THE HOLIDAY SEASON FAST APPROACHES

Twinkling lights on rooftoops? Check. Decorations on tree? Check. Clean house for holiday company? Check. Calendar full? Check. No time to breathe? Check, check.

December is here, and with it, the pressures of maintaining a holiday schedule. Our students feel it as the projects, tests, and final papers pile on for the last few weeks of the semester. The tendency to throw our hands in the air and give in to the overwhelming desire to toss in the white flag becomes a tantalizing option.

However, just as the stress of the season reaches a frantic peak, that single star in the distance brings a singular calm. The quiet of a cloudless night while a baby's cry breaks the stillness. Mother, father, and son framed in a majestic tableau in the most un-majestic of settings: the manger. We stand in awe, viewing the nativity with the same child-like wonder we have always possessed. How the God of the universe could take the form of an innocent babe, embracing the frailty and vulnerability of human life is an unimaginable reality. Bridging the gap for all mankind, His earthly mission began on that famed night.

During this season, we pray that your family is blessed with the reminder of God's amazing gift. We pray a peace upon your busy schedules, and we pray for time to enjoy the company of family and friends surrounded by the warmth of God's unfailing love. Happy holidays from MJCA!

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FUN WITH SCIENCE PROGRAM

On Thursday (12/10), students in the fifth, sixth and seventh grades learned that science can be interesting and fun. Each year, a group of retired Dupont scientists travel to schools in our area and demonstrate wet chemistry, polymer science, cryogenics and pyrotechnics in a fun but purposeful way. With the goal of illustrating science as a future career, students get a glimpse at some of the amazing things that science helps accomplish in our world.

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TENNESSEE EDUCATIONAL TECHNOLOGY CONFERENCE

Last Wednesday and Thursday, December 2-4, ten teachers from MJCA attended the Tennessee Educational Technology Conference at the Nashville Convention Center. Educators were able to attend conferences geared towards building the 21st century classroom.

Sessions were offered for our elementary, middle school and high school faculty during this three day event. Teachers were introduced to software, websites and applications that are available to enhance curriculum and lesson plans. Many of those teachers have already introduced these new technologies in their classrooms. This was a wonderful time of professional development for our faculty as students will benefit from the information acquired during this conference.

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MJCA CHRISTMAS CONCERTS 2009

Students participating in the MJCA Fine Arts program work diligently all semester preparing for the elementary and secondary Christmas concerts. This year our secondary choral and band classes presented a variety of traditional holiday selections, classic and modern, on Thursday, December 10th. Our elementary classes followed with a program of Christmas favorites on Tuesday, December 15th.

Choral director, Cindy Roberts, and band director, Mitzi Lundy, both do a superb job preparing for these programs. The goal of reminding each audience member the true reason for the season is accomplished through each performance. Thank you to these ladies and to all our very talented students!

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