HONORING OUR PAST, BUILDING OUR FUTURE
SPIRIT WEEK HIGHLIGHTS
Our school has thoroughly enjoyed Spirit Week! The students have shown up with their unique and exciting costumes! This is such a fun time for students to show their school spirit through the week. We also had spirit rallies almost every day, where students could come to cheer and play games!
WELCOMING OUR NEWEST TEAM MEMBER
We are pleased to welcome a new staff member to our team, Mr. Stephen Johnson! Mr. Johnson will be involved in our school’s media and our technology department. We have already seen his contributions to the media department through the school Facebook page! He will also be teaching some technology classes, including a class involving 3D Printing! We are excited to see how his involvement here will help expand our technology department and social media presence. Welcome to the team, Mr. Johnson!
INSIDE A DAY OF 1ST GRADE
Welcome to GBA’s First Grade Class! With 20 young students, Mrs. Bowman’s class is a busy place to be! Each day is packed with learning, laughter, and hands-on activities as students grow in reading, writing, and math while also building friendships and character. From phonics practice and story time to creative projects and group work, these first graders are developing confidence and curiosity in a nurturing classroom environment. In addition to the lessons, first graders also have to have to play! The first graders enjoy time at recess every day, as well as music and art once a week. They have a busy, fun schedule as they grow and get ready for second grade and up.
LIL’ GUARDIANS LIGHT UP THE COURT
The Little Guardians have had a blast performing their cheers at their first JV Basketball Game on February 23rd . They also had the opportunity to cheer in the Spirit Week spirit rallies alongside the Varsity cheerleaders! Everyone loves to see the spirit of these Lil’ Guardians. Their energy is contagious and brings smiles to many faces in the audience whenever they cheer! This is good training for when they become full-fledged Guardians!
MEET A GUARDIAN: Q&A
K-5 has quite the imaginative students! Here are some answers to the questions we asked K5 student, Amari McCants.
Q: What is your favorite subject? – A: Math
Q: What is your favorite lunch at school? – A: PB & J and Mac and Cheese
Q: What do you like to do at recess? – A: Play with my friends
Q. Who is your best friend at school? – A: Tanner
Q: What is something you love about GBA? – A: Doing my papers
DOWN TO THE FINAL GAMES
The GBA Guardians have had very successful seasons so far! Now they are looking towards the tournaments coming up that will close out the basketball season. We are proud of our Guardians and can’t wait to see where they end in this season’s standings.
CELEBRATING GENERATIONS: GRANDPARENTS DAY IS COMING
GBA is grateful for our Grandparents, especially because of the chance to have a Grandparents Day when we can celebrate them! Grandparents Day is always a huge highlight in the school, and this year will be the same. The big day is coming on February 26th this year. Teachers and staff are already working on preparations for Grandparents Day.
This year there will be a new schedule. Grandparents can arrive between 8:30-9:00 AM ready to enjoy a nice breakfast, go to their child’s classroom, and head to the Book Fair with their grandkids. After that, all the elementary classes will be performing for the grandparents in attendance. Then students will be able to head home because it will be a half day!
There will no longer be a charge for Grandparents Day; however, a way to contribute would be to bring in a small breakfast item no later than February 25th. Granite Baptist Church is also starting a food pantry for the community! If you would like to bring non-perishable foods to donate, Grandparents Day would be a great time to do so! We look forward to this enjoyable day we can spend together with students and their grandparents!
MEET OUR NEW GUARDIAN
In honor of the 50th year of Granite Baptist Academy, the school announced a new mascot! Mr. BrandonBerg worked tirelessly on this mascot and it was finally able to be announced in a chapel service to the students. New banners can now be seen proudly hanging in the school gym displaying the Guardian mascot!
MIDYEAR REFLECTIONS AND ENCOURAGEMENT
As we move forward into the second half of our school year, I want to take a moment to encourage both our students and families as we continue this journey together. This season offers a wonderful opportunity for reflection, renewed focus, and continued growth. To our students: finish strong. Each day is a chance to learn something new, strengthen your character, and show kindness to those around you. Stay committed to doing your best, honoring your teachers, and making choices that reflect integrity and responsibility.
To our parents, thank you for your ongoing partnership and support. Your involvement makes a meaningful difference in your child’s success, and we are grateful for the trust you place in us. Together, we can continue to guide our students academically, spiritually, and emotionally as they prepare for what lies ahead.
At GBA, we remain dedicated to educating the whole child—mind, heart, and spirit. As we enter this next chapter of the year, let us approach it with determination, gratitude, and a shared commitment to excellence. I look forward to seeing how God continues to work.
Mr. Phillip Mahoney
Principal, Granite Baptist Academy
UPCOMING SCHOOL EVENTS
February 13 – Spelling Bee
February 16 – NO SCHOOL
February 20 – ABCS Bible Quizzing
February 20-25 – School Art Competition
February 25 – Progress Reports
February 26 – Grandparents Day
February 27 – NO SCHOOL
March 10-12 – History/Science Fair
March 12 – Fine Arts Showcase
SPORTS DATES
February 9 – Home Game vs. Frederick (BV) – 4 PM
February 10 – Home Game vs. Fairfax Baptist (GV) – 4 PM
February 12 – Home Game vs. Milford and Calvary Glen Burnie (BJV, GV, BV) – 4 PM
February 19 – Home Game vs. Fairfax Baptist (BV) – 5 PM
February 20 – Home Game vs. Calvary Temple (BJV, GV) – 4 PM
February 23 – Away Game @ Martinsburg (BJV, GV, BV) – 4 PM
February 27-28 – Varsity Teams Basketball Tournament