and Cross-Country Captain Christian Barnes—to share what this week means for our community. From Senior Sunrise to pep rallies and Dig Pink service projects, their stories reveal joyful leadership, teamwork, and faith in action. Discover how PCA students celebrate together and live out Philippians 2:2-4—being of one mind and one spirit in Christ.

Mid-quarter at PCA, fourth grade students join the show to share hands-on learning in science and music. The episode features students introducing themselves, describing their daily routines, and explaining class projects and activities.

Students built solar ovens from shoeboxes to test insulation and heat retention, planning to measure temperatures and even make s'mores as part of the experiment. They discuss hypotheses, materials, and how the sun provides energy for everyday needs.

The episode also highlights the new band and strings program: students are starting saxophone, violin, viola, trumpet, trombone, clarinet, cello, and percussion, with several teachers guiding their musical journey and upcoming concerts and showcases planned.

Teachers describe academic focus areas like deeper multiplication and division, new novels in reading, and Old Testament studies in Bible class. The conversation emphasizes curiosity, problem-solving, faith connections, and the joy of learning and serving younger students as shepherds.

This episode gives a clear update on PCA's campus safety efforts, introducing Steve Howe (Director of Operations) and Laurie Underwood (Director of IT and Educational Technology) and explaining the ongoing transition after Gene Watson stepped back for medical reasons.

Steve describes PCA's layered security approach: Eagle Watch volunteers who observe the perimeter and buildings, a trained response team of staff volunteers who can engage to buy time, and strong partnerships with Dover Police and other local agencies.

Laurie outlines technology and infrastructure upgrades, including over 100 cameras, upgraded door locks with key-fob access, a new intercom and phone system with E911 in every classroom, and alerting systems to improve communication across campus.

The episode also covers training for different audiences (students, faculty, response team), regular reviews with Homeland Security and local responders, and continuous improvement without turning the school into an "armed camp." It aims to reassure families of PCA's commitment to safety and invites questions to school leadership.

In this episode we hear from two PCA seniors — Marian, the athletic prefect, and Chloe, the fine arts prefect — along with Mr. Jordan Hecklemann, as they prepare to lead the upper school during their leadership retreat and the student-led Brookwoods Day.

The conversation covers their leadership roles (captain devotions, pep rallies, worship team development), the Leadership in Action course, and the evolution of student government into the Student Life Council focused on community and culture.

They share personal stories of mentorship and growth, practical examples of student-led initiatives, and how the program aims to maximize students’ God-given potential by giving them responsibility, coaching, and real leadership experience.

The episode closes with excitement for Brookwoods Day, reflections on community-building activities, and a request for prayer and support for the student leaders as they put their training into practice.

This episode highlights a recent middle school retreat at Portsmouth Christian Academy led by Principal Lois Blatchley and Assistant Principal David White, with chaplain David Moore supporting the community. The retreat focused on uniting sixth through eighth graders early in the year and introducing a theme of compassionate community.

Listeners hear about worship, team-building activities like the human knot and charades, and how the retreat mixed grade levels to foster new friendships. Students Ian and Kaylee share personal reflections on worship, lunchtime connections, and welcoming over 20 new students.

School leaders describe their goals for the year: creating opportunities for students to love and serve one another with head, heart, and hands, and helping new students feel seen and included. The episode offers a glimpse into middle school life at PCA and the people helping shape a supportive, faith-centered community.

On this Labor Day Monday, I share my recent conversation with PCA Athletic Director Derek Summers and several coaches to kick off the fall athletics season. Derek, who has led the program since 2012, outlines the program’s core goals: get kids active, provide participation opportunities, teach each role on a team, and compete while growing in skill and faith.

Coaches share updates and hopes for their teams: Kevin Carriero discusses a strong volleyball program that has earned academic honors and deep postseason runs; Keith Teeter and Daphne Corso describe cross-country’s growth, summer training and a boys team ranked in the state top 10; Hailey DeMello highlights a growing middle school volleyball program with 19 players; Eddie Warren and Josh Chamberlain update listeners on boys soccer, with a 20-player varsity roster; and Derek closes with women’s soccer plans.

The episode emphasizes character, teamwork, and spiritual growth alongside competition. Coaches describe middle school development, JV preparation for varsity, and the importance of volunteers — including a request for more help in volleyball. You are invited to support the teams, attend games and meets, and prayerfully follow the season.

Season details mentioned: Division placements (mostly D4 competing at times in D3), roster sizes (volleyball varsity 11/JV 9; cross-country boys 11; middle school volleyball 19; soccer 20), recent achievements, and local rivalries to watch. The conversation closes with encouragement from the AD and coaches to get involved and, as always, "Go Eagles!"

Welcome to the 25-26 school year! Our Monday's with Mike's podcast goal is to share a long-view perspective on how God is at work at PCA in students, faculty, staff, coaches, and mentors.

Enrollment director Stephen Levitt joins to share why families choose PCA. The top reasons are Christian faith formation, strong academics integrated with faith and purpose, and a close-knit community where children are known and encouraged. Families value opportunities in athletics, arts, and co-curriculars, and many are eager to engage as volunteers and community members. The school welcomes over 100 new students this year, including legacy families.

Chief storyteller Nate Paul outlines practical ways families can stay informed without feeling overwhelmed: follow classroom and coach communications, and rely on PCA’s predictable weekly email cadence—Mondays for schoolwide communications and marketing, Tuesdays for development, Wednesdays for fine arts and athletics, Thursdays at 2:00 PM for the all-school weekly calendar, and Fridays for principal-level messages. Social media, the PCA Community page, the PCA Drive carpool page, the monthly blog, and the PCA Parents webpage (pcaschool.org/new-families and pcaschool.org/parents) provide additional windows into campus life.

Mike closes by encouraging families to join the community, respect healthy communication boundaries (no planned weekend or Sunday messages except emergencies), and look forward to a year of growth and partnership between home, church, and school. He invites everyone to upcoming open house events and to engage with PCA as the year unfolds.

Join Mike Runey as he shares a short Ready Week update as staff and faculty return and final preparations are made for your arrival. The school is busy getting everything ready for the start of the 2025–26 school year and is excited to welcome students and families next week.

Key communications to watch for include the weekly Peak of the Week (issued Thursday afternoons) and emails from your child’s principal. Principals include Ms. Harley Tuttle (Preschool, 3–4 year olds), Dr. Carrie Abood (Lower School, K–5), Mrs. Lois Blatchley (Middle School, 6–8), and Mr. Jordan Hecklemann (Upper School, 9–12). If you need help finding information, contact Mike at [email protected].

Upper school updates: schedules were published last week, laptops are being distributed, and there is an add/drop period like college. For schedule or course questions contact Mr. Jordan Hecklemann; for add/drop help contact Mr. Nate Hastie.

Mike highlights the strength of PCA’s teaching team: called Christian educators who meet both secular and Christian accreditation standards and who are committed to ongoing professional growth to help students reach their potential academically, spiritually, socially, and creatively.

Listen to Mike’s Monday podcast for the school’s academic vision, student voices, and conversations about raising the next generation of Christian servant leaders. As families prepare, he encourages prayer, conversations with your children about hopes and fears, and following principals’ directions for first-day details.

Practical reminders: for preschool through middle school there will be an open-house-style start on Monday; upper school will welcome freshmen and new students as we begin Welcome Week next week. The school staff is praying for and ready to greet your family — see you on campus soon.

Welcome to another episode of "Mondays with Mike," a podcast from PCA where host Mike Runey engages in inspiring conversations about the transformative power of education and community. In this episode, Mike is joined by Nate Paul, a chief storyteller from PCA's advancement team, to discuss the newly unveiled academic vision for the upcoming school year. Aimed at fostering the holistic development of students, this vision sets the course for 2025-2026 and beyond, focusing on six key areas of growth.

The conversation highlights the importance of establishing a clear academic vision and explores why it is vital for PCA's community. Through shared insights from both Mike and Nate, listeners will gain an understanding of how PCA plans to empower its students by emphasizing spiritual growth, academic excellence, creative expression, leadership opportunities, and balanced integration of technology.

Additionally, the episode delves into the broader implications of this vision, encouraging collaboration among students, parents, and educators to maximize each child's potential in a Christ-centered environment. As PCA prepares students for a rapidly changing world, this academic vision serves as a roadmap to guide and inspire students to not only thrive academically but to also flourish as compassionate, creative, and resilient individuals. Join the discussion and explore how PCA is paving the way for a brighter future for all its students.

Welcome back, PCA families! In this week's engaging episode, we dive into the evolving world of artificial intelligence in education. This is the third installment of our four-part series focusing on the future of learning at our school. Our discussion is led by Dr. Connie Lawrence, Dean Emeritus at PCA, an innovative educator and seasoned researcher, celebrated for her insights into child development and AI.

During this captivating conversation, Dr. Lawrence shares her journey with AI, explaining the different types of artificial intelligence and its current applications in education, particularly Narrow AI tools like Grammarly and Lexia used at PCA. She explores how these technologies provide tailored learning experiences and critical feedback, enabling educators to enhance teaching practices and foster individual growth in students without replacing the essential human element of teaching.

Further, Dr. Lawrence and our host delve into the potential risks of AI in compromising deep learning and the critical importance of balancing technology with human interaction in education. They emphasize the value of promoting critical thinking, curiosity, and resilience in students, while considering the ethical implications and transparency required in AI usage.

This episode is essential for parents and educators who are keen on understanding AI's role in shaping educational experiences and ensuring students thrive in a technology-rich world while maintaining the integrity and depth of human learning.