December 10, 2017
Flawed Forecasts
By 10:00 a.m. last Friday, I was having flashbacks to January 2014. The weather reports heading into the day were eerily similar - cold with snow flurries later in the day and little chance of meaningful accumulation. The school day began without a single flake but by 9:45 a.m., the snow was falling fast and thick. I called for an early closure, but it was too late. Parents were stuck in all parts of Atlanta, some needing hours to reach the school. It was nearly 8:00 p.m. that night before my last student was safely on her way home. The event was so traumatic, it warranted a (now legendary) skit on Saturday Night Live and labels such as Snowmageddon and Snowpocalypse. Like January 2014, Friday’s record-breaking snow event also came without a proper warning label. But thankfully, this time, the results at school were much better. By 4:00 p.m., everyone was safe at home filling my Facebook feed with pictures of sledding and snowmen.

We have multiple satellites orbiting Earth that are dedicated to producing weather forecast data. We have a federal agency with 11K+ employees, many of whom are dedicated to the study of climate science and weather forecasts. We have ground radar and myriad other climate technology I can’t even explain. Perhaps most of all, we have well-educated meteorologists using incredibly powerful computers to simulate weather patterns and yet, last Friday confirms that predicting the weather is an inaccurate science at best. This can be a confounding truth, particularly if you find yourself stranded in poor weather far from the comfort of home. But seen another way, it can be a powerful reminder of God’s majesty.

Despite the collective wisdom and technological achievement of man, there are many things we simply don’t understand as well as we’d like. God has blessed us with curious minds and I believe He smiles when we use them, especially to benefit humanity and the world He gave us to care for. But even as we strive toward new knowledge, we must have faith that the same God who knows our every need, reveals Himself and His creation in His perfect timing. So relax, bundle up, and enjoy the snow, Mt. Bethel. And to Him who holds all forecasts in the palm of His hand, be all the glory.

Blessings,
Jim R. Callis
Head of School
Dates to Remember
All School:
Monday, December 18 - Wednesday, January 3: Christmas Break
Thursday, January 4: Re-enrollment Begins

Upper School:
Thursday, January 4: Classes Begin for US

Middle School:
Wednesday, December 13 - Thursday, December 14: 8th Grade Exams
Friday, December 15: No ASP; MS Ice Skating Party
Thursday, January 4 - Friday, January 5: Conferences; No Classes

Lower School:
Friday, December 15: JK-2nd Grade Christmas Program || 8:30 a.m.
Friday, December 15: Early Release at 11:45 a.m.; No ASP
Thursday, January 4: Classes Begin for JK-3rd
Thursday, January 4 - Friday, January 5: Conferences; No Classes for 4th and 5th Grade
Development
Year-End Giving to MBCA
As the year-end approaches, it may be advantageous for you to consider various tax-saving strategies for your philanthropic giving. Please see below for information about giving to the 2017-2018 Annual Fund. 

  • CASH: Gifts of cash made by personal check should be mailed by December 15 to allow for adequate delivery and processing time. Please note “Annual Fund” on the memo line.

  • CREDIT CARD: The fastest way to give is to make your gift online. You may also text “give” to (770) 741-2845 and follow the prompts. 

  • STOCK: For more information on how to transfer securities to MBCA, contact Lane Sims, Business Manager, prior to December 15 at 678-202-4051. Please note that the Academy is out for Christmas break beginning Monday, December 18. If you need to arrange for a gift of stock or if you need to speak with the Business Office about your gift after this date, please email Lane Sims

Additionally, please consider the following: 

  • MATCHING GIFTS: A corporate matching gift is an excellent way to increase the impact of your personal gift. More than 15,000 corporations have a matching gift program, so please inquire with your HR department today about directing a matching gift to MBCA. You may also click here to search our matching gift corporation database.

  • Georgia GOAL: Give the gift of a Mt. Bethel education! At no additional cost to you, you can re-direct a portion of your Georgia income tax to MBCA students needing tuition assistance. You will receive a dollar-for-dollar tax credit to be applied when you file your 2018 taxes. Please visit  goalscholarship.org for more information and for the link to apply for your tax credit. The application process takes only minutes and brings significant funding to MBCA. Just how much? Please see below.
  • Single individual or head of household – any amount up to $1,000
  • Married couple filing a joint return – any amount up to $2,500
  • Married couple filing a separate return – any amount up to $1,250
  • S corporation shareholder, LLC member, or partnership partner – any amount up to $10,000 
  • C corporation or Trust – any amount up to 75% of annual Georgia income tax liability

We are grateful for the many ways you support MBCA throughout the year. Every gift we receive makes a direct impact on our students and their MBCA experience. Questions? Please contact the  Development Office

May the blessings of Christmas extend into the New Year for you and yours! 
Admissions
Plan Now for Re-enrollment
When to re-enroll : Re-enrollment for the 2018-2019 school year will begin on  Thursday, January 4 . When re-enrolling for the next grade, there is no need to re-apply. Your child is already a student here and will automatically be promoted to the next grade upon receipt of your re-enrollment contract and a tuition deposit equal to 10% of full tuition. This procedure also applies to students moving to the Upper School campus for 9th grade. Families with multiple children enrolled will sign a contract and submit a deposit for each sibling.  The deadline to secure your child's placement for next year is January 31, 2018.

How to re-enroll : On January 4, each family will receive an email with instructions on how to re-enroll electronically. You will be prompted to sign into your My Backpack account, click on Enrollment/Re-enrollment, review and update your family profile, sign and submit your 2018-2019 re-enrollment contract(s), and remit payment. Plan now (before Christmas) for this important investment in your child’s future!

Re-enrollment Exceptions  - If any of the following conditions apply, please conference with the appropriate teacher or administrator before attempting to re-enroll:
  • Your child may be repeating a grade (Teacher)
  • You are in arrears in your financial obligation to the school (Business Office)
  • You are not planning to re-enroll for the 2018-2019 school year (Admission Director)
  • Any other extenuating circumstances that may preclude your re-enrollment (Admission Director)
Now Accepting New Applications for 2018-2019
Applications are now being accepted for new students for the 2018-2019 school year. Students applying to Junior Kindergarten through 5th grade will be assessed for admission on  March 3 2018 . New applicants interested in 6th through 12th grade will need to register to take the  SSAT  (school code is 5260). The SSAT is administered monthly at our Upper School campus, however, you may choose any location that is most convenient for your student.

For more information, contact  Jackie Grasty,  Director of Admission for grades JK- 8th or  Cal Boyd , Director of Admission for the Upper School.

MBCA Siblings
For our current families, if you will be applying a sibling for admission for the next school year (a rising Junior Kindergartner, Kindergartner or unenrolled sibling), please go to our  Admission page  on our website to begin the application process. Siblings of current students applying for the first time will need to submit an application and schedule a shadow day (exception: JK and Kindergarten applicants do not shadow). We love seeing brothers and sisters join the MBCA family!

Financial Aid
For families anticipating a need for financial aid next year, the deadline to apply is  Friday, February 23 . Plan accordingly, as your completed 2017 Federal Tax Return must be submitted before a request for aid can be considered. The  Parent Statement of Need  will also need to be submitted to Jackie Grasty, Director of Admission. If you've received financial aid this school year and will need assistance again next year, please note that you must re-apply.  Link here  to begin the application for financial aid. For more information, contact  Jackie Grasty .  
Save the Date
You are Cordially Invited to Attend: Mt. Bethel Christian Academy’s Christmas Program
Friday, December 15, 2017 at 8:30 a.m. in the Sanctuary

Jr. kindergarten, kindergarten, first grade, and second grade will be presenting “Away in a Manger”, under the direction of Mrs. Karen Poe.

The program will not be professionally recorded. You may have a handheld camera only, at your seat. No tripods or taping in the aisles will be allowed.

We look forward to seeing you Friday, December 15 at 8:30 a.m. to celebrate Christ’s birth. Lower School students should wear their “Christmas Best” to school that day.
Announcements
Lemonade Stand
In the Main Lobby
Next week, third-grade students will be putting their lemonade stands that they made in Think Tank to good use. The students have worked together in groups to plan, design, decorate, and paint their lemonade stands. The classes will be selling lemonade for 50 cents a glass at walk-up December 11 - 14, 2:30-3:30 p.m. In addition, they will set up their stands on December 14 in DeVore Hall, and classes may come through to buy a cup of lemonade. All proceeds will go to their foreign student. Don’t forget your money!
Lost & Found
In the Main Lobby
December 11 – 15
Has your child lost a water bottle, a fleece jacket, a shoe, etc? Please take a moment Monday, December 11 through Friday, December 15 to look through the items in the Academy lobby. All lost and found items not claimed by Friday will be donated.
Comfort K. Toe Orphanage Institute INC. Donation Drive
Coming in January
MBCA will be doing a school wide collection of various items for the Upper School’s Winter Break mission trip to Liberia, West Africa. Students will be travelling to Liberia to the Comfort K. Toe Orphanage and School and are in need of some donations.
Here's What to Donate:
JK and K: Hair ties/rubber bands and combs
First: Mini flashlights and extra batteries
Second: Fluoride toothpaste
Third: Children's underwear
Fourth: Toothbrushes
Fifth: Gummy Vitamins
Sixth: Individual small sewing kits
Seventh: Antibiotic and hydrocortisone creams
Eighth: Ibuprofen and Acetaminophen
Ninth: Teen and children sunglasses
Tenth: Teen boys' and girls' underwear
Eleventh: Teen boys' and girls' underwear
Twelfth: Bandaids
Questions? Email Jill Mayer . Please bring all donations to your homeroom teacher. For more details view the flyer .
College Acceptances
Jaquez Gilbert
Jaquez Gilbert received his third college acceptance. He was accepted into Greenville University in Illinois. Congratulations, Jacquez!
Matt Gilliland
Matt Gilliland received a scholarship offer from Millsaps College for $108,000. Congratulations, Matt!
Caroline Prout
Caroline Prout received her first college acceptance. Caroline was accepted into William and Mary. Congratulations, Caroline!
Class News
Kindergarten
Lost Gingerbread Girl
Kindergarten had so much fun reading all kinds of gingerbread stories this past week. Mrs. Dean's class decided to decorate a life-size gingerbread girl, however, she got some crazy ideas from The Gingerbread Girl book and decided to escape. She left the class notes as a clue as to her whereabouts which led them to the library, the receptionist, the nurse, and finally to Mrs. Lovett's office. The children had so much fun trying to figure out where she had gone next and if they would ever find her. She left an apology note and some gingerbread cookies which the class enjoyed afterward!
First Grade
Batteries Not Included
Ms. Contant's class had the opportunity to watch the Robotics Team, “Batteries Not Included”, do their thing on Monday. The Upper School team showed the class what they did to create the robot, and the students were able to use the remote to move the robot around. It was a lot of fun and a great way to connect both our campuses!
Second Grade
A Visit from Will Graham
Second grade is reading Helen Keller this week and Will Graham, an MBUMC member, came to talk to them about what it is like to be blind. He shared how God has truly used this difficulty for great things in his life. 
Motion Madness Winners
Second graders are studying Force and Motion and on Wednesday they had a race off with our Motion Madness projects. Here are the race winners!
Third Grade
MUST Ministries
The third graders went to the MUST Ministries homeless shelter on Wednesday. The children toured the different facilities at the Elizabeth House location. They saw how the staff there help homeless people get back on their feet. Services that are offered include helping people with resumes and job searches, providing clothing and toiletries, and feeding over 74,000 meals a year! They were able to see where the people can pick out clothes, take showers, and sleep. They learned about all the ways MUST Ministries helps these individuals and families get back into their own homes while preserving their dignity throughout the process. It was a humbling experience for our students to see and really made us all thankful for our current situations of warm beds and full bellies. We will be collecting canned goods in our classrooms to help the wonderful MUST Ministries program. 
Fourth Grade
Surprise Boxes
Fourth grade made surprise boxes for their parents in art class. Surprises are boxed and ready to go home! Merry Christmas!
Upper School
US Christmas Café
The Upper School Chorus rang in the Christmas season with their first ever concert. In the intimate coffee shop atmosphere filled with cookies and cocoa, the chorus students sang a variety of pieces ranging from the spiritual No Room, No Room, to Pentatonix’s White Winter Hymnal. Each student also prepared and conducted a Christmas carol in an audience sing-along. Congratulations chorus students on a job well done!
House Points
 Veritas - 2,616
Integritas - 2,551
Fidelitas - 2,513
Humilitas - 2,408
Fortes - 2,363
Servimus - 2,000
Sports
Team Scores and Updates

MBCA's Varsity boys basketball team went toe to toe with the #1 team in 4AAAA and a top 5 school in the entire state all classification on December 5. Link to read the exciting article written about our Varsity boys!
Southern School of Snow Sports
Save the Date
To prepare for the upcoming MBCA ski trip open to middle and upper school students, friends, family, and faculty, the SSSS will have beginner ski and/or snowboard skills sessions available over the Christmas Break at a local East Cobb Middle School. Sessions on Saturday, December 23 at 1:00 p.m. and Saturday, December 30 at 1:00 p.m. Cost is $49 for the first family member and $29 each additional. Sessions run 2 hours. Private sessions may be booked at $79 for the first person and $29 for additional family or friend to join in.  
 
Email snowmuchfun@bellsoouth.net for more details and registration info.
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“Don’t let anyone look down on you because you are young, but set an example for the believers in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith and in purity.” 1 Timothy 4:12
Main Campus
Junior Kindergarten - 8th Grade
4385 Lower Roswell Road
Marietta, GA 30068
North Campus
9th - 12th Grade
2509 Post Oak Tritt Road
Marietta, GA 30062
Phone: 770-971-0245
Fax: 770-971-3770