HOME BULLETIN: GRCES - Iroquois Campus -  May 21, 2019 top 
Children in prayer together.
MAY
23 4th Grade's "Traveling Through the U.S.A" (1:20 - 3:00)
23   Retirement Open House to honor Mrs. Witteveen and Mrs. Haan                           3:30pm-5:30pm at the Evergreen campus
24 Service Learning Project Envelopes due
27 No School - Memorial Day
28 BOGO Scholastic Book Fair begins
31 Last day of Preschool
31 Prayer Circles
31 BOGO Scholastic Book Fair ends

JUNE
3-7 NO GRPS busing
      Gym pickup for car line kids and GRPS bus riders. 
      GRCS buses will run as usual.
6 Technology Sale at GRCHS - see note in GRCS News
7 Chapel 8:25am - All are welcome
7 Last day of school (K-4) - Half Day - 12:10 Dismissal


Please inform the office of all absences or late arrivals:
By phone: 616-574-6590. The attendance line is accessible 24/7.
(You may select prompt 1 to bypass the outgoing message.)

Or by email:  IRAttendance@grcs.org

Please report all student absences and late arrivals by 8am. 
Inform us of the student's name and reason for absence or late arrival.

School start time
The bell for K-4th graders to come inside rings at 8:07am.
Kids should be in their classrooms at 8:10am. 
At 8:10am, kids are tardy and must stop in the office for a tardy slip.
From the Principal

Here is a list of favorite quotes that, I think, add up to share a simple message better than I can ever say it.  When you read them, you will see they are about teaching but they speak to being a parent just as much as they speak to being a teacher. Enjoy!  
  1. Seek opportunity to show you care.  The smallest gestures often make the biggest difference. John Wooden
  2. Let us put our minds together and see what life we can make for our children. Sitting Bull
  3. It is easier to build strong children than to repair broken men. Fredrick Douglas
  4. Each day of our lives we make deposits in the memory banks of our children. Charles Swindoll
  5. Children are educated by what the grown-up is, not by his talk. Carl Jung
  6. Children have never been very good at listening to their parents, but they have never failed to imitate them. James Baldwin
  7. Your children will see what you are all about by how you live rather than from what you say. Wayne Dyer
  8. The ultimate test of a moral society is the kind of world that it leaves to its children. Dietrich Bonhoffer
  9. Teaching might even be the greatest of the arts since the medium is the human mind and spirit.  John Stienbeck
  10. I've come to a frightening conclusion that I am the decisive element in the classroom.  It's my personal approach that creates the climate.  It's my daily mood that makes the weather.  As a teacher, I possess a tremendous power to make a child's life miserable or joyous.  I can be a tool of torture or an instrument of inspiration.  I can humiliate or heal.  In all situations, it is my response that decides whether a crisis will be escalated or de-escalated and a child humanized or dehumanized. Haim Ginott
So, what is the simple message?  There are actually a couple that may jump to your mind. Practice what we preach, handle with care, and the power of the positive are all in the mix.  I am going to think about these simple messages this week. Hope you find them inspiring too.

GRCES News

ParentVue Verification was due yesterday.  Did you complete the ParentVUE Verification Process?  If not, please take a few minutes to complete it now. Log into  ParentVUE , click on Online Verification in the upper righthand corner, and follow the instructions on the screen.  While you can access ParentVUE on your mobile device, verification is not available in the app and works best when done on a computer.  This process must be completed in order for your child to be placed on a class list and/or bus route for 2019-2020 and for your Smart Tuition account to be set up correctly.

BOGO Scholastic Book Fair
The library will be hosting a Buy One, Get One FREE book sale from May 28 to May 31.  The fair will be open from 7:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. Here's the time to stock up for summer reading as everything is buy one, get one FREE!!  New this fair is the book fair eWallet digital payment option which allows parents to send money to school and set spending limits via an online account.  Click here to check out our fair's webpage.

Lost and Found
Please look over the lost and found tables in the stairwell off the lobby.  There are many items to be reunited with their owners!

Service Learning Project
Thank you for helping us make our service learning projects a success this year! We appreciate your support and example in teaching kids the value and importance of  service. We are excited to have Kakuma Refugee Library as our spring service learning project. The library serves 100,000 refugees living and learning in the camp. Our money will be used to buy more books for the library.

Coming home will be an envelope with a pledge card. Please encourage your child to determine their own goal and to earn pledges through acts of service such as babysitting, dog walking, or a lemonade stand. Students can turn in their money to classroom teachers in the provided envelopes by Friday, May 24.

"Traveling through the U.S.A!" 
Parents and friends are invited Thursday, May 23 to browse state projects in the gym, visit a living wax museum and enjoy a recorder concert. The afternoon begins at  1:20  and ends at  3:00.  The 4th grade students are excited to show off all of their hard work!

Sign up to receive important messages from school via text message
Text @grces1819 to 81010 to receive important text messages (such as school closings or bus delays) via Remind from Dr. Krommendyk. Closings will also be posted on grcs.org and on tv stations, WoodTV8 and WZZM13. 

Hot Lunch
 
 
Thursday's lunch menu "Lunch Lady Choice":
Chicken nuggets or tenders
Whipped potatoes & gravy
Cooked carrots
Fruit

Our food service is a prepay program.  Drop payment off in the school office or pay online via  sendmoneytoschool.com .

Volunteers are needed  on a daily basis to serve lunch to students from 11:50pm-12:50pm .  Please sign in at the front office and then proceed to the kitchen.   Click here to access the Hot Lunch Duty SignUpGenius

Date            
K/1st & 4th
2nd/3rd
Tuesday 5/21
Volunteer Needed
Volunteer Needed
Wednesday 5/22
Neva Hundley
Volunteer Needed
Thursday 5/23
Nankal Darshak
Volunteer Needed
Friday 5/24
Shawn Zoerhof
Nankal Darshak
 
Monday 5/27
No School
No School
Tuesday 5/28
Volunteer Needed
Volunteer Needed
Wednesday 5/29
Neva Hundley
Volunteer Needed
Thursday 5/30
Kate Avila
Volunteer Needed
Friday 5/31
Kim Bolt
Volunteer Needed
PTO Update

PTO
Are you interested in having a bigger voice in supporting students and staff next year?  Join PTO!  If you are interested or have questions, contact Kelli Van Drunen ( kjwiggs@msn.com) or Rene Sherman ( rsherman04@gmail.com)

Box Tops
Thank you for a wonderful year!  Keep collecting and watch for news about BIG CHANGES in the Box Tops program.  Congratulations to Miss VanTimmeren's 2nd grade class for claiming the trophy this month!

Hot Lunch
We know the end of the school year is busy, but can you help and pick a day to serve Hot Lunch before the end of the school year?  Click on the hot lunch link above to sign up!

GRCS Athletics

Email Stacey Boender with questions sboender@grcs.org .
and to register online.

Registration is Open for the Following Spring and Fall Sports:

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, 18 at 2pm
  • Tuesday practices at Gainey Field after 5:30pm
  • 3 Saturday Games at Eagles Stadium
  • Cost: $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 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

New2You News

Please donate your gently used items to New 2 You! 
New 2 You depends on your donations to keep our shelves stocked to make money for YOU, our Grand Rapids Christian School families!  

We are still in particular need of:
  • Dressers and all bedroom furniture items (except mattresses)
  • Gently used sofas and upholstered chairs 
  • Dining room furniture
  • Vintage items (we get top dollar for these items!)
  • Clothing, shoes and jewelry
  • Housewares
Simply drop off your items at the marked donation door at 
2929 29th Street from 10-7 Monday through Saturday.  Can't fit it in your car? We offer free pickup for furniture items on Wednesdays and Thursdays so call 942-2929 or email   new2you@grcs.org to schedule.   


TRIP NEWS

Hours
Tuesdays: Gift card sales @ RCS from  8:00-10:00am  
Wednesdays: Gift card sales @ GRCES Iroquois Campus from 7:30am-5:00pm

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

OUR SUMMER SCHEDULE WILL BE AVAILABLE NEXT WEEK!

Statements
Statements for TRIP credit earned 11-1-18 through 4-30-19 will be available to pick up in early May. TRIP credit should be applied to your May tuition statement if you pay monthly. To direct TRIP credit outside of GRCS schools, or if you have any questions about how your tuition credit is applied, please contact Amy Doezema 574-6004 ( adoezema@grcs.org) or Tim Stapert 574-6006 ( tstapert@grcs.org).

Vendor News
  • Last week to purchase/order small denomination cards! Great for teacher gifts, graduates and other special occasions! We have limited quantities of selected cards in stock. Additional brands must be special ordered a week ahead.  
  • 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
Online Shopping
Try our secure, convenient mobile shopping options!
  • Set up a convenient online shopping account at www.ShopWithScrip.com. Contact the TRIP Office for a user name or enrollment code. MyScripWallet is the mobile-optimized version of ShopWithScrip. Log into MyScripWallet.com with your ShopWithScrip log in information to purchase, redeem and manage your reloadable and electronic cards. (PrestoPay payment account set-up required).
  • The Benefit Mobile app has been adding new vendors and offering frequent bonuses. Click here to get your Benefit Mobile app started. (Note that Benefit retailers and rebates differ from those at ShopWithScrip and the TRIP Office). 
  • Visit the Online Ordering page at eagletrip.org for more details and instructional videos.
GRCS News

Attention all girls interested in learning and improving cheerleading skills in grades 5-12:
There will be four weeks, 8 sessions of summer cheer clinics at Grand Rapids Christian High School this summer.  They 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 and July 30 and August 1
Time: 10:45 - 12:45 p.m.
Place:  Quest Center
Cost:  $40 (four hour-long gymnastic sessions with Randy Owens @ $10/hour)
Development of cheer skills, jumps, and stunting, gymnastics, and strength and conditioning with Daimond Dixon will be the focus of the clinics.

Technology Equipment Sale
Our annual  technology sale  will be held at GRCHS in the All City Gym entry off Plymouth 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.

Please join the GRCES Evergreen Community for a Retirement Open House  to honor Mrs. Witteveen and Mrs. Haan at Evergreen on Thursday, May 23 from 3:30pm-5:30pm.

Congratulations Mrs. VanderLaan!  Mrs. Denise VanderLaan, the middle school Inclusion Coordinator, will be retiring in June after 22 years of teaching. We would love to send her off into retirement by showering her with cards of encouragement and congratulations. Please send or bring your cards to the middle school office, 2036 Chesaning Dr SE, GR, MI 49506. Send your cards by Friday, May 31.  

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
Requested Announcements

Youth Leader   Hanley CRC, located in Grandville, is seeking a part-time high school youth leader starting in the fall of 2019. To request a job description, please contact Cari Wiersema by email:  kcwiersema@att.net  or 616-813-0626

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

Other GRCS School Home Bulletins

Grand Rapids Christian Elementary School
1050 Iroquois SE, Grand Rapids, MI 49506
Phone: 616.574.6500   Fax: 616.574.6510
Principal - Mark Krommendyk - mkrommendyk@grcs.org
Secretaries - Arrin-Michelle Brisbane, Laura Szotko