Merry Christmas
Our final school day of 2017 began with song as over a hundred of our youngest Eagles took to the sanctuary stage, both resplendent in their Christmas décor. With tiny, angelic voices, they sang about the arrival of baby Jesus, God’s greatest gift to all. Even the most Grinch-ey of hearts could not help but overflow with the special warmth only Christmas and children can provide. As the short day came to a close, a bumper crop of sweet treats and hugs overflowed the halls and spilled out the doors of DeVore Hall. By mid-afternoon, a hush had fallen over the hallways as the campus settled in for a well-deserved winter’s nap.
Beginning our last day of the semester in church is a helpful reminder of the true meaning of this season. Amidst the frenzy of shopping and feasting, it can be easy to forget the sacredness of Christmas. We might even forget that the word “holiday” itself comes from an Old English term meaning, “holy day.” The imminent theologian, R.C. Sproul, who went home to heaven this past week, expressed it this way:
“When God touches earth, the place is holy. When God appears in history, the time is holy. There was never a more holy place than the city of Bethlehem, where the Word became flesh. There was never a more holy time than Christmas morning when Emmanuel was born. Christmas is a holiday.
It is the holiest of holy days.”
This year, I pray we aren’t so distracted by the trappings of Christmas that we fail to see it’s true worth. Christmas isn’t really about bells or bows; it’s about Bethlehem. It’s about a baby boy who was sent by His father to do for all of creation what we could never do for ourselves. Let us rejoice together in awe of the greatest gift of all - the gift of life we have through Christ! Come, let us adore Him, Christ the Lord.
Merry Christmas, Mt. Bethel!
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Jim R. Callis
Head of School
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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:
Thursday, January 4 - Friday, January 5:
Conferences; No Classes
Monday, January 8:
Classes Begin for MS
Lower School:
Thursday, January 4:
Classes Begin for JK-3rd
Thursday, January 4 - Friday, January 5:
Conferences; No Classes for 4th and 5th Grade
Monday, January 8
: Classes Begin for 4th and 5th grade
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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!
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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)
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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
.
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National Geographic Geography Bee Finalists
The results are in! The following are this year’s National Geographic Geography Bee Finalists. Please congratulate them when you see them! These students scored the highest out of the approximately 290 4th - 8th graders who took the qualifying test. Our 8th graders had a strong showing this year!
Katherine Contrucci - 7th grade
Jackson DeCamp - 8th grade
Regan Dowdy - 8th grade
Caitlin Foster - 8th grade
Charlie Gandy - 6th grade
Caitlin Garcia - 8th grade
Tate Papenhagen - 8th grade
Hayes Price - 8th grade
Nate Smith - 8th grade
Christian Villarreal - 7th grade
Grace Kopkas - 7th grade, alternate
The school-wide Bee will be held on
Tuesday, January 16
at 2:00 p.m. in the Sanctuary. Hope to see you there!
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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.
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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
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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
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Questions? Email
Jill Mayer
. Please bring all donations to your homeroom teacher. For more details view the
flyer
.
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Erika Benner
Erika Benner received her first collge acceptance. Erika was accepted to Kennesaw State University. Congratulations, Erika!
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Nicole Benner
Nicole Benner received her second college acceptance. Nicole was accepted to Kennesaw State University. Congratulations, Nicole!
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Will Ross
Will Ross received his fourth and fifth college acceptances. Will was accepted to Kennesaw State University and the University of North Georgia. Congratulations, Will!
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Kindergarten
Blankets of Love
Kindergarten made tie blankets for children living in homeless shelters this past week. The kindergarten grade level service project is called Blankets of Love. Parents donated 2 pieces of fleece and cut the fringes for the class. The children tied the fringes in knots to keep the two pieces of fleece together, making a very thick and warm blanket. It is a great way for them to learn how to tie and help other children in the process. These are the blankets they put together and will be giving to MBUMC to take to needy children this winter
.
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First Grade
Polar Express Day
First Grade celebrated Polar Express Day this week! They got to wear PJs and slippers, they drank hot chocolate and participated in several Polar Express activities!
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Second Grade
A Visit from Dr. Ray
This past Monday, Mrs. Black’s class was able to meet with Dr. Ray, Senior Pastor at Mt. Bethel UMC, and learn about what it is like to be a pastor. He shared many aspects of his job and the students were able to ask questions. They had a very special time with him.
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Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer
Second grade had a wonderful field trip to the Center for Puppetry Arts seeing Rudolph the Red Nose Reindeer!
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Third Grade
Isabella Crowe Raising Funds for Charity
Third-grade student, Isabella Crowe, is featured in The Bright Side paper for selling her art calendars and donating the money raised. Isabella splits her donations between the Community Hope School in Namibia and Cobb County's MUST Ministries. We love seeing our students' passion for their community.
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Surprise from the Grinch!
Mrs. Davenport’s class had a surprise visit from The Grinch on Wednesday! The students enjoyed Grinch punch while the Grinch read, of course,
How The Grinch Stole Christmas
.
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Lemonade Stand
Mrs. Cummings' class had a very successful day selling lemonade in the stand that they constructed in their Think Tank class. The students put their creativity to good use!
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Fourth Grade
7 Bridges
Fourth graders have been collecting food and warm clothing for the 7 Bridges this December. 7 Bridges is a non-profit 501(c)(3) organization that reaches out to the lost and broken of Atlanta and beyond. Based off of
Isaiah 58:6-8
, their goal is to end homelessness in Atlanta, then in Georgia, then in the United States, and eventually in the world with the love of Christ, one person at a time. They have a home for 105 women and children and a program for 25 men that have all been rescued from the streets.
Thank you to our own, Ronan Gillia and her family, for dropping off the donations for the class!
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Fifth Grade
Santa's Helpers
Santa has some new helpers! He ended up short a few reindeer this year, so students in 5th grade had to draw a self-portrait and fill out a job application to apply for the job as their favorite reindeer. Congratulations to all the new reindeer for earning their place in front of Santa's sleigh!
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William Arnold and Anna Mullis
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Grey Bozza and Mattox Gendron
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Katherine Weitnauer and Will Bennett
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Seventh Grade
Candy DNA
Seventh-grade students concluded their study of genetics and DNA by constructing DNA candy models. Students had to correctly construct their DNA strand first, then they could enjoy their treat. Such a "sweet" way to learn!
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House Points
Veritas - 2,867
Integritas - 2,812
Fidelitas - 2,752
Humilitas - 2,613
Fortes - 2,576
Servimus - 2,208
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Boys JV and Varsity Basketball
The boys basketball team is playing several games over the Holiday break. We would love to have your support if you are in town!
Friday, December 15:
JV 4:30 p.m. | Varsity 7:00 p.m.
Saturday, December 16:
SEBA Showcase event at Pope High School against 7A Berkmar High School at 3:30 p.m.
Monday, December 18:
Varsity against Cornerstone at 6:00 p.m.
Tuesday, December 19:
JV 5:00 p.m. | Varsity 6:00 p.m. at Wesleyan
Friday, December 22:
Atlanta Hawks Showcase Event at Norcross High School at 4:00 p.m. against Holy Innocents
After Christmas -
Nashville, TN Next Level Tournament
Wednesday, December 27:
6:30 p.m. vs Hopkinsville Kentucky
Thursday, December 28:
TBA
Friday, December 29:
TBA
Link here
for our upcoming athletic calendar.
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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. Sessions will take place on
Saturday, December 23
at 1:00 p.m. and
Saturday, December 30
at 1:00 p.m. at a local east cobb middle school. 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.
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Uniform Source
Holiday Sale
Don't miss out on your chance to save at their Holiday Sale! Uniform Source is offering 20% off all online orders, plus free shipping on orders of $50 or more. View the
flyer
for more details.
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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
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Main Campus
Junior Kindergarten - 8th Grade
4385 Lower Roswell Road
Marietta, GA 30068
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North Campus
9th - 12th Grade
2509 Post Oak Tritt Road
Marietta, GA 30062
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Phone: 770-971-0245
Fax: 770-971-3770
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