Eagle Eye 5-21-2017

May 21, 2017

On the Road Again
After a week with our eighth grade serving the Navajo community in the canyons of northeast Arizona, I am traveling again, this time with our sixth grade. We are heading to our nation's capital to visit monuments, memorials, and museums. We'll also meet up with Georgia's senior senator, Johnny Isakson, a longtime friend of Mt. Bethel. I've made this trek with middle schoolers for nearly fifteen years and it never gets old. There is special energy and significance to DC and sharing it with students gladdens my heart. If history repeats itself, these kids will take hundreds of photos, purchase a souvenir or two, and several of them will lose something. Lost articles aside, they will thoroughly enjoy themselves and one another while making memories that will last a lifetime.

I don't take for granted the blessing we enjoy to travel our beautiful country with freedom and ease. A quick check of the world news reveals any number of countries where such movement would be difficult or impossible. Greece, Venezuela, North Korea, and many other countries are suffering from economic distress or repressive regimes which compromise their citizens ability to travel. Our country is far from perfect but thankfully, our freedom to move about is still protected. With so much negativity in the news about the state of our union, it's especially important to remind our students of the founding principles of our country and there is no better place to do that than Washington.

If you're a prayerful person, we would covet your prayers for the next several days. By mid-week, we'll be back to wrap up our year with a fabulous field day celebration. Our school year is nearly over and summer beckons, but I'm not quite ready to answer her call. I'll be savoring these last few days with students and hoping they'll be doing the same.

Blessings,

Jim R. Callis

Head of School

Dates to Remember

Monday, May 22 & Tuesday, May 23: No School for 8th Grade ONLY

Sunday, May 21 - Tuesday, May 23: 6th Grade Trip to Washington, DC

Monday, May 22: LS Field Day & Bike Parade

Tuesday, May 23: Used Uniform Sale; 7:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.

Tuesday, May 23: 8th Grade Celebration Dinner; 6:30 p.m.

Wednesday, May 24: LS Awards & 5th Grade Crossover; 8:30 a.m.

Wednesday, May 24: MS Field Day at the North Campus; 8:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.
Wednesday, May 24: Last Day of School; Early Release both campuses; No ASP

Admission

Where have all the Kindergartners Gone?

Kindergarten age children are in short supply this year. Triggered by a multitude of events and demographic shifts, the great recession of 2008 seems to be at the heart of it all. When people are uncomfortable about their financial future, they tend to postpone having children. This trend has been seen across the nation and it appears this will be the case for the foreseeable future.

How has MBCA been impacted by the great recession of 2008? For the first time since 1999, MBCA will have 2 classes of kindergartners for the 2017 - 2018 school year. And right across the playground in the MBUMC preschool, they, too, are experiencing a record-breaking dip in preschool registration. In contrast, new enrollment in our middle and upper school is on the rise.

So here's our challenge to the MBCA community. As we close out our 19th year and enter our 20th anniversary year, take a moment to ask your child what they love about MBCA...ask yourself the same question. Then reach out to friends and neighbors who might not yet know about the mission and vision that MBCA established, and have sustained, for close to 20 years now. You are our best recruiters and your children are our best representatives of a mission accomplished. We would love to add a third class of kindergartners to the mix. We would welcome all leads and referrals to help us accomplish this goal.

We will continue to accept applications at all grade levels throughout the summer, as space permits. Summer hours in the Admission Office are Monday - Thursday from 9:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m. Questions? Contact Jackie Grasty, Director of Admission (JK-8th grade).

Save the Date

4th Annual Bike Parade
Monday, May 22
Your kids won't want to miss out on MBCA's 4th Annual Bike Parade!
Join Coach Hall and our Grand Marshal, Ian Casey, on Monday, May 22 for an exciting Bike Parade! Your kids will follow a path around (and possibly through) the school to show off their creatively decorated bikes!

Have your child decorate their bike or non-motorized scooter for a chance to be crowned the 2017 Bike Parade winner (prize to be announced soon). Judging will be based on overall creativity of bike decor. No helium balloons please!

To register to join the ride, drop off your check or cash in an envelope to the reception desk with your child's name and grade on it to the reception desk. Please put "Bike Parade" in the memo line of your check made to MBCA. Registration is $15.00 per child. This event is for JK - 5th grade only.

Bikes and scooters should be dropped off in the Fairfield parking lot (upper lot at the church) during morning carpool until 8:15 a.m. on Monday, May 22. They can be picked up after school in the same area. The parade will start after Field Day and helmets are required for ALL participants!

If you'd like to help with the Bike Parade, please send email to Pam Johnston .

Used Uniform Sale
Tuesday, May 23

7:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. | Room F-015
Plan now for next year and shop the 2017 MBCA Used Uniform Sale! You can drop-off clothes on Monday, May 22. Gently used uniforms for Lower, Middle and Upper School students may be purchased at the Used Uniform Sale. We will also be including a section for Greek Day, Colonial Day, History Day, Wax Museum, Performance Reader, etc.! We’ll have a list by grade level to help you plan.

Sellers are paid individually, so please bring plenty of $1’s and $5’s to speed-up the checkout process. Checks are to be made out to individual sellers. If you miss the sale, there is a closed Facebook group where MBCA parents can share uniform pieces throughout the year.

Link here to sign up to volunteer. If you plan to be a seller, please view the used uniform seller detail form.

Lower School Awards Ceremony
Wednesday, May 24 | 8:30 a.m.
Sanctuary
Parents, don't miss the 2017 Awards Ceremony on Wednesday, May 24 at 8:30 a.m. for Lower School. Many awards and certificates will be given to students and we would love for you to join us as we recognize the academic and service achievements of our Lower School students.

Announcements

Forms for the 2017-2018 School Year

Due back to your student’s homeroom teacher now!

If you have not already done so, please complete and return the 2017-2018 forms in the manilla envelope that went home with your student Thursday, May 8. These forms are the Emergency Contact and Medical Consent form, the Student Release Authorization form and an After School Program (ASP) form for next school year. These forms need to be turned into your student's homeroom teacher; please do not return the forms to the Front Desk.

If you have misplaced the forms or have questions, please email Ellen Harward or link here .

Bus Registration

Open to Everyone!

Bus shuttle registration is open to everyone. Please use the links to fill out the bus registration form and waiver. You can fill out and turn into the reception desk or scan and email to Denise Azar.

Currently, Mt. Bethel provides service to and from the Smyrna/Mableton and Sandy Springs/Dunwoody areas. In addition, there is an intercampus shuttle between our Main Campus (JK-8th grades) and our North Campus (9th-12th grades). All pick-up/drop-off times are initial estimates. Times are subject to change as may be necessary once service begins. Please plan to turn in your registration forms at this time as some routes could possibly fill up. The locations with pick-up/drop-off times are below:
SMYRNA/MABLETON location:
Smyrna First United Methodist Church
1315 Concord Road, SE
Smyrna, GA 30080
Pick-up: 7:25 a.m.
Returns: 3:45 p.m.

SANDY SPRINGS/DUNWOODY location(s):
Stop #1: Big Lots (7300 Roswell Road @ Dalrymple)
Pick-up: 7:15 a.m.
Returns: 3:30 p.m.

Stop #2: LA Fitness (6690 Roswell Road @ Abernathy)
Pick-up: 7:20 a.m.
Returns: 3:35 p.m.

INTERCAMPUS shuttle:
Leaving Main Campus (JK-8th) for North Campus (9th-12th)
Pick-up: 7:45 a.m.
Returns: 4:00 p.m.

Leaving North Campus (9th-12th) for Main Campus (JK-8th)
Pick-up: 7:15 a.m.
Returns: 3:40 p.m.

Last Day of School Announcement

Wednesday, May 24

Dismissal schedule for the last day of school will be as follows:

Main Campus

11:45 a.m. - LS Dismissal

North Campus

10:15 a.m. - US Dismissal After Exams

8:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. - Field Day pick-up/drop-off times for MS at the North Campus

**There will be no afternoon bus service or ASP on this day.** Please make plans accordingly.

Schoolkidz

Last Chance to Order School Supplies!

Check one of those summer chores off your list before summer even starts! Y our child received a flyer with information about ordering their school supplies for next year. This 8th grade fundraiser enables you to order supplies now and have them waiting in your classroom next fall.

Again this year, orders can only be placed online. The online portal is open and the deadline for ordering school supply kits and other items is May 26, 2017 .

To order your kit(s) online, please follow these simple steps:

1. Go to www.shopttkits.com

2. Enter the school's account number - 10934

3. Choose the appropriate grade level kit - Remember to choose the grade your child will be entering in the fall

4. Enter your student's first & last name

5. Add to cart, confirm your order & check out

6. Pick up your school supply kits at MBCA's Meet & Greet in August, in your student's classroom

Important note: You do not need to sign in or create an account when you check out. You may check out without an account by entering your email address only. Questions? Please contact Samantha Faklaris or Neeahtima Dowdy.

Middle School Locker Shelves

Deadline June 9, 2017
Locker shelves are the best way to help your middle schooler get organized. This is a fundraiser that benefits the 8th grade Middle School class of 2018 for their Mission Trip. For all new MBCA middle school students and for anyone that wants a locker makeover for next year, take advantage of this offer! The shelves are only $45 per set. Please place your order for wooden locker shelves for the 2017-2018 school year today! Order deadline is June 9, 2017.

To order, follow these 2 steps
Step 1:
Send Erica Kirk an email at Erica.Kirk@icloud.com or text/call (404) 918-6644 ) the following information:
-Parent's Name
-Child's Name(s)
-Your mobile #
-Sets you need (1 set fits a full locker)
Step 2:
-Please make check payable to "MBCA" and note in the memo line “Locker Shelves - 8th Grade Mission"
-Take checks to the front desk of the Academy (they will have an envelope for checks)

MBCA Bus Service

Looking for Drivers

The MBCA bus program is seeking drivers for the 2017-2018 school year. Candidates would need to take and pass a CDL license examination which will be paid for by MBCA. The position is mornings and afternoons everyday that school is in session.

If you would, or know of someone who would, like to work a few hours a day, please contact Denise Azar, Bus Program Coordinator. This is a great position for a retired person or anyone who would like to work a few hours a day. No summers or school holidays!

Volunteer Opportunities

Middle School Field Day

A Few Volunteer Spots Left!

Wednesday, May 24

The 2017 Middle School Field Day will be held on Wednesday, May 24 from 8:00 a.m. to 12:00 pm. on the North Campus. We are still in need of parent volunteers to help with games and activities. Please contact Daryl Brooks with any questions. Please sign up here!

Class News

Lower School

Gold Medal Reader Pizza Party

Congratulations to our top AR Gold Medal Readers! The gold medal winners received a pizza party in the Library on Wednesday with Mrs. Sauve and Ms. Smallwood. Keep on reading those books over summer!

Shelby Grace Sparrow

Sarah Schwartz

Hannah Leerssen

Nathan Sparks

Andrea Krohnert

Mary Kate Greene

Anna Godbey

Tyler MacColl

Gianna Odom

Harrison Odom

Penny Nour

Elise Howard (not pictured)

Spirit Week

LS had so much fun getting into MBCA school spirit this week! Mrs. Dickerson's class showed off their crazy socks on Crazy Sock Day and even Reverend McMichael showed school spirit at Chapel on Funny Hat Day!

Sculptures and Painting Party!

This past Tuesday, the Art Department delivered their Gala prize, a Sculpture and Painting Party! The winner was Kim Turner. Dutch and Reagan invited 4 of their friends, Madeline and Audrey Hunt and Carter and Ian Casey to join them in this fun adventure! First, they created a wire armature out of a coat hanger, stretched pantyhose over the wire and painted it with a base coat. They came back for a second day where they discovered what their sculpture could become - from a snake, duck, road in the mountains to abstract patterns and designs - painting them and bringing them to life!

Thank you to the Parent Council for the opportunity to make this available at the Gala and to the Turners for being the highest bidder and supporting the Arts!

Goats on Campus

Mrs. Cummings brought her pet Nigerian dwarf goats, Millie and Nibbles, to meet our students on Friday. The students had so much fun petting and feeding the goats. Most students had never pet a goat before and enjoyed having them visit their school!

Fifth Grade

Atlanta History Center

Fifth grade took a field trip to the Atlanta History Center to look at Civil War artifacts after completing their unit on the Civil War. Check out some of the cool artifacts they were able to learn about.

A pin made from a leg bone.

This wagon is worth a million dollars. There are only several left from the Civil War.

They played a game to see if they lived or died. Did she live or die?

Sitting in a Civil War trench.

Recorder Karate

Recorder Karate is a method of teaching the soprano recorder to students using 9 songs. Students earn a colored belt after playing a song correctly. The songs get progressively harder to play. Earning the Black Belt is not an easy task. This year 13 of our fifth grade students earned their Black Belt, which is a record number. Way to go fifth graders!

Class of 2024 Pool Party

Wednesday night, our fifth grade class had their end of year pool party, given by their parents, to celebrate completion of Lower School. Congratulations to our fifth grade class and good luck in Middle School!

Middle School

Hello From Chinle, AZ

Our 8th graders spent the past week in Chinle, AZ, on a Navajo reservation. In addition to serving the local community, students were treated to a snowfall that painted the desert white! Read more about their trip on the blog from Praying Pelican Missions .

Upper School

Foreign Language Awards

Congratulations to our US students who won Spanish and Latin awards on the National Spanish Exam and National Latin Exam. We are so proud of all the hard work they have put in all year long!

Spanish 1 Awards:

Yoon Jae Bae - Oro (Gold Medal)

Grace Montague - Plata (Silver Medal)

Ajay John - Bronce (Bronze Medal)

Carly Shlapak - Honorable Mention

Spanish 3 Awards:

Katelyn Bond - Bronce (Bronze Medal)

Sarah Trombetti - Honorable Mention

Blake Shafer - Honorable Mention

Spanish 2 Awards:

Jada Moss - Honorable Mention

Melis Akkan - Honorable Mention

Martha Pjetri - Honorable Mention

Warren Puy Arena - Plata (Silver Medal)

Spanish 4 Awards:

Grace Milam - Honorable Mention

Jackson Risey - Honorable Mention

Latin Award:

Karlee Jordon - Honorable Merit

Marietta Cobb Museum of Art

It was a great exhibit for our Upper School artists Yoonjae, Erika, Katelyn, and Bekah (not pictured) at the Marietta Cobb Museum of Art! The ladies’ artwork was displayed alongside some of the great masters including Picasso, Dali, Rockwell, and even Dr. Seuss! It was a privilege to see the creativity and hard work they put into these pieces and being honored in the city museum. We would like to say thank you so much to all attendees who came out to support their MBCA family, and extend a special thanks to Allison Frink who helped us coordinate the event at the museum. We encourage everyone to visit the Marietta Cobb Museum of Art soon; and we hope to work closely with local museums and galleries in the future to keep the Arts alive and recognized in the community.

Sports

Upper School

Baseball

The Varsity baseball team competed in the State Championship on Monday, May 15 and Tuesday, May 16. They were taking on Community Christian School. After getting down early, the Eagles tried to make a run late with a Homerun from Caleb Reis, but they fell short in game one, 7-6. In game 2, the Eagles jumped out to an early lead, but Community battled back to take the lead and held it for most of the game, until Caleb Reis hit a 2 run Homerun in the top of the 7th to take the lead 7-6. Caleb then took the mound and sealed the game for Mt. Bethel. That sent us to game 3 on Tuesday. With only 9 eligible players, the Eagles battled their hearts out, but fell to exhaustion and lack of depth. The Varsity baseball team ended the season 15-6, with a Region Championship and the State Runner up. Congratualtions to our boys!

Camps

American Girl Camp

June 12 - 16, 2017

Don't miss out on the 6th Annual AG Camp! Join Mrs. Black and Mrs. Sheffield for 5 days of fashion shows, tea parties, crafts, pitball and more. Click here to register and for more details.

Art Camp

June 12 - 16, 2017

Come join Mrs. Cardell for drawing and painting classes focusing on landscape, portrait and abstract paintings, as well as sketching and drawing techniques. Deadline for registration is May 15, 2017. View the flyer for the registration form and more details.

Creative Writing Camp

June 19 - 22, 2017

Creative Writing Camp is full! If you’d like to be added to the wait list, please fill out the attached form and send it in to Mrs. Kelly’s attention. Do not attach payment at this time; she will notify you if a space opens up by June 1 .

Disney Camp

June 19 - 23, 2017

We are so excited to be offering our Disney Camp again this summer! This camp is open to rising Kindergarten - 3rd grade girls. It is a day full of fun, devotions, crafts, games, and snacks! You won’t want to miss it! Link here for the registration form.

Coach Cal Fundamental Basketball Camp

July 24 - 27, 2017

Coach Cal Boyd, the Varsity boys basketball coach, along with several of his varsity players, will be hosting his basketball camp on the Upper School campus July 24 - 27 for ages 7 - 14. Campers will learn ball handling, footwork, defensive concepts and each camper will shoot and record over 1,000 shots. Come be a part of an exciting camp and learn more about the game of basketball and the game of life! For more info, link for the camp flyer. Please click on the link to register your child.

The Uniform Source

May 20% Off Sale

Join the Uniform Source during the month of May for their 20% off sale! They are offering 20% off any regularly priced school uniform items. The offer is available in stores and online. To take advantage of this sale, visit The Uniform Source.

Don't miss out on your chance to save.

Parker School Uniform

Back to School Offer

Pre-monogrammed and logoed merchandise available for Mt. Bethel Christian Academy back-to-school 2017! Parker Uniforms is offering great deals to our MBCA families starting June 1, 2017. For more details on how to shop, link here.

MBUMC News

Pivot.stepone

Registration Now Open!

Dealing with our finances is a biblical calling. As Christians, we want to be available for whatever God calls us to do. When you are covered in debt, you are in bondage. Pivot.stepone is all about financial peace and freedom. It gives you the ability to dream again and a way to make those dreams come true.

Classes are available for adults, middle and high school students, and elementary age kids. Go here for more information and to register. All are welcome!

Vacation Bible School

June 5 - 8, 2017

Register now for Vacation Bible School, June 5 - 8, 2017. Ages 4 (turning 4 by 9/1/2017) through Rising 4th graders meet from 12:30 - 3:30 p.m. at the Main Campus. Cost is $50. Rising 5th and 6th graders meet from 11:30 - 4:30 p.m. at the North Campus (lunch and swimming included). Cost is $65, until full. Space is limited so hurry!

For more information or to register, go to www.mtbethel.org/vbs.