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

The Des Moines Christian School Early Education Christmas Program is Thursday, December 16^th at 6:15 p.m. in the gymnasium.  EVERYONE is invited, parents, family, friends, neighbors and the community!

Carol Anderson asked Cliff to show me a plaque which he was recently awarded, and I am sure glad that she suggested he do so!  Cliff Anderson was recognized as 2011 Remodeler of the Year by The Greater Des Moines Remodelers' Council!  Praise the Lord that Cliff's peers recognize him for his excellence as a remodeler!  Cliff gives God honor and glory for everything that he does as a remodeler; Des Moines Christian's Supervisor of Buildings, Property, and Grounds; father; husband; and believer in Christ!  Please join me in congratulating Cliff for this great honor!

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Our 2011 Grandparents Day Event is in the books and was a big success. There are many staff and friends to thank for their volunteer efforts.

Thank you to Elementary Music Teacher Mary Kay Hoogerwerf for the terrific Elementary concerts.

Thank you to PTF president Kristin Hepworth and the PTF ladies who put on a superb open house.

The improved parking situation was implemented by Grace and included our very own helpful attendants. Thank you to the following folks:

Ben Fitzgerald (9^th grade) 

Steve Hocker (school parent)

Frank Wilson (alumni parent)

Thank you to the elementary teachers who helped hand out programs and grandparent gifts:

Sharon Zonnefeld

Jahna Duda

Cindy Albertson

Vickie Greiman

Rhonda Osborn

Roxanne Wilson

Amy McGowan

Jody Keithley

Thank you to Secondary Art Teacher Jodi Sunderman and Elementary Art Teacher Chris Barry for their student art displays at Grace Church.

Thank you to our custodial staff for their extra work. And thanks to Marshall Henderson and Jack Stuart for toting risers to Grace Church.

We are grateful to all of you (and in case we forgot to name any - the Lord knows)!

From the Development Staff,

Samona Yentes

Lisa Fitzgerald

Peggy Lettow

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 under "Employment."

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!

Join the Annual Food Drive at DMCS to Benefit Hope Ministries!   Boxes for your non-perishable food items are located under the bulletin boards in our Multi-Purpose Room. The last day to bring your food items will be Tuesday morning, December 20^th.  Hope Ministries indicated the need is great and can use any non-perishables. The most desired items follow:

• Canned vegetables (corn or peas, especially)
• Canned fruit
• Cereal
• Powdered lemonade or fruit punch drink mixes

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. WilsonMrs. 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 http://www.qsp.com/store/Index.aspx.  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 on the Iowa Engineering Society Scholarship.  You must be a senior and intend to study engineering at either ISU or the University of Iowa to be eligible.  Stop in the Secondary Guidance Office for more information.

Burger King is sponsoring the BK Scholars Program. Burger King employees and their children are eligible to apply.  See the flyer posted on the Secondary Guidance bulletin board, or contact Mrs. Kostek for more information.  The deadline is January 10, 2012.

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 www.usbank.com/scholarship.

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!
 

My very own Pastor, Dave Brooks, delivered a very memorable Elementary Chapel on Wednesday, December 7, 2011. If you would like to read my summary of Pastor Dave's message, "The Mystery of God's Love," please click here.

I was fortunate to speak to junior high and high school students during Secondary Chapel on Wednesday, December 7, 2011. If you would like to read the text of my chapel message, "Discipleship and Christian Ethics," please click here.

Upcoming Chapels:

The Gift of Life

An Inspirational Documentary

Exploring the Sanctity of Life

Featuring Governor Mike Huckabee

December 14, 2011

Hoyt Sherman Place

1501 Woodland Avenue

Des Moines

Doors open at 5:30 p.m.

Program begins at 7:00 p.m.

Republican Presidential candidates Michele Bachmann, Newt Gingrich, Jon Huntsman, Ron Paul, Rick Perry, Mitt Romney, and Rick Santorum have all been invited to attend the premier of "The Gift of Life" documentary and will address the audience prior to the screening.

Questions? Please call 1-800-362-4788.

RSVP by December 9^th to http://www.TheGiftOfLifeMovie.com/RSVP.