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Excel Christian Academy Newsletter
“Excellence In A Christ-Centered Atmosphere”
Chairman: Dr. Joe E. Edwards
Chairman Pro Tem: Danny Deems
Principal: Tommy Harris
Assistant Principal: Kenn Baker
April 2015
2015 CELEBRATION OF EXCELLENCE
Our Celebration of Excellence drew a sold-out crowd to hear Dr. David Cooper
(pictured left). He delivered a timely message about work ethic and shared his
own childhood personal experience of his first job. It is our sincere desire to see
the dreams of every Excel student come to life and for our students to live out
their God-given talents.
Excel Christian Academy
325 Old Mill Road
Cartersville, GA 30120
Phone:
(770) 382-9488
Fax:
(770) 606-9884 (MS/HS)
(770) 607-8212 (Elem.)
Pictured below are senior Miriam Hibbard receiving the Eagle Award, presented by Mr.
Tommy Harris; Mrs. Tammy Gravley receiving the Childcare Excellence Award presented by
Mr. Clay Stewart; Mrs. Susan West receiving the Teacher of the Year Award presented by
State Senator Bruce Thompson; State Representative Paul Battles, became the first member of
the Hall of Faith presented by ECA Chairman Joe E. Edwards; Mrs. Janet Thornbrough
receiving the Vision Award presented by Mr. Danny Deems; the Excel Singers and members
of the class of 2015.
Miriam Hibbard
Eagle Award
State Representative
Paul Battles
Hall of Faith
Tammy Gravley
Childcare Excellence Award
Janet Thornbrough
Vision Award
Susan West
Teacher of the Year Award
Members of the class of
2015
The Excel Singers
Page 2 of 6
ECA School Newsletter
ECA BAND NEWS—DR. SAM SIMON
ECA is pleased to announce that our saxophone trio, wind quartet, and three soloists participated in our district’s Solo and Ensemble festival in Ringgold. All earned superior ratings (highest possible rating). Also,
our high school band enjoyed a safe, fun, and educational trip to New York City over Spring Break.
Sax Trio
Matthew Raburn, Simon Morris,
Chris Bruce
Wind Quartet
Diana Davidson, Natalee Sims, Zara Rainey,
Savanna Keller
Soloists
Matthew Raburn, Zara Rainey,
Parker Helms
accompanied by Faith Thompson
MS SPELLING BEE WINNERS
1st Place
Joseph Adams (center)
2nd Place
Brooklyn Guthrie (right)
3rd Place
Ellise Taylor (left)
Congratulations to our
very own Joseph
Adams for placing
second in the District
MS spelling bee! All
our participants did
such a great job!!!
ELEMENTARY SPELLING BEE WINNERS
1st Place
Katime Toure (right)
2nd Place
Tristan McKibben (center)
3rd Place
Haleigh Strain (left)
Mrs. Hayes 4th
grade class
presenting their
bulletin board
of the
planets to
Mr. Baker.
Counselor’s Corner
Page 3 of 6
ECA School Newsletter
MARK YOUR CALENDARS!!!!
Excel will be hosting an Open House on Sunday, May 3, from 1:00 – 3:00. Please invite friends, relatives,
and anyone interested in Excel to come visit. The staff will be present to answer any questions and visit
with interested families. A complimentary barbeque lunch will be served.
CIVIC YOUTH DAY
The Civic Youth Day is the element of our Youth in Government programming that teaches students the function of local (county and municipal) government.
The objectives of the program are for students to:
 learn the importance of voter registration
 learn the campaign process
 learn the election process
 become acquainted with the daily activities of local government
In this program, high school students are elected (or appointed) to shadow
an adult official on the day that is observed as Civic Youth Day. The
objectives for the officials are to:







communicate their job responsibilities
describe an average day
explain any extra duties (night meetings, emergencies, parades, etc.)
outline the chain of command
indicate the term of office and the method of obtaining the position (elected or appointed)
give a tour of the facility
involve the student in daily activities if possible
The oldest Civic Youth Day program in Georgia is in Bartow County. This program is jointly sponsored by the State
YMCA and the Cartersville Optimist Club and is supported by the Bartow County, City of Adairsville, and City of Cartersville Governments. In 2011, the Bartow County Civic Youth Day program celebrated its 55th anniversary.
Pictured from left to right are:
Sydney Arthur—Mayor, Sara Bradley—School Board, Celia Tidwell—City Council,
Lily Simpson—Fire Chief, Kaitlyn Clarey—School Board, Teacher—David Bishop
UPCOMING EVENTS
Apr. 21
HS Tennis Region Championships
HS Soccer @ Cass High School @ 6:00
ES / Band Instrument Selection
Apr. 22
ITBS Testing / MS & ES
Progress Reports Go Home
Senior Pictures @ 10:00
Apr. 23
Junior/Senior Prom 2015
Stonewall Manor
Cartersville, GA
7:00-10:30
May 9, 2015
ITBS Testing / MS & ES
Dodge Ball Tournament Gym
Apr. 24
ITBS Testing / MS & ES
Apr. 27
CiCi’s Pizza Night
Apr. 28
ITBS Testing / MS & ES
Chick – Fil – A Night
Apr. 29
6th Grade Chapel
Apr. 30
1st Grade to Atlanta Zoo
Uniform Source / Fit Students for Next Year
Counselor’s Corner
Page 4 of 6
ECA School Newsletter
ELEMENTARY ACCELERATED READING WINNERS FOR MARCH
Mrs. Reynolds’ 2nd grade class took the trophy for the most points earned this month, and for the highest
percentage correct in the first through second grades. And Mrs. Roberson’s 5th grade class
took the trophies for most points earned and highest percentage in the 3rd through 5th grades. Ben
Scarbrough, in fifth grade, was the student with the most earned points in third through fifth grades with
50.4 points for March. Tristan McKibben, second grade, had the most points earned for first and second
grades with 13.8. Kennedy Guthrie had the most points earned for Kindergarten. She earned 11.5 points in
March.
Kennedy Guthrie
Ms. Reynolds
2nd Grade
Tristan McKibben
Ben Scarbrough
Mrs. Roberson
5th Grade
Counselor’s Corner
Page 5 of 6
ECA School Newsletter
STUDENTS OF THE MONTH
Each month the teachers at each grade level choose a student of the month. The students selected epitomize the vision and mission of Excel Christian Academy. They demonstrate leadership, character, and academic achievement on a daily basis. They are the students that, ―let their
good works show and glorify God in Heaven.‖ We look forward to the continued recognition
of outstanding students at Excel. Pictured are Noah King; K-2, Reese Storey 3-5,
Blakely McCollum; Middle School, and Tessa Thornbrough; High School.
Reese
Noah
Blakely
Tessa
COUNSELORS CORNER—Mrs. Cowart
Upcoming Test Dates at Excel:
April 22, 23 & 24: ITBS – survey test (3 days) for K, 1st, 2nd, 4th, 6th, 7th
April 22, 23, 24, 28 & 29: ITBS - full battery test (5 days) for 3rd, 5th, 8th
May 4: AP Psychology Exam – 12:00pm
May 8: AP US History Exam – 8:00am
May 15: AP Human Geography OR AP Micro Economics (both 8:00am)
Upcoming ACT Test Dates are: To register for the ACT visit: www.actstudent.org
June 13
(register by May 8)
Upcoming SAT Test Dates are: To register for the SAT visit: www.collegeboard.org
May 2
(register by Apr. 6 – LATE registration by Apr.21)
June 6
(register by May 8)
Reminder: when registering for either of these tests, take advantage of the free service of sending student scores to four
colleges of their choice. This will be a prompt that pops up during registration.
Upcoming Awards Dates and Events:
Tuesday, May 5: MS/HS Fine Arts Awards and Spring Band Concert 6:00pm ECA Auditorium.
Saturday, May 9: Junior/Senior Prom 7:00–10:30pm Stonewall Manor.
Tuesday, May 12: MS/HS Athletic Banquet 6:30pm ECA Auditorium.
Friday, May15: ―Senior Awards‖ & Passing the Torch - 1:00pm ECA Auditorium.
Sunday, May 17: Baccalaureate Service - 6:00pm ECA Auditorium.
(Reception 5:00pm in Library for Seniors and their parents)
Tuesday, May 19: Kindergarten Graduation - 10:30am ECA Auditorium.
Wednesday, May 20: HS Awards for grades 9-11 – 11:30am ECA Auditorium.
MS Awards for grades 6-8 – 1:00pm ECA Auditorium.
Thursday, May 21: ELEM Awards for grades 1-4 – 8:30am ECA Auditorium
5th grade Awards & Affirmation 9:30am ECA Auditorium
Senior Graduation – 7:00pm ECA Auditorium