GCS Class of 2025 -- Blog #1 -- BACK TO SCHOOL

  
Welcome, GCS Class of 2025.  I know that sounds strange to you, and you think that 2025 is a LONG time from now, but you will be shocked at how quickly that time will pass.

As we begin a new school year, I want to introduce you to blogging.  The word "blog" can be used as a noun or a verb.

  
It is defined as:  

noun

noun: blog; plural noun: blogs

1. 1. 

   a regularly updated website or web page, typically one run by an individual or small group, that is written in an informal or conversational style.

verb

verb: blog; 3rd person present: blogs; past tense: blogged; past participle: blogged; gerund or present participle: blogging 

1.  add new material to or regularly update a blog.

Over the course of this year, you will have the opportunity to respond to a variety of blog posts for extra credit.  Each nine weeks, I will post an average of two blogs.  Your responses must follow the requirements posted, and you will be able to gain three to five extra credit points for your posts.  These points are weighted as "test points," so they are actually worth 9 - 15 points in your cumulative points.  There is also a deadline by which your responses must be posted!  This is a more relaxed, conversational writing, so no worries!

 

My main objective is for you to WRITE ON!  This is easy for some of you, and for others, not so much.  But we will all grow and learn together.   So . . .  here goes! 

 

As we begin 8th grade, are you ready?  What excites you about this upcoming year?  What scares you?  Are you involved in extracurricular activities?  If so, what?  In FIVE COMPLETE sentences, please tell me your vision for this year.  Tell me about you and your goals for the year.


You will receive FIVE extra credit points for your completed response.  This blog will close on Friday, August 21st at midnight.


I'm excited about this year and getting to know you better!  Write on!  

Class of 2024 -- Blog #4 -- GIVE THANKS

Well, it's hard to believe, but Thanksgiving break is only a few weeks away.  The semester is quickly passing, and it will be over before you know it. 

I LOVE THANKSGIVING!  I think too many times, we rush through this holiday, in order to get to Christmas.  That bothers me because I think too many of us forget to be thankful.  We simply take our blessings for granted, and I think that is sad.

Thanksgiving is about stopping (at least for a moment), and thanking God for the blessings that He gives to us.  We live in a country that is free.  We live in beautiful houses.  We have food in our pantry.  We have a car in the garage. We have parents and grandparents that take care of us.  Someone may be sacrificing to make sure we are getting a Christian education at Goodpasture.    Although, those things are "second nature" to most of us, those things are blessings.

So, just stop for a moment, and think of ONE (yes, only one!) thing for which you are thankful this year.  What is your biggest blessing?  Why is that so important to you?

Mine would be my family.  They are my life, and they are God's biggest blessing to me -- every day and in every way.

Answer in THREE (3) complete sentences for THREE (3) extra credit points.  This blog will close on Friday, 11/22 at midnight!

So, get ready for turkey, sweet potatoes, and pumpkin pie!  But don't forget to thank God for those blessings!  Write on!

Class of 2024 -- Blog #1 WELCOME TO 8TH GRADE

 
Welcome, GCS Class of 2024.  I know that sounds strange to you, and you think that 2024 is a LONG time from now, but you will be shocked at how quickly that time will pass.

As we begin a new school year, I want to introduce you to blogging.  The word "blog" can be used as a noun or a verb.

 
It is defined as: 

noun

noun: blog; plural noun: blogs

1. 1.

   a regularly updated website or web page, typically one run by an individual or small group, that is written in an informal or conversational style.

verb

verb: blog; 3rd person present: blogs; past tense: blogged; past participle: blogged; gerund or present participle: blogging

1.  add new material to or regularly update a blog.

Over the course of this year, you will have the opportunity to respond to a variety of blog posts for extra credit.  Each nine weeks, I will post an average of three blogs.  Your responses must follow the requirements posted, and you will be able to gain three to five extra credit points for your posts.  These points are weighted as "test points," so they are actually worth 9 - 15 points in your cumulative points.  There is also a deadline by which your responses must be posted!  This is a more relaxed, conversational writing, so no worries!

My main objective is for you to WRITE ON!  This is easy for some of you, and for others, not so much.  But we will all grow and learn together.   So . . .  here goes! 

As we begin 8th grade, are you ready?  What excites you about this upcoming year?  What scares you?  Are you involved in extracurricular activities?  If so, what?  In five COMPLETE sentences, please tell me your vision for this year.  Tell me about you and your goals for the year.


You will receive FIVE extra credit points for your completed response.  This blog will close on Friday, August 30th at midnight.


I'm excited about this year and getting to know you better!  Write on! 

Class of 2023 -- Blog #6 -- WHERE'S THE SNOW??

We've been waiting and waiting; hoping and hoping; wishing and wishing!  We've watched for the SnowBird, but he's not flying; we've worn our pajamas inside out with no luck; we've done snow dances and looked just plain silly! So . . . where's the snow?

 Really?  Thousands of feet (well, not exactly!) up north, and that's just not fair!  Almost no snow for Tennessee this year! Temperatures have been mild -- even warm -- for much of our "so-called" winter!  We've been robbed of a full snow day!  (Sadly, we did have one sick day due to flu, but NO SNOW!)

  
We've all got spring fever, and it's only the middle of February! It is quite disheartening!  We need a break from school!  (Yes, even the teachers!)

So, we ponder the meaning of life, and why we have not been blessed with any snow days!

Alas, we did enjoy a long weekend with the President's Day holiday, but the road to spring break is still FAR AWAY! 

For three extra credit points, write THREE complete sentences explaining how you would have enjoyed your snow day -- IF WE HAD GOTTEN ONE!  Would you have gone sledding?  Would you have made hot cocoa?  Would you have had a Netflix binge?  This blog will close on Friday, March 1 at midnight!  Write on! 

Class of 2023 -- Blog #5 A CHRISTMAS WISH

It is hard to believe that we are now in December -- my favorite month of the year!  We are only a couple of weeks away from Christmas!  Lists have been made, and shopping has begun.  Trees are being decorated, and stockings are being hung on mantles!  It's the most wonderful time of the year!  (Hey, that sounds like a song!!)

All of us love the presents and frivolity of the season -- of course!  However, when we really think of the season, there is so much more.  If we really look at our "needs" vs. our "wants," I would guess that there are few things that many of us really need.  We have so much -- what more could we really need? 

In our world, there is so much turmoil.  There is so much stress.  There is so much hurt.   Wouldn't it be great, if we could just wrap up a present - a wish -- to make things go away?   It would be so nice to just make things better or to make things happier. 

So, if you could have one wish for the world, what would it be?  Please write a minimum of four sentences for four extra credit points.  This blog will close on Friday, 12/14.  Merry Christmas to you all!  (If you experience difficulty in posting online, you may write out the blog, and turn it in by Friday, 12/14.  Write on! 

Class of 2023 -- Blog #4 I AM THANKFUL

November is here, and it is finally beginning to feel like autumn.  This is my favorite season of the year, and one of those reasons is because of Thanksgiving.

We truly have so much for which to be thankful, and I'm afraid that sometimes we possibly take so many of our blessings for granted.  We always need to be mindful of the MANY ways in which God blesses our lives.

What are the "Top 5" things for which you are thankful?

Here are mine:

• My family is so very special to me,and I thank God for them every day.
• I am so thankful to be healthy in a world full of people who are struggling with cancer and other diseases.
• I sometimes forget that one of the greatest blessings for which to be thankful is that fact that God loved ME enough to send His Son, Jesus, to this world to die for my sins.  Wow!  What a blessing! 
• I'm so very blessed to be part of Goodpasture Christian School.
• I'm thankful for each one of my students -- past and present.  You are all very special, and I cannot wait to see what life holds for each of you.  

Your blog responses are worth FIVE (5) extra credit points, IF you follow these guidelines:

Post in at least FIVE complete sentences -- but you may use bullet points. (You may use mine as a template.)  Also, please use proper spelling, punctuation and grammar, along with good sentence structure.

This blog will close on Friday, 11/16 at midnight!

Happy Turkey Day!  Write on!

Mrs. S.

Class of 2023 -- Blog #3 THE TRADITION OF GCS HOMECOMING

There are many traditions at Goodpasture Christian School, and none is more loved that Homecoming.  Homecoming is a special time at Goodpasture.  It is a time when former students, teachers and families come back on campus to enjoy a great football game with our current students, teachers and families.  For most students and families, Goodpasture plays a central role in their lives throughout elementary, middle and high school.  The relationships cultivated during that time often last for a lifetime.  Everyone seems to enjoy coming back to the Goodpasture campus for an evening of fun, fellowship and football.

The ceremony of the Homecoming parade and pep rally sets the stage on Friday afternoon, for the exciting events of the evening.

 Of course, no Goodpasture Homecoming would be complete without high school floats and upper middle school cart floats.  Students, parents and teachers spend a great deal of time on creating these beautiful masterpieces, united by a common theme for the year.

The crowning of the beautiful, homecoming queen and her court is a special tradition of the evening, as well.  Finally, hopes are always high that the football team will end the evening with a huge victory over the rival team!

What does “homecoming” mean to you?  Are you excited about our Homecoming this year?  Why, or why not?  Do you think that homecoming will be come more special to you in the years to come?  Why, or why not?

Please respond in four (4) complete sentences for four (4) extra credit points.  This blog will be open until Friday, 9/21 at midnight. Write on!