The Wolfpack Edge

There are so many great stories from this past week at WC, but one of my favorites happened earlier today. Local residents from Aspen Heights and our students came together for a heartwarming pumpkin-decorating activity, creating meaningful connections between young adults and seniors. Intergenerational relationships play a key role in building "sticky faith"—a faith that is both internalized and lived out. When students serve and form bonds with younger children or older adults, they are more likely to develop a faith that lasts!

Every Wednesday morning, our staff gathers for devotions, and this week Mrs. Amie Smit shared a powerful reflection from I Chronicles 28. In this passage, David charges Solomon with the task of building the temple, delivering a clear and inspiring message: God has a plan, and we are chosen to carry it out. We are reminded to serve Him with wholehearted devotion and a willing mind, trusting that He will help us understand the details of His plan. Just as God was with Solomon, He is with us, surrounding us with skilled people to help along the way. As David encouraged, let us be strong, courageous, and faithfully do the work!

Mr. Brian Verwolf

Head Administrator

-------------------------

The Wolfpack Edge serves as a weekly communication to our parent community. We'll send it to your inbox each Thursday during the school year. If you would like the newsletter to be sent to an additional account, let us know! Grandparents & supporters may request to receive the communication, too. Please email Mrs. Kathy Mouw with contact information: Kathy.Mouw@westernchristianhs.com

Join us for a special Reformation Day worship at Hull First CRC during our regular chapel time (9:45-10:25) on Thursday, October 31! LouAnn Wielenga will share beautiful, traditional Reformation music, and Andrew Hoekstra, along with the worship team, will lead a blend of both traditional and contemporary songs. Pastor Kevin Muyskens will bring a meaningful message on "Sola Scriptura"—a vital aspect of the Reformation that continues to call for our urgent attention.

We invite you to worship with us at 9:45 AM at Hull First CRC. Everyone is welcome!

Mrs. Karen Christians

Director of Discipleship

In recent months, Western Christian’s Finance Committee has been developing a Stewardship in Finance Statement. The desire is for it to provide a framework to help prioritize key financial matters, ensuring resources are allocated in alignment with the school's mission and values. The Board adopted this statement in its October meeting:

The Lord is the giver of all; we are called to be His stewards. Western Christian will seek to honor this calling as we live out our mission to raise Covenant Youth in the light of His Word.

We believe God-honoring stewardship:

1) Provides resources that allows WCHS to deliver our mission with excellence.

2) Carefully and intentionally manages financial assets to balance the budget.

3) Attracts, developes, and retains talented, qualified Christian faculty and staff through competitive compensation.

4) Proactively prepares for future stability by intentionally building and maintaining reserve funds.

5) Cultivates trusting relationships and collaborative partnerships with those who support our mission.

6) Provides accessibility to Christ-centered education.

Mr. Justin Negen

Chief of Finance & Operations

Western Christian is excited to announce a new team that was formed. We are calling it the "MERT" team, standing for: Medical Emergency Response Team. Our MERT Team (L-R): Nate van Niejenhuis, Shawn DeStigter, Katie Reitsma, Abby Vanden Bosch, and Waylon Pollema. They have all been certified in CPR, 1st Aid, and the AED.

If there were to be a medical emergency during school hours, the front office will be notified immediately who in turn will announce for the MERT Team to go to the location of the emergency.

In an effort to best protect and support our students, we feel it is very important that the MERT Team is aware of any medical conditions that may exist within our student body. These conditions include but are not limited to diabetes, asthma, epilepsy or any allergies that require the student to carry an EpiPen. We are asking parents to provide us with this information by emailing Kathy Mouw at kathy.mouw@westernchristianhs.com with any conditions their child may have along with any instructions or information that would be helpful to the MERT Team.

Here is the link to download Season Activity Passes along with tickets for away games throughout the season. Click here for TICKETS. To stay up to date on athletic schedules, school events, cancellations or changes, we encourage students and fans to download the BOUND app. The icon for this app is located on the right.

• WCHS will host regional volleyball next week on Thursday, October 24, beginning at 7 PM. Tickets must be purchased online through the IGHSAU; season passes will NOT be accepted.
• WCHS will be on the road at Okoboji Friday night for Regional Football, beginning at 7 PM. Tickets must be purchased online here.
• WCHS Cross Country State Qualifying Meet at Landsmeer Golf Course in Orange City tonight. Come out to this FREE event to cheer on the Girls (beginning at 4:00 PM) & Boys (beginning at 4:40 PM) to cheer on your fellow Wolfpack!

• YOUTH BOYS WRESTLING: REGISTER NOW! Sign up is open until NOVEMBER 22!
• We are excited to begin practices for the winter seasons for Junior Wolfpack. If you have not signed up for basketball or wrestling, please contact Derek Keizer at derek.keizer@westernchristianhs.com. We would love to get your son or daughter signed up for one of our sports!

2024 Football Playoff Shirts are in the Student Lounge and ready for pick-up! Go Wolfpack!!

This captivating story combines history and fantasy, set during the Dust Bowl era, and promises an engaging experience showcasing multiple types of storytelling. Come and see a giant ten foot tall puppet operated by three students, and a 1919 Ford Model TT graciously lent to us by the Yesterday's Memories Truck Museum in Sanborn, IA.

Over twenty students auditioned for the show in early august before school even started, and have been working very hard to make this an amazing performance. Don't miss out on coming to see The Storm in the Barn November 14 and 15 at 7:00 in the Event Center.

• All parents desiring a conference must schedule a time with the office. You can email (kathy.mouw@westernchristianhs.com) or call (439-1013) to reserve conference times. Email is our preference. If you have more than one student and they share a teacher, please let us know if you would like to schedule one time slot for each student for that teacher or if you prefer to use one time slot to discuss both students.

• Conferences with individual teachers will be 5 minutes in length. Out of respect for all WC parents and teachers, it is important that you stay within the 5-minute schedule. If more time is needed, please request a double block. A bell schedule will help to keep us on track.

• The end of Quarter 1 is October 25. First Quarter report cards will be available by the time of Parent-Teacher Conferences. You are encouraged to check JMC to view your student’s progress at any time.

• If you have emailed in your requests, Kathy will be working on those over the next couple of days/weekend. Expect to see your schedule by early next week, if not before.

If you plan to attend Explore Western or have any questions, please email or contact Brad Vis - brad.vis@westernchristianhs.com or 605-359-5704.

We have a Financial Aid Night scheduled for Thursday, October 17 at 7 pm in the cafeteria. Harlan Harmelink, Director of Financial Aid at Dordt, will be here to lead seniors and their parents through the FAFSA process. FAFSA will open in early December. This evening is for all seniors planning to attend college.

Western Christian High School does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, or national or ethnic origin in the administration of its educational policies, admission policies, scholarship and loan programs (if any exist), and athletic or other school administered programs.