T 712-737-2274 / F 712-737-8608 / office@occhristian.pvt.k12.ia.us / www.orangecitychristian.net

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.

Dec 2018/ Jan 2019

Under Construction - A Building Project Update Our theme this year fits very well with our Project Engage and the proposed building project. I’m sure you have heard much about it this year and we have definitely done great things together to prepare. We raised over $1.25 million in cash and pledges in about 5 months. That is a substantial amount of money for a community our size. Thank you for all your generosity. You probably also noticed that not a lot of actual construction is happening at school yet. This is because we have not hit the funding goal we passed last May. We are about $350,000 short of our goal to break ground. We are about $900,000 short of fully funding this phase of an estimated $2.1 million. We appreciate the support our society has given this project. The wonderful input we received from so many as we planned the three-phase plan, shared the vision of meeting our future needs, overwhelmingly supportive society vote, and the extremely generous giving at all of our fundraisers has really affirmed this decision. Now we need all of us to help make this a reality. Time is of the essence for several reasons. The longer we wait, the more expensive the project gets. Building costs are always increasing. We are also going to be short a classroom next year. This will mean adjusting certain things we do to make it work. We really need everyone who is able to prayerfully consider giving an additional gift to the project. We have two fundraising events coming up. Our 3rd annual Tiger Toss will be March 22. All the proceeds will go toward the building campaign. We are also planning to have an online, social media, Facebook drive in the next couple weeks. We are working toward getting matching donors for both of these events. If you are interested in being a matching donor, let the office know.

Thank you for your support. Jason Alons, Principal

Build Each Other Up February is here and we are firmly in the second half of the school year. We are completely enjoying the theme for this school year: Under Construction. This year has been packed full of great stuff, much of it centering around our school theme. In my humble opinion, the month of February gets to the heart of what our Christian walk is all about and a crucial piece of our school theme. We talk about “The Crew” and our Tiger Trait “Encourager”. The monthly verse is such a vital encouragement from our Lord to help build a strong community. “Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing.” I Thessalonians 5:11. The verse before that tells us why we should encourage one another. “[Christ] died for us so that, whether we are awake or asleep, we may live together with him.” We all know Christ died as our Savior and we will live with him in Heaven someday. The exciting thing is this fellowship begins in this life too. Our Mission Statement declares us to be a biblically based community. Encouragement is just as important to community today as it was in Paul’s day. Just like Thessalonica, we are doing it in so many ways, and we can be encouraged to do it more. This is true for children and adults as we are all “Under Construction”.

Thank you for your part in our community. Keep sharing the good things you see happening in your children’s lives here at school. And I encourage all of us to build each other up as partners, as in fact we are doing. Shalom, Jason Alons

Landon Moreau Wins OCCS 2019 Geography Bee Each year, National Geographic sponsors a geography awareness program aimed at increasing young peoples’ knowledge and understanding of the world around them. Orange City Christian School believes this awareness program blends in well with our mission to know God, His world and our role in redeeming this world for him. Classroom bees were held on Friday, December 14 to determine the students who would participate in the final round. The students in the final round who represented their classes were: Jacob Breen and Jericho Breen in fourth grade; Katie Young in 5th grade; Lucy Salberg and Jacen Huizenga in 6th grade; Hezekiah Hanson and Carson Noteboom in 7th grade; and Landon Moreau, Sam Nonhof and Isaac Krommendyk in 8th grade. Each of these students were congratulated and given a mini-pizza coupon from the Pizza Ranch during the championship round on Tuesday, January 22.

The two students who made it to the finals of the championship round were Landon Moreau and Isaac Krommendyk. During the final round of questioning Landon answered the most questions correctly and was crowned our new Geography Bee Champion. Landon received a trophy and also the opportunity to take a qualifying exam which will be sent to state headquarters. Randy Hilbelink, Middle School Teacher

Pictured: Isaac Krommendyk, Mr. Randy Hilbelink, Landon Moreau

Sports Update Our Junior High students have finished up their basketball seasons for the year. Our teams experienced both the highs and lows of the a season. Through it all they worked hard and improved throughout the year.

This year our girls were again coached by Kim Lee. This is her second season coaching for us and she has been doing a great job with the girls. Our 7th grade team finished with a record of 6 wins and 2 losses while our 8th graders finished with a record of 7 wins and 2 losses. Our 8th graders competed in the Annual Christian School’s basketball tournament at the end of their season. It was a long day for the girls as they played 5 games in a 6 hour span. They finished off the tournament with a 4th place finish. Our 7th grade boys were coached by Matt Van Schepen. The boys finished the season with a record of 1 win and 9 losses. The record isn’t where they hoped it would be but we are pleased with the improvements that were made throughout the year. The season ended on a high note by playing their best overall game, which ended with a come from behind victory. Our 8th grade boys were coached by Randy Jacobsma. Randy has been a long time coach here at OCCS. We thank him for his dedication to our program. This year was frustrating at times for the boys. They ended the season with a record of 2 wins and 7 losses. They also competed in the annual Christian School basketball tournament. They ended the season on a positive note going 3-0 and winning the “B” division of the tournament. I would like to thank these three coaches for giving up their time to work with our kids. We appreciate your commitment and dedication to our program. Now our students will wait for warmer temperatures so they can begin track and soccer!

Travis De Jong, Athletic Director

Honors Orchestra The 19th Annual Northwest Iowa Middle School Honors Orchestra was held on January 24 at NW Christ Chapel. Eight OCCS students were chosen to be a part of this festival. Reagan Noteboom, Maddie Bosma, Aubrey De Groot, Adriana Van Maanen, Brynn Vanden Brink, Carson Noteboom, Jocelyn Muilenburg, and Landon De Jong rehearsed with guest conductor, Susan De Jong and then performed in an evening concert in conjunction with the NWI High School Honors Orchestra. Congratulations to these students and alternate, David Winn!

Staff Wish List

Update from 3rd Grade Third grade is a year for lots of learning and growth. In recent weeks the students have been busy with a lot of “firsts”. * The first time to take Iowa Assessments. * The first year to learn about multiplication, the facts, and how to use

them in real life. * Reading many stories that we have never read before! * Recently starting to learn about division and how this is connected to

multiplication. * Learning about Australia, the only continent/country/island in the

world. * Celebrating Australia Day with fairy bread, lamingtons, and lolly water,

along with playing an Australian game called “Down, Down, Down”! * Spending time in awe through science investigations about God’s

amazing gift of water. * Knowing that we serve a faithful God who always keeps his promises

as seen through our stories on Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob! Each day in 3rd grade is blessing of learning and growing. We are

grateful for all of the “firsts” we can experience together! Michele Boer & Sheila Van Den Brink

Update from Second Grade It seems hard to believe that we are already at the midpoint of another school year! The second graders have had an eventful 1st semester! In addition to improving our reading skills and math skills, we are also expanding our abilities to serve God through Bible, writing, spelling, penmanship, science, and social studies. In November, we presented plays, Bible verses, poems, and songs to our parents and grandparents relating to the first Thanksgiving celebration in our country. We were amazed at how God used the events in Squantoʼs life to save the lives of the Pilgrims. In February we will learn about the seventeen different kinds of penguins God created. As we study and learn each day, we are reminded of the great God we serve, and how he lovingly cares for all of His creation.

Linda Juhl & Maria Noteboom Second grade teachers

Christmas Concert On Tuesday, December 11, the students of Orange City Christian School presented "Carols of Christmas.” The NWC chapel was filled with the sounds of instruments and voices, raising praises to God. The Kindergarten through 8th grade students, joined by the audience and staff, performed many beautiful songs including 'The Hallelujah Chorus,' 'Hope Was Born This Night,' and 'Behold Our God.’ Thanks be to God for His indescribable gift! II Corinthians 9:15.

Christmas Project Each year, during Christmas at OCCS, we choose a giving project to help us remember and celebrate God’s great gift to us. This year we contacted the Luke Society, a medical mission ministry. Our mission project was working with a Christian doctor, Dr. Xu and his ministry in China. Dr. Xu is a skilled well known orthopedic surgeon who was involved in a tragic diving accident. As a result, he became a paraplegic and God used this event in his life to bring him to saving faith. As in all of the Luke Society ministries, God’s plan led directors to meet Dr.Xu and he began his ministry of working with the poor people, especially children, who can not walk. Dr. Kuiper came to visit our school and spent a morning speaking with our classes about China and Dr. Xu’s ministry. He had just visited Dr. Xu and had pictures of his work. He gave us an example of one child who could not get out of bed and whose parents had to leave him everyday locked in his room, so that they could work to provide for him. They loved their one and only allowed child very much, but were unable to take him anywhere without carrying him. As a result, he could not go to school and could only lay in his bed every day. There are many other children in homes in China who can not leave their homes. Dr. Xu helps him and others to get medical help, a wheelchair, and someone to come to teach him. As a result, parents can take their children out, meet other parents with children with difficulties, help their children have dignity and most important of all, the families learn about the love of Jesus. Dr. Xu, in his wheelchair can relate to them and show them that their lives are important. Our project was to raise money for wheelchairs for Dr. Xu. We made a “wheelchair graph” in the hallway to keep track of how many wheelchairs each class raised. The students were very excited to give. One first grader, Abby De Vries, even made a craft to sell to raise money .You can read about it on our webpage! The winning class would have their teacher use a wheelchair for one day, in their classroom! The winner was Mrs. Lee’s class. OCCS students raised money for 85 wheelchairs! We are looking forward to hearing about how the wheelchairs are being used and hope to hear from Dr. Xu later this year. You can find out more about other exciting ministries of the Luke Society by visiting lukesociety.org. “When did we see You sick or in prison and visit You?’ And the King will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of Mine, you did for Me.’ Matthew 25:39-40 Sheryl Slegers, OCCS Spiritual committee

CHRISTIAN EDUCATION UNITS Church Unit Requested Contribution Balance for 2018-19 2018-19 Remaining Calvary CRC 87,518.75 44,664.47 42,854.28 First CRC 64,320.00 13,165.51 51,154.49 Hospers CRC 5,025.00 2,500.00 2,525.00 Immanuel CRC 108,456.25 55,852.77 52,603.48 Living Water 45,225.00 17,777.64 27,447.36 Redeemer URC 58,625.00 10,008.00 48,617.00 Other Supporting Churches 5,025.00 3,853.00 1,172.00 Partner Society 78,895.00 45,245.95 33,649.05

Monica Update Thank you for your support of the annual Monica Soup Supper which was held on February 7 in the OCCS gym. Thank you to the committee, the workers, and all who contributed food for this event.

The cookie walk in December was a fun, successful event. I would like to commend the committee for their strategic and well thought out planning when adverse weather looked like it would hit the day of the walk. The decision to move it up earlier into Friday evening and to shorten the day on Saturday was successful and a lot of comments were made about the change being a good decision. The profits for 2018 were over $11,000. Lauri Poppema Monica Board President

STEPS at OCCS Greetings from the STEPS classes at OCCS! I’m Kim Philipsen, the teacher/coordinator of these classes. I’d like to give you a quick introduction

to STEPS in case you’re unfamiliar with it.

• Students-STEPS is for students in grades 3-8 who need an extra challenge in the areas of mathematics and reading.

• Thinking-These students are challenged to think deeply and critically about the subjects they study.

• Exploring-This year students are exploring a variety of topics: creativity, adoption, computer science, the International Space Station, algebraic concepts, independent studies, web literacy, the impact of McDonalds on our world, mathematical problem-solving strategies, etc.

• Practicing-The students practice and apply skills to theoretical and real-world problems, often working at an accelerated pace.

• Succeeding-STEPS students succeed when they are challenged and continue to develop the gifts that God has given to them.

Board Report – January 2019 • January balance sheet : $491,047.25 • “Project Engage” is getting closer to becoming a reality. As

funds continue to support this, we are somewhat delayed and have a new goal to break ground as soon as possible this spring. Around $400,000 is still needed in pledges and/or donations before the building can begin. The extra classrooms are already going to be necessary in the fall! Please consider helping us reach our goal. This is an exciting time for OCCS and we are thankful that God always provides for our needs!

• Accreditation teams continue to prepare for the site visit in March.

• The board approved a two percent increase in staff salaries for the upcoming budget year.

• The fourth annual Tiger Toss Tournament is scheduled for Friday, March 22. The funds raised will be used to support the building project.

• Preschool registration is Thursday, February 28. • Kindergarten roundup is Friday, March 15. • Thank you for your faithful support of OCCS. Donations so far

this year total over $54,000. Our silage pile fundraiser brought in $41,660. There was a lot of hard work, cooperation, and community built. The fall mailing brought in over $12,000 in donations. We are blessed by an amazing community within OCCS. Thank you for your generosity!

Heather Hofmeyer, Board Secretary

IMPORTANT DATES TO REMEMBER

February 12 P/T Conferences for K-4, 2:00pm dismissal February 14 P/T Conferences for K-4, 2:00pm dismissal February 15 No School February 18 No School - President’s Day February 21 5:30-6:30pm - Preschool Open house for 2019-20 year February 26 10:30am - P.S./4th grade lead chapel February 28 5:30pm - Preschool registration for 2019-20 year March 15 8:15-12:00 noon - Kd. Round Up for class of 2019-20 March 15 End of third quarter, 12:00 noon dismissal March 19-21 Accreditation Team visit March 22 5:30pm - Tiger Toss March 26 8:30am - 3rd/8th grade lead chapel March 26 P/T Conferences for 5-8, 12:30pm dismissal March 28 P/T Conferences for 5-8, 3:30pm dismissal March 29 No School April 4 7th/8th grade musical, 7:00pm Unity Knight Center April 5 12:00 noon dismissal April 11 7:00 pm - K-4 musical in OCCS gym April 12 Grandparents’ Day, 9:30am - K-4 musical