Back to School Information
2022-2023
Welcome to the 2022-2023 school year!
A Note From Principal Sall
Welcome to the 2022-2023 school year. We are honored to be partnering with you in Christian education as we work together to equip students for service in God’s world.
Last school year our theme was “Standing on the Promises of God.” Various faculty/staff members, as well as parents and students, shared personal stories where they saw God’s promises remain true and steadfast in their lives.
This year, we will be focusing on the theme - “Clothed in Christ” based on Colossians 3:12-14. Throughout the school year, we will focus on multiple questions and aspects of this theme:
What are you wearing?
- Check your closet
- Clothe yourself - check your heart - does it fit?
- Wear it well - Ambassadors for Christ
- Compassion
- Kindness
- Humility
- Gentleness
- Patience
Thank you for the joy of partnering with you in educating the whole child - mind, body, and soul in Christian community!
Clothed in Christ,
Principal Sall
Clothed in Christ
Theme Verse
Colossians 3:12-14
Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you.
And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity.
Mark your Calendar
Mon, Aug 22: Open House
Wed, Aug 24: 4th-8th grade School Pictures
Thurs, Aug 25: Kindergarten - 3rd grade School Pictures
Tues, Aug 30, 6:30pm-8:00pm: All School Parent Orientation
Thurs, Sept 08, 5:30-7:30pm: Back to School Party
K-8 Open House
Monday, Aug 22
Teachers are looking forward to seeing your family on Monday, Aug 22 at your scheduled time. Students are invited to bring their school supplies and to put them in their lockers.
Time |
Last Name |
1:00-1:40pm |
A-G |
1:45-2:25pm |
H-P |
2:30-3:10pm |
Q-Z |
First Day of School Details
Tuesday, Aug 23
Tuesday morning, Aug 23, will be a great time for teachers and their students to begin building community and establishing classroom routines that will set a strong foundation for a wonderful year of growing and learning together. Doors will open at 7:40am for students and parents.
We plan to begin classes promptly at 8:00am Students will be dismissed at 11:30am
NOTE: There will be AM or PM bus transportation for our first day.
2022-2023 School Year Dedication
On August 23 at 10:45 am, parents are invited to join us in the South Gym for celebration and thankfulness to God for a new year of school together. At the end of our chapel, students will return to their classes to pack up for the day. We ask that parents pick up students around the front of the building in the parking lot or car loops at 11:30am
Daily Drop-Off & Pick-Up Procedures
The safety of our students and their families is a top priority. Please review these important daily procedures.
Morning Drop-Off (7:40am-7:55am)
- School doors will be opened at 7:40am
- The bus loop and car loop will be open for parents to quickly drop off students. If more time is needed to gather items and say good-bye, please use the parking lot.
- When using the drop-off loops, students must exit on the right side of the car.
- No parking is allowed in the drop-off loops.
- See the image below for which entrance your child should use.

Afternoon Pick-Up (3:00pm-3:10pm)
- The car loop is for the pick up of preschool and kindergarten students only.
- The driver must remain with the vehicle at all times and may not park in the loop.
- The bus loop may be used for quick student pick up. The driver must remain with the vehicle at all times and may not park in the loop. It is important cars do not block the Fox Hollow entrance.
- From 2:30-2:50pm the bus loop is for preschool pick-up only, please do not park in the bus loop at that time.
- When parking, please back your car into a spot. It is too easy to miss seeing a child when backing out of a spot.
- It is important that your child(ren) are picked up by 3:10pm.
- All students not picked up by 3:10 p.m. will be asked to wait at the front entrance under the covered awning.
- Please enforce our rule that students may not play on the playground without parent/adult supervision.
- Remind students to keep their feet on the ground; no climbing on trees, flagpoles, light poles, snow piles, etc…
- We ask that students do not walk through our landscaping where plants are trying to grow.
- School employees helping to monitor the parking lot after school will be wearing orange vests. If you have questions, please ask one of them and remind students that the orange vested adults are friends who can help them if they need it.
Mid-day Student Check In and Check Out
Please use the call button to the left of our main entrance doors to call the office or call from a cell phone to get assistance with checking students in or out during the day.
Mid-day Item Drop-Offs
There will be a table near the front doors where parents can drop needed items off for students (i.e. - instruments, athletic equipment, computer, lunches) If you are dropping something off, please be sure your child’s name is on the item. Simply call the office using your phone or the call button to let us know that you are making a delivery.
Note for New Students
Birth Certificate:
Any student new to Ada Christian School, Kindergarten – 8th (2021-2022 school year) must bring to the office a copy of his/her birth certificate. This is required by law in the state of Michigan. You may email a copy to Kimmie Brander (gro.naitsirhcada@rednarbk) If you need a copy made please stop into the office and we will be happy to help.
Immunization Forms:
Immunization forms are due by Aug 23. By state law the school must have this form on file for your child by the start of school. If you have any questions please call Kimmie Brander in the office at 616-676-1289
Supply List and Calendar
K-8 Supply List [FILE '737']2022-2023 Calendar[/FILE]
Who’s New?
Parent Orientation
Please join us Tuesday, August 30 for our K-8 Parent Orientation. During this evening, teachers will share important information with parents about the upcoming school year. Please do your best to be in attendance.
Please arrive a few minutes early so you can fill out a name tag and get to your destinations on time for a prompt start since our time is limited.
Time |
Who |
Where |
6:30-6:45pm |
Session I: Grades K-4 |
Student Homerooms |
6:45-6:50pm |
Passing Time |
|
6:50-7:05pm |
Session II: Grades K-4 (repeat of Session I) |
Student Homerooms |
6:50-7:05pm |
5-8 Athletics (AD, Casey Meyaard will share) |
Band Room |
7:05-7:10pm |
Passing Time |
|
7:10-7:45pm |
Grade 5 |
Media Center |
7:10-7:45pm |
Grade 6 |
Band Room |
7:10-7:45pm |
Grades 7 & 8 |
Commons |
Back to School Party
Thursday, September 8, 5:30pm-7:30pm at the ACS Track & Field. Sponsored by our ACS Promotions Committee, this event is sure to please with bounce houses, obstacle courses and other fun activities. Food will be available for purchase from one of the many food trucks on site. No tickets to the event are needed.
Athletics
PurePlay (Y5’s - 4th grade)
This fall we plan to offer our soccer program for Y5-4th graders. The games take place Saturday mornings beginning Sept 10, at 9:00 a.m. and 10:30 a.m. For 1st-4th graders, there will be one practice during the week. Y5/K is only one hour on Saturdays. Registration ends Aug 26.
Wildcats (56’ers & 78’ers)
ACS offers boys soccer, girls volleyball, and boys/girls cross-country for all 5-8 students during the fall. Fall sport seasons are scheduled to start the week of Aug 22 (some starting Aug 15) for students in grades 5-8.
All 5-8 athletes must complete an MHSAA physical/concussion form prior to the first day of practice. These forms and other important information can be found at the ACS Athletic Webpage.
School Lunch Program
School lunch will be available daily beginning Wed, Aug 24.
There will be two options each day and a fresh fruit and salad bar. 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 Send Money To School. Visit adachristian.org/hotlunch for details or to apply for lunch assistance.
Times to Remember
Student Arrival 7:40am-7:55am
Instructional Hours 8:00am-3:00pm
Student Pick-Up 3:00pm-3:10pm
Office Hours 7:30am-3:30pm
Tardy Talk: Please help our days get off to a smooth start by having your child arrive no later than 7:55 a.m. Tardies cause disruptions to important morning routines for individual students and classrooms as a whole. A student entering class after 8:00am is tardy. Parents will be notified by letter when their child reaches 5 tardies in one trimester and for every 5 tardies following.
Absences: We learn in community so when a student misses class, it impacts the learning of the individual student and also the learning of others. Sharing in class discussions, collaborating in group settings, and participating in activities cannot be duplicated outside of class or replaced by individual study.
We understand that students may have to miss school due to illness, appointments, and family emergencies. Some absences may be unavoidable; however, please help limit the number of days our students miss school. When possible, please provide a doctor’s note for absences.
Dress Code
The basics are listed below and more detailed information is available in our policies and procedures.
- Shorts/Skirts that reach to the bottom of the student’s middle finger when arms are relaxed at the side are permitted.
- Leggings, jeggings, and yoga pants are not to be worn as pants. If worn, they are to be covered with skirts/tops and must cover “bottoms”.
- Tank tops must have minimum 2” straps.
- Clothing must cover underclothes and the mid-section of the body.
- Flip-Flops, for safety reasons, are not allowed for students kindergarten through 4th grade.
- Hats are not to be worn in class.
Students will be asked to change their clothes if their attire does not meet our dress code. Thank you in advance for your support.
What Does it Mean to be an Inclusive School?
Being an inclusive school means that our students with special needs are welcomed in our school, participating in regular classes with support to learn, contribute, and participate in all aspects of life at our school.
All children benefit from inclusive education. It allows all students to:
- Develop individual strengths and gifts, with high and appropriate expectations for each child.
- Foster a school culture of respect and belonging.
- Enjoy opportunities to learn about and accept individual differences, lessening the impact of harassment and bullying.
- Develop friendships with a wide variety of other children, each with their own individual needs and abilities.
- Better understand and appreciate diversity and inclusion on a broader level.
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
Ada Christian School Education Foundation proudly presents:
Night at the Museum
November 10, 2022
Grand Rapids Public Museum
Mark your calendars for a Night at the Museum on November 10, 2022. Come enjoy a magnificent evening at the Grand Rapids Public Museum as we gather together to celebrate Ada Christian School. Our annual fall gathering is the signature fundraising event for the Ada Christian School Education Foundation, which provides essential support to our school.
-FORMAL INVITATION TO FOLLOW-
Student Information Forms
Several student information forms (K-8) are ready for you to complete online (emergency contacts, student health, school policy agreement, etc). These forms must be completed by Friday, Aug 19.
To complete the forms:
- Log into your PowerSchool parent portal (powerschool.adachristian.org).
- Select Forms
- Complete all forms under the category Student Information Forms.
- Please note that some forms need to be filled out for each child while others may be submitted for the whole family.
Fun with Elementary (K-4) Recess
Beginning on Aug 24, volunteers for recess will be needed. At lunch recess (12:05pm-12:30pm & 12:30pm-1:00pm) four people 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. Digital signups will be released in the Ada Connection later this month.
If you have any questions about volunteering for elementary recess, please email Sharon DeKleine. gro.naitsirhcada@enielkeds
PTO
We are grateful to our PTO and all the work they do to support the teachers and students at ACS. Take a moment to learn more about our PTO and how they support our teachers.
Transportation News
We rely on Forest Hills buses for those living in the district. For families who registered for transportation with Forest Hills, information will be sent to your homes. If you have not contacted them, please call Forest Hills transportation department at 616-493-8785 as soon as possible.
If your family indicated during enrollment that you planned to ride the bus, this email was sent to you. Please call the school office if you were planning on using our buses and you did not receive the email.
ACS Transportation Questions?
Please direct ACS Transportation questions to our Transportation Supervisor, Patty Permoda, gro.naitsirhcada@adomrepp