The Plumbline newsletter is published four times per year to share good news about the activities and people connected to Des Moines Christian School. An outreach of DMCS, the Plumbline is sent to you as a friend of Christian education. Please send address corrections and correspondence to
newsletter@dmcs.org.
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The 26th Annual Benefit & Auction is Friday, April 5.
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Your invitation should arrive in your mailbox soon. If you just can't wait, click here to
see the invitation.
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| Thank You
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
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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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Calendar of Events
February 26Kindergarten Round-Up March 10 Victory performs at Iowa Energy Game
March 18Spring Break Begins March 25No School Teacher In-Service March 26School Resumes March 29
No School
Good Friday March 31Easter
April 526th Annual
Benefit & Auction April 12 Seussical the Musical April 23 Spring Association Meeting and Board Elections May 25 Graduation
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In Loving Memory  | Shirley Benskin
Shirley was a long-time First Federated Church volunteer and member, was a wonderful friend to Des Moines Christian and Dr. Bob during the time that we were at the Franklin Campus. |
 | Bill Anderson
Grandfather of Lauren ('20) and Samuel ('23) Anderson |
 | Jerry Parker
Grandfather of
Parker ('19) and Champ ('22) Champion
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Spotlight On... Safety at DMCS
How safe is Des Moines Christian School? Many DMCS parents are asking that question in light of the recent school shooting event in Newtown, Connecticut, where the shooter penetrated a seemingly ironclad school security system. Could such a shooting occur at Des Moines Christian? We must all agree that DMC is not necessarily immune from such evil, particularly if there were some type of domestic dispute or anti-Christian shooter.
Des Moines Christian School has an excellent emergency plan in place. These plans have been reviewed by the Urbandale Police and Fire Departments, and are updated and reviewed annually with our staff.
Each year, we successfully practice emergency drills to be prepared for scenarios such as the Sandy Hook School tragedy. There are dozens of strategically-located exterior and interior cameras. All activity of those cameras is recorded and kept.
We fortunately have only 4 main entrances in our school. Early Education families and staff are only able to access that wing of the building with authorized keyless entry. The other three main entrances to the school are being prepared for lock-down. Praise The Lord for the concern, timeliness, and generosity of parents and grandparents who have donated over $27,000 to fund the installation of a full lock-down system for ALL entrances, including video cameras which facilitate visual identification prior to entry.
Of course, we cannot prevent every act of evil, but we will do everything in our power to protect the lives and security of our community members. We care about the safety of EVERYONE
on our school campus.
Our natural tendency in the wake of this mind-numbing event is great sadness, fear, anxiety, and worry. Claim the repeated promises of Scripture. Do not be afraid. Do not be anxious.
God is sovereign. He was grieved but not surprised by the events in Connecticut. There are no exact formulas for discussing such tragedies with our children, but you can access some excellent resources from Elementary Guidance Counselor Emily Rethmeier.
Please PRAY for God's continuing hand of protection on Des Moines Christian School. If you have further questions regarding security at Des Moines Christian School, please contact one of our Administrators.
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Where Are They Now?
by Rachel Thune ('08)
Rachel Thune ('08): I graduated from Wheaton College in May, 2012 with a Bachelors of Arts in International Relations (Magna Cum Laude). While at Wheaton I worked as a teaching assistant for a professor in the Department of Politics and International Relations and researched for his manuscript on the influence of evangelicals in American foreign policy. During my senior year I received a grant from the J. Dennis Hastert Center for Government, Economics, and Public Policy to conduct independent field research on the role of civil society in promoting environmental sustainability in Albania. I lived in Albania for six months while working on my thesis and interning with a non-profit organization, where I assisted in implementing a European Union grant to develop an environmental sustainability software. After graduation I moved to Chicago and started working at Gallup, a research-based performance-management consulting company, as a Communications Specialist. I am also currently in the process of applying to graduate programs at Yale, Loyola, and the University of Chicago in order to teach theology at the collegiate level.
DMC was instrumental not only in forming my faith, but also in instilling my desire to pursue knowledge. Every teacher I had, from elementary through high school, encouraged and equipped me to follow my passion for learning more about God and His creation--a gift for which I will forever be grateful.
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In Her Own Words
by Erica Parlee, Class of 2011
Leaving a small private Christian high school and heading to a large State University may seem like a big leap in the wrong direction, but my foundation at Des Moines Christian School prepared me for my journey at the University of Iowa. Going from a class of 40 to a school with over 30,000 students is a big change, but I quickly found that wasn't alone. It has been awesome to see how God has brought so many Christians into my life and given me the opportunity to grow in my faith and share my faith with those around me. I have found great Christian community in Cru (formerly known as Campus Crusade for Christ) and I am in awe of what God is doing at the University of Iowa. I know I would not be where I am today if I had not had the great privilege of going to Des Moines Christian School.
Going to DMC provided me with shelter from the craziness of this world, yet also prepared me to face it in many ways. Learning about other religions and specifically about what I believe as a Christ follower, prepared me to have conversations with people who have different beliefs. DMC gave me a solid foundation on which to stand while at one of the most liberal universities in the nation.
As I looked around at all of the other students that I interact with day in and day out, I realized that I had something that they desparately needed - a relationship with Jesus. They were, and still are, searching for something to fill a void they may not even know that they have.
I know that I have hundreds of people back home in Des Moines praying for me. I know that my parents, family, and church members are praying for me. What means the most to me is that my DMC teachers are praying for me and that they care about what I do with my life. How many students can say that? It reminded me of the immense love shown to me by the DMC family. I know that although Mr. Caves didn't like me being tardy to his class, he truly did love me and wanted God's best for my life. I know there are teachers who I haven't had for years still care about me and pray for me. What a great comfort and blessing that is to me!
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Eleven-year-old to Keynote Annual Benefit
 Friday evening, April 5th, 2013, parents and friends of DMCS will gather at Lutheran Church of Hope in West Des Moines to celebrate our 26th Annual Benefit and Auction. Student musicians, artists, thespians, and ambassadors will serve up another delightful evening of entertainment, highlighted by our "keynote speaker," Sarah Veurink - a DMCS 5th grader. The event includes silent and live auctions and a delicious Christiani's dinner. You will be entertained, inspired, and encouraged as we celebrate the value of Christ-centered education. "It's fun to socialize with DMCS families and see the student groups performing," said secondary teacher Ashley Skinner, "Plus, you can't beat the action of a live auction!" Invitations will arrive in your mailbox the first week of March.
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Volleyball's Finest Season
 | Kylee Thiner ('13)
spikes the ball against Woodward-Granger |
The 2012 DMC Volleyball season was the most successful in school history. The Lady Lions garnered a 27-7 overall record and lost in the Regional Finals to Treynor for the right to play in the State Tournament. Many team and individual records were set this past season as the Lady Lions finished second in the West Central Activities Conference. First year coach Paige Thiner guided the team in 2012 and will have a solid nucleus returning to build around as they aim for the conference title in 2013.
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Lions Battle Through Tough Season
 | #24 Dillon Bruxvoort ('14) heads for the end-zone thanks to a
block from #44 Alex Toulouse ('13). |
Playing one of the toughest 1A schedules in the state, the 2012 DMC Lions battled their way to a 3-6 record this past season. After an opening night win versus Madrid, the first win over Madrid in DMC's history, the Lions struggled for consistent scoring and dropped their next five games. The 2012 campaign did improve in the month of October as the Lions won two of their last three to take positive momentum into the 2013 season.
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School Tuition Organization Credit Benefits Children
The Iowa Educational Opportunities Act of 2006 has provided a 65% tax credit for Iowa taxpayers and over $41 million in scholarships statewide since 2006. In 2012, a study commissioned by the Iowa Legislature provided interesting information about both the donors and the recipients of the STO program.
The study estimates "that the presence of the STO scholarships prevented private enrollment from decreasing by approximately 172 to 183 students per each million dollars of scholarships, or 1,900 to 2,026 students in the 2010-2011 school year when there were just over $11 million in total scholarships awarded... since the inception of the STO Tax Credit program, the number of private schools open in Iowa has remained constant at 182. Between 2001 and 2006, on average, over two percent of private schools were closing each year. This may suggest that the STO Tax Credit program... helps maintain access to private education within the state..." The complete study is available here. While the number of students in non-public schools has decreased statewide, DMCS has seen an increase in enrollment for 6 of the last 7 years. The STO scholarship program is certainly one important factor in helping parents choose Christian education for their children. For more information about this Iowa tax credit program, contact Samona Yentes at (515) 252-2497 or read more by visiting the DMCS website.
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DMCS Drama Department Presents: Seussical the Musical
 Seussical the Musical is based off 15 of Dr. Seuss's most popular books including Horton Hears a Who, Gertrude McFuzz, The Cat in the Hat, and many more! This musical tells a beautiful tale of absolute friendship, loyalty, family, and community. After debuting on Broadway, Seussical was adapted for junior high and high school students and is now one of the most performed shows in America. It is also one of the most challenging shows to perform: it is almost all sung! Not only is it entertaining, but Seussical is fun for the whole family! Tickets will be on sale in the Secondary office after Spring Break. See you at the show! |
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