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News / Announcements |
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Date Posted:
March
13 |
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Reflections from TCCS Parents |
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A bit of history:
We sent 5 children to TCCS and have been out of the school since 1999 I believe. But we were a part of it way back in 1976 when our first daughter went to kindergarten and it met in the old building in the library, with a tiny "closet" of a kitchen off to one side. It was an all purpose room and if you jumped the floor would go up and down. Kids had to keep their coats on during winter because the windows let the cold air in. The windows looked like church windows because the building used to be a church, Arie's parents were married in that building in 1946.
Back then, the school survived through volunteers. We would take turns cleaning the school and I'd be expecting another child but still moving desks and chairs and scrubbing floors. You just did what had to be done. There was no money for a janitor. We'd plan fund raisers which was anything from bake sales to the Dutch Festival. The fall craft auction would bring in funds also, and everyone had a great time supporting the school in those days. I remember home-baked bread going for 50.00, because people just wanted to give money to the school. I also remember a woman donating an unfinished quilt (her mothers?)to the school ladies auxiliary, saying that if we finished it and put it on the auction she'd buy it back. When it went up for auction it went higher than she could afford. A group of men got together and bought it and gave it to her. That's the kind of selflessness and love evident in TCCS.
For years I volunteered in the library. When I started there was no Dewey Decimal System. We looked up every book and put it in it's proper place, and then moved the entire library 3 times as additions were built on the school. When people get together and work for the Lord, it's nothing but fun! It's exciting, and it's exciting to see what God can do.
One bonus for a small school is that there's not a real separation between the little ones and the high school. We find that the high school helps and loves the little kids like their own brothers and sisters, and that's a joy to witness.
God has blessed Terra Ceia Christian for many years. We have been through difficult times financially and have just pitched in to make it work, and God has blessed our efforts. Terra Ceia is just one big family with God as our Father.
Janet DeHoog
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I know that many of you as parents are blessed at TCCS just as each of these reflections show. I would love to include your reflections and testimonies about Terra Ceia on our website. The length does not matter but sharing what TCCS means to you as a parent does! Please send your items to Diane at news@tccschool.com
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On Tuesday, April 28 Rachel VanderWeit participated in her first ever Special Olympic Games. It was held at Washington High School. She arrived with her class from Bath Elementary dressed in her blue Special Olympic t-shirt, shorts and tennis shoes. She was ready to compete! There were many other schools and groups there too, all waiting for the parade of athletes. Excitement was in the air and everyone was eager for the games to begin! As we were standing there waiting, Rachel’s 4th grade class from Terra Ceia arrived. Talk about excitement! They came bearing flowers, posters and great big smiles. I asked them if they would like to go and say hi to Rachel and they all said “YES!” So off we went to find her. When they saw her and she saw them…well it was like a reunion of friends who haven’t seen each other in years!! But actually they had just seen each other the day before. The greetings, hugs, smiles, jumping up and down—WOW!! Everyone around was astounded to see this ‘fan’ club that had arrived!
We went to sit on the bleachers. We watched and cheered for all the athletes as they paraded by, listened to the National Anthem played by the WHS Band, prayed, and watched the Torch Run. The Athlete’s Oath was given:
“Let me win. But, if I cannot win, let me be brave in the attempt.”
We thought that we would have to watch everything from the bleachers but were surprised and happy when they said we could come on the field and follow our athlete! So off the bleachers we came and followed Rachel. Her first event was the Standing Long Jump, then the Softball throw and finally the 25 meter race. Her friends cheered her all the way and never stopped, even when it started to get a bit warm and there was a bit of down time between events. Rachel’s last event was the race and we were thinking, “I hope she’ll run at all!” Well when they said “Go!” She took off and didn’t stop until she had almost run the entire track. What was so cool about it is that her classmates from TCCS were all running with her! What a sight to see those kids run together!
I have to say that a few tears were shed. It was such a beautiful day in so many ways! All of these athletes were inspiring to watch! Well that was the day and it was amazing! Not the last Special Olympics that we will be a part of, I know!
I am writing this letter just to share with you how much Terra Ceia means to us. And what this school has meant to our daughter, Rachel. This 4th grade class is amazing! From day one they embraced Rachel and her different abilities and they loved her!
Some of these kids have been with Rachel since Kindergarten and some have come in over the years. Each and every one of these children are just amazing! The family of God takes on a whole new meaning when we observe Rachel and her friends take care of each other each and every day! God has created each and every one of us just the way He wanted us to be. Terra Ceia is not only our school, it is our extended family. I don’t ever want to take for granted this incredible gift that God has given each and every one of us in the form of Terra Ceia Christian School! Rachel’s care and support has overflowed out of her classroom and comes from students all from Kindergarten through grade 12!
I know that Rachel has learned so much from her peers and I also believe that she has taught us all a lot too!
Thanks for ‘listening’. I just felt compelled to share with you what this incredible school means to this family.
Thank you,
Ken and Irene VanderWeit
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On Tuesday February 24th, the basketball season officially came to a close, but what I witnessed that day can only be described by one word.....AMAZING!
This year I had the great opportunity of assisting Coach Oliver with the Varsity Girl's Team. As we prepared to play the 5:30 PM contest against the team from Word Of God, I couldn't help but notice the steady stream of students, teachers, parents, grandparents, former students, aunts, uncles, friends and neighbors pouring into the bleachers to support these girls. I know many of these fans had to rush from work or arrange their schedules in order to make this afternoon game, with some having to drive a good distance to get there for the start. As I looked out at the large crowd across the way, and as the Star Spangled Banner was being sung, followed by the pre-game prayer, I thought "This is AMAZING"! For so many members of this extended community to be able to come together, not only in support of the school and this team, but to freely and openly honor our God and Country, is "WHAT IT'S ALL ABOUT"!
The game itself had already been overshadowed by an event earlier in the day. Jillian and Grant were involved in a very bad wreck. Knowing that their injuries could have been much worse, but that neither was seriously hurt, was a blessing and truly AMAZING (especially after I saw the pictures of the car). Jill certainly could have chosen not to play. She was understandably sore and emotionally shaken, but made the decision to compete in her final basketball game at Terra Ceia. Mariah and Catherine were also very much under the weather that day, but it did not stop them from playing as well. Even though we lost the game, the girls never gave up, and actually outscored their opponent in the last quarter. There was also "no quit" in the fans as they cheered just as loudly when we scored the last basket as they did when we scored the first one. What a testament to both these players and their loyal fans!
To echo the words of Diane Van Staalduinen , "Thank you for Terra Ceia Christian School and each soul who studies, works, and plays on it's campus." It was such a wonderful experience coaching this team. I enjoyed every minute of it!
While driving home after the game and rehashing the day's events, for some reason, but rather fittingly, I started humming (here comes that word again) AMAZING GRACE.......and why not! It seemed to be the theme of the day!
Tim Jackson
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December ushered in more hectic schedules than ever and forced choices that we often don't wish to make. In the rush that came with the last day of school and the happiness of being free to attend my children's school parties, I made my way to TCCS the last Friday before the break but as I had scanned my schedule for the day I had made the hard choice that I should leave for home when it was time for chapel to begin and get a few things accomplished prior to the kid’s arrival home. The exuberance of children awaiting their parties was infectious and each classroom from kindergarten to 12th grade was alive with joy. The sad eyes of my kindergartner upon being told that I would leave and the timely message from above delivered by a precious friend that this was a chapel that should not be missed again brought about a change in my plans. What real difference would 45 minutes make in my day? It's a change that I'll never regret and 45 minutes that blessed me richly! We were led in worship by the student praise team and Rev. Eddie Bowen, and as parents, we sang along with the students and faculty. As the joyful message of the season burst out of the student’s hearts in song, I was overcome with the blessing of our precious Savior, Jesus Christ. The magnitude of the sacrifice made by our Heavenly Father for each of us washed over me as I looked out at my children and marveled at the thought of His giving His own son for me. God also renewed my passion for why our children attend TCCS. The freedom to stand together as a student body and joyfully focus our praise toward the risen Lord and Savior and to celebrate His birth is in itself a precious gift!
I pray that during this Christmas season, God blessed each one of you with the undeniable warmth of His presence and love! I pray it was poured out over you just as it was that Friday morning in a chapel that I almost skipped. Thank You, Jesus, for those whom you used to make certain the blessings You had prepared were received by all who attended. Thank you for Terra Ceia Christian School and each soul who studies and works on its campus. Thank you most, Heavenly Father, for the indescribable gift of Your Son!
Happy Birthday,Jesus, every day of the year! Happy New Year to All!
I know that many of you as parents are blessed at TCCS just as I was that day. I would love to include your reflections and testimonies about Terra Ceia on our website. The length does not matter but sharing what TCCS means to you as a parent does! Please send your items to me at news@tccschool.com
Thanks! Diane Van Staalduinen
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"Train up
a child in the way he should go, Even when he is old he will
not depart from it." Proverbs
22:6 |
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