Are you coming?  Please RSVP now, and join us at the 25^th Annual Benefit and (Live) Auction on Friday, April 13^th.  Because Friday is a school holiday, the early-bird price will be good through Monday, April 9.

The following DMCS vocal music students performed at Solo/Ensemble Contest on March 31st, led by Director Sarah Selby: freshman Paige Carlson, sophomore Katherine Lowe, and The Victory Singers.  Victory members follow: Sopranos - sophomores Beka Bell, Laura Osborn, and Rachel Riemenschneider, and juniors Shelby Gates and Paige Whitmore; Altos - sophomores Mae Dunker, Autumn Meyer, and Mikayla Reding, and seniors Julia Gardino and Elizabeth Hendricks; Tenors - sophomore Albert Gustafson and senior Eric Larson; and Basses -  sophomores Ian Troll and Jesse Wiele.  DMCS students received four Division I ratings and three Division II ratings. Victory earned a perfect score and received the Best of Center Award.  Senior Eric Larson also received a perfect score. Julia Gardino was awarded the Best of Center Award.  Congratulations, singers! We praise God for your musical talents!

Check out the online Ankeny Register and Press-Citizen photographs of the Des Moines Christian soccer game against Ankeny on Saturday, March 31^st:

SCHOOL CALENDAR CHANGE: The Des Moines Christian School Board has re-scheduled the Spring Association meeting for 7:00 p.m. on Tuesday, May 1, 2012 in the Multi-Purpose Room.   On that same evening, a Board candidate forum will also be held at 6:15 p.m. in the same location.  Please be involved in important school business, including the Board election on that night. 

PARENT TEACHER ALL-PARENT MEETING: All DMCS parents are invited to join us for this informational meeting on April 19th at 7:00 p.m. in the Elementary Library. This meeting is for ANYONE who would like more information about PTF, its committees, what PTF does, how we raise our funds, and what we do with the funds we raise. This is also an opportunity for YOU to share YOUR IDEAS and BRAINSTORM with the Board Members about how to make DMCS a better school for our children and the staff. (Please note: This is NOT a meeting designed to sign you up to volunteer for something. This is a giving/receiving informational meeting; however, if you want to volunteer, there will be opportunities to do so!)

Attention juniors:  The Bankers Trust Youth Board is looking for students to serve on their board.  If you are interested in more information about this opportunity, see Mrs. Kostek.

April 2012 Teacher Resources

Elementary Spiritual Emphasis Week is always a sweet time for Des Moines Christian School, coinciding with Holy Week. Due to my schedule, I was only able to attend the Elementary Chapels on Monday and Wednesday. If you would like to read my summaries of the those Spiritual Emphasis Week chapels, "Spiritual Emphasis Week Chapels, April 2-9, 2012," please click here.

Secondary Chapel shifted gears to a new worldview topic for April - politics.  On Wednesday, April 4, 2012, DMC was blessed by the intellect, candor, intensity, and eloquence of Iowa Concerned Women for America President Tamara Scott.  If you would like to read my summary of Tamara Scott's chapel message, "With Liberty, Responsibility," please click here.

Upcoming Chapels:

JOIN THE BE THE MATCH DONOR DRIVE!  On Friday, April 20th, from 3:00-8:00 p.m., at Des Moines Christian, we will have the opportunity to "BE THE MATCH" for someone through the bone marrow donation registry.  To join, you only need to be between the ages of 18-60, be willing to donate to any patient in need, and meet the health guidelines.  The test is as easy as a swab of your mouth with a Q-tip.  Thousands of patients needing a bone marrow/stem cell transplant depend on BE THE MATCH registry to find a donor who can give them a second chance at life.  You have the power to help save a life.  Please contact Brenda Van Heukelom at 276-0298 or bvanheuk@gmail.com,  if you would like to help volunteer at the event (1-hour stations), make a donation ($100/kit but any amount helps) , or have questions.  Bring your photo I.D. and saliva!  See you there!  STRENGTH t-shirts (Philippians 4:13) will be sold in adult and child sizes for $10 -- cash or checks accepted.  Proceeds go to Be The Match.

Are you concerned that your graduating senior may not quite be ready for college?  Would you like your student to be strong in the faith and the Lord?  Is it important to you that your child develop a biblical worldview prior to his or her post-secondary education?  Then Summit Semester may be an excellent option for your family.  Summit Semester is a semester-long academic retreat offering young adults concentrated study in Christian thought and the history of ideas.  In a secluded lodge in the Rocky Mountains, this institute is comprised of a small community of mentors and Christian scholars dedicated to helping students build good academic habits, live committed Christian lives, hone intellectual skills, and make life-long friends.  Students take classes in church history, literature, political theory, art, culture, and Scripture, with an emphasis on relating these disciples to the big questions of human existence.  Family-style meals, in-depth discussions, work projects, and sports contribute to a communal atmosphere that fosters growth.  Summit Semester is a unique opportunity for a student to step back from the usual educational trajectory and reflect on the whys of study, work, community, and faith. 

• For 17-25 year olds pursuing higher education
• 3-5 hours of class every day
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• Enjoy several excursions
• Limited financial assistance is available.
• Fall Term from September through December
• Summer Term in June and July
• Snow Wolf Lodge
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