COVENANT CHRISTIAN HIGH SCHOOL
                                                                                           MR. RICHARD NOORMAN, PRINCIPAL
November 2017

Dear CCHS Parents,

We know three things about technology in the lives of our children; it won’t go away, it won’t stay the same, and we, as parents, will have a hard time keeping up with what they know and can do.  Because technology has become the means for getting information, communicating with others, planning and organizing our lives, and a way of social interactions, it is not likely that our kids will soon stop requesting to have a smart phone or that parents will see some benefit to them having such technology.  With new innovations to equipment, software, and apps being developed every day, we know that what our kids have and use today will be different than what they will have and use next year.  The financial incentive to continuous change will drive this bus down the road.  We as parents, are not quite so quick to embrace the new things.  (The old things seem to work fine and the new things take time to learn.)  This creates problems for us as we try, often in vain, to keep up with our kids.
There are two important things that can be done to help keep things in check.  The first involves our kids directly.  We must work very hard to make sure that they are discerning with their use of technology and applying the principles of living a sanctified life every time they look at a screen.  I wish every devise would have an opening screen that would ask the user, “Will you use this devise remembering that you are a child of God?”  After that, it should require a password like, “Yes, I will.”  We must also try to educate them about how their use of technology can affect them spiritually, emotionally, and even how it affects the development of the brain.  It does affect these aspects of their life and they should know what is happening.  The second thing that can be done is to equip parents with information about how kids are using technology and give them tools to help them be active in controlling the use as much as possible.  To help accomplish these two things we look forward seeing the work of Protect Young Eyes later this month.   

PROTECT YOUNG EYES PRESENTATION—Last spring, the School Board began discussion of the proper use of technology and social media by our students.  They asked if there was some way that we could inform our students about some of the pitfalls of technology and support parents with good information on this as well.  We are excited to welcome Mr. Doug Crawford and the Protect Young Eyes team (www.protectyoungeyes.com) to Covenant Christian High School to address these concerns.  Protect Young Eyes exists to give busy parents and hyper-connected kids the information and tools they need to use technology in a proper way.  Chris McKenna founded Protect Young Eyes in response to the growing demand from parents at his church for information to help them navigate our digital culture.  I have heard great reviews from other organizations that have hosted their presentations.
Mr. Crawford will be speaking to the students in assemblies during the day.  All parents of our high school and the grade schools will be invited to the evening presentation which will begin at 7:30 p.m.  To help us plan for the evening, if you plan to attend, we would like you to use the Eventbrite signup at: https//:covenantchristianhighschool.eventbrite.com.  It is not necessary to signup but it will be helpful.  Please plan on attending this timely and informative presentation.

CHAPEL—We have had some interesting chapel activities over the past few weeks.  Candidate David Noorman spoke to us about recognizing and handling a fool according to principles from Proverbs.  Mr. Joel Minderhoud talked about important things to remember when one faces a conflict.  We had two musical chapels.  One involved the entire student body singing together and the other was led by Mr. Kamper and the Band.  On Reformation Day, Mr. Dan Van Uffelen gave a short meditation on Reformation Day and then we welcomed Rev. Titus from Myanmaar to speak to us and Mr. John Van Baren to show some pictures of the life of the saints in that place.  Two weeks ago, I was able to share some lessons with the students based on parts of my life story.  Last week, Mrs. Mindy Bergman talked to the students about her $50,000 pen and their responsibility to be active in their life doing everything “wholeheartedly as to the Lord.”   

CHRISTMAS CONCERT—After considerable discussion, the Music Department has decided to have only one presentation of the Choir and Band Christmas Concert.  This concert will take place on Saturday, December 16, at 3:00 p.m. at Jenison Center for the Arts.

KHAN ACADEMY SAT TEST PREP—All of our students should have received feedback on the PSAT tests that were administered this fall.  Based on the results of those tests, students will be able to go to Khan Academy and receive a program of instruction to help them prepare for the next testing.  This is very important for our 11th grade students who are planning on continuing to college after high school.  They will be taking the SAT test in April that will be important in determining the level of financial aid that they qualify for.  Working through the test preparation programs will give them the opportunity to work on test problems and to take full practice tests.  There is no charge for any of this.  The only cost is the time that the students have to put into it.

FAFSA—Parents of seniors who anticipate going to college next year should be reminded to complete the FAFSA form.  This Free Application for Federal Student Aid is currently available.  If you have not done this for a few years you should be aware that, since last year, parents have been able to file using the previous year’s tax information.  It is not necessary to wait for your 2017 tax information.  The process can be started by going to: www.fafsa.ed.gov.

FALL FESTIVAL AND CRAFT SHOW— Our two October events, the Fall Festival and the Craft Show, were very successful again this year.  The Fall Festival was a night of good food and good fellowship while also raising over $12,000 for the senior class.  It was great to be able to welcome back many alumni and friends who had not been here in a while and to see many parents and grandparents.  There was a great committee of senior mom’s that deserve our thanks for making this event go so smoothly.
The Craft Show, held on October 29, was also very successful.  Nearly 2,000 people came to the school to view and purchase craft items displayed by over 100 different vendors.  Many of those who brought items to sell commented very positively about the students who were available to help them load and unload their merchandise.  They really appreciated the help and the great attitude of those students.  This event could not take place without all of the help and contributions from students and parents.  The response to the bake sale was especially good and the committee took in a record amount from that portion of the day.  Thanks to all who contributed baked goods.  A special thanks to Lydya Hulst, Heather Buiter, and Cory Petersen for all of their work throughout the year to coordinate this event.  The proceeds for the day amounted to a little over $10,000 and this was split between the Band and the Athletic Boosters.  The Band was able to complete the purchase of a new set of timpani and the Boosters were able to help purchase a new scoreboard for the baseball field.

STUDENT COUNCIL ACTIVITIES—Our Student Council is very active in planning events for the students.  The annual Powder Puff football game and burger fry was held prior to Teachers’ Convention.  This week they are organizing Friendship Week.  This is a time to emphasize to everyone the importance of good Christian friendships in our school.  They will be using this theme to present a chapel on Wednesday.  Two other upcoming events are given below.

GIFT CERTIFICATE DRIVE—The Student Council will once again be sponsoring a Gift Certificate Drive this year.  They will be collecting gifts cards and certificates that can be given to families from our churches who are experiencing needs.  We ask that you consider giving certificates for groceries, gas, or other necessities.  These can be given to any Student Council member or sent to the attention of Jennifer Knott at school.

CHRISTMAS CHAPEL—The Student Council is planning our annual Christmas Chapel.  This is traditionally held on the last day of school before the holiday break.  The Chapel features the talents of many of our students and will be held on Thursday, December 21, at 11:15 a.m.

HOMECOMING WEEK—Homecoming Week activities will be held during the week of February 5-9.

CHARGER GEAR AND BOOSTERS— We want to thank the Kurt Kaptein family, especially Laura and Ruth Kaptein for their work with Charger Gear over the past few years. 
The new person in charge of our Boosters Club Charger Gear clothing sales is Mrs. Megan Dykstra (wife of Mr. Karl Dykstra).  She is handling sales of our current merchandise and is looking forward to having some new items as well.  You can access the new website directly at www.cchsgear.com or you can go from the school website through the Athletic and Boosters link.  All of the current gear can also be viewed on the Facebook page "Covenant Christian Charger Gear".  To order items please contact Megan at (616) 821-4340 or email her at: megan.dykstra@live.com.  She is hoping to have a day in early December that all of the items will be on display and available for purchase for your holiday needs.  Look for Charger Gear to be displayed at upcoming home games. 

WEATHER AND SCHOOL CLOSINGS—The words, “Are we going to have a “snowday” tomorrow” is a sign of the seasons.  It only takes a light snow fall to get some students to start planting a seed in my mind for one of these unplanned vacations.   I usually try to engage these students with some banter about how much they really need school or how much they would miss being with me for a day, but I want to assure you that I do take this decision seriously.  “Snowday” season brings with it the need to make some weather related decisions regarding school closings.  Our decision to close or not to close school is closely tied to decisions of the local school districts in which our families live.  These districts have transportation departments that are in tune with the conditions found on the roads in their areas and will generally make good decisions.  These decisions are taken into consideration and weighed in with some of the unique factors about our school before a decision is made. 
When school is cancelled I will send an email to all parents through RenWeb.  The other way to check for a school closing is to go to the “Closings” section of www.woodtv.com or www.wzzm13.com or www.fox17online.com and look for our school or check the TV for the scrolling list.  Many of the media outlets will also allow you to set up an email alert system that ties directly into the decision of your school or they may even have an “app” for your mobile device.  
Please note that for families who live in outlying areas, we will honor your decision as a parent and excuse the student if you are not comfortable with putting your kids on the road and keep them home or send them in a little late.  In these cases, we ask that you notify the office as soon as possible.

ATHLETICS—We are currently in a time of transition from fall sports to winter sports.  The fall sports had good seasons.   The Varsity Volleyball team ended up the season winning the District title and then losing in the Regional finals.  The Soccer team won two District games then lost a double overtime shoot-out to Unity Christian in the District Finals.  The girls Cross Country team finished third in the regional, which qualified them for the State meet where they finished in 20th place.  We thank all of the athletes for competing hard every day and being good representatives of our school.  We also thank all of our coaches and assistant coaches who spent great amounts of time with our student athletes over the past few months.
The basketball season will start up for the girls next week and for the boys the week after that.  Schedules for all the teams can be found on the Athletics web page accessed through the school website or directly at www.covenantchristianathletics.org.  We are anticipating good seasons with a few more home games than we had last year.  We encourage you to come out and enjoy the games if you can.  Please remember that sportsmanship is everyone’s responsibility.

EARLY DISMISSAL/FACULTY MEETING—On Friday, December 1, we will hold 30 minute classes and dismiss the students at 12:27 p.m.  This will allow the faculty to have time to meet as departments to consider curriculum matters and also to have a full faculty meeting.  Students who ride the Heritage shuttle bus will be informed of their options earlier that week.

THANKSGIVING— As we approach Thanksgiving it is good for us to count the blessings that come to us by God’s loving hand.  Among these many blessings is Covenant Christian High School.  What a privilege it is for us as Reformed believers to be able to labor together to have a school that is dedicated to the proper growth and development of the children that God has given us.  What a privilege to have the clear teachings of God’s Word as a guide to the work and as a light to shine upon everything that is taught.  What a blessing to have teachers that love the truth and show this love to the students in their work every day.   What a blessing to have so many to help and support the work that we do.  Thanks be to God for his loving kindness to us.

In the Service of our Christ, our King,

Rick Noorman