Grandville Christian School www.gosquires.org

GCCS 2019-2020 Theme: "The Wonder of the Story"   Theme Verse: "O God, you have taught me from my earliest childhood, and I constantly tell others about the wonderful things you do." Psalm 71:17 SEPTEMBER ART OF THE MONTH: WONDER OF BELONGING Verse for September and October : "For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother's womb. I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made. Your works are wonderful. I know that full well." Psalm 139:13-14

FROM THE PRINCIPAL'S DESK . . . .  This week our Praise and Worship was led by a variety of staff including Mrs. Ramaker, Mrs. McClurg, Mrs. Rylaarsdam, Mrs. Bouwman, and Ms Fennema. The focus of this week was the way we treat each other and our Caring Kids Caring Community initiative. It was a great morning of sharing the great ways we are able to treat each other, but also the ways we can show grace to each other when things don't always go perfectly as planned. There are many ways our students are empowered to work collaboratively with each other to solve problems, but sometimes they need to discern when to tell an adult. The teachers did a wonderful job presenting the ways that students can do this and in ways that keep kindness, safety, and respect as the cornerstone to treating each other well. It was a great reminder of Christ's love for us and ways that we and our students can reflect a community in Christ as we show love to each other when it is easy and when it can be more difficult. I realize that we are never too old to take this message to heart and to do everything possible to reflect Christ's love to everyone around us. Thank you again for partnering with us at Grandville Christian School! In Christ, Derek Braman

NEW INFORMATION FOR SEPTEMBER 13

BUSING NOTE: There are days that Grandville Public has a half-day of school and we have a full-day. Due to conflicting release times, they will NOT be busing our students home in the afternoon. Please make other arrangements on these dates: September 27, December 20, January 24, February 20, March 20 and May 29

MOELKER ORCHARD DAY IS COMING! Join us on September 21 from 12:00 - 3:00 PM at Moelker Orchards and Farm Market. Moelker Orchards will donate 10% of fruits sales to GCCS on this day!! Click here to view more information.

ODYSSEY OF THE MIND: Teams will be formed SOON! If you're interested in more information, please email Sue Vos at svos@gccsmi.org. This is for children in grades K-5. We would love to have some new students involved this year!!

COMMUNITY FOOTBALL NIGHT Please join the GCCS community to cheer on the Squires at the Calvin Christian HS football game on September 27, played at Grandville Public Middle School (3535 Wilson Avenue). No ticket needed for families that attend our school. There will be face painting and an activity for students from 6:30 - 7:30 PM. The game begins at 7:00 pm. We hope to see you there!

PARENT CLUB IS ON FACEBOOK! Follow us here to stay up to date with news, events, and volunteer opportunities at GCS.

SCHOOL DIRECTORY: A district-wide directory will come out some time this fall. If you do NOT want your information included in that directory, please email the office at gcsoffice@gccsmi.org. The directory includes: student's name, grade level, home phone, address, father's name and email, mother's name and email. This information is gathered from the power school information you entered at enrollment.

CALENDAR ITEMS

September 16 & 17: School Picture Day September 27: GCCS GRANDPARENTS DAY! - 12:50 pm here at GCS September 27: No afternoon Grandville Public Busing October 4: Praise and Worship led by 5th grade October 18: No School (Conferences) October 24 & 25: No School (Staff Professional Development) CLICK HERE for the 2019-2020 GCCS Printable Calendar PLEASE NOTE: Grandville Public Schools will not be busing our elementary students home on the following afternoons at 3:30 PM: September 27 December 20 January 24 February 20 March 20 May 29

ELEMENTARY EVENTS

GRANDPARENTS DAY: Mark your calendars for Friday, September 27 and tell your parents / grandparents! Grandparent Day festivities will begin at Grandville Christian in the afternoon at 12:50 pm. The Schedule is as follows: 12:50 - 1:25 PM - 3rd - 5th Grade Program 1:30 - 1:50 PM - Classroom Visits (grades 3-5 only) 1:50 - 2:25 PM - Junior K-2nd Grade Program 2:30 - 3:00 PM - Classroom Visits (grades Jr. K - 5)

Little Squires Fall Date Night -- Friday, October 18, 2019 at 6:30 - 10:00 pm GCS Gymnasium 3934 Wilson Ave SW Grandville, MI 49418 Enjoy a night out on us!! Families with children age 1-12 are invited to sign up for this donation-based child care service. We ask that you register your child NO LATER than Sunday, October 13th and please have your child eat dinner before arrival, and a minimum donation of $10 per child to help cover the cost of supplies. 60% of profits will be donated to the GCCS Tuition Assistance Fund. We will be accepting cash or check (made out to Alisha Bruggema). Your child will enjoy a Fall themed snack, crafts, and group activities while you catch a movie, go out to dinner, or catch up on laundry! **Please look for the flyer in the GCS office or click here to view it online.

PARENT CLUB CORNER

KEY CARD BOOKS FOR SALE: Key card books are available in the office to purchase for $25.00 These make great gifts and offer many discounts around Grand Rapids! Click here ( https://qrkeycard.com) to view the new book. The proceeds go to our GCS Parent Club.

Box Tops for Education = FREE MONEY! Click here to view how you can help!

MUSIC NOTES Click here to view the Music Calendar of Events for the 2019-2020 school year. "Playing music is the brains' equivalent of a full body work out. Playing a musical instrument engages practically every area of the brain at once, especially the visual, auditory, and motor cortices ." Dr Anita Collins, Neuromusical Educator

VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES AND WAYS TO HELP IN OUR COMMUNITY

GET INVOLVED AT GCS We know that parents are busy so we offer a variety of ways to get involved at GCS: You can volunteer at school or from home, during the school day or during evenings or weekends. Those who can't commit time can help out by purchasing items to celebrate the teachers during staff appreciation week or to provide meals for the staff during parent/teacher conferences. Please click here to view the volunteer opportunities.

LIBRARY: The library is looking for parent volunteers during class times. Please contact Janna Slot ( jslot@gccsmi.org) with any questions. Please click here to view the opportunities and sign up.

PLAYGROUND VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITY!: We are in need of additional volunteers for playground duty before school in the morning. It is truly one of the easiest (and FUN!) ways to give 30 minutes of your time to our students! Parents, grandparents, aunts, uncles, nannies... anyone can do this! You can volunteer once a month, every day, or anything in between. Our greatest need right now is on Wednesdays and Fridays, but any help is appreciated! *Please contact Jill Francisco ( jfrancisco@gccsmi.org) for more information and to see how you can help.

HELP NEEDED: The following classes are still in need of a ROOM PARENT! Bouma, Piotrowski, Ramaker, Johnson, Sytsema, Sisco, Brinks, Wilson, Frederick, Cruz, Steketee. Room parents help foster communication about school and class events to the parents in the class. You also assist with organizing room cleaning and staff appreciation. This is all stuff that can be done via email from home or your office, so it's a great job for working parents--it's also a great way to get to know other parents. Detailed information is provided from Parent Club on your role! If you'd be interested in helping please sign up below or contact Vickie Kochans at delanvic@hotmail.com if you have any questions. Thank you!! Click here to sign up!

VOLUNTEER BACKGROUND CHECKS: In order to ensure student safety at GCS, an annual background check must be submitted and approved for all volunteers. If you plan to volunteer this year, please bring your state ID to the main office so we can complete the process and give you a volunteer ID badge. If you are unable to visit the office during school hours, we can process the information over the phone.

HOT LUNCH NEWS To set up your hot lunch account visit www.sendmoneytoschool.com. If you need your student's ID number, contact the office. Please make sure you check your account balance and keep it updated for hot lunch or send money in.   If you have specific questions, please contact Whitney TeBos in Grandville Food Service at wtebos@gpsbullogs.org or 616-254-6404. Click here to view the website and monthly menu(s).

HOT LUNCH MENU ALLERGY CONCERNS: Please contact Jeff Ward, our GPS Food Service Director, if you have any questions or concerns relating to menu items that your child may be allergic to. His number is (616) 254-6525, and he is more than happy to discuss allergy policies and procedures with our hot lunch program.

GENERAL ANNOUNCEMENTS FIND US ON FACEBOOK: We love to share what’s happening in our classrooms! Search for  Grandville Christian School on Facebook to see more!

MEDIA RELEASE:  We have many exciting events at GCS and take photos to show our friends how cool our school is! However, If you would prefer that we NOT share videos or photos with your student in it on social media or in other publications, please be sure that we have documentation of this by filling out this  form and returning it to the office by September 6.   Extra forms are also available in the office. PESTICIDE INFORMATION: Occasionally, pesticides are applied to the GCS grounds. if you would like notification prior to pesticides being applied, please return this form to the office by September 6. Extra forms are available in the office.

ALLERGIES AND ASTHMA PLANS: GCS keeps a detailed Allergy Action Plan and Asthma Action Plan for each student who may need one. If your child is at risk of having an allergic reaction or an asthma attack, and you have not filled out one of these forms, please do so ASAP. Copies are also kept in the office. MEDICATION INFORMATION: If your child takes prescription or over-the-counter medication that needs to be administered during school hours, and you have not yet filled out a Medical Authorization Form, please fill one out and bring it to the office.

COMMUNITY EVENTS CRAFT SHOW: Mark your calendars because Septemberfest is right around the corner. Come out and support Hudsonville Christian School at the annual arts and crafts show on September 21st from 9 am to 3 pm at the Hudsonville Fairgrounds. This will be your one stop shop! Come and get your doughnuts in the morning in one of the barns, from Post Family Farms, and shop our 170+ vendors in all five barns along with Farmer’s market items outside, and get lunch at the Hudsonville Christian booth and/or HC Concessions. Tickets are $2 with kids 12 and under FREE. Strollers are welcome. Parking is FREE. Please help us spread the word by finding us on Facebook, liking it, and sharing us with your friends. Search Septemberfest Arts and Craft Show on Facebook. We can not wait to see you all there!