2006 Honda Civic EX coupe Win this NEW CAR Grainger Donates New Car for Raffle Bill and Mark Grainger have donated a new 2006 Honda Civic EX coupe, Motor Trend’s “Car of the Year," to be given away at The Gala. This hot, redesigned car was also named as one of the “safest cars in its class” and will be given to the winning raffle ticket holder at the Gala on January 28th at the Hyatt Regency Savannah! Only 500 raffle tickets are available for $50 each, and you need not be present to win . . .

The Gala update As the New Year looms ahead and the fast-paced hustle and bustle of the holidays pass, we often wonder what to look forward to next. Well, The Gala, of course! Saturday, January 28th is just around the corner and final preparations are being made for a grand night. If you are one of the lucky 600 reservation holders, then you are well on your way to putting 2006 into overdrive! With exciting additions of our on-line auctions, generous sponsors, fabulous items for bidding, and the giving away of a brand new car, the Hyatt Regency Savannah on Saturday, January 28th will be a thrilling place to be . . . “I have a special place in my heart for Savannah Christian Preparatory School and the people who have touched my life while attending classes there. Savannah Christian, its teachers, and administrators as well as life long friends have played a major role in becoming who I am today. Participating in The Gala with this gift is a unique way Bill and I can give something back to the school that has meant so much to both of us for so many years.” – Mark Grainger ’77 is pleased that his son, Sam, is currently enrolled in the 9th grade at SCPS. “I look forward to seeing the school’s continued success!” – Bill Grainger, parent of four SCPS students (Kellie ‘88, Leanne, Melissa ‘93 and Damon), sees this donation as way to thank and compliment Savannah Christian for its continued high standard of education combined with a Christian environment.

• Lower School
• Middle School
• Upper School

Lunch at Carrabba’s Italian Grill
NEXT Wednesday, January 18th
11:30 am - 2:15 pm

Enjoy a great Carrabba's lunch Wednesday, January 18th to benefit Savannah Christian School. $10.00 donation per person; cash or Check only; Chicken marsala, Penne pasta, ceasar salad, bread and drink. Bring your friends and co-workers for a quick bite, or, if you don't have time to dine in, order for your staff or group by Monday, Jan. 16th and we will have orders ready to pick up by noon. Please contact Holly Lick for to-go orders by Jan. 16th at 441-7142.

We will also have 100 dinners available for Upper School students on a “first come, first served” basis! Make sure your student brings $10 in cash or a check to get their lunch! Thank you for supporting savannah Christian’s annual fund!

It Seemed Like a Good Idea at the Time
Benefactor leaves $1,000,000 to SCPS scholarship fund

Leroy Benner hailed from the oil spot township of Cravens, Louisiana, a community with a miniscule population smaller than many city neighborhoods. He eventually spent most of his life in Savannah working as an assistant to the owner of the Pierpont-Corbett Box Company. Following his death, the quiet, unassuming, wise investor left a large mark on his adopted city through a charitable gift to SCPS totaling nearly $1,000,000 . . .

The Global Classroom
By Sherry Leblang

“It was the best trip ever!” is the enthusiastic comment I frequently hear from participants in our annual student trips abroad. As a teacher, and parent of four children, I believe wholeheartedly in the power of education in “the global classroom.” Since 1992, I have accompanied SCPS educational tours to Central America (Costa Rica, Mexico) and Europe (Austria, England, France, Germany, Greece, Italy, Morocco, Scotland, Spain, and Switzerland). Organized by EF Educational Tours – the largest student travel company in the world – our tours are well-designed, well-chaperoned, and offer a wealth of educational adventures outside the traditional classroom . . .

Christian Education by Design
By Roger Yancey, Headmaster

In the movie, Mr. Holland’s Opus, the principal’s gift of a compass transforms the band instructor’s teaching. After struggling with an unmotivated group of talented but raw recruits, Mr. Holland is ready to give up on being an effective teacher. The principal sees potential in both the students and teacher and does not want to lose either. She gives Mr. Holland a compass and tells him to give the students direction – effective education has direction . . .

The Foundations of our Future
By Bill Daniel, Chairman of SCPS Board of Trustees

Turning into the Chatham Parkway campus a few weeks ago brought a shock! The completion of our entrance drive and new parking provided a hint of things to come, and now bulldozers were moving tons of dirt in preparation for our new Fine Arts/Athletic center. The work at our main campus and the improvements to our DeRenne campus over the summer are visual reminders of the wonderful improvements coming to Savannah Christian. However, even more important work is happening behind the scenes . . .

2006-07 Admissions Information
Download and print the new 2006-07 Applications, Fee sheets, Re-enrollment forms, and more . .

2006-07 School Year Calendar We have approved our yearly calendar for the 2006-07 school year . . .
 

We hope your had a Merry and Blessed Christmas. The children in our Daycare/Preschool have had a great time decorating and preparing for the big day. They have heard the story of the First Christmas and have acted out the events in Bible class. In the classrooms they have been busy making ornaments and gifts. On Friday, December 16, the two, three and four year olds put on a Christmas play entitled “Let’s Dress Up For Christmas” The cafeteria was packed with parents and friends. All agreed that the children did a fine job! Following the program each class had a Christmas party. The children exchanged gifts, played games, and enjoyed the food provided by the parents.

As a special treat, on December 19, the PTF gave the children a puppet show presented by “The Puppet People”. The faces of the little ones were entranced by the puppets as they told the story of how love is a free gift that can be given and received. Frosty the Snowman and Santa danced among the classes as they sang together.

Not only the children had fun this month, the teachers and the staff had their own Christmas party in the lower school gym. Mrs. Rushing once again surprised us with her unusual games. Three of the male attendees were chosen to be Christmas trees. Teams of teachers decorated them. Our own Brian Griswold had the dubious honor of winning first prize for best decorated tree. Both Mrs. Rushing and the PTF presented the teachers with tokens of their appreciation and the teachers exchanged gifts playing the right-left game. Many of us left wondering what Mrs. Rushing will come up with next year.

The children and the teachers have earned their Christmas break and are looking forward to another year of learning together. We wish you a Happy and Safe New Year!
 

Duke TIP for Middle Schoolers

If you have not yet begun to work with your student in preparation for this test, we strongly urge you to begin as soon as possible. Please follow the procedures described as follows and outlined in the SAT Preparation Booklet . . .

Buddy Ball
By Wendy Lewis

“Every hit was a homerun!” smiled one student, describing the joy of helping with Buddy Ball Softball, a program sponsored by the Memorial Pediatric Rehabilitation Department for physically handicapped and special needs children. “It was fun seeing the kids having the time of their lives.” One sunny Friday afternoon this fall, Coach Sonny Lady and thirty-three Savannah Christian Middle School students rushed to the Paulson Softball Complex after school to serve as “buddies” to the special needs children during this special event . . .
 

Clemens named Offensive Player of the Year
The 3AA All region-East team selections were announced recently and the Savannah Christian Preparatory School team made a strong showing in the region team.

Justin Clemens, senior, was named Offensive Player of the year and his twin brother, Josh Clemens, was named as a 1st team running back.

This young team had 20 of its members recognized in the 1st and 2nd teams, as well as honorable mentions . . .

Interview with Coach Chumley
By Jamie Lindley

I understand you recently had dinner with Vince Dooley and Kevin Jackson.
“Yes.”

What was it like to be together?
“It was great. It always brings back great memories from college. Coach Dooley always likes to check up on his players.”

What is a usual topic of conversation at these dinners?
“We reminisce about the days of football at UGA. We talk about the games and the fun times we had together.”

(L-R) Coach Chumley, Former UGA coach Vince Dooley, and Kevin Jackson enjoy dinner together in Savannah

"Do you still treat each other as you did in college?
“We treat each other exactly the same way. It’s like we go back in time.”

Do you share a special bond from excelling on a team that won two SEC championships?
“I think so. In the 80’s that was much harder to do. The older you get, the more special it feels.”

Why were you chosen as a recipient of the “Mr. Irrelevant” award?
“I was chosen in the 12th round draft of the NFL. Then, I went to camp in California. It was like a huge party. However, I was cut at the end of camp.”

How many years did you play in the CFL? For which team did you play?
“I played three years for the Calgary Stampeders.”

Did you ever think you would become a high school coach? “No, I never really did. I always thought that I would continue a career in football. Football was all I knew how to do.”

What inspires you to do what you do?
“Working with young people inspires me. I know where young people want to be, so I try to help them get there.”

Do you have any plans for the future?
“I have had many offers to be a college football coach, but that would be hard on my family. As a head coach of SCPS, I plan to win a state championship in football. That is my ultimate goal.”

• www.savcps.com
• News and E-Raider archives