Earlier this week, parent volunteers extraordinaire Barbara and Jim Brady opened their lovely home to more than 125 Leadership Circle supporters of the Annual Fund. The primary purpose of the evening was to thank these generous donors for their investment in our school’s people and programs and to share our vision for the future. The Annual Fund is having a banner year. More than 165 Pisgah families – a 30% increase over last year – are now members of the Leadership Circle. We are closing in on claiming the $100,000 in AF Challenge funds. We need only 20 new members in the Leadership Circle to get to 100 donors by June 30 who have joined a higher gift club than last year. With your help, we can get there.
Why does the Annual Fund matter? Quite simply, it provides the resources necessary to fund excellence at Pisgah. Tuition alone does not cover the cost of a Pisgah education. If you believe in our core academic and spiritual mission, if you believe in dedicated teachers and how they shape young lives for the good, then I would ask you to support this fund, and if you can, help us to claim the $100,000 challenge. Wouldn’t it be impressive to share that our parent participation in the AF was close to 100% this year?
Our Future
At the Brady’s, I also shared that the Board and I are exploring if our broad community is ready to embark on a major fund raising effort to build a new Upper School building. Fund raising experts tell us that one of the best barometers as to whether a school is ready to launch a capital effort is the strength of its Annual Fund. This year’s AF success bodes well for the potential in our community to embrace more ambitious fund raising goals. We will have news to report to you this fall on how quickly we can begin to implement a visionary long range campus master plan, one which has already been approved by the city of John’s Creek.
Most importantly, I shared with our supporters Monday that there is much to celebrate at Mount Pisgah moving forward. Every teacher on staff is a believer and shares joyously the Good News with students. Total school re-enrollment is at a five-year high. New student enrollment is well ahead of last year. Teacher retention is above 90%. Our comprehensive athletic program is currently ranked #10 out of 75 in its classification in Georgia, and we are one of the smallest schools in the state. The Class of 2013 sports an impressive list of university and college acceptances to date. Last, we have hired this spring an outstanding group of educators to strengthen our team. As we look to the future, Mount Pisgah is a school grounded in its faith and committed to academic excellence. We will invest in a balanced and deep extracurricular program, featuring a plethora of quality athletic, academic (e.g. robotics, academic bowl, Odyssey of the Mind, chess) and artistic offerings. Long term, we are committed to providing superior educational facilities in every division and will pursue campaigns to accomplish this.
Our school’s future is promising. I assure you that there will be plenty of opportunities in the weeks and months ahead for me to share details.
In His Service,
John D. Marshall
Head of School
Your support could help us receive a $100,000 match!
Mount Pisgah Christian School is close to meeting the Annual Fund’s $100,000 Challenge. In order for this anonymous group of generous donors to give $100,000, they have asked us to reach three objectives by June 30:
100 percent faculty and staff giving participation – ACHIEVED!
100 new donors at any giving level – 182 AND STILL GOING!
100 Donors increase their giving to move up in AF Leadership Circle – We need 20 more!
Please be one of the 20 families who will help us reach this third objective by moving into or up a level within the Leadership Circle. The levels are $1,000-$2,499, $2,500-$4,999, $5,000-$9,999, $10,000-$24,999, $25,000 or more. If you have already made a gift to the Annual Fund, please check with your employer to see if the company has a matching gift program that could put you into the next level!
SENIOR WINS CONGRESSIONAL ART COMPETITION
Congratulations to Gina Hong who has won the 2013 Congressional Art Competition for the 6th District! Gina was recognized by Congressman Tom Price at a recent reception at the Roswell Visual Arts Center. Her artwork, titled "Five Perspectives" will be on display in Washington, D.C, (most likely in the Capitol Building for a year.
Pisgah students Sarah Holden and Yun Lee also had artowrk pieces on display at the reception - congratulations to all for your dedication to your craft and your outstanding achievements!
STUDENT FEATURED ON 11ALIVE NEWS
We couldn't be more proud of fifth grader Jack McConnell and his heartwarming efforts to help children in Ghana affected by hearing loss. See the touching story by clicking below.
PISGAH #1 IN GEORGIA, #5 IN NATION!
Pisgah recently concluded another successful Pennies for Patients campaign raising more than $28,300, ranking number one in Georgia and number five nationwide among participating schools. The money benefits the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society to help in the fight against blood disorders. A very special thank you to Mr. Happy Mayer for his "hair raising" effort this year during our Pennies for Patients drive. Thank you to coordinator Craig McGaughey and all who donated their time and money to this worthy cause!
LEADING THE WAY
Pisgah first grader Annie Lin was so moved by the school's Pennies for Patients fund raiser that she wrote to her neighbors and asked them to consider donating. Thanks to her efforts, an extra $81 was raised in Mrs. Knoblock's class - proof that young people can make a difference. "Don't let anyone think less of you because you are young. Be an example to all believers in what you say, in the way you live, in your love, and your purity." 1 Timothy 4:12
Saturday, April 27
4:00 - 9:00 PM
EVENT UPDATE!
FREE ENTRY & ACTIVITIES
FOOD: Local restaurants and caterers provide yummy affordable options!
ACTIVITIES: Ride the Mechanical Bull, roll in the giant Hamster Ball, Video Game Theatre, Rock Wall and many more FREE rides and activities!
OPPORTUNITIES: Corporate Sponsorships, Reserved Parking, VIP Tables, and more. Contact Melissa Santee for more information 678-336-3384, msantee@mountpisgahschool.org.
The varsity girls tennis team won their fourth consecutive Area/Region championship last week with a dramatic 3-2 win over Darlington.
“It was a Cinderella story that could have been a Hollywood script like "Rudy" or "Hoosiers." It was an honest-to-goodness feel-good story that still continues,” said Head Coach Ken Bomar.“Teammates raced onto the court and everyone laughed and cried at the same time,” said Bomar. “It was a fitting end for our seniors, who can now lay claim to the fact that they have won the Region championship all four years at Mount Pisgah's Upper School."
The Patriots now move into the state tournament as one of four No. 1 seeds (one from each Area tournament) and will host the number 4 seed team from Area 2 this week.
Ever wonder how Pisgah Athletics stacks up against other Class A schools, or even other Region opponents, across the board? Each year the Georgia Athletic Directors Association recognizes those athletic departments in all GHSA classifications who have excelled and shown superior performance through the Directors Cup program. This program awards point based on the results from state playoffs. Currently Pisgah is No. 10 among Class A schools and No. 4 from our Region. The Patriots are also the highest ranking private school in the Region. Wow!
Congratulations to Pisgah's Class of 2020 for 100% reenrollment for the next school year. That's right, 100% of the current fifth grade class has reenrolled for next year - WOW! Several other grades are very close to this mark as well - as Pisgah celebrates the highest reenrollment in five years! Which class will be next?
Congratulations to junior Nicholas Spriggs who has just been accepted for the July Experience Summer Program at Davidson, (which is his first choice for college).
The selective summer experience is an academic program for rising juniors and seniors. Nicholas will take classes with college faculty, sharpen his leadership skills, and participate in sessions about the college admission process. Way to go!
Mini-Review by Chorus Director Erik Buxton:
"Theatre Director Anna Burrell has done it again. She has staged an enormous show with a seemingly unending cast list. A show featuring Lower School, Middle School and Upper School performers was a ridiculous undertaking and Anna pulled it off as if it were a walk to the Meditation Garden. From Mary Emma Hughes’ angelic opening to Maggie Denham’s stratospheric, parting admonition, The Sound of Music was a smash hit! All of the students proved to be stellar performers, but Allison Tanzy as Maria and Maggie Denham as Mother Abbess was some of the most brilliant casting I have ever seen. Given that she is one of the most considerate and thoughtful people I know, I am certain Lawson Bishop was an aristocrat in another life; her Baroness Schraeder was spot on. Eric Jackson is almost unbearably funny as Max Detweiler; he had me laughing out loud. The icing on the cake is Gretl, portrayed by Sophia Zenefski; she put a big smile on all our faces as we witnessed her priceless cuteness.
I could go down the extensive cast list and compliment each student’s performance - everyone did a bang up job catapulting Pisgah Fine Arts to new renown!"
SWEET MUSIC
Pisgah talented musicians and vocalists will be featured early next month during Band, Orchestra, and Chorus Concerts in South Hall. Senior members will be recognized. Please plan to join us as we applaud these hard working performers who have put in countless hours of practice and rehearsal throughout the year. Thank you to dedicated and talented instructors Bryan Hatmaker and Erik Buxton for bringing out the best in our students!
Band & Orchestra Concert Chorus Concert
May 6 at 7:00pm May 9 at 7:00pm
South Hall South Hall
ALL-SPORTS BANQUET
May 23, 2013
6:00 - 9:00 PM
The Metropolitan Club
Dinner Buffet, Auction & Awards
Recognition of Pisgah's Student Athletes & Coaches
Guest Speaker: Tim Elmore
Tim Elmore is the Founder and President of Growing Leaders, a nonprofit that helps develop emerging leaders under the philosophy that each child is born with leadership qualities. The author of over 25 books, Elmore believes that “every kid can be a leader, because leadership is about influence.” Over the years he has worked with high school and college students to equip them with the skills they will need to serve at school, work, home, and the community.
An Atlanta resident, Tim has spoken in over 40 countries, including India, Russia, China, and India. He has also appeared in The Wall Street Journal, Forbes.com, Investor’s Business Daily, Huffington Post, MSNBC.com, The Washington Post, WorkingMother.com, Atlanta Business Chronicle, Dallas Morning News, and Portfolio.com. Elmore has appeared on CNN’s Headline News and FOX & Friends discussing parenting trends and advice.
The first 100 families to purchase tickets for the event will receive a complimentary copy of Tim's book: Artificial Maturity. Learn more by watching the short video clip.
A group of Pisgah students, parents, faculty and staff dedicated their spring break to serving others and sharing God's love in Costa Rica. See and read more about their mission trip in an upcoming Pisgah publication!
PATRIOTWEAR STORE OPENS
Pisgah Athletics has partnered with Titan Team Sports to offer a Spiritwear website that is open 24/7, 365 days a year for your convenience. Items ordered through the site will be delivered to your home in 5-7 business days. There are three price points on most items featured in the online store and there is more to come soon!
There is also a new alternate Patriot head logo on some of the items. Samples are available in the School Store (on the Lower School campus).
Fourth grade students in Mrs. Clark’s Science classes recently conducted fascinating experiements to test foods. Students used iodine as an indicator which turned a bluish-black color if the food item was a starch, and it remained the yellowish-brown color if it was not a starch. This was a timely experiment just before standardized testing as the class discussed what foods are best to eat before testing or a race. They learned that starches are converted to sugars in our bodies and provide longer lasting energy than eating sugars.
TAKING A BREAK
Mrs. Hailey's second class students enjoy snack break during testing! Teachers take advantage of Atlanta's beautiful spring weather whenever possible and allow the students to enjoy the sunshine!
ORDER YOUR 2012-13 YEARBOOK
That's right, you can still order a a yearbook. Don't miss your opportunity to own this keepsake that you and your family will treasure for years to come. Order today while supplies last!
PRIMARY SCHOOL NIGHT FUN
NAHS ART EXHIBITION
The National Art Honor Society presents the annual art exhibition showcasing the work of Pisgah's talented visual arts students. Saturday, May 4th from 6:00 to 8:00pm in the Drummond Center. Students work hard all year to create stunning work and you won't want to miss the opportunity to appreciate their fine efforts. AP Art students will be featured and entertainment and light refreshements are also provided. Questions? Please contact Libby Geiselmayr.
Washington Insider
Kaden Alford had the chance to get up close and personal with the U.S. government duiring spring break.
Kaden is pictured seated in Congressman Tom Price's desk chair in his Washington DC office at the Cannon Building. He also toured the Capitol led by one of Congressman Price's staffers, saw the White House, the Washington, Lincoln, and Jefferson monuments as well as the Vietnam Wall. Kaden also went to the Natural History Museum and the Air and Space Museum.
Camera and Photo Equipment Drive
The Pisgah Photography Guild is a newly formed club in the Upper School. The Guild has been established for students wishing to share photographic skills and to provide a positive forum for critiquing pictures among members from both a technical and artistic perspective.
In order to advance the organization's goals, the Guild invites the school community to search their closets and drawers for old, used, even broken photo equipment for donation to the Guild. Nearly anything related to photography including film or digital cameras, SD cards, batteries, tripods, flashes, lens, or other photographic equipment is acceptable. If you haven’t used your equipment in the past year than you probably will never use it again; please consider donating it so that Pisgah students can experiment and learn with your old equipment.
Please send donations to the Upper School office. If you would like to contribute or have any questions about the Guild, please contact John Whitehurst at jwhitehurst@mountpisgahschool.org. Thank you for your support!
TAKING TIME TO REFLECT
Maddy Childress writes in her "field journal" about raindrops and Sophia Rhoades also pens her thoughts. These "field journals" were donated by Mr. Eric Alford.
"We try and write in these a few times a week," explains second grade teacher Lynn Kornegay. "We make observations and sketches, writing notes to God and thanking him for something in nature he created. This outdoor, quiet activity brings us closer to nature and grows our relationship with him."
PALS MOMS & FRIENDS BIBLE STUDIES
Life Transformation Bible Study
Revealing Jesus, foreshadowed in the Old Testament, revealed in the new! Revealing Jesus and all that God has for us in Him...the key to life in the spirit, detached from the entanglements of this world. Learn how the mystery that was hidden from ages past, now revealed, brings life peace and joy in the spirit!
Join us Wednesday mornings 9:15 to 11:00am in South Hall conference room (A204) as we see Jesus our salvation renewed! Bring a Bible and note paper. Drop in, no makeup required! Leaders: Carolyn Woodham, Gena Lewis Visit the MPUMC website to register.
Easter Experience
A study with Pastor Kyle Idleman of Southeast Christian Church in Louisville, KY.
March 5 - April 16 (Six week study with a week off April 2 for Spring Break) Meet in Room A021/A022 - Basement of Lower School Building from 9:30-11:30. Childcare provided with reservations. Books available for $10
Registration is now underway for Pisgah’s Junior Patriot football program. The program is open to all in the community, regardless of school attending. Flag football teams are forming for boys who will be in first or second grade in the fall. Tackle football is available for boys in rising third through sixth grade. The cost is $230 for flag football and $360 for tackle football. Registration will continue until all teams are full.
Register at patriotcommunitysports.com., click on the link to register, log in and go from there! Many questions can easily be answered by checking out the Jr. Patriot Football page of the website. Questions? Contact Pisgah Head Football Coach Mike Forester at (404)543-8000 or Molly Richey, with Patriot Community Sports, at (678) 336-3140. They are happy to assist!
NOTE: Summer Camp Registration is also open on the website with camps for soccer, basketball, cheer, football, and softball!
PALS IS LOOKING FOR A FEW GOOD MEN AND WOMEN!
Why not join the fun and become more involved in PALS next year? Each Pisgah Parent is a part of PALS (Parents are Loyal Supporters), however more excited and willing individuals are needed to help step up and make PALS the best ever.
Please don't be shy and wonder "what can I do?" PALS can find the pereect fit for ANY willing heart. It is a great way to make friends and partner with the school. Many hands make light work for all! Simply send an email to leighannb@bellsouth.net letting her know how you might be interested in helping or how much time you might have. Feel free to also call about what opportunities might exist: 404-625-9691.
SMART 911
The City of Johns Creek has partnered with SMART 911, a free service that allows citizens to create a sfaety profile that includes any information they would like for 9-1-1 to have in the event of an emergency. Many other cities have also decided to participate and many area schools have been asked to help spread the word. If you would like to learn more or sign up, please visit the City of Johns Creek website by clicking here.
Quick Calendar Reminders
April 25 Lower School Art Show & Parent Appreciation Coffee
8:15am Coffee and light breakfast after drop-off - our way of saying thanks for making Pisgah so special!
Student artwork will be on display throughout the day and frames will be available for sale.
Be the first to know and stay up to date on all the latest Pisgah news by liking the school's Facebook page facebook.com/pisgahpatriots. Also, follow us on Twitter:
