May 2014

Heritage Christian School

THE

R

E G A T I HER LD A R E H MAY 2014

Steadfast pursuit of God’s vision and plan

An update from Heritage Principal Mike Annis

T

he countdown is on. By the time many of you receive this addition of the Herald, Heritage students will be just days away from summer break. What a year we’ve had! This time of year always brings a level of excitement but, annually, seems tempered by the reality that God has an ultimate purpose which includes leading some of our people off to new assignments. This year we are graduating a great group of 8th grade students. While we will miss them, we greatly anticipate how God will use the next four years of their lives for His glory. Inside this edition, see where they are headed and what they believe God is calling them to.

We are also sending off some of our teachers, ones who have invested heavily in the lives of many students. We say goodbye and express our deep thanks to Mr. Brian Neal, Mr. Jesse Foresto, and Mrs. Connie Keel. We are so thankful to God for having them serve Him here these past years and pray God’s richest blessings be poured out on them as they head into new endeavors. As they leave, however, a hole remains that must

be filled. As He always has, God provided some excellent people to carry the banner forward. You can meet some of them in this edition and, also, on the school’s blog.

As this year comes to an end, we are actively planning next year. To serve a greater number of families in the community, we created space by opening a second section of 1st grade. This allows growth where the greatest demand exists in our community.

Enrollment for 2014-2015 is 205 (as of May 7, 2014). As in the last several years, we are on track for serving the largest number of students and families to date. Of course, as we increase in numbers, there is need of additional space. Stay tuned for news from the Design Team who have been diligently working on Phase II of Heritage Christian School’s site plan. Fundraising efforts, in the very near future, will begin in earnest.

Wrapping up my 9th year at Heritage, I want to express my deep appreciation to all of you for your support and prayers. God continues to faithfully lead us and our desire to obediently follow remains steadfast.

Moving forward with two sections of first grade Heritage Christian School is continuing to make room for increasing enrollment as outlined in the last Herald. The Design Team is in the planning phase for a building project in the near future. Next year, we will move forward with this by adding a second section of first grade. This classroom will be in the current library, which is presently in the process of becoming a mobile library cart.

Students serve faithfully and diligently during another year of Operation G.O.O.D. Heritage spring fundraiser, Giving Of Ourselves Day All School Goal

$24,750

Final Total

Grandparents Day was a blast!

To watch a video and see more photos of Grandparents Day, visit our Facebook and YouTube page!

“Like” our page and share with your friends!

Facebook.com/heritagenl

$38,749.55

$13,999.55 [ over our goal!]

During our spring serve-a-thon, HCS students in Kindergarten through 8th grade ask friends and family to sponsor them for a two-hour service project. The goal for donations was $150 per student, $24,750 as a school. Every class in the school exceeded their goal! The morning of Friday, May 9, all K-8 students volunteered at the Coralville Reservoir by cleaning up and picking weeds. In the afternoon, they celebrated meeting their goal by watching the teachers complete a messy and smelly obstacle course for the second year in a row! Praise God for his faithfulness to our school.

Legacy OF PASSIONATE CHRISTIAN EDUCATION continues THROUGH HERITAGE ALUMNI Mary Mysnyk, Heritage grad, will be the new Middle School Science and Literature teacher for 2014-2015!

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I feel very blessed to say that Heritage Christian School has been an important part of my life since I was very young. My brother, Dan; two sisters, Rachael and Eva; and I, all attended Heritage from Kindergarten through eighth grade.

In addition, my Dad served on the school board for four years and my Mom was the music teacher and choir director for six years.

It was during my time at Heritage that my passion for teaching began to grow as I was challenged academically and cared for spiritually by all my teachers. More importantly, the Biblical and Gospel-centered vision of HCS played a large role in grounding me in my relationship

with Jesus Christ. I then attended West High School where I felt well prepared spiritually and academically to be used by God for His glory.

I student taught in India during the spring semester, and graduated in May from the University of Northern Iowa with a double major in Elementary and Middle School Education. After lots of prayer about what to do next year, God has clearly placed a desire on my heart to teach at Heritage. I am so grateful for how God has led me back to this incredible community. I pray that I will be able to impact the students for Christ in the same powerful way that my teachers impacted me.

-Mary Mysnyk

(Read more new teacher bios on the back page!)

Sophia Aguirre

Meet the 8th grade

4 1 0 2 F O S S A CL

Parents: Jill and Roberto High School: Clear Creek Amana Life Goal: To become an OBGYN Specialist and obtain a Doctorate Degree in Medicine and praise God through it

Will Kron

Isaac Mill

er

Parents: Scott and Karen High School: West High School Life Goal: To follow God in all that I do

Hailey Gregory

Elizabeth Walters

Parents: Sheri and Kirk High School: West High School Life Goal: To do what I love and am skilled at so God can be glorified

er Marika Perlmutt

Parents: Mike and Jan High School: West High School Life Goal: Be a Christian marine biologist, teach people about Christ and have a family

Parents: Roseann and Douglass High School: Solon High School Life Goal: Raise a Christ-centered family and become a tennis pro

Josh Nullmeyer

Parents: Jeff and Jen High School: San Clemente HS(California) Life Goal: To be a commercial airline pilot and follow Christ

Megan Miller

Parents: Steve and Julie High School: Clear Creek Amana Life Goal: To have a family, become a teacher and continue to glorify God in every aspect of my life

Parents: David and Christie High School: Lubbock Christian HS (Texas) Life Goal: Raise a family that loves, praises, thanks and glorifies God; balance a career as a nanotechnologist with bringing up a Christian family and exploring alternative energy sources (exploring Creation)

�

Nicole Wichhart

Parents: Brenda and Doug High School: Clear Creek Amana Life Goal: To raise a godly family

Heritage Christian School 255 Hackberry St. North Liberty, IA 52317

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Heritage Christian School

Blog: www.heritagechristianschoolnl.wordpress.com

Heritage welcomes new teachers to the team!

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It is my prayer for all my students as we spend our next year together that we may live outside of ourselves in service to our great God, and always trust in God’s supreme design for our lives.

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Matt Ellerie grew up in Cedar Rapids and graduated from Dordt College with a Bachelor’s Degree in Education.

He taught first grade in Minnesota for eight years and middle school Science, Literature, Bible and History for three years at the same school. Over the past few months, Matt felt the Lord’s hand directing him to a new school. He is thrilled to have God leading him to Heritage. He has been married to his wife, Jodi, for ten years. They have two children, Amber (4) and Aiden (1 ½).

P.E. Teacher and Athletic Director

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I Timothy 4:8 has kept things in perspective and helped shape my philosophy on athletics and physical education.

We are excited to have Serah Snell continue teaching at Heritage next year!

This year, Serah student taught alongside Connie Keel during the fall semester, and was the long term substitute teacher for middle school History and Literature during the spring semester. She also served as the assistant soccer coach.

Serah has a Bachelor’s Degree in Physical Education with a Health Minor and Recreation Concentration and a Coaching endorsement from Northwestern College in Orange City. Serah has been married to her husband Jared for two years.

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Music Appreciation and Heritage Singers Director

The parent of one of my students recently told me about the opening for a Music Appreciation/Choir Director and I am blessed to have this opportunity to teach the students of Heritage.

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Middle School History and Bible

Valerie Letenyei

Serah Snell

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Matt Ellerie

Valerie Letenyei has been teaching music for ten years. Her experience includes Kindermusik, private piano lessons, choir directing, homeschooling and children’s ministry. She received her Certificate in Bible and Christian Ministries and an Associate’s Degree in Liberal Arts from William Tyndale College. Mrs. Valerie Letenyei is from Flat Rock Michigan, lived in St. Louis with her husband for 15 years, and moved to Iowa in 2008. Valerie now lives in North Liberty with her husband, Ron, of 23 years and her two daughters, Leah and Holly who are 19 and 16.

Full bios can be found on our blog: heritagechristianschoolnl.wordpress.com