CALVIN CHRISTIAN HIGH SCHOOL

NEWSLETTER

MARCH, 2023

Dear High School and 8th-grade families,

Please accept my sincere apologies for the delay in getting this email sent to you.

Kindly,

Kyle Warnke

Director of Marketing and Communications

Families of 8th-grade students will begin receiving our monthly high school newsletter updates as there is information that you will need to know for next year!

CALENDAR

March 13 - Spring Sports begin

March 14 - Choir Concert

March 15 - Athletic Boosters Meeting

March 17 - No PM busing for GPS

March 18 - Bean Bag Toss Tournament / Pancake Breakfast

March 21 - PSAT 10

March 21 - Delivery of Frandale Sub/Soup Sale orders

(pick up after school)

March 22 - SAT

March 25 - Hitmen Volleyball

March 26 - Wind Ensemble leads worship at LaGrave Avenue CRC

(8:40 a.m. & 11:00 a.m. services)

March 30 - No PM busing for GPS

March 31 - Spring Break begins

April 10 - Classes resume

April 27 - Annual Spring Reception

April 29 - Junior/Senior Prom

May 9 - Honors Convocation

May 12 - 58th Annual GCCS Flower Sale

May 15 - Spring Concert

May 17-18 - Senior exams

May 17 - Collage Concert

May 19 - Senior Class Trip to Cedar Point

May 20 - Golf Classic at Thornapple Pointe Golf Course

May 24 - Graduation

May 30 - June 2 - Underclassmen exams

HIGH SCHOOL OFFICE NOTES

SCHOOL BUS NOTES

• Friday, March 17 - No PM busing for GPS
• Thursday, March 30 - No PM busing for GPS



HITMEN VOLLEYBALL

This annual Senior All-Nighter event is scheduled for Saturday night, March 25, beginning at 6:00 p.m. Mark your calendars!

Senior and Junior boys will duke it out on the volleyball court for bragging rights. $5 for entry, $20 max/family. Season passes are no allowed since this is a fundraiser for the Class of 2023. Candy and drinks will be available to purchase and the winner of the Yeti raffle will be drawn that night as well.

Come and cheer on your favorite team.

YETI BACKPACK & SPRING BREAK GOODIES RAFFLE

This year we are raffling off the new Hopper® M20 Backpack Soft Cooler, in Charcoal. The cooler includes a good mix of fun summer/Spring Break goodies, for a total combined value is $500!

The Yeti Backpack Cooler has been generously donated by Clock Mobility. Click on the Clock Mobility button below to learn more about this company. We appreciate their generosity very much!

• Tickets are $25 each. Purchase tickets by clicking on the Yeti Raffle Information button below.

• All proceeds from this raffle will benefit the 2023 Calvin Christian Senior All-Nighter celebration after graduation. Thanks for your support!

• The winner will be drawn Saturday, March 25, during the Hitmen Volleyball game. You do NOT need to be present to win.

SPRING BREAK

Spring Break this year begins on Friday, March 31. Classes resume Monday, April 10. All school offices and the Business Office will be closed during the break.

FAMILY TRIP POLICY

Family trips are considered to be trips that must include the parents or a parent-approved adult. A student is limited to five school days per school year for the purpose of a family trip.

The student must submit a Pre-arranged Absence Form to the office signed by the parent and his/her teachers, three school days (or more) PRIOR to the trip. A parent must sign this absence form BEFORE

teachers are asked to initial it

Prior to the day(s) of the family trip the student must consult with the teachers to make arrangements to complete all tests, quizzes, projects, papers and assignments on a timetable determined by the teacher in consultation with the student.

CLASS OF 2023 SENIOR PICTURES

The final deadline for turning in all senior pictures is Friday, April 28. Late pictures will not be guaranteed a place in the book, so please be timely. If you have questions, email the CCHS yearbook staff at the link below.

We again are asking for traditional poses for a uniform look. Please keep the following things in mind:

• No props or pets
• Indoor or outdoor plain background preferred
• Color (matte or glossy)
• Vertical pose: Minimum 2” x 3” and 300 dpi

Make sure your photographer follows these things in order for your picture to be in the yearbook.

We reserve the right to refuse pictures that do not meet these standards. Inappropriate pictures will not be accepted. We also reserve the right to PhotoShop pictures that do not meet the standards.

If you desire, the Shadow staff can take a picture free of charge for your yearbook senior picture.

Seniors who wish to have a baby picture in the yearbook need to either bring a physical picture or email it to the yearbook email. A family message can be added underneath the picture for a fee of $25.00.

YEARBOOK CHECKLIST FOR SENIORS

Please make use of the Yearbook Checklist form found by clicking on the button at the end of this Yearbook section.

Any questions about the yearbook can be directed to the yearbook staff by clicking on the button at the end of this Yearbook section.

CLASS OF 2023 DATES & NEWS

FUTURE IMPORTANT DATES FOR SENIORS

Saturday, March 25 - Hitmen Volleyball Game

Saturday, April 29 - Junior/Senior Prom

Tuesday, May 9 - Honors Convocation

Wednesday, May 17 - Senior Exams

Wednesday, May 17 - Collage Concert

Thursday, May 18 - Senior Exams

Friday, May 19 - Cedar Point Class Trip

Wednesday, May 24 - Senior Breakfast followed by graduation rehearsal

Wednesday, May 24 - Graduation (8:00 p.m.)

HONORS CONVOCATION

Our Honors Convocation night will be on Tuesday, May 9, at Faith Community Christian Reformed Church beginning at 7:30 p.m.

We will honor our seniors who have received various awards from GCCS or from the colleges or institutions they will be attending next year. Seniors will be asked to provide verification for the awards they have received. More details coming.

COLLAGE CONCERT

All are invited to this annual end-of-the-year musical concert featuring Chorale, HS Orchestra, Wind Ensemble, Jazz Band, and Honors Orchestra at Jenison Performing Arts Center on Wednesday, May 17, at the Jenison Performing Arts Center beginning at 8:00 p.m.

CEDAR POINT CLASS TRIP

The Senior Class Trip to Cedar Point is scheduled for Friday, May 19. 

• The sign-up deadline was February 24.
• Since this is a school-sponsored function, all school rules regarding student behavior apply. 
• Transportation will be provided by chartered buses. 
• Final details regarding the trip will follow at a later date.

SENIOR BREAKFAST

PARENTS OF SENIORS: If you would like to help plan the Senior Breakfast on Tuesday morning, May 24, please contact the high school office at 538-0990. We are in need of volunteers to help coordinate this event for our seniors on their graduation morning. Easy-to-follow notes are available in the high school office for the person who would like to oversee this breakfast and get volunteers to assist.

GRADUATION INFORMATION

Calvin Christian High School’s graduation is scheduled for Wednesday, May 24, at 8:00 p.m. It will be held at Fair Haven Ministries in Jenison. Free tickets will be made available in May. Watch for further information in the next issue of the newsletter.

**All Class of 2023 seniors are required to purchase one of our updated caps and gowns this year. Click on the appropriate button(s) below to place your order if you have not already done so.

SENIOR ALL-NIGHTER

Parents of Seniors, please sign up your student ASAP for the Senior All-Nighter. Graduation is right around the corner and plans are being finalized, so we need final headcounts and paperwork turned in now! 

• The S.A.N. party fee is $90.

• Please complete the 2-page S.A.N. Permission Form by clicking on the button below along with providing emergency contact information, parental consent, and fun facts about your son or daughter which will be used in a trivia game the night of the party.

• If you have paid the fee, we may still need paperwork. If you aren't sure if you turned in your paperwork please email us by clicking on the button below marked Email S.A.N. Committee.

• Please return the form and a check (with "S.A.N." in the memo) to the office or pay online using the button below marked S.A.N. Online Payment.

• If the cost is not manageable, please contact Todd Henderson by clicking on his button below as we absolutely want all our senior students to be able to attend.

.

NOTES FROM THE COUNSELING OFFICE

COUNSELOR ASSIGNMENTS: 

Miss Rebekah Karel (9^th)

Mr. Nate Vander Wal (10^th-12^th)

SENIOR FINANCIAL AID FORMS AND REPORTS

Watch for financial aid award letters from the colleges where seniors have been accepted listing the financial aid being offered. 

SCHOLARSHIP OPPORTUNITIES

Seniors interested in additional scholarship money should check out the Scholarship Resources page by clicking on the button posted below the Counseling Notes section for opportunities and information. Some deadlines are approaching and others have passed. Applications for the CCHS scholarships were due on February 24 and are presently being processed.

ACT AND SAT TEST DATES

Juniors planning on going to college are encouraged to take both the ACT and the SAT at least once by December of their senior year. These standardized tests are used by some colleges for admission decisions as well as scholarship consideration (even “test optional” schools often offer more merit scholarship money with a test score). The CLT (Classic Learning Test) is also accepted by some colleges.

• The ACT can be taken April 15, June 10, or July 15. CCHS is a testing site on June 10. To register, click on the ACT Registration button posted below the Counseling Notes section.

• The SAT can be taken (in addition to March 22 at Ivanrest CRC) or on March 11, May 6, and June 3. Registration information can be found by clicking on the SAT Registration button posted below the Counseling Notes section.

SAT FOR JUNIORS

The 11^th grade class will take the SAT at Ivanrest CRC on Wednesday, March 22. The testing will take place during the school day from roughly 8:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. No registration is needed. Juniors will be dismissed for the day when testing has been completed.

Throughout March, juniors will be led through multiple forms of preparation, including a general strategy session, full length scored practice test, English and Math sessions led by teachers, and optional Focus Period offerings. 

PSAT 10

PSAT 10 will take place on Tuesday, March 21 for all sophomores. This is a preliminary/practice test for the SAT. Students should get a good night of rest the night before, and bring a #2 pencil and calculator. Snacks and water are allowed. Students may not bring a phone or a backpack to testing, and will meet by the CCHS office at 7:45 a.m. before entrance to the CCHS gym for the test.

COURSE INFORMATION FOR 2023-24

ATTENTION PARENTS OF 10^th & 11^th GRADERS:

If your son or daughter is interested in attending or learning more about the KCTC (Kent Career Technical Center), he/she should contact Mr. Vander Wal as soon as possible. Students can tour the KCTC on a school day in March, and enrollment requests can be made through mid-March. Program spots can fill up quickly.

INDIVDUAL DUAL ENROLLMENT

If you are interested in exploring individual options for earning college credit while still in high school (as opposed to college credit offered here at CCHS) and would like more information, contact Mr. Vander Wal. Dual enrollment in high school can be free through the state of Michigan. Please note Dual Enrollment Registration needs to be completed this spring. You can find our CCHS Dual Enrollment Policies & Procedures document by clicking on the button posted below the Counseling Notes section.  

TESTING OUT

In rare cases, a student may feel they are capable of testing out of a course offered at CCHS. Only students who feel they are proficient in a particular subject matter AND desire to accelerate in that subject area should attempt to test out of a course.

Students must earn an 80% on the assessment prepared by the department to test out of a given course. Students will not earn a letter grade for a test out in a course, so successful test outs do not affect a student’s GPA. Credit will be noted on the transcript, however. Students will sign up for the test-out in the CCHS office. Test-out signups will begin in April and the tests will take place early in May.

MUSIC DEPARTMENT NOTES

FUNDRAISING

Orders for the Frandale Sub/Soup Sale will be delivered on March 21 (pick up orders after school). 

UPCOMING EVENTS

• March 14 - Choir Concert at Central Reformed Church (7:00 p.m.)
• March 26 - Wind Ensemble leads worship at LaGrave Avenue CRC

(8:40 a.m. & 11:00 a.m. services)

• May 15 - Spring Concert (featuring Concert Choir and

Symphonic Band) @ Grandville HS

• May 17 - Collage Concert (featuring Chorale, HS Orchestra,

Wind Ensemble, Jazz Band, and Honors Orchestra)

at Jenison Performing Arts Center

STUDENT HONORS

Congratulations to Calvin Aupperlee, Leah Elliott, Yura Rozendal, and Alayna Van Doeselaar in making the MSVMA All-State Choir! They will be performing at the Fairchild Theatre (Michigan State) on May 13 at 3:00 p.m.

COMMISSIONED PIECE HONORING MR. LOOMAN

If you are a former student of Mr. Looman (any age), and would like the opportunity to join Wind Ensemble on Wednesday, May 17, at the Collage Concert as we premiere a newly commissioned piece in his honor, please reach out to Sarah Horton below.

If we have enough interest, we will arrange an evening rehearsal prior to the performance date and include as many alumni who are interested and able to participate. Details are still being finalized, but this will be largely dependent on the amount of interest from alumni. Please email Sarah Horton if you are interested in being a part of honoring Mr. Looman in this special way this spring.

ATHLETIC OFFICE NOTES

ATHLETIC BOOSTERS MEETING

The next Athletic Boosters meeting will be held on Wednesday night, March 15, at 7:00 p.m. in the high school. We would love to have you join us in supporting the athletic programs of Calvin Christian.

BEAN BAG TOSS TOURNAMENT

DATE:      Saturday, March 18, 2023

TIME:       8:30 a.m.  Breakfast / 10:30 a.m. Tournament begins

PLACE:    CCHS Gym

COST:      $30 per team of 2 players

                 (checks made payable to Calvin Christian)

DETAILS: Three games guaranteed for each team

                 and there is a 12 & under “toss distance”

Register by clicking on the button posted below the Athletic News section or in the CCHS office.

IMPORTANT: 

Space is limited so get your registration in by

Monday, March 13

Questions?

Email Coach Gritter or Coach Huizenga

MARCH MADNESS

MHSAA tournaments are as follows:

• Girls Varsity Basketball Districts are being held at Calvin Christian on February 27, March 1, and 3. Tickets for all tournament games will be through GoFan. Our Squires play their first game on March 1 at 7 pm.

• Boys Varsity Basketball District Games will be held at Fennville on March 6, 8, and 10. Tickets will be $7 each plus service fees. Tickets for all tournament games will be through GoFan.  The boys team will play on March 8 at 5:30 p.m.   

• Grandville/Calvin Hockey. The hockey team lost to Catholic Central in the Regional Semi-Final.

• Grandville/Calvin Boys Swim/Dive had their Conference Tournament on February 24 and 25.

• Boys Bowling had their Regional at Park Lanes on February 24 and 25 and qualified for he State Finals! State Team finals will be March 3 at 8:30 a.m. at M-66 Bowl in Battle Creek. State Individual finals will be March 4 at 8:30 a.m. at M-66 Bowl in Battle Creek. Tickets are $12.00. Tickets for all tournament games will be through GoFan.

We also had three individual qualifiers. Jax Vogel, Jake Newenhouse and Elia Jenkins all qualified for this weekend's state tournament.

Catch up on all of our athletic action by clicking on the Calvin Christian Sports website button posted below the Athletic News section.

TRANSPORTATION

Reminder – Calvin Christian High School has the policy of driving teams one way to events. Athletes are responsible for their own ride home.

SPRING SPORTS AT CCHS

Spring sports are currently scheduled to begin on Monday, March 13, for the following:

• Boys Baseball (JV, Varsity)
• Boys Golf (JV, Varsity)
• Girls Soccer (JV, Varsity)
• Girls Softball (Varsity)
• Girls Tennis (Varsity)
• Track (Girls and Boys – all levels)

In order to participate in spring sports, students must obtain a Pay-to-Participate cards ($100) and have a current health physical on file in the school office. 

These Pay-to-Participate cards can be obtained now in the Athletic Office.

ADVANCE NOTICE FOR 2023-24 ATHLETES

Calvin Christian High School offers several sports during the fall season. Please note that practices/tryouts will begin on the following date:

Monday, August 7, 2023

 Football

Boys Soccer

Boys Tennis

Cross Country 

Girls Golf

Girls Swimming 

Girls Volleyball

Remember that prior to trying out for any sport each athlete must have a yellow “Pay-to-Participate” card to hand to his/her coach. To obtain this, each athlete must:

• Be officially enrolled at Calvin Christian High School.  
• Have a physical on file in the school office (signed by the physician, parent, and athlete). To be official, the athlete’s physical must be given on April 15, 2023, or later. 
• Have paid the $100 “Pay-to-Participate” fee. 

ATHLETIC PASS INFORMATION FOR 2022-23

The sports passes are good for all Calvin Christian High School HOME events except the MHSAA tournaments and post-season events.  

• A single pass is $50.
• A family pass (2 adults and all children under 22 in the same household is $125.
• The pass will be valid for 2022-23 and will be year-long, not specifically for separate seasons.
•  A lost pass will be replaced for a fee of $5.
•  Passes will have individual names on them and are non-transferable.
•  With a Family Pass, each member of the family will receive an individual pass.
•  The pass is not valid for tournament contests.

Athletic Pass Order Forms can be found in the high school office or by clicking on the button at the end of the Athletic section.

WINTER BLAST 5K RUN / WINTER FLURRY 1K KIDS RUN

222 runners, some from as far away as Indiana, participated in the 14th Annual Winter Blast on Saturday, February 18. 

• A new overall course record of 15:18 was set.
• The top CCHS finishers were:
• Trevor Dornbos (12th male)
• Lola Bryce (5th female) 
• Alumni, Dan Kehoe, won the Alumni Division.
• Scott and Eli Mulder won the Parent/XC team division. 

Thanks to all the volunteers for a great event once again!

GCCS NEWS & DATES

AUCTION 2023

Thank you to all who supported our annual auction last weekend! Together, we raised a total of $115,000! All money will go to support the mission and work of equipping students to glorify God through our ongoing From One Generation to the Next campaign.

Thanks be to God for blessing us through your giving, volunteering, and support!

SAVE THESE GCCS DATES...

GCCS Annual Spring Reception

Thursday, April 27, 2023

at Frederik Meijer Gardens 

We are excited to be hosting the spring reception once again at the beautiful Frederik Meijer Gardens! Save the date for a great time of fellowship and hearing stories of God's hand at work at our school. We look forward to a night of celebration and looking to what God has in store for the future of our Christian school. Formal invitations will be sent soon, but RSVP'ing may begin now:

ADVANCE NOTICE!

The 58th GCCS Flower Sale

May 12, 2023

We will have in-person sales and online sales.

New this year: Build Your Own Pot

We'll have single varieties to pick from to create your own planter. (Planters and soil not included)

Pick thrillers, fillers, and spillers to fit in your own space and planter.

 GCCS Foundation 35^th Annual Golf Classic Outing

Saturday, May 20, 2023

at Thornapple Pointe Golf Course

More details coming later.