A Note From Principal Brower
Enjoying Our Exploratories
[IMAGE '781' /]Middle School students are enjoying a variety of activities during our Exploratory Week! Learning the art of illusion, aiding in our preschool program, programming robots and so more more.
China Feast Festivities
[IMAGE '779' /]Thank you Mr. DeKoster for the Chinese food demonstration for our China Feast. What made this year a bit more special than previous years? We were able to use one of our very own ACS eggs!
Pop Sockets For Sale
[IMAGE '778' /]ACS has our own Pop Sockets! See Sharon in the office to get yours, $10 each.
This Week
"Faith. Strong." Friday
[IMAGE '776' /]It's that time again. All students, staff and parents are encouraged to wear their ACS gear to school this week Friday, Feb 02.
Lost & Found
The lost will be in the front lobby on Friday, Feb 02. What is left at the end of the day will be boxed away. You can always check the lost and found which is located by the kitchen/music rooms.
Moms In Prayer
This week we will be praying for our administration, front office staff and school board. God is faithful. One who is reliable, constant, loyal, unwavering, steadfast and dependable.
"No temptation has overtaken you except what is common to mankind. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can endure it." -1 Cor. 10:13
If you can join us for prayer, we meet every Thursday morning 8:00-9:00am, in the ACS office back conference room. Younger siblings are always welcome! Need more information? Contact Kelly Stafford (616.304.2963, ten.tsacmoc@droffats-kj).
MENistry
Come join other dads in room 504 on Fridays at 8:00am as we explore our call to be faithful men of Christ. We will be dwelling with the Word in the Book of Luke this semester. Coffee and donuts provided. All ACS dads welcome!
Now You Know
Service Team Registration
All 3-5 graders are welcome to join Service Team this spring as we practice the virtue of service by meeting the needs of different populations including unborn children, school age children, teens, families, and the elderly. We plan to partner with local agencies including the PRC, Kids Food Basket, Young Lives, Family Promise and Heartland Home.
Space is limited and is on a first come, first serve basis. Please fill out the registration form and return to the school office by Feb 20 along with your $30 registration fee. Checks can be made out to ACS.
Meeting dates with be Tuesdays Feb 27 and Mar 06, 13, 20 and 27 from 3:00-5:00pm (snack will be provided).
Questions? Contact Sheila Hemker (708.212.2558, moc.liamg@rekmeh.aliehs)
Dyer-Ives Poetry Competition
The Dyer-Ives Poetry Competition was started in 1968 by poet James Allen at the urging of John Hunting, the founder of the Dyer-Ives Foundation, to encourage excellence in writing and to provide recognition for local work of high quality. The annual contest is open to poets ages 5 through adult who reside in Kent County. Submissions are accepted Feb 01 - Mar 01 and winners are selected in the spring. Winners selected in three age categories have their poems published in Voices, receive a cash award, and participate in a reading during the Festival of the Arts in June, held at the Main Library.
For more submission details and more information visit the Dyer-Ives website.
Winter Olympics Are Coming To ACS
[IMAGE '773' /]Every four years ACS joins with our nation and countries around the world in celebrating the Winter Olympics. This year the 2018 Winter Olympics will be held in PyeongChang, South Korea. The ACS Winter Olympics will take place on school grounds (only one event will be outside) from Monday, Feb 05 to Thursday, Feb 09. Closing ceremonies will be held on Friday, Feb 09 in the South Gym. Students in grades 1 through 8 will be on a team which will participate in 2 events each day. Floor Hockey, speed skating, curling, biathlon, bobsled and luge, are just some of the events that will take place.
Parent Volunteers – The True Olympians
We will need 28 parent volunteers to help each day of the ACS Winter Olympics Feb 05-Feb 09. We need 14 parent volunteers to help with 5th through 8th grade events from 11:45am-1:15pm and another 14 parent volunteers to help with 1st through 4th grade events from 1:00-2:30pm.
Please sign-up and Bruce Uekert will be in touch with you.
2018-2019 Calendar
Aug 23 – First ½ Day
Aug 31-Sept 03 – No School Labor Day
Sept 24 – No School In-Service Day
Oct 24-26 – No School - Teacher’s Convention
Nov. 21-23 – No School - Thanksgiving Break
Dec 24-Jan 04 – No School - Christmas Break
Jan 28 – No School - In-Service
Feb 22 & 25 – No School - Winter Break
Mar 28-Apr 05 – No School - Spring Break
May 03 – GrandFriends ½ Day
May 06 – No School In-Service
June 06 – 8th Grade Graduation
June 07 – Last ½ Day
Helpful Information From CSI
[IMAGE '774' /]On Dec 22, the US Congress passed the Tax Cut and Jobs Act. Beginning in 2018, changes to the law will now allow tax-advantaged college savings plans, known as 529s, to also cover up to $10,000 a year in K–12 public, private, and religious school expenses. These savings plans allow families to invest their after-tax money and, through compound interest, accrue earnings rapidly over time. Families pay no taxes on those interest earnings.
Action Needed
Kindergarten Intentions
If you intend to send your child to kindergarten for the 2018-2019 school year, please call the office or email Sharon DeJong (616.676.1289, gro.naitsirhcada@gnojeds) We need your child’s first, middle and last name and birthdate for the list we are building. We would also like to know if you prefer 5-day or progressive kindergarten.
There will be a parent orientation on Tuesday, Mar 13 at 7:00pm for parents only. On Thursday, Apr 12, plan on having your child visit for one hour. If your child turns 5 after June 1, 2018, he/she will need to be tested on Thursday, Apr 19. Sign up sheets will be at the orientation or in the office.
PTO Happenings
Parent Teacher Conference Help
Parent teacher conferences are coming up on Feb 15 & 22. To support our teachers during this long work day, we would like to provide them with dinner. We could use your help providing food.
Sign up to bring ingredients.
Bus Driver Appreciation
On Feb 16, ACS has the honor of showing appreciation to our bus drivers. It truly takes a village to care for our children and our bus drivers are a necessary part of this village. To make this event special for the bus drivers, we need your help! We need just one more egg dish.
Decoration Help Needed
[IMAGE '775' /] We need five people to help decorate for the Daddy Daughter Dance this Friday from 12:00-3:00pm.
Available to turn the commons into a jungle? Join us!
Amazing Adventure – Mother Son Event
[IMAGE '777' /]Come join us on Friday, Mar 02 and be ready for an Amazing Adventure designed to test your wits with team challenges, "Survivor" type puzzles, and creative games!
Tickets are on sale online or in the office. Couples tickets for $20 and family tickets for $30. Registration deadline Feb 22.
ACS Athletics
PurePlay
Volleyball for all! Co-ed Child/Parent Volleyball. Saturday, March 10, 9:00am-12:00pm Deadline to sign up: Feb 16.
Spring soccer sign ups have begun too.
Calendar Reminders
Feb 02 – Daddy Daughter Dance
Feb 15 – Parent Teacher Conferences
Feb 16 – No Forest Hills transportation for PM
Feb 22 – Parent Teacher Conferences
Feb 23 & 26 – No School - Winter Break
Mar 02 – Mother Son Event
Requested Announcements
Autism Spectrum Disorder: The New Developmental Melting Pot Or Distinct Disorder?
Thursday, Feb 22 at 7:00pm @ Calvin College Chapel Sanctuary, 1795 Knollcrest Circle SE, Grand Rapids
Join Dr. Erin Seif for an informative conversation about autism spectrum disorder (ASD). You’ll learn about:
• The prevalence of autism in the U.S.
• Diagnostic criteria, referrals and types of ASD evaluations
• Educational and health care services for individuals with ASD
RSVP for this free community event at www.MSUYourHealthLecture.com or 616.234.2694
CSI Marketing Manager
Christian Schools International is seeking a qualified candidate for a full time position to serve as Marketing Manager to implement and maintain marketing strategies to meet its organizational objectives. This person will be responsible for effective management of the marketing, advertising, and promotional activities of the organization. Please see the CSI website (www.csionline.org) for job details and contact information. Deadline for applications is Feb 02.