Reusing, Recycling, and Reaching Out

One of the preschool units of study at BCCS is titled "Reduce, Reuse, Recycle." Throughout the unit, students explore the importance of caring for God’s creation by engaging in hands-on learning centers and even designing their own creations using recycled materials. Mrs. Veldkamp’s class took this learning to the next level by putting reusing and recycling into action! To practice reusing, students brought in books from home that they no longer read. For recycling, they collected over 900 cans, using the funds to ship their books to Books for Africa. Altogether, they gathered over 200 books, and the can collection not only covered the shipping costs but also provided an additional monetary donation!

Mrs. Veldkamp reflected, “It was a joy to walk alongside the students as they collected, counted, and packed books. Their enthusiasm for being part of something bigger was easy to nurture throughout the entire process. Partnering with Books for Africa was a blessing, especially through meaningful communication with one of the directors, who shared, ‘It’s truly heartwarming to know that your students enjoyed choosing and packing the books. That’s exactly the kind of connection we hope to foster.’” 

Through this experience, the students learned that stewardship isn’t just a concept—it is a part of learning. This is one of many examples of how teachers help students develop skills each day, but also practice habits to help them live out what they learn as part of God’s story!

A Flourishing Community: Courtyard Work Continues

We have shared previously how fifth grade is working across subjects to care better for our courtyard here on campus. That includes science, math,  and even moving earth and planting native species. Below are some samples of infographics students created to share more about why native plants are important! 

In the courtyard itself, students then created labels with QR codes that link to this information!

Congratulations Class of 2025!

Congratulations to our eighth-grade class of 2025! On the evening of June 3, we celebrated this group of students and the work God is doing in their lives. Parents, grandparents, and friends enjoyed a graduation program highlighted by student speakers and teachers sharing about each graduate. We are so grateful for the time each student has had at BCCS and for the ways each one has enriched our lives. We have also been blessed to partner with each of their families as together we help students succeed. Each year, eighth-grade students prepare and present two final projects summarizing their time at BCCS. Each individual tells a different story, but it is clear that in their time at BCCS, God is working in their hearts. 

Along with academic preparation, our deep hope, together with parents and churches, is that our students have a foundation that will last a lifetime. We pray that what was started at BCCS will continue in high school and prepare them for a life of serving Christ. May God bless each graduate as they head to high school this fall!

Sharing Stories: Looking at Journeys to BCCS

We know God calls families and their children to all different schools. Our goal is to help families discern where that may be as they seek where God is calling. No story is the same, and we asked some of our parents some important questions. Read their insights below:

Share a few favorite  stories or memories that made an impact on your family.

One, I would have to say Kindergarten graduation had a big impact on me, with both my kids. You always wonder if you made the right choice. The Kindergarten team put on a wonderful program where they spoke about what they learned that year, each student's strengths, and what they witnessed as their greatest growth. They also shared the student’s “what do you want to be when you grow up,” along with how they praised God and grew in their walk with Jesus over that year. (insert tears!) Collectively, they shared a memory verse and sang songs of worship. What a wonderful example of Christ-centered education. That confirmed it for me, God led us to the best option for us, BCCS!

Two, Student community outreach and student-led chapels are something we really appreciate at BCCS. We love the level of parent involvement at Christian schools, families are invested and it feels more like a big family rather than just a community. Daily devotions and student prayers - students praying for each other (popcorn prayers) have had a big impact on my kids. 

Three, there are times when finances get really tight and you start wondering if you are being forced to change or move in a different direction… then God does amazing things! You get a special email from the office that states; a payment has been made on your account by someone wanted to help others in need. Keep the faith, God will make it possible!!

What is important to you as a parent when considering a school for your child?

We considered the environment and how they're teaching the kids? What subjects are being taught and how much free time/recess do they get (when younger)? Looking ahead to middle school years, what are the options for classes, and are they being prepared for the next stage of their education (high school)? Most of all, are they teaching God’s word in all aspects of learning? The answer is yes, BCCS does a great job!

A Flourishing Community: Fourth Grade Problem Solving

In fourth grade, students have been learning about area, perimeter, and math operations. At the same time, they noticed a dilemma on campus: inadequate storage for playground equipment (and their playground balls often left outside). Determined to help, the students worked in teams to design practical solutions for hallway storage. Teams calculated space and storage dimensions and built a budget and proposal. Then they practiced communication and collaboration skills by presenting their ideas to school administrators and board members.

Academic concepts come to life when paired with real application. Our students learned math, but also the ability to solve problems, speak with purpose, and work together!

Sharing Stories: Looking at Journeys to BCCS

We know God has a place for each child to grow and thrive in school. Our goal is to help families discern where that may be as they seek where God is calling. No story is the same, so we wanted to share some examples of how our parents decided on BCCS. The following testimony illustrates one way a family ended up in our halls:

This story began when a family moved and began looking for a school that would be “a Christian School community where our children could belong and be nurtured in their faith outside of our home.” They ended up choosing BCCS because of “the fact that the school was using Teaching for Transformation (TfT) and the inclusion support services available via the ESS department.”

“We greatly appreciated the intentionality of BCCS pairing up our new family with current families to connect with and be a support in a year of transition. They were there to ask questions to - from the big to the small, and have become friends as our kids have continued to journey together at BCCS.”

They also shared about one of their children who was not where they needed to be in their learning journey. “Her teacher and support staff rallied around her and had her reading at grade level by the end of the year, much to our amazement! One of their other students had a on experience where “It is amazing to see how God put her with the exact teacher she needed. She has been cared for not just academically, but her heart has been cared for in meaningful ways as well. Her teacher points her to Jesus and reminds her who she is in Christ.” Hearing about their children through narrative reports showed this family first hand how “teachers take the time to reflect on how their students are growing personally and shine a light on who they are (beyond their grades) is such a gift.”

“The most important thing for us as parents in a Christian school is knowing that the teachers and staff share our faith and values and will partner with us as parents to consistently point our children to Christ. If we simply raise up good students, but they don't understand the Gospel message, we will have failed in our role as Christian parents.”

This is another testimony that highlights the importance of our mission being carried out by teachers, utilizing the Teaching for Transformation framework, and living out their personal Deep Hopes!

A Flourishing Community: Courtyard Work

Fifth grade is in the middle of a learning experience involving restoring God's creation in our courtyard. In science class, students are identifying invasive species and planting native plants. In writing class, students are restoring people's perspective by writing infographics about the native plants in our courtyard. Students have followed a process of research, drafting, editing, peer revising, collaborating with their group, and being Courageous Designers as they work towards the end goal of an infographic that shares God's perspective on native plants and our job as Christians to join in God's restoration project!

Last week, they started work overhauling the second part of the courtyard themselves!

A Flourishing Community: Learning in Preschool

Learning in Preschool

In preschool, teachers utilize center-based environments to achieve learning goals and ensure children develop in a play-based, engaging classroom. They track progress over time and use that information to help arrange students in learning activities to support their needs. 

Recently, teachers from three classes took this to the next level and swapped students! After tracking progress in letter recognition, teachers across classrooms designed centers to meet the needs of learners based on individual learning progress. It also allowed our youngest learners to build social skills as they also spent time interacting and meeting new friends (who, in time, will also be classmates). Kids loved it as they got to travel, work with a new teacher, and make new friends. For teachers, it allowed them to target specific needs of students as they help prepare them for kindergarten!