New Orchestra Program!

This year, for the first time, Byron Center Christian School (BCCS) is offering orchestra as an option in our music program. We currently have 21 brave 5th and 6th graders in our orchestra which includes 12 violins, 2 violas, 6 cellos and 1 bass. Director Ashley Kooistra stated that “It's a blessing for BCCS to finally have an orchestra program alongside band and choir.” The goals of the BCCS orchestra program are to ensure students grow as musicians and as children of God, and build community by sharing the joy of music with others.

Our orchestra performed in the 5th and 6th Grade Christmas Concert and will perform for Grandparents’/Special Friends’ Day. They will also have the opportunity to perform side-by-side with the South Christian High School orchestra, an experience we hope will build community between schools and allow students to witness what they will be capable of in a few short years.

Miss Kooistra also commented, “It touches my heart how excited and enthusiastic these kids are about orchestra, and I'm excited I get to share my love of orchestra with them. It's evident that these students are going to set a strong foundation for the BCCS orchestra program. Some are already teaching their younger siblings how to play their instruments! I can't wait to see what God has in store for our orchestra program, and how He will use it for His glory.” 

We eagerly anticipate seeing how this new program will grow and impact our students and our school!

Science Learning Updates

BCCS uses Cereal City Science for its science instruction across all grade levels. This year, staff is introducing Next Generation updated curriculum. The goal is to incorporate even more hands-on learning and critical thinking in the subject area, especially in our elementary grade levels. Students are also able to use more engineering and math skills because the updates better incorporate those components in the lessons. For example, in the second grade Physical Science unit on Structures and Properties of Matter, students were given materials to build a “prototype” to accomplish a particular task. After direction from the teacher, students broke into work groups, created designs, and built their “prototypes.” To conclude their work, they presented their ideas, tested their products in front of the class and collaborated on what worked (or did not work) and why. 

Watching the lesson, it was awesome to see the students so focused in their group work and excited for one another’s success in the testing stage. 

As the school year continues, we look forward to the continued improvements in our science-specific learning!

From the Principal's Desk: Merry Christmas

As Christmas quickly approaches, so have the festivities celebrating Jesus’ birth at BCCS. Several programs and chapels have led our students and families closer to the celebration of our Savior’s birth.  Our Christmas celebrations at school will end this week but will continue in your churches and with family and friends. With the advent themes of hope, peace, joy and love, we are blessed to be able to celebrate the most wonderful gift we were given.

Each day is a gift, as is each day we share God’s love with your children. However, the Christmas season provides a wonderful opportunity to guide our students’ hearts toward the true gift of Christmas. We are blessed to have students eager to share in this love at BCCS.

As we reflect this advent season, it is easy to get caught up in the Christmas celebrations, but let us not lose sight of how our God became man and was born in a manger. The image of Christ, the Prince of peace and King of kings, being born as a baby in such humble surroundings, is a beautiful reminder of His love.

I pray you and your family might find peace, hope, joy and love throughout the remainder of the Christmas season. 

Merry Christmas!

James Onderlinde

New Preschool and Kindergarten Programs!

Byron Center Christian School is excited to announce that we will be offering new early education programs for the 2020-2021 school year. These will be in addition to the classes we currently offer. Details and information on all programs can be found on our website under the ‘Academics’ tab.

In preschool, we will now be offering a full-day class option. It will be held five days per week from 8:30 to 3:30 (the same hours as elementary school). If five days are not needed, parents will have the option to enroll their child in full-days on M/W/F or T/TH. This is a multi-age classroom, meaning it is for both three and four-year-olds. Children must be potty trained and three years old on or before 9/1/2020. Tuition for full-day preschool will be the same as tuition for kindergarten and prorated if choosing the two or three day option. Like our current preschool classes, students will learn from a qualified, certified teacher, using the Creative Curriculum for Preschool. 

In kindergarten, we are excited to add a progressive kindergarten class option. Students in this class will begin at three days per week (M/W/F), add a fourth day in November, and then a fifth day in March. Families will still be able to choose part-time or full-time kindergarten, but now will have the option of enrolling in progressive if they would prefer that for their child. The other change is that part-time kindergarten will be offered only on M/W/F from 8:30 to 3:30 each day.

Finally, the West Campus will feature a before and after-school care program for all preschool and kindergarten students. Before-school care will run from 7:30 to 8:15 and after-school care will run from 3:30 to 5:30. Rates for these programs will be finalized in the spring. Currently, before and after-school care will only be offered at the West Campus. 

If you have questions about these programs, please contact Andy Reidsma by calling 878-3347, emailing reidsma@bccs.org or just stop by the office. As a reminder, priority registration for preschool will open December 16 and registration for all preschool and kindergarten classes will open January 14. Reserve your class space before they fill or share the information with friends, family or co-workers looking for a school home for their children!

Preschool and Kindergarten Open House and Registration!

The Byron Center community is invited to our Preschool and Kindergarten Open House and Registration Night on Tuesday, January 14 from 6:30 to 8:00 PM. The event is held at our early education campus, which is located at 8705 Byron Center Ave SW. The evening is an opportunity for new families to tour the campus, meet the teaching staff, and register for a class of preference. 

Come with your child(ren) to register, explore classrooms on a self-guided tour, get information and meet our amazing teaching staff. 

Contact Andrew Reidsma at 878-3347 or reidsma@bccs.org with questions. If you cannot attend that evening, registration is electronic, so you can be emailed the form. You can also schedule a personal tour of our preschool and kindergarten campus anytime to learn all the great things about BCCS!

Please note that some classes may fill that evening, so come with a few options on which class you would prefer. More details on our programs can be found under the ‘Academics’ tab on our website. 

Who: Everyone (your children are invited as well)

What: BCCS Preschool and Kindergarten Open House and Registration Night

When: Tuesday, January 14 from 6:30 - 8:00 PM

Where: Early Education Campus, 8705 Byron Center Ave SW, Byron Center, MI 49315

Why: Discover the difference an authentic Christian education can have on your children and learn how BCCS is the best investment you can make for your family

Questions: Contact Andrew Reidsma at 878-334 or reidsma@bccs.org

WE LOOK FORWARD TO SEEING YOU THERE!

BCCS Announces Priority Registration

Priority registration for Byron Center Christian Preschool begins Monday, December 16. Priority registration is available to current BCCS families as well as future forever families (anyone who plans to attend BCCS beyond preschool). It allows those families to reserve a space in a preschool class before registration opens to the general public. All current preschool families will receive an email to register that morning; if you would like to register your preschool-age child, contact Andy Reidsma to make sure you receive the email as well. 

Consider sharing this information with anyone else in your circle of influence who is looking to provide an excellent Christian education for their children. If you know anyone who fits this description of forever family (church friends, neighbors, relatives, co-workers, etc.), please have them contact the office so they can get on the class list before preschool registration is available to the rest of the community in January. 

Our Preschool and Kindergarten Open House for new families or families not yet decided on where they will send their children will be January 14 at 6:30 PM. 

If you are unclear about the choices for your child’s educational future, please call, email, or stop by to see Andy Reidsma at any time. We want you to feel confident of the path your child is on here at BCCS. 

Finally, we highly recommend a campus tour for any family considering BCCS. If you or a family you know would prefer a personal tour of either (or both) of our campuses, please call or email to schedule one. As always, if you need anything else or have questions, please let us know!

From the Principal's Desk: Reasons to be Thankful

It is the season of giving thanks. We have so much to be thankful for every season of the year, but Thanksgiving is a time to spend a little more time reflecting on the many areas in our lives where we can be thankful. There have been countless things to be thankful for this month, including musical performances, the book fair, athletic events, chapels, Moms in Prayer, and the Staff Encouragement Team (SET) here at school who continually bless our staff. I am thankful for all the additional groups and events that support the growth and development of our students.

I am thankful for our veterans. To all of our parents and family members who serve, or have served, to defend and protect our freedoms, we thank you for your service and sacrifice for our nation.

I’m also thankful for all our parents and teachers who are so vested in the lives of our students, which was evident over parent teacher conferences. Thank you for taking the time to talk about your children with our teachers. The BCCS staff is grateful for the opportunity to partner with you in their successes and challenges, as we strive to help your children reach their potential.

Over these last days of the month, be sure to look for the little things and appreciate the big things that we have to be thankful for. God is good! His faithfulness, in both the good and bad times, is evident in all things.

Blessings,

Mr. Onderlinde

Athletics Update: Fall 2019

Check out the update from each of our coaches on the fall sports seasons. We are grateful for successful seasons and blessed with passionate coaches and dedicated parents! 

8th Grade Volleyball

"The eighth grade girls volleyball team had a tremendous season. They were undefeated in our league this year with a record of 9-0. The Lady Bobcats finished up their season with a tournament. The girls defeated Adams Christian in the semi-final game and then went on to defeat Zeeland Christian in dramatic fashion in three games to win the set and the championship! This year's girls were full of competitive spirit and determination. Congratulations, ladies, well done!!"

Coach Mindy 

7th Grade Volleyball

"7th grade volleyball's season record was 2 losses, 4 ties, and 3 wins. It was a fun season with many close games and great competition. We were even able to end our season on a win! The girls' energy and overall play increased wonderfully throughout the season. Their great sportsmanship and Christ-like attitudes were noted by every opposing coach we faced. I am so proud of the time and hard work the girls put in this season. Great work, ladies!"

Coach Jenna 

Boys Soccer

"The boys soccer team finished the season 4-5-1. The boys worked very hard and played together as a team every game. With many close games, the win/loss record does not reflect the great play that occurred. We want to thank the eighth graders for their great leadership and encouragement for the team."

Coach Brent 

Art Outside the Classroom

All Byron Center Christian School, students begin taking art class starting in kindergarten. Students learn many things and practice many different skills during their time at BCCS. Something our art teacher, Mrs. Bergsma, does very well is helping students create content that will be shared in our community. Whether students submit Art Prize entries or have work displayed in the Byron Township Library, they have lots of opportunities to showcase their skills. 

The latest project students participated in was Feast for the Eyes, which is displayed at the Downtown Market. Check out the videos to see their projects come to life!

Protect Young Eyes

Every year our 6th grade students are given their own Chromebooks to use at school and home. Students are always excited when they receive their own laptop. For our teaching staff, there are so many uses in the classroom that help improve instruction. They allow us to research different perspectives on topics, access information, create digital content, and so much more.  Technology can be such a wonderful teaching tool, but it also can be misused if not managed correctly.

Part of that management process is bringing in an outside resource to help guide the use of the laptops. Middle school staff partners with an organization called Protect Young Eyes to help parents and teachers be equipped to support their children’s use of technology. 

We want technology to be a resource for our students, but also want to make sure students stay digitally safe!

For more information and resources, check out their website or Facebook page!