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Ada Connection – Dec 12, 2018

A Note From The Principal

  • An Amazing Advent Walk
  • A Special Visitor

This Week

  • MENistry
  • Moms In Prayer – Praying For Building & Transportation Staff

Now You Know

  • Christmas Chapel
  • LEGO Battle Of The Minds
  • Ski Club

Action Needed

  • Unicycle Club
  • A Family In Need
  • Meals For The Rauch Family
  • LEGO Club
  • KIDS Program – Christmas Gift Cards
  • Chess Club

PTO Happenings

  • PTO Information

ACS Athletics

  • PurePlay

Calendar Reminders

A Note From The Principal

An Amazing Advent Walk

We had so much fun hosting our "Share the Light: Advent Walk" last Thursday. Nearly 800 people joined us for the special night! May this Christmas season be filled with the light of God's love as you walk with him.

Advent LuminaryAdvent Wise Women

A Special Visitor

Dear Families,

Our integrated OE program brings so much wonder and awe to our campus!  One thing, in particular, that brings special learning and smiles to our days is having our goats -- Joy, Moonlight, and Beau -- with us! Last year, our three lovely goat ladies "went on vacation" for a few weeks and came back pregnant. The anticipation and delight of baby goats is unforgettable.

This year, our goat ladies are not going on vacation. Instead, a billy goat by the name of Firefox will be visiting our campus to spend some "special time" with Joy, Moonlight, and Beau. Firefox will join us this Sunday and will remain here for about two weeks. We are hoping to welcome new babes in the spring!

Why am I mentioning this? Well, it may depend on the kinds of conversations you want to have with your children as to whether or not you want to spend time near our barn for the next couple weeks...

This Week

MENistry 

MENistry is a coffee group for dads who want to get to know more about themselves and the Bible. 

Moms In Prayer – Praying For Building & Transportation Staff

This week we will be praying for building and transportation staff. God is merciful: One who is full of mercy, kindness and compassion. 

"Be merciful, just as your Father is merciful." - Luke 6:36

Come join us for the journey when you can. We meet every Thursday morning 8:00-9:00am, in the ACS office back conference room. 

Need more information? Contact Kelly Stafford (616.304.2963, ).

Now You Know

Christmas Chapel

Please join us on Fri Dec 21 at 8:15am. Our 1st and 2nd grade teams will be leading us in worship.

LEGO Battle Of The Minds

Last weekend our robotics team competed at ROBO Battle of the Minds. Watch some of the video highlights from this season!

Ski Club 

Cannonsburg is scheduled to open on Dec 15 for the season. The punch passes should be ready sometime this week and you are welcome to start using them as soon as you'd like! No need to wait until January/February to start skiing! The cards can be picked up from the Cannonsburg office window and you'll need to get your picture taken (this can take awhile depending on when you go but if you go in December the line will be shorter). Give me a call if you have any questions and have a safe ski season! Katie Kuiper (616) 485-1888 or

Action Needed

Unicycle Club

If you own a unicycle and need a place to practice during the winter, join the ACS Unicycle Club. Starting Jan 08, we will meet every Tuesday after school from 3:00-3:55pm for eight weeks—four Tuesdays in January and four Tuesdays in February. All skill levels are welcome!

It’s free and it’s fun. All we ask is that you register here. All skill levels are welcome. For more info contact:

Coach DK () or Mrs. Boerman (). 

A Family In Need

One of our families, Don and Susan Ver Hulst, had a chimney fire spread to their home in November. Thankfully, everyone is safe, but there is significant fire, water, and smoke damage. Many have asked about ways to help. To help them through this difficult time of great loss, we will be collecting gift cards in the office.

Meals For The Rauch Family

The Rauch family have 2 children at ACS and Teresa, the mom, has been diagnosed with ALS. Outside of coveting your prayers, the family could really use meals. We would love to provide them with two meals a week. The meal would need to feed 5-6 people. No allergies.

Sign up to make a meal and see what others are bringing. Meals may be delivered to the office and Brian Rauch will pick them up after school. If you have any questions, please contact Sara Uekert ().

LEGO Club

Let’s design, build and program  LEGO®  MINDSTORMS® robots!

In this club, club members will complete “missions” on a table-top playing field. Participation in the FIRST Lego®  League competition is not necessary.

Interested in LEGO programming? Sign up by Dec 20.

KIDS Program – Christmas Gift Cards

Today is the last day to order gift cards to receive them in time for Christmas.

Do you know that you can purchase gift cards and have a percentage of that purchase go directly to reduce your tuition bill? During the holidays, there are special low-denomination gift cards offered which are perfect for gifts. This is also a great time to stock up for birthdays and personal use. You can plan ahead and order for Black Friday also. In addition to physical gift cards, some retailers offer ScripNow eCards which can be printed from your computer almost immediately. Here is a list of some cards offered now:

Starbucks ($5 and $10 plastic cards and eCards) – 7%

Panera ($5 and $10 plastic cards and eCards) – 8%

Subway ($10 plastic cards) – 6%

Bath & Body Works ($10 plastic cards and eCards) – 12%

Chipotle ($10 plastic cards and eCards) – 10%

Buffalo Wild Wings ($10 plastic cards and eCards) – 8%

Taco Bell ($5 and $10 plastic cards) – 5%

Wendy’s ($10 plastic cards) – 6.5%

Barnes and Noble ($5 and $10 plastic and eCards) – 12.75% (bonus – regularly 8%)

Pizza Hut (plastic cards and eCards) – 8%

Arby’s ($10 plastic cards) – 8%

Celebration Cinema ($10 plastic cards) – 4%

Krispy Kreme ($10 plastic cards and eCards) – 8%

Steak ‘n Shake ($10 plastic cards and eCards) – 8%

If you are ordering physical gift cards, make sure to order by the end of today, Dec 12 to get these in time for Christmas. To enroll in the program, please go to: https://shop.shopwithscrip.com/Login/Enroll  The enrollment code for ACS is: 125B8695194.  

Have questions or need help? Please email ;

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. Everyone will play at least a couple games each session. We will all learn how to play tournament chess (with a clock) and have some tournaments. We will try as a club, for those who are able, to go to a tournament in February that is held at Hope College. Beating Mr. Hoo will earn you a special prize.

Whether you are a beginner or intermediate player, you will have a good time and be sipping hot chocolate as the cold winter winds howl outside. Two sections will be offered - one on Tuesdays and one on Wednesdays starting in Jan. Sign up  by Dec 20.

PTO Happenings

PTO Information

Looking for our calendar, information about upcoming events or opportunities to serve?  Check out our updated website.

ACS Athletics

PurePlay

1st-4th grade Pureplay Basketball clinics on Saturday.

Y5/K Basketball begins Jan 12

Calendar Reminders

Dec 13 – 5th-8th Grade Christmas Concert at 7:00

Dec 21 - All School Chapel

Dec 24 - Jan 04 - Christmas Break

Jan 07 - Back to School

Jan 17 & 18 – No Forest Hills PM Transportation

Jan 21 – No Forest Hills AM & PM Transportation

Jan 28 – No School