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Wednesday, November 4, 2009
Do you remember the story in Mark 9:14-29 where Jesus’ disciples were not able to cast out an evil spirit from a boy? The father of the boy came to Jesus and said, “If you can do anything, take pity on us and help us.” Jesus responded, “If I can? Everything is possible for him who believes.”
A special Association Meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, November 10 at which time the school board is presenting motions to build at the elementary campus. We have seen God bless the planning to begin new kindergarten programs. God blessed the timing of The Gathering Space renovations so we could occupy the space the first day of school. God continues to bless the planning of the construction committee and capital campaign committee. Now the motions come to the members of the Association. Will we have enough faith that God will richly bless our efforts to raise money? Many kings in the Old Testament asked for a sign. Throughout the last year God has demonstrated time after time that He is blessing our efforts. As we sincerely ask God to help us, I encourage you to look for signs of God’s presence and his blessings on our efforts to please him by expanding our facilities. DJN
School News
6th – 8th Grade Fall Music Concert You are invited to attend the Fall Music Concert on Thursday, November 5 at 7pm in our middle school gym. The evening will be filled with band, orchestra, and choir music. All of the middle school students are involved, so come enjoy this time of music and fellowship with families and friends of Dutton Christian School.
School Pictures Picture packages for those who ordered went home last week Thursday. Please call the school office if your student was absent on picture day or you would like to have your student’s picture retaken. Retakes will be on Friday, November 6. If your student is not in school that day (pre-kindergarten), please bring your child to the elementary building at 10:15am. Please remember to return your picture package or order form on November 6. Extra order forms are available in the school office if needed.
A Special Association Meeting will be held on Tuesday, November 10 beginning at 7:30pm at the middle school. The Dutton Christian School Board is seeking Association approval for the following motions:
a. Motion made to conduct a $1.2 million capital campaign in order to fund the construction of additional classroom space needed on the elementary campus.
b. Motion made to approve construction of the classroom architecture design as shown at the November 10th Association Meeting including:
i. North addition of two classrooms at an approximate cost of $520,000. Projected completion date is August 2010.
ii. East addition of four classrooms at an approximate cost of $680,000. Projected completion date is August 2011.
Construction will proceed in stages with no debt incurred (i.e. for the North addition, prior to groundbreaking, the campaign will have cash in hand and/or commitments to be paid by May 2010).
c. Motion made that upon completion of approved construction, to apply all excess remaining capital campaign dollars as follows:
i. 25% to be held as a balance in a capital campaign fund (maximum $100,000)
ii. 25% to be used for elementary playground renovations (maximum $50,000)
iii. 50% (or more if the capital campaign fund and playground fund reach their respective goals) to Dutton Christian School Foundation
Please review these motions for the capital campaign and building proposals. Sketches of the proposed additions are located in each building in or near the office.
Blankets To Help The Homeless Do you have a blanket or two you no longer need? Last year there were 13,000 homeless in the Grand Rapids area. We can help keep these men, women, and children warm. For more information, go to warmupgrandrapids.com. Collection boxes will be at both buildings only until Friday, November 6. Please bring in your donation right away.
Parent / Teacher Conferences
· Planned for Wednesday & Thursday, November 11 & 12.
· The parent / teacher conference schedule will be sent home along with the report card of your youngest student on Thursday, November 5. If you need to make a change in the schedule, please contact your child’s teacher.
· DK/Kindergarten parents will receive a progress report at conferences.
· Book Fair will be open during conferences in the elementary computer classroom.
· There will be no school on Friday, November 13.
Hot Lunch Order forms are going home today and are due back by noon on Monday, November 9. We cannot accept late orders on Tuesday so please remember to turn in your order on time. Attached to the order form is a student lunch survey. Please fill out and return this survey with your order form.
Auto Stickers are still available. They are the black and white oval stickers available in either school office for $3.00 each. Show our support for DCS!
Ski – Snow Board Club Bittersweet Ski Club cards are once again available for $12 (for students seven years old and older). Adult ski club cards are $10. If you have a ski club card, student lift tickets are $13, ski rental $11, or snowboard rental $13. Adults rates are: lift ticket $18, ski rental $16, snowboard rental $16. Forms are available in the middle school office and are due back with payment by Friday, December 11 if you would like them before Christmas break. Ski night and transportation availability to be determined. Call Sheri Parker if you have any questions.
Elementary News
Breaking News On Thursday, November 12 the 3rd, 4th and 5th grade students will attempt to set a new “sport stacking” Guinness World Record! To be counted as part of this Guinness World Record, each child will stack for 30 minutes along with 250,000+ kids in nearly 1,500 schools from all over the world. Parents and grandparents are invited to stop in the elementary gym and watch the up stacking and down stacking of speed stacks! The schedule is as follows:
· 3rd Blacquiere/Zietse 11:05 - 11:35
· 3rd Woltjer 11:35 - 12:05
· 5th VanDyk 12:15 - 12:45
· 5th VanWyngarden 12:15 - 12:45
· 4th Mr. Bird 12:45 - 1:15
· 4th Mr. Sills 1:15 - 1:45
Remember speed stack promotes hand-eye coordination, ambidexterity, quickness, concentration and fun!
Noah’s Ark Pre-Kindergarten has openings in the 4-year-old Tuesday/Thursday afternoon class. Call the school office at 698.8660 for more information.
Planning Ahead to 2010 Mrs. Bergsma would like to make a collaborative art piece with Byron Center Christian and Dutton Christian Schools for Art Prize 2010. She would love to get some creative parents to help her plan and execute this. If you would like to be a part of this exciting project, contact Mrs. Bergsma at jbergsma@duttonchristianschool.org. We are also looking for someone who has a connection with a venue that will host our artwork.
Art Volunteers needed to help hot glue felt, wiggle eyes, and pipe cleaners to clay nativity pieces. When your assigned clay pieces are ready, Mrs. Bergsma will give you a call and you can take the pieces plus supplies home to glue the extras on and then return them back to school. If you would rather assemble them at school, that is great too. Call Mrs. Bergsma to volunteer.
Middle School News
FM (Friday Mornings) All middle school students are invited to come and pray together on Friday mornings from 7:15 – 7:30 AM.
8th Grade Student Pictures are scheduled for Tuesday, November 10. All 8th grade students will get their picture taken by Nyhof even if they don’t purchase a package from them. If you would like to submit your own picture for the yearbook, you may still do that at a cost of $5.00. If possible, please submit your picture on a CD / DVD as it will be much clearer for the yearbook. All pictures must be submitted with the $5 fee by Friday, December 18.
Report Cards Middle school report cards will go home on Thursday, November 5. The report card, discipline report (if applicable), and ARP points will be included in the report card envelope. Parent/teacher conference appointments will be included with the report card of the youngest child in each family. Please take out and keep all of the contents from the report card envelope, sign the envelope on the line for the first quarter, and then return just the envelope to school via your child by Tuesday, November 10.
Explore South Christian Night on Monday, November 30 beginning at 7pm and will be repeated again on Thursday, December 3. This replaces 8th grade orientation normally held in January. Middle school students and parents are invited to hear what South Christian has to offer academically as well as what extra curricular activities are available. Students and parents will move throughout the school into classrooms for demonstrations and teacher testimonies. In January we’ll hold Curriculum Nights when parents of 8th graders will return and determine their student’s schedule.
Thank You to all the students who brought in quarters and dollar bills for our quarter drive to support Guiding Light Mission’s Thanksgiving dinner. The students raised $683 and with the Paper Gator’s contribution the total will be a little over $850. This will provide almost 500 meals for Guiding Light Mission. What a great way to serve the community!
School Circle News
Moms in Touch meets to pray for our children, teachers and school community Tuesdays 2:00-3:00pm at Redeemer Covenant Church and Fridays 1:30-2:30pm at Wendi Vostad’s home. All moms are warmly invited. If interested, contact Dillene VanBeek, Sue Teitsma, or Heather Stroobosscher. Be alert and always keep on praying. Ephesians 6:18
TRIP News
· The next Quick TRIP will be Wednesday, Nov. 11 from 2:30-3:30pm at the elementary.
· Volunteers are Needed to deliver a check on Thursday mornings to Meijer corporate offices on Walker Ave in order to keep the Meijer certificates coming in on time. Please call Traci Miller if you are available to help with this.
· If you are interested in ordering on-line, contact Traci Miller at tlmiller@wmis.net for a User ID, password, and school code. There will be a fee of $0.39 for each order filled on-line. The website is www.shopwithscrip.com.
New Life Thrift Store (located at 4339 S. Division)
· New Life Thrift Store is coming to our school for donation pick-ups in November. The October pick-ups were a huge success. Thank you for your donations. The truck will be at the middle school on Thurs., Nov. 5 from 7:45-8:45am.
· Don’t forget we need individuals to sort those donations. Call Nicole Scott to volunteer.
The DCS Bus Trip to the Magnificent Mile in Chicago will be Friday, November 6 leaving the middle school at 8:00am sharp and returning around 11:30pm. There are no more seats available on the bus; but if you would like to be added to a wait list, call Deb DenHartigh or Sheri Parker.
School Circle Volunteers (part 1 of 4) Have you ever attended parent/teacher conferences and grabbed a cup of coffee or cookie on your way in? Does your child attend FM, have your parents attended Grandparents Day, did your child participate in the kindergarten program, wear a DCS sports uniform or ever ridden in a DCS school bus? What about Science Olympiad or Christmas Shopper? Do you participate in the TRIP program? If you answered yes to any of these questions, you have benefited from the work of School Circle. If your child is enrolled at DCS, you are a member of School Circle.
School Circle exists primarily for three purposes – to provide volunteers for various functions, to organize fellowship events, and to plan and carry out fundraising events. Over the next few weeks we hope to reintroduce you to School Circle and answer many questions you might have. For example, what School Circle is, what it does, how it benefits DCS – every student and family at DCS, why the fundraisers and where the money goes. You may be surprised to discover how many things at DCS that School Circle supports with volunteers and/or with the funds it raises. School Circle’s event sign-up sheet can be found in either school office or viewed on the DCS website under “School Circle”.
Sports
All Soccer & Volleyball Team Members Please return your clean uniform in a bag with your name on it to the middle school office soon. Soccer players please remember to return your socks. Volleyball players please remember to return your shorts. Thank you!
8th Grade Basketball Practices are from 3:15-4:45pm and games begin at 4pm unless noted.
Thursday, Nov. 5 Byron Center at Dutton
Monday, Nov. 9 practice
Tuesday, Nov. 10 Dutton at Zeeland
7th Grade Basketball
Thursday, Nov. 5 Dutton at Byron Center 4pm - Drivers: Abbott, Hoekwater, VanZee
Monday, Nov. 9 Dutton at Zeeland 2 4:45pm - Drivers: Diemer, DenHartigh, Timmer
Tuesday, Nov. 10 practice until 4:50pm at the MS
School Calendar
Nov. 5 Report cards go home
Nov. 5 New Life Thrift Store Truck at MS 7:45am
Nov. 5 6th-8th Music Concert 7pm at the MS
Nov. 6 School picture retakes
Nov. 6 Bus Trip to Chicago 8am-11:30pm
Nov. 9 Hot lunch orders due
Nov. 10 8th grade pictures
Nov. 10 Special Association Meeting to present the building proposal 7:30pm at the MS
Nov. 11, 12 Parent / Teacher Conferences
Nov. 13 No School
Nov. 23-28 D & W School Days (code # 87953)
Nov. 25 No AM or PM Caledonia busing
Nov. 26-27 No School – Thanksgiving break
Nov. 30 Explore South Christian Night 7pm
Nov. 30-Dec. 5 Family Fare Cash for Class Days (code # 87953)
Dec. 11 Elementary Christmas Shopper
Dec. 15 Skating Party at Woodland 3:30-5:30pm
Feb. 12 Family Fun Night
Attachments: Library Newsletter
Hot Lunch Order Form
Community News November 2009
CLC Network presents the parent seminar: ADD/ADHD and your Child with Robert Bulten, M.D. and Doug Bouman, Psy.S on Thursday, November 5 from 7-9pm. The seminar will be held at 4340 Burlingame Ave. Admission is free, pre-registration is required. Contact Karen at 616/855.3123 or email knienhuis@clcnetwork.org.
First Cutlerville CRC MOPS (mothers of pre-schoolers) is once again offering Antiquities which are old-fashioned (sepia tone) photos. For $10 you receive a 10 x 13 photo of your children (ages 0 – 16). The $10 goes directly to our MOPS group. Antiquities provides all the props and clothes for the photos. If you have any questions or would like to schedule an appointment, contact Holly Baar at baarhk17@msn.com. The photos will be taken at First Cutlerville CRC on November 6 & 7.
Grass Fed Beef For Sale Lee & Jean DeVries raise beef cattle that are free-range, fed grass and hay only (no antibiotics, no hormone injections). If interested in purchasing meat, they sell it as beef halves, beef quarters or beef eighths. Contact Lee 616.891.8488 or Jean 616.299.5710 for prices and other arrangements.
At Caledonia CRC for grades 3 – 8 from 9-11am:
· Floor Hockey - November 7, 14 & 21
· Girls Basketball - December 5, 12 & 19
· For details about all the programs call 891.9961.
9th Annual A Christmas to Remember Bazaar hosted by the West Michigan Christian Athletic Association on Saturday, November 21 from 9am – 3pm at the Home School Building located at 5625 Burlingame, Wyoming. There will be a wide variety of handcrafted items as well as manufactured items (over 80 booths) available to purchase. The admission fee is a freewill offering. Rolls and coffee will be available by 8:30am and lunch will be available at noon. For information regarding renting a booth, please contact Debbie at 616.299.6551 or go to www.wmcaa.org.
Piano Lessons Openings available on Monday afternoons for beginner and intermediate students (adults and children). I have eleven years of teaching experience. Located in the Kalamazoo and 44th Street area. Contact Heidi Vanderlaan at 281.2148 if interested.
Fresh Brown Eggs For Sale for $2 a dozen. Call Josh at 891.9495.
CLC Network is excited to announce a spectacular Christmas concert with the GO FISH guys, Jamie, Jason and Andy. The night is Monday, December 14, 7pm at DeVos Center for Arts & Worship on the campus of Grand Rapids Christian High School. Please help CLC Network celebrate 30 years of providing services for those with disabilities and unique gifts. Tickets are available by calling CLC Network at 616.245.8388, DeVos Center for Arts and Worship box office at 616.574.5600, or on-line at www.clcnetwork.org. Cost for tickets are $18 each or $15 group rate for ten or more tickets. All seating is reserved.
Faithgirlz Beauty of Believing Event with Author Nancy Rue for moms and their tween daughters (ages 8 – 12) on Saturday, November 7 from 9am – 12noon at Sunshine Church located at 3300 E Beltline Ave. Doors open at 8:15am. Tween specialist, Nancy Rue, will be speaking on topics like girl politics, friendships, and loving the way God made you! Enjoy refreshments, a cool craft, giveaways and more, plus everyone gets a free book with her gift bag! Grandmas, friends, leaders, mentors are all welcome. See more about the event at www.faithgirlz.com/tour. Order tickets online at www.sunshinechurch.org or call 616.364.4242. Cost is $10 per tween or $12 at the door. Moms and mentors are free! Brought to you by Zonderkidz. Sponsored in part by GEMS Girls Clubs.
Presenting with Confidence A public speaking workshop by Michelle Napier-Dunnings, sponsored by the Great Start Parent Coalition, on Thursday, November 12 from 6-8:30pm at United Way, 118 Commerce Ave SW. Dinner and childcare provided free. Call 632.1007 to RSVP. Parking validated in Cherry Commerce ramp.
The Imaginary Invalid A funny play for all ages presented by Potter’s House High School students on Thursday, Dec. 10 and Friday, Dec. 11 with performances at 10:15am and 7pm. Located at 2500 Newport SW, Wyoming. For tickets call 241.5220 ext 112. Cost is $5 adults and $3 students. Matinees are $3 for everyone.
Clarinet For Sale Like new only used for two years. If interested, call 554.1940.
Blood Drive at Chemical Bank in Dutton on Friday, November 13 from 11am-5pm. Call Chemical Bank at 698.6337 with questions.
South Christian High School Garment Sale on Friday, Nov. 20 from 9am – 5pm. Please use the parking lot on the west side of SCHS.
South Christian High School presents the play Pride & Prejudice on November 19-21 with performances at 7pm. Reserved tickets are $7 each and will go on sale in the SCHS office on Wednesday, November 11.
Save the Date on Tuesday, Nov. 17 from 3 – 8pm at the Steak N’ Shake on Kalamazoo Ave., just north of 68th Street, 10% of all food purchases bought with a voucher will go to South Christian music department’s trip to New York! Vouchers will be available in the office starting Nov. 10.
Moms in Touch is celebrating 25 years of praying for children and their schools by holding a celebration on Saturday, November 14 from 9am – 1pm at Kentwood Community Church. Arise! Cry Out! will feature a worldwide day of extraordinary prayer for children and schools. For more information see the attachment to last week’s PIT.
CLC Network celebrates 30 years of partnering with schools, churches and families. We are again having the Citrus & More Sale. Orders are due to CLC Network by Friday, Nov. 13 and pick-up date for items is on Friday, December 11. For a flyer for this sale, please look on-line at www.clcnetwork.org, call CLC Network at 616.245.8388, or see your school office.
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