Granite Wear Deadline for Christmas Ordering!

Hurry, Hurry...time is running out...
You can order up till 12 midnight for all Granite wear items and have them before Christmas.  Go to the Granite website for details and ordering instructions.

Granite Website

Tebow Responds

Geo Bee...

To visit the ruins of Persepolis, an ancient ceremonial capital of Persia, you would have to travel to what present-day country?

If you answered Iran and are in 4th-8th grade, then you should consider competing in a local Howard County homeschool Geo Bee. The local competition is the first step toward the National Geographic Bee that hosts a representative from each state. Each state champion will compete for a chance to win the grand prize of a $25,000 scholarship to college, a trip to the Galapagos Islands, and a lifetime membership to National Geographic. The finals for the National Geo Bee are hosted by Alec Trebeck (of Jeopardy fame) and are televised on PBS.

The National Geo Bee was started as a way to promote excitement for the study of geography.  For more information on the Geo Bee go to http://www.nationalgeographic.com/geobee/

The local bee will be held on Thursday, January 12. To sign-up or to learn more, email Lissa Roberts.

Holiday Wreath Making!!!

Follow this link to the Granite website and click on the link at the bottom of the home page to be directed to the flyer and order forms.
The Senior Class of 2012 thanks you!


Happy Shopping!

Deck the Halls Link

Abby's Home!!!

Thanks to all who have been praying for Abby Parke, a Granite 7th grader who underwent an extensive scheduled surgery last Friday.  Her family is keeping a blog of her progress and all are encouraged to follow along.  The family extends their warmest thanks for all the support they have received.  Let Abby know your thinking of her...visit their blog, comment here, send her a card...pass on a bit of God's grace today and let them know how much they are loved!


Jade in the Parke

Follow Abby's Progress...

Link to the Parke Family blog for Abby's progress.

The Heavenly Man - free audiobook

Christian Audio puts out a free audiobook each month.  This month's book looks great, I've cut and pasted a review below.  Click on the image at right to go to website for the free download.

“The Heavenly Man is the autobiography of Liu Zhenying (also known as Brother Yun), a Chinese missionary who began to spread the gospel at the age of 16, in the 1960's. From the beginning of Brother Yun's ministry, we see God's hand directing his every step. His was not an easy life, but he determined not to be stopped by threats, arrests, or torture. This level of commitment led to some remarkable miracles in his life. What a challenge to all of us!

I thought the narrator was perfect for this book. His English was a little stilted, which made me feel like the author himself was telling us his story. The mention of so many places and historical events made me want to look up maps and timelines, and I ended up learning a lot about how this part of the world evolved in their views on religion. Although I had to cringe and pause the listening during some of the more difficult passages, this was a story I really enjoyed listening to and easily found myself engrossed in.

This is a must-read for missionaries, and something that every Christian on the planet could benefit from reading. I learned a lot about devotion, evangelism, and loving my neighbor enough to risk my life so that he can hear the Gospel.

FREE YARD SALE!!!!!

I am in the process of going through 12 + years of books - some of them educational, some of them fiction, both children's and adult.  I was going to bring them to school and simply let anyone who wants to go through them to pick out what they want before I take them to Good Will.  However, there are SO many books, it would take up the entire DA room.  Therefore, I have decided to have a "free yard sale" at my house on Thursday, November 10.  If you are interested, please stop by anytime between 10 a.m and 2 p.m. I also have a few other things I am giving away that my kids no longer use (i.e. a youth lacrosse stick, a gaming chair, a diablo, etc...).  I also have a printer that we no longer use. I may by that time also have some bookcases that I'll be giving away.  One final item I have is a HUGE file cabinet 42.5" wide x 18" deep x 66" tall....it is a very sturdy, office grade file cabinet. However, it is extremely heavy.  If you can haul it, it is yours.  Simply let me know when you'd like to pick it up.

My address is 1414 Bellona Ave.

  Lutherville, MD 21093

Thank you

Kelli Schult

looking for a treadmill

Our treadmill broke down this summer and I'm looking for a new one.  Does anyone have one to sell?  If so, please send me an email at avapaul@gmail.com.  We want to buy one in reasonably good condition - it has to be up to regular, long use. 

CPC Open House & Concert Invitation

As we enjoy our our final week of classes at our temporary host church, Bethel Baptist, we want to extend a warm invitation to preview Granite's "renewed facility" prior to our first day of classes there.

OPEN HOUSE: Saturday, Oct. 15th, 4:30-6:30pm
CONCERT: Matthew Smith & Indelible Grace 7:00pm
Tickets $5 advance / $7 at door
www.columbiapres.org
410.730.6004

Columbia Presbyterian Church

10001 Route 108
Columbia, MD 21044
(located across from Centennial Park)

Printed invitation cards will be sent home in the student's take-home folders this week. All are welcome to attend.


PLEASE NOTE: There will be a Granite Parent Meeting/"Back to School Night" scheduled very shortly after we move into the new building, which we will strongly encourage everyone to attend. Be on the lookout for more on that later!

wtb - T-Mobile phone

We broke one and are looking for a cheap replacement.  Please call 410.299.8215.

Photos!

Hi All!

I'm trying to raise some money to fix our leaky house :)

Sooo, I'm offering my photography at a special reduced package price!

Here's what you'll get:

Up to 2 hours at your desired location within a reasonable distance.

Unlimited participants, outfit changes, poses and props.

At LEAST 200 digital images(usually MUCH more!)on a disk. You own ALL images. Copy, print, distribute, etc. as many as you wish. Make Christmas cards, photo books, calendars, presents, etc...

This package also works for an event, party, family gathering, gift, engagement, etc! Great for new baby!

All for $175---usually $275!

Email me with questions, to request references, or to book your session!

april@blyadventures.com

Thanks!

April Bly

Free Lecture: How to Memorize Numbers

The Teaching Company is a provider of high school and college level lectures covering a multitude of subjects.  Here's a link they recently provided for a free lecture on how to memorize numbers.

Here's part of the write up that came with the link:

Memorizing and quickly recalling strings of digits such as your credit card number, a colleague's phone number, or a relative's birthday is an important skill to have in everyday life. Yet despite the fact that, on average, we can memorize only an estimated 7 digits at a time, it's possible to strengthen this ability to memorize strings of digits longer than you ever imagined. The secret: two specific methods that are surprising in their accessibility—and their fun. In thanks for being our customer, here is a free video lecture: How to Memorize Numbers, delivered by Professor Arthur T. Benjamin.

Dr. Benjamin is Professor of Mathematics at Harvey Mudd College, where he has taught for more than 20 years. Renowned for his dynamic teaching style, he has been repeatedly honored with awards from the Mathematical Association of America. Professor Benjamin has also been featured in Scientific American, The New York Times, and Reader's Digest—which named him "America's Best Math Whiz."

Thinking - Free Audiobook

Christianaudio.com makes an audiobook available for free each month. This month's choice is Think, by John Piper and here's a brief trailer for the book. In Piper's words, "The whole aim is not to make us thinkers, but the aim is to use thinking biblically..." If you're interested in this title, click here to go to the website.

Clothing Free To Good Home...

The Chai family has some uniform items and regular clothing items that need a good home. Take a look at the list below and contact them directly if you would like to inquire about any of the items on the list.

 -Granite plaid (Classic Navy) skirt size 14 girls

 -Granite khaki pants size 0 womens...these were tailored to make them closer to 00, since Land's End runs big.

 -black skirt, Land's End canvas material, child size 12, below the knee length, somewhat dressy

 -yellow cable zip cardigan, hooded, Land's End, child 14

 -white cardigan with pink gingham buttons, Land's End child 16, very fine dressy knit

 -pink cable cardigan with rhinestone button, Land's End child 14, somewhat dressy

 -lavender cardigan, LL Bean child 14/16, casual knit zip front

 All of the above fit Hannah currently (she is size 0, age 14) and weren't used much.

 Amy Chai 410-531-9389
 afchai@verizon.net

A Day with Danna Gresh

Dannah Gresh, international speaker and author, will be coming to Columbia. She'll be leading workshops on purity for middle and high school age girls. For more information, see the attachments or her website, Pure Freedom. Even if you aren't interested in attending, the website is very interesting.

Great Summer Opportunity!

Looking for something for you or your youth to do this Summer? Become the proud recipient of a certificate from the Moments Remembered Cake Decorating Series (www.momentsremembered.biz). 

I will be teaching classes for all skill levels from ages 10yrs to adult. The County and State Fairs held at the end of the Summer offer a great opportunity to showcase the newly acquired skills, win some ribbons and gain some competition experience. Many have also taken this opportunity to launch a new and exciting business venture.
I will be offering the following Adult & Youth Courses and may be contacted via email or at 410-917-2788 for further information:

Beginner's Level - Creating & presenting the perfectly covered cake
Intermediate Level - Flowers, flowers, flowers
Advanced Level - A wedding cake exploration

Upon request, a brochure with expanded information may be mailed to you. Visit the website to view a sampling of the work of some past students.


Confectionately yours,


 Vuyi Kamuhuza
Creative Director
Moments Remembered

Website: www.momentsremembered.biz

Graduation Photos

Here are graduation photos from the Granite Class of 2011...

Granite Graduation '11

A Graduation Story

The growing anticipation of an evening long awaited had finally reached it's peak.  Donning blue and gold the students walked up the stairwell, approaching the moment they had all worked so hard to accomplish.  Pomp and Circumstance in the background, they entered the sanctuary to a gathering in their name.  Standing, looking, tears, smiles, the season of life they knew as 'Granite' was left in the outer hall as they walked through into next.  Looking back, looking forward, song, pictures, memories, and a small swish of a few strands of gold, and what once was became what will be.  The class of 2011 was sent off with grand tribute, followed by...food...fellowship... and joy in the moment.
Our love wants to keep them, but it must send them off.

A special thanks to Holly Kosten for her unbelievable efforts to coordinate a beautiful evening.  Along with her were members of the 11th grade and their parents, Karen Lacy, Debbie Hsu, and Laurie Dickerson.  This group worked very hard to make the evening special, and they succeeded in grand style.  Our deepest appreciation to them for a job well done!

It is hard to believe another year has passed.
Karen

Seniors' Last Day

This Wednesday, May 4th, is the last day for our Seniors.  We will be having a special chapel time to include the traditional passing of the class Bible on to the Juniors.  Please join us if you are able as we send them off for the last time.

Oh, and bring your kleenex.

'Book-It' Program with Pizza Hut

Anyone interested in the 'Book-It' program can access the information with the link below.  Happy reading!

Book-It Program Details

Flower Power!

Flowers in the summer - a beautiful thing! Why not take a moment and check out the Junior Class fundraiser. They're selling bulbs - an investment in beauty. The class will earn 50% of every order (sans a flat shipping fee). If the shipping fee ($5) is bothersome, order with a friend and split the shipping. Here's the link: Flower Power Fundraiser

Reuters article on US college students and internet addiction

Just in case you can't read the article below, here's the link.

The Hiding Place by Corrie Ten Boom - Audiobook - Free Download

The Hiding Place by Corrie Ten Boom with John & Elizabeth Sherrill - Audiobooks, MP3, M4B, iPhone Apps, Free Downloads!

Each month, Christian Audio makes an audiobook available for free. This is the one for April.

Granite Student Shines!

Check out this recent Granite student accomplishment.  Her mom's email is partially duplicated here to include the link for the news article. Way to go Elizabeth!

Hi all,

Check out the write-up this a.m. in the Baltimore Sun.  It was a valiant, all-out word duel between Elizabeth and her chief rival of last year.  She wanted so badly to go to the National Bee in Washington, D.C., but after 32 rounds, the judges gave her a word she had never seen before in print and for which they could not provide a language of origin, her chief clue as to how to spell an unknown word:  ballyhooed.  There's more to that, but I won't go into it!  Suffice to say, we are so very very proud of her and how hard she worked to get there and get so far.  And she can try again next year! Also, if you were to actually buy the Sunday paper, she is mentioned by name on the bottom of the front page!  And the full article is on page 2.  What an honor for a 12-year old! Baltimore Sun Spelling Bee Article Regards, Sandy Bernatowicz

Home School Book Sale

Arlington Baptist H.O.M.E.

Home

      Oversight

        Ministry in

      Education

A Homeschool Umbrella Program Presents

A Home School Book Sale

(New and Used Curriculum and Books)

  When:  Saturday, March 26, 2011

Where:  Arlington Baptist Church

             3030 North Rolling Road

         Baltimore, MD  21244

Time:   10:00 AM - 2:00 PM      

Admission is FREE!

Homeschooling families are invited to bring their used books to sell.  Please make a master list of your books and attach a Post-it note or index card to each item or set with the name/title of the item, grade level, your name, price, and method of payment you will accept (cash/check/etc.)

You can reserve a table for ten dollars to display and sell your books.  Doors will open for you at 9:00 AM to get set up.

Please contact Eileen Allen, H.O.M.E. Director at:  eallen@ArlingtonBaptist.org  or 410.655.9300  Ext. 138.

Skiing and Snowboarding

We got to Whitetail early and were on the slopes by about 10:15. It's almost 5:00 and the gang just went out for one last (?) trip down the mountain. The Roberts and Diggs families came too - but have been out on the slopes all day - we've barely seen them. Those who came are already talking about making this a regular event next year.

T-Shirts, DVD's and Photo CD's

The Granite website now has a button to purchase Romeo and Juliet t-shirts and DVD's and CD's.

It can all be found on the Drama page!

!!!T-SHIRT ORDERS MUST BE IN BY MARCH 7th.  THAT ODER BUTTON WILL BE REMOVED AFTER MONDAY!!!

Click here for ordering.

Romeo and Juliet used PayPal?!?!

Well, no, they didn't. =)
But you can!
The link below will take you to the Drama page on the Granite website where you can purchase tickets for any or all of the performances.  Make sure to read all the instructions for purchase and receipt printing.

See you in fair Verona!

Buy tickets here!

Romeo and Juliet Performance Details

Romeo...Romeo...Wherefore art thou Romeo!

Join us in fair Verona for the drama event of the year...Romeo and Juliet.

SHOW INFORMATION

Thursday, March 31 at 10:00 AM

Educational Matinee and pre-show interactive discussion

Wednesday through Saturday
March 30 - April 2  at 7:00 PM

Saturday, April 2 at 1:00 PM
Educational Matinee and pre-show interactive discussion

LOCATION

SLAYTON HOUSE THEATRE
10400 Cross Fox Lane * Columbia, MD 21044

TICKETS

Admission:    $10 in advance (deadline March 29)
                       $12 at the door            

Sponsors Needed!

Granite Spring Production

Rehearsals for the much anticipated Granite Spring Production of Romeo and Juliet are in full swing.  A sponsor letter, and official flyers will be out very soon, as will ticket purchase info.  Be on the look out for the announcement that will direct you where to go.  You don't want to miss it!

Mr. Brooking

Reprinted - with permission - from The Granite Wall

It’s All Greek to Me!

~ by Rebekah Lynner

Although Mr. Clark Brooking was only a teacher at Granite for two years, he was a favorite among his 8th and 9th grade Greek students. Mr. Brooking’s students really enjoyed translating passages, but all agree that their favorite part was discussing and interpreting the meaning of those passages. He encouraged them to think about scripture and “not just listen to what others say,” in the words of Aaron Paul. Jessie McDaniel went so far as to say, “I think his 9th grade Greek class might have been my all-time favorite at Granite. It was fun, challenging, complex, and thought provoking.”

Mr. Brooking inspired his students to explore their faith and really get into the Bible to see what it means. Several of his students said that he challenged them to look at the Bible from “many different angles.” His 9th grade class loved the fact that the class was about translating the Bible and required very few tests. They really enjoyed the heated debates on translation among other things. He took a “terrifying, dead language that won’t help me do anything” and made it a fun, interesting class that still has relevance for today.

Mr. Brooking’s teaching style was one of a kind. “No other teacher could be like him.” stated Rachel Cumby. Grace Link commented, “He was very sincere in teaching and dedicated to the class and the language.” She also said, “[He was] very passionate about his faith and expressed it through his teaching.” Jesse McDaniel expressed, “He was able to come down to our level and converse with us. He didn’t talk ‘at’ us, he talked ‘to’ us. He was encouraging. I really felt like he just wanted us to learn and understand the Bible on another level.”Aaron Paul said, “He explained things like a skirt; long enough to cover the subject, and short enough to keep it interesting.” They all agree that they were fortunate to have him as a teacher.

Brainy Bricks Presentation

Shakespeare Unshackled

Photos from the Dress Rehearsal...

Shakespeare Unshackled '11

Granite Student Kudos at the Geography Bee!

On January 6, 2011, eight Granite students competed in a local homeschool geography bee sponsored by the National Geographic Society.  The National Geo Bee started almost twenty-years ago is now a major competition that narrows down a winner from each state who will go on to compete in Washington D.C for a $25,000 college scholarship and a trip abroad.  The final round of the national competition is hosted by Alex Trebeck from Jeopardy and is broadcast on PBS television. The Geo Bee is for 4th - 8th grade students.

All of the questions were in U.S. and World Geography, with a number of questions in historical geography (thank you Granite history program!).  While all of the Granite students did exceptionally well answering many of the questions correctly, only four made it into the final round. They were Russell Brooking, Leo Schafer (options student), Tyler Sanchez, and Candace Abler. Candace went into the single-elimination round where she missed her only question of the Bee putting her into second place overall.

The Granite students all had a great showing. All the competitors should certainly feel good about all the geography they learned in preparation for the bee and about their good performance.

PURPLE MONDAY IS A GO!!!!!!!!!!!

The Ravens won!  WOOOOOHOOOOOOOOO.
That means pull out your Raven's wear and Raven's purple clothing.
You MUST wear either official Raven's wear or something 'Raven's purple' in order to dress down.
See you all tomorrow!

IN THE EVENT OF A RAVEN'S WIN...PURPLE MONDAY!!!

ONLY IF THE RAVEN'S WIN...
Monday, January 10th will be a dress-down day - BUT - what you dress down in MUST include Raven's purple.  Not lavender, not periwinkle, not turquoise trying to be blue, but Raven's purple.  If you already own official Raven's wear (which may include gray or black), that counts.
Students who decide to not dress in Raven's purple (for whatever reason) are expected to come in regular dress code.

The Word on the Rock!

Have you seen the latest issue of Granite's newsletter, The Word on the Rock? With news, student and tutor interviews, along with upcoming events and other interesting tidbits, the subscription price of $10 is bargain!

To get yours, contact Mrs. Schult at kschult@verizon.net.