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The Pathfinder Your Word is a lamp to my feet and a light for my path. Psalm 119:104

May2016

Nurture - Develop - Educate

Christian Education Week 2016 What a terrific week our students and staff had at our annual Christian Education week celebration. Throughout the week we had different opportunities to dress up for specific reasons, celebrate, and participate in special activities. On Monday, our school had mix and match day where the students were encouraged to show up in crazy clashing outfits. During the week each student created an essay about “Tell me a Story” our theme out of Joshua 4. We asked the younger students to tell us who or whom introduced the story of Jesus to them, and in our upper grades we asked the students to write about how they are being trained for kingdom service. On Tuesday, we had favorite sports team day and plenty of Iowa Hawkeyes in the building that day. We also took the time to sit at lunch by chapel groups so we could get a different experience with eating together. Usually we sit based on teacher and class. This gave us the opportunity for communication and time spent with various grade levels per

table. On Wednesday, we were blessed by having a slew of visitors into the classrooms to tell us about their careers. We had people from the following places: Iowa DNR, Hy-Vee in Pella, John Deere, Carlisle Water Department, and a physical therapist from Kinetic Edge in Pella. On Thursday, we had the opportunity to participate in the annual chapel

group relay games. During this time we asked each chapel group to wear t-shirts of different colors and then we participated in relay games where each student brought a need to the team. Some games worked best if the students were smaller, some games needed older students. The purpose was to expose the value of our uniqueness as created by God. Lastly, on Friday, we had a terrific day starting off with chapel, hearing from the 3rd-4th grade hand chime choir, our 5th-8th grade band, and Pastor McClure

from Prairie City CRC. We held our first ever Science Fair and received a delicious lunch from our Hot Lunch Program. Finishing out our week of celebration our entire school put on a performance of Patch the Pirate Goes to the Jungle, thanks to the hard work and dedication of Mrs. Ansley and our students. How blessed Peoria Christian School is to celebrate the freedoms in this country to train our students in the way God has instructed us as Christians. In Christ, Craig Rapinchuk

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Here ’s the Scoop! The Bazaar plans are underway for November 4, 2016. Please save the date and plan to join us! This year’s theme is from Psalm 34:8, “Taste and see that the Lord is good.” Please plan to join us for scoops of ice cream as we reflect on the scoops of blessings we have been given. Please be thinking of ways you can help and also what you can donate to make this fundraiser successful. If you have any questions, please contact Lisa Ver Meer or Heidi Van Wyk.

May Board Minutes

The Peoria Christian School Board met May 2, 2016. The Board sang from Psalter Hymnal 530 and President Jeff Vander Molen read from Hebrews 11:1-6 and opened the meeting with prayer. Items of business: -Mr. Rapinchuk reported that next year’s theme and verse will be Walk Worthy, Colossians 1:10. -Mr. Rapinchuk plans to have next year’s calendar ready in June. -Mr. Rapinchuk reported that in the fall there will be a local Professional Development for the teachers. -Cory Nikkel will be our graduation speaker. -Jeff visited Kindergarten and 1st and 2nd grade and gave a favorable report. -Promotion committee reported that July 25th will be our Society Meeting and school registration. Childcare will be provided during the meeting. -Finance committee reported that 2016/2017 proposed school budget was reviewed. -STO committee reported that the STO deadline is past. -Building committee reported that we need everyone’s help on the “All School Cleaning”, June 3rd. -Bus committee reported that the bus inspection is complete. -Meeting was closed in prayer.

Schwan’s Fundraiser The Schwan's Fundraiser 20% product/40% eCertificate has been extended to May 27th! The remaining time with 5% will end on August 25th instead of going 12 months. Contact Kim Vander Molen at jkvmolen@gmail.com with any questions. Please go to www.schwans.com and enter fundraiser ID 26593 to support Peoria Christian School.

Labels For Education/Boxtops! Please keep clipping and sending in Labels for Education (Campbells) and Boxtops before May 14th (last pickup for this year). Labels for Education rules change July 1st and some of the current UPC’s will no longer be eligible after July 1st. Boxtops have an expiration date on them and outdated ones are not eligible. A reminder that we also collect UPC’s from Village Hearth and Country Hearth bread products. Tyson (frozen chicken products) also has a program for schools. Save the proof of purchase (usually found on the back of the package). Each one is worth 24 cents.

May’s Mystery Staff -I played trumpet in high school. -In high school I was the editor of the school paper and interviewed the governor of Iowa. -I love to watch football. -My first job was teaching swimming lessons. -I only drink water, coffee, or diet Pepsi! Who am I? Watch for the June Pathfinder!!

Let Your Light Shine: Matthew 5:16 “In the same way, let your light shine before others , that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.”

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In seventh and eighth grade science we will be studying the heavens – sun, moon, solar system, and space

exploration. In fifth and sixth grade literature, we are sharing book reports. Then we will be finishing the year with Russell Freedman’s book, Children of the Wild West. In Bible, we are studying passages in Acts about the early church. Mrs. Fynaardt

Music: The students had a wonderful performance for Grandparent's Day! They all worked hard and did their best for the glory of God and the enjoyment of the audience! In May, students will get to explore more musical instruments, as well as, preparing for the graduation service. Soli Deo Gloria, Mrs. Ansley

Classroom Notes

The Kindergarteners had so much learning about chicks and their day-by-day changes. We will now be learning about how animals are alike and different and we will also study plants! The students are excited because they are able to read more and more words each day! The students have had so much fun learning how to add and subtract and come up with some pretty silly addition and subtraction stories! In our last month, we will study about Jesus on earth and the miracles he performed and parables. We are looking forward to a fun-filled and busy month of May. Keep our class in your prayers that we finish the year strong! --Mrs. Veenstra

As we look to finish another school year, I reflect on the Lord’s goodness and faithfulness throughout this school year. He has blessed us with great students, dedicated families, and a supportive community. With your support, we are able to educate children and to serve the Lord daily at Peoria Christian School. For that, I say “thank-you!”

This year in 7th and 8th grades, we have covered a lot of academic material: six books plus short stories, hundreds of years of world history, eight parts of speech and grammar, seven forms of writing, and one hundred twenty math lessons (that is 3,600 problems plus tests!). Logic, Bible, and devotions have contributed to personal faith development and growth. We are thankful for our time together and look forward to the Lord’s guidance in the future. Ms. Kraayenbrink

In 3rd/ 4th we are studying the weather in science. The students will discover how powerful the Lord is when it comes to the change in weather. God is in control of the weather just as He does other parts of nature. They will finish the unit researching weather and writing a weather report in Google Docs rather than a test. Also, they will present

their report. —Mrs. Van Walbeek In science, first/second grades are learning that we need to have healthy habits to take care of the bodies that God created for us. Washing our hands is one of the habits we need to stay healthy. Our Science Fair project proved that washing our hands with soap and water was the best way to get rid of germs! –Mrs. Van Wyk

Thank You From The Library Thank-you for the monetary gifts and books donated to the library. Also, thanks for the books donated to our used book program. The library received over $250.00 in credit to purchase new books. Please keep bringing in used books to the school office.

Congratulations to the 3rd and 4th graders for collecting the most boxtops for March-April. A total of 1,248 were collected and that equals $124.80 for our school. Great Job!!

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MAY

May 13 Jungle Book at Sully, K-8th May 13 & 14 Band Trip May 16 TRIP Orders Due & Ed Committee Meeting May 16 3rd-8th Grades Attend a Show at Temple Theatre & Library Books Due May 17 Program Practice During School May 18 K-4th Track & Field In Afternoon May 19 K-8th at Cordova Park – Activities & Hot Lunch May 20 Program Practice, 1:15 Dismissal, & 8th Grade Graduation, 7:00 P.M. May 24 Kindergarten Class Goes to the Zoo May 25 Rain Date: K-4th Grade Track & Field May 26 Kindergarten Graduation, 2:30 P.M. May 27 Chapel, 8:30 A.M., Last Day of School, & 1:15 Dismissal May 30 Memorial Day May 31 Teacher Work Day May 31-June 3 7th/8th Grade Class Trip JUNE

June 3 All Parent Cleaning Day & Report Cards Available To Go Home June 6 Board Meeting June 20 Ed Committee Meeting JULY

July 4 Board Meeting July 18 Ed Committee Meeting July 25 Society Meeting at Peoria CRC, 7:00 P.M. (Babysitting available) and

Registration & Ice Cream Social To Follow at the School!

Calendar

3rd and 4th Grade Position (Full-Time) Serve as 3rd and 4th grade teacher. The position would be the homeroom teacher for a combined classroom and teach all subjects but music. You would teach a specific 3rd and 4th grade curriculum for Math, Reading, Language, and Phonics. Science, Social Studies, PE, and Bible would be combined and taught in a two-year cycle. We require a licensed teacher with credentials from Iowa, or the willingness to exchange a license in Iowa. Reading endorsement is not necessary, but will be highly encouraged. Application Instructions Please e-mail principal@peoriachr.org (or mail) with the words “Resume” in the subject line. Include a letter of introduction in the e-mail body and attach a cover letter, resume, and a statement of Philosophy of Christian Education addressed to Mr. Craig Rapinchuk, 110 Peoria West Street, Pella, IA 50219. Please call 641-204-2994 with questions.