GRACE Christian School

JOIN GRACE'S PTF!

GRACE Parent Teacher Fellowship continues to support our GRACE community even as we enter a school year unlike any other. PTF supports GRACE through GoPlaySave, Care Team, teacher and staff hospitality events, Room and Grade Level Parents, teacher coffee carts, Family Fellowship, Prayer Committee, Men of GRACE and so much more. We need you in order to continue to provide the level and quality of support that we have in the past. Please consider signing up as a committee chairperson or to simply help where you can with one of our committees. Contact PTF President Renee Drumgo directly at ptf@gracechristian.net for further information. See our list of committees here. We are also looking for someone willing to step in as Vice President this year with the goal of becoming PTF President next school year. Thank you and PTF looks forward to serving you this year.

Additionally, volunteers are needed for the PTF Upper Campus Parent Committee: We are looking for volunteers to join in making Upper Campus amazing. As part of PTF we are looking for people willing to lead and support the Upper Campus teachers, parents, and students. This is the Upper Campus version of grade parents though we all work together to serve the whole campus instead of individual grades by doing this we find that many hands make light work and it is fun to brainstorm and serve together. Please grab a friend and contact Cindilee Thorne (cindileet@bellsouth.net) or Beth Marks (beth@themarksteam.com) to sign up or for more information.

SCHOOL PICTURES

School picture day will be held Friday, September 4th through Lifetouch. You can pre-order pictures using the event ID: EVTNSTGCB. We will be taking photos of virtual students on campuses from 11:30-12:30 pm. They can come in just for those times as they will be reserved (unless we are running long). Otherwise, virtual students may take their school pictures during re-take day on October 13th.

COFFEE WITH THE PRINCIPALS

Are you an Upper Campus parent with questions about grade level, upper campus or college planning? Upper Campus Principal, Mandy Gill, and Director of College Counseling, Cathy Cole, will be available for discussion and questions.

Sept 3, 8:15 – 9:15 a.m. - 7th Grade Parents
Sept 8, 8:15 – 9:15 a.m. - 8th Grade Parents
Sept 10, 8:15 – 9:15 a.m. - 9th Grade Parents
Sept 15, 8:15 – 9:15 a.m. - 10th Grade Parents
Sept 17, 8:15 – 9:15 a.m. - 11th and 12th Grade Parents

Are you a Lower Campus parent who wants to learn more about what this year looks like for your student? Dr. Lynnae Morris will hold virtual coffees with the principal on the following dates:

Sept 3, 9:15 - 10:15 a.m. - 2nd Grade Parents
Sept 8, 9:15 - 10:15 a.m. - TK Parents
Sept 10, 9:15 - 10:15 a.m. - 3rd Grade Parents
Sept 15, 9:15 - 10:15 a.m. - Kindergarten Parents
Sept 17, 9:15 - 10:15 a.m. - 4th Grade Parents
Sept 22, 9:15 - 10:15 a.m. - 1st Grade Parents
Sept 24, 9:15 - 10:15 a.m. - 5th Grade Parents
Sept 29, 9:15 - 10:15 a.m. - 6th Grade Parents

These meetings will be held virtually. You can find the Google Hangout links by clicking the event date on the school calendar and selecting “copy to my calendar.”

GO... PLAY... SAVE!

Don't forget about our PTF GoPlaySave fundraiser! Our goal is to raise $11,000! Money raised funds our care team that supports our families during times of joy or times of bereavement, and blesses our teachers and staff throughout the year. Visit the GRACE storefront here to purchase a mobile or paper book for yourself and/or gift to friends and family. GoPlaySave will help you support PTF while saving money throughout the year! Many people make their money back several times over with all of the great buy-one, get-one free savings to restaurants, savings to retail and services, as well as fun places! With over $10,000 in local savings and 365 merchants, you are sure to enjoy saving money while exploring the Triangle with your friends and family! PTF earns 50% profit of all sales. Click here to see how to set up a custom link to share and track your sales. Here is a video that shows more about going mobile that shows more about going mobile and redeeming coupons from your smartphone.

GRACE BUSINESS PARTNER SPOTLIGHT:

Herb Ritter of Ritter Garden Design is one of our Gold GRACE Business Sponsors. Ritter Garden Design has over 25 years experience in landscaping industry with significant experience in landscape design, landscape/hardscape installation and landscape lighting. Visit http://rittergardendesign.com/ for more information.

If you are interested in becoming a business partner with GRACE, please refer to the Business Partner Information Sheet to see what is included at each level. For more information, contact Eric Bradley at ebradley@gracechristian.net. To sign up as a business partner, complete the Business Partner Commitment Form.

REMINDERS

Reporting Absences: If your child is absent from school: Parents should e-mail the appropriate campus (TK6attendance@GRACEChristian.net or 712attendance@GRACEChristian.net) the day of the absence.

If you plan to pick up your child early for an appointment: Use the above email addresses to let our front desk receptionists know what time to expect you.

Planned Absences: Students may receive approval for up to five days of planned absences for family events and vacations and/or educational trips or church activities per year. Parents must seek approval for such events by completing a Planned Absence Form and submitting it to the office at least one week in advance of the first day the student will be absent from school.

Please see the school handbook for all makeup work procedures.

COVID Protocols: Remember to regularly check our "Together Again" packet for information related to our operating procedures. Campus-specific information for Lower Campus can be found here and Upper Campus can be found here.

COMING UP

PICTURE DAY
Friday, September 4
Everyone smile! Individual school pictures will be taken this Friday, September 4th through Lifetouch. You can pre-order pictures using the event ID: EVTNSTGCB.

DONUTS FOR DADS
Friday, September 4 | 7:30 - 8 a.m.
We will be holding our first virtual Donuts for Dads of the 2020/2021 school year this Friday, September 4^th from 7:30 – 8:00 a.m. Since we are not able to have the face-to-face fellowship time like we did when we were in person, over the next couple of months we are going to have some dads speak to the group so you can get to know them. This week’s presenter is going to be Shane Moore, fellow Men of GRACE and dad to 3 kids (Ellie – 7^th, Reese – 5^th, Shane Jr. – 1^st). Come hear what God has laid on Shane’s heart to share with the group and get to know a fellow GRACE dad.

The Google Hangout information is as follows:
Join by video -meet.google.com/ayp-mxcf-sfq
Join by phone - +1 224-858-8324 PIN: ‪155 140 710#

LABOR DAY HOLIDAY
Monday, September 7
Next Monday is Labor Day. We hope our GRACE families enjoy the long weekend!

NEW STAFF SPOTLIGHT

Meet Mrs. Christina Kern, 2nd grade teacher!

Mrs. Kern

"Hello! My name is Christina Kern! When I am not teaching, I love visiting new national parks with my husband, playing with my ten month old German Shepard named Mack, or reading a good book at a coffee shop! My favorite Scripture verse: "He has made everything beautiful in its time. He has also set eternity in the human heart; yet no one can fathom what God has done from beginning to end." - Ecclesiastes 3:11. I am a 2011 GRACE alumni and I am so excited to be back in the place that has shaped me so much! God greatly uses this school!"