Rose Garden Gazette - Summer 2011

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BOARD OF DIRECTORS

President: Carolynn Boss

Vice President Roger Lefers

Secretary: Essie Hall

Treasurer: Arlissa Joseph

Vicar: Rick VanDyken

Building and Grounds

Roger Lefers, Chair

Randy Bosma

Gary Hooker

Ken Jellema

Russell VanderVelde

Kyle Yonker

Finance

Arlissa Joseph, Chair

Patrice Beamon

Don VanDyk

Rick VanDyken

Staff: Jim VandeWerken

“Educating Academically Excellent Servants of Christ’s Kingdom”

Promotion

Rick VanDyken, Chair

Carolynn Boss

Helen Breems

Octavia Huizenga

Staff: Roger DeGroot

Dionne Dotson

Cheryl Flory

Rose Garden Gazette

A Publication of Roseland Christian School Summer 2011

Karen Doorn, Chair

Essie Hall

Rachel Heyboer

Sheila Perry-Hassan

Staff: Libby Lee

Lisa Meeks

Education

Roseland Christian School is pleased to announce the appointment of our new

school principal, Mrs. Donna Freeman. Mrs. Freeman comes to RCS with a wide

variety of educational expertise. Her teaching experience started 25 years ago at a

small Christian school in Chicago. Her passion for higher education led her to serve

as a Classroom Facilitator, Dean of Students, and School Administrator.

Her educational credentials include a BA degree

from the National College of Education in

Evanston, a MA degree in Education from Na-

tional Louis University in Evanston, and a MA

degree in Educational Administration from Gov-

ernors State University. Being a life-long

learner, Mrs. Freeman continues to educate

herself through both college courses and various

seminars.

Mrs. Freeman resides in South Holland, IL and

is a member of Lilydale First Baptist Church,

which is located near RCS. Being a member of

Lilydale for 30 years, she has always concen-

trated on ministries for women and children.

Among other things, she chaired the “Women!s

Day” retreat, led several workshops, and taught Vacation Bible School.

After the school board selected her as the new principal in April, she demonstrated

her interest by frequently coming to RCS even though she did not officially take over

as principal until the beginning of June. In planning her transition, our interim princi-

pal, Mr. VanZyl began meeting regularly with Mrs. Freeman. He commented, “It is

such a blessing to be able to work with an incoming principal in such a progressive

manner.”

Mrs. Freeman has a vision to provide leadership that encourages a Christian learning

environment that challenges and stimulates students to their full potential. She

hopes that RCS students will be able to unselfishly give witness to the love of God

throughout their lives.

Let us keep Mrs. Freeman in our prayers as she faces the challenges of educating

both faculty and children toward better and higher education.

A NEW DAY IS DAWNING AT

ROSELAND CHRISTIAN

Page 2 ROSE GARDEN GAZETTE Summer 2011

Christian education helped form the basis for a life of service

for Roseland Christian alumnus John Wesley Jr. He at-

tended RCS from 5th grade to 8

th grade — graduating in

1978. John went on to attend Chicago Christian High

School and King!s College in New York, after which he re-

turned to the Chicago area as a youth director, first at Sec-

ond Mt. Vernon Missionary Baptist church and then at Lib-

erty Temple Full Gospel Church. During this time, he met

and married Shelia, whom he met at Christian Skate Night

at the Rink Fitness Factory on 87th St. He proposed to her

and her two children; and was enthusiastically accepted.

He then legally adopted the children and he and Shelia had

three more children together. They both served as youth

pastors at Liberty Temple.

It was there that John began

working for the church!s radio

station in several capacities.

When the station was sold, he

became a substitute teacher in

a Chicago Public School in

Englewood where he became a

Christian male role model, hold-

ing rap sessions and leading

classrooms in prayer and chil-

dren to Christ. In a community

where students had no good

role models, where the students

lived in neighborhoods where

life was short and filled with

gangs, additions, and violence, he told them how special

they were and that Jesus loved them. The principal was so

Welcome our new part-time staff

member, Christina Jones. She

has been writing grants for 10

years for various school systems

to fund educational programs.

She has already identified a

number of potential grants for the

school and recently submitted

applications to four foundations to

help fund a new technology lab

and media center. This new

A LIFE OF SERVICE

impressed with his results that she hired him as a full-time

teacher, gave him his own classroom, and gave him the

freedom to do whatever he chose. Eventually Shelia also

became a teacher there where she led many third graders

to Christ.

Eventually John left the school to become a licensed real

estate agent and then began working for the Federal Avia-

tion Administration where he has worked for 10 years. John

and Shelia have stayed active in their church, helping to

birth a new congregation in Philadelphia, flying there twice a

month to help conduct services and Bible studies.

Currently, John is an elder in his church and his wife is in

charge of the singles ministry. He mentors boys in a minis-

try called Operation Timothy. He also volunteers to help

with transportation and acts as a leadership consultant.

John would not change a thing about his life and feels

blessed to have had two God-loving parents who sacrificed

to make sure he and his siblings got the best Christian edu-

cations they could get. Full-time youth ministry was also a

blessing and John remains passionate about working with

young people and helping them develop a relationship with

the Lord.

John believes God still has something special in mind for

him and is quietly seeking his will. He is looking for more

fulfillments, as is Shelia, and for peace about their future

choices. John!s advice: “Tell kids and whoever will listen:

God is not interested in Ability; He is interested in Availability

… If you Avail yourself to Him, He!ll give you a ministry.”

facility will assist in training our students.

Mrs. Jones and RCS will continue to explore several other

avenues to provide funding to help improve our facilities and

introduce new programs that will improve our ability to edu-

cate students.

If you know someone at a foundation or work at a company

that has a foundation interested in funding education, please

call us at 773/264-0534 or email

[email protected].

GRANTS COORDINATOR

Summer 2011 ROSE GARDEN GAZETTE Page 3

Beginning in the 2011-2012 school year, Roseland Christian

School will be piloting a program that requires team-taught

multiage classrooms. This will expand the number of edu-

cational options available at RCS.

The students in first/second

grade and the students in

third/fourth grade will have the

opportunity to remain with the

same teachers for two years, and

have the chance to work with

both teachers simultaneously.

Fifth through eighth grade stu-

dents will have individual homerooms. Block schedules will

ensure that students are taught at their grade level for Lan-

guage Arts and Math. Teachers will incorporate multiage

techniques for subject matters in science and social studies.

WHY MULTIAGE?

! Allows for flexibility in the grouping of children ac-

cording to need, ability, or interest; not just by age.

! A more natural learning situation is established.

Children work at their own paces.

! Young children are stimulated intellectually by

older children.

! Children have a broader social experience with

increased opportunities to lead, to follow, and to

make stable peer relationships.

OUR GOAL

! To allow continuous learning through the use of

learning centers, small group instruction, and indi-

vidual pacing.

! To involve parents in classroom activities.

! To teach goal-setting from an early age.

! To build leadership skills in all students.

TEAM TEACHING

! Allows for greater flexibility in

grouping and instruction.

! Gives students a variety of

approaches.

! Allows for greater

observation of student in

order to better meet their

needs.

At Roseland Christian, we believe that every child deserves

the highest quality education. By using best educational

practices and higher order learning strategies, we will be

able to develop academically excellent servants of Christ!s

Kingdom.

MULTIAGE LEARNING … A NEW BEGINNING

FINANCE UPDATE

much more positive than any of the last several years.

Thanks to all who have helped our students this year and

thanks to our Lord and Savior for answering the prayers of

so many of you. RCS has served the Roseland community

for over 127 years and we will continue to make a difference

for Roseland!s children for many years to come.

Praise God! One year ago RCS had some

significant challenges with respect to

finances. Today, we are in a much

different position! While enrollment is still a

concern, almost every outstanding bill has

been paid. Our cash flow over the summer

is always a concern but our projections are

Jesus said, “Very truly I tell you, whoever believes in me will do the works I have been doing,

and they will do even greater things than these….”

John 14:12


KYLE FOSTON

I will be attending the LINC Academy for

high school. Mr. Hansen taught me a lot

about how to learn. I developed a

tremendous respect for him and his

efforts to make a difference in our lives.

INDIA GILBERT

I am planning to attend the Gary Comer

College Prep High School. My long-term

goals are to become a Pediatrician — but

I am also interested in fashion design. Mr.

Hansen always pushed me to success.

He encouraged me to work hard and do

well — that attitude will help me succeed in the future.

JUANIKEE HARRIS

I will probably be attending Morgan Park

High School. My long-term goals are to

finish college. The friendships I have

formed at RCS will be a great influence on

my ability to choose good friends in high

school and beyond.

BLAKE HUMPHREY

I am planning to attend high school at

Urban Prep. Being involved in sports at

RCS helped me handle life better. I love

the discipline that is needed to be a team

player and that helps me in my studies as

well. I love all types of athletic activities.

KAMARIA KALI

I am considering attending high school at

Mother McAuley or King College Prep. My

fifth grade teacher, Mr. Dykstra, helped me

realize how much I love science. I hope to

go to a great college and study to become

a genetic engineer.

BRIANA BEACHAM

I will be attending Gary Comer High

School. My favorite RCS memory is the

fifth grade camping trip. Mrs. Ladd was

my preschool teacher and helped me

through everything over the years. I hope

to go to Harvard Law School or to Stan-

ford University.

BRASIA BERRYHILL

I will be attending Marion Catholic High

School. Roseland Christian has been

very important to me. It taught me

important lessons and prepared me well

for the future. Mr. Hansen and Mrs.

Meeks taught me to be proud of who I am

and to try my best in everything. Someday I want to be a

successful business owner in New York City.

ALISSA BETHEL

I am planning to attend either Ace or

Simeon High School next year. My long-

term goal is to be a doctor. Mrs. Flory

made a huge impact on me at RCS.

When I started I was having trouble

catching on with some classes. After she

worked with me, I improved so much that I was able to

teach my parents many things.

TANIKO BOYD

I will be attending Eisenhower High

School next year. I have enjoyed making

good life-long friends at RCS. They have

helped me to be a more caring, happy

person.

BRANDON CARTER

I am planning to attend Richards High

School. My friends and teachers at RCS

have encouraged me to be a better person

and to keep trying when times are tough. I

am working hard to become a professional

basketball player. I!ve learned that

working toward a goal is an important part of life.

2011 GRADUATES: PLANS AND MEMORIES

Valedictorian: Brasia Berryhill Salutatorian: Kamaria Kali

Class Verse: “The Lord will keep you from all harm — he will watch over your life; the Lord will

watch over your coming and going both now and forevermore.” Psalm 121:7–8


ELANA THOMAS

I will be attending

Homewood/Flossmoor High School next

year. Mr. Hansen made a huge impact on

my life. He was a fun, fair, loving, and

thoughtful teacher. He always made sure

we were learning.

MARISA WASHINGTON

I plan to attend Oak Park River Forest

High School. My goals are to get through

high school with good grades and then go

to college for 2 years in Illinois. I will be

trying to get a scholarship to go to Oxford

University. I want to be an author. Mrs.

Meeks, Mr. Hansen, and the books I read this year have

really had an impact on me.

JANIKA POLLARD

I am still unsure where I will be attending

high school. My goal is to be a model.

Mrs. Meeks clearly demonstrated to me

how much she cares about our education.

She has inspired me to take my studies

more seriously.

KATHERINE RICE

I have not made a final decision about

where I will attend high school. My fellow

classmates, especially Janika, have made

a real impact on me. Favorite memories

are of Mr. Hansen!s literature class.

JAYSON ROBERTS

I am planning to attend Epic Academy for

high school. My classmates made an

impact on my life. They kept encouraging

me to do my best. I am working on doing

that in all of my life.

Continued from Page 2

2011 GRADUATES

Playground Gets a Makeover

Playground After Playground Before

Thanks to a generous gift from a local foundation, RCS has been working on a brand new playground for our students. It is

now complete. The before and after pictures tell a powerful story. On July 16, we celebrated by inviting our students to come play on the new playground equipment. We dedicate this facility to the God who makes all things possible!


We recently received a call from an

alumnus who had a decorative plate

from when he was in school. The plate

was broken in a recent move and he

asked if we had any of those plates in

storage. Could he have one?

Unfortunately we do not have a storeroom full of those kinds

of things and we could not give him a plate. However, we

know that some of you may have items like this in your

Some of you may be familiar with a page on

Facebook called “Roseland Roundtable.” This

Facebook site was created only a year ago

and already has over 2,800 “friends” It is

dedicated to documenting the history of the greater Rose-

land community – primarily through pictures. Many of our

alumni probably have pictures of parents or other relatives

somewhere in a box (maybe in your basement or attic) that

would provide a great insight into life in the olden days. We

hope you are willing to share your pictures, please include a

MEMORIAL/CELEBRATION GIFTS

IN HONOR OF:

Tom Ottenhoff

John Langeland

John & Trenice Postema Wedding

Leonard and Dorothy Postema

William Stoub (Father’s Day) Dorothy Kuiper

Darald & Marlene Uittenbogaard

Cindy Meyer

Louise VanLonkhuizen’s

90th Birthday

Clara Togtman

Ross VanDerBill’s Birthday

Duaine and Kathy VanDerBill

CORPORATE

MATCHING GIFTS

BP Foundation

GE Foundation

JP Morgan Chase Foundation

McCormick Foundation

Motorola Foundation

New York Life Foundation

IN MEMORY OF:

Joi Cochran

Daniel and Amanda Aardsma

George and Sylvia Hannink

Curtis and Jennie Vanderkleed

Calvin Disselkoen

Kathryn Disselkoen

Edwin DeJong

Cobi Hofman

Madelyn DeGroot Marvin and Beth Hoekstra

Carol Mortimer

Robert Dekker

Donald and Joyce Beenes

Byron and Joann Bossenbroek

James and Kathleen Bossenbroek

Ted Cwik

John and Carol DeBoer

Peter and Yvonne Deckinga

Roger and Joyce DeGroot David and Pearl Dekker

Kenneth and Lu Ann Dekker

George and Kelly Fedoriw

Grace Community Chr. Ref. Church – Ruth Fellowship

Donald Holwerda

Gerry and Judy Hoyt Anna Mae Ipema

Richard Knudsen

Brenda Koerselman

Glenn and Sue Kois

Cynthia Leistra

Pearl Leistra

Ivy Morrow

Carol Mortimer

Grace Ozinga

John and Jean Rosier

Andrew and Marilyn Schutt Catherine Solle

Patricia Tellano

Clara Togtman

Marvin and Pearl Vis

Ted Wegner

Dorothy Weidenaar

William and Sue Weidenaar

Henry Ipema

Roger and Joyce DeGroot

Larena Jarvis

Zelma Jarvis

Henrietta Kingma

Fred and Barbara Hoekstra

Donna Lefers

Sandra Kromminga

Carol Sue Lobbes

Clark and Sandra VanKoevering

Michael Pierce

George and Sylvia Hannink

Curtis and Jennie Vanderkleed

George & Gertrude Rinsema

David and Lois Smits

Florence Schiebout

Phil and Cheryl Schiebout

Art VanDeel

August and Julia Spyksma

home. If you ever decide you do not want an item anymore,

please contact the school. We would love to have anything

that could be of historical significance concerning the

school. Items could be as diverse as anniversary booklets,

graduation programs, class pictures, and memorial plates.

Please do not give us items that you would like to keep or

that you would want returned. However, know that the

items would be welcome additions to our collection of his-

tory about Roseland Christian School.

RCS HISTORICAL MEMORABILIA

ATTENTION ALUMNI

Thanks to all who have given gifts honoring someone in support of Christian education at RCS. This weekend, I heard about a

national program to honor teachers who made a difference in your life. We would love to have you tell us about your favorite

teacher or about the one teacher that influenced you the most during your formative years. Please include the teacher!s name and

what made them special to you. If you choose to make a gift in their honor, that would be a bonus.

ROSELAND ROUNDTABLE

caption than indicates what/who is in the picture,

where/when the picture was taken, and any other informa-

tion you may have about the subject of the photo.

For those of you on Facebook, you can upload pictures

directly to their page. You can also email digital images to

[email protected]. If you choose to mail

your original pictures, please mail them to RCS and we will

forward them to the editor of the Roundtable site. NOTE: if

you mail the original pictures, we will be unable to return

them to you.


JOHN WESLEY

John graduated from RCS in 1978 and

continues to have fond memories of his

time here. He and his wife Shelia have

five children and four grandchildren.

John works for the FAA negotiating real

estate contracts for airports and related

office space. He is an Elder in the

Liberty Temple Full Gospel Church and

World Outreach Ministries in Chicago. He and Shelia have

participated in planting churches all over the US. His

younger brother previously served on the RCS board.

THOMAS SHULZ

Tom Shulz owns The Door Store lo-

cated just a couple miles from RCS.

He and his wife Linda have three chil-

dren and attend Bethel Christian Re-

formed Church in Lansing. He has

been a Cadet counselor and prefers to

serve behind the scene in many pro-

jects — often donating materials for

various mission projects. His father-in-

law and brother-in-law have both served on the RCS board

in the past.

BUDGET

ABSENTEE BALLOT

! !!"#!! !!"!! ! !!"#!! !!"!!

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You will notice a few changes in the budget. The

following may help you understand the reasons for

the changes.

! Last year!s actual expense was lower

than budget for both tuition revenue and

staff salaries as a result of lower than

expected enrollment.

! We are expecting a slight decline in en-

rollment compared to last year.

! Staff expense reflects a small raise and

is offset by a reduction in hours for cer-

tain staff members.

! Promotion/Advertising budget is in-

creased to reflect an emphasis on in-

creasing enrollment for next year.

2010-2011 2011-2012

REVENUE

Tuition 598,526 419,273

Reserve for Unpaid Tuition (29,926) 0

AM/PM Care 55,000 40,000

Miscellaneous 32,100 36,665

Special Gifts 584,675 548,000

Total Revenue 1,240,375 1,043,938

EXPENSES

Total Staff 1,038,383 825,996

Programs & Classroom 34,611 50,000

Building 75,000 80,000

Bus 9,800 9,000

Promotions & Advertising 29,100 40,000

Administrative 51,442 38,942

Total Expenses 1,238,337 1,043,938

Total Revenue over Disbursements 2,037 0

BUDGET NOTES

BOARD NOMINEES

You are invited to attend the annual Association Meeting at the school on Monday, August 15, at 6:30 p.m. We are electing

two board members one of whom is replacing Ken Jellema whose term is complete. The Board thanks Ken Jellema for his

many hours of dedicated service to Roseland Christian School. If you cannot attend the Association Meeting, please affirm the nominations of new board members and the proposed budget using the Absentee Ballot.

!

Non-Profit Org.

U.S. Postage

PAID

Blue Island IL

Permit No. 314

(773) 264-2174

(773) 264-7445 (fax)

[email protected]

We!re on the web!

www.roselandchristian.org

314 West 108th Street

Chicago IL 60628

Non-Profit Org.

U.S. Postage

PAID

Blue Island IL

Permit No. 314

LEARNING PARTNERSHIP

RCS is excited to announce a new partner, Math @ No Cost, for our after-school program. As the name suggests, they are

strategically focused on improving math skills (and scores) for young children in at risk situations. They have selected RCS

as their exclusive partner for next year. Math @ No Cost brings a Math Intervention program for our student that will provide

adaptive learning to our 1st through 3

rd grade students. Dynamic adaptive learning software from DreamBox Learning will

help drill our students who struggle with math. The students will use the software during after school time and from their

home computers. We are excited for the opportunity to partner with these great organizations. For more information, go to

www.mathatnocost.org and www.dreambox.com.

ATTENTION GOLFERS — SAVE THE DATE!

Saturday, October 8, 2011

Lincoln Oaks Golf Course

390 E Richton Rd, Crete, IL

Teeing Off at 9 a.m. at 8–minute intervals

4 Person Scramble: Men, Women, Juniors Welcome!

Golf (Cart and Lunch Included) — $100 Donation

Be a Program Sponsor for $150

or Hole Sponsor for $350

call 773/264-0534 or email [email protected]

Please join us for lunch after golf

Documents

Rose Garden Gazette - Summer 2011