SCCS Home Bulletin
February 7, 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.
It’s Wednesday again! Time for another installment of the series Reformed: Doubling Down. Last time, we wrapped up the Reformed distinctive that God cleanses. This time, let’s check out the Reformed distinctive that God claims.
The cost of discipleship is high. God gave His very own Son for us. Jesus gave up His life. The Spirit moved right into our hearts and took up permanent residence there. That kind of total commitment deserves our total response as well, body and soul.
Reformed Christianity emphasizes God’s claim over all of life—person and communal, public and private, individual and collective. That’s because the Bible clearly teaches that Jesus is Savior and Lord. Abaraham Kuyper, a well-known Dutch Reformed politician, scholar, and preacher, put it well: “There is not an inch of all creation of which Jesus does not say, ‘Mine!’”
The Reformed emphasis goes against the grain of our culture. We’re conditioned to think that life is made up of two separate pieces: the sacred and the secular. The sacred would be the part of life we devote to God: worship, volunteer time, money we give to church and other organizations. The secular is the part of our lives we devote to ourselves: making a living, raising a family, entertainment. Reformed Christians completely reject this false split. They believe that God created all things. Our bodies and souls belong to our Creator. God created the stuff of this world and the complex interactions and interrelationships that we navigate daily. He created the environment, marketplace, education, politics – you name it. God made it and owns it. All of creation, including our whole life, is sacred, devoted to God’s glory. That is the very purpose for which everything exists. Wherever God’s people obediently work in the light of God’s Word, they reclaim this fallen creation for their Lord and build His kingdom.
This means that our daily work is holy. It’s a calling—whether it’s farming, office work, or ministry. Where we contribute to the development of God’s creation and of society, there we’re serving Him. Our family life is as much a spiritual matter as our involvement in church. Our world belongs to God. And so do we. It’s tough sometimes to know how we should live in this world. There’s so much brokenness that we often don’t know where to start. It’s hard to navigate money and employment. It’s difficult to influence government and society. But we need not get discouraged. Our Lord will continue to grow His kingdom. And once Jesus returns, He will restore all things.
In the meantime, we have a world to win back. God claims all of it. It’s a big world and we’re people of little strength and will. But we have a big God that leads us. Jesus will reclaim every inch of our world in due time. In the meantime, He appoints us as ambassadors. The Reformed perspective calls this the “priesthood of believers”. All believers share in the special calling of being Christ’s representatives on earth, from clergy to factory workers to teachers to nurses to lawyers to farmers. We all devote our life and our life’s work to God’s service. That makes all of us priests. What a humbling, exciting, important, and meaningful calling!
FOR YOUR INFORMATION
- Please check the online calendar for upcoming events (http://www.siouxcenterchristian.com/calendar.cfm)
- There will be no school for students on Feb. 15, 16 (Teacher Professional Development Days) and 19 (President's Day).
- There will be no Aftercare on Feb. 15, 16 and 19.
- The School Office and TRIP Office will be closed on Monday, Feb. 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!
2nd Grade Parent Visit day will be Friday, February 9. See you then!
- 10:15 - Welcome in the Band Room
- 10:25-11:20 - Classroom visit
- 11:20 - Pizza Ranch Lunch
Below are the dates and times for the other grade level Parent Visit Days this school year. More information will be sent out later.
- Mar. 1 - 10:30 - 3rd grade
- Mar. 22 - 10:45 - 4th grade
- Apr. 4 - 10:00 - Kindergarten
VALENTINE'S DAY
Students are welcome to bring a treat or a card for their classmates in honor of Valentine's Day; this should be done on Wednesday, Feb. 14. We have a few guidelines:
- Treats and cards do not have to be brought. If you do, please bring enough for the entire class.
- Treats must be small individually wrapped items. No gum, cupcakes or pop. Healthy treats are encouraged.
- Students will be allowed to have one or two items. The remaining treats will go in a bag for the student to take home. Students must take a bag with them to school if they wish to participate.
- No classroom parties are needed.
- SCCS is a nut/peanut-aware school.
ROUND UP INFORMATION
Do you have a child who is ready to start Transitional Kindergarten or Kindergarten this fall? Our Parent Information meeting is on Thursday, February 29 and Round Up is Thursday or Friday, March 21 or 22. Go to our website (https://www.siouxcenterchristian.com/connectwithus/tkkroundup.cfm) to sign up for a round up time and for more information. If you know of any families who might be interested in sending their child to SCCS, please share this information with them!
4CARE
Do you have a child who will attend preschool next year? 4Care is an opportunity for children who attend half-day preschool to enjoy hands-on, child-led, play-based learning at SCCS on the half-day they are not in preschool.
Students may enroll in a morning or afternoon session, plus we offer a full-day Friday 4Care option. We will accept up to 12 children per morning and afternoon session of 4Care. Friday 4Care and Add-On Options 1 & 2 are limited to 12 children each.
Current Sioux Center Christian families and faculty/staff may reserve a place in 4Care starting Monday, February 5. Go to https://www.siouxcenterchristian.com/studentlife/4care.cfm
All others who are interested in 4Care may reserve a spot starting Monday, March 4. Let your friends know about 4Care!
FRIDAY KINDERCARE
Friday Kindercare is a play-based child-care opportunity for students who are in TK/Kindergarten at SCCS for the 2024-25 school year.
To RESERVE your child's place in Friday Kindercare, complete the form below. We will send you an email within a week confirming your child's place in Friday Kindercare. We will accept up to 24 children.
Current Sioux Center Christian families and faculty/staff may reserve a place in Kindercare starting Monday, February 5. Go to https://forms.gle/8jzSi7z8xfAfuB3W7
All others who are interested in Kindercare may reserve a spot starting Monday, March 4.
If you have any questions about the process or the form to be filled out, please contact the Sioux Center Christian School Office at 712-722-0777 or teekhoff@siouxcenterchristian.com.
TALES AND TRAILS
Registration will OPEN on MONDAY (Feb 5) for our Tales and Trails Summer Camp 2024!
This is an educational and fun summer opportunity for kids who are 5-11 years old by June 1, 2024.
Weekly camp themes encourage students to learn about the wonder of God’s creation through a variety of hands-on, fun activities. Outdoor play is also an important part of the camp experience, and kids are encouraged to stay active and engaged during their time at camp.
Information and registration forms will be sent home soon with every child in 4Care – 4th grade.
SCCS families have the first opportunity to register! We will open registration to community members on Monday, March 4 (let your friends and neighbors know!)
https://www.siouxcenterchristian.com/studentlife/talestrails.cfm
PDFs of the forms will be available on our website.
Note: A Siouxnami Waterpark pass is required for camp. You can purchase your membership online or call 712-722-4386. During the month of February, Siouxnami is offering a 20% discount on memberships.
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
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 position of 3rd grade classroom teacher (full-time), with a start date of August 1, 2024. The ideal candidate loves God, loves kids, and loves learning. Interested applicants should complete the faculty application package, located at
https://www.siouxcenterchristian.com/connectwithus/employment.cfm. A review of applicants will begin immediately and continue until the position is filled.
SUMMER JOB OPPORTUNITY: Join the SCCS Summer Cleaning Crew. We are looking for hardworking people (14 or older) to help clean the school this summer. The crew will work from May 29 – Aug 9. Work day hours are Monday – Thursday 8 am – 4 pm and Friday 8 am – 2 pm. Job applications are located on the employment page of the SCCS website. Work hours can be flexible with summer sports, mission trips, drivers ed and vacations. Contact Eileen Buiter at 712-578-8624 with questions. Interviews will take place as applications are received. The crew will likely fill quickly. Please submit an application soon, so that we can set up a 10 minute interview time slot.
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
School lunch is available for all students. Free and reduced-price lunches are available to those who qualify for such assistance. If you feel you qualify or your income level has changed, please fill out this form and bring it to the office. These can be turned in at any time throughout the school year.
- Unpaid Meals Policy: Per our handbook, SCCS will communicate directly with parents to collect any unpaid meal fees. Should a family have unpaid meals, the lunch program will first reach out electronically. If meals are not paid within 30 days, the family will receive a letter in the mail regarding their balance. If after the next 30 days meals are still not paid, they will receive a call from the school lunch representative. Should meals not be paid within this 90-day time frame, student(s) will not be able to participate in the lunch program until all back fees are paid and a forward credit of at least $25 is placed on the student’s account by the parents.
- Also per our handbook, fast food is not allowed to be brought into the lunchroom.
- 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:
- Sioux Center Recreation 3rd-4th Boys-Girls Basketball
- Spring Driver's Education Options
- February Programs at the Sioux Center Library
- Inspiration Hills Summer Camps
- Hull PRCS 3-on-3 Basketball Tournament
- Unity Christian Baseball Open Gym Info for 8th Grade Boys
- Dordt Youth Dance Camp
- 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.
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