TCS News
TCSNews
The week of December 11, 2007
A weekly email newsletter from Timothy Christian Schools to keep you informed, involved and invited.
Our Mission: “Serving God and His people, Timothy Christian Schools develops academically prepared Christian disciples who embrace Christ’s call to transform the world.”
THOUGHT FOR THE WEEK
“Our salvation comes from something small, tender, and vulnerable, something hardly noticeable. God, who is the Creator of the Universe, comes to us in smallness, weakness, and hiddenness. I find this a hopeful message. Somehow, I keep expecting loud and impressive events to convince me and others of God’s saving power; but over and over again I am reminded that spectacles, power plays, and big events are the ways of the world. Our temptation is to be distracted by them and made blind to the ‘shoot that shall sprout from the stump.’ “—Henri Nouwen
NEW ON THE TIMOTHY WEBSITE: www.timothychristian.com
-Watch for photos of the elementary school Geo Bee coming later this week
-If you have a student in the high school Pep Band, visit our website for the Pep Band Game schedule at Pep Band Information
BUTTERFIELD ROAD SIGN CELEBRATES ADVENT
Beginning today, the Timothy road sign will be celebrating Christmas by counting down the 12 days of Christmas until Christmas break begins on December 21st. The sign will feature a different familiar Bible verse each day that tells the Christmas story.
CHRISTMAS CONCERTS
Mark the dates on your calendar and celebrate Christ’s birth with the music of the season, presented by Timothy’s Music department!
Monday, December 10 – 7:30 pm – MS Band & Orchestra
Sunday, December 16 – 2:30 pm – Concert Choir & Varsity Choir
Monday, December 17 – 7:30 pm – 5th & 6th Grade Band & Orchestra
FINE ARTS POINSETTIA SALE
A beautiful assortment of Poinsettias is on sale in the lobby of Timothy Christian High School in a variety of styles and colors. Proceeds benefit the Fine Arts program at Timothy Christian Schools. They make wonderful gifts! This year’s sale will include 6” single pots ($12), 8” double pots ($18), and 10” triple pots ($25). Stop by and make a purchase! Money can be placed in the marked container by the flowers or brought to the HS Library. Thanks for supporting the Fine Arts program!
ILLINOIS STATE SCHOLARS ANNOUNCED
The following students from Timothy’s class of 2008 have been named Illinois State Scholars: Daniel Couture, Rachel Embry, Francis Gantner, Megan Kaszuba, Mary Ellen Matthews, Heidi McAuley, Catherine McKay, Molly McNicholas, Stephen Ridolphi, Alyssa Tammeling, Kristin VanKampen, James Van Den Berg, Timothy Veldman, Emily Vos, Karyn Weglarz, Daniel Ziegler, and Mark Zylstra.
The prestigious award is given annually by the Illinois Student Assistance Commission (ISAC) which is recognizing 18,178 high school students from across the state as this year’s State Scholars.
Illinois State Scholar winners rank in the top ten percent of the state’s high school seniors from 711 high schools in all 102 counties. Selection is based on SAT, ACT and/or Prairie State Achievement Exam scores, and/or class rank at the end of the junior year.
TIMOTHY IN “THE DOINGS”
If you live in Hinsdale or Elmhurst and subscribe to “The Doings” newspaper, look for an article this Thursday featuring Timothy’s SMARTBoards and quotes from Timothy teachers.
THINKING ABOUT “THE GOLDEN COMPASS”?
Last Friday the movie “The Golden Compass” was released. If you’ve not heard about the controversy or been a part of it, you soon will be. We’ve found a balanced and thoughtful discussion about the movie by Christian professor and film critic Jeffrey Overstreet that may help you find your way through all the hype. Overstreet teaches at Seattle Pacific University (a Free Methodist Christian University) and reviews films for “Christianity Today.” Overstreet’s views approximate Timothy’s in terms of how Christians are to relate to culture, and how this film creates both opportunities and challenges. Overstreet’s suggestions create an opportunity for good discussion in your family. Check out his analysis by clicking on this link:
AREA SOCCER HONORS ANNOUNCED
The Press Publications All-Area Boys Soccer team was named in their Nov. 30 edition. Junior Jake Schemper was named to the team and juniors Justin Groenewold and Jeb Nash were given Honorable Mentions. Congratulations for this selection!
GIVING WITH A KICK
Maybe you've seen the collection box for soccer equipment (new or used...in good condition) outside Mr. Jim Boven’s room in the high school. He is collecting new and used soccer equipment through December 21 for the Gwaimen Center. In the Hausa language, ‘gwaimen’ means hospitality, comfort, peace (sort of like shalom). The ministry that will use the soccer equipment is run by a young seminary graduate named John Kato. He is doing sports ministry with young men in the community of Kwoi. You can check out our website at www.thegwaimencenter.org if you want to see pictures.
FACEBOOK.COM PRESENCE GROWS
As of today, 203 alumni and friends have joined the Facebook group “Timothy Christian High School Alumni,” 25 have joined “Parents and Friends of Timothy Christian Schools,” and eight have joined “I Work at Timothy Christian Schools.” If you have a Facebook account (it’s easy!) check out these groups and join!
SAVE THE DATE FOR THE TIMOTHY AUCTION; COME TO THE MEETING TO VOLUNTEER
Please reserve Saturday, April 19 for the Timothy Auction “This Is My Father’s World.” The exact time and location will be announced later. The Auction is a production of Partners in Education.
MUSIC FESTIVAL COMING TO TIMOTHY
Timothy will host a music festival featuring adjudicators from the Wheaton College Conservatory of Music on January 26th, 2008. The event is for students in grades 7-12 in the categories of voice, strings, brass, woodwinds, and percussion. Sign-up forms are available with all 7-12 music teachers.
THE “BEE’S” ARE COMING!
No, not the Killer Bees . . . it's the Geography Bees! Students qualify for this yearly competition by taking a written test. The top students then compete before the school in this academic quiz that tests their geography knowledge. You are welcome to join us for one or both of these competitions in the Huizenga Auditorium. Please note that the MS Geo Bee Date has been changed from the 13th to the 18th. The dates for this year's Geo Bee's are:
Elementary School - Tuesday, December 11 at 12:50 p.m.
Middle School - Thursday, December 18 at 1:30 p.m.
SMARTBOARD UPDATE
As of today we have received gifts from parents and alumni allowing us to pay for six fully funded SMARTBoards, and another gift of $1,000 restricted toward the purchase of a SMARTBoard for the Discovery Center. Thanks to all who’ve participated to this point and remember, there are only a few shopping days left (this year)!
IMPORTANT NEWS FROM THE HIGH SCHOOL COUNSELING OFFICE
Seniors should continue to complete college applications, allowing the counseling office at least one week to send transcripts and complete any recommendation sections. A transcript request form must be filled out and turned in with all application forms. Seniors who need a teacher recommendation must request it from the teacher at least two weeks prior to the necessary deadline. A stamped addressed envelope must also be supplied to the teacher.
The counseling department is offering to juniors a preparation class for the April 14 ACT. Excel Edge, Inc. will be presenting a course, ACT 36, to help students become familiar with aspects of the ACT such as content, timing, pacing, and strategies. It will review English and math concepts and provide practice with an actual ACT test. The class will be offered 8 consecutive Wednesday evenings from 7:00 to 9:00 PM, beginning February 6, 2008. The cost of the course is $205.00. To enroll in the course, please fill out a registration form, which was mailed in each junior report card envelope. Registration forms can also be obtained at the high school office. Registration begins immediately and continues through Friday, December 7.
Timothy Christian High School will host a Financial Aid Night on Tuesday, January 8, at 7:00 PM in the high school choir room. The seminar will be led by a representative from Calvin College with the information being helpful for high school juniors, seniors, and their parents. The purpose of the seminar is to help you understand how your family’s eligibility for need-based aid is determine and to discuss the various options and programs available to help pay for college education. The content of the seminar will assist you no matter what college you are considering. The evening will be very helpful as a first-time introduction to the information that will be required on the FAFSA form.
Advance notice: 8th grade parent/student Timothy Christian High School registration night is scheduled for 7PM on Thursday, February 7, 2008. All Timothy Christian Middle School students and one of their parents should plan to attend this informational evening prior to receiving materials for registration in high school courses.
JOIN THE “BENEFIT BAR” MOVEMENT
Did you know that already 100 (up from the 82 reported last week) Timothy community members are helping raise funds for Timothy just by surfing the web? Join this growing group by downloading the benefit bar. Go to the Timothy website and click on the “Benefit Bar” logo on the right hand side to learn more, or simply go to this link: http://www.timothychristian.com/benefitbar.php . It’s quick, it’s easy, and it’s a new way to surf the web while benefiting Timothy at the same time.
DECEMBER MARKET DAY
December's Market Day Pick-Up date is Friday, December 14, 3:30-4:30 pm in the ES/MS Mini-Gym.
There are three easy ways to place your order:
1) On-line at www.marketday.com by Tuesday, December 11 at noon. Use account #1449. You can pay with Visa, Master Card, or pay on pick-up day with cash or check.
2) Call 1-877-MD-APPLE by Tuesday, December 11 at noon . You can pay with Visa, Master Card or pay on pick-up day with cash or check.
3) Turn in your completed order form to the ES Office by the end of the day on Monday, December 10. Cash or check made payable to Market Day at pick-up.
If you have any questions, please call Barb Cimmarusti at (630) 530-2996
Also in December, if you order Cookie Dough, Timothy receives $2.20 for each box ordered. If we sell more than 249, we'll receive $3.30 each. Who Doesn't Love Cookies? Ask your family, friends and neighbors to get their holiday cookie dough from Timothy. Choose from a wide variety of individual portions of cookie dough.
P.I.E. T-SHIRTS: THE GIFTS THAT KEEP ON WEARING
Partners in Education is selling their inventory of vintage jersey T-shirts that read “Property of Timothy Christian Est. 1911” They make great Christmas gifts, thick quality cotton, short sleeve- red on top cream color on the bottom. Twelve Larges, four Mediums, and three small left to sell out of the 85 pre-printed shirts !
You may place your order with Diane Karpman at dmk7288@aol.com or call 630-832-7519.
URGENT NEED AT NEW TO YOU: SPECIAL SALE TOO
The person who last year volunteered his services to plowing the resale store parking lot is no longer able to help, so we’re looking for someone to handle this important task. While volunteering this service is always the most desirable from the store’s point of view, they’ll consider all offers. Contact store manager Collette Valrie at (708) 344-8477.
On Thursday, December 13, everything except furniture is twenty percent off to Timothy, Humboldt, Chicago West Side, and Daystar families and staff. Thank you for supporting Christian education by donating merchandise, volunteering, and shopping at New to You.
Is a Radio Control Airplane on your Christmas List?
Check out the remote control airplane with a five foot wingspan in the window of New to You Upscale Resale Store. The bidding for the plane will close on Thursday, December 13 at 4:00 pm.
Got Christmas Decorations?
If you are thinking of bringing in some Christmas decorations, may we have them soon please? We prefer to get them now rather than in January when we’re at a premium for storage space.
CHRISTMAS CD BY TIMOTHY’S OWN GAIL SALVATORI
Four years ago Timothy’s orchestra director Gail Salvatori had four private viola students who wanted to learn some Christmas carols at the Christmas season. Much to her surprise, there weren’t any arrangements to be found! Frustrated, she resolved to write her own arrangements for her students and out of that work came a finished product of Christmas meditations for viola, or cello, and piano or harp. These nine copyrighted arrangements are now in print and have been for sale for a month. Ms. Salvatori has now recorded this set of arrangements for the advent season, playing both the viola and piano parts. The CD’s are available to purchase for $10. They are accompanied by calming Scripture meditations for this busy time of year. Contact Gail at (630) 653-5538.
ENTERTAINMENT BOOKS SALE A SUCCESS
Thank you to everyone who purchased Entertainment Books these past few weeks. Partners in Education (PIE) raised over $1000! The fund raising profits accumulated throughout the school year are donated to the Teachers’ Wish List. Each spring teachers wish for a few items, large and small, and the PIE team has always been able to purchase every item the teachers feel would make their classroom a more successful learning environment. Thanks for your help! We look forward to seeing everyone at our Spring Auction on April 19.
ALMOND PASTE AVAILABLE
Looking for Almond Paste for your holiday baking needs? Look no further! We have it available by the 7 pound tub for $45 and by the pound for $7. Please contact Joyce Hoogstra at (708) 562-0148 to arrange a pick-up.
DO YOU SHOP AT ULTRA FOODS?
If you do, please send in your cash register receipts (dated from October 1 through December 31, 2008) to Timothy Christian Schools. Ultra Foods will give back 5% of total purchases for these 3 months. Please send in the whole, original receipt. Turn in to school by January 9, or send to Flory Hoving. Questions or Comments, call Flory Hoving. (1040 S. Prospect Ave., Elmhurst, IL 60126. 630/279-5294). So far 38 receipts have been turned in, which amounts to $93.45 for Timothy.
Also, the Box Tops program produced over $900.00 through what was turned in for first half of year.
The Dominick's Fresh Value Card program has 92 people signed up. The proceeds for Timothy were $72.52 (June), $66.69 (July), $58.78 (August), and 111.73 (September).
DID YOU KNOW . . . ?
-that the 3rd & 4th grade will be presenting a program entitled “We Celebrate Christmas” on Thursday, December 13 at 7:30 pm? It will be in the Huizenga Auditorium and all are welcome to attend!
-that 4th grade will be visiting Darwill Press this Friday? They will be learning about the commercial printing industry.
-that elementary school librarians Sue Stein and Kathie Zigterman hosted a special event for teachers last week entitled “Books, Bagels, and Brahms?” The staff was encouraged to check out the new selection of books the library had received and enjoy a snack while listening to some fabulous classic music.
-that at the high school choir concert on Sunday, there will be several numbers that feature the Varsity, Concert Choir and orchestra?
ON THE LIGHTER SIDE
Warning: this is one of the longest “Lighter Sides” ever printed in the TCSNews, but back by popular demand for the season.
THE TWELVE THANK-YOU NOTES OF CHRISTMAS
Dec 25
My dearest darling Edward,
What a wonderful surprise has just greeted me! That sweet partridge, in that lovely little pear-tree; what an enchanting, romantic, poetic present! Bless you, and thank you. Your deeply loving Emily
Dec 26
Beloved Edward,
The two turtle-doves arrived this morning, and are cooing away in the pear-tree as I write. I'm so touched and grateful! With undying love, as always, Emily
Dec 27
My darling Edward,
You do think of the most original presents! Who ever thought of sending anybody three French hens? Do they really come all the way from France? It's a pity we have no chicken coops, but I expect we'll find some. Anyway, thank you so much; they're lovely. Your devoted Emily
Dec 28
Dearest Edward,
What a surprise! Four calling birds arrived this morning. They are very sweet, even if they do call rather loudly--they make telephoning almost impossible--but I expect they'll calm down when they get used to their new home. Anyway, I'm very grateful, of course I am. Love from Emily
Dec 29
Dearest Edward,
The mailman has just delivered five most beautiful gold rings, one for each finger, and all fitting perfectly! A really lovely present! Lovelier, in a way, than birds, which do take rather a lot of looking after. The four that arrived yesterday are still making a terrible row, and I'm afraid none of us got much sleep last night. Mother says she wants to use the rings to "wring" their necks. Mother has such a sense of humor. This time she's only joking, I think, but I do know what she means. Still, I love the rings. Bless you, Emily
Dec 30
Dear Edward,
Whatever I expected to find when I opened the front door this morning, it certainly wasn't six great geese laying eggs all over the porch. Frankly, I rather hoped that you had stopped sending me birds. We have no room for them, and they've already ruined the croquet lawn. I know you meant well, but let's call a halt, shall we? Love, Emily
Dec 31
Edward,
I thought I said NO MORE BIRDS. This morning I woke up to find no more than seven swans, all trying to get into our tiny goldfish pond. I'd rather not think what's happened to the goldfish. The whole house seems to be full of birds, to say nothing of what they leave behind them, so please, please, stop! Your Emily
Jan 1
Frankly, I prefer the birds. What am I to do with eight milkmaids? And their cows! Is this some kind of a joke? If so, I'm afraid I don't find it very amusing. Emily
Jan 2
Look here, Edward,
This has gone far enough. You say you're sending me nine ladies dancing. All I can say is, judging from the way they dance, they're certainly not ladies. The village just isn't accustomed to seeing a regiment of shameless women cavorting round the green, and it's Mother and I who get the blame. If you value our friendship, which I do (less and less), kindly stop this ridiculous behavior at once! Emily
Jan 3
As I write this letter, ten disgusting old men are prancing up and down all over what used to be the garden, before the geese and the swans and the cows got at it. And several of them, I have just noticed, are cavorting with the milkmaids. Meanwhile the neighbors are trying to have us evicted. I shall never speak to you again. Emily
Jan 4
This is the last straw! You know I detest bagpipes! The place has now become something between a menagerie and a madhouse, and a man from the council has just declared it unfit for habitation. At least Mother has been spared this last outrage; they took her away yesterday afternoon in an ambulance. I hope you are satisfied.
Jan 5
Sir,
Our client, Miss Emily Wilbraham, instructs me to inform you that with the arrival on her premises at 7:30 this morning of the entire percussion section of the Boston Symphony Orchestra, and several of their friends, she has no course left open to her but to seek an injunction to prevent you importuning her further. I am making arrangements for the return of much assorted livestock. I am, Sir, yours faithfully, G.B. Van Heukelschoonhoffkema, Attorney at Law
Dave Larsen
Director of Advancement
Editor
Cindy Van Kampen
Webmaster
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