News and Notes

March 27, 2024

2023-2024

LIVE

Romans 12:2 (NIV)

"Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is - his good, pleasing and perfect will."

CALENDAR

March

25-28 Spirit Week

28 Easter Chapel, 8:30am

29 No School, Spring Break begins

April

1-7 No School, Spring Break

15 School Board Meeting

19 Praise & Worship Chapel, 8:30am

22 MAP Assessment Window begins

26 Theme Chapel, 8:30am **Stay after chapel for a time of fellowship in the gym!

May

3 Grandparent's Day, early release (11:45am dismissal)

3 No Allendale Public School busing

3 MAP Assessment Window Ends

8 Kristina Moelker 5K 6:30-8:30pm

13 Spring Concert - 5th-8th grade

17 Celebration Chapel, 8:30am

18 ACS Golf Outing

20 School Board meeting

24 Theme Chapel, 8:30am **Stay after chapel for a time of fellowship in the gym!

27 No School, Memorial Day

28 Elementary Field Day

28 8th Grade Graduation

30 Kindergarten Celebration, 10:30am

31 Final Chapel 8:30am, Last 1/2 day of school (11:45am dismissal)

2023-2024 School Year Calendar

2024-2025 School Year Calendar

ACS NEWS & ENROLLMENT INFORMATION

Enrollment Update for 2024-2025: Current Y5-7th grade students are continuously enrolled. There is no need to re-enroll for next year, as that will happen automatically. If your family is anticipating an enrollment change for next year, please reach out to Brian Koetje (bkoetje@allendalechristian.org) as soon as possible to request the appropriate form to opt out of the continuous enrollment contract. This is important as plans are being made for enrolled students for next school year.

For students that are entering Young Fives or Kindergarten, or for new families, online enrollment instructions will be communicated in the next month.

Class Placement Request ACS teachers will meet soon to assign class placements for students where multiple class options exist. The child’s teacher knows the situations where students will experience the most growth. Factors that are considered are academic, social, and emotional needs, as well as the boy/girl ratio balance. ACS parents should only request special consideration for their child’s classroom placement if there are extenuating circumstances. These reasons may include unique social and emotional needs, possibly that the school does not know about. Please focus your requests on the needs of your child, as opposed to a specific teacher. Forms must be turned in or emailed to the school office (office@allendalechristian.org) no later than April 26. Please click here for the form.

Tuition Assistance for 2024-2025: As we begin preparations for next school year, you are invited to apply for tuition assistance if your family tuition rate is unaffordable. We are passionate about making sure a Christ-centered education is possible for all of our families. ACS uses the FACTS tuition assistance application program to help determine assistance needs. Any family that plans to request assistance should fill out the application found at the link above. The first deadline for filing an application is March 30. If you finish your taxes after that point, please complete the application as soon as you are able. If you have any questions about tuition assistance or the application process, please reach out to Brian Koetje (bkoetje@allendalechristian.org).

Society Meeting Results: On Monday, March 18th, the annual Society Meeting was held. Laura VanderWaal and Dirk DeVries were renewed for a second 3-year term on the Board of Trustees. Marie DeGroot and Josh Greiner were elected for a 3-year term on the Board of Trustees. Finally, the 2024-2025 Budget and Tuition rates were unanimously approved. They were listed in the News and Notes society packet and will be on the website.

Lost and Found Items: We have an abundance of lost and found items. Please stop in and claim anything that belongs to you or your children. Tables are out with all the items in the Rotunda until after Spring Break. We will be donating any items that are left after Friday, April 12.

ACS Spirit Week: March 25-28

Monday: Jersey/Sport Team Day

Tuesday: Red, White, Blue Day

Wednesday: Crayon Day

Thursday: ACS Day and Anything but a Backpack Day

More information on the flier.

Running Club started Monday, March 18. If your child is still interested, they can still sign up. Practices will be on Monday and Thursday after school until 4:15, and the club will end with a Celebration 5K the evening of May 8 at 6:30pm at Allendale Public High School. This is for boys and girls grades 3rd-5th. Please use the link below to the google form to let us know if your child is interested in participating! We are looking forward to another awesome season! https://forms.gle/kzvFGXVEMikAY5sE9.

Sickness: During this season of sickness, we just want to remind parents that students should be fever and vomit free for 24 hours (without medication) upon returning to school. This will help stop the spread of sicknesses throughout the school. Thank you!

Classroom Lunch Coverage Opportunities - MORE DATES ADDED! Our need for lunch coverage in classrooms continues! This is a GREAT way to support our teachers and allow them time with their teaching teams for professional development opportunities and planning purposes. Please consider signing up to cover your child(ren)'s lunch period so their teacher can step out of the room for these opportunities! Click HERE for the Sign-up Genius and see what dates are available. Thank you!

Have you moved, need to add an emergency contact, or need to update family information? Use this link to update your information!

Guatemalan Exchange Student - For many years, our school has participated in a cultural exchange program for Guatemalan students through Faces and Our Cultures. We are excited to continue the program once again and are looking for host families to host this fall. Each participant will attend Allendale Christian for seven weeks as a full-time student, have their own schedule, and will participate in all aspects of the school day. These student ambassadors are fluent in English and will arrive on Sunday, October 20th and depart on Saturday, December 14th. We are looking to possibly host two 6th graders. Julie Van Oordt is our school coordinator for the program. If you are interested in learning more about the hosting opportunity during the Fall, please share your contact information in this link.

FUNDRAISERS & PTA

Do you know what the Paper Gator is?? Would you love a tangible way for your child and family to be Earth Keepers?? ACS's Paper Gator is located on the South side of the building and accepts loose paper products, which are then recycled and this company PAYS our school for this trash! This trash turns into CA$H !! Take a look at what paper products are accepted here! Set up a collect station at home, work, church, tell your friends and neighbors, and work on collecting that paper and simply dropping it into the receptacle at school. Easy peasy $$$$ to help support ACS!

Did you know ACS has a committee that recycles ink and toner cartridges? There is a bin just inside the main entrance for you to drop off your used cartridges. We then turn them into classroom supplies to help support our teachers and students! Thanks for your help in turning another form of trash into CA$H!! If you have any questions please contact Jodi Oosterheert at rjo5959@gmail.com.

Parents, Please do not forget to be on the lookout for that Trash that turns into CASH for ACS! Unfortunately, many companies have scaled back with their giving, which puts a greater responsibility on each of us to do everything we can to make our Trash for Cash add up! Recently flyers were sent home with your students regarding the digital Box Tops program, please see this handout or this link for instructions on this digital program. Box Tops and Our Family Brand physical UPC's are our two main programs to earn Trash money currently. Thanks for your help and dedication to earning every penny in order to lower tuition and support our teachers and students! Don't forget to follow the FB page: Allendale Christian - Trash for Cash for updates! Questions, please contact Erin Ensing at erinensing911@gmail.

TRIP & HOT LUNCH

Hot Lunch volunteers link

ACS Hot Lunch: ACS Hot Lunch Volunteer Signup (signupgenius.com )

Fall/Winter Instant Trip is held every other Tuesday night from 7:00-7:30pm. In order for us to run this program we need at least three volunteers at each session on Tuesday night. If you are interested in volunteering, please contact a trip coordinator or email Christy Breuker at jcbreuker@yahoo.com.

April 16

Tues: Erin/Christy, Linda, Lonna

April 30

Tues: Erin/Christy, Linda, Lonna

WINTER/SPRING SCHEDULE - 2024

NO TRIP APRIL 2 – SPRING BREAK

April 16

April 30

May 14

May 28

QUICK LINKS

Please click on the link below to get your forms or information

Commonly Used Forms

COMMUNITY NEWS

Moms in Prayer Allendale: Moms in all schooling communities (private, public, homeschool) are welcome! We will be growing together in praying for our kids and school communities Thursdays

after school drop-off at 8:30-9:30am at Eastmanville United Reformed Church (6845 Leonard St, Coopersville). Please contact Rana Hardaloupas at (616)216-1728 or Caity Hintz (616) 550-7899 if you want more info.

Allendale Rocket Football registration is now open. Flag is kindergarten through 2nd grade and tackle is 3rd through 8th grade. Here is the website to register and get more information.

Unity Christian New Student Co-Curricular Night -- Unity Christian will hold a Co-Curricular Night for incoming freshman/new students on Tuesday, April 16 starting at 7:00 p.m. Students and parents will have the opportunity to meet with the coaches and organizers of Unity athletic teams and activities such as Student Council, Science Olympiad, Robotics, the play, the musical, and more to learn about areas where they might like to become involved at Unity. A schedule for the evening will be emailed to parents of incoming 8th graders following spring break. We look forward to seeing you on April 16, and feel free to contact us at 669-1820 or athletics@unitychristian.org with any questions you may have!

Unity Christian Sports Physical Night – Unity Christian will host a Sports Physical Night on Tuesday, April 30 from 6:00 – 8:00 p.m. at the high school. A sports physical is required for all 7th and 8th grade Unity Christian Youth Football athletes. Per MHSAA rules, all students who wish to participate in athletics next year must provide school with a physical dated after April 15, 2024 PRIOR to tryouts/practice for their first sport. The cost for this sports physical is $15, payable that evening to Unity Christian High School. Students seeking a physical need to arrive with a physical form that is filled out with all signatures complete before they will be examined. You can find a physical form at this link or they can be picked up at Unity’s main office.

Hudsonville Lanes is offering a summer bowling program. Here is the monthly newsletter for more information.

Attention Middle School Fishermen/Fisherwomen! Do you have a child who is interested in competitive bass tournaments? Join Unity Christian's Bass Fishing Club that competes in the Sportspersons Ministries International Middle and High School bass fishing series. The Saturday tournament dates are April 27, May 4, and May 11. Feel free to contact Chad Essebaggers at 616-209-7044 or Scott VanWyk at 616-915-3878 for more information on this club.

ACS "Old People Hoops" meets in our ACS gym at 7pm on Friday evenings. The cost is $5 or an affordable donation. Email ted.kiliszewski@gmail.com for more information.

Unity Christian Summer Sports Camps – Registration for Unity’s Summer Sports Camps for students ages 3 – 12th grade opens on Wednesday, April 10. Click here for the registration link and schedule of camps or it can be found at unitychristianathletics.org under “Camps & Clinics”. Please contact Unity’s Athletic Office at 669-1820 or athletics@unitychristian.org with any questions you may have!

Register between April 10 – May 8 - Receive a 15% multi camp discount on four or more camp registrations and can pay by check/cash (due May 15) or credit card.
Register between May 9 – June 5 – Only credit card payment accepted.
Register June 6 or after – $10 late registration fee and only credit card payment accepted.
Please register your child in the grade they will be entering in fall of 2024.