 For 63 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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Plumb Line Sponsors | |
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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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Plumb Line is a publication of Des Moines Christian School.
Editorial content provided by:
Dr. Bob Stouffer, Superintendent
Mike Hain, School Parent
Howard Harris, Head Softball Coach
Derek Flack, Head Baseball Coach
Samona Joy Yentes, Development Director
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Calendar
of Events
November 22
Elementary Harvest Parties
November 30 Veteran's Day Chapel
December 2
Grandparents Day & Elementary Christmas Concerts
December 8
Secondary Christmas Concert
December 23 Christmas Break Begins (All Offices Closed)
January 3
School Resumes
February 15
We Love Our Pastors Day
February 18
Big Blue Bash
February 28
Kindergarten Round Up
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Spotlight On... Mr. Fred Reeck
by Dr. Bob Stouffer, Superintendent
The Lord Jesus recently called Fred Arthur Reeck, a great saint and forefather of Des Moines Christian School, to heaven, and I was humbled and honored to officiate his memorial service. Fred was a committed husband to Lorraine Fischer for 61 years. Fred was a loving father to 4 children and a memorable grandfather to 9, great-grandfather to 25, and great-great-grandfather to 11! Fred was a brave soldier, honored with numerous Army awards for his service during World War II. Fred was a great friend to everyone - a man with an extremely positive and encouraging spirit. Des Moines Christian owes a GREAT debt of gratitude for the extraordinary generosity shown by Fred, when he sold his farm on 86th Street near the Interstate in order to secure our current property (actually God's property!) in Western Urbandale. He and Lorraine were leading parents in the early days of Des Moines Christian. Right after DMC had moved from First Federated Church to Urbandale, I invited Fred to tour our new school facilities. He had been worried about being able to get around the 150,000 square feet of the properties, because he was having some physical difficulties. In a letter of October 7, 2005, he wrote, "Dear Supt. Bob: Little did I realize what was in store for me. I wondered if I could make the tour, but the school was so exciting, a wholesome, exciting building, airy and colorful. It would just lift the spirit of anyone who could see it. My wife, Lorraine, would be overjoyed to see the progress and well planned school. I am sure she is rejoicing in heaven, knowing the school is so well-directed and focused upon all the future leaders of America. Thanks be unto God for His unspeakable gift of a home in heaven. Lord bless you and keep you and the family - Fred Reeck." Fred Reeck was a wonderful man of God and a believer in the Lord Jesus Christ! I praise God that I called Fred my friend. As he did, I thirst to leave a positive legacy to DMC. And I look forward to the day when I will be rejoicing with him in glory!
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In His Own Words by Mike Hain, School Parent
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Mike, Mary, Julie, & Joyous Hain |
Our daughter Joyous started attending DMCS as a 5th grader in January 2011. DMCS has been a huge encouragement to our family in so many ways!
Godly example of leadership: We have been encouraged by the leadership of Dr. Stouffer. Before we even met him, we could sense a genuine heart for Jesus in the emails he sent to school families. After spending time with him, we feel blessed to have a superintendent who shares and cares so personally and meaningfully. Joyous' teachers have a true spirit of joy, kindness, flexibility, and love that we have sensed first hand. Other staff in the offices have been very helpful, understanding and
thoughtful to us as we have transitioned to a new school.
Biblical teaching content: We appreciate the Biblical worldview in all that's taught. We are grateful for the chapel emphasis on Wednesday morning and the weekly Bible verses that students learn. It has provided another opportunity for us to be in the Word together with Joyous!
Meaningful "Intangibles:" Coming to DMCS from a public school, some things stand out in contrast to that situation. Because of the Biblical standard that is emphasized as a way of life at DMCS, we sense some intangibles: students have clean fun with one another, and are not mistreating each other or being disrespectful; classes seem more relaxed since there is a standard of conduct which is being enforced appropriately. We also sense an emphasis on the hearts of students before the 'external forms', which leads students to truly love Jesus! |
Softball Team Puts Stellar Season in the Books
by Howard Harris, Head Softball Coach  | |
L-R: Britt Schoon ('11), Leah Harris ('12),
Elsa Anderson ('15), Annette Bosman ('12) |
The Lions recorded 26 wins and 8 losses, the third best record in DMC history. The most gratifying win was over Highland, Riverside 10-3 for the Regional Championship to become the third team in Lion softball history to qualify for the State Tournament. The Lions defeated Treynor 7-2 to secure 7th place in the State Tournament. In addition, the Lions finished second in the West Central Activities Conference with a 13-3 record and won tournaments at West Branch and Lynnville-Sully. Returning starters included senior Britt Schoon; juniors Annette Bosman, Tierra Fletcher, Leah Harris and Nicole Huffey; and sophomore Natalie Morris. Also returning were freshmen Beka Bell and Morgan Heilskov. The returning Lions were joined by sophomore Olivia Rasmussen and an outstanding 8th grade class of Anna Albaugh, Elsa Anderson, Maddie Cappel, Chloe Frey, Lizzy Miklus and Maddie Wagner. This remarkable group of players believed nothing was impossible; their attitude and strength of will resulted in several come-from-behind victories. Britt Schoon, elected captain by the team, and Natalie Morris, selected team chaplain by the coaches, provided the team with excellent leadership and spiritual guidance. The team, Assistant Coach Doug Glade, and I greatly appreciate the tremendous support of the parents, administration, Athletic Booster Club, volunteers and fans. Post-season award winners included: Iowa Girls Coaches Association All-State Class 1A: 1st Team - Schoon; Honorable Mention - Bosman and Harris; All-District Team Class 1A Central: Harris and Schoon; Iowa Sports Connection All-State 2nd Team Class 1A: Bosman and Schoon; West Central Activities Conference 1st Team - Harris and Schoon; 2nd Team - Bosman, Fletcher and Morris; Honorable Mention: Albaugh and Rasmussen.
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Record Season on the Lion's Diamond
by Derek Flack, Head Baseball Coach
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L-R: Coach Flack, Elliott Frey ('12), Sean Glenn ('12) |
The 2011 baseball season was another successful one for the Lions. The team finished 18-12 overall and 13-3 in conference, which earned them second place. The Lions Junior Varsity team finished 21-6-1, which was the first 20 win JV season of record at DMC. The Lions were among the Class 2A leaders in many offensive categories, finishing in the top 8 in 6 different categories. The Lions led Class 2A in doubles and finished 5th overall in the state in doubles.
The Lions placed 6 players on All-Conference teams. Junior Sean Glenn, 1st team Pitcher; Sophomore Alex Toulouse, 1st team Infield; Junior Tyler Osborn, 1st team Outfield and Senior Colin Frye, 1st team Wild Card. Junior Justin Nunes, OF and Senior Eric Frye, INF were named to the 2nd team All-Conference. Tyler Osborn was also named 1st team All-District and Colin Frye was 2nd team All-District in the Central Region for Class 2A.
The story of the year for the baseball program was offense. The Lions scored a school record 297 runs in 30 games. The Lions also set school records in Batting Average, Hits, Doubles, and RBIs. Alex Toulouse broke the single season RBI record with 44 RBIs on the year. The Lions scored 10 or more runs in 15 of their 30 games, including 21 runs against Panorama, 20 against Central Decatur (including 19 in the 1st inning), and 19 runs against Earlham. The 2011 team was able to accomplish everything they did through the amazing team chemistry they showed throughout the season.
This was a very close knit group of players that spent many hours together not only on the field, but before games, practice and at Wendy's after the games. That closeness allowed the team to trust each other and battle through all adversity that showed up throughout the season.
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Back When I Was in High School
by Samona Joy Yentes, Development Director
 My grandson, Jackson, is 3 years old. He has a ready smile that bursts to life with two gotcha dimples the moment his eyes crack open in the morning. Excited about what the day will bring, Jack loves to smile and he loves to tell stories. In fact, his best stories begin with "Back when I was in high school."
Among the many hilarious things he says, his "back in high school" caused me to reflect on Jackson's worldview. You see, in Jack's story, he has already envisioned himself having caught the touchdown pass on a high school football team, having climbed tall mountains, and having won the monster truck race.
As stewards of Des Moines Christian School, we can learn from Jack's visionary perspective. Sixty-five years ago, someone envisioned a school based on biblical truth. Nearly two decades ago, someone envisioned a beautiful campus in the western suburbs. A decade ago, someone envisioned a DMCS football team heading into the playoffs. More recently school leaders envision music and drama performances in our own multi-purpose facility, and students envision themselves kicking a field goal or winning the DMCS Relays in a stadium that doesn't yet exist.
Nearly 1,000 early education-through-high school students are living the dream - someone's dream about Christ-centered education on a beautiful campus. We are now envisioning the future for another generation of 3-year-olds who dream about "back when I was at Des Moines Christian School," and to allow God to use us to make it those dreams come true.
Our own children have long since graduated, but as an alumni parent, one of my favorite checks to write still has "Des Moines Christian School" in the payable line because I can clearly see generations yet unborn walking across the stage in a DMCS graduation robe. And in my mind, I still applaud with tears for what God will have done in their lives!
As you pray about the mission of DMCS, what can you see?
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The 2011 volleyball season was a huge success! The Lions placed 2nd in the West Central Conference with a 21-9 record.
The DMCS Varsity football team finished the 2011 season with a record of 9-2; the best record in the history of the program.
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DMCS recently received a first place award in the 10th annual Snow- plow Painting Contest hosted by the Des Moines Department of Public Works. DMCS high school art students painted at Des Moines city- scape design titled, "Greetings from Des Moines." Snow plow artists include (L-R): Rachel Hansen ('12), Emily Carlson ('13), Remi Fox ('13) , Kirstin Lundy ('13), Gabi Wilson ('12), Emma Anderson ('12), Erika Veurink ('14), and Secondary Art Instructor Mrs. Sunderman. Not pictured are NaSeul Son ('13), Taylor Davidson ('12), and Carly Grotenhuis ('12). |
 DMCS sophomore Nick Bedford and his father, Ron, started planning this Lego Lion in 2010. The 6'2" x 4'2" lion took over three weeks to build. Father and son built the lion in sections and assembled it on-site at the DMCS football home opener. Lego projects are an annual event for the Bedford boys. Past projects include an ISU logo and a 7' replica of the Principal Tower (801 Grand).
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The DMCS drum line won "Best Drum Line" awards at Urbandale Marching Fest and Valley Fest. Clockwise from far left: Skip Davis, David Galloway, TJ Cooley, Tyler Ludwig, Alajandro Galloway, Henry Knollenberg, and Caleb Fisher (center)
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