A Note From The Principal
Messy Joy
Upon walking into a kindergarten classroom the other day, I realized pretty quickly that their 3rd grade buddies were also there. On this particular day, they were creating their own paper mache bowls by using a plastic bowl as the template.
I heard 3rd grade students say, “It is your turn to put the next piece of paper on,” and kindergarten students say, “like this?” “That is perfect!” says the 3rd grader.
That bit of communication alone from an older student to a younger student was lost for about two years in our education system. The simple interchange that fosters that kind of relationship is back! Praise the Lord!
Maybe that seems like a small thing. It is. Yet, the ramifications that school systems have felt from the lack of social interaction has greatly impacted the effectiveness of broader learning.
We reclaim this partnership within our student body with great joy!
We cherish these moments of learning and crave for more to come!
This Week
MENistry
When: Friday’s at 8:00am
Where: Brody’s BE Café
What: Man in the Mirror book review
Who: ACS dads
Why: To be in community with other fathers of ACS students and grow deeper in Christ.
Questions? Contact Andy Anderson via text/call, 616-325-6116
Moms In Prayer
This week we’re praying for our 1st graders and their teachers. God Sustains - One who strengthens, supports, assists, or carries.
Scripture: "LORD, may Your hand sustain us; may Your arm strengthen us." - Psalm 89:21
We’re a group of Moms passionate about lifting up our kids and ACS faculty and staff in prayer — we pray every Thursday, 8:00-9:00am, in the front office. If you have any questions, give me a call (Kelly, 616.304.2963)
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:
- ABC, 123 Camp (Preschool)
- Animals of ACS (K-2nd)
- Art Camp (3rd-5th & 6th-8th)
- Basketball (5th/6th & 7th/8th)
- Bible Journaling (5th-8th)
- Camp Invention (K-6th, 7-8 Leaders in Training)
- Farm Club (2nd-8th)
- Forest Adventure Camp (2nd-8th)
- Little Tikes Art Camp (1st/2nd)
- OE Camp (Preschool)
- Volleyball (5th-8th)
Several Ada Christian teachers will be offering tutoring this summer. These tutoring sessions will be hosted at Ada Christian School.
- Elementary - Language Arts
- Elementary - Language Arts and Math
- Middle School - All Subjects
- PreAlgebra, Algebra & Geometry
- Private Lessons - Voice, Ukulele, Songwriting & String Lessons
World Down Syndrome Day
Next Monday we will be celebrating Down Syndrome Awareness Day. In addition to our Rock Your Socks, each student will be receiving a pair of Red Glasses to help spread awareness. Classes will either be watching one of these two videos or talking about the Red Glasses as a class, prior to Monday, the 21st. Here are the videos:
- Red Glasses Movement: You are the Future video presentation (approximately 9 minutes) is a more in depth look at Audrey's story, and the progress and mission of the movement. This video is intended for in-person or virtual presentations/meetings at schools, businesses, conferences, or organizations.
- Meet Red Glasses Movement video (3 minutes) is a great abridged peek into Red Glasses Movement and our mission. This video is well received on social media, email, in-person meetings and social events.
Thanks for your support in helping us spread awareness.
Dessert Theatre - Mar 24 & 25
ACS 8th grade presents: Schoolhouse Rock LIVE Jr. Dessert Theatre 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 24 and Mar 25 at 7:00pm. Today is the last day to buy tickets online! After today tickets will only be available at the door the night of the event.
Purchase tickets and join us for the fun!
March is Reading Month
Be sure to talk to your children about what’s going on this month. It’s a ton of fun when the month of March comes along! Here are some dates to know.
March 18 – Books & Blankets
Look for more information from your teachers about this one. Each grade level will be participating differently.
March 21 – World Down Syndrome Day
Students and staff are encouraged to wear mismatched socks. Different socks represent everyone’s differences and our differences are what makes us great!
Spring Book Fair
As part of March is Reading Month we are also hosting a Spring Book Fair. The dates of the fair are Thur, Mar 24 – Wed, Mar 30. The fair will be open each morning at 7:45 am and stay open all day until 3:30 pm. On Wed, Mar 30, the Book Fair closes at noon. Stop in to grab some good reads for Spring Break!
March Hot Lunch Menu
The March Menu is now available. Please review this with your children to plan which days they would like lunch.
Summer Covenant Care
Thank you for those who completed the Summer Covenant Care interest survey. Registration will open on Mar 30 along with the enrollment form.
Grand Friend's Day - May 06
Please have your Grand Friend's save the date for May 06. We will be sending home personalized invitations in the next couple of weeks.
Action Needed
Yearbook Advertisements
Interested in promoting your business in our school yearbook? We have several half page spots available. Email Dani Buchanan, gro.naitsirhcada@nanahcubd
Spring Program T-shirt
Each student in grades K-4 needs a t-shirt for the Spring Program. You may purchase these t-shirts here, orders are only final when payment is received. These orders are due Wed, Mar 16.
Become a Guest Gardener
At Ada Christian we are blessed with many great spaces for growing all varieties of plants: the greenhouse, hoophouse, summer garden, fall garden, perennial V garden, and even our prairie is a garden of sorts! We love these garden spaces for learning and just pure enjoyment. Part of that learning and enjoyment comes with taking care and maintaining these beautiful spaces. That’s where you come in! We’d love to invite you to get your hands dirty, dig into creation, and learn more about it… introducing: Guest Gardeners!
No matter what shade of green your thumb is, we'd love to have you join us any Friday morning starting this spring to plant, transplant, harvest, pull weeds, prune, and more. If you are interested or have questions please reach out to Reuben Sportel at gro.naitsirhcada@letropsr.
PTO Happenings
Staff Appreciation Week - Mar 14-Mar 18
We have the best staff around and it's almost that time of year when we get to shower them with extra love during Staff Appreciation Week March 14-18. Below is just a recommended calendar of when you or your kiddos can send in notes or small tokens of your appreciation to let them know their hard work is seen and appreciated.
March 14 - Administrative Staff/Facilities
March 15 - Homeroom Teachers
March 16 - Specials Teachers
March 17 - Bus Drivers
March 18 - Educational Support Staff
Don't forget, you can now access Staff Favorites on the right hand side of the family dashboard page. A full list of ACS Staff can be found in the directory or online.
Daddy Daughter Dance - Apr 22
We're looking for a few enthusiastic moms to help out at the Daddy Daughter Dance on Friday, April 22nd. Sign up here.
Mother Son Event - May 13
Friday, May 13 | 6:00 - 8:00pm, Fowling Warehouse Grand Rapids
Sign ups to come after Spring Break.
ACS Athletics
PurePlay
Track and Field Club
Wednesdays, April 20, 27, May 4, May 11 3:00-4:15pm
No cost.
K-4th graders
Parent volunteers are needed for help at stations.
“Tuesday Tennis”
May 3, 10, 17 and 24 3:00-4:15pm.
Cost: $25. Includes a t-shirt and 4 weeks of basic skill instruction.
Parent help is needed. If you help, the fee is waived for your child.
This is open to the first 24 students, 1st-4th grade.
To sign up, email Coach DK.
Baseball Coaches Needed
We are currently in need of 5/6 and 7/8 baseball coaches for this upcoming spring season. If you or someone you know may have any potential interest, please contact cmeyaard@adachristian.org for more information
Calendar Reminders
Mar 14-18 – Teacher Appreciation
Mar 24-25 – Schoolhouse Rock JR. Dessert Theatre
Apr 01-11 – No School (Spring Break)
Requested Announcements
Sports Physicals
Current 8th graders planning to play sports in high school in the 2022-23 school year need to have a MHSAA physical form on file with the high school athletic office before they are allowed to participate. A valid physical for 2022-23 must be completed any time after April 15, 2022. You may print out a physical form here. This form must be completed with all signatures in order to participate in sports in high school. You may attach your doctor’s office physical form for the doctor portion of this form but the parent portion and all signatures need to be completed on this form.
Looking Ahead
2022-2023 Calendar
Below is the calendar for next school year.
Aug 23 - First Day of School (Half Day, dismissal at 11:30am)
Sept 2-5 - No School (Labor Day)
Sept 26 - No School (Teacher In-Service)
Oct 19-23 - No School (CEA Convention)
Nov 23-27 - No School (Thanksgiving Break)
Dec 21 - Half Day, Dismissal at 11:30am
Dec 22-Jan 2 - No School (Christmas Break)
Jan 3 - School Resumes
Jan 16 - No School (Teacher In-Service)
Feb 16-20 - No School (Winter Break)
Mar 30-Apr 9 - No School (Spring Break)
Apr 10 - School Resumes
May 5 - Grand Friends Day (Half day, dismissal at 11:30am)
May 29 - No School (Memorial Day)
June 2 - Last Day (Half day, dismissal at 11:30am)