Highlights of the Greater Atlanta Christian Community
Volume 2, Issue 9                                                                                                                                                                            April 29, 2008
In this Issue
  

Tuning in to Help
Dr. David Fincher, President

Let me tell you about three fictional Greater Atlanta Christian students.  Keep in mind fiction often tells the truth.

  • GAC student Lance just has a knack for learning.  To look at his self confidence, test scores and grades, you’d think it all comes effortlessly for him.  He’s taking three APs courses this year, plus he is involved in theater, retreat leadership, missions, and three other clubs.  Lance seems to be doing well…but behind the scenes he’s worn out from his load more often than not, has no time for his family, and is more driven than fulfilled.
  • GAC student Sarah is liked by everyone and has a quick wit in class—but learning in a traditional sense doesn’t come easy.  Grades in her college prep GAC classes are passable, but just barely, and she’s not thriving.  She wants to be independent of parents and teachers standing over her, but often feels “on her own”, and defeated, unable to keep up with her peers.  She’s great in track—that’s where she gets her self esteem—but if grades don’t improve, she may soon be ineligible.  Sarah fights a sense that she’s just dumb, and at times wants to give up.
  • Friends and teachers used to think Aaron was one growing spiritual guy.  You could see it in his comments and actions.  Lately Aaron seems to have lost interest in Christian life.  He seems to have changed friend groups, his preference in music and media is shifting, and the fire for spiritual life experiences—whether retreats, chapel, Bible class or service—has quieted.  Occasionally he’s cynical about it.  Something’s up, and Aaron needs help.   Read more...

Mission Friday Set the Tone
Jill Morris, Director of Community Relations

Friday, March 28th, was a day dedicated to prayer for the GAC Spring Break Mission Teams.  Throughout the day, one by one, Village, Elementary, Junior High and Senior High students filed into the Worthen Room in the Student-Family Center, silent and respectful of their purpose.  They entered the room to pray – for approximately 200 students they knew as well as those they did not know –and to remember the eight mission teams as they traveled to; Czech Republic, Namibia, Vienna, Croatia, Ensenada, St. Martin, Haiti and West Virginia. 
Read more...


New GAC Website "Under Construction"
Dave Bennett, Director of Technology

Understanding and appreciating the importance of communication between GAC parents, students, and the GAC community we are undergoing a major re-construction of our website.  Read more...


Whenever Grandparents & Grandchildren are Together, Great Things Happen!
Diane Harte, Development Office Assistant

This phrase was the theme of Grandparent’s Day 2008 and one of premonition for April 4th – for many great things did happen.  We are happy to report that nearly 1,000 grandparents attended the 27th Annual Grandparents’ Day.  Read more...

A Soldier's Return
Jill Morris, Director of Community Relations

One of the most common statements heard by parents is “GAC is a school for more than my child; it’s for our whole family.”  Evidence of this can be seen each day in the Student-Family Center after school as moms and dads socialize, work on laptops, shop in the Spartan Store, complete homework with their children and wait for after-school activities to end.   

Recently, KidsTime After School Director, Missy Doris, shared a heart-warming story that reinforced – “GAC for the whole family.”  Explaining that Eric Jackson (left), a student in the After School Program kept saying, “my daddy is coming home,”  all the students were excited as they’d been drawing pictures for Eric’s dad, a Major in the US Army, working as a logician, serving in Iraq. Read more...

Through the Eyes of Top American Diplomats
Matt Fincher, Senior High AP Goverment & Politics Teacher

On March 27th, the students of the A.P. Government and Politics class traveled to Athens, Georgia for a field trip unlike any other.  At the city’s Classic Center, they were able to see international politics and United States foreign policy through the eyes of five former secretaries of state, each of whom used his/her office to shape American relations with the rest of the world.    Read more...


Seniors...Last Minute Details for College
Byron Lewis, College Counselor

Finish your high school career strong.  Colleges can rescind offers of admission.  Yes, your final weeks in the classroom at GAC do matter!
Once you make your college decision:  Read more...

Dodge Ball Aids Romanian Children
Jill Morris, Director of Community Relations

Dumitru and Ana Zlati, from the Republic of Moldova, Romania, along with 14 adopted children, have an extra $1000, thanks to the donations of Senior High students inspired by the hardship of children in a foreign land.  The dodge ball tournament brought almost every Senior High student and available faculty member to the Bradford Gym one Thursday morning.  Read more...

A Chemistry Experiment with Differing Reactions
Jill Morris, Directory of Community Relations

It all began with an idea of, “what would get younger kids more interested in science"?  The 25 members in Senior High Science Club brainstormed projects to be explored throughout the year, and it sounded like fun to introduce younger students into the fascinating world of chemistry. Read more...

Two Things!
Dr. Misty Overman, Junior High Principal

There are many opportunities for students at GAC.  From the arts to athletics to academics, junior high students have many choices to be involved at school.  When your school "community" encompasses 8,400 square miles, families have to be prayerfully purposeful in planning a child's school year activities.  Note what research shows:   Read more...

GAC 6th Grade Academic Team Takes on the World
Mike Adams, Junior High Teacher

On March 19th a small group of GAC 6th graders took on a world wide academic challenge via the computer in Mr. Adam’s classroom.  This group of boys and girls had been preparing for several months to test their knowledge on a variety of different subjects.  They knew that they would be taking on the best that Georgia had to offer, as well as, teams from across the nation and the world.  Read more...


Parents...A Valuable Resource
Norma Miller, ElementaryPrincipal and Amanda Graham, Elementary Curriculum Director

Learning can occur in many more places other than a classroom, knowledge can come from many more sources than a textbook, and in the Elementary School we have found our parents to be a rich resource.  Read more...

Pictured left: Jeff Foxworthy's new book, "Dirt on my Shirt"


Safety Tips in the Village
Mitchell Baker, Village & Elementary Counselor

On April 17th, GAC Village students viewed the Emmy Award-winning film “Stranger Safety”.  The event, sponsored by the PTO, was produced by The Safe Side Company which was founded by Julie Clark, founder of The Baby Einstein Company, and John Walsh, host of America’s Most Wanted.  Read more...

 

Thank You!...from the Village

We truly love our volunteers! Whether working in carpool, library and computer centers, afternoon readers, motor or room moms, or painting and framing, we are deeply appreciative. Read more...

2008-09 Revised Calendar

August 7 - Registration Day
August 11 - First Day of Classes
September 1 - Labor Day - Campus closed
November 3 - Student Holiday - Teacher Professional Day
November 4 - National Election Day - Student & Faculty Holiday
November 26-28 - Thanksgiving Student Holiday
December 17-19 - Final Exams - Early Dismissal
December 22-January 5 - Christmas Holidays
January 6 - Classes Resume - Semester 2 Starts
January 19 - MLK Day - Campus Closed
February 13-17 - Winter Break
April 3 - Grandparents' Day - Early Dismissal
April 6-10 - Spring Break
April 24 - Student Holiday - Teacher Professional Day
May 19-21 - Final Exams - Early Dismissal
May 21 - Last Day of Classes - Commencement

*Monday, September 22, has been changed from a professional day to a regular school day.
K12 Information
Tuning in to Help
Mission Friday Set the Tone
New GAC Website "Under Construction"
Whenever Grandparents & Grandchildren are Together, Great Things Happen!
A Soldier's Return
Senior High
Through the Eyes of Top American Diplomats
Seniors...Last Minute Details for College
Dodge Ball Aids Romanian Children
A Chemistry Experiment with Differing Reactions
Junior High
Two Things!
GAC 6th Grade Academic Team Takes on the World
Elementary
Parents...A Valuable Resource
Early Childhood
Safety Tips for the Village
Thank You!...from the Village
Applause and Accolades

Outstanding Achievements of GAC
Students and Faculty

Athletic Director Tim Vick was named Region 6-AA State Athletic Director of the Year, as well as, Regional Director of the Year. This is the 4th time Tim has been recognized as Regional Athletic Director of the Year.

Read more...

Parent Involvement:
How? What? When? at GAC


HEADS UP!...Students New to GAC on Campus Soon

Patrons of the Arts - Invites You to Sample the Arts This Spring

LACE News

Academic Booster Club...Academic Teams Update

K12 Calendar


Mark Your Calendar...
MAY
May 1 - Early Childhood K5 Program
May 1 - School of Ballet Recital
May 2 - Elementary 1st Grade Program
May 2 - Annual Celebration Dinner 40th Anniversary Celebration
May 3 - School of Music Spring Recital
May 4 - Ballet Recital
May 5 - Spartan Golf Classic
May 8-10 - Drama III/IV Shakespeare Production
May 9 - Junior High Dance Team Performance
May 15 - 8th Grade Graduation
May 15 - Senior High Spring Chorus Concert
May 16 - 5th Grade Graduation
May 20-22 - Final Exams Early Release K-12
May 22 - Last Day of School K-12
May 22 - Senior High Commencement

The main phone line for Greater Atlanta Christian School is 770-243-2000. Admissions and general application information is
available by calling 770-243-2274. Click here to find all GAC department and office numbers.
  • Check your email the third week of every month for the electronic Parent Connection (ePC).
  • Receive School Level Announcements every day. Click here to add your email address.
 Stay in touch with GAC…

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Norcross, GA 30093-2714 (770) 243-2000

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2008 GACS Administration
Dr. David Fincher, President
Bill Burton, Administrative Vice President
Jimmy Chupp, Vice President for Development
Randall Jackson, Vice President of Finance

Editor/Copy
Jill Morris, Director of Community Relations

Graphic Designs and ePC Site Design
Daniele Aurandt, Director of Graphic Design
and Publications

We would like to hear your suggestions for topics to cover in future issues of this publication, or ways we can keep in touch.

Thank you for your continued support of
Greater Atlanta Christian School.
Please e-mail Jill Morris with your feedback
and suggestions.