A ZEELAND CHRISTIAN SHOWCASE
BURN BRIGHT
Table of Contents
4.
6.
8.
12.
16.
18.
22.
26.
3.
Note from our Head of School
4.
Our School
6.
Preschool Options
8.
Young 5’s /K
10.
Immersion
12.
Support Services
14.
Elementary
16.
Extended Care Information
18.
Middle School
20.
Enrollment Process
Photo Cover Dav i d - S a r a h
Editors-In-Chief : David Whiteley and Kate Beckinsale, Creative Editor : Jonathan Walker, Graphic Design : John Emmet Tracy, Social Media Coordinator : Olya Zueva, Designer : Gabrielle Cerys Haslett, Fashion Assistent : Gabrielle Rose, Contributors : Olya Zueva, Chelah Horsdal, Jakob Davies, Liana Liberato, Joshua Leonard.
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ZCS Showcase Magazine
A Note from our Head of School Dear Parents and Guardians, We are thrilled that you are interested in Zeeland Christian School! ZCS is a place where every child can thrive and grow into the person God created him/her to be. We believe one-size-fits-one; God created each child to be unique and we approach each child’s educational experience with that in mind. We believe there is no better place for your child than Zeeland Christian. As a Christ-centered community, we celebrate the opportunity to work hand-in-hand with family and church to educate students from a Christian perspective. As faith formation intentionally happens at home, the church and Christian school come alongside the family to support them. My parents were intentional about my faith formation, and my love of God and others now is a result. It is our goal to look at everything through the eyeglasses of scripture and give your child the very best education possible. We have an experienced staff who are learners themselves and continue to develop their abilities. During training on resilience recently, it was said that “Resilient people don’t shy away from reality, they lean in.” Our teachers are leaning in. Our curriculum is examined yearly to make it the very best it can be. We believe that there is no finer educational environment available than what we can offer at ZCS. We hope that through face-to-face interactions, parent and grandparent testimonials, seeing classroom and teacher experiences, and viewing our website and social media platforms you will witness how God is working in the lives of students and families at ZCS. The ZCS staff would love to get to know you. Our prayer is that every new family at ZCS feels like they have multiple people they can say ‘hi” to so that you not only feel welcome but feel like you belong here! Enclosed you will find a wide breadth of information on what makes ZCS such a unique school. However, this information can only go so far. You are warmly encouraged to contact us to set up a virtual or in-person tour of our facilities. We pray that God will guide you in making this spiritual and academic investment in your child(ren)’s future. Blessings to you and your child! In Christ,
Tim McAboy Head of School
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灿燃 Brilla Intensamente Burn Bright
Faith-Building Opportunities
What makes us unique from other schools in the area?
All-School Chapel: A monthly event for Young Fives thru 8th-grade that parents/grandparents are invited to attend as we all gather to worship our Lord and Savior. Elementary students also have worship times held once a month and Middle school students have chapel every other week. Daily Devotions: Every classroom begins its day with devotions and prayer. Teachers also begin and end each week in prayer and worship together as a staff. Bible Curriculum through CSI (Christian School International): ZCS uses a curriculum that focuses on God’s story and how it has been revealed to his people, fostering faith development and a personal response in learners. Service Projects: Students work in partnership with their class to live out their faith through service to others within the community. This happens through a variety of activities throughout the year which foster relationships with various local community organizations. Spiritual Journals: Beginning in threeschool students make three journal entries each year, highlighting spiritual growth during that school year. The journals are presented to each student at the 8th-grade banquet, highlighting their personal walk with our Lord during their school career at ZCS.
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ZCS Showcase Magazine
Family Groups: An integral part of building community at Zeeland Christian School is being part of a Family Group. Students are all assigned a Family Group in First Grade. They stay with their Family Group all the way through 8th grade. Each Family Group has 2-3 students from every grade level allowing the older students to be responsible for the younger students. Together, they study the Bible, they work on service projects, and sometimes, they just hang out and have fun! Our community is stronger because of these multi-age relationships and the mentoring that takes place within the Family Groups.
the time, focusing our efforts on the behaviors that we expect from students. We believe that behaviors need to be taught and retaught, and we strive for clarity for students and unity among our staff.
PBIS (Positive Behavior
Responsive Teaching: As part of our one-size-fits-one mindset, we utilize ongoing feedback and assessment to meet the needs of each child in our community. Whether that means providing a challenge or giving needed support, we desire each child to thrive in developing their God-given talents and passions! We utilize MAP
Interventions and Support):
We want all students to behave with Christ-like AMOR (Acceptance, Mindfulness, Ownership, and Respect). We want to be vigilant in acknowledging the positive behaviors that are happening all
PBL (Project Based Learning): Students at all grade levels work to develop deep content knowledge as well as critical thinking, collaboration, creativity, and communication skills through this approach to learning. A real-world problem or complex question is taken on by students over an extended period of time, culminating in a public product or presentation for a real audience.
Growth assessment for program and curriculum evaluation as well as to gauge how students are achieving compared to National Norms. From one on one literacy assessments to focused math screeners, we are committed to ensuring all children have the support and challenge they need to maximize their learning potential. Trilingual School Culture: We have witnessed at ZCS what happens when multiple cultures, races, ethnicities, abilities, and socioeconomic statuses make up a community. Language barriers are lowered, the unknown becomes known, the unfamiliar feels less threatening; we worship God through cultural liturgies from around the world, those often overlooked are seen and celebrated, and we are all given the opportunity to know God more deeply and to love our neighbor more intentionally.
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Preschool Options What class options are available? Learning environments are based on age, not on a child’s skills. Within each class, teachers will support and challenge a child where they are developmentally. Zeeland Christian Preschool offers classes that are 2-day, 3-day, and 4-day options. *Child must be 3 or 4 by Sept 1st of the school year enrolled* Threeschool - A play-based learning experience designed specifically for three-year-olds and young four-year-olds. Our goal for threeschool is for students to learn how to “do school” so that they are well prepared to learn more in-depth content and skills in preschool. Preschool - A kindergarten readiness program for four-year-olds, teaching both academic and social skills. Teachers work with children from a one-size-fits-one perspective, meeting them where they are developmentally. Drenthe Site - Since 2005, we have held preschool classes in the education building behind Drenthe CRC. Families who live in the communities surrounding Drenthe find this site to be a great Zeeland Christian Preschool option for their family.
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ZCS Showcase Magazine
Creation Ridge - A ZCS threeschool and preschool experience in an outdoor classroom and nature-based environment. Starting in the fall of 2020, classes are held on the 155-acre Ridge Point Community Church site. Classes are offered in both English and Spanish. How do Creation Ridge classes look different than other ZCS classes? • Classes are outside for at least 90 minutes each day in all weather, except extreme conditions. • There are required outdoor clothing items families are required to purchase. • Classes daily take hikes outside of the main classroom space.
What types of things will my child learn at Zeeland Christian Preschool? • • • • •
How to pray and worship with friends Letters, numbers, colors, shapes Name recognition and writing Taking turns and sharing Developing independence
Preschool truths about God: God made everyone God loves everyone God sent Jesus God is always with us God hears our prayers God can do anything God sent Jesus to save us God is mighty and strong
2021-2022 Preschool Schedule Online Registration: zcspreschool.eventbrite.com opens January 28 Morning classes run 8:45-11:30 AM Afternoon classes run 12:30-3:15 PM
Threeschool Classes - Children must be 3 by Sept. 1, 2021 Central Ave. - English Session 1: Monday/Wednesday/Friday AM Session 2: Tuesday/Thursday AM Creation Ridge English Session A: Tuesday/Thursday AM Session B: Monday/Wednesday/Friday AM Spanish Immersion Session C: Tuesday/Thursday AM
Four-year Old Preschool Classes - Children must be 4 by Sept. 1, 2021 Central Ave. English Session 3: Monday/Wednesday/Friday AM Session 4: Monday/Wednesday/Friday PM Session 5: Tuesday/Thursday/Friday AM *Session 6: Monday-Thursday AM, plus the option to add one or more afternoons, up to 4 full days Spanish Immersion *Session 7: Monday-Thursday AM, plus the option to add one or more afternoons, up to 4 full days *Session 6 and 7: All students attend M-Th mornings. Parents may choose to add 1-4 afternoons for their child, and the specific day(s) is the parents’ choice. Classes will run as 4-full-day classes with the same teacher and assistant all day.
Creation Ridge Explorers *NEW for 2021-22 Would your child love the outdoor experience at Creation Ridge but not as a typical preschool class? Consider enrolling your child in one afternoon a week at Creation Ridge. This multi-age class of 3-5-year-olds will gather with a team of teachers to hike; gather for devotions, prayer, and singing; read a great book; explore God’s creation; and play on the natural playscape. Explorers classes do not take the place of a threeschool or preschool class, as the teachers will not be doing assessments, progress reports, or conferences. Short weekly newsletters will give parents an idea of what kids are learning while exploring. Oakiwear will be provided on site so parents do not need to purchase this on their own. We are excited to share Creation Ridge with more kids and families next year through Explorers! Explorers 1: Mondays, 1:00-3:00 PM Explorers 2: Wednesdays, 1:00-3:00 PM
**If Session 7 fills, we will consider opening a M/W/F AM Spanish immersion class at Central Ave. Please email registration@zcs.org if you would like to express interest in this class option. Mandarin Immersion Session 8: Monday/Wednesday/Friday PM Drenthe - English Session 9: Monday/Wednesday/Friday AM Creation Ridge English Session D: Monday/Wednesday/Friday AM Session E: Monday/Wednesday/Friday PM Spanish Immersion Session F: Monday/Wednesday/Friday AM All children enrolled in Zeeland Christian Preschool must be toilet trained and independent in the bathroom. No pull-ups are allowed. Our staff will coach children in the bathroom but not physically assist them. Exceptions are made for children who have a specific plan with our support services staff.
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Young 5’s/Kindergarten Young Fives Must be 5 by December 1, 2021 Mornings All students enrolled in Young Fives attend class Monday thru Friday, from 8:40-11:50 AM. Classes, which are offered in English and Spanish, follow the K-8 calendar from August - June. Afternoons Young Fives students have the option to stay at school for any afternoons; afternoon pick-up time is 3:25 PM. Students from both English and Spanish
Kindergarten Readiness Testing Readiness Testing is done in May, by parent or preschool teacher request, for students with summer birthdays planning to attend ZCS for the upcoming school year. Additionally, any students who did not attend preschool at ZCS will be assessed. Staff work in conjunction with preschool teachers to assess readiness for Kindergarten, offering recommendations to parents.
classes combine for the afternoon in a class taught in English. Parents may choose 1-5 afternoons for their child’s schedule, but the day(s) chosen must be consistent each week.
Kindergarten Must be 5 by September 1, 2021 Full-time Kindergarten Students attend kindergarten from 8:40 AM-3:25 PM, Monday through Friday, all year long. Transitional Kindergarten All Transitional Kindergarten students attend school M-F from 8:40-11:50AM all year. Parents who choose transitional kindergarten set a part-time school schedule for their child, increasing to full days during the year.
Additional afternoons may only be added at these three times during the school year: •
All Transitional students will begin to attend class on Tuesday and Thursday afternoons starting the last week of October.
•
Starting the third week of January, all students will attend class on Wednesday afternoons giving them three full days of school.
•
All Transitional students will attend class on Monday afternoons starting after Spring Break bringing them up to four full days at school. Some parents may want to add Friday afternoons but that is not required.
All families are charged the full-time tuition rate, with refunds issued through SMART in January and June for the child’s part-time schedule. For parents who have 2 or more children in Y5-12th grade, the sliding scale will apply to the family’s tuition; a child’s transitional kindergarten schedule will not impact tuition payments.
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ZCS Showcase Magazine
There are lots of paths that parents choose for their child’s journey to kindergarten. Parents make choices based on their child’s birth date, time at home vs. time at preschool/childcare, family schedules, and more. There isn’t a right or wrong answer on what’s best for your child. The state of Michigan requires that a child turns five by September 1 of the year he/she enters kindergarten. That means that all children should be five, turning six, during his/her kindergarten year. (Some children with late summer birthdays start kindergarten as six-year-olds.)
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Immersion Immersion Quick Facts •
Immersion students comprise approximately 50% of the ZCS student body.
•
There are 12 different countries of origin represented by the staff.
•
In both programs, students study the same core curriculum as the English classes, just entirely in either Spanish or Mandarin Chinese.
•
All immersion students also study the opposite language through a Mandarin or Spanish class three times a week.
•
Students may join both the Mandarin or Spanish programs in preschool or Kindergarten. We also accept new first grade students in our Spanish Immersion program.
•
In partnership with Western Michigan University and Hope College, area high schools are providing options for our Immersion students after they
graduate from 8th grade at ZCS.
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ZCS Showcase Magazine
In our immersion programs at ZCS, children are immersed in the target language from the very beginning of their educational experience. They begin to acquire their new language in much the same way as their first language, through meaningful communication and experiential learning. With immersion, seeing is believing! Schedule an in-person or virtual tour today at www.zcs.org/explore. Students in this program can be expected to attain developmentally appropriate bilingualism as they advance through the program. Initially, all classroom instruction is solely in the target language. Limited formal English instruction begins in 3rd grade. Even through middle school, students continue to spend a portion of their day studying core content in their target language.
Immersion Options at ZCS
爱上帝，爱孩子，爱学习
Spanish Immersion
Ama a Dios, Ama a los niños, Ama aprender
Our Spanish Immersion program at ZCS started in the fall of 2006. It is the largest and most established Christian Spanish Immersion program in Michigan. With Spanish being one of the most commonly spoken languages in the world, fluency in this language opens up an array of cultural
Love God, Love Kids, Love Learning
opportunities for our students.
Mandarin Immersion Mandarin Immersion started in the fall of 2012. Mandarin Chinese is a character-based, tonal language which presents students with exciting new challenges and learning opportunities. ZCS is home to the only Christian Mandarin Immersion program in the Midwest.
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God fundamentally changed Zeeland Christian School 32 years ago with the beginning of inclusive education. Education for all children of differing abilities wasn’t a new idea, but including children of all abilities in the same classroom was, especially in Christian schools. ZCS has the oldest Inclusion model school in the US, and the second oldest in North America, making ZCS a global leader in Inclusive Education At ZCS, we are passionate about teaching all children about the love of Jesus, including those who have unique gifts and needs. Support Services comprises two strands. One strand is the resource room, which supports students with learning disabilities and other learning-related challenges. The other strand is the inclusion program, which provides modified educational goals for students with varied abilities to find a place of acceptance and belonging in the heart of the general education classrooms. Inclusion Program: For the 2020-21 school year, we have 60 students with higher support levels to accommodate physical, mental, and/or emotional differences. They are each assigned a general education teacher and classroom alongside their peers. Each student has a plan that is crafted to meet his/her individual needs. Our goal is that students spend as much of their day with his/her peers and classroom teacher as possible while also scheduling time for individualized lessons and therapies as needed. The Inclusion Program is an essential part of our school. Not only do those receiving support benefit by being fully included in Zeeland Christian life, but it also provides their peers with an opportunity to practice living out their faith by learning with and from a variety of individuals. Literacy Support Services: We offer literacy support at the elementary grade levels to our youngest readers both in the classroom and through individual literacy support. Resource Room: Provides support for students with learning disabilities and other learning-related challenges. The support staff meets many students, teachers, and parents’ needs through assessment, academic support, and direct instruction. Mental Health Team: We are blessed to provide short-term counseling services to students at Zeeland Christian. At the request of parents and/or teachers, a counselor will see students for 3-4 sessions during the school day and then make recommendations if any further support might help. We are also grateful for the recent addition of a full-time social worker to provide extra support for our students, teachers, and families. The mental health team is also available to support families who are involved in adoption or foster care.
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ZCS Showcase Magazine
Support Services If you have a child with varied abilities, we would love to talk with you about how he or she could fit into our community.
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Elementary
Elementary is an exciting and robust environ-
Art: The opportunity to be involved in art
ment, full of reading, creative writing, and math
classes at Zeeland Christian is certainly a
foundations. Our teachers work with students
blessing and something the students enjoy
to build a love for learning, care for others, and
doing once a week. Our art classes incorporate
belonging to God. Within each classroom, our
art history and problem-solving.
curriculum promotes growth in areas of Math, Language/Grammar, Bible, Science,
Music: General music classes in grades K-5
Social Studies, Reading Comprehension, and
meet twice per week to teach students how to
Writing. With each of these areas, we approach
understand, explain, and appreciate the music
classroom learning with a one-size-fits-one
they experience. Because singing is such a
mentality.
natural way to express themselves and to worship the Creator, it is always an important
Students work to become independent learners
part of music classes. As part of their general
through a “Daily 5� time. During Daily 5, students
music class, students in 4th-grade experience
do independent or small group literacy activities
playing instruments through the addition of
for 40-60 minutes to help build literacy skills
a recorder unit. 5th-grade students may also
and strategies.
choose to begin a band instrument.
We know that students learn best when their
Technology: Technology classes happen across
bodies are able to move, so three daily recess
all grade levels, teaching students the basics of
times are provided outside on our spacious
technology and linking technology to learning.
property. Additionally, teachers do their best to
Students also learn through hands-on STEM
provide students with opportunities to get up
activities.
from their desks as part of their learning each day.
Weekly Specials offered:
Library: Students have access to our school library, visiting once a week with their class; searching and investigating books and authors, building a love of books!
FLES (Foreign Language in the Elementary School): Language classes take place twice a
Gym: All the students in K - 8th-grade have an
week to introduce and expose students to a
opportunity to get involved in physical
foreign language in interactive ways. Both
education twice a week. P.E. addresses areas
concepts and vocabulary are covered as well as
of physical fitness, team and individual sports,
learning a new language and experiencing the
and movement concepts during class.
rich culture of its origins.
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ZCS Showcase Magazine
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Extended Care & Power Hour Our Extended Care program is designed to support family childcare needs on school days. All children must be pre-registered in order to attend Extended Care programs. There is a $30 registration fee per family, paid online at the start of the school year. Billing is uploaded to your family SMART account once a month, starting in October. Extended care is available at the Central Ave ZCS campus Monday to Friday. Before School Care: -Cost $6.50 per child/day, $11.00 for 2 kids, $15.00 for 3 kids - Offered from 7:00 AM - 8:45 AM for students in Three School thru 5th grade Morning Preschool Care: -Cost $15.00 per child/per day - Offered from 8:30 AM - 11:30 AM Lunch Bunch: -Cost $7.00 per child/per day - Offered from 11:30 AM - 1:00 PM for students in Three School and Preschool Afternoon Preschool Care: -Cost $20.00 per child/per day - Offered from 11:30 AM - 3:30 PM
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ZCS Showcase Magazine
Power Hour: Supervised Middle School care is available for students who need to stay after school. Typically, students who have siblings in the elementary school or students waiting for a ZCS athletic practice to begin. If your child is not in one of these categories but needs after-school care, please contact the middle school principal. • Families will be charged $2/day (added through Smart Tuition accounts). • Students playing sports will not be required to pay the fee as it is covered in the cost of “pay to play”. • Students will need to stay at school until the Elementary “walker bell” rings around 3:30 PM, unless they are playing a sport or are picked up early by a parent.
After School Care: -Cost $5.50 per child/per hour, $10/hour for 2 kids, $13/hour for 3 kids, billed in half-hour increments. - Offered from 3:30 PM - 6:00 PM on school days for students in Three School thru 5th grade Full-Day Preschool Care: -Cost $37 per child/per day -Offered on days the Elementary is in session from 7:00 PM - 3:30 PM - If children stay for After School Care (ASC) the ASC cost is in addition Cub Club Child Care at Creation Ridge: *New for 2021-22* For children enrolled at Creation Ridge Child Care is utilized outside of their normal class times. M-F 8:00 AM-8:45 AM before a morning class -$4 per child/per day M-F 11:30 AM-1:00 PM after a morning class through lunchtime -$7 per child/ per day M/W/F 11:30 AM-12:30 PM before an afternoon class -$5 per child/per day M/W/F 11:30 AM-4:00 PM full afternoon - $22 per child/per day M/W/F 3:15PM-4:00 PMafter an afternoon class - $4 per child/per day
Please visit our website www.zcs.org/extendedcare/ to register for more information.
Immunization Requirements The State of Michigan requires parents to report their child’s immunization status before they are allowed to attend school. Therefore, parents must provide ZCS with a record showing that immunizations are up-to-date. If parents have decided against immunizations, they must provide a certified immunization waiver (which can be applied for at the Ottawa County Health Department). Children without immunization records or a certified waiver on file will not be able to attend school. Additionally, preschool students need to have a “Health Appraisal�, which is completed by their physician, on file. Kindergarten or first time first-grade students also need to have a hearing and vision screening on file (a certificate of hearing and vision testing or screening or statement of exemption under section 9311) before the first day of school per the Michigan Health Code. The hearing and vision test may occur anytime after the child turns three. No-cost hearing and vision tests are available through the local health department.
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Middle school is a time of independence, exploration, and change. Middle schoolers are in the midst of drastic changes that are reflected in how they think, how they act, and how they learn. At Zeeland Christian Middle School, our teaching staff embraces this unique phase of life and enjoys leading their students through it. A unique aspect of ZCMS is the way we help kids make good choices. We do not have zero-hours or detention or any of the discipline tactics most parents grew up with. Instead, the teachers rely on creating relationships with students and guiding them along the way. We believe strongly that this relational approach better helps our students grow into the people God created them to be. Middle School Camps We have intentionally developed a series of experiences that help students grow into leaders and mentors for the rest of the school. A key part of this is the middle school camps. Each year, the students attend 1-2 camps that are specially designed to move them forward in their personal and communal development. • 6th Grade Camp: Focus is on building community, beginning middle school together, and setting the tone for the next 3 years. • 7th Grade Camp - Fall: Emphasis is on spiritual growth and creating a covenantal community based on love and respect for everyone in the class. • 7th Grade Camp - Spring: Intensely focused on leadership development and preparing for 8th Grade by choosing the next year’s theme and small group leaders • 8th Grade Camp: This is a spiritual, emotional, and personal camp where students spend time • committing their lives to God, reflecting on where they’ve been, and preparing for where God is sending them.
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ZCS Showcase Magazine
ZCS Sports:
Enrichment Opportunities:
Baseball Basketball Soccer Track and Field Volleyball
Running Club Geography Bee Spelling Bee Athletics Calling All Colors Ski Club Robotics 8th-grade play Worship team
Weekly Specials, see page 14 for more detailed information about these offerings Art, Foreign Language, Technology, Gym Music Education Students in grades 6-8 choose either a choir or band class to continue their musical development. All of these students perform concerts throughout the year. Our ZCS band students have the opportunity to march in several local parades, such as Pumpkinfest, Tulip Festival, and Memorial Day. A spring day ‘off-campus’ is often part of continued music enrichment for middle school students. Middle School Athletic Opportunities We have a variety of opportunities for 6th, 7th, and 8th graders to participate in sports at Zeeland Christian. We work together with Holland Christian schools to offer even more opportunities thru co-op sports. ZCS requires a $50 “Pay to Play” fee for each sport your child participates in.
Middle School Student Life Opportunities:
Co-op Sports:
All-School Chapel MS Chapel Camps Family Groups Small Groups
Competitive Cheer Cross Country Football Swimming Tennis Sailing Club 19
Enrollment Process Questions? Email Enrollment Coordinator, Nakisha DeJong (ndejong@zcs.org) Preschool STEP 1: Register Online, Registration will open January 28, 2021 @ 7:00 pm Registration Link: zcspreschool.eventbrite.com (if registering after the first day of the school year contact zcsinfo@zcs.org) *If your first or second session option is already full or says “Pending”, email waitlist@zcs.org with the session(s) you would like to be put on the waitlist for. Waitlists will be created in the order requests are received. STEP 2: Review and Sign the One-Page Tuition Sheet (OPTS)/Set up SMART Account In March, you will be mailed your family’s OPTS. Additionally, every ZCS family has a SMART account which is used to pay tuition. You will receive an email from SMART tuition with instructions on how to set up your account and tuition payment plan. STEP 3: Turn in additional enrollment paperwork in June Completed Health Form, Child Information Record, and Online Questionnaire (emailed to you)
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ZCS Showcase Magazine
Y5 - 8th Grade STEP 1: Young Fives - Kindergarten Register online via Eventbrite starting January 21, 2021, at noon STEP 1: 1st-8th Grade Fill out the ZCS Admissions Form found online at www. zcs.org/enrollment STEP 2: Review and Sign the One-Page Tuition Sheet/Set up SMART Account In March, you will be mailed your family’s OPTS. (If you enroll after March, you will receive your OPTS after you have communicated with the Enrollment Coordinator.) Additionally, every ZCS family has a SMART account which is used to pay tuition. You will receive an email from SMART tuition with instructions on how to set up your account and tuition payment plan. STEP 3: Fill out Continuous Enrollment Opt-In Form You will be emailed a link to the Continuous Enrollment Opt-In form. You will fill out this form only once per family during your time at ZCS. STEP 4: Complete the additional enrollment paperwork. This checklist will be sent to you via email. It includes items like submitting required immunization records, health forms, transportation forms, records release, etc.
Visit: zcs.org/enrollment
Additional FAQ:
We love questions! Email zcsinfo@zcs.org and someone will assist you. What is the typical school day schedule? Preschool: 8:45-11:30 AM OR 12:30-3:15 PM Elementary, Young Fives - 5th grade: 8:40 AM to 3:25 PM Middle School, 6th-8th grade: 7:35 AM to 2:25 PM How does lunch work? Lunch is eaten in students’ classrooms - either pack a lunch from home or puchase a hot lunch. Hot lunch is available to ZCS families through Zeeland Public Schools. Accommodations for food allergies are taken into consideration on an individual classroom basis. How do you keep your building secure? Doors are open during drop-off and pick-up times only. During school hours all doors are locked. To enter the school you will need to enter through the office and sign in through our electronic visitor management system. Can my child ride the bus? Busing is provided for in-district students in Young Fives thru 8th grade, by the Zeeland Public School system on days ZPS is in session. Mid-day busing is not provided for half-day young fives and transitional kindergarten students. What is your average class size? Class sizes vary as we strive for a one-size-fits-one approach to learning. Students are placed in classes with teachers and assistants to ensure their safety and educational needs are met - as class sizes increase, so does staffing. On average, across preschool to 8th-grade, class sizes run between 18 and 25 students.
What curriculum is used at ZCS? The Board of Directors expects that our school is aligned academically to the Michigan State Standards while taking every opportunity to teach through a distinctively Christian worldview. How often will I hear about my child’s progress? Parent-teacher conferences are held in the fall and in the spring. Report cards are available for 1st through 8th grade four times a year (twice a year for Young Fives & Kindergarten). These provide an opportunity to sit down with your child and affirm how you also see him/her growing and developing. Each 2nd - 8th-grade child takes a MAP (Measures of Academic Performance) growth assessment in the early fall, winter, and late Spring. MAP® Growth™ measures what students know and informs what they’re ready to learn next. These reports are used to develop ongoing learning plans and are shared with parents twice a year. How can parents get involved at ZCS? 1. Be a classroom volunteer - Parent volunteers are a huge help for our teachers! Parents can be involved in reading with students, driving for field trips, etc. 2. Parents’ Club (see page 22 for parent point information) 3. Attend ZCS Events - Join us for concerts, chapels, Fun Night, 8th Grade Play, ZCS Auction, etc. Is there a dress code? We don’t have a dress code besides being appropriate and modest. You can purchase school logo wear via our website.
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Tuition Sliding Tuition Schedule Zeeland Christian School is a covenantal family made up of many parents. Years ago the School Board decided that it would implement a sliding tuition schedule that would allow parents with more children to pay a lower percentage of the cost of education. Preschool to 8th-grade tuition can be paid annually, by semester, or over 12 months (July-June). There are several credits that all families receive, which reduce overall tuition costs and are accounted for in our tuition schedule, which can be found at zcs.org/tuition. DITTO Grant (Young Fives - 8th Grade) Ditto Upscale Resale sells used clothing, furniture, sporting goods, home decor, etc. The store is mostly staffed by volunteers and is furnished with donated goods. The proceeds from the store are distributed between Zeeland Christian and Holland Christian Schools to help offset the cost of tuition. For the 2020-21 school year, ZCS will receive $315 for every enrolled student. However, all families are invited to participate in our OPTS Give-Back and donate all or a portion of their grant back if they would like to do so. All grants contributed back to school go toward the Tuition Assistance Fund. Last year over $36,000 was donated back to tuition assistance.
Parent Point System (Kindergarten - 8th Grade) The Parents’ Club organizes several fundraisers throughout the year to help offset the cost of tuition. We use a point system to distribute the workload. This system helps ZCS earn over $120,000 annually! This money reduces the cost of tuition for all students. Examples of current fundraisers include a spring auction, 3-on-3 basketball tournament, ZIP 5k, making pig-in-the-blankets, and more. Each fundraiser has various jobs (cashier, food prep, first-aid, etc.) worth a varying amount of points. Kindergarten and Inclusion program families are required to work for 5 points at one of these fundraisers or to contribute $125 to the ZCS Parents’ Club. Families with a child(ren) in 1st-8th grade at ZCS are required to work for at least 10 points or more at one of these fundraisers or to contribute $250 to the ZCS Parents’ Club.
Endowment Grant (Young Fives - 8th Grade) ZCS has an Endowment Fund which annually distributes money to the General Fund, Tuition Assistance, and Support Services (Inclusion). Funded by estate and memorial gifts, the OPTS Give-Back, the ZCS golf outing, and the annual Legacy Event, the Endowment Fund balance is $6 million. For the 2020-21 school year, ZCS will receive $160 for every enrolled student. As the Endowment fund grows, so does this grant. To date, over $3 million has been distributed by the Endowment Fund.
Visit www.zcs.org/tuition to see our current rates
It is our deepest desire that all families who want to attend Zeeland Christian School can afford it. 22
ZCS Showcase Magazine
Tuition Reduction Incentive Program (TRIP) Families who enroll in the TRIP program are able to build tuition credit by participating in the program. The sooner a family is enrolled in the program, the sooner they can begin building tuition credit. It is even possible to enroll in the program before your child is of school age. How it works •
Families purchase gift cards from participating businesses - physical cards or instant digital gift cards.
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The businesses give back a certain percentage of each purchase to ZCS.
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The money given to ZCS goes into each family’s account. This is then applied automatically to your tuition balance in June and December.
Tuition Assistance Over 10% of families at ZCS receive Tuition Assistance in addition to the grants listed on the opposite page. At ZCS the goal is for a family not to pay more than 18% of their income in tuition for their children to attend school each year. Over the last few years, our families and donors have worked hard to be able to offer 80% - 100% of the assistance for which families qualify. The average family with two or more children, who also meet income requirements and apply, qualifies for $4300 in tuition assistance. Tuition assistance is offered for families with children in Kindergarten thru 8th grade. If a family also has a preschooler, that tuition number is also taken into account when awarding assistance. At this time we do not offer normal tuition assistance for families who only have children enrolled in preschool, however, we do offer assistance relating to a hardship - such as loss of income due to COVID. These cases receive assistance from the emergency tuition assistance fund vs. the normal tuition assistance fund and are considered on a case by case basis. *NEW* for 2021-22 is the THRIVE fund that will help those who need assistance beyond what the “normal” formula offers. Tuition assistance applications for the upcoming school year may be submitted from Monday, March 8th through Monday, April 19th, 2021. Information about award totals is provided to applicants in June. Families interested in applying for tuition assistance after the application window closes should reach out to the Enrollment Coordinator or Director of Finance. Visit www.zcs.org/tuition to see our current rates
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334 W. CENTRAL AVE. ZEELAND, MI 49464
ONLINE REGISTRATION:
January 21 - Young 5’s/Kindergaten January 28 - Preschool
Where RELATIONSHIPS burn bright 泽兰基督教学校
Escuela Cristiana de Zeeland Zeeland Christian School www.zcs.org zcsinfo@zcs.org, (616)772-2609
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