Country Day Connection | Winter 2013

From the Headmistress

From the Board President

Important Dates

ACDS is CHARACTER...

ACDS Alumni Spotlight

Veterans Day

The Owen Brown Science and Engineering Center

“Disney’s The Little Mermaid, Jr.”

Basketball Season Highlights

www.acdsonline.org | www.facebook.com/ACDScenla

From the Headmistress:Dear Parents & Friends,

As many of us were enjoying the joy of the holiday season, a series of tragic events was unfolding in Newtown, Connecticut. All parents realize that nothing could be more devastating than the loss of a child, but the senseless deaths of many innocent children seem impossible to comprehend.

Sandy Hook’s experience has caused educators across the nation and at Alexandria Country Day to ask, “Are we taking the necessary security precautions to create the safest possible environment at our school?” In order to answer that question, we recently conducted a safety audit at our school. At this time I wanted to take the opportunity to review those safety measures which are currently in place:

• Asecurityfencethatrequiresonepointofentryintoourbuilding

• Acheck-inprocedurethatrequiresallvisitorsandparentstosigninattheofficefirstandtowearavisitor’sbadgewhileoncampus

• Surveillancecamerasinstrategiclocationsoutsidetheschool

• Anewstate-of-the-artintercomsystemwithcallbuttonsineveryroomandoffice

• Apanicbuttoninafrontofficelocationthatisadirectlinktoemergencyagencies

We owe a great deal of thanks to our ACDS Parent Club for purchasing the intercom system. We also thank Simpson Security for their generosity during this time. We are very fortunate to have such passionate supporters at ACDS. While we don’t want our school to become uninviting, we must take reasonable steps in our efforts to keep our children out of harm’s way. The security of our children comes first and foremost and must be a team effort. This will always be a non-negotiable effort at our school. Sincerely,Nancy Rials, Headmistress

Annual Art Auction Filled with MUSIC and MAGICOn November 26th, Alexandria Country Day held its second annual Art Auction. With over a hundred-fifty guests in attendance, student art was auctioned during silent and live auctions. Those in attendance enjoyed the sounds of “The Dots” and snacked on mini muffulettas while they shopped the student art. Close to 200 pieces were on display and most went home with lucky bidders. New Orleans artist, Martin LaBorde was in attendance and had his work for sale and for auction as well, donating 15% of his sales to our school. All proceeds go to the Annual Fund Drive which will be funding the new gym bleachers and floor. A very special thanks goes to Hixson Auto Group and Weiss and Goldring for making this event possible. And thank you to Penny Abraham for her creative guidance!

Happy New Year! I hope you all enjoyed the holiday season. As we enter 2013, we are reminded of how important security is to providing a safe learning environment for our students. We are very appreciative of Parent Club for donating a much needed state-of-the-art intercom system. We thank Simpson Security for conducting a safety audit of the school and donating the cabling of the synchronized clocks. We will continue making significant investments in this area to ensure we have a safe campus.

It has been a very exciting time around campus. Since the last Country Day Connection, some significant enhancements have been made. Last month, we opened the Owen Brown Science and Engineering Center, a dream that became a reality after a four-year process. This lab will foster an environment that ignites intellectual curiosity in our students for years to come thanks to the hard work of so many volunteers. On behalf of the Board of Directors, “Thank You” for all that you do and have done for our school throughout the years.

These upgrades help us continue providing a high level of academic rigor using the latest technology in a safe environment. We continue to plan and work toward future upgrades that will drive ACDS to new heights. As always, I would like to encourage you to participate in our Annual Fund Drive because without it, additions like these are not likely. Thank you again for all of your dedication and support.

Go Tigers!

Doug Godard,BoardPresident

From the Board President: Mark your

Calendar!

Science Fair

Mardi Gras Holiday

In-House School Registration for 2013-2014

In-House and Alumni Registration for 2013-2014

4th 6 weeks ends

Open Enrollment for School Registration for 2013-2014

Tiger Entertainment presents “Disney’s The Little Mermaid, Jr.”

Annual Teacher Appreciation Luncheon

Daylight Savings Time Begins

Easter Holiday

ESPN Awards

Academic Awards

6

11-15

20

21

21

27

28 -Mar 3

7

10

25 -April 1

25

30

FEBRUARY

MARCH

APRIL

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CHARACTERCornerCompassion

ACDS Raises Money to Help Martin Park ElementaryACDS came together and showed its character by enacting compassion and empathy when they raised over $2,000 for Martin Park Elementary school. The ACDS office staff took up a collection on Boss’s Day for a present for Mrs. Rials, but instead, the funds were added to the Silly Hat Day collection as a donation to Martin Park. A gift card from School Aids was purchased and presented to the school.

CitizenshipTo support the Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure, ACDS competed in the Chick-fil-A Spirit night against other elementary schools. ACDS won the competition almost tripling the next highest school. Fifteen percent of the proceeds went to Susan G. Komen for the Cure. Also, ACDS won the phone book recycling contest, collecting over 4,500 phone books to be recycled. This was the most of any school in a three parish area.

ACDS ALUMNI Spotlight

ResponsibilityACDS students show “Responsibility” by donating toys

Before the Christmas break, ACDS students showed “Responsibility” by bringing a gently used toy of their own to be donated to area families and churches. By the end of the drive, over 200 toys were donated and distributed. The idea came from Mrs. Reich’s first graders who were reading the book, Too Many Toys. The students had the idea to share a toy that they didn’t use with those who may want a toy for Christmas. The students had the “Responsibility” of choosing a toy and bringing it to school.

ACDS Wins the Chick-fil-A Susan G. Komen Spirit Competition

“ I want to invest in the future growth of ACDS.”Your annual fund gift makes a difference!

Corner ACDS ALUMNI Spotlight

ACDS Graduate Wins Prestigious Scholarship

Zach Faircloth, an ACDS graduate recently won Louisiana State University’s prestigious Stamps Leadership Scholarship. He was one of two students to win the award. The scholarship covers the full cost of tuition for four years and up to $14,000 for enrichment experiences. Zach is currently enrolled at LSU as a freshman in the Honors College and is majoring in Electrical Engineering. The scholarship is based on leadership, academics, and extracurricular activities. Way to go Zach!

ACDS Graduate named as one of five National Student Poets

ACDS graduate Lylla Younes was recently selected to serve as one of five National Student Poets. She was selected out of 8,000 applicants. In order to compete, Lylla had to produce a portfolio of short stories, poems, and essays to a committee led by First Lady Michelle Obama. So far this year, she has seen one of her short stories published and even had the opportunity to meet the President and First Lady at a White House reception. Congratulations Lylla! We are so proud of you!

ResponsibilityName

I would like to remain anonymous on the donor list

Email

I am an alumni and would like to join the Alumni email list

Visionary ($10,000 and up) Benefactor ($5000 - $9999) Sustainer ($2500 - $4999) Friend ($1000 - $2499) Patron ($600 - $999) Mentor ($250 - $599) Supporter (up to $249)

Amount:

Please mail this form with payment to ACDS, 5603 Bayou Rapides Road, Alexandria, LA 71303 OR YOU CAN DONATE ONLINE AT WWW.ACDSONLINE.ORG

“ I want to invest in the future growth of ACDS.”Your annual fund gift makes a difference!

www.acdsonline.org | www.facebook.com/ACDScenla

INTRODUCING

Tiger Entertainment Performs “Disney’s The Little Mermaid, Jr.”In January Tiger Entertainment traveled to Atlanta, Ga. to present their 15-minute excerpt from “Disney’s The Little Mermaid Jr.” at the 2013 Junior Theater Festival.

The Junior Theater Festival, held Jan. 18th to 20th, is a series of workshops and adjudications for young actors that, this year, feature 82 theater groups from 23 states.

ACDS Tiger Entertainment consists of 19 student performers, who will be expressing all aspects of the story using movement and pantomime. They will also be singing, acting, and dancing. It is a very creative interpretation of the story, which uses every actor in a

ACDS Honors Veterans Day with Ceremony

On November 9th ACDS celebrated Veterans Day honoring over 50 veterans who came to the school to attend the event. Veterans were escorted by their children or grandchildren as each was recognized for their service. Laine Miller and Cathy Spurlock teamed up to create a memorable production where students danced and sang to patriotic songs. Following the production there was a reception for all the veterans and their families. We love our veterans at ACDS and look forward to the performance again next year!

The Owen Brown Science and Engineering Center

INTRODUCING

On January 10th, we opened our new Science and Engineering Labs which were dedicated to our long-time science teacher, Mr. Owen Brown. The dedication consisted of a ribbon cutting by Mr. Brown and the Alexandria Chamber of

Commerce. Media members and all in attendance were invited to come and tour the facility.

As the nation launched its “Educate to Innovate” campaign which encourages the use of interactive teaching methods in the areas of science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM), ACDS was planning a cutting-edge laboratory that

could motivate and encourage young people of all ages to value and experiment with scientific inquiry.

According to our mission statement, our goal is to “ignite intellectual curiosity and encourage a passion for learning...that enables students to become leaders of the 21st century.” By providing this state-of-the-art scientific laboratory

setting, the end result will be a more robust educational environment for all students.

It’s SHOWTIME!Thursday - Sunday,

February 28th - March 3rd, 2013.

Thursday, Friday and Saturday nights at 7PM

Saturday and Sunday Matinees at 2PM

Tiger Entertainment Performs “Disney’s The Little Mermaid, Jr.”variety of ways. The actors not only portray the familiar characters from the movie, but also Ursula’s tentacles, Ariel’s grotto, and the ocean waves. There are no costumes, which makes it easier for some actors to play more than one role. The group has performed at local assisted living homes and most recently, they performed at an ACDS spirit assembly.

In late February/Early March, 70 students in grades 1-8 will present a full production of “Disney’s The Little Mermaid Jr.” at the Coughlin-Saunders Performing Arts Center in downtown Alexandria.

Tickets are available by contacting Donna Andries: danries@rpst.org or 318.451.4327.

www.acdsonline.org | www.facebook.com/ACDScenla

5603 Bayou Rapides Road

Alexandria, LA 71303

Contact ACDS:

Phone: 318-448-1475

www.acdsonline.org

www.facebook.com/ACDScenla

Non-ProfitOrganizationU.S. Postage

PAIDPermit No. 695Alexandria, LA

Thanks To Our Generous Underwriters for your support!

ACDS BASKETBALL wraps up anothersuccessful season...CONGRATULATIONS!

6th grade girls: record 14-4* | Second place ACDS & OLPS Tournaments6th grade boys: record 11-5* | Champions ACDS Tournament

7th/8th grade girls: record 24-3 | Champions Avoyelles Charter and Poland Tournaments7th/8th grade boys: record 16-7 | Second place ACDS & Avoyelles Charter Tournaments

The ACDS graduating 8th grade girls have a three-year combined record of 64 wins and 5 losses (most successful three-year record in history of ACDS). Congratulations 8th grade girls on your achievement.