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!

From the Principal's Desk

Below are a few words from Mr. Onderlinde after his first few weeks of school here at BCCS:

It has been a pleasure getting to know many of you over the last few weeks. Thank you for the warm introductions and greetings. I appreciate them very much. It is a blessing to work here each day and I look forward to getting to know you and your families better throughout the year.

The amazing teachers here at BCCS have been taking every opportunity to share the love of Jesus with your students while laying an excellent foundation of academics. I’ve witnessed the gospel being integrated within the curriculum, have heard kids singing heartfelt praise in chapel, and have witnessed students refining their leadership skills for service. I am thankful for the great teaching that takes place here every day and that your children can see their teachers live out and share their faith daily.

Thank you for making an amazing investment in your children. As someone new to the community who is blessed to see great teaching and learning taking place, I can assure you this school is about Kingdom building and that God’s work is being done here.

Blessings,

James Onderlinde

Be Willing

Each school year, our 8th grade theme team has the opportunity to choose our school verse and song. The verse they chose is Psalm 62:1-2, which reads “Truly my soul finds rest in God; my salvation comes from him. Truly he is my rock and my salvation; he is my fortress, I will never be shaken.” The school song is “Confidence” by Sanctus Real. Students also help select the school theme, which is ‘Be Willing.’

First, the verse is a great starting point for our school year. Students, staff and parents must have God as their focus. He must be or fortress, our foundation and our source of rest. At BCCS, Christ is at the center of everything we do and Psalm 62 is a great reminder of that. 

Second, ‘Be Willing’ is a theme that compels our students to action. Once we have Christ in our hearts, He calls us to act. We desire to help students become willing to learn, to grow, to love, to serve and are willing to find their passions. We want each student to know that they are a unique creation of God and that He as a special plan for each of them. ‘Be Willing’ is a theme that can unify our student body, but also be applicable to each individual student.

We are excited to see how God uses our school (students, staff, parents, and supporters)! In 2019-2020, we know our confidence comes from Christ and we will strive to be willing to serve him each and every day!

Victorious Primary School

As some may know, Byron Center Christian School partners with a school, Victorious Primary School (VPS), in Uganda. BCCS students have prayer partners/pen pals, learn about Ugandan culture, and help support VPS through prayer and fundraisers. This spring, two teachers and two students had the opportunity to visit VPS and help train their staff on how to provide excellent Christian education. Clay Lubbers (middle school science teacher) shares the following:

Our arrival was overwhelming. Imagine being greeted by over 400 students who have come in to school on a Saturday to meet you. We were welcomed by them singing “Victory, we have victory in Jesus” while they waved branches. Tears began to fill my eyes -- never had I expected such a greeting. As we stepped off the bus to walk a quarter mile to the school, the students surrounded us, waved branches, and sang.  

Much of my time with the teachers at VPS was spent discussing the integration of our Christian perspective in our teaching and how to teach using hands-on activities. Uganda follows a very “English” style of teaching -- the teacher writes on the board (actually rough slate) and explains, and the students sit in their seats and learn the material using rote memorization. Teaching by having students do something was very foreign to them. 

As BCCS has come alongside of VPS, one act of partnership I have seen is fundraisers in order to help their school. The big one that stuck out to me was a few years ago when we raised money for water filtration. I can be pretty competitive, so when it was announced we were going to have a contest, I simply told my homeroom that if we were going to participate and be serious, we needed to be dedicated to winning -- and we did. Then we arrived at VPS this spring, and I realized in a real way that clean water at the school has not only changed the community, it has literally saved lives. Kids don't get sick nearly as much, so the parents don't take them to a witch doctor for healing (where they get abused, bled, and marked). Now the community comes to the school for clean water, and since the school is also a church, they begin to hear about Christ. The witch doctors lose power on all levels: they lose influence, income, and prestige. In Uganda, every building needs to be blessed by the witch doctors to survive. When VPS doesn't do that and not only survives, but THRIVES, it sends a message to the community.  

The message of truth VPS continues to reveal is that when the light of Christ comes in, the darkness MUST leave. It made me realize how small our fundraising contest really was, but God, through BCCS, changed the community of Tata. I am now a witness to the fact that it’s WAY more than a fundraiser -- it's literally saving lives and bringing a community to God. It's restoring a very fallen and dark place and bringing light.

This visit will impact our school, and is impacting our school. The things we saw, the knowledge we gained, the relationships we built -- this is what being a community is all about. It is more than just being “Rescued,” it is about being “Rescuers” along with Ugandan Christians in a part of the world that needs it.  It is about BCCS walking alongside another school, being a light in the darkness, and helping each other become stronger in bringing Reformed Christian education to the world. It is about being used by God in expanding His kingdom.

8th Grade Final Project

Our 8th graders recently ended their time at BCCS by working on something called the Good Samaritan Project. The purpose of this project was not for the students to see what they were capable of doing on their own, but to gain an understanding of how they could use their gifts, open their hearts, and be willing to serve God by helping others.

As a result of this project, students identified a problem that existed around the world, and worked to help solve the problem. Students collected pop cans to purchase bed nets, turned in scrap metal to help a Christian school in Uganda, collected toys and writing utensils to bring to kids in Guatemala. My deep hope for my students is that they love Jesus, help bring restoration to the whole world, and follow the Holy Spirit’s calling to live joyful and intentional lives. It was exciting to see the students experience this on their own!

Check out the website below to see some of their work!

Tom DeBlecourt-MS Teacher

Good Samaritan Projects

Byron Center Christian Welcomes New Principal!

To our community,

Byron Center Christian School is excited to announce the hiring of Mr. James Onderlinde as the new school administrator. After an extensive search, we strongly believe that James is the person God is calling to this role. We look forward to him leading our students, families and staff.

James previously served as the principal of Grand Haven Christian School and prior to that as a teacher at West Side Christian School. He brings a wealth of experience, but more importantly, a servant’s heart.  He is a graduate of Kalamazoo Christian School, has a Bachelor of Arts in Elementary Education from Calvin College and a Masters Degree in Educational Leadership from Western Michigan University.

During the interview process this spring, it became clear that the gifts God has given James would allow him to serve this community well. He loves students, equips teachers and also builds strong relationships with parents. He seeks to glorify God each day through his work and service to others. BCCS board members, parents, faculty, and members of the administrative team have all recommended his hire after an extensive interview process.

Kyle Kuipers, BCCS school board president, stated that “the board and lead teachers have been engaged in conversations with James for a long period of time and we are very excited and thankful that God continues to provide great people and amazing staff members to our school. Praise be to God.”

Attached is a letter from James that tells a little more about him. He will officially begin at BCCS sometime this summer and we encourage students and parents to welcome him and his family to this amazing community!

We praise God for the service of Mr. John Kramer over the past five years and pray for James as he begins this summer. Above all else, we are grateful for the ways God continues to provide for BCCS as we seek to partner with parents to provide an excellent education that is rooted in God’s Word and prepares students for lifelong service.