Highlights for the Greater Atlanta Christian Community October 24 , 2006
Christian Diversity at GAC Means
Commitment, Work and Honesty  By Dr. David Fincher, President
While I’m thankful for many advances at Greater Atlanta Christian in recent years, I am perhaps most grateful to God for the expanding diversity of our school family. It is intentional, it is heartfelt, and it is
the will of God for his people here at Greater Atlanta Christian.
People who are looking for a monochrome world either ethnically or economically will not find it on this campus now or in the future; that
is both holy and right.
But let’s be straight. Worthy change requires commitment, hard work, and honesty about struggles. Some of those struggles include our children. Some are our struggles as adults. Knowing my own fallen nature, there are parts of me that harbor egotistic pride, superiority, protectionism and fear. I’m guessing if you are human, there’s a bit of that
deep within you as well; and that part of us is not of God.
Some recent incidents right here at Greater Atlanta Christian School have reminded me and others again
that racism remains. Whether it’s resistance to friendship, racial slurs, or just plain stereotyping, it’s not acceptable for our students, or for us as the adults. Because of our deep commitment to diversity on our campus, we will continue to remind our students that racial slurs or racially-motivated comments will not
be tolerated and will result in serious disciplinary consequences.
Embracing the diversity of our school family is not just a list of “don’ts”. It is proactive outreach, listening, and learning. It means we will search for our pitfalls—not just someone else’s—and with a penitent heart and God’s help, overcome them. It means educating our children about the beauty of God’s full family
and what respect means at age 6, 16, or 60.
 My request of you, the Greater Atlanta Christian family, is to raise this question with your own children. Talk with them about God’s view of
all His people. Let them know that you stand against slurs and exclusivism, and expect the same of them. Show this by your own actions and your inclusion of the entire GAC family. Check your
own pulse…to insure you too are ready to raise
with us a generation that knows what Christian ethics means in how we care for one another.
Have we made any progress? Yes, I pray so.
But not enough…not near enough. My prayer is we will never be content with the status quo in
our quest to include as John said in his Revelation about heaven: “I looked and there before me
was a great multitude that no one could count, from every nation, tribe, people and language, standing before the throne and in front of the Lamb..” We’re on a fleshly planet, I know. But let’s
give God our best to begin to create the heaven He describes…in our homes and right here at GACS. |
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Freeman Aquatic Center
Current progress on construction.
Below:
Pool area construction
 The Freeman Aquatic Center is moving closer to completion. The Center will house a natatorium with 11 lanes, spectator seating, wet classrooms, lockers and dressing area, and coach’s offices. Swim Coach Karen Blackman, with 11 years at GAC and 2003 Coach of the Year, can’t wait. “We are planning to host a home meet on January 23, 2007. By that time, it will be the climax of our season and we will be in our own water. The team can’t wait.”
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Applause & Accolades
Outstanding achievements of GAC students and faculty.
Click here for complete list
Spartan Sports Updates
Click here for all updates
Parent Involvement
Where? What? When? at GAC |
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In this issue
Early Childhood Village News |
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Add These Books to Your Library By: Donna Holladay, Director of Counseling |
 Counselors are frequently asked to recommend books and other materials which
provide fresh ideas for parenting. Two valuable resources for parenting children of all ages are John Rosemond’s A Family of Value, and his New Parent Power. Joyce Divinyi, who has conducted staff development with GAC faculty, provides a guide for what works and what doesn’t work with children in her book, Good Kids, Difficult Behavior.
Click here for complete article |
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SPECIAL ANNOUNCEMENT - Magazine Reward Day!
By: Bill Burton, Administrative Vice President |
 All of the late sales have been counted and the books are being closed on this year's sale. Our grand total for the 2006 Magazine Sale is $700,774.19.
This is a new QSP national record. It goes without saying that this year's sale was our best ever.
Thanks again to each of you for your enthusiastic support of this project. Plan to enjoy the magazine sale reward day--Wednesday, December 20.
Final exams and noon dismissals have been rescheduled for Friday, December 15th through Tuesday, December 19th.
Coach Thames leads the Junior High in "YMCA"
during the magazine sale. |
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Parents, NOW is the Time... By: Linda Clovis, Director of Admissions
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Question: NOW is the time for what?
Answer: Applying for your other children who are not yet GACS students.
 On September 1st, we began taking applications for the 2007-2008 school year. As of today, we have many more applications than we had at this time last year. I definitely do not want to send you a “no room at the inn” letter in the spring. So, a word to the wise, we filled up very quickly last year. It will be beneficial to you if your application is submitted before the end of December. After you apply for those siblings, you might want to tell your neighbors about applying for their children. We always appreciate your help with bringing great families to GACS.
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A Safe Campus By: Ted Thames , Junior High Assistant Principal
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Security Guard John Dobbs
 It takes both the school and the parents working together to keep our campus safe. In light of the tragic incidents that have occurred at schools around the country, we are aware of the need to be intentional about security at all times. During the school day, our security guards are being especially vigilant to monitor traffic on campus so that strangers are identified early and guided to appropriate locations.
Name badges that identify faculty, staff and volunteers also help keep our campus safe. Administrative Vice President Bill Burton shared, “While no school in America is 100% safe, we believe that GAC is one of the safest school campuses anywhere. Our administrators and faculty are continually looking for ways to improve our security. We always appreciate it when parents bring to our attention any areas of concern."
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Memories of Frog Hollow By: Patty Pew |
We are blessed by our GACS families and the efforts put forth by so many people to make our annual Frog Hollow Festival such a huge success. We are in the process of tallying all our figures, but are confident we were just as successful this year as in the past. LACE would like to say a special thank you to all the businesses, families, groups, and individuals who gave of their time when asked, and served.
To the many behind-the-scenes parents, teachers, staff and spouses who did whatever was asked, words can not describe our thanks. To the cafeteria and  maintenance staff, we could not have done it without you. You are awesome! To anyone we may have missed thanking in error, please know an event this successful takes so many, and we are forever grateful.
Make sure to mark your calendars for Thursday, November 2nd at 8:15 a.m. and join us for "Muffins for Moms" and our next General Meeting. This meeting will be held in the Wista Worthen Room right after morning carpool. Hope to see you there!
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Senior High Absentees By: Troy Bendickson and Dr. Betty Morris, Deans of Students |
Senior High Office
 This school year has gotten off to a wonderful start. As we proceed further into the school year, more opportunities are going to arise for students to miss school. If a student needs to miss school, either whole day(s) or partial day(s), there is a procedure to follow in order for the absence(s) to be excused. Failure to follow this procedure will result in unexcused absence(s). Please remember that every absence is entered on a student's permanent record.
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Random Acts of Kindness By: Terry Davis, Junior High Chaplain |
Recently, I challenged my 7th grade Bible classes to come up with ways that they could individually implement random act of kindness. Here is a list of what they did overnight. I just want to brag one more time about the GACS difference in our students. Parents, you should be proud of your children. Thank you for allowing me to be inspired by them each day.
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Multiple Me's by: Dr. Misty Overman, Junior High Principal
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Wouldn’t it be great to have a “copy” of ourselves to do the things we don’t like? Homework, chores, standing in lines, listening to lectures, etc. all could be handled by the “other” self. During the last week of September, JH students had an opportunity to think about their lives in a different way. The speaker in chapel asked our kids to consider the idea of multiple “me’s”- a copy of us we could create on the spot.
 Guest speaker Dan Self challenged our students to think of their spiritual lives. When do they revert to the other “me”? Are they the same person at school that they are in church? Are they the same person online as they are in prayer? Are they the same person with friends that they are in front of adults?
This is a heavy question even for adults. Teachers and parents must consider ways to help students unify themselves. Students need us to help them be consistent. Whether it is monitoring their online conversations and web pages, checking their IM or text messages, or even hanging with them at the mall, our responsibility is to help them unify their “me’s”. |
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National Hispanic Heritage Month by: Norma Miller, Elementary Principal
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Rosa Hurst speaks to the Village during Hispanic month 
Throughout the country, National Hispanic Heritage Month is recognized from September 15th through October 15th. At Greater Atlanta Christian School, Spanish teacher Shelley Woodward and Art teacher Melanie Offutt integrated Spanish and Art to remind our elementary students of this culture and the contributions that they brought to America. Hispanic Heritage posters featuring authentic art from Spanish speaking countries, pictures of famous Hispanic American's were prominently displayed throughout the Elementary building. Rosa Hurst shared about growing up in Peru. Rolando Lopez shared a pre-Hispanic Aztec dance of Mexico. Juan Garcia spoke to our students about the contributions of one influential Hispanic leader. Spanish worship songs were played each morning over the intercom as we went to chapel. It was a wonderful learning experience for our students and teachers. |
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A Day in the Village by: Margie Asef, Administrative Assistant to Early Childhood Principal
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The day begins in the Village with a pledge to the flag,  followed by a prayer from one of our students. For a brief moment, the entire Village falls silent to honor our Lord.
The tone is set for the day.
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Early Childhood begins each day with the pledge and a prayer
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Upcoming Events |
November 7th – Book Signing and Ladies Speaker
Christian fictional author and GAC alum Tammy Gattis Alexander, speaks to Ladies Bible Class at 9:45 in the Family Student Center and then signs copies of her new book, Revealed. Her first book,
Rekindled, will also be available for purchase.
Click here for complete article |
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PTO Sponsored Upcoming Programs |
We hope you are benefiting from some of the many programs designed to help us all become better equipped as parents.
Click here for complete article |
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Assessment News… |
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. |
| K4-12 2006-07 calendar |
From fall registration to last day of classes in May, GAC's K-12 calendar is bursting with activities. Click here for the 2006-07 calendar. |
| Stay in touch with GAC… |
- Check your email the third Friday of every month for the electronic Parent Connection (ePC) .
- Receive School Level Announcements every day.Click here to add your email address
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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. |
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