To honor Des Moines Christian custodian Marshall Henderson for courageously completing his recent regimen of radiation treatments for cancer, the school celebrated Tropical Day on Thursday, April 25, 2013. We are so proud of Mr. Henderson, and he has blessed us immeasurably with his words of encouragement extended to all of us during his treatment. I praise God for a community which grieves with those who grieve and rejoices with those who rejoice. We rejoice with Marshall in this opening stage of his treatment journey, and join me in praying for full restoration of his health. May he one day be cancer-free! Thank you, students, for getting into the spirit of Tropical Day. Pictured above is Mikah Shattuck is his celebratory sartorial splendor. He is but one of dozens who locked arms with Mr. Henderson on this day!

You must read the testimonial of an orchestra member who complimented the entire Des Moines Christian community for the recent performances of Seussical the Musical: "I wanted to say thank you for allowing me to play for your school's musical last week. I enjoyed it all very much. I was particularly impressed with the school and family audience support for the performances. DMCS packs in more audience than any of the other schools and community theaters that I have played for over the years. Many of these other places were much bigger, too, but the DMCS play was high-quality, better attended, and very well organized - a fun experience to be sure! I really appreciated the recognition on the final evening. I keep mementos from all the plays for which I have played, but this is the first time I have received a signed thank you from the actors and actresses of a play, and this written thanks will be kept in my scrapbook. The coffee card was very much appreciated, too. Everyone was very appreciative and the verbal thank you's are always icing on the cake. I thank all of the musical staff and all of the actors and actresses. They were all a pleasure to work with, and, of course, I appreciate the acknowledgment of our Lord Jesus as the focal point. May God bless your day!" What wonderful words of encouragement about community members who treasure the arts and treasure the Lord Jesus Christ!

I had the distinct honor to meet and interact with Simon Estes on Friday of last week and Tuesday of this week!  For those of you who do not know of Mr. Estes, he is an internationally-acclaimed bass opera singer who rose to this platform from humble beginnings in Centerville, Iowa.  He is a very godly man who makes his faith central to his work as a college professor, singer, and minister of the Gospel.  God has placed a burden on Mr. Estes' heart, which was the reason for his visit to Des Moines, and you will be hearing more about that from me in the future.  I was privileged to meet him last week, and then he visited Des Moines Christian on the 23rd.  During our tour throughout the building, he spoke glowingly of our facilities, students, staff, and Christ-centered programming.  A special moment occurred in the Elementary Music Room with Elementary Music Instructor Mary Kay Hoogerwerf and a group of sixth grade students.  Mrs. Hoogerwerf directed the sixth graders in a performance of a spiritual, and Mr. Estes offered extremely positive feedback to her and them.  His humility and godliness really shone.  What a cool opportunity for Des Moines Christian!

How 'bout that Big Blue Bash on Saturday, April 20th?!  I LOVED IT, as always! The Parent Teacher Fellowship has my undying regard for the work they do in preparing for and delivering such an amazing event -- and ALL of the money goes back to Des Moines Christian students, teachers, and parents in some way!  The primary benefactors from the Big Blue Bash are parents who fall on tough times and benefit from one tuition payment, compliments of PTF's Emergency Tuition Fund.  So that cost is worth the fever pitch excitement of the gym, MPR, and trophy case hallway. That cost is worth the hours poured into baking beautiful cakes and cupcakes for the cake walk.  That cost is is worth the organization of a thousand moving parts. That cost is worth the collection and "sales" of tremendous theme baskets.  That cost is worth the set-up and offering of wonderful concessions and spirit wear.  And that cost is worth getting dunked repeatedly in a dunk tank without any water!  God bless PTF for their support of Des Moines Christian School!

Congratulations to Randy Stromley for being re-elected to the Des Moines Christian School Board during the Association meeting on Tuesday, April 23, 2013!  Congratulations, too, to newly-elected 2013-2016 Directors Dave Bruxvoort and Tim Hall!  Also, congratulations to retiring Directors Stuart Johnsrud and Cary Peterson for their positive legacy on the Board! Thanks to the Association members who attended the meet-and-greet event with the candidates and who attended the Association meeting immediately thereafter.  We'd love to see more participation at Association meetings in 2013-2014 (once in the fall and once in the spring).  If you would like to read the draft minutes of Tuesday's Association meeting, please click here.  If you would like to read the outline of my "State of the School Address," please click here.  

Lindsay Lettow (DMCS '08 and the University of Central Missouri, '12) was recently honored by the Missouri State Senate! Read all about it here. Lindsay also won the women's heptathlon at the Drake Relays! We praise God that she is such a beautiful witness of Christ in the athletic arena!

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.

Des Moines Christian families, and prospective DMCS families, our school offers two forms of needs-based financial assistance to our K-12 families.  The first are School Tuition Organization (STO) funds which come to us from the Heart of Iowa STO.  Eligibility is clearly defined by the Iowa Department of Revenue, and, if your family is eligible for this funding, we encourage you to submit your application to the Business Office, attention Julia Veenstra, DMCS Business Manager.  Below is a link to this form that can be printed from our website.  Families must apply each year, and applications for the 2013-2014 school year should be submitted by June 1.  Funds are distributed in July and again in December.

Application for needs-based assistance is confidential.  This application information is available only to the Business Manager.  For accountability purposes, a  list of scholarship recipients is given to me, Dr. Bob Stouffer, DMCS Superintendent, and Nate Schelhaas, the DMCS Board Treasurer. 

2013-2014 STO application 

FAST" on-line application - 2013-2014 Christian Scholar Grant 

Tax Refund?  Have you considered using it to make a year-end gift to Des Moines Christian School? Check out the Gift Registry by clicking the DONATE button  on our website.  The Registry contains classroom and facility enhancements, technology, and items we removed from the 2012-2013 Budget in order to balance the budget and manage tuition costs.   High school science microscope anyone?

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:

"Love is like a little old woman and a little old man who are still friends even after they know each other so well." (Tommy, 6)

"During my piano recital, I was on a stage, and I was scared. I looked at all the people watching me and saw my daddy waving and smiling."
(Cindy, 8) Yes, that's love!