November 26, 2014 Crusader Chronicles

Crusader Chronicles
OSKALOOSA CHRISTIAN SCHOOL
726 North E Street
Oskaloosa, Iowa 52577
UPCOMING EVENTS
Nov. 26
Nov. 27&28
Dec. 1
Dec. 1
Dec. 1
Dec. 1
Dec. 2
Dec. 2
Dec. 2
Dec. 2
Dec. 3
Dec. 4
Dec. 4
Dec. 4
Dec. 5
Dec. 5
Dec. 5
Dec. 6
Dec. 6
Dec. 8
Dec. 8
Dec. 9
Dec. 9
Dec. 9
1:15 dismissal, no Osky buses
No School for Thanksgiving
Clover Kids after school
Spanish Club, 3:15-4:15
BB Practice, 3:20-4:50 girls, 4:50-6:20 boys
GearHEDZ Gray, 3:15-5:00
Mrs. Hanthorn will be at OSCI
Spanish Club, 3:15-4:15
BB Practice, 3:20-4:50 girls, 4:50-6:20 boys
GearHEDZ Robotics Night, 7:00 p.m.
2:15 dismissal w/Osky buses
BB Practice, 3:20-4:50 girls, 4:50-6:20 boys
Geography Bee in 4th-8th Grade Classrooms
GearHEDZ Gray, 3:15-5:00
Christmas Cookie decorating
Classroom Geography Bees for 4th-8th
GearHEDZ Robotics Spirit Day (Orange Day)
Willing Workers Christmas Bake Sale
Robotics Competition
Spanish Club, 3:15-4:15
BB Practice, 3:20-4:50 boys, 4:50-6:20 girls
Girls & Boys BB Games at Twin Cedars, 4:00
Spanish Club, 3:15-4:15
Advancement Committee mailing
Do your holiday baking the easy way!! At the
Oskaloosa Christian School Bake Sale! Next Saturday-December 6, 2014 from 8:00 a.m. – Noon. A large
variety of Christmas goodies will be for sale, including our popular
decorated cookies. Come and enjoy free coffee while you shop.
Invite your friends and family!
We rejoice with Mrs. Anne Van Engen, our Jr. High
Teacher Aide, and her family, for the birth of Elijah
Bradley Van Engen, who was born on Saturday, November 22 at 12:04 p.m. He was 10 lbs., 0.5 oz. and
22 inches long. Mrs. Van Engen’s husband, Pastor
Josh, and her sons, Josiah and Isaiah, were all excited to welcome her and Elijah home. Congratulations
and God’s blessings to your family!
“And now we thank you, our God, and praise your
glorious name.” (1 Chronicles 29:13, English Standard Version)
Our Geography Bee will be held next week Thursday and Friday
for classroom levels in 4th-8th Grades. The top ten winners from
December 4 and 5 will then compete on December 17. The school
champion will have the opportunity to qualify for the state level geography bee by completing and doing well on a written test. Students can practice by following this link: http://www.nationalgeographic.com/geobee/.
November 26, 2014
641-672-2174
www.oskaloosachristian.net
REMINDERS
•The Dutch Peppermints are selling fast! The price is $2 per
box, 6 boxes for $11, or a whole show box (24 boxes) for $44. Stop
in the school office or contact any 8th grader to purchase.
•PLEASE mark Wednesday, December 10 on your calendar to
pick up PartyTime orders after school. It is important that orders
be picked up promptly, as some items are frozen. If this time does
not work for you, please arrange for someone else to pick up your
order. THANKS to all families who participated in this fund-raiser!
•A reminder to families who live outside the Oskaloosa School
District: Your mileage reimbursement forms are due soon. Please
bring them to your residing school district by December 1. Extra
forms are available in our school office if needed.
•Last Friday’s Fall Music Program will be broadcast on MCG
local channel 12 at 4:00 p.m. on November 29, December 6, and
December 13. It can also be viewed online at www.mahaska.org.
•Our next Papa Murphy’s Pizza Day is next Wednesday, December 3. Enjoy delicious, home-baked pizza while supporting our
school!
If you would like to purchase a DVD of last Friday’s Fall
Music Program, please send $5 to the school office
by NEXT Wednesday, December 3,
so we can order a copy for you.
Christmas cookie decorators needed! Please
mark your calendars for Friday, December 5 to join
us in decorating cookies for the Christmas bake
sale. We will be decorating cookies in the school
gym this year, beginning around 8:10 until we finish. All skill levels
are welcome and needed. Child care will be provided. We will also
need help in packaging in the evening.
BUS SCHEDULE: Mark your calendars!
•Wednesday, Dec. 3: 2:15 dismissal, with Osky buses
•Wednesday, Dec. 10: No after-school buses
•Wednesday, Dec. 17: 2:15 dismissal, with Osky buses
•Tuesday, Dec. 22: No Osky buses all day
•Wednesday, Dec. 23: Noon dismissal, No Osky buses all day
2014-2015 School Theme
“The Beatitudes - I Will Live for God”
“Blessed are those who act justly, who always do what is right.”
-Ps. 106:3
November Faith Fact: I will admit my sin and not do it again.
Truth Verse: “Blessed are those who mourn, for they will
be comforted.” Matthew 5:4
Bible Case File: David admits his sin.
-2 Samuel 11:27-12:13
HAPPY BIRTHDAY!
November 29
December 1
December 4
Half Birthdays:
June 3
June 4
June 4
June 5
TRIP
Darian Tremmel
Emma Kelderman
Blake Meinders
Emma Veenstra
Will Campbell
Ian Fay
Katie Spoelstra
(Tuition Reduction Incentive Program)
TRIP orders are due by Noon in the office on these dates:
December 1, 8, 15 (last order before Christmas)
Bonuses:
Shutterfly @ 11% thru 12/1
Kwik Trip @ 9% thru 12/31
Bass Pro @ 13% thru 12/15
Pizza Ranch gift cards @ 7% rebate are
now available in Cash & Carry, and can
be used at any Pizza Ranch location. We
will no longer be providing Pella Pizza
Ranch gift certificates.
All AVON
orders $20 and
above during the
months of November and December will qualify for a drawing
of a special basket of skin care
products.
CHRISTMAS IS COMING!
I know it is hard to believe, but there are
only 3 more order dates until Christmas. Please be thinking
about that as you plan your holiday ordering – We really don’t
want to be placing all orders during the week of December 15!
If you have any questions about our TRIP program,
please contact Rachel Yang at 295-1813.
Next week we will be celebrating the GearHEDZ Robotics program at Oskaloosa Christian!
•Robotics Night will be held next Tuesday at
7:00 p.m. A presentation of the Robotics program, from all teams, will be given for anyone
who is interested in learning more.
•On next Friday, December 5, we will celebrate GearHEDZ
Robotics Spirit Day. We encourage all students to wear orangecolored clothing in support of the team’s competition on December 6. They will also be giving presentations to various grade
levels during the day.
A BIG thanks to all the coaches and helpers who have been working with our three robotics teams this year, and to Vickie Van Donselaar for being our coordinator!
KISS FM Radio Station 101.5 recently recorded Thanksgiving
statements by a dozen Oskaloosa Christian School students.
Listen to the station at 8:00-9:00 a.m., 11:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m., or
7:00-8:00 p.m. on the 26th through the 28th, and you could hear
your little darling spout-out his or her reasons for thanksgiving!
I, Dr. Bob, am pleased to report that the offering for the Thanksgiving Program was $1,514.70! Praise God from Whom all blessings flow! Praise Him all creatures -- here, below! Praise Him
above, ye heavenly hosts! Praise Father, Son, and Holy Ghost!
Amen! The offering will support the music fund of Oskaloosa Christian School!
HOT LUNCH MENU
Dec. 1-5
MON: Hamburger/Cheeseburger on WG bun, Fries, Baked Beans, Peaches
TUES: Chicken Soup, Carrots w/peanut butter, Mandarin Oranges, Cinnamon Roll
WED: Tuna Noodle Casserole, Broccoli w/cheese sauce, Apple Slices, Roll
THURS: Spaghetti w/meat sauce, Green Beans, Pineapple, French Bread
FRI: Chicken Wrap w/cheese on WG tortilla, Lettuce, Tater Tots, Apple Slices
(milk included with every meal)
PARENTS are invited to join us for our annual Christmas chapel
and dinner on Friday, Dec. 12! A Christmas chapel will be held at
11:00 (monthly chapel presented by 7th grade), followed by a delicious dinner prepared by Carol and Linda. A freewill offering will be
collected to cover the cost of the meal.
We will be sitting by families again this year. Due to the large number of people who attend our Christmas dinner, we request that the
students of each family have only 2 guests. Since we are planning
a special day for grandparents to visit in April, the Christmas Dinner
is a time reserved for parents only. However, if parents are not able
to come, we encourage grandparents or another guest to join us
instead. We also realize there may be special circumstances to allow for additional guests, which can be approved by the classroom
teachers. To make your reservations, do not call the school kitchen,
but call or e-mail the teacher of your oldest child. Make plans
now to join us!
Enjoy these Thanksgiving Thoughts
from some of our 3rd graders!
“This Thanksgiving season, I am thankful for the Bible. I am
also thankful for a roof over my head. This Thanksgiving I am
blessed with God and my relationship with him. Along with God
I am thankful for Jesus dying on the cross to get me to heaven.
Another thing I am thankful for is cousins, aunts, uncles, moms,
dads, grandmas and grandpas, and so on and so forth. Then
again I am thankful for food, water and enough money to buy
those things.” -Kimber Van Engelenhoven
“This Thanksgiving season, I am thankful for Jesus because he
died on the cross for us. If he didn’t do that for me, I would not
be here right now. But he did so I can live life and praise him
and have fun with my family.” - Karic Stout
“This Thanksgiving season, I am thankful for Jesus dying for our
sins. Of course I’m thankful for my family, especially my friends,
and my mom and dad because they are really supportive. I’m
thankful for food and water. Another thing I’m thankful for is
shelter, and school so I can learn. I’m thankful for all the seasons, clothes, and church, and there are many more.”
-Amari Trujillo
“This Thanksgiving season I am thankful for God’s Holy Bible.
I’m also grateful for friends to keep me happy in my life. Oh
then, now my favorite, my Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, the
one I love. Also food and shelter so I can be safe. Finally, my
favorite people in my life to warm and comfort me.”
-Sophia Boonstra
“This Thanksgiving I am thankful for all of the animals. Also I am
thankful for my family including my brother and sister. Next I am
blessed with a warm house, terrific school, and friendly church.
Finally, I am thankful for Jesus.” – Lexie Bryan
THE DOCTOR IS IN
I didn’t want you to be surprised by a personnel change at Oskaloosa Christian; hence, the reason for this blurb of the newsletter. With the departure of an elementary student three weeks
ago, 1-to-1 Associate Aimee Higgins was without an assignment. Aimee was being courted by other employers during this
time period, but she preferred staying at Oskaloosa Christian.
As a more senior Associate, Aimee is able to “bump” a less senior employee, and, regrettably, through no “fault” of her own,
Lorrie Hamilton will be replaced by Aimee, effective December
1, 2014. Lorrie has been the consummate professional during
the period of time when this was a possible personnel move,
and I want to thank her publicly for everything she has done to
serve her student, other students, Ruth De Bruin, Lois Harris,
and so many other OSCI staff members, including me. Would
you please wish Lorrie well at the point of her departure from
OSCI, and would you please pray for a smooth transition with
Aimee and her new student? Thank you, and THANK YOU,
LORRIE!
Only 1 month of the calendar year remains for you to determine
how your 2014 state tax dollars will be distributed? What do we
mean by that? If you give a donation to the Legacy of Grace
School Tuition Organization, you will receive a 65% state tax
credit and federal deduction, and OSCI students who qualify will
receive needs-based scholarship dollars. For instance, if you
owe the State of Iowa $650 for 2014, and record a $1,000 donation to the LOG STO, you will owe the state $0. We can’t leave
a single tax credit on the table, because we want the Iowa Legislature to see how important these funds are to families who have
a desire for their children to receive a Christ-centered education, but who otherwise would not be able to afford such schooling. For more information on making a LOG STO contribution,
please contact Joel Groenenboom (641-673-6913) or Dr. Bob
(641-672-2174).
Are you truly thankful on the eve of this Thanksgiving? Please
click on the link to the following video, very appropriately shared
by Sixth Grade Teacher Renee Van Kooten during staff devotions on Monday!
https://skitguys.com/videos/item/give-thanks
The Principals of the area Christian schools are seeking input
about the guidance services provided by Guidance Counselor
Sheryl Hanthorn. The following link is available to give your
input by December 5th. Thank you!
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1JU4KuVamXNaLEHdeQrYD
ulCLy4KEUo_NJK1ZYZ95EQk/viewform
STARTLING STATISTICS: “The life expectancy gap between
the affluent and the poor and working class in the U.S. has
reached 12 years. College-educated men can expect to live to
age 80, while counterparts without a high-school diploma die by
age 67. Women with a college degree have a life expectancy of
nearly 84, while women without high school diplomas have a life
expectancy of 73.” (SOURCE: Aeon.com, 2014)
“The Font That Could Help Dyslexics Read Better”
By Parvati Shallow CBS News November 11, 2014
http://www.cbsnews.com/news/the-font-that-helps-dyslexicsread-better/
What a privilege to be asked by Steve Boender to be one of
his several guests at the Iowa FAMiLY Leader fundraising event
featuring Dr. Ben Carson as speaker at the Airport Holiday Inn
in Des Moines, Iowa on Saturday, November 22, 2014. Steve
is a member of the IFL Board, providing godly leadership for
this strong and influential organization, representing Oskaloosa
and Iowa so very well. Note the lower-case i in “FAMiLY.” You
and “I” must humble ourselves and work in concert as a family
in the body of Christ. If you are interested in my summary of
Dr. Carson’s message, “Freedom Is Not Free,” please visit my
blogsite: http://drbobinc.wordpress.com/2014/11/23/freedomis-not-free/.
William Penn University is partnering with Drake University’s
South Central Science-Technology-Engineering-Mathematics
(STEM) hub to bring a “Make-and-Take Night” to Penn’s campus. The goal of the night’s activities is for adults to inspire the
younger generation of students through STEM activities. The
Make-and-Take Night is not a family festival; it is a resource for
teachers, home school parents, youth group leaders, and day
care providers. Those who attend will walk away with examples
and lessons they can share with the children and young adults
with whom they have influence. The Make-and-Take Night is set
for Tuesday, January 27, 2015 from 6:00-8:00 p.m. in the Pen
Activity Center on teh William Penn University campus. Those
interested in presenting or attending should visit scstemhub.
drake.edu or contact Professor Breanne Garrett (garrettb@wmpenn.edu or 641-673-1120).
I accompanied the 8th graders for the annual 8th grade visitation day at Pella Christian High School on Tuesday, November 25, 2014. Parents may be interested in what the students
experienced on that day. My summary of the orientation activities is accessible at my blogsite: http://drbobinc.wordpress.
com/2014/11/25/eighth-grade-visitation-day-at-pella-christianiowa-high-school/.
Patti and I have recently been seeing a steady flow of students
who have wanted to check for fevers and go home with the flu.
On Tuesday of this week, a kindergartener thought he was going to throw up, so he remained vigilant on the couch, with a
small waste can at his side. At one point, he ventured into my
office, where I was working at my desk. He asked, “What are
you doing?” I said, “I’m trying to make the school an even better
school.” Pretty good answer, I thought. Perplexed by my answer, he responded, “I thought you just cared for sick students.”
I was a little slow on the uptake. Then it dawned on me. He
thought I was a medical doctor (perhaps even a notion I had
previously planted in his brain). I said, “I’m not a medical doctor.
I have a degree called the Doctor of Philosophy.” Undeterred,
he said, “Well, if you ever leave the school, please move over to
the clinic, because I live right across the street, and could just
walk over to see you then when I’m sick.” What I had there was
a failure to communicate. Out of the mouth of babes come the
most enjoyable comments.
“Oh give thanks to the Lord , for he is good;
for his steadfast love endures forever!”
(1 Chronicles 16:34, English Standard Version)
At this Thanksgiving season, I am grateful for the opportunity to
be the Principal of Oskaloosa Christian School, specifically, and,
generally, an educator in God’s Kingdom. I am sure you have
heard me proclaim that I am the fifth generation teacher, and my
daughter Molly is the sixth generation instructor in our family.
Often, teachers must wait many years to learn of their impact on
students, parents, and teachers. I had just such a moment on
this past Saturday night. I was attending an event with 900 other
people in Des Moines. I moved to Des Moines in 1992 to serve
as Principal of Urbandale High School. A former UHS parent
walked up to me. I’ve stayed in touch with her and her husband
over the years, especially since I love both of them, their daughter, and son; and this couple lives in my same neighborhood.
She knew I was in Oskaloosa now. She told me that I would
have to “quit moving around” professionally, because wherever
I eventually landed, a portion of her estate would be gifted to
that school. I was dumbfounded. What does a man say at that
moment. I wanted to cry. For once, I was fairly speechless, but
God gave me the words. I HUMBLY expressed by sincere appreciation for such a magnanimous gesture and reinforced my
high regard for her and her husband, who was standing there
with her. I don’t tell this story to be a braggart. I share it as an
example of God’s faithfulness, Who works in and through each
one of us. God brought this incredible moment to me as a reminder that I must be diligent in following Him wholeheartedly,
preserving my testimony to my dying breath. At the end of our
lives, we should all want to hear the Lord Jesus Christ say
to us, “Well done, good and faithful servant! Well done!
Now, go and inherit the joy of My eternal Kingdom!”
Praising God at the Fall Music Program!
What an amazing Thanksgiving event on Friday, November
21st! I can see why everyone raved about the program in advance of the performances. OSCI Board Member B.J. Boender
said a person asked him after the production whether I truly
meant what I said about this being THE most Christ-centered
program I had ever seen. Some people mistake my enthusiasm
as being a bit over-the-top, but I meant every word of that statement. This is my 15th year in Christian education, and I was
absolutely astounded by the beauty of the program. I am so
glad that I skipped the hall of fame induction of my high school
football coach in favor of this incredible experience!
The concert brought forth a true team effort!
Vocal Director Megan Boender had the fifth through eighth
graders prepped well for Scripture-saturated lyrics; she was
right that all of the music naturally related to the school's Beatitudes theme.
The jazz bands and concert bands, under the direction of Angie
Dawson, were superb; a grandmother near me leaned over during a break in the band numbers and said, "I have heard some
high school bands which are not as good." Exactly right.
And the Elementary students sang, moved, and signed better than any I have ever seen. Their enthusiasm was literally
palpable, and I was treated to a "mini-concert" myself, sitting
so closely to Grades K-4 Music Teacher Cheryl Groenebom,
whose angelic voice was the perfect accompaniment to the program; I know you are envious.
How awesome to see the gym filled with beaming parents and
grandparents; I understand why you are proud of your kids and
grandkids. I certainly appreciated everyones' help in racking
chairs and equipment after the production.
I so appreciated the teachers' and associates' extra service to
the school by supervising their students and accompanying everyone onstage! I do not take their efforts for granted.
Don Houk did a great job with all of the moving parts of the
sound!
We thank the Mahaska Communications Group (MCG) for loaning their excellent equipment to us, and we thank Denise Vermeer, who taped the program for later MCG viewing!
I was thrilled to see Tanya accompanying the junior high choir on
the piano -- AND all of the teachers onstage colorfully adorned
with the chapel groups for the closing theme song.
Junior High Teacher Renee Van Kooten played "wedding planner" to the nth degree, getting people out of rooms, into rooms,
into the gym, and out of the gym with great efficiency. The
program was a perfect length, in my humble opinion; I've seen
music concerts which drone on and on and on, only frustrating everyone in the audience, perhaps even, sometimes, the
performers.
The body of Christ was definitely working well on Friday night!
All of the parts brought renown to the Lord Jesus Christ. To
Him be all praise and honor and glory! On the heels of this
marvelous program, I pray you experience MUCH JOY during
this Thanksgiving break!