ANNUAL school events
Redeemer loves to have fun, so we bring that energy to our fundraising throughout the year in events that provide fun and extra funding for our school. The following is a list of annual events that usually take place:
Playground NIGHT – Mid-August
In mid-August we offer an opportunity for Preschool, Pre-Kindergarten, and Kindergarten families to come together on our playground for treats and activities. It’s an opportunity for children as well as parents to meet each other.
New Parent Orientation – Mid-August
Before school starts, all new parents of Redeemer students have the opportunity to meet with other new parents to learn more about what makes Redeemer Christian Academy unique. It’s also a Q & A time with the School Administrator. Babysitting is provided by reservation. You’ll receive information prior to the event.
Back-to-School BBQ – August
The Sunday before the first day of school is a special day! The Back-to-School BBQ offers: a chance to connect with God through worship, eat great food, learn more about our ministries, meet your child’s Teacher, drop off school supplies, and connect with friends old and new!
Parents & Pastries – 1st Friday of the Month
All are welcome to share a cup of coffee, a pastry and conversation on the first Friday each month, starting at 8:15 am after dropping your child off for the school day. Those who have children too young for school may take advantage of the gym to supervise their own children in running and playing.
Chapel – each Wednesday
You’re invited to join us each Wednesday as Pre-Kindergarten-grade 8 worship. Chapel is led by Pastor Ferber, area pastors, teachers, and classes. Mr. Oie, Music Director, prepares teams of students to lead us in music and prayer. Older students are paired with younger students as chapel families and participate in activities throughout the school year.
James J. Hill Days Booth – September
Redeemer hosts a booth at Wayzata’s James J. Hill Days the first week of September. You can help us meet and greet people and distribute a small Redeemer token and information.
Summer Bridge Party – September
Each spring we sell “Summer Bridge Series” books for students to work on over the summer. The teachers highly recommend these books to help reduce the “summer slide.” Your children will be more likely to have a great school start in August if they complete these books. We host a special dessert party at the start of the school year for those students who complete and turn in their Summer Bridge books by the first week in September.
LEGO CLUB - FALL and/or SPRING
Lego Club is offered for 6 weeks, in the spring and fall, inviting all K-5 builders to unleash their inner architects! It's a blast of creativity where kids stack bricks and sharpen their engineering skills all while boosting focus, fine motor skills, and making new friends. Each week, they dive into a fresh theme, turning blocks into masterpieces!
VIP/Grandparent’s Day – October
Do you want to share RCA with your favorite adult(s)? Join us for VIP/Grandparent’s Day held in the first part of October. We will share a special breakfast together, followed by visits to classrooms and a special Chapel service. This is a half-day, in which students are welcome to go spend the afternoon with their Special guests.
TURKEY BINGO - NOVEMBER
Our P.T.L. (Parent Teacher League) hosts this family event. Please bring your friends and family! We play Turkey BINGO with BINGO cards and colorful dobbers, win great prizes, enjoy dinner and treats, and share in Christian fellowship. This is a fundraiser for classroom spending.
Breakfast Buddies – SEVERAL times a year
In order to help strengthen the bond males have in making a Godly difference in their children’s lives, we have instituted a monthly gathering for dads, uncles, grandpas and other significant males called Breakfast Buddies. We meet several times a year, on select Fridays, from 7:30-8:15 am for breakfast, an activity (like the kids vs. dads sock fight shown) and make a lifelong Godly difference in children’s lives. Check the newsletter for dates.
Service Projects – 5+ times during the year
Watch the newsletter for information on special service projects coordinated with the church congregation and community. We’ve hosted such events as: Angel Tree (buying gifts for children of those in prison), Blessing Bags (the photo shown is of a student writing a note to whomever receives the bag), Diaper Drive (collecting and packing diapers for the largest pregnancy resource group in MN), 363 (making sandwiches for the homeless on the streets of Minneapolis), Transformed by Twelve (Haiti help), and Operation Christmas Tree (packing a shoebox with necessities and toys for children).
Classrooms often choose to do additional special service projects.
Veterans Day Celebration – November
We teach our students to respect and honor our military Veterans. Each year we honor area veterans with a special chapel service just for them which includes patriotic songs sung by our school students and a special meal.
Christmas Boutique – December
The upper grade students hold their annual Christmas Boutique on the first Thursday and Friday in December. Younger students have a set time during the school day to purchase crafts, gift items, and baked goods created by our students. Adults may shop during any of the open times. Prices for items vary, but some start at 25 cents. The proceeds go to help fund their class trip!
Concerts – December and April
Our Music Director, Mr. Oie, works with students to challenge their musical abilities both in the singing realm and the instrumental realm. In December, all students are part of a concert honoring the birth of Jesus. Mr. Oie chooses both Christian and secular music for the April concert (K-3) and Spring Musical (Gr. 4-8).
National Lutheran Schools Week – January
A whole week of special activities takes place during the last week of January to honor our heritage as a Lutheran school. During the week, the whole school dresses in themes each day, participate in a medallion hunt put on by the 8th graders, attend special daily chapels, go on a field trip, and then celebrate FunFest - our winter carnival.
During NLSW, chapel services are dedicated to helping students understand the world around them by going on a virtual mission trip through Gospel Adventures. It is program created in partnership with Lutheran Hour Ministries. Each year, the students explore the culture and customs of a different country. Through videos and stories, they meet children and families from that country to get a better understanding of how kids across the globe follow Jesus. Our mission is to raise money to help spread the Gospel message to children everywhere.
FUNFEST – January
FunFest is our annual school winter carnival, held at the end of January to wrap up National Lutheran Schools Week. It is open to school, church, and community friends.
VARIETY Show – SPRING EVENT every year
Each spring, we offer students the opportunity to showcase their special God-given talents. We’ve seen jugglers, kindergartners jumping rope while singing the alphabet song, and a unicycle rider, just to name a few acts.
Redeemer gala
The Redeemer Christian Academy spring Gala is an auction fundraiser to raise money for the ongoing financial needs of the school. The auction features exclusive teacher experiences, student artwork, gift baskets, event tickets, and much more!
Academic Fair – April
Each year we offer an Academic Fair, rotating themes between Math, Social Studies, Art, Science, and Religion. Pictured are first graders with their Infinity Tiles for one of our Math Fairs. Parents and teachers combine efforts to work several weeks to help children prepare a project. The culmination is a show for all to view the projects.
Spelling Bee – March into April
You’ll find students studying hard for the Redeemer Christian Academy grades 1-8 spelling bee held on the first Wednesday in March. In April, winners move on to compete for medals at the Spelling Contest for Lutheran Elementary Schools against 12 area Lutheran schools.
Track & Field Days – May
Grade 5-8 students compete against 12 other area Lutheran schools in using their athletic gifts and talents. Grades 3 and 4 have a less competitive emphasis in using their athletic gifts and talents with other area Lutheran schools in a different meet.
Graduation for K & Grade 8 Students – May
You’ll find the whole school involved in these special events.