T 712-737-2274 / F 712-737-8608 / offi[email protected] / www.orangecitychristian.net

Apr/May 2019

BE THOU OUR VISION Orange City Christian School is a biblically-based community that partners with parents, educating hearts and minds to serve in Christ's Kingdom.

IMPORTANT DATES TO REMEMBER

July 4-5 OCCS office closed for the holiday

July 22-August 2 School closed, no TRIP sales

August 6-8, 13-15 GUFS for those registered, 10:00am-12:15pm

August 5 & 8 Registration for 2019-20 year, OCCS gym 6:30-8:00 p.m.

August 22 Back-to-School Night 6:30-8:00 p.m.

August 23 Graduation First day of school for On Friday, May 24th, the graduation ceremony was held for the twenty-one members of the 8th 2019-20 school year grade class of OCCS. The class chose Romans 8:37-39 as their verse, which reads, “No, in all Dedication Service at these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. For I am convinced that First CRC, 8:45 a.m. neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us September 2 from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.” In keeping with the theme of the verse, Labor Day - No School they sang “More Than Conquerors” for their class song. The class was challenged to keep that verse close to their heart as they move on to high school, by middle school teacher, Mrs. Nicki September 3 Kuiper (along with a surprise visit from student teacher Mr. Jared Nelson). Speaking on behalf of the class were Isaac Krommendyk, Aubrey De Groot, and Lizzy King, who reminisced about Preschool begins their years in school through a “game show” awards style ceremony. The class was presented with diplomas, Bibles, and Psalter Hymnals by Mr. Jon Pontier, president of the board. October 3 & 4 Heartland Conference - We pray God’s blessings on the Class of 2019 as they move on from their time at OCCS and No School continue to serve in Christ’s Kingdom. Matt Van Schepen, Middle School Teacher Constructing Community We ended another great school year. There were so many things packed into it. It made for a busy school year, and there were some great memories made. Our theme of “Under Construction” was extremely fitting. We grew in many ways as a school and community, one of which is the visible construction activity going on at our building. There is no doubt that constructing a building is hard work. I remember the countless meetings this past year planning, making decisions regarding our needs, and what the building must have to meet our needs. I recall the hours put into planning and executing fundraisers. I look outside my window and see many men lifting heavy blocks and running some big equipment moving earth and lifting beams. It is a lot of work, but necessary for the blessing of a new building to use. Constructing a community is also a lot of hard work. It may not require lifting heavy construction materials, but it is hard work nonetheless. We have asked a lot of our school family this year. There have been so many gifts of time, talents, as well as money. And the most exciting part of all this has been how this has built community at our school. Honor Orchestra The difference between constructing a building and constructing a Two students from Orange City Christian community is that a building has a finish date. Community is an School were accepted into the Iowa Middle ongoing process. Orange City Christian School is a strong community School Honors Orchestra in Iowa City on May with wonderful people giving so much every day and every year so that 11, 2019. Jocelyn Muilenburg and Landon it is a place that draws people to it. To keep it strong, the school must De Jong, both string bass players, auditioned continue to ask and even require our society to help build and maintain for chairs, participated in the day long festival, the community. practiced under conductor, Megan Stucky, and performed in the culminating concert. It is not always easy. It is not always fun and enjoyable. We all get Congratulations Jocelyn and Landon! burned out. When we feel this way it is easy to ask the question “what will they do to me if I don’t help out?” I encourage you to change the focus of that question and ask “What will I do to the community if I don’t help out?” An extra burden is put on others. Others will have to cover those tasks. Negative attitudes are created within the community. The community is lessened when everyone doesn’t help out. Thankfully, I have seen over and over again people happily willing and able to step up and give to meet the needs of the school and build our community. The board, Monica, grandparents, friends and supporters of OCCS all work hard in so many ways to make our school function. I encourage you to continue in that good work! We had a great year. It has been a busy year. This is a great community of which to be a part. You have stepped up and provided time and again. Thank you for your part in a wonderful school. Have a blessed summer. Shalom, Mr. Jason Alons

Honor Band Schedule change for 2019-20 School year On Thursday, May 9, two OCCS students got to perform at the All-Iowa 8th Grade Honor Next year, OCCS and Unity are changing teacher professional Band Concert in Des Moines. Emily Vande development times. We will no longer have late starts on Zande on French Horn and Katelyn Huizenga Wednesday mornings. All mornings will start at 8:20. Instead on flute both received first chair placements at we will have 14 early outs on Friday. We will dismiss at 1:30 the northwest Iowa honor band in the fall, which qualified them to participate in the all- on those days. The new updated school calendar will have the Iowa band. They rehearsed the morning of the specific dates listed. You can find it on our school website. 9th and then performed in a concert at 1:00 that afternoon. They did a great job of representing OCCS! Music Man Kids The K-4th graders had a wonderful time putting on the show, "Music Man Kids" on April 11 and 12, 2019. The songs almost learned themselves as the students were introduced to "Seventy Six Trombones" and "Wells Fargo Wagon" as well as "Pick a Little, Talk a Little" and everyone's favorite, "Shipoopi!". The story wasn't familiar to most of the kids but they soon grew to love even the unloveable characters of the little town of River City. The 4th graders played their characters so well, from the dubious Harold Hill to the winsome Marian Paroo. They had to learn lines, sing, dance, and "play" band instruments and did so with aplomb after lots of hard work of practice. During the school society meeting, at the beginning of the Grandparents' Day musical, one of the songs was dedicated to the 4th graders April 12, otherwise known as Grandparents' Day, dawned with classmate, Emmett Kiel, who was not able to participate in the brisk, cool weather but no snow or ice, much to the relief of all final productions, but was still a big part of the class! The involved. The doors opened to grandparents and special friends song, "Safe Am I", from the song book "Let Youth Praise Him" at 8:30, and by 9:30, the gym was filled and ready for the K-4 was also a favorite of the students and reminded them that God musical, The Music Man Kids. The audience enjoyed watching is in control in every situation and has them safely in the how the River City Iowans changed the heart of swindler, hollow of His hand. Harold Hill, in OCCS's first Broadway Kids production. Thanking God for giving so many gifts and the opportunities to After the musical, grandparents and students moved into the refine and use them . To God be the glory! classrooms to share some of their life experiences with each Dixie Wielenga, music teacher other while the gym was transformed from a stage into a lunchroom by a multitude of volunteers. When everyone returned to the gym for lunch, the crowd was served in record time (13.5 minutes). After lunch, the 5th-8th grade students shared a few musical numbers with the audience. While this officially ended the Grandparents' Day celebrations, many volunteers stayed at school to transform the gym again for MEMORIALS OCCS's first garage sale. What a day! Darrell Noteboom We thank the many people who support OCCS in so many ways. Grandparents' Day is evidence of the community of believers at work. As to the grandparents who were prevented from coming by snow and ice, we missed you and hope to see you next year! Kim Philipsen

Strings Night The 8th grade Orchestra girls got to design their own personal lifetime playlist at Strings Night 2019 with the help of the 4th-7th grade orchestras! Thinking back over their lifetimes to even before they were born and picking out songs to go with each significant milestone was at times entertaining and sometimes tear jerking! From Maggie's dad forgetting her mom on the way to the hospital when she was in labor, to the girls' baptisms to the songs they loved as little children...who doesn't love Veggie Tales???....there was something for young and old on the playlist. From baby sharks to squishies and kissing parents to pics of the entire 6th-8th orchestra as little tiny tots, all the way to nursing home status, the 8th graders tugged on heart strings as they ended their orchestra careers at OCCS and finished well! All of the orchestras did their best and enjoyed an evening of fun music and playing for an appreciative audience! Dixie Wielenga, music teacher The Little Mermaid Jr. On Thursday, April 4, fifty-one 7th and 8th graders (and thirty-two 6th graders) took to the stage to bring the beloved story of Ariel (Madison Bosma), Sebastian (Isaac Krommendyk), Flounder (Katelyn Huizenga), Scuttle (Emily Vande Zande) and the evil sea-witch, Ursula (Aubrey Kuiper) to the Unity Knight Center stage in “The Little Mermaid Jr." In a magical underwater kingdom, the beautiful young mermaid, Ariel, longs to leave her ocean home – and her fins – behind and live in the world above. But first, she'll have to defy her father, King Triton (Sam Nonhof), make a deal with the evil sea witch, Ursula, and convince the handsome Prince Eric (Landon De Jong) that she's the girl whose enchanting voice he's been seeking. Featuring favorite songs like "Under the Sea," "Kiss the Girl," and "Part of Your World," this production was a night of fun for all ages! Kim Huizenga, music teacher

Math Bees Spring is the season of math bees, and OCCS 4th-8th graders attended four different bees this year. The 6th grade team chose to attend the Northwest Area Education Agency Math Bee instead of have a day off of school and they were elated with their first place finish! The 8th grade team attended bees at Northwestern College and Dordt University. These were good experiences and challenged the students in different ways. OCCS's 4th, 5th, and 7th grade teams also attended the Dordt University math bees. The 4th grade team came home with a 4th place finish, and the 7th grade team placed first for the fourth year in a row. Congratulations, students, on all your hard work!

Team Members: 4th grade--Kaylee Dykstra, Owen Mellema, Drew Noteboom, Emily Oordt, Ben Philipsen 5th grade--Josh Campbell, Emma De Rooy, James Foreman, Katie Young, Kallie Zwart 6th grade--Jacen Huizenga, Wyatt Nykamp, Riley Mulder, Caden Oolman, Isaiah Van Maanen 7th grade--Landon De Jong, Elijah Hofmeyer, Carson Noteboom, Rebecca Philipsen, Levi Rosenboom 8th grade--Isaac Krommendyk, Sam Nonhof, Ava Nykamp, Landon Moreau, Molly Zylstra

Kim Philipsen, STEPS teacher

Sports Update As we put the finishing touches on another school year, we see the end of our 2018-2019 athletic events. This spring was a busy one for our Junior High students. We had students participating in the school musical, track and soccer on top of many other school related activities. This spring, our soccer teams were coached by Jason Alons and Ben Kuiper. We want to thank them for their time and commitment to helping our students this spring. Our girls team finished with a record of 4 wins and 2 losses. Our boys team finished with a record of 2 wins, 3 losses and 1 tie. Two of our games were coed games this year. We ended with an 0-2 record in those two games. Our track teams were coached by Karlyn Brunst and Melanie Witt. This spring we participated in 4 meets: Dordt College indoor, Unity Christian, Western Christian and Dordt College outdoor. For the first time in a couple years, we didn’t have to reschedule or cancel any track meet. We were pretty thankful for that. This spring we saw some record breaking/tying performances. Congratulations goes out to Jacob Van Donge for breaking the 400m dash record with a time of 57.18. The previous time was 57.42 set back in 2007. Molly Zylstra tied the school record for girls high jump, clearing 5 feet, which was set back in 1999! Our teams also saw success this year with both the boys and girls teams winning the Western Meet. Travis De Jong, Athletic Director

Staff Farewell Message from Deb Hibma For forty-one years I have had the privilege of This summer we say goodbye to 2 long-time staff members at OCCS. working at Orange City Christian School. The first is Nicki Kuiper. She has been at our school for 12 years. She Moving here in 1978 was the best decision I have taught in our middle school, primarily in the math department. She has ever made. It is here that I've built wonderful been homeroom teacher for various grades in 6-8 through the years. She relationships, found and married the love of my also was our curriculum coordinator. She is leaving us to serve as life, Daryl, raised our family and grew as a curriculum coordinator for many of the area Christian Schools and teacher. I've served under five administrators in director of Heartland Christian Schools, an organization that serves the my stay here, learning and growing under them Christian Schools from Northwest Iowa, Southwest Minnesota, Southeast all. Many different staff members have come and South Dakota, and Northeast Nebraska. gone, each bringing their unique perspective to the school. I have loved working along side these The second is Deb Hibma. She has been at our school for 41 years. She wonderful coworkers in God's Kingdom. most recently served as our librarian and kitchen staff. She has also taught in various grades from kindergarten to 3rd grade along with middle In the last 25 years I have held the position of school Bible and an aide in preschool. She is retiring from full-time Librarian. What a true joy it has been to build the service to education. library over the years to a place that has wonderful options for students. I really listened to Both of these ladies will be missed and we wish them well in the next what children wanted to read, they became my stage of their lives. greatest resource for choosing books. Finding the Jason Alons, Principal right book to fit each child has been a goal of mine from day one. Each year I had my challenges but that just made my job more fun. BoxTops and Labels What a blessing it has been for me to see God's hand in my life and all the lives I've been blessed We would like to thank everyone for your continued support of our to touch. The amazing support from the board, Labels For Learning fundraiser. It is such an easy way to give support staff, students and community has been felt over but very helpful too. This past year we were able to collect nearly and over again. May God bless OCCS and watch 10,000 Box Tops, over 9700 Pizza Ranch Wagons, over 200 Tyson A+ over you as you go forward into the future. I will labels, and over 500 Loaves 4 Learning UPC codes. These labels will miss you but I am ready to see what God has in add nearly $3500 to our school funds! With that being said we hope we store for me. can continue to see your support as two of these programs will be undergoing big changes; Pizza Ranch is ending their program Blessings, Deb Hibma unfortunately and Box Tops will be going digital. Read more on the Box Tops Big Change: Over the summer, you'll begin to see some participating brands change their packaging from Tiger Toss & Serenity Stage the traditional Box Tops clipped to a new Box Tops label. Going After hosting two big events already in forward, instead of clipping from packages and checking expiration Grandparents’ Day and the OCCS garage sale, the dates, all Box Tops will be earned digitally by scanning your gym was transformed once more for the annual receipt. What does this change mean for you? You will need to Tiger Toss Tournament and Serenity Stage on download the new user-friendly Box Tops app, and then register and Saturday, April 13. Community was the theme of select a school. These are one-time tasks. Thereafter, you will be able to the night for the 4th annual event. In all, fifty- scan an eligible receipt containing your Box Tops product. The app will eight teams put their bean bag tossing skills to the automatically add Box Tops to your school’s earnings online and you test over the course of three different tournaments will be able to track earnings for Orange City Christian from your that featured competitors of all ages. The Serenity phone. When will this transition to digital happen? Many products Stage featured eight acts, varying from show the new Box Tops branding with the letters BTFE (no coupon to instrumental music to storytelling to the talent clip) will be available in stores in June 2019. Most every product will show-winning routine of “Toddler Time”. Not transition to the new branding by the end of 2019. Box Tops will only were people there to play bean bags and take continue to honor all clipped Box Tops until they expire. A special in the talents on display on the stage, but they attraction during the transition period is that Box Tops supporters can enjoyed a smoked pulled pork meal that has “double dip” during the transition by clipping the physical Box Tops quickly become a favorite by those who have found on their purchase AND scan their receipt with the participating come on a yearly basis. All in all, this year’s product. It appears that there might be deadlines for scanning receipts event raised approximately $35,000, including a so it will be necessary to scan the receipt promptly. This change will be matching gift, which went towards the Project a whole new adventure for the Labels For Education program! Please Engage Fundraising Campaign. A big thanks to consider joining in this adventure!! Do keep clipping and turning in all of our sponsors who helped make the night Box Tops until they disappear. There is an expiration date printed on the happen and to all those who came out to enjoy an Box Tops so keep bringing them to school promptly. evening of bag tossing and talent watching fun!

Amy Nonhof & Chantelle De Rooy, committee chairs Summer Office Hours & TRIP Hours

Monday through Thursday Monica Report 7:30 a.m. - 12:30 pm. THANK YOU to the OCCS families and community for all your support of the Monica Tent fundraiser Closed on Friday during Tulip Festival!! We really appreciated everyone’s support and patience with having the Closed July 4-5 Square available for people who wanted to use a debit Closed July 22 - August 2 or credit card. Thank you to everyone for your hard work, the time you gave to others and joy you brought to our school and community. The days were a mix of hot and cold but we felt the tent profits were comparable to last year. Thank you for everyone who Board Report came on Monday to purchase remaining pigs and soup. We appreciate everyone’s support of OCCS. May balance sheet - $547,886.22 From making soup and pigs, to working the shifts needed for Tent and Straat and welcoming visitors to On April 30, a groundbreaking ceremony took place in the OCCS Orange City, it takes the whole OCCS family to make gymnasium. Arlyn Schaap, Mr. Randy Hilbelink, and Lizzy King shared our fundraisers a success! Thank you!! how the building expansion impacts the past, present and future of OCCS. Hymns were sung and representatives from the board, SHARE I want to give a huge thank you to all the chairs and committee, finance committee and the administration put shovels in the co-chairs that have served this year and worked so ground to recognize the start of Phase I of the building project. hard to make the fundraisers a success. Your hard Plexiglass was signed by all those who are a part of OCCS so that they work and commitment and time away from work and can be hung in the new addition. Thank you to the OCCS community for family was so appreciated. You are a blessing and your continued support. It is exciting to be a part of this expansion! have made a huge impact on many lives! The Monica Please be in prayer as the construction continues, and we ask for Board will be meeting in a couple weeks to discuss the prayerful consideration for continued financial support as the project various fundraisers and any improvements or changes progresses. We are about $300,000 away from meeting our Phase I goal. if any are needed. We do covet the prayers of all those God is good! committed to OCCS for this meeting. A Part-time Student Enrollment Policy was added to the Policy manual Over the summer, please continue to check emails or to allow parents to partner with the school in this way. the school website for any news from Monica and to check the pop can trailer schedule. If you have any We are so grateful for the staff and students at OCCS who have suggestions or questions , please contact me or any completed another successful school year. other Monica board member. Thank you all again for The board continues to implement plans to offer a 401K retirement plan all your support this past school year. Please continue to employees in the wake of Christian School International’s pension to pray for the upcoming school year. Have a great freeze beginning August 1, 2019. This will be available for all summer!!! employees of OCCS. Lauri Poppema, Monica President The board was pleased to offer contracts to our hourly employees, including classroom aides, office and kitchen staff. Respectfully submitted, Heather Hofmeyer, board secretary

CHRISTIAN EDUCATION UNITS Church Unit Requested Contribution Balance for 2018-19 2018-19 Remaining Calvary CRC 87,518.75 87,518.75 0.00 First CRC 69,345.00 69,345.00 0.00 Hospers CRC 5,025.00 5,025.00 0.00 Immanuel CRC 108,456.25 98,278.15 10,178.10 Living Water 45,225.00 32,444.42 12,780.58 Redeemer URC 58,625.00 58,625.00 0.00 Other Supporting Churches 5,025.00 4,690.00 335.00 Partner Society 78,895.00 71,196.28 7,698.72