General Announcements
Important Dates:
May 25 & 26 – 8th Grade Exams - ½ Days
May 25-27 – 5th Grade Spring Camp
May 27 - 6th Grade Class Trip
May 30 – Memorial Day - No School
May 31 – Graduation Practice - last day for 8th Graders (½ Day)
June 01-03 – 8th Grade Class Trip
June 02-03 – 7th Grade Class Trip
June 07 – 8th grade Graduation
June 08 – Last ½ day
Music Camp: Summer is coming and our musicians are amazing. They might really enjoy attending Knollcrest Music Camp at Calvin University. So many great offerings! Take a look - ask Mrs. VN if you have any questions, she has worked at KMC for more than 30 years.
5th Grade
Spring Camp: Spring Camp is already next week (May 25-27)! Packets went home today. Chaperones look for your packet as well. $60 and permission slips are due no later than Tuesday May, 24. Also, please send in any medication needed to homeroom teachers.
Gospel Theatre: Our parable plays will take place on June 7 in the afternoon. More details to come!
Art: 5th graders will be finishing up their slices of cake next time in class.
Bible: This week we continued to work on Gospel Theatre!
Language Arts: This week we continued to read The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe, and we had our Biography Speech Watch Party! Next week, we will finish the novel before heading off to Spring Camp!
Math: We took our last test of the year this past week! We also started to learn how to use a compass for when we are out in the woods at camp next week!
Music - Band: Band Bingo is due May 24 - finish and bring that in soon. Summer lessons: Contact Dr. Mark Taylor for voice lessons and instrument lessons.
Music - Orchestra: We are almost done with the book! Keep practicing at home so we can finish before the end of year! Remember that your final google video is due Tuesday, May 24. Get it done before camp and avoid those missing assignments!
PE: Students are currently doing fitness testing in PE class, including our mile run this past week. We will finish this up next week.
Science: This week in science we continued our study in systems by studying the vascular systems of plants! Next week will continue or study and start a study of human vascular systems.
Social Studies: This week in social studies we completed MAP testing and began our unit on A New Government, learning about the Articles of Confederation and the many compromises of the Constitutional Convention.
Spanish: We have finished our novel! To end the year we will continue to learn about Peru and its culture. We will focus on the ancient civilization of the Nazca.
6th Grade
Class Trip: Our class trip is next Friday. We plan to LEAVE ACS about 8:00am (please note the change in departure time) See your email for what to send/wear/etc.
Art: Next week 6th graders will be glazing their ceramic chicken bowls. Please check the homework calendar for sketchbook and project due dates.
Bible: This week we finished Pilgrim's Progress! Students will be writing a reflection on what they’ve learned about his/her own life as we reflect on the life of Christian. Psalm 8:5-9 due May 26.
Language Arts: This week we continued to read The Wednesday Wars. As we read, we kept track of some vocabulary words, character traits, and the change of character relationships and interactions as the story progressed. Next week we will continue to read our novel. Students now have daily homework to finish the chapters that we start in class, so you should be seeing your child’s copy of The Wednesday Wars traveling back and forth between school and home!
Math: Students wrapped up their learning on statistical measures by completing a final project after surveying their classmates. They will now begin creating different graphs based on the circumference of different kinds of trees on our property - after learning how to recognize different kinds of trees from Mr. Sportel.
Music - Band: Band Bingo is due May 24 - finish and bring that in soon. Summer lessons: Contact Dr. Mark Taylor for voice lessons and instrument lessons. Knollcrest Music Camp at Calvin is a great opportunity for our ACS musicians!
Music - Choir: We are off to Raybrook next week to sing with a group of students. Watch your email for the details and permission slip for this event. Mrs. VN may bring about 25 kiddos on the trip.
Music - Orchestra: We are almost done! Keep working on your small group pieces and a reminder that your google video is due Thursday, May 26. Get it done and avoid those missing assignments!
PE: Students are currently doing fitness testing in PE class, including our mile run this past week. We will finish this up next week.
Science: Students finished their study on magnets and electromagnets this week. They are heading into a study on potential and kinetic energy by testing to see which slide is the fastest!
Social Studies: This week in social studies we completed MAP testing and began our new unit on the Middle Ages. We are currently exploring how the breakdown of the strong central government of Rome led to the dissemination of power into many smaller and weaker governments.
Spanish: TEST next week Thursday (May 26). The Test will cover the book “Brandon Brown Quiere un Perro.” Materials and resources will be posted on Moodle.
7th Grade
Parents Needed: Are you a parent who loves Musical Theatre? Can you sew and/or make or order costumes? Do you love to dream up crazy and awesome things for props and costumes? Email Mrs. VN if you might be interested in helping with Dessert Theatre for the class of 2023.
Art: 7th graders will be learning a lot about drawing pencils and drawing techniques next week.
Bible: 7th Graders are looking at finishing up the paradise walk towards the end of this week and then beginning our final project to reflect on our learning.
History: We are learning about Reconstruction in the South post-Civil War. At the beginning conditions and rights for Black people improved, but then things quickly deteriorated as others found ways to limit their civil rights. Next week we spend time analyzing the longer term effects, successes and failures of Reconstruction. Students will be taking an assessment on Reconstruction after Memorial Day.
Language Arts: We will be wrapping up The Westing Game next week. We are also working on our final writing project of the year, the organism monologue.
Math - 7th Math: We finished up MAP testing and are now completing the last unit on statistics. We have a quiz today and the test is next week Friday.
Math - Algebra: We will spend time reviewing our course throughout the week. Students will have a final exam on Tuesday, May 31.
Math - Pre-Algebra: Pre-Algebra students will have a quest on Tuesday, May 24. We will then begin our final unit on Volume and Surface Area of 3D Shapes.
Music - Band: GRCHS sent a group of students (many ACS alums!) to play with us on Thursday. It was so fun to see familiar faces and hear about high school and high school music.
Summer lessons: Contact Dr. Mark Taylor for voice lessons and instrument lessons.
Music - Choir: We finished up the “Nearer My God to Thee/Titanic” project. Next up - partner songs and singing and Memorial Day music.
Music - Orchestra: We are almost done! Just a reminder that your google video is due Thursday, May 26. Get it done and avoid those missing assignments!
PE: Students are currently doing fitness testing in PE class, including our mile run this past week. We will finish this up next week.
Science: Students are working on Invasive Species projects this week and next. I am looking forward to some creative videos.
Spanish: Finishing our novel: “Agentes Secretos y el Mural de Picasso.”
8th Grade
Wednesday, May 25: Exams, 11:30 dismissal
1st: Math (all 8th)
2nd: 8H-Science, 8Q-Social Studies, 8S-LA
Thursday, May 26: Exams, 11:30 dismissal
1st: 8H-Social Studies, 8Q-LA, 8S-Science
3nd: 8H-LA, 8Q-Science, 8S-Social Studies
Friday, May 27: Field Day, 12:00 dismissal
Tuesday, May 31: Graduation Practice, Exam Review, Final Farewell, 11:30 dismissal
Wednesday, June 1: Class Trip- Arrive at ACS by 6:45am
Friday, June 3: Class Trip - We will return to ACS by 2:45pm
Tuesday, June 7: Graduation - Students arrive to ACS by 6:15pm
Art: 8th graders will be working to complete their street art project inspired by Bern Bataclan. Students will be getting this project back next Wednesday 5/25 and have 1 week to install the artwork in or around ACS and send back photographic evidence that it was installed for full credit on this project. Please check the homework calendar for sketchbook and project due dates.
Bible: Plumb Bob speeches were shared both during our classes and at the 5-8 chapel. This was so very special. Final projects for Bible are underway as we reflect on our verses, the Plumb Bob Project and the living and active word of God.
History: We have concluded our last unit (the Civil Rights Movement) with a project. Next week we have two days of exam review, then the exam (8Q on Wednesday, 8H & 8S on Thursday). Students should continue working at home on the review guide and preparing for the written response questions that will be on the exam.
Language Arts: By the time you read this, we will have completed Lizzie Bright and the Buckminster Boy, our final unit of the year. For the two days before exams, we will be exclusively preparing and studying together. The entirety of the LA exam will be on Moodle, so please ensure that your student’s iPad is charge before coming to school.
Math - Algebra: We are so close to the end! The next few days we will review major concepts from the year to prepare for the exam on Wednesday.
Math - Geometry: We will continue to prepare for the exam on Wednesday.
Math - Pre-Algebra: Pre-Algebra students are working through a review for the final exam. They have been given a tip sheet that they should fill out. This piece of paper is allowed into the exam with them.
Music - Band: GRCHS sent a group of students (many ACS alums!) to play with us on Thursday. It was so fun to see familiar faces and hear about high school and high school music.
Only 4 students need to finish their scales - everyone else is DONE - way to go! Want to send a treat for the band for Monday or Tuesday? We’d love it - up to you!
Music - Choir: We will be singing at graduation, we had one final class together to practice. Contact Dr. Mark Taylor for voice lessons and instrument lessons.
Music - Orchestra: Wow. Almost done. I am so proud of my small but mighty crew. Thank you for all your hard work these past two years. Make sure you get that final video in by Monday, May 23, no missing assignments allowed for the party. Also bring food for the party day that same day!
PE: As 8th grade PE comes to the end, students are getting the chance to play some of their favorite games they have done during their time at ACS.
Science: 8th Graders have all they need for their exams next week. The reviews and their answer keys are posted on google classroom.
Spanish: Class FIESTA! Pinata y food on Tuesday. Please bring food to share if you like. Pinata provided.
Athletics
As all spring sports begin to wrap up this week, please be sure to turn in your son/daughters jersey into the office or Mr. Meyaard. Thank you for a fun spring season.
Registration for all ACS 5-8 Fall Sports is now open. Follow this link to sign up.
ACS 5-8 Fall Athletic Opportunities:
5/6 and 7/8 Boys Soccer: Team Fee $50
5-8 Girls Volleyball: Team Fee $50
5-8 Boys/Girls Cross Country: Team Fee $35
Athletic Opportunities with GRCMS
Grand Rapids Christian allows any 5-8 ACS student to participate in the following fall sports. Click on the link for sign-ups and more information for each:
Golf (sign-ups close June 3)
Football (sign-ups close July 29)
ACS Athletics Summer Camps:
Basketball Camp (June 27-30): Click here for more information and to sign-up.
Volleyball Camp (July 25-28): Click here for more information and to sign-up.