Highlights for the Greater Atlanta Christian Community                                          December 19, 2006

December Happenings Around Campus                   

The GAC High School Student Council collected over 2500 canned goods for the 11Alive Can-A-Thon with the help of high school parents and students.  This was the school’s first time to be involved in the 11Alive Can-A-Thon and felt honored to contribute.  Cans were given to the Salvation Army to distribute to those in need.

Red Cross Blood Drive
50 pints of blood raised on December 7th.  Issac Aiken (left) was one of those donors - “I give because I’ve had so many surgeries myself and know what it’s like to need blood.”

Stuffing Stockings for Atlanta Inner City
The Literary Club stuffed 40 stockings for the Inner City, filling them with markers, hats and scarves.

Drama Production “Snow Angel” (cast photo right)  
When the quiet town of Deerpoint, Vermont is hit by the biggest blizzard in 107 years, a mysterious girl named Eva steps out of a snow bank and into the lives of 15 confused teenagers who are asked to help her in her search for her sister."

Elementary students collected a “mountain
of clothes and toys” for 30 children in
Agape Foster Care.

Building Gingerbread Houses in 4th Grade
“This is one of our favorite traditions.  We love to let the kids show their creativity, whether it’s in the construction or decoration of their house or the creation of a Christmas scene in their gingerbread yard.  The kids love it, too, as they sneak a little candy throughout the day,” shared Mr. Sills. 

The 3rd grade students participated in an in-house field trip where they each explored how six simple machines make work easier.

Over 6,000 cans of food were collected for Norcross Co-op.  Although the project was sponsored by Junior High students, the Village students participated as well.

Mrs. Turbeville’s K5 class and Mrs. Jones’ K6 class reenacted the story of Christ’s birth in a modern day celebration.

Fall Mission Trip Report                       

The “angels” from Ciudad de Angeles are mingled in with the Mission Team from GACS on the last night of our week with them.  The portraits of the “angels” seen in this picture were painted by artist Connie Quinn.  Connie has been painting portraits of the “angels” and sending them down with our team each of the last 5 years.  In an incredible way, Connie captures the joy on each angel’s face by using her God-given talents to preserve their beauty on canvas.

What comes to mind when you hear the word “thrive”?  That’s a question that the Senior High Faculty has given quite a bit of thought to these past few months and was the focus of our most recent Faculty Connection Groups.  I’ve also recently conducted a set of five focus groups with students being asked their perceptions of a thriving student and where we could improve.  I was encouraged by what I heard from both our students, and teachers. Out of those meetings the following themes surfaced as to what it means for students to thrive. 

The student:

• Knows their worth as a child of God
• Develops an intellectual curiosity
• Feels challenged but not overly stressed
• Experiences some level of success
• Feels a strong support system from parents, teachers, and peers
• Is able to make decisions that will have long-term gains
• Achieves according to his or her ability
• Does not feel they must sacrifice his or her morals (cheating, lying, etc.) to find success
• Is not stretched too thin by trying to balance the load of academics, co-curricular activities and relationships

While it may appear that most GAC students are thriving most of the time, we can each think of individual students who are not thriving.  As we move forward, I am hopeful that more and more of our students will join the ranks of the thriving.  Getting there will be a process – not a one size fits all solution. 

We remain committed to the high academic standards which are so much a part of our school heritage. 
At the same time, we will strive with a new energy to focus on the individual needs of our students.  I am encouraged by the stories of teachers being creative in their instruction, assignments, and assessments in an effort to do what is best for individual students.  This is not an easy task – it requires time, creativity and relationship.  But I believe it is the right thing to do.

Recently, I read that for students to maintain consistent high level performance they need High Expectations, Moderate Pressure, and Consistent Support.  I think we’ve done a great job creating high expectations.  As a school we are evaluating the pressure students feel and the level of support we offer.  We are dreaming of new approaches, collaborating when we find something that works.  We’re not afraid to ask questions when the ideas aren’t flowing and are committed to keeping focused on our goal.  It will require parents, teachers, and administrators all working together for our students.  New methods are already in place, but we can improve.  I hope you will be supportive and patient with us. We want you to join us as we strive to build a school where every child can thrive. 

Encouraging Leadership             By:  Jill Morris, Director of Community Relations

Sophomore Hope Wooster was chosen to represent Gwinnett County with a scholarship from the Peachtree Corners Rotary Club to attend Rotary Youth Leadership Camp. She and 200 other sophomores from around the state spent a week last summer at the camp learning how to be better leaders. During the day, students enjoyed many team building activities; at night various speakers inspired the young people to set goals and make good decisions that would place them in leadership roles.

“Hope was chosen because of her leadership ability, demonstration of service to the school community, a desire to grow and for being a positive ambassador for the school.” Scott Harsh said, “She was the perfect choice!”

Recently, Hope and Rotary member and GAC Director of Finance Randall Jackson, reported to Peachtree Corners Rotary Club about her experience. Hope shared, “I wish it was more than a four-day experience.  It gave me an opportunity to meet leaders from all over the state.  It was such a great experience that I did not want it to end.”

Freshman Academy Review Study Habits

                                                                               By:  Jill Morris, Director of Community Relations

Designed by Senior High Principal Scott Harsh as a program to “better equip ninth graders for high school”, Freshman Academy gets an A for “making progress”.  The Academy has gathered monthly to discuss topics of spiritual growth, social maturity and most recently, improving academic study habits.

Learning specialists Bob and Jennifer Hoyer, owners of Academic Solutions, were invited to come and share fundamental skills and homework strategies that would increase productivity on tests, encourage SAT preparation, and improve student GPAs.  Students were asked to bring their textbooks to the assembly and identify main topics and subtopics, scan for key words in the text, and reminded to re-copy their lecture notes each night.  “Read ahead in your academic classes and complete the Chapter Reviews at the close of each chapter.  It is good to test yourself first before someone else has to,” Mrs. Hoyer said.  She also shared organizational secrets “Make a single folder for all your homework and cross through items on your daily planner at the end of the day.” 

After 11 years in the tutoring business, Mr. and Mrs. Hoyer believe the secret to success is in making good study skills and time management a daily habit.  “We tell kids that it is like training for a sport, you get better at it by doing it.” 

Assessing the results of the program thus far, Mr. Harsh shared the following remarks, “Although this program is just in its first year, we are already seeing some very positive results.  Ninth grade is such an important year and what we were seeing was that our students needed a higher level of support as they transitioned to Senior High.  Under the direction of Head Sponsor Troy Bendickson and with the help of the ninth grade teachers, our students are now getting that extra support through the Freshman Academy.”

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GAC Experiences Youth Assembly 2006

      By:  Danny Tymchuk, Senior High Teacher

This past November, GAC sent 8 representatives to the 62nd Annual Youth Assembly:  Alan Blinder and Ansley McCarter as Senators, Heidi Tabor and Meredith Thomas as Media Representatives, and Troy Lewis, Daniel Forsman, Ross Freeman, and Kristen Frederickson as State Representatives.

The State YMCA of Georgia began Youth Assembly in 1946. Youth Assembly is designed to give the student participants an experience in the operation of Georgia's state government and the bill-making process.  The program meets annually and operates similarly to the real General Assembly.

Over the course of this 3-day event, students, acting as Senators and State Representatives, introduce bills ranging from crime prevention to municipal practices and procedures, debate bills in committee, make changes and adjustments to the bills, and attempt to pass or vote down various bills.

Both Alan Blinder and Ross Freeman received an award for creating legislation on crime prevention which passed through the YA Senate, but failed to pass the YA House. During the Senate speaking time in the actual Senate chamber, Alan won the prestigious McHutchinson Award, one of only four speaking/debating awards given.  This was Alan’s second year in a row to receive this very high honor and award.

Heidi Tabor won the Media Corps Award as the top journalist and was asked to return next year as the Media Corps Editor-in-Chief.

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Counting Blessings in Junior High                

By: Dr. Misty Overman, Junior High Principal 

J - Just think, time off with no homework!
U - Understanding the adolescent child – how wonderful.
N - No one can love your child like you do – but we are going to try.
 I - Isn’t it fun to watch them when it finally “clicks”?
O - Our goal is to help JH students find their passion for learning.
R - Raising children in a toxic culture, we need to “band” together.
H - Having to work through struggles will make our children stronger, as long as we love them through it.
 I - Incredibly, the time has flown this semester. Next semester holds many wonderful opportunities.
G - Going strong and finishing strong are important. Don’t let your student “give up” at this last
minute.
H - Have a great holiday! May your family find rest, peace, and God.

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A Chapel for Everyone                  By: Jill Morris, Director of Community Relations

God can grow each of us, when our hearts are open to Him.  But what avenue will ignite that relationship? How will we hear Him? What will whet the appetite of a young heart to a yearning and hunger for a relationship with the Savior?

Chaplain Terry Davis explores “Emerging Worship” with students in Junior High.  Emerging Worship is a trendy buzz word that is being thrown around today.  In this context it means an expression of the Christian faith articulated and synchronized in a setting more in tune with the current cultural trends of the students. This is not to soften or change the message but rather to aid the students in connecting with the Gospel message and applying it to their lives today, wherever they are. This type of Christian worship experience serves to unite people from different denominations, traditions, theologies, social and geographic backgrounds and allows an expression of Christian faith through individual choice. If a Christian’s life is a continual expression of worship by the way in which life is lived, then not only do we glorify God through praise, prayer and song, but also through acts of service, skits, athletic competition and conversations. 

Learning styles may differ, worship styles will vary, but each person can glorify the Father with his or her individual gifts.  Mr. Davis desires to teach this concept and says, “Most of the time, teachers and parents make the decisions for students on how they will worship, but on this growth day, students make that choice themselves.”

Emergent Worship for GAC Junior High students looked like this:

• Mr. Adams explored December 25th – using a DVD, “The Book of Matthew”, and the history of Christmas.  He also discussed the birth and death of Jesus.
• Mrs. McLean helped students express love for God through poetry.
• Mr. Jacquet led an athletic devotional. Students explored the importance of showing Christ on the field and what message that sends to others and also on how to just enjoy the moment, enjoy our teammates and the experience of being on team. 
• Mrs. Davis shared conversation regarding the positives and negatives of My Space.
• Mr. Connel taught lessons using drama.  The group learned skits with a moral lesson, acted them out and talked about each skit’s meaning.
• Dr. Butler spoke with girls only and served hot tea and cookies.  She shared 82 ideas for self-nurturing and the fulfillment of being feminine.
• Mrs. Sills explored servanthood.  Students made cards for Lilburn Nursing Home.

In our 10th year of the Accelerated Reader program, the program is stronger than ever.

With over 12,000 tests and corresponding books to choose from, students are encouraged by their parents, teachers, and administration to read in their zone and set a realistic goal.  They aim high!

This year is half over and already 19,558 tests have been taken, with 18,715 of those tests being taken with 85% and higher comprehension.

The average book level read this year is 4.0.  In grades 1-5, a combined total of 36,091 points have been earned and we still have another semester ahead of us.

On the first Friday in December, students were awarded over 452 AR certificates. Whispering “wows” were heard from the audience as 1st grader Hannah Slack was recognized for accumulating 50 AR points.   In 3rd grade, Chloe Kwiatkowski had accumulated over 400 points.  

Practically every 4th and 5th grade student was standing for a certificate when names were called in AR recognition.

Read the Bible, read newspapers and read books every day. 

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Christmas in the Village            by: Margie Asef, Early Childhood Administrative Assistant

“All I want for Christmas is my two front teeth” could not be more appropriate than in the Village.  The children have loved singing the “two front teeth song,” but they have also learned about other children who desperately long for the daily “necessities” of life.

December has been a time for students’ spiritual light to truly shine.  Their love, empathy and understanding have poured out in support of our two Christmas charities, Atlanta Inner City Ministries (AIM) and the City of Angels.  Daily chapels were truly special as the children placed their donated gifts under the Christmas tree. The AIM director, Bo Davenport, shared a heartfelt story of how the students’ generosity will bless so many less fortunate children.  He explained how often he has seen God’s love shared through the GAC Village. K5 teacher, Mrs. Lori Sams, shared about her recent mission trip to the City of Angels and their enormous need for books. She explained how we are able to help other children learn “how” to read through their donations for Spanish written books. 

Thank you for partnering with GAC to teach generosity and compassion as one of the many true “gifts” of Christmas.

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Applause and Accolades                                               

Congrats to Junior High teacher, Mr. Mike Adams, who won a $2500 grant through Best Buy. He is now in the running for a $15,000 technology grant from Best Buy. Mike has great ideas for getting technology in the hands of kids for instructional purposes.

Congratulations to Mrs. Amy Dean who completed her Ed.S. this semester.

Mrs. Beth Pruitt has just completed her Masters of Theological Studies in Christian Leadership from Gordon Conwell Seminary.

Congratulations to our newest voice teacher Mr. Timothy Miller for being chosen to sing with the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra on Jan. 25 and 27, 2007 at 8:00 pm. in the concert version of Richard Strauss’ Der Rosenkavalier.

Congratulations to the Senior High Art students who created the wooden holiday card for the Stone Mountain Park Christmas Card Competition. GACS’ card won 2nd Place out of 50 entries!  The cards are on display in the Crossroads section of the park until December 30, 2006.

Congratulations to (from left to right) Scott Box, Hunter Greene, Steven Hanna, and Kelley Zarrett for being selected to the Georgia Music Educators Association Honor Band and Concert Band.  They auditioned for these groups and were selected over many students from other schools in the area.

Spartanbots did it again! They not only took 1st place in Robotics Performance, but also 1st place over all for the Champion Award. The Spartanbots will go on to compete in the State competition on Jan. 20, 2007. 

Congratulations to Ashley Agin and D’Nay Daniels for making First Team All-County, Alex Shelton for making Second Team All-County and Morgan Massey for being named Scholar Athlete!

Congratulations to Jessica Coan for being named the AA Pitcher of the Year!  This is a tremendous honor for Jessica.    Mollie Mitchell and Chaney Means were also named to the First Team All-State team. 

The Spartan Varsity Wrestling team improved their record to 8-1 after becoming the 2006 Duluth Duals Champion.

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An Opportunity for GAC Moms      

Beth Moore LIVE via Satellite “Straight Talk About God’s Deliverance”
           
In a message based on her new book GET OUT OF THAT PIT, Beth brings a message that encourages deliverance and hope for everyone – no matter how you got stuck, no matter how long you’ve been down, whether you think you deserve it or not.  From her own personal experience, she’ll share that healing is found in Jesus.

WHEN: Saturday, February 24, 2007
TIME: 10:30 am – 4:30 pm (lunch included)
WHERE: Campus church of Christ
Tickets:$20 per person
CONTACT: Terri Pretiger at 770-923-0449 or terri@campuschurch.org

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Train the Trainer...A Success               

By: Kevin and Melanie Langsett, PTO Co-Presidents  

The PTO, in conjunction with the High School, organized a day of education and training for parents with new teen drivers on November 11th. The program, titled Train the Trainer, educated 100 + parents for three hours. This was a “hands on” experience with a three segment class consisting of:  Georgia’s teen driving laws, how to properly educate and train your new driver, and the engineering aspects behind driving a vehicle and training your new driver. Attendees had classroom and driving segments with professional instructors from Porsche, Reece & Associates, and the Georgia State Patrol. The day was a huge success and the comments ranged from…

“This opened my eyes to what I need to focus on to teach my daughter.”
“Covered many aspects I may not have thought of to teach.”
“Outstanding presenters, content and duration.”
“…for parents it helps us think about how we are driving.”

The PTO is planning to offer this phenomenal training opportunity again in the fall of 2007.

Parents, the PTO is interested in hearing from you. We want your ideas and thoughts.

We want to hear from you on what type of programs the PTO can offer in order to best help the school. Please email us at pto@greateratlantachristian.org and let us know your thoughts regarding further development.

PATT (Parents and Teachers Together)

On Tuesday, January 16, 2007, PATT (Parents And Teachers Together) will host Claire Pearson in an evening of “How to Teach Dyslexic Students to Read”.   Everyone is invited to this program held in the H. A. Fincher Lecture Hall of the Liles Media Center.

Mrs. Pearson is a retired principal of the Schenck School and past president of the Georgia Branch of the International Dyslexia Association.  She is an Orton Guillingham teacher trainer as well. Plans for the evening include:

6:30 - a support group for parents of students diagnosed with dyslexia
7:00 - Registration
7:30 - 9:00 - Presentation by Claire Pearson

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Admissions Feeder School Luncheon               

By: Linda Clovis, Director of Admissions

What is a feeder school?  That is a pre-school or elementary school that only goes through a certain grade level.  When a student finishes that level, he or she must enroll in another school to complete their education.   During the current school year, we have enrolled students from over sixty feeder schools.  In order to thank them for sending us some great kids, we treated many of these directors to a luncheon on our campus in late November. 

They enjoyed seeing our campus and visiting with some of our administrators at a casual lunch in the Student/Family Center.  There were even door prizes.  We were all so pleased that they could break away from their schools to spend some time with us.   Most of them were on our campus for the first time.  It is always so fun to see our students and our facilities through the eyes of a first-time visitor. 

If you still have a son or daughter enrolled in a pre-school and that director missed this event, we plan to host a luncheon again so encourage them to attend.  Also, if you would like a feeder school near your home to receive information about us, contact me and we will send them a packet of information.

Thank you as always for being our best marketers.

Be a Part of the Surrounding GAC Community               

By: Jill Morris, Director of Community Relastions

If you are a parent who is also a resident, business owner, or a vested volunteer in the Southwest Gwinnett area (where GAC is located), allow me to introduce you to a new organization.  The Gwinnett Village Alliance (GVA) is a sister organization to the Community Improvement District of which GAC is a part.  GVA works with schools, residents and businesses in the area to market the Gwinnett Village as a place to live, work, play and stay.  If you are interested in learning more about GVA, please call Jill Morris at 770-243-2220 or email me at jmorris@greateratlantachristian.org.

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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.

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, please contact us. 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.