A Note From The Principal

Classroom Goals

Goals.

Why do we set goals?

Why do we put things like this in front of our students and ourselves?

I think it gives us something to strive for. I think it is also Biblical in the sense that idle hands are not good. We need to be able to look forward to something.

We feel better about ourselves as we accomplish goals/plans and if we are true to God’s calling on our lives, we understand that feeling a sense of purpose and realizing our potential, if directed toward God, are all acts of worship. Every square inch belongs to Christ. Who we are and what we do matters to Him. The same is true to those we are in relationship with every day.

What goals/plans do you have for yourself? Do you pray about them? 

Commit those plans to God and see where He leads you.

This Week

"Faith. Strong." Friday - Mar 03

It's that time again! Wear your ACS gear to school on Friday. We also have many extra theme t-shirts that will be available in the front lobby at no cost. Feel free to grab a shirt for your kid(s) or yourself and celebrate ACS!

Moms In Prayer - Thursday Morning

Join us for Moms in Prayer Thursday, March 02 from 8:00-9:00am in the back ACS conference room. Our attribute this week is "God is our Friend". We will be praying specifically for our 1st graders and their teachers. Contact Kristen Yeh (616-307-2488) with any questions. Younger siblings are always welcome!

Action Needed

2023-2024 K-8 Enrollment Now Open 

Please follow the instructions below and do not hesitate to reach out if you have questions. We are excited to partner with you! We ask that you complete the online enrollment form by Fri, March 03.

To complete the enrollment form for 2023-2024:

1. Log into PowerSchool using your web browser.
2. Click on "Forms" in the left navigation menu.
3. Complete the relevant forms.

There is a Tuition & Grants section on the form.

• The first TUITION amount you see is the calculation for the “Requested” or “Full Cost” amount of tuition.
• In the GRANT section, thanks to the generous, ongoing support of the ACS Education Foundation and our annual fundraising efforts, you will see the maximum grant amount you may accept towards your tuition. The grants are available for all families. Families that are able to pay the “Requested” or “Full Cost” of tuition will receive a charitable receipt for the difference (Thank You!).
• For families needing tuition assistance, you may complete an online application through FACTS, by May 05. Qualifying families will be notified of the assistance amounts no later than June and adjustments to your tuition total will be made at that time.

Covenant Care registration is also open at this time. If your family wishes to have Covenant Care for your K-5 student(s), please fill out the Covenant Care form.

We have worked hard to ensure our online enrollment process will go well for our families; however, we realize you may have questions during this process. Please do not hesitate to contact us if you have any questions or concerns.

Now You Know

Summer Camps & Tutoring

Every year it seems like our list of summer opportunities grows even bigger! Led by ACS teachers camp activities will ordinarily take place at ACS unless special approval has been granted. This summer we will offer the following camps:

• Animal Adventure Camp (Preschool-1st)
• Art Camp (3rd-5th & 6th-8th)
• Bible Journaling (5th-9th)
• Farm Club (2nd-8th)
• Forest Adventure Camp (2nd-8th)
• Little Tikes Art Camp (1st&2nd)
• Preschool Camp (Preschool)
• Spiritual Retreat (Middle School Girls)

Several Ada Christian teachers will be offering tutoring this summer. These tutoring sessions will be hosted at Ada Christian School.

• Elementary - Reading and Writing
• Elementary - Language Arts and Math
  
• Language Arts
• Middle School - All Subjects
• PreAlgebra, Algebra & Geometry
• Private Lessons - Voice, Ukulele, Songwriting & String Lessons

Details, Dates & Signups

Summer Covenant Care

In Summer Covenant Care students will experience the summer alongside friends and participate in enriching activities. Care will be available Mon-Thurs, June 12-August 10.

Sign up

Faith Forward

Under the direction of the Board of Trustees (BOT), we are now in the early stages of executing an Advancement Campaign that will help us accomplish several important objectives:

• To meet the demands of our growing student support services program, better utilize our existing core facilities and make critical renovations and updates to our existing 20-year-old school building. 
• To meet the demands of our current student body and support expected future growth. 
• Continue our investment into the endowment for ACS which provides essential support for our school. 
• Continue our commitment to reducing the cost of tuition for all ACS families in order to ensure a quality Christian education for those that desire. 

With that said, much prayerful consideration by the Board of Trustees and Administrative Leadership on how to minimize the impact of the current learning environment for our children has been prioritized. During spring break, construction will begin in what is considered as the “core” of our campus -  the library and commons areas. 

In the Spring of 2022, the BOT approved a master plan and furthermore this particular initiative to accommodate the immediate needs of our students, with the goal of completion by fall of the 2023-2024 academic year.  

This is not an endeavor that has been taken lightly. You will be provided an opportunity to participate in this effort in the months ahead, as we continue to equip students for service in God's world for this generation and generations to come. 

Under the leadership of the Board of Trustees and our Administration, a Campaign Cabinet has been working on refining our Advancement Campaign to ensure the continued financial stability and future of our school. We are excited to share this with you as we continue to plan for the future. 

In prayer and on behalf of the Board of Trustees, 
ACS Administration

Parent's Night Out - Mar 17

The 8th grade class will be hosting a “Parent’s Night Out” for students of ACS 4th grade and under on Friday, March 17. From 5:30-8:00pm you can drop your child(ren) off at school and 8th grade students will be playing games in the gyms, making crafts in the commons and having a great time with your kids.

The donations raised will go towards the 8th grade class trip. If you’re interested in bringing your child(ren) please register by March 15.

Thank you,
8th Grade Students and Teachers

ACS 8th Grade Presents: Frozen Jr. - Mar 23 & 24

The 8th grade musicial has been an important part of our school for many years. It is a wonderful community event and we hope that you can join us. Come for one or both nights, Mar 23 and Mar 24 at 7:00pm.

Purchase tickets and join us for the fun!

Author Visit - Kelly DiPucchio

We are excited to welcome bestselling children’s author Kelly DiPucchio to celebrate March is Reading Month. 

Date: Monday, March 27
Time: 1:00-1:50pm – Young 5’s-2nd grade
2:00-2:50pm – 3rd & 4th grade 
Location: Our very own ACS Library 
Book Order: There will be an opportunity to pre-order from a select list of Mrs. DiPucchio’s most loved books. On Wed, March 1, please look for a colorful paper order form to come home with your child. Book orders will be due the following Monday, March 6th, checks payable to ACS, please.
Book Signing: Each book will come with an authentic author signature, personalized with your child’s first name.  

Parents invited!  We’ll have coffee!

What could be better than a cozy school library, a cup of warm coffee and the joy of listening to a children’s author for the afternoon?  We hope to see you there!

March is Reading Month

Today kicks off "March is Reading Month" at ACS. For the next 31 days we have so much planned. Here are some highlights as well as other opportunities for literacy fun!

ACS Events

• Mystery Readers - Students watch read-alouds narrated by staff members. However, their voices have been altered! It’s up to our kiddos to guess who is reading.
• Read My Shirt Day is Friday, March 10. Everyone is encouraged to wear a shirt or sweatshirt for the rest of us to read.
• KDL presenters - A representative from our local library will come to school and share great stories.
• Storytellers on Friday, March 24. Students from Grand Rapids Christian High School who compete in storytelling events will weave tales for our listening ears.
• DEAR and Buddies & Books - All month long, Thursdays are an opportunity for classes to make their way to the library and DEAR (Drop Everything And Read) and read books with their buddies
• AUTHOR VISIT - Kelly DiPucchio will be at ACS on Monday afternoon, March 27. More details are in the Ada Connection 

Other Opportunities

• The Whitecaps Community Foundation has a Reading Club for children between the grade levels of kindergarten and sixth grade. Students who complete the reading objective of 15 minutes per day for 20 days during March is Reading Month will receive the opportunity to attend a West Michigan Whitecaps home game for FREE! Each student can earn two free tickets.Forms for the program will be coming home today. More forms can be found in the office.
• To help encourage young readers, LMCU’s Reading Adventure challenges kids to read at least five books during March Reading Month, with a chance to win $100. Winners will be drawn by April 14, 2023.
  • March 1—31, 2023
  • Open to children 12 and under
  • Read at least five books to enter
  • Entry forms can be found online or picked up at your local branch
  • Entries must be submitted by March 31, 2023

Goat Kidding Help Needed

Seeking Goat-Loving ACS Parents for Kidding Crew 2023!

Love baby goat kids? Want to spend some time in the goat barn this spring? We are seeking 7-10 volunteers who want to help the herd this kidding season. You'll keep an eye on the live goat cam on your assigned days in May and notify your fellow OE team & other parent volunteers if you see any signs of labor. You'll be the first to meet the baby goats--and maybe even help bring them into the world! Interested in learning more? Contact Leah Sienkowski (returning/interim Farm Manager) at gro.naitsirhcada@ikswokneisl / 616.780.7401

Hot Lunch - March Menu

The March Hot Lunch Menu is here! Take some time to review the menu as a family and plan for each day. 

Whatcha Doin' Out There!?

Even in the winter we have been busy in Outdoor Education! See what we've been up to so far this year. 

ACS-TRIP

ACS-TRIP credit has been applied to your FACTS account for those who have been participating in the program.  A few points to remember:
1.  Tuition Credit runs from March 1, 2022 - Feb 28, 2023
2.  A 1% Face Value or 25% Rebate Fee (whichever is less to you) will be deducted from your credit amount for Program fees.
3.  If you have paid your tuition is currently paid in FULL, credits will be applied to any remaining fees for this year.  Any additional credit remaining will roll into next year's tuition.
4.  No refunds are issued for remaining credits.

If you have any additional questions, please feel free to contact me at gro.naitsirhcada@sdik

Marcia McEvoy Parent Workshop - Mar 14

Save the date for the evening of March 14 for a workshop with

Helping Kids Get Along at School: What Parents Can Do to Create a Culture of Kindness and Reduce Student Unkind Behavior

Presenter: Marcia McEvoy, Ph.D. 
March 14, 2023
6:30pm - Ada Christian School 

All parents are encouraged to attend. To help us prepare, we ask that you register for this free seminar. Questions? Please contact the office.

ACS Athletics

PurePlay

Track and Field

Who? ACS 1st-4th graders
What? High jump, long jump, shot put, relays, dashes, runs…
When? Wednesdays, April 19, 26, May 3, 10   3:15-4:15
Where? The ACS track
Why?   Because it is fun and exercise is good!
How can you help?  Coach DK needs Parent Volunteers to help at stations.  You may sign up to help at 1, 2, 3, or all 4 events. 
How do you sign up?  Sign up your child and yourself to volunteer by emailing Coach DK, (gro.naitsirhcada@enielkeds)   
There is no charge for this program.  Deadline:  April 12

Spring soccer signups are now open:
Saturdays: April 15-May 20.
9:00-10:00am or 10:30-11:30 am (rotates weekly) 
Cost: $50-$70 per student

1st-4th grade will have one practice during the week. Day/Time TBD by coaches. Please consider coaching.

Spring Soccer Sign-up

Deadline Mar 17.

Calendar Reminders

2022-2023 Calendar

Mar 03 - Enrollment Due
Mar 03 - 2nd Trimester Ends
Mar 13-17 - Teacher/Staff Appreciation Week
Mar 23&24 - 8th Grade Musical: Frozen Jr.
Mar 28 - Annual Society Meeting
Mar 29 - All School Chapel
Mar 30-Apr 9 - Spring Break (No School)

Requested Announcements

Brody's BE Cafe

Drink Special at Brody’s Be Cafe in Ada Village: For the month of March, ACS families are encouraged to try Brody’s Be Cafe. Mention the word, “Alex” and get BOGO free drinks! Including our amazing smoothies which kids LOVE. Skip Starbucks and support Brody’s local mission to employ individuals with disabilities! 

Now open until 8pm on Mondays!

Mon 7:30am-8:00pm
Tues-Fri 7:30am-3:00pm
Sat 9:00am-12:00pm
Closed Sundays