A Note From The Principal
Advent - Hope & Peace
The first week of Advent is all about hope.
Think about hope as you hear Lamentations 3: 21-24:
“But this I call to mind, and therefore I have hope: The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases, God’s mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness. “The Lord is my portion,” says my soul, “therefore I will hope in the Lord.”For the second week in Advent, we focus on peace. In John 14:27, Jesus said, “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled, and do not let them be afraid.”
Advent is a great time for family and friends to reflect on scripture and the birth of Jesus!
This Week
Dec 7-9 - Stuff-A-Bus for Degage Ministries
It has been a tradition at Ada Christian each year to work with a local non profit and live out our mission of equipping students for service in God’s world.
From Dec 7-9 we will be having our annual Stuff A Bus campaign for Degage Ministries as they host the Heartside Community Christmas Store! PK-8th Grade students are asked to bring new unwrapped items anytime before school, during school hours or during pick up. The Heartside Community Christmas Store provides the men and women they serve with the opportunity to purchase low-cost gifts in a dignified manner. Please review the list of needs . We look forward to this partnership with Degage Ministries again.
Moms In Prayer
Join us for Moms in Prayer Thursday, December 8 from 8:00-9:00am in the back ACS conference room. Our attribute this week is "God Equips" We will be praying specifically for our Board of Education. Contact Kristen Yeh (616-307-2488) with any questions. Younger siblings are always welcome.
Action Needed
Enrollment Intentions
Plans for the upcoming school year are already underway. The ACS Board, specifically the Finance Committee, is working on a budget for 2023-2024. They are requesting enrollment intentions from each family (K-7th) on or before January 3, 2023. Our process starts at this time so the Finance Committee can review the plan, then submit it to the full Board, then prepare it for the Annual Society meeting in March.
Please note that Enrollment for the 2023-24 school year will begin on Feb 14.
Snow Day Reminders
If fog or weather conditions result in a two hour delay or closing being necessary, you will receive an email and text notification from ACS; it will also be posted on Facebook and Wood TV. ACS relies upon Forest Hills Public Schools Transportation Department to assess road conditions. We close when they do during weather emergencies. If Lowell Public Schools closes and Forest Hills Schools remain open, ACS will remain open.
To make ACS text messages easier to recognize, we have created a simple way to add ACS as a Contact to your mobile device. Click to add ACS as a contact. Then, when we send you a "School's Closed" message, you'll know who it's from and can plan your day appropriately. You can also text “Yes” to 87569 to ensure you are set up to receive text messages from ACS.
Now You Know
New Faces in the Office
Soon Mrs. Brander will be out on maternity leave and we will have some new faces in the office. Mrs. Vliem and Mrs. Lineberry will be covering the front desk while Mrs. Brander is away. We ask for your patience in this transition. For attendance you may still email kbrander@adachristian.org ;
Christmas On Campus
Class Composites
If you ordered a class composite it will be sent home with the youngest child in your family this week.
For Sale: Lego Mindstorms Kits
ACS is retooling our after school robotics program in preparation for our next season in Sep 2023 as a Vex IQ Robotics club, which will be open to 4th - 8th grade students.
To help ACS raise funds for the new Vex IQ robot kits, we're selling our current inventory of Lego Mindstorms EV3 robot kits and inventory of Legos. ACS families may purchase an EV3 kit until Fri, Dec 9. Kits will be sold first come/first served at $410 per kit (currently listing on eBay between $430-460 used, and over $600 new.). We will notify you when kits will be available for pickup in the office (before Christmas). If you are interested in the selection of other Lego Technics parts that will also be sold, let us know and we'll arrange a time to view our inventory.
All Legos will be marketed to the general public on or after Dec 10, 2022 so express interest quickly!
Whatcha Doin' Out There!?
See what we've been doing in Outdoor Education during the month of November.
Whatcha Doin' Out There Nov 2022
Christmas At ACS
Celebrate the Christmas season with us at Ada Christian School.
Dec 12 - PTO Christmas Gift Shop
On Monday, Dec 12 the ACS North Gym will be transformed into a Christmas Gift Shop for your children to select Christmas gifts for their parents and siblings.
Dec 13 - MS Christmas Concert
Please join our middle school on Dec 13 to celebrate Christmas with our ACS family The Bands, Choirs and Orchestras will play and sing and we will worship Jesus and celebrate Christmas together.
56 - Call time 6:15, Concert at 6:30pm
78 - Call time 7:15, Concert at 7:30pm
Dec 15 - Christmas on Campus
From 5:30-7:00pm on Dec 15 families are invited to enjoy the outdoor grounds at ACS. We will have a bonfire, hot chocolate, an illuminated pathway to the manger, ornament making and more. Come enjoy the beautiful outdoor space here at ACS.
Dec 15 & 16 - Preschool Christmas Programs
Dec 21 - Christmas Chapel
We invite you to join us on Wednesday, Dec 21 at 8:15 in the South Gym for our All School Christmas Chapel, led this year by our 5th and 6th grade students.
Chess Club
Chess is the greatest board game on earth. Who knows – someone from ACS may someday be a Grandmaster (the most elite players on the planet). This club will help members learn some basic openings and other strategies.
The kids will play at least two games every session and work towards a Gold, Silver or Bronze chess club medal. Popcorn and a beverage will be part of the fun. Each session will go from 3:00-4:30pm. Choose from Tuesday or Wednesday sessions during Jan & Feb. Sign up and details.
December Hot Lunch
The December hot lunch menu (2 MB PDF) is here. Take a look at the menu and plan for lunch each day.
PTO Happenings
Christmas Gifts for Specials Teachers
We are blessed to have many amazing "specials" teachers at ACS. They allow our kids to enjoy music, art, OE, library, PE, technology, Spanish, orchestra, and band. If you'd like to contribute toward a Christmas gift for our "specials" teachers, there will be a large yellow envelope in the office from December 1st-15th to receive donations. There is no need to specify any one teacher. The Christmas elves will make sure every teacher is taken care of.
Christmas Shop - Volunteers Needed
Our annual Christmas Shop will be happening Mon, Dec 12 put on by the ACS PTO. This week each child came home with a shopping form.
We could use parent help setting up, helping students shop, and wrapping gifts. Please view our list of volunteer needs
Daddy Daughter Dance - Feb 03
Save the date for a Winter Wonderland dance! The 2023 Daddy Daughter Dance will be on Friday, Feb 03 from 7:00pm to 9:00pm. More information to come.
ACS Athletics
PurePlay
Basketball signups are closed.
1st-4th Basketball clinics start Dec 10. Questions? Contact Stacey Boender
Y5/K starts Jan 7. Questions? Contact Coach DK
Calendar Reminders
2022-2023 Calendar
Dec 07-09 – Stuff-a-Bus
Dec 12 – Christmas Shop
Dec 13 – Middle School Christmas Concert
Dec 15 – Christmas on Campus
Dec 21 - Half Day - Dismissal at 11:30am
Jan 03 - School Resumes
Jan 16 - No School - Professional Development
Jan 27 - SEED Market
Requested Announcements
Brookside Nativity
You are invited to experience the Nativity Scene at Brookside on Saturday, Dec 17! There is something for all ages. Enjoy hot chocolate, warm cider and cookies, as you experience the first Christmas! There is live music and actors of all ages. Performances are at 6:30pm, 7:00pm and 7:30pm.