SCCS Home Bulletin
January 12, 2022
FROM DR. B.
Happy Wednesday, Trailblazers!
It’s so good to be back in the swing of the school routine. I hope the routine has been good for your family as well.
We’ll continue our series of the ABCs of SCCS. Before Christmas break, I shared J = joy. Now, let’s look at K = kids as disciples – right now.
We believe that all students at school are disciples of Christ – right NOW! And it’s our calling to help them first identify as a disciple of Christ and then practice living out that identity. Students have value because they were made in God’s image. Because they were made in God’s image and are His children, they are His disciples. Whether they are a 1st grade, a 4th grader, or an 8th grader, they are a disciple of Christ. Yes, we are preparing students for the future, but we are also focused on the NOW. What does it mean to be a disciple of Christ as a 6-year-old, and how do we help students start to develop this way of seeing the world?
Our faculty and staff view students in this way, as fellow disciples of Christ. It’s then the role of the Christian school to help students practice what it means to be a disciple. Kids have lots of practice today: basketball practice, play practice, piano practice, and more. If we are to truly train students to live a life of discipleship and to have a biblical worldview, we need to give them practice doing that – right now – under the direction of fellow disciples (their teachers).
Every SCCS school classroom must provide authentic (real work, real people, real need) opportunities for students to practice living the Kingdom Story. This practice then becomes a habit, with habits shaping who we are and what we do.
Nicholas Wolterstorff says it like this: “It is nothing but a pious wish and a grossly unwarranted hope that students trained to be passive and non-creative in school will suddenly, upon graduation, actively contribute to the formation of Christian culture.”
I like how Mark Twain puts it: “A man who carries a cat by the tail learns something that he can learn no other way.”
Students must be given the opportunity to do God’s work NOW – to be active and creative in God’s Story. Meaningful work creates a sense of purpose in their lives, and this practice draws students more powerfully to God’s Story. Research and experience suggest that formational learning best emerges from experiences that get at our gut and touch our heart.
That’s what we’re seeking to do at SCCS – provide these meaningful experiences that touch student hearts and that get students practicing what it means to be a disciple, both as a way of living out their calling now as a disciple and so that they have a firm foundation for life.
This is hard work, but it’s so meaningful and so important. And it’s what we believe we’ve been called to do.
Thank you for partnering with us in these efforts!
Have a great rest of your week.
jb
MEJIA-VARGAS FAMILY
As you may know, the home of Imelda Mejia-Vargas and her three daughters was lost in a fire this past Sunday. Imelda serves at our school as a cook and custodian, Adlemi is a freshman at Western, Madeli is in 6th grade, and Melani is in 3rd grade.
Thank you to all who have reached out to quickly help Imelda and the girls – clothing and many generous gift cards have already been received and are a blessing to them as they take care of immediate needs. They are living with her brother in town and will be there while the insurance company processes the claim on their home.
We know many in our supportive community want to help the Mejia-Vargas family, so we want to share that Atlas has set up an account at American State Bank to receive donations that will mostly be used to help them set up a home when that time comes. To give a tax-deductible donation, please make your check payable to Atlas, with “Mejia-Vargas family” in memo. Otherwise the check can be made out to “Imelda Mejia-Vargas”. Donations may be dropped off at American State Bank in Sioux Center, Atlas, Sioux Center Christian School or Western Christian High School.
Thank you for being such a supportive community!
CULVER'S DAY FOR MEJIA-VARGAS FAMILY
I’m excited to share that we have worked out with Culver’s to have a Day of Giving for Imelda and her girls.
On Tuesday, January 18, Culver’s will donate 10% of the day’s sales and all donations received to Imelda and her girls. Culver’s for supper Tuesday sounds like a good idea!
Thank you again for the outpouring of support we are seeing from the SCCS community for this family. Thank you for being the hands and feet!
VOLUNTEERS NEEDED IN THE ART ROOM
Mrs. De Jong would love some help in the art room on January 12, and 14. We will be reflecting on our ceramics unit and enjoying some hot chocolate or cider together, so I could use some help setting up and serving the drinks during each class. To sign up click here. Contact Mrs. De Jong (ldejong@siouxcenterchristian.com) if you have questions.
FOR YOUR INFORMATION
- Please check the online calendar for upcoming events (http://www.siouxcenterchristian.com/calendar.cfm)
- Transportation information for Friday, Jan. 28 - Sioux Center Community Schools do not have school on January 28 but SCCS does. Only the two Sioux Center Christian School buses (2014 and 2020) will be running the morning and afternoon routes that day. All other students will need to have their own transportation.
Parent Visit Days
We take seriously our calling to partner with parents in the education of their children. We value this partnership! We want to invite you into the school so you can experience what’s happening in the classroom with your students. To do that, every grade level will be hosting a parent visit day. You are invited to join us for some time in the classroom and a free lunch with your child.
3rd grade visit day will be Thursday, January 13 (10:30-11:30- classrooms/11:30-12:00-lunch).
4th grade visit day will be Thursday, January 20 (10:30-11:45-classrooms/11:45-12:15-lunch) Sign up here by Monday, January 17 if you plan to attend!
More information for the following visit days will be sent out later:
- Feb. 3 - 5th grade (11:00-12:00- classrooms/12:00-12:30- lunch)
- Feb. 10 - 6th grade (11:00-12:00- classrooms/12:00-12:30- lunch)
- March 10- 7th & 8th grade (11:15-12:15- classrooms/12:15-12:45- lunch)
MYSTERY AT SHADY ACRES
You are invited to attend one of the 7th/8th grade performances of Mystery at Shady Acres on Friday, January 28 and Saturday January 29 at 7pm in the TePaske Theater. Enjoy this lighthearted “whodunit” that needs the audience’s help to solve a baffling theft. No tickets needed; a freewill offering will be received.
Note: 1st grade through 6th grade will attend a matinee performance at 1pm on Friday.
OUTLET 75
Outlet 75 is open on Wednesdays from 11am-8pm, Thursdays from 11am-3pm, plus occasional Saturdays from 10am-1pm (follow on Facebook or Instagram to watch for open Saturdays!)
All profits from our store benefit every family at SCCS!
Are you willing to fill in any of the open shifts in January? 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
POSITION OPENINGS
PRINCIPAL: Do you have a passion for serving God’s kids and want to be part of a vibrant learning community? Do you have experience in curriculum, instruction, and assessment? Do you want to serve with a strong leadership team and in a well-established yet strategic school?
Sioux Center Christian School is seeking to fill the position of Principal, a key leadership role that partners with the Head of School as a member of the leadership team. This position is designed to fulfill the faith-based mission statement, philosophy, and purpose of Sioux Center Christian School through the diligent, excellent fulfillment of assigned essential requirements and essential responsibilities.
For more details on this position and the application package, go to https://www.siouxcenterchristian.com/about/employment.cfm
K-4TH GRADE ART 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 K-4th grade art teacher, with a start date of August 1, 2022. The ideal candidate loves God, loves kids, and loves learning.
Interested applicants should complete the faculty application package, located at https://www.siouxcenterchristian.com/about/employment.cfm.
PARAPROFESSIONAL (Part- or Full-Time):Do you have a passion for serving God’s kids and want to be part of a vibrant learning community? Sioux Center Christian School is seeking to fill the role of paraprofessional in either a part- or full-time capacity.
For more details on the position and the application package, go to https://www.siouxcenterchristian.com/about/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 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!
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 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.
REQUESTED ANNOUNCEMENTS
- The Office Handouts http://www.siouxcenterchristian.com/parents/officehandouts.cfm is the place to check regularly for camp information, registration forms, and more. Currently there is information for:
Sioux Center Public Library Program - Meet a Meteorologist
Dordt University Youth Dance Camp for Grades TK-6
Driven School of Driving - Spring Session
MOC-Floyd Valley Driver Education
Sioux Center Recreation Winter Track Classic
NWI AAU Volleyball for Grades 5-8
Western Christian AAU Girls Volleyball for Grades 5-8
Sioux Center Esports League for ages 8 and up
(grab a card from the office if you are interested in joining)
NWI Knights AAU Volleyball for 5th-8th grade girls
- Staff Member of the Month: Nominate your favorite SCCS faculty or staff member who goes above and beyond for the Pella Staff award! Nomination forms can be found here or are available by the TRIP window. Each month a winner is chosen and receives a $500 gift card from Sioux Center Pella Corp, which can be used to impact learning! Nominations are due by the 25th of each month and can be returned to our school office or mailed/dropped off at Pella Corp.
PRAISE AND WORSHIP NIGHT AT WESTERN
Western Christian's Worship Arts & Leadership Class invites you and your students to a night of worship on Thursday, January 20! Worship will begin at 7:00 p.m. in the Event Center at Western Christian. We will be joining together in song and will have the privilege of hearing Jennifer Dukes Lee speak for us. This opportunity is for all people. Invite youth groups, families and friends. We hope to see you there, too!
BLOOD DRIVE
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