SCCS Home Bulletin
January 17, 2024
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
FROM DR. B.
Happy Wednesday, Trailblazers!
Winter is definitely here. Thank you for all the extra efforts that happen to get snow clothes, boots, etc. to school. We really appreciate it! The students are having a blast on the sledding hill at recess.
Let’s keep going with our series Reformed: Doubling Down. Last time, we looked at the Reformed distinctive that God confirms through the sacraments. This time, let’s check out the Reformed idea that God cleanses.
When we sin, we harm our relationship to God and to each other. We make messes. And the worst of it is that, above and beyond the consequences of our sin, our disobedience makes us guilty before God’s law as well. The good news the Bible brings us is that Jesus died for our sins. Throughout His life and on the cross, He bore the punishment and penalty we deserve for our sin. Through His willing sacrifice, He has removed our guilt before God’s laws. Believers are justified – made right with God. We need God to renew and restore us – to make us as good and loving and righteous and pure and obedient as Jesus is (and Adam once was before the fall). We do not only need to be justified, but we also need to be sanctified as well. That work of restoring us, making us new creatures who rightly image God, is also God’s work. God sent the Holy Spirit to accomplish that task. How does the Spirit do that? In lots of ways:
- Giving us the Bible
- Giving us true faith
- Joining us to the church
- Giving us spiritual gifts we can share
- Helping us pray
- Giving us self-control and love so we can do God’s will
- Giving us the fruit of the Spirit
- Giving us hope for the future
- Empowering us to join in God’s mission of evangelizing the world
- Giving us new life in Christ
Notice that Reformed teaching emphasizes both justification (being made right with God) and sanctification (right living). In Jesus, God makes us right with Him and gives us the knowledge and experience of that grace through the Holy Spirit. He not only makes us right, but he makes us all right. He gives us the Holy Spirit to take up residence in us and begin a massive renovation of our hearts and lives. The Reformed faith puts emphasis on the renewal of our lives – a Spirit-empowered new life of loving, obedient service to God, to God’s people, and to the world. We are called to live transformed!
Such a new life of discipleship to Jesus is not our attempt to make ourselves right with God. Jesus alone makes us right with God. But our new life is the inevitable result of what Jesus has done for us. He took away our sin and He gave us His Spirit. And the Holy Spirit, living in our hearts, fills us with gratitude for what God has done for us and with an eager longing to live as God’s joyful, loving children. We don’t need to earn our salvation (there’s no way we could do that!). We’re free to live it out every day anew.
God’s cleansing – what a gift!
SCCS RECEIVES LITERACY TRAINING GRANT
SCCS is the recipient of a grant that allows 22 of our faculty and staff members to participate in a two-year LETRS literacy training! The grant is valued at nearly $50,000, and we have received 22 spots out of a statewide total of 500 spots.
This is exciting! TK-5 literacy, reading, and learning center teachers will be participating in professional learning this spring and next school year focused on the science of reading. Developed by Dr. Louisa Moats and leaders in the field of literacy, LETRS teaches the skills needed to master the foundation and fundamentals of reading and writing instruction—phonological awareness, phonics, fluency, vocabulary, comprehension, and written language.
LETRS professional learning for elementary educators is an investment in teachers’ literacy knowledge and professional practice. Teachers gain essential knowledge to master the fundamentals of literacy instruction required to transform student learning.
To learn more, head to https://www.lexialearning.com/iowa-letrs.
Thank you to the teachers who will be investing in their professional practice and in their students through this training as we continue to apply the science of reading to our instruction!
CONGRATULATIONS!
Congratulations to Ms. Marcy Holwerda, one of our first grade teachers, who won the December Pella Staff Member of the Month award!
Judy, Jason, and Mike from Sioux Center Pella Corporation surprised Ms. Holwerda and her class with a BIG CHECK for $500 this afternoon! The nomination letter by a parent shared, "Ms. Holwerda has been such a great teacher for our son. She has inspired him to work hard in reading and math. She has such a calming presence and is so encouraging. You can tell the kids respect and love her by how hard they work. The kids are kind to one another which is an obvious reflection of their teacher's heart. Ms. Holwerda goes above and beyond for her class and parents."
Ms. Holwerda receives $500 to be used to enhance learning in her classroom, plus a special mug and certificate.
We are grateful to Sioux Center Pella Corporation for this amazing program they have done for several years as a way to honor and encourage our amazing local educators!! THANK YOU!
FOR YOUR INFORMATION
- Please check the online calendar for upcoming events (http://www.siouxcenterchristian.com/calendar.cfm)
- We want to make sure we keep all students safe during the drop off and pick up procedure at school. Just a reminder: Please do not not park in the visitor parking spots when dropping off or picking up your child as we want to keep that area free for the buses. Please use the drop off lane or park in the northwest parking lot and walk your child into school.
BUSING INFORMATION FOR JANUARY 19
PARENT VISIT DAYS
We value the partnership between our parents and school! We want to invite you into the school so you can experience what’s happening in the classroom. Each grade level will be hosting a Parent Visit Day again this year. You are invited to join us for some time in the classroom and Pizza Ranch pizza on us!
5th Grade Parent Visit Day will be Friday, January 19! The morning will start with a welcome at 11:00 in the Band Room followed by a classroom visit from 11:10-12:00 and lunch will be served at 12:00. We will be ordering pizza from Pizza Ranch and our guests will enjoy 2 pieces of pizza per person. You are welcome to stay for recess as well! Looking forward to your visit!
6th Grade Parent Day that was postponed because of weather has been rescheduled to Friday, January 26. You do not have to sign up again but do let the office know if there are any changes to your original RSVP. The morning will start with a welcome at 11:00 in the Band Room followed by a classroom visit from 11:10-12:00 and lunch will be served at 12:00. We will be ordering pizza from Pizza Ranch and our guests will enjoy 2 pieces of pizza per person. You are welcome to stay for recess as well! Looking forward to your visit!
Below are the dates and times for the other grade level Parent Visit Days this school year. More information will be sent out later.
- Feb. 2 - 11:00 - 7th grade
- Feb. 9 - 10:15 - 2nd grade
- Mar. 1 - 10:30 - 3rd grade
- Mar. 22 - 10:45 - 4th grade
- Apr. 4 - 10:00 - Kindergarten
THE ELVES AND THE SHOEMAKER
You are invited to attend one of the 7th/8th grade performances of The Elves and the Shoemaker on Friday, January 26 and Saturday January 27 at 7pm in the TePaske Theater. This production is a fanciful and charming reframing of the traditional store of shoemaking elves. No tickets needed; a freewill offering will be received. Doors will open at 6:40pm.
Note: 1st grade through 8th grade will attend a matinee performance at 1pm on Friday, January 26.
2024 POVERTY GUIDELINES
The new poverty guidelines are out, which impacts ESAs and NICSTO. Here is what the poverty guidelines will be for 2024 (400% of the poverty line is what qualifies families for ESAs and NICSTO):
TEACHER OF THE YEAR AWARDS
The Herzog Foundation is accepting nominations for the 2024 Christian Teacher of the Year Awards. This annual opportunity to honor Christian educators is part of the Herzog Foundation’s Excellence in Christian Education award series.
The 2024 nomination period will conclude on Friday, February 16. The Herzog Foundation will then select 12 Teachers of the Year to be honored at the Museum of the Bible in Washington, D.C.
The Herzog Foundation exists to catalyze and accelerate the development of quality Christ-centered K-12 education. Our vision is for families and culture to flourish through quality Christian education.
Sioux Center Christian School administrators and staff been blessed to attend several of their training events! We encourage you to nominate an SCCS teacher you love and appreciate!
STORYLINE CHAPEL
Storyline chapels will be the first Wednesday of the month at 1:35pm in the gym. Students are expected to wear their Storyline shirts! Parents and guests are WELCOME to attend! You may also join our livestream (and recording) at https://www.siouxcenterchristian.com/currentfamilies/livestream.cfm
LOST AND FOUND
HELP WANTED
KITCHEN (PART-TIME) : Looking for someone to join our Kitchen crew from 9:00-2:00 Monday through Friday to help with setting up the line, serving food and clean up. Job applications are available on the SCCS website. https://www.siouxcenterchristian.com/connectwithus/employment.cfm
CUSTODIAL CLEANING CREW HELP WANTED: Looking for hardworking independent high school students or adults to fill openings on the SCCS after school custodial cleaning crew. Flexible after school/evening hours available. Contact Eileen Buiter 712-578-8624. Job applications are available on the SCCS website. https://www.siouxcenterchristian.com/connectwithus/employment.cfm
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 fill out the form at the link below 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!
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSchPyh3Fnjis7w7htYQfnSK137TfmJ339p5IfWqkRChIwhAqQ/viewform
FOOD SERVICE NEWS
- Thanks to everyone who signed up to help with dishwashing this year! If you would like to help out you can sign up here. If you have questions, contact Ashley Keith (akeith@siouxcenterchristian.com).
- You can find the lunch and dishwashing schedule here.
- If you would like to eat lunch with your child, please contact the school 24 hours in advance of when you would like to eat. The cost for a lunch is $5.00 and can be paid as you go through the lunch line. Thank you!
REQUESTED ANNOUNCEMENTS
Currently there is information for:
- Hull PRCS 3-on-3 Basketball Tournament
- Unity Christian Baseball Open Gym Info for 8th Grade Boys
- Dordt Youth Dance Camp
- Western Christian Cheer Camp
- Unity Christian/MOC Reach Out T-shirt order form
- Western Christian Dance Camp
- Girl Scout Information
- Wolfpack Wrestling Camp
PELLA STAFF MEMBER OF THE MONTH
Nominate a staff member to become the Pella Corporation Staff member of the month. Pella Corporation will award one monthly recipient $500.00 to use towards school approved items and a certificate of recognition. A nomination form can be found here.
SOUND OF MUSIC AUDITIONS
Sioux Center Arts is thrilled to announce we are producing Roger and Hammerstein's beloved classic, The Sound of Music June 5-8, 2024. We are casting all ages!
Auditions will be at the Shelter House at Children's Park:
- January 30, 7-9 p.m. - adults
- February 1, 7-9 p.m. - adults
- February 3, 8:30 a.m.-12 p.m. & 1-3 p.m. - children and adults - see schedule below.
Featuring a treasure trove of cherished songs, this musical masterpiece promises an unforgettable journey - don't miss your opportunity to be a part of the magic!
The Sound of Music will be directed by Directed by Leanne Bonnecroy.
YOUTH MENTAL HEALTH FILM SCREENING & DISCUSSION
Please Note: Because of the weather on Jan. 11, the FREE Youth Mental Health Film Screening & Discussion is postponed to Thursday, February 22 at 7:00pm at the Boyden-Hull High School Theatre in Hull. The 30 minute film, “What I Wish My Parents Knew” will be followed by a panel and discussion.
SCCS
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