Superintendent's Corner - September 7, 2010
Dear Parents,
Welcome to the start of the 2010-2011 school year! This school year marks the beginning of an exciting new era at Grand Rapids Christian Schools (GRCS).
At Grand Rapids Christian Schools, we are committed to providing a high quality, faith-based education to students in preschool through 12th grade. With our four campuses, three located in Grand Rapids and one in Rockford, we will serve 2,400 preschool-12th grade students this school year!
Grand Rapids Christian Schools nurtures the lives of a spiritually, culturally and economically diverse student body, preparing students to be effective servants of Christ in contemporary society. it is a calling we embrace and to which we dedicate ourselves - all to bring honor and glory to Christ. And it is that calling that creates exciting opportunities for our students!
Grand Rapids Christian Elementary School, our newest state-of-the-art school located in the historic Ottawa Hills neighborhood at 1050 Iroquois SE welcomes Preschool -4th grade students from many neighborhoods throughout the city, Tuesday, September 7.
- Our Early Childhood Development program (Preschool and Transitions) offers a wonder-filled time of faith, focused play, and customized learning for three to five-year-olds as they begin their school journey. Fully certified teachers and a wide range of scheduling options, as well as well as Preschool and Kindergarten Spanish Immersion classes, are available.
- Our elementary program lays the foundation for life-long learning. Within a challenging curriculum, we integrate Christian teachings through both traditional and innovative instructional methods. Teachers differentiate their teaching in order to customize learning for students. Our curriculum is enriched with fine arts, physical education and technology, and our teachers are fully certified, experienced and dedicated.
- The Evergreen Program offers an alternative environment of inquiry-based learning and a balanced (year-round) calendar. Located at its newly renovated 1812 Sylvan campus, Evergreen began school Monday, August 23, serving students in Kindergarten – 5th grade.
- We continue to seek, support and celebrate the gifts and abilities of each student. Educational Support Services (ESS) exists for those who may need assistance beyond the traditional classroom. Serving several hundred children at all levels, we offer a wide variety of individualized services, including short term tutoring, testing, academic support, and inclusion services for special needs students. In addition, beginning in the 2010-2011 school year, ESS introduces a new program specifically for students in grades 1-4, entitled Student Targeted Emphasis Periods (STEP). With STEP, regular progress monitoring allows classroom teachers to identify students who are at risk of falling behind, particularly in the areas of math and reading. These students are given additional or alternative instruction and other resources appropriate for the level of assistance needed. The goal of STEP is to provide students with the type of instruction and educational assistance they need to achieve at high levels!
- World Languages Program expanded, including Spanish immersion opportunities, to further our commitment to 21-century learning. Spanish immersion classes are offered for the 2010-2011 school year at GRCES and Rockford Christian with great popularity. Students in 1st-4th grade receive Spanish instruction by certified Grand Rapids Christian teachers twice a week.
Other News
- Beginning with the start of the 2010-2011 school year, a five-day/week hot lunch program to provide nutritious meals for our K-8th grade students is available! Lunches will include fresh fruit, whole grains, and vegetables. An online payment system, in collaboration with Grand Rapids Public Schools has been established, and for the first time, families will be able to apply for free or reduced price lunches.
- Another vitally important aspect of a strengthened Grand Rapids Christian School is seen in how our schools will be governed. With the membership’s overwhelming approval of new bylaws at last year’s Annual Meeting, Principal Parent Cabinets (PPC) will be established at each school. The mission of the PPC is to work with the principal, superintendent, and Board of Trustees to implement school goals by actively engaging parents in the life of the schools where their children attend. Each PPC will be supported by parent/staff advisory teams such as:
Academic Advisory Team
Athletic Advisory Team
Facilities Improvement Team
Hospitality and Promotions Team
Principal Advisory Team
PTO
School Program Advisory Team
Technology Support Team
Participate as a member of an advisory team by notifying your school principal of your interest!
- Grand Rapids Christian Middle School (5-8th) and Rockford Christian Middle School (6th-8th), our two middle schools, each offer a faith-based, liberal arts education that focuses on academic excellence and fine arts experiences. Students at both campuses participate in unique, hands-on learning experiences, such as a National Science Academy and 6th grade environmental science program, located at Rockford Christian. In addition to our focused academic programs, we offer a variety of sports, including intramurals for fifth and sixth graders, and a variety of competitive athletics for 7th and 8th graders.
- Grand Rapids Christian High School (GRCHS) offers a rigorous, college-preparatory curriculum that builds on students’ gifts and talents. Students can take advantage of a variety of clubs, service learning opportunities, intramural sports and Class A athletic programs. The DeVos Center for Arts and Worship offers hands-on experience in fine arts, both on stage and behind the scenes. We provide a full range of opportunities through Educational Support Services and an impressive selection of advanced placement classes. Students at GRCHS meet rigorous academic standards and continue to be a top-performing high school in West Michigan.
- This fall, we celebrate the news that the Michigan Art Education Association announced the selection of Amy VanderPol as Michigan’s 2011 Art Educator of the Year and Michigan’s 2011 Secondary Art Educator of the Year! Mrs. VanderPol is one art teacher at GRCHS and received news of this honor just a few weeks ago. To learn more, click here.
- We are pleased to announce that Jason Heerema has been named District Director of Athletics at Grand Rapids Christian Schools. This newly created position is part of a strategic initiative to strengthen and align existing K-12 athletic programs and develop new programs for future generations of students. The initiative, which reflects the school’s philosophy of educating students in mind, body and spirit, calls for the integration of athletics with fitness and nutrition programs to educate students on the importance of a healthy lifestyle. In this role, Heerema will develop and direct the implementation of comprehensive and aligned middle and high school athletic programs and K-12 youth sports and recreation programs. He will ensure that every area of athletic and youth sports programs at GRCS equips teams to excel and students to develop an appreciation for health and wellness for life.
As you can see, there are many great opportunities at Grand Rapids Christian Schools. We give thanks to God for everything and look forward to providing a rich educational experience—one that is rooted in God’s word and call on our lives—for Preschool-12th grade students in the year ahead.
Sincerely,
Tom DeJonge, Superintendent
Grand Rapids Christian Schools