GRAND RAPIDS CHRISTIAN SCHOOLS BULLETIN DECEMBER 13, 2019 VOL. 1. ISSSUE 1 Each year the admin team at Grand Rapids Christian Schools sends out Christmas cards to donors and other community partners. However, these aren't your typical store-bought Hallmark greeting cards. These are one-of-a-kind works of art created by Grand Rapids Christian Schools students. Art teachers at each of the 5 GRCS campuses asked students to submit Christmas themed artwork for consideration for this year's GRCS Christmas cards. The Board of Trustees confirmed one from each campus, and five unique Christmas cards were created featuring this artwork.
We are pleased to present to you the 2019 Grand Rapids Christian Schools Christmas Cards. Olivia Tuit 11th Grade @GRCHS Claire Kooy 8th Grade @ GRCMS Addison Druckenmiller 7th Grade @ Rockford Zoe Robinson Team 3 Grade @ Evergreen Jacob Burgess 4th Grade @ Iroquois
The 2020-2021 Variable Tuition Application is now open to current GRCS families. Any family with a student entering kindergarten through twelfth grade may apply for Variable Tuition if they are concerned about affording the Full Tuition rate. To determine if you qualify for a variable rate, you must submit an application to FACTS.
A Blessed Christmas to you from Grand Rapids Christian Schools' administrative team. We are so privileged to serve you and your children each year, and our hope is that you will find the Peace of our Lord Jesus Christ this Christmas both in your giving and receiving.
School resumes on Monday, January 6. If you would need the assistance of the GRCS administrative team during the holidays, please feel free to stop by between 8:00 am and 4:00 pm any day except Christmas Eve, Christmas Day and New Years Day. Merry Christmas! Extending Hospitality Across Cultures: Host Families Needed!
Did you know there are students from many cultures studying at GRCHS?
Did you know that a school bus is the safest form of student transportation?
Last school year, GRCS buses safely traveled 173,229 miles, which equates to almost 7 times around the earth!
Our Grand Rapids Christian Schools bus drivers conducted several Bus Safety Classes in October and November at the Evergreen, Iroquois and Rockford campuses. Some of the things students learned about include the danger zone around the bus, how to ride safely, and how to cross safely, in front of the bus at a bus stop. Students also practiced school bus evacuations.
Thoughtful Neighbors: GRCHS Thanksgiving Food Drive
Our students are continually working toward the GRCS Portrait of a Graduate goals. Last month students from GRCHS displayed the Portrait of a Graduate characteristic Thoughtful Neighbors during the organization of a Thanksgiving food drive.
Justice Seekers: GRCMS Rain Garden
Every day, both inside and outside of the classroom, Grand Rapids Christian Schools teachers integrate the Portrait of a Graduate characteristics into classroom projects and more. In October, the sixth graders at Grand Rapids Christian Middle School partnered with Plaster Creek Stewards to plant two rain gardens on the GRCMS campus.
2018-2019 GRCS Impact Report Feature: Theme Verses
The 2018-2019 Impact Report is devoted to exploring how each school lived out its unique theme.
These stories and many more showcase Grand Rapids Christian’s dedication to upholding Christian teachings while implementing unique, comprehensive learning across disciplines.
Join us as we celebrate the tangible ways in which students and graduates of Grand Rapids Christian Schools embody our mission today and the many days to come.
2018-2019 GRCS Impact Report Feature: Grand Rapids Christian High School Prayer Wall
The Grand Rapids Christian High School prayer wall is a unique, living feature designed to be shared by all high school students, staff, and teachers. Staff utilized wood from decades of shop storage to complete the project, which was initially inspired by a GRCS student who requested that a friend tuck a prayer in Jerusalem’s famous Western Wall.
Designed as a wooden representation of the wall in Jerusalem, the Prayer Wall is a safe space for prayers and devotions and serves as a tangible example to students of how we are to live in community – sharing our prayer requests with our fellow Christians and together bringing them to God.
The holidays are fast approaching, and with that, there are many special holiday concerts and events! Here is a summary of some of the upcoming Grand Rapids Christian Schools holiday happenings.
Grand Rapids Christian’s annual Christmas Pops concert is a highly-anticipated Christmas tradition.
This year’s Christmas Pops concert will be held this Saturday, December 14 at 7:30 pm, at the Richard and Helen DeVos Center for Arts and Worship.
Grand Rapids Christian High’s Chamber Chorale, Symphonic Band, and Symphony Strings will be performing with award-winning classical guitarist, Brian Morris. An associate of the Michigan Arts and Humanities Touring Program, Brian maintains an active performing schedule both as a soloist and with the Grand Rapids Guitar Quartet.
Come and join the GRCMS Community as we let our lights shine and celebrate with our students and let their lights fill your life.
Enjoy instrumental, vocal, and dance performances along with videos of the many unique and impressive talents of the Middle School students and staff.
Support Grand Rapids Christian Middle School when you bring the whole family to this special evening.
General Admission Tickets for this event will go on sale Monday, January 6, 2020, at 9:00 am.
Join us at one of our three Open Houses in January. See how our Christ-centered, child-focused preschool and kindergarten programs inspire creativity, nurture faith, and foster academic and social growth as we excite children about learning and position them for future success.
Every day is a new opportunity to share, learn, and grow — together!
UPCOMING DATES ROCKFORD: Tuesday, January 14 IROQUOIS: Thursday, January 16 EVERGREEN: Tuesday, January 21
The middle is a great place to be! We welcome the opportunity to show you all the outstanding things happening at our school and explore how our campuses enhance learning every day!
Join us for a tour and overview presentation, and your student will have the opportunity to shadow a Grand Rapids Christian Middle School or Rockford Christian Middle School student and experience our school for the day.
UPCOMING DATE GRCMS: Friday, January 24 RCS: Monday, April 27
Join us for a Future Eagle Day, where students and parents will get the opportunity to learn more about what makes Grand Rapids Christian High School distinct.
After the morning program, your student will shadow one of our high school students and see what it’s like to be a Grand Rapids Christian Eagle for a day; parents can leave and return to pick up their students at the end of the school day.
UPCOMING DATE Friday, January 31
This is a busy time of year for all, both personally and professionally! Here at GRCS, we are filled with a sense of hope and renewal as we look forward to the coming holiday season and year ahead. As we enter the season of Christmas and our first semester of school nears an end, our eyes have already turned toward preparing for the 2020-2021 school year.
The board had an opportunity to review the preliminary budget considerations at its December meeting, and the Finance Committee will continue its review in December and January in order to present the full 2020-21 budget to the board for its final review, discussion, and approval at the January board meeting.
Heartfelt thanks to each board member for their efforts and support. And blessings to you and your families during this season of Joy!
Sincerely Tom DeJonge, Superintendent
Brad Mockabee Principal, GRCHS
Eric Burgess Principal, GRCMS
Ben Buursma Principal, Rockford
Ann Bakker Principal, Evergreen
John Barkel Principal, Iroquois
Congrats to the Grand Rapids Christian High School back-to-back volleyball state champions!
The Eagles held Division 2's top ranking all season, and lived up to their billing by sweeping Lakewood on November 23 to earn consecutive state titles.
For all the latest information on Grand Rapids Christian High School sports and events, please visit the athletic website. QUESTIONS Jason Heerema Carolyn Groendyk
5th — 8th Grade Athletic Opportunities
WINTER 2 Athletics for 5th — 8th Graders runs from January 6 — March 7
Click HERE for more details. GIRLS BASKETBALL (GRCMS) January — March
WRESTLING (RCS + GRCMS) January — February
SKI TEAM (RCS + GRCMS) January — February
QUESTIONS Kevin Broene Dave Nieboer Grand Rapids Christian Schools is pleased to be able to offer recreational programs for preschool through 8th grade. All students from Grand Rapids Christian, Rockford Christian, and the greater Grand Rapids community are welcome!
GRCS Youth Sports Recreation Programs are Open for Registration! All programs are run by Grand Rapids Christian High School Coaches. GIRLS LACROSSE: Grades 3rd-8th GIRLS LACROSSE: Grades 3rd-8th WRESTLING CLUB Grades 1-5th BOYS LACROSSE: Grades 3rd-12th BOYS LACROSSE: Grades 3rd-12th MIDDLE SCHOOL Grades 5th-8th BOYS LACROSSE: Tuesdays, Feb. 11 – March 3 COMING SOON! _________________________
Boys Spring Lacrosse League
Girls Spring Lacrosse League
Coed Bowling
Little Eagles Night Out
QUESTIONS?
TRIP HOLIDAY SCHEDULE
The TRIP offices will be open 3 weeks in December and will be closed December 20 — January 5, 2020, for Christmas Break. TRIP VENDOR NEWS & HOLIDAY SHOPPING
Small denominations cards available through the end of the year! These are perfect for teacher gifts and stocking stuffers! We have $5 Starbucks, $10 Amazon, and $10 Meijer in stock. Other $5 and $10 cards may be special-ordered a week ahead. A complete list is available at the TRIP Office.
New gift card available! The Happy Dining $25 card is accepted at The Cheesecake Factory, Buffalo Wild Wings, Cracker Barrel, Red Lobster and PF Chang's with an 8% rebate.
HOURS & LOCATIONS IROQUOIS CAMPUS ROCKFORD CHRISTIAN QUESTIONS? LOCATION
2929 29th Street SE
616.942.2929 HOURS
Monday - Saturday 10:00 am to 7:00 pm WHAT IS NEW 2 YOU?
New 2 You is an upscale thrift shop run primarily by volunteers. Proceeds from New 2 You directly support tuition reduction in the form of an annual per student grant.
This year the grant amount is $345 for each K-12 child you have enrolled in GRCS. Your tuition has already been reduced by that amount! Find out more about how New 2 You benefits students and families at GRCS and how you can get involved!
Thank you for your interest in joining the Grand Rapids Christian Schools community. We encourage you to preview our current available positions and invite you to explore our site to learn more about our school and our five unique campuses as you carefully consider the next steps in your career.
Listing of the goods, services, and events here does not constitute the endorsement of the Grand Rapids Christian Schools. Please contact Sara Buchholz at sbuchholz@grcs.org for questions or to request an announcement placement. Living Nativity at Brookside Christian Reformed Church
Join the community for the retelling of the Christmas Story with Brookside Christian Reformed Church's Living Nativity Friday December 13 — Sunday December 15.
Grand Rapids Christian Schools Preparing students to be effective servants of Christ in contemporary society
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