The Wolfpack Edge

On September 22, we reached the halfway point between summer and winter—the autumnal equinox! This is the moment when day and night are nearly equal, with about 12 hours of daylight and 12 hours of darkness. Since June, we've been losing daylight more quickly, and now we're losing a few minutes each day. However, we've been treated to the most gorgeous weather lately, and it looks like this beautiful trend will continue for a while longer. Enjoy it while it lasts!

Next week will be a bit shorter due to the annual Heartland Teachers Convention. Each year, WC’s faculty attends this conference, which provides a great opportunity for professional development, making connections, and worship alongside hundreds of other Christian educators. This break comes at the perfect time, offering a chance to catch our breath as we move into the busiest part of the first quarter. On Wednesday, October 2, school will start at 8:25 AM and dismiss at 12 PM, with bussing available. There will be no school Thursday or Friday.

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

We love welcoming Western grads to lead us in chapel! When I heard Ms. Tairin VanTol was in the area for a while, I was especially thankful that she agreed to share a message with our students in Thursday's chapel. Tairin's heart for all people groups, particularly those yet unreached with the Gospel, Good News is one of the first things anyone senses about her. We are blessed to hear her message on God's heart for His people and the place of suffering in the life of a Christian. Andrew Hoekstra and team continue to lead us in worship, and our Faithpacks will dig into the topics Tairin shares during chapel.

*There will NOT be a chapel next week due to the Heartland Christian Educators Convention.*

All of these events will be livestreamed. Please consider joining us for chapel by subscribing to Western Christian High School Livestreams on YouTube.

Mrs. Karen Christians

Director of Discipleship

Western Christian first opened its doors in the fall of 1919. Did you know that in over 100+ years, Western Christian has never charged the full cost of education to attend? The gap between tuition and the actual cost of educating each student has always been filled by generous giving, church support, creative fundraisers (think apple pies, pigs-in-a-blanket, and silage piles to name a few), faithful volunteers, and a mindset to sacrifice to raise our Covenant Youth in the light of God's Word. Western Christian is grateful for the century-long partnership between church, home, and school. That 'three-legged stool' is as important in 2024 as it was back in 1919, and it will continue to be for the future generations of Christ-centered education. Thank you for all the ways that you support Western Christian's mission as parents, churches, and communities!

Mr. Justin Negen

Chief of Finance & Operations

For planning purposes, please note the following:

- Wednesday, October 2: Last Day before Heartland Break (8:25 AM-12:00 PM) -- Bussing is provided!

Thank you for your continued support of the Pack Shack! We will be open at the Home Volleyball Tournaments on September 28 from 9 AM-12 PM, and on September 30 from 4:30-7:30 PM.

• Two male students from the Netherlands
• Ages 15 - 17 years; can communicate in English and Dutch
• Eager to start communicating with their host family
• Contact Carey Van Donselaar at carey.vandonselaar@westernchristianhs.com, or (712) 449-5923.

Fruit Sales packets have been handed out to FFA members! If you are interested in purchasing fruit, meat & cheese, candies or cookie dough, contact an FFA member! Fundraiser will end on October 24; delivery will take place the week before Thanksgiving!

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.

TUESDAY - OCTOBER 1, 2024

• WC will host our only home Cross Country Invite at Rolling Hills on Tuesday, October 1st. Running will begin at 4:15 PM; we would LOVE to see all our Wolfpack fans out to cheer on our runners!

FRIDAY - OCTOBER 4, 2024

• Home football game vs. Sheldon Orabs at 7:00 PM.
• A tailgate sponsored Sioux Center Health will begin at 5:30 PM.

• Girls in Grades 5-8: Are you interested in being a part of the Jr. Wolfpack Basketball Team? Sign up here! Registration closes 9/27.

• Keep an eye out for Jr. Wolfpack Boys & Girls wrestling & Boys basketball. Online registrations will open soon!

During the Junior and Senior years, students may opt to take no more than one elective course a semester on a pass/fail basis. This option is only for students taking 7 or 8 Western credits that semester. The decision to take a course pass/fail must be decided by the student by the end of the 6th week of that semester, Monday, October 7. The decision needs to be recorded by the Registrar. A "pass" in the course will not affect the student's grade point average but a "fail" will affect it similar to a "F" in any course.

If, according to the discretion of the teacher and the administrative team, the student is not making sound educational use of the course, the student can be dropped from the course with no credit.

Be aware that some colleges will see a pass as no higher than a D, so if the elective class is one you may need for your field of study the letter grade will be better on your transcript.

Students are to contact Mrs. de Boom if they are interested in taking a class pass/fail.

This week was our first round of Personal Professional Learning. The goal of this time is for teachers to identify areas in which they want to grow or develop their teaching practices. There are a wide variety of options that align with our Portrait of a Graduate, WC teaching standards, and Writing Across the Curriculum. Teachers chose an activity and worked on it for the professional learning hour. This is a great time for the development of innovative ideas and collaboration!

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.