Caption: A father receiving his Father’s Day gift from the PACA staff as he leaves the Open House Assembly. [By Dr. Cristina Meier]
by Isabella Lázaro
Celebrating fathers in Brazil, an important tradition at PACA, was reflected in the Open House schedule on August 8, 2026 when PACA students, teachers, and families gathered together for the annual Open House event that included a Father’s Day celebration during the assembly.
As described by organizers of the event, the activities were centered on Christ and gave the community an opportunity for making connections, attending meetings, participating in activities, enjoying treats, and having some family fun and games together.
The first chance to gather together was during the start of the event, the Open House assembly. Mr. Kevin Flurry started off the assembly with the worship song, “Abide.” The song invited the audience to consider their total dependence on God and staying close to His presence.
Flurry referenced the Bible verse, John 15:5, which says, “I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing.” (NIV).
Mr. Stephen Meier introduced the Father’s Day specials, giving a warm welcome speech and congratulating the fathers.
Elementary teachers gathered all the elementary students in attendance that morning to give prepared musical presentations for the fathers, and a special message was given by the PACA school administrators.
Then the Pre-K and elementary children presented a special song they had planned for the fathers. The songs were heartfelt and caring, expressing the love God has for his children in the same way that fathers love their own children. They sang children’s versions of “Stand by Me,” and a children’s song called “My Dad is a Blessing.” The whole group came together to sing a song called “Happy Father’s Day.”
Juliana Oliveira, a fifth grade student at PACA, really enjoyed participating in the final song of the assembly for several reasons.
“I really liked presenting in the assembly with my friends,” she said. “It was really fun and special.”
Besides the songs from the children, more serious and academic topics were covered during the Open House Assembly. Mrs. Renata Portella took some time to explain the different levels of testing that students take at PACA, including the MAP testing programs, VUNESP and the Evolutional tests.
These tests help students prepare for enrolling in a Brazilian university when they graduate from PACA. Mr. Wesley Penteado added the introduction of Academic Competitions, like OBMEP and Evolucional to this explanation.
Mrs. Shelley LeRoux, who worked at the Open House, welcoming people in at the beginning of the event and she was also in charge of making sure all the fathers received their gifts at the end of the assembly time.
“I know it sounds really ridiculous but I loved jumping up and down at the flagpole calling the parents over to receive their gifts,” Mrs. LeRoux said.
Another important highlight of the assembly was sharing the Biblical focus for the school year. Mr. Lucas Ham Swisher explained our theme verse for the year, Colossians 2:7 which says, “Rooted and built up in him, strengthened in the faith as you were taught, and overflowing with thankfulness” (NIV).
Ham shared with everyone how this verse represents how the Christian faith should be strengthened and built on Christ, and how the PACA community should be rooted in Him and overflowing with His joy and love.
This was followed by staff introductions, separated into Kindergarten, Elementary, Middle School, and High School. Mr. Jannie LeRoux, the PACA school principal welcomed all the families of the community to the open house and called up his team of coordinators to present themselves and all the teachers who serve under them.
Afterwards, Coach Renato Sousa introduced the PACA Sports program, which includes many sports and other competitions PACA is planning to have with other schools.
To conclude, Mr. Stephen Meier and Mr. Ricardo Silva spoke about the plans of an exciting expansion of our school which included adding many new classrooms and renovations. Mr. Flurry followed stating the vision events, and Mrs. Luana Sousa then spoke about Member Care at PACA.
Mr. Meier ended the assembly giving the closing instructions to help parents find the classrooms where they could meet with teachers after the assembly. Classroom meetings were followed by the beginning of the festivities, like playing games at the backcourts, eating fresh churrasco, and devouring some salty pastels.
