A Note From The Principal

Welcome to a New School Year!

The picture above is from God’s Word and is hanging outside a classroom door  

Philippians 4:13 - “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.” 

I would like to welcome you again to another school year. 

We are excited about it and now that students are in the building, it feels “real” that the school year has actually begun. 

Some of you know that administrators and office staff work throughout the summer finishing up the previous school year and planning for the upcoming school year. For me, it tends to focus around being sure curriculum, hiring faculty and staff, professional development for faculty/staff and procedures are in place and updated. 

One of the focus points is also reporting to the board, the people that you voted in to lead the school, and empower me to do that as well. One of the suggestions made by a board member recently was for me to review the Statement of Beliefs over the course of the school year. The purpose is to keep it in front of us and maintain our mission to focus on God’s Word and the beliefs ACS adheres to. We will review one per month (approximately), so it isn’t just a part of the application process, but is a part of our commitment to live our beliefs.

Now You Know

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)	Music/Orchestra Room (504)
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	Music/Orchestra Room (504)

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. 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. 

Volunteer Sign-Up

Class Coffees

Moms and dads - join us and meet fellow parents of your child’s classmates! It only takes an hour, and it is a great way to connect with other parents. Led by our Promotions Committee, we will meet from 8:00am-9:00am in the outdoor “WoodshED” for coffee, refreshments, devotions, and time to chat. 

Parent Class Coffee dates to pencil in:

Sept 18  Middle School 
Sept 19  Kindergarten 
Sept 20  First and Second Grades
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

Recess Volunteers Needed

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.

If you have any questions about volunteering for elementary recess, please email Sharon DeKleine. gro.naitsirhcada@enielkeds

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 were due on Tues, Aug 22.

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.

School Lunch Program

August Hot Lunch Menu

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.

Sign up to help

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. [EXLINK '5637']Registration[/EXLINK] ends today Aug 23.

Wildcats (5th-8th grade)

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

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