Winterim: New Ways of Learning!

This February, BCCS sixth through eighth-grade students had the opportunity to participate in a one-of-a-kind week of learning called Winterim. Held last week, Winterim once again gave students the opportunity to step outside the traditional classroom experience and into something dynamic and hands-on. Over four days, students participated in two courses of their choosing, diving into subjects that sparked curiosity and expanded their understanding of learning, vocation, faith, skills, and culture.

Winterim courses spanned an array of themes, including career exploration, hobbies, extended language and art study, and off-campus adventures. From culinary creations to ceramics, from community service to experimenting with 3D printing, the variety of offerings ensured that every student could explore an interest or try something entirely new. Some embraced outdoor adventures like snowmobiling, while others explored artistic talents or future career pathways. The energy throughout the week was contagious, as learning spaces buzzed with creativity, collaboration, and discovery.

Winterim is more than just a break from routine. It is an intentional opportunity for students to develop lifelong learning habits, to see how their unique gifts and talents fit into God’s greater story, and to experience the joy of learning in new ways. It challenges students to be curious, courageous, and engaged participants in the world around them.

We are so grateful that our students had the chance to learn in such unique ways, and we 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 for off-campus experiences. Their support was an invaluable part of making Winterim a success.

A Flourishing Community: Plants, Podcasting, and a Slice of Heaven

Slice of Heaven

As part of social studies learning, Mr. DeVries helped students connect how the United States colonies shared similar cultural, political, and economic values as England, just as God’s people should share the same love, Spirit, and goodness found in Heaven. If we are a colony of heaven, that should have some implications! Students were challenged to bring restoration and attributes of Heaven to the relationships they have on Earth.

In response, they filled out a three-week calendar with a different challenge each week and a different task each day. The goal was simple: bring a slice of Heaven to those around them with simple acts of kindness.

Social studies learning in Mr. DeVries’ class connects to the storyline of “Delight Grow and Go”. This unit allowed students to specifically think about growing to be intentional and to go and act, even in seemingly small ways, to share Christ’s love here on Earth. 

Podcasting and Voice 

In informational writing, eighth-grade students practiced researching, synthesizing information, and more, with their learning centered on the topic of sustainability. Recognizing the importance of stewarding both creation and resources in our own lives, students chose a topic they felt passionate about (sports, fishing, hunting, clothing, etc.) and developed a podcast that explained an issue and how to engage in these activities in a more sustainable way. Working with a partner, students researched their chosen topics,  learned the basics of podcasting, recorded a session, and edited it to produce high-quality work. Writing and researching are essential skills, but so is creatively sharing what is learned!

Planting Community

Throughout the year, kindergarten students explore what it means to Shine for Christ. In recent FLEx work, students connected their classroom learning to service through an integrated study of science, art, and faith.

Guided by Mrs. Battjes and Mrs. Clousing, students reflected on how God created each person uniquely. Students created artwork highlighting things they are good at and things that are hard for them, celebrating how God uses our differences to bless others. As part of their science curriculum, students studied plants by collecting flowers and greenery found around BCCS. They practiced being creation enjoyers as they observed God’s world, and they were beauty creators as they pressed and dried flowers. Students then created pinch pots and used their flowers to decorate them.

To extend their learning, the finished pots were delivered to Rising Kites (a coffee shop that provides employment and job training to individuals with intellectual disabilities while fostering community) as a gesture of encouragement and gratitude, allowing students to share their gifts with the community and live out what it means to Shine for Christ.

The World of Learning

The following article contains a fascinating summary of a variety of educational topics. While only one outside resource, Edutopia shares about some prevalent topics. This website is not a guiding tool for BCCS, but it was great to see reinforcement of our decisions on things such as cell phone policy, learning improvement goals, time outside, and the vital role of a Christian teacher! 

Check out the full findings here!

A Flourishing Community: Puzzles, Water, and Beauty!

Pieces of the Puzzle

During middle school small groups and elementary family groups, students spend time together deepening their faith and building community. Last week, all first through eight grade learners gathered to create puzzle pieces, with each piece listing both talents and challenges. It was powerful to observe learners hear from peers about their gifts, and also personally reflect on their own growth opportunities. The finished puzzle pieces are displayed in our hallway as a symbol of a Christ-centered community.

“Now you are the body of Christ, and each one of you is a part of it.” 1 Corinthians 12:27

Water!

As our place-based preschool class went through their water study, students engaged in a wide range of fun and meaningful learning activities, from playing in water to building a rain barrel. They also explored why clean water is so important.

To extend learning and share God’s love, teachers challenged students to earn coins for Filters of Hope by completing acts of service outside their normal routines. Children got busy emptying the dishwasher, bringing in wood for a fire, organizing shoes and coats, washing windows, helping grandparents, and more! At school, students eagerly shared how they helped at home and used their earned coins to purchase four water filters for people in need! Our preschoolers reflected that helping others made them feel good. 

This experience is a great example of how teachers design learning that is engaging, meaningful, and connected to real needs so that students see AND live God’s story. Great work, preschoolers!

Beauty Creators 

Congratulations to our talented 1st–8th grade students and to our creative art teachers, Mrs. Bergsma and Mrs. Bruinsma! Their mixed-media artwork, Love Your Neighbor, received the highest number of votes from attendees at the Christian art exhibit, Colors of Praise. The students voted to use their cash prize to purchase food items for our Buist giving project. This piece will be hung in our East Campus conference room!

A Flourishing Community

Celebration of Learning 

Our fifth-grade students recently completed a FLEx (Formational Learning Experience) in which they wrote “stories of hope” and shared that work with individuals undergoing cancer treatment. To conclude the project, they welcomed more than 70 guests to a special Celebration of Learning. Attendees heard about the students’ learning outcomes, listened to the students’ stories, and joined together in prayer over the books. It was a powerful time of reflection on God’s perspective and a joyful celebration of how He will use these stories to bring hope and encouragement to others!

Thankful Writing

Our first graders have been learning how to write prayers of thankfulness to God and how to use their words to encourage others. To put this into practice, they visited Railside, where they sang, prayed, and helped build community with residents. Students shared their Bible memory work as well as the prayers they had written. Later, they took time to reflect on the experience:

• “I felt warm and good….I was surprised by the sucker.” (one resident shared a treat)

• “God felt really happy. We were saying His words.”

• “We could get to know more people.”

• “One person said she would hang my picture in her room!”

We are Learners

Our students are learners, and so is our staff! Last month, teachers focused on strengthening practices that improve the student experience. They explored new ways to use assessments to better support individual learners, and they designed FLEx (Formational Learning Experiences) that help students grow as disciples. They even braved the wild weather to walk the trails and visit three outdoor learning spaces. We are grateful for dedicated professionals who love God and love helping students thrive!

A Flourishing Community

Snapshots of life at BCCS and why it is a great place to learn!

Storyline in Music

Miss Davis shares her love of music with nearly all our students, teaching both Music and Choir. Her storyline “Why Worship?” invites students to reflect more deeply on their participation and motivation. Here are a few thoughtful middle school reflections on "Why Worship?":

-I worship because God heals and even when I’m in my lowest of lows, God takes me to the highest of highs. 

-I worship because I have a God who deserves everything we can give Him

-I worship because it’s my time with God and a way to get away from the world. 

-I worship because it's the least I can do to thank God for saving me. 

-I worship because God held my hand through my hardships and troubles 

Social Studies Past and Present

Early this trimester, BCCS parent, veteran, and author Ron Jansen visited our eighth-grade classrooms to share about his time serving in the United States Marine Corps. Mr. Jansen not only offered powerful stories from his service but also reminded our students of the importance of supporting veterans within our community. While daily activities such as conducting research, reviewing primary sources, and creating fictional soldiers engaged learners, his message connected to our students’ study of the Civil War and their 60-Year Learning Targets of recognising that all people are made in God’s image and demonstrating courage and grace in serving others.

We’re so grateful to Mr. Jansen for his service and for inspiring our students to learn, reflect, and live out their faith in meaningful ways!

Math Counts

We are grateful to New Lift Thrift Store for many reasons! Early this month, it was because our students were able to visit as an extension of their math learning. Sixth-grade students are using their understanding of percentages and proportions to find the savings realized by shopping at New Life Thrift Store. They compared the prices of used clothes to those of new ones. They talked about the importance of reusing. And they also volunteered at the store as members of the community! 

Invitation to The Story

At BCCS, we believe every child is part of God’s Big Story, a story of creation, brokenness, and redemption through Jesus. We want students to see how their learning helps them live out that story each day. One way we do this is through classroom Storylines that help connect all learning to who God is and who He’s calling them to be.

Third Grade: Rooted, Growing, Loving
Mrs. Konydyk's class kicked off their year with a nature walk, looking closely at the plants and trees around our school. As they explored, they noticed the roots, how they hold the plants up, give them strength, and help them grow. Back in the classroom, students reflected on how being “rooted in Christ” gives us that same kind of strength and stability. This Storyline, Rooted, Growing, Loving, will guide their year. As students learn math, read stories, and explore the world, they’ll also be asking: How is my learning rooted in the Word? How is this helping me grow in Jesus? How can I love others well because of what I’m learning?

5th/6th Grade Science: So Will I
The 5th and 6th graders began science with a worship song and a question: If creation worships God, how will I? Their storyline, So Will I, invites them to think deeply about how their faith informs their learning and living. Whether they’re studying ecosystems, energy, or weather, they’re also being encouraged to consider their response: How will I live out what I believe? Maybe it’s keeping a promise, caring for creation, or standing up for what’s right. In science class this year, lessons will continually connect back to this theme, weaving together academic learning with the essential behaviors that reflect life in God’s story.

Each classroom is a place where students are invited to discover how they fit into the greatest story ever written. We’re so excited for the year ahead and all the ways our students will grow, not just in knowledge, but in faith, character, and wonder. 

Administrator Welcome

At Byron Center Christian School (BCCS), we are both missional and intentional in all that we do. Our teachers build relationships with every student and differentiate for every ability.  Teachers are our school’s greatest resource, and they are committed to every child’s growth spiritually, academically, and socially.

As part of that commitment, we devote time each week to focus on student learning as a Professional Learning Community (PLC). They are ensuring that our school has a guaranteed and viable curriculum that is rooted in a Biblical worldview, excellent in meeting the needs of students, and ultimately prepares each one for a lifetime of service to God.

Our teachers are a team. They are not on their own island working in isolation, but instead are partnering together and utilizing each other’s strengths for the benefit of all children. They are collaborating, problem-solving, communicating, and designing learning experiences that will equip and prepare our students to live out their faith. Our teachers are modeling and refining the skills we want our children to have. That learning is transformational and essential for teaching at BCCS.

The calling of a teacher is not always easy, nor is being a student, but in our community, we can do great things and hard things. Grit is a key trait that will be needed of the next generation of Christ-followers. It is an essential component of being prepared. The largest graduating class of BCCS students has made their way to high school. We know they, along with all the classes that follow them, will display grit and be prepared for the challenges in life that lie ahead. With Jesus in their hearts and the foundation of the Christ-centered education they have received from our teaching team, they will make an eternal impact

Thriving in Preschool

Each fall, we welcome a new group of preschool students and parents. The first few weeks are filled with numerous new experiences for both learners and their families. The best part is that we as staff get to experience it with them, and we get a front row seat! 

We wish you could see how Mrs. Vieu talks to a crying student in the hallway. We wish you could see Mrs. Visser dancing with her class. We wish you could see the excitement of Mrs. Cornea. We wish you could see our place-based students explore God’s creation. We wish you could see the joy of students and teachers as they develop classroom communities. Our entire preschool team works to intentionally design learning tailored to fit the needs of our three- and four-year-olds while at the same time helping them know they are safe, at home, and loved. Inside and outside these walls, the little things matter, and you can see it through the hearts and deep hopes of our teachers. We are looking forward to supporting the growth of each preschool child as they learn to love the Lord and love learning! 

Through the eyes of our youngest learners, we are continually reminded of God’s faithfulness.

Registration Dates for Preschool, Junior Kindergarten, and Kindergarten

We are excited to share some important dates regarding registration and enrollment for the 2026-2027  school year! 

Preschool priority registration will begin on Wednesday, December 10. Priority registration is for any family (current or new to BCCS) who plans to or already does send their children to elementary school at BCCS. 

Preschool open registration will begin January 14. This is for any family who does not know where their children will go to elementary school, or those who only use our preschool program.

Junior kindergarten and kindergarten registration will also open on January 14. Even current BCCS families must register so we know which kindergarten class you prefer for your son or daughter. 

Please save these dates as spaces are limited in preschool, junior kindergarten, and kindergarten classrooms. All registration links will be located at www.bccs.org/registration. 

Following the registration window, email confirmations will be sent in February, and application instructions will be provided in March or April. If you have any questions regarding this process, email Andy Reidsma at reidsma@bccs.org or call 616.878.3347, or see an outline here. 

If you want to learn more about BCCS, we highly recommend a personal campus tour so you can see classrooms, meet teachers, and ask all your questions. We want you to be able to find the place where God has called your family!