CHCS News
OCTOBER 2015
C O L L E G E
H E I G H T S
C H R I S T I A N
Learning to Listen to God’s Voice It’s so easy for our students to hear negative messages from the world today. It’s too easy for all of us. Our culture can certainly make some beautiful things, but often Satan can twist and use what might be good and beneficial to distract us. They can become our idols. A life of wealth and comfort is not an evil thing, but our world tells us it’s all we need to live for. Friendships and relationships are vitally important to our lives, but they can never fulfill our need for God. Some days it seems like there is an endless supply of messages and lies coming our way. And when there are so many things competing for our attention and our hearts, it’s important to ask ourselves this question: “How often do I listen to the voice of my heavenly father?” If there was one thing that I took from Spiritual Emphasis Week, it was a reminder that I need to listen to God’s voice. We all do. Jay St.Clair spent the week with our school helping us learn how we can be better listeners. He reminded us that God speaks love into our lives and wants his children to be comforted by the sound of his voice. He encouraged us to hurry to God’s
S C H O O L by Tim Casey
word every day and hear what he tells us through the pages of Scripture. Our students even learned a practical lesson on how to listen in prayer and keep a journal of the things we feel God is showing us in our lives and through his word. It was a week filled with meaningful worship times and challenging reminders and I felt God’s pleasure with our school. I pray in this world of so many messages, that our school can reflect God’s love better because we hear his words more clearly.
Classroom Makeover Over the summer, there was quite a bit of excitement in the elementary hall, specifically, Mrs. Desiree Limkeman’s second grade classroom. Mrs. Limkeman was selected from hundreds of entries to receive a classroom makeover from the Velcro Brand company after winning their nation-wide contest, “Velcro Brand Products’ Classroom Makeover” with HGTV design expert Sabrino Soto. Mrs. Limkeman was nominated by Eddie Grundy, father of Hannah Grundy – a student of hers. Two days were spent painting, designing, and sprucing up the classroom, which featured some of Velcro’s most innovative products. The big reveal came July 15th as Mrs. Limkeman walked the hallway lined with friends, coworkers, and parents leading to her brand new room. She expressed her gratitude and appreciation to everyone for their hard work. She received laptops and tablets, new tables and chairs, and cubicles. Velcro was kind enough to give the other second grade classroom all the same materials and supplies so that all second graders could have the same learning experience. Thank you Velcro Brand Products!
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National Merit Honor Choir Scholars Each year 1.5 million high school Juniors take the PSAT, which is the qualifying test for the National Merit Scholarship Program. Of those 1.5 million, the top two percent become Commended Scholars. Caroline Miller has achieved this prestigious status. We congratulate Caroline on a job well done! The top less than one percent attain SemiFinalist status and go on to compete for Finalist status by completing the application process and taking the SAT. Devon Russell has been named Semi Finalist. Finalists will be announced in January or February. Way to go, Devon!
Congratulations to our Outreach choir members who auditioned and were selected for this year’s Southwest Missouri District Honor Choir! They will perform a concert October 24th at the new Joplin High School Performing Arts Center. All are invited. Pictured left to right are Jalyn Huntzicker, Nate Wilkins, Jessica Roberts, Daniel Davis and Lauren Henry (not pictured – Sydni Cummins). Great job!
See You at the Pole On September 22, CHCS students, staff, and parents gathered around the flag pole for the annual See You At The Pole event. Similar events are held throughout the United States on this day. Our school’s Spiritual Life student committee organized and planned the events which included intermittent prayer and worship songs.
Varsity Cheer Squad Earns Awards
Over the summer our Varsity Cheer Squad attended camp organized by the National Cheerleaders Association and earned many awards including Superior in Performance Routine, Game Time Routine, and Championship Cheer and the Spirit Stick. They also took home the NCA Performance top Team award, the Championship Chant award, and technical award for Motions. In addition, they won the most prestigious award at camp, the Herkie Team Award, which is given to the squad that showed Leadership, Values, Teamwork and Sportsmanship attributes throughout the camp to both their squad members as well as other teams at camp. Varsity squad members are Abbi Hardy, Willow Jones, Andrea Emory, Peri Reagan and Karli Hardy. While attending team camp, Abbi Hardy and Willow Jones were selected as All American Cheerleaders after a tryout competing against other cheerleaders at camp. The CHCS Cheer team is coached by Christina Hardy, who was named the top veteran coach and recognized for excellence in supporting her squad. Congratulations ladies!
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Welcome to New Faculty and Staff! Food Service Staff
First Grade
My name is Deana Adams. I have lived in Carthage, Missouri my entire life. I graduated from MSSU with an associate’s degree in nursing. I have two sons, Gadge and Cody who are in 6th and 3rd grade. This is our 8th year at CHCS. I’ve done a lot of volunteering over the years in many areas of the school.
My name is Jennifer Fuller. Joplin has been my home for most of my life. I graduated from Joplin High School and Missouri Southern State University. I met my husband at church when I was in high school and we have three children. I have been blessed to be part of the College Heights family for 20 years as a parent. My daughters are Makayla, who graduated in 2011 and Hannah, who graduated in 2014. My son Jordan will graduate this year. I feel very fortunate and blessed to be able to teach first grade and enjoy Jordan’s last year at College Heights. Before teaching here, I taught for 5 years in the Joplin School District.
High School Social Studies My name is Candice Anderson. I am originally from Tuscaloosa, Alabama. I attended Trevecca Nazarene University in Nashvillle, TN where I majored in History/Gov’t Education. I have been married to Wesley for ten years and have two children. Noah is six and Calleigh Grace is three. We moved to Joplin just after Thanksgiving last year when my husband accepted a Senior Pastor position at Calvary Church of the Nazarene. Before moving to Missouri we served in churches in Nacogdoches, TX and Muscle Shoals, AL.
New Additions to Our CHCS Family Congratulations to Coach and Physical Education instructor Phillip Jordan and wife, Sarah who welcomed Griffin Isaiah on August 21st. Griffin joins big brothers Emmitt and Connor and big sister Madelynn.
Pre-Kindergarten and Cougar Class My name is Amanda Mehrens. I graduated from Missouri State University in 2012 with a degree in Elementary Education. My husband, Brian, is an alumnus of College Heights. You may have heard about his recent epic trip he made with 3 friends to all 50 states in 7 days. We both attend College Heights Christian Church where I work with the Middle School ministry. In my spare time I enjoy knitting, reading and traveling.
Happy 40th, Mrs. Colin! Congratulations to our IT Coordinator, Matt Perry and his wife Priscilla on their new baby girl Gabrielle Ann. She was born Sunday, September 13th at 10:10 PM. She weighed 5 lbs 10 oz and was 20 inches long.
August 24 was an epic day at CHCS. Elementary Principal Mary Colin turned 40! The students tried surprising her by dressing in black, and her high school volleyball team decorated the halls. However, Mrs. Colin surprised everyone by showing up to work dressed as a granny with style! This made the day truly fun for everyone.
Save the Date!
SAVE THE DATES HOMECOMING Mark your calendar for this year’s HOMECOMING on December 18th at Ozark Christian College. We look forward to this special time which includes naming our King and Queen, great basketball, and connecting with our alumni. It will be a great evening for everyone!
COUGAR CARNIVAL Mark your calendar for this year’s COUGAR CARNIVAL on November 7. Don’t miss the fun!
Renweb Parents, don’t forget to take advantage of Renweb, our online school management system. You can check homework assignments, lunch menus, student grades, school calendar, etc. If you are having problems accessing Renweb or have not set up your account, please contact the school. A Renweb phone application is now available. This is a great tool to use to stay informed about your students’ progress.
CHCS offers new Family Connection Events this Year
“Family Connections” are events to be held approximately three times a year to help strengthen the relationship between school and home and give encouragement and resources to parents. The first of these events will be in the form of a workshop October 29 and is being led by Brian Jennings, CHCS alumnus. The workshop is entitled, “Lead Your Family” based off Brian’s book by the same name. His workshop will help you overcome the hurdles of spiritual leadership and equip you to lead your family closer to God (in a more effective way or maybe for the first time ever).
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Wednesday, November 11 marks the date for this fall’s blood drive, which will be held in the Chapel. This is a change in location from previous blood drives. If you or someone you know would like to donate blood, please contact National Honor Society sponsor, Janene Russell at jrussell@collegeheights.org. Every drop of donated blood counts!
Here we are back in full swing and ready to hit the ground running. Seniors should have their COLLEGE CORNER college choices narrowed down to the schools they are seriously considering, usually two to three. They should also have their resume in at least rough draft form. Mrs. Kruse is always happy to assist with organization and tips on resume presentations. College Heights invites a number of colleges, universities and technology schools to visit our campus during lunch. We encourage our students and their parents to take advantage of these opportunities to see what is available and possibly schedule follow up visits to the campuses. Students should always make a campus visit to any school they are seriously considering attending. SCHOOLS CURRENTLY SCHEDULED TO VISIT CHCS SO FAR THIS YEAR: Missouri Southern State University. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Sept. 24 University of Arkansas. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Oct 9 Crowder College . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Sept. 28 Ozark Christian College. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Oct 12 Regional College Fair . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Sept 30 Pittsburg State University. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Oct 13 Oral Roberts University. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Oct 1 Truman State University. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Oct 19 Missouri Southern Honor’s Program. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Oct 2 John Brown University . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Oct 22 LeTourneau University . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Oct 2 YWAM. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Oct 30 October 14th is the major test day for high school students. Ninth graders will be taking the Aspire 9, tenth graders will be taking the Aspire 10, both of which are feeder tests and predictors for the ACT. Some ninth and tenth graders who test very well will be taking the PSAT on the 14th and make up the Aspire on Wednesday, October 21st. Juniors will be taking the PSAT or a Practice ACT. Seniors are allowed two excused college visits. On the scheduled test day Seniors are to use the day for an additional college visit which actually provides them with three excused absences. ECFA ACCREDITED – On November 12, 2012, the Evangelical Council for Financial Accountability announced the accreditation of College
Heights Christian School. Accreditation is based on the ECFA’s Seven Standards of Responsible Stewardship, including financial accountability, transparency, sound board governance, and ethical fundraising. When an organization is accredited by ECFA, it demonstrates its willingness to follow the model of biblical accountability.
MISSION STATEMENT
CHCS glorifies God through excellence as a Christ-centered learning environment that produces servant-leaders with a Biblical worldview.
COLLEGE HEIGHTS CHRISTIAN SCHOOL n 4311 E. NEWMAN ROAD n JOPLIN, MISSOURI 64801 n 471-782-4114 n WWW.COLLEGHEIGHTS.ORG