JCS News - May 27, 2020

"And we know that God works for the good of those who love Him, who have been called according to His purpose." Romans 8:28

It's time to Celebrate!

We look forward to celebrating our PreK-8th graders tomorrow night at our car parade! A few changes have been made: TIME is now 6:30-7:30 PM. LOCATION : our Elementary (PreK-4th) families should go through the parade in the Baldwin St lot, and our Middle School (5th-8th) families the office lot/bus loop. All cars should come into the parade from Baldwin Street and exit out North on Graceland for easy flow. There are other essential dates/times for end of year wrap up; please mark your calendars with the list of dates below that apply to your family.

We are doing our very best to celebrate our students while following government guidelines. We thank God daily for the many blessings we have received through this experience, but long for a time when we will be together in community again!

CALENDAR OF EVENTS

May 26 & 27 - Final Classroom Zoom 'Parties'

May 28 - PK-8 Car Parade (Baldwin St Parking Lot - Elementary; Office lot/Bus loop - Middle School), 6:30-7:30 PM

May 29 - Due date for JCS Busing sign-up for 2020-2021 school year

June 1 & 2 - Returning items to JCS (JCS Gym), Sign up genius link here

June 4 - PK-8 Report Cards sent home

June 9 - Kindergarten Graduation (Rain Date: June 11), Evening

June 10 - 8th Grade Graduation (Rain Date: June 12), Evening

June 30 - Due date for JPS Busing requests/changes for 2020-2021 school year

SCHOOL THEME 2020-2021

Shine Your Light

'In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.' Matthew 5:16

B e Filled with the Light

Throughout God’s word, we read countless references to the importance of light. In the first chapter of the Bible, Genesis 1, we learn that light is the first thing God created. The last chapter of the Bible, Revelation 22, says we will not need the light of a lamp or the light of the sun, for the Lord God will give us light. As we look forward to the day when God makes everything new, we walk with God to be filled with his light.
Scripture:
Send me your light and your faithful care, let them lead me; let them bring me to your holy mountain, to the place where you dwell. Psalm 43:3
In him was life, and that life was the light of all mankind. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it. John 1:5

Believe in the Light

The writer of Hebrews says, “The Son is the radiance of God’s glory and the exact representation of his being, sustaining all things by his powerful word.” To shine the light of God, we must put our faith in the strong name of Jesus, the light of the world.
Scripture:
Believe in the light while you have the light, so that you may become children of light. John 12:36
When Jesus spoke again to the people, he said, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.” John 8:12

Shine Your Light

In the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus declared that we are the light of the world. We are to shine the light of Jesus by following his example of love. As we bless others, we bring light into this dark world and help others to see Jesus.
Scripture:
For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Live as children of light (for the fruit of the light consists in all goodness, righteousness and truth) and find out what pleases the Lord. Ephesians 5:8-9
In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven. Matthew 5:16

ATHLETICS

JCS is looking for a Middle School Assistant Boys Soccer Coach for Fall 2020. Practices begin in late August and the season will end on October 16. It's a paid position. Please contact Craig Flietstra for more information.

Unity Summer Sports Camp Schedule for Students Age 3 – 12 ^th Grade – Due to the current COVID-19 health situation and Governor Whitmer’s executive orders, we have decided to postpone our 2020 Summer Camps. We will not offer any summer camps the weeks of June 8, 15, and 22. We are hoping to offer a revised summer camp schedule and host camps from June 29 – August 7, and will provide a schedule and link to registration starting June 15. This information will be emailed to parents whose children participated in summer camps last year, and can also be found on our website under the “Camps and Clinics” tab.

Unity Christian Youth Football Registration — Unity Christian High School is excited to begin another season of Youth Football for students entering grades 3 – 8 this coming school year! The program begins for 3rd/4 ^th and 5th/6 ^th grade teams on August 10 at a cost of $60, and 7 ^th and 8 ^th grade teams begin on August 24 at a cost of $80 (plus $20 for all levels if you would like to purchase jersey). Registration is now open for youth football, but we will not be requiring payment until later this summer. Registration can be done online. W e would like registration complete by June 30 if at all possible so we can accurately plan for teams. For full details on the program check here . For questions or further information, please contact youth football director Mark TeSlaa at 616-970-3154.

Middle School Co-Ed Cross Country Team -- UCHS will again sponsor a co-ed middle school cross country team this fall for students in 6 ^th – 8 ^th grades. This program will begin in mid to late August, and typically there are two practices a week and approximately six meets. Look for registration information and more details later this summer, and on Unity’s website under the “More” tab and then “Middle School Sports”. Please feel free to contact Unity’s Athletic Office with any questions you may have or by phone at 669-1820.

Middle School Cross Country Coach Wanted – Unity Christian has an opening for a Co-Ed Middle School Cross Country Coach. We are searching for someone who has a passion for the Lord, enjoys working with middle school students, and can successfully lead these young runners. If you have any interest or know of someone who might have interest, please contact Unity Christian Athletic Director Jeff Engbers or by phone at 616-669 -1820 . Click HERE for an application.

ALL SCHOOL REMINDERS

Thank you for your support of the Pop Can Drive! We have a full semi-trailer ready with cans and bottles ready to be returned! The drive is done, but until the trailer is moved off of JCS property, you can bring your bagged cans/bottles to the back lot and drop them next to the trailer. We will put them in the trailer at a later time. We also sold out of the Countryside gift cards. Thank you!

If you haven't returned your Enrollment packets (PK-8th grade) for the 2020-2021 year, please do so SOON! You can drop them off in the wooden box in the shed of the office parking lot.

Parents of Pre-K and Kindergarten students for next year, there are several forms that need to be turned in to the office before your child starts school in the fall (Copy of Birth Certificate, Concussion Form, Green Health Form, Hearing & Vision Screening Form). Until the office is open, you can turn these forms into the locked wooden box in the shed of the office parking lot. Thank you!

Preschool Enrollment is open! Enrollment forms are now being accepted by email to Karen Deters for our preschool 3's and 4's programs. Some of the classes do fill rather quickly so if there are certain sessions you would like, please enroll soon for the best chance at getting that session!

Changes in JCS Staff for 2020-2021

Fond Farewells

JCS is saying goodbye to Marilyn Brower, Rtl Director at JCS for the last 24 years, with classroom teaching at JCS another 3 years prior to this. Marilyn also taught in Florida prior to coming to JCS. We typically honor our retirees at our annual society meeting in May, in addition to an open house on the evening of the Spring Band concert. As we were not able to publicly recognize Marilyn, we welcome you to reach out to her with your warm regards. The JCS staff is sad to say goodbye to such a blessed teacher, director, colleague, and friend. We are wishing you a blessed retirement, Marilyn!

JCS is also losing a loved 4th grade teacher, Ann Talen. Ann has been teaching at JCS for 6 years, and has been a great teacher and mentor to the students at JCS, as well as a friend to JCS co-workers. We celebrate with Ann in her opportunity to work closer to home at her children's school, but will miss her greatly! You are welcome to send Ann a message as well!

Warm Welcomes

JCS is proud to welcome Lea Oosterheert as our new Rtl Director. Lea graduated from Unity Christian High School and has her teaching degree from Calvin University, with a Masters in Reading and Language Arts from GVSU. Lea's husband, Joe, is the Principal of Lamont Christian School where their 4 children attend. Please feel free to send a warm JCS welcome to Mrs. Oosterheert !

JCS also welcomes Rachel Damstra, our new shared 4th grade classroom teacher. Rachel is a graduate of Holland Christian High School and has her teaching degree from Calvin University. She comes to JCS after teaching for 4 years at Zeeland Christian School. She and her husband, along with their daughter Aliyah, are looking forward to becoming part of the JCS community. Please send a warm JCS welcome to Mrs. Damstra !