February 24, 2022 | Issue 23 |
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Transfiguration
“Transfiguration” is a wonderful Latin derivative that means a change in appearance and in the Christian Faith is used to describe the glorious change in Jesus’ appearance on the mountain witnessed by Peter, James and John. In the reading the disciples behold Jesus shining brightly and revealed as the Son of God. This was the Gospel reading at our chapels yesterday. I preached on this at middle/upper school chapel and Patrick Taylor preached on this at lower school chapel.
In both messages, we talked about how we see ourselves and how we see others. I emphasized to the middle and upper school students how we need to know ourselves to succeed and achieve in life and ultimately to fulfill God’s purpose for us. The lack of self-knowledge is a common but harmful human characteristic and hopefully our students are moving towards a greater self-knowledge that will equip them for their journeys ahead in life. I spoke particularly about how on one side we are often unrealistic about ourselves and our abilities, and whether it is academic, athletic, or social etc., the lack of self-awareness leads to disappointment, frustration and worse. Most every student could relate to the memory of thinking they were ready for a test only to find out they weren’t. It is vital that we see ourselves as we are and what we need to do to get to where we want to be.
On the other side, I highlighted that there are those negative voices that prevent us from realizing our potential and succeeding as we should in life. These voices can be internal, where we doubt ourselves and we are afraid to take risks that will push us out of our comfort zones to grow and thrive. These voices can also be external and are too often the negative voices of their peers that tear them down rather than building them up. These negative voices can really make us see ourselves as less than we are and make us think that we are not capable of succeeding whereas if we do not let them affect us, we can see our potential more clearly. I noted again to the students that the negative and ugly comments of others come from a place of weakness and that although painful we should reject them.
Mr. Taylor highlighted to the lower school students that just as the disciples really looked at Jesus, we should really look at each other and see each other as human beings and children of God. We do need to see each other as children of God and treat them with the love and kindness that God shares with us and is exemplified in the life of Jesus whose strength is visible in his love and his righteousness in the face of human hatred and sin.
Let’s keep working together to build up our children, to provide them with the respectful reality checks that they need to learn and grow, the encouragement to become confident to take appropriate risks towards success, and above all to love others as God loves us.
Blessings,
Frank Sawyer
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New SmartBoards provided to Mead Hall through EANS
We have just completed the installation of new SmartBoards in all of our classrooms. These were provided to us through the federally funded Emergency Assistance to Non-Public Schools (EANS) grant. These funds were provided to private schools to better equip them due to the challenges of the pandemic. The EANS grant has provided us with up-to-date technology as well as PPP and cleaning supplies this year that keep our classrooms healthy. The cost for us will be the maintenance of the SmartBoards and the other technology we have received. The Annual Fund is key support to the yearly costs of our technology needs.
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Please see our SmartBoards
in action here:
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Priority Re-enrollment
Dear Mead Hall Families!
We want to remind you that Priority Re-enrollment for our current Mead Hall families opened February 1, 2022 and will continue through February 28, 2022. We’ve had a great year operating safely since the start of school and as a result, several families from outside of our Mead Hall community have toured our campuses and they are waiting to apply. Hence, if you are planning to secure a space for your child/children, we urge you to complete the re-enrollment paperwork by February 28, 2022.
If you are planning to enroll a new student who is a sibling of a current Mead Hall student, please apply now. We are paying close attention to our enrollment numbers and once we’ve determined availability, we will begin offering admission to current families first and then to new families beginning Monday, March 14, 2022. Once we've reached our capacity for a specific grade, we will communicate that to you promptly.
We are glad to offer affordable tuition levels that are of excellent value for an independent school education in the CSRA. As you know, in comparison with peer schools, our tuition is the most all inclusive in the area with no additional required fees other than the annual registration fee. We are also glad to serve lunch daily at no additional cost. We sent the tuition schedule earlier this month and it is also attached to this email. Let me know if you have any questions.
Many thanks,
Dr. Felicia Pontoo, Director of Admissions and College Guidance
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Mead Hall is glad to have a foreign exchange student this year and looks forward to welcoming more in the future. If you are interested in hosting a foreign exchange student, ICES is looking for host families. |
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Mead Hall PTO News and Events
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Faculty and Staff Appreciation Week is next Monday, February 28th through Friday, March 4th.
Parent volunteers are needed to supply daily breakfast items and mailbox treats for both Lower and Upper Campus. Please click here to visit the SUG Link and assist where you are able. Additionally, thanks to your support of our fundraising efforts, PTO will be able to provide all of our faculty and staff with Downtown Dollars and a catered lunch on Friday! Contact PTO@meadhallschool.org
with any questions.
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38th Annual Strawberry Festival will be held on Saturday, April 23rd from 10:00 am to 2:00 pm on the APC Field
Inflatables, Games, Rides, Vendors, Gurosik's Strawberries, Ice Cream, Bake Sale, Silent Auction and plenty of Fun, Food and Fellowship!
for more information
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Flashback to the 80s Pink Carpet Event is next Friday, March 5th from 7:00pm to 10:00pm in the Aiken Prep Campus Gym. Invitations have been mailed and you must RSVP by this Friday, February 25th to reserve your ticket. You won't want to miss the fun of this retro inspired evening! Dance, Dine, Wine and Bid - Guests must be 21 and up to attend.
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School Store Hours
Open Monday 2/28 - Thursday 3/3
8:00 a.m. to 9:00 a.m.
CLOSED on Friday 3/4 for Faculty Work Day
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Featured Item
Hair Accessories have been restocked!
Hair Bows and Elastics are available in the school store from $6 - $10 in a variety of
sizes and styles.
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Alumni Weekend is March 18-20!
To kick things off is the Golf Tournament at 9:00 am, Aiken Golf Club on Friday, March 18th, see golfer registration below! On Saturday, join us for the Alumni Soccer Game at 9:00am on Fletcher field, Aiken Prep campus. Following the soccer game, enjoy the excitement of Aiken Trials at the Aiken Training Track and be sure to stop by our hospitality tent located at space 2/inside rails! (Tickets may be purchased at Aiken Training Track, more information at 803-648-4631 or http://www.aikentrainingtrack.com/). Also, don't miss the Saturday evening bonfire on the Aiken Prep campus at 7:00pm, relax and catch up with friends! To conclude the weekend on Sunday, Dr. Frank Sawyer (Head of School) will be conducting services at St. Thaddeus Episcopal Church, 9:00 am and 11:15 am.
If you plan to attend Alumni Weekend, please RSVP below. (All golf participants must also fill out the golf registration form).
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To Our Presenting Sponsors
WE THANK YOU!
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Support Mead Hall Athletics
by becoming a Panther Club Sponsor -
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SUNDAY
Rite I Eucharist no music 7:45 AM
Rite II Eucharist with Contemporary music 9:00 AM
Rite II Eucharist with Traditional Music, choir and organ 11:15 AM
WEDNESDAY
Rite II Eucharist in the chapel 11:00 AM
We also live stream the services.
All of our services offer Communion.
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