A kindergarten teacher wrote the following to me this week:  "Today, I played a praise and worship CD at rest time.  One of the songs is 'Firm Foundation.'  The children spontaneously began to sing along. To hear a group of kindergarteners sing, 'Jesus you're my firm foundation; I put my hope in Your Holy Word' is such a blessing.  One of the perks of being at DMC!"  Amen!  Amen! And Amen! Hallelujah! That preaches!  We are storing-up God's Word in our hearts at Des Moines Christian School! 

Congratulations to senior Rachel Hansen and junior Hannah Lundeen, who both won awards in the regional Scholastic Art and Writing competition! Rachel won a Gold Key for her portfolio of 10 artworks and also took a Top 5 "best in show" type of award by becoming an American Visions Nominee for the drawing entitled, "A Few Good Cyclones." Hannah won a Gold Key and a Silver Key for her ceramic pieces and an Honorable Mention for a paper collage.  All Gold Key works will go on to be judged at the national level. Be sure to give Rachel and Hannah a pat on the back when you see them!  A pat on the back to Jodi Sunderman, their art instructor, as well!

Courtney Thiner has been selected as a finalist for this week's "Artist of the Week" award for the 7th-9th age group on Artsonia.  She made a beautiful clay box with a floral design. The finalist who receives the most online votes between now and Saturday February 4th will be selected as the "Artist of the Week. Will you PLEASE vote for Courtney each day and on every computer you have here?!  Voting is limited to one vote per computer per day. The "Artist of the Week" will be featured on the Artsonia homepage and will receive a commemorative plaque from Artsonia.  In addition, Blick Art Materials has generously donated $100 gift certificates to the winning teachers and $50 to the winning artists. So far we've had 2 others before Courtney as finalists, but niether of them won. Let's come together and take this one. Thank you!

Secondary Bible Instructor and Chaplain Michael Gossen has been named to an important and fun position in the community of Ankeny!  Check out the press release here.

Don't be left out in the cold!  Visit our DMCS Scholastic Book Fair!  This year's theme is "It's a Reading Celebration!" with a Hawaiian flavor.  The book fair will be held on Tuesday, February 7th, 1:30-4:30 p.m. and 5:30-8:00 p.m.; Wednesday, February 8th, 1:30-4:00 p.m.; and Thursday, February 9th, 1:30-4:30 p.m. and 5:30-8:00 p.m. in our Elementary Library.  All proceeds from our fair will go towards buying more books for our library.  Students will have a chance to preview the book fair on Monday, February 6th, and will be bringing home a "wish list."  Teachers will be filling out a list of books they would like for their classroom libraries, so please consider buying a book for your child's classroom. Scholastic books are fairly inexpensive and tax-free - don't miss this tremendous opportunity!  

The BIG BLUE BASH is February 18. The BBB is a fun event for the whole family! This year, the Parent Teacher Fellowship (PTF) is giving away something spectacular -- an iTouch! We also have a contest to name the new Lion Cub in our approved Elementary logo. Submit your idea for a name at the blue table in the Multi-Purpose Room.  We are still in need of volunteers for a variety of activities, including donating cakes for the cake walk, so please sign up on the DMCS website. Also, any donated items for the class baskets may be placed in the bins outside your child's classroom for the Big Blue Bash basket drawings. Tickets go on sale next week, so be sure to get your tickets! Please go to the website for more information

Parent Teacher Fellowship (PTF) will be hosting our Chapel Wear Thrift Store during conferences.  You can purchase used chapel and spirit wear at low prices!  We will have our table set up in the Multi-Purpose Roomj on Tuesday, February 7th, 1:30-4:30 p.m. and 5:30-7:30 p.m.  We will also set up on Thursday, February 9 (same times), if enough product still remains.  Chapel shirts are $2 each, and fleeces are $5 each.  If you have chapel/spirit items you would like to donate, please put them in the bin marked "Chapel Wear" in the Multi-Purpose Room.  Thank you!

Mrs. Kostek has received information on the following scholarships:

Iowa Veteran's Foundation:  Applicants must be an Iowa Veteran or descendant of an active duty, honorably discharged, retired military personnel.

Charlie Burkart Scholarship:  Scholarship winners are selected on the basis of their interest and activity in golf and the potential for future contributions to the game, academic ability, and financial need.

Senior Boys Attending Iowa State:  The Beta Sigma Psi Lutheran Fraternity is providing a scholarship to Lutheran men attending ISU.  See Mrs. Kostek for more information.

The Governor Terry E. Branstad Iowa State Fair Scholarship recognizes outstanding Iowa high school seniors who have actively participated in the Iowa State Fair. If you are a senior and have participated in the State Fair, stop in the Secondary Guidance Office for additional information.

Please join us for We Love Our Pastors Day on Wednesday, February 15th to honor our Pastors! Elementary Chapel will be held in the Multi-Purpose Room from 8:45-9:10 a.m. Secondary Chapel will be held in the Gymnasium from 11:15 a.m.-12:00 p.m. Last week, elementary students  received a postcard to take home. Please use it to personally invite your Pastors to attend the day's festivities.  Extra invitations will be available in the office for secondary students to use to invite their pastors.

In February, The Great Relationship Experience will be highlighting the Character Key of Perseverance. During the month, be sure to encourage your students to embrace a "can-do" attitude and remind them that God can do mighty things through a willing heart, just like He did through Nehemiah! Please visit our website below to find all of the wonderful resources which are available to you:

Under the supervision of Elementary Art Instructor Chris Barry, several sixth graders in the Des Moines Christian Class of 2018 prepared and led chapel on Wednesday, February 1, 2012.  If you would like to read my chapel summary, "I'm Going to Get the Wall Built!" please click here.

Upcoming Chapels:

Thank you, Association Members, for allowing me (Dr. Bob) the privilege of re-energizing while being out-of-the-office for a couple days when I attended the ACSI Mid-America Administrators' Conference in Minneapolis on Thursday-Friday, January 26-27th!  If you are interested, I have attached my notes from the conference.  In particular, Dr. Jeff Myers, new President of Summit Ministries, was a powerful communicator.  I praise the Lord for Dr. Myers' message -- focusing on the ways that Christian school staff members are able to deepen the learning of students through the discipling relationships we enjoy.  (I was also able to see New Life Academy Head of School Cade Lambert, his school, his new home, and his family in Woodbury.  All is well with the Lambert family, and they send their greetings!)

The Nehemiah beat goes on at CrossTrainers!  I once again spoke to the men about God's work through the great leader Nehemiah by teaching expositionally through Chapter 5 in this excellent book of the Bible.  If you would like to read the outline of my teaching notes, "The Integrity of a Man and a Leader," please click here.

F3 Fire Basketball is holding tryouts for their spring/summer program on March 1, 2012 at 5:30-7:00 p:m. at Champions Sports Center.  F3's Spring Break Training Camp is scheduled for March 19, 20, and 21.  Session 1 is 9:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m., 4th-6th grade.  Session 2 is 1:00-4:00 p.m., 7th grade and above.  Cost is $100, which  includes a camp t-shirt.  (F3 is willing to give DMCS students a $10 discount.)