Middle School News Brief

Last updated 6/29/10

Middle School Chapels

            In recent weeks, the Middle school students have been led in worship by Pastor Bob of Covenant Life CRC, the eighth grade SAC group (Ariana B., Josh C., Sara K., Sam M., Anna S., and Clayton Z.), Mrs. Van Winkle, and Mr. Geertsma.  Pastor Bob challenged us to consider “the beam in our own eye” when we find ourselves criticizing others.  The SAC group acted out the story, “The Terrible Things” by Eve Bunting.  Ariana helped connect its message to our lives by challenging us to stand up against injustice rather than to stand as a silent a bystander.  Mrs. VanWinkle also started her message by reading us a story.  She connected the book to her focus question, “Who are you?”  Many times we are asked “What do you do?” in people’s attempts to get to know us.  We were challenged to do the good works that come out of a life of faith.  In our final chapel, Mr. Geertsma read from I Corinthians 13 and expressed the meaninglessness of possessions, popularity, power and talent if we don’t have love. 

Greek Olympics

          The sixth grade recently concluded their study of Ancient Greece with a classroom Olympics. Students were involved in teamwork activities, relays, tongue twisters, Wii bowling, a softball toss, paper airplane throw, and even a little Wii boxing. The students even dressed the part and created their own team flags and chants. Congratulations to all the Olympians. God was truly glorified through our competition.

          We finished the year with a study of Ancient Rome.  To end the unit, each student created an artifact for a Roman museum.  Parents and other classes were invited to walk through the “museum” and hear each student explain what they had learned about their topic. 

The Annual Bible Bowl

          Teams of 6th graders, 7th graders, and 8th graders competed Tuesday, June 1, in our yearly Bible Bowl.  Mr. Geertsma asked questions that included “name the book”, “Who said…?”,  and “How many…?”.  The seventh grade team took an early lead and held on to win the entire competitioin. Sixth graders took second place. The eighth grade team made a valiant comeback effort but fell short, taking third place.

Athletics

          The spring sports season recently concluded with girls’ soccer, boys’ baseball, and track and field. The girls’ soccer finished with a record of 5-3, good enough for 2nd place in the league. The team was coached by Carly Nelson and Jeff Erickson and was made up of Jenna Bakker, Elizabeth Boeve, Lindsey Dick, Isabel Elve, Lorelle Hallenbeck, Kelly Hoffius, Sydney McLean, Christa Houskamp, Ella DeWyn, Mikaela Erickson, Olivia Hippe, Leah Hoffer, Onika Langeland, Shelby Lile, Lilli McCastle, Rylee Stuk, and Lily Vander Molen.

          The boys’ baseball team concluded the year with a 1-7 record. The team was made up of  Max Ingersoll, Jacob Kempster, Sam Mast, Clayton Zimmerman, Sam Bekins, Hunter Berens, Sam Berens, Jeremy Christiansen, Tully Groenendyk, Kyle Kingma, Ben Kramer, Nolan Pelkey, Ryan Reiffer, who were coached by Mr. Brondyke and Mr. Annema.

          The boys’ and girls’ track teams had great weather and an excellent day at Unity Christian. Both teams won 2nd place, highlighted by strong performances from many of the athletes. Results from the meet can be found at  http://ghcathletics.wordpress.com/. Once on the homepage of the blog, click on team updates and it will provide a link for you to click on with all the times and places from the day.

          I am hoping to use this blog extensively next year to post schedules (all of next year’s schedules are already up), scores, and announcements throughout the year. Your feedback is greatly appreciated. Go Sailors!

Eighth Grade Exam Project

          The middle school staff developed our own “exam project” using materials  and ideas from other Christian middle schools such as Legacy and West Side Christian. Our eighth graders completed their project exams this week with great success.  The projects included a visual display, a written paper, an oral presentation, and “thank you” letters. Each 8th grader chose a theme and designed their project around it, incorporating the connections school has made in their life with their service to God in His Kingdom.  Through the process, students looked back on their entire education at GHCS and produced a product that summarized how they have developed over the years.  Finally, they looked toward the future, anticipating how they will continue to use their God-given gifts.

          The projects will be on display at the graduation reception in the gym. This project will replace all the student’s final exams and will count as an exam grade for each core class.

Disability Awareness Day

On May 14 we experienced a day unlike any other at GHCS, our first disAbility Awareness Day.The Middle School began the day as a whole singing songs, watching a video and enjoying several speakers. We learned more about Maddie Dukes and Williams syndrome from her parents, and brother William, as they shared that Maddie is missing 5 genes and how that impacts her and her family. Students had an opportunity to play the bells and learn how Dawn Artwick, a music therapist, uses various instruments and music to teach kids with special needs.

Later in the day, we joined the rest of the school in the gym for more songs and a video featuring GHC students. We then had the privilege of meeting Mr. Will Pardee, a mouthstick artist who discovered he had God-given artistic talent, after a diving accident left him paralyzed from the neck down. His story, and complete dependence on God left us all in awe.

The rest of the day was devoted to simulations in different classrooms. In one classroom kids experienced what it would be like to have fine motor skill struggles by having several fingers on each hand taped down and then making a peanut butter sandwich, or buttoning a shirt. Dyslexia was simulated in another classroom as students tried to trace a star by looking in a mirror, or reading text where many letters were transposed. Other classrooms involved vision and hearing impairment experiences and yet another, attention difficulties. Students were all given time to do a reflective writing at the end of the day, and nearly all students felt that their experiences, though difficult, would deepen their compassion and patience for those with disabilities. The final result, many said, was a deeper understanding that although we all grow and learn differently, we are all children of God, made in his wonderful image.