1. education
2. school

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
Leadership Team:
Kimberly Daniels, Tamara Deems,
Tammy Griffith, Shelia Langford,
Cindy Little, Kelly Cowart, Chad Parker
November 2014
Family Fun Day & Legacy Auction
NOVEMBER 15th
Excel Christian Academy
325 Old Mill Road
Cartersville, GA 30120
Phone:
(770) 382-9488
Fax:
(770) 606-9884 (MS/HS)
(770) 607-8212 (Elem.)
On Saturday, November 15th, we will have hundreds of items for
our auction guests to see and offer their bids to purchase. We will
begin the silent auction at 3:00 in the Excel Gym. Dinner plates will
be served between 3:30—5:00. Bidding at the live auction will begin at 5:30 in the auditorium. Money raised by the auction will go
to support Excel’s PTF, arts, and athletics.
If you have items or services that you would like to donate for the auction, please email
our procurement team leaders, Robin McKibben (rimhank@aol.com) or Jerry Haney
(haney129@bellsouth.net) or you may call the school office. Each of our classes is preparing a
basket for the silent auction. Please contact the teacher or room mom if you have anything
that would be good to add to any of the baskets.
Thanksgiving Break (November 24—28)
With the Thanksgiving holiday coming up, we will be having a break from school. There will
be NO SCHOOL the week of November 24 – 28. This is a time for our staff and students to
reflect on the many blessings we have for which we should be thankful. Thanks be to God for
His bountiful blessings! We hope you enjoy your time off with your family, friends, and loved
ones.
Over 4000 Food Items Collected for Harvest House
Excel students collected over 4,000
non-perishable food items school-wide to
support the local ministry of the Harvest
House which is feeding 1000’s of needy
people each month. For I was hungry and
you gave me food. Matthew 25:35
Operation Christmas Child and Angel Program
Excel is being asked to rise to the challenge of providing two shoe boxes
per class for Samaritan’s Purse “Operation Christmas Child”. These boxes
are shipped to children all over the world. This could possibly be the only
Christmas gift that some of these children receive. November 7th was the
last day for classes to submit their boxes. Thank you for your donations.
Classes at Excel are also collecting toys for local families through the Angel
Tree Program; and Jesus taught that it is more blessed to give than it is to receive. That is a truth that we want to help impress upon our students as we enjoy the blessings of this wonderful season of giving thanks and celebrating the
birth of our Messiah.
Page 2 of 5
ECA School Newsletter
Arts Department Shines at Fall Event - Dr. Sam Simon & Mrs. Susan West
Our fine arts department recently had the chance to showcase the many talents of our students. We
heard from our middle and high school bands and we were treated to a wonderful variety of visual arts in
the lobby. We appreciate all the hard work our Fine Arts Booster Club does for our students. Anyone
interested in being more involved with our fine arts boosters should contact the school.
Congratulations to Matthew Raburn and Parker Helms who auditioned for and
made the Georgia Music Educators Association District Seven Jazz Band! Both
students will be participating in the District Jazz event at Cartersville High School in
January.
Savannah Keller is a freshman and plays the bassoon for the high school band. Last
summer she auditioned and qualified for one of the three orchestra groups of the Georgia
Youth Symphony Orchestra. She plays in the Camerata group which is the “beginner” group
with students from 5th grade to 9th. When she auditioned, she set her goal for either
Camerata or Philharmonic, because she wanted to get a feel for what an out-of-school
orchestra group would be like. Next year she is setting her goal higher! She has been playing the bassoon
since 7th grade. In 6th grade she began on the oboe, which is what she says prepared her for the bassoon. She really enjoys the sound and feel of the bassoon but she likes being a “rarity” in band, but a
“necessity” in orchestra. She qualified for District Clinic Band in 6th grade on the oboe, and for District
Honor Band on the bassoon in 7th and 8th grade. She is proud of what she has achieved on the bassoon
and hopes to aim further.
Chapel Services—Mrs. Kimberleigh Daniels
We have experienced two class led chapels so far this year. In
September, the junior class lead chapel for the middle school and
high school. For the month of October, we were blessed by the
seniors. This is a wonderful opportunity for them to gain experience in
the area of coordinating an event, public presentation, and working
together in a group. Both classes did a great job leading us in worship
and sharing their testimonies. As a school, we are looking forward to
many more student lead chapels!
Math Team—Mrs. Bea Belville
To tie academics into extracurricular
activities, Mrs. Bea Belville introduced a
math team to Excel High. For the first
competition sponsored by Kennesaw
State University, 27 students in grades
9-12 participated. President Jon Barry
said it was the hardest test he had ever
taken, but he loved the competition.
Page 3 of 5
ECA School Newsletter
High School Cross Country—Coach Carrie Peterson
The high school cross country team finished their season by hosting the region meet at
Dellinger Park on Thursday, Oct. 30th. Both Caleb West and Ryan Pickens clocked their fastest
times at that race for the season! The team put in many miles running together each week
and everyone improved as the season progressed! Well done Eagles!
Middle School Cross Country—Coach Shelia Langford
What an exciting Middle School Cross Country
season we had this year! The MS Cross Country
team was made up of nineteen out of forty-four
middle school students who ran 3-4 days per
week practicing skills, running form, core,
strength, and speed training. The team participated in eight cross country meets, and all nineteen students earned a personal record.
Additionally, seven out of nineteen
earned medals or ribbons in a cross country
meet. ECA hosted two races at the Church at
Liberty Square. The first of these races was the Eagle Invitational in which we hosted thirteen schools
both public and private consisting of about 250 runners. The second event was the NAML Championship in
which ECA boys placed third out of ten teams. Coaches Sheila Langford and Christie Taylor are very proud
of the middle school cross country team for their effort, determination, and team spirit. Our motto for the
cross country team this year was: Honor God; Compete well; and Run to win. We did all three! Go Eagles!
Excel Softball State Playoffs—Coach Chad Parker
The Lady Eagles softball team had a history-making season as the first
Excel softball team to win a Region Championship and to win a state
playoff game. What started as a dismal 6-13 first half of the season,
the Lady Eagles made a remarkable turnaround that saw an 8 game
winning streak and a 13-1 finish to the season. The Lady Eagles hosted
Stratford Academy in the first round of the GHSA State Playoffs. After
winning game 1 by the score of 8-2, the Lady Eagles dropped games 2
and 3 by scores of 2-0 and 4-3.
Savannah Sewell was the leader at the plate as well as in the circle,
putting up impressive numbers and earning All Region and All County. Brighton McCollum was equally as
impressive at the plate earning All Region and All County.
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 Luke Parker; K-2, Chandler Schell; 3-5, Ellise Taylor; Middle School and Kaitlyn Clarey;
High School.
Luke
Chandler
Ellise
Kaitlyn
Page 4 of 5
ECA School Newsletter
Berry Great Pumpkin Race - Coach Hibbard
nd
Every October the 2 through 6th graders participate in the Berry Great Pumpkin Race at Berry College. Excel
sent 50 runners this year. 2nd-3rd graders ran a ½ mile, 4th-5th graders ran 1 mile and the 6th graders ran 2 miles
against 5 other schools. They all receive ribbons and the 10 runners got metals and trophies. When we
arrived at Berry, the kids got to go on a hayride, got to buy cool t-shirts, and have a cook-out. Excel did well
this year with 5 students receiving metals and one receiving a trophy. This is our 8th year participating and we
look forward to next year.
2nd Grade
3rd Grade
4th Grade
5th Grade
6th Grade
Lexie Anderson
Jillian Arnold
Lea Brasington
Jonathan Black
Nathan King
Eligh Billot
Caleb Daniel
Marissa Ceresolli
Gracie McGhee
Blakely McCollum
Trey Boulier
Ava Lauren Garner
Montana Ceresolli
Colt McKibben
Isaac Burris
Regan Herr
Joshua Clay
Chloe Ravish
Jocelyn Cowart
Kiley McGill
Beau Conduff
Haylee Roach
Racquel Davis
Riley Scott
Joe Daniels
Reese Storey
Tristan McKibben
Chesney Stanley
Kristana Garner
MiaSara McFarland
Ross Tidwell
Joshua King
Luke Parker
Cera Lunsford
Kate Self
Molly Manring
Haleigh Strain
Rebecca Millwood
Hunter Peterson
Emily Roach
Carson Satterfield
Jace Steele
Max Thompson
Colt Williams
2nd Grade
2nd Grade
3rd Grade
4th Grade
3rd Grade
5th Grade
5th Grade
4th Grade
Joe Daniels
6th Grade
Blakely McCollum
2nd Place
6th grade
Nathan King
10th place
6th grade
4th place
4th grade
Kristanna Garner
10th place
4th grade
Kate Self
10th place
2nd grade
6th Grade
Joe
Kristanna
Kate
Blakely
Nathan
Page 5 of 5
ECA School Newsletter
Parade of Costumes—Mrs. Fran Youmans
Elementary students enjoyed the annual Parade of Costumes by walking through the MS/HS halls on Fall
Party Day. We had so many different costumes, but the most popular in K-2 was Elsa and Anna from
“Frozen”!!! The MS/HS students were in awe of how cute and awesome the Elementary students were
dressed. Afterward, Mrs. Deems treated everyone to a candy treat in appreciation for their creativity and
sense of fun.
Elementary Accelerated Reading Winners for October
October was a fierce competition in Accelerated Reader. Mrs. Hayes’ class took both trophies for
greatest percentage correct and for the most points earned. Although, Mrs. Roberson’s class was hot on
her trail. Mrs. Lunsford’s class won the trophy for the highest percentage correct in the first and second
grades and Miss Reynolds’ class took the trophy again for most points earned. Ben Scarbrough in
fifth grade was the student with the most earned points in third through fifth grades with 44. 8 points
for October. BrookelynClaire Daniels, a first grader, had the most points earned for first and second
grades. She earned 14.9 points in October.
Lunsford
Reynolds
Hayes
BrookelynClaire
Ben
Days of Discovery—Mrs. Shelia Langford
Middle School will be learning about a variety of Native Americans and their ways of life through
building Indian homes, cooking Indian food, creating tribe banners, making Indian crafts, singing
Indian music, playing Indian games, and visiting Indian sites. In essence, we will be living as Native American Indians for two days. It’s going to be a fun two days on Nov 20th and 21st.
Yearbook Purchases
$50 before Christmas
$60 after Christmas
Please make plans to purchase your 2014-2015 Talon Yearbook. You may
send payment for your yearbook to the school office attention Ms. Pam
Edwards. Yearbooks purchased before Christmas break are $50. After
Christmas break the cost increases to $60.
Senior Ads for the 2014-2015 Talon Yearbook
SENIOR ADS
Sizes and Prices:
1/2 page…..$125.00
Full page……$200.00
The yearbook offers a special opportunity for senior parents to commemorate their
child’s achievements. We have already begun to design Excel’s 2014-2015
yearbook, and there are special pages called Senior Ads that you can dedicate to
your child. These pages may be designed by you, or we can design them for you.
Please send your money by December 5th to reserve your page. Information and
pictures are due no later than February 15, 2015. If you have any questions or for
more information about the senior ads, please contact Ms. Pam Edwards.
Page 6 of 6
ECA School Newsletter
Upcoming Events
Nov. 8
Nov. 8
Nov.10
Nov.11
Nov.11
Nov.11
Nov.11
Nov.12
Nov.12
Nov.12
Nov.13
Nov.13
Nov.14
Nov.15
Nov.15
Nov.18
Nov.18
Nov.18
Nov.20
Nov.20
Nov.21
Nov.21
Nov.21
Nov.22
Nov.24
Nov.24
Nov.25
Nov.28
Nov.29
Senior Fundraiser @ Belk Department Store
MS Basketball @ Adairsville Middle School
Leadership Team Meeting @ 3:50
Severe Weather Drill
JV Boys Basketball@ North Springs @ 4:30
Varsity Basketball @ North Springs @ 6:00
MS Basketball vs Eastside @ 4:30
Faculty Meeting / Media Center @ 3:50
Legacy Auction Baskets Due
Elementary Field Trip @ Youth Museum (2nd/3rd Grades)
Progress Reports Go Home
MS Basketball @ Shiloh Hills @ 4:30
Youth Leadership / Ky, Ashley, Lindsey
Kaplan SAT/ ACT Practice Test@ Cartersville Library
EXCEL LEGACY AUCTION
Excel Chick-Fil-A Night
HS Varsity BB @ Gordon Central @ 6:00
MS BB vs Midway @ 4:30
Elementary School History Fair /Auditorium
Middle School Days of Discovery Activities
Middle School Days of Discovery Activities
Elementary Thanksgiving Parties
HS & JV BB @ Temple / JV Boys @ 4:30
HS & JV BB @ Adairsville / JV Boys @ 4:30
Thanksgiving Break November 24 – 28, 2014
Ci Ci’s Pizza Night
Varsity Boys BB @ SE Whitfield Tourney / TBA
Varsity Boys BB @ SE Whitfield Tourney / TBA
Varsity Boys BB @ SE Whitfield Tourney / TBA
Counselor’s Corner
Seniors: You are almost at the half-way mark! Make sure to complete your application essays. Colleges are
looking for what you are passionate about and what sets you apart from others. Be sure to proofread your
essay for mistakes. Look over the master calendar you have created and check on application fees/
deadlines, test dates and admission requirements. Continue to register for any tests that are recommended
by the college (SAT/ACT or both). When registering for these tests, don’t forget to choose 4 colleges to send
your scores to. This is free when you register. There is a fee for sending your scores to a college later if you
leave this section blank when registering.
Saturday, Nov 15th: Kaplan is administering an ACT/SAT Combo Practice Test at the Cartersville Library
10:00-12:00pm. Call 1-800-KAP-TEST to register. This is another opportunity extended to ALL of our students/parents of Excel.