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Ada Connection – Aug 26, 2020

A Note From The Principal

  • Welcome Back

Now You Know

  • Morning Procedures
  • Principal Search Committee Update
  • MAP Testing
  • Class Coffees

Action Needed

  • Recess Help
  • Hot Lunch

This Week

  • Parking Lot Note
  • 2020-2021 Dedication - Change of Plans
  • School Guidelines
  • Attention New Students
  • Pesticide Application

    PTO Happenings

    • A Note From The PTO
    • PurePlay

    ACS Athletics

    Calendar Reminders

    Requested Announcements

    A Note From The Principal

    Welcome Back

    They are back! Our campus is blooming with children and we are ready to GROW! Thank you for helping us begin the year so well. Our students are doing so GREAT! They are learning new routines, making new friends, and bringing so much joy to our days.

    Mrs. Diepstra’s class starts the year with grateful hearts right from the start:

    Now You Know

    Morning Procedures

    Help your children and their classmates get the day off to a smooth start by arriving by 7:55am.

    • If students arrive early administration will be outside to greet them before the exterior doors open at 7:45am.
    • Classes begin at 8:00am.
    • Students not in their classrooms by 8:00am will be marked tardy.
    • Exterior doors will remain open until 8:00am.
    • Students arriving after 8:00am need to sign in at the office.

    Principal Search Committee Update

    Dear Ada Christian School Community,

    As we look to the start of our new school year, we have been working diligently to lay the ground work for our Principal Search Committee. The Board of Trustees voted to approve the following members to the search committee:  

    Ada Christian School Principal Search Committee:

    Allison Ferwerda, co-chair 
    Glenn Triezenberg, co-chair 
    Andrea DeYoung
    Beth Diepstra 
    Melinda Homans 
    Jim Overbeck 
    Tom Stepanek 
    Aaron Winkle: Consultant to the Committee 

    We ask for your prayers for the members of the search committee as they undertake this important responsibility.

    Sincerely,

    Allison Ferwerda and Glenn Triezenberg

    Principal Search Committee, co-chairs

    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 03. 

    Your Partners in Christian Education,

    ACS Administration

    Class Coffees

    Looking for a way to connect with parents who have children in the same grade as you do? Please join us right after school drop off for a time of food and fellowship in the WoodshEd located outside on our campus near the greenhouse.

    Kindergarten (all sections) - Sept 14
    1st and 2nd grade - Sept 15
    3rd and 4th grade - Sept 16
    5th - 8th grade - Sept 17

    Hope to see you there!

    Action Needed

    Recess Help

    Beginning on Aug 26, volunteers for recess will be needed. At lunch recess (12:05-12:30pm & 12:30-1:00pm) four people are needed daily. On Fridays we need four people for morning recess (9:55-10:15am). 

    Younger siblings may join parents for this volunteer opportunity. Sign up for K, 3rd & 4th grade recess or 1st & 2nd grade recess.

    School Pictures

    Order forms will come home with your child this week. This weekend watch for an email from Ada Christian School containing a link, password and detailed instructions for ordering photos. 

    Picture forms are due Fri, Sept 11.

    Hot Lunch

    Please review the Aug/Sept Hot Lunch Menu and make sure you have an account set up for each of your children if they desire to order hot lunch.

    This Week

    Parking Lot Note

    When dropping off and picking students up, we have many people on campus at the same time. Please practice social distancing as much as feasible and wear masks when you cannot. Thank you!

    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
    • (NEW) In the afternoon the bus loop by the gym entrance is for middle school families
    • 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 ay pass on the left but please do so with extra caution

    2020-2021 Dedication - Change of Plans

    We are here and God is with us. Our hearts are full. There are so many reasons to rejoice even as we lament the things that feel so different. Thank you for your partnership in this journey of faith. Our school theme this year draws us to understand, grow and share that our work is our worship. We have heard our heavenly Father’s call. 

    We would love nothing more than to gather as an ACS family to dedicate this year to God. Because that is not possible at this time and because our technology is not ready to have our indoor and outdoor spaces hear a broadcast this Friday morning, we are asking you to find a time to share this prayer in your homes:

    Heavenly Father, we praise you for the beauty around us and the people that you have placed in our lives. We are especially thankful today for Ada Christian School and the ways that we can work together to equip our children for service in your world.

    We have heard your call and ask that you accept our work as our worship. Grant us grace to encourage and support each other as we work together. Calm our hearts and minds as we walk forward into this school year with faith and hope.

    We dedicate this school year to you and ask for your guiding presence in our family, in our Ada Christian family and in all of the families of this world that long for renewed relationships and healthy communities.

    In your Son’s name we pray, AMEN 

    This video shares one of our theme songs for this year.

    School Guidelines

    There are a number of details of which you need to be aware. Please review the list below to become familiar with some basic requirements.

    • Latex Balloons And Pets: These are dangerous to our students with allergies and therefore are not allowed at school.
    • Vacation Absences: Parents, if you are taking students out of school for a family vacation, please write or email (email addresses are in the front of your directories) a note of explanation to the school office and your student’s teacher at least one week prior to the absence.
    • Leaving Early From School: When you pick up your child(ren) before the end of the day, you must call the office to sign them out (or use the front call button), and then the office will call them from their room. (Please do not tell your child(ren) to come wait in the office for you and do not go to their classroom to get them).
    • Cell Phone Numbers: ACS will not give out cell phone numbers that are given to us on the emergency form. We use those numbers as contact for emergencies only. Please be sure to exchange cell phone numbers with your friends that you want to have those cell numbers.
    • Tardies or Early Dismissals, and Appointments: All students who arrive late or leave before the end of the school day must go to the office to sign in or out. School begins at 8:00am. The first minutes of the day are important for devotions and announcements, and your child should not miss them. Please send a note or email to the teacher the day before, if you plan on being late the next morning due to an appointment.
    • Messages: Please call before 2:30pm in order for the office to have time to give the message to your child.
    • Leaving Phone Messages: Please instruct/train your children to leave a message on your home phone and/or cell phone if they call home during the school day. If it is an emergency, we will continue to call until we reach you.

    Attention New Students

    Birth Certificates: Any student new to Ada Christian School, Kindergarten - 8th (2020-2021 school year) must bring to the office a copy of his/her birth certificate. This is required by law in the state of Michigan. The office will make a copy for you.

    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. If this form is not in, please turn it in yet this week or call Sharon DeJong in the office at 616.676.1289 to let her know when it will be arriving.

    Pesticide Application

    Advisory To Parents (as required by Michigan Department of Agriculture)

    As part of Ada Christian School’s pest management program, pesticides are occasionally applied. You have the right to be informed of any pesticide application made to the school grounds or building. In certain emergencies, pesticides may be applied without prior notice, but you will be provided notice following any such application. If you need prior notification, please email Mrs. Melissa Hoekzema, school custodian ().

    PTO Happenings

    A Note from the PTO

    Please read the following letter from our PTO.

    ACS Athletics

    PurePlay

    Fall soccer: Registration deadline is Aug 31 at midnight. Rosters and more details will be sent out by Labor Day.  

    First event is Sat, Sept 12 at ACS. Boys @ 9:00am, Girls @ 10:15am

    Want more details about PurePlay? Visit our website

    Calendar Reminders

    Aug 26-28 – Picture Days

    Sept 04-07 – No School (Labor Day)

    Sept 10 - Picture Retakes 

    Sept 28 - No School (In-Service Day)

    Oct 19 & 20 - Parent/Teacher Conferences

    Oct 23-24 - No School (Teacher Convention)

    Requested Announements

    Brookside Christian Reformed Church is currently accepting applications for a full-time custodian and a part-time maintenance person. The custodian position is for 40 hours with full benefits. The maintenance position is for 10-15 hours per week. To learn more about the full job descriptions, go to brooksidecrc.org. To apply, please send cover letter and resume to Kristi Handlogten at .