D E C E MBE R 2013
A Christmas UPDATE DEAR MOUNT PISGAH CHRISTIAN SCHOOL FAMILY,
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ut the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid, I bring you news of great joy that will be for all the people. Today in the town of David a savior has been born to you; he is Christ the Lord” (Luke 2:10-11)
2013 has been a remarkable year for Mount Pisgah Christian School – the Lord has blessed our school this year in many ways! Reflecting on last December, little could I begin to comprehend the progress we would make in one year. Oh me of little faith! Building upon the dedication of our longstanding teachers and staff, Mount Pisgah is experiencing a renaissance. And with the arrival this school year of dynamic new teachers, coaches and administrative leaders, Mount Pisgah is ascending rapidly on a Godly path. There is a newfound confidence across our community that is palpable and yet firmly grounded in Christian service and humility. I am grateful for teachers and coaches who pour themselves into students. I am thankful for parents who share their children with us and for grandparents (particularly two very wise men on the Board of Trustees) who share unendingly their time, treasure and talents. I am grateful for generous donors to the Annual Fund as well as to the Building for the Future Campaign. Geier Hall is, without question, going to transform our school. I am grateful for my administrators who lead with great enthusiasm, patience and faith. Our school is blessed with selfless administrators who shepherd and support as opposed to command and control I am also grateful for God’s glorious gift of music, which features so prominently during the holidays. Don Henley is one of my heroes. A founding member of the band the Eagles, he is one of the great vocalists of the past forty years. My wife Rebecca and I “first-danced” at our wedding reception (a decade ago this month) to his lyrics: I want a moment of silence, and a moment of prayer For the love we’ll need to make it in the world out there To want what we have To take what we’re given, with grace These things we pray — On My Wedding Day (2000), Don Henley Julia Mallman (Preschool fours) (continued)
A Christmas UPDATE Simple words. To want what we have. To take what we’re given, with grace. There is not a more fitting message for us to take to heart during Christmas. This Advent Season, let our hearts be full of joy and gratitude for all our Lord has bestowed. Help us to avoid unhealthy comparisons and secular dreams and aspirations void of spiritual value. Help us to focus on that which truly matters, from family, close friends, a loving church community, and a thriving Christian school, to good health, meaningful opportunities for volunteer work and an authentic relationship with God’s greatest gift – His son, the Christ Child, who arrived in Bethlehem more than 2000 years ago to mark a new day for humankind.
DECEMBER 2013
Mission Statement The mission of Mount Pisgah Christian School is to provide an outstanding college-preparatory education grounded in Christian faith and values.
On behalf of our faculty and staff who celebrate God’s greatest gift every day of the school year with their students, we thank you for sharing your precious children with us. We are honored to serve them and prepare them for lives of purpose and service. We wish you a Merry Christmas and a blessed 2014! In His Service,
John D. Marshall H d of School Head
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Pictured above: Seniors Alexa Hudgins and Kayley Janico trim the Upper School Christmas tree. Pictured below: Will, Luke, Kate, Rebecca, Matthew and John Marshall
MARY ANN MORRIS NAMED PERMANENT HEAD OF THE UPPER SCHOOL By John D. Marshall, Head of School
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ast spring, I turned to Mary Ann Morris, then Director of Faculty Development, and asked her to become the Interim Head of the Upper School. As someone who had responded to a call only two years earlier, when the former Prep School Head asked her to assume a new position, Mary Ann responded in typical fashion, with her broad, infectious grin, “Mount Pisgah is my family, and I love the school and of course will serve however and wherever I am most needed.” The search committee identified the following qualities of the ideal Upper School Head: • An extraordinary work ethic. A hands-on, visible (attends numerous events), energetic and engaged leader of the faculty who arrives early and is the last to leave the building in the afternoon. • Holds teachers accountable to be professionals and yet loves them relentlessly and invests in their growth. • A proactive and consistent communicator, and active listener in working with both parents and students. • Understands all that is required to be an effective classroom teacher. • Eager to be in the classroom to observe and support colleagues. • Builds a leadership team consisting of department chairs who work collaboratively to develop an academic vision for the Upper School.
• An eagerness to build relationships across various divisions of the school. • Builds consensus among faculty, students, and parents. • An experienced Christian educator committed to one’s own professional development and growth. Mary Ann has so excelled in her leadership position this semester that it became apparent that there was no need to reactivate the search. I am thrilled that Mary Ann has agreed to accept the permanent position to lead our Upper School. I know I speak for our Upper School teachers and student body who share my confidence in her devotion to them and to her love of Mount Pisgah. “After 12 years at Mount Pisgah, I can honestly say that I’ve never seen our school so alive,” said Mary Ann. “The growth, energy and excitement in this community - it’s exciting and I feel enormously blessed to be on this journey with our Upper School faculty and families.” Mary Ann has nearly twenty years of teaching experience in English, Social Studies, and Math. She led our SAIS accreditation teams in 2007 and 2012. Mary Ann is highly skilled in dealing with teachers, students and parents on a wide range of education and behavioral issues. Mary Ann and her husband Bob have two children, Ben and Carly both of whom are Pisgah alumni.
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A Christmas UPDATE CHALLENGE UPDATE: WILL YOU HELP US MEET OUR GOAL TO BUILD FOR THE FUTURE? By Melissa Santee, Director of Advancement
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reat progress has been made since Head of School John Marshall announced the $1 Million Challenge on November 7th - yet we have further to go! A small group of anonymous donors has offered to contribute $500,000 if $1,000,000 can be committed to the Building for the Future Campaign by December 31, 2013. If we were to meet the Challenge, our fundraising total would increase from $13,269,641 to $14,204,818! We strongly hope you will make a commitment to the Building for the Future Campaign by December 31, 2013 to help us meet this ambitious Challenge! Currently, we have raised $564,824.00 toward our goal of $1,000,000 by December 31, 2013.
DECEMBER 2013
$16.6M
GOAL
M .4 2 $ C BALAN E $1M
CHALLENGE
$500K GIFT
All gifts to the Building for the Future Campaign are tax-deductible.
B UIL D ING F O RT HE F U T U R E .O R G
M 2.7 $1 Y AD RE AL PLEDGED
Progress as of December 16, 2013: $564,824.
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BUILDING FOR THE FUTURE CAMPAIGN UPDATE
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very special thank you to the following parents, grandparents and friends who have made a generous commitment to the Building for the Future Campaign. Together, these early donors have pledged $13,269,641 towards a $16,600,000 goal in support of the construction of our new Upper School, Geier Hall, which is scheduled to open in January 2015. Anonymous (3) Chris and Sandee Anderson Rich and Connie Austin Rob and Kathy Avery Eric and Nicole Barnett Mark and Michelle Bartlett Rick and Leigh Ann Bishop Alice Bostic Jim and Barbara Brady David and Karen Brunke Charles Buffington, C.W. Buffington and Associates Curtis and Sandi Cain Leslee and Charles Chalk Joel and Nicole Charlton Keith and Jennifer Cooper John and Lynn Cowart Brad and Rhonda Dalton Glenn and Hollyce Davenport Doug and Katie Davidson
Michael and Shannon DeJarnette Joan and John Delk Dave and Susan Dudas Jeff and Laurie Ferry Mike and Norma Gailey Joseph and Courtney Gaynor Jay and Diane Geier J. William and Joan Goodhew John W. Goodhew, IV David and Jan Hailey Dr. Chip Harbaugh Curtis and Debra Hicks Robert and Karen Hirsch Keith and Jennifer Hughes Travis and Michele Jackson Scott and Elizabeth Lewis John and Rebecca Marshall Happy and Lynn Mayer Keith McSwain Michelle Merrill and Tinsley Merrill-Lee Randy and Janie Merrill Dr. Larry and Jeanine Millikan John O’Neill Lawrence and Lori Payne Richard and Christie Peden Deborah and Ray Price Mike and Christina Reinsel Brian and Molly Richie Geoff and Misty Rothermel
Thomas Schretter, Sr. Cleve and Donna Shultz Dale and Brenda Slack Greg and Joyce Smith Matt and Beth Tanzy Rod and Jenny Vanderslice Mark Waldrop Sally Waldrop Gary and Rinette Walsh Ken and Lisa Wayco Doug and Dianne Williams Rev. Steve and LeAnne Wood We invite you to join us in a campaign to fulfill the vision of those who came before us and prepare for those who come after. For more information on giving to the Building for the Future Campaign, please visit www.buildingforthefuture.org or contact Melissa Santee at (678) 336-3384 or msantee@mountpisgahschool.org. *Giving as of December 16, 2013. All gifts to the Building for the Future Campaign are tax-deductible.
BUI L D I N GF O R T H E F U T U R E .O R G
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A Christmas UPDATE Dr. Ben Carson
DECEMBER 2013
CONGRATULATIONS TO COACH MIKE FORESTER
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ootball Coach Mike Forester has been named Coach of the Year by the North Fulton/Forsyth Touchdown Club. He has also received the Atlanta Falcons Class A Coach of the Year award. “It was an amazing season,” said Coach Forester. “So many pieces of the puzzle came together. We had a great coaching staff, a core of kids who worked very hard even during the summer and great leadership from all ten of our seniors. Success is a great thing but more than that we challenged the players to strive for excellence. They did and as a result the success came.”
Coach Mike Forester
PISGAH TO HOST 2014 GISA CONFERENCE!
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ount Pisgah Christian School will welcome 2,000 private school educators from across the state to our campus as hosts of the 2014 Georgia Independent School Association Annual Conference featuring Dr. Ben Carson, a world-renowned physician, scholar, columnist, philanthropist, and motivational speaker. Dr. Carson has an inspiring story to share of overcoming tremendous odds to achieve one’s goals. He serves as Professor Emeritus of Neurosurgery at Johns Hopkins University and is a FOX News contributor.
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2013 Region Champions
Paul and Jennifer Aliff with children Michael ‘20, Matthew ‘22, and future Patriot William
“Given how important Mount Pisgah has become to not only our children and family, but the whole community and its future, we are committed to giving to the Annual Fund and supporting the School’s mission of ‘College Prep. Life Ready’ for students now and for the next generation.”
THANK YOU TO THE 409 DONORS WHO HAVE COMMITTED TO THE ANNUAL FUND!
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our support of the Annual Fund each year is vital, as it helps bridge the gap between tuition and the School’s roughly $15 million of operating expenses. Your tax-deductible donation provides funding for essential people and programs, including:
• Teacher and coaches’ salaries, benefits and funding for professional development
• Educational technology • Arts and athletics programs • Field trips such as the SharpTop Spiritual Retreat • Campus upkeep and beautification • Visiting authors, story-tellers, and puppeteers Mount Pisgah Christian School is near the mid-point of the year and the Annual Fund drive is already well underway. Our goal this school year is to raise $775,000. If you have not made or paid your Annual Fund pledge and would like for your donation to qualify as
Jordan Utley ‘16 and Nicholas Doss ‘14 in the All School Christmas Band Concert.
a 2013 charitable gift for tax purposes, please contact Melissa Santee in the Advancement Office at 770-605-5409 or go to the website at
experiencepisgah.org/giving. Annual Fund Progress as of December 16, 2013: • 100% Participation from Faculty and Staff • 100% Participation from Board of Trustees • 44% Participation from JK-12th Parents • 31% Participation from All Parents • Total Pledges Received $575,553.76 • Cash Received: $378,414.37 • Total Donors to Date: 409
Every Family, Every Year
Gabby Johnson and Tate Greenwell presented their Operation Christmas Child donations at the Thankful Friday program.
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A Christmas UPDATE
DECEMBER 2013
5 QUESTIONS EVERY PARENT SHOULD ASK... Adapted from an article in the Atlanta Business Chronicle, November 1-7, 2013 1. Are there high-quality and committed teachers? 2. Is there a low student-to-teacher ratio? 3. Do students feel challenged by their school? 4. Are there strong partnerships among parents, teachers and students? 5. Does the school have a climate that supports achievement? Mount Pisgah is a nurturing and challenging Christian college-preparatory school that prepares young people for the complexities and challenges of the 21st Century. Please contact Admissions Director, Tammy Mozingo, or any of the division heads if you would like to discuss these questions (and any others).
Faith Dornan (Class of 2026) enjoys Thankful Friday
Januar y
OPEN HOUSE
ll 25, 2014 • 11am • South Ha
Head of Primary School Nancy Purdy enjoys reading with Chase Bishop.
André-Philippe, Isabella and Marcus Hookong enjoy Old Fashioned Christmas
9820 Nesbit Ferry Road • Johns Creek, Georgia 30022 (678) 336-3443 • experiencepisgah.org