A Note From The Principal
Stay in the Bubble?
Recently, I heard a parent say that they want their child to be in a bubble at ACS. What I understand that person to mean is that they want their child safe, protected, loved, free from the yuck of the world and the dangers that seem to be all around us. I can get behind that for sure.
Yet, I also wonder about what a teacher at a previous school said, “We shouldn’t want the bubble, we should prepare the bootcamp.” It was something along those lines anyway. That person realized that no matter how hard we tried to hold onto the bubble, eventually it would burst. In those instances, are our students ready for the realities that are out there? Are they prepared to defend their faith and stand on God’s Promises like we learned last year? Will they be Clothed in Christ when others aren’t showing them the Fruit of the Spirit?
What is my point? Why can’t we do both?
Let’s provide a bubble as best we can by looking through all curriculum, all scenarios, and all of life with the reformed lens, a loving view like Christ did, and does, for us. No one is perfect on this earth, but if our bootcamp is founded on Christian principles we will be prepared for the times when our bubble bursts. So, crave the bootcamp, the preparation, more than the bubble, because ultimately our values and mission center around Christ, how that permeates our mind, body, and soul in Christian community.
This Week
Moms In Prayer
Join us for a Moms in Prayer Thursday, Sept 15 from 8:00-9:00am in the back ACS conference room. Our attribute this week is "God is our comfort." We will be praying for preschool, covenant care and kindergarten staff and students. Contact Kristen Yeh (616-307-2488) with any questions. Younger siblings are always welcome.
Sailor Serve
South Christian High School students will be on campus on Thursday, September 15, 2022, as part of their annual service project they choose to do. We are blessed to be able to accommodate approximately 60 students to help us in our classrooms as well as on our grounds. We hope this is the beginning of a long-standing tradition where our students get to see high school students be the hands and feet of Jesus.
Now You Know
Spirit Shop
Get into the ACS spirit! Our Spirit Shop is open once again for a limited time. Take a look at the ACS gear we have available for purchase. The Spirit shop will be open until Friday, Sept 16.
Theme T-shirts
22-23 theme t-shirts are now available for purchase. Please submit your order by Thursday, Sept 22. These shirts will be sent home with your oldest child in mid-October once they are printed.
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 their unicycle skills. We are offering the first club of the school year during the month of October.
We will meet the four Tuesdays in October after school from 3:05pm-4:00pm starting on Tuesday, Oct 4.
We provide the unicycles, and you provide the rider. The club will be capped at around 20 members. Unicycles are provided for anyone who does not own one.
The cost is $30 for new riders and $10 for returning club members who can ride on their own and will be bringing their own unicycle. Sign-up online. If you are registering multiple children, please fill out an individual form for each child.
Members will be admitted on a first come, first served basis. If the club reaches capacity, a waiting list will be started. Questions? Contact:
Mrs. Boerman (gro.naitsirhcada@namreobl) or Coach DK (gro.naitsirhcada@enielkeds).
Literati Book Club
The Book Fair will start on Wednesday, October 12. More on that later.
Protect Young Eyes - Oct 03
You are invited on Oct 03 at 6:30pm for a special parent presentation from Protect Young Eyes, titled the Digital Culture of Kids. Protect Young Eyes will be meeting separately with our 56ers and 78ers during the day for an age appropriate presentation about healthy use of technology.
After 7+ years, over 1,500 presentations, testifying in front of Congress, and countless conversations with parents, students, educators, and officers, Protect Young Eyes has discovered that parental controls alone don’t work and instead, there are 5 traits that often determine digital success in many families. They are called the 5 traits the Digital Trust Framework. What is Digital Trust? Do you have it? How does it apply to conversations about social media? Pornography? YouTube? TikTok? This fast-paced talk will use stories, simple examples, and quick tips that will give your family immediate actions.
Our desired outcomes include:
- A deep understanding of how to build Digital Trust in your family.
- Awareness of the hardware and software tools that support your digital goals.
- How to use practical solutions so that your family is prepared, balanced, and protected online.
To help us prepare, we ask that you register for this free seminar.
Tech Time Talk
Digital Citizenship also involves finding a healthy balance with technology. Common Sense Media offers resources for Family Engagement, with some conversation starters.
This week, the focus of the conversation is on media balance. The goal is to have meaningful conversations with your children about their digital life.
Week 3:
- Responsible Decision Making in Digital Life (K-2)
- Responsible Decision Making in Digital Life Digital Life (3-5)
Fun with Elementary (K-4) Recess
Looking for a way to get involved? At lunch recess (12:05pm-12:30pm & 12:30pm-1:00pm) four parent volunteers are needed daily. On Fridays we also need four people for morning recess (9:55am-10:15am).
Younger siblings may join parents for this volunteer opportunity. Sign up for K, 3rd & 4th grade recess or 1st & 2nd grade recess.
If you have any questions about volunteering for elementary recess, please email Sharon DeKleine, sdekleine@adachristian.org
Foundation Dinner - Nov 10, 2022
Action Needed
Parent Teacher Conferences - Oct 17 & 18
Please complete the Parent Teacher Conference Form with your preference of nights by Wed, Sept 28.
Hot Lunch - Sept Menu
The lunch menu for September is now available, please take time to review this as a family.
Please note that starting after labor day there will be two lunch options each day, one hot and one cold.
Students place their orders each morning for that day and deductions are made from their lunch account. Before your student can order lunch, an account must be created on Meal Magic. Visit adachristian.org/hotlunch for details or to apply for lunch assistance.
Parking Lot Reminders
When dropping off and picking students up, we have many people on campus at the same time.
As a reminder the car loops are for preschool parents only from 2:35-2:50pm. If you arrive earlier than 2:50pm for K-8 pickup please wait in the lot until preschool pickup has finished.
Parent Class Coffees
Moms and dads - join us and meet fellow parents of your child’s classmates! It only takes an hour, and it is a great way to connect with other parents. Led by our Promotions Committee, we will meet from 8:00am-9:00am in the outdoor “WoodshED” for coffee, refreshments, devotions, and time to chat.
Parent Class Coffee dates to pencil in:
Sept 19 Kindergarten (all sections)
Sept 20 First and Second Grades
Sept 21 Third and Fourth Grades
PTO Happenings
Upcoming Fundraisers
In less than two weeks we'll kick off our Charleston Wrap fundraiser. This is the first of just two PTO fundraisers we depend on to raise funds that support our teachers and students in preschool through 8th grade. You may not be ready to turn on the Christmas music, but it's never too early to get a jump start on that Christmas shopping. In addition to the beloved heavy-duty reversible wrapping paper, you'll find a variety of gifts sure to please everyone on your gift list. You get to knock out your Christmas shopping while giving back to our students and teachers. That's what we call a win-win. For a sneak peek, please click on the link below.
Support the PTO
In addition to our fall and spring fundraisers below are two easy ways to support the PTO throughout the year.
Box Tops
Buy participating products and use the Box Tops app to scan your store receipt. The app identifies eligible products and earnings are credited to your designated school online. Even if you’re shopping online or doing grocery pickup, you can still submit your digital or email receipt with the Box Tops app and earn. Twice a year, our school gets a check!
Direct Your Dollars
Do you shop at D&W, Forest Hills Foods, or Family Fare? If so, please save your receipts! SpartanNash gives Ada Christian School a $1,000 check for each $150,000 in receipts collected.
The money earned through this program goes directly back to our students through the PTO. Ask your family and friends to save receipts too! Every little bit helps. Receipts can be turned in at the ACS office.
Questions? Please contact Kristen Yeh (moc.oohay@hey_netsirk, 616.307.2488).
ACS Athletics
PurePlay (Y5’s - 4th grade)
PurePlay soccer Saturday, Sept 17. Girls @ 9:00am; Boys @10:30am.
Calendar Reminders
Sept 19-21 – Class Coffees
Sept 26 – No School – Professional Development
Oct 17-18 – Parent Teacher Conferences
Requested Announcements
Calvin College Comedy Night
Head to Calvin for a night of laughs featuring Grand Rapids born comedian, Michael Jr.! Michael Jr.’s comedy and dynamic storytelling will leave you in stitches the length of the show. He’s performed on The Tonight Show, Jimmy Kimmel, and even gave his own TEDx talk. With Michael’s goal of sharing “comedy that inspires,” you’ll be sure to leave the night a little lighter. Families are welcome! Buy your tickets today!