Ode to Your Zip Code: Submit Yours Today!

As many students know, the sophomores are deep into their study of poetry. Recently, the students have signed up for a poetry contest called “Ode to your zip code”. The students were asked to submit a 5 line poem that connects to the area in which you live. Each line is required to have the same amount of words corresponding to the numbers in your zip code. But the sophomore students are not the only students in the school who can do this; you can too! Schools all over the country are composing their “zip odes.” You can write a zip ode and could likely become one of 20 finalists to win. You can submit your poems by clicking on the link below; which also includes further details about writing your zip odes:


http://www.thetakeaway.org/story/write-ode-your-zip-code/

Get Ready for the CCHS Online Auction

Come one, come all to CCS’ online auction! Held from April 21-April 25, this auction on the world wide web will include treasures donated from CCS parents, supporters, alumni, and even local businesses. This vital fundraiser is sure to be a success, as the last 2010 online auction raised a significant amount of money to support our schools. Featured items include 4 weekend wristbands to the KTIS Joyful Noise Concert, $2,500 gift certificate from MA Peterson for a bathroom remodel, $250 gift certificate to R.F. Moeller, a Pro Bass Fishing Adventure, and oh, so much more!

Register at www.ccsauction.dojiggy.com starting April 9. Bidding starts on April 21. Winners announced after the auction closes at 10pm on April 25. Don’t miss out on this opportunity to support Calvin Christian Schools.

Outdoor Education Update

Outdoor Education is one of the most adventurous and varied class offered at CCHS. From mountain biking, rock climbing, skiing and orienteering to learning CPR and wilderness first aid, outdoor ed is easily one of the most exciting classes one can take at CCHS. As an example the current Outdoor Education activity is orienteering. Students are given a map of a given park, and within that park points they need to navigate to. This consists of crashing through brush and running through the woods to locate various points based on landmarks. Outdoor Education allows students to experience many different activities first hand. If you are unfamiliar with, or really like any activities on this list (or all of them) you should seriously consider signing up when you are a junior or senior; it is thoroughly enjoyable.

Game Night: CCHS and CCS 8th Graders

This Friday, Miss Wheeler and Mr. Veenstra are hosting an after school game night here at the high school for all the high schoolers and 8th graders. From 6:30 to 10:00 there will be board games, card games and other activities in the gym. Drinks will be provided but plan on bringing a snack to share will everyone else! Come along and hang out with the future high schoolers of our school, we plan to see you there!

- Jacob Allwine

Experiential Learning 2015: Hands-On Learning Outside of School

Each year, Seniors and Juniors at Calvin Christian High complete Experiential Learning projects. An advanced version of Independent Projects, Experiential Learning focuses on getting students out into the real world, studying their topics first hand. Several such projects have been completed, or will be completed this year.

Angela Balboa, Emily Nelson, Marissa Lindsey, and Sarah Bursaw finished a project this trimester that studied the Salvation Army, specifically with regards to the struggle of being a Christian organization in a secular society. They volunteered at the local Salvation Army, and even managed to interview the director of the rehab center, Mike. Balboa stated that “We learned a lot...Our main thing was the Salvation Army does not discriminate against people. They serve all people and everything even though people on the internet claim that they do not.”

Moving on, Ian Krueger has been working for months on a project that focuses on video game development. He is now close to finishing a demo, which will be available to download for free. Ian Krueger commented that “I intended to discover through this project what really goes into making an entire video game, as well as developing other skills such as communication that will serve me my entire life.” He will be presenting his project about four weeks from now. If you have any interest in programming, animation, game design or interactive storytelling, feel free to attend.

- Ian Krueger

The High Note of Choir: CCHS Annual Instrumental Christmas Concert

Winter brings many new events such as the annual CCHS Christmas musical concert. Every year the CCHS choir and band astound everyone with their musical talents. These students are blessed to have these gifts and we are blessed to be able to enjoy them. There will be two performances: one at Northtown Mall and one at Grace Evangelical Free Church. The choir will perform at Northtown on Saturday from 1:00 - 3:00. The second performance will include the band and choir and will be held at Grace E Free church on Tuesday the 16th at 7:00. We hope to see you all there, God bless!



- Johnny Erickson

House on Mango Street at Park Square Theatre: CCHS Spanish Field Trip

On November 21st, the students of Miss Wheeler’s Spanish class went to see the play “The House on Mango Street.” The play was about Esperanza, a young girl living on Mango Street. Through the play we saw many of the monumental events in her life, including when her grandfather passed away, when she stayed after school, or when she told stories to her aunt. The play addresses the theme of “home is where the heart is” and what goes along with that saying. Most of the Spanish class walked away from the play feeling confused. There were only eight actors who all played multiple roles which made it hard to follow at times. Also the setting rapidly changed making it difficult distinguish one from another. The actors though were all talented you could follow the story by watching their faces. After leaving the theater there was a feeling of confusion, whether that was because it was thought-provoking or it was just hard to follow, remains to be said. Thanks to Miss Wheeler for making this possible!

- Gabe Modder