Dear Pirate Family,
I hope everyone enjoyed a relaxing spring break! We are now back to work and headed into the home stretch. There are many things to do before the end of the school year. Please give special attention to our upcoming testing schedule and a busy senior calendar.
During spring break, I helped chaperone our church youth group on a trip to the mountains in North Georgia. One of the places we visited was The Foxfire Museum in Rabun County: http://www.foxfire.org/. This unique museum was started by a group of high school students in 1966 in an effort to save their culture and heritage. I was very impressed at what was accomplished by these students. As we visited the gristmill, which was purchased on another site, disassembled, moved and reconstructed on the museum land by these high school students, we were told of the origin of the saying, “keep your nose to the grind stone.”
It seems that as the grindstone was used to grind grain, the friction caused the stone to heat. If the stone heated too much, the grain would begin to toast, then scorch, and burn. The miller would be able to tell if the grain and resulting flour was getting too hot by smell or by “keeping his nose to the grindstone.” In our day it means to apply oneself conscientiously to one’s work. I tell you this story because as summer break approaches, student grades traditionally tend to decrease as our students anticipate the end of school. Please help us by encouraging your child to “keep their nose to the grindstone” and successfully complete the school year.
In an effort to assist students, tutoring continues to be available Tuesdays and Thursdays after school from 2:15 to 3:45 in our media center through the month of May. We are targeting Algebra 1, Geometry, Biology and reading. Students in these courses will be taking a state end of course (EOC) exam. Scores on these exams will count as 30% of the overall grade. For Algebra, students must pass the exam to receive credit for the course. If you have any questions about our after-school tutoring program, please contact us.
Please look carefully at the testing schedule and help us by encouraging you child to eat and sleep well and maintain good hydration before taking the FCAT or an EOC.
I’m very proud of the hard work of our faculty. They care deeply about your children and work diligently to prepare them for success. Please mark your calendars and help your student to have a smooth morning on their testing days.
Senior Graduation is fast approaching! Commencement will be at 7:00 p.m. on May 25th at The St, Augustine Amphitheater. Parking is limited on site and we encourage you to arrive early. We are NOT limiting students to the number of guests, so bring everyone to celebrate your child’s day!
We appreciate your support and invite you to join us for the many campus activities we have planned. Check the calendar and come on out to support your child and their fellow Pirates!
Chris Pryor
