10 minute read
ON CAMPUS
FIELDS OF dreams
With the growth of the MPC athletics department, the need for all-weather and multi-sport playing surfaces has also grown. Seeing the need, individual donors proposed a drastic transition of the lower practice field and the baseball field to turf surfaces. In 2020, an anonymous donor initiated a gift to prepare the site and place turf on the lower field to primarily be utilized by lacrosse,W the growth of the MPC athletics depart the need for all-weather and multi-sport surfaces has also grown. Seeing proposed a drastic of the lower practice field and field to turf surfaces. 2020, an anonymous donor initiated to prepare the site and place turf on field to primarily be utilized by lacrosse, soccer, and football. Eagle Backers provided funds for fencing and finishing work, resulting in a facility that serves multiple teams.
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Inspired by the refurbished lower field turf, another anonymous donor generously provided for the turf baseball field. MPC Baseball Coach Kyle Reese says these improvements are life-changing. “You spend all your time working with the players and coaches. We did not miss one practice due to weather this season,” he shares. “Young players need reps, and you just do not miss reps with the new turf. When you’re done with practice or a game, you have more time to get to know the student-athletes and mentor without having to do weekly maintenance hours on the playing surface.” As with other areas across campus, MPC athletics looked to innovate when considering turf replacement, choosing synthetic turf from
Advanced Sports Group and Shaw Sports Turf.
BY JOHN SESS, DIRECTOR OF OPERATIONS
The resulting two fields feature more than 214,000 square feet of Legion, Legion Pro, and TruHop Turf systems.
Engineered for performance and safety, Shaw Sports Turf features a product line designed specifically to meet the needs of athletes and sports programs. Student-athletes are now playing on the same surfaces as professional athletes like the Baltimore Ravens and the Tampa Bay Rays.
When contemplating solutions to set apart MPC baseball facilities from the competition, leadership wanted the ability for our athletes to train on multiple surfaces, knowing that they would play away games on both natural and synthetic turf. The answer was custombuilt, state-of-the-art bullpens that include both turf and dirt. This variation prepares players to compete on any surface, an opportunity that few institutions can provide.
Thanks to visionary donors, these gifts are transformative to our athletics program and for the student-athlete experience. W
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LYN BENNETT
BY MICKIE ROBERTS, LOWER AND MIDDLE SCHOOL REGISTRAR
Dubbed “ e Happiest Place on Campus,” the MPCS Sewell Cottage has been home away from home for preschool teacher Mrs. Lyn Bennett for the past 15 years, though her relationship with the school spans 30 years as an MPCS parent. Mrs. Bennett and her husband Horace just celebrated the graduation of their youngest child with the class of 2020.
Born in Carrollton, and a resident of Cobb county since she was three, Mrs. Bennett received her Bachelor of Science degree in Early Childhood Education from Kennesaw State University. She attended KSU part-time for seven years with three kids at home and working two jobs. A lifelong learner, she completed the Georgia Independent School Association’s Master Teacher Program in 2018 and is currently pursuing a Master’s in Educational Leadership from Gordon College.
Of her time at MPCS, Mrs. Bennett loves most sharing Jesus with her students. “Preschoolers have such a trusting spirit that Jesus really does love them. I hope the spiritual seeds we plant in preschool will continue to grow in their lives.” Mrs. Bennett has been blessed with the joy of witnessing growth, both physical and spiritual, in the “babies” she taught in preschool. She loves to see her former students grow up and do great things, such as with the 25 “lifers” in this year’s graduating class. “I cry every time I hear one of them give a devotion or hear about some accomplishment on the announcements,” she gushes.
While loving and adorable, preschoolers are busy! Preschool children remember concepts by using their whole body. Mrs. Bennett COMBINES FUN AND MOVEMENT IN THE CLASSROOM WITH INNOVATIVE LESSONS ON SPECIFIC THEMES AND HANDS-ON SENSORY ACTIVITIES. Teachers coordinate room
decor to match specific themes to enhance the learning experience. Mrs. Bennett says, “Kids are so excited when they come in the room and see what is new.” In her down time, Mrs. Bennett enjoys gardening and playing the piano. Family is important to her, so she loves hosting get-togethers and making memories. She travels to Birmingham often to see her youngest, Andrew, play baseball for Samford University. She also loves to go to the beach and play with her two grandchildren.
Mrs. Lyn Bennett is a blessing to all who walk the halls of Sewell Cottage and beyond. It is no surprise that she was recently chosen as one of Cobb Life Magazine’s “Best Teachers.” MPCS is certainly a better and “happier” place because of Mrs. Bennett. W
murray INNOVATION CENTER
BY JENNIFER NEW, CHIEF DEVELOPMENT OFFICER
CONSTRUCTION CORNER CONSTRUCTION
rough “Construction Corner” updates, MPCS has shared the exciting progress of the Murray Innovation Center. We have contracted with TVS Architects, UDS Development Services, and Hodges & Hicks General Contractors to complete the project. e center is a muchneeded 23,000-plus square foot addition to the current Dozier Hall high school, originally built to house just 250 students. With booming enrollment, MPCS is thrilled to o er innovative new learning spaces for its 450 high school students, with a target open date of second semester next year.
SINCE THE BREAKING-GROUND CEREMONY, THERE HAS BEEN MUCH ACTIVITY AT THE SITE:
• Permits were approved by the city of Marietta and construction started on February 22. • Stabilization of the site began to prevent erosion and control rainfall discharge to protect the lake. • Crews have moved 1,100 dump truck loads of dirt.
That’s enough to fill three Olympic swimming pools! • Installation of underground electrical and plumbing in preparation for the first floor slab-on-grade concrete pour was completed. • Iron workers completed the first phase of the structural steel and metal decking. This is the framing for the Digital Lab, Maker Space, Fabrication Lab on the first floor and the science labs on the second floor.
• Iron workers installed the final major beam along the northeast side of the bridge connecting the Murray
Innovation Center to Dozier Hall.
• The MPCS family, UDS Development Services, TVS
Design, and Hodges & Hicks gathered on May 7 to watch workers place a cross and American flag on the building to celebrate this milestone. • The beam, signed by students, staff, and families and inscribed with scripture, was hoisted in place marking the building’s official “topping out.” • Elevated second-floor slabs poured and crews constructed the building’s exterior walls. • Sheathing installation is ongoing. • On-grade slab and concrete stairs poured. • Ductwork and electrical conduit is being installed • Framing crews completed roof truss installation in preparation for decking. • Blocking installation around window openings and barrier installation has begun… and much more happening every week!
Did you know that as part of the project, Dozier Hall is also getting some overdue upgrades to tie the buildings together? In addition, high school visual arts is moving “home” to the Murray Arts Center, first floor. Here are a few of the renovations happening this summer, with plans to be ready for the first day of school:
MURRAY ARTS CENTER
• Demolition work in Mrs. Zefo’s classroom and rear offices on the first floor of the Murray Arts Center. • Plumbing crews sawcut and removed sections of concrete in order to install the sanitary piping serving the new sinks.
• The kiln was removed from Dozier Hall and relocated to the Murray Arts Center for re-installation. • Floor, wall, and ceiling finishes will be constructed. • Newly expanded large space will house the new visual art and pottery classrooms.
DOZIER HALL
• Demolition crews removed flooring, walls, and ceilings in the existing art room and art storage to create a new larger classroom. • Workers removed lockers, walls, and ceilings in preparation for the new corridor that connects to the
Murray Innovation Center bridge. • Crews continue to frame new walls and rough-in for new electrical systems in these shared spaces. • Masons will remove the brick on the exterior of Dozier
Hall the bridge after roofing is installed. • Framing crews completed new interior partitions and door frame installations in the new Dozier teacher workroom and guidance counselor wing (former main high school office). • Carpet and base is being replaced in preparation for new flooring in all existing classrooms. • Crews will also paint all interior spaces before the end of summer.
Watch the construction timelapse video and get the most recent updates at mtparanschool.com/construction-corner.
INNOVATIVE WAYS TO GET BACK TO CAMPUS
BY TIFFANY WESTBROOK, DIRECTOR OF MARKETING AND COMMUNICATIONS
In the 45-year history of MPCS, 2020-2021 proved to be one of the most challenging. How does an independent school who thrives when in community with one another continue to foster that core value when we cannot all be together? Leave it to the creative and innovative minds of the faculty, sta , and volunteers among our MPCS family. In the “year like no other,” MPCS successfully navigated inperson classes, synchronous learning, and community events. Some new traditions were born in the process. Here are a few examples of how it was done:
GOING VIRTUAL:
• Morning video devotions • ParentEd. sessions, such as with west-coast author Dr. Wendy Mogel • GoFan online ticketing • Lower school Zoom updates • Virtual Tour videos • NFHS Network for live-streaming games • Grandparents’ Day Zooming into classrooms • Launch of MPCS Network for family businesses, professionals, and alumni
UTILIZING LARGE SPACES:
• Head of School Roundtables for new families in outdoor tent • Middle school coffees in dining hall • Arts musicals and Night of Worship livestreamed and in-person • Limited, but in-person attendance to music and dance concerts • Spreading out for all athletic events • Preschool Graduation with immediate family • Eighth-Grade Blessing in larger church sanctuary • Commencement
TAKING IT OUTSIDE:
• New Family Welcome Wagon • Homecoming Parade and Pep Rally • Middle School Student Forum in
Sewell Stadium • PTF Drive-In Laser Light Show • MPCS Family Christmas – festival of trees by Lake McDonald, carols, crafts, and preschool nativity • PTF Auction • Field Trips divided smaller groups • Senior College Day and Senior Breakfast • Eagle Backers Golf Tournament • Senior Car Parade • Summer Programs
THE BEST AGAIN!
“BEST PRESCHOOL” “BEST PRESCHOOL”
BY TIFFANY WESTBROOK, DIRECTOR OF MARKETING AND COMMUNICATIONS
“BEST TEACHER” “BEST TEACHER”
“BEST PERFORMING ARTS” “BEST PERFORMING ARTS”
Mount Paran Christian School has been honored with an unprecedented number of Best of Cobb honors — now with back-to-backto-back “Best Private School” recognition in 2019, 2020, and again in 2021! MPCS also won back-to-back “Best Performing Arts” awards, no doubt because of the award-winning programming and state-of-the art facilities within the Murray Arts Center for performing and visual arts.
e teaching staff at MPCS is exemplary. Lower School Teacher Mrs. Kelly Moss was voted the 2020 Best of Cobb “Best Teacher,” and Mrs. Lyn Bennett, a teacher in the MPCS preschool garners 2021 “Best Teacher” honors. e preschool also won back-to-back “Best Preschool” recognition in 2020 and 2021. e preschool program prepares students academically with instruction from 100-percent-state-certified teachers. Students learn through play and are taught important “soft” skills, such as being a good neighbor and a friend to all. ese accolades voted by our community come as no surprise to our staff, students, and families. ey all experience the amazing culture of the school on a daily basis. e Best of Cobb just confirms what we already know and feel — that MPCS is family. W “BEST PRESCHOOL” “BEST PRESCHOOL”
