Anyone in DMC or throughout the world can now start following me, Dr. Bob, on Twitter! I have arrived in the 21^st Century! Look for my posts  @DrBobStouffer! I'll try not to over-tweet! 

Would you like up-to-date notices about school closings and athletic scores? Follow Des Moines Christian School @DMCS_Updates

Congratulations to Andi Erickson ('12),who was recently named as a finalist (with only 10 girls in Iowa) for the Wendy's High School Heisman Award!

Immediate Opening for Part-Time Lunchroom Server:  The DMCS kitchen needs a lunchroom server on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Fridays.  Regular hours are 10:15 a.m. until 1:45 p.m.  If you are interested in serving one or more days, please submit your application to Julia Veenstra, Business Manager.  Applications can be found on our website.

Do you ever wonder how a school superintendent makes a decision about snow days, late-starts, or early-outs? The white stuff has already fallen. If you'd like to know the anatomy of a snow day decision, please click here. Better yet, follow Dr. Bob on Twitter for the most up-to-date information about school!

Our elementary guidance counselor, Amy Wilson, is gathering information on who would be interested in attending Divorce Care for Kids (DC4K). This opportunity was offered last year as an after-school program, and, with enough interest, the group will be available again this year on Monday afternoons. This program is designed for kids 5-12 years old who have been through a divorce either recently or in the past. If you would like more information on DC4K, you can contact Mrs. Wilson at 252-2485, or check out the website.

SEAMSTRESSES NEEDED:   Can you follow a pattern?  Would you share your talent with the high school Show Choir - Light, Inc.?  We are in urgent need of people to help sew boys' vests for this year's show.  Contact Sharon Zonnefeld to volunteer or get more information.

Don't forget magazines make great Christmas gifts! Parent Teacher Fellowship(PTF) would like to remind you that MAGAZINES can be purchased for your family and friends as CHRISTMAS GIFTS!  If you have been looking for that perfect gift for that hard-to-buy-for friend or relative, a new or renewed magazine subscription may be just the solution!  This is a fast and easy way to shop -- plus, 40% of every sale goes to Des Moines Christian School!  Digital Subscriptions are available at here.  Simply copy and paste our school's account number into the SCHOOL / ORGANIZATION # box: 1082632* Click "Shop Now," and support our school on our personalized school web page!  In past years, we have used the money raised from magazine sales to purchase enhancements for our playground, classrooms, offices, landscaping, technology, and equipment.  We have also been able to bless our awesome teachers and wonderful students!  Thank you in advance for your continued support of Des Moines Christian School and your PTF!

Mrs. Kostek has received information regarding the Iowa National Guard Officers Auxiliary Scholarship. If you are a child/stepchild of an Iowa National Guard member - either currently serving, retired, or a deceased retiree - you are eligible for scholarship application. Stop in the Secondary Guidance Office for your application.

Mrs. Kostek has received information on the U.S. Bank Scholarship Program.  Interested seniors and college undergraduates can apply online at here.

Welcome to winter! We are so excited to continue in the work of preparing students for healthy relationships and equipping parents/guardians to teach their children through The Great Relationship Experience activities this month. Please visit the website today to check out the supplementary content for December. And don't forget, past months' material is available year round for your convenience. Please feel free to call or email with any questions and thank you again for investing in your children's future relationships today!
 

Thanks to everyone who made the annual "Veteran's Day" chapel such a meaningful event on Wednesday, November 10, 2011!  I (Dr. Bob) was so pleased that Pastor Mudlaff and others were able to pull together a color guard for the chapel.  Such is a great opportunity for the boys in the color guard and for the entire audience to observe a formal presenting of the flags for this special ceremony.  Junior Shelby Gates sang the National Anthem beautifully once again, as she had during last year's chapel.  Secondary Vocal Music Director Sarah Selby does an excellent job of preparing every single individual or ensemble to perform "The Star Spangled Banner" so well.  With all due respect, our singers and instrumentalists always sound light years ahead of the performers from other schools. Major Kyle Smith 's message was absolutely perfect!   He hit great points and moved fluently through his notes.  The story of the Congressional Medal of Honor winner from Iowa was superb.  We are SO TOUCHED to have received a framed American flag with an impeccably-composed plate by Major Smith.  Lisa Fitzgerald found, recorded, cued, and played the military anthems, which added a great deal to the celebration.  Kindergarten Teachers Deb Johnston,  Roxanne Pemoulie, and Vickie Greiman  -- and Kindergarteners in the DMCS Class of 2024 prepared well and touched everyone in the audience with the voices of angels.  Carmen Kopf made sure that everyone could hear the chapel through the two fully-powered microphones.  Elementary Principal Jerry Clutts offering a meaningful prayer at the close of the chapel.  Again, this was one of my favorite chapels of the year.  My heart just swelled with pride, love, appreciation, and joy!

The Des Moines Christian Veteran's Day Chapel has become annual favorite at the school. This year's Veteran's Day Chapel was moved from earlier in the month to November 30^th, since Major Kyle Smith was state-side for a leave during the final week of November. Major Smith was a regular pen pal with last year's second graders, and he visited DMC for the first time to thank them for their written and Skyped encouragement of him while he was serving in Iraq. If you would like to read the outline of the chapel, "We Love Our Military!" please click here.

Upcoming Chapels:

Here are two fun opportunities for kids and parents, play groups, child care centers, and pre-schools:

Jumpin' Jamboree

Indoor Inflatable Play Date

The Orange Planet

5650 Metro East Drive

Pleasant Hill

Come in from the cold!

Bounce, jump, and slide on 5 inflatables!

February 8^th, 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.

February 17^th, 9:00 a.m. to Noon for toddlers to age 5, Noon to 3:00 p.m. for children ages 7-15

Single day entry = $8 (Two siblings = $15, three siblings = $20, etc., caregivers and parents free)

Complimentary bottled water included.

Parents must accompany young children during play time.

Highest inflatable is 18-feet tall. February 17^th is a no-school day for Southeast Polk students, so anticipate crowds on that day.

No pre-registration required.

Consider bringing sack lunch and sharing lunch time with your child at the Big Orange Planet's sit-down café.

Additional drinks and snacks available on-site.
For more information, visit www.TheOrangePlanet.com.