A Note From The Principal
Welcome to a New School Year!
Welcome to a new school year! As we prepare for next week our prayer is the same as our theme: Lord, Make Us One. We are excited to welcome a new class of kindergartners as well as several new families to ACS. Throughout the year you can expect a weekly communication, Ada Connection, where you will find upcoming events, action items and receive news of what is happening around campus. Ada Connection will be sent via email each week on Wednesday afternoon and can also be found on our website under the Family Dashboard.
We would like to invite you a special school year dedication chapel on Tuesday, Aug 22 at 10:45am. Join us in the South Gym for celebration and thankfulness to God for a new year of school together. At the end of chapel, students will return to class and we ask that parents pick up students in the front of school at 11:30am.
We ask you to join us in prayer for a smooth start to the school year.
-Principal Sall
Construction Update
Core renovation
- New Parent Entrance: To improve security and hospitality to our parents, a new Main Office entrance has been added. When visiting campus between the hours of 8:00am-3:00pm we ask that you enter through this new entrance directly into the Main Office.
- Renovation on our New Library, Tech Studio, Flexible Learning Spaces and Support Services Spaces is wrapping up. We are feeling so blessed to have these improved spaces which will allow us to more effectively meet the needs of our students.
Accessibility Improvements
- Work is in progress to extend our gravel driveway behind our baseball field and to the log cabin. This will improve accessibility for students and service vehicles.
Parking Lot fixes and striping
- Repairs on our storm drain basins and large cracks were completed in the main parking lot this summer.
Middle school playground
- We are excited to share that work has begun on phase 1 of a middle school playground. Swings and a climbing structure are expected to be installed between the kickball and soccer fields soon after Labor day weekend. A huge thanks to our PTO for helping with this purchase.
Now You Know
Theme T-shirts & ACS Apparel
Open House
Monday, Aug 21
Teachers are looking forward to seeing your family on Monday, Aug 21 at your scheduled time. Students are invited to bring their school supplies and to put them in their lockers.
| Time | Last Name |
| 1:00-1:40pm | A-G |
| 1:45-2:25pm | H-P |
| 2:30-3:10pm | Q-Z |
Parent Orientation
Please join us August 29 for our K-8 Parent Orientation. During this evening, teachers will share important information with parents about the upcoming school year. Please do your best to be in attendance.
Please arrive a few minutes early so you can fill out a name tag and get to your destinations on time for a prompt start since our time is limited.
| Time | Who | Where |
| 6:30-6:45pm | Session I: Grades K-4 | Student Homerooms |
| 6:45-6:50pm | Passing Time | |
| 6:50-7:05pm | Session II: Grades K-4 (repeat of Session I) | Student Homerooms |
| 6:50-7:05pm | 5-8 Athletics (AD, Jon DeVries will share) | Band Room |
| 7:05-7:10pm | Passing Time | |
| 7:10-7:45pm | Grade 5 | Media Center |
| 7:10-7:45pm | Grade 6 | Band Room |
| 7:10-7:45pm | Grades 7 & 8 | Commons |
ACS Robotics Open House
Interested in joining the ACS Robotics team this year? Come meet the coaches and check out the new Vex IQ equipment at an open house in the new Technology Studio during Parent Orientation Night on Aug 29 from 6:30-7:45. Stop by to learn more about the program and pick up an application. Students in grades 4-8 are eligible to apply. Applications will be open from Aug 21-31. Pick up an application at the back to school open house on Aug 21 or email jfrens@adachristian.org if you'd like a digital or printed copy of the application. Applications must be turned in to Jackie Frens no later than August 31 to be considered.
Back to School Party
Thursday, Sept 7, 5:30pm - 7:30pm at the ACS Track & Field. Sponsored by our ACS Promotions Committee, this event is sure to please with a dunk tank, bounce houses, obstacle courses and other fun activities. Food will be available for purchase from one of the many food trucks on site. No tickets to the event are needed.
We are in need of volunteers to help supervise the bounce houses. If you interested please sign up below.
Class Coffees
Parent Class Coffee dates to pencil in:
Sept 18 Middle School
Sept 19 First and Second Grades
Sept 20 Kindergarten
Sept 21 Third and Fourth Grades
Faces and Our Culture - Host Families Needed
We are happy to share that this fall we will welcome Guatemalan students to our campus through the FACES Program.
The dates for this year's program are:
Saturday, Oct 14 - Saturday, Dec 9
This Cultural Exchange prepares students between the ages of 10 to 17, to be Cultural Ambassadors of their country, and their visit is designed to promote global understanding and friendship between young people from different cultures.
All Cultural Ambassadors bring International Medical Insurance and all school cost-related expenses will be covered.
We would like to invite you to learn more about the FACES Program and the possibility of becoming a Host Family for one of these students for 8 Weeks.
Interested in becoming a host family? Contact Gaby Padilla, State Coordinator, at moc.serutlucdnasecaf@allidap.ybag, schedule a 30 Minute Information Meeting, or complete the Host Family Form.
Education Foundation Fundraising Dinner - November 2
Save the Date for the annual Ada Christian Education Foundation Fundraising Dinner which will be held on campus Thursday, November 2, 2023. We will celebrate the Faith Forward Campaign and our new library, tech studio, support services and flexible spaces.
Action Needed
Student Information Forms
Several student information forms (K-8) are ready for you to complete online (emergency contacts, student health, school policy agreement, etc). These forms must be completed by Friday, Aug 18.
To complete the forms:
- Log into your PowerSchool parent portal (powerschool.adachristian.org).
- Select Forms
- Complete all forms under the category Student Information Forms.
- Please note that some forms need to be filled out for each child while others may be submitted for the whole family.
Recess Volunteers
Beginning on Aug 23, volunteers for recess will be needed. At lunch recess (12:05pm-12:30pm & 12:30pm-1:00pm) four people are needed daily. On Fridays we also need four people for morning recess (9:55am-10:15am).
Younger siblings may join parents for this volunteer opportunity. Sign up for K, 3rd & 4th grade recess or 1st & 2nd grade recess. Digital signups will be released in the Ada Connection later this month.
If you have any questions about volunteering for elementary recess, please email Sharon DeKleine. gro.naitsirhcada@enielkeds
School Lunch Program
School lunch will be available daily beginning Wed, Aug 23.
There will be two options each day and a fresh fruit and salad bar. Students place their orders each morning for that day and deductions are made from their lunch account. Before your student can order lunch, an account must be created on Meal Magic. Visit adachristian.org/hotlunch for details or to apply for lunch assistance.
Map Testing
At Ada Christian School, each and every teacher and staff member works to provide the best possible education for your child. Ada Christian teachers use daily work samples, quizzes, informal screening, and teacher-student conferencing to monitor student growth. They utilize this information to guide instructional delivery that is geared toward your child’s individual needs.
ACS also uses a school-wide formal assessment called MAP Growth. These tests not only determine your child’s instructional level, but also measure academic growth throughout the school year (and from year to year) in Math, Reading, and Language Usage.
MAP Growth tests are unique in that they are adaptive tests. As your child works through the assessment, the questions become more challenging with each correctly answered question. And, when your child answers a question incorrectly, the assessment becomes easier. Ultimately, targeting your child’s specific learning level.
Students will be participating on different days and at different times throughout the next several weeks. Your child’s teacher will share the specific dates with you in their class newsletter.
If it is your desire to have your child NOT participate in this assessment process, please complete the opt out form by Thurs, Sept 01.
Your Partners in Christian Education,
ACS Administration
Supply List & Calendar
K-8 Supply List 2023-2024 Calendar
Guest Gardeners
Calling all dirt lovers! We need help maintaining the beautiful gardens at ACS.
We are searching for a team of individuals who can come in on Wednesday mornings or afternoons to help maintain our spaces. Come for an hour or stay all day, there is always work to do around here. If you are interested in giving back to the ACS community please reach out to Hannah Merrill, Farm Manager, and we will get you all set up.
Athletics
PurePlay (Y5's-4th grade)
This fall we plan to offer our soccer program for Y5-4th graders. The games take place Saturday mornings beginning Sept 9, at 9:00 a.m. and 10:30 a.m. For 1st-4th graders, there will be one practice during the week. Y5/K is only one hour on Saturdays. Registration ends Aug 23.
Wildcats (5th-8th grade)
ACS offers boys soccer, girls volleyball, and boys/girls cross-country for all 5-8 students during the fall. Fall sport seasons are scheduled to start the week of Aug 22 for students in grades 5-8.
All 5-8 athletes must complete an MHSAA physical/concussion form prior to the first day of practice. These forms and other important information can be found at the ACS Athletic Webpage.
Mark Your Calendar
Mon, Aug 21: Open House
Tues, Aug 22: First Day of School, dismissal at 11:30am
Wed, Aug 23: 3rd, 5th-8th Grade School Pictures
Thurs, Aug 24: Kindergarten - 2nd, 4th Grade School Pictures
Tues, Aug 29, 6:30pm-8:00pm: All School Parent Orientation
Thurs, Sept 07, 5:30-7:30pm: Back to School Party