GracePAC is here!
Who is GracePAC?
What do we do?
GracePAC Happenings:
Thank you for inquiring about GracePAC! All who are Stakeholders (referred to by ACSI) or the Grace Christian School Community (current and former GCS parents, teachers, grandparents, staff) it is YOU who makes up the “PAC”. We were formed to bridge the communication between the community and the Administration and School Board, partnering with them to further he mission of Grace Christian School.
Volunteer Connect: Volunteers for the Advancement Department of GCS.
Some were confused as to if this competes with GracePAC. Simply stated, no. We are the overall umbrella of volunteers for the school. If you are interested in helping with the Advancement Events, Volunteer Connect is where we would direct you. Contact Khristina Kirschner if you want to serve in Advancement.
Thank You! For those who have made breakfast for the staff or dinner for the School Board on the evening of their meeting, thank you and be encouraged! You are making an impact on those we serve.
Just two more dates are available:
- Faculty Breakfast: Friday, February 21, 2020
7:00 am set up, serve breakfast at 7:30.
- Board Meeting Dinner: Tuesday, May 19, 2020
5:30 set up outside Chapel for 6:00 pm meeting
GCS Needs our help in two area’s:
- Randy Karlberg is looking for someone to facilitate the maintenance of the shuttles and buses. It is a paid position with flexible hours–some weeks (tire change over) is 10 hours, others would be none. Contact Randy with your interest & questions.
- Write a letter regarding the traffic issue on Pintail & Huffman:
Objective: The Municipality of Anchorage is currently considering certain road projects within the Anchorage area. One such project (MTP project #210) deals with Huffman Road from Pintail Street to Birch Road and it is currently on the “long term” list. Due to the dangerous intersection at Pintail and Huffman, we are asking all Stakeholder of Grace to consider writing an email to the Municipality a) expressing their concern and b) asking that the project be moved from the “long term” list to the “short term” list.
How to participate: Comments can be submitted at the following site: http://www.mtp2040.com/comment.html
What to say: Consider using the following note by cutting and pasting it into the comments section of the email and personalizing it to your name and your stakeholder roll.
Sample Note:
Hello, my name is (Name). I am (insert Stakeholder roll, i.e. “the parent of 3 students”) at Grace Christian School located on Pintail Street, just off Huffman Road, in south Anchorage. For quite some time, I have been very concerned about the difficult intersection at Huffman and Pintail. Difficulties at this intersection include recent accidents with injuries as well as numerous close-calls to, not only, families and students of Grace,but also the neighbors of Grace and others traveling the busy Huffman corridor. It is my understanding that MTP project #210 is currently under consideration. I am writing to politely ask that MTP project #210 be moved from the long term list to the short term list so that we can begin to plan on how to best address this dangerous and stress-filled intersection. Thank you for your consideration. Sincerely, (Name).
GracePAC Meeting Dates: Please mark your calendar!
- February 25th at 6:00 pm, followed by “Screen-Agers” in the Chapel
- March 24th
- April 28th
- May 26th
Upcoming Agenda Items:
- Guest speaker Steve Hatter regarding the relationship between the school and Anchorage Grace Church.
- Barista Class by Kaladi’s
Want to get involved? Desire to bless our faculty or school board by bringing a meal? Have questions or comments? Contact GracePAC at GracePAC@gracechristianalaska.org or leave a message with one of the school secretaries.
Vision
Within the Anchorage Grace Church (AGC)—Grace Christian School (GCS) governance framework, the Parent Advisory Council (GracePAC) desires to support, and where appropriate under the GCS Bylaws, partner with the Grace Christian School Board and the faculty, staff, and administration in the accomplishment of the mission, vision, and values of Grace Christian School.
Mission
The Parent Advisory Council of Grace Christian School, as members of the Body of Christ, and as leaders within our homes, seek opportunities to positively advance the essential partnership between parents and the Grace Christian School Board, administration, faculty and staff. GracePAC offers our skills and talents, insight, and feedback, while seeking mutual accountability in the education of our children and young adults.
Core Values
The Parent Advisory Council of Grace Christian School will be guided by the following Core Values which find their basis in Scripture and in the life of Christ.
- Servant Leadership Jesus’s entire life demonstrated service leadership, and He calls all believers to follow His example in whatever sphere of influence they find themselves. As such, the GracePAC seeks to put this into practice in all its relationships in, around, and involving Grace Christian School.
- Supporting Scriptures: John 13:1-17, Philippians 2:5-10
- Unity As the Triune Godhead is in perfect unity, the Church, in fully focusing on Jesus Christ alone, is to be typified by this unity. In obedience to this, GracePAC desires to support and partner with the Grace Christian School Board the and the faculty, staff, and administration in the accomplishment of the mission, vision, and values of Grace Christian School, to the glory of God alone.
- Supporting Scriptures: John 17:1-26, Ephesians 4:1-16
- Integrity Commonly defined as “who you are when no one is looking”, integrity is the natural outcome of honesty, transparency, and excellence. As Jesus is our model in this, GracePAC will operate in truthfulness and openness in all that it does.
- Supporting Scriptures: James 1:19-25, John 5:19-24
- Agapē Love Agapē love is the highest form of love, and it is an attribute of God. Jesus said that His followers would be known by their demonstration of it, and Paul indicates that it is a gift of the Holy Spirit available to all believers. GracePAC will seek to keep this focus in all that it does in partnership with the school board and the faculty, staff, and administration of Grace Christian School
- Supporting Scriptures: 1 John 4:7-21, John 13:34-35, 1 Corinthians 12:31-13:13
- Humility The beauty of humility comes through submission and it is the natural outcome of a life that is submitted to the lordship of Christ. Christ Himself is also our model in this as He submitted to the Father while He was on earth. In our human relationships we are called to submit to one another, and GracePAC will endeavor to demonstrate humility in all its interactions, activities, and relationships.
- Supporting Scriptures: John 6:35-40, Ephesians 5:21, Philippians 2:5-10
Framework
Leadership and Representation
The Parent Advisory Council of Grace Christian School will be led and represented by a Leadership Team consisting of two parents and two staff members, and will adhere to the following:
- Term of service is a minimum of one (1) academic-year with a maximum service of four (4) academic-years.
- From the leadership team, a chairperson and co-chair will be selected.
- Following the departure of a Leadership Team member(s) the remaining team members will select potential candidates, interview them, vote and move the unanimous recommendation to the School Board for approval.
- All leaders of GracePAC must sign the Grace Christian School Statement of Faith and Declaration (See Appendix A).
Participants
The Parent Advisory Council will mobilize and enlist the help, assistance, and feedback of the network of families that attend Grace Christian School. The Parent Advisory Council will engage all who are considered Stakeholders of Grace Christian School by virtue of their investment of their time and/or their resources, in addition to their investment of their children and young adults. Stakeholders may include not only the parents and families of Grace Christian School students, but also the staff, administration and School Board members.
Purpose
- Encourage fellowship, mutual support, and cooperation among the school board, faculty, staff, and administration and parents and families.
- Support communication between parents, administration, and the school board.
- Prioritize support for the Advancement Department
- Prioritize the growth of volunteer support in the classrooms, at events, and through sharing God given skills, talents, and gifts with the school community
- Pray for both the AGC Elders in their spiritual oversight role and the leadership of all the churches in the greater Anchorage area represented by Grace families, as well as the school board, faculty, staff, administration, and families of Grace Christian School.
Goals and Objectives
- Pursue effective involvement of all parents and families in supporting and partnering with the school board, faculty, staff and administration.
- Involve parents and families in an organized and timely manner in meeting the multi-various needs of the school and school community
- Recruit parents and families to meet these multi-various needs.
- Provide clear information and communication to the school board and the parents and families when questions, concerns, or ideas arise.
Activities
- GracePAC Stakeholders Meetings: The Parent Advisory Council will meet monthly as discussed above.
- Faculty, staff, administration monthly breakfast: GracePAC will provide a monthly breakfast for faculty and staff in the efforts to provide a highly enriched time of connection
- Faculty, staff, administration monthly dinner: GracePAC will provide dinner to faculty, staff, and administration in efforts to facilitate participation at the monthly school board meeting
- Attendance at monthly school board meeting: GracePAC will attend monthly school board meetings and will work to mobilize as many parents as are willing to attend.
- Quarterly school board meetings:The GracePAC Leadership Team may meet quarterly with the school board or with representatives of the school board to maintain dialogue and communication.
Are you interested in joining us? Please contact the Elementary Office at 345-4814, or join us at our monthly meetings, (which are held one week after the School Board meetings) the fourth Tuesday of the month, year-round, from 6-8pm in the Chapel.
