Back-to-School Night

BTSN Schedule | Monday, August 19, 2024

Back-to-School Night (BTSN), on Monday, August 19, is an energy-packed event that welcomes every family into the building to start the school year. For your convenience and to help manage crowds, the schedule for the night is according to the last name of each student.

4:30–5:50 p.m. | Families with student's last names A–L
6:00–7:00 p.m. | General Assembly for all families
7:00–8:30 p.m. | Families with student's last names M–Z

Below is a breakdown of Back-to-School Night, please review.

Session One Details | 4:30–5:50 p.m.

For Families with Students' Last Names Beginning with A-L

Upper School | Grades 5-12

Upper School | Grade 5-Grade 12 | Session One begins as early as 4:30 p.m.

  • Anytime between 4:30-5:50 p.m., visit classrooms, meet advisor and teachers, get schedules, locate lockers, visit information tables, etc.
  • Grades 7-12 students* with last names beginning with A-L are required to get their photos taken in the MCA gym during Session One.
    • Please adhere to the time frame that you selected on the form. To view the form, click here.
    • If you did not select a time, please check in at the gym to see what time works best.
  • Grade 11 and 12 PSEO or Associate of Arts students and parents 
    • The Bethel PSEO Advisor, Bre Keefe, will be in the College and Career Center (CCC) to answer any questions.  If you missed the Bethel on-campus PSEO Orientation this past week, she will get you up to speed on all things PSEO before the school year starts.
  • Attend the General Assembly at 6–7 p.m.

*Note: Grades 5 and 6 will have their pictures taken on September 11 during the school day.

Lower School | Kindergarten-Grade 4

Lower School | Kindergarten-Grade 4 | Session One begins as early as 4:30 p.m.

  • Anytime between 4:30-5:50 p.m., visit classrooms, meet the teachers, see seating arrangements, visit information tables, etc.
  • Attend the General Assembly at 6–7 p.m.
Prekindergarten

Prekindergarten | Session One begins as early as 5:15 p.m.

  • Parents, please drop your student off at their classroom as early as 5:15 p.m.
  • Anytime between 5:15-5:50 p.m., meet the teacher, visit information tables, etc.
  • Attend the General Assembly at 6–7 p.m.

Please pick up student from the classroom no later than 7:15 p.m.

All School General Assembly | 6:00–7:00 p.m.

Parents and students will hear from the Head of School and her continued vision for the school, as well as from school administration regarding additional information for the 2024–2025 school year.

Session Two Details | 7:00–8:30 p.m.

For Families with Students' Last Names Beginning with M-Z

Prekindergarten

Prekindergarten | Session Two begins at 7 p.m. (after the General Assembly)

  • Parents, please drop your student off at their classroom as early as 5:50 p.m.
  • Attend the General Assembly at 6–7 p.m.
  • After the General Assembly between 7-7:45 p.m., meet the teacher, visit information tables, etc.

Please pick up student from the classroom no later than 7:45 p.m.

Lower School | Kindergarten-Grade 4

Lower School | Kindergarten-Grade 4 | Session Two begins at 7 p.m. (after the General Assembly)

  • Attend the General Assembly at 6–7 p.m.
  • After the General Assembly, between 7-8:30 p.m., visit classrooms, meet the teachers, see seating arrangements, visit information tables, etc.

Back-to-School Night for Session Two will conclude no later than 8:30 p.m.

Upper School | Grades 5-12

Upper School | Grade 5-Grade 12 | Session Two begins at 7 p.m. (after the General Assembly)

  • Attend the General Assembly at 6–7 p.m.
  • After the General Assembly, between 7-8:30 p.m., visit classrooms, meet advisor and teachers, get schedules, locate lockers, visit information tables, etc.
  • Grades 7-12 students* with last names beginning with M-Z are required to get their photos taken in the MCA gym during Session Two.
    • Please adhere to the time frame that you selected on the form. To view the form, click here.
    • If you did not select a time, please check in at the gym to see what time works best.
  • Grade 11 and 12 PSEO or Associate of Arts students and parents 
    • The Bethel PSEO Advisor, Bre Keefe, will be in the College and Career Center (CCC) to answer any questions.  If you missed the Bethel on-campus PSEO Orientation this past week, she will get you up to speed on all things PSEO before the school year starts.

Back-to-School Night for Session Two will conclude no later than 8:30 p.m.

*Note: Grades 5 and 6 will have their pictures taken on September 11 during the school day.

FAQ's

Where do I go when I get to the school?

Once you arrive on campus

Please make your way to the Living Word Lobby to fill out your name tag. Our Welcome Team will be there to help you get your night off to a great start.

Where should I visit during BTSN?

After stopping by the lobby to get your name tag, you are free to roam the school, but where should you visit?

There is no specific order to the day, but here are some places to visit.

Meet Your Teacher/Advisor

If you haven't had the chance to meet your teacher/advisor, this night is the perfect time to connect. 

Visit the Information Tables in the Lobby and Cafeteria

Parents with Purpose

The Parents with Purpose organization is an integral part of our school. Stop by their table in the cafeteria to meet the leadership team and learn more about how to get involved. 

The PWP team is also hosting a Gently Used Spirit Wear Sale starting at 7 p.m., after the General Assembly. Stop by to see if there are some deals on clothing in your student's size. 

The Branding Wearhouse

MCA's Spirit Wear Store will have an area with samples of some of the items you can purchase online. Representatives will be present to answer your questions. Stop by their area in the LW Lobby and check out the latest MCA Wear. Don't miss the Annual Back-to-School Sale begins on August 19 and runs through August 30. Save 15% when you enter the code BTSMCA24 during the sale.

To view the Spirit Wear Store, click here.

Device Pitstop

In need of a device? Need to upgrade or repair your current device? Then please stop by the Device Pitstop table in the LW Lobby to learn how they can help you prepare for the school year.

Athletics and Activities

High School and Middle School student-athletes are encouraged to stop by and meet the Athletic Director and his team at their table in the cafeteria. They can help answer your sporting questions.

Food Service/Lunch Program

Do you have questions about hot lunch? What about options for food in the morning? Or, how to make sure your student's account has appropriate funds? Stop by the Food Service table in the cafeteria to learn more.

X-Tended Day

Do you have a Prekindergarten through Grade 6 student that needs to stay after school? Please stop by the X-Tended Day table for more information.

Business Office and Transportation

The Business Office will have staff present to help you with any questions regarding your account and District 279 transportation.

Music Lessons

Do you have a budding musician? MCA is blessed to have music teachers that offer lessons on campus. For more information, please stop by their table in the cafeteria.

In addition to these tables, you can learn more about the following at their tables in the cafeteria.

  • Nurse
  • Israel Information
  • American Heritage Girls
How does my Upper School student know his or her advisor?

By the end of the Friday before Back-to-School Night, enrolled upper school students will be called by their advisor. Please make note of the name of your advisor so you know what classroom to go to during Back-to-School Night. If you happen to miss the call, please check your voice mail and email for information.

If you happen to not know your advisor when you arrive on campus, the Upper School Administration will be able to assist you.

How does my Lower School student know his or her teacher?

Lower School students received a letter in the mail from their teacher and/or will receive a phone call by the Friday before BTSN. If you do not have this information when you arrive, please stop by the Lower School administrative office for more information.

How does my Upper School student get his or her schedule?

During Back-to-School Night, Upper School students will receive their schedules from their advisors. Please make it a point to stop by their classroom to meet them and get your first semester schedule. 

Does my child take their school photos during BTSN?

Only students in Grades 7-12* will have their photos taken during Back-to-School Night. 
(Seniors will need to have their pictures taken for their student I.D.s)

The photographers will be set up in the gym. Each student should select a time slot to get their photos taken by filling out the form from Slow Road Photography. If you did not select a time, please stop by the gym during your session to find a time that will work. Students DO NOT need to wear dress code attire for pictures but are expected to be dressed modestly. 

4:30–5:50 p.m. | Families with student's last names A–L
7:00–8:30 p.m. | Families with student's last names M–Z

To fill out the form, please click here.

*Maranatha Online Students (Gr. 6-12) should plan to take their pictures this evening.

Upcoming Picture Days:

Prekindergarten–Grade 6: September 11 | 8:30 a.m.–1:00 p.m.
All-School Re-Take Day: October 16 | 9–11 a.m.

Can I bring in my student's school supplies?

Often times, students will bring their school supplies to BTSN. If you decide to bring in your supplies, please know they will need to be placed in their appropriate areas.

Upper School (Grades 5-12) will have lockers to store their supplies and are encouraged to begin to organize their lockers.

Lower School (Prekindergarten-Grade 4) students are encouraged to bring in their supplies. Instructions as to what can be done with the supplies will be given by the teacher.