You Don’t Have to Do It Alone  

Everything created has an intended audience; a group of people who will be impacted by a message, a story, an artwork, or a lesson. When the intended message reaches the audience, communication exists in its truest form. There are instances when the message is disconnected from the audience; the words do not reach their target. The message falls flat, the story fails, and the image is barely viewed.
 
One such image that is barely viewed is from Pine Rest Christian Hospital, which rests listlessly on the walls over drinking fountains and next to job promotions. The ad informs that there is help during trying times. Pine Rest, a mental health agency that offers both spiritual and mental health care, has a message for the teens and adults at South Christian High School. It is a message of help and resources for times when life goes awry, circumstances become overwhelming, and the mind becomes lost with anxious thoughts. This provided resource is valuable and necessary for the current times, yet it is how the message is presented that causes the resources to be lost on anyone strolling through the hallways at South.
 
Mrs. VanHaitsma and Mrs. Koetje, the graphic design teachers, decided to change how the message would be presented so that it would reach the target audience. With such an important message during times of uncertainty and intrepidation, the message is vital for all who are in need of help. Who better to create the message for the intended audience than the audience themselves: the students of South Christian?
 
With key information from Pine Rest, and the creativity of students, together, they designed posters to promote the helpful resources available to the South Christian Community. The students, under the guidance of their teachers, researched different mental disorders that peers carry on their shoulders daily, like backpacks. The students designed images that were not only engaging but were also eye-catching and vibrant so that the passerby would be sure to steal a glance. The students work to help other students; the target audience creates the message.
 
The designed posters show precision, talent, and care. While the created images are in the process of being made, the intent and purpose are ready to show an open door between the walls of anxiety and depression. The posters provide help to those who need it and a peace of mind that there are resources available. The example poster shown clearly communicates the purpose and value of the message to the intended audience: the students remind each other that “you do not have to do it alone.”
 
If you are struggling and would like to access resources from Pine Rest Christian Hospital, please call 616-455-9200.

—Ryan VandenHeuvel, English Teacher & TfT Lead

December Exams

Even though our first semester doesn’t end until January 15, many of the first semester exams will take place in December in the three days before the Christmas break. Exam days will be December 18, 21, and 22. The schedule will look like this:

• Exams will be given by hours of the day, with the exact schedule being announced in early November. This schedule is rotated each semester, so please do not assume that a student’s first exam is his/her first hour class, etc.
• The exams given in this schedule are for classes that normally give a cumulative assessment during the exam schedule; classes that have more project-based final assessments will be working on those final assessments in the last days of the semester in January, just as they always have. Teachers will communicate clearly with their students regarding their specific classes and when the final assessment will be.
• Exam days are for exams only; if a student does not have an exam in a specific time slot, he/she will not be required to be at school then.
• If a student ends up with three exams scheduled for Friday, December 18, he/she may request an exemption from Mrs. Wierenga in the Registrar’s office. The emailed student announcements will communicate this information to students in early December.
• Students will be expected to attend and participate in all exams scheduled during these days and may not reschedule exams or plan to be absent.

We have appreciated the opportunities this schedule allows both teachers and students for more meaningful, relevant, and substantive final assessments. In addition, we believe this schedule resolves some of the conflicts that have occurred during exam days in the past and allows families to plan their calendars with minimal disruption to the school schedule.

If you have questions about this schedule, please direct them to the Registrar, Rebekah Wierenga (rwierenga@schs.org).

—Rebekah Wierenga, Registrar

Images of God: Fortress

Scripture: Psalm 91:1-2 “You who live in the shelter of the Most High, who abide in the shadow of the Almighty, will say to the Lord, ‘My refuge and my fortress; my God, in whom I trust.’”
 
Autumn colors, apple orchards, pumpkin spiced lattes, and Reformed theology. While October typically signifies the arrival of Fall, if you have grown up in the Reformed tradition October also means the Reformation. Because of this, Christian Ministries appropriately chose “Fortress” as our Image of God to study in chapel for the month of October. “Fortress” is a powerful image: one of strength, protection, and fortitude. As Martin Luther, one of our favorite Reformers, famously penned, “A mighty fortress is our God, a bulwark never failing; our helper He amid the flood of mortal ills prevailing.” The image of a fortress depicts God as our safe place. He is where we can take refuge when the world is chaotic. By studying God as our fortress, we are reminded that even in these tumultuous and tense times, we have protection and rest in God.

—Arianna Tolsma, Religion Teacher & Chapel Coordinator

Calendar

Special Dates to Note:
October 14 – PSAT (for Juniors)/SAT (for Seniors)
October 16 – Picture Retakes (a.m.)
October 21-23 – No School; CEA Convention

2020-2021 Event Calendar 
2020-2021 Master Calendar 
Monthly Lunch Schedule

Student Picture Retake Day

Friday, October 16
If you missed getting your student I.D./yearbook picture taken or need retakes, please plan to have your picture taken on Friday, October 16.

• Students should ask their classroom teacher to be excused to get their picture retaken between 9:00 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. when it works in their schedule.
• Please watch the weekly announcements for location.
• Take your current proof package back with you if you are having retakes.
• All pictures may be ordered online at GPI (webcode: 2400PCQEIEGHTP)

Please contact Sherri DeVries (sdevries@schs.org or 455-3210 x102) if you have any additional questions.

Senior Picture Requirements for the Yearbook

Class of 2020, as you prepare to take senior pictures, keep in mind the picture requirements for the yearbook. Only head and shoulder poses with muted backgrounds but without hands, hats, and back drops like cars, pets, etc., will be accepted. Ladies, please make sure your straps/blouse are visible in the submitted picture. Vertical/portrait shots are preferred as landscape portraits will be cropped by the yearbook members. Please submit your portraits before January 31 to Kimberly Koetje (kkoetje@schs.org).

Parent Teacher Conferences

Parent Teacher Conferences were originally scheduled for the first week of November. We will be cancelling the November 3 date due to Election Night. The details for Parent Teacher Conferences will be emailed to you in late October and include the meeting dates and how we will implement a virtual format.

• An email will be sent in late October that will allow you to sign up for a time to meet with your teachers. 
• Please only request 3 teachers per student. 
• All conferences will be provided by virtual format this year. 
• Your video conference link will be emailed to you after you have chosen your time to conference.

If you have any questions, please feel free to contact Sherri DeVries (sdevries@schs.org).

Freshmen Chromebook Update

Originally, our freshmen Chromebook shipment was scheduled to arrive at the end of September; but unfortunately, we are going to have to wait a couple more weeks. Our supplier informed us that they should arrive the first or second week of October. Thanks again for your patience and for your willingness to use an older device while we work through this.

Service Hours

South Christian students are required to complete service hours in order to graduate. During the freshmen, sophomore, and junior years, a total of 15 hours of service are required. A Service Hours form is available online or in the display case located outside of the main office. The form outlines a very simple process to report the service hours that have been completed.
 
Parents of seniors, please ask your children if they have completed and turned in their Service Hours form to the main office yet.

Entertainment Book Sale

2021 Entertainment Books are available for $25 in the office from 8:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. Proceeds support SCHS student activities. Great gift idea for friends and family. SPECIAL DISCOUNT: A few of last year's 2020 Entertainment Books with coupons good until 12/30/20 are available in the office for $10, while supplies last.

Food Service News

What a great start to the school year. We are thankful the students are gracious with our lunch options. We are doing our best to offer a variety of meals that meet our quality standards while following all COVID-19 safety protocols. The prominent change is the packaging of food items and the removal of our specialty bars. 
 
Linked below you can find the October menu with the prices listed for specialty items. There is also a link included with the prices of our standard items. That will update from time to time as we offer different snack items. If there are menu changes, we will do our best to have those in the Tuesday Weekly Announcements. The daily menu is also listed on a slide on the monitors throughout the campus and on Instagram.
 
As a reminder, the food service operates using a "cashless" system, so it is important that you keep enough funds in your student's lunch account to pay for his or her purchases. Students are not allowed to pay with cash. The system allows students to go into the negative on a one-time purchase to acquire a basic lunch. The designated email contact will receive a low balance email notification, and the student will not be allowed to make any additional purchases without reconciling their account. You may customize alert settings on the mealtime website. As always, students need to have their PIN number memorized or saved in an accessible location such as their phone to complete a purchase and move the line along smoothly.

You may add funds to this account by sending cash or a check to the school during office hours or by paying online at mymealtime.com. Any funds handed in to the office by break will be in a student's account by lunch. Depositing online shows in the account quickly.

The bookstore is also run out of the cafe location. All Bookstore purchases are cashless and paid through the MealTime account as well.
 
New Allergen Information
Linked below is a list of our commonly prepared entree items. The list identifies the eight most common allergens and if a menu item contains one of these allergens. Please keep in mind that many different foods may be prepared in the kitchen each day, and while we do our best to avoid cross contact of allergens, it is possible. We know allergies vary in severity, so please reach out to us if you have any concerns or questions. If a student has a severe allergy, we ask that a parent or guardian email or call us first so we can discuss the dietary restrictions to ensure we are confident we can serve your student safely. We will accept special food requests for those with less severe food allergies. That may include items such as pulled pork without the bun, a wrap or sandwich without cheese, etc. If you have these types of requests, we ask that they be sent to foodservice@schs.org no later than 7:30 a.m. on the desired day of service. You will receive a confirmation email with pick up instructions. 
 
If you have any questions, please contact Tammi Agar (foodservice@schs.org).

Monthly Lunch Menu
Food Service Price List
Allergen Information

Guidance Office News

National Merit Scholarship Semifinalists Recognition
Recently, the National Merit Scholarship Corporation announced the names of approximately 16,000 Semifinalists in the annual National Merit Scholarship Program. Roughly 1.5 million juniors enter the program by taking the Preliminary SAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test (PSAT/NMSQT). The Semifinalists represent less than one percent of high school seniors. South Christian had one senior qualify as Semifinalist - Ethan Timmer. Congratulations, Ethan, on this recognition!

—Dave DeBlecourt, Guidance Counselor
—Connie Muller, Guidance Counselor

Development Office News

Women’s Golf Outing 
The Women's Golf Outing was a great success! This year 108 women of all ages participated in the outing. Thanks to our sponsors, raffle prize donors, and the women that came to golf; $40,000 was raised for Tuition Assistance. 
 
Save the Date Next year the Women's Golf Outing will be on Tuesday, September 14, 2021 at StoneWater Country Club. The four-person scramble will have a 9:30 a.m. shotgun start followed by lunch and prizes. 

—Sandy Dobbs, Development Director

Music Department News