Eagle Eye 2-5-2017

February 5, 2017

All in the Family
It was nearly 9 p.m. on a recent Wednesday when I had the opportunity to visit with an MBCA family in the emergency room of Children’s Hospital. The charge nurse wouldn’t allow me into the hall leading to the patient rooms, but did agree to send word to the family that a guest was in the lobby. A few moments later the student’s mother appeared and after a quick embrace, we sat down to visit. I offered no special words of wisdom and I certainly had no medical advice to share, but that didn’t really matter. In a difficult time, the simple presence of someone who takes notice of your need can be a comfort. My visit was all about reaffirming a core truth of our school - we are all part of an extended family and when one of us hurts, we all hurt. This kind of support is what Paul was talking about when he wrote to the church at Galatia, urging them to “Bear one another’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ.” We don’t do this perfectly, of course, but I hope we’re always striving towards this goal not only with current families, but also with potential new families. Which brings me to another topic - Open House.

A bumper crop of prospective families were on hand this week for our final Open House of the 2017-2018 admission season. Families with children at all grade levels from JK-8th were given the opportunity to visit our classrooms and ask probing questions about curriculum, culture, and community. Reviewing their information cards later in the day, we took note of an important statistic. Virtually all of these families had listed a current MBCA family as their referral source. Nationally, independent schools rely on current family referral for 85% of their new applicants. When it comes to marketing a school, there is simply no amount of traditional advertising that can outweigh the effectiveness of one person sharing their personal experience with another. If you are one of the many current families responsible for the incredible showing we had this week, I thank you. You are quite literally helping to shape the community you are invested in and I can think of few things more important.

Whether you’re a Falcons fan or you’re rooting for the Pats, I hope you plan to enjoy Superbowl Sunday in the company of friends and family. It’s not just the best way to watch a game; it’s the best way to do life.

Blessings,

Jim R. Callis

Head of School

Dates to Remember

Friday, February 10: Munchkins with Mom

Friday, February 10: No Friday morning breakfast at the Main Campus

Friday, February 17: You Fed Me event

Monday, February 20 - Friday, February 24: Winter Break

Development

Matching Gifts
Thank you for all of the financial support you have provided to MBCA so far this school year. Your contributions are helping us strengthen the Academy’s endowment and grow the resource base which serves our students.

If you’d like to do more, we encourage you to contact your company’s HR department about having your gift to MBCA matched. More than 15,000 corporations have a matching gift program, so please inquire today about directing a matching gift to MBCA.

This is an easy way to double or triple the impact of your Annual Fund gift. If you need any assistance, please contact the Development Office at 678-202-4056.

Admission

Financial Aid
For families anticipating a need for financial aid next year, the deadline to apply is Friday, February 24. Plan accordingly, as your completed 2016 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 received financial aid this school year and will need assistance again next year, please note that you must reapply. Link here to begin the application for financial aid. For more information, contact Jackie Grasty .

Save the Date

Munchkins with Mom

Friday, February 10

It's now time for our moms to have munchkins with their loves. Join us for Friday morning fun in the Fellowship Hall for our annual Munchkins with Mom!

Middle School: 7:15 - 7:40

3rd - 5th Grade: 7:40 - 8:05

JK - 2nd Grade: 8:05 - 8:30

Spring Musical
Friday, March 10 @ 7:00 p.m.
Saturday, March 11 @ 2:00 p.m.
Mt. Bethel Fellowship Hall

MBCA Middle School presents James and the Giant Peach Jr. on Friday, March 10 at 7:00 p.m. and Saturday, March 11 at 2:00 p.m. in the MBUMC Fellowship Hall.

Join us for a delightfully offbeat adaptation of the classic Roald Dahl adventure. When James is sent by his conniving aunts to chop down their old fruit tree, he discovers a magic potion that results in a tremendous peach... and launches a journey of enormous proportions. You don’t want to miss this one!

Adult tickets are $7 and Student/Faculty tickets are $5. Ticket order forms will go home in backpacks after Winter Break and tickets will be sold in the lobby beginning February 27.

Amazing Grace Race

March 11, 2017
On Saturday March 11, the Amazing Grace Race (5K Run/Walk and qualifier for the Peachtree Road Race) will take place to support MBCA's own Grace Detling.

Please click the link to register to participate. The race is open to all ages and to anyone across the community. Sponsorship opportunities are available to individuals and corporations. Please contact Charlotte Springthorpe for more information on sponsoring. And be sure to c heck future Eagle Eye newsletters for opportunities to volunteer.

FORE!
Golf Fundraiser Tournament

April 17, 2017
The MBCA 8th Grade Fundraiser Golf Tournament is Monday, April 17. Details are coming soon, including an Early Bird discount sign up period.

Announcements

You Fed Me

Friday, February 17

MBCA will be packing over 100,000 meals for hungry children on Friday, February 17 for an all-school service initiative called You Fed Me. Details surrounding this event will be communicated in coming weeks, but the most critical component to making this event successful is securing parent volunteers. Please link here to sign-up to help us make this event a success. Every student and every faculty member will be packing these meals and many more hands are needed. Please consider lending yours.

You Fed Me Early Release Schedule

Lower School students will eat lunch here on campus as usual and have an early dismissal with JK – 3rd grade having walk-ups at 12:45 p.m.; 4th & 5th and carpool at 12:50 p.m.

Middle School students will not eat lunch on campus on this day and will be dismissed at 1:00 p.m.

There will be no ASP on this day. Busses will leave campus at 1:10 p.m. Parents should plan accordingly to pick up their students at the bus stop.

Valentine Candy Grams
Send a surprise Valentine Candy Gram to your child or teachers for just $5.00. The Candy Gram will be a goody bag of Hershey’s Kisses with a special note attached. Please fill out an order form and return it in a sealed envelope to school with payment by Monday, February 13. Candy Grams will be delivered at school on Tuesday, February 14. Proceeds will go towards You Fed Me!

Submit cash or checks made out to MBCA. Please give your order to either the front desk or your child’s teacher. Sponsored by Mrs. Davenport’s 3rd grade class.

Chick-fil-A Breakfast

At the North Campus

The Upper School will be selling Chick-fil-A biscuits and calendars at the North Campus on Friday mornings from 7:30 – 8:10 a.m . All profits go toward the Upper School Mission Trips.

$3 - Chick-fil-A Biscuits

$3.50 - Chick-fil-A 2017 Cow Calendar - 11 months of FREE food available on the coupon card, pick yours up at the Reception desk of the Upper School.

Friday Morning Breakfast

At the Main Campus
Come early and join your classmates for breakfast. All profits go toward the 8th grade mission trip. Sales start no later than 7:30 a.m.

$3 - Chick-fil-A Biscuits
$3 - Chick-fil-A Minis box
$1 - Donuts (glazed and chocolate glazed)
$3 - Gluten Free Option

Volunteer Opportunities

Munchkins with Mom

Volunteers Still Needed!

Parent Council is looking for some dad volunteers to help with our annual Munchkins with Mom event. If you are interested in volunteering the morning of February 10, please link to see the Sign-Up Genius.

Class News

Fourth Grade
Coding & Programming
Fourth graders have been learning about coding and programming in their computer classes with Mrs. Hampton. Recently, they were given the challenge of programming a robot to perform specific tasks. They came up with some complex programs and the robots completed the tasks with success!

Colonial Day

Fourth graders stepped back in time today to the 1600’s with the annual Colonial Day celebration. The children dressed in colonial costumes and enjoyed playing games like jacks, Nine Men’s Morris, checkers, cup and ball, and more. In the cafe, students tried homemade johnny cakes, warm maple syrup, shaken butter and gingerbread cookies! In the apothecary/craft room, students sampled some candies made with ingredients used in colonial times as home remedies, and they made cornhusk dolls. The day wrapped up with a great presentation from Mr. Bob Sapp from the Sons of the Revolution group. Thank you to all of our parent volunteers for making today possible. What a lovely day we had! Huzzah!

Fifth Grade

Meeting the Team
On Friday, January 27, some students from Mrs. Dickerson and Mr. Meyerowitz’ homeroom classes had the chance to meet the Varsity Boys’ basketball team in their locker room for a pre-game pep talk. Students got to hear about how the team prepares for a game and were able to pray with them before heading out to the game. During the game, students and parents cheered them on with homemade posters and lots of yelling! Go Eagles!

Dogwood Cotillion
Many fifth graders have been participating in the Dogwood Cotillion this month. Students have spent time in classes learning proper etiquette and dance steps. On their last night the students, some from every fifth grade homeroom, had the chance to dance with their parents! Link to visit the homepage if you want more information.

Upper School

Robotics Team State Bound
The Upper School FTC Robotics team competed on Saturday, January 28 in their second qualifier. The team won the Motivate award, came in second place for the Think award, and third place for the best award...the Inspire award. They also made it to the finals of the elimination rounds. Based on their success, the team qualified for the State Championship scheduled for Saturday, February 18, 2017. The event will be at Clayton State University.

Congratulations and good luck to our robotics team!!!

Praying Pelicans Ministry

From February 18-24, fourteen students and two staff members will spend their winter break ministering through VBS and service projects in San Juan, Puerto Rico in association with Praying Pelicans Ministry. Please join their efforts by collecting school supplies which will be donated to the impoverished church school which they'll serve while there.

House Points
Fortes - 6,561

Veritas - 6,468

Servimus - 5,811

Integritas - 5,737
Humilitas - 5,419

Fidelitas - 5,353

Sports

Upper School

Varsity Lady’s Basketball
The Varsity Lady’s Basketball team earned three big wins to finish the regular season. It was a great run down the stretch as the Lady Eagles won three region games last week to finish the 2016-17 regular season 12-3. With that mark, MBCA will enter the GICAA Region Tournament as the No. 2 seed in its inaugural season.

Recap of MBCA’s 3-0 week:
MBCA Defeated Fideles Christian (Cumming, GA)
Lauren Schwartz scored 24 points and the ladies grabbed the lead early against Fideles and never looked back, claiming a 34-28 lead at the half. Two other players also added ten or more points as Nadia Barnes added 16 points and 5 rebounds, and Alissa Barnes racked up 12 points and 8 assists. Also chipping in were Sarah Trombetti with 9 points, 4 rebounds, 1 block and Grace Grogan with 5 points, 5 rebounds, 2 blocks.

MBCA Defeated Lanier Christian
Lauren Schwartz poured in 22 points, 16 rebounds, 4 steals and 5 blocks as MBCA claimed a 57-35 win over Lanier Christian. The ladies broke away early in the game with a 19-point second quarter, running up the score to 35-9 by halftime. Alissa Barnes hit double digits, scoring 13 points (6-for-12). Also chipping in was Summer Smith with 7 points, 2 rebounds, and 4 steals, Nadia Barnes with 6 points, 5 rebounds, and 1 block, Sarah Trombetti with 5 points, 9 rebounds, and 1 block, and Grace Grogan 4 points, 3 rebounds, and 3 steals.

MBCA Beat North Atlanta Christian Flight (Atlanta, GA)
Alissa Barnes scored 23 points to lead MBCA to a 55-35 victory over North Atlanta Christian Flight. A 20-6 run during the first quarter propelled the Eagles to a 30-21 lead by halftime. Summer Smith scored 10 points and Lauren Schwartz put up 10 points and 16 rebounds. Also chipping in were Nadia Barnes with 6 points, 6 rebounds, and 1 steal and Sarah Trombetti with 6 points, 8 rebounds, and 2 steals.

GICAA Region Tournament
The Lady Eagles played Thursday, January 26 in the first round of the GICAA Region Tournament. The ladies defeated the No. 3 seed, Lanier Christian, 54-26. This qualifies them for the first round of the State Tournament which begins February 20.

Swimming
Upper School competed against 18 schools from across the state at the State Championship and our boys finished in 8th Place.

Top 10 Finishes:
7th Place - US Boys 100 Back - Stone Reilly
9th Place - US Boys 200 Free - Haden Wise
10th Place - US Boys 100 Free - Haden Wise

Top Time Droppers: Stone Reilly (-7.82 secs); Ethan Parker (-5.73), Beau Milam (-4.3); Cassie Curasi (-3.66); & Jordan Milligan (-2.2)

Middle School

Basketball

The A Girls’ team played round one of the GICAA North Sectional Tournament in Rome against Unity Christian. The girls had a convincing win of 40 - 16.

The A Boys’ played their first round of the North Sectional GICAA Tournament in Rome, Georgia at host school Unity Christian on February 2. The opponent was Dawson Christian, and the boys quickly jumped out and won to advance to the semi-final on Saturday. Final score was 65 - 15.

Swimming
A total of 16 Middle School teams competed at the State Championship and our Middle School boys are the GICAA State Champions, finishing in 1st Place with a total of 85 points. Our Middle School girls finished in 3rd Place with a total of 61 points, 6 mere points out of 2nd place. The MS Boys & Girls combined team score resulted in a 1st Place finish for our MBCA Eagles!

1st Place State Champions:
MS Boys 50 Backstroke - Andrew Herrmann
MS Boys 200 Medley Relay - Andrew Herrmann, David Vicknair, Nate Smith & Michael Herrmann
MS Boys 200 Free Relay - Andrew Herrmann, Michael Herrmann, David Vicknair & Nate Smith

Top 5 Finishes:
2nd Place - MS Boys 100 IM - Nate Smith
2nd Place - MS Boys 50 Back - Nate Smith
3rd Place - MS Girls 200 Medley Relay (Petersen, Saena Cox, Sculac, Su Cox)
3rd Place - MS Girls 200 Free Relay (Su Cox, Bechtel, Sculac, Petersen)
3rd Place - MS Boys 50 Free - Andrew Herrmann
4th Place - MS Girls 50 Free - Claire Petersen
4th Place - MS Girls 100 Free - Claire Petersen
4th Place - MS Boys 50 Fly - Nate Smith
5th Place - MS Girls 200 Medley Relay (Leerssen, Milligan, Bechtel, Papenhagen)
5th Place - MS Girls 50 Fly - Brenna Sculac
5th Place - MS Boys 50 Free - David Vicknair
5th Place - MS Boys 100 Free - Andrew Herrmann
5th Place - MS Boys 50 Breast - David Vicknair

Top 10 Finishes:
6th Place - MS Girls 50 Breast - Su Lin Cox
6th Place - MS Boys 50 Breast - Michael Herrmann
7th Place - MS Girls 100 IM - Brenna Sculac
7th Place - MS Girls 50 Fly - Olivia Bechtel
7th Place - MS Girls 50 Breast - Lindsey Milligan
7th Place - MS Girls 200 Free Relay (Papenhagen, K Morgan, Milligan, Saena Cox)
8th Place - MS Girls 50 Free - Su Lin Cox
8th Place - MS Girls 50 Breast - Saena Cox
9th Place - MS Girls 100 IM - Lindsey Milligan
9th Place - MS Boys 50 Free - Michael Herrmann
9th Place - MS Boys 100 Free - Michael Herrmann
10th Place - MS Boys 100 Free - David Vicknair:

Top Time Droppers:
Ayden Shaw (-12.01 secs); Michael Herrmann (-6.02); Charlotte Morgan (-5.65); Andrew Herrmann (-5.25); James White (-4.97); Evie Papenhagen (-3.86); Andrew Rothwell (-3.41); Katie Morgan (-2.83); David Vicknair (-2.57); Nate Smith (-1.66); & Hannah Leerssen (-1.46)

Run Club

These awesome girls, who are in the MBCA Run Club, did an awesome job in the Polar Bear Run Race on January 28!

MBUMC News

MBUMC Chancel Choir
Chancel Choir welcomes new singers all year long. No audition required! They're happy to offer a new rehearsal time for those that find evening rehearsals difficult. Starting February 8, they'll offer rehearsals from 11:00 - 12:00 p.m. in room A18. Nursery is available for this rehearsal. Their regular rehearsal time from 7:00 - 8:30 p.m. on Wednesday nights will continue as well. Both rehearsals offer great music and fellowship and the chance to lead worship in the 9:30 a.m. or 11:00 a.m. services on Sundays. For more information or to let them know you're coming, contact Sandra Chapman at 770-971-2730.