“He must become greater, I must become less”
John 3:30
Sioux Falls Christian Schools
Newsletter
April 19, 2017
Principally Speaking . . . . . Mr. Covey
From the Mountain Tops?
Do you remember singing the song “It Only Takes a Spark”? Some of you may have fond
memories of this song from Sunday school and/or Bible school/camps. It was one of my
favorites. I haven’t sung it for years, but I could still sing it to you by heart. The line, “I’ll shout it
from the mountain tops, hey world!”, refers to our telling others about Christ’s love for them. The
song is wonderful, and there is nothing wrong with shouting about Christ’s love from the
mountain tops. We should tell the world about Christ’s love whenever and wherever; but as a
strategy to fulfill the great commission? I am not so sure.
Those of us who are Christians are keenly aware of the need for those who don’t know Christ to
hear about the Truth He has shared with us in His Word. However, Satan is inventing new ways to
mess people up every day, and technology has seemingly sped up the pace (I don’t have any
quantitative evidence of this, but it seems to be the case in the American culture.) As a
Christian I often wonder how often I “shout” God’s truth to others (believers and nonbelievers
alike) from a “mountaintop” rather than sharing Truth in relationship. “Mountaintops”, of course,
are an analogy in the context of current culture for social media such as Facebook, Twitter,
Instagram, Pinterest, etc. How about you? How often do you “shout” Truth from these
“mountaintops?” And what’s with the shouting? How effective is that tone? Do you respond
well when someone is screaming at you? How often did Jesus yell at people? And yes, he did
yell, but I would argue He was very selective when He employed this communicative strategy.
There has to be an argument for sharing the Truth of Christ’s love utilizing relationships with others
rather than screaming at the top of our lungs across the valleys of social media . . . doesn’t
there? What do you think? Should we be against social media as a tool to fulfill the Great
Commission? Not at all. It has its place. However, 1 Peter 3:15 tells us to share our hope in Christ
with “gentleness and respect.” As Christian’s, we have to be mindful of this biblical exhortation.
As a Christian school community, let’s be mindful that we are being held to a higher standard.
Others associate our (teachers, administration, parents, grandparents) actions with Sioux Falls
Christian (I would argue even more so than the church you attend or the workplace you are
part of). They will then connect our association with Sioux Falls Christian with Christianity.
Handling God’s Truth carelessly can do more to repel those searching for Truth than draw them
closer to it. The song “It Only Takes a Spark” was intended to serve as an analogy for the
warmth of God’s love for humankind and His desire that we all seek Him. Let’s be careful to
draw others towards the glow of His love by being gentle and respectful with all who are
searching and those who vehemently disagree. This is God’s command for us.
Spring Play This Week!
SFC’s Fine Arts Department is presenting The Diary of Anne Frank, this
Thursday, Friday, and Saturday in the MS Gym. In this transcendently
powerful new adaptation by Wendy Kesselman, Anne Frank emerges from
history as a living, lyrical, intensely gifted young girl, who confronts her rapidly
changing life and the increasing horror of her time with astonishing honesty,
wit, and determination. As you observe the lives of eight people hiding from
the Nazis in a concealed storage attic, the story captures the claustrophobic
realities of their daily existence — their fear, hope, laughter, and grief. Each
day of these two dark years, Anne's voice shines through: "When I write I
shake off all my cares. But I want to achieve more than that. I want to be useful and bring enjoyment to all
people, even those I've never met. I want to go on living even after my death!" Recommended ages to attend
is middle school and up. The curtain rises at 7 pm for each performance; admission $7 adults, $3 students.
Pre-K through Grade 12 Calendar
April 20 – Girls Golf at EPJ Invite
April 20 – Boys Tennis at Vermillion – 4:00 pm
April 20, 21, 22 – HS Drama Production – Diary of Anne Frank - MS Gym – 7:00 pm
April 21 – MS Track at Parker – 3:00 pm
April 21 – HS Band at Dordt Band Festival – all day event, concert at 7 pm
April 22 – Boys Tennis at Harrisburg Triangular – 10 am
April 24 – Moms In Prayer – Elementary Library – 6:30 pm
April 24 – Band Extravaganza Concert – grades 5-12 – HS gym – 7 pm
April 25 – Girls Golf at Dakota Valley Invite
April 25 – Boys Tennis at Watertown Triangular
April 25 – MS Track at Beresford – 4:00 pm
April 26 – Fine Arts - Large Group contest at Harrisburg
April 27 – Elementary Chapel – MS Gym - 8:45 am
April 27 – HS Track & Field at Canton for Terry Bong Invite – 4:00 pm
April 28 – Junior-Senior Prom
April 28 – MS/HS Yearbook order deadline – no late orders accepted
April 29 – 5th – 8th grade instrumental contest at SFC
May 1 – SFC All-School Art Show – Ransom Church South Campus – 5:30 – 9:00 pm
May 1 – MS Track at Elk Point-Jefferson – 4 pm
May 2 – Girls Golf at Dell Rapids Invite – 9:30 am
May 2 – Boys Tennis at SF Lincoln Triangular; MS Tennis at Brandon Valley – 4 pm
May 2 – HS Track & Field at Lennox Invite – 4 pm
May 3 – Boys Tennis at SF O’Gorman – 4:00 pm
May 4 – 6th – 12th grade “All Things Vocal” Concert – Gloria Dei Lutheran Church – 5500 E 57th St – 7 pm
May 5 & 6 – Boys Tennis at Harrisburg Triangular; May 6 at Mitchell
May 5 – HS Football Cheer tryouts – 4:30 – 6:30 pm
May 5 & 6 – HS Track & Field at Howard Wood Relays – discounted tickets on sale in the office!
Looking ahead:
May 10 – Dordt Track Meet – 5th grade, 6th grade participants, MS Track members
May 12 – Elementary skating parties – grades K, 2 & 3
May 15 – Elementary skating parties – grades 1, 4 & 5
May 16 – 8th grade to Valley Fair
May 18 – Field Day for K, 1st & 2nd
May 18 – MS Marching Band at Tulip Festival parade – Orange City
May 19 – Last day of school – Early dismissal; HS Senior Graduation – HS Gym – 7:00 pm
June 3 – SFC annual Golf Tournament
Monthly menus for Elementary and MS/HS are on the website – use this link:
http://www.siouxfallschristian.org/current-families.cfm
Parents, grandparents, & special friends are always welcome - PLEASE CALL THE OFFICE BEFORE 9:00 A.M. IF
YOU WILL BE JOINING US. Adult meal = $2.75, Child Meal - $2.35
Volunteer sign-up to serve lunch - use this link: https://goo.gl/YCVHjt
RESILIENT
Parents are invited to join us for a special MS/HS chapel on Monday, May 1 at 9:50 am, featuring Judy
Bode from the award winning documentary Resilient. Judy was diagnosed with a thought-to-be
incurable cancer at the age of 10 - that was 46 years ago! There are many reasons that Judy should not
have survived these multiple life threatening diagnoses. Yet, by God's seemingly endless grace, He has
chosen to sustain her life. You will learn and grow from her experiences as a cancer survivor, a heart
transplant recipient, and as a child of God.
Art Show Refreshment Donations
The SFC Art Department will host its first ever All-School Art Show on Monday, May 1, from 5:30-9 pm at
the Ransom South Campus. If you are willing to donate a pan of bars, cookies or cupcakes to be used as
refreshments, please use this link to sign up: https://goo.gl/Z3JpnN. Donations need to be dropped off
in the Elementary office by noon on May 1. Contact Sarah Lieuwen, 605-261-8742, with questions.
Summer Art Camp Registration
Art Camp registration for students entering 2nd - 8th grades must use this link:
http://www.siouxfallschristian.org/activities/summercampinfo.cfm. Registration for each section is limited
to 20 students; the form will prompt you to sign up for a waiting list if the class is full.
SFC Summer Camp Dates –
Registrations are now posted on the website!
MS Art Camp
3 v 3 Basketball League
Girls Basketball
Boys Basketball
Elem Art Camp (gr 2-5)
Football
Volleyball
Girls Soccer
May 22 - 25
May 24 & 31; June 7, 14, 21, 28
May 30 – June 2
June 5 – 8
June 12 - 15
June 15 – 17 (1st - 8th)
June 26 – 29
July 17 – 21 (2nd - 7th)
July 24 – 28 (8th -12th)
Elementary News
APRIL CHAPEL is April 27 at 8:45 am in the MS Gym;
Kindergarten will lead.
PRESCHOOLERS AT THE PARK Put this
Saturday, April 22, from 1:00-2:00 on your calendar!
We will meet at McKennan Park on picnic tables or in the
shelter house (depending on the weather) to plant some flowers, have a
special snack, and play together in the park. Please sign up to attend by emailing
[email protected] by Friday (April 21) at 5:00 pm. Each student must have
an adult accompany them. A $5 donation is suggested.
PRESCHOOL DATES
May 15 Last Day of Preschool/Extended Care
May 15 Early Childhood Field Day
May 16 Preschool Celebration of Learning
8:30 Mrs. Dreessen’s Class
9:30 Mrs. Bornitz’s AM Classes
10:30 Mrs. Bornitz’s PM Classes
1:00 Mrs. Evan's, Mrs. Van Kley's, and Mrs. Aukes’s Classes
WORDS & WIGGLES - this summer, Mrs. VanNieuwenhuyzen, one of our early childhood
teachers, will be leading a fun class called “Words and Wiggles” for early childhood students
(those starting Kindergarten in the fall are also eligible). The class will be offered on Monday
and Tuesday mornings for 1 ½ hours in Room 619 during the months of June, July, and the
beginning of August (no classes June 26 - July 14). Each class will include story time, rhyme
and/or music time, craft time, and snack time all centered around a specific theme. The session
cost is $120 per student and is open to the first 20 students who sign up. Please note there
needs to be a minimum of 10 students enrolled for the class to be offered. To register, please
sign up by May 5 at https://goo.gl/forms/XZqiyqlEsYYMGzkk2
SUMMER TUTORING in math and reading, K-5th grade for 8 weeks, is offered by Claire Van
Voorst, Elementary Learning Center Teacher. Reserve your spot soon as slots fill quickly!
K-5 KID’S CORNER INFORMATION


If you are needing childcare for K-5 students on school vacation days, please sign up
ahead of time - https://www.siouxfallschristian.org/about-sfc/kidscorner.cfm. Sign up will
close one week in advance of the scheduled vacation date.
Kid’s Corner is always collecting craft items:
craft paints, pipe cleaners, fabric scraps, yarn, shoeboxes w/ lids, toilet paper tubes,
glass baby food jars
EARLY CHILDHOOD KID’S CORNER



If your child would like a snack during Kids Corner please send one in your child’s backpack each day
and label it "Kids Corner"
The easiest way to get reminders/notifications - text @4bagk8 to 81010.
Early Childhood Advance dates:
May 16- Closed (Early Childhood ONLY)
STAFF TREATS:
Please bring 3 dozen treats each to the Elementary Office by 9:00 am. Thank you!
Wednesday, April 26: Kim Adams and Teri VanderStouwe
Wednesday, May 3:
Jamie Brown and Sarah Spronk
Middle/High News
STATE Oral Interp Award
Congratulations to senior, Elise Ackerman, who
received the Rosella Blunck Senior Oral Interpretation
Award in Pierre earlier this month. This award is given
to the top FOUR oral interpretation senior participants
in the state of South Dakota. Elise was nominated by
other coaches for her strong performances, character,
and overall leadership in the activity. Coaches and
participants vote on the senior recipients each year,
and this is the first time an SFC student has been given
one of these prestigious awards. SFC Oral Interp
Coach Jessica DeWit commented that “Elise has put in
four years of hard work on the team” and we celebrate
with her!
March Students of the Month
Nominations by teachers are based on characteristics such as positive work attitude, work ethic, class
participation, and for demonstrating the Christ-like character traits of the Fruits of the Spirit.




9th grade - Justin Rokusek, son of Kevin & Paula Rokusek
10th grade - Liana Johnson, daughter of Carlos & Miriam Johnson
11th grade - Madison Klatt, daughter of Joel & Vickie Klatt
12th grade - Hannah Hartman, daughter of Tod & Connie Hartman
Results Junkies Road Tour
Paul Singh is one of three partners of 500 start-up companies. In the last five years, he's
flown over 500,000 miles circling the globe, raising tens of millions of dollars in venture funds,
and investing in hundreds of companies (http://www.siouxfallstour.com/). Paul will be at The
Bakery in Sioux Falls on Wed, April 26 at 3 pm to visit with high school and college students
who may have entrepreneurial interest. He will also be at SFC to take a look at our elementary
Coding Club at 4 pm on April 24th. Any middle or high school students who have an interest in
meeting him are welcome to join the group.
Order 2016-17 Yearbooks Now!
The order form for middle and high school yearbooks was emailed to parents on March 27. Orders
will not be accepted after April 28.
Missing Senior Smiles
Seniors have not turned in their senior photos for the yearbook:
Iaroslav Zhulin
Email a high-quality digital photo (vertical pose) to Ms. Klarenbeek
Seniors who have not turned in a wallet-size hard copy for the class composite:
Isaac B, Zharayya, Chase P, Andrew U, Lee VK, Sierra VZ, Slava Z
A wallet-size hard copy (vertical pose) should be turned in to the office for the Class Composite.
Middle School Memos
Essay Winners Announced
by Mr. Fopma
Devin Beltman and Erin Unruh were honored at a Sertoma luncheon yesterday at the Royal Fork. Eighth
graders from all the Sioux Falls’ schools were invited to write an essay entitled “Taking a Stand for
Freedom.” Devin was awarded fourth place and a check for $100, and Erin took the first-place prize of
$300. Students from Memorial Middle School and Patrick Henry Middle School won second and third.
Congratulations, Erin and Devin!
8th grade trip to Valley Fair is May 16 – more details will follow soon
MS/HS Staff Treats . . . . . please bring 3 dozen (each) to the office or staff lounge
Apr 26
May 3
Michelle Boer
Shauna Lage, Emily Fancher
College & Career Considerations
Mrs. Tiefenthaler
Find Scholarship/Awards & Opportunities as well as College/Career Info posted weekly
http://www.siouxfallschristian.org/academics/scholarshipsandgrants.cfm
Game Changer Restaurant will soon be opening in Harrisburg, located on Cliff Avenue;
serving Pizza, Coffee, and Ice Cream. They are currently hiring for all positions with duties
including - cashier, coffee barista, cook, and cleaning. If you are passionate about providing
guests with the best experience possible, and enjoy working with people who take food
seriously yet have fun preparing and serving it, please send applications/resumes to Marcelo
Krunitzky, [email protected].
Long Island University is holding a week long summer honors program for seniors July 9-14.
You can study a wide variety of topics and the only costs involved are meals and transportation.
Go to http://liu.edu/CWPost/SHI for more information and to apply.
Southeast Tech Media Students invite you to their 2017 Portfolio Show at the Hub on
Thursday, April 27 from 4-7 pm. For more information go to http://graphics.southeasttech.edu/.
SD School of Mines is holding a variety of HS camps during June and July. Check out their
website for more information and deadlines to apply http://www.sdsmt.edu/SummerCamps/.
Code Bootcamp of South Dakota is hosting a “Girls Breaker Day” for girls in 5th-10th grade
and their parents on May 13 at The Bakery in Sioux Falls. Find out more information about this
free event at https://girlsbreakerday.splashthat.com/. RSVP today!
Code Bootcamp of South Dakota is hosting a 5-day camp for students ages 10-16. Build four
video games using the Construct 2 gaming engine. Cost is $259 if registered before May 1.
There are three different weeks in June and July to choose from. These classes fill up fast!
https://gamingbootcamp-2017.splashthat.com/
Dakota Golf Management is now hiring for the summer season: info at www.dakotagolf.com.
Athletic News
Mr. Groen
Schedule Updates
·
Please check the school website on a regular basis for schedule updates and changes.
·
Team calendars (practices and game schedules) for each sport at www.siouxfallschristian.org –
activities – HS or MS athletics – and the specific sport
A Change in Procedure
For the past several years, SFC has hosted our own athletic
physicals night for students; however, due to several
circumstances, we are unable to continue hosting this event.
Students who will be in grades 7-12 next school year and plan
to participate in athletics are required to complete the
necessary paperwork, which includes a physical administered
by a licensed health practitioner. Parents may want to begin
scheduling summer appointments with their health care
provider. Paperwork details are being finalized and
instructions will be shared soon.
Howard Wood Relays Discounted Tickets
Again this year, SFC is selling tickets for the Howard Wood
Dakota Relays (May 5 & 6) at the reduced rate of $5. The
ticket is good for both days and will cost $15 at the gate. Our
supply is limited and will be sold first come, first served.
HS Track Update
The HS Track & Field teams kicked off the outdoor season
at Tri-Valley on April 6 with the GIRLS finishing 2nd and
the BOYS claiming the team title! The Chargers had 10 events qualify for the state meet
including: Grace Perrenoud, Justus Adams, Parker Nelson, Cooper Hitt, DeJay Fykstra, Caleb
DeWeerd, Lance VanZee, Mitch Oostra, and Connor Watley.
FCA Honor Athlete Banquet
Congratulations to Sawyer Prins and Cameron Belden for being selected as our FCA Honor
Athletes. They will be honored at the FCA banquet this Mon., Apr. 24 at Gloria Dei Lutheran
Church – appetizers and fellowship starts at 6:00, the banquet begins at 7:00 pm. All HS
athletes, coaches and parents are invited to attend - there is no admission charge.