SCCS Home Bulletin
March 13, 2024
The mission of Sioux Center Christian School is to disciple God’s children by equipping them with a knowledge and understanding of Christ and His creation so that they can obediently serve God and others as they work and play.
Every Student TREASURED, Every Student TRAINED, Every Student TRANSFORMED
FROM DR. B.
Happy Wednesday, Trailblazers!
We’ll keep going on our series Reformed: Doubling Down. Last time we checked out one of the Es of the Reformed faith when it comes to the idea that we are called to reform day by day: elder led. We reviewed how Reformed churches use an elder led structure of governance. That’s not really related to how a school is operated, but it’s an important part of Reformed churches. We check out one more distinctive of Reformed churches this week: ecumenical.
Reformed churches are ecumenical. That’s the opposite of sectarian. A Christian sect asserts that it alone is the true church and that everybody else belongs to the false church. Reformed churches believe that they are only one small part of a much larger body of believers that together make up the one worldwide body of Christ on earth.
So Reformed churches may look differently, think differently, and even act differently than other members of God’s family, but those differences don’t make them think that they’re the only members of the family. In fact, they’re convinced that their heavenly Father wants them to get along so well that they will work together to bring the good news of Jesus Christ far and wide.
Maybe we can’t iron out all differences with Roman Catholics or Pentecostals just yet. That shouldn’t keep us from trying. We preach the same gospel of Jesus Christ and Him being crucified and risen. We share in the same Spirit and celebrate two of the same sacraments. We disciple each other to follow the same Savior and Lord. So we know that we’re called to work together even if we don’t always worship together.
Ecumenical: another important distinctive of the Reformed faith!
2ND GRADE LEARNING
In science, our 2nd graders are learning about matter and forces, As part of this study, they learned about a man named Rube Goldberg and how he made chain reactions to complete a simple task.
Putting on their engineering hats, they designed their own Rube Goldberg Machines. Students learned they needed curiosity to try different methods, and perseverance, since it can take several tries to make an idea work.
We are thankful for our 2nd grade teachers, Mrs. Stoub, Mrs. Vande Kamp, and Ms. Woudstra, who show through this lesson that God's order and design includes beauty and creativity, which the students' creative machines revealed!
FOR YOUR INFORMATION
- Please check the online calendar for upcoming events (http://www.siouxcenterchristian.com/calendar.cfm)
- There will be no school March 25-April 1 for Spring Break/Easter Break. Classes will resume on Tuesday, April 2.
- The school office will be closed March 25-April 1 for Spring Break.
- During Spring Break, the TRIP Office will be open from 8:00-1:00 on Monday, March 25 and Thursday, March 28.
- ISASP Testing for grades 3-8 will take place April 15-17.
BUSING ON FRIDAY, MARCH 15
As a reminder, doors open at 7:55 and classes start at 8:10. Students are dismissed at the end of the day starting at 3:05pm. Please enter the drop off/pick up lane from the west side of school (along 1st Ave). If you plan to come into school to pick up your child, please park your vehicle. Thanks for your help in making drop off and pick up as safe as possible for our students!
PARENT TEACHER CONFERENCES
Parent Teacher Conferences will be held today (Wednesday, March 13, 2:30-6:00pm) and tomorrow (Thursday, March 14, 4:00-8:00pm). We highly value our relationship with parents and want to provide the opportunity to have a conference this spring to discuss your child’s progress at school. These conferences are optional and all conferences (TK-8) will be just parents and teachers.
7-8 Parents
For the spring conferences this year we will be trying a new approach for our 7th & 8th grade parents since your child has six classroom teachers. Depending on your child's classroom needs, we want to provide access to all of the teachers. These conferences are encouraged, but not required in the spring. Sign ups will be on Bloomz this Friday.
- Wednesday, March 13, (2:30-6:00) will be an opportunity to schedule a conference with any teacher. It can, but does not have to be, with their homeroom teacher. These time slots are 15 minutes, and are a chance to meet directly with a teacher in the classroom.
- Thursday, March 14, (4:00-8:00) will be an open house format, where all classroom teachers will be available for an unscheduled visit in the gym. This allows for a chance to connect with some or all of your child’s teachers in a more flexible, quicker manner. The teachers will be spread out around the gym at separate tables. When a teacher is available, feel free to meet with them.
SPRING INSTRUMENTAL CONCERT - MONDAY, MARCH 18
Our 3rd – 8th grade spring instrumental concert is on Monday, March 18 at 7:00pm in Centerpoint Church. 3rd – 8th orchestras will share a variety of songs, including Jupiter and Brandenburg Concerto #3. The 5th-6th grade bands will perform a wide array of joyful songs. Come in person or watch the recording (no livestream) at https://www.siouxcenterchristian.com/currentfamilies/livestream.cfm. A freewill offering will be received for our music department.
GROUNDBREAKING CEREMONY
We are ready to break ground on the Blazer Center campus expansion because God's people have made generous giving decisions! Since June 2021, God's people have given/committed $8.9 Million to IGNITE the Vision for God's kids at SCCS, knowing their gifts will impact growing disciples' lives NOW and for GENERATIONS to come!
We'd love to have you come to our Groundbreaking Ceremony NEXT Tuesday, March 19 at 1:30pm!
Location: South side of school, by the soccer field.
Parking: You are welcome to park on the northeast side of school, using 3rd Ave SE and the First CRC parking lot.
Some folding chairs will be available, or you are welcome to take your lawn chairs, or stand for the 30 minute ceremony.
We hope you will join us for this exciting milestone in God's Story for SCCS!
SCCS SOCIETY MEETING - THURSDAY, MARCH 21, 6:00PM
The Sioux Center Christian School Board of Trustees will be holding the annual Society Meeting on Thursday, March 21, at 6:00 PM in the SCCS orchestra room. Agenda items include approving the 24-25 budget, board updates, a financial update, and more. Materials are available to read through before the meeting here. We invite all Society members to attend!
PARENT VISIT DAYS
We value the partnership between our parents and school! We want to invite you into the school so you can experience what’s happening in the classroom. Each grade level will be hosting a Parent Visit Day again this year. You are invited to join us for some time in the classroom and Pizza Ranch pizza on us!
4th Grade Parent Visit Day will be Friday, March 22. Please sign up here by Monday, March 18 so we know how many to plan for. Thanks!
- 10:45 - Welcome in the Band Room
- 10:55-11:45 - Classroom visit
- 11:45 - Pizza Ranch Lunch
Kindergarten Parent Visit Day will be on Thursday, April 4. Please sign up here by Monday, April 1 so we know how many to plan for. Thank you!
- 10:00 - Welcome in the Band Room
- 10:10 - 11:00 - Classroom Visit
- 11:00 - Pizza Ranch Lunch
GRANDPARENT/SPECIAL FRIEND DAY
Grandparent/Special Friend Day will be on Friday, April 12. Look for invitations to come home with your child in the next couple of weeks. Please deliver to grandparents: send in the mail, text a picture of the invite, or hand deliver! If grandparents are unable to attend, please encourage sending a note to grandkids to be opened on Grandparents/Special Friends Day.
CLASS LIST Q & A
This is the time of the year when we begin to create class lists for next year! This is a very important process. Here are some frequently asked questions regarding class lists that may help you understand our process:
Q – What are the steps for developing class lists?
A – Your child’s current grade levels teachers create a rough draft of the class list for next year. Those who spend the most time with your child at Sioux Center Christian School are the first step in the process of making next year’s class list.
Q – What information do the teachers use to make the class lists?
A – We attempt to balance classes considering gender, abilities to work independently, academic needs, learning styles, social needs, behavioral concerns, and special needs. Resource teachers also meet with each grade level to provide additional feedback towards placements.
Q – What is the proper way to communicate my requests to the school?
A – If you desire to make a request, please provide your input in an email to Brandon Haan (principal) by April 5.
Q – If I make a request, is it safe to assume the request will happen?
A – We welcome the parent input, but ultimately the final decisions rest with the school. There is no guarantee that the request will be granted.
Q - Can I make a request if it’s just for a teacher or classmate preference?
A – You can, but priority is placed with academic, social, and behavioral needs. A request of one or two friends is reasonable, but isn’t a guarantee.
Q – What if I provide my input during the summer or after the class lists are posted in August?
A – Most teachers have begun making their preparations for the school year by that time, and this makes it very difficult in a lot of ways. This request would likely cause a domino effect of changes that would impact a lot of people. There are times when new students to SCCS are added throughout the summer, so this is why lists are not posted until August 1.
DOUBLE your GIFT for the Blazer Center Gym Floor
Give an early Trail’Raiser Trek gift and your gift will be DOUBLED!!
Some generous donors have put together a $50,000 gift match because they want us to reach $9 Million before groundbreaking (we’re at $8.9M).
TRAIL'RAISER TREK 2024
SAVE THE DATE for our 2nd Annual Trail’Raiser Trek on Saturday, April 13!
A fun COME & GO fundraising event where you can GIVE to help BUILD the Blazer Center gym floor – the foundation for God’s kids to worship, gather, run, jump, and perform!
Click here for more details about Trail’Raiser Trek 2024…
ROUND UP INFORMATION
Do you have a child who is ready to start Transitional Kindergarten or Kindergarten this fall? Go to our website (https://www.siouxcenterchristian.com/connectwithus/tkkroundup.cfm) to sign up for a round up time and for more information. If you know of any families who might be interested in sending their child to SCCS, please share this information with them!
Preschoolers and their parents are invited to come and experience a sneak peek of SCCS on March 8 or March 15 from 9:30-10:30am. Enjoy a time of activities and play that will include whole group story time. To sign up and choose a session, click here.
4CARE
Do you have a child who will attend preschool next year? 4Care is an opportunity for children who attend half-day preschool to enjoy play-based learning at SCCS on the half-day they are not in preschool.
Students may enroll in a morning or afternoon session, plus we offer a full-day Friday 4Care option. We will accept up to 12 children per morning and afternoon session of 4Care. Friday 4Care and Add-On Options 1 & 2 are limited to 12 children each.
To reserve a place in 4Care go to https://www.siouxcenterchristian.com/studentlife/4care.cfm
Let your friends know about 4Care!
FRIDAY KINDERCARE
Friday Kindercare is a play-based child-care opportunity for students who are in TK/Kindergarten at SCCS for the 2024-25 school year.
To RESERVE your child's place in Friday Kindercare, complete this form: https://forms.gle/8jzSi7z8xfAfuB3W7
We will send you an email within a week confirming your child's place in Friday Kindercare. We will accept up to 24 children.
If you have any questions about the process or the form to be filled out, please contact the Sioux Center Christian School Office at 712-722-0777 or teekhoff@siouxcenterchristian.com.
TALES AND TRAILS
Registration is now OPEN to SCCS families and community members for our Tales and Trails Summer Camp 2024!
This is an educational and fun summer opportunity for kids who are 5-11 years old by June 1, 2024.
Weekly camp themes encourage students to learn about the wonder of God’s creation through a variety of hands-on, fun activities. Outdoor play is also an important part of the camp experience, and kids are encouraged to stay active and engaged during their time at camp.
Information and registration forms are available on our website and by the TRIP window. https://www.siouxcenterchristian.com/studentlife/talestrails.cfm
Note: A Siouxnami Waterpark pass is required for camp. You can purchase your membership online or call 712-722-4386.
STORYLINE CHAPEL
Storyline chapels will be the first Wednesday of the month at 1:35pm in the gym. Students are expected to wear their Storyline shirts! Parents and guests are WELCOME to attend! You may also join our livestream (and recording) at https://www.siouxcenterchristian.com/currentfamilies/livestream.cfm
LOST AND FOUND
HELP WANTED
Sioux Center Christian School invites you to consider the opportunity to work with a dedicated faculty and staff, passionate parents, and fantastic students through the following position openings:
- Grades 5-8 Learning Center Teacher, Tier 3 (Full-time)
- Head Custodian (Full-time)
- Tales & Trails Summer Staff
- Paraprofessional (2 Full-time positions, starting August 2024)
- Kitchen crew (Part-time)
- Substitute Teachers
For more information on these positions and details on how to apply, go to
https://www.siouxcenterchristian.com/conne.../employment.cfm
FOOD SERVICE NEWS
- Thanks to everyone who signed up to help with dishwashing this year! If you would like to help out you can sign up here. If you have questions, contact Ashley Keith (akeith@siouxcenterchristian.com).
- You can find the lunch and dishwashing schedule here.
- If you would like to eat lunch with your child, please contact the school 24 hours in advance of when you would like to eat. The cost for a lunch is $5.00 and can be paid as you go through the lunch line. Thank you!
PELLA STAFF MEMBER OF THE MONTH
Nominate a staff member to become the Pella Corporation Staff member of the month. Pella Corporation will award one monthly recipient $500.00 to use towards school approved items and a certificate of recognition. A nomination form can be found here.
REQUESTED ANNOUNCEMENTS
Currently there is information for:
- Cheer Class at StudioR
- Sioux Center Art Club (Grades 2-3)
- Sioux Center Arts Youth (Grades 6-12) and Kid's (Grades 3-5) Theatre
- Dordt Women's Basketball Camp Information
- Unity Christian Jr. Knights Softball Registration (Grades 4-8)
- Unity Christian Jr. Knights Baseball Registration (Grades 5-8)
- Dordt Sports Camps for students entering grades 2-8
- Sioux Center Recreation Boys and Girls Spring Soccer for Grades K-6
- Mountain Bike Skills Camp for Grades 6-9
- Destiny Youth Ranch (A horse camp with Christian values)
- Youth Soccer League at the American State Bank Sports Complex
- Inspiration Hills Summer Camps
SCCS
Email: sccsoffice@siouxcenterchristian.com
Website: siouxcenterchristian.com
Location: 630 1st Ave. SE, Sioux Center, IA
Phone: 712-722-0777
Facebook: facebook.com/siouxcenterchristian