A Note From The Principal

Gathering Time Reflections

Most Wednesday mornings I get to attend and participate in Gathering Time with our 1st-4th graders. Knowing that Holy Week occurs during Spring Break, we seized the opportunity to sing songs about Christ’s death and resurrection this week since there is an all-school chapel next week. 

I look at our students as Mrs. Vruwink speaks to them and wonder what they are thinking. They appear to be listening. They appear to respond. Is the Holy Spirit moving in their heart? Will that come out later in the day in how they treat each other?

As a Christian school, it is an honor and privilege to share the Good News of the Gospel. Some say it is our “job.” When I hear that, I cringe a bit mainly because when I see our teachers share Jesus with our students, it comes from their heart. It isn’t their job. It is who they are and reflects their calling to this profession at this school for such a time as this.

Yet, being intentional with how we plan Christ-centered lessons and being certain of teaching from a Reformed perspective does require purposeful thought. 

Thank you for entrusting your child(ren) to us. We are excited to partner with you!

This Week

Moms In Prayer - Thursday Morning

Join us for Moms in Prayer Thursday, March 23 from 8:00-9:00am in the back ACS conference room. Our attribute this week is "God is Gracious". We will be praying specifically for our 4th graders and their teachers. Contact Kristen Yeh (616-307-2488) with any questions. Younger siblings are always welcome.

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

The 8th grade musical 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.

You can purchase tickets online through tonight otherwise there will be tickets available at the doors. 

Action Needed

Society Meeting 

Dear ACS Society Members
The Ada Christian (ACS) Board of Trustees cordially invites you to participate in the annual, prerecorded ACS Society Meeting on Tuesday, March 28, 2023. The purpose of the meeting is to formally approve the 2023-2024 school budget, provide a voting deadline for new Board of Trustees candidates and celebrate God’s faithfulness to our school. 

Accompanying this notification, you will find the following:  

• The proposed 23-24 budget.
• A biographical sketch of each Board of Trustees candidate to allow ample time to review and vote on candidates.
• An electronic ballot that is due by 6:00pm on March 28th.

A link to the meeting will be sent out by 8:00am on March 28th. During the meeting we will also have the opportunity to celebrate a number of faculty and staff for their years of faithful service to our school and for their continued partnership in educating our children for service in God’s world. Participation is highly encouraged. Thank you for your continued support of Ada Christian School.

In Him,

Michael Hollander
Ada Christian School Board President

Moving Help! 

In preparation for the core renovations starting April 1, we could use volunteers to help us move boxes and furniture. Please consider volunteering to help us. 

Now You Know

Student Relations

ACS uses a discipline process designed by Dr. Marcia McEvoy to assist in the consistency of consequences for unkind behavior. Attached below are the various rubrics for each grade level. 

K-2

3-4

5-8

March is Reading Month

For the month of March 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 24. Everyone is encouraged to wear a shirt or sweatshirt for the rest of us to read.
• 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

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 

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!

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

March Hot Lunch Menu

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

PTO Happenings

Staff Appreciation Week - Thank You!

A big thanks to all the parents that left the house a little earlier last week or came in mid-day to bring our teachers and staff breakfast or lunch.Your efforts were greatly appreciated.

A very special "Thank You" to Kim Laufer for her creative and delicious snacks and staff luncheon last week. Kim has single handedly blessed our teachers with countless meals during conferences and staff appreciation throughout the years. Her labors of love will be dearly missed next year!!!

Join the PTO

If you've been looking for a way to get more involved and serve the ACS community, then consider joining the PTO. We currently have openings for a secretary and treasurer for the 2023-2024 school year. No experience necessary! For more information email gro.naitsirhcada@otp

Mother Son Event - April 14

Mother-Son Event at Craig's Cruisers- April 14, 6:00pm-9:00pm

Start your engines and get ready for an evening of action-packed fun and food at this year's Mother-Son Event. Tickets are $18/per person or $56/family and include:

• 3 Attractions
• $10 Arcade
• Buffet (3 hours)

Sign-ups available in the office until April 12. Hope to see you there!

Please email questions to pto@adachristian.org

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

Soccer

Rosters will be sent out before spring break.
First event: Saturday, April 15 Girls @ 9:00; Boys @ 10:30.

Calendar Reminders

2022-2023 Calendar

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