New School Year 2013-2014:

 

Greater Portland Christian School begins Wednesday, August 28.  We are so blessed to have 22 new students beginning their first day with us.  This means GPCS gains 15 new families.  So thankful  to the Lord for bringing new families to GPCS!

GPCS also has hired 4 new teachers.  Help us welcome Mrs. Laura Holt-Haslam, Mr. Taylor Richards, Mrs. Skye Patterson, and  Mrs. Terri Sires.

Mrs. Laura Holt-Haslam will be teaching art to grades 4-8.  Mr. Taylor Richards will be teaching music to grades 6-12 and Mrs. Terri Sires will be teaching music to grades preK-grade 5.  Mrs. Skye Patterson is our new elementary physical education teacher.

 

GPCS welcomes all our new families and our returning families.  May God bless this new school year.

 

GPCS Enrolling the Next Generation:

 

GPCS is excited that this year we have enrolled our first grandchild of an alumnus!  We are blessed to have Ellyanna Blake enrolled in pre K.  Her grandfather, Herb Blake, graduated from GPCS in 1983 and her dad, Justin Blake, graduated in 2006.

GPCS has been blessed to have children of alumni enrolled.  And now as GPCS has been celebrating it’s 40th year, we are beginning to have students enrolled from the next generation.  May God be praised!

 

 

GPCS Varsity Soccer: 

The GPCS Varsity Boys Soccer Team will be coached by Mr. Chris Spaulding.  The GPCS Varsity Girls Team will be coached by Mrs. Christine Jone.  Students in grades 8-12 are invited to join a team.  Yes, there is still time. 

The first official home game is Friday, September 6.  Both teams will take on Rangeley.  The girls game begins at 3:00pm and the Boys follow at 4:30pm.  GPCS invites all the school family to come and cheer!

Another soccer highlight in September is the Chop Point Soccer Tourney.  This is an overnight tournament for the varsity boys.  The tournament begins Friday, September 13.  GPCS’s first game will be against Highview Christian at 4:00pm.  The next game will be Saturday with GPCS vs Islesboro at 10:00am.  The varsity girls will also play on Saturday.  GPCS vs Highview will begin at 1:30pm.  Chop Point is a beautiful camp and school on Merrymeeting Bay.  Come and enjoy GPCS soccer, the wonderful scenery, and fellowship.

GPCS Homecoming 2013:

GPCS Homecoming 2013 will be Saturday, October 12 at Deering High School, Portland.  The day will begin at noon with the GPCS Middle School Soccer taking on Grace Christian School.  Then we will have both varsity teams competing.  The GPCS Varsity Girls will play against Buckfield beginning at 2:00pm.  This game will be followed by the GPCS Varsity Boys  vs Buckfield at 4:00pm.

But that is not all the soccer for the Homecoming Weekend…  On Monday, October 14 at GPCS, the varsity teams will take on Pine Tree Academy.  The games begin at 3:00pm.  We hope you and your family can join us on Saturday and/or Monday. 

There are more details coming but mark your calendars and show your support to GPCS.

GPCS Christian College Fair:

GPCS will host the Annual Christian College Fair on Monday, September 23. This event features representatives and materials from Christian college from around the United States and Canada. Admission is free and open to students, parents, youth leaders, in short, anyone with an interest in Christian college.

Some of the colleges that attend are: Baptist Bible College, Cedarville University, Eastern Nazarene College, Eastern University, Gordon College, New England Bible College, Messiah College, Palm Beach Atlantic University, Pensacola Christian College, etc.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

GPCS Athletic Hall of Fame

GPCS Athletic Hall of Fame:

The first Induction Ceremony was held May 21 at the First Baptist Church of South Portland.  GPCS Athletics inducted:

Jennifer Allen (Class of 1986)


- GPCS Girls Basketball All-Time Leading scorer with 928 Points

- Four Time MVP

- Best Defense Award from 1982-83 undefeated team.

- All-tournament team award from 1984

Played in Division III College Final Four



Mark Farrington (Class of 1988)

- GPCS Basketball All-Time Leading scorer with 1,288 career points.

- Played soccer, basketball, and baseball all four years.

- Captain of the basketball team, and co-captain of the soccer team.

- Two time MVP in basketball (junior and senior years)

- Portland Press Herald's player of the week, after scoring 8 three-pointers in a Friday night game and 42 points in a Saturday game.



Mr. Wayne Farrington (Former Coach and AD 1984-1991)

Coach:

- Soccer, Basketball and Baseball

- Coached all his teams had a better than .500 average in wins.

- Coached soccer teams to Independent League championships in soccer

- Coached Basketball teams that qualified to compete in the MPA Class D Basketball tournament in Augusta 3 years in a row from 1986-1988.

Athletic Director:

- Co- founded the Independent Schools Sports League.

- Both basketball teams made Class D tournament for first time, boys going three times and the girls twice including the Western Maine Finals

- Both the Boys and Girls Basketball teams were recipients of the Good Sportsmanship banner for Western Maine Class D Basketball Tournament.


GPCS Alumni at the Induction were: Janet Deering (class of 1988), Tim Hiltz (class of 1989), Matthew Hasty (class of 1985), Renee Sturgeon Hasty (class of 1988), Chris Wilson (class of 1991), Mark Farrington (class of 1988), James Jones (class of 1990), Tim Chick (class of 1988), & Chris Spaulding (class of 1989). 

Thank you all for coming to the First Induction to the GPCS Athletic Hall of Fame!

GPCS Heritage Banquet

Many thanks to all of the people who pulled a wonderful evening together to celebrate God’s faithfulness to GPCS!


In attendance were some of the founders, former school parents, former board members, alumni, current school parents, former & current faculty, current students, current board members and more.

The speakers were;

Mrs. Anne MacDonald– founder, former faculty

Pastor Stephen Prescott (class of 2003) of The Rock Church

Mr. Keith Dawson– GPCS Head of School

Mr. Bill Bamford– GPCS Board Member

We also enjoyed a slide show put together by Kimberly Verrier Mann (class of 1990).

It was great to see: Mr. & Mrs. Jerry & Mary Goodall, Mr. & Mrs. Steve & Anne MacDonald, Mr. & Mrs. Calvin & Lois Libby, Mr. Leon Olds, Rev. Stan Sutton, & Mr. & Mrs. Bill & Ruth McKay. So thankful for the blessings they continue to be to GPCS!

Alumni spotted at the banquet were: Glorianne Chute Schott (class of 1984), Mara Ranger (class of 1985), Susan Sutton Wolf, Jonathan Libby (class of 1985), Timothy Chick (class of 1988), Mark Farrington (class of 1988), Julia Libby Eiten (class of 1989), Chris Spaulding (class of 1989), James Jones (class of 1988), Chris Wilson (class of 1991), Jennifer Jones Libby (class of 1992), Natalie Frye Cleary (class of 2000), Jennifer Keenan Harrell (class of 2001), Stephen Prescott (class of 2003), & David Hasbrouck (class of 2005).

GPCS vs Pinetree Academy Boys Alumni Basketball

GPCS vs Pinetree Alumni  game was held Saturday, April 27 .  GPCS was represented by Dennis Cram (class of 2006), Joel Bamford (class of 2000), Mike Jones and former coach Jim Bauer.

GPCS Athletic Hall of Fame

Greater Portland Christian School will induct the inaugural class of GPCS Athletes into the GPCS Athletics Hall of Fame on Tuesday, May 21 at First Baptist Church of South Portland, 6:00pm. The inaugural class members are:

Mr. Wayne Farrington– Athletic Director & Coach from 1980’s & 1990’s.

Mark Farrington (class of 1988) all time leading scorer in Varsity Boys Basketball, over 1200points.

Jennifer Allen (class of 1986) all time leading scorer in Varsity Girls Basketball, 981 points.

GPCS Musical Performances 2013

This year Greater Portland Christian School will host two music performances.


The first performance is on Saturday, May 11 at 6:30pm. This is a Talent Show featuring many of our elementary students (grades preK-5).

The second performance is on Friday, May 24 at 6:30pm. This evening is to showcase our secondary students (grades 6-12).

GPCS invites you to attend both of these performances. We know you will enjoy seeing and hearing our students

GPCS is accepting registrations for summer camp. Sign up now.

GPCS Basketball Camp:

Week 1: June 17-21 for campers entering K-5th grade. Camp is from 9:00am-2:00pm. Need 10 campers signed up by June 7 to have camp.

Week 2: June 24-28 for campers entering 6th-12th grade. Camp is from 9:00am-3:00pm. Need 10 campers signed up by June 14 to have camp.
GPCS Summer Camp

GPCS Summer Camp is from 8:30am-2:30pm. Campers entering K-6th grade are welcome.

Week 1: July 1-July 5: “If I Were a Pirate”. No camp on July 4.
Week 2: July 8-12: “Artful Antics”.
Week 3: July 15-19: “Where the Wild Things Are”.
Week 4: July 22-July 26: “Under the Sea”.

Applications were sent home and can be downloaded from the web site at www.gpcs.net.

GPCS Graduation

GPCS Graduation 2013 will be Friday, May 7.  Graduation will be held at the First Baptist Church of South Portland beginning at 7:00pm.  GPCS is adding to the number of graduates!  Join us in celebrating with them and their families.

GPCS Alumni Update

Meagan Murray (class of 2006) & Geoffrey Taylor (class of 2006) are engaged.

Jamie Childs Purinton (class of 2005) and her husband are expecting child #2.

GPCS 40th Anniversary: Heritage Celebration

You are invited to attend Greater Portland Christian School's 40th Anniversary "A Heritage Celebration" on Friday, April 26, 2013 at the historic Portland Regency Hotel and Spa in Portland, Maine. This semi-formal gala event is planned for GPCS alumni, alumni parents, current parents, faculty & staff, and our current students.


The Heritage Celebration will be an event to remember. We will be honoring alumni and their parents, past and present staff, and current families. We will look back and cherish the past 40 years, celebrate and give thanks for today's blessings, and anticipate the future. The evening will include a time of wonderful fellowship, video presentations, key endorsements, delicious dinner, live music and entertainment, and incredible auction items, including personal themed baskets from preK-8th grade classroom parents.

GPCS Baseball Schedule:

April 9: scrimmage with Wayneflete 4:00pm
April 12: scrimmage with Sacopee Valley 3:30pm
April 29: GPCS at Wayneflete 4:00pm
May 1: GPCS at Wayneflete 4:00pm
May 2: GPCS at Forest Hills- doubleheader 2:00pm & 4:00pm
May 10: GPCS at Traip Academy 4:00pm
May 23: GPCS at Valley 4:00pm
May 29: GPCS at Richmond 4:00pm

GPCS Earth Day Clean Up:

Earth Day Cleanup: Here’s a chance to reach out and share Jesus’ love with our neighborhood. GPCS has adopted a section of the Greenbelt Trail along Barberry Creek in South Portland. On Saturday, April 20, is Earth Day Cleanup, from 8:30-11 am. Meet Mr. and Mrs. Swartz at the registration table in Mill Creek Park at 8:30 in grubby clothes. Garbage bags and gloves are provided. Can you help?

Than Peterson (class of 2012) on a Mission:

About a year ago, God laid on my heart James 1:22 to not only be a hearer of the word, but also a doer. As I have been learning to follow God in this way, a missionary friend, Patrick Noonan, has invited me to put to action this calling to partner with him in God's work in Latvia. I will be going to Latvia this summer for approximately six weeks (June 19- August 3) to join the work that God is doing. Latvia is located Northeast of Poland and is a ex-soviet country that is spiritually thirsty for the Good News. Many students are willing to hear more about the word but do not have the opportunity. I will be joining three other guys- Ben, Parker, and Scott from Wyoming- with whom I will be sharing Christ's redemption story among youth and college students in Riga. We hope to serve effectively as a unit to uplift the new ministry recently started by Patrick.
I would like to invite you to partner in this ministry. I am asking God for financial and prayer partners.

• Would you please pray that I can learn to be a humble doer of the word?

• Would you please pray for the hearts of the Latvians that we will be coming into contact with in Riga?

• Would you please pray about investing in God's work in Latvia- raising the $3,800 needed for this trip? (Needed by May 30)

Checks should be made payable to The Navigators (memo: Than Peterson, account # 23822166).
Mail to The Navigators, P.O Box 6000, Colorado Springs, CO 80934. You may also donate online at by typing my name, “Nathaniel Peterson”, in the search box under “Give to Staff Online”.
http://www.navigators.org/us/support

Nathaniel Peterson
(207)210-4217
Npeterso@eastern.edu

Gregory & Bonnie Chick Harrison (class of 1984: Adoption

We are the Harrison’s, Bonnie and Gregory. We hosted this dear brother/sister twin set in our home for a month this past Christmas 2012. We have been waiting for our dear children to come into our lives for quite some time. After having struggled for many years with infertility issues and feeling fearful of taking the plunge into adoption because of the very high costs involved, we can finally say that we have found our dear ones and are trusting that God will provide, as needed. These children, in turn, desperately want a Mama and a Papa in their lives after spending most of their childhood in an orphanage, without a family. We ask that you would join with us in our hope to be “a father to the fatherless”, Psalm 68, “to look after widows and orphans in their distress”, James 1:27, and to bring them home soon.


Humbly, Bonnie and Gregory

To make a donation to the Eli Project go to http://wwweliproject.org/families-in-process/the-harrison-family and you can use Paypal.  Or you can send a check to Eli Project, 813 N. Morgan Drive, Moore, OK 73160 and in the memo: The Harrison Family. 

Becky Wiggins (class of 1999): March for Babies

Becky Wiggins has joined the Standish Hannaford Team to March for Babies on May 5th.  If you are interested in sponsoring her, go to Facebook and connect through her link on her page. 

GPCS Events:

April 26: GPCS 40th Anniversary
May 11: GPCS Elementary Music Program
May 21: GPCS Sports Hall of Fame Induction
May 24: GPCS Secondary Music Program
June 7: GPCS Graduation
June 14: Last day of School

Alumni News:

Steve & Cynthia King Nevers (class of 1984) are grandparent to a baby boy- Edward.  Their daughter Stephanie Nevers Allen (class of 2006) and her husband are happy parents.

Kara Sarver (class of 2007) is engaged to be married.

GPCS Drama Club Takes First Place!

The GPCS Drama Club takes 1st place at the MPA One-Act Drama Festival this year.  The club presented “The Brothers Grimm Spectaculathon”. It is a one act play written by Don Zolidis. The play is;


“Two narrators attempt to recreate all 209 of the fairy tales of the Brothers Grimm in a wild, fast– paced extravaganza. To make it more difficult, they attempt to combine them into one gigantic fable using Rapunzel, Rumpelstiltskin, Hansel and Gretel, Snow White, Sleeping Beauty, Cinderella, and more obscure stories like Lean Lisa and The Devil’s Grandmother.”

Next, taking the show to States!  The GPCS Drama Club will compete on Friday, March 22 in the State's One Act Drama Festival.  This is held at Freeport High School.  Doors open at 5:45pm and GPCS performs at 6:00pm.  Cost is $4/student and $7/adult. 

There is a chance to see this award winning cast perform the play.  Come to GPCS on Thursday, March 28 at 7:00pm.  It is a fun show!

Champions!

The GPCS Middle School Boys Basketball Team took the championship this year!  The team members are Eddie Daigneault, Joey Imler, Jeremiah Hammond, Ethan Spaulding, Aaron Mears, Mason Jones, Ethan Chick, JJ Daigneault, Killian Patterson & Jeremy Powers.  Highlighted players are children of GPCS Alumni.

GPCS Open House:

GPCS Open House is this Saturday, March 16 from 10:00am-Noon.  Hope you can come!

GPCS 40th Heritage Celebration:

You are invited to attend Greater Portland Christian School's 40th Anniversary "A Heritage Celebration" on Friday, April 26, 2013 at the historic Portland Regency Hotel and Spa in Portland, Maine. This semi-formal gala event is planned for GPCS alumni, alumni parents, current parents, faculty & staff, and our current students.


The Heritage Celebration will be an event to remember. We will be honoring alumni and their parents, past and present staff, and current families. We will look back and cherish the past 40 years, celebrate and give thanks for today's blessings, and anticipate the future. The evening will include a time of wonderful fellowship, video presentations, key endorsements, delicious dinner, live music and entertainment, and incredible auction items, including personal themed baskets from preK-8th grade classroom parents. (Our deepest gratitude to all the parent volunteers!)

To help us celebrate, some alumni "and friends" will be performing! Angela Libby is organizing the Alumni repertoire and will be holding rehearsals up to the event. If you wish to participate, please contact the event coordinator, Linda.

Event schedule is as follows:

• 5:00 pm - 6:30 pm Cash Non Alcoholic Bar, Hors D'oeuvres and Silent Auction - Armory Room
• 6:30 pm - 7:30 pm Plated Four-Course Dinner, Video Presentations and Key Endorsements - Atlantic Room
• 7:30 pm - 8:30 pm Alumni Entertainment, Celebration of Founders, Faculty and Staff, Head of School Presentation, and Silent Auction closes - Atlantic Room
• 8:30 pm - 9:30 pm Live Entertainment with David Ferrell, three-time nominee for inspirational comedian of the year by ICM Awards - Atlantic Room

In addition, the $25 fee per family for the kids club is for children in grades preschool age through 5th grade. It includes on-site child care, pizza dinner, & activities. If you would like your child(ren) to participate, please include your first child only when registering. Then notify the event coordinator of subsequent children so we can have an accurate head count for the pizza meal.

If you wish to purchase a group table (for 8 or 10), please contact the event coordinator directly.

This historical event is much more than a fundraising dinner. It is a momentous opportunity for the multi-generational Greater Portland Christian School family to come together. You will not want to miss it!  Go to www.gpcs.net to register.

Alumni News:

Philip Longanecker (class of 1991) and his wife are expecting child number 3.

Melissa Hedegard Hovey (class of 1997) and her husband had their baby on February 15.

David DeRienzo (class of 2000) was ordained at Second Parish OPC March 8.

GPCS Events:

March 16: GPCS Open House 10:00am-Noon
March 22: GPCS Drama at Freeport High School 5:45pm
March 27: GPCS Bowlathon
March 28: GPCS Drama Club to perform at GPCS 7:00pm
April 5: Lifetouch Family Portrait Fund Raiser 4:00pm-9:00pm

February 2013

GPCS is Going to Augusta!

The GPCS Varsity Girls Basketball Team is heading to Augusta.  The girls' ended their season 12-5 and ranked 5th.  Their game is on Tuesday, February 19 at 10:00am.  It will be GPCS vs Forest Hills.  Come out and support your Alma mater!

GPCS Open House:

Greater Portland Christian School invites you to come on Saturday, March 16 from 10:00am-Noon for our Open House.  This is the time to see who we are.  You can meet our faculty, view our curriculum, tour our facility, meet school board members, etc.  It is an opportunity for you to ask questions.  We would love to be the school for you and your children.

Currently we have several students from graduates and former students.  We have students from Tim (class of 1988) & Kate Chick, Nate & Betsy Fielding Daigle, Todd & Caryn Foss, Paul & Jennifer Keenan Harrell (class of 2001), AJ (class of 2001)& Casey Walter Holt (class of 2002 ), James (class of 1990) & Christine Jones, Mark & Sara Ryder Labacz (class of 2000), Jon (class of 1985) & Angela Libby, Phil (class of 1991 ) & Tamra Longanecker, Kevin & Kimberly Verrill Mann (class of 1990), Michael & Alicia Willis, Andrew & Whitney Earle, Chris (class of 1989) & Lorrie Spaulding, and Chris (class of 1991) & Faye Wilson.  We would invite those of you who were once students at GPCS and now have your own children, to come and see GPCS anew through the eyes of a parent.

Lasagna Dinner & Dessert Auction

The GPCS Global Citizens Club is hosting a lasagna dinner and dessert auction on Friday, March 1 at First Baptist Church of Portland.  The evening will begin at 6:00pm.  Cost is $5/person; $20/ family of 4 or more.  Proceeds go to the club for their Europe study trip April 11-20.  You can get tickets from the school office, 767-5123.

GPCS Events:

February 28: Hall of Fame Nominations due.
March 1: Lasagna Dinner & Dessert Auction
March 8-9: One Act Drama Festival
March 16: Open House from 10:00am-Noon
March 28: Bowlathon
April 26: GPCS 40th Anniversary Spring Banquet- TBA
June 7: GPCS Graduation

GPCS Alumni News:

Alan Simpson (class of 2009) is engaged.

Kelsey Yarborough Castro (class of 2006)  and her husband had a baby girl in February.

GPCS Alumni Entering the Mission Field:

David Hasbrouck (class of 2005) has been appointed as a missionary to Spain with Avant Ministries at the Malaga Media Center. Avant is a faith-based missions agency that has been planting churches in unreached areas since 1892. Since the 1960s the MMC has produced evangelistic and discipleship media to be broadcast into Arabic speaking areas. This programming partners with local believers to target ministry needs through satellite television, an extensive website, worship music, and Skype hotline. MMC also uses its studio resources to produce Spanish evangelistic media, some of which has aired on commercial television.


David is currently applying for a visa and raising his support to serve. Once in Spain, David will work with lighting, audio recording, and editing of Avant’s productions. These will be broadcasted into Arabic speaking areas.

If you want to learn more or would like to support a GPCS alumnus on the mission field, contact David at david@avmi.org or 207-239-8038.


Kelsey Yarborough Castro (class of 2006) and her husband, Luis are currently raising their support to serve with Every Nation Ministry. They desire to serve in campus ministry at the University of Central Florida.


In their newsletter, they share: “About 3 years ago, while attending a college conference called Campus Harvest, God called me into full time ministry. He reminded me what I learned while I was actively engaged in the college ministry, that a college student can either lose themselves in the world or find Christ while at college. This attitude is what I’m focusing on and bringing back to the campus. “

Luis & Kelsey hope to be on campus this summer. One of their desires is to reach and disciple 600 students, which is 1% of the student body, within 4 years. If you would like to learn more or support them in their ministry, contact Luis & Kelsey at luis.castro@everynation.org.

GPCS Christmas Concert Re-Scheduled:

Due to weather, GPCS Christmas Concert was moved to Monday, January 14.  The concert will be held at First Baptist Church of South Portland at 7:00pm. 

GPCS Varsity Basketball:

The GPCS Varsity Girls Team is currently 5-1 and ranked 8th. The GPCS Varsity Boys Team is currently 0-6 and ranked 14th. Games this month are:


Jan. 5: home with Pine Tree Academy 6:00pm & 7:30pm.

Jan. 8:home with Rangeley 5:00pm & 6:30pm.

Jan. 11-12: at North Haven.

Jan. 17: at Islesboro 5:00pm & 6:30pm.

Jan. 21: at Traip Academy 1:00pm & 2:30pm.

Jan. 24: at OOB 5:30pm & 7:00pm.

Jan. 28: Girls only– Hebron

Jan. 30: at NYA 5:30pm & 7:00pm.

*All home games are played at the XL Sportsworld in Saco.

Student of a GPCS Graduate Selected:

Congratulations to Owen Mann (son of Kimberly Verrill Mann- class of 1990)! His art work was selected to be featured in the upcoming Love.Read.Learn! Baby Journal and could be used for other projects that Maine’s First Lady, Ann Lepage is working on.


Owen submitted work in the Maine is ME artwork challenge. The Journal Tribune quotes Owen on his selection.

“I was excited when I found out. I was surprised. I think I’m going to enter more contests.” Owen enjoys art, and this was the first contest he had ever entered.

GPCS Alumni News:

Joseph DeRienzo (class of 2003) and his wife had a baby girl.

Nick Walker (class of 2008) and his wife had a baby girl.

Rachel Friedlander (class of 2007) is engaged.

Bethany Green (class of 2009) is engaged.

Steven Simpson (class of 1987) will become a grandfather to a boy.  His son, Andrew Simpson (class of 2008) and wife are expecting.