Congratulations to Peter Keegstra, Riley Ensing, and Leah Ernst for finishing in the top three of the ACS School Spelling Bee last week! The final bee included 30 students. Peter and Leah will go on to represent ACS in the county bee later in the winter.

On Monday, December 19, ACS will be performing their annual Christmas concert for family and friends. This is a great way for us all to kick off the Christmas season and for the students to show you what they have learned so far this year in music, choir & band. It will take place at Fair Haven Church (2900 Baldwin St.) at 6:30 pm.

• Elementary students should dress up in their “Sunday best.” Please no ripped jeans or t-shirts with words.
• Middle school students should wear white tops, black pants, and black shoes and/or socks (please no tennis shoes or sandals). Girls are allowed to wear dresses (black and white) or long skirts if preferred. On top, a nice dress shirt is preferred (either a polo, a button down shirt, or a nice blouse). Boys are allowed to wear a red and/or green tie. If your child is in band, please also make sure you have your instrument, music, and anything else they need to perform.

If your child is not able to attend for some reason, please let Miss Brummel know prior to December 16. If you have any questions or concerns, feel free to contact Miss Brummel by phone (ext. 263) or email mbrummel@allendalechristian.com. Thank you for your support!

Christmas Spirit Week is Thursday, December 15th through Wednesday, December 21st! Please see below for the fun days we have planned! This is not a competition, just a fun way to enjoy the last few days before break.

• Thursday (the 15th) - Red and Green Day
• Friday (the 16th) - Christmas Sweater Day
• Monday (the 19th) - Flannel Day
• Tuesday (the 20th) - Christmas Accessories Day
• Wednesday (the 21st) - Comfy Day

The Jingle Bell Post Office is back! The 2nd graders at Allendale Christian are running their Jingle Bell Post Office from December 5 to December 16! Christmas cards, stamps, and envelopes will be sold during K-2 snack recess (10:00-10:20am), and delivery will be made at the end of the day on Wednesdays and Fridays. Each item will cost 5 cents, so you can send a Christmas greeting to a friend for only 15 cents! All letters will need to have the recipient's name and grade/classroom, and an official JBPO stamp. Additional stamps can be purchased through the office as well, for parents who wish to send a card. Letters can be dropped off in the mailbox in the Rotunda. All proceeds will go to Mel Trotter Ministries, a cause chosen by the 2nd graders. If you have any questions, please reach out to Mrs. Righetti (grighetti@allendalechristian.com). Spread some holiday cheer with a card!

During this busy time of year, we want to invite you all to slow down and join us for "storytime by the fire" for Christmas chapel on December 21. We have special guests Eric and Meredith Schrotenboer coming to read their story The Mouse in the Manger. We will also have a time of worship and celebrating the birth of our Savior. If you would like to order your own copy of the Schrotenboer's book, or one of their other books, please print out and send in this form by December 16. Each child received a copy of this form last week as well. 

NEW DATES ADDED - Volunteer Opportunity! Throughout the course of the month, teachers will have the opportunity to meet with their grade-level team and our Director of Learning, Rachel Reed, for continued professional development. These meetings will be held during lunch, and we are looking for volunteers to help provide classroom coverage for these meetings. We would love it if you could please check out our sign-up genius and sign up to help with classroom lunchtime coverage in order to make this possible. We appreciate your help in this way! Sign Up Genius link