FIRST BAPTIST CHURCH
READY ACADEMY CHRISTIAN SCHOOL
REACHING EDUCATIONALLY ASPIRING DYNAMIC
YOUTH
Mrs. Amanda B. Murray
Director of Education
January, 2011
Volume 3
Issue 6
GREETINGS PARENTS/GUARDIANS AND
A HAPPY, BLESSED NEW YEAR!
“READY RUNNERS’ TRAIN OF EXCELLENCE… GET
ON BOARD AND LET’S RIDE THIS SPIRITUAL QUALITY
EDUCATION TRAIN TOGETHER... WE CAN AND WILL
MAKE THE DIFFERENCE”
Our Mission Statement
PLEASE READ OFTEN
Reaching Educationally Aspiring Dynamic Youth
(READY) is the mission of the First Baptist
Church. READY Academy Christian School is
committed to providing a Christian foundation and
quality education for children. In partnership with
families and communities, the READY Academy
will emphasize specialization in Science,
Technology, Engineering, Mathematics and the
Arts (STEMA) to meet the individual, academic
needs of each child.
I pray each family enjoyed the Blessings of Christmas.
WELCOME BACK to a Most Exciting January!
SPECIAL THANKS - - To ALL who shared cards, gifts and
warm wishes with Teachers, Staff and Administrators.
EXTRA SPECIAL THANKS to Ms. Serita Hill, Committee
Chair; Mrs. Kira Butler and Ms Fatima Martin, Committee
Members and Mrs. Rosa Edwards;
Our Dedicated
Teachers who worked diligently to prepare their students;
Mr. Ray Lawson and Mr. Earl Bryant, Audio Visual
Engineers; and our Darling READY Runner “Stars” for a
MOST OUTSTANDING CHRISTMAS Worship Experience!
MANY THANKS to PSTA President, Mrs. Kimberly Hyman;
Chairperson of our Room Parents, Mrs. Stephanie Cuffee
and ALL Parents who helped, for the Loving Gifts given to
our Faculty, Staff and Administrators; for the exciting
“READY Christmas Shop” – the Holiday Arts and Crafts and
for our Fun-Filled Class Christmas Parties!
SUPER THANKS to Our Dedicated Teachers for
preparing Super Holiday Homework Packets. - -These
were required and graded.
Lastly A MILLION THANKS to Our Feeding Dreams
Hero—Mrs. Joyce Gilliam Brown, her dedicated Team,
Our Parents’ Team and ALL who voted online! With
God’s “Favor” READY Academy won $5,000 for our
Playground Fund!! Then, an Anonymous First Baptist
“Angel” Donated $5,000 More—so we truly Thank God
For His Blessings AND this $10,000 toward Our
Playground!
--Also, Special Thanks to ALL who have made
donations in previous years AND to our Current
Playground Committee , co-chaired by Mr. & Mrs. Troy
and Erica Meredith!—A more detailed REPORT WILL BE
FORTHCOMING!
JANUARY WILL BE BUSY SO PLEASE NOTE THE
FOLLOWING:
1. Farm Fresh Receipts – PLEASE continue to
collect lots of receipts! January is Double Points
Month!
2. Food Lion MVP Cards Program! Must complete
the Food Lion Form AND use your MVP Card every
time you shop! Must turn in Form, buy Food Lion
Brands!
3. Let’s All Learn About Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.
This Entire Month! – Parents, please TEACH a
New Fact about Dr. King DAILY to your child (ren).
He is a Most Important Hero to ALL people. We
also invite you to these special M. L. King Events:
 Our READY Academy’s Annual M. L. King
Assembly Program – Scheduled for 10:00 AM –
11 AM, Friday, January 14th. Please invite/bring
guests. This will be our 1st READY Sweatshirt
Day for 2011! On Monday, January 17th we are
closed for this Holiday.
 Tidewaters Ministers’ Annual M. L. King
Community Service – Monday, January 17th, 12
noon, First Baptist
Church Sanctuary. It
is an Annual Tradition
to invite Our READY
Academy Parents to
attend
this
Most
Inspiring
Worship
Service with your child

4.
(ren), in honor of Dr. King, and to sit as a body in a
Specially Labeled Reserved Section of the
Sanctuary. This year’s worship will involve many
youth and will be very appealing to our READY
Runners. You must plan to arrive by 11:30 AM and
sit together on the front right side facing the pulpit.
To assist with our Head Count please sign up at the
Front Desk if you plan to attend this service.

January 2011 Marks 2 Years for President Barack
Obama!! Let us continue to Pray for him, his family and
ALL of our leaders!

STEMA Focus Is The Arts – Friday, January 28th,
1:00 PM – 3:00 PM and MONTHLY CHROME
MEETINGS also Friday, January 28th , 3:45 PM –
4:15 PM for K5, 1st, 2ndand 3rd; 4:30 PM – 5:00 PM for
PK3 and PK4 – And YES PARENTS, we will need
CHROME Volunteers to Sign Up.
READY
Sweatshirts/ Jeans “Spirit Day” on CHROME
Fridays!

Parent/Teacher Conference Day- - PLEASE NOTE: –
8:00 AM – 6:00 PM, Monday, January 31st. Students
will NOT be in school. Sign up Sheets will be posted.
Does
Your
Company
Offer
“Community
Service/Matching Contributions/Grants?” PARENTS,
PLEASE SEE IF YOUR COMPANY OR YOUR
FAMILY/FRIENDS’ COMPANIES OFFER PROGRAMS
THAT CAN HELP OUR SCHOOL. Verizon was a
contributor in prior years.
5. ALL PARENTS MUST HAVE A PARENT
HANDBOOK- - If you joined READY after
September or missed the Parent Orientation or
Makeup Meeting you have 1 final opportunity to
meet with Mrs. Murray for a brief orientation
overview - - Thursday, January 13th 6:00 – 6:30 PM
- -Receive your handbook at this time and Ask any
questions. Last Session, Please Attend.
6. Boots Are Dangerous – Yes, it is winter but please
remember that Wednesdays are Physical Education
Days, (tennis shoes required); and Yes, we
schedule daily recess outside, as long as it is above
32 degrees. Boots are not a part of our uniform.
Please follow uniform guidelines daily.
IMPORTANT JANUARY DATES:

School Wide Field Trips- TUESDAY, JANUARY 11th
PK3 and PK4 classes will travel to the Hunt Club
Farm Petting Zoo.—K5, 1st, 2nd and 3rd Grade
Classes will travel to the Planetarium on Old
Dominion’s Campus. Wear Jeans and READY
Sweatshirts

Very Important 3rd PSTA Meeting – Tuesday, January
11th – 6:00 – 7:00 PM. One Hour Extremely Important
- - Focus on Fund Raisers and Programs for the last
half of the school year. SPECIAL PROGRAM for the
last half hour of our meeting will focus on “Wellness - Mind, Body and Wallet!” - - Experts will share Fantastic
Tips to Help Us.
 READY’s Prince and Princess Coronation—off to
a GREAT Start! Crowning Finale’ set for May 14,
2011--All Candidates – TO- DATE WILL BE
“Officially” introduced at our January 11th PSTA
Meeting. – STILL TIME to “Get on Board” – Just
ask Mrs. Murray for details and sign-up.
 CALLING ALL ROOM PARENTS—IMPORTANT
Meeting right after PSTA Meeting!

Assembly, January 14th and the Dr. King Worship
Service January 17th.
Martin Luther King Holiday – MONDAY, JANUARY
17h, SCHOOL CLOSED. Reminder:
READY
FROM OUR FINANCIAL CORNER:
As we start the New Year, your attention to your
financial responsibility is expected in keeping with your
total commitment to our school.
THANK YOU FOR READING, HEEDING AND KEEPING
this Newsletter. GOD Loves You and So Do I !!!
A SPECIAL INVITATION
First Baptist Church Invites You to Join Us on Sundays
for a Spirit-Filled Worship at 8:00 AM and 11:00 AM,
Exciting Church School at 9:30 AM AND a WONDERFUL
Children’s Church during the 11:00 AM Service!
“Life’s Healing Choices” is a Special 8 Week ChurchWide Study For ALL Ages!—Our “Wellness-Mind, Body
and Soul” Kickoff is Saturday January 8th, 1-3:30p.m.,
Coordinated by Rosa Edwards and Gloria Venable—All
Invited! Sermons, Large Group and Small Group
Studies start Sunday January 9th!—Brochures at Front
Desk.
OUR READY FAMILY NEEDS YOUR PRAYERS
Please lift the Following in Prayer:
Mrs. Trovene Artis, Admin. Team, Homegoing for her
sister, Mrs. Pecola Strayhorn, was on Saturday, January 1st.
Ms. Geraldine Gilliam, Computer Teacher, Homegoing for
her sister, Dr. Victoria Highsmith, was Sunday, January 2nd.
Mr. & Mrs. Alphonso & Jewel Dyson and Big Sister Alaysia
(1st grade) – the loss of Baby Jasmine Dyson on Monday,
January 3rd (Details forthcoming).
Let’s “Reach Out and Touch” for “We Are FAMILY”.