Highlights for the Greater Atlanta Christian Community                                                     August 15, 2006

Transformed                                                     By: Jon Owen, Senior High Chaplain

The spiritual focus for this school year, “Transformed”, will present an
opportunity to both intrigue and motivate our students.  I am excited.  I
have witnessed changed lives in profound ways – and anticipate many positive changes that God will bring this year. 

I am grateful to announce Terry Davis, as my new partner in ministry.  Terry’s focus will be devoted to Elementary and Junior High students and my attention will be Senior High students.  Terry joins GAC as
an experienced teacher, youth minister and worship leader.  He will be an asset to our students.

Chapel presentations and programs promise to offer relevant applications to all our students.  Two of our Senior High topics will be:

        “Gripped” – focusing on the lives of Jesus’ disciples.  God’s
                           transforming power produces lives that are gripped by
                           His grace.
        “The Secret Life of ….” – recognizing and confronting secrets in our lives.

Please pray for Terry and me as we minister to your children.  We feel a great responsibility to each individual on campus, to point them towards a Savior that transforms lives.

Click here to learn more about GAC'S Spiritual Life

Summer league swimming is huge in metro Atlanta. Many GAC students compete in summer league swimming but have never joined the high school team due to the practice time constraints.  With the new Aquatic Center underway and as beams and mortar reach heights that can be sighted from Indian Trail and I-85, we are anticipating a larger number of students to swim for the Spartans. 

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GAC enjoys great neighbors in the Starbucks and Brusters located across the street from the school. If you are a coffee or ice cream lover, not much surpasses these.  However, soon there will be other community enticers in the neighborhood. An aggressive Southwest Gwinnett Community Improvement District is seizing Indian Trail with positive change.

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Village/Elementary –  Monday, August 28 at 7:00pm
Jr High/Sr High – Tuesday, August 29, 2006 at 7:00pm

Where:

• Village parents will start in the Clif Jones Theatre of the Williams Fine Arts Center
• Elementary parents will start in the Church Auditorium of the Ministries Building
• Jr High  parents will start in the Clif Jones Theatre of the Williams Fine Arts Center
• Sr High parents will start in the Church Auditorium of the Ministries Building

Required? No, but strongly encouraged.  You will enjoy:

• Meeting your children’s teachers
• Hear plans that have been made for the school year
• Meeting parents of some of your children’s friends

GAC's Back to School Nights receive a “two –thumbs up” from GAC parents.

Hope to see you there!

An ice cream party is great way to welcome new elementary students to GAC on a scorching hot August day.  Dawn Roberts and Mary Carol Sullivan have been hosting this event which occurs the day before Registration Day, for three years and it seems to be quite successful.  “The program is called Mentoring Moms” says Mary Carol, “but actually it’s for the kids to help adjust to GAC.  Of course we all know, if the kids are happy, mom is happy, too”.

The Mentoring Moms call new moms at the beginning of the summer and introduce themselves.  They ask if there are any questions they can answer to help make the transition go more smoothly.  The most popular questions are:  “What is lunch like?
Are the bathrooms close and where are they?  And is my teacher nice?”

Mentors and mentees then meet during the summer with a grand finale of ice cream.  Thank you to all our moms who volunteered in this program and welcome to you new moms who participated.

We anticipate a great fall semester in the Senior High School.  God is blessing us beyond measure.  We have the finest faculty and most talented student body in the land.  Speaking of faculty, we have five highly accredited new teachers to welcome in the senior high this year.  Each will bless us with their unique talent, experience, and high level of enthusiasm.

The senior high classes are anticipating their class outings on Thursday and Friday, September 7 and 8, as well as looking forward to working together to meet their class goals in the annual magazine sale that begins Sept 8th.

Student Council co-presidents Joanna Tucker and Justin Schneider have some great plans for student involvement this school year.  Whether you are a student or a parent, I want to urge you to get more involved this year more than ever before.  GAC will be a better school as a result.

We are excited to unveil the Freshman Academy this fall in the Senior High.  This new program is designed to help our ninth grade students make a successful transition to high school.  The Academy consists of initiatives for students, increased interaction with teachers before school on the ninth grade hall, Freshman Academy Groups, special chapel presentations, and more. 

Each ninth grade student will be assigned to an Academy Group consisting of 16 students and one teacher.  These groups will sit together daily in chapel and meet twice a month to focus on spiritual development, academic growth, and social maturity.  The Freshman Academy will also utilize chapel time each month for special assemblies designed intentionally for ninth grade students covering a wide variety of relevant topics.  We believe this program will have a great impact on individual students and the class as a whole. 

Any car that will be parked on campus regularly needs a permit.
A Parking Permit form can be picked up in the high school office.
We need the driver’s name, the description of the vehicle, and the license tag number.
The permits can be obtained as soon as the information is received.

Assignments and grades online may be accessed by utilizing Net Classroom. Parents and students will be receiving those passwords very soon. If you took advantage of Net Classroom last year, please be aware your password has changed. In addition to receiving your User ID and PIN, you will also receive your child’s User ID and PIN. Please share this with them as they will need it to access their assignments. You may follow directions online to change these ID’s and passwords. Following are a few guidelines to help you use this tool effectively.

1. Teachers will post assignments on Net Classroom or their websites. (Your child will be instructed as to which site to go to.)
2. Assignments are updated weekly by Monday afternoon.
3. Grades are updated approximately every two weeks. (Although teachers may do it more often.)
4. Paper Progress Reports will be sent home every six weeks. (You will also be able to see this information on Net Classroom).
5. If you see discrepancies, first have your child go to their teacher. If you still have questions, please email the teacher.
6. Please use Net Classroom as a tool to teach your child – not as a way to micromanage.

Thank you for your patience and support of this project!

Current Points on Campus:

• Family Life Center
• Lyles Media Center (Middle of library 2md floor)
• Lyles Media Center (outside M-124)
• Football Stadium press box
• Fields Hall  
• Technology Building
• Junior High

Additional Points to be added:

• Senior High Complex
• Bradford Gym
• Senior High Bible Building
• Long Administration – Lucille Smith Meeting Long

Remember Also:  We have the printed cards for the login and password.  
Login and password are: gacs1

I love the smell of new books, newly sharpened pencils, freshly painted
walls, and mobile laptop labs! Exciting things have been happening in the
JH this summer. From learning how to use a mobile laptop lab, to improving our communication skills, the JH faculty has spent time honing their teaching skills.

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The Counseling Department guides and nurtures our GAC community. Counselors serve in two areas, Guidance Services and College Counseling.  With the volume of college applications and need to unite the student with the suitable college, a college counselor has been added.

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As we continue to build a strong foundation for the Elementary School students, here are a few sights and activities you’ll see this year!

  1.  Chapel, Bible lessons, and prayer:  a vital part of each day.
  2.  Child centered classrooms:  children working together in small groups, on the floor, or at theirdesks.  Differentiation in assignments; we know that "one size does not fit all".
  3.  Books, books, books: books visible everywhere....
       and being read.  Over 12,000 AR books in
       the Media Center, nearly 5,000 leveled books in our new book room, student produced books, and
       buckets of books in each classroom.
  4.  Laughter and noise:  absolutely quiet classrooms are NOT what you will see; rather, controlled
       levels of noise where children are interacting with each other and with the teachers.  Active
       learning is noisy.
  5.  Daily recess and P.E.:  children are moving as much as they are working with their brains.
  6.  Smiles:  teachers are smiling as they show their positive attitudes to our vibrant learning
       environment.
  7.  Water: children drinking from water bottles.  Hydration is vital to learning.
  8.  Volunteers:  parents and grandparents helping us everyday to meet the needs of each child.

This is not an exhaustive list of what parents can expect to see in the Elementary School this year.  Some of these may seem obvious, but all of them are necessary in providing a nurturing and challenging educational experience for your child with God at the center.  We are excited about this year of working together!

The “Young Scholars Classroom” has proven itself as a powerful tool in Elementary school, enabling students to excel with increased instructional attention.  This year, several new faces join GAC as teaching assistants.  Please welcome the following:
3rd Grade
Amy Howard (Schultz/Brown) BS in education, Lipscomb University
Catrina Baldwin (Bishop/Melson) BA Rosemont College
4th Grade
Amanda McMaster (Bryant/Jones) BS Lipscomb University
5th Grade
Pamela Slayton (Walton/Stroud) BS Social Studies, University of Texas

It is a blessing and an honor to be serving as principal of the Early Childhood Village. I look forward to getting to know each of you as we begin the new school year.  Together, I hope we can develop your child in the way that the Lord wants him/her to go.
 
My basic belief and philosophy is that “children need to be children”.  As you are well aware, we are living in a society of “hurry-up” and “push, push”.  However, I firmly believe that each child develops at their own rate.  Some of the natural growth and development can not be hurried along.  It would be like trying to make a 6-month old child walk before he is ready.

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Welcome to our 167 new families. Although the campus is spacious and may appear a bit overwhelming, soon you will connect names with faces and experience the warmth and closeness of the GAC family environment. It has been a pleasure helping you through the admissions process.  Thank you for the confidence that you have placed in us, and we look forward to working with you as your children learn and grow into their God-given potential. 

If you have other children in your family, don’t forget that we start taking applications for 2007-2008 on September 1, 2006.  It doesn’t seem possible that it is time to go through that application process again, but sure enough, it is.

Have a wonderful year and I hope to see you at ballgames, Frog Hollow and the many other times the GAC family gets together. 

Dr. David Fincher is serving on the Good Samaritan Health Center Advisory Council.  Good Samaritan is a health provider for the homeless and working poor that also shares the good news of Christ.

In July, Dr. Fincher spoke at the Christian Leadership Conference in Arkansas on the topic, “Guarding Your Personal Commitment to Christ”.

Scott Harsh spoke at the Christian Leadership Conference on, “Faithful in Prayer”.

Norma Miller hosted a Dr. Mel Levine, “Schools Attuned Workshop” in June with 29 educators attending.  Barbara Porter, Denise Helms, Wanda Chastain, and Jill Baker were Assistant Facilitators.

Donna Holladay conducted a staff development workshop for teachers in Douglas County on Student Assistance Programs in Your School

Ken Robinson hosted and facilitated a workshop for Georgia Agape this summer on parenting multi-ethnic, multi-cultural, and multiracial children.

Barbara Porter conducted an Everyday Math Workshop for new students

Welcome back and to a new year with The Parent/Teacher Organization (PTO).  A new PTO Board of talented and enthusiastic parents join us this year.  We’ll introduce these giving parents at the upcoming Orientation and Back to School meetings.  They have worked over the summer planning a great year for GACS.

The PTO mission is to link the Greater Atlanta Christian School family of parents, teachers, staff, and administration for the benefit of our students.  Here’s what you have to look forward to in 2006/2007:

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LACE invites all GAC moms to the annual Salad Luncheon on Thursday, September 7th at 11:30 AM in the Lucille Smith Meeting Room of the Long Administration Building. 

All food is provided by the Executive Board.  Dr. David Fincher will be the featured speaker.  There will also be a brief meeting regarding Frog Hollow and ways that you can volunteer to help support this great family activity sponsored by LACE.  Frog Hollow is coming soon … Saturday, October 7th.  To volunteer for Frog Hollow please call Brenda Minno at (770)932-4991 or Judy Bryan at (770)513-7600.  Any silent auction questions should be directed to Dianna Barry at (770) 814-8111.

Patrons of the Arts is a fundraising and support organization whose goals include encouragement, publicity and improvement of facilities and equipment necessary to advance Fine Arts at GAC. Ninety-eight percent of all GAC students have participated in some form of the Arts. Patrons dedicate their time, resources and funds to the support of these creative programs. Your membership supports all GAC Fine Arts programs -- Including Orchestra, Band, Drama, Visual Arts, Chorus and Arts Enrichment Lessons (Voice, Instrument & Dance). Contact Karen Huppertz, kbhupp@bellsouth.net for membership information or to volunteer.

TWO MEMBERSHIP LEVELS ARE AVAILABLE:
Family/Faculty Membership Includes:
·         Preferred Seating at Arts Performances
·         Two free Spartan Savings Cards good for free or discounted food or beverages at area restaurants
·         Special mailings for upcoming Arts events

Applause Membership Includes:
All of the above
·         Plus Discounted Tickets to Local Theatre Productions!

October 10, 12, 14   Dancing At Lughnasa
December 7, 8, 9,  Snow Angel
January 25, 26, 28  Homecoming Musical: Fiddler on the Roof
February 9   Freshman Follies
April 13 & 14  Dinner Theatre
March 16, 17   Visions Showcase
May 10, 11, 12    The Merry Wives of Windsor

Does your child enjoy building robots? Designing websites? Or maybe
playing chess? Then one of GAC’s competitive academic teams may be
for them.

Welcome back to another exciting school year. As ABC begins its fourth year, we would like to thank our member families who each year, join the Academic Booster Club. Your commitment is what allows us to provide recognition through banners, signs, t-shirts and snacks for our student team members. We want them to know how special they are!           
                                                                        Click here for complete article

Parents and Teachers Together are presenting another great slate of meetings for the 2006-2007 school year.  Our first meeting is Tuesday, September 12, in the H. A. Fincher Lecture Hall of the Liles Media Center.  Sherry Pruitt, M.Ed., will speak on “The Homework Struggle:  Strategies that Promote Learning and Independence”.  Sherry is an educational consultant for students with neurological disorders.  She is co-author of Teaching the Tiger.  She will discuss ways to make homework time more harmonious and productive.  The meeting begins at 7:20 pm.

Parents and students dealing with dyslexia will meet at 6:30 pm to share resources and offer support to one another.  Please email casey196@bellsouth.net if you have questions or plan to attend.

Girl’s Basketball
LeeAnn Wiedeman is Mike Mitchell’s new assistant coach

Baseball
Scott Gaffney is Cliff Shelton’s new assistant
coach

Cheerleading
Anna Fink is Lana Walton’s new assistant coach

Boy’s Lacrosse
Tim Ball is the new head coach

Boy’s Soccer
Eric Taylor is the new assistant coach to Thom Jacquet

Boy’s Track
Chuck Pinson is a new assistant coach to Brad Kinser

The Lady Spartan basketball team went to Denver, Colorado July 27 for the First Annual Converse Elite Girls’ Prep Invitational.  This was during a period when college coaches could still watch the girls play.  There were 19 schools representing 12 states. We were the smallest school in attendance and the only school east of the Mississippi. There were 4 defending state champions and 6 state runners-up from last year.  Most of the schools were 4A and 5A schools.  We went to Rocky Mountain National Park, whitewater rafting on the Arkansas River, and got to see a Colorado Rockies baseball game (GO BRAVES!).

Then we played some basketball and after finishing 3-1 in pool play, we swept through the tournament which consisted of the top 8 seeded teams and won the championship.  The girls were very excited about the whole trip and played very well throughout the tournament.  This is a very special group of young ladies and represented themselves, God, and GACS in a very positive manner.  We defeated Marble Falls, Texas in the semi-finals and La Jolla Country Day School in the finals.

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.

From fall registration to last day of classes in May, GAC's K4-12 calendar is bursting with activities. Click here for the 2006-07 calendar.

• Check your email the third Friday of every month for the electronic Parent Connection (ePC)
  Click here for the e-PC archives.
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We would like to hear your suggestions for topics to cover in future issues of this publication, or ways we can keep in touch if you do not wish to receive this e-mail publication. Thank you for your continued support of Greater Atlanta Christian Schools' efforts to become a system of world-class schools. Please e-mail jmorris@greateratlantachristian.org with your feedback and suggestions.