ZCS Family Spotlight: The Hamilton Family
When Kevin and Kristen Hamilton relocated to West Michigan with their family in the fall of 2020, they did so with their hopes set high on Zeeland Christian. Previously, they’d called central New Jersey home for 14 years, but Michigan drew their attention as they searched for a better educational opportunity for their children. The…
Read More“It’s Different Here”
Five years ago, my family and I were visiting Zeeland Christian shortly after I had accepted the position here. It was Good Friday, and the enduring memory of that day is the worship during all-school chapel. As chapel ended, longtime ZCS facility manager Paul Meeuwsen walked up and took the microphone, tearfully telling the students…
Read MoreResponding to Ukraine/Russia with Your Children
The following statement was sent to our middle and elementary teachers and staff on the morning of Feb. 24, 2022. Middle School and Elementary Teams, Please read the following information from Tim Paauw regarding the Ukraine/Russia situation. Paauw and I (Betsy Koop) continue to be in prayer for you as teachers who field students many questions…
Read MoreStronger achievement scores in all subjects and grade levels.
Last week, many of your students likely came home from school sharing about MAP Growth testing in their classrooms. I had the opportunity to help with testing in a few first-grade classrooms. It was inspiring to observe the calm leadership of our teachers as they navigated student logins, technology questions, and nerves. There are a…
Read MoreAssisting Parents
Parents, we’re here for you. How can we help? The phrase “assisting parents” is included in the mission of ZCS, and we see this aspect of our mission lived out each day in our hallways, classrooms, playgrounds, hiking trails, and specials. Stacy Deters, Dir. of Student Support Services, recently shared this story with our Board,…
Read MoreHead of School Note 1.19.22
Parents and Guardians, Reflecting on our first few weeks back to school after the holidays, I am encouraged by the many acts of kindness, the sense of family, and the spirit of teamwork I witness each day. It hasn’t been an “easy” beginning to the new year, and yet, the spirit of God and his…
Read MoreDo Immersion Differently
“Speaking the language is only part of the benefit of attending a trilingual Christian school.“ A few weeks ago, we walked into our Wednesday night church dinner and a sweet little girl ran up to my fourth-grade daughter, Greta. Speaking quickly in Spanish, I heard the little girl cheerfully greet her and then ask if they…
Read More8th Grade Leadership Camp
One of my favorite quotes is, “Begin with the end in mind.” – Dr. Stephen Covey At ZCS we have Threeschool – 8th-grade students in one building at our main campus on Central Ave. One of the reasons for this is the leadership it allows our older students to have, especially once they reach 8th…
Read MoreHead of School Note 9.1.21
Parents and Guardians, Today was the first day of preschool for many of our families. Our largest preschool class in five years will have their first days this week. Today was so special watching these precious little ones begin or continue their ZCS story. Those of you who sent your children through ZCS preschool know…
Read MoreHead of School Note 8.25.21
ZCS Community, Allow me for a moment to have this proud administrator moment: I’m beginning my 20th year in Christian school leadership, and yesterday was the best first day of school I ever experienced. I walked around the entire day beaming like a proud parent as I watched the students interact with their friends, teachers establish rhythms…
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