Check out the Fall edition of the San Jose Christian School Newsletter to keep up with all the happenings on campus, meet new staff, and stay up to date on the lives of our alumni.
Page 1 Walk-a-Thon Shines Saturday, October 1, marked the annual SJCS Walk-a-Thon (WAT), which serves as both a fundraiser for various student activities and a great community-building event. Students and parents, clad in WAT t-shirts with this year’s school theme—SHINE, cranked out lap after lap around the course, earning prizes. Besides walking, people enjoyed the carnival-style activities, which included a climbing wall, a giant slide, and face painting. Big Ed’s Buzzard BBQ provided great tri-tip sandwiches, burgers, hot dogs, and more for everyone who worked up an appetite. At the end of the event, raffle prizes including an iPad, a Nook Color, an iPod Touch, and an electric scooter went out to the lucky win- ners amongst the hundreds of tickets entered. The proceeds from the WAT benefit student programs throughout the grade levels like day field trips, playground equipment, athletics, music, and the overnight field trips in grades 4-8. This year’s WAT reve- nues totaled over $53,000, which will allow SJCS to continue to offer the kind of quality experiences that characterize our students’ time at the school. To check out a video of the 2011, SJCS Walk-a-Thon, click here . e-newsletter www.sjchristian.org A love for God. A desire to learn. A commitment to serve. Inside this Issue Walk-a-Thon News page 1 New iPad lab page 2 Professional Learning Communities page 3 Fall Sports Update pages 4-5 Quarter 1 Honor Roll page 6 Alumni News pages 7-8 Volume 22 - Issue 2 Fall 2011 From the Superintendent The beginning of our year at SJCS has been amazing. Last year, we launched a prayer campaign called, “Pray 280,” in which we asked God to help us reach our enrollment goal of 280 students in pre- school - 8th grade. On the first day of school this year, we had 281 students. Our Lord is the great provider! In this Fall e- newsletter, you will find lots of information about the happenings on campus, new staff, and the continuing adventures of our alumni. Please enjoy the articles and check out the video and web links for even more informa- tion. As always, we appreciate your contin- ued prayers as well. This week, we are launching the annual finan- cial drive, entitled Bold Vi - sion, Bright Future , and I want to thank all of you ahead of time for support- ing San Jose Christian School with your gifts. It is always inspiring to see people from across the his- tory of our school coming together to invest in the lives of our current and fu- ture students. We rely on you to help us achieve our mission, and every gift counts! - Dan Meester
Transcript
Page 1
Walk-a-Thon Shines Saturday, October 1, marked the annual SJCS Walk-a-Thon (WAT), which serves as both a fundraiser for various student activities and a great community-building event. Students and parents, clad in WAT t-shirts with this year’s school theme—SHINE, cranked out lap after lap around the course, earning prizes. Besides walking, people enjoyed the carnival-style activities, which included a climbing wall, a giant slide, and face painting. Big Ed’s Buzzard BBQ provided great tri-tip sandwiches, burgers, hot dogs, and more for everyone who worked up an appetite.
At the end of the event, raffle prizes including an iPad, a Nook Color, an iPod Touch, and an electric scooter went out to the lucky win-ners amongst the hundreds of tickets entered. The proceeds from the WAT benefit student programs throughout the grade levels like day field trips, playground equipment, athletics, music, and the overnight field trips in grades 4-8. This year’s WAT reve-nues totaled over $53,000, which will allow SJCS to continue to offer the kind of quality experiences that characterize our students’ time at the school. To check out a video of the 2011, SJCS Walk-a-Thon, click here.
e-newsletterwww.sjchristian.org
A love for God.A desire to learn.A commitment to serve.
Inside this Issue
Walk-a-Thon Newspage 1
New iPad labpage 2
Professional Learning Communities
page 3
Fall Sports Update pages 4-5
Quarter 1 Honor Rollpage 6
Alumni News pages 7-8
Volume 22 - Issue 2 Fall 2011
From the Superintendent The beginning of our year at SJCS has been amazing. Last year, we launched a prayer campaign called, “Pray 280,” in which we asked God to help us reach our enrollment goal of 280 students in pre-school - 8th grade. On the first day of school this year, we had 281 students. Our Lord is the great provider! In this Fall e-newsletter, you will find lots of information about the happenings on campus, new staff, and the continuing adventures of our alumni.
Please enjoy the articles and check out the video and web links for even more informa-tion. As always, we appreciate your contin-
ued prayers as well. This week, we are launching the annual finan-cial drive, entitled Bold Vi-sion, Bright Future, and I want to thank all of you ahead of time for support-ing San Jose Christian School with your gifts. It is always inspiring to see people from across the his-tory of our school coming together to invest in the lives of our current and fu-
ture students. We rely on you to help us achieve our mission, and every gift counts!
We welcome Rachel Diephouse as our new Middle School Language Arts teacher. Miss Diephouse comes from the very Dutch city of Grand Rapids, Michigan. She attended the University of Michigan before graduating from Hope College in Holland, Michigan in December 2010. She studied Secondary Education English, Math, and Psychology; was a Young Life leader; and rowed as a part of Michigan’s novice crew team. Last year, Rachel student taught and long-term subbed at Leland High School in Almaden. Although she loves Michigan football and her Dutch heritage, she is very happy to now live in sunny California. Miss Diephouse is excited to be at San Jose Christian because of the family-like community. She enjoys integrating technology into the classroom and trying new things. We also welcome Harry Webb as our new P.E. teacher and athletic director. Mr. Webb was raised in
Michigan where he lettered in baseball, football, and basketball. His career began at Steelcase, an office furniture manufacturer in Grand Rapids, Michigan. Harry and his wife, Mindy (one of SJCS’s Jr. K teachers), began dating long-distance after Mindy took a job at SJCS. When the Webbs got engaged, Harry transferred to a Steelcase dealership in Milpitas, where he worked for four years. During this time, Mr. Webb was highly invested in the students and families of San Jose Christian, volunteering whenever possible. In May, Harry and Mindy had their own future Tiger, Lucy. They can think of no better place to raise a family than within the community of San Jose Christian. Mr. Webb is excited to be a daily part of the San Jose Christian community by teaching P.E., coordinating sports teams, and mentoring the students.
San Jose Christian used money from last year’s spring auction to buy an iPad lab. The students and teachers love this new resource! Elementary students play Rocket Math to improve their math facts and Stack the States to build their knowledge of the United States. Teachers videotape student performances, allowing students to assess themselves before being assessed by the teacher. Students make their own movies using iMovie and the iPad’s camera. In sixth grade Life Skills, students
learned Chinese characters by tracing them on the iPad. Third grade students place themselves on the
street in from of the St. Louis Arch using Maps with street view. Teachers continually look for new ways to use iPads in the classroom. Josh Wenke, an eighth grader at SJCS, created a video spotlighting the use of the iPads in the classroom. See for yourself what the students think of the iPads by clicking here!
As technology increases, learning changes. The teachers of San Jose Christian are continuing their own learning in Professional Learning Communities (PLCs). There are four PLCs on campus this year, each including a conglomeration of elementary, middle school, and specials teachers. PLCs provide a space for the staff to have thoughtful discussion and share how they use technology in the classroom.
This year, we are focusing our conversation on Curriculum 21: Essential Education for a Changing World, edited by Heidi Hayes Jacobs. Jacobs argues that teachers need “to prepare the learners in our care for their world and their future”, even if this means preparing them for jobs that aren’t created yet (2). Each teacher is wrestling with the specifics of what this looks like in his or her classroom.
On a large scale, teachers are considering how the growing technological world should affect their course content. What do we need to add to our curriculum? What do we need to remove because we are teaching it simply because “it’s always been done this way?” At San Jose Christian we strive to make each lesson intentional and purposeful, so that our students may thrive in the world in which they live.
Teachers are also updating their assessments, adding things such as podcasts, PowerPoint presentations, and video assessments. These new assessments give students experience with technology and allow a new
degree of self-assessment, allowing students to evaluate their own learning as well. On a smaller scale, teachers are integrating technology into their everyday classroom. Instead of creating brochures by hand, students work on MacBooks to create a neat, colored brochure. Instead of writing a biography, students create a movie of an interview with a classmate. Instead of doing math flashcards, students play math games on the iPads. Student enthusiasm and focus is increasing as teachers upgrade their lessons to the technological world the students engage in every day. Curriculum 21 offers ideas of how to implement technology into
learning while preparing our students for the future. PLCs allow for teachers to share both their frustrations and successes, creating a community that can learn from each other.
Learn with us!We invite you to read and learn alongside us this year. Curriculum21.com offers many great resources such as podcasts, webinars, and interesting articles. You can even read Curriculum 21 along with us for free at the ASCD website (click here to see the table of contents).
This fall the Tigers have roared their way through a great sports season. With cross country, flag football, and softball, SJCS has left its mark throughout the bay area. With almost 50 athletes, it was exciting to see more than half of our middle school students participating!
Cross Country Seven Tigers participated in Cross Country this season. These runners diligently worked to become more consistent, pushing their bodies even when their brains told them to stop. Through circuit workouts, long runs, and sprints, the Tigers learned to beat the mental game of running. Their hard work and determination in practice helped them succeed in their races. The boys team (Braedon Camarota, Jensen Donley, Samuel Leale, Nico Rios, and David Schultz) finished second in the league overall. The ladies also finished strong, with Rebeka Shols finishing third in the league and Molly Fiske coming in fourth. These students are excited to apply what they’ve learned in running to life, as they encounter hardships and learn to work (and excel) through them.
Softball Beginning in September, these Tigers came out with a roar! This 2011 season had nineteen girls—one of the biggest teams in recent history! Practices were filled with defensive drills, using SJCS’s new pitching machine, and catching pop flies from guest “big hitters.” The nine eighth-grade girls blessed this year’s softball team with great leadership and
encouragement. Although the team finished 1-7 overall, they played many solid games and learned a lot. The team learned the value of working together and encouraging each other,
regardless of ability. They discovered how to exhibit grace in both winning and losing by practicing humility. The Tigers are thankful for Mrs. Kunde, Mrs. Meyer, and Mr. and Mrs. Philips for the lessons they taught both on and off the field. We look forward to 2012 for another great season!
Thanks to all our
great coaches and athletes!
Fall Sports Update
“I loved catching the ball, and sprinting up field to score a
touchdown.” - Blake Pierson, Flag Football
“I liked the popsicles and work-ing with Molly Fiske to finish the
race” - Rebeka Shols, Cross Country
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“I loved the team support
that everyone gave me.”
- Sammi Ledbetter, Softball
Flag Football Despite losing a lot of players last year, Tiger football had another great season! The team finished 10-1 overall, securing themselves a first place finish in the division for the regular season and the consolation championship for the BACSAL playoffs. The team grew immensely throughout the season and learned how to adjust to any and every situation. The team played well to get some exciting wins, but real victories are
the ones that the boys take with them after the season is over: lessons in character and honor and a pride in what they do and how they do it. Mr. Webb has a special love for this team, his first team at SJCS. He is grateful for the leadership of captains Levi Johnson, Toby Sterk, and Joshua Weber. Although the 8th graders have played their last game, they leave behind a legacy after another great season in the tradition of Tiger football!
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8th Grade High HonorsAndrew Bost Iisa Haapamaa Lydia Savelli Toby Sterk Joshua Wenke
7th Grade High HonorsFaustine Dietrich Hunter EllowayLindsay Gissler Kelci Kimbel Rebeka Shols
7th Grade HonorsStanley Armstrong Marissa McKie Isaac Oliveira Nicolas Rios Michael Tamrat
6th Grade High HonorsBraedon CamarotaKayla Draves-Hau Elaine Duh Molly Fiske Eerika Haapamaa Colin Hastings Bob Knaus Alicia Lindemulder Mary Nyberg Kaylee Philbrick Nia SalmonsMatthew Stenfort
6th Grade HonorsNaomi Dasari Jensen Donley Jared Haynie Lindsey Kaemingk David Schultz Julianna Silkwood Ashlynn Steen
1st Quarter Honor RollThe following students have qualified for the SJCS Honor Roll for the 1st quarter of the 2011-12 school year.
To receive the “Honors” designation, a student must earn at least a 3.3 GPA, and to receive the “High Honors” designation, a student must earn at least a 3.7 GPA.
Mrs. Baham and students Alyssa Miller (’11), Elyssa Rhea (’10) , Lily Meyer (’10), and Breanna Rhea (’10) shared their musical talents with a local church this summer.
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Jenny Martin (’87) lives in Oakland and works for The Queen-stone Group, a software development company focusing on HIV/AIDS-related software products. Jenny graduated from Southern California’s Occi-dental College and earned her Masters in Public Health from Tulane University in New Orleans before volun-teering for the Peace Corps in Gabon and working for Johns Hopkins in Lima, Peru. Jenny has a 7-year-old son named Nico and enjoys swimming, biking, and running.
Karla Portale (’01) is living in San Jose and—after graduating from San Jose State University—and working as Director of Marketing and Sales for two photography firms: Meyer Photography and
Still Light Studios. Karla is excited to announce that she was married to the most incredible blessing in her life, Steven Zeier, on November
27, 2011. Karla and Steven are praying for the Lord’s direction in their lives, and they are excited to see where He leads them in ministry.
Monica Jackson (’04) has been at-tending San Jose State University and will be graduating this spring with a major in business marketing and plans to get her masters degree in communications from Santa Clara University. She spent last semester studying in Burgos, Spain and had a great experience.
SJCS Alumni News
Karla and Steven
Monica Jackson in Burgos, Spain
Jenny at the 2011 Wildflower Triathlon
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Ashlee Melinat (’98) graduated from Valley Christian High School and then Azusa Pacific University. She is cur-rently living in San Jose and employed at Valley Christian High School in a va-riety of roles—from in-house graphic designer, to substi-tute teacher, to as-sistant for the president.
Chi Tran (’05) has lived a life full of testimonies of God's love, blessing, and sovereignty since graduating from SJCS. After leaving high school with the desire to pursue music, she went to UCLA in hopes of making a name for herself among some of LA's finest jazz musicians. To Chi’s sur-prise, it was during this time that the Lord brought her to genuine faith in Him. He opened her eyes to see that He Himself was her very great reward and provided many opportunities for her to serve young people. Chi currently mentors junior high school girls and leads Bible Studies with other students at UCLA. She is majoring in psychol-ogy with hopes of minoring in educa-tion studies and eventually making teaching her profession.
Tara MacInnes’ (’01) life has taken some unexpected turns, as she had two brain surgeries after being diag-nosed with Moyamoya disease in
2004. Once recovered, she began pursuing her college dreams. Tara currently re-sides in Baton Rouge, LA, and will graduate from Our Lady of the Lake College next spring with a Bachelor of Arts Degree – Liberal Arts, with an emphasis in English, and an Associate of Science Degree – Health Sciences.
Tara has some big goals, hoping to one day run a large scale medical non-profit organization dedicated to raising awareness and support for Moyamoya dis-ease. To that end, she partici-pated in a program in Washington, DC, where she interned with the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society, and took classes related to leader-ship in the non-profit sector at Georgetown University. Tara is quite interested in furthering her aca-demic experience and has applied to Cambridge University in England, along with other graduate programs in the U.S. Tara has also helped in many service projects at her church—The Journey (San Jose)—as well as with Habitat for Humanity and St. John’s Hospice (Baton Rouge). Tara enjoys open water swimming and has done competitive swims at La Jolla, Lake Tahoe, and the San Francisco Bay (from Alcatraz to shore, as well as under the Golden Gate Bridge). An item on her bucket list is to one day swim the English Channel. Brain surgery brought out a zest for living for Tara, and she prayerfully pursues her dreams with everything she has.
SJCS Alumni News
Chi Tran and some of the students she works with
Tara MacInnes
Help Us Stay in TouchYou can update contact infor-mation (name, address, email) or share life stories and pictures for an SJCS alum by sending an email to [email protected].
