MM2011-12 - Zion Christian School

Mountaineer
Messenger
DECEMBER 2011
d
d
d
d
Grandparents
Day 2011
“What kinds of cars have you driven, Grandpa?” “What did
you like to do when you were my age?” “How old are you,
anyway?” These questions and more prompted many fun,
important moments on Grandparents Day this past October.
There were lots of hugs and exclamations of “What a good job!”
given by grandparents as well. Our day included more time for
visiting classrooms, along with devotions by Rev. Casey
Freswick, a concert by the elementary and high school choirs,
and a delicious lunch for our guests donated by Stroo Funeral
Home. The moms did a great
job preparing and serving
over 300 hungry folks in
our gym. At Zion Christian
School, we value all the ages
and generations of our families.
We see God’s faithfulness
through the years,
evidenced by
testimonies of young
and old alike.
Amanda Braam and her grandmother
Mark Your Calendars
1
WHAT
WHEN WHERE
Homecoming
February 10
Zion
Open House
March 8 at 7:00pm
Zion
Spring Dinner
April 26 at 6:00pm
Zion
Cover: Brienna Alsum, Kaitlin Groenhof, Olivia Verduin, Emma Rozema
d
Landon Jip
ping and hi
s grandpar
ents
andfather
nwyk and their gr
Seth & Scott Stee
arents
n and her grandp
Riley Steenberge
d
xxx
Chad Baker and his grandfather
22
Preschool visits Post Family Farm
Zion
Adventures
Pre-Kindergarten
Fall Fun
Preschool News
During our unit on “Community Helpers,” the
preschoolers had the privilege of talking to a real
firefighter, Mark Pyper. Mr. Pyper explained fire
safety to the class and let them see first hand the
gear that firefighters wear. The final treat was their
very own Junior Firefighter hat to wear home!
Also, in late October, the preschoolers enjoyed an
adventure filled morning at Post Family Farm as they
explored the barns, took a wagon ride to the pumpkin
patch, drove the pumpkin train, and enjoyed a tasty
pumpkin doughnut! We are thankful that we can
explore God’s creation together.
3
On October 24, the PK students went to Post Family Farm.
They had a great time picking pumpkins and everyone went
home with their favorite one! They learned about the life
cycle of a pumpkin by putting on a show for their parents.
Not only did they learn about farm animals, they played in
the hay, went for a ride on the pumpkin train, and enjoyed
delicious cider and doughnuts which led Kyla Johnson to
exclaim, “I love this place!”
Math Fun
Have you ever tried to motivate fourth, fifth, and sixth
graders to practice their math facts on a daily basis? This is
not an easy task. But the teachers at Zion have found a way
to get students excited to practice their facts at school, before
school, after school, and at home. Sumdog.com provides
students with a fun and challenging way for students to
practice their facts by playing games against classmates, the
computer, or the world. From December 5-15, our classes
are also part of a statewide contest. It has been very exciting
to see our school in the top ten ratings screen for Michigan.
So, if your math facts have become a little rusty, check out
sumdog.com and see if you can keep up with Zion’s math
fact superstars!
Casey Ybema is surrounded by his fellow 4th grade classmates
while competing on sumdog.com.
5th & 6th Grade Campout
The fifth and sixth grade overnight campout in Craig & Carla
Baker’s yard was an exciting experience. We enjoyed several
games of capture the flag and had a fire cooked dinner.
Although a small rain shower fell in the early evening, it soon
stopped raining and the students quickly emerged from the
shelter of their tents. After enjoying s’mores and singing a few
hymns around the campfire, we retired to our tents and most
of us managed to get several hours of sleep. A beautiful sunrise
greeted us the next morning and before cleaning up camp, we
had a tasty breakfast of donuts, muffins, and fruit.
Katy Kamps & Morgan Ybema
4
Student Council
Zion’s Student Council has been busy this year organizing
student activities to build a sense of community among
the student body and to serve the broader community.
Spirit days, student mixers, bonfires, and service projects
are all organized and run by our Student Council. Spirit
Days are days during which Zion’s dress code is relaxed
and students can celebrate a particular theme. One such
day was called “Great Divide Day”, during which students
dressed with logos and in colors of either the University of
Michigan or Michigan State.
Student Council has also been central in
organizing Zion’s service projects to help those in
need within the broader community of Byron
Center. The creation and distribution of
Thanksgiving Baskets for Byron Ministries is one
example among many of their organizational effect
in this regard.
Lynnae Doll, Maria Kra
ayeveld, Olivia Carbone,
Stephanie Kuiper, Sco
tt Steenwyk, Travis Tot
h,
Seth Steenwyk, and Ma
tt Moorman deliver Tha
nksgiving
baskets.
on Drew
Lynnae Doll & Madis
Also, to build a sense of community and encourage
relationships among Zion students, student council
representatives organized the annual Zion student mixer,
where students enjoyed games and pizza with each other.
The following students have been given the privilege
of serving their fellow students this school year as
student council representatives:
President: Seth Steenwyk
Secretary: Lynnae Doll
Treasurer: Matt Moorman
12th: Olivia Carbone, Scott Steenwyk
11th: Maria Kraayeveld, Travis Toth
10th: Jeremy Edouard, Rachel Postma
9th: Tom Ryskamp, Lydia Tuinstra
8th: Joseph De Jong, Anna Carbone
7th: Jonathan Vander Wall, Nathanael Tuinstra
5
Junior High students spot Candice Baker
Debate
The debate season is wrapping up with only the
state tournament left in Petoskey on January 6,
2012. The debate team finished an outstanding
season in the Metro Debate League. Debates
were held weekly at Kentwood High School
from October 26 until November 30. One Zion
team made up of Madison Drew, Matt Moorman, Lynnae Doll, and Seth Steenwyk, placed
2nd in the Varsity division. Another Zion team
made up of Cayte Baker, Rachel Postma, Jon
Moorman, and Jeremy Edouard, placed 3rd in
the Novice Division. Many of our debaters won
awards for being excellent speakers. In the Varsity
Division, Lynnae Doll placed 3rd, Jordan Baker
5th, and Caryn Baker 9th. In the Novice division,
Travis Toth placed 3rd, Jeremy Edouard 6th, and
Levi Pasma 7th. Congratulations to all the Zion
Debaters for a job well done!
Getting
to Know
Rev. Steve Postma
Bible, PE
Natalie Buist
Freshman
Favorite Pie
Favorite
Christmas
Song
Favorite
Christmas
Movie
New Year’s
Resolution
Apple or
Microsoft
Apple Pie
Joy to the World
The Santa
Clause
Clean Garage
Apple
Get Better
Grades
Microsoft
Fresh Blueberry
Carol of the Bells The Christmas
Card
Jolene Ybema
Senior
Apple Pie
Winter Snow
The Christmas
Shoes
Get a Good
Scholarship for
College
Microsoft
Landon Vos
6th Grade
Chocolate
Meringue
The 12 Days of
Christmas
The Santa
Clause 3
Play More
Video Games
Apple
Pumpkin Pie
Joy to the
World
Elf
Get Better
Grades
Apple
Brian Braam
4th Grade
6
Alliance League
All - Conference Athletes
The Alliance League coaches selected
these Zion athletes for special honors:
Boys Soccer
First Team
Seth Steenwyk
Olivia Carbone
Matthew Moorman
National Merit
Scholarship Program
Congratulations to Olivia Carbone and Matthew
Moorman who have been selected as semifinalists in the 2012
National Merit Scholarship Program. They were selected from
1.5 million nominees from schools across the country. Winners
of this scholarship are chosen based on their scholastic and
extracurricular accomplishments, abilities, and potential for future
academic success. Olivia and Matt are now competing against
16,000 other students with the goal of earning one of 8,400
National Merit Scholarships to be awarded next spring.
Zion
Distinctives
Zion
Distinctives
Volleyball
First Team
Stephanie Kuiper
Several years ago, members of the Zion constituency met
to formulate a document that would encompass the specific
ways in which Zion seeks to be distinct as a Christian school
committed to the Reformed Faith. Borne out of this discussion
was the formulation of several statements. These statements may
be divided into three sections: Authority of Scripture, Reformed
Heritage, and School Life, Academics, and Atmosphere. Each
issue of the Messenger will list one of our ‘distinctives’ as a
means of reminding us and our constituency of the primary
tenets that are critical to a solidly Reformed, Christian
education.
Section: The Authority of Scripture
Tenet:
7
Scripture, rather than political opinion or social sensitivities, provides for us the foundation for godly living and shapes our perspectives on matters such as abortion, gender roles, homosexuality, idolization of sports, popularity, etc.
The entire list of ‘distinctives’ may be viewed on the Academics
link of our website.
Zion Welcomes
New Students
Zion’s enrollment this fall jumped from
225 to 254!
New Staff
Jesse Aukeman
Role: Athletic Director & High School
Computer
Credentials: B.A. Communications,
Grove City College
Experience: Various admin and
development roles since 2006; Teaching
since 2011
Church: Bethel URC
Darryl Dedert
Role: Grades 7 - 12 Teacher
Credentials: B.A. Secondary Education,
Cornerstone University
Experience: Teaching since 2005
Church: Heritage Reformed Congregation,
Grand Rapids
Rev. Steve Postma
Role: Various Bible Classes & P.E.
Credentials: B.A.S. Industrial
Technologies, Grand Valley State
University; Master of Divinity,
Mid-America Reformed Seminary
Experience: Pastor and teacher since 2007
Church: Bethany URC
Amy VanBeek
Role: Office Assistant & LES Aide
Credentials: Coursework at
Grand Rapids
Community College
Experience: Various administrative
support roles since 1993
Church: Trinity URC
Christina VanBeek
Role: Science Teacher
Credentials: B.S. Biology, Calvin College
Experience: Health care giver and trainer
since 2005; Teaching since 2011
Church: American Reformed Church
Seth Bolton
P4
Dawson Leep
6
Brooklyn Fortuna
P4
Sarah VanDijk
6
Peter Kamp
P4
Landon Vos
6
Katelyn Kwekel
P4
Gabriel Pyper
P4
Alise Britton-Gonzalez 7
Jeffery [Robby] Schipper P4
Katiana [Kati] Dubois
7
Emersyn Toonstra
P4
Marie Edouard
7
Leo Wilhelm
P4
Benjamin Kwekel
7
Zack Vannette
7
Audrey Crabtree
PK
Elias Hutt
PK
Kyla Johnson
PK
Clara Kerkstra
PK
Aaron Beute
9
Hudson Rietman
PK
Natalie Buist
9
Alexis Spoelma
PK
Kendra Jaarsma
9
Madison ten Haaf
PK
Rachel Kunnen
9
Megan Van Beek
PK
Tony Lee
9
Logan Vannette
PK
Holly Mitchem
9
Laura Wychers
PK
Jeneà Petter
9
Sonja Ybema
PK
Hannah VanDijk
9
Joseph Vos
9
Michelle Kolenbrander 8
Morgan Bekkering
K
Kristina Faber
K
Andrew Deppe
10
Cole Kerkstra
K
Nina Dubois
10
Caden Krikke
K
Anne Kloosterman
10
Leah Prins
K
Joshua Kunnen
10
Jacob Rozema
K
Timothy Westendorp
10
Jenna Sue Vannette
K
Jenna Verduin
K
Nicholas Vos
11
Joshua Zylstra
K
Joel Westendorp
12
Josie Doezema
1
Riley Steenbergen
1
Martin Ybema
1
James Crabtree
2
Tejia Pickel
2
Emma Crabtree
4
Jennifer Edouard
4
Julian Edouard
Sonja Ybema
48
A Legacy for Tomorrow = A Gift for Today!
Estate giving is an essential portion of the financial support received by Zion Christian School. Recognizing the
necessity of estate giving to support the Christian education of tomorrow, a group of Zion supporters has stepped
forward with a way for your pledged estate gift to become a cash gift to support the needs of today! For every
estate gift pledged before December 31 of this year, a matching cash gift for 10% of your pledge will be given to
the Mountaineer Fund (the Mountaineer Fund is the school’s annual fund drive, necessary to meet the shortfall
between family tuition revenues and the true cost of education).
EXAMPLE
1. Mr. and Mrs. Smith designate Zion Christian School as a beneficiary of a portion of their estate.
By their best estimate, the gift will be worth $50,000 at the time of the bequest.
2. Mr. and Mrs. Smith notify the school of their intentions by completing line three of the enclosed envelope
and mailing it to the school.
3. A group of donors is made aware of the dollar value of the designation.
4. A $5,000 check is received in support of the Mountaineer Fund (10% of the $50,000 designation).
HOW CAN I HELP?
1. Fill in the requested information on the enclosed envelope.
2. Check the box for “a pledged gift of $_____ from my estate plan”, including the estimated
amount of the pledge.
3. Mail form back in the envelope.
SPECIFIC CONDITIONS
•
We ask that you make your best effort to
estimate the dollar value of your
bequest, understanding that
this may be a bit challenging in
some cases. You will not be held
accountable for this “pledged
amount” aside from your assurance
that you are making your best
estimate.
•
A dollar limit for the match may
apply (please contact Jason in the
Brooklyn Fortuna
9
onstra
and Emersyn To
Zion “Great Is Thy Faithfulness”
Auction Business Donors
The Zion Auction committee would like to thank all those who contributed to the auction! It is estimated that the auction contributed
$70,000 to the Mountaineer Fund! Thank you to all those who made phone calls, talked to businesses, helped with set-up during the week of
the auction. Without all your help, this event would not have happened. Thank you to all those who purchased items, as well! Next year, the
auction will be held on October 27, 2012! Please let us know if you would like to be involved!
AAA Turf Inc. [Hudsonville]
Fox Rentals [Jenison]Monterey Grille [Caledonia]
AC Delco Car Care Center [Hudsonville]
Gemmen’s Inc. [Hudsonville]Museum of Science and Industry, Chicago
Ace Hardware [Wyoming]
Georgetown Home Furnishings [Hudsonville]Naked Plates Studio [Grand Rapids]
Action Collision Service, Inc. [Grand Rapids]
Gerrit’s Appliance Inc. [Wyoming]Napa Auto Parts (Division) [Grand Rapids]
Advantage Animal Control [Alto]
Gilmore Car Museum [Hickory Corners]Nelis’ Dutch Village [Holland]
Amway Grand Plaza Hotel [Grand Rapids]
Gingham Sisters [Lake Odessa]Northwestern Mutual Life [Grand Rapids]
Arbor Gage & Tooling, Inc. [Grand Rapids]
Gleneagle Golf Club [Hudsonville]On the Border
Arnie’s Bakery and Restaurant [Grand Rapids]
GM Buck Pipe Organs Inc. [Grand Rapids]Paint-A-Pot [Holland]
Arthur Murray Studio [Grandville]
Gord VanLaan Excavating [Moline]Panopoulos Salons [Byron Center]
Beaver Island Boat Company [Charlevoix]
Grand Rapids Children’s Museum [Grand Rapids]Pet Supplies Plus [Wyoming]
Big O Smokehouse [Caledonia]
Grand Rapids Griffins [Grand Rapids]Pilgrim’s Run Golf Club [Eau Claire]
Bittersweet Ski Resort [Otsego]
Grand Rapids Symphony [Grand Rapids]Poll Building Unlimited LLC [Clarksville]
Bob’s Butcher Block [Jenison]
Grand Health Partners [Grand Rapids]The Printery [Holland]
Bounce Party [Kentwood]
Grandville Floral [Grandville]Rainbow Grill - Grandville [Grandville]
Brann’s Steakhouse [Grandville]
Green Bay Packers - Lambeau Field Atrium [WI]Reformed Book Outlet [Hudsonville]
Brink Wood Products, Inc. [Byron Center]
Green Valley Agricultural, Inc. [Caledonia]Repcolite Paints (Chicago Drive)
Broene’s Furniture [Allendale]
Groenink’s Elevator & Hardware [Nunica]Richard Engels Jewelers, Inc. [Grandville]
Buist Electric [Byron Center]
Haan Jewelers [Byron Center]Russ’ Restaurant - Cutlerville [Grand Rapids]
Byron Center Chiropractic [Byron Center]
Heffron Farms [Belding]Russel & Ballard Jewelry [Wyoming]
Byron Center Meats [Byron Center]
Heidi Christines Salon & Spas [Caledonia]The Scrap Yard [Grandville]
Byron Family Restaurant [Byron Center]
Helms Masonry [Byron Center]Seif Chevrolet, Caledonia [Caledonia]
Caledonia Farmers’ Elevator [Caledonia]
Henry Ford Museum [Dearborn]Senator Mark Jansen [Lansing]
Camp Bow Wow [Hudsonville]
High Grade Material [Grand Rapids]7 Seven’s Paint & Wallpaper [Grandville]
CareLinc Medical Supply [Grand Rapids]
Holland Community Aquatic Center [Holland]The Shack [White Cloud]
Chateau Chantal [Traverse City]
Holland Special Delivery [Hudsonville]Shepler’s Mackinac Island Ferry [Mackinaw City]
Chemical Bank [Byron Center]
Houseman’s Ice Cream [Byron Center]Silver Bullet Firearms [Wyoming]
Cherry Valley Stove & Saw [Caledonia]
Hudsonville Grille [Hudsonville]16th Avenue Metal Designs [Hudsonville]
Chips Groundcover [Holland]
Hudsonville Lanes [Hudsonville]Smith-Owen Sewing & Quilting [Grand Rapids]
The Chop House [Grand Rapids]
Huizen’s Furniture of Galewood Inc. [Wyoming]South Kent Veterinary Hospital [Caledonia]
Cindy’s Hair Care [Jenison]
Integrated Exteriors [Grand Rapids]Splash Universe & Amish Country Inn [Shipshewana]
Comfort Suites [Grandville]
Integrity Business Solutions [Grand Rapids]State Farm Ins. - Ken Jipping [Jenison]
Compaan Door of West Michigan [Holland]
j b johnson photography [Hudsonville]State Farm Ins. - Kathleen Sullivan [Hudsonville]
Cook Funeral Home
John Ball Zoo [Grand Rapids]Stehouwer Frozen Foods, Inc. [Grand Rapids]
Costco Warehouse [Grandville]
John G. Shedd Aquarium [Chicago]Strider’s [Grandville]
Country Needleworks [Jenison]
John P. Sterk & Sons [Jenison]Stroo Funeral Home, Inc. [Grand Rapids]
Culvers - 54th St. [Wyoming]
Joymar Inc Carwash [Grand Rapids]Superior Plumbing [Byron Center]
Curves [Wyoming]
Judd’s Body Shop [Byron Center]Swierenga Jewelers [Caledonia]
Cutlerville Shoe Repair [Grand Rapids]
Jurgens & Holtvluwer [Grandville]Talsma Furniture - Byron Center [Byron Center]
D & D Mobile Locksmith [Byron Center]
Kenowa Auto Supply [Byron Center]Target - Clyde Park [Wyoming]
D.J.’s Landscape [Grand Rapids]
Kentwood Office Furniture [Breton] Ted Miedema Concrete Construction [Jenison]
DeHaan Tile & Flooring [Grand Rapids]
Kidder Safari [Grand Rapids]Teerman’s [Holland]
Detroit Red Wings [Detroit]
Kim’s Consignment [Caledonia]Texas Roadhouse [Grandville]
Detroit Tigers, Inc [Detroit]
Koetsier Greenhouse [Grand Rapids]That Pretty Place [Middlebury]
Detroit Zoo [Royal Oak]
Kraayeveld Law Offices PC [Grand Rapids]think2wice LLC [Grand Rapids]
Diamond Springs Golf Course [Hamilton]
Kroll Furnace Co. Inc. [Hudsonville]Tillema Sales & Service, Inc. [Byron Center]
Dibble Dabble Creations [Holland]
Lake Shore Fence, LLC [Hudsonville]Town & Country Tel-Com [Zeeland]
Double JJ Resort [Rothbury]
Lamphear Service Company [Grandville]True Vine Creations [Hudsonville]
Dykstra’s Auto Service, Inc. [Hudsonville]
Landscape Impressions [Caledonia]United Bank - Byron Center [Byron Center]
Dynamic Wood Products [Saranac]
Laninga Appliance [Byron Center]Van Andel & Flikkema [Grand Rapids]
Elder’s Appliance [Grandville]
Lumberman’s [Wyoming]Vander Veen’s Dutch Store [Wyoming]
Excel Office Interiors [Grand Rapids]
Mac Wood’s Scenic Dune Rides [Mears]WalMart [Grandville]
Express Care Lube & Car Wash [Wyoming]
Macatawa Bank [Holland]Warm Fuzzies [Caledonia]
Family Video [Wyoming]
Macy’s [Grandville]Wesseling & Brackmann [Hudsonville]
Farmstead Inn & Conference Center [Shipshewana] Maly’s [Grand Rapids]West Michigan Whitecaps [Comstock Park]
Fields Fabrics [Grand Rapids]
Maple Hill Golf Course [Grandville]Wooden Spool Quilt Shop [Byron Center]
Fillmore Equipment [Jenison]
Marcusse Construction [Zeeland]Woodways [Zeeland]
First Companies [Grand Rapids]
Meijer - 54th Street [Wyoming]Ybema Farm [Hopkins]
Forest Grove Farm & Lawn Equipment [Hudsonville] Meyer Music [Grand Rapids]YMCA of Grand Rapids [Grand Rapids]
Forest Hill Foods [Grand Rapids]
Midwest Sign Company [Byron Center]Zeeland Schwinn Cycle & Fitness [Zeeland]
Fortune Chef Restaurant [Caledonia]
Model Drug and Apothecary Gift Shop [Holland]
10
7555 Byron Center Avenue Byron Center, Michigan 49315
(616) 878-9472 www.zionchristian.net
Non-Profit
U.S. Postage Paid
Prststd
Byron Center, MI 49315
Permit No. 16
Address Service Requested
Sponsor
Type
Arbor Gage & Tooling Event
Grace Bible College
Event
Grace Adventures
Event
DJ’s Lawn Maintenance
Lunch
M. Schuringa & Friends
Lunch
Buiten Insurance – Brian Mattila
Mountaineer
Cook Funeral Home
Mountaineer
Deppe Mold & Tooling
Mountaineer
Dys Insurance Agency
Mountaineer
First Companies
Mountaineer
Franklin Press
Mountaineer
Helms Masonry
Mountaineer
Integrity Business Solutions
Mountaineer
John P. Sterk & Sons Painting
Mountaineer
K & H Concrete Cutting, Inc.
Mountaineer
GVL Excavating
Hole
Kraayeveld Law
Hole
Ted Miedema Contractors, Inc.
Hole
Veronica Redder - Tastefully Simple
Products & Prizes
Diamond Springs Golf Course
Products & Prizes
Maple Hill Golf Course
Products & Prizes
Brian Doezema, Matt Van Til, Brad Steenbergen, Chad Veldhouse
2011 Golf Outing
Many thanks to the golfers and sponsors who made
this year’s golf outing another major success! In
addition to the many parents and supporters in
attendance, we were very pleased to have so many
alumni join us. Of the 86 golfers present, 10 were Zion
alumni, and 7 were current students.
Thank you to those of you who supported the event
through your sponsorship or by playing golf ! Thanks to
your generosity, just under $10,000 was raised for the
Mountaineer Fund!