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It was a huge honor for Good Shepherd Christian Academy to be invited to the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors Meeting on Tuesday, January 25^th to receive an award of recognition for the efforts of Good Shepherd Christian Academy in the Kohl’s Cares for Kids Facebook Contest. Supervisor Cook of the Braddock District and Supervisor Herrity of the Springfield district brought the resolution to the Board of Supervisors of Fairfax County after they heard our amazing story.

Father Anthony was given the opportunity to thank the Board and the community for recognition and share the impact the money has made and will continue to make on the lives of students at Good Shepherd.

Supervisor Cook stated “This is a school with a dream and a vision. When they saw this opportunity from Kohl’s to engage in this challenge they took advantage of it.

This small school went out and set up at Starbucks, Giant and Fuddruckers…they worked like crazy, parents, kids everybody joining together. When you think of all the huge schools in the nation and this little academy came in 6^th nationwide because of their engagement and their efforts and maybe some help from above.”

"This school is a wonderful place with happy students who are relaxed, enjoying themselves and learning well."

Supervisor Herrity commented “What a great life lesson for the kids in engaging community and the power of community that you are able to do this with just 146 students.”

Harlan Ron from Kohl’s stated “I was amazingly surprised when I saw the size of the school that won the contest it shows with the power of community and the will to do well, anything is possible." 

It was an exciting morning for all of us. This served as yet another reminder of the mighty hand of God upon our school. 

Our $500,000 Miracle - SMART Boards Arrive

One of the enhancements GSCA and Little Flock will be making with our half million dollars is the installation of SMART Boards in EVERY classroom. SMART Boards offer teachers an interactive teaching tool proven to increase student engagement in the classroom, motivating students and promoting enthusiasm for learning. The multi touch interactive white board is effective in bringing up students scores and achievements. Teachers are excited to start preparing lesson plans using this new technology.

Touring the classrooms is a whole new experience these days. Teachers have already begun to integrate SMART Boards into their lessons. Kindergarten students were shifting letters back and forth to create new words and practiced blends and words by rolling dice with the touch of the screen. While fifth grade students were taking finishing a science lesson using the board.

Ms. Rita one of GSCA's Kindergarten teachers commented "I can't tell you the wonderful impact this board has made in my classroom. It is interactive and the kids love getting up there to use it. The lessons are a breeze to prepare and more fun "

In celebration of the 10th year anniversary of the Kohl's Cares program, Kohl's is donating $500,000 to 20 schools for a total of $10 million. The 20 schools receiving the most Facebook votes in the Kohl's Cares Contest are winners. Good Shepherd Christian Academy is the only school in Virginia to win, completing the contest in #6.

Fairfax, VA, October 28, 2010 - You may think it would take a school with thousands of families to gather over 146,000 votes and win the Kohl’s Cares Facebook Contest but for local Christian school, Good Shepherd Christian Academy it was accomplished with only 146 students, passionate families and friends banning together to do their part in witnessing a miracle.

Good Shepherd Christian Academy (GSCA), formerly known as Little Flock Christian School, is a non-denominational private school in Fairfax, Virginia, enrolling children from Preschool through 6th grade. The school opened in 2003 with 20 students in two preschool classes. Our rapid growth has been exciting. What started 7 years ago as a tiny preschool has evolved into a full-fledged preschool - 6th grade.

The school began collecting votes one month ago. “We reached out to our parents, our congregation, friends and family. It was one of the most unifying experiences we’ve had. We were touched by all the people who rallied behind us” commented Father Anthony Messeh, GSCA’s Headmaster. Local businesses including Starbucks, Giant and Fuddruckers offered support allowing the school to set up laptops outside their stores to ask locals to vote. The response was tremendous. People were very excited to hear Good Shepherd’s story and know that a small local Virginia school had a genuine chance of winning half a million dollars.

The school has exciting plans for the money awarded. GSCA is unable to keep up with the growing demand of applicants and has to turn some families away. With the money, GSCA plans to expand the current school building in order to accommodate for more students. The expansion will entail building 6 new classes, totaling 5,064 gross square feet built on top of the current cafeteria. The school will also purchase a mobile computer lab providing students an opportunity to have technology directly in their classrooms, expand the availability of computers for projects, and allow for greater diversity in teaching. GSCA will place state-of-the-art SMART Boards and projectors into classrooms providing teacher with an interactive teaching tool proven to increase student engagement in the classroom, motivating students and promoting enthusiasm for learning.

The school hosted a Kohl's Cares Celebration assembly on Friday, November 5, 2010. Representatives from Kohl's including, Phil Smith, Vice President/District Manager D24 joined the celebration and presented a check to the school. Supervisor Cook attended and spoke at the event encouraging business, schools, churches and neighbors to work together to do great things for the benefit of the entire community.

View a slide show of pictures from our Kohl's Cares Celebration Event

A Special Thank You To Local Business Who Supported Us:

WAVA 105.1 FM

Prayer Support of Pastor Terry at WGTS 91.9 FM

Starbucks in Fair Lakes
Starbucks on Lee highway
Paisanos in Fair Lakes

Paisanos in Fairfax City

Burke Internal Medical 
Old Cairo Grill in Burke
Chick-Fil-A in Fair Oaks
Dollar Store in Montgomery Mall
Dr. Michael Abidin in INOVA Springfield Healthplex Building
AMF Bowling in Centreville
Fuddruckers Chain Bridge Rd.

Giant Union Mill Plaza