Mack Memo

Mack Memo ~ Parent Newsletter

3/15/21

Dear Mack Families,

Bidding for our largest fundraiser of the year begins today at Noon. We hope you will bid often and early and plan to register for the free-live stream event, next Saturday, March 20 if you haven't already. For 45 years, Bellevue Christian has been bringing people together to celebrate and support the programs and people within our community. Our first auction was held in 1970 under the leadership of George Castle. The first event netted $714.45 and was located at Bellevue Square – before there was an indoor mall. The event wasn’t repeated until John and Jacque Hancock, along with a committee, organized our first “annual” auction in 1976 on April 2, 1976, at the Museum of History and Industry with Pat O’Day as the auctioneer.

Since then, we have celebrated yearly in many different places and many different ways. We are constantly adapting to the needs of our school community. That is why it seems so fitting to move our event to a place where we can continue to uplift BCS.

This year we have an opportunity to "Raise the Paddle" in support of Bellevue Christian's Fine and Performing Arts programs! These programs are a vital part of the philosophy of educating the whole child.

Soli Deo Gloria,

Jennifer Smith

Director of Preschool

Principal, Mack Campus

Why Your Support is Important

A message from Music Teacher Ms. Jodi Salzman:

As a youngster, I came to love music in elementary school. I remember picking up the recorder and having so much fun with it, then starting the clarinet when I was ten and joining the band. I played all through high school and enjoyed playing in the marching band as well as going on trips and to music festivals with the wind ensemble. As the music teacher at Mack, I have many dreams about the level of music achievement our students could reach given the support shown by the BCS community at large.

Music programs take years to build, and while it's not "all about the money," it does take a considerable investment monetarily to provide the necessary tools for music programs to thrive. Examples include new instruments, in-tune pianos, a beautiful concert venue, and sheet music. Thanks for taking the time to consider supporting the BCS music program. The love you show our music program will translate into gifted artists who transform the world for Christ.

A message from Art Teacher

Ms. Amber Cass:

Within my Deep Hope is my desire to promote, develop, and nurture my students’ exploration through their art experiences to uncover and embrace their unique God-given talents. I feel extremely fortunate and blessed that the arts program at BCS has been supported throughout this extraordinary school year. I have witnessed my students celebrating personal achievements, the successes of their peers, while finding joy through their personal exploration.

Like many others, I strive to continue to be a better educator for my students. By funding the arts, it is my hope to open new experiences for my students by utilizing avenues that are not all currently available. This would include new resources like books and educational videos, trips to museums, art materials that would allow for more experimentation with different mediums, as well as additional opportunities for after-school camps and clubs. After only one year in at BCS, I feel like part of the family. I look forward to celebrating many more wonderful years as the BCS Elementary Art Teacher.

A message from Band Teacher Daniel Nolan

Our band students here at Mack would be incredibly blessed to receive contributions to this fundraiser! Right now, many of my percussion students practice simply by using rubber practice pads that their parents provide for them. Some of them are diligently playing along with the band, even without a real instrument. With this year’s "Raise the Paddle" funds, not only could my percussionists play on real snare drums, but they might get the chance to experience different instruments like a xylophone or bass drum, transforming our band into a much more robust experience for the percussionists. The wind players will enjoy the sound of playing with a strong percussion section as well. Thank you for helping to provide for Mack’s band program in support of these amazing kids.

Why We Choose to Support

"Our two boys started attending Bellevue Christian School at 3rd and 6th grades. They are now in 6th and 9th grades and thriving in the BCS community. Their continued growth and development are just as important to the teachers and staff at BCS as it is to us. We've attended the Auction in the past and feel that it's important to support the kids, staff, and teachers by continuing to contribute in meaningful ways. It's a great opportunity to spend time together as well, as social gatherings have been at a premium this past year. This year's auction, although not in person, will be one small way to feel as though we can come together as a community to support BCS."

-Shane and Emily Ness, Maddox (9th), Colton (6th)

"We have enjoyed attending the Bellevue Christian School Auction in years past because it is a great opportunity to come together as an entire community to raise money and support the school we all love. We have loved listening to guest speakers, children's testimonials, and our faculty as they share their passion for BCS. It is a great reminder of why God has brought us back to this school and continues to bless our family and the community in which we hold so dear. "

-Ryan (BCS Alum-'01) and Afton Vander Pol, Harvey, (K), Jack (4th), Cooper (6th)

"As BCS alumni, I have memories of my parents heading to the Auction on a spring Saturday evening each year and wondering what they would come home with. I had browsed the catalog. Would I get to be Principal for a day? Would they bring home the puppy? Sadly, I never woke up the next morning to a new puppy but there are still handmade gifts from auctions past hanging on my parents' walls. They taught me the importance of a Christian community.

Now that I am a parent, I have looked for ways to create community among my children’s friends and one of the best ways to engage with families is during the auction. From chatting over dinner to banding together to win the Sundae Showdown for our class, it’s moments like these that create your community for years to come. Even though this year will be virtual, we can still find ways to come together.

Your contribution to the auction allows BCS to enrich its offerings and continue to be at the forefront of Christian education. It can sometimes be hard to consider contributing, even more, when tuition is already significant, but in today’s culture supporting Christian education is more important than ever. "

-Matthew and Whitney Gronlund (BCS Alum-'99), Mason (3rd)

Bidding starts at Noon

*Watch for an Auction email with all details coming today at around Noon.

You may register for the live stream event this Saturday now.

Livestream Event:

March 20

6:30pm: Tune-in and view auction items

7pm: Livestream event begins

Here is a sample of items you can bid on:

Reserved Parking Spot-Mack Campus

$200 Spirit Store Gift Card

Personalized books, signed by our beloved Mack teachers

$100 Spa Finder Gift Card

Ocean Shores Staycation

A Variety of Mariners, Seahawks and Kraken tickets

Thank You!

Thank you to our amazing community, without all of you stepping up we would not have been able to bless our staff so well last week. They felt the love and were so grateful for the coffees, flowers, lunch, gifts of their favorite things, and love notes from students. We also wanted to put out a special thank you to Clean Planet Car Wash in Woodinville, as the company donated car washes for our staff members.