Volume 3, Issue 2 Winter Edition Upcoming Events: The Bridge Builder BY WILL ALLEN DROMGOOLE. March 2: 1st-5th Elementary Speech Meet

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1 Volume 3, Issue 2 Winter Edition 2018 Upcoming Events: March 2: 1st-5th Elementary Speech Meet March 23: No School; End of 3rd Quarter Variety Show March 27: CCS Open House 6:30-8:00 March 30: No School; Good Friday April 2-6: Spring Break April 12: Showcase April 13: Spring Sports Pictures April 19: Spiritual Emphasis Day April 27: Prospective Students Day CCS Carnival To Begin With The Three W s of Philanthropy Greater love has no one than this, that someone lay down his life for his friends. (John 15:13) This verse illustrates the relationship between love and true friendship and foreshadows Christ s death on the cross. It also depicts the sacrifice that soldiers and first responders make on behalf of those they save. Many benefit from such love but few are called to illustrate it. In a more general sense, however, we all face times in our lives when we are asked to give up something we need for the sake of someone who needs it even more. We are called to be philanthropists. Bear with me as I explain that word by looking at its Greek roots: William Penn was the founder of PENNsylvania, a name bestowed by King Charles II. (Sylvania is Latin for forest.) Penn was a Quaker, a religious sect also known as The Friends. In 1682, Penn named the capital city of his colony Philadelphia, a biblical city name whose literal translation from the Greek means brotherly love (philos=love and adelphos=brother). Most of us know this about the word Philadelphia, so let s do the same with the word philanthropy: The Greek root word of the second part of that word is anthropo, which means human or mankind. This is seen in words like anthropology: the study of mankind. It s also the root word of misanthrope: a person who hates mankind or distrusts all people in general. A philanthropist is the opposite of a misanthrope. Philanthropists find a cause that they believe serves mankind or promotes the true reason man exists, and they give of their wealth, work, or wisdom to that cause. Wealth, work, and wisdom are sometimes called the three Ws of philanthropy. Short of laying down one s life, greater love can not be shown than this, that someone gives generously of the three Ws for a cause shared by friends. That is the essence of philanthropy. Whenever we help a cause by working (especially as a volunteer) or sharing years of experience and hours of prayer (wisdom), we are philanthropists, but that third W, wealth (financial support), typically shows itself as if a reverse reflection of Matthew 6:21: Where your heart is, there will your treasure be also. In other words, when we care enough to give of our time and talents, it naturally follows that we give financially, too. Did you know that hundreds of philanthropists make CCS possible? Each year between 7,000 and 10,000 volunteer hours are served in this building. Did you know that there are over 400 years of experience in Christian education represented in our CCS staff? Did you know that if each person reading this article committed to praying for CCS just five minutes a week, it would be over 3,500 hours? That is a lot of work and wisdom! And without those two Ws, this next W would fall short, but did you know that CCS donors have given well over a million dollars to CCS since the school became independent in 2012? This year alone our donors have collectively helped span the GAP between tuition income and operational need by over $120,000 so far. Without that support, CCS would not exist. Did you know that the vast majority of CCS donors are not wealthy by the world s standards, but they are all philanthropists in God s eyes? They give what they can to support CCS in the same spirit of the man in The Bridge Builder poem below. They give because they know this world is changing and not for the better. They see a growing need in our country and in our culture for young leaders who know they were created in God s image, male and female created He them (Genesis 1:27/5:2) ; young leaders who are not ashamed of the gospel of Christ. (Romans 1:16) ; who work well with others and strive to live peaceably with all. (Romans 12:18) ; young leaders who know there is no greater cause than showing no greater love than this. With your help CCS will continue to shape young leaders for the glory of God. Thank you all for the lifeline you have laid down for your friends at CCS! Tom Kapanka CCS Administrator The Bridge Builder BY WILL ALLEN DROMGOOLE An old man going a lone highway, Came, at the evening cold and gray, To a chasm vast and deep and wide. Through which was flowing a sullen tide The old man crossed in the twilight dim, The sullen stream had no fear for him; But he turned when safe on the other side And built a bridge to span the tide. Old man, said a fellow pilgrim near, You are wasting your strength with building here; Your journey will end with the ending day, You never again will pass this way; You ve crossed the chasm, deep and wide, Why build this bridge at evening tide? The builder lifted his old gray head; Good friend, in the path I have come, he said, There followed after me to-day A youth whose feet must pass this way. This chasm that has been as naught to me To that fair-haired youth may a pitfall be; He, too, must cross in the twilight dim; Good friend, I am building this bridge for him!

2 Published quarterly by and in the interest of Calvary Christian Schools 5873 Kendra Rd. Fruitport, MI Board of Directors Chairman Tom Watkins Vice Chairman Jeff Zehr Secretary/Treasurer Brad Richards Mark Anderson Joy Assaad Carrie Hamilton Jim Verboncouer Andrew Wesner Roman Wilson Ken Wolffis We have gone digital! We will now be sending out the CCS newsletter via ! If you would like to add someone to our list to receive the newsletter only, please call the office at or Julie Beals at Hard copies of the newsletter will be available outside the school office. Office Hours Monday Friday 7:30 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. Phone Number Website: YOU DID THIS! Page 2 As the calendar turned to the new year of 2018, my heart again rejoiced at the many ways you all help us "do school" at CCS. We have scores of servants who give of their time, talents, and treasures to help our school function well. Mr. Kapanka and I were just discussing our incredible school family and how we both should thank our volunteers and donors in this newsletter. As a school volunteer myself, I deeply appreciate all of you so much! As Paul told the Thessalonians: I "thank God for you, brothers, and rightly so, because your faith is growing more and more, and the love every one of you has for each other is increasing." I wholeheartedly agree with his statement in regard to our volunteers, stakeholders and school families. God has gifted each member of our CCS family with unique abilities and you are so faithful to use them for the betterment of our students. You multiply what our staff members are can do on their own. We are able to see God working in our students' lives because of our volunteers...you DID THIS! I am particularly thankful this year for the faithfulness of our donors. It is a joy to behold, as so many of you give sacrificially to CCS. We are able to see God work in our students' lives because of our financial partners...you DID THIS!" You allowed God to work in your heart on the school's behalf, making a difference for all eternity with your gifts. CCS can "partner with parents to equip students toward personal excellence and the pursuit of God's purpose for (student's) lives" because you gave. Students are growing in their walk with God because you gave. The school has a beautiful facility with a freshly sealed parking lot and new LED lights because you gave. Every year, every gift, no matter the size, makes a difference. CCS does not have donors who give a million dollars, but CCS does have donors whose gifts are priceless. Steady, reliable support is so cherished. Many organizations long for the faithful donor base that CCS has enjoyed. Thank you for giving to CCS and may God bless you richly for your generosity. Jesus told his disciples in John 12:26; "My Father will honor the one who serves me." Today, I too would like to honor all of our volunteers and donors for a job well done. May God, who richly blesses us, honor and bless you as you have served Him well at CCS. Your faithfulness makes a difference in so many student and faculty lives and makes a difference for all eternity. May we all be steadfast in our love and support for CCS. Go Eagles!! Dr. Tom Watkins, CCS Board President One to One Muskegon Rescue Mission Gift Giving The CCS Student Council was excited to once again organize a school wide effort to partner with Muskegon Rescue Mission in providing gifts for approximately 100 children during the holiday season. Students were able to collect and place their unwrapped gift under the tree in the rotunda and then we were all able to gather in the rotunda to pray for these children and the gifts they were about to receive and that their lives would be blessed through this effort.

3 Page 3 Grades K4-12 Invite Your Family, Friends, Neighbors & Co-workers! We would love for you and your child to visit the classroom. Call Calvary for more information and to schedule a visit!

4 CCS Homecoming Spirit Week! Theme: Around the World Monday: Patriotic Tuesday: Travel Tourist Wednesday: Heritage Around the World Thursday: Out of this World Friday: Blue and Gold Day Page 4 Homecoming Banquet A great evening was had by all with dinner and dancing activities at the Tri-Cities Museum, a stroll down the street for dessert at the Pump House and some bowling to end the evening of fun! 2018 Homecoming Court Representatives Freshman Class: Rose Wesner and Ben Gerst Sophomore Class: Niya Wetzig and Matthew Anderson Junior Class: Rena Malek and Luke Anhalt Senior Class: Christine Meyer, Haven Borghi, Toby Eichhorst 2018 King and Queen Seth McKee and Jessica Assaad

5 Page 5 Boys Varsity Basketball Boys JV Basketball The boys varsity team, coached by Jeff Zehr, continues to have a successful season. They have worked very hard despite having no seniors on the team and have had some great wins and some close games that they can be very proud of. The boys first round district game is scheduled for Wednesday, March 7, 7:30 p.m. at Muskegon Catholic Central. Girls JV Basketball Girls Varsity Basketball Boys M.S. Basketball The girls varsity team, coached by Brad Richards, continues to have a very successful season. They have a young team with no seniors They have worked very hard together and have surprised many going undefeated in the conference and winning the title 2018 Alliance League Conference Champions. They ended their regular season The girls beat Muskegon Catholic and Muskegon Heights to win the 2018 District Title! They will continue their play on Tuesday, March 6 in the Regional semi-finals. Girls M.S. Basketball

6 Page 6 Learning in Kindergarten is fun at CCS! Kindergartners are taught through play based learning, age appropriate worldview curriculum and a weekly schedule that increases from 3 days a week during the first quarter to 4 days a week 2nd and 3rd quarter. The Kindergarten students will then attend all 5 days a week during the 4th quarter. (See Kindergarten ad on page 3) Calvary Christian Schools Variety Show Friday, March 23 6:30 PM Join us for a very fun evening of performances and artwork displayed by Calvary Christian Schools Middle School and Tickets sold at the door $2.00 each with $10.00 family maximum. There will also be a wonderful bake sale. All proceeds from the bake sale will go to support the CCS Fine Arts Department. CCS National Honor Society Winter Gear and Coat Drive Donations made to Love In Action CCS Mission Statement Partnering with parents to equip students toward personal excellence and the pursuit of God s purpose for their lives.

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8 We have gone digital! 5873 Kendra Rd. Fruitport, MI Phone: Fax: Website: We will now be sending the CCS newsletter via ! If you would like to add someone to our list to receive the newsletter only, please call the office at or Julie Beals at Hard copies of the newsletter will be available outside the school office. Follow Us! K-12 Accredidation: Order your coffee today! Call for more Information!