SCCS Home Bulletin
April 6, 2022
FROM DR. B.
Happy Wednesday, Trailblazers!
Last week, I shared more about T = Teaching for Transformation. This week, I’d like to highlight U = updated technology.
Before I include the “stuff” of technology, let’s check out the WHY and HOW – our philosophy of technology use at SCCS.
We believe the role of technology is to enhance student learning and teacher instruction as we endeavor to fulfill our mission. Technology should be integrated into the educational program whenever appropriate. The teacher is the driver of when the technology is incorporated.
God has gifted his image-bearers with creativity and intelligence to develop the tools they need to fulfill his Cultural Mandate (Genesis 1:28). However, due to the fall, even human technological innovation has been twisted into a self-serving entity that seeps into every corner of our lives until our entire society is saturated with technology. Technology has ironically made our lives “easier” and “more complex” at the same time. It has woven its way into the very fabric of our daily lives. What does this mean for those of us who intend to teach Christianly? More importantly, what does it mean for those we teach?
The great story of God’s Word begins in the garden (Genesis 2) and ends up in the city (Revelation 21), demonstrating an advance of technology! Our task as Christians in regard to technology has become one of redemption. Christian teachers view iPads, Chromebooks, and other educational technologies as tools, one of many tools that a professional Christian teacher may employ, if its use is deemed suitable. Teachers and students—in age-appropriate ways—need to consider the following regarding the “suitability” of technology use in their classrooms:
• Technology can enhance learning, or it can hamper learning. By carefully planning ways of integration, teachers can use technology to enhance students’ understanding. Technology can offer many wonderful educational opportunities, but it can also lead to a lot of wasted time. At SCCS, we must not only teach basic technology skills, but we must also model the stewardly use of technology.
• Technology ought to be a servant, but it can easily become a master. Computers and other technological innovations can be extremely useful tools, but we must not forget that they are simply tools. Over-reliance on any technology has the inherent danger of idolatry. Students must learn to use technology, but not be mastered by it. At the same time, we must encourage and challenge our students to use technology creatively and redemptively.
• Technology can bring people together, but it can also drive people apart. While technologies can make communication easier, they can sometimes get in the way of the message being communicated. Teachers and students alike must be aware of the personhood of the human being with whom they are communicating.
• Technology cannot solve any problem by itself. There is always a “human factor” when working with technology. Technology should not (and truly cannot) replace human beings.
• Technology cannot save us. Despite what the culture around us would have us believe, computers, the Internet, advanced communication technologies, and other technologies cannot save our world. They—and the people who use them—are all corrupted by sin, and all need redemption.
We believe technology has its place in the classroom, but discernment in its use is absolutely necessary. Christian teachers who intend to guide students in God’s way are responsible to teach students—by word and example—how to be discerning in their approach to technology.
In this spirit, we have moved forward with providing updated tools teachers and students can use to advance learning and understanding. It should be noted that SCCS has made the intentional decision to have enough of these tools available that a teacher has enough devices to use with his or her class, but the devices are not assigned to a particular student or carried around during the day by students. The devices are used when they are the most appropriate method of teaching and learning, driven by the teacher.
Through the blessing of CO19 funding, SCCS has recently updated technology used by our teachers and students. Interactive TVs has replaced SMART Boards in our building. We have updated Chromebooks for use by students in grades K-8, and we’ve updated iPads used by students in grades K-1. Faculty and staff have updated laptops, and we’ve also subscribed to various online tools that teachers can use to enhance their teaching and student learning.
Technology is an important tool we need to teach our students to use well, but we must always remember it’s just that: a tool. We want students to be equipped to use this tool well in a way that both honors God and respects others. We are hopeful that by remembering our HOW and WHY we can use updated tools to further our mission at SCCS.
Thank you for your partnership!
jb
ESA BILL UPDATE
- Need to be in a family that has an income that is 400% and under the federal poverty level as a first qualification (see the table below for what that means for amounts)
- Students entering K or currently in a public school
- Students on IEPs
- Students that were in K the previous year then can get an ESA in 1st grade and on up through the grades (if family income doesn't go over 400% poverty level threshold)
- Students who transfer from the public school also qualify to get an ESA the next year and so on (if family income doesn't go over the 400% poverty level threshold)
How much money are we talking? Each ESA would be just about $5,400 - funding families can use toward tuition. This is a big deal and life-changing for many families! An ESA provides access to Christian education, something that is so important to me and I know is to you, too. Also, note that the bill has language that makes sure we do not compromise our values and beliefs by accepting any of this funding - that's very important. To read the whole bill, head to this link: https://www.legis.iowa.gov/legislation/BillBook?ga=89&ba=SF2369.
https://iowatorch.com/2022/03/31/iowa-senate-parental-rights-school-choice/?fbclid=IwAR1vU9S8VutuFQbWWTAJDy1sKq2pclhl6zv-5kyY7Ii8TyXLpY3xVaK9bp0
I encourage you to take 2-3 minutes to contact your State Representative today at the following link and ask for support for Senate File 2369. Thank you for your help!
http://www.iowachristianschools.org/action-center/?vvsrc=%2fCampaigns%2f93664%2fRespond
We keep advocating for quality Christ-centered education. It's important. It's what we've been called to do. (And I get a little jazzed up about it. :)) Thank you for your efforts, and we praise God for His faithfulness!
With you,
jb
GRANDPARENT/SPECIAL FRIEND DAY
Grandparent/Special Friend Day will be on Friday, April 8. Grandparents are welcome to visit the 4Care and TK-8 classrooms from 8:15-11:15 am. We will dismiss at 11:15. There will be no busing available at dismissal. Bus 2014 and 2020 WILL NOT be running. If grandparents are unable to attend, please encourage sending a note to grandkids to be opened on Grandparents/Special Friends Day.
8th ANNUAL TRAIL'RAISER NIGHT - SATURDAY, APRIL 9
Prayer Pens will be going home with your students in the next day or two! The kids did an amazing job designing the pens!
THANK YOU to all the ladies who helped assemble the pens! They gave over 36 hours of total time!
Kids who didn’t have any pens ordered each made one…some will be sold on the Buy It Now tables for $10 each and the rest are given to donors as we visit them.
Truth T-shirts – If you ordered them online, they may be picked up from the orchestra room from 9-11:30am on Friday (we are opening the SCCS Iowa and Truth T-shirt store for grandparents!) or after 4pm on Saturday. We ordered lots of extra shirts, so you can buy them during Trail’Raiser Night!
Donate Bars & Snack Mixes – We’re doing really great on cupcake donations, and also really well on bars and snack mixes (THANK YOU to all who have signed up!)…but if you like to bake, there would be room for some more bar and snack mix donations! Stop by the office for the printed list of recipes and containers or fill out the form here…
Trail’Raiser Night: Doors open at 4pm on Saturday! CLICK HERE for the flyer…
4:00-5:00pm: Celebration of Learning – Visit your kids classrooms and see how they have connected to God’s Story through their learning experiences!
4:00pm: Gourmet Cupcakes, Bars, and Snack Mixes – in the orchestra room
SCCS Iowa & Truth T-shirts – in the orchestra room
“Best of Sioux County” Buy It – in main hallway by band room
CLICK HERE to see the Buy It Now list that is still being updated!
Pick out the items you want and then go to one of the checkout stations in the hallway to put your purchases on a bid# (see bid# explanation below)
4:30-6:30pm: Freewill Supper – serving lines in the lunchroom, seating in the lunchroom and band room. Drive-thru is available from 4:30-5:30 (see flyer for info)
6:00-8:00pm: Trailblazer Treats Concession stand – your kids (or you!) can purchase treats with your bid# (cash is welcome too!)
7:00pm: Family Feud Game Show in the gym! Our teams are gearing up to play! They’ll be in costume and ready to WIN!
You can help your favorite team win a FAST PASS to FAST MONEY! See the flyer for details! Donations can be made before and during the game show!
Why do I need a Bid# if this isn’t auction?
You can put all your purchases on the bid # (gourmet treats, buy it now, freewill supper, Family Feud donations, concession stand purchases) and pay for it all when you are ready to leave!
You may also pay as you go with cash or check.
There will be three checkout stations in the main hallway by the music rooms.
Trail’Raiser Night is a super fun community building event! We hope to see you there!
Event Details at: https://www.siouxcenterchristian.com/support/trailraisernight.cfm
K-8 CONTINUOUS ENROLLMENT
CHANGE OF DATE FOR 5-8 SPRING CHORAL CONCERT
FOR YOUR INFORMATION
- Please check the online calendar for upcoming events (http://www.siouxcenterchristian.com/calendar.cfm)
- Join us for Storyline Chapel today at 1:35 (Wednesday, April 6). The 4th graders will share their homeroom storyline. You are welcome to join in person or at the following link: https://www.siouxcenterchristian.com/students/chapel.cfm.
- SCCS will dismiss at 1:05 on Wednesday, April 13. There will be no school April 14-19 for the Easter Break.
- The TRIP Office will be open from 8:00-1:00 on Thursday, April 14 and Tuesday, April 19. They will be closed on Friday, April 15 and Monday, April 18.
- The school office will be closed April 14, 15, and 18 for the Easter Break.
DESTINATION IMAGINATION
Congratulations to our 4th grade Destination Imagination teams who competed at a tournament in South Dakota last week Saturday! The Magnificent Minions took second place in the elementary division of the Fine Arts Challenge and the Nosy Dragons took third place in the elementary division of the Engineering Challenge! These twelve 4th graders spent the last five months staying after school two days a week with Mrs. De Smith and Mrs. Stoub to work on their complex team challenges and instant challenges in preparation for the tournament.
Congratulations, students!
HERZOG FOUNDATION - CHRISTIAN EXCELLENCE AWARDS
We have phenomenal teachers at SCCS who TREASURE God's kids and TRAIN them in the deep soil of God's Word and in the wonder of creation, so they may be TRANSFORMED to live each day as God's agents in the world!
The Stanley M. Herzog Foundation wants to give Christian teachers the recognition they deserve and is accepting nominations for Teacher of the Year Awards!
The vision of the Herzog Foundation is to see families and culture flourish through quality Christian education.
Fill out the nomination form and let them know who you think should be the Christian Teacher of the Year! Nominations are closing soon!
POSITION OPENINGS
Sioux Center Christian School invites you to consider the opportunity to work with a dedicated faculty and staff, passionate parents, and fantastic students through the following position openings:
Director of Development (Full-Time)
School Nurse (Part-Time)
Head Custodian (Full-Time)
7-8 Bible Teacher (Full-Time)
Paraprofessional (Part- or Full-Time)
For more information on these positions and details on how to apply, go to:
https://www.siouxcenterchristian.com/about/employment.cfm
TALES AND TRAILS: Now taking applications for SCCS Tales and Trails summer camp employment. Camp runs every week in June and July and the first week of August. A flexible schedule is possible. Please contact Cheri Horstman if interested. chorstman@siouxcenterchristian.com
SUBSTITUTE TEACHERS: We are in need of substitute teachers for this school year. Subs are needed for teachers and paras at all grade levels, kitchen crew and at times a nurse. Please contact the office (sccsoffice@siouxcenterchristian.com) if you are interested in adding your name to the sub list. SCCS will provide all training, and you even get a free lunch when you sub! Qualifications for being a sub include a love of children, the ability to follow teacher lesson plans, flexibility, and a commitment to Christian education. We invite you to join us!
SUMMER JOB OPPORTUNITY: Come join the SCCS Summer Cleaning Crew. We are looking for hardworking people (15 or older) to help clean the school this summer. The crew will work from June 1 – Aug 12. Monday – Thursday 8 am – 4 pm and Friday 8 am – 2 pm. Job applications are located on the employment page of the SCCS website. We are flexible with summer sports, mission trips and vacations. Contact Eileen Buiter at 578-8624 with questions.
4CARE
Sioux Center Christian School offers a play-based, child-care opportunity for 4-years-olds enrolled in preschool called 4Care. If you have a child who will be in preschool next year and are looking for childcare for the other half of their days, this is a great place for your child to enjoy hands-on, child-led, play-based learning at SCCS for the part of their day that preschool is not in session. To learn more about 4Care and to reserve your child’s place, go to https://www.siouxcenterchristian.com/admissions/4care.cfm
TALES AND TRAILS SUMMER CAMP
Registration is OPEN for our Tales and Trails Summer Camp 2022!
This is an educational and fun summer supervision opportunity for kids who are 5-11 years old by June 1, 2022. Information was sent home with every child in 4Care – 4th grade.
https://www.siouxcenterchristian.com/parents/talestrails.cfm
Note: A pool pass is required for camp. You can purchase your membership online or call 712-722-4386 x2
https://apm.activecommunities.com/allseasonscenter/Membership
FOOD SERVICE NEWS
April menus have been posted. You will notice that is says vegetable or fruit rather than listing a specific vegetable or fruit. This is because the food supply chain continues to have many disruptions. We plan menus a month in advance. The food that is available changes daily, thus making it impossible to follow through with our planned menus. Thank you for your continued participation in the hot lunch program even though many days the food was not what we had planned on serving you.
- Thanks to everyone who signed up to help with dishwashing! If you would like to help out you can sign up here. If you have questions, contact Carmen Mulder (cmulder@siouxcenterchristian.com).
- You can find the lunch and dishwashing schedule here.
- If you would like to eat lunch with your child, please contact school 24 hours in advance.
OUTLET 75
Outlet 75 is open on Wednesdays from 11am-8pm, Thursdays from 11am-3pm, plus occasional Saturdays from 10am-1pm. All profits from our store benefit every family at SCCS!
Are you willing to fill in any of the open shifts? We’d love to have you come and experience the joy of volunteering at Outlet 75!! If you can help, please connect with Janey Boogerd (712.449.8106 or info@shopoutlet75.com)
https://www.shopoutlet75.com/ /// Facebook @shopoutlet75 /// Instagram @outlet75
STAFF MEMBER OF THE MONTH
Recognize a Sioux Center Christian faculty or staff member who goes ABOVE and BEYOND by nominating him/her for the Sioux Center - Pella Corporation Staff Member of the Month award!
Pella Corporation in Sioux Center offers this monthly award to a teacher or staff member in Sioux Center and the winner receives $500 to impact the learning in their classroom! Printed forms are available by the TRIP office.
https://www.siouxcenterchristian.com/editoruploads/files/SXC_STAFF_OF_THE_MONTH_21-22.pdf
Nominations are due by the 25th of each month. Completed forms may be dropped off at the school office, mailed or dropped off at Pella Corp.
REQUESTED ANNOUNCEMENTS
Sioux Center Public Library Dia Day
Youth Camp - Dordt University Women's Basketball
More than Conquerors Camp - Dordt University Women's Basketball
Western Christian Youth Baseball
Western Christian Junior Wolfpack Baseball
2022 Summer Driver's Ed
Unity Christian Sports Camp
Northwestern College 3-on-3 Basketball
Junior Knights Softball
Junior Knights Baseball
Minnikota Youth Network Ministry 12th Annual Jr. High Retreat
Unity Christian 8th Grade Strength Training
Sioux Center Arts Middle School Classes
Seasons Center Kids Carnival
Western Christian Softball Camp
Western Christian Junior Wolfpack Softball
Unity Christian Cheer Team
Unity Dance Team Tryouts
Western Christian Wolfpack Baseball Information
Inspiration Hills
Northwestern Raider Camps
Dordt University Sports Camps
SCCS
The mission of Sioux Center Christian School is to disciple God’s children by equipping them with a knowledge and understanding of Christ and His creation so that they can obediently serve God and others as they work and play.
Every Student TREASURED, Every Student TRAINED, Every Student TRANSFORMED
Email: sccsoffice@siouxcenterchristian.com
Website: siouxcenterchristian.com
Location: 630 1st Ave. SE, Sioux Center, IA
Phone: 712-722-0777
Facebook: facebook.com/siouxcenterchristian
Twitter: @sccstrailblazer