August 20, 2017
Don't Miss the Moment
In the early eighties, management consultant and author, Tom Peters, popularized the term “management by walking around.” The idea quickly gained traction in the business community and became all the rage in MBA classes for the next quarter century. I’ve never worked in a corporate environment, so I can’t attest to its' effectiveness there, but I can absolutely confirm, it works in schools. There is nothing more enjoyable or instructive for me than to leave my office and meander through the many classrooms of our two campuses. Just as it is with our students, time spent in class is always time well spent. Such was the case this past week as I ventured into Mrs. Smallwood’s fourth grade class. As I arrived, she was introducing her students to their Bible text. I have probably seen hundreds of teachers introduce a new text and the process is fairly straightforward at most schools. Step one…make sure kids have book. Step two…ask kids to open book to page one. Step three…begin lesson. But that’s not how it works at Mt. Bethel and Mrs. Smallwood is a veteran expert who knows there is a teaching opportunity here beyond the lesson at hand. She’s not going to miss it and I have a front row seat. Instead of jumping into the lesson, she tactfully calls attention to the headings at the top of page one. “Why are these letters bigger than the others?” she asks. “Why are they a different color?” At first, they don’t understand, but as she asks probing questions and guides the discussion, they soon come to learn how to identify topic and subject headings and where to look for key information. Five minutes into their first Bible lesson, Mrs. Smallwood has taught them zero about the Bible, but what she has taught them is of incredible value. They don’t yet realize it, but she is beginning to equip them with the critical study tools they will need to be successful in middle school and beyond.

As a Christ-centered school, one would expect that we teach Bible in fourth grade. And we do. One would expect Mrs. Smallwood to be committed to Christ and to being a Godly example for her students. And she is. But critically important as both of those facts are, we could never realize the fullness of our mission without also being an excellent school. There is no margin for mediocrity here, and we make no apologies for pursuing academic excellence with the same fervor we pursue Christ. The typical school day is filled with dozens of teachable moments that are simply glossed over in 90% of schools. Not here.

Our home life with children is also filled with such moments. It’s healthy, I believe, to pause once in awhile and ask ourselves, “Are we missing the moment?” Are our schedules so packed that there is no margin for conversation, no room for relationship? Giving our kids every possible experience and opportunity has a surface appeal, but can sometimes leave us feeling hollow as a family. Sometimes, the answer to getting more is doing less . May we all seek the wisdom of our Father as we ponder that question this week.
Blessings,
Jim R. Callis
Head of School
Dates to Remember
Upper School
Thursday, August 24: Picture Day

Middle School
Tuesday, August 22:  MS Scoop Night // 6:30 - 8:00 p.m.
Friday, August 25: Pep Rally

Lower School
Friday, August 25: Pep Rally
Development
Georgia GOAL
The Georgia GOAL Scholarship Program allows you to direct a portion of your tax dollars toward improving K-12 education in our state, and keep it “local” by designating that those dollars be used to provide scholarships here at Mt. Bethel Christian Academy.

Presently, there are 61 GOAL applications designated for MBCA! This is amazing, but we would love to see that number double before December. Please take action TODAY to secure your 2018 tax credit by completing the online application at www.goalscholarship.org.
Nothing further is required until your payment is due in March of 2018. With complete instructions from GOAL, you will then claim a tax credit on your 2018 Georgia income tax return for the full amount of your contribution, thereby recouping your funds.

Questions, contact Alison Stephens at alison.stephens@mtbethelchristian.org  or 678-202-4056.
2016-2017 Annual Report of Donors
We are making great progress on the 2016-2017 Annual Report of Donors to be published this fall. It is incredibly important to us that we appropriately and accurately recognize every donor.

WE NEED YOUR HELP . . . 
  • EVERY donor was mailed a letter containing information about their 2016-2017 gifts. Please be on the lookout. If you have any questions about why you did or did not receive a letter, please let us know by contacting Alison Stephens at alison.stephens@mtbethelchristian.org or 678-202-4056.
  • When reviewing your letter, please check your name and giving level for accuracy and follow the instructions if you’d like to make any changes or be recognized as an anonymous donor. As a reminder, we MUST receive all changes or corrections by THIS Tuesday, August 22.
Save the Date for Grandparent's Day!
Friday, October 6
Grandparent's Day for Lower School and Middle School is  Friday, October 6 . Please mark your calendars and inform your families, as this is such a special day for our students.

Parents, please log-in to My BackPack, go to My Profile under settings, and update grandparent address information. We want to make sure that your child’s grandparents receive an invitation.
Save the Date
Solar Eclipse
Monday, August 21
On August 21, the skies are treating us to a rare and special event. At approximately 2:30 p.m. in the afternoon, the moon will pass between the earth and sun causing a total eclipse. Seeing the full and total eclipse (100% coverage of the sun) depends on the location from where one views it. From our vantage point in East Cobb, we should see roughly 98% coverage of the sun, which is more than enough to make it worth watching for us, and for your students. And that is exactly what we plan to do. Here are the details:
  • JK-2nd grades: will have a “viewing party” indoors with a screen telecast.
  • 3rd-8th grades: Students will be given in-class instruction on proper use and fit of glasses before going outside. A permission slip will be required for your child to participate in the eclipse viewing. We will accept signed permission slips in homeroom or at the Main Campus front desk until noon on Monday. After that time, any child for whom we do not have a signed slip will be supervised indoors and view the eclipse on a screen telecast.
  • 9th-12th grades: There is no change to our instruction/supervision plans with Upper School students, but a permission form will be required. We will accept signed permission slips at the North Campus front desk until noon on Monday. After that time, any student for whom we do not have a signed slip will be supervised indoors and given the opportunity to view the eclipse on a screen telecast.
K.O. Sno-Balls
Friday, August 25
Main Campus
K.O. Sno-Balls will be at the Main Campus after school on August 25 selling shaved ice, ice-cream and frozen yogurt. The truck will be located by the playground in front of DeVore Hall. K.O. Sno-Balls will give 20% of the sales back to our school. Come out and enjoy a cold treat after school!
The Scholastic Book Fair is Coming!
September 11-15
The Book Fair is just around the corner! You can be part of this fun and festive event in many ways. Please consider volunteering to help with setup on September 7 and 8, working sales September 11-15 or with take down September 15. If none of these are right for you, we need volunteers to bring in food and drinks during the hours of service. Please click on the links below to volunteer to bring food and/or work the Book Fair. Thank you for your support every year! The Book Fair could not happen without the support and help of our amazing parents! 
Announcements
Walk-Up Carpool Reminders
For those who choose not to use the carpool line in the afternoons, we offer an alternative option through “walk-up carpool”. During a brief period, parents may walk up to pick up their students. Students in grades JK, kindergarten and 1st can be picked up outside their classrooms at 2:50 p.m. Students in grades 2nd and 3rd can be picked up from the outside door of the Library from 2:50 – 2:55 p.m. Students in grades 4th and 5th can be picked up from the outside door of the Library from 2:55 – 3:00 p.m.

The carpool line begins at 2:55 p.m., so we ask that our “walk-up parents” adhere to a few simple procedures:
  • Please be on time. Once the carpool line begins, the outside doors are closed and we ask that you either use the carpool line, or wait until carpool is over and go to the front desk for your student to be called down.
  • Please park in the area in front of the school that is designated for walk-up carpool on the carpool map. Do not park in the back of the school where carpool is taking place. It is very dangerous to cross over the active carpool line.
  • If your child is playing on the playground after school hours, please supervise your child closely and do not allow them on the grass or in the bushes and trees. We want to keep our little ones safe; and our newly landscaped front lawn looks beautiful, and we would like to keep it that way.
MBCA Prayer Circle
Previously Moms In Prayer
MBCA would like to invite you to our Prayer Circle on Thursday mornings.
What?: Intentionally praying for our whole community and the community we live in.
When?: Thursday mornings from 8:15-9:00 a.m. (beginning 8-24-2017 and meeting every Thursday when school is in session)
Who?: ALL are welcome! Moms, dads, grandparents, teachers, visitors, younger children, and anyone wanting to pray (or needing prayers)!
Yearbooks for Sale 
Remember the deadline to get the low price of $35 for your child's yearbook is September 22 (Fall break). For a quick and easy purchase, order your yearbook  online ! Yearbook sales will also be at the Main Campus during Middle School Scoop Night on Tuesday, August 22 from 6-7 p.m.

If you have any questions, please contact faculty yearbook advisor,  Christi Hattingh .
Chick-fil-A Breakfast
At the North Campus
The Upper School will be selling Chick-fil-A biscuits and minis at the North Campus on Wednesday mornings from 7:30 – 8:10 a.m. All profits go toward the Upper School mission trips. 

They will offer:
$3 - Chick-fil-A biscuits
$4 - Chick-fil-A 4-count chicken minis box
Friday Morning Breakfast
At the Main Campus
The Main Campus will be selling breakfast on Friday mornings in front of DeVore Hall. All profits go toward the 8th grade mission trip. Sales start no later than 7:30 a.m. 

We will offer:
$3 - Chick-fil-A biscuits
$3 - Chick-fil-A 3-count chicken minis box
$1 - Donuts
After School Activities
Cub Scout Pack 121
Interested in Scouting? Drop-in to check out Pack 121! First pack meeting is September 10 at McFarlane Nature Park. For more information, visit pack121mtbethel.com . To view the schedule of events, link here . Questions? Contact Shannon Drake .
Class News
Second Grade
Bear Week
Bear Week in 2nd Grade has been very exciting! We have measured our bears, written about our bears, enjoyed bear graphing, had fun engaging in gummy bear science experiments, read bear stories, and gone on a bear scavenger hunt. We have really enjoyed our bears at school and having so much fun learning. 
4th and 5th Grade Eagle Choir
Oreo Fun
The Eagle Choir students have gotten off on a good “note”. This week they learned about singing with tall vowel sounds. A fun way they learned the “O” vowel sound was by holding an Oreo cookie in front of their mouth. After they sang "The Star Spangled Banner” with their cookie, they got to eat it. Fun times in Eagle Choir!
Middle School
Taste Test Lab
This week Mrs. McCrary's 7th grade science classes performed taste tests on various sodas and cereals. In order to keep their opinions unbiased for the rest of the taste testers, they were instructed to quietly taste the different brands of sport drinks, sodas, and cereals to see if they could accurately guess the flavors. What a sweet way to learn!
Upper School
US Student Government
Please congratulate our US Student Government representatives. The officers were elected in May, and the grade representatives were elected this week.
Officers
President – Caroline Prout
Vice-President – Austyn Wright
Secretary – Beth Dickerson
Treasurer – Ben Sterling
Representatives
Nicole Benner
JaVontae Kruger
Hannah Chang
Karlee Jordan
Beau Milam
Sports
Volleyball
Our Upper School and Middle School volleyball teams were back in action this week, to view the highlights from our games, link here.
MBUMC News
Pivot Step One
As a parent, of course you want to manage your money well, eliminate debt, and enjoy the benefits of financial freedom. For better or worse, the way you handle and relate to money makes a lifelong impact on your children. They are watching what you do with you money, listening to how you talk about money, and learning from you every single day. Your child's future financial decisions hinge on what you're doing now. What would your child want you to do? Watch this video to find out. 

This fall, make an intentional step towards financial freedom and responsibility that you can share with your kids as they grow. Learn more at  pivotstepone.org .
Unsubscribe
If you no longer wish to receive our newsletters, please click the unsubscribe link at the bottom of this email.
  Quicklinks
School Calendar         Athletic Calendar      Lunch Menu         Studio 7       Eagle Store
“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