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Ada Connection – Feb 26, 2020

A Note From Principal Brower

  • Bittersweet

This Week

  • Parent Teacher Conference Schedule - Feb 27 
  • Moms In Prayer
  • MENistry

Now You Know

  • Lenten Links
  • Hot Lunch - March Menu
  • New Faith Strong Club - "Girl Drama"
  • Camp Invention
  • 2020-2021 Calendar
  • Unicycle Club
  • Mother Son Event presented by MENistry

Action Needed

  • Kindergarten Round-Up

PTO Happenings

  • School Party - Indoor Ice Skating
  • Recess Help - Feb 27

ACS Athletics

  • PurePlay

Calendar Reminders

Requested Announcements

A Note From Principal Brower

Bittersweet

Bittersweet: a combination of both bitter and sweet, or an emotional feeling that is a mixture of both happy and sad. 

 It is with bittersweet emotions that I am sharing the news that two of our amazing ACS teachers are going to enter the wonderful world of retirement after this school year. So...let’s be sure to enjoy the time we have left with Denise Wilbur (1st) and Judy Alphenaar (3rd). Ways for you to be involved in wishing Mrs. Wilbur and Mrs. Alphenaar farewell will be shared at a later time

Their decision to retire has led to a little shifting of positions within our school.

After serving middle school students for 17 years at ACS, Mrs. Koetje is going to move from her current 56er Language Arts position and return to where her teaching experience began - elementary! The 56er Team will miss her greatly, but we are also happy to know Mrs. Alphenaar's classroom will continue being a place where kids are inspired to do their best as they learn about creation and our Creator.

If you or someone you know would be a great fit at ACS for either of the following positions, the following links will give more detail on how to apply.

1st Grade Teaching Position
5th/6th Grade Language Arts Teaching Position

This Week

Parent Teacher Conference Schedule – Feb 27

Review the conference schedule for Feb 27.

Parents of students in middle school will have the opportunity to visit with each of their student’s teachers in the commons. No sign up is necessary for Middle School. Feb 27 the teachers will be available from 4:30-7:30pm.

Moms In Prayer

We’re praying for our administrative and front office staff and ACS board this week. God is our confidence - One in whom we believe; have assurance; trust or reliance.

"Do not let us throw away our confidence (in You); may it be richly rewarded. Help us persevere so that when we have done the will of God, we will receive what You have promised. " - Hebrews 10:35-36

We’re a group of Moms (aunts/grandmas) passionate about lifting up our kids and ACS faculty and staff in prayer. We meet every Thursday morning at 8:00-9:00am, in the orchestra room (through the Commons and straight past the kitchen). Younger siblings are always welcome! Come join us for the journey when you can. 

Need more information? Contact Kelly Stafford (616.304.2963, )

MENistry

Come join other ACS dads on Wednesdays at 8:00am as we go through C.S. Lewis The Screwtape Letters. We meet in the orchestra room.

Now You Know

Hot Lunch – Mar Menu

The March hot lunch menu is now available. Please review this with your child(ren).

New Faith Strong Club – "Girl Drama"

"Girl Drama” is a group of young women who come together to have fun, act out stories, and learn to do it all with confidence in the Lord and in themselves! Students will be learning about who Jesus says they are-- finding their identity in Him first-- and then integrating that with the joy of acting and storytelling-- finding their identity as a skilled, worshipful actress/performer. In “Girl Drama,” we will be doing character studies of several women in Shakespeare’s stories, and then recreating particular scenes from Shakespeare plays-- giving the girls an opportunity to explore a rich and complicated text, become familiar (and confident) with the language, as well as play wild and extraordinary characters of all kinds! 

Leader: Sophia Medawar

Who: Students in grades 5-8th 

Where: Music room 

When:  Tues & Thurs, 3:00-4:00pm (March 03-31)

(After the first 15 have signed up a waiting list will be formed and a second session will be considered.) 

Fee: $50 

Other details: ACS athletics should take precedence over club activities if practice/game conflicts occur. Each student will get an after school snack. ACS Faith Strong Registration

Please complete and return this form to the office with $50 by Tuesday, Mar 03 Checks payable to Sophia Medewar. Club limited to first 15 participants. 

Camp Invention

In partnership with the National Inventors Hall of Fame® (NIHF), we are pleased to offer the nationally acclaimed Camp Invention® program to children entering kindergarten through sixth grade. This exciting, weeklong summer adventure provides lessons that explore connections between science, technology, engineering and innovation. Children rotate through several hands-on activities each day while using teamwork, creative thinking and problem-solving skills to invent unique solutions to real-world challenges. The week begins on June 15-June 18 with Dani Buchanan serving as Director of the all-new 2020 program, Elevate!

 During this program, young innovators will:

  • Build a cityscape out of upcycled materials, navigate planes through a storm and take apart a robot they’ll bring home at the end of the program.
  • Learn the value of their creativity as they sketch and build prototypes, design logos, market their invention and protect their intellectual property.
  • Collaborate and discover solutions to protect the Earth’s ecosystems as they compete in zipline races, explore energy conservation and help wildlife habitats.
  • Discover the great inventors behind their favorite sports, play high-energy games and design the ultimate sports complex.

Camp Invention’s activities give participants the opportunity to explore, create and build confidence as they bring their biggest ideas to life.

Register using promo code SUM25 to save $25 (expires Mar 31) off the $245 registration fee. Availability is limited. Visit invent.org/camp or call 800-968-4332 to secure your child’s spot today! 

Questions? Contact Dani Buchanan ()

2020-2021 Calendar

Here is a preview of our school calendar for the 2020-2021 school year:

Aug 25 – First Day (Half Day)

Sept 04-Sept 07 – No School (Labor Day)

Sept 28 – No School (In-Service Day)

Oct 21-23 – No School (Teacher’s Convention)

Nov 25-29 – No School (Thanksgiving Break)

Dec 19-Jan 03 – No School (Christmas Break)

Jan 18 – No School (In-Service Day)

Feb 18-Feb 22 – No School (Winter Break)

Apr 02-12* – No School (Spring Break) - *Please note, we will start Spring Break on Friday, Apr 02 and return on Tuesday, Apr 13.

May 07 – GrandFriends (Half Day)

May 10 – No School (In-Service Day)

Jun 08 – 8th Grade Graduation

Jun 09 – Last Day (Half Day)

Unicycle Club

The ACS Unicycle Club is for 1st-8th grade students who would like to learn how to ride a unicycle or progress in other unicycle skills. We are offering the club one last time this school year.

We will meet the first four Tuesdays in March after school from 3:05-4:00pm starting on Tuesday, Mar 03.

We provide the unicycles, and you provide the rider. The club will be capped at 20 members. Although unicycles are provided, you may bring your own if you prefer.

The cost is $15. Sign up online. If you are registering multiple children, please fill out an individual form for each one.

Members will be admitted on a first come, first served basis. Students who have not participated in a previous Unicycle Club will be given priority. If the club reaches capacity, a waiting list will be started. Questions? Contact Lois Boerman ()

Mother Son Event presented by MENistry

Friday, Mar 13 6:00-9:00pm

Moms – please sign up for the annual mother-son event and come prepared to have a blast with your son as you roller skate, bowl, and play laser tag at Roll Away in Lowell. 

Password: motherson

The online sign-up is through Eventbrite, a 3rd party vendor that charges a percentage per ticket.  If you do not wish to pay the additional $2.24 for the online ticket, feel free to stop by the front office to register and pay for the event. Each individual signing up to attend requires their own individual sign up. Each person attending receives an amazing Mother-Son T-shirt, with the artwork created by an ACS student. This is an amazing deal! Roller skating, bowling, laser tag, and a t-shirt - all for just $10!

In order for us to make sure we order the appropriate t-shirt sizes, we need each mother and each son to sign up and purchase tickets individually. The online and in-person signup will be available up until noon Mar 12. We WILL accept last minute decisions – wrist bands can be purchased at the door on the night of the event. However, anyone that signs up after Mar 02 will not be guaranteed a t-shirt that fits, as our generous t-shirt donor needs a ten day advance notice for custom shirt sizes. 

Volunteers needed! Dads, come support your wife and son at this great event and help us work the bowling alley and laser tag lines, pass out skates, and sell concessions.  Sign up to volunteer.

Action Needed

Kindergarten Parent Information Night

2020- 2021 Kindergarten Parents: Come to Kindergarten Information Night on Tue, Mar 10 at 7:00-8:00pm  in the commons. This is for parents only. During this time you will need to sign up your future kindergartener for visiting on Thur, Apr 16 at 8:30–9:30am, 10:00–11:00am, or 12:00–1:00pm. Testing must be done if your child turns 5 after June 1, 2020. The time for that is Thur, Apr 23 from 8:30–9:30am or 9:45-10:45am. If you are not able to come to the orientation night, please stop in the office before Mar 10 and sign up your child to visit and pick up a folder with papers that need to be filled out and return on Apr 16. If you have not signed up for kindergarten for the fall yet please call Sharon DeJong at 616-676-1289 or soon as possible.

PTO Happenings

School Party – Indoor Ice Skating

Friday Feb 28
11:00am-12:50pm
Patterson Ice Center - Indoor Open Skate
Adults $5 Children $4 (12 and under) Ice skate rental $3

Put on a warm hat and lace up a pair skates and have fun with friends!

Recess Help – Feb 27

Looking for a way to bless our hard working teachers during PT Conferences? Covering Recess Duty is a great way to help! This gives them those precious extra moments to prepare, or even just to take a small mental break without managing a playground full of sweet but rambunctious kiddos. 

This is such a great opportunity for those who can't commit to a full year-long recess schedule - you get to jump in and bless the teachers, plus it's an extra chance to see your child in action on the playground.  That's always a special treat for them. Please take a quick moment to check out the sign up page and claim your spot! 

Have time to serve? Sign-up for a recess slot.

Thank you so much for your support,
Your PTO

Athletics

PurePlay

Spring soccer signups are now open. 

Unicycle club begins next week Tuesday, 3:00-4:00pm.

Calendar Reminders

Feb 27 -  Parent Teacher Conferences  4:30-7:30pm
Feb 28 - Winter Break - No School
Mar 02 - Winter Break - No School
Mar 10 - New Kindergarten Parent Information Night - Commons at 7:00pm
Mar 13 - No Forest Hills PM Transportation 
Mar 26 & 27 - Dessert Theater 
Mar 31 - Annual Society Meeting - Commons at 7:00
Apr 02 - Apr 12 - No School - Spring Break

Requested Announcements

Camp Roger‘s Get Outside Day

We invite you to sign up your 1st-5th grade students for Camp Roger Get Outside Day on Friday, Apr 03 from 8:30am-3:15pm.  This will be a day filled with a variety of hands-on outdoor adventures (some of which are weather dependent) that may include topics like water and wetlands study, GPS and orienteering, adventure and problem solving, survival and shelters, and more.  Groups will be divided up by age, and each group will spend time with Camp Roger Outdoor Education staff exploring the outdoors through various activities. The cost of the event is just $35 for the day. For more information please go to camproger.org and find the link on our homepage. 

Register now!