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News & Announcements

Ada Connection – March 13, 2024

A Note From The Principal

  • P is for Principal

This Week

  • Parents Night Out
  • Moms In Prayer

Summer Opportunities

  • Summer Camps & Tutoring
  • Summer Covenant Care
  • GRASP

Now You Know

  • 8th Grade Musical Tickets
  • Spring Book Fair
  • Employment Opportunities
  • March is Reading Month
  • School Lunch Program

PTO Happenings

  • Staff Appreciation Week - Mar 11-15
  • Mother Son Event - Apr 12

Athletics

  • PurePlay (K-4th)

Mark Your Calendar

A Note From The Principal

P is for Principal

Our kindergarten friends celebrated the letter, “P” in class and during lunch time. Each class celebrated the letter P in different ways. Mrs. Diepstra’s class invited me in since principal starts with p. Students asked me a lot of questions and shared various stories. I enjoyed sharing some time with them and learned quite a bit about them as well!

This Week

Moms In Prayer

Join us for Moms in Prayer on Thursday, March 14 from 8:00-9:00am in the back ACS conference room. Our attribute this week is "God is Our Encourager". We will be praying specifically for our 7th grade students and staff. Contact Kristen Yeh at ;with any questions. Younger siblings are always welcome.

Summer Opportunities

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)
  • Bake-A-Book (Preschool)
  • Farm Club (2nd-8th)
  • Forest Adventure Camp (2nd-8th)
  • Little Tikes Art Camp (1st&2nd)
  • Preschool Olympics (Preschool)
  • Summer Olympics Camp (1st-3rd)
  • 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
  • PreAlgebra, Algebra & Geometry

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 10-August 8.

Sign-up

GRASP

GRASP is an optional summer correspondence education program for grades K through 8, which helps students maintain reading and math skills while they are on summer vacation. Forms can be downloaded or can be picked up in the ACS office and are due by spring break.

Now You Know 

    8th Grade Musical Tickets Little Mermaid Jr. 

    The ACS 8th Grade class presents Disney's "Little Mermaid Jr."

    We would love to share this night with you. Come for the show and stay after for dessert and coffee!

    Tickets are $13. Show begins at 7:00pm

    Online orders will be accepted through March 20. If you wish to purchase tickets after this time, you may do so at the doors the night of the performance.

    Spring Book Fair

    The Literati Book Fair is coming! Join us for a great big story safari on March 21-27, or shop online at The ACS Literati School Store. 

    WHO: EVERYONE
    WHAT: THE BOOK FAIR
    WHEN: NOW through March 27 (online) & March 21- 27 (in person)
    WHY: - Encourage children to read and build their imaginations
     - Raise funds for the ACS Library
     - Collect purchased books for Officer Judy's Book Box*
    WAYS TO SHOP:
    IN PERSON - Students and adults can browse The Literati Book Fair in person March 21-27
    ONLINE - You can also shop online NOW - March 27.

    Please share our link with family and friends to purchase for themselves as well! 

    Every purchase benefits the ACS Library!

    Every safari needs a guide—and it could be you! Help our students explore the reading wilds as a book fair volunteer. All volunteers get 20% off of their purchases. Sign up here.

    Don't know how much money to send with your child with or do you want to make sure you know what they are buying? Browse books here! There are plenty of middle school titles and a few books for parents (think cookbooks) as well.

    Do Grandpa or Aunt Pam want to support the book fair but don't know how? Ideas for family members and friends - Digital Gift Cards and age-based Literati Book Club Memberships are available online. 

    The Book Fair this year has some really great drawings happening! Local businesses have been so generous! For every book purchase in person, your family will be entered into the drawing. Some of the donations include - 

    - Boulder Ridge Zoo Passes
    - Jet's Pizza
    - Subway
    - Chick-Fil-A
    - Starbucks
    - Frederick Meijer Garden Passes 

    Also, other fun free gifts with purchase! 

    *Every purchase benefits the ACS Library and every donated purchase benefits Officer Judy's Book Box. Look for more information about Officer Judy’s Book Box in upcoming issues of the Ada Connection and in your children’s classroom communication.

    Questions? Contact Amy Irvine ;  

    Employment Opportunities

    We currently have openings in the following positions for the 24-25 school year:

    • Y5s-1st Music and 7th/8th Choir Teacher
    • Elementary Math Interventionist
    • Band/Orchestra/Music support
    • Sub bus driver

      March is Reading Month

      We are celebrating all month long with author visits, special events, field trips and activities!  Please click here for a full list. Stay tuned each week for the upcoming fun events!

      THIS WEEK: 

      Friday, March 15 - Pages & PJs Day: Wear your comfiest clothes to curl up with a good book.

      Friday March 15 - Author Visit (K-4th Grade): Eric and Meredith Schrotenboer will be joining us in the ACS Library to talk about the historical, geographical and cultural context of the Bible in storybook form. Parents invited!

      1st and 2nd Grades: 9:20-9:50am

      Kindergarten: 10:20-10:50am

      3rd and 4th Grades: 11:00-11:30am

      There is a special opportunity to purchase a signed copy of these books at a discounted price. Order forms are kindly requested to be returned by Friday, March 15th. 

      For a bit of extra fun, check out this recent WZZM video highlighting authors Eric and Meredith Schrotenboer, along with the release of their new book. We are honored to bring them in for the Kindergarten through 4th Graders.

      GRAND RAPIDS GOLD READING PROGRAM

      We have some more March is Reading Month fun sponsored by the Grand Rapids Gold! 

      The Grand Rapids Gold are participating with us for March is Reading Month. Read some books and enjoy a game. This link is good for four free tickets this Saturday, March 16 @ noon. 

      Keep Reading! 

      Questions? Please contact Holly Karasinski () or Anna Hartemayer ()

      School Lunch Program - March Menu

      Check out the menu and plan for the month of March!

      Visit adachristian.org/hotlunch for details or to apply for lunch assistance. For questions on your hot lunch account please contact Jill Zondag,

      PTO Happenings

      Staff Appreciation Week - Mar 11-15

      It’s Staff Appreciation Week! As we celebrate our amazing ACS staff and teachers each and every day, we’ve set aside this week to celebrate and recognize their hard work with our families. It’s not too late to share your appreciation! A special note, big high-five, or simple thank you means so much!

      - Many thanks from your ACS PTO

      Mother Son Event - Apr 12

      Save the date: The Mother Son event will be on Friday, April 12. More details to come!  

      Athletics

      PurePlay (K-4th)

      Track and Field

      What: Track and Field Club
      Students will be given the chance to try a wide variety of track and field events

      Who: 1st-4th graders

      When: Wednesdays, April 17, 24, May 1, 8    3-4:15 pm.

      Where: ACS track

      Why: Because exercise is FUN! 

      Cost: Nothing...but must be ready to work hard 

      Help: Volunteers are needed to help at stations

      How: Sign up by emailing Coach DK ()

      Deadline:  April 12

      Spring Soccer
      Deadline March 15

      Mark Your Calendar

      Mar 11-15 - Teacher/Staff Appreciation Week
      Mar 21&22 - 8th Grade Musical 
      Mar 28-Apr 7 - Spring Break

      Looking ahead: 24-25 Calendar

      Whatcha Doin' Out There!? - Nov 2023

      OE News

      November was a month in which the weather transitioned quickly. There were many very warm days in November, but we also found ourselves in some cold, rain, and snow. As the weather turns we are able to consider what happens as creatures get ready for winter. We also wrapped up some of our fall activities like cider and began the transition into Christmas preparation. K-2nd grade made ornaments that will be on display at the Festival of Trees at Legacy Park in Ada for the Christmas season. Check out the ACS tree and the others if you're in town.  

      Kindergarten - In kindergarten we began November with a review of recent letters of the week A,D,S,L. Activities included Act like animals, Dig in the sand, Strolling, Skipping and Sprinting, and Launching Leaves. Later in the month we took a look at wind and made pinwheels as instruments to measure wind, just like an anemometer.  We then shifted to making ornaments that will be displayed at the Festival of Trees in Ada.  First we made a triangle shape out of sticks and then the sticks were wrapped with yarn and decorated with mini ornaments of their own.  

      1st - First grade took a turn with cider making one week and a couple weeks later had a special visitor. Johnny Appleseed met them in the woods to read about his life and enjoy some of the great cider that they made. First grade also learned about animal shelters and made some small places for animals to hide in the woods. To end the month they began Christmas preparations by making ornaments. Students made ornaments by decorating pine cones with ribbon and bells. The ornaments will be on display in the “Festival of Trees” in Ada.  

      2nd - A big theme in second grade was Pioneers. They began with a turn at the cider press. Then they enjoyed some pioneer games to see what kids did for fun long ago.  They also pushed their wheelbarrow wagon through the woods during the Oregon Trail simulation facing many challenges along the way. Lastly they used their pioneer skills to make candles which will serve as ornaments in the Festival of Trees in downtown Ada. Go check it out!

      3rd - Third grade took some time to review the great lakes in an activity where we put the numbers into perspective. Volume of water, perimeter and depth were all compared with the lakes and we reflected on the importance of 20% of the world’s surface fresh water that is in the 5 great lakes. We began to learn about the Native Americans by learning about the three sisters' planting method and clearing out that section of our garden so it is ready to plant in the spring. Lastly, we played games that the native americans played to practice balance and strength.   

      4th - Fourth graders had multiple science connections in OE. To begin we did a simulation that looked at food availability affect population size by searching for food in the form of colored straws. The next week we considered how animals used their senses in an activity in which students had to find animals of their own species by listening for the same sound while blindfolded. It was a challenge to listen to the specific sounds while others were also making sounds and predators were on the prowl. We introduced the topic of Community Supported Agriculture. We took inventory and decided to attempt our first Farm Fresh Box for thanksgiving. They were able to produce enough products for 12 families! Lastly, we talked about soil temperature tolerance and its practical application on the farm. The students learned how to take soil temperature samples and determine by reading the back of a seed packet if the seed would germinate in that environment.

      5th - This month we took a deep dive into the internal anatomy of a chicken. We studied the path of digestion and egg production. We learned how chickens break down their food and absorb nutrients. We learned what the “grade” of an egg means on the outside of an egg carton. Then we cracked some ACS eggs and studied the color/ shape/ and consistency of the yolk to decide what grade eggs our chickens lay. We rounded out the month with some Fun Farm Games. Kids learned how strong you need to be to do daily farm tasks in a fun and silly competition.

      6th - Our 6th graders have spent the month learning external anatomy of a goat. To encourage them to really understand the shape and muscle structure of a goat we learned how to draw one realistically. Now we have a great base understanding as we get more specific with anatomy in December. We rounded out the month with Farm Games and learned how to set product prices for SEED Market.

      7th - November in 7th grade OE involved students mapping out the memorial trees on our campus which will later be available as an interactive map with links to more information on the trees. We then turned our attention to composting. Students began learning about composting. We talked about the importance of composting as well as the basics of what materials are best including a balance of browns and greens. We are now collecting lunch scraps from 7th and 2nd grades for a compost bin here at school to put what we learned into practice.  

      8th - November was a month to transition to the Legacy Project for 8th grade. We began with a tour to see projects from previous grades and considered how well they met the needs of the school and what they offered to students. We then presented students with some potential legacy projects for this year. Now students are researching these topics to see what logistics will be necessary to make this happen.