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Mount Paran Christian School finished another year of its middle school House system and shares lessons learned, key wins, and future plans for the program.   ![IMG_3023 (1)](https://blog.mtparanschool.com/hs-fs/hubfs/IMG_3023%20(1).jpg?width=844&height=475&name=IMG_3023%20(1).jpg) [![6 Tips for Hosting Community-Building Events](https://blog.mtparanschool.com/hubfs/DSC02287.jpg)](https://blog.mtparanschool.com/6-tips-for-hosting-community-building-events) ## [6 Tips for Hosting Community-Building Events](https://blog.mtparanschool.com/6-tips-for-hosting-community-building-events) February 23, 2023 America is a melting pot, they say - a place where people from the world over have long sought refuge or a chance at the “American Dream”. Perhaps instead of the tired melting pot metaphor, we can think of this country as a tossed salad - whereby each “ingredient” remains unique but contributes to the whole.    The same is true when considering diversity within our schools. Students of all racial and ethnic backgrounds, differing learning abilities, and various socioeconomic situations all bring meaningful contributions to the classroom experience and to a school’s community. Read on to discover ideas for how schools can recognize the value and uniqueness of each individual person, ultimately for the glory of God.   ![DSC02287](https://blog.mtparanschool.com/hs-fs/hubfs/DSC02287.jpg?width=845&height=475&name=DSC02287.jpg)  [![Annual Fund in 5: Modeling Best Practices for Community Engagement](https://blog.mtparanschool.com/hubfs/AF%20morning%20carpool%2012%20kids.jpg)](https://blog.mtparanschool.com/best-practices-community-engagement) ## [Annual Fund in 5: Modeling Best Practices for Community Engagement](https://blog.mtparanschool.com/best-practices-community-engagement) July 14, 2022 On any given day, Mrs. Cindy Gibbs fields phone calls from independent schools across the country, seeking advice on how to successfully build an annual fund program. As the Assistant Director of Development for Mount Paran Christian School, Mrs. Gibbs and her colleagues in the MPCS development office are joined by a committee of enthusiastic parent volunteers to conduct a five-day “blitz-style” fundraising campaign, dubbed *Annual Fund in Five*.    So, just how did MPCS grow its annual fund participation rates from a mere 28-percent in 2004 to 88-percent parent participation in 2022? By listening to families and engaging the school community.   ![AF morning carpool 12 kids](https://blog.mtparanschool.com/hs-fs/hubfs/AF%20morning%20carpool%2012%20kids.jpg?width=845&name=AF%20morning%20carpool%2012%20kids.jpg)     [1](https://blog.mtparanschool.com/topic/intentional-community/page/1) ## *WingTips* Welcome to *WingTips*, a Mount Paran Christian School Blog. The MPCS Blog features many independent school contributors and thought-leaders. ### Subscribe Here! --- --- #### Learn More About MPCS ### Recommended Series #### PRIVATE SCHOOL PRIMER: - [How School Choice Programs Increase Educational Opportunities for Families ](https://blog.mtparanschool.com/how-school-choice-programs-increase-educational-opportunities-for-families) - [5 Tips for Making the Middle to High School Transition](https://blog.mtparanschool.com/5-tips-for-middle-to-high-school-transition)  - [What Families Should Expect ](https://blog.mtparanschool.com/from-the-teachers-desk-what-families-should-expect) - [2 Most Important Things to Consider When Choosing a Preschool ](https://blog.mtparanschool.com/2-most-important-things-to-consider-when-choosing-a-preschool) - [4 Benefits of Choosing a K-12 School for Life ](https://blog.mtparanschool.com/4-benefits-choosing-k12-independent-school) - [3 Reasons Why I Believe in Christian Schools ](https://blog.mtparanschool.com/3-reasons-why-i-believe-in-christian-schools) - [7 Tips for Affording a Private School Education ](https://blog.mtparanschool.com/7-tips-for-affording-a-private-school-education) - [4 Reasons We Chose Mount Paran Christian School ](https://blog.mtparanschool.com/4-reasons-we-chose-mount-paran-christian-school) - [How to Choose the Best Private School for Your Family](https://blog.mtparanschool.com/how-to-choose-the-best-private-school-for-your-family) - [4 Methods to Meet Every Learner Where They Are](https://blog.mtparanschool.com/4-methods-to-meet-every-learner-where-they-are) #### PARENTEd. TALKS: - [Helping Students Boost Their Brain Capacity for Success](https://blog.mtparanschool.com/helping-students-boost-their-brain-capacity-for-success) - [Teaching Children Fiscal Responsibility](https://blog.mtparanschool.com/teaching-children-fiscal-responsibility) - [Tips for Parents to Help Teens Avoid Drugs and Alcohol](https://blog.mtparanschool.com/parented-tips-parents-help-teens-avoid-drugs-alcohol) - [Excelling in the Midst of Adversity](https://blog.mtparanschool.com/excelling-in-midst-of-adversity) - [3 Tips for Navigating the Hidden Dangers of Social Media](https://blog.mtparanschool.com/parented-3-tips-navigating-hidden-dangers-social-media) - [The Blessing of a B Minus](https://blog.mtparanschool.com/parented-wendy-mogel-blessing-of-a-b-minus) - [Real Talk for Moms](https://blog.mtparanschool.com/parented-real-talk-for-moms) #### COLLEGE SERIES: - [Finding the Right Fit - An Individualized Approach to College Counseling](https://blog.mtparanschool.com/finding-the-right-fit) - [ParentEd.: Here’s What You Need to Know About College Admissions](https://blog.mtparanschool.com/heres-what-you-need-to-know-about-college-admissions) - [To Save or Not to Save: 529 Plans are the Question](https://blog.mtparanschool.com/private-school-529) - [College Admissions: A Marathon, Not a Sprint](https://blog.mtparanschool.com/college-admissions-a-marathon-not-a-sprint) #### FROM THE TEACHER’S DESK: - [The Importance of Play](https://blog.mtparanschool.com/the-importance-of-play) - [What Families Should Expect ](https://blog.mtparanschool.com/from-the-teachers-desk-what-families-should-expect) - [Play is Learning Through the Arts ](https://blog.mtparanschool.com/play-is-learning-through-the-arts) - [4 Tips to Capture the Minds of Your Students ](https://blog.mtparanschool.com/4-tips-to-capture-students-attention) #### CHRISTIAN LIFE: - [What is a Covenant School?](https://blog.mtparanschool.com/what-is-a-covenant-school) - [Seeing Through a New Lens: A Biblical Worldview](https://blog.mtparanschool.com/biblical-worldview) - [Faith and Intellect as One](https://blog.mtparanschool.com/faith-and-intellect-as-one) - [Philosophy of Belonging: 4 Tips for Fostering a Diverse Culture ](https://blog.mtparanschool.com/4-tips-fostering-diverse-culture) - [Innovation in Education: Teaching Cultural Awareness](https://blog.mtparanschool.com/innovations-in-education-teaching-cultural-awareness) - [A Call to Brotherhood: Martin Luther King Jr.’s Wisdom for Today](https://blog.mtparanschool.com/call-to-brotherhood-mlk-wisdom-for-today) - [CommUNITY: How Do We Love One Another?](https://blog.mtparanschool.com/how-to-love-one-another) - [Campaign for CommUNITY](https://blog.mtparanschool.com/campaign-for-community) - [How to Raise Empathetic Children in Today’s Culture](https://blog.mtparanschool.com/how-to-raise-empathetic-children-in-todays-culture) - [Imageo Dei: Why Diversity Matters](https://blog.mtparanschool.com/imago-dei-why-diversity-matters) - [Praying for Their Future](https://blog.mtparanschool.com/praying-for-their-future) *Providing academic excellence in a Christ-centered environment, Mount Paran Christian School unites with home and church to prepare servant-leaders to honor God, love others, and walk in Truth.* shield\_divider.png ![](https://blog.mtparanschool.com/topic/two_column_files/c1qytvpcecnqjrq3jmik.webp) best-of-cobb-footer.png [![Best of COBB Winner](https://blog.mtparanschool.com/topic/two_column_files/ti9kmypqeyitndjq73rh.webp)](https://info.mtparanschool.com/best-private-school-in-cobb-county) #### Mount Paran Christian School 1275 Stanley Road NW Kennesaw, GA 30152 P: (470) 250-0008 [Google Maps](https://maps.app.goo.gl/GTD8r1s5SeQuPtGW6) - 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