Archive for the "News & Announcements" Category
A Tribute to Dr. Raymond Meyer: 36 Years of Faith, Leadership & Teaching
June 04, 2026
The following is a speech given by Nick Liston, FCS social studies teacher, at the retirement party for Dr. Raymond Meyer. Dr. Meyer served for 36 years in roles including pastor, teacher, Biblical integration specialist, and FCS secondary campus principal. Parts of the speech were edited for clarity and brevity.
Ray and I accepted teaching positions at Fremont Christian School just weeks apart in the summer of 1989. 1989 was a very different time from today—no cell phones, no internet. FCS had yet to discover air conditioning. Students did not have to wear uniforms, but teachers were required to wear ties. We complained when the price of gas crept over a dollar a gallon. A hamburger at McDonald’s ran about fifty cents, which may explain why we were starting to have trouble fitting into a pair of Levi’s 501 button-fly jeans, which were selling at just under $20.
On November 9, the people of East and West Germany rose up and tore down the Berlin Wall, one of the most repressive symbols of the Cold War that had gripped the world for over 40 years. And while Ray constantly tells me “Correlation is not causation,” I find it very hard to believe that the addition of two such stellar intellects to the faculty of Fremont Christian had nothing to do with the downfall of Communism just ten weeks hence.
Now, 37 years later, I am reminded of the words of another icon from the 1980s, Ronald Reagan, who once said of the armed forces, “Some people wonder all their lives if they’ve made a difference. The Marines don’t have that problem.” I would argue the same could be said of teachers. And I would say that is especially true of the man we honor here today.
Throughout our teaching careers, Ray and I have shared a lot. On numerous occasions, our classrooms have had an adjoining wall. We often taught the same grade levels: one decade teaching junior highers, another decade juniors and seniors. We have shared complaints. “How many more days until spring break?” “The copier is jammed…again.” And year after year, we have parroted the musical Bye-Bye Birdie in asking “What’s the matter with these kids today?"
We’ve also shared the unique experience of teaching one another’s children. You can learn a lot about a person when you teach their kids. Having taught Jake in both eighth and twelfth grade as well as coaching him in soccer, I got to inspect Ray’s parenting skills up close. They are impressive. Jake’s curiosity and work ethic in the classroom, his warm personality, his leadership as a captain of the soccer team—which came within one goal of a section title—were clear reflections of the home that Ray and Tricia had created.
On the flip side, Ray also taught all four of my children. I would like to say…I’m sorry. We tried. There were just too many of them.
Two memories come to mind right away. The first was the Sunday that Ray asked my son Isaac to play piano at the church where he was a pastor. My entire family attended First Baptist that week, sitting in the second row. When Ray wrapped up the sermon, I leaned over to my daughter and whispered, “What a great sermon.” “Yeah,” she said. “We had that lesson in class last week.”
Ray’s double-dipping aside, that moment reminded me how fortunate we were to have our kids in Ray’s Bible class, to have their faith shaped, stretched, and deepened five days a week by someone who truly knows Scripture and knows how to teach it.
The second memory involves my eldest son, Isaiah. Following his freshman year of college, Isaiah took a missions trip to the interior of Tanzania. His team of 12 college students traveled from village to village, meeting with the few Christians who lived there and often holding a short worship service followed by a message for these makeshift congregations.
The third day in, the group leader came over to Isaiah about halfway through the worship service and whispered, “Greg was supposed to do the sermon tonight, but he’s sick. Can you cover? You’re on in twenty minutes.” Isaiah just smiled. “Dad,” he would later tell me, “I had been throwing together devotionals in Dr. Meyer’s class in way less than twenty minutes. I grabbed a scrap of paper, jotted down my three points, and then gave those people some Jesus.”
So maybe Ray and I didn’t cause the Berlin Wall to be torn down back in 1989. But I do know the impact Ray has had on my children—and the thousands of other students who have sat in the pews of his classroom.
And while some people may wonder all their lives if they’ve made a difference, Ray won’t have that problem. Because Ray is a teacher. Ray is a great, great teacher.
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A Legacy of Faith, Leadership & Lifelong Impact: Honoring Dr. Tricia Meyer
May 29, 2026
After more than three decades of faithful service, Dr. Tricia Meyer is stepping into a new chapter. While this transition is tied to Dr. Raymond Meyer’s retirement, it also marks the close of an extraordinary season of Dr. Tricia Meyer’s leadership, influence, and presence on campus.
For many, Dr. Meyer has been a teacher, administrator, and leader. For me, she has been all of those, and so much more.
I first knew her as Ms. Miller when I was a high school student, at a time when I was one of the very few international students at Fremont Christian School. In that season, her presence stood out, not only for her excellence in the classroom, but for the care and intentionality she showed in making students feel seen and supported.
Years later, after moving back to the United States and deciding to return to college, I reconnected with her, now Dr. Meyer, as she helped me obtain my transcripts and take the next step forward. What could have been a simple administrative interaction became, once again, a moment of encouragement and guidance.
Life came full circle when I later joined Fremont Christian as a staff member around the time I welcomed my first child. In that season, she was no longer just my teacher but also my employer and, over time, she became a trusted mentor and dear friend. Somewhere along the way, Dr. Meyer simply became Tricia.
She has walked alongside me through some of the most pivotal moments of my life, offering steady support, wisdom, and encouragement.
Dr. Meyer’s influence extends far beyond academics or administration. She has a unique ability to invest deeply in people, to lead with both strength and compassion, and to build a community rooted in faith and purpose. It was because of her impact and the culture she helped cultivate that I chose Fremont Christian School for my own children, a decision that reflects the trust and respect so many families share.
As she and Dr. Raymond Meyer prepare to leave Fremont, this transition is bittersweet. While we celebrate this new chapter for their family, her absence will be deeply felt across the school and community. Still, her legacy will continue to live on in the countless lives she has touched.
Ms. Miller. Dr. Meyer. Tricia. Each name reflects a different season, but the same unwavering heart for people, for education, and for faith.
Thank you for being a teacher, a leader, a mentor, and a friend. Your impact reaches far beyond the years you have served. It lives on in the people and community you helped shape, including my own life, in ways I will always carry with me.
From Dr. Tricia Meyer
It has been the privilege of a lifetime to love this school, its students, and its staff. When my grandmother knew Jesus was calling her to come to this church in the early 1960s, she could not have known a school would be started and that her daughter and her granddaughter would spend their entire careers as leaders in that place. But she was responsive to God’s call in that decision, and many decisions by my parents, my husband, myself, and others were used by God to give me a life in and around Fremont Christian School, where I have known His overwhelming love. I am so, so grateful and am very excited to see what happens next because He goes with us.
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Better Together in 2024
September 03, 2024
In our 56th year, we are committed more than every to the idea that we are "Better Together," a concept that captures how collaboration, community, and shared experiences enhance our collective journey. At FCS, we believe that individuals and groups thrive more effectively when they work together, support one another, and build meaningful relationships. This year, we celebrate the power of unity and how our combined strengths lead to greater success and fulfillment for each student.
Our graduates often reflect on their sense of belonging and the supportive community at FCS as their most lasting takeaways. Unlike typical valedictorian speeches that focus solely on academic competition, our students celebrate the care of their teachers, the opportunities they’ve embraced, and the relationships they’ve built. On graduation day, we frequently hear from grateful parents who recognize the profound value of an FCS education.
Our recent Friendzy assessment, part of our K-12 social-emotional learning (SEL) curriculum, reveals that FCS students feel deeply supported by their teachers. They recognize the value of being "Better Together" with educators dedicated to their growth and well-being.
At FCS, we emphasize the importance of mutual encouragement and love and are committed to seeing each student thrive in an environment where staff and teachers genuinely invest in their success. By celebrating achievements, supporting through challenges, and fostering a culture of unity, we help students carry these values into all areas of their lives. Our goal is to embody the love of Jesus every day, reinforcing that we are truly “Better Together.”
We’re honored that you’ve chosen to have your child join us for the 2024–2025 school year as a Fremont Christian Warrior. Thank you for your partnership in providing an education that helps your child understand their place in God’s plan and their potential to make a positive impact in the world.
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New Language Programs at Fremont Christian School: Mandarin and Spanish
July 31, 2024
Fremont Christian School believes in nurturing the curiosity and expanding the minds of our youngest learners. In line with this mission, we are pleased to announce the addition of Mandarin and Spanish to our afternoon preschool curriculum. This initiative will be seamlessly integrated into our afterschool program, ensuring your child receives a holistic and enriching educational experience.
Program Details
Our new language program is designed to immerse children in a bilingual learning environment, fostering their natural curiosity and love for learning. Each week, children will engage in two hours of language instruction led by four of our native-language teachers. These dedicated educators bring a wealth of cultural and linguistic knowledge to the classroom, creating an authentic and engaging learning experience.
The program includes:
- Chinese/Spanish storytime. Stories come alive as children listen to captivating tales in Mandarin and Spanish, enhancing their listening and comprehension skills.
- Music and movement. Children sing songs and participate in movement activities, helping them to naturally acquire the rhythm and intonation of the new languages.
- Writing. Early writing activities introduce children to the basics of Chinese characters and Spanish letters, laying the foundation for literacy.
- STEAM activities. Integrating Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, and Math (STEAM) concepts, these activities provide a hands-on, interactive way to learn and apply language skills.
Offered at no additional cost to our families, the language program follows the school calendar year, with a one-month break during the summer.
FCS is committed to providing high-quality, accessible education that prepares our students for a globalized world. We also understand the importance of early language acquisition and the cognitive benefits it brings. Our goal is to create a vibrant, bilingual learning environment where your child can thrive. By immersing students in Mandarin and Spanish, we aim to broaden their cultural horizons, enhance their cognitive abilities, and foster a lifelong love for languages.
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FCS Hits a High Note at State Choral Competition
May 09, 2023
On April 25, the FCS Chamber Singers traveled to Pacific Union College in Napa Valley to participate in the Golden State Choral Competition — our first time ever competing in this prestigious event. FCS is honored to announce that our very own FCS Chamber Singers placed second at the invitation-only competition and received the award for outstanding choral diction (text pronunciation). This year’s overall winners were Monte Vista High School in San Ramon. A hearty congrats to them!
In addition to two songs of their own choosing, every one of the seven invited choirs performs one common piece, to provide a better comparison between festival participants. This year, all of the choirs joined together to perform the selected piece, “Vita de la Mia Vita” by William Hawley, during the closing award ceremony. For their two chosen songs, FCS students performed “The Word Was God” by Rosephanye Powell and “Nox” by Elaine Hagenberg.
For more than 25 years, the Golden State Choral Competition has been a leading contest for high schoolers. To be accepted, choirs must submit audio recordings demonstrating a high level of technical musical abilities, often in other languages, while demonstrating artistry in performance practice. The competition’s previous winners and this year’s hosts were Castro Valley High. This year’s event was the first since 2019, due to the pandemic.
Well done, Warriors! All of your hard work and dedication to excellence was well received! Let's keep up the momentum, do our best for the Lord, and in all of our ways acknowledge Him.
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5 Benefits of Play in Your Child’s Development
March 03, 2022
At Fremont Christian School, our early education program is intentionally modeled on a play-based framework. Walk outside mid-morning and you’ll hear the joyful shrieks of elementary students engaged in games on the elementary playground or field. Even our secondary students are given time during brunch and lunch to play basketball, volleyball, soccer, or other physical activities on the secondary field, in addition to the option to participate in our school’s athletic teams after-school.
Playtime at school has many educational benefits besides enjoyment and downtime from learning. Current research not only validates the benefits of play but confirms it is essential for a child’s physical and intellectual growth. Here are some of the key benefits of play in your child’s development.
Encourages Brain Development
Some crucial areas practiced during play include social skills, language abilities, learning, and locomotor development (movement). In a research study published in the Brain Research Bulletin, rats who were allowed to play for even 30 minutes daily had increased production of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), a key molecule involved in both learning and memory. Physical exercise in humans has been proven to have similar positive effects.
Improves Physical Health
It’s already widely known that exercise reduces the likelihood of obesity and unhealthy body mass index (BMI) levels. Studies also show that children who are physically active are more likely to carry that habit into adulthood.
Reduces Stress & Disruptive Behavior
Children who played, particularly under the supervision of a caring teacher, showed a marked decrease in the stress hormone cortisol, according to a 2017 article in Prevention Science. An article published the following year in Neuroscience & Biobehavioral Reviews underscored additional health benefits: “[Play holds] great promise for both preventive and treatment strategies directed at psychosocial problems of children with chronic or life-threatening diseases.” In other words, play helps in the development of children who have serious diseases.
Builds Relationships
Just as in sports, play helps build relationships and strengthen social skills. Children learn how to work together and communicate in order to achieve common goals. They also form bonds through their shared experiences, whether it’s celebrating the completion of a puzzle or consoling each other over the loss of a baseball tournament.
Promotes Academic Skills
To tie it all back to schooling, playtime also has a positive influence on grades and test scores. Playing pretend improves language skills, while construction play has shown to improve math skills and problem-solving abilities, to name just two examples. “Children who were in active play for one hour per day were better able to think creatively and multitask,” a 2018 study published in the American Academy of Pediatrics stated. The study showed that physical play in 7- to 9-year-olds resulted in increased focus, cognitive flexibility, and executive control (skills that include memory, flexible thinking, and self-control), all of which are crucial for excelling in the classroom.
If all that weren’t enough reason to set aside time for play, remember: It’s fun!
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