Lightning Rod
a weekly publication of Sioux Falls Christian Schools 
Wednesday May 12,  2004

A fond farewell to foreign friends. . . .

Sioux Falls Christian has been blessed by the presence of two very special foreign exchange students, Florian Krausbeck and Naoko Hayashibe.  Both students will be returning home soon; we asked each of them to share some of their future plans with us.

“I am leaving here for Tokyo, Japan on June 10.  While I am very excited that I can see my Mom, Dad, and cute little puppy, I am sure I will miss United States a lot!!

When I go back, I have to go to high school and finish my senior year.  During summer vacation I am planning to hang out with my family and friends a lot, and I am also planning to get ready for going to Sophia University.  Probably I want to have a part-time job as a waitress, too.  I really enjoyed my life in Sioux Falls and thank you sooooo much!!!”            Naoko

“After leaving on May 20, I will attend my public high school in Germany for two more years (we have 2 senior years!).  Our summer break is just six weeks, from the end of July through August.  I am going to France, Italy, and Switzerland for a couple weeks and will ride bike with my friends.  I want to thank everybody for this wonderful year I had here, especially all the teachers, and our two principals, for letting me go to this school.  See you in Germany!      Florian

As you leave our hallways. . . . .

We also want to thank and pray God’s blessings on four special teachers who will not be returning to SFC next year:

Mrs. Bonnema began her own mural painting business, Elite Art, about a year ago.  Check out her website at www.eliteartstudio.com

Mrs. Draayer is moving to Plano, TX where her husband, Don, will pastor the Cornerstone Christian Reformed Church.  Mrs. Draayer will look for work when settled.

Mr. Kooi is building a new home and will be home-schooling their four children.

Mrs. Schelling and her family will move to Stanton, TX.  Her husband has been named Chief of Social Work at the VA Hospital in Big Spring; Mrs. Schelling plans to stay at home with their new baby!

Calendar …

For updates – KJ Line – 338.1450

May 13 – Track – BSC – Canton – 3:30 pm

May 14 – HS Graduation – Elmen Center - 7:00 pm

May 17 – Golf - Regions

May 17 – HS Exams – 1:35 dismissal – grades 6-11

May 18 – HS Exams – 1:35 dismissal – grades 6-11

May 19 – HS Exams – Final Day - 11:20 dismissal

May 20 – Track – Regions – Dell Rapids

May 24 -25 – Golf State – Boys Hartford/Girls Elmwood

May 28 – 29 – Track State – Lennox and Howard Wood

Athletic news…

Mr Groen

1.       Looking ahead:

·        Girls Soccer Camp is July 19 – 22 for girls entering grades 7-12.  Registration forms are in the office.

·        Boys Basketball is June 7-10

 Girls Basketball is June 15-18

 Girls Volleyball is June 22-25

 *Get your registrations in soon so coaches

can finalize their plans!

2.       Schedule Update

·        The Region Golf Meet will be held Monday, May 17.  Both boys and girls play at Elmwood.  The state meet is the following Monday and Tuesday, May 24-25.  The boys will play at Hartford and the girls at Elmwood.

·        The Region Track meet will be held on Thursday, May 20, at Dell Rapids.  The state track meet is May 28-29 at Lennox and Howard Wood.

3.       We are in need of a JV Cheerleading Coach for the 2004-05 school year.  Contact Mr. Groen.

4.       THANK YOU!  We want to extend a special thank you to Dr.’s Doug DeHaan, Scott Ecklund, Carolyn Van Kaalsbeek, and Susan Assam for their work in giving our students the athletic physical this past Monday.  We had 168 students go through the line and these doctors saw them all!  Thanks to nurses Mary Bork, Carmen Thompson, Jodi Bolkema, and Liz Hiemstra for doing the blood pressures.  And finally, to Myra Dykstra, Nancy Groen, Lisa Vande Kamp, Gail Punt, Brock Rops, Brett and Maria Keepers, and Darci Wassenaar for helping in a variety of ways.  Our students and parents are truly grateful for you help.

5.       Thanks go to coaches Mike Schouten and Brian Wassenaar for their work with our golf team this year.   We also thank our Track coaches, Tamee Holter, Brett Sichmeller, Lisa Moe, Brock Rops, and Troy Kooima for their efforts.  Best wishes to all of our Spring season teams as they compete in Regions and State Meets in the upcoming weeks.

May Menu

Thursday, May 13 – TACO BAR, mixed fruit, rolls, milk

Friday, May 14 – Pepperoni pizza, potato or pasta salad, tossed salad, applesauce, milk

Monday, May 17 – Chef’s Choice, milk

Tuesday, May 18 – Chef’s Choice, milk

Wednesday, May 19 – 11:20 dismissal – no lunch

’04-’05 Positions Available

Sioux Falls Christian Schools is accepting applications:

Full time Cook – experienced grill station / high volume;

Part-time Dishwasher – assist with clean-up and stockroom (ability to lift 50-pound cases);

Volunteers – help serve lunch and wipe off tables and chairs (approximately 2 hours per day).

Contact Mr. Woudstra (334-1422), or send resumes to SFCS, 1000 S. Sycamore, Sioux Falls SD 57110.

There are also openings for Kid’s Corner this fall:

Kid’s Corner Director – call Mr. Van Soelen at the Elementary campus for more details (334-7397).

Kid’s Corner Caregivers – one opening from 7:30 – 8:30 am; two to three openings for afternoons.  Call the Elementary office for an application.

E X A M S . . . . .

High School Exam Schedule

Monday, May 17

Exam 1 – Period 3 – 8:30 – 9:50

Exam 2 – Period 5 – 10:00 – 11:20

HS Lunch – 11:20 – 12:00

MS Homeroom – 11:20 – 11:45

MS Lunch – 11:45 – 12:05

Exam 3 – Period 7 – 12:05 – 1:35

Tuesday, May 18

Exam 4 – Period 4 – 8:30 – 9:50

Exam 5 – Period 6 – 10:00 – 11:20

HS Lunch 11:20 – 12:00

MS Homeroom – 11:20 – 11:45

MS Lunch – 11:45 – 12:05

Exam 6 – Period 8 – 12:05 - 1:35

Wednesday, May 19

Exam 7 – Period 1 – 8:30 – 9:50

Exam 8 – Period 2 – 10:00 – 11:20

Whistle While We Work!

Below is the cleaning assignment schedule that has been completed so far:

Thursday, May 13, 8:00 – 12:00, Senior Lockers

            Connie Nyenhuis

Tuesday, May 18, 8:00 – 12:00, Locker Cleaning

            Rita Miller

Wednesday, May 19, 8:00 – 12:00, Locker Cleaning

            Dawn Bonnema, Lynn Dykshorn, Kristin

            Hughes, Denise Wehrkamp

Thursday, May 20, 8:00 – 12:00, Oven, Stove

            Ann Born, Holly Huisken

Friday, May 21, 8:00 – 12:00, Kitchen Cleaning

            Bev Broekhuis, Alison Ecklund, Terri

            Jorgenson, Galen & Sharon Smidt,

            Tamara Stern, Kathy Velgersdyk, Glenda Wilts

            *2 more people are needed for kitchen

             cleaning on May 21.

Outstanding Efforts!

USA Volleyball, the national governing body for our Olympic volleyball teams, has selected sophomore, April Jorgenson, to attend one of its five national development camps.  This invitation is extended to the top 35 percent of all female athletes who attended try-outs last month.  This is April’s second year to be selected for the program. 

Congratulations to 7^th grader, Braden Wieking, and to sophomores, Bryant Wieking and Jordan Born whose club soccer teams won the SD State Challenge Cup in Rapid City this past weekend.  Their teams will now compete at the Regional Tournament in Rockford, Illinois in June.  Junior, Caleb Veldhouse and senior, Blake Wieking will also compete at Regionals with their club teams.  Best wishes, gentlemen!

Are you on the Library List?

The following students have books checked out from the library.  Please return them by Friday, May 14, so the library may complete their inventory and begin packing for the move.

Joel Anthes, Brittany Bentaas , Ethan Blankespoor, Jacob Boom, Naomi Boom, Justin Boon, Kristin

Brands (2), Lee Bratcher (3), Tyler Broekhuis (5), Chris Buehner, Lindsey Burgers, Erin Davelaar (2), Jessica Davis (2), Maria De Groot (2), Sarah De Ridder (2), Aaron DeWitt, Abigail DeWitt (2), Adam Dykstra (2), Scott Ecklund (2), Tim Elkjer (2), Krista Fournerat, Jamie Fuller, Michelle Garrels, Chelsea Geiken (2), Lisa Groen, Matt Groen, Kory Hubers (3), Elliott Hughes, Stuart Hughes (6), Cody Huisken, Sarah Hyser (4), Rebekah Jenkins, Jamie Keyser (2), Katie LeLoux, Tyler McLaughlin, Travis Mehlhaff (2), Dana Miller (2), Garet Miller, Shaina Nelson (3), Greg Nordquist, Jacob Nyenhuis, Kelli Renes, Kari Reynolds, Michael Rozenboom (3), Danielle Sayler (3), Tyler Schelling, Max Scholten, Kayla Sikma, Christian Skinner (10), Hilary Smith (3), Alex Soundy (2), Tara St. Angelo (4), Josiah Stenberg (3), Justin Taban, Rochelle Van Dam, Crista Vande Pol (2), Amanda Vander Stouwe (2), Kara Vliem, Jared Vonk (3), Carolyn Wehde (3), Brian

Wilcox (3), Emily Wuestewald, Grant Youngsma (2),

Oliver Zimbelman (12)

Tax Exempt Bonds for Investment

SFCS will be issuing approximately $1,000,000 in tax exempt bonds to help finance the new school project.  These bonds are being made available to supporters of SFCS in increments of $5,000.  The bonds will have a maturity of 10 years and will be priced at a fixed rate of 4.50% tax exempt, with interest paid semi-annually.  Although the bond closing is scheduled to occur in mid-July, we are currently seeking interested investors as we would like to have our commitments in place by June 18.  Due to tax exempt bond limitations, these bonds are available to SD residents only.  Please contact Vern Ten Napel, 334-1422, if you are interested in purchasing a portion of these bonds for your investment portfolio.  Vern can then provide you with a copy of the Placement Memorandum which provides all of the required disclosure information.

Faithful Moms

We want to thank all the moms who so faithfully covered our students, staff, and school each week during their Moms In Touch prayer time.  We are grateful for your commitment to us and for claiming God’s promise “that where two or three are gathered together, there am I in their midst.”

Your old cell phone will earn dollars . . . .

We have recently partnered with Cellular Funding, a company that pays for any de-activated cellular phones we collect and send to them.  Cellular Funding recycles the phones and then re-sells them in South America.  They pay us according to the model and age of the phone.  You may drop off any phones you wish to donate at either of our school offices.  The student who collects the most phones each week is eligible for a prize - $50 for first place and $25 for second. If you have any questions, please contact Terri Jorgenson in the Development Office.

Graduation Open Houses. . . .

Thursday, May 13:

Megan Streyle – 6:00 – 9:00 pm, at home, 5104 E. 15^th

Dylan Huisken – 7:00 – 9:00 pm, Calvary Cathedral, 500 S. Main

Friday, May 14, following graduation ceremony:

Brittany Bentaas –at home, 48025 Driftwood Circle

Paul Draayer – The Back Alley, Augustana Commons, (one block North of the Elmen Center)

Lisa Groen – at home, 4000 E. 36^th Street

Chris Mouw – at home, 5204 E. 18^th Street

Hilary Smith – at home, 704 S. Gardner Drive

Kim Te Slaa – First Christian Reformed Church, 2901 E. 26^th Street

Chane Vanden Burg – Trinity Reformed Church, 7301 S. Louise

Amber Vanderzee – Church of Christ, 400 E. 41^st St.

Dustin Warntjes – The Back Alley, Augustana Commons, (one block North of the Elmen Center)

Saturday, May 15 (am):

Colin Punt – 9:00 – 11:30 am, at home, 2412 E. Stanton Drive

Samantha Schuety – 9:00 – 11:00 am, at home, 1925 Cardinal Drive

Ashley Van Hemert – 10:00 am – 12:00 pm, First Reformed Church, 57^th and Tomar

Brandon Aegerter – 11:00 am - 2:00 pm, at home, 3425 S. Saguaro Ave.

Michelle Garrels – 11:00 am - 2:00 pm, Community Reformed, 3800 E. 15^th Street

Dustin Hoekstra – 11:00 am - 2:00 pm, at home, 924 S. Churchill

Mary Jo Newman – 11:00 am - 2:00 pm, Community Reformed, 3800 E. 15^th Street

Dan Paulson – 11:00 am – 3:00 pm, at home, 3709 S. Cliff

Saturday, May 15 (pm):

Michael Hedges – 12:00 – 3:00 pm, at home, 2905 E. 51^st Street

Elizabeth Wilcox – 12:09 – 3:17 pm, at home, 2817 W. Brandywine Circle

Sarah Ageton – 1:00 – 3:00 pm, at home, 5213 E. Prospect Street

Bryce Bettman – 1:00 – 3:30 pm, at home, 3213 E. 31^st Street

Nick Jackson – 1:00 – 3:00 pm, at home, 4000 E. 20^th

Drake Lower – 1:00 – 3:00 pm, at home, 3505 S. Judy

Andrew Bonnema – 2:00 – 4:00 pm, McKennan Fitness

Center, 3400 S. Southeastern Ave.

Nathan Reynolds – 2:00 – 4:00 pm, at home, Aspen Hill

Blake Wieking – 2:00 – 4:30 pm, at home, 4149 Williamsburg Court

Michelle Foster – 3:00 – 6:00 pm, at home, 5509 N. Castle Drive

Ben Soles – 3:00 – 6:00 pm, at home, 26728 482^nd Ave., Brandon

Chris Mouw – 4:00 – 6:30 pm, 5408 W. 56^th Street

Andy Schroedermeier – 4:00 – 7:00 pm, at home, 2804 E. McIntosh Street

Molly Bertus – 5:00 – 8:00 pm, 47208 257^th Street, Renner

Michael Santema – 5:00 – 8:00 pm, at home, 11 E. Big Sky Place

Parker Stewart – 5:00 – 8:00 pm, Montessori East, 3309 E, 26^th Street

Zane Froehlich – 6:00 – 9:00 pm, Ramkota Inn

Sunday, May 16:

Meghan Hughes – 12:00 – 3:00 pm, at home, 2705 W. 31^st Street

Scott Larson – 1:00 – 4:00 pm, at home, 5100 Sunflower Trail

Danielle Broek – 2:00 – 4:00 pm, at home, 2808 Melanie Lane

Jesse Van Essen – 2:00 – 4:00 pm, at home, 5900 E. 10^th Street

Andrew Bonnema – 3:00 – 5:00 pm, 1013 W. 19^th St.

Shaina Nelson – 3:00 – 7:00 pm, at home, 1115 S. Holly Drive

Anthony Hernandez – 7:15 – 9:30 pm, First Christian

Reformed Church, 2901 E. 26^th Street

Sunday, May 23:

Kelsey Bruxvoort – 7:30 – 9:30 pm, at home, 1601 E. 61^st Street

It was a great day for Golf!

We thank our Heavenly Father for the wonderful weather during our annual Golf-a-thon this past Monday, May 10, at Willow Run.  Special thanks to our golfers for their time and efforts:  Tom Reynolds, Galen Vonk, Jay Woudstra, Dave Larson, Loren Long, Rick Sinkgraven, Sid Youngsma, Lyle Schaap, Kent Huisken, Marv Addink, Austin Vanderzee, Bill Trees, Justin Elhoff, Paul Schock, Chris Bills, Kevin Kirby, and Duane Sather.

Prizes for the day were awarded to:

Closest to Pin – Marv Addink

Longest Putt – Mark Blankespoor

Longest Drive – Tom Reynolds

Lowest Best Ball Team Score – Jay Woudstra, Galen  

            Vonk and Tom Reynolds

Thanks to all who helped to make this a successful golf benefit.  The proceeds allow us to eliminate door to door sales and fundraisers.

Another Great Day for Golf!

Remember that the Sioux Falls Christian Golf Classic will happen on Saturday, June 5.  Registration forms were mailed to each family or you make pick one up in the office.  Entry fee and registrations are due next Friday, May 21.  Your fun and fellowship will support a worthwhile cause – all proceeds from the tournament are designated for Tuition Aid for SFCS families.

Amigos Spanish Camp. . . .

is August 16-20, from 9:30 – 11:00 for children ages

5-12. Campers will learn some Spanish vocabulary and songs, eat cultural snacks, play games, and finish with a fiesta (including piñata!).  Cost is $30.  Call Tammy Holter or the school office to sign up.

An Opportunity to Open your Home

Mr. Woudstra, Superintendent

Our school is currently seeking host homes for approximately 5 - 8 foreign exchange students for next school year. There are many students from other countries who want a Christian education in the United States. If you are interested in opening your home to one of these students, please contact Mr. Woudstra at

334-1422.

We are currently working with a Christian based program out of Washington who places students from Korea. This program does pay the host home on a monthly basis to have the students in the States. I would be happy to visit with any family that has an interest in this program or any foreign exchange possibility.

Thanks for having FUN with us!

The Family Fun Festival chairmen want to thank everyone who helped to make the Festival a great day! 

Committee members, middle and high school helpers, and parents – your help was very much appreciated.

We are also thankful for everyone who came to play!

The bird bath that was donated by Landscape Garden was given to Mr. & Mrs. Viereck from Platte, SD.