BLUE NOTE

2025-26 EDITION No.28 | PUBLISHED WEEKLY ON WEDNESDAYS | BURN BRIGHT

Upcoming Calendar Dates //

  • May 7, 2026 | 1/2 Day of School // NO PD // Tulip Time Parade | MS 10:40 / ELEM. 11:40

  • May 7, 2026 | 7th Grade Theme Selection Day

  • May 7, 2026 | Teacher Appreciation Week

  • May 8, 2026  9:00 am - 9:30 am | Family Groups

  • May 8, 2026 | Teacher Appreciation Week

  • May 12, 2026  7:00 pm - 8:00 pm | Middle School Choir Concert

  • May 13, 2026  12:00 pm - 12:45 pm | CONFIRMED Date: Senior Visit Day Hallway Parade

  • May 13, 2026  3:35 pm - 4:05 pm | Parent Meeting: 4th Grade Families Beginning Band

  • May 13, 2026 | 4th Grade Market Day - PM

  • May 15, 2026  8:00 am - 9:30 am | Instant TRIP

  • May 15, 2026  9:00 am - 9:30 am | All School Chapel

THANK YOU TO OUR SPONSOR:

engedi logo pulled from online

Blue Note Blurbs // May 6, 2026

ZCS Community,

This week, we celebrate Teacher Appreciation Week, and I want to share a moment that stopped me in my tracks.

Recently, we hosted our Connect to Elementary event for our incoming Y5 and Kindergarten students and families. At the same time, a group of fifth graders had the opportunity to serve throughout the school that day. In front of these families I asked them a simple question:

"What do you think these parents should know about ZCS?"

Without hesitation, one student said, "The teachers here really care about you. They always have your back, build you up, and support you. Whether I'm up or down, I always know they love me and care for me." 

Another quickly added, "The teachers really love you and care about you. If you’re feeling alone, they make sure that someone is there to support you. And they pray for you when you need it too.”

These were the words of two fifth graders who have lived it.

That is ZCS. That is what it looks like when our shared calling comes to life. Our teachers don't just care deeply about our children, they see that care as an act of faithfulness. Every day, they are modeling the love of God for the kids in front of them, helping each child discover who God is, who they are, and how they fit into God's story. 

It’s deep joy made visible in the everyday moments. It's a relentless curiosity about who each child is becoming. It’s a faithful intentionality that builds the kind of community where a fifth grader can tell an incoming family, with full confidence, "your child is going to be so loved here."

Please join me in celebrating and thanking our amazing teachers!

Burn Bright,

Betsy Koop

Head of School

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Blue Note News //

May 06, 2026 //

// NEW INFORMATION //

May 15 Chapel Pre-Registration // is open! Pre-Register HERE until May 13 at Noon. To be eligible for pre-registration, you must have previously signed in at the kiosk with your license. Save time and pre-register!

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Support Our Odyssey of the Mind Team // Looking for a meaningful gift for Mother’s Day or Teacher Appreciation? We’ve got you covered!

Help send the Zeeland Christian Middle School Odyssey of the Mind Team to the World Finals at Iowa State University (May 27–31)! Our students have worked incredibly hard to earn this opportunity, and now we need your support to get them there.

We’ll be selling beautiful 3D-printed tulips—designed and made by the students—in a variety of colors.

Find us at tables during middle school and elementary lunch times next week: Monday (May 4), Tuesday (May 5), and Wednesday (May 6)
Pre-order here: https://forms.gle/BuW78oSq8LehAWoH9
Payment options: Cash or Venmo (@Laura-Hilton-7)
$5 for one tulip
$12 for a bundle of three

These tulips are a thoughtful, lasting gift that also supports a great cause. Every purchase helps our team take the next big step in their journey!

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Protect Young Eyes presentation // As we continue growing in healthy technology habits as a school community, we wanted to share an upcoming community event hosted by Engedi focused on navigating our tech-heavy world and helping keep our kids safe online. Protect Young Eyes will be presenting and sharing practical tools and insights for families. More info here.

We’d love to see some of you there!

ZCS Technology & Digital Well-Being Parent Committee

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 // REPEAT //

REMINDER regarding May 8: May 8 will now be a half-day for elementary and middle school students. ZPS busing is available.

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Book Madness 2026- Congratulations to Kaylee Raak for winning the annual Book Madness competition. The second-place winners are Evelyn Osborn and Abby Venema. All three finalists read all 16 books and made great guesses about which books would win the brackets. Middle school students selected Away by Megan E. Freeman as their favorite. Thank you to our Wish List Donor who helped us purchase books and award prizes. Thank you to Jim Heeres (retired ZCS middle school principal), Joan Knot (retired Jenison Christian teacher), and Jackie Roskamp (retired ZCS teacher), who helped Mrs. Zastow proofread the books.

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Spring Champs Book Sale Alert! // Get ready to SAVE big with our Champs Coupon Book - now only $15.00! You can grab your book packed with amazing Lakeshore coupons and regional and national discounts!  Don't miss out on this deal!  Champs booklets can be purchased through the school office or ZCS trip office. 2026 coupons are valid from when the book is purchased through December 31, 2026.

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Reminder // Illness/Sickness Policy: When To Keep Your Child Home

  • A fever of 100 degrees or higher:  Your child must be fever-free for 24 hours without fever-reducing medicine before returning to school.
  • Vomiting and/or diarrhea:  Your child must be free of vomiting/diarrhea for 24 hours before returning to school.
  • A child that seems ill: If your child seems unusually tired, pale, difficult to wake, has a headache or body aches, is confused or irritable, and/or lacks a normal appetite, please keep him/her home. Your child must be symptom free for 24 hours before returning to school.

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2026-27 Academic Calendar: We’re happy to share that the 2026–2027 school calendar has been approved by the Board. Thank you to Katy Rozema, Director of Teaching and Learning, for leading this process with input from teachers across all grade levels.

You’ll notice that in the 2026–2027 calendar, some of our typical rhythms are shifted a bit later, as both Labor Day (September 7) and Memorial Day (May 31) fall as late as possible. Here are a few highlights and things to note:

  • August Launch Week: Meet-Your-Teacher and RAMS FEST will take place on August 25, with school beginning on Thursday, August 27 for Elementary and Middle School.
  • September: Preschool will begin on September 8
  • CEA / Fall Break: As previously communicated, the CEA Convention will be held one week earlier than normal, so Fall Break will be October 14–16.
  • Fall Conferences: Conferences will be held Thursday evening, October 22, and Friday, October 23 will be a half day of school with conferences in the afternoon.
  • Grandparents and Grandfriends’ Days: Preschool - April 21 & 22, Y5-8th - April 23
  • Last Day of School: School will end with a half day on June 9.

View the 2026-27 School Calendar.

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REMINDER: ZCS Apparel Store is NOW ALWAYS OPEN

Orders are processed on the 15th and 30th of each month. https://zeelandchristian.deco-schools.com/

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VOLUNTEER/EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES

Now's Your Time // Come be a part of our amazing community here at ZCS! Join our substitute teacher list or apply for a position listed below! zcs.org/employment
⭐ Interventionist
⭐ Spanish Immersion Elementary Teacher
⭐ Spanish Interventionist
⭐ Support Services Teacher-Middle School
⭐ Paraeducator
⭐ Extended Care Positions

ZCS SHOPPER

ZCS soccer families, if you are interested in additional soccer training this winter to develop your athlete's skill set, Holland Christian soccer coach Lito Wagenveld will be running small group training sessions on Saturdays from November to early March. Grades 6 and up. For more information, see the linked flyer HERE and his schedule HERE. Contact Coach Wagenveld at primusperformancesoccer@gmail.com or 708-829-1436 with interest and questions. Thanks!

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Mancino's of Holland is NOW HIRING! We are looking to add 3-4 new team members at least 2 who are 18+. If you're reliable, hard-working, enjoy a fast-paced, team-oriented environment, and want to work with a fun and supportive work crew with flexible hours we'd love to meet you! Stop in to apply in person: 12465 James St, Holland

THANK YOU TO OUR SPONSOR:

engedi logo pulled from online

ZCS VOLUNTEER & EMPLOYMENT //

VOLUNTEER // TRIP would like a couple more volunteers to sell Instant TRIP on Friday mornings.  If interested contact Deb at 616-879-0398.

Parent Reminders