The first semester came to an end with a bang!

We had a great close to the first semester with two very successful fundraising events. First, the Young Artist’s Auction was a great success. Our student artists brought in just over $1,200 for our school. Please remember to visit the Art Sonia website to view the student’s work and to purchase items for yourself, your family, or friends.  Then, the Christmas program brought in another $1,100 for our school through ticket sales to family and friends. I want to express my most heartfelt thanks to all of you for your participation in these events. Lastly, the first semester went out with our Crusader’s Basketball team winning a total of 4 regular season games; 3 in a row at the end of the season. We won one additional game in the Tournament and finished the season tied for 3rd place overall!

Now, we turn our attention to the second semester. This launches an entire new set of important events for you to remember. Girl’s Volleyball kicks off with a home game on Friday, January 29th at 6:30pm. Please make plans to be in attendance for this game. As usual, there is no charge for admittance to our athletic events. February will bring our annual Rock-A-Thon, scheduled for Friday, February 19th. This is a very important fundraiser specifically for our athletic programs. March will bring our annual Science Fair and the open house event on Friday, March 26th at 7pm. April brings the annual WCBC Youth Conference, scheduled for April 7th through 8th, in Lancaster, California. May is packed with activities: Human Race event on Saturday, May 8th; 12th Annual Sports Banquet on Monday, May 10th; Friday, May 21st is our annual school-wide field trip (location TBA); Academics Awards presentations on Wednesday, May 26th at 9am; Kindergarten Graduation on Thursday, May 27th at 7pm; Last day of school on Friday, May 28th at noon, and High School Graduation on Friday, May 28th at 7pm.

Lastly, 1st Semester report cards will be sent home on Friday, January 22nd. If you do not receive your student’s report card (either by email or in print) contact me right away.

Yes, it’s that time once again. Time for us to pack up and head into the redwood forests of Mt. Gilead. Following is information regarding this event:

• Dates: September 21 – 23, 2009
• Departure: From BBCA, Monday, September 21st, 9:00 a.m.
• Return: To BBCA, Wednesday, September 23rd, 1:00 p.m.
• Cost: $195 per teen (included in your annual fees)
• Adult Chaperones: Mr. Dalton Abshire, Mr. Jim Andrews, Ms. Erica Abshire
• Where: Mt. Gilead Conference Center, 13485 Green Valley Rd., Sebastopol, CA, 707-823-4508

This retreat is a very important time in our school year. It provides us with the opportunity to get to know one another, and more important, to draw stronger in our personal walk with God. The days will be filled with challenging activities and messages; the teens will enjoy the atmosphere and the aura of the majestic redwood forest. Our theme this year is: “Find Us Faithful” taken from 1 Corinthian 4:2. Each student will be challenged to live their lives faithful to: parents, family, school, friends, country, etc.

Please do not underestimate the importance of this retreat; it will have a long reaching impact on the character of your teen. Students who have graduated and go on often speak to me of the fond memories they have of their days at Mt. Gilead.

If you have any questions please contact me directly.

Spring is here once again, and with spring come our annual Fine Arts Competitions. We began these competitions twelve years ago, with the only category of competition being art. Now, we offer competitions in a variety of areas: Music (including singing and instruments), Art (painting, drawing, lettering, etc.), Academics (English, Math, History, Spelling, and Bible), Strategies (Chess and Scrabble), Culinary Arts (Entrees and desserts), and Photography. Please encourage your child to use the talents God has given them and to enter these competitions. Parents are invited, and encouraged, to come and see your student compete. More information will be forthcoming.

The 3rd quarter is coming to an end (Friday, March 13), and it is time to gear up for the end of year push. I would like to meet with each family to review your student’s progress this year, and to chart their coming year’s lesson plan.

Please contact Mrs. Smith (584-7275) and schedule an appointment to meet with me during the week of March 16 thru 20. Appointments are available from 3:00 to 5:00 p.m. I would ask that both parents (if at all possible) be present for this meeting; student attendance is optional.

We have had a tremendous year, and I am so very pleased with all of our students. If I can ever be of any help to you please do not hesitate to call on me.

Following is the new P.E. schedule for all U.L.C. students:

• Boys P.E. – Monday and Friday, 1:30 – 2:00 p.m.
• Girls P.E. – Monday, Wednesday, Friday, 2:00 – 2:30 p.m.

Each student should be prepared to dress down for P.E. Please refer to the student handbook for the appropriate attire for P.E.

SCIENCE FAIR projects and reports are due by Friday, February 27th. Please make sure your student is prepared. An open house will be held on Friday, February 27th at 7 p.m. At this open house parents may come and view all the projects submitted. Awards will be issued during the open house.

It is hard to believe that it is time, once again, to retreat to the beautiful redwoods of Mt. Gilead Christian Conference Center. This is one of the highlights of our year, and a favorite of all the students. We will depart from the school parking lot on Monday, September 15, 9:15 a.m., and will return on Wednesday, September 17, approximately 12:30 p.m. Please make arrangements to pick-up your teen at that time. Classes will be closed on Thursday and Friday, September 18 and 19. Students should bring in their laptops on Monday morning and synchronize before departing for camp. Then, upon return, they will be able to work at home on Thursday and Friday. Information was sent home last week detailing what to bring and what not to bring. Please confirm that your teen is in compliance with these guidelines before arriving at school on Monday morning. Please remember, there are no wireless phone signals at the campground; therefore, cell phones will not work. A pay phone is available, and you may contact the campground (707-823-4508) and they will get a message to us. Also remember, parents are invited to attend our evening services (7:00 p.m.) on Monday or Tuesday evening. Driving directions are available at: www.mtgilead.org. Copies of all sessions (5 total) will be available for purchase on CD upon our return. If you have any further questions please do not hesitate to contact me.

Classes are off to a great start. We began the year with 20 students, and quickly added another on day two. A warm welcome to: Alex, Caleb, and Richie; our three newest students in the Upper Learning Center (ULC). Please make time to get acquainted with these young men, and their families.

As most of you are aware, we make every effort to create an environment of love, trust, and concern in our school. This, in a very real sense, makes us more like family than acquaintances. It saddens me to lose one of our family members this year. Mrs. Graves will leave us in October to move in with and provide care for her widowed mother. Her influence and friendship will be missed, and can never be replaced. With her will go her son Jacob. We will miss Jacob in our class, and would like to take time to show him our love and appreciation. Therefore, we will hold a special “bon voyage” party for Jacob Graves on Friday, September 26, at 1:00 p.m. All parents are invited to attend and say good-by to Jacob and Mrs. Graves. Please R.S.V.P. to Mrs. Smith in the school office. Everyone is asked to bring a snack, and a fond memory, to share.

Please remember the upcoming retreat, September 15 through 17, at Mt. Gilead Conference Center. ULC students do not have to report to school until 9 a.m. on Monday, September 15. They will return to the campus by 2:30 p.m. on Wednesday, September 17. Classes for the ULC will be closed on Thursday and Friday, September 18 and 19. Students should bring spending money for snacks or souvenirs. All meals are provided at the campgrounds. A detailed list of supplies will be sent home in the near future.

Our first field trip is scheduled for Tuesday, October 21. Students will set sail on an authentic schooner, The Alma, for a day of adventure they will never forget. The cost for this trip is $40 per student, and is due by Wednesday, October 15. We will need drivers for this trip; therefore, please contact Mrs. Smith and inform her you would like to sign up to drive for the ULC field trip on October 21. She will give you the necessary information. The cost is $22 per adult. Times of departure and return will be announced as soon as we know which time-slot we will be given.

If you have any questions please do not hesitate to contact me. You can send me an email to dabshire@bbaptist.org; contact me via AIM, username: bteacher1957; or, stop in to see me (please call the school office first).

Last year we introduced the “synchronization” program in our upper learning center. I am happy to announce that it was a great success. This program gives students the flexibility of completing work; via laptop computer; while away from school (i.e., sick, family trip, etc.) This program will be available again for the 2008-2009 school session. If you did not use a laptop last school session and plan to use one this coming session; or, if you plan to purchase a new laptop for the coming session, speak with either Mr. Abshire or Mr. Andrews before purchasing any equipment, as there are minimal requirements for this equipment.

Classes for the 2007-2008 school year are officially closed as of Wednesday, June 4th. Summer classes for June are as follows:

June 10; June 12; June 17; June 24; June 26 – all classes are held from 10 a.m. until 2 p.m.

The cost for this program is $150 per student, per month, and must be paid in advance. Please speak with Mr. Abshire about enrolling in this program. Students may use this time to complete their current courses or begin working on next semester’s courses.

We will offer summer classes for all interested students enrolled in junior and senior high school; however tutoring will be offered in two subjects only: Math and Science. Classes will be held on Tuesday and Thursday. I will be present to offer assistance in these subjects from 10 a.m. until 2 p.m. The cost for this summer school program is $150 per student, per month. Payment will be due in advance. A complete schedule will be provided for those who register at the school office.