HOME BULLETIN: GRCMS - June 4, 2019  top 
Children sitting together in chapel.

June
5            8th Grade Graduation (ticketed event; 7:00pm at DeVos CAW)
6            7th Grade Michigan Adventure Trip
7            Last Day of School (12 noon dismissal)
14          Report Cards posted on ParentVue

August
14          Open House; Music Instrument Fitting
19          First Day of School (12 noon dismissal)


Please report all student absences and late arrivals.
Please phone 574-6389 to report any absences or late arrivals. It is accessible 24/7. 



From the Principal
"Build the Kingdom Here"

How quickly does a school year fly by?  In the blink of an eye, we are already to the final Home Bulletin of the year. 

Our school theme of "Build the Kingdom Here" is an appropriate theme for a Christian school community.  Throughout the year, we have attempted to challenge the kids and ourselves as adults to engage in being Kingdom builders here at GRCMS, in our broader west Michigan community, and throughout God's world.

As we reflect back on this year, I hope that you can say along with your children that they have grown and matured in acting more like servants and disciples of Jesus Christ. Are they still adolescents who will make impulsive decisions? Sure. But they also are not the same children that they were when they started the school year back in August.

It is our fervent hope and prayer that your children have grown this year not only as young people but as Kingdom builders. It is an honor to partner with you in the education and faith growth of your children; thanks for sharing them with us for another school year.  May you and yours have a blessed summer enjoying the beauty of God's creation and time with family and friends!

Middle School News
Important Reminder for Parents of Students Entering 7 th  Grade in 19-20: 
The State of Michigan requires that  all 7 th  grade students  submit written evidence that immunizations are up to date or a copy of a certified waiver.  You must submit this by the start of school on August 19, 2019. We appreciate your attention to this matter, as it is our goal to ensure a safe and healthy environment for all of our students. Please contact your building principal with any questions about the GRCS immunization policy. Additional information on the immunization requirements is available here.

Last Home Bulletin: This is the last home bulletin for the school year 2018/2019. Expect a back to school mailing at the beginning of August. Please inform the school if any of your contact information (address, phone or email) changes during the summer months.

Last Days of School:  The last day of school for eighth grade students is Wednesday, June 5.  Students must report to the DeVos Center for Arts and Worship (CAW) on the GRCHS campus promptly at 10:00am.  Eighth graders will be dismissed from the high school at 12:00 noon. There will be no mid-day bus service. Parents who pick up students should do so by the rock outside the auditorium, using the south parking lot. Parents who wish their child to walk home that day should provide a signed note.
The last day for fifth, sixth, and seventh grade students is Friday, June 7. Students will be dismissed at 12 noon. There is no GRPS busing; Christian School buses will operate as scheduled. The office will close at 12:30pm that day so that staff can participate in closing devotions and complete professional work.

Year End Report Cards: Middle School (grades 5-8) report cards will be available in ParentVue on June 14, 2019. We will not be sending home paper copies of report cards.


Medications: Parents, if your student has medication(s), en epipen or an inhaler that was available for their use in the school office this year, please come to the office to claim these items. No medications shall remain in the building over the summer so we ask that you pick up these medications before the end of the school year or they will be disposed of properly. Parents or guardians, not students, must retrieve these medications from the office. If you have any concerns, please call the school office at 574-6300.

Homework Club Participants: The last day of homework club will be Thursday, June 6. Please try to have balances paid in full by that date. Final invoices will be sent in the U.S. mail soon.

Dollar Donation Day: For the remainder of the school year, the Student Advisory Board has started a Dollar Donation Day every Friday. Until the last day of school, we will be donating to a refugee camp in Kakuma, Kenya. Those who work with the camp will then be able to buy books for the students there. We encourage you to follow along with this act of servitude in sharing our blessings, by donating simply a dollar.

Tennis Shoe Drive: In the office there is also a bin to donate any and all old or new pairs of tennis shoes. These shoes will then go with a small group of 8th graders in our school who are going on a mission trip to the Dominican Republic with Keystone Church. These shoes will be given to kids in the D.R. who don't have shoes to wear everyday for PE class.

Lost & Found: As we finish out the school year, be sure to check our overflowing lost and founds bins for anything your child may have misplaced. There are a lot of nice coats, sweatshirts, tennis shoes, athletic gear, lunch containers, and much more. We will be donating these items to New 2 You at the end of the school year.

Sports Physicals:  Current 8th graders planning to play sports at Grand Rapids Christian High School in 2019-20 school year need to have an MHSAA physical form on file with the high school athletic office before they are allowed to participate. A valid physical for 2019-20 must be completed anytime after April 15, 2019. You may turn in the completed physical to the GRCHS athletic office as soon as you finish it, even if it is before the end of this school year or during the summer. You may pick up a physical form at the GRCHS athletic office, or print out a physical form here.  This form must be completed with all signatures in order to participate in sports at GRCHS.  You may attach your doctor's office physical form for the doctor portion of this form but the parent portion and signatures need to be completed on this form. 

Simple Ways to Earn Money for our School Over the Summer:
  • Paper Gator: Recycle all your paper (not cardboard) by placing it in our Paper Gator located in the corner of the middle school parking lot.
  • Box Tops: Clip and save Box Tops. We will have another competition for collecting Box Tops in the fall.
  • Direct Your Dollars: Simply save all your D&W and Family Fare grocery receipts and bring the entire receipt to the office.

From the Technology Department
Technology Equipment Sales:  Our yearly  technology sale  will be held at GRCHS in the All City Gym entry off Plymouth Ave. on June 6 from 12:00 - 4:00, and June 7 from 7:30 - 1:00. All devices are sold as is with no support.
  
Hot Lunch
Parents: Please help us end the year on a "positive" note.  We need to have all outstanding balances cleared so we can close out school year. Check your child's hot lunch account and submit a payment for any negative balances. 
Please email Jill if you have any questions:  jzondag@grcs.org


Hot Lunch Volunteers:  
Monday through Thursday volunteers are needed from 11:35-12:15; Friday volunteers are needed from 11:30-12:15. To help with serving hot lunch, see our sign-up here.

Wednesday, 6/5
Sara Dekker

Thursday, 6/6
Help! Volunteers Needed.

Friday, 6/7  
No lunch served. 12 noon dismissal.
  
PTO Update
Your PTO is in need of a treasurer for this coming school year.  If you have experience in this field (or are willing to learn), please email Lesley Selfe at  selfe.les@gmail.com .  Thank you!

Magazines Still Available:  Do you still need a graduation gift or maybe a Father's Day gift?  You can order magazines at any time of year and still support our school! Go to  www.apmags.com  to order. Our school code is WA8617.  Thanks for your loyalty!

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TRIP News
Hours:   
Tuesdays:   Gift card sales @ RCS from 8:00-10:00 a.m.
Wednesdays:  Gift card sales @ GRCES Iroquois Campus from 7:30 a.m.-5:00 p.m.

You may also contact us at the TRIP office on Mondays, Tuesdays and Thursdays; hours vary. Phone 574-6030 or email  info@eagletrip.org . Visit our website at www.eagletrip.org anytime.

Summer Schedule:
Rockford Christian School
Open Tuesdays 9-10:00 am on 6/11, 6/18, 6/25, 7/9, 7/23, 8/6
Closed 7/2, 7/16, 7/30, 8/13

GRCES-Iroquois Campus
Open Wednesdays 8:00am-3:00pm on 6/12, 6/19, 7/10, 7/24, 8/7
Closed 6/26, 7/3, 7/17, 7/31, 8/14

Regular hours resume the week of August 19.
            
Vendor News:
  • We still have some limited-time small denomination cards in stock. Great for teacher gifts, graduates and other special occasions! Additional brands may be special-ordered a week ahead through June 16. 
  • New brands available as physical gift cards! All must be special-ordered a week ahead. 
       
    REI $25 card, 8% (also available as instant e-cards at ShopWithScrip and Benefit Mobile - both with 8% rebate)
        Forever 21 $25 card (also available as instant e-card at ShopWithScrip-5% rebate and Benefit Mobile-6% rebate)
        Southwest $250 card (also available as instant e-card at ShopWithScrip and Benefit Mobile - both with 4% rebate)
  • Krispy Kreme is now available to Reload, in addition to $10 physical cards and instant e-cards (both ShopWithScrip and Benefit - 8%)
  • Choice Hotels cards are now available to Reload
  • Whole Foods has discontinued their participation
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GRCMS Athletics
Click here to view the updated Athletic Handbook.

Click here to view the MS Athletics Website.

If you are looking for practice schedules or game information, please ask your child's coach for those details. For further athletic information, you may contact our Athletic Director, Kevin Broene, at kbroene@grcs.org.

GRCS 2019 Summer Sports Camps: Our  summer  camps offer a great opportunity to improve skills and athleticism in a variety of  sports.  Grand Rapids Christian offers  summer  camps to kids 4 years old through high school!  

This year's  camps include:
  • Baseball: ages 7-14 years old
  • Boys Basketball: 1st - 10th grade
  • Girls Basketball: 1st - 10th grade
  • Boys Basketball Skills and Drills:  3rd - 8th grade
  • Girls Basketball Skills and Drills:  3rd - 8th grade
  • Cross Country:  middle school and high school
  • Boys Lacrosse: 3rd - 8th grade
  • Girls Lacrosse:  3rd - 8th grade
  • Boys Soccer:  3rd - 12th grade
  • Girls Soccer:  3rd - 12th grade
  • Softball:  5th - 8th grade
  • Coed Tennis: ages 4 - high school
  • Boys Volleyball:  5th - 12th grade
  • Girls Volleyball:  5th - 12th grade

If you have any questions about our camps or the registration process, please contact Carolyn Groendyk in the athletic office at 616.574.5819 or  cgroendyk@grcs.org.

Attention all girls who are entering grades 5-12 and who are interested in learning and improving cheerleading skills:  There will be four weeks of summer cheer clinics offered at Grand Rapids Christian High School this summer. Clinics will be held on Tuesdays and Thursdays of the last two weeks in June and the last two weeks in July. Questions:  Contact Jacquie DeJonge @ 616-949-7516.
 
            Dates are as follows:  June 18, 20, 25, 27;  July 23, 25, 30 and August 1
            Time: 10:45 - 12:45 p.m.
            Place:  Quest Center
            Cost :  $40 (Four one-hour gymnastic sessions, one session per week, will
               be offered @  $10 each with Randy Owens, gymnastic instructor from 
               For the Kidz Gymnastics.)
 
Development of cheer skills, jumps, and stunting, gymnastics, and strength and conditioning with Daimond Dixon will be the focus of the clinics.
 
Attention all girls entering 9th - 12th grade who are interested in cheering for Grand Rapids Christian's Football Sideline team in the fall:  Tryouts will take place on Tuesday, August 6 from 10 a.m. - 12 noon.  It would be very helpful to participate in the Summer Cheer Clinics during which cheer skills, jump skills, stunting, gymnastics, and strength/conditioning will be taught!  Team Camp, for those interested in either Sideline Cheer or Competitive Cheer, is August 16 and 17 at Grandville's Cheer Center at Prairie View School. Questions: Contact Jacquie DeJonge @616-949-7516.

8th Graders Interested in High School Cross Country: Are you interested in running cross country in high school this fall? Come to the annual open house at Coach Jager's house at 1910 Pokogon on Friday, June 7 from 5:30-7:00pm. Meet coaches, teammates, and get season schedules. Also, High School Cross Country Camp is July 21-26. For more information, visit eaglesrunning.com.

Cross Country Camp for middle schoolers (grades 5 through 8) is July 15-18. More information is available at eaglesrunning.com.  Questions? Contact Coach Jager at 723-6345.


Youth Sports
Email  sboender@grcs.org  with questions.

Fall Flag Football:   Volunteer coaches needed
  • August 27 - September 28
  • 4-5 years and 6-8 years
  • 3 games at Eagle's Stadium - Sept. 14, 21 & 28 at 2pm
  • Tuesdays at Gainey Athletic Fields after 5:30pm 
  • $45 (Tshirt included)
  •  August 3
Fall Rocket Football:  Volunteer coaches needed
  • 3rd-6th grade
  • August 19-Mid September
  • Practice:  Mondays 6-7:30pm, Tuesdays 4:30-6pm and Thursdays 6-7pm
  • Games:  Saturdays at various schools
  • Cost: $165 (includes new updated jerseys and 2 day Summer Camp Fee)
Fall 7th/8th Grade Football
  • August 19 - Mid October
  • 3 Practices during the week
  • Games at Eagles Stadium and surrounding schools on Saturdays
  • $130 (includes helmet, jersey and pants and 2 day Summer Camp Fee)
Summer Open Play - Football
  • 7th/8th Grade
  • July 10, 17, 24 & 31
  • 1-3pm at Eagles Stadium
  • FREE - no need to register
Summer Fee is waived if registered for football leagues by July 26.  Football Registration closes on August 6.

GRCS News
Central Office Summer Hours: Grand Rapids Christian Administrative Offices wishes each of our families a safe and enjoyable summer.  Use the summer as a time of renewal and refreshment enjoying the beauty of God's creation.  Should you need to contact the administrative offices over the summer we will be hard at work getting ready for school year 2019-20.  Please make a note that beginning the week of  June 17  the offices will be closed on Fridays (June 21, 28, July 5, 12, 19, 26 and  August 2).   Starting the week of  August 6  we will return to our regular schedule of M-F  8:00-4:30 pm.   Have a fabulous summer!

Summer Camps at the CAW: Openings are still available for Musical Theatre Camp: Frozen, Jr.  (June 24-28, for grades 3-6); and  Camp Broadway  (June 17-21, for grades 6-12). For more details and to register, visit us at  www.dcaw.org .
Join us this summer and see what the buzz is all about!

GRCS has numerous positions open for next school year.   If you know of someone you think would be a good fit please let them know of these openings.

GRCHS
GRCMS
RCS
GRCES - IRQ

New2You News

  
    
New 2 You is looking to fill a couple unique volunteer positions:
  • Driver - We have an offsite storage facility that we store clothing and seasonal merchandise and need someone to take our pick-up truck and trailer and shuttle merchandise back and forth a couple times a week.  (This should only take an hour a couple times a week) The schedule is flexible but mornings usually work best.  Good driving record and the ability to back up the truck and trailer is needed.
  • Pick-up and delivery driver - We have an opening on Wednesdays for a driver for our furniture pick up crew.  You will drive our pick-up truck and trailer to garages of homes to pick up furniture with 2 or 3 other folks. We offer a fun day with a complimentary lunch with some of the greatest folks you will ever know!  Good driving record and the ability to back up the truck and trailer is needed.  
Questions?  Contact Karen at  new2youkaren@grcs.org or call 942-2929.

Remember New 2 You over the summer!  Shop New 2 You first! Donate your gently used items! Call to schedule pick up of larger items.


Requested Announcements
Please note: Listing of the goods, services, and events here does not constitute the endorsement of the Grand Rapids Christian Schools. 

The Kaufman Interfaith Institute will be hosting two summer camps in June for middle and high schoolers.  This is an incredible opportunity for students to meet with other students throughout the Kent and Ottawa area who share an interest in service and learning more about secular and interfaith community.  If you have any questions, check out the  Kaufman Summer Camp website .

Sexual Assault Prevention Action Team (SAPAT) of Kent County is hosting a forum on bullying and harassment. It will be held on Saturday, June 22 at 10am at the YWMC, 25 Sheldon Blvd SE. Learn why harassment is important to talk about, how it affects your children, and ways to practice and model positive interaction for children. Register here: sapatparentsletstalk.eventbrite.com

Administrative Assistant Needed: LaGrave Ave. Christian Reformed Church, a large church in the downtown Heartside area, has an opening for a part-time  (20-25 hours a week) administrative assistant to join our 12+ staff that supports each other and shares camaraderie. Duties include answering phones, greeting members & visitors, maintaining the church calendar/schedule, database and clerical functions.  Excellent interpersonal and communications skills, and computer proficiency necessary. Send inquiries of interest or resumes to:  LaGrave Ave. CRC, Attn:  Ruth Ringnalda, 107 LaGrave, SE; Grand Rapids, MI, 49503 or email to  rringnalda@lagrave.org

Writer's Camp: Does your child love to write? GRCMS mom Lorilee Craker, author of fifteen books, is offering the 9th annual Young Writer's Workshop this summer.
The workshop, aka Writer's Camp, is designed for incoming 5th graders to outgoing 8th graders and will be held at the DeBoer home on Onekama SE from 1-4 p.m., July  15 - 19 . We'll cover character naming, writing with the five senses, characterization and plot, and more. Participants will workshop book ideas and their own fiction or non-fiction submission for the Write Michigan Contest (we've had several winners attend camp, but then again, all young writers are winners!)
This camp is for readers and writers, kids who don't want to go to tennis, soccer, or basketball camp, but rather they want to grow into the future authors they know they can be. Once again this year, we'll enjoy the vast green space and outdoor exploration of the DeBoer's incredible yard (featuring a ravine and deer!). Every year, kids climb into trees and write their hearts out. This gives me hope for humanity.

For more info, email at 
LorilEJ@aol.com . Cell phone: 828-7424. Land line: 719-0475. Limited space is available. Cost is $125 for the week, with a $50 non-refundable down payment. 

Free Concert: Kelloggsville Church will be hosting a free concert next month with Christian recording artists Chris and Stephanie Teague on Sunday, June 30, 4:00 PM in our Worship Center. We welcome all staff, teachers, parents, and students (11 + years) to join us! The concert is free and no tickets are required. Activities and care for children ages 10 and under will be provided during the concert.

Cello Lessons: Lorene Turkalo is available to teach beginner and any level cello lessons this summer and throughout the school year.   She lives in Eastown.   She has taught for many years as well as played in the GR Symphony.   Her email address is  turlalow@gmail.com and her phone number is 456-1671.

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Other GRCS School Home Bulletins

Grand Rapids Christian Middle School
2036 Chesaning Dr SE, Grand Rapids, MI 49506
Phone: 616.574.6300  Fax: 616.574.6310
Principal - Mr. Eric Burgess - eburgess@grcs.org