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For 61 years, Des Moines Christian School has been centered on the true, unchanging Word of God. The law of gravity, which establishes the resting point for the carpenter's plumb bob, was established by God. God established the plumb line of truth in His Word and will hold us accountable for any deviation from the center. Just as the carpenter dares not miss his exact vertical when erecting a wall, DMCS will not veer from our mission: Equipping students with an excellent Biblically-directed, Christ-centered education. | | |
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Calendar of Events
November 1 - 3
ACSI Accreditation Visit
November 9 - 11
K-12 Parent - Teacher Conferences
Novemver 17 - 19
Integrated Preschool Conferences
November 23Elementary Harvest Parties
November 24 - 26
School Closed - Thanksgiving Break
November 30
National Honor Society Induction December 3
Grandparents Day
December 20 - 22
Secondary Semester Finals
Dec 23 - Jan 3
School Closed - Christmas Break
January 4 School Resumes
January 6
Alumni Night at the Ballgame
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Thanks to Our 11th Annual Golf Tournament Sponsors
Presenting
AMZ Financial Services
Anonymous
Bankers Trust - Clive
Benefit Source
Corn States Metal Fabricators
Johnsrud Transport Learning Rx
Park West Apartments
Tee
Anonymous Country Club Dental
Daddy O's Catering
Don & Deb Laster
Farrell's Extreme Bodyshaping
Fast Signs
Financial Forms - Steve Hocker
Flynn Wright
Hummel's Nissan
Iowa Clinic, Dr. Todd Troll
Iowa Realty, Jim Manderfi eld Iowa Realty, Larry Pickering Iowa State Bank
Lounsbury Landscaping Sand & Gravel McDonald's, Steve Mathson Northwestern College Peterson Painting Pioneer Hi-Bred Intl Inc Riemenschneider Law Firm Roberts and Dybdahl, Inc. Smart Honda Stew Hansen's Dodge City Veenstra Insurance Agency Vital Support Systems Wesley Woods Camp & Retreat Center |
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Plumb Line Sponsors | |
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A fond farewell to Early Education Co-
Director Priscilla Reynolds, who retired in August after 33 years of service. We wish her God's blessings.
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Des Moines Christian School Foundation | |
Do you love Christian education, but are unable to give now? Leave your legacy for future generations by placing Des Moines Christian School Foundation in your will/estate plan.
Consult your financial planner or call DMCS Foundation Representative Jim Miller at (515) 440-7661 or Development Director Samona Yentes at (515) 252-2497. | |
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Contact Us |
Administration
(515) 252-2480
Business Office
(515) 252-2494
Development Office (515) 252-2496
Early Education (515) 252-2482
Elementary Office
(515) 252-2485
Secondary Office
(515) 252-2490 | |
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Answers to new teacher quiz:
1. Lori Manderfield
2. Angela Thye
3. Brenda Simpson
4. Darci Lantz
5. Sarah Selby
6. Jennifer Jones
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Students Give to Operation Christmas Child
Operation Christmas Child brings joy and hope to children in desperate situations worldwide through simple, gift-filled shoe boxes. Yet the impact of OCC goes far beyond smiles and laughter. "These simple gifts become gospel opportunities, opening hurting hearts to experience the transforming power of Jesus Christ," said Stacey Miller, parent coordinator for the DMCS project.
Fourth-grade students will lead Elementary chapel on November 17th. Filled shoe boxes will be collected and prayed over before going to the collection center. If you do not have a current DMC student, but would like to donate a filled shoe box, please bring it to DMCS Elementary Office on or before Nov. 16.
Brochures detailing how to fill a shoe box are available in the school offices. For more information contact Stacey Miller at (515) 331-0012. |
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Plumb Line is a
publication of Des Moines Christian
School. Editorial content was provided by Development Director Samona Joy Yentes, and Dr. Bob
Stouffer, Superintendent. The Plumb Line was edited by Association Member Jennifer Erickson. |
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Spotlight On... Greg and Tim Hammer
"Never underestimate what God can do."
Sarah, Roxan, Greg and Tim Hammer |
A summer kidney transplant united this DMCS graduate with his adoptive father in a unique way. Born with a congenital condition that led to the damage of his kidneys, Greg Hammer received his first donated kidney transplant in 1984 at age 28 from his mother. The transplant took, but the anti-rejection drugs eventually led to mouth cancer, which he battled from 1999 through 2006. In the process, part of his jaw was removed. Before this, Greg and Roxan adopted two children: Timothy in 1986, and Sarah in 1992. Both children attended DMCS; Tim graduated from DMCS in 2004 and from Bethel University in 2008.
During Tim's senior year at Bethel, Greg's donated kidney failed, and he began dialysis. However, Greg's ENT doctor at the University of Iowa gave the green light for him to be a transplant candidate after being on dialysis for over two years. While on a weekend visit at Iowa City, Tim browsed through his dad's medical chart and noticed that he and his adopted father shared the same blood type. God planted a seed in his mind, and over the next year, Tim prayed about the possibility of donating a kidney to his father. "I wasn't ever really nervous about side effects" refl ected Tim. "God orchestrated so many pieces of it. I grew up knowing my grandmother donated a kidney." As a biology major, he was both interested and comfortable with 'the medical side of it.' In fact, he watched a kidney transplant online to see what would happen. "It seemed selfish to say no," he said.
Out of his protective instinct, Greg did say no at first, "Parents take care of their children, not vice versa." However, both Tim's mother and grandmother supported the decision. A series of tests followed to determine if they both would match.
Tim recounts a humorous meeting with his mother and the oncology nurse. The nurse informed them that Tim and Greg matched seven out of ten factors, "which is what you would expect from a father-son relationship." Roxan replied, "Well actually, Tim is adopted." To which the nurse replied, "Are you sure?"
The transplant took place August 5th, 2010 at University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics. Two weeks later Tim was back at his job as Web Communications Specialist in Bethel University's Office of Communication and Marketing. Greg remained hospitalized for a week. Three weeks after surgery, he returned to his teaching position at Des Moines Area Community College, which has also given him a renewed appreciation for Des Moines Christian. DMACC Urban Campus is the most diverse campus in Iowa, so Greg interacts with a wide range of students, including Des Moines Christian graduates. Greg commented, "DMCS students tend to be better prepared for college, demonstrating good writing, study skills, and attitudes.
That attitude was expressed in love through his son's loving gift. "When I found out Tim wanted to donate, I did not think we would match. But God did something I did not expect. You can never underestimate what God can do," Greg said. |
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Enrollment Growth Drives Scholarship Needs
Des Moines Christian has been inordinately blessed, ending our previous fiscal year in the black. DMCS has experienced a 7.8% enrollment increase for 2010-2011 with over 70 additional full-time students, creating a need for a third class section in 3 elementary grades.
"It is not so much about the enrollment numbers," commented Development Director Samona Yentes, "as it is welcoming many more children into the practical discipleship of Christ-centered education!" Increased enrollment resulted in both a growing operating budget and increased scholarship needs. Business Manager,Julia Veenstra requested that $20,000 of our 2010 overage (positive fundraising plus savings on our expense side) be directed to Christian Scholar Grants (CSG).
 Veenstra stated, "Even with these additional funds, we have met less than 30% of our identified need. Some families,who have qualified for assistance through a confidential process, will struggle to make their tuition payments without additional assistance."
The remaining scholarship need for 2010-2011 is still around $170,000. There are several ways to help families with tuition assistance:
1. The Christian Scholar grant: Gifts made payable to Des Moines Christian School with "scholarship fund" designated in the memo are tax-deductible.
2. The Heart of Iowa School Tuition Organization: Checks written to the Heart of Iowa STO receive a 65% tax credit on your State of Iowa income taxes. Limited tax credits are available on a fi rst come-first served basis.
(Gifts to CSG and the STO may not be directed to a specific student.)
3. TAP (Tuition Assistance Program) is a program of purchasing gifts certificates through the school for businesses where you shop. A percentage of your purchase goes back to the school and may be directed to a student.
Praise God for the privilege of extending the love of our scholarship donors to families who receive Christ-centered education through those gifts." added Yentes.
To learn more about supporting DMCS, contact Samona Yentes at (515) 252-2497 or go to www.dmcs.org. Click on "Donate" or "TAP." |
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In Her Own Words by Rebecca Neathery, Former DMCS Parent
"I just wanted to thank you once again for such an incredible experience at DMC...we knew while we were there that it was a wonderful place, but being away has made it even more obvious what a special school you all are a part of. You have set the bar high for our expectations from a Christian school. From day one, we appreciated your attention and warmth shown to our family, and I knew you were pouring out the same kindness to everyone else.
Hannah Neathery and 5th grade teacher Durinda Bakker  | "I especially want to thank you for leading the school to enjoy freedom in Christ. I never felt a legalistic spirit about any of the "rules" or programs at DMC. How important and precious that is! We miss the relationships because there were relationships--with Christ and with each other. What a beautiful projection of what Christ has in store for us. Keep pressing on, and know that your labor is not in vain!"
We ask God's blessings on the Neathery family and pray that they will find an excellent Christian school in Texas. |
Meet Our New Teachers
 L-R: Darci Lantz (2nd grade), Lori Manderfield (2nd grade), Sarah Selby (Secondary Vocal Music), Brenda Simpson (3rd grade) and Angela Thye (3rd grade) not pictured: Jennifer Jones (Spanish Instructor) Can you match each teacher with the correct fact?
1. I was a Synchronized Swimmer for 6 years.
2. I spent 8 years of my life as a missionary in Indonesia.
3. Iowa is the 6th state I've taught in.
4. I played Giannetta in the opera, Elixir of Love, at UNI.
5. I was homecoming queen at Northwestern College in St. Paul.
6. I have not heard a sermon in English in four years.
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Rain Doesn't Dampen Lions Baseball
Josh Arment
Class of 2010  |
The 2010 Lions baseball season was successful in spite of having seven games canceled due to weather. The team finished third in the West Central Activities Conference with a 14-4 conference record and 15-11 overall. The Lions ended their season in district play, falling to eventual 1A State Champion Martensdale St. Mary's. The JV team finished the season 17-0-1.
WCAC All-Conference Team selections included Senior Josh Arment, Outfield and Freshman Alex Toulouse, Infield on First Team. Second Team members were Sophomore Justin Nunes and Senior Ben McIntosh, Outfield; and Junior Luke Finley, Wild Card. Juniors Colin Frye and Eric Frye received Honorable Mentions. At Class 1A Central All-District level, Arment and Frye earned 1st Team, and Finley, Nunes, and McIntosh were named to 2nd Team.
Senior Josh Arment finished a stellar career as a four-time 1st Team All-Conference player, a three-time 1st Team All-District player, and was named All-State three times by the Iowa High School Baseball Coaches Association (IHSBCA) and twice by the Iowa Newspaper Association. Josh is the first DMC baseball player to be selected for the IHSBCA All-Star games. |
Softball Season Highlights
Beginning the season as a predominantly sophomore team, the Lions improved their conference record from 2009 to 11 wins and 6 losses. Season highlights included a late-season victory over the Class 1A 4th-ranked team, and handing Conference champion, Woodward-Granger, their only conference loss.
Team Captains, Hannah Heilskov and Sam Smith, and Chaplain Emily Erickson provided the team with excellent leadership and spiritual guidance.
Five players were selected for West Central Activities All- Conference honors: Leah Harris, 1st team; Annette Bosman and Britt Schoon, 2nd team; Hannah Heilskov and Natalie Morris, Honorable Mention.
Bosman was named to the All-District team, and Bosman, Harris and Schoon were also recognized as All-State Honorable Mention.
Back row: Ass't Coach Emily Bosman, Nicole Huffey, Britt Schoon, Sara Juhl, Annette Bosman, Abbie Hinrichs, Ass't Coach Debra Borcherding. Middle row: Sam Smith, Hannah Heilskov, Natalie Morris, Sam Hinrichs, Leah Harris. Front row: Emily Erickson, Morgan Heilskov, Tierra Fletcher. Not pictured: Head Coach Howard Harris |
2010 Grandparents Day and Christmas Programs
Date Change: Friday, December 3, 2010
Grandparents Day is one of the most wonderful days of the year at DMCS! It is also the most challenging to plan one all-school event so that Grandparents from out of town are able to attend the programs of their grandchildren at any grade level. We have grown out of our own facility and were unable to fi nd an available location for the 2nd week of December. However, Grace Church has graciously offered to host our event on Friday, Dec. 3.
We hope you are able join our students for this special day to honor our Grandparents and pray that our Christmas celebration will transform our minds and hearts to worship Jesus Christ - the Reason for the Christmas season.
Noon
DMCS Foundation Grandparents Luncheon at Machine Shed Restaurant
1:15 - 2:30
Elementary Open House at DMCS Elementary 2:30 early dismissal
3:30 - 8:30
K-12 Christmas Programs at Grace Church
Invitations will be sent to Grandparents in November. Details will be posted to our website (www.dmcs.org) as they become available. |
In Loving Memory
Des Moines Christian extends our love and sympathy to the families of the following DMCS alumni parents and/or grandparents, who have passed from this life into eternity. We praise God for their lives and the legacy of faith they have given to their families and to our school.
Debbie Berkebile
Parent of Jacob Hines, Class of 2002
Patti Fontanini
Parent of Chloe Fontanini,Class of 2006
Jackie Mars
Parent of Dustin Mars,Class of 1994
Grandmother of Olivia (6th), Braden (4th),
Addison (1st)
Robert "Bob" Peterson
Parent of Todd Peterson,Class of 1999,
Cary & Chris Peterson (through 8th grade, 1980's)
Grandfather of Ellie (1st), Brooklyn (PS)
James "Jim" Schryver
Parent of Shelly Justice,
Class of 1991
"...His faithfulness continues through all generations."
Psalm 100:5 |
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| Tuition Angel by a scholarship recipient
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