To Everyone Who Had a Part in Delivering Seussical the Musical to the Des Moines Christian Community:  Well, the school was abuzz like I'd never seen it on a Monday morning after a weekend!  EVERYONE -- and I mean EVERYONE -- was talking about Seussical the Musical!  There are not enough superlatives to review this show! Spectacular! Magnificent! Amazing! Phenomenal! Fun!  Wow!  I, Dr. Bob, had a blast at the matinee on Saturday afternoon.  My chest was swelling with absolute pride for the high-quality production that was a result of the talents of directors, actors, actresses, orchestra members, and support crew alike!  Starting with the Thursday night opener, ALL were excited about the musical!  The show was for young and old alike!  I was so pleased to see pre-school, child care, Elementary, and Secondary students at the performance on Saturday afternoon.  I grew up with Dr. Seuss.  I was born in 1958, which was right when his magical and imaginative books were in the hands of my mother, a kindergarten teacher.  I think Seuss books were a major reason for my love of reading!  So I took a very enjoyable trip down Memory Lane on Saturday!  Thank you for giving your talents to God for His use through you, everyone!  God was definitely glorified through your talents and PURE JOY WHENEVER you sang, spoke, gyrated, ad libbed, and entertained!  I praise God for Acting Director Ashley Skinner, Musical Director Joy Augustine, and all of the junior high and high school students who lifted our spirits in joy!  To God be all praise and honor and glory!  AMEN!

Regarding Seussical the Musical, Mrs. Skinner wrote, "DMCS Community, THANK YOU for supporting the drama department with your attendance at Seussical this past weekend!   We had a grand total of 1,600 audience members attend the show over the course of four performances!   It was particularly amazing that so many families from Early Education, Elementary, and Secondary came together to enjoy the same show. Needless to say, we were extremely honored and humbled. We give God the glory! We have so much student talent at DMCS.  They continually impress me!  I have attended many local productions, and the ability of our students rivals many community theatres and local 4A schools!  We may not have their budget, but God has given us students with amazing ability. We are truly blessed!  Let the record show... it is a huge testament to Mrs. Augustine's teaching ability and vocal talent! I also want everyone to know that Helen Cheramie, Diana Augspurger, Janelle Larson, Dave Gardino, Linda Gustafson, Jody Keithley, Sharon Zonnefeld, Lauren McCool (former Secondary English Teacher Lynn McCool's daughter-in-law), Henry Vande Voort, and Craig Miles really made this show happen.  They donated so much time, money, and energy to the drama department (and not just this year but every year I have been here). I'm humbled by their generosity.  Please thank them if you see them around! Next year's show is already in the works!  While I have everyone here, would you please let me know if you have connections to a local church or theatre that might be willing to house us for the 2014 play?  We are out-growing Jordan Hall, and I am on the hunt for another venue.  We are looking for somewhere that has seating for around 450-500, a quality light and sound system, and a flexible schedule which would allow our students to rehearse on the stage with our set for around 3 weeks before the show.  It would be an added bonus if we could find somewhere that would allow us to build and paint our set gradually on their stage.  That would be the ideal scenario; it's not a necessity.  Thank you for your support of the drama department!  We are growing fast, and it is a joy to be a part of it."

This coming Tuesday - April 23, 2013 - is your opportunity as an Association member to meet the candidates running for the Board of Directors. "Meet the Candidates" will take place in the Elementary Library at 6:00 p.m., immediately preceding the Spring Association Meeting and Board Elections at 7:00 p.m. in the Multi-Purpose Room. Each Director is are elected for a three-year term.

Lindsay Lettow (DMCS '08 and the University of Central Missouri, '12) will compete in the Heptathlon on April 24-25, 2013 at the Drake Relays. Both multi-events, men in the decathlon and women in the heptathlon, are set for Wednesday, April 24th and Thursday morning, April 25th. Day 1 for the heptathletes begins at Noon (sharp) with the 100 Meter Hurdles, then High Jump, next Shotput, ending with the 200 Meter race. Day 2 begins at 9:30 a.m. with the Long Jump, then Javelin, and ending with the 800 Meter race. IT IS FREE TO WATCH THE DECATHLETES and HEPTATHLETES COMPETE!   The start times of each event are not posted. The customary schedule is 30 minutes from the end of one event until the start time of the next event. For the women, the high jump is the only unpredictable event as far as how long it takes to complete (usually takes at least an hour). Day 1 will end mid- to late-afternoon; Day 2 will end in the early afternoon. Please come cheer for Lindsay even if you can only make it for a portion of the time! Feel free to come and go as you need! Contact Peggy Lettow for more information.

Coffee with Karla

Tuesday, April 30

8:30-9:30 a.m.

Multi-Purpose Room

Join our Elementary Principal for coffee (provided), updates about school happenings, a question and answer time, and fellowship with other DMCS parents!

K-12 Art Show!

Tuesday, May 7, 2013

Multi-Purpose Room

3:00-8:30 p.m.

Northwest Des Moines Rotary Club:  $1,000 Scholarship to a Des Moines Christian student.  Criteria include (1) evidence of financial need, (2) academic potential to succeed, (3) participation in community and school activities, and (4) work experience.  Applications may be obtained from Secondary Guidance Counselor Cindy Kostek.

Thomas Goodrich Memorial Wildlife Scholarship: This scholarship is intended for students who are interested in working toward careers in the outdoors, conservation, and wildlife. Applications may be obtained from Mrs. Kostek

LEADERSHIP OPPORTUNITY: The Bankers Trust Youth Board is looking for students interested in serving on their Board. Any current sophomore or junior interested in this opportunity, see Mrs. Kostek.

Kudos to the auction committee, who, as a group worked an extraordinary amount of time on the auctions: JoLee Carlisle, Chair, Jennifer Durick; Nancy Flynn; Nancy Brown; and Mike Zevenbergen all deserve a huge pat on the back! A special thank you goes to Marilyn Wilson for going "beyond the call of duty" in helping at the event. To all who served - Thank You!

A group of professional people posed this question to a group of 4 to 8 year-olds, "What does love mean?" The answers they got were broader and deeper than anyone could have imagined! See what you think:

"If you want to learn to love better, you should start with a friend who you hate." (Nikka, 6)

"Love is when you tell a guy you like his shirt, then he wears it every day." (Noelle, 7)

Story #1: When my 5-year-old grandson asked me how old I was, I teasingly replied, "I'm not sure." "Look in your underwear, Grandpa," he advised. "Mine says I'm 4 to 6."