WARRIOR WEEKLY
October 29, 2020
Volume 2・Issue 12
All-School News
REMEMBER: CLOCKS "FALL BACK" ONE HOUR THIS WEEKEND.
Nathan Whisman picks up his gingerbread man cookie-baking kit. He and others will be baking hundreds of cookies for Camp Light this weekend.
Why We Serve
By Donald M. Larson, PhD
The church through the ages has been the primary leader in education, setting up hospitals, and taking care of the poor, the widows, and the fatherless. During times of plague or pandemic, Christians have always been willing to risk their lives to give comfort and take care of those who were ill or dying—often to their own demise.
PASS IT ON IS TOMORROW!
Elementary/Middle School News
ES - Friday: Regular School Schedule
MS - Friday: School Closed
When Home Because of COVID...

Every week we are together at school is a huge victory in these crazy COVID times! I want to thank all of our parents for their patience and partnership in making these victories possible! I also want to thank you for working with your individual student at home on those occasions when he or she is doing homebound instruction. It is a challenging, imperfect process that gets improved upon regularly. 

If you know your child will be quarantined or is sick related to COVID, please contact Mrs. Morel as soon as possible so she can contact their specific teacher(s). The teacher will have 12 to 24 hours to get your student on-line. As the parent, you will need to help facilitate this process. Finally, to support your technology efforts at home, our technology staff are available as needed. Contact Laura Doty ([email protected]) or Hiram Tackett ([email protected]).
Friday, November 6: K-8 Parent-Teacher Conferences
1:30-5:00 PM
Please click the link below to sign up.
General health questions will be asked, and temperatures will be taken.
Masks should be worn during conference if not socially distanced.
Stay tuned for the upcoming 4th-6th grade Grandparents' Day video.
More details to come!
Middle school students: Mark your calendars!
1 - As part of the GCS Family Day, the HS Prefecture is hosting a Scavenger Hunt for families with MS or HS students. Details here.
2 - Fire Pit Social will be November 13 at 6 PM on the ES/MS campus. Info coming soon!
High School News
Parent-Teacher Conferences
Next Friday, November 6, from 1:30 - 5:00 PM, parents are encouraged to meet with their student's(s') teachers to review the 1st quarter and to prepare for the rest of the school year.

To schedule these conferences, just click the button below.

It will be helpful for you to arrive at least 5 minutes prior to your first appointment so that you can park, enter through the front entrance, and have your temperature taken.
Arrival Process to Change
Beginning this coming Monday, Nov. 2
For various reasons, the following changes will take effect this coming Monday for dropping off students at the HS in the mornings.

  • Pre-screening of Health Check passports as vehicles pull up to the building will no longer be part of the drop-off protocol.

  • If a student's Health Check passport is not green:
  • The student should be kept home unless prior clearance from the HS principal has been obtained.
  • In those instances, students should be dropped off in front of the back parking lot stairs, and the driver should wait until the student is cleared to enter the building.
  • These students should enter through the door on the right.
  • GCS employees/volunteers will then handle the pre-screening and determine if the student should remain or return home.

  • If a student's passport is green:
  • The student should be dropped off along the alley and should enter the building through the back parking lot stairs (no longer the locker room entrance).
  • They should show their passport to the GCS employee/volunteer as they enter through the door on the left.
  • Students without phones or the Health Check app should enter the door on the right, and a GCS employee/volunteer will complete the screening process with the student.

  • If a HS family is unable to utilize the Health Check app, and there is no discernible reason to hold back the student, still use the above "passport is not green" protocol.

  • Any student who arrives after 8:00 AM (no longer 8:05 AM) should enter through the front door.
  • At 8:00 AM we will no longer process student check-in at the back entrance.
  • The beginning of 1st period will remain 8:05 AM.
Special Chapel Speaker
On Thursday (not Wednesday), November 19, we will welcome Jonathan Nazigian to speak in chapel. Mr. Nazigian is the founder and lead communicator of All Things Integrated®. With over 25 years experience as a Christian educator and administrator, Jonathan is passionate about reaching this generation with the Good News of the Gospel, and he is a sought-after speaker to youth and adults at conferences, retreats, chapels, and other events.

Mr. Nazigian has served in Christian schools in VA and NJ, has been an adjunct instructor at Word of Life Bible Institute, and served as the longtime Camp Director for the Word of Life Ranch and Word of Life Wild in the Adirondacks of upstate NY.
Bonfire (Hosted by HS Prefecture)
(Friday, Oct. 30; 6-9 PM)
  • Pumpkin-Carving Contest
  • Corn Hole Tournament
  • Pizza & Beverages Provided
  • Bonfire
Venue: 226 Last Raid Lane, Swoope, VA 24479
Scavenger Hunt
Hosted by HS Prefecture
MS/HS Families Invited
(Saturday, Oct. 31; 1-2 PM)
As part of the GCS Family Day, the HS Prefecture is hosting this fun activity for families with MS or HS students.
HS Art Teacher Needed
Mrs. Donna Kocka has been a blessing to our art students and was an answer to prayer as we were in need of an art teacher just days before the beginning of the school year. She did this sacrificially, as she already had a very busy schedule and stressed that she would only be able to do this for a short time.

We are looking for qualified individuals interested in teaching Introductory Art (Mondays & Tuesdays) and Advanced Art (Thursdays & Fridays) from 2:35-3:20 during this school year. Interested candidates should email our HS principal with a cover letter and a resume/CV. We would also appreciate help from the GCS community with spreading the word about this opportunity.
Dates to Remember
Oct. 30 (Fri.) - Pass it On - No Academics
Oct. 30 (Fri.) - Prefecture Bonfire (6-9 PM)
Oct. 31 (Sat.) - Prefecture Scavenger Hunt (1-3 PM)
Nov. 6 (Fri.) - Parent-Teacher Conferences (1:30-5:00 PM)
Nov. 18 (Wed.) - Photo Makeup Day & Group Photos
Athletics Update
Click below for Cross Country season highlights from Coach Franklin!
Fine Arts Update
"Fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by name, you are mine. When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and through the rivers, they shall not overwhelm you; when you walk through fire you shall not be burned, and the flame shall not consume you. For I am the Lord your God, the Holy One of Israel, your Savior." Isaiah 43:1-3
Click here for a snapshot of what's been happening in the
4th-6th grade music classes this fall. The students would like to bless you with an excerpt from "Shenandoah."
Connect With Us: Grace Christian School | 19 S. Market Street, Staunton VA 24401 | 540.886.9109