Cheerleaders & All Stars Head to Florida

Our GCA Competition Cheerleaders along with (3) of our Lady Cougars Basketball players will be participating in two different competitions this weekend (Feb. 27th) at Alethia Christian School in Pensacola, FL. The Competition squad will be participating in the PCC Cheerleading Competition while Brock Bailey, Stephanie Mills and Rachel Harrell will be participating in the All-Star Tournament.
Congratulations & Good Luck Girls....Go Cougars!!

Boosterthon Fun Run Coming March 15th

The Boosterthon Fun Run is coming back to GCA March 15th - 24th. Boosterthon is an interactive, community based event that is designed to raise school funds while promoting three core principles - fitness, education, and character.
See photo/video below for a recap of our 2009 event!

Fun Run

Lady Cougars Finish 2nd

The Lady Cougars finished second in the Panhandle Christian Conference Final Four tournament this past weekend in Dothan, AL. In the first round of play on Friday, Feb. 19th, the ladies defeated the Central Christian Saints out of Robertsdale, AL. This win advanced the Lady Cougars to the championship game on Saturday. The girls finished second to the Covenant Christian Lady Lions.

Upcoming Events & Activities

March 11th
GCA's Winter Formal

March 12th
Teacher Planning Day - Kids Out

March 15th - 24th
Boosterthon Fun Run
Superfan Meeting - 9:45 a.m.
Kick-Off Pep Rally - 10:15 a.m.
Baseball Game against Byne @ home - 4:00 p.m.
Softball Game against Byne @ home - 4:00 p.m.

March 16th
Baseball Game against SGA @ home - 4:00 p.m.
Tennis Matches against Bainbridge - 4:00 p.m.
GCA Dairy Queen Night - 6 to 8:00 p.m.

March 18th
Baseball Away Game against Tallavana @4:00 p.m.
Softball Away Game against Tallavana @ 4:00 p.m.
Tennis Matches against Holy Comforter @ home - 4:00 p.m.

March 19th
Finer Things Spring Performance @ 7:00 p.m.

March 22nd
Baseball Away Game against Open Bible @ 4:00 p.m.
Softball Away Game against Open Bible @ 4:00 p.m.
Tennis Matches against Thomas Central @ home - 4:00 p.m.

March 23rd
Baseball Game against Ashford @ Home - 4:00 p.m.
Tennis Matches against Baconton - Away - 4:00 p.m.

March 24th
Bootherthon Fun Run - 9:00 & 10:15 a.m.

March 26th
Baseball Away Game against Byne @ 4:00 p.m.
Softball Away Game against Byne @ 4:00 p.m.

March 29th - April 1st
Testing Week
Baseball Game against Covenant @ Home - 4:00 p.m.
Softball Game against Covenant @ Home - 4:00 p.m.

March 30th

Tennis Matches against Bainbridge @ Home - 4:00 p.m.

April 1st
Baseball Game against Emmanuel @ Home - 4:30 p.m.
Softball Game against Emmanuel @ Home - 4:30 p.m.

April 2nd
Good Friday - School Out

April 5th - 9th
Spring Break

Final Four - Dates & Times

Congratulations again to our Lady Cougars Basketball team for winning Regionals and having the opportunity to move on to the Final Four this weekend.....Friday, February 19th & Saturday, Feb. 20th at Emmanuel Christian School in Dothan, AL. The following is the schedule for the Final Four - please note all times are central standard time.

Friday, Feb. 19th:
3:00 p.m. - Covenant girls v. West 1
4:30 p.m. - Covenant boys v. West 1
6:00 p.m. - Grace girls v. West 2
7:30 p.m. - Emmanuel boys v. West 2

Saturday, Feb. 20th:
10:00 a.m. - Girls consolation
11:30 a.m. - Boys consolation
1:00 p.m. - Girls Championship
2:30 p.m. - Boys Championship

Please make plans to drive over and support your mighty Cougars!!

School as Normal on Wednesday, Feb. 17th

On Wednesday, February 17th we will have school as normal! The City has given us the green light on the water and pressure situation; therefore, we should be good to go in the morning. Please note that construction is still on-going and the only entrance will be the intersection of Tallahassee Hwy and Alice Street....Lake Douglas is still closed!

Lady Cougars are Region Champs!!

The GCA Lady Cougars cannot stop smiling after their win over the Covenant Lions (47-38) on Saturday, which earned them the Region title! They now move on to the Final Four next weekend (Feb. 19th & 20th) at Emmanuel in Dothan, AL.
Congratulations Coach Harrell, Coach Henderson and all the Lady Cougars...Totally Awesome!!

MVP & All Conference Named

Congratulations to Brock Bailey for being named the girls MVP at the PCC East Regional Tournament this past weekend and to Stephanie Mills, Trea Kelly, Brock Bailey for being named to the All-Conference 1st team and to Rachel Harrell being selected for the All-Conference 2nd team. Way to Go Cougars!!!

2nd Graders Learn about Indians

Mrs. Loeffler's 2nd grade students were studying about the Indians of North America and they kept asking questions about various Indian tribes. The students were interested in different tribes and wanted to learn more about them which led to doing a project on an Indian tribe of their choice. The students were asked to research their tribes type of food, shelter, and clothing worn. Additional information on beliefs, interesting facts, etc. about their tribe could also be included in their reports. Some students created project boards and dioramas on their tribes. All of the students participated and enjoyed seeing their reports and projects displayed in the GCA hallway!

CHAOS = Cougar Spirit!

CHAOS is GCA's new dance team which was added this year to enhance and add to our school spirit. CHAOS consists of ten high school girls who dance at the halftime of our boys varsity games. Character, heart, attitude, optimism, and spirit are the traits that the girls want to bring forward; therefor their name was born...CHAOS.

Members include Sydney Harrell, Laura Leigh Andrews, Sloane Wiggins, Brock Bailey, Ladson Simmons, Stephanie Mills, Christina Greene, Abbey Smith, Bailey Bristow, Mary Ann Adams, Coach Mardi McRae and Butler Darley as the Cougar.

Announcement - Lake Douglas Detour

On Saturday afternoon a main water line burst at the intersection of Lake Douglas Road and Alice Street. This intersection has been closed off to all traffic in both directions; therefore, the only access to enter the school (for the next couple of days) will be the intersection of Tallahassee Highway and Alice. Please make note of this for your student drop-off and pick-up plans. The City noted that it will take several days to fix this major problem but they do plan on having a police officer directing traffic at Tallahassee Hwy.

Early Release on Tues., Feb. 16th

Due to unexpected city repairs on the water main line on Lake Douglas Road next to campus, GCA will dismiss early Tuesday, February 16th: k4 at 11:30; Elementary at 12:00, MS/HS at 12:15, and K5 at 12:30. Please check the GCA Website and Blog for updates on Wednesday's schedule.

Science & Disney!

GCA 5th & 6th grade students recently spent three days at Walt Disney World exploring science. They had an opportunity to visit all 4 parks and learn how science is a key element in all the Disney attractions. At Epcot and Animal Kingdom the students visited selected attractions based on social studies and science. At Hollywood Studios the students attended the "Lights, Motors, Action" stunt show and learned about the concept of motion and they participated in the "Engery and Waves" program designed by Disney at Magic Kingdom. To better understand all the concepts the students were given a "behind the scenes" tour which was really neat! Many thanks to Disney, the parents that chaperoned and the students for making this adventure a successful one!

Yearbook Loves Photos!

Parents or Students: If you have any photos that you would like to share with the Yearbook staff from the Orlando Trip, Sports Events, Field Trips, etc. it would be greatly appreciated! For more information please contact Monica McQuaid or any members of the Yearbook staff.

Winter Formal - March 11th

The GCA Freshman Class cordially invites all middle and high school students to the 2010 Winter Formal on Thursday evening, March 11th. All festivities will begin at 8:00 p.m. Tickets are available for $12.00 and can be purchased from the school office until Friday, February 27th.

Grace MS Cougars Finish with Victory

The Middle School Cougar Basketball team, lead by Coach Erwin Harrell, finished their season with a 31-17 win against Holy Comforter Episcopal School in Tallahassee, FL.

Coach Harrell stated "These boys have made tremendous progress this year and it will pay dividends in the future for GCA. They were eager to learn and get better which made coaching them a pleasure."

Way to Go Guys!!!

Box Top Coordinator Still Needed!

If you are interested and can help GCA with our Box Top Program, please contact Monica McQuaid at 243-8851.

Calling all Runners.......

The Cougar Running Club is now meeting and training on Wednesday's at the YMCA from 3:15 - 4:00 p.m. It is not to late to join.......the GCA van leaves the school at 3:15 and all students need to be picked up at the YMCA at 4:00 p.m. For more information, contact Coach Julie Harris.

DC Trip Meetings- Feb. 10th & Feb. 17th

There will be a tour briefing on Wednesday, February 10th @ 3:00 p.m. in Mrs. Bennett's room (212) followed by a chaperone meeting on February 17th @ 3:00 p.m.
42 GCA students and chaperones will be leaving on February 28th for the Washington DC Trip and returning on March 4th. Awesome!!

Soden & Bennett Named STARs

Congratulations to Elisabeth Soden for being selected as the 2010 GCA STAR Student and to Mrs. Kathy Bennett for being selected as her STAR Teacher.
Elisabeth is the daughter of Randy and Elisa Soden. She is very active at GCA as Captain of the Lady Cougars Basketball team, Editor of the GCA Yearbook, Senior Class Homecoming Court Rep., member of the National Honor Society, graduate of the Bainbridge-Decatur County Chamber of Commerce Youth Leadership Program, recipient of the Presidential Award of Excellence and member of Grace Goes Green. Congratulations!!

Simmons Attends National Leaders Conference

Congratuations to GCA's Alea Simmons for being selected and attending the National Young Leaders State Conference in Atlanta. Alea is a 9th Grader at Grace and is the daughter of Doug & Jan Simmons.

GCA Students Selected for Youth Leadership

Congratulations to Mary Ann Adams, Christina Greene, Abbey Smith, Tad Young, Kyle Harris and Kenneth Burke for being selected to participate in the 2010 Bainbridge Decatur County Chamber of Commerce's Youth Leadership program.
The Youth Leadership program is designed for high school sophomores and juniors to develop leadership skills, offer interaction opportunities in our county, and increase awareness of community issues, needs, and resources. We are so proud to have such a wonderful group of students representing GCA. Way to Go Guys!!

GCA Participates in Haiti Project

GCA Students participated in a clothes drive for the people of Haiti Jan. 19th - 26th. Rev. Claude LaFortune with the First Haitian Baptist Church, 614 Church Street in Bainbridge, along with Mrs. Clifford Simons (a GCA Grandmother) sponsored the project. All the clothing will be sorted by age and gender and packed in big boxes for shipping. Many thanks to the generosity of our students and families for making this project a huge success!

GCA to Host Regionals

GCA will be the home court for this year's Basketball Regionals.
The schedule is as follows:

Friday, February 12th:
11:00 a.m. - Boys - #4 seed vs #5 seed
12:45 p.m. - Girls - #1 seed vs #4 seed
2:30 p.m. - Boys - #2 seed vs #3 seed
4:15 p.m. - Girls - #2 seed vs #3 seed
6:00 p.m. - Boys - #1 seed vs winner of #4 vs #5

Saturday, February 13th
11:00 a.m. - Girls - Championship
1:00 p.m. - Boys - Championship