A Note From The Principal
Spring Break
Be safe and thank God for all the many blessings He showers us with each and every day!
Remember, we return on Tue, Apr 12, 2022, with the students as we have professional development on Mon, Apr 11, 2022.
A Note From Mrs. Reidsma
Dear ACS Community,
I’d like to share both what is exciting and sad news for me. As many of you know, my husband, Andy, and I are expecting our first child any day now. We eagerly await his arrival and the joys (and challenges) of being parents.
These last four years, I have felt called to serve as a teacher at ACS. Teaching is my passion! I deeply love this community, my co-workers, and my students. However, after much prayer and discussion, we feel God’s call for me to stay at home with our son. While I will miss the classroom immensely, I pray this next season will allow me to cherish time with family and dedicate myself to raising a Godly young man.
Only God knows what the future holds, but I would imagine He will call me back to the classroom someday!
Thank you for welcoming me into this amazing community over the last four years. I have been blessed to work with the most amazing people, be supported by great leadership, partner with wonderful parents, and spend time with incredible students. As I step away from the role of teacher, I pray God blesses ACS. I am thankful for and will miss my ACS home.
Blessings,
Jessica Reidsma
5th/6th Grade Social Studies Teacher
New Faces This Fall
We are pleased to welcome three new third grade teachers this fall, Mrs. Butch, Mrs. Schenck and Miss de Jong
Outside of school, I enjoy cooking, reading, exercising, gardening, and home renovation projects. I have been married to my husband, Wes for 28 years. We have a set of twin boys, Cade and Connor, who are 26 years old. Wes and our children are engineers. One of my favorite verses is from Jeremiah 29:11 “For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” I am excited to share my love for families, passion for teaching, and servant heart with my new family at ACS!
Hello! My name is Lexie Schenck, and I am thrilled to be joining the ACS Community! I was born and raised in Angola, Indiana before moving to Indianapolis for college. I graduated with a degree in Elementary Education in 2017 and have spent the last 5 years teaching at an Indianapolis school. In my spare time, I love to be outdoors enjoying what God has created by taking my dog on daily walks, reading a book in the sunshine, and swimming when it is warm. I also volunteer at my church, bake, cook, and craft. One of my favorite things to do is try new recipes to share with my friends and family. My husband and I are excited to be moving to the Grand Rapids area this spring to be closer to my sister and her family. We have visited many times and have fallen in love with the beauty of the area. Through many prayers, we have felt God lead us to plant our roots here and are excited to see what the future brings!
Hi, my name is Emma de Jong. I am so excited to be one of the new third grade teachers at Ada Christian. I am from San Diego, California where I grew up in a small Christian School and chose to further my education at Calvin University. Throughout my education at Calvin University I have worked with students of many different ages and abilities. These learning opportunities have helped me feel ready and equipped to be a third grade teacher. With being a new graduate this spring, I am confident that Ada Christian is the place that the Lord has called me as a first year teacher. I could not be happier, or more honored to be able to work with Ada Christian and help each student I meet grow in their academics and their relationship with Jesus Christ. I am excited to be able to get to know the families and people that make up Ada Christian and become a part of the Ada Christian community.
This Week
Autism Awareness
World Autism Awareness Day is Apr 02. Ada Christian School will be celebrating on Thurs, Mar 31. Please join us in wearing blue for Light It Up Blue tomorrow. Each student will also be given a sticker to wear for the day.
A little about Autism: Autism, or autism spectrum disorder (ASD), refers to a broad range of conditions characterized by challenges with social skills, repetitive behaviors, speech and nonverbal communication. According to the Centers for Disease Control, autism affects an estimated 1 in 44 children in the United States today.
Visit Autism Speaks for more information.
MENistry
When: Friday’s at 8:00am
Where: Brody’s BE Café
What: Man in the Mirror book review
Who: ACS dads
Why: To be in community with other fathers of ACS students and grow deeper in Christ.
Questions? Contact Andy Anderson via text/call, 616-325-6116
Moms In Prayer
This week we’re praying for our building staff and bus drivers.
God is Trustworthy — One who is worthy of confidence; reliable, faithful, and dependable
Scripture: "LORD, may we trust in You with all our heart and lean not on our own understanding." From Proverbs 3:5
We’re a group of Moms passionate about lifting up our kids and ACS faculty and staff in prayer — we pray every Thursday, 8:00-9:00am, in the front office. If you have any questions, give me a call (Kelly, 616.304.2963)
Now You Know
Summer Covenant Care
Sign-ups for Summer Covenant Care are now open for students entering grades K-5.
Society Meeting
Thank you to all who joined us for our Society Meeting via video!
We are pleased to introduce our new Board Members to you:
- Amy Clark
- Joe Keilen
- Sarah Kraay
- Mark Plaisier
A special thanks to our outgoing Board members who led with godly wisdom and discernment:
Kimberly Jerke, Jason Reiffer & Kristin Yeh
We are thankful for your support of the proposed budget and for the great work of our Finance Committee and Board members. We are looking forward to another great year of learning in 2022-2023.
Here is a follow-up of the Annual Society Meeting and the items that passed.
Earth Day Volunteers
On Friday, April 22 our K-6 students will buddy up and deliver plants to our neighbors in the Adacroft neighborhood to celebrate Earth Day. We are in need of parents to ride the bus with students and teachers from ACS to Adacroft and then walk with the students and teachers in the neighborhood delivering plants. Sign up to help!
Thank you for your consideration. We look forward to seeing you!
Employment Opportunities
Please take a look at our employment opportunities and forward to anyone you know who may be interested. Ada Christian School has the following positions available:
- Early Intervention Specialist
- Covenant Care Aide
- Covenant Care (Before/After Care) Director
- Summer Cleaning/Maintenance Crew
Grounds Clean-up Day
The Operations Committee is hosting a Grounds Clean Up Day on April 23rd from 12:00-6:00pm. We plan to spruce up our campus in preparation for a few spring events. This includes trimming trees, moving mulch, pulling weeds, etc. We need approximately 20 people to help around campus during each of our three 2hr sessions. Anyone middle school age and older is welcome to help.
Please sign-up so we know who to anticipate. If you have any questions please contact Kurt Rewa, moc.kcaprehs@truk
Summer Camps & Tutoring
We will be offering a variety of camps and tutoring opportunities this summer.
Grand Friend's Day - May 06
Action Needed
2022-2023 Enrollment Now Open
Dear Parents,
It is time to re-enroll your student(s) at ACS for the 2022-2023 school year. Please follow the instructions below and do not hesitate to reach out if you have questions. We are excited to partner with you! We ask that you complete the online enrollment form by Fri, April 22.
To complete the enrollment form for 2022-2023:
1. Log into PowerSchool using your web browser.
2. Click on "Forms" in the left navigation menu.
3. Complete the relevant forms.
There is a Tuition & Grants section on the form.
- The first TUITION amount you see is the calculation for the “Requested” or “Full Cost” amount of tuition.
- In the GRANT section, thanks to the generous, ongoing support of the ACS Education Foundation and our annual fundraising efforts, you will see the maximum grant amount you may accept towards your tuition. The grants are available for all families. Families that are able to pay the “Requested” or “Full Cost” of tuition will receive a charitable receipt for the difference (Thank You!).
- For families needing tuition assistance, you may complete an online application through FACTS, by May 06. Qualifying families will be notified of the assistance amounts no later than June and adjustments to your tuition total will be made at that time.
Covenant Care registration is also open at this time. If your family wishes to have Covenant Care for your K-5 student(s), please fill out the Covenant Care form.
We have worked hard to ensure our online enrollment process will go well for our families; however, we realize you may have questions during this process. Please do not hesitate to contact us if you have any questions or concerns.
Forgot your password? Click Forgot Username or Password? Please note that password recovery emails often end up in your spam folder.
Thank you for choosing Ada Christian School as your partner in education.
Attendance Reminder
Leaving early for Spring Break? Have a child home sick? Please make sure to notify Mrs. Brander when your child will be absent, (616.676.1289, gro.naitsirhcada@rednarbk)
PTO Happenings
Daddy Daughter Dance - Apr 22
We're looking for a few enthusiastic moms to help out at the Daddy Daughter Dance on Friday, April 22nd. Sign up here.
Mother Son Event - May 13
Friday, May 13 | 6:00 - 8:00pm, Fowling Warehouse Grand Rapids
Sign ups to come after Spring Break.
ACS Athletics
PurePlay
PP soccer sign ups are closed. Team rosters are being prepared. Details will be shared before Spring Break.
Track and Field Club
Wednesdays, April 20, 27, May 4, May 11 3:00-4:15pm
No cost.
K-4th graders
Parent volunteers are needed for help at stations.
“Tuesday Tennis”
Tuesday tennis is full.
If you'd like to be added to the waiting list, email coach DK.
Calendar Reminders
Mar 29 - Virtual Annual Society Meeting
Mar 30 - Enrollment Opens
Apr 01-11 – No School (Spring Break)
Apr 12 - School Resumes
Apr 19 - Elementary Spring Concert
Apr 22 - Daddy Daughter Dance
Apr 28 - Fine Arts Night
May 06 - Grand Friends Day
Requested Announcements
Sports Physicals
Current 8th graders planning to play sports in high school in the 2022-23 school year need to have a MHSAA physical form on file with the high school athletic office before they are allowed to participate. A valid physical for 2022-23 must be completed any time after April 15, 2022. You may print out a physical form here. This form must be completed with all signatures in order to participate in sports in high school. You may attach your doctor’s office physical form for the doctor portion of this form but the parent portion and all signatures need to be completed on this form.
Looking Ahead
2022-2023 Calendar
Below is the calendar for next school year.
Aug 23 - First Day of School (Half Day, dismissal at 11:30am)
Sept 2-5 - No School (Labor Day)
Sept 26 - No School (Teacher In-Service)
Oct 19-23 - No School (CEA Convention)
Nov 23-27 - No School (Thanksgiving Break)
Dec 21 - Half Day, Dismissal at 11:30am
Dec 22-Jan 2 - No School (Christmas Break)
Jan 3 - School Resumes
Jan 16 - No School (Teacher In-Service)
Feb 16-20 - No School (Winter Break)
Mar 30-Apr 9 - No School (Spring Break)
Apr 10 - School Resumes
May 5 - Grand Friends Day (Half day, dismissal at 11:30am)
May 29 - No School (Memorial Day)
June 2 - Last Day (Half day, dismissal at 11:30am)