SCCS Home Bulletin
May 1, 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. BOWAR
Happy Wednesday, Trailblazers!
The day has come. We’ve reached the last installment of the series Reformed: Doubling Down. I hope that this series has been helpful for you as we’ve taken a deep dive into what it means to be Reformed, the perspective that we hold dear at SCCS. We continue to rally around this perspective as we implement our mission at school. Parents 120 years ago wanted a school that focused on the Reformed Christian perspective, and we have parents today wanting the same thing! What a testament to the faithfulness of our God.
We’ve been looking at six Es that help us focus on what it means to reform day by day. Last time, we focused on the fact that Reformed Christians are Easter observing. This time, let’s check out how Reformed Christians are equity seeking.
Unfortunately, today’s society has really tainted the word equity. I hope you’ll see that what equity means from the Reformed perspective is much different than the equity we see shared in today’s headlines.
Contemporary North American Christian tends to be divided into two camps: “evangelicals” and “mainliners”. Evangelicals stress the importance of having a personal, saving relationship with Jesus Christ whole mainliners stress the biblical call to do justice and care for God’s world. Evangelicals concentrate on evangelizing people and the idea of saving souls. Mainliners concentrate on saving people from poverty and oppression and caring for the earth.
So how about Reformed Christians? Are they evangelical or mainliners? They are both. With the evangelicals, the Reformed perspective emphasizes the importance of developing a personal, saving relationship with Jesus Christ. Without that, faith is a worthless shell. But with the mainliners, Reformed Christians equally stress the global ramifications of that personal relationship with Jesus Christ: it calls us to a life of discipleship in which we claim all of life for God’s kingdom. Jesus is good news for the heart of every sinner. Jesus is also good news for the whole world.
So, the Reformed perspective involves itself in personal evangelism with the same zeal as they engage in social action. Reformed churches do outreach, they send missionaries to every corner of the globe, and they also work hard at providing for the needs of those locally. They call and work for justice in their neighborhoods and around the world. They serve others with word and deed. They practice and promote the careful stewardship of earths’ resources. They are the mouth, hands, and feet of Christ.
Seeking equity – another distinctive of the Reformed perspective. May we continue to live this idea out in all of our spheres of influence!
MINIMESTERS
Last Thursday and Friday, our 5th, 6th, 7th, and 8th graders were full of smiles and concentration as they learned new skills during “minimester” classes. A minimester is a 2-day class that lasts 1 1/2 hours each day, and each student takes three classes. Our faculty and staff create fun and interesting classes that help students expand their skills and explore areas of interest.
Our purpose in offering minimesters is to encourage students to find joy in learning, have choice in experiences, and build relationships with others.
Excitement filled the hallways as students enjoyed learning through classes such as: Stop Animation, Journalism, Theater Prop Making (they made props for the 7th/8th Jan 2025 production of Disney's Beauty and the Beast Jr.!), Trap Shooting, Pickleball, Bible Study, Painting with Bob Ross, Drum Line, Color Guard, Escape Room, Bridge Build, Sphero Robots and many more! There were almost 30 different classes!
THANK YOU to all our faculty and staff for creating these innovative and fun classes and thank you to our students for the joy and thankfulness they show as they diligently do the work in these minimesters!
FOR YOUR INFORMATION
- Please check the online calendar for upcoming events (http://www.siouxcenterchristian.com/calendar.cfm
- The Pops Concert for 7-8 Band and 5-8 Orchestra will be at Centerpoint Church on Thursday, May 16 at 2:15pm. The Jr. Pops Concert for grades 3-5 Orchestra and 5-6 Band will be at 3:15pm, also at Centerpoint Church. You are welcome to join us for these concerts!
- Storyline Celebration will be held at the BJ Haan Auditorium at Dordt University on Monday, May 20 at 7:00pm.
- Join us on Wednesday, May 22, at 8:30am for our final chapel of the year to celebrate our 8th graders who will be graduating.
- 8th Grade Graduation will be at Centerpoint Church on Wednesday, May 22 at 7:00pm.
- Our last day of school will be Wednesday, May 22. We will dismiss at 11:05.
- On Wednesday, MAY 22, SCCS will dismiss at 11:05 and the public school will have a full day of school. All buses will be running the morning route but only Bus 2014 and 2020 will be running the afternoon routes at our 11:05 dismissal time. All other students will need to transportation home from school.
2024-2025 Online Registration Now Open
Online Registration is now available and will be open through May 15! This replaces the in-person registration event we have previously held in August. The $250 school registration fee will be waived if the forms are filled out by May 15. If you are unsure of your registration intentions for the 2024-2025 school year or have any issues getting logged in or filling out the forms, please contact our office for assistance at 712-722-0777 or sccsoffice@siouxcenterchristian.com.
ESA Applications Now Open
A reminder that the ESA application is also open! ALL families who qualified for an ESA last year MUST also apply again this year. Families who received an ESA last year are automatically qualified to receive an ESA this year, but you must apply each year. Families entering kindergarten, switching from homeschool to SCCS, and switching from the public school to SCCS also qualify. Also, families who have an annual income under 400% of the poverty level also qualify. Click here for the application.
5-8 SPRING CHORAL CONCERT
You are invited to our Spring Choral Concert on Tuesday, May 7 at 7:00pm at Centerpoint Church. This concert will feature our 5th, 6th, and 7th/8th choirs who will be singing a wide variety of styles, including swing music, music in the Swahili language, a song inspired by traditional Irish and English blessings, a song featuring a well-known Bible story, and more. The concert will conclude with a beautiful mass choral piece sung by the 5th-8th graders.
A freewill offering will be received for our music department.
K-8 Art Showcase
What: Sioux Center Christian School’s first ART SHOWCASE is May 8-15! The show will be up at Centre Mall all week!
Who: All SCCS students Kindergarten through 8th grade will each have one piece of art on display
When: Artist Reception (Open House) May 8
Time: Refreshments served on May 8 from 6-8pm
Where: Centre Mall
Why: God designed all of us to be creators! The Art Showcase is a great opportunity to celebrate the creative work that our students accomplished this year and foster joyful connections between artist and audience.
TEACHER APPRECIATION WEEK: MAY 6-10
We're celebrating our amazing teachers during Teacher Appreciation Week (May 6-10)!
We are so thankful that our teachers treasure our students and deeply desire to train them to see God's Story in everything, and live that Story as transformed children! We encourage you to express your appreciation through a note or whatever way you choose!
LIBRARY BOOKS DUE - FRIDAY MAY 10
This year our SCCS library was a place to Find the BEST Story! All library books are due Friday, May 10. You’ll receive an email and a paper notice sent home with your child if you have an end of the year library fine for a lost or damaged book. Email Emily Mouw if you have questions: emouw@siouxcenterchristian.com. Thank you!
TRAILRAISER INVITATIONAL TRACK MEET
The Trailblazer Invitational Track Meet is scheduled for Wednesday, May 15, at the Sioux Center Football Field and Track. Events start at 11:45am.
Be sure to visit the concession stand! They will be serving pulled pork sandwiches, Pizza Ranch Pizza, hot dogs, homemade bars, popcorn, chips, fruit, candy, pop, Gatorade and water. The stand is run by First CRC of Sioux Center and all proceeds benefit their Christian education fund.
TRAIL'RAISER TREK REPORT
THANK YOU to all who came to our Trail’Raiser Trek fundraising event on Saturday, April 13! It was a beautiful day weather-wise AND a wonderful morning that reflected the warm love and generosity we enjoy from our faithful supporters!
The new Trek Quest challenges were a big hit and had supporters of all ages walking through school trying to find clues! Everyone enjoyed the delicious brunch, the iced coffees, fruit refreshers, gourmet cupcakes, bars, and snack mixes, and Truth t-shirts and decals. We are incredibly grateful for the generosity that shines at an event like this!
Through the early gift matching challenge and donations at the event, $150,000 was raised to help build the gym floor in the future Blazer Center which will serve as a vital foundation for thousands of God's growing disciples for generations to come! Through this giving we also reached the $9 million milestone! (Did you know we reached $6.7 million this time last year?! Wow… what amazing generosity!!! THANK YOU!!)
THANK YOU to all who gave to the Trail’Raiser Trek and to ALL the volunteers who gave your time to make this event
SUMMER TUTORS
If you are looking for a summer tutor, below is a list of names from our faculty and staff that are interested in helping your child. You may contact any of these people if you would like services for your child.
Miriam Buss (3-6th math or reading)
Mbuss@siouxcenterchristian.com
712-578-1227
Jena Dykstra
jdykstra@siouxcenterchristian.com
712-348-1276
Sarah Stoub (TK-5)
sstoub@siouxcenterchristian.com
712-441-7022
Abigail Van Beek K-4 Reading (phonics) and/or Math
avanbeek@siouxcenterchristian.com
712-441-1120
Road Safety
The police department continues to hear the public's concerns about traffic on 1st Ave SE, specifically around Centerpoint Church.
Parents: First, please talk to your children about the safest route to and from their destination. If possible, use the sidewalks or trail system. If they need to cross the road, talk to them about stopping, looking both ways, and waiting for the road to be safe before crossing. This also applies to kids walking and on bikes.
Drivers: Please slow down, be prepared to stop, and allow extra time to reach your destination. This area is especially congested during school drop-off and dismissal.
Let's all work together to stay safe and enjoy the upcoming warmer weather.
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.
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:
- Band/Choir Teacher (full-time)
- Cook (part-time)
- Head cook (full-time)
- Custodial cleaning crew
- Head Custodian (full-time)
- Paraprofessionals
- 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:
- Summer Driver's Ed Options
- All Kids Can Bingo Night
- Western Christian Jr. High Cheer Clinic
- Unity Christian Sports Camps Information
- Western Christian Summer Camps
- "A Day with the Pros" Camp for grades 3-8
- Sioux Center Public Library Dia Day/Children's Day on May 1
- Future Unity Christian Knights Soccer players for grades 6,7,8
- Western Christian Girls Basketball Camp for grades 3-8
- Unity Christian Strength Training Information for 8th graders
- Driven School of Driving Moped Safety Course
- Dordt Women's Basketball Camp Information
- Dordt Sports Camps for students entering grades 2-8
- Mountain Bike Skills Camp for grades 6-9
SCCS
Email: sccsoffice@siouxcenterchristian.com
Website: siouxcenterchristian.com
Location: 630 1st Ave. SE, Sioux Center, IA
Phone: 712-722-0777
Facebook: facebook.com/siouxcenterchristian