Highlights for the Greater Atlanta Christian Community                                                                  February 20, 2007

Spartan Swim Team celebrates under water at the dedication of Freeman Aquatic Center on January 22nd.
The Parenting Technology Gap         By: Dr. David Fincher, GACS President   Collectively, Greater Atlanta Christian parents are a sharp group.  A number of you have built your careers around technological savvy.  But face it—with a few exceptions, most of us adults are immigrants to this Land of Technology, and tech-speak is our second language.  Our children, on the other hand, are natives. Because they are natives, they can “get” parts of the new land’s culture you and I might miss.  Unfortunately, the culture can “get” them too, in ways you’d never want.  We do our best to shape their morals, ethics, and faith, but a youtube.com clip from half a world away can shape them as well. Because our children are natives, they are already leaving many of us behind in technology use.  Oh, you use email?  That’s nice.  But do you IM?  Take a look at the gap. According to a recent AP-AOL poll: Almost three-fourths of adults who do use instant messages still communicate with e-mail more often.  Almost three-fourths of teens send instant messages more than e-mail. More than half of the teens who use instant messages send more than 25 a day, and one in five send more than 100.  Three-fourths of adult users send fewer than 25 instant messages a day. Teen users (30 percent) are almost twice as likely as adults (17 percent) to say they can't imagine life without instant messaging. When keeping up with a friend who is far away, teens are most likely to use instant messaging, while adults turn first to e-mail. About a fifth of teen IM users have used IM to ask for or accept a date.  Almost that many, 16 percent, have used it to break up with someone. That cell phone your child has is far more than it was just 3 years ago.  Are you in touch with the messages he’s sending or she’s receiving?  By now, most of you are getting attuned to MYSPACE.  Way back in September 2005, I first mentioned MYSPACE as a site GAC parents need to know at Back-to-School night.  Scores of you told me then you’d never heard of such a thing!  Now, virtually every parent knows it—and needs to.  Fortunately, more safeguards are being developed all the time to protect our children.  Unfortunately, inventive new technological ways are streaming in to influence our kids.  MYSPACE is only one. I’m all for safeguards—software that traces and blocks, passwords, and technology out in the family room where Mom and Dad can see it.  There are lots of neat tech “fixes” to protect our kids, and we should use them.  We use them here at Greater Atlanta Christian every day.  Yet far more than new filtering software, it takes time to protect your children.  There’s just no substitute for you as Mom and Dad navigating the online culture where your children spend much of their time.  Software and filters are great, but they are not a proxy for your direct engagement in your children’s technical lives. There are lots of tips out there for involvement in your child’s online and on-cell life.  Hit one of the links below, if you would like quick access to a couple.  Perhaps the best of all is this—consider which technologies could be detrimental to your child and ask—do I want them there at all?  Some families question their own ability to control some of the kid and teen blogspaces like MYSPACE and Facebook—and have ruled them out for their family.   Most of all, if you’ve not been praying, invite God into the discussion with you and your child.  Yes, GAC parents are a sharp group.  But you need help, and there is a Parent who can help you more than any website. So invite Him to the table.  Our kids are at stake. Suggested Sites for Parent Tips: Georgia Family Council’s Parent Guide to Internet Safety NetSmartz Safety Tips Wired Safety’s Information for Parents Get Netwise.org Kids’ Safety Internet Safety Especially for Young People and their Parents from the American Library Association
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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 PTO - Parents Deserve a Brake PATT Upcoming Meeting LACE - Dive Into Reading The Arts at GAC Admissions Open House S.R.O. Stay in Touch K-12 Calendar 07-08 at a Glance	In this issue K-12 Highlights Winter Break Honduras Team Redirected to Mexico Operation Commitment? Dr. Fincher Remembers Martin Luther King, Jr. Looking at the Past...Celebrating the Future Technology Education in 2007 Senior High News Raising Awareness and Stirring Compassion Among Students Conversion from Islam Love Your Body Week Junior High News Experiencing the 60's Elementary News I Am Wonderfully Made Elementary Student Goes to Washington Black History Month in the Elementary Elementary Web Design Team Early Childhood Village News Hearts, Hats, and History

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Winter Break Honduras Team Redirected to Mexico        

By: Melaney Cost, Director of Missions

GACS Missions regrets to announce that the mission trip to Honduras scheduled for Winter Break was canceled. The organization that our GACS team works with, Honduras Outreach (HOI) suffered a tragedy last week in Honduras and is shutting down its offices for several weeks.

During much heartache and tears over not being able to make the trip to Honduras, team leaders, Kristy Shelton and Scott Harsh, reminded their disappointed team that God is in control and to put their trust in Him. God has honored that trust by providing another area of service.

At their regularly scheduled training meeting on Sunday, the team was offered the opportunity to work with the Casas por Cristo organization and build a house for a family in Juarez, Mexico over Winter Break. The Casas folks have already arranged housing and supplies for the group and plane tickets are in the process of being revised.

Our hearts go out to those who lost loved ones in the accident in Honduras last week. We pray for comfort and for healing for those injured. We also give thanks to God for providing another opportunity in which to serve and share the love of Jesus. May God be given all glory through the mission of the Honduras team in Mexico!

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Operation Commitment?

Have you seen the thermometers around campus?

is part of our campaign with one specific goal...asking every single GACS family to make a pledge to .

Many of you already have...and thank you!

If you have not, now is the time. ends March 23. Join your fellow parents in the march to .

Contact Jimmy Chupp
or call (770) 243-2209.

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Raising Awareness and Stirring
Compassion Among Students

By: Jill Morris, Director of Community Relations

Getting students’ attention can sometimes be a challenge, but Chaplain Jon Owen is on a mission. “There are over 650 students in Senior High Chapel and each student can impact or touch a need.  I want to raise awareness in our high school students and stir up compassion in their hearts,” shared Owen.  Thus, began two mission filled back-to-back chapels. 

Day 1: Singer Sarah McLachlan’s video entitled, World on Fire, was shown which depicts tragedy in Nairobi, Kenya, South Africa, Ethiopia, Afghanistan and Orissa, India.  Money allotted for her video was actually used to feed street children, build schools, purchase mobile clinics and provide shelter for orphans.  Ninth through twelfth graders were handed oranges as a reminder of the widow in the video who works 16 hours per day selling oranges for 2 cents each in order to send her children to school in South Africa. “Remember this woman and that the color orange represents hope.  Be someone who offers hope,” announced the Chaplain.

Day 2:  Jon challenged students again by showing another video, The Invisible Children. 
It appears that over 50,000 children between the ages of 5 and 12 in the Sudan have been forgotten.  These children are being kidnapped by a group of rebels.  They are abducted from their homes, tortured, brainwashed and forced to use weapons on others.  For 17 years, children in Northern Uganda have grown up living in fear, with the government having no record of their abductions.  They have been forgotten – becoming invisible to the world. After experiencing the video, Mr. Owen was overwhelmed by the response from students wanting to do something more for these displaced children.  Junior Kim Moore said, “That’s it.  I’m leaving for Africa.”  John Chaffin’s Bible class, the very next period, reached for pocket change and collected over $60 for the Invisible Children.  The ideas keep pouring in as students desire to offer hope for this cause.  

In the chorus of McLachlan’s video, she sings “The more we take, the less we become, a fortune of one that means less for some.”  With the acts of compassion being shown by these GAC students, the “fortune of one” may never be realized.

In remembrance of Martin Luther King Jr., GAC President Dr. David Fincher spoke in Junior High chapel and reflected on his memories of being a boy in the 50s and 60s.  He was asked to share his thoughts again in Senior High chapel in honor of Black History Month.

Dr. Fincher painted a picture of racial tension during a volatile period in history.

• Seeing the restroom signs marked, “white” and “colored” and his dad saying, “It’s not suppose to be that way.  God made everyone the same.  Don’t think that because you’re white, you’re better.”
• In 1955 hearing of Rosa Parks, and King being only 26 years of age, speaking out in her behalf.
• In 1963 hearing King’s “Dream Speech”.   While others said King sounded communist, David believed King sounded like someone who wanted to be like Jesus.
• At 15 years old, David went on a mission trip to Tennessee and was told by church leaders, “Go knock on doors and invite people to church.  If you come to a black family, don’t invite them.  But take their name and number and we’ll send them to the black church.”
• At 16, he remembered the “pole tax” of three dollars required to vote and taking a literacy test.  Both acts were intended to discourage blacks from voting.
• At 17, he heard the news that Martin Luther King, Jr. had been shot.  Some people were glad, others mourned the news…and the country was torn.  As a teen, David realized that King had brought about change in him.

Dr. Fincher concluded with the statement that he was thankful for intentional diversity at GAC but there are changes that still need to be made.  He challenged the student body that whatever their color, they should ask themselves, “what can I do make things better – for now and for 2043?”

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Looking at the Past...Celebrating the Future

By: Jill Morris, Director of Community Relations

“Different people sacrificed so you could have the school you enjoy today,” said Chaplain Terry Davis to the Junior High classes.  People like H.A. Fincher (a photo of him appeared on the chapel screen) taught Bible – because Greater Atlanta Christian values teaching the Bible.”  Another black and white photograph popped on the screen.  “Who can tell me who this is?”  Terry asked.  “Jesse Long”, shouted the Junior High students in unison.  Terry then shared the video, On the Shoulders of a Servant, created by Daniele Aurandt.  In this historical medium GAC Board Member Jim Combee interviews founder and Chancellor Jesse Long about the beginnings of Greater Atlanta Christian School. 

Sharing stories of the past often helps us to understand and appreciate the present.  Hearing Jesse Long’s story of faith, how he offered his wedding ring as collateral for open pastures off a dirt road in an undeveloped Gwinnett county in 1961, encourages us as listeners to evaluate our dreams and consider our own faith.

This next school year, GAC will celebrate her 40th Anniversary as a school that, as Jesse says, “Continues to be God’s school and keeps the main thing, the main thing.”  As this monumental anniversary year draws closer, look for news and calendar events for you and your family to celebrate with us.

Please mark your calendars now for
January 25 & 26, 2008
40th Anniversary Homecoming Gatherings

Also, be watching for other special events as we begin
preparing for Greater Atlanta Christian School’s
40th Anniversary Year 2007 - 2008.

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Love Your Body Week

By: Donna Holladay, Director of Counseling

Love Your Body Week is Feb 21st - 27th.  This year we plan to emphasize taking care of ourselves. There are numerous activities planned in and around Atlanta which may be of interest to you. You may learn more about these events at www.edin-ga.org.  Brochures are available around campus and in the Senior High Counselor’s office. 

On Sunday, Feb 25th  at 1:00 PM there is a 2.6 mile walk around the Path at Chastain Park called Merrick’s Walk in memory of Merrick Ryan, who lost her battle with anorexia in 2000 at the age of 19.  This is a fundraiser for the battle against eating disorders.  We are trying to form a team from GACS to support this walk and to express our interest in abolishing these diseases.  Registration is $25.00 and may be done online or send your check to Donna Holladay made payable to EDIN (Eating Disorders Information Network) and we will send the GAC registrations in together.  Frequently schools send complete girls’ teams to support the walk.  It will be wonderful for GAC to participate in this effort.

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Technology Education in 2007

By: Julia Osteen, Senior High Technology/Business  

In every dimension, Greater Atlanta Christian School is deeply committed to technology integration in our curriculum, as well as thoughtful protection of our GAC children.  That commitment is demonstrated in the following ways in 2007:

• Over 800 workstations available to students and staff.
• Five technology labs, three technology instruction classrooms, and one mobile lab.
• Technology Instructional Lead Teachers training GAC faculty with instructional skills in areas such as differentiation and fostering critical thinking.
• One hundred classrooms equipped with LCD projection technology systems, interactive white boards, or meeting pads.
• Filters to block inappropriate internet sites.  This is a subscription based product that uses world wide resources to categorize web sites and their content.  We make every effort to provide restriction to inappropriate sites, while allowing access to sites that impact the educational process.  We also have the ability to block specific sites that may disguise themselves from the filters.  Since no system is flawless, we also provide lab supervision and use NetOp monitoring software to monitor what is being done on each workstation during classes and open labs.

We employ a secure hardware and software firewall to protect all computer systems from outside intrusion and attacks.  Each GACS workstation is protected from virus and spyware from a controlled server based system.  This prevents any viruses from entering or leaving our system.

Wireless Internet is now available in the Freeman Aquatic Center and has been strategically placed to maximize the signal for our guests.

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Conversion from Islam

By: Jill Morris, Director of Community Relations

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Experiencing the 60's          

By: Dr. Misty Overman, Junior High Principal

Junior High students looked a little different on February 9th.  Dressed in mini-skirts, bell-bottom pants, long sideburns and beehive hairdos, students participated in a cross-cultural unit as it related to economics, art, political and social issues.  This effort to generate student excitement regarding scholastic efforts and connect knowledge through all curriculum areas was focused on a study of the 1960’s and coincided with the time period as it relates to Black History Month. 

 “Anytime that our students can do something where a connection is made…where they can attach an experience to their learning…it makes a huge difference in their understanding of issues today”, shared Dr. Overman.

Some examples of experiences that day included:

• Math - Students worked percentages using the comparison cost of groceries, cars, and clothing of the 1960’s vs. 2007.  Did you know the average salary for a teacher was $4,000 in the 60’s if you were a woman and $5,000 if you were a man?  Students enjoyed their own CSI after learning that DNA was not yet used in the 1960’s to determine ones innocence.  Instead, students measured bone length to determine if the murder suspect was guilty.
• Science - Students discussed space missions, medical and health issues and technology.  Did you know the first computer mouse was created of wood in the 60’s?  It even had a wooden button.
• English - Social issues, clothing style and family issues were discussed using magazine covers from 60’s.
• Bible - Prayer in schools, Rowe vs. Wade and other court cases were discussed.
• Social Studies – In Coach Iverson’s class, students watched youtube.com as Malcolm X gave a speech on the needs for further separation of the blacks and whites.  A comparison was made of the difference in this philosophy and that of Martin Luther King in his attempt to desegregate the population. Amy Dean talked of the Cuban Missile Crisis, nuclear annihilation and the instability and fear in all the political assassinations—all while serving students Tang and listening to the Beatles!

Teachers dressed in period clothing, remembered “back when” and enjoyed the 60s day as well.  “It was fun for us,” said Science teacher Pam Cook.  “Especially since we really once experienced these days ourselves.”

This day helped our kids understand our nation’s history, and the role Christians played in the past and in shaping the future. In chapel, Junior High Chaplain Terry Davis summed up the day’s efforts by asking the kids, “What were Christians doing in the 60s and what are they doing today?”  “Did we open doors then and are we opening doors now?” “Are we including all of our brothers and sisters or only those that look like us?” “How can we make a difference?”  

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I Am Wonderfully Made

By: Norma Miller, Elementary Principal

The Elementary School faculty strives to create a safe, challenging, and joyful classroom for every child.  We realize children are a gift from God, and we want every student to thrive at GACS.  In our efforts to meet the needs of children socially, spiritually, physically, and cognitively, it is important that we understand the various stages of development. 

The following developmental characteristics are based on research of children in European and U.S. schools done by The Northeast Foundation for Children, Inc. and adapted from Yardsticks by Chip Wood.

Six - Year Olds
The bodies, minds, and social behavior of six-year olds are changing dramatically.  Sixes have lots of energy.  Eagerness, curiosity, imagination, drive, openness, and enthusiasm – all are at their peak in the typical six year old.

Seven - Year Olds
In contrast to brash, noisy sixes, seven year olds are generally quiet, sensitive, and serious.  Their intense moods often change quickly. Sevens tend to work hard at everything they do and need private time to manage their new thoughts and feelings.

Eight - Year Olds
Enthusiastic and imaginative, eights often love big challenges, but lack the work skills and patience to complete their plans.  Children this age need adult help to know their limits and work through the steps to their goal.

Nine - Year Olds
The enthusiasm of eight often turns into the brooding and worrying at nine.  Nines tend to be critical of the world around them – nothing seems fair to a nine year old. But nine can also be a time of budding intellectual curiosity. Children this age look hard for explanations of how things work and whythings happen as they do.

Ten -Year Olds
Ten- year olds are generally happy and relaxed, enjoying themselves and their peers, parents, even siblings.  Proud of all they have accomplished, they like to share their knowledge with others.  Tens usually do well with group projects because they tend to be calm and naturally cooperative.

Eleven - Year Olds
Elevens are going through huge changes in their bodies, minds, and social behavior as they beginadolescence.  The easy friendliness of ten often gives way to awkward, sometimes rude behavior at eleven.  With their growing capacity for higher thinking, children this age like to try work that feels grown up, such as researching and interviewing.

Because each child is a unique individual, he/she will experience these stages at different rates and to varying degrees. Understanding these common traits can help us all, teachers and parents, in supporting each child’s learning at home and in school.

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Elementary Student Goes to Washington

Congratulations to fifth grader Paige Barker who submitted a letter describing her personal experience with Type I Juvenile Diabetes to the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation (JDRF).  Paige and 150 others were selected from 1,200 entries as delegates to travel to Washington, D.C. and stand before Congress putting a face on the disease.

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Black History Month in the Elementary

 By: Jill Morris, Director of Community Relations             

The following story was told in Elementary chapel by Bernard Bable, Director of Development of Georgia Agape.  Mr. Bable is one of many speakers invited to participate in activities related to Black History Month.  “It is a special month,” said Bable.  “We celebrate diversity.” 

When young frog and young snake went out to play, each remembered their mothers’ words of warning. “Don’t play with anything that has big paws and shiny claws,” said Mrs. Snake to her young one.  “Be wary of things that poke and snap,” said Mrs. Frog to her young one.  So, when young frog and young snake met in the woods, they were delighted that neither of them had “big paws, claws, poked or snapped” – and they played together all day.

Young frog and young snake returned home that evening full of stories to share with their parents after each finding such a special day with a new best friend.  Each of their mothers was horrified as their offspring spoke.  “Snakes are bad”, said mother frog.  “Next time you see that frog, you must eat him,” said mother snake.

The next morning, frog was afraid to come out to play with young snake, and snake knew he was supposed to eat frog.  Thus, they never played together again.  Both snake and frog always wondered what it would be like to be friends, but neither ever made the first move again.     

Other speakers throughout the month of February include:  Terry Davis, Linda Byrd, Pamela Slayton, Eric Owens, Bryan Crute and Seekers.

• Special musical selections are played each morning as students walked to chapel.
• A famous black American is highlighted each morning on the morning announcements.
• Diversity posters are displayed in hallways.

The Web Design Team works to create educational websites on topics that are meaningful to students. This year’s elementary team is comprised of eight fifth graders and two fourth graders. The students have subdivided themselves into two groups. The two websites being created are : Happy & Healthy Hearts and Jammin’ Diabetes. The students will continue to work once a week putting their sites together and then will submit the sites for judging in the state contest, Promote Georgia, and the national contest, ThinkQuest USA.

The students on this year’s elementary team are: Paige Barker, Shirali Desai, Heather Ferrari, Liz Harper, Zanir Malani, Uzair Malani, Zaman Ali, Allie Miller, Paige Reynolds, and Reid Tullis.

(Top) Heather Ferrari, Allie Miller, and Zanir Malani

(Right) Zaman Ali  and Uzair Malani

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Hearts, Hats, and History

 By: Margie Asef, Early Childhood Administrative Assistant  

Hearts, Hats & History are a few of the notable topics covered during our busy month of February.

What adult does not remember the fun of their kindergarten Valentine party?   A day that was filled with colorfully wrapped shoe boxes sent with unique designs and special notes and treats to every student.  In the Village we shared these memories and so much more.  Heart shaped biscuits with strawberry jam and pink lemonade were served for snack time. Our students wrote loving notes adorned with adorable artwork and sent them to retirement homes in the surrounding areas.  The K4 Class sang songs of love during a special assembly.
 
Chinese New Year was celebrated in K5 with guidance from GAC dad, Mr. Wei Liu.  Mr. Liu shared stories of his childhood memories of the Chinese New Year and brought fun decorations and surprises for Mrs. McFaddin’s K5 class.  The students had such fun making Chinese New Year hats, eating with chop sticks and learning how to pronounce their name in Chinese.

Black History Month was celebrated in the Village by recognizing various African Americans who made great contributions to our nation:   Jackie Robinson, George Washington Carver, Rosa Parks, Wilma Rudolph, Martin Luther King, Jr., Maya Angelou, Louis Armstrong, and Duke Ellington to name a few.  Student art classes designed and then modeled special African KUFI hats.  Chaplain and teacher, Mr. Terry Davis, shared in song and word how God has created things with diversity to enrich His creation.

What a privilege it is to see daily reminders of Jesus’ words …
“Let the children come to me, for such is the Kingdom of Heaven.”

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Applause & Accolades

Congratulations to Homecoming “King” – Meko McCray and to Homecoming “Queen”—Kaitlyn Ramon.

The Annual Honors Reception was held last week in which 63% of GAC High School students were recognized on the Honor Roll or President’s List from the fall semester.  Thus, 408 students were honored, and a record number of parents were honored and thanked for their support and many sacrifices.

The GAC Symphonic Band will perform in the Hugh Hodgson Concert Hall at the University of Georgia Performing Arts Center on
Friday, March 16th.  They are performing as part of a band festival sanctioned by the Georgia Music Educators Association

On Homecoming night, during the half time show of our first place Lady Spartans’ game, three special men at Greater Atlanta Christian were honored. Greater Atlanta Christian School honored Coach Bill Burton, Coach Tim Vick and Coach Dana Davis.

When you combine all their coaching experience, these men represent 95 years of leadership impacting students’ lives on and off the field in athletics.  Know them individually, and be encouraged by their daily spiritual walk.

Congratulations Carolyn Maddox and the lunchroom staff, Greater Atlanta Christian School received a score of 99 in the AJC restaurant inspection.

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Spartan Sports

Bria Smith and D'nay Daniels were nominated for the
McDonald's All American Team.

D’Nay Daniels was selected to the Atlanta
Tip-Off Club Team of the Month for January. 

Kiara Swanier was selected to the Gwinnett
Tip-Off Club Team of the Month for January.

Ali Slack was chosen as the High School Female Athlete
of the Year by Georgia Women’s Intersport
Network (Georgia WIN).

Taylor Wood was honored by the Atlanta
Tip-off Club at the World Congress Center.

Taylor Metzger was named to the Gwinnett
Tip-off Club’s Team of the Month for January.

Congratulations to the following football players who signed college commitments on February 7th:  
Lee Chapple – Georgia Southern, Landon Bennett - Wofford, Meko McCray – Princeton,
Caleb King – UGA, and T-Bob Hebert – LSU. Devin Swirk aslo signed with Faulkner University
after National Signing Day on the 7th.

Look for our NCAA Spring Signings in future ePC publications!

Wrestlers Locke Hoover, Travis Elrod, Alex Davis, and Sean Chappell all placed 3rd
in the area tournament and will go on to state level competition.  All four are recognized as the
top 16 wrestlers in their respective weight classes in AA.  This is the second time for
Locke and Travis to make it to state and the
first time for Alex and Sean.

The 8th Grade Junior High boys’ basketball team finished with a 16 wins and 1 loss record
which is outstanding. Coach Ted Thames said, “I am so very proud of our boys. 
What a great regular season they have had.”

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The Arts at GAC        

By: Karen Huppertz  

VISUAL ARTS

The Visual Arts students recently finished working on the set for the Homecoming ceremony that is held before the basketball games.  This process takes weeks of planning, painting and construction.  Installation of the set requires a full two days in the gym, yet must be dismantled and removed in approximately 15 minutes after the Homecoming ceremony so that the basketball games can begin.  Kudos to our Visual Arts students!

The Visual Arts students have the opportunity to attend two field trips in coming weeks.  AP Studio Art students will visit Oglethorpe University Art Museum on February 27th to view etchings by 17th century Dutch Master, Rembrandt.  On April 17th, all Visual Arts students will have the opportunity to visit the Hudgen's Center for the Arts, at the Gwinnett Cultural Arts Center.  Students will see wood-cuts by American artist Winslow Homer and participate in a printmaking workshop.

Tri-M Honor Society:
Modern Music Masters (Tri-M) Honor Society is hosting a CD drive for the remainder of the semester in an effort to build a music listening library accessible to all students to compliment their music classes and private lessons.  The CD's being requested are those that would benefit our bands, orchestra, musical theater, and chorus classes: classical/instrumental music, jazz, musical theater, and vocal arrangements such as a chorus would sing.  The drop-off points will be located at the carpool station in each school.
March is Music in Our Schools Month!  This year's theme is "Music Touches Lives!" Watch for more to come...

THEATRE NEWS

Visions students will travel in April on their spring tour to New York City.  Students will have the opportunity to visit famous landmarks, tour historic Broadway theatre facilities, attend acting workshops and experience several Broadway shows. 

Spartan Spectacular
March 2 - 3
7:00 PM in the Clifton Jones Theatre
This two night choral extravaganza is another
can't miss performance in the theatre! 

Visions Showcase
March 16 & 17
7:30 PM in the Clifton Jones Theatre
Visions students will showcase their many talents
in this two-night musical theatre smorgasbord

Junior High Spring Production
March 23 & 24
7:30 PM in the Clifton Jones Theatre

Drama II Dinner Theatre
April 13-14 at 7:00 PM.
Location TBA

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Open House S.R.O.

By: Linda Clovis, Director of Admissions   

It’s not unusual for a concert or an athletic event to sell tickets in the S.R.O. area (Standing Room Only).  However, it is a bit unusual when there’s standing room only for a free event.  That’s exactly what happened at our last Open House on Sunday, February 4th here at GACS.  There were people standing around the walls in the theatre.  And, on Monday morning, there were people standing in line to give us their applications. 

As any school would be, we are blessed that many families are choosing GACS.  What really pumps us up is the fact that they are looking for a CHRISTIAN school.  One of the greatest compliments that I can get is when a new GAC parent tells me after a few weeks here that we really are a Christian school.  I just love it!

You know that we want to keep your family together, so if you haven’t applied for those siblings yet, NOW is the time.  In fact, we will be sending out decision letters on Friday, April 6th, and we don’t want to give away any spaces that you need for your other children. 

Let us hear from you if we can help you!

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Parents Deserve a "Brake"
(Parents/Teen Driver Education Seminar)

By: Kevin Langsett, PTO Co-President

How many hours would you give to save the life of your teen? 
We’re only asking for two!

Your PTO is sponsoring an informative parent and teen seminar with new information on how to better protect and prepare your teen driver.  “Parents Deserve a Brake” will cover topics such as instruction resources, recommended vehicles, typical teen driving habits and proven action steps that parents can put into place to reduce risks during the learning years.  The dynamic program will also feature touching videos and an expert panel to answer your questions about the new Georgia driving laws, liability and teen driver readiness.  Bring your teen with you and learn together about how to successfully reach your mutual goal: to safely earn driving independence.    

Campus Church Auditorium
Thursday, March 1 @ 7:00 PM

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LACE - "Dive Into Reading"

By: Patti Pew, LACE President

Spring is coming and so is the annual book fair.  LACE invites everyone to get ready for lots of fun as we "Dive Into Reading".  This is a great "lifesaver" for you and GAC.  You can purchase books for your child's teacher and also purchase summer reading material for your child.  The book fair will be held from March 6th - 9th in the Student/Family Center, 7:30 AM – 3:30 PM each day.

 For opportunities to volunteer for this activity,
please contact Judy Bryan or Debbie Prescott.

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PATT (Parents and Teachers Together)
Alternative Therapies for LD and ADHD

By: Sarah Davis

On Tuesday, March 13th, Dr. Kathy Platzman, Ph.D., Developmental Psychologist, will speak on “Alternative Therapies:  Different Methods of Helping Children with Learning Disabilities and Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder”.  Dr. Platzman will lecture on Therapeutic Listening, Developmental Optometry, Biofeedback, Camps, Martial Arts, and other available interventions.

Join us in the H. A. Fincher Lecture Hall of the Liles Media Center.  Come at 6:30 PM for the meeting of the Dyslexia Network support group.  At 7:00 PM, sign in and pick up printed material for the Alternative Therapies session.

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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 2007-08 calendar.

Stay in touch with GAC…

• Check your email the third Tuesday of every month for the electronic Parent Connection (ePC).
• Receive School Level Announcements every day.Click here to add your email address
  

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 Jill Morris with your feedback and suggestions.