Saintsation

January Edition

National Honor Society supports senior Dustan Gammon in his fight against cancer!

TEACHER INSERVICE WEEK

JANUARY 21-25

Teachers will be receiving specialized training in the month of January both on campus and at the ACSI Convention in Birmingham, Alabama. The four days following the Martin Luther King Jr. holiday will incorporate various workshops and seminars that will allow teachers to pursue certifications and renew licensure.

Thursday and Friday of that same week, faculty and administration will attend the Association of Christian Schools International Convention. This is a unique opportunity for teachers to gather with other Christian educators from this region and learn new strategies and techniques for effective instruction. The good news for MJCA students is that this week will provide them with some much cherished time away from the school routine.

______________________________________ PRESCHOOL POLICE VISIT

Preschool students were at attention last week during a visit from two Mt. Juliet police officers. The students learned that the job of any law enforcement officer is to protect the public, and the students also received some crucial information about what to do to keep themselves from injury or danger. Stressing safety, the officers took time to answer questions from our MJCA preschoolers about the specifics of what they do everyday, and each student left with a police "badge" to remind them of the important things they learned.

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SPIRIT WEEK

2008

Spirit Week is upon us again! This annual celebration planned by student council allows students to enjoy theme dress days all week (Jan. 28-Feb. 1) and class competitions during lunch. The culmination of Spirit Week is always an exciting MJCA high school basketball game with the presentation of our female ambassadors and Miss MJCA. Students will be participating in Couch Potato Day on Monday, Camo Day on Tuesday, Hee-Haw Day on Wednesday, Wacky-Tacky Day on Thursday, and Dustan Gammon Day on Friday. Instead of the traditional Blue and Gold Day on Friday, students are going to wear their red BeatCancer shirts on that day for a school-wide photograph to show our support for Dustan and his family. What a great week of fun ahead!

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COUCH POTATO DAY

ELEMENTARY

Students from Mrs. Posey's class relax in their comfortable clothes!

Mrs. Martin gets into the spirit with two of her students.

Kindergarten students love Couch Potato Day!

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ELEMENTARY SPIRIT WEEK

DRESS DAYS

Camo Day is a big hit with these elementary students!

Hee Haw Day inspires some hunger!

Teachers and students enjoy Wacky Tacky Day!

Elementary show their love for Dustan Gammon on Friday during the pep rally!

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DUSTAN GAMMON DAY

Students of all ages dressed up to show their support for one of their own on Friday. Senior Dustan Gammon was honored with red "BeatCancer" t-shirts worn in solidarity to support his fight against leukemia. This day culminated in a school-wide pep rally in the gym that demonstrated in a very visual way the love that MJCA holds for Dustan and his family! Keep fighting, Dustan!

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TEACHERS SHOW SPIRIT

Spirit Week is definitely not just for the students! Teachers look forward to joining in on the fun all year round!

Mrs. Shoemaker doesn't mind getting wacky or tacky!

Mr. Foreman is showing some love on Wacky Tacky Day!

Mrs. Kitchen knows all about wacky and tacky!

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HELP SUPPORT THE DUSTAN GAMMON FAMILY

National Honor Society is sponsoring a "BeatCancer" campaign this month to help support the Dustan Gammon family. Dustan, a senior at MJCA, is currently battling leukemia, and his friends and classmates have been looking for ways to help. A National Honor Society member, Caitlin Hammer, designed a t-shirt using Dustan's favorite color red while incorporating both his personal motto, BeatCancer and his beloved baseball number, 31. The goal of the BeatCancer campaign is to sell a $10 t-shirt to every student at MJCA. The campaign will culminate on Friday, February 1st, which is MJCA Homecoming. On that day, all students who have purchased a shirt will wear them to school as a visible show of support. Proceeds from the t-shirt sale will be given to the Gammon family.

If you desire your child to participate, and you are an elementary parent, letters and order forms are being sent home for you to fill out and return to your child's classroom teacher by next Friday, January 18th. If you are a secondary parent, your child can purchase shirts on announced sale dates or see Mrs. Jennifer Christensen in the secondary hallway at any time. We encourage you to get involved and support Dustan Gammon!

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ACSI CONVENTION

BIRMINGHAM, ALABAMA

Mr. Scheck, Mrs. VanVactor, and Mrs. Kitchen pose with MJCA's accreditation certificate.

The Association of Christian Schools International hosted its annual teacher's convention in Birmingham, Alabama last week. Along with a variety of informative sessions for teacher to choose from, MJCA also had a moment to celebrate its accreditation achievement from 2007. Our adminstrators were brought on stage during Friday's general session to receive our accreditation certificate and congratulations from ACSI.

This time also afforded teachers an opportunity to spend time with one another away from the regular routine. Developing friendships and enjoying fellowship only serves to strengthen the family atmosphere among the faculty of MJCA.

Secondary teachers pose during a great dinner at Birmingham's Dreamland.

A few of our staff ham it up for the cameras before a session begins!

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CLASS COMPETITIONS

SPIRIT WEEK

Class competitions always spice up the lunch period around MJCA. Each day, the student council sponsors a different game that pits each class against one another. There is never a shortage of enthusiasm and spirit!

Monday: Look Ma, No Hands Pictionary!

Student contestants draw a couch potato without the use of their hands!

Tuesday: Baby Food Tastes Better Through a Straw!

Wednesdsay: Bobbing for Grapes, Applesauce Style!

Thursday: Baby Crawl Relay!

Friday: Chubby Bunny!

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VICTOR UNDERWOOD SIGNS WITH BRYAN COLLEGE

Victor Underwood poses with Bryan Head Coach, Don Rekoske and MJCA Head Coach, Paul Christensen.

MJCA men's basketball will miss one of its most decorated players when the season ends the year, senior Victor Underwood. Victor is finishing his career on a high note, a full basketball scholarship to Bryan College. During a school assembly and with family seated close by, Victor signed a scholarship that will cover his educational costs for the next four years.

During his career, Victor has broken many established records in the basketball program as well as becoming the second all-time leading scorer. With at least a month away from the end of the season, that record is still within his reach. In addition to his successes on the court, Victor Underwood is a success in life. His dedication and uncompromising character have been his biggest assets, and we look forward to his many accomplishments in the future. Congratulations, Victor!

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OVERNIGHT TO ADVENTURE

4TH AND 5TH GRADE

The 4th and 5th Grade classes descended on the Adventure Science Museum for an overnight stay on Friday, January 18th. Mr. Presley and Mrs. Turner from the 4th grade and Mrs. Mosier and Mr. Spence from the 5th grade joined a host of parent chaperones in experiencing the overnight learning adventure. Students participated in science programs including explanations of movie special effects and creating lego robots. What an exciting night of fun for our elementary students!