2023-2024 New Parent Handbook

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Welcome!

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“LEARNING . . . TO SERVE THE KING”

Western Christian is excited to welcome you into the WC Learning Community officially.

Faculty and Staff are eager to get to know you and your children! Like with any new experience, there are questions, and it is the goal of WC that this publication answers your questions. If it does not, do not hesitate to ask your questions and read the official Parent-Student Handbook that will be shared with you and your student digitally during the first week of school; you will be required to sign that you have read and discussed it with your child.

Mrs. Molly Khang, is our Career and College Guidance Counselor. Molly is also a Licensed Mental Health Counselor, and she feels it is important to provide support for all of our students to be successful not only in their academics, but in all areas of their lives.

As Western’s Career and College Counselor, she looks forward to helping our students discover their gifts and interests throughout their high school years.

Molly desires to support students as they navigate through life’s transitions to discern their callings and prepare for life beyond high school.

Did you know... that Western Christian has a Student Services team that has a goal of helping your child succeed not only academically but emotionally and spiritually too?

Mrs. Karinda deBoom, Academic Registrar, is the person to contact with questions about class schedules. She keeps records to ensure that your student takes all the required classes to graduate from Western Christian. She meets with each class in the Spring to go over what classes are available for students. There is no perfect schedule, but all effort is made to accommodate students’ requests.

Ms. Abby Vanden Bosch, Social Work, is Western’s first-ever on-campus social worker. As a licensed school social worker, she provides direct and indirect services to students and families experiencing social-emotional challenges that interfere with their abilities to flourish in school and facilitate communication among school, home, and community providers.

Mrs. Mary Dirksen, Director of Support Services, leads the Learning Center team.

The Learning Center welcomes all students who need academic assistance. If you feel your child needs the services of the Learning

Center, please reach out. Homework assistance, test preparation, and organizational strategies are available before school. Students may request a Learning Center period in place of a study hall for more guided instruction. Students with learning differences may be placed on an educational plan, providing accommodations on tests and assignments.

ACT and other standardized test preparation is an area of support for all of our learners.

Mrs. Karen Christians, Director of Spiritual Life, plans Western Christian’s chapel schedule, coordinates Faithpack plans, and is your number one touchpoint for any spiritual concerns you may have for your student.

The Student Services team meets weekly to discuss any ongoing concerns within the student body. Western Christian invests in all areas of growth for your child.

INFORMATION HUBS Did you know… The Western Christian webpage (westernchristianhs.com) is the first place to look for the answers to the majority of questions you may have throughout the school year. It holds an incredible amount of information. This source is where you can find daily announcements, lunch menus, attendance records, progress reports, and contact information just to name a few items of valuable information.

Did you know... JMC is the online platform that WC uses to track all information of your student. Upon registration, your freshman student was assigned a USERNAME and PASSWORD. Your family also created a family USERNAME and PASSWORD to utilize JMC. If you do not recall receiving the login information, please contact the school, and it will be sent to you.

Did you know… the WC webpage also is a great resource to find the latest Social Media posts. Typically, social media posts are linked at the bottom of the webpage. Also, there are links on the webpage to the latest Weekly Memos. Weekly Memos are sent out each week through email with the highlights of the chapels and other events of the school day.

Included in the Weekly Memos are also the upcoming events of the next week.

It is recommended that you periodically log in to check the following information:

Within the JMC system, you also have the ability to receive notifications (by email or text) when the following occurs: • Lunch Balance drops below a certain amount • Your student has a missing grade or hands something in late • School will start late or is called off.

• Lunch Balances • Tuition and Fee Balances • Progress Reports

Mission Statement: “As a high school institution committed to a distinctly Reformed Christian perspective...

Western Christian is a Christ-centered learning community upholding biblical Truth, fostering academic growth, and equipping all learners to love God and serve others.”

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THE OFFICE, ABSENCES Did you know… Office hours are 8am-4pm Monday thru Friday. Kathy Mouw, student secretary, can be reached by calling 712-439-1013 or by email at kathy.mouw@westernchristianhs.com; if she cannot answer your question, she will connect you with who can.

Did you know... Western Christian has a convenient drop box for tuition and lunch account payments in the office?

During registration in July, each family had an option for how tuition will be paid for the school year. If your family chooses to drop off monthly checks, there is a drop box in the office in which checks can be placed.

Did you know… attending a State Event is an excused absence? However, all students, who attend a state tournament and spend a night in a hotel, are required to have a Parent / Chaperone form filled out. If there is an opportunity to cheer on a Wolfpack competitor at a State Event, the school will send out via email the Chaperone form.

Did you know… if your family signed up for bussing the driver for your area will be getting in contact with you soon with their contact information which you can let them know if your student is not needing to be picked up on a particular day.

FACULTY & STAFF Freshman Teachers:

Did you know... If your child is going to be absent for any reason, it is your responsibility to inform the school. The procedure if your child is going to be absent is: • Contact the school by phone or email • The student stops in the office and picks up an absent slip • Student shows slip to each classroom teacher to find out what information they are missing.

• Student completes assignments/tests before the absence when the teacher requires them to.

If your child needs to leave school during the school day, it is your responsibility to contact the school. The procedure is as follows: • Parent/Guardian contacts the school • The student checks out through the office when leaving by filling out the checkout sheet.

English 9: William Aranas Jr william.aranas@westernchristianhs.com Geography: Austin Van Vleck austin.vanvleck@westenchristianhs.com Agriculture: Emily Joenks emily.joenks@westenchristianhs.com Physical Science: Max Wolgen max.wolgen@westenchristianhs.com Math Dept: Danelle Wolf - Algebra & Algebra 1 A danelle.wolf@westernchristianhs.com Joe Dirksen - Algebra 1 B joe.dirksen@westernchristianhs.com Seth Lewison - Geometry seth.lewison@westernchristianhs.com PE/Health: Katie Reitsma katie.reistma@westernchristianhs.com Bible: Karen Christians karen.christians@westernchristianhs.com Spanish: Wendi Minderhoud wendi.minderhoud@westernchristianhs.com Music Dept: Lindsey Ver Meer (choir) lindsey.vermeer@westernchristianhs.com Lyle Van Ravenswaay (band) lyle.vanravenswaay@westernchrsitianhs.com Amie Smit (orchestra) amie.smit@westernchristianhs.com Art: Karinda deBoom karinda.deboom@westernchristianhs.com Drafting: Mark Fenchel mark.fenchel@westernchristianhs.com Other faculty and staff: Brian Verwolf - Head Administrator

brian.verwolf@westernchristianhs.com

Waylon Pollema - Director of Campus Safety & Student Support waylon.pollema@westernchristianhs.com

Students are responsible for filling out their attendance cards in the office when absent for any amount of time.

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When students are absent for a co-curricular activity, they do not need to pick up an absent slip from the office, but students are to be responsible and visit with their classroom teachers before the absence.

Mary Dirksen - Director of Support Services mary.dirksen@westernchristianhs.com Abby Vanden Bosch - Social Work abby.vandenbosch@westernchristianhs.com Molly Khang - Guidance Counselor molly.khang@westernchristianhs.com Shawn De Stigter - JumpStart shawn.destigter@westernchristianhs.com Derek Keizer - Business/AD derek.keizer@westernchristianhs.com Travis Kooima - AD/Transportation travis.kooima@westernchristianhs.com Diana Kooima - Learning Center diana.kooima@westernchristianhs.con Josie Van Ginkel - Learning Center josie.vanginkel@westernchristianhs.com Tianna Soodsma - Learning Center tianna.soodsma@westernchristianhs.com Kathy Mouw - Student Secretary kathy.mouw@westernchristianhs.com Connie Grevengoed - Business Manager connie.grevengoed@westernchristianhs.com

MEALS, SUPPLIES & MORE Did you know… Western Christian has a top-notch kitchen staff!! The lunch program at WC is not subsidized by the government, but if your family needs assistance free and reduced lunch applications are available in the office if you haven’t already filled them out.

Lunch price is $4.00. Available for extra purchase is another entree ($2), fruit, bread, and milk (40¢ each). If the student chooses to take extras it will be noted in the lunch account what was taken that day. Grab and Go Meals are offered on Thursday. They need to be signed up for on Mondays. Any student who is unable to drink milk due to a medical reason can put a doctor’s note on file and juice will be available for lunch.

Did you know… Each morning students are also able to pick up breakfast items in the kitchen. Items may differ from day to day.

Some items are breakfast pizza, breakfast burritos, muffins, french toast sticks along with juice and milk These items will be noted in the lunch account as well. For example, a piece of pizza is $2.50, a 12 oz chocolate milk is $2, breakfast juice is $1.75.

Lunch account balances can dwindle quickly, please check JMC frequently and keep it funded.

Did you know… Western Christian has a student-run Coffee Shop? Multiple departments are involved in this venture!

The Coffee Shop is located near the Science Wing and will be open during the afternoon break. Prices and food/drink items for the 24-2025 school year are yet to be

determined; we like to get students’ input.

Payments are typically made by using Venmo.

Did you know… Western Christian has a Dress Code policy in which all students are required to dress modestly. All clothing worn to school must not violate Christian standards of decency.

• Items should not use offensive language, offensive pictures, or alcohol and/or tobacco.

• Bare midriffs, tank tops, and shirts that are revealing are not allowed.

• Yoga pants/leggings must be covered at mid-thigh length.

• Caps, hats, stocking hats, and hoods may NOT be worn in school.

• Clothes should always be neat, clean, and modest. This includes excessive holes in shorts/pants.

• Footwear must be worn at school and at school functions.

• Shorts will be permitted throughout the year. They must be modest in fit and length.

Did you know... Smartphones and personal smart devices (watches, etc.) may not be used by students during school hours? We understand that many students will bring phones to school for travel emergencies and after school responsibilities and activities; our expectation is that we will not see them during the school day.

• Upon arrival, students will place their device(s) into a slot box location near the front office.

• Each student will be assigned a slot.

• The device(s) must be turned in before the first period or when the student arrives at school. This is one way our Attendance Director will take attendance and track tardies.

• The device(s) will be picked up at the end of the school day or when the student leaves school.

Did you know… students will be assigned a parking tag to display on their rearview mirror if they drive to school and park in student parking (North of the school) OR the church parking lot. Failure to display the tag may result in a $10 fine from the school.

Students are NOT to go out to their vehicles during the day without permission from the office. Freshman parking in unofficially the east side of the North Parking lot.

Did you know… each student is assigned their own locker and is encouraged to use it.

Students should not keep valuables in their lockers or in their duffle bags in the locker room. Western Christian is not responsible for any stolen items.

Did you know… a high school supply list is a lot shorter than a grade school one?

Western Christian is a BYOT school, which means Bring Your Own Technology. Each student is required to have their own laptop to use during class and for homework.

This personal computing device needs to meet the Device Specifications recommended by the school and listed below.

The device specifications identify the minimum system requirements/hardware specifications for student devices and offer guidance on some suggested makes and models so that parents are fully informed about requirements.

Non- Approved Devices: Android Tablet, Chromebook, Windows Surface “RT”, Windows 10 Version “S” Other needed school supplies are a graphing calculator, pens, pencils, and notebooks. It helps students be organized if they also have an accordion file folder system to keep their papers organized.

All this information and more remember is available in the Parent Student Handbook you are required to sign you discussed with your student.

DEVICE TYPE

MAC LAPTOP

WINDOWS LAPTOP

Operating System

OSX 11 or Higher

Windows 10 / 11

Minimum Processor (SSD Preferred)

Intel core m3

intel i5 (Equivalent or Better)

Minimum Storage Capacity (SSD or HD)

256GB

256GB

Minimum RAM

8GB

8GB Dual-Band Wireless Adapter

Suggested Accessories

Protective Case/Cover; Earbuds

Protective Case/Cover; Earbuds

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MUSIC OPTIONS Did You Know... Western Christian’s music department is filled with opportunities for students to bring glory to God through learning and performing music? Students can enroll in music classes that meet during the school day as well as participate in small ensembles that meet before school.

Music Classes (fulfills required arts credit) – enroll through the registrar’s office: • Freshman Band (grade 9, 1st semester) • Concert Band (grades 10-12 first semester; grades 9-12 second semester) • Cantus (grades 9-12 non-auditioned choir) • Concert Choir (grades 10-12, auditioned choir) • Orchestra (grades 9-12) Small Ensembles (co-curricular activity, no credit) –enroll by emailing, calling, or personally talking to the coordinating teacher: • Jazz Band (contact: Mr. Van Ravenswaay) • Drumline (contact: Mr. Van Ravenswaay) • Chamber Singers (contact: Mrs. Vermeer) • Worship Teams (contact: Mr. Andrew Hoekstra)

Students in the choirs, bands, and orchestra need to purchase a few clothing items to complete their uniform (before the October concert): Choir men: Purchase black dress pants, black socks, and completely black dress shoes. School provides robes.

Choir women: Purchase black closed-toed flats, and black knee-highs/tights/nylons. School provides robes.

Band/Orchestra men: Purchase Black dress pants, black socks, and completely black shoes.

School provides a black button-down shirt Band/Orchestra women: Purchase black closedtoed shoes and black knee-highs/tights/nylons.

School provides a black dress.

If you have any questions about music classes or music activities, you can contact any of our music teachers to answer them.

“Shout for joy to the Lord, all the earth, Burst into jubilant song with music,” (Psalm 98:4)

FFA Did you know… Western Christian has a strong Agriculture curriculum? Any student interested in participating in the FFA Chapter is invited to attend. A kick-off meeting will be held in the Fall where parents and students can hear all about the program.

Watch the daily announcements for time and place of this informational event.

ACTIVITY PASS, APPAREL, CONCESSIONS Did you know... that each coach/director of a co-curricular will ask your child for contact information other than just email? Often schedules change, and students need to be informed of the changes, so the coaches/ directors will notify your child of the needed information. The Activities Directors will be encouraging all our coaches to communicate with their teams/parents through the BAND app for the 2024-25 school year.

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Did you know... school year Activity passes are available to purchase, which removes the need to always have cash on hand when attending a Wolfpack sporting event?

Activity passes can be purchased in the school office or at the first few home contests . Family passes can be purchased for $300. Individual adult passes are $125, and single-student passes are $75. This is an

increase from prior years; however, the cost of single admission to events is also increasing to $7 a person. Each student at Western and 8th-grade students will receive a student pass. A family pass purchase includes all elementary and unmarried college students in your immediate family. These passes grant entry to each home athletic event EXCEPT tournament games.

Did you know... the Concession Stand not only helps provide snacks and possibly a meal for you and your family but also helps fund the activities at Western Christian? In early August an email will go out with instructions on how to sign up to work the concession stand. Each family with a child in a co-curricular (Athletics and Music) is required to sign up for one event.

Co-courricular activities are an important

part of our Learning Community, and Western Christian needs your help with concessions to fund these activites.

Did you know... that you can be notified directly when new Apparel is available to purchase to support the Wolfpack? These notifications are critical when there is a need for a quick turnaround for shirts when a team qualifies for State competition. The Pack Shack has a mailing list families can subscribe to and also a Facebook page and Instagram account: @WCPackShack Did you know... the Pack Shack is located conveniently as you enter the east gym doors? The Pack Shack will be open for you to purchase all your Wolfpack gear at most indoor home events, quite a few outdoor events, and online.