Monday, September 24, 2012

Blog update September 24, 2012

I hope that you had a great weekend!!

Thank you for your understanding for last Tuesday  with holding students in class while waiting for the helicopter to leave.  

I will try to do the best I can to let all of you know when each class will be going on field trips.

 School Theme for 2012-2013

“Citizens of God’s Kingdom” is our theme for the year.   We will focus on both understanding the breadth of God’s Kingdom and what it means to be a citizen of it.  Our theme verse will be Micah 6:8 – “He has shown you, O man, what is good.  And what does the Lord require of you?  To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God.”

Family Time 
Thank you to Mr. Kuiper for leading us in family time this morning.
For the middle school family time, Mr. Burgess spoke to the ms students about what makes a person’s identity.  He challenged the ms students, based on Micah 6:8, to find their identity as a citizen of the kingdom of God.
Everyone is invited to attend our Family Time on Monday mornings at 8:45 AM
We hope to see you there whenever you can make it!

See You At The Pole
Parents are invited this Wednesday, September 26, to join us in an 8th grade led time of worship and prayer around the flagpole at the front of school from 8:40-8:50.  SYATP is a national, student-led event that centers around the fellowship of school communities coming together to pray for not only the local community, but also for our nation and world.  See YOU at the pole!

Learning Commons News
Overdue notices will be handed out on Thursdays. Please check with your student to make sure their books are returned on time. Several students have books checked out from last year and even though they are very late, we would still welcome them back!

Each class has a scheduled library time to hear a story, check out books, and read. Make sure to ask them what they checked out and share some reading time with them!

Fifth graders are enjoying realistic fiction from the Real Reads book list, sixth graders are focusing on informational books, seventh graders are discussing themes in short tories, and eighth graders are exploring books about Lewis and Clark.

MAP testing continues this week for grades 2-8.  The testing will conclude on Wednesday, Sept. 26.  Check with your child’s teacher for exact times.

Eighth graders are working on their spiritual journey presentations.
 
T.R.I.P. NEWS
NEW NAME: On July 1, we re-organized and we are now called Eagle-TRIP!  If you haven't already, please complete a NEW Registration form at the TRIP office, or here: http://www.grtrip.org/html/sign-up.html .  Remember to make checks payable now to Eagle-TRIP.

6th grade Environmental Classroom New
The 6th grade Environmental Classroom students will be going to their GGA (God’s Green Acre) on Wednesday to measure and record the circumference of trees.  On Friday the EC students will be cleaning of Belding Road for the fall Adopt-A-Highway.

We had the first fire drill Friday
A week at a glance:

Hot Lunch
Starts today: September 24.

School Pictures
Monday, September 24
- Grades K-3
-  M/W/F PreK & M/W/Th PreK’s
Tuesday, September 25
-Grades 6t-8
– T/Th PreK AM; Absentees
Monday, October 1
-Grades 4-5

 4th and 5th grade at JB Zoo

The 4th and 5th graders will not be at school all week.
They are leaving school at 8:30 and returning at 3:00 each day.

Mrs. Bardolph’s class is heading to Robinette’s Apple Orchard on Thursday, September 27. They are leaving school at 9 am for our trip from 9:30-10:30.

Camp Roger this week
This week is a week off.
   
The First Graders will be going on a field trip to Calvin College!  They are learning about trees and will be investigating and identifying trees in the nature preserve there.  The field trip is on Monday, October 1st.  Senora Burgess’ class will go in the morning, and Mrs. Underwood and Mrs. Faber’s group will go in the afternoon!

Safety & Security Precautions
For the safety and protection of our students and staff, everyone (parents, vendors, River Rock Church guests, etc.) entering RCS during school hours is required to sign in at the school office and obtain a “Visitor’s Badge.” Anyone desiring to enter the school hallways will be required to wear the badge. All RCS staff and River Rock staff will be wearing ID which will identify them as staff. As part of the security safety plan, only one main front door will remain unlocked between 8:45 a.m. and 3:30 p.m. on school days. Thank you for your willingness to help us keep our students and staff safe.

Peanut Free
Just a reminder that we continue to be a “peanut free” school. No peanut products are allowed at school.  Any questions, contact the school office.

Did you know I do the monitors?
Grandfriends day is next week Friday, October 5. If you email me a picture of your student with their grandparents I will put it on the monitors for that day.  You can email me a dworst@grcs.org  If you have any Prayer Request,  you can email me.  I would love to pray for you and your family!! Please specify if you would like everyone to know and I will put it on the monitors.

 Thanks for all that you do for God’s kingdom!
Mr. Dave

Monday, September 17, 2012

Blog update September 17/ 2012


I hope that you had a great weekend!!

I will try to do the best I can to let all of you know when each class will be going on field trips

School Theme for 2012-2013

“Citizens of God’s Kingdom” as our theme for the year.  We will focus on both understanding the breadth of God’s Kingdom and what it means to be a citizen of it.  Our theme verse will be Micah 6:8 – “He has shown you, O man, what is good.  And what does the Lord require of you?  To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God.” 

Family Time 

Thank you to  Mrs Werdon for her wonderful Family Time today entitled “What are you afraid of?”  Be sure to ask your child to tell you about this Family Time. 
Everyone is invited to attend our Family Time on Monday mornings at 8:45 AM
We hope to see you there whenever you can make it!

P.E. News

We are starting with soccer and then fitness testing.

Learning Commons News

Overdue notices will be handed out on Thursdays. Please check with your student to make sure their books are returned on time. Several students have books checked out from last year and even though they are very late, we would still welcome them back!

Each class has a scheduled library time to hear a story, check out books, and read. Make sure to ask them what they checked out and share some reading time with them!

Fifth graders are enjoying realistic fiction from the Real Reads book list, sixth graders are focusing on informational books, seventh graders are discussing themes in short stories, and eighth graders are exploring books about Lewis and Clark.

MAP testing continues this week for grades 2-8.  The testing will conclude on Wednesday, Sept. 26.  Check with your child’s teacher for exact times.

8th  graders are working on their spiritual journey presentations.

T.R.I.P. NEWS
 
NEW NAME: On July 1, we re-organized and we are now called Eagle-TRIP!  If you haven't already, please complete a NEW Registration form at the TRIP office, or here: http://www.grtrip.org/html/sign-up.html .  Remember to make checks payable now to Eagle-TRIP.

A week at a glance:


Curriculum Night
Tonight (K-8) from 7:00-8:30 p.m. Come and learn from your child’s teacher about the exciting things happening at RCS this year!

6th grade News

The 6th graders will be discovering more about their individual plots of land at Camp Roger.  This is known as “God’s Green Acre”.

Camp Roger this week
K Monday September 17 am
1st Monday September 17 pm

School Pictures
Monday, September 24
 Grades K-3M/W/F PreK & M/W/Th PreK’s

Tuesday, September 25

-Grades 6-8
 T/Th PreK AM; Absentees
Monday, October 1
-Grades 4-5    

Hot Lunch
Hot Lunch order forms are now past due.  Hot lunch will start on Monday, September 24.
Safety & Security PrecautionsFor the safety and protection of our students and staff, everyone (parents, vendors, River Rock Church guests, etc.) entering RCS during school hours is required to sign in at the school office and obtain a “Visitor’s Badge.” Anyone desiring to enter the school hallways will be required to wear the badge. All RCS staff and River Rock staff will be wearing ID which will identify them as staff. As part of the security safety plan, only one main front door will remain unlocked between 8:45 a.m. and 3:30 p.m. on school days. Thank you for your willingness to help us keep our students and staff safe.

Peanut Free

Just a reminder that we continue to be a “peanut free” school. No peanut products are allowed at school.  Any questions, contact the school office.

Did you know I do the monitors?
If you have any Prayer Request,  you can email me.  I would love to pray for you and your family!! Please specify if you would like everyone to know and I will put it on the monitors.

Thanks for all that you do for God’s kingdom!

Mr. Dave

Tuesday, September 11, 2012

Blog update September 11 2012

I hope that you had a great start of the school year!

I will try to let all of you know when each class will be going on field trips

Welcome to all of our RCS families!
The Home Bulletin will arrive via email on Tuesdays. It is sent to all parents’ email addresses. If you are getting duplicate emails or do not desire to have one of you receive it, please contact the school office. The bulletin contains important information and will help keep you aware of any changes or additions to the school calendar throughout the school year.  You can also find the bulletin and other important information on our website at www.grcs.org/Rockford.

PLEASE REMEMBER TO TURN IN YOUR INFORMATION PACKETS TO THE SCHOOL OFFICE  ASAP

School Theme for 2012-2013
“Citizens of God’s Kingdom” as our theme for the year.  We will focus on both understanding the breadth of God’s Kingdom and what it means to be a citizen of it.  Our theme verse will be Micah 6:8 – “He has shown you, O man, what is good.  And what does the Lord require of you?  To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God.”  

Handicap Door Openers
We had them all fixed at RCS; please don’t push them continuously. Please don’t kick them; please don’t use them unless necessary. Thanks

If you have any Prayer Request,  you can email me.  I would love to pray for you and your family!! Please specify if you would like everyone to know and I will put it on the monitors.

Sports news
We are off and running! We have 4  girls volleyball teams, 2 boys soccer teams so  Check GRACEAC.com for current game schedules. We have several students playing football, cross country and swimming as well.

P.E. News
Welcome to a new school year in Physical Education.  Mr. Farrell is the teacher again this year and I am helping him in the gym.  We are starting with soccer and then fitness testing. 

Learning Commons News
Seventh and eighth graders are already using their netbooks and soon the fifth and sixth graders will be receiving their netbooks.
Each class has a scheduled library time to hear a story, check out books, and read. Make sure to ask them what they checked out and share some reading time with them!
Fifth graders are enjoying realistic fiction from the Real Reads book list and we’ll have our first drawing today for books and other prizes!
MAP testing
 will begin this week Wednesday for grades 2-8.  The testing will conclude on Wednesday, Sept. 26.  Check with your child’s teacher for exact times.

BAC/Kids Club.
 You must fill out an enrollment form with the school office if you are going to use either BAC or Kids Club. BAC is available from 7:30 a.m. until 8:40 a.m. before school for students in grades PreK-8; After school care runs from 3:17 p.m. until 6:00 p.m. for students in grades Pre K-8.
Kids Club is available to those students who are enrolled in our preschool and kindergarten programs on Monday through  Friday from 11:00 a.m. -3:17 p.m.
For those families who would like to use “drop-in” for the Kids Club program, we ask that you call the school office at 574-6400 at least 24 hours prior to the needed time to confirm whether or not space is available.

T.R.I.P. NEWS
 Weekly TRIP will continue on Tuesdays from 8:00-10:00 a.m. ONLY.
When RCS has a 2-hour delay, TRIP will operate from 10:30-11:30 a.m.

A week at a glance:

Family Time news
yesterday we had Mrs. Dekker from the Grand Rapids Christian Elementary come and speak at our Family Time.  She spoke about how God is the master designer of all that he has made and that he created each student with wonderful gifts and talents.

6th grade news
The sixth grade Environmental Classroom students will be going to Camp Roger and selecting their “God’s Green Acre”.  Their GGA is a piece of land that measures 70’ x 70’ which they will be studying throughout the year.
 Camp  this week

Camp Roger
7th Grade went yesterday morning  

The Middle School Mixer at Wabasis Lake
on Thursday (September 13). We’ll leave after morning break and return at the end of the day. Students should bring a morning snack but they do not need to bring lunch. Every student needs to bring a filled water bottle for the day. They should bring (modest) bathing suits and towels if they plan on swimming. Also, please send in $2 to cover the cost of lunch for the MS mixer. I might be going!
 
Everyone is invited to attend our Family Time on Monday mornings at 8:45 AM
We hope to see you there whenever you can make it!

RCS students helped with art prize last week on  Thursday  by making a billboard sign for United Way.   This billboard will the on display during Art Prize.
Thank you goes to Mr. Jackson

 Hot Lunch
 Hot Lunch is scheduled to begin on Monday, September 24.  We are in need of several volunteers to help serve lunch.  The time commitment is approximately 1 hour per week from 12:00-1:00 p.m.  Please contact Kris Blanker at 648-4406 with any questions or to volunteer.  Hot lunch costs will remain the same as last year: $1.65 per meal.
 
MAP testing w
ill begin this week Wednesday 
Safety & Security Precautions
For the safety and protection of our students and staff, everyone (parents, vendors, River Rock Church guests, etc.) entering RCS during school hours is required to sign in at the school office and obtain a “Visitor’s Badge.” Anyone desiring to enter the school hallways will be required to wear the badge. All RCS staff and River Rock staff will be wearing ID which will identify them as staff. As part of the security safety plan, only one main front door will remain unlocked between 8:45 a.m. and 3:30 p.m. on school days. Thank you for your willingness to help us keep our students and staff safe.

Curriculum Night
Next week Monday September 17 (K-8) from 7:00-8:30 p.m. Come and learn from your children’s students about the exciting things happening at RCS this year!

Peanut Free
Just a reminder that we continue to be a “peanut free” school. No peanut products are allowed at school.  Any questions, contact the school office.

Thanks for all that you do for God’s kingdom!
Mr. Dave

Monday, June 4, 2012

Blog update June 4

I hope that all of you had a great weekend!!

Please continue to keep Mrs. Broersma in your prayers.  She is taking it one day at a time.  Also, please pray for Mrs. Winn.  Her husband's mother passed away late last week.

ALL library books are due!  Library staff will be doing inventory and other end-of-the-year tasks this week. Many students currently have overdue books. Please help locate and return your overdue books. Look for Summer Reading lists, which will be distributed this week. These lists will be helpful for finding great books for your student and encouraging them to be readers all summer!

Kids Club / Before & After Care
Before Care will be available through the morning of Thursday, June 7; there will NOT be PM After Care on Thursday, June 7.
The last day for Kids Club & After Care (11:15 a.m.-3:15 p.m.) will be Wednesday, June 6.

Last Day of school is Thursday, June 7.
Dismissal on Thursday, June 7, will be at 11:35  a.m.  in order to access RPS busses.
The GRCS busses will be available for those who ride the GRCS busses on a regular schedule.

The 6th grade had a great time up at Sleeping Bear Dunes. Thanks for keeping them in your prayers!  They did not get wet but it was cold!!!

A week at a glance:

Family Time
Monday, June 4, 8:40 - 9:15
8th Grade Reflections

Family Time
Thursday, June 7, 8:40 - 9:20
Reflections on 2011-2012
Everyone is invited to attend our final Family Time on Thursday, June 7. It will be a special time of worship and reflection. We hope to see you there!


"Thanks again for another good year in P.E.  May you find many opportunities to stay physically active this summer.  Hope to see you in the fall."  Mr. Farrell


I would like to say thanks:

I can’t believe that I work (or maybe helping is a better word) with your students by helping them out! I have been helping students for 11 years now and I love doing what I do. Blessing students as they bless me. Thanks for all that you do for God’s kingdom!

Mr Dave

Tuesday, May 29, 2012

Blog update May 29

I hope that all of you had a great Memorial Day!!!!!!!

Congratulations to Mrs. Oren on a baby boy!  His name is Noam Raphael Oren.
Mrs. Broersma came back last Monday.  Please continue to keep her in your prayers.  She is taking it one day at a time.

ALL library books were due May 25. Library staff will be doing inventory and other end of the year tasks the final two weeks of school. Many students currently have overdue books. Please help your student locate and return their overdue books. Look for Summer Reading lists which will be distributed this week. These lists will be helpful for finding great books for your student, encouraging them to be readers all summer!

 Kids Club/Before & After Care
Before Care will be available through the morning of Thursday, June 7; there will NOT be PM After Care on Thursday, June 7.
The last day for Kids Club After Care (11:15 a.m.-3:15 p.m.) will be Wednesday, June 6.


 Last Day Thursday, June 7
Dismissal on Thursday, June 7 will be at 11:35  a.m.  in order to access RPS buses. The GRCS buses will be available for those who ride the GRCS
bus on a regular schedule.

A week at a glance:

The 5th graders went to the Whitecaps Game today.

Tomorrow
The 6th grade will be going to Sleeping Bear Dunes until Friday.

PE. News
We are working on base games to finish the year.  We play games like kick ball, German Bat Ball and 3 Ball.  Please ask your kids about these games.

Family Time Fast Forward
Monday, June 4
8th Grade Reflections

Thursday, June 7
8:40-9:20
Everyone is invited to attend our final Family Time on Thursday, June 7.  It will be a special time of worship and reflection.  We hope to see you there!

Hot Lunch Reminder
The last day hot lunch will be served is this Friday, June 1. Students will need to bring sack lunches June 4-6.

Thank you to all that brought in balls for the
Kenya Sports Ball Drive!

CONGRATULATIONS TO:
7/8 Grade Boys Baseball Team--won their League Championship Tournament.
7/8 Grade Girls Softball--took 2nd place in their League Championship Tournament.
5/6 Grade Boys Baseball--with a 6 win and 2 loss year end record.
5/6 Grade Girls Softball--with a 4 win, 2 loss, 2 ties record.

Thanks for all that you do for God’s kingdom!
Mr. Dave