I am so glad that the warm weather has arrived!!
A BIG thank you
To all the parents that were able to attend the 8th grade speeches Wednesday morning. The students did SO well, and it was great for them to have an opportunity of a larger audience than just their classmates for an assignment such as this.
Karen VanStright, a long-time employee of the CLC and GRCS, has decided to retire after many years of dedicated service in supporting the needs of all learners in the Grand Rapids Christian Schools.
Most recently, Karen was the director of Educational Support Services (ESS) at Rockford Christian School, but she also spent many years at Millbrook Christian School in conjunction with the Christian Learning Center.
Karen has dedicated her entire career to supporting the needs of all learners, and we want to provide an opportunity for GRCS and CLC staff, as well as families of students with whom she has worked, to share their appreciation and thanks with her.
We would like to extend an invitation to join Karen and her husband, Bob, at Rockford Christian School on Tuesday, April 21, from 4:00 - 6:00 p.m. for a Retirement Open House.
There's another opportunity to share your love and appreciation for Karen. We're putting together a memory/photo book for Karen to remember her years at the Grand Rapids Christian Schools. Please consider writing a special memory or letter to Karen/Mrs. VanStright (from you or your child/ren) and send it to Becca Jasperse (bjasperse@grcs.org). (This does not have to be on special paper or sent as a pdf---just send it as a regular email.) Please also include (attached in the email) a picture of yourself, your child, or family depending on who the memory is from. We will be collecting these until April 3. Thank you, in advance, for making this so special for Karen!
“Our Father’s World” (OFW) Event
tonight Monday, March 23: The annual OFW dinner at Red’s on the River is this evening. This event has two main goals: (1) to foster RCS community and (2) to raise money for tuition assistance for current and future RCS families.
The event begins with a reception from 6:15 – 7:00, with the program starting at 7:00 p.m. IF you are attending and have questions about parking, see Eric on Monday.
Learning Commons
March Madness continues. Check the library for the results this week. We’re down to the Final Four.
The Mystery Reader winners so far: Thys Segard, Reid Mokma, and Rylie Mulder. Congratulations! There will be one more winner announced at the end of this week.
End of Third Quarter
End of Third Quarter for Grades 5 – 8 is Weds., March 25.
Recycling Reminder
RCS Parents: Just a reminder that you can recycle paper (in the Paper Gator dumpster near the bus garage) and cardboard (by the middle school basketball court) in the RCS parking lot. If you bring cardboard boxes, please remember to break them down before you put them into the cardboard-only dumpster. Thanks!!
This week the 6th grade Environmental Program
American Legion Food Pantry—March 24--Tomorrow!!
the 6th grade will be going to the Rockford American Legion Post again in order to help with food distribution. they did this back in November and the students had a wonderful time being “Jesus” to the people they were serving. The 6th grade will be helping on Tuesday, March 24, from 9:30-11:45.
The 6th grade students will be enjoying some interesting food. All year long they have been studying Africa and the culture of its people. As a capstone to their studies, they will be going to the Little Africa Restaurant to discover the taste of food from the country of Ethiopia. One of the interesting facts about the Ethiopian culture is that utensils are not used. Everything is eaten with the hands.
On Friday the students will be traveling to Camp Roger and also beginning their environmental issue project.
Theme Week
Theme Week is next week. This will be the Monday-Thursday before Spring break that the students learn all about the RAINFOREST! Please let your student teacher know if you or your family plans to leave early that week for vacation, as we need to know for group numbers.
Good-bye to Sleds
With the melting of the snow, it's time to put the sleds away for another year. We still have a few left loitering in the elementary hallway. Please plan to take your sled home this week.
Tryouts for Junior Varsity and Varsity Sideline teams
Attention 8th grade girls heading to Grand Rapids Christian High School next fall.
Due to MHSAA regulation changes and exams at the end of May, tryouts for Junior Varsity and Varsity Sideline teams will take place On Thursday, March 26, and Friday, March 27, in the Quest Center, from 3:30-5 p.m. There will be additional tryout clinics at the end of May/early June for new high school students to GRCS and for incoming 8th graders, as well.
There are no cuts for 8th graders, so come and experience what it is all about! Sideline cheer is the perfect way to meet a team full of girls before your first classes and the best way to learn about Competitive Cheer, the fastest growing MHSAA sport! Questions? Please call Jacque DeJonge @ 949-7516.
Two Prayer Requests for members of the RCS Community
Three prayer requests for members of the RCS community:
(1) Alivia Jackson - Alivia, an RCS and GRCHS grad now attending Kendall College of Art and Design, has recently contracted mono. Liv is missing her classes at Kendall this week as she recovers and gains strength. She was slated to be the speaker the "Our Father's World" event tonight, but we have collectively decided to not have her speak at the event so that she can focus on her recovery. (Becky Werdon has graciously agreed to step in for Liv--Becky was planning to share the devotions tonight.)
(2) Becky Werdon - Please continue to pray for our friend and colleague not only in her role as Evergreen principal but as she prepares for the "Our Father's World" event on Monday.
Family Time
Mr. Phil Warners talked about the five senses and how we see God. Mr. Kuiper led us in music. Ask your student about this Family Time.
Mon, March 23,
8th grade Camp Roger has been rescheduled.
Our Father's World at Red's on the River, downtown Rockford 6:15 pm
I’m praying that you have a great week!
Thanks for all that you do for God’s kingdom!
Mr. Dave
