Mount Vernon Presbyterian School

New Faculty News Release

Seventeen new faculty members have joined Mount Vernon Presbyterian School for the coming academic year. Mount Vernon is a Christian college preparatory school for preschool through 12th grade located in the heart of Sandy Springs.

Joining the pre-school faculty are Kristen King and Martha Yudin, along with associate teachers Christine Cooper and Elizabeth Jones. Lower School faculty are science teacher Mary Cantwell, physical education teacher Patrick Coffield, learning support teacher Heather Crane, and Spanish teacher Brian Huestis.

Linda Kauffman will teach first grade, while Katherine McGoldrick will teach second grade. Lauren Lewis and Katherine Yopp will both teach fourth grade. Ronn Colanino will teach sixth grade math.

Jessica Wackerman will teach both Upper and Middle School science. Danielle Heintz joins the Upper School math faculty, while Rhonda Robinson is technology instructor. Heather Bradford will serve as the Glenn Campus counselor.

“We are delighted to add these dedicated educators to our already outstanding faculty,” Head of School Jeff Jackson said. “These additions solidify Mount Vernon’s reputation for providing the highest quality education for our students at all levels and meet the needs of our growth with the addition of our Upper School on the state-of-the-art Glenn Campus.”

Mount Vernon Presbyterian School is a community dedicated to academic excellence, physical development and spiritual enrichment. Grounded in Christian values, the school seeks to develop leaders who will use their unique abilities to think, serve and live their lives with wisdom and moral integrity. Founded in 1972, Mount Vernon provides Christian education opportunities to 850 students.

New Board News Release

David Barclift, principal with Reece, Hooper and Fincher Landscape Architects, has been re-elected chair of Mount Vernon Presbyterian School’s Board of Directors. Mount Vernon is a Christian college preparatory school for preschool through 12th grade located in the heart of Sandy Springs.

Other board officers include vice chair David Kolb, retired chairman and CEO of Mohawk Industries; secretary Paula Fisher, community leader; and treasurer Mike Watkins, president of Watkins Associated Industries.

New board members include Christy Pierce, Partner, Brauer, Schimler, Pierce, Jenkins LLP and Steve Ray, National Account Manager, AT&T.

Outgoing board members recognized for their service were Jay Ayers and Chris Shuman.

“I look forward to serving Mount Vernon as we continue to build enrollment in our Upper School while maintaining the qualities that makes a Mount Vernon education so special,” Barclift said.

Mount Vernon Presbyterian School is a community dedicated to academic excellence, physical development and spiritual enrichment. Grounded in Christian values, the school seeks to develop leaders who will use their unique abilities to think, serve and live their lives with wisdom and moral integrity. Founded in 1972, Mount Vernon provides Christian education opportunities to 850 students.

Glenn Campus Building Featured in Greenprints Conference

SANDY SPRINGS, GA, March 2007 – The Atlanta chapter of the American Institute of Architects’ Committee on the Environment (AIA-COTE) has selected the Mount Vernon Presbyterian School Glenn Campus building to be featured in the upcoming Greenprints conference on March 22, 2007.

Designed by Collins Cooper Carusi Architects, the 73,000 square-foot, multi-story classroom, administration, and athletic building has been designed to conform to the United States Green Building Council’s Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) sustainability guidelines which are geared towards minimizing the impact buildings will have on the environment during construction and occupancy.

Highlights of Mount Vernon’s sustainability features include a geothermal ground loop, which serves most of the building’s heating/cooling needs, high efficiency air-cooled rooftop units, increased building insulation and high-efficiency glazing and lighting.

In addition to energy saving, 75% of construction waste was reclaimed as recycled material, and 10% of the new construction materials were composed of recycled content. The gymnasium flooring is constructed of bamboo, a rapidly renewable resource. Low-emitting adhesives, sealants, paints, carpet, coverings, and composite wood were utilized for low VOC content, providing cleaner, healthy air within the building.

Eight Grade Boys Basketball Team in First Place at Start of NAML Tournament

SANDY SPRINGS, GA, January 31, 2007 – Mount Vernon Presbyterian School’s eighth grade boys basketball team retains their first place position in the North Atlanta Metro League (NAML) after their exciting win over Mt. Bethel (39-27) in the first round of the NAML tournament. The eighth grade Mustangs, coached by Reggie Burnette, had an impressive 11-2 record during the regular season and is planning to finish strong in the tournament.

Mount Vernon Presbyterian School is hosting the eighth grade boys division of the NAML basketball tournament as well as the entire championship round on Saturday, February 3. All semi-final games for the eighth grade boys division will be played at Mount Vernon’s Glenn Campus gymnasium on Thursday, February 1, beginning at 4:00 p.m. when Mount Vernon takes on Whitefield.

Upper School Teacher Receives $2500 Best Buy Teach Award

SANDY SPRINGS, GA, December 13, 2006 – Tatiana Fernandez, Upper School Foreign Language teacher, uses technology in the classroom to make learning fun. Best Buy believes that technology can excite and engage students, creating a more valuable educational experience, and it supports schools’ creative use of interactive technology. Of the 1300 schools nationwide receiving the $2500 Teach Award, Mount Vernon is one of only 250 finalists eligible for a $15,000 Award.

Mrs. Fernandez submitted a student-centered project in which Spanish students conceptualize, design and create a multimedia children's book in Spanish. The book's overall theme underscores the importance of being an active participant in the community. The finished multimedia book is presented to elementary-aged Spanish students, providing Upper School students a venue in which to share their knowledge and the opportunity to become role models for their younger peers.

The technological aspect of this project enables students to become proficient and creative using a wide array of technology applications such as Windows Movie Maker for the filming and editing of the stories; MS Word for the text and the book's overall design; Power Point for the creation of interactive vocabulary flash cards; The Print Shop for photo editing; and Acoustica CD Label Maker for designing the DVD's cover. The "Internet" component of this project encourages students to use online resources such as Quia's Online Shared Activities and DiscoverySchool.com for the creation of interactive online games based on the book's vocabulary.

Mrs. Fernandez will be able to use this award toward purchases of technology equipment and software for her classroom so she can continue to engage her students in creative learning.

Volleyball Players Named to GISA All-Region Team

SANDY SPRINGS, GA, November 9, 2006 – Last week, Georgia Independent School Association (GISA) volleyball coaches met at George Walton Academy in Monroe, GA to select the All-Region teams for each of four regions as well as the All-State team for GISA volleyball. Two players from Mount Vernon Presbyterian School were named to the All-Region team for Region
1: Heighlen Boyd and Chase Williams.

Heighlen and Chase represented the Lady Mustangs all season as team co-captains. Both juniors, these athletes were the true leaders for the first-year varsity team. Heighlen was the starting middle blocker and was an outstanding server on the team. Chase, the starting outside hitter, was also a strong server, achieving many aces throughout the season. Both athletes were all-round players and performed well both defensively and offensively. The Lady Mustangs qualified for the GISA State Tournament, meeting a tough Heirway Christian in the first round. Head coach, Cindy Glueckert, looks forward to both Heighlen and Chase returning next year as well as the other team members. This young varsity team will continue to mature and see great successes.

Mount Vernon Presbyterian School Dedicates Glenn Campus with Ribbon Cutting Ceremony

Philanthropists, Tom and Lou Glenn, honored at school assembly

SANDY SPRINGS, GA, October 26, 2006 – Last week Mount Vernon Presbyterian School celebrated the official opening of its new Glenn Campus with a ribbon cutting ceremony. Students in kindergarten through 12th grades gathered with school administrators, Board members, parents and other special guests. They took a moment to reflect on a dream that took just over two years to turn into a reality. The building, that currently houses about 230 students in the upper grades, was dedicated and officially opened to the community for tours.

Jeff Jackson, Head of School, recalled how “it was only months ago when the school and community gathered to break ground in May 2005 and to name the campus in honor and recognition of the philanthropic support of prominent Atlanta business leaders and neighbors of the school, Tom and Lou Glenn.” Other speakers thanked all those who were a part of making this dream a reality – from the dreamers and visionaries, to the creators, the believers, nurturers and the teachers. Mr. Glenn was introduced to the assembly and remarked, “There was a sophisticated group of hard working people who took the time to do something for someone else. I knew there had to be something very good here, and we wanted to be a part of it.” Mr. and Mrs. Glenn held the distinction of cutting the ribbon for the dedication ceremony and were joined by students in the 11th grade who will be the first class to graduate as seniors from the school.

The 30 acre Glenn Campus offers a four story building, a baseball field, a softball field and a football/soccer field. The building was designed by Collins Cooper Carusi Architects, Inc. and constructed by The Winter Construction Company. Hallways are oversized for roominess. Locker bays are to the side providing additional elbow room. Classrooms are state-of-the-art, filled with essential teaching tools, and are flooded with natural light. The gymnasium is spacious and doubles as a performance venue. There are rooms for art, band, drama and photography/graphic design. The fields provide plenty of space for athletes to compete and for fans to watch and cheer.

Before the ribbon was cut to mark the official opening of the school, David Barclift, Chairman of the school’s Board of Trustees said, “Many years ago, former and current Board members, administrators, church and school leaders, and parents had a dream of expanding the school mission to include a high school to serve students beyond the established preschool through eighth grade program.” He added that “the dedication of these individuals served as a flagship for facilitating the goals of Mount Vernon Presbyterian School. The dream became a reality.”