A Note From The Principal
Lent - A Time to Reflect
The purpose is for us to think about the sacrifice of Christ for us, to remind us that Jesus is the center of why ACS exists, to help us remain focused on the mission and vision of ACS and to share the love of Jesus by seeing the empty symbol of the cross - that He is risen!
Oftentimes we talk about what we give up for Lent so we can be reminded of Jesus. I look at this picture and am thankful that Jesus never gives up on us.
This Week
Maple Syrup at the Market Cart
Maple Syrup is here! Your children have been hard at work the past few weeks hauling sap to be boiled into delicious syrup. Bottles are $9 and will be available for purchase after school at the Market on Thursday, March 09.
Moms In Prayer - Thursday Morning
Join us for Moms in Prayer Thursday, March 9 from 8:00-9:00am in the back ACS conference room. Our attribute this week is "God is Glorious". We will be praying specifically for our 2nd graders and their teachers. Contact Kristen Yeh (616-307-2488) with any questions. Younger siblings are always welcome.
Ada Expo - Mar 11
Looking for something fun to do this weekend? The Ada Expo, hosted by the Ada Business Association and the Forest Hills Business Association will be held here on our campus. See the flyer for more information.
Action Needed
End of Trimester 2 & Report Cards
Friday, March 3 was the end of Trimester two. Report cards will come home on Wednesday, March 8. We ask that K - 4 parents please sign and return your child’s envelope to their homeroom teacher.
Students in K-4 grades will come home with a printed report card.
Parents of students in 5th - 8th grade will receive an email with an attached digital copy of the report card. 5th - 8th grade parents can also log into their Powerschool parent portal and click on “Student Reports” in the left navigation to view the report card.
Parking Lot Reminders
For the safety of our students, please remember:
- No cell phone use in the parking lot.
- The car loops are for quick drop off and pick up only. If you need to get out of your car or are parked waiting for a student please park in the lot.
Moving Help!
In preparation for the core renovations starting April 1, we could use volunteers to help us move boxes and furniture. Please consider volunteering to help us.
Marcia McEvoy - Parent Seminar
Save the date for the evening of March 14 for a workshop with
Helping Kids Get Along at School: What Parents Can Do to Create a Culture of Kindness and Reduce Student Unkind Behavior
Presenter: Marcia McEvoy, Ph.D.
March 14, 2023
6:30pm - Ada Christian School
All parents are encouraged to attend. To help us prepare, we ask that you register for this free seminar. Questions? Please contact the office.
Now You Know
Down Syndrome Awareness Day
March 21 is World Down Syndrome Awareness Day. This day was chosen to symbolize the third copy of chromosome 21 in Trisomy 21, the most common form of Down Syndrome.
Ada Christian School will be celebrating on Tuesday, March 21. One of the things we will be doing is asking students and staff to wear Mismatched Socks. Different socks represent everyone’s differences and our differences are what make us great!
Parent's Night Out - Mar 17
The 8th grade class will be hosting a “Parent’s Night Out” for students of ACS 4th grade and under on Friday, March 17. From 5:30-8:00pm you can drop your child(ren) off at school and 8th grade students will be playing games in the gyms, making crafts in the commons and having a great time with your kids.
The donations raised will go towards the 8th grade class trip. If you’re interested in bringing your child(ren) please register by March 15.
Thank you,
8th Grade Students and Teachers
Faith Forward
- To meet the demands of our growing student support services program, better utilize our existing core facilities and make critical renovations and updates to our existing 20-year-old school building.
- To meet the demands of our current student body and support expected future growth.
- Continue our investment into the endowment for ACS which provides essential support for our school.
- Continue our commitment to reducing the cost of tuition for all ACS families in order to ensure a quality Christian education for those that desire.
With that said, much prayerful consideration by the Board of Trustees and Administrative Leadership on how to minimize the impact of the current learning environment for our children has been prioritized. During spring break, construction will begin in what is considered as the “core” of our campus - the library and commons areas.
In the Spring of 2022, the BOT approved a master plan and furthermore this particular initiative to accommodate the immediate needs of our students, with the goal of completion by fall of the 2023-2024 academic year.
This is not an endeavor that has been taken lightly. You will be provided an opportunity to participate in this effort in the months ahead, as we continue to equip students for service in God's world for this generation and generations to come.
Under the leadership of the Board of Trustees and our Administration, a Campaign Cabinet has been working on refining our Advancement Campaign to ensure the continued financial stability and future of our school. We are excited to share this with you as we continue to plan for the future.
In prayer and on behalf of the Board of Trustees,
ACS Administration
ACS 8th Grade Presents: Frozen Jr. - Mar 23 & 24
Purchase tickets and join us for the fun!
Author Visit - Kelly DiPucchio
Date: Monday, March 27
Time: 1:00-1:50pm – Young 5’s-2nd grade
2:00-2:50pm – 3rd & 4th grade
Location: Our very own ACS Library
Parents invited! We’ll have coffee!
What could be better than a cozy school library, a cup of warm coffee and the joy of listening to a children’s author for the afternoon? We hope to see you there!
March is Reading Month
Today kicks off "March is Reading Month" at ACS. For the next 31 days we have so much planned. Here are some highlights as well as other opportunities for literacy fun!
ACS Events
- Mystery Readers - Students watch read-alouds narrated by staff members. However, their voices have been altered! It’s up to our kiddos to guess who is reading.
- Read My Shirt Day is Friday, March 10. Everyone is encouraged to wear a shirt or sweatshirt for the rest of us to read.
- KDL presenters - A representative from our local library will come to school and share great stories.
- Storytellers on Friday, March 24. Students from Grand Rapids Christian High School who compete in storytelling events will weave tales for our listening ears.
- DEAR and Buddies & Books - All month long, Thursdays are an opportunity for classes to make their way to the library and DEAR (Drop Everything And Read) and read books with their buddies
- AUTHOR VISIT - Kelly DiPucchio will be at ACS on Monday afternoon, March 27. More details are in the Ada Connection
Other Opportunities
- The Whitecaps Community Foundation has a Reading Club for children between the grade levels of kindergarten and sixth grade. Students who complete the reading objective of 15 minutes per day for 20 days during March is Reading Month will receive the opportunity to attend a West Michigan Whitecaps home game for FREE! Each student can earn two free tickets.Forms for the program will be coming home today. More forms can be found in the office.
- To help encourage young readers, LMCU’s Reading Adventure challenges kids to read at least five books during March Reading Month, with a chance to win $100. Winners will be drawn by April 14, 2023.
- March 1—31, 2023
- Open to children 12 and under
- Read at least five books to enter
- Entry forms can be found online or picked up at your local branch
- Entries must be submitted by March 31, 2023
Summer Camps & Tutoring
Every year it seems like our list of summer opportunities grows even bigger! Led by ACS teachers camp activities will ordinarily take place at ACS unless special approval has been granted. This summer we will offer the following camps:
- Animal Adventure Camp (Preschool-1st)
- Art Camp (3rd-5th & 6th-8th)
- Bible Journaling (5th-9th)
- Farm Club (2nd-8th)
- Forest Adventure Camp (2nd-8th)
- Little Tikes Art Camp (1st&2nd)
- Preschool Camp (Preschool)
- Spiritual Retreat (Middle School Girls)
Several Ada Christian teachers will be offering tutoring this summer. These tutoring sessions will be hosted at Ada Christian School.
- Elementary - Reading and Writing
- Elementary - Language Arts and Math
- Language Arts
- Middle School - All Subjects
- PreAlgebra, Algebra & Geometry
- Private Lessons - Voice, Ukulele, Songwriting & String Lessons
Summer Covenant Care
In Summer Covenant Care students will experience the summer alongside friends and participate in enriching activities. Care will be available Mon-Thurs, June 12-August 10.
Hot Lunch - Low Balance Notices
Parents, there are changes to the way you will be notified when your child’s hot lunch account needs funds added. Low-balance email will be sent to parents that choose to receive the notifications. The opt-in procedure is very simple. Once logged into FamilyPortal.cloud, you will click the Notifications button, check the box to indicate you want to receive low-balance reminders, and set a dollar amount indicating when to send notices. If you previously opted out of all email, you will need to uncheck that box to access the low-balance email settings. There are on-screen instructions to guide you.
When your student's balance is at or below the amount you selected, an email will be sent. You will only receive one request every three days for a given student. Low-balance email is handled per Family Portal account. If multiple people have access to a student, each person has its own control over how low-balances work for them.
If you have any questions, please email Jill at gro.scrg@gadnozj.
The March Hot Lunch Menu is here! Take some time to review the menu as a family and plan for each day.
Whatcha Doin' Out There!?
Even in the winter we have been busy in Outdoor Education! See what we were busy with in the month of February.
ACS-TRIP
ACS-TRIP credit has been applied to your FACTS account for those who have been participating in the program. A few points to remember:
1. Tuition Credit runs from March 1, 2022 - Feb 28, 2023
2. A 1% Face Value or 25% Rebate Fee (whichever is less to you) will be deducted from your credit amount for Program fees.
3. If you have paid your tuition is currently paid in FULL, credits will be applied to any remaining fees for this year. Any additional credit remaining will roll into next year's tuition.
4. No refunds are issued for remaining credits.
If you have any additional questions, please feel free to contact me at gro.naitsirhcada@sdik
PTO Happenings
Staff Appreciation Week - Mar 13-17
We have the best staff around and it's almost that time of year when we get to shower them with extra love during Staff-Appreciation-Week, March 13-17. In addition to the snacks provided daily and staff luncheon on Friday, we will be organizing breakfast or lunch for our homeroom teachers Monday-Thursday. Sign up below to grab your spot. Lunch will also be provided by the PTO for administrative/facilities staff on Monday, Specials Teachers on Tuesday, and the Educational support staff on Thursday.
K-4th Homeroom Teachers
5th-8th Homeroom Teachers
Notes or small tokens of appreciation also go a long way to show our staff that their hard work is seen and valued. Below is just a recommended calendar of when you or your kiddos can send in your letters.
March 13th- Administrative Staff/ Facilities
March 14th- Specials Teachers
March 15th- Homeroom Teachers
March 16th- Educational Support Staff
March 17th- Bus Drivers
Not sure where to start? Remember you can now access Staff Favorites on the right hand side of the family dashboard page. A full list of ACS Staff can be found in the directory or online as well.
Many thanks from your ACS PTO
Mother Son Event Change of Date
The date of the Mother-Son Event has been changed to sometime this spring. Details coming soon!
Direct Your Dollars
The ACS PTO would like to thank everyone for participating in the Direct Your Dollars program. Since the program began in 2016, ACS has received a total of $7,350 from SpartanNash. All of this money has gone directly back to our students and staff in the form of field trips, educational enrichment and classroom supplies. Thank you for saving your receipts and contributing to this opportunity.
Daddy Daughter Dance Photos
Below are the pictures professional photos from the Daddy Daughter Dance. To download pictures use code 9749.
If you believe your picture was taken but you do not see your photo please contact photographer, Kim Stoep.
ACS Athletics
PurePlay
Track and Field
Who? ACS 1st-4th graders
What? High jump, long jump, shot put, relays, dashes, runs…
When? Wednesdays, April 19, 26, May 3, 10 3:15-4:15
Where? The ACS track
Why? Because it is fun and exercise is good!
How can you help? Coach DK needs Parent Volunteers to help at stations. You may sign up to help at 1, 2, 3, or all 4 events.
How do you sign up? Sign up your child and yourself to volunteer by emailing Coach DK, (gro.naitsirhcada@enielkeds)
There is no charge for this program. Deadline: April 12
Spring soccer signups are now open (deadline Mar 17):
Saturdays: April 15-May 20.
9:00-10:00am or 10:30-11:30 am (rotates weekly)
Cost: $50-$70 per student
1st-4th grade will have one practice during the week. Day/Time TBD by coaches. Please consider coaching.
Deadline Mar 17.
Calendar Reminders
2022-2023 Calendar
Mar 03 - Enrollment Due
Mar 03 - 2nd Trimester Ends
Mar 13-17 - Teacher/Staff Appreciation Week
Mar 23&24 - 8th Grade Musical: Frozen Jr.
Mar 28 - Annual Society Meeting
Mar 29 - All School Chapel
Mar 30-Apr 9 - Spring Break (No School)
Requested Announcements
Brody's BE Cafe
Drink Special at Brody’s Be Cafe in Ada Village: For the month of March, ACS families are encouraged to try Brody’s Be Cafe. Mention the word, “Alex” and get BOGO free drinks! Including our amazing smoothies which kids LOVE. Skip Starbucks and support Brody’s local mission to employ individuals with disabilities!
Now open until 8pm on Mondays!
Mon 7:30am-8:00pm
Tues-Fri 7:30am-3:00pm
Sat 9:00am-12:00pm
Closed Sundays