Gator Tales
Grace Episcopal School Vol. 12 (2017-2018)
Next Week at a "Gator Glance"
Monday, December 4
- K - 5th Grade Chapel @ 8:00 AM (Grace Church)
- PTF Holiday Shop
Tuesday, December 5
- 6th - 8th Grade Chapel @ 8:00 AM (Middle School Commons)
- PTF Holiday Shop
Wednesday, December 6
- Holy Eucharist Grades 1-8, Parents Welcome @ 8:00 am
- Social Studies Fair- Middle School Commons Room
- PTF Holiday Shop
Thursday, December 7
- PTF Holiday Shop
Friday, December 8
- Professional Development Day- No Students
- TGIF Lunch Orders
TGIF January Lunch and Mardi Gras shirt orders are Open Now!
&
Shop, Smile (Amazon Smile) and Support GES
Amazon Smile will donate 0.5% of certain purchases to the school.
Gator Christmas Store is open until December 14th
Handmade gifts made by GES students, stationary and stocking stuffers available to purchase.
All proceeds go to Grace Episcopal School.
Store open from November 1st through midnight on December 14th.
From the Desk of Dr. Ricks
Parents and Friends,
As we transition from Thanksgiving into Advent and holiday preparations, I am so very thankful for the wonderful parents who do so much to support our school. Last night, several parents participated in our PTF Holiday Fiesta Think Tank session, and it was a great success. Over tacos and chips, we swapped stories and shared ideas about ways in which we can make Grace School a better place for you and your children. Over the next couple of weeks, we will go through our copious notes and make sure that the night's topics of discussion are shared with you.
As the year winds down, please consider making a donation to support our Annual Fund. Your gift is tax deductible, so if you need a final deduction for 2017, this a wonderful opportunity. The Annual Fund is crucial to the school because it makes up the difference between what you pay and what it actually costs to operate the school and educate our children. Thank you for your support!
The next three weeks are busy in school; we will have tests and assignments all the way to the end of the term, not to mention final exams for middle school. In the midst of all the seasonal activity, do help your student(s) stay focused through the end of the semester!
Have a great weekend!
Dr. Beth J. Ricks
Head of School
News from Grace Episcopal Church
Wherever you are on your faith journey….Grace welcomes you!
Living Well through Advent 2017
We live in an age when much of our time is spent hurrying—from place to place, task to task, obligation to obligation. Advent is a good time to allow ourselves the luxury of slowing down just a wee bit—at least where God in Christ is concerned. Some of us might benefit from resisting the secular drive towards Christmas . . . slow ourselves down spiritually and physically so that we can allow ourselves to recapture and savor the wonderful thing that God has done in Christ . . . allow ourselves to walk slowly in the twilight of Advent . . . slowly and purposefully drink in the fullness of the ‘already, but not yet’. In the narthex you will find free copies of the Living Compass resource Living Well through Advent 2017: Practicing Wonder with All Your Heart, Soul, Strength, and Mind.
Christmas Brass Spectacular Concert
On December 15th, 2017 at 7pm a brass quintet featuring ULM’s Black Bayou Brass along with Dr. Richard Seiler performing on our pipe organ, will present a Christmas Brass Spectacular Concert to benefit the SOS Pets of Ouachita Parish. This holiday concert will make you feel the spirit of the season, with traditional, sacred and popular favorites. Admission is $20 for adults and $10 for children.
Advent Lessons and Carols
Join us today on the First Sunday of Advent, December 3rd, at 6pm for Advent Lessons and Carols. This traditional service of Scripture and carols marks the beginning of the holy season of Advent, that season of “already, but not yet,” when we prepare for and anticipate the coming of the Christ Child.
Advent Adventures
Advent Adventures will take place on Sunday, December 10th. Games, crafts, music, food, and Christ-centered fun to celebrate the season. Children are encouraged to bring a friend to enjoy the event. 3:30pm - 6pm in Kilbourne Hall. RSVP to Mary Napoli at marymnapoli@gmail.com.
PTF News
PTF Holiday Shop- December 4-7
A few of the items are:
Smencils
Scented Backpack Buddy's
Scented Pencil Pouches
Items for Mom, Dad, Grandpa and Grandma
Jewelry
PTF Evergreens
Thank you to all the parents, students, teachers, staff and friends who sold over 277 boxes of Evergreens. All net proceeds go towards the PTF operating budget. The PTF supports students, teachers, faculty and Grace school through special projects, requests and events.
PTF would like give a Huge High Five and a Big Thank You Hug to Kerri James, Stephanie Bryant, Jeremy and Deidra Adair, Burton Wade, Ms. Brenda and Mr. Toni for helping make Evergreens run smoothly and successfully.
PTF Rountable Holiday Fiesta
There were four tables with a specific topic discussed at each table.
The topics were:
Extracurricular Activities
Fundraising & Gator Shoppe
Mission of the School
Mission of PTF and What Can PTF Do For You?