A Note From The Principal

Wonderful Worship

How do you capture a worshipful moment that impacts hundreds of people? The photo above does just that! Better yet, being in person at an event can impact a person for life. Maybe it is from the singing that took place, or something that was spoken that was just right for the times we are in. 

The first day of school is filled with unknowns, uncertainties, trepidation, excitement, laughter, fear, and the list could go on. The first day of school also provides opportunities to promote community. Ada Christian seized that opportunity by holding an outdoor chapel with its students and staff. We also invited parents to join us.

Besides the temperature being incredibly high and the sun beating down on us with 90+ degree readings, I hope the real memory of that day is that the Son was present. We were reminded by our worship leaders to ask each other, “What’s SOP?” - meaning “Standing On the Promises” as a way to encourage each other to think about Christ’s promises to us.

We were also reminded that ACS is Faith. Strong. Faith! Strong!

Now You Know

Hot Lunch

Hot lunch will be available daily beginning Wed, Aug 25. Again this year, school lunch is available at no cost for all students. Students order each morning in their homerooms.  Here is the Aug/Sept menu .

School Pictures

K-8 order forms will come home with your child today and tomorrow. This weekend watch for an email from Ada Christian School containing a link, password and detailed instructions for ordering photos.

Gathering Time

Hello Parents, 

We are excited to have you enter our building first thing Friday mornings starting Aug 27 and join us for 1st-4th grade worship known as Gathering Time. When entering the building please make your way straight to the North Gym and find a spot in the bleachers. 

Students will walk into the gym around 8:10 and we ask that students remain with their teachers throughout the whole worship time. We are eager to see you and to have you worship with us.

Parking Lot

When dropping off and picking students up, we have many people on campus at the same time.

Please, for everyone’s safety:

• Back into parking spaces in the afternoon.
• Don’t drive through the cross walk when leaving the parking lot.
• Cell phones ARE NOT allowed while driving in the parking lot.
• In the mornings both car loops are available for drop-off, if you need to get out of your car to help your child(ren) please park in the lot.
• Please pull forward as far as you can towards the green flag before letting your child(ren) out.
• Children must exit from the passenger side of the vehicle next to the curb.
• In the afternoon the main car loop is available for parents with Kindergarten students.
• In the afternoon the bus loop by the gym entrance is available for other families to pick up students.
• If parking in the lot please discuss a meeting spot with your children so they know where to find you each afternoon.
• When using the car loops you may pass on the left but please do so with extra caution.

All School Parent Orientation

On Wed, Sept 1, we are eager to have you join us for our parent information night. 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.

Questions? Please contact your students homeroom teacher. 

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, Casey Meyaard will share)	Band Room
7:05-7:10pm	Passing time
7:10-7:45pm	Grade 5	Media Center
7:10-7:45pm	Grade 6	MS Student Center
7:10-7:45pm	Grades 7 & 8	Commons

Back to School Party!

Wed, Sept 08, 6:00 - 8:00pm at the ACS Track & Field. Sponsored by our ACS Promotions Committee, this event is sure to please.

Please register for the party. The cost is $5 per person and includes one dessert from one of the many food trucks and access to the bounce houses, obstacle courses and other fun activities.

Tickets will be distributed when you arrive at the party. Looking forward to this wonderful community event!

Parent 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 8:00-9:00am in the outdoor “WoodshED” for coffee, refreshments, devotions, and time to chat. 

Parent Class Coffee dates to pencil in:

Sept 14 Kindergarten (all sections)
Sept 15 Grades 1&2
Sept 16 Grades 3&4
Sept 17 Grades 5-8

Foundation Fundraiser - Oct 07, 2021 

The annual fall gathering is the signature fundraising event for the Ada Christian School Education Foundation, which provides essential support to our school. This year we welcome special guests, Pastor and Musician John Pomeroy and Christian Illusionist John Michael Hinton. Come stroll the grounds of ACS as we gather together to give and grow in support of our kids. 

Logo Wear

Stock up on ACS Logo Wear for the whole family!

Employment Opportunities

We are looking for quality candidates or the following positions:

• Covenant Care Aide
• Social Worker
• Covenant Care Lead
• Band/Music Aide

Calvin University Girls Who Code 

Do you like technology? There will be three Girls Who Code Clubs at Calvin University this fall! All clubs will meet from 6:00–8:00 pm, Monday, Tuesday, or Wednesday evening. (Choose the night that works best for you.)

If you’re a middle school girl interested in computers, programming, or technology in general, this club is for you. It’s going to be awesome!

Read more about Girls Who Code on their website, girlswhocode.com.

Registration is now open for this year's clubs! You can register here. Space is limited, and members will be accepted on a first-come-first-served basis, so don't delay!

First Lego League

You’ll love FIRST® LEGO® League! The League members are 4th grade and up that research a real-world problem (like food safety, recycling, energy, etc.). The team will be challenged to develop a solution using new knowledge and creative imagination. The team will also design, build, and program a working robot using a LEGO MINDSTORMS® kit, then complete “missions” on a table-top playing field. Teams compete against each other at exciting events where members will make new friends, show off what they have learned and invented, express team spirit, and celebrate! Sound like fun? What are you waiting for? Apply to join the ACS FIRST® LEGO® League today!

Coaches:  Ms. Frens, Mr. Jorgensen (veteran FLL coach and former ACS parent) 

Applicants: Students in grades 4-8 (Minimum 8, and maximum 10 students on each team)

When: 2 days / week (M and Th) from September-December (may also include weekend regional competition dates TBA). FIRST Lego League has attempted to be accommodating to other sports schedules, but FLL is on par with other competitive activities due to its potential for team recognition and scholarship opportunities.

Time: 3:15-5:00pm

Where: Ada Christian School Media Center / Computer Lab

Fee: $300 The fee includes FIRST® LEGO® League competition application fee, robotics / technology upgrades, t-shirts, snacks, supplies and coach stipend. All travel expenses related to competition (regional, state or world) are separate. Payment will be returned if team limit has been reached. Contact Ms. Frens (jfrens@adachristian) if fee is a barrier to participation.

 ACS FIRST® LEGO® League: Please complete this survey by Monday, Aug 31. Cash App, PayPal and Venmo accepted for the $300 fee. Club limited to 10 participants per team. If more than 10 applications are selected based on commitment and persistence, there is the possibility of 2 teams.

Action Needed

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 02 . Printed forms are also available in the ACS office.

Your Partners in Christian Education,

ACS Administration

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 20. 

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.

New Students (K-8th)

We are excited to welcome several new students to ACS this year. If your child is new (K-8) please make sure to turn in the following items before the first day of school. If you have any questions please contact Kimmie Brander, gro.naitsirhcada@rednarbk

Birth Certificate

Any student new to Ada Christian School,  Kindergarten – 8th  (2021-2022 school year) must bring to the office a copy of his/her birth certificate.  This is required by law in the state of Michigan. If you need a copy made we are happy to do so for you in the ACS office. 

Immunization Forms

Immunization forms are due now. By state law the school must have this form on file for your child by the start of school.

Back to School Party Volunteers

Interested in serving at our Back to School Party? We have several volunteer opportunities during our Back to School Party on Sept 08. 

Recess Volunteers Needed

Beginning on Aug 25, volunteers for recess will be needed. At lunch recess (12:05-12:30 & 12:30-1:00) four people are needed daily. On Fridays we also need four people for morning recess (9:55-10:15). 

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

PTO Happenings

Welcome form the PTO

The bustling energy and anticipation of a new school year, reuniting with my ACS family, and meeting new faces are just a few of my favorite things about the first day of school and this year did not disappoint. Thank you to everyone who signed up to help out throughout the year at our volunteer drive this week. If you got caught up in all the excitement of the first day and forgot to stop by our tent please email us at pto@adachristian.org ;to have your name added to our email list. We'll keep you up-to-date on all our happenings throughout the year. It takes an army of volunteers to support our loved teachers, staff, and community and we appreciate all who have already stepped up!

ACS Athletics

PurePlay 

Running Club

This is an after school club focused on cardiovascular fitness and running...our goal is to increase our endurance by running our ACS trails and doing a variety of other activities.  Students need to be ready to run. 

This is open to all 2nd-4th graders and there is no cost. Sign up by emailing Coach DK.  

Dates: Wed, Sept 15, 22, 29 & Oct 06, 3:00-4:00 pm.

Soccer

Soccer Team Rosters will be sent out by Labor Day.

First event is Sat, Sept 11.  Boys @ 9:00, Girls @ 10:30.

Sign up for Fall soccer! Deadline to sign up is Aug 27.

Calendar Reminders

Aug 24 – First Day of School (1/2 Day)
Sept 03-06 – No School Labor Day Weekend
Sept 27 – No School - Teacher In-service
Oct 20-22 – No School - Teacher's Convention
Nov 24-28 –  Thanksgiving Break
Dec 18-Jan 02 – Christmas Break
Jan 17 – No School - Teacher's In-Service
Feb 17-21 – Winter Break
Mar 29 – ACS Annual Society Meeting
Apr 01-11 – Spring Break
May 06 – Grand Friend's Day (1/2 day)
May 09 – No School - Teacher Inservice
May 30 – No School - Memorial Day
Jun 07 – 8th Grade Graduation
Jun 08 – Last Day of School (1/2 day)