Highlights for the Greater Atlanta Christian Community                                            November 21, 2006

Choices...A Chapel Remembered                   By: Dr. Ray Hawkins

The stage is dark when four High School Seniors walk from behind the curtain for Red Ribbon Week Drug Chapel. "It seems as teenagers, someone is always trying to tell you what to do.  Our parents tell us what to do.  Our teachers tell us what to do.  Sometimes even other students try to tell us what to do.  And they don't stop there.....Many people try to tell us what NOT to do," says Katy Thames, second year mentor. Slowly, three other senior mentors walk to the microphone to say that they are not here to tell anyone what to do or what NOT to do.  Lee Chapple speaks, "In last year's chapel, two seniors walked away from bad decisions....but they were able to walk away.  This year we represent the teenagers in our world who were UNABLE to walk away.  Today, we represent teenagers in our world who have died from bad choices."
Above: Coach Vick speaks in chapel about his brother who was killed by a drunk drive.          Click here for complete article

Please Pray for GAC Fall Mission Trips                       

“Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication
            with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.”               
                                                                                                              Philippians 4:6

During this season of Thanksgiving, please lift up in prayer the two GAC Mission Teams who are spending the holiday on mission trips: 

• Tim Baker and Jon Owen along with eight students are working with orphans, doing community service and street ministry in Siberia.
• Betty Morris, Carrie Springer and Lori Sams, along with four GAC alumni and twenty four students are serving in Cozumel.

Approximately 250 Greater Atlanta Christian School parents of athletes, athletes and coaches were treated to a special night on November 7, 2006 in the Campus Church auditorium.  Dr. Greg Dale, professor of Sport Psychology and Sport Ethics at Duke University, provided a workshop emphasizing a parent’s crucial role in determining whether or not their children have a positive experience in sports.

This thought provoking workshop was based on Dr. Dale’s book entitled, The Fulfilling Ride:  A Parent’s Guide to Helping Athletes Have a Successful Sport Experience.  He encouraged the GAC parents in attendance to analyze the type of environment they are creating for their children. Topics covered in this workshop included:  the significance of the coach-athlete-parent triangle, lessons parents want children to learn from sports and the importance of modeling those lessons, and effective goal-setting that parents can use with their children.

If you are a parent of an athlete or even a parent of a prospective athlete, and were unable to attend, I strongly suggest that you purchase Dr. Greg Dale’s book mentioned above (The Fulfilling Ride:  A Parent’s Guide to Helping Athletes Have a Successful Sport Experience).  The thoughts and principles expressed in this book will have a profound and lasting effect on you and your child through their competitive years.  To order this book, go to: www.excellenceinperformance.com.

Williamsburg - Lessons Learned Beyond the Classroom

By:  Scott Gaffney, SH English Teacher

The judge bellowed, “Order in the court!”  His piercing British accent with authoritative rhetoric silenced the court room.  Concluding the three day trip, a group of tired, hungry, but anxious sophomores held their breath.  As the dark court room was invaded by flickering candlelight, sophomores whispered to one another nervously.  Without shifting their eyes from the elderly woman standing before the court, whispers were heard, “Is she a witch?”  The re-enactment of a 1700’s witch trial in Williamsburg, Virginia provided not just artwork, imagination, or documents but an actual field experience.  Whether it was the tense nerves brought by the ghost stories only an hour before or just curiosity, the room was fixated on the development of the trial.  Such was the surrounding elements on the sophomore class trip to Williamsburg, Virginia.

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Top: Ross Campbell and Sullivan Poole adorn themselves with Knight's apparel. Right: The students listen as a soldier tells
his story of battle.

Senior Caleb King to Wear Red and Black

GAC Senior Caleb King will continue his education at the University of Georgia.  Speaking to a room overflowing with reporters and “Caleb fans”, the tailback gave clarity for his decision to be a Georgia Bulldog beginning next fall. “Coach Richt is a wonderful coach and great Christian man.  I want to surround myself with mentors such as him.”  He further explained, “By going to Athens, my family will be able to come watch me play.  Also, I wanted a school that would prepare me for life after football.  A degree from the University of Georgia speaks for itself.”

Caleb gave thanks for all the coaches that have played a strong role in his life.  He thanked the coaching staff at GAC for “their love for Christ and using football to build strong young Christian men.”

Coach Chupp spoke highly of his top-rated prospect, “As a young man, Caleb is kind, compassionate, and respectful to all.  He is rare in this world of superstars and egos.”  Spartan defensive coordinator, Ken Robinson put it best when he said, “to know Caleb is to love Caleb.”

Click here for more Spartan Sports Updates

Caleb King commits to UGA 11-17-06

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The Canterbury Tales...
                    Some Writings Never Show Their Age

      By:  Jill Morris, Director of Community Relations

If you recently spotted a Medieval Friar conversing with a Nun in front of the Village, you were not hallucinating.  They were joined by the Knight, Monk, Yeoman and Shipman. Each year, senior high literature includes a study of the medieval period and explores the works of Chaucer.  Senior English teachers Jimmy Jones and Jenny Runkel require students to adopt a character and embark on a pilgrimage of The Canterbury Tales.

Senior English teacher Mr. Jones listens as Caroline Germany, dressed as one of the characters of the Canterbury Tales, tells her plight.

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One Simple Goal                               By: Melaney Cost, Director of Missions

One of the highlights of each semester is the Mission Club Service Day. This fall, approximately 80 juniors and seniors ventured out into the Atlanta area to serve and support various people and ministries.  Students packed their lunches, boarded buses and headed out with one simple goal: to bless someone else.

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Senior Alan Cherry ties the shoe of a mentally disabled man.

“It was the most memorable day of my life,” said eighth grader Bryan Klemm. “Michael Vick let me carry his helmet back to the locker room.  He and I talked about his favorite opponents.  He likes playing the Carolina Panthers.”

Bryan was recently a recipient of the “Make a Wish Foundation”. The Foundation honors a deserving boy or girl every 41 minutes. 

   Click here for complete article

Bryan Klemm sits behind the press table for the Falcons.

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Junior High Exams                                            by: Dr. Misty Overman, Junior High Principal

Exam time is approaching and can be an anxious time for our junior high students. The purpose of giving an exam is to allow students to synthesize and review material from the semester and to gain practice for high stakes exams they will take in later grades. 

 
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Good Decision Skills                                                By: Mitch Baker, Elementary Counselor

At the age of 6, 7 or 8 years old, making a poor choice might result in a poor grade or in hurting a friend’s feelings.  Making a poor choice at age 16, might result in a much greater consequence. Consequences are magnified as we age.  Training young children to choose and consider consequences while they are young will help them avoid pitfalls later on and offer them a more peaceful and prosperous life.

Essays written by elemenatary students
during Red Ribbon Week.

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Author of The Monster Who Ate My Peas      

Author Danny Schnitzlein paid a visit to the Sue Henderson Elementary Library to autograph copies of his book, The Monster Who Ate My Peas.  He shared insights into the writing process, creating characters and encouraged students to write their ideas down on paper.     

Author Danny Schnitzlein reads
to elementary students.

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Living the Mission in the Village               

By: Margie Asef, Early Childhood Administrative Assistant

Growing is easy when you are four, five and six.  It happens naturally. In the Village, growing up all focuses on reinforcing the mission of our school: “To help each student grow as Jesus did, in wisdom and stature with God and man.” Fun, play and imagination help teachers communicate and instill the mission through activities such as Red Ribbon Week, a trip to a tree farm, an Indian exploration and a visit from a dragon.

Left: kindergarten student Jack Jacquet uses his imagination as he paints the perfect picture. 

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• National Art Honor Society art students designed and painted a holiday card that will be on display at Stone Mountain Park during this holiday season. The card was designed by Holly Faris, Alex Shelton, Nicole Baker, Angie McDonald, and Holly Faris.  Many other art students painted the 8 by 8 foot wooden card. The GAC Christmas card will compete with fifty other schools in this annual competition. Judging of the cards took place the first week in November and the winner will be announced the Friday after Thanksgiving. All students, faculty, staff, and parents are encouraged to view the card at Stone Mountain Park beginning Thanksgiving weekend through December 30 in the Crossroads Area.
• Remember the GACS blood drive on Thursday, December 7th, all day in the Bradford Gym.
• Please mark your calendars for Friday, February 23, 2007 from 7:00 - 9:00 for the Father/Daughter Dinner hosted by LACE.  Any moms who are interested in volunteering for this fun event should contact Victa McCray at 770-322-0592.  Specific times for planning meetings will be announced soon.

Right: The Christmas card created to be displayed at Stone Mountain.

Driver's Education will be offered once again this year to GACS students.

Click here for information and application

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 K-12 calendar is bursting with activities. Click here for the 2006-07 calendar.

• Check your email the third Tuesday of every month for the electronic Parent Connection (ePC).
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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.