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Middle School Matters - May 10, 2018

General and Grade Level Announcements

General Announcements:

MAP testing will be May 14-17. We look forward to seeing how your students have grown and learned and changed this year! Please remind your student to fully charge their laptop each night.

Dress Code: Spring is in bloom and we are blessed to finally begin to encounter warmer weather. This warmer weather brings a gentle reminder that Ada Christian School has a dress code policy in place.

The ACS Education Committee - which is comprised of administration and faculty, elected board board members, and additional parents - researched, discussed, and recommended an updated dress code policy to the ACS School Board. The School Board deliberated and voted to adopt this updated dress code policy.

What is printed in our handbook and what is communicated to families is a result of that vote. You may see the full dress code here. https://www.adachristian.org/about-acs/ handbook-policies/policies- procedures

In summary, our dress code asks boys and girls to wear shorts and/or skirts at a specific length (below the fingertips when arms are relaxed at their side) and to have shoulders covered with no undergarments exposed. We ask that our students, with the support of their parents, adhere to these standards.

It is the task of the administration and faculty at Ada Christian School to, uniformly and to the best of their ability, enforce the dress code as written. If students do not meet the dress code requirements, they will be asked to change.

Thank you for your attention and understanding to this matter.

Respectfully,

Kara VerMeulen, Board President

Melissa S. Brower, Principal

Dates for your calendar:

  • May 14-18 MAP testing
  • May 17 - 5-8 Spring Concert 7:00pm, Call time 6:30 for band/orch
  • May 23-25 - 5th Grade Spring Camp
  • May 24-25 8th Grade Exams
  • May 30-Jun 01 8th Grade Class Trip
  • May 31-Jun 01 7th Grade Class Trip
  • Jun 01- 5th Grade Celebration 2:20 in Commons. Parents are welcome.
  • Jun 07- 6th Grade Class Trip
  • Jun 07- 8th Grade Graduation at Thornapple Covenant Church
  • Jun 08 - Last day of school (half day)

Spring Concert for all 5-8 students is May 17. Concert dress for 56 is dress up clothing that meets dress code requirements. 78 students should wear black and white that meets dress code requirements.

Fifth Grade:

Dear 5th grade parents,

Thank you all so much for letting me be a part of your child's classroom this semester. I have been so very blessed by each and every one of your children and am so thankful for the opportunity that I had to both teach them, and get to know them. Over the course of my semester here at Ada Christian School I have learned an immense amount about teaching; this learning came from not only Nate Kiser and Heather Westrate, as my mentor teachers, but also from your children. I am confident that I learned just as much from the students as they learned from me. What a blessing it was to work with Nate and Heather this semester! Both Heather and Nate are very passionate about teaching and most importantly, love and care about your children. As I reflect and prepare to leave Ada Christian School, I leave with both a heavy heart, having to say many goodbyes, and a feeling of encouragement and joy as I look forward to following the journey that God has planned for me. Ada Christian School will always have a special place in my heart and I am so thankful for all of you and your support over the course of the semester.

Blessings,

Kaitlyn DeWindt (Miss DeWindt)

Goat Care - Please sign up by clicking here. Instructions are linked here and also on the sign up. Goat helpers should come at noon to help bottle-feed the young goats. Please text Leah Sienkowski if you cannot come at that time. Her contact information is at the link above. Thanks to all of you for your help!

PowerSchool: During the final trimester of 5th grade, students and parents have access to student grades on PowerSchool. Click this link for instructions and more information.

Reproductive Education: At the end of May, after Spring Camp, the 5th grade team plans to begin a short unit on Reproductive Education. Mrs. Witte will be meeting with the girls while Mr. Hoo will be meeting with the boys. In addition to going over the physical aspects of puberty, we plan to include discussions on God’s design for our bodies and reproduction, as well as treating our bodies with dignity and respect. If any parent would like more information, let one of us know and we would be happy to talk with you.


Art: 5th graders are learning about Jackson Pollock and will be working in his action painting style. Old clothes and shoes on art days will be a must for this project.

Band: Full Band until the end of the year - all Mon/Tue and Thu. Thank you so much! Concert May 17 at 7:00pm. Bands and choirs will play and sing in the South Gym. 56 Students should dress up for the concert in clothing that meets dress code.

Bible: This week we reviewed stories from the Pentateuch and Jesus’ life and are placing the stories on maps using pictures and words.

Language Arts: The 5th graders did a great job with their speeches today! It was a fun way to get some public speaking practice and learn about famous Americans. We have busy weeks ahead. We are trying to fit in some comma learning, outdoor poetry, and free writing before the end of the year.

Math: Our geometry chapter is coming to a close. The test is Tues May 15. The practice test and all missing assignments are due Tues May 15 in order to receive credit. MAPS testing will begin on Monday so it will be very helpful if your child can be to school on time every day next week so testing can go as smoothly as possible.

Orchestra: Full orchestra until the end of the year so remember instruments and music every Mon., Tue., and Thur. Our Middle School Spring Concert is this coming Thursday, May 17 here at school. The orchestras will perform in the commons at 7:00 but be sure to have your string student in the orchestra room at 6:30 to tune and warm up! Thanks so much for all of your attention to all of these details!

Science: We continue to learn about plants and flowers and pollinators. We will be going to Calvin College for a chemistry field trip next week. Click here to give your child permission to attend this exciting outing!

Spanish: Look for Brag Forms next week!

Sixth Grade:

Dear 6th grade parents,

Thank you all so much for letting me be a part of your child's classroom this semester. I have been so very blessed by each and every one of your children and am so thankful for the opportunity that I had to both teach them, and get to know them. Over the course of my semester here at Ada Christian School I have learned an immense amount about teaching; this learning came from not only Nate Kiser and Heather Westrate, as my mentor teachers, but also from your children. I am confident that I learned just as much from the students as they learned from me. What a blessing it was to work with Nate and Heather this semester! Both Heather and Nate are very passionate about teaching and most importantly, love and care about your children. As I reflect and prepare to leave Ada Christian School, I leave with both a heavy heart, having to say many goodbyes, and a feeling of encouragement and joy as I look forward to following the journey that God has planned for me. Ada Christian School will always have a special place in my heart and I am so thankful for all of you and your support over the course of the semester.

Blessings,

Kaitlyn DeWindt (Miss DeWindt)

Chicken Checkup - Please sign up by clicking here. Instructions are linked here and also on the sign up. Thanks to all of you for your help!

Devotions: All of our 6th Grade devotion slots are full! Thanks to all who signed up and shared with us this year. We are blessed by you!

Preparing for Adolescence: Ada Christian School is committed to nurturing the whole child - mind, body and soul - in Christian community. To support this mission, the sixth grade curriculum includes an intentional focus on preparing for the physical, social and emotional changes that occur when students reach adolescence. During the week of May 21, we will take some time to think carefully about changes that students can expect as they reach adolescence. Please click this link for a letter describing the Preparing for Adolescence curriculum. A book came home with your child this week. Please take time to read chapters 1 and 2 together. Return the book to school on Mon May 21.

Missing Work: Many students are collecting quite a number of missing assignments. Please ask your child to show you on PowerSchool whether or not they have missing work. Many would benefit from extra help at home to find time to complete these assignments.


Art: 6th grade will be glazing their ceramic animal effigy bowl next week. Please check the homework calendar for project and sketchbook due dates.

Band: Concert May 17 at 7:00pm. Bands and choirs will play and sing in the South Gym. 56 Students should dress up for the concert in clothing that meets dress code.

Bible: Wise sayings surround us on a daily basis. We continue to study how and why Proverbs have a specific influence on our lives. BMW: Due MONDAY MAY 12. Proverbs 3:1-12.

History: This week we acted out the Twelve Tables from Ancient Rome, as well as learned about Circus Maximus, and the Roman Forum. The Punic Wars extra credit opportunity is due tomorrow and a Julius Caesar extra credit opportunity is due Fri May 18 if your child is interested. Details will be posted on Moodle once your child has unlocked the lesson.

Language Arts: We have almost finished our persuasive papers. Please ask your child to show you the progress so far. It should be completed by Monday. Next week, the students will learn the techniques of giving a successful speech and give their persuasive speeches in front of the class! This will conclude our World Fair project (sniff, sniff).

Orchestra: Middle School Spring Concert is this Thursday, May 17 and all orchestras will perform in the commons at 7:00pm. Arrive by 6:30 to tune and warm up in the orchestra room. 5th and 6th will play first , followed by 7th and 8th orchestra. Choir portion of the concert will be in the south gym at 7:35pm.

Science: We’ve been focusing on clouds this week. Challenge your student to explain how clouds form! If this is difficult for them, have them look at their notebooks to refresh their memories and come to class with questions.

Spanish: We are working hard to finish our novel by the end of the year.

Seventh Grade:

Algebra (7th): We will be working through chapter 12, problem solving with radical equations, cubed roots and the pythagorean theorem.

Art: 7th grade is working to complete their robot project. Robots stencils must be slipped by next Wednesday 5/16. Next up in class will be some graphite drawing. Please check the homework calendar for project and sketchbook due dates.

Band: Concert May 17 at 7:00pm. Bands and choirs will play and sing in the South Gym. 78 students should wear black and white that meets dress code requirements.

Bible(Huttenga/Wanner): Looking at what God’s word has to say about service. Soon students will work on/in various forms of service. If you know of an intersting service opportunity that all or some of the 7th graders could be involved in please talk/email to Adam Huttenga or myself.

History: Next week we will continue our study of the original colonies while learning how the different regions of the country had different characteristics.

Language Arts: The 7th graders continue to work on their ProCon Unit. The first two-thirds of the project are almost complete!

Math: We will begin our last chapter on statistics!

Orchestra: Concert this Thursday, May 17th at 7:00pm. Arrive at 6:30pm to tune and warm up in the orchestra room. Dress in concert black and white!

Science: We will practice mapping volcanoes and earthquakes, investigating why volcanoes and earthquakes occur where they do.

Spanish: We are working hard to finish our novel by the end of the year. Next test is set for May 23.

Eighth Grade:

Special 8th Grade Dates: Over the last couple of weeks a few parents have asked about the end of the year schedule for 8th grade. There will be a few special days where 8th grade students will have half days instead of full. Mark these dates on your calendar...thanks!

  • Exams will be on May 24 and 25. These will be 1/2 days for 8th grade students--dismiss at 11:30.
  • Monday, May 28: No School—Memorial Day
  • Tuesday, May 29: Normal School day
  • Class Trip May 30 - June 1; Be at school at 6:45 am on Wed. May 30! We will be back by 3:00 pm on Friday.
  • Monday, Tuesday, June 4-5: Normal School days
  • Wednesday, June 6: Final 1/2 Day of school for 8th Grade Only--dismiss at 11:30
  • Thursday, June 7: No School for 8th Grade Only
  • Thursday, June 7: Graduation at Thornapple Evangelical Covenant Church at 7 p.m. (Students arrive by 6:15 pm)

Sports Physicals: Current 8th graders planning to play high school sports in 2018-19 school year need to have an MHSAA physical form on file with the high school athletic office before they are allowed to participate. A valid physical for 2018-19 must be completed anytime after April 15, 2018. You can 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 signatures need to be completed on this form.


Algebra: Next week we will continue working with Rational Expressions and chapter 11. We will also start reviewing for our exam in two weeks.

Art: 8th grade students must be ready to ink their verse text in class Monday 5/14 for 8a and Tuesday 5/15 for 8b. This means that the verse must be written out in pencil in the artist’s chosen font style - many 8th graders will have homework to complete. Please check the homework calendar for project and sketchbook due dates.

Band: Concert May 17 at 7:00pm. Bands and choirs will play and sing in the South Gym. 78 students should wear black and white that meets dress code requirements.

Bible(Huttenga/Van Noord): Oral presentations have begun. Some students will share their speeches at the Plumb Bob chapel on May 18 at 8:15am.

Geometry: We will wrap up our last unit about circles and begin preparing for the exam.

History: Next week we will take a quick overview look at the time period of Reconstruction. We will also study the story of the assassination of Abraham Lincoln.

Language Arts: Students will continue reading Lizzie Bright and the Buckminster Boy, completing Book of Memories, and studying for the upcoming LA exam.

Orchestra: Concert on Thursday, May 17 at 7:00pm.. Arrive at 6:30pm - in the orchestra room- to tune and warm up. We are so excited to play for you!

Science: We will continue investigating the Nervous system and our senses. We will also begin investigating memory.

Spanish: TEST May 18 over our class novel: Brandon Brown. Also, parents should have received an email regarding the 9th grade Spanish placement test. Contact Lindsey Bosma () if you have any questions.