Holland Christian Schools News Views

Transcription

1 Holland Christian Schools News Views Fall 2013

2 Letter from the Superintendent Dear Friends, Another school year is underway! The early excitement of the new year is beginning to fade and school is again beginning to feel like a normal part our students daily routine. It is a privilege to partner with families in this community to educate their children for another year. In this issue of News and Views we d like to share with you information about a new homeschool partnership that combines the best of classroom learning with the power of discovery and independence that have long been trademarks of homeschooling. For several years, we have had a one-day homeschool program for elementary students. This program continues to grow and gain in popularity for area families who homeschool their children. This year we opened up that same opportunity to students in middle and high school. Students in this program attend specially designed classes where they attend class at school two days a week and then work at home under the supervision of their parents but the direction of the classroom teacher the other three days. Classes include math, biology, an integrated literature and history class, language studies including Spanish, Mandarin, and Latin, and a course in apologetics are all part of this new exciting program for middle and high school students. It has been a delight to see how we can deliver education differently as we consider how education will change as we move farther into the 21st Century. In this issue of News and Views you will also have the opportunity to learn about a new reading program we are implementing this year. Reader s Workshop is a program that allows students to have a great deal of flexibility in advancing their reading skills through topics or content that are of interest to them and are at their own reading level. This is a powerful tool that has already opened the eyes of our students to a whole new world that can be discovered through a love of reading. Finally, we d like you to meet the principals who are leading our schools during these times of constant change. They are passionate about making sure our students are given the best opportunity to flourish and grow as they equip their minds and nurture their hearts to bring transformation to a broken world. It is our hope once again that you enjoy and learn from this issue of News and Views what is happening every day at Holland Christian Schools. In His Service, Glenn Vos Superintendent Learn more at 2 Holland Christian Schools News & Views October 3, 2013

3 Congratulations, Graduates! Congratulations to the Class of 2013 who graduated on May 21, Graduates were awarded over $3 million in scholarships. 95% of the class will be pursuing postsecondary education and will be attending the following colleges and universities: Albion College American Musical and Dramatic Academy LA Aquinas College Art Institute of San Antonio Azusa Pacific Baker College Butler University Calvin College Carroll University Central Michigan University Colorado Christian University Colorado State University Columbia College Concordia University Cornerstone University Culinary Institute of Michigan Davenport University Dordt College Douglas J Aveda Institute Duquesne University Elmira College Empire Beauty School Ferris State University Gallaudet University Grand Rapids Community College Grand Valley State University Hope College Kalamazoo College Kendall College Kuyper College LeTourneau University Lenior Rhyne University Michigan Technological University Michigan State University Northern Michigan University Northwestern Michigan College Oberlin College Purdue University Southwestern Michigan University Stanley Harris Cosmetology School Taylor University Trinity Christian College Universal Technical Institute University of Evansville University of Findlay University of Kansas University of Maryland University of Michigan University of Notre Dame University of Toronto Valparaiso University Western Michigan University Westmont College Holland Christian Schools News & Views October 3,

4 Holland Christian Elementary Teachers and Students Create a Lifelong Love of Reading H olland Christian Schools is building a community of students passionate about reading through a newly implemented program called Reader s Workshop. In this program, students in kindergarten through 6th grade are reading books that are appropriate for their reading level, recommended by classmates, and are based on topics of interest. Reader s Workshop is a fantastic approach that takes the coziness of reading at home with your child and adds the teacher s direction and the data and research to encourage growth and a lifelong love of reading, says Mrs. Miska Rynsburger, 1st grade teacher and Principal at South Side Christian Elementary School. Over the last several years, colleges and universities around the nation have raised their entrance 4 expectations of students graduating from high school. As a result, the National Governors Association and the Council of Chief State School Officers, along with many teachers, parents, and school administrators nationwide have worked together to create a new set of educational standards known as the Common Core Standards. We wanted to raise the rigor at Holland Christian to make sure that all of our students possess the knowledge and skills to function effectively in a diverse world and are equipped for their next endeavor, instruction or occupation, says Rosemary Ervine, Director of ifit (Integration of Faith, Instruction, and Technology) at Holland Christian Schools. The wonderful thing at Holland Christian is that we are able to do this in a spiritually enriched environment. Reader s Workshop is one of the Holland Christian Schools News & Views October 3, 2013 new curriculum initiatives Holland Christian is implementing in response to the new Common Core Standards. Reader s Workshop utilizes a workshop model developed by Lucy Calkins. Two years ago, a group of teachers piloted the Lucy Calkins Writing Workshop and were amazed at how it increased the writing achievement of their students and how it raised the academic rigor necessary for achieving the Common Core Standards. Since then, all K-6th grade teachers have implemented the Writing Workshop and are seeing those same results. The success students experienced through the Writing Workshop caused teachers to examine and recognize that writing and reading instruction should be connected. Teachers decided that they wanted to

5 look closely at reading instruction to make sure that students were receiving the very best program available. As a result, this year Holland Christian has a large group of K-6th grade teachers piloting the Lucy Calkins Reader s Workshop. Mrs. Erin Wyma, 3rd grade teacher at Pine Ridge Christian Elementary says, Reader s Workshop is an amazing way to immerse children in great, authentic literature of their choice and at their unique instructional level which promotes lifelong reading achievement. When looking at the new standards and student academic achievement, it was evident that to meet the diverse needs of our students, teachers were going to need to change what reading and writing instruction looked like in their classrooms, says Mrs. Ervine. This was the catalyst that brought forth new curricular initiatives at Holland Christian and led to teaching reading and writing through a balanced literacy approach. Balanced literacy is a researched based philosophy which is characterized by explicit instruction of connected reading and writing skills and strategies through the use of authentic literature within a workshop model. There are several components that parents and students can expect to see in a balanced literacy classroom. First, students receive a short mini-lesson through direct instruction that addresses a specific reading or writing skill or strategy. Then, students spend the majority of their workshop time practicing those skills and strategies while reading books that they have chosen at their individual instructional level or writing about a topic that matters to them. This is highly motivational as students are not required to all be reading from the same story which may or may not be of any interest to them, and also may be either too difficult or to easy for them. In addition, each student reads one on one with their teacher on a regular basis, much like a parent might read with their child. Teachers then celebrate the growth and successes demonstrated by each child and set new goals which students are accountable for the next time the two get together. Mrs. Karen VanMeeteren, 1st grade teacher at South Side Christian Elementary says, The most wonderful gift that we can give to each new reader, I believe, is to meet them right where they are. Offer them a buffet of books from different genres, model to the children, engage children in reading with us, and then to let them practice by themselves, all the while we are coaching and equipping them to go longer and stronger. That is what the Reader s Workshop offers children. Research shows that students need to be reading the perfect instructional text for their own unique needs in order for reading progress to occur. During independent reading and writing time, the teacher is constantly assessing students reading and writing progression and future instructional needs through one on one conferring as well as through small, guided strategy lesson groups. Through these experiences, teachers become experts of what each child needs individually to progress rather than just teaching a one lesson fits all and then moving on whether students have mastered that skill or strategy or not. For a short amount of time each day, students are also presented with various individualized word work activities to help strengthen their reading and writing skills and then transfer those skills to their own authentic reading and writing. Continued on Next page Holland Christian Schools News & Views October 3,

6 The next critical component is sharing. After students finish their independent reading and writing time, they are guided through how to converse and articulate with fellow classmates about their reading and writing. This is one of the most exciting things to see in the workshop model. The teacher steps back and acts as a facilitator while students are speaking and listening and building those critical skills necessary for becoming a lifelong learner and communicator. The balanced literacy approach differs from the traditional type of literacy instruction where the components of reading (phonics, phonemic awareness, vocabulary, fluency, comprehension) and writing (content, grammar, mechanics) have been taught with each child reading the same book or writing about the same thing along with doing numerous isolated skill and drill worksheets. The balanced literacy approach puts the child at the center of their own learning, which builds immediate success and fosters a lifelong love for reading and writing. This instructional approach also builds a strong community environment within the classroom where all children recognize and embrace their unique differences as learners and learn to encourage one another and build each other up on a daily basis. 6 Mrs. Sheila Dokter, 1st grade teacher at Rose Park Christian Elementary says, Reader s Workshop provides personalized and individualized instruction for students. The belief of teachers and staff at Holland Christian is that all children are created and gifted uniquely by God. Providing personalized and individualized instruction is one avenue to fan into flame the gifts and talents of God s children as they seek to know God more and more fully, realizing who they are in Christ, who He created them to be, as well as beginning to develop their role in His kingdom. The teachers included in this article are part of a cohort that meets regularly to receive training in the Reader s Workshop model. They collaborate to develop their plans for delivering instruction and look at common assessments to document student achievement and further guide their instruction. This has not only created more targeted instruction and academic achievement for students, but it has also created a powerful staff learning community, which has promoted teachers from all grade levels to work together towards the common goal of equipping minds and nurturing hearts to transform the world for Jesus Christ. Holland Christian Schools News & Views October 3, 2013

7 SAVE THE DATES! Tuition Grant Fund Events Tuition Grant Fund AuctioN Saturday, October 5, 2013 Holland Christian High School Kidsʻ Stuff Resale Saturday, March 22, 2014 Holland Christian High School LIVING STONES Lecture and Dinner Saturday, April 26, 2014 Holland Christian High School Speaker: Kirk Cousins ( 07) Men s Golf Outing Tuesday May 6, 2014 Wuskowhan Players Club Women s Golf Outing Tuesday May 13, 2014 Diamond Springs Golf Course For more information about these events please contact: Tricia Koops at (616) or [email protected] Holland Christian Schools News & Views October 3,

8 HOLLAND CHRISTIAN OFFERS EXTENDED HOMESCHOOL PROGRAM FOR MIDDLE SCHOOL AND HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS Holland Christian Schools began serving homeschool families with elementary students in 2009 by providing a weekly Wednesday enrichment program called the Holland Christian Homeschool Connection (HC)². This highly successful program now serves students in kindergarten through 6th grades with fiftynine students enrolled for the school year. Beginning this fall, Holland Christian has extended the program invitation to older students through a two day a week educational opportunity. (HC)² has successfully launched a new Monday/Wednesday homeschool collaboration for Middle School and High 8 School students. In partnership with HCS, the homeschool community is offering an exciting, innovative, and unique program that offers families the best attributes of homeschooling combined with the best features of Holland Christian Middle School and Holland Christian High School. The goal of the new program is to offer families a faith-based, quality, cost-effective, college preparatory education in a format that allows parents more flexibility with their schedules. The ultimate goal is to develop students who are prepared spiritually and academically to Holland Christian Schools News & Views October 3, 2013 meet the challenges of college and beyond. The hope is that this uniquely designed program will be beneficial to as many members of the homeschool community as possible. Presently, the blended program is available to any home school student in 7th, 8th, 9th, or 10th grades. Students have the ability to participate in sports, chapel, drama, after-school clubs, events, and activities. Students meet at Holland Christian Schools on Mondays and Wednesdays with instructors providing face to face instruction, class discussions, guided practice with concepts,

9 activities, projects, and study groups. Additionally, the blended approach includes online instruction and lectures allowing students to learn at a time and place that is convenient for them. Students with varied ability levels can adjust the pace depending on their comfort, learning style, and competency. This allows students who need more time to review the material and seek out support from parents or teachers. Likewise, students who progress more quickly can complete assignments ahead of schedule allowing time for outside interests, part-time employment, internships, etc. Students are learning with the assistance of their instructors how to best manage their time and how to best use technology to enhance learning. Parents are key players in this model as well with ongoing communication between parents and instructors being an important component. The blended learning approach helps students develop the tools to succeed in the quickly changing future. This approach allows for group problem solving, creativity, digital, media and technical literacy, critical thinking and reading skills, strong oral and written communication, and mathematical skills. Students will need to develop these skills to adapt and change as new jobs and careers emerge in the years to come. The independence required of a blended approach will foster those skills. Holland Christian welcomes Diane Suigussaar, a twelve year homeschool veteran who also holds a Masters Degree in Educational Leadership as the new (HC)² Middle and High School Program Coordinator. I am truly excited about this opportunity to join hands with Holland Christian as we share a passion for high quality, faith-based education, says Diane. When I read the mission statement of equipping minds and nurturing hearts to transform the world for Jesus Christ, I felt confident that this would be a good fit. For more information, please visit middle_school_and_high_school or contact Diane Suigussaar at [email protected]. Holland Christian Schools News & Views October 3,

10 Meet the Principals of Holland Christian Schools! Holland Christian Schools is composed of five schools. Holland s north side offers Rose Park Christian Elementary School (Preschool-6th Grade) and Holland s south side consists of South Side Christian Elementary (Preschool-2nd Grade,) Pine Ridge Christian Elementary (3rd-6th Grade,) Holland Christian Middle School (7th-8th Grade) and Holland Christian High School (9th-12th Grade.) Here s a look at the people who lead the teachers and students at Holland Christian Schools to equip minds and nurture hearts to transform the world for Jesus Christ. Rose Park Christian Elementary School - Mr. Rod Brandsen Mr. Brandsen graduated from Holland Christian High School, Calvin College, and is in his first year as the principal at Rose Park. He has his Masters in Teaching and Biblical and Theological Studies. Prior to Rose Park, Mr. Brandsen served as the principal at South Side Elementary for three years and taught Bible at Holland Christian High School for 22. He and his wife, Kerri, have had two children graduate from HC and have one current student at HCHS. Mr. Brandsen says that he has been blessed tremendously through teaching, and he enjoys the opportunity to walk alongside the 301 students at Rose Park in preschool through 6th grade. The transition to principal has been fulfilling and he is blessed to meet his former students as parents of students in elementary 10 school. Mr. Brandsen enjoys encouraging and equipping his staff to be their absolute best. I m where God wants me to be, which is a great thing to experience. Shepherding this community of students, parents, and staff, I am honored to be in this position as the principal of Rose Park, he says. Some things that are different at Rose Park are the expansion to upper elementary students as South Side s oldest students are in 2nd grade. Rose Park students are sharing the news that Mr. Brandsen plays Happy Birthday on his trumpet! Last week he played for a student s 7th birthday, and she and her friend giggled all the way back to their classroom. South Side Christian Elementary School - Mrs. Miska Rynsburger Mrs. Rynsburger is a graduate of Holland Christian Schools, Hope College, and she has her Masters in Educational Leadership from Grand Valley State University. After graduation, Holland Christian Schools News & Views October 3, 2013 she taught from 1996 to 2004 before resigning her position to raise her growing family at home. Now that her three young children are enrolled at HC, Mrs. Rynsburger returned for the school year as a 1st grade teacher at South Side. This year Mrs. Rynsburger has a unique position in that she is serving as the principal in the mornings and teaching 1st grade in the afternoons. Mrs. Amanda Bohle is co-teaching with Mrs. Rynsburger and is in their classroom for the morning hours. South Side has 230 students enrolled in preschool programs for 3-year-olds, 4-year-olds, and Young 5 s; kindergarten, 1st, and 2nd grades. Mrs. Rynsburger notes that South Side is a unique educational setting with a specific focus on the young child. She says, This is the best of both worlds; I am able to service the families of this community and the teachers in this building, and also shepherd my own students to grow their gifts and talents in the classroom. I count it as a true privilege and joy that God has called me to work with some of the youngest and most precious members of His kingdom. My goal is to share the love of our great God with students as they learn more about God, themselves, and the amazing world around them. Each student is a dearly loved child of God. It is my prayer that God will continue to use me to be instrumental in developing a personal relationship between each child and our Heavenly Father.

11 He is a graduate of Calvin College and has his Masters in Educational Leadership from Michigan State University. He has three children enrolled at Holland Christian. are able to be involved in after school offer a well-rounded, rich middle school experience. Pine Ridge Christian Elementary School - Mr. Tim Howell Mr. Howell is originally from Ohio and grew up on the east side of Michigan. He is a graduate of Calvin College and received his Masters in Administration and Supervision from Nova Southeastern University in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. He and his wife, Janet, have two daughters who have graduated from Holland Christian Schools. Mr. Howell enjoys the time that the 202 students in 3rd through 6th grades experience at Pine Ridge, especially developing relationships with the students as they move through their upper elementary classrooms is his sixth year as the principal. Prior to that he taught 2nd through 6th grades for many years. I love to grow and learn with kids during this transitional time, says Mr. Howell. As the principal I have the opportunity to build good relationships with students and staff. I am able to relate to teachers, advocate for them, and help to build a top-notch staff that is equipping minds and nurturing hearts to transform the world for Jesus Christ. Pine Ridge Christian Elementary School - Mr. Dan Vos Pine Ridge has team leadership in place this year which includes Mr. Dan Vos, Elementary Coordinator for Instruction and Technology. Mr. Howell and Mr. Vos are collaborating in leadership, which means that their roles and responsibilities crossover in many areas. One of the main areas of focus for Mr. Vos is curriculum, technology, and instructional strategies for teachers. He says, the best part of Holland Christian is working with great teachers and students as we journey to be salt and light to transform the world for Jesus. Holland Christian Middle School - Mr. Mark VanDyke Mr. VanDyke is a graduate of Holland Christian Schools and Calvin College, and has his Masters in Educational Leadership from California State University, Fullerton. After teaching and coaching at schools in Miami, Los Angeles, and Jenison, he was hired as Assistant Principal at Holland Christian High School. He then transitioned into the role of the principal at Holland Christian Middle School, a position he has held for the last twelve years. It is exciting to be a part of a school that encompasses appropriate academic rigor, promotes quality relationships, and allows students to explore their gifts all while recognizing Christ as the center of it all, says Mr. VanDyke. He enjoys leading and encouraging an enthusiastic group of teachers and 209 students in 7th and 8th grades. Life at HCMS is full of opportunities to learn and grow within the school day s academic setting. The abundance of extra-curricular activities that kids Holland Christian High School - Mr. Troy Stahl Mr. Stahl is originally from McBain, Michigan. He is a graduate of Dordt College and received his Masters in Educational Leadership from Grand Valley State University. He has been the principal at Holland Christian High School since Prior to that, Mr. Stahl taught 6th grade science and social studies before moving into his administrative role. He and his wife, Sara, have three sons currently enrolled at Holland Christian Schools. The best part of being the principal at HCHS is working with an amazing group of teachers, a community of extremely supportive parents and grandparents, and the kids at HCHS, says Mr. Stahl. I love every aspect of this school, especially the abundance of extra-curricular activities and events. Students can be involved in athletics, theatre, music, various clubs, and a variety of service opportunities. It is an honor to partner with parents to educate the heart, mind, and soul of the students at Holland Christian. The doors of all Holland Christian Schools buildings are always open as the principals love to give tours and meet with families of the community. If you would like to learn more, please visit contact_us. Holland Christian Schools News & Views October 3,

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