A Flourishing Community: Reduce, Reuse, Recycle

One of the preschool curriculum units is titled "Reduce, Reuse, Recycle." Throughout this unit, students explore the importance of caring for God’s creation by engaging in hands-on learning centers and even designing their own creations using recycled materials. Mrs. Veldkamp’s class took this learning to the next level by putting reusing and recycling into action! To practice reusing, students brought in books from home that they no longer read. For recycling, they collected over 900 cans, using the funds to ship their books to Books for Africa. Altogether, they gathered over 200 books, and the can collection not only covered the shipping costs but also provided an additional monetary donation!

Learning Beyond the Classroom

At BCCS, just south of central Byron Center, nestled between quiet residential neighborhoods, there lies a hidden treasure—a sprawling outdoor space that is beginning to serve as an extension of our classrooms. While our school buildings provide great spaces for learning, it’s the expansive acreage behind them that has the potential to be an invaluable resource for both teachers and students. With the Teaching for Transformation framework guiding the work, our teachers are reimagining their lessons to give students opportunities to apply their learning in real-world settings. And what better place to do that than outside in God’s creation?

This year, one preschool class has fully embraced the outdoors, with children spending the majority of each day exploring, learning, and growing in the fresh air. Garden beds have taken root at both our buildings, and an outdoor classroom has become a hub for hands-on learning experiences, such as plant identification in sixth-grade science. Third grade also worked to discover interactions between physical and natural characteristics found outdoors. 

Recently, first grade took full advantage of the winter weather, using the snow as a springboard for creativity and learning in order to better engage with the book Snowman in the Night. As part of their study, they learned about the purpose of an author and practiced sequencing words like "first," "next," and "then." To bring these concepts to life, the students ventured outside and built their own snowmen. This activity allowed them to think creatively about their snowmen’s behaviors—what would their snowmen eat, and what would they do when no one was watching? They also practiced spelling the sequencing words out in the snowy woods. 

Once back inside the classroom, students eagerly wrote about their snowmen, using their experiences to create detailed and thoughtful stories. Teachers were impressed at the depth of the writing—an unexpected outcome that illustrated just how powerful learning in context can be. The students’ increased engagement and enthusiasm were clear, as they applied their experience in meaningful ways and honed their sequencing and writing skills.

This simple (and fun) activity is a perfect example of how our teachers are reframing lessons to make learning come alive. Through this hands-on approach, students not only gain academic knowledge but also develop a deeper connection to the world around them, fostering a love of learning. With great teachers and an effective Teaching for Transformation framework, we are working to make BCCS a great place to learn!

Finding the Right School for Your Child: A Helpful Guide for Parents

At BCCS, we often hear from parents and families who are navigating the challenging and important decision of selecting the right school for their children. Whether you’re a first-time parent, looking for a new school, or just trying to make sure you’re making the best choice, we understand how overwhelming the process can be. To help guide you, we’ve put together some tips that other parents have found helpful when searching for the right school for their children.

Take a Tour

One of the most effective ways to get a feel for a school is by visiting in person. Many schools offer open houses or scheduled tours, and we highly recommend taking advantage of this opportunity. A tour will allow you to explore the school’s environment, get a feel for the school culture, and observe how students and teachers interact. This is your chance to ask questions, see classrooms in action, and understand the daily routines.

Ask the Right Questions

As you visit, don’t hesitate to ask any questions that are important to you. The goal is to make sure the school is a good fit for your child. For preschoolers, start with questions about the daily schedule and educational approach. But don’t stop there! Consider asking about:

  • Teaching and Learning Philosophy: What educational methods do they use? How does the school ensure they adhere to their mission and purpose?

  • School Routines: What does a typical day look like? What do students spend time doing?

  • Class Sizes: How many students are in each class? 

  • Teacher Qualifications: What are the teacher's credentials? Why are they passionate about teaching?

  • School Culture: How does the school foster community? Is there a focus on character development?

Understand the Admission Process

Make sure you visit the school’s website to check deadlines, necessary documentation, and any specific steps you need to follow to secure your spot. Here at BCCS, classes for early education often fill, so understanding timing and steps is an important part of the process. To give you a rough idea, many schools open their enrollment windows between January and April. The earlier you start, the better!

Connect with the School and Community 

Don’t make this decision alone! Reach out to friends, neighbors, or other parents who have children attending the schools you’re considering. Their insights can be invaluable—especially when it comes to the day-to-day experience of being a part of that school community. You can also look at social media pages and websites to learn more. In addition, connect with a school representative to discuss everything from educational philosophy to school policies and community engagement.

God calls each family to different paths, and every child has their own unique needs. Take the time to pray, reflect, and trust your instincts about what’s best for your child. You know them best! Take into account factors like your child’s learning style, personality, and any needs or interests that may shape their school experience.

We’re Here to Help

At BCCS, we understand that finding the right school can feel like a big decision—because it is! We are here to walk alongside you through the process, share information, and help you find the best fit for your family. If you’re considering BCCS for your child, or if you just need more guidance in your search, please reach out to Andy Reidsma. He can answer your questions, schedule a visit, and provide personalized assistance as you plan ahead.

Contact Andy Reidsma:
Email: reidsma@bccs.org
Phone: 616.878.3347

Let us help you navigate this exciting step in your child’s educational journey!

Winterim

This school year, BCCS middle school students had the exciting opportunity to participate in a one-of-a-kind week of learning called Winterim. Held in February, Winterim allowed students a unique opportunity to explore God’s world! Students participated in two classes over four days, diving into a wide variety of dynamic and unconventional topics. The aim was to offer a hands-on experience outside the traditional curriculum, fostering growth in education, spirituality, vocation, and culture. By providing these distinctive learning opportunities, we are committed to nurturing lifelong learners who actively engage with and appreciate the world God has entrusted to us.

Winterim courses spanned an array of themes, including career exploration, hobbies, extended language and art learning, and off-campus adventures. Students might have stepped into one room to discover the art of cooking, then walked into another where they were shaping ceramics. Some students designed mini-golf courses, while others dabbled in robotics, explored the possibilities of 3D printing, and even spent time snowmobiling outdoors. With such a diverse mix of activities, Winterim truly offered something for everyone.

Beyond just exploring new interests, this special week also provided an opportunity for students to practice valuable learning habits. They gained firsthand insight into how various skills and talents contribute to God’s greater story. And, most importantly, they had fun doing it!

We are incredibly grateful that our students had the chance to learn in such unique ways and appreciate the hard work of our teachers in bringing Winterim to life. We also want to express our heartfelt thanks to the many community partners who led classes, visited our campus, or welcomed our students on off-campus experiences. Their support was an invaluable part of making Winterim a success!

Place-based Preschool

Each new year brings new students, new learning, and opportunities to see and live God’s story. This fall, we have added another new preschool program to our class offerings. Place-based preschool utilizes current classroom practices and our preschool curriculum while allowing students to learn outdoors or in whatever place best enriches their growth.  

Each day, students spend most of their time outdoors learning in God’s creation and in an indoor classroom when learning would be best there. They have gone on hikes, spent time in the learning pavilion, and utilized the outdoor learning playscape. Learning goals in every program offered at BCCS align, but place-based allows students to grow in unique ways and use natural and community-based resources found at both our campuses and in the greater Byron Center area. Our students will practice seeing and honoring their Creator’s handiwork and taking every thought captive to Christ as they 

work in His Kingdom on our campus and in our community. Teachers and students alike have loved living in God’s story as they spend their days outdoors learning more each day! 

If you want to learn more about this program or any of our early education offerings, contact us today before registration begins this winter!

Giving 100%: A Lesson in Math and Service

At BCCS, we believe that math isn’t just about numbers—it’s about how those numbers help us love God and serve the world around us. Recently, our sixth-grade students experienced this firsthand through a meaningful learning experience led by Mr. Stepanek, who guided them in applying their classroom lessons on percentages to a real-world setting, with a visit to New Life Thrift Store.

After covering the basics of percentages in class, the students headed to New Life Thrift Store to see how these concepts play out in the local community. They started their time with an introduction from the store manager, followed by hands-on work: sorting clothes, inspecting games, placing merchandise on the sales floor, and organizing donations. By engaging in these activities, students gained an understanding of the inner workings of the store and how it serves the community.

The heart of their visit came when they were tasked with a unique challenge. Each student was asked to create outfits from the store’s selection and calculate their total costs. They then compared prices to those of traditional retail stores, applying their knowledge of percentages to determine the savings. This exercise made math tangible, helping them grasp how percentages play a role in everyday decision-making.

The day concluded with a deeper dive into New Life Thrift Store’s operations. They reviewed the store's revenue, examined operational costs such as electricity and heat, and calculated the store’s profit. They learned about the percentage of profits that are donated to local Christian schools, including BCCS. This part of the day showed students the direct impact of financial stewardship and community service.

Returning to school, the students reflected on the importance of stewarding finances wisely, the value of thrift shopping for both individuals and communities, and how they could continue partnering with organizations like New Life Thrift Store in the future.

This experience is a great example of how learning at BCCS equips students with not just academic knowledge, but discipleship skills that prepare them to live a life of service in God’s Kingdom. Through math, service, and reflection, our students are building a better community—one percentage point at a time!