Fruit of the Spirit

God has blessed Dutton Christian with a fantastic beginning of another school year. Due to the start of two new kindergarten programs, we have a historic high enrollment of 402 students in grades K-8. We have an additional 69 students in our Noah’s Ark Pre-Kindergarten programs, serving three- and four-year old children.  

The 2009-10 school theme is Fruit of the Spirit.
We note that the fruit of love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control are not hurtful to people. There is no law against this fruit. This fruit is in conflict to the acts of the sinful nature mentioned in Galatians 5:19-21.

In age-appropriate ways, our teachers will help students see that we must daily put on the armor of God (Ephesians 6:10-18) because the spiritual battle continues.  The apostle Paul talks about this battle in himself when he says in Romans 7:19, “For what I do is not the good I want to do; no, the evil I do not want to do – this I keep on doing.” Grace keeps us from doing all the bad things our sinful nature wants us to do.  Neither can we do all the good we wish to do because of sin.

This year we will pray for daily grace to live in the Spirit and to keep in step with the Spirit. Please pray with us that an abundance of the Spirit’s fruit will be evident at DCS!

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by Daniel J. Netz, Administrator 

 Welcome New Staff

Mrs. Tami Boomsma, Three Day Kindergarten Teacher
Since age five, I have spent my life in the South Suburban Christian Schools! I graduated from Kelloggsville Christian School (now Legacy) and South Christian High School. After getting my elementary education degree from Calvin College, I taught at Moline Christian for 16 years. Four years ago I began teaching the Kindergarten Extension program at Byron Center Christian. Now I am thrilled to be a part of the Dutton Christian School staff! My mother recalls that as a young child I expressed my desire to "be a Kinnygarden teacher." How blessed  I am to have that dream come true at DCS. I have been so warmly welcomed by the Dutton Christian community and am looking forward to a marvelous year! 

Mrs. Sally Handlogten, Bus Driver
I grew up in Kalamazoo and moved here after marrying my husband, Mike, in 1992. We have 3 children, all currently students at DCS. I have enjoyed being a stay-at-home mom for 12 years. In my spare time I enjoy reading, spending time with my family, and hunting. I am excited and thankful for the opportunity to work as a DCS bus driver. 

Mrs. Vicki Heetderks, Promotions Coordinator
I've always loved art and everything associated with it: the tools, the shapes, the colors. After graduating from Kendall College of Art and Design, I worked at Beach Products and then ran a home business designing logos, business stationary –anything for print. Dean and I have three children: Morgen (17), Tanner (15), and Madison (12). I enjoy discovering new places, coffee in the morning, summer art fairs, and living at Lake Michigan in our 1975 Airstream in the summer. I am enthusiastic about this new position at DCS and look forward serving here. 

Miss Lisa Knott, 2nd Grade Teacher
I am so excited to be guiding and teaching the 2nd graders. I attended Trinity Christian College. After college, my career began in Fort Myers, Florida. I taught at Summit Christian School for three years. I grew up in Grand Rapids and am excited to be closer to family. I have been very blessed to travel all over the world, and I hope to share my experiences with my students. Another important thing I will share with my students is my faith. My prayer is to help them continue on their faith journey and grow in Christ’s love. 

Mrs. Lorri Luurtsema, Elementary Technology Teacher
I am very excited to be here at DCS. I served as the long-term substitute in the computer lab last semester, and I really enjoyed it. The students are wonderful and a joy to teach! Before starting our family, I taught at private schools in Ohio and here in West Michigan. I am currently attending GVSU in the Master of Education program in Reading and Language Arts and plan to graduate this 

Mr. Richard Mulder, Bus Driver
I attended East Paris Christian School where grades 1-8 were all held in the same room. I met my wife, Jane, at South Christian High School. We have two sons and a daughter and seven grandchildren. Since they are scattered across the country from Oregon to Washington, D.C., we have many frequent flyer miles. 
I retired from Steelcase and enjoy shooting trap and skeet in the winter league at Caledonia Gun Club. I play banjo and guitar. I’m not very good, but it sure beats watching television. 

Mrs. Jennifer Ritsema, Elementary Parapro
I am married to Steve, and we have three awesome children. Jacob is a 6th grader and Grace is a 3rd grader at Legacy Christian. Seth is our caboose and will be attending Noah’s Ark this year. Our family is very active in sports, and we enjoy playing and spectating together. I attended Calvin College and graduated with a degree in education. I continued my coursework at GVSU where I was pursuing endorsements in special education through the masters program. 

Mrs. Kathy Timmer, Elementary Parapro
Hello, I grew up on a farm in Holland. I attended Holland Christian and Calvin College, where I graduated with a degree in social work. Through my years in school, I enjoyed playing basketball and softball. My husband, Jim, and I are blessed with three kids: Anna (15), Christian (12), and Gabby (9). I’ve worked as a para-pro for the Albuquerque Public Schools in special education. We have now fallen in love with our DCS family. Our children have grown so much here, we can't image them being anywhere else. I am excited about being part of the staff and contributing any way I can to the mission of Christian education.

Mrs. Dillene Van Beek, Elementary Parapro
I was born and lived in Zimbabwe, Africa, until I was 18. I graduated from Calvin College with a Bachelors in Therapeutic Recreation and a minor in Physical Education. My first job after college was at Wedgwood Christian Services where I have worked for 16 years. I have been married to Keith for going on 14 years. We have 2 children: Erin (10), Ethan (7), and a dog we call Harry. I love to spend time with my family, enjoy camping, and being outdoors. In the winter we love to snuggle up and read a good book together. In my spare time I like to cook ethnic foods, travel, drink lattes, walk in the woods, and go to the beach. 

Mrs. Amy Zwiep, Developmental Kindergarten Teacher
I am excited to be back at DCS.  I had the pleasure of being placed here as a student teacher in 2005, which followed into a full-time position as a 1st grade teacher. My husband Matt and I are blessed with a beautiful son, Micah, who is almost 2 years old. During this past school year, I was at Rockford Christian working with students with special needs. It was a great opportunity to gain more knowledge and experience, and it was a wonderful variety to work in different classrooms from Kindergarten to 7th grade. It is a blessing to be back, and Matt, Micah, and I are looking forward to this school year!   

Elementary Building Update

Members at the special Association meeting last February 9, gave permission to use existing Capital Campaign money to design an addition to the elementary building and to raise money for its construction. A pre-campaign study by The Timothy Group indicated strong support for a successful capital campaign.

The critical need to build was created with the start of two new kindergarten programs. (See back page story.)  Because we desired to keep these programs in the elementary building, we temporarily created two classroom spaces in our library and chapel areas by installing temporary walls. 

This fall we will seek approval from our Association to build two classrooms on the North side of the building beginning in January 2010. This addition will be completed by August so that all of our early childhood programs will move into the North wing. We hope to add additional classrooms on the East wing, eliminating the portables, beginning January 2011.

To allow construction to begin on the North wing and to remain debt free, we need to have commitments of $500,000 by January 15, 2010. The donations of cash and pledges would need to be paid by August 1, 2010. Please prayerfully consider how you might be able to assist in helping DCS meet the needs of our community. Opportunities will be present for prayer, financial gifts, gifts in kind/manual labor, and promotions/events. Please contact someone on the steering committee if you are interested in helping or have any questions. The committee includes: Joel DeBruin, Dan Netz, Deb Smies, Brian VanderHorst, and Jim VanZee.