SCCS Home Bulletin
February 28, 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!
Let’s keep going with our series Reformed: Doubling Down, focused on what it really means to be Reformed, the perspective that we follow at Sioux Center Christian School.
Last time, we dug into what it means that God claims, that He has a claim over all of life—personal and communal, private and public, individual and collective.
This time, we’re going to shift to focus on what it means to reform day by day. The Reformed teaching need to make a difference in the way that we live, and there are six Es that help us organize thinking around this topic. The first one: embodied.
Reformed believers confess that they have been adopted to be living members of God’s family—of the church. The are active members and find joy in being part of the body of the church. Like any family, God’s family on earth has its problems. We’re all different. We have our own likes and dislikes, our own opinions, our own ways of doing things. But God’s Word clearly points out that God’s vision for us is to be a family that stays together, prays together, and plays together. And in Matthew 28:18-20, our risen Lord has made it clear what our common mission is—to disciple not just ourselves but also all the nations of the world. To do that, we’ll need to work together, empowered by God’s Spirit.
The Greek word for church, ecclesia, means the “called-out ones”. Believers are called out to become living members of Christ’s body on earth. As individual believers, we are embodied into a faith, Spirit, people, and family that are much bigger than just individual little islands of faith. We’re part of the holy, worldwide church of Jesus Christ.
Our shared faith in Jesus, the Holy Spirit within us, and our love for one another make us join together naturally. We don’t just go to church. We are the church. The called-out ones are called into the church life. And the called-out ones are also called back into the world. We don’t just practice our faith behind our church walls. We live it out before the world by our witness to Jesus and our loving service. We are embodied, working together to advance God’s kingdom.
Embodied believers – a beautiful thing!
BUILDING CONSTRUCTION UPDATE
We are officially starting the construction process for the Blazer Center! Cue the music, drop the balloons, shoot the confetti: here we go!!! All glory to God for getting us to this point!
The winter weather has been really favorable for construction to happen sooner than later, and we are confident that we are going to hit our $9.0M milestone (we are currently at $8.9M!), so let’s get this thing started. I believe it’s good to get the construction folks started as soon as possible so that they have the best possible chance to finish on time. I want to make sure that everyone can be using the new part of the building August 2025 and want to do everything we can to give the construction folks the time they need (with buffer built in) so that our faculty and staff have time to move into the new part of the building, make shifts in other parts of the building, etc. before we start the 25-26 school year.
Beginning this week, you will see some action on the south side of the building in preparation for the start of the Blazer Center. The south parking lot is no longer available for parking, since it will be the main area that trucks will be going in and out to the construction zone. There will also be a construction trailer set there. The contractors will start work on putting up a fence to rope off the area.
March 1 is the last day that students will be able to use the playground equipment. From March 4-15, the playground equipment and some trees will be removed. There is a team of people who are already making plans for how to best make use of the recess time we have without having playground equipment available. Mr. Haan is leading this charge. A reminder that a huge, new playground will be installed this summer and ready August 2024.
When visiting school, please park on the west side of the school, in the north parking lot, or in the north lot in front of the main entrance. The regular drop-off and pick-up areas are still available for use.
Mark your calendars to attend the Groundbreaking Ceremony for the Blazer Center Campus Expansion which will be held Tuesday, March 19, at 1:30pm. More information will be coming out regarding that event!
THANK YOU for the help you will be providing and your flexibility and patience during this time. We know it’s not always going to be easy, but we are going to do our best to make things as simple and workable as possible. We are excited for what is to come, and we’ll have some transition to get there. I greatly appreciate everyone rolling with things as needed, providing feedback as needed, and doing their best to help students navigate the changes as well.
HELP NEEDED ON SATURDAY, MARCH 2
Help Needed this Saturday (March 2): With Blazer Center construction starting up, we need to save some of the current playground items. A crew is forming to get together Saturday morning, March 2, starting at 7am to disassemble playground equipment. If you are willing to help out (even if you can’t make it at 7 am) – contact Eileen Buiter (712-578-8624). You will need to have a pair of gloves. Other items you may find helpful include impact drivers, shovels, skidloader, jackhammer, etc. All saved playground equipment will be stored on site.
FOR YOUR INFORMATION
- Please check the online calendar for upcoming events (http://www.siouxcenterchristian.com/calendar.cfm)
- Reports cards for students will be emailed home on Friday, March 8.
- On Friday, March 15, Sioux Center Community will not have school so the public school buses will not be running the morning or afternoon routes. Only the Christian School buses (2014 and 2020) will be running. All other students will need transportation to and from school.
- ISASP Testing for grades 3-8 will take place April 15-17.
PARENT TEACHER CONFERENCES
Parent Teacher Conferences will be held on Wednesday, March 13 (2:30-6:00pm) and Thursday, March 14 (4:00-8:00pm). We highly value our relationship with parents and want to provide the opportunity to have a conference this spring to discuss your child’s progress at school. These conferences are optional and all conferences (TK-8) will be just parents and teachers. Sign ups will be on Bloomz this Friday
7-8 Parents
For the spring conferences this year we will be trying a new approach for our 7th & 8th grade parents since your child has six classroom teachers. Depending on your child's classroom needs, we want to provide access to all of the teachers. These conferences are encouraged, but not required in the spring. Sign ups will be on Bloomz this Friday.
- Wednesday, March 13, (2:30-6:00) will be an opportunity to schedule a conference with any teacher. It can, but does not have to be, with their homeroom teacher. These time slots are 15 minutes, and are a chance to meet directly with a teacher in the classroom.
- Thursday, March 14, (4:00-8:00) will be an open house format, where all classroom teachers will be available for an unscheduled visit in the gym. This allows for a chance to connect with some or all of your child’s teachers in a more flexible, quicker manner. The teachers will be spread out around the gym at separate tables. When a teacher is available, feel free to meet with them.
2024-2025 SCHOOL CALENDAR
The calendar for the 2024-2025 school year is attached and is available online at https://www.siouxcenterchristian.com/calendar.cfm
Some notes:
- We will host parent/teacher conferences again before school begins so that teachers and parents can start building relationships. This year, that will be on August 15, 2024.
- The first day of school is August 23, 2024. By law, schools are to start on or after August 23. This coming year, that's a Friday. We also started on a Friday in 2019, and it ended up going well. We have a first day of school to get the wheels moving, then have a full week afterwards, and then Labor Day.
- We will continue to release at 2:05 PM every Wednesday for professional development. Please note that the public school has chosen to also have early dismissals one Friday a month. We will not be following that in our calendar in order to provide time for other breaks and to be as consistent with instructional time as possible.
- We continue to have the day before Thanksgiving off and 2 weeks (10 school days) at Christmas break to respect family time. We've been strategic about planning breaks when they work best for student learning.
- We continue to include professional development time next to vacation breaks as much as possible, rather than days off here and there, which we have heard is helpful for family schedules.
- The last day of school is May 21, 2025 with graduation that evening.
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Note that the grading periods are called grading periods and not trimesters. To have a good rhythm with report cards and conferences, the trimesters are not equal in length. It really isn’t that big of a deal in an elementary school/middle school to have equal lengths for grading periods, and we’ve chosen to prioritize the rhythms of report cards and parent teacher conferences and school breaks over equal trimesters.
- We have nearly 33 "extra" built in hours of school than what we are required to have by the State of Iowa should we need to use them for snow days, late starts, etc.
We look forward to 24-25 at SCCS!
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!
3rd Grade Parent Visit day will be Friday, March 1. Looking forward to seeing you then!
- 10:30 - Welcome in the Band Room
- 10:40-11:35 - Classroom visit
- 11:35 - Pizza Ranch Lunch
4th Grade Parent Visit Day will be Friday, March 22. Please sign up here by Monday, March 18 so we know how many to plan for. Thanks!
- 10:45 - Welcome in the Band Room
- 10:55-11:45 - Classroom visit
- 11:45 - Pizza Ranch Lunch
Our last visit day for this year will be for the Kindergarten class on Thursday, April 4 at 10:00. More information will be sent out later.
TRUTH T-SHIRTS - ORDER NOW
Truth T-shirts are a fun way to help build the gym floor in the Blazer Center!
ORDER ONLINE for the best selection of styles, colors, and sizes! PLUS SAVE $5 per shirt when you order 2 or more!
Three new designs – over 25 color options – short sleeve and long sleeve – adult & youth sizes
ORDER by Monday, March 11 (midnight) https://stores.mdesignpromos.com/sccs_trailraiser/shop/home
DOUBLE your GIFT for the Blazer Center Gym Floor
Give an early Trail’Raiser Trek gift and your gift will be DOUBLED!!
Some generous donors have put together a $50,000 gift match because they want us to reach $9 Million before groundbreaking (we’re at $8.9M).
TRAIL'RAISER TREK 2024
SAVE THE DATE for our 2nd Annual Trail’Raiser Trek on Saturday, April 13!
A fun COME & GO fundraising event where you can GIVE to help BUILD the Blazer Center gym floor – the foundation for God’s kids to worship, gather, run, jump, and perform!
Click here for more details about Trail’Raiser Trek 2024…
CONNECTION NEWSLETTER
Check out all the smiling faces and great stories about what’s happening at Sioux Center Christian School in our newest Connection newsletter!
https://indd.adobe.com/view/e8c1378c-0966-4cb9-a541-481b9d123abf
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!
Preschoolers and their parents are invited to come and experience a sneak peek of SCCS on March 8 or March 15 from 9:30-10:30am. Enjoy a time of activities and play that will include whole group story time. To sign up and choose a session, click here.
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.
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
3RD GRADE TEACHER: 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.
HEAD CUSTODIAN: We are seeking to add a full-time head custodian to our team to to oversee the summer crew, provide custodial support, and care for the upcoming Blazer Center addition. Job applications are available on the SCCS website. https://www.siouxcenterchristian.com/connectwithus/employment.cfm
PARAPROFESSIONAL: We are seeking support staff members to join our team as we work to meet the needs of our students:
- Paraprofessional (full-time one-to-one support for a 5th grader) – start date of August 2024
- Paraprofessional (full-time one-to-one support for an 8th grader) – start date of August 2024
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!
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.
BRIDGE OF HOPE AND COVENANT SALT SALES LEGACY PLAN FUNDRAISER
Bridge of Hope and Covenant are once again selling water softener salt as a fundraiser for our Legacy Plan commitments to SCCS! Stop by the TRIP office at SCCS or BOH/Covenant to pick up an order form AND to drop off your completed form with your payment by March 10. We will deliver the softener salt on April 6 and we will carry it for you and put it wherever you would like! There is a 20 bag minimum order for out of town deliveries and we will deliver up to 20 miles from Sioux Center. Check the order form for all the details!
REQUESTED ANNOUNCEMENTS
Currently there is information for:
- Sioux Center Art Club (Grades 2-3)
- Sioux Center Arts Youth (Grades 6-12) and Kid's (Grades 3-5) Theatre
- Dordt Women's Basketball Camp Information
- Moped Safety Class
- Unity Christian Jr. Knights Softball Registration (Grades 4-8)
- Unity Christian Jr. Knights Baseball Registration (Grades 5-8)
- Dordt Sports Camps for students entering grades 2-8
- Sioux Center Recreation Boys and Girls Spring Soccer for Grades K-6
- Mountain Bike Skills Camp for Grades 6-9
- Destiny Youth Ranch (A horse camp with Christian values)
- Youth Soccer League at the American State Bank Sports Complex
- Spring Driver's Education Options
- February Programs at the Sioux Center Library
- Inspiration Hills Summer Camps
- Unity Christian Baseball Open Gym Info for 8th Grade Boys
INVITATION FROM HEARTLAND CHRISTIAN SCHOOLS
Heartland Christian Schools invites you to attend, "An Evening with Roger Erdvig" on Thursday, March 7 from 7:00 - 8:30 PM at Dordt University. Dr. Roger Erdvig is an author, speaker, and scholar who finds his greatest joy in helping to develop emerging leaders. His book titled, Beyond Biblical Integration, has been used in many Christian schools as a workbook and guide to challenge, encourage, and strengthen biblical integration. Dr. Erdvig will share his insights on Biblical integration at Dordt University in the science building, room SB1606, next to the Big Steps, or "Jacob's Ladder." Christian Educators, Parents, and Students are invited to attend free of charge!
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