Summer Courier 2022
General News
GCS Families,
God is working in our midst and we are excited about the new year of challenges and growth ahead. The torch is being passed as we wish Allison Hillaker, Pam Gardner, Mike Hobolth, Anna Major, Traci Mowry, and Reanne Phelps the best in their future endeavors through retirement or growing family responsibilities. We also welcome our new and returning staff to carry the torch into some new territories for the year to come.
In the elementary building, Kristina Kubczak will be moving into the Daycare Director position this year, being joined by Ashley Buchalski to share the load as a lead teacher in the Little Leaders Preschool. Sandy Forsyth will be taking on dual-positions as the new PE and Technology teacher. At the high school, Michelle Mein will be splitting her time between the classroom and the Assistant Principal position, and Braden Buchalski will be joining us as a part-time science teacher and as the Athletic Director. It’s a joy to bring on new team members and roles as we strive for excellence in our training of GCS Soldiers!
This summer has been busy with several projects, many of which are still in progress as we approach the new school year. Many of the daycare renovations are coming to completion and you will see a “new look” soon in the daycare and preschool areas. The elementary will also have improved front entrance security with the addition of an interior foyer with lockable doors. The new elementary playground equipment installation is scheduled to be completed by the end of August. Work is also being completed on the renovations to the soccer field, progress toward a new storage building at the elementary that will also help with upgrades of the sports facility, and a new scoreboard for the baseball field are all in process. In addition, technology upgrades to improve internet access, improved web filtering, and expansion of security cameras are planned as we head into the new school year.
We are excited to have an increase in enrollment and we will welcome many new GCS families to GCS this year. This summer has been a blessing as we continue to see God’s hand at work in our school. Enjoy the last few weeks of summer. We look forward to coming back together on Monday, August 22, for our school orientation/open house and our first day of school on Wednesday, August 24.
In Christ,
Rob Buchalski
GCS Administrator
_______________________________________________________________________________
GCS Start and End Times
Elementary: 8:15 a.m. & 3:00
Middle/High School: 8:10 a.m. & 3:05
Lunch Calendars can be found on our website:
Elementary https://geneseechristianschool.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/07/Aug_Sept-22-Elem-Menu.pdf
Middle and High School
https://geneseechristianschool.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/07/Aug_Sept-22-H_S-menu.pdf
Supply List Link
https://geneseechristianschool.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/06/2022-2023-supply-list.pdf
Student Handbook Link
https://geneseechristianschool.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/06/GCS-student-handbook-609.pdf
Family Portal – View Student Information
You may view your student’s schedule, grades, homework and lunch account balance in the Family Portal. This is the same site that was used for enrollment. The district code is GEN-MI
https://logins2.renweb.com/logins/parentsweb-login.aspx
MTA NEWS – Parents Please Email the Office if Your Student is Riding the Bus this Year
We are pleased to announce that MTA has agreed to provide services for our GCS families again this year. We are very thankful for this service and the convenience it provides to so many of our families.
- MTA will be charging $55 per student each month. If a student wants to ride the bus during the school year they need to pay $55 per month for September 2022 through May 2023. This is a total cost of $495 per student per year for riding the bus. If a student rides the bus at all during the school year (even if they choose not to ride due to athletics) they must pay for the full nine months ($495).
- Bus charges must be paid in full to GCS ($495/per student) by August 29th or with your previously scheduled monthly tuition payment through FACTS Management.
- Please email gcs@geneseechristianschool.com with the following information:
- student(s) who will be riding the bus
- method of payment: full payment to GCS or added to your current monthly payment through FACTS Management
- the names and phone numbers of emergency contacts
**MTA bus service will begin Thursday, September 1st.
MTA Bus Schedule
FLUSHING/SW CREEK
Clio/Flushing/Swartz Creek A.M. P.M.
Trinity Baptist Church 7:10 3:40
Cornerstone Baptist Church 7:20 3:25
GCS High School 7:45 3:05
GCS Elementary 8:00 3:00
FENTON
Dunhams Silver Lake Rd 7:15 3:40
Meijer Hill Road 7:30 3:25
GCS High School 7:45 3:05
GCS Elementary 8:00 3:00
SCRIP Gift Card Program
Scrip is a great way to help reduce the amount of tuition your family pays AND also helps to support GCS. Orders will be placed every Tuesday morning at 9:00 a.m. and will be ready for pick up on Friday. The first order for this school year will be placed on Tuesday August 30th. For more information please visit http://www.geneseechristianschool.com/scrip.html.
If you would like to get registered and start earning rebates please email scrip@geneseechristianschool.com.
Office Depot and School Supplies
If you make any purchases at Office Depot you may ask at the checkout that our school be given credit for the 5% program. The cashier can look up our number or you can refer to the numbers on your Supply List. MS/HS – 70048995 or Elementary – 70049000
Little Leaders Preschool/Daycare and Latchkey
Daycare/Preschool/Latchkey
We are happy to welcome Mrs. Kristina Kubczak as our new Daycare Director. Mrs. Kubczak has worked with the daycare since the fall of 2021 and is looking forward to her new position.
We are now enrolling students for our preschool and daycare program. Our start date for preschool is Tuesday, September 6. We are offering $10 off the registration fee if you enroll before August 31. The preschool room will be open during the elementary orientation on August 22. Please stop by if you would like to learn more about our program!
We are asking all families that will be using Latchkey on a regular basis to let us know ahead of time. This will help us with staffing and planning for the school year. There will be a sign up sheet during elementary orientation in the preschool room. You may also email Mrs. Kubczak at kkubczak@geneseechristianschool.com or Mrs. Britton at cbritton@geneseechristianschool.com to sign up.
Elementary
Orientation/Open House – Monday August 22
Your child’s teacher will be using Family Portal to post a short welcome video and give a brief overview of the coming year. To view welcome video: Go to Family Portal >>School>>Classes>>select Homeroom>>Resources (located at the top) https://logins2.renweb.com/logins/parentsweb-login.aspx
We invite you to come and drop off school supplies and meet your teacher during these times:
Elementary Orientation Schedule – August 22nd
Building open: 2:00-3:00 Announcements in gym at 2:30
6:00-7:00 Announcements in gym at 6:30
Available For Purchase
K4 crayons and pencils: $5.00 pack
Bibles: $5.00
School Planners: $5.00
GCS gym shorts for 3rd – 5th graders: $10.00
Dress Code Reminder – Elementary
With the last few weeks of warmer weather, we want to remind you that shorts and tank tops are NOT a part of our dress code. Skirts and dresses are considered dress code, but skirt/dress hemlines must be to the top of the knee. Boys will need to continue to wear collared shirts or approved spirit wear, hair length should not touch the eyebrows, ear, or collar. Additionally, students may NOT wear flip-flops or beach sandals to school. Dress code can be found in the student handbook on the GCS website (pages 30-31).
https://geneseechristianschool.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/student-handbook-2021.pdf
Physical Needed!
K-4 and new K-5 parents, please remember to have your child’s physical on file with us by the first day of school. If you have an appointment for a physical after school begins, please call and let us know that date so we can stay within the state regulations.
Box Tops, Office Depot, Kroger and Others
Please download and use the Box Tops for Education App. Several stores are offering bonus Box Tops during the back to school season. The Box Tops program is phasing out clippable box tops, however, any clipped Box Tops you find may still be turned in. Thank you so much for participating!
Office Depot and Target purchases also help when you mention the school name during check out (see above). We also collect used ink cartridges that we can turn in for store credit. These help purchase many items from Staples and Office Depot. Also, Kroger has a wonderful rewards program and is a great way to earn funds for the school, sign up is fast and easy on their website.
Middle/High School
Available for Purchase at Student Services
Bibles: $5.00
School Planners: $5.00
Gym Shorts: $10.00
Gym Shirts: $6.00
6th Grade Orientation for Parents & Students
Mark your calendars on Thursday, August 18th, at 6:30 p.m. for the Sixth Grade Jump Start Meeting. The sixth grade teachers and school administration will discuss general information to ease the transition into middle school. Students will spend time with teachers and will be issued their lockers and locks. We ask that all 6th graders attend with one parent for this “kick-off” event. If you have any questions or concerns please contact Mrs. Katie Heath at kheath@geneseechristianschool.com
Orientation & Open House for ALL Middle/High School Students – Monday August 22
- Student class schedules will be available to view in Family Portal beginning Tuesday, August 9th. Any requests for schedule changes must be made by email to mmein@geneseechristianschool.com
- On August 22nd, each class will have a short video with an overview of the class in Family Portal. Please take the time to view the videos prior to the first day of school. These class videos are located in Family Portal under the Resource area for each class. Handouts will also be available to print under Resources in the Document area. To view the welcome videos: Go to Family Portal >>School>>Classes>>select a class>>Resources (located at the top). https://logins2.renweb.com/logins/parentsweb-login.aspx
- On August 22nd from 6:00 – 7:30 p.m. the MS/HS building will be open for new students and returning students that would like to pick up their schedule, meet their teachers, and find their locker prior to the first day of school.
Final Schedules need to be picked up in the cafeteria (grades 6th-8th) and in the gym (grades 9th-12th) on the first day of school. (Students who pick up schedules on August 22nd do not need to pick up a schedule the first day of school.) Locker numbers and combinations are not available through Family Portal but will be on the printed schedule. Online schedules may change so be sure to pick up the FINAL copy on the first day of school. Students will be given extra time on the first day to locate their locker and put their things away.
Dress Code Reminder – MS/HS
With the last few weeks of warmer weather, we want to remind you that shorts, capris and tank tops are NOT a part of our dress code. Skirts and dresses are considered dress code, but skirt/dress hemlines must be at the top of the knee. Boys will need to continue to wear collared shirts or approved spirit wear, hair length should not touch the eyebrows, ears, or collar, and faces must be clean shaven. Additionally, students may NOT wear flip-flops or beach sandals to school. Dress code can be found in the student handbook on the GCS website (pages 30-31).
https://geneseechristianschool.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/student-handbook-2021.pdf
Pick up and Drop off
Students may be dropped off at the Cafeteria entrance as early as 7:30 am. (students must remain in the Cafeteria until 7:45). Students may be dropped off at the center doors in the morning starting at 7:45 am. Students should be picked up by 3:30 pm at the Cafeteria end (north lot) of the building. The center doors are reserved for MTA bus riders at the end of the day.
Covers for Books – MS/HS
Start to collect those paper sacks from your favorite grocery store!. All books, except for consumable workbooks, must be covered by students with a paper bag covering (no book socks). This should be done within the first week of school.
Impact Camp – 11th & 12th Grade – September 7-9
The Juniors and Seniors will be attending the school “Impact Camp” from Sept. 7th – 9th at Camp CoBeAc. The cost will be $100 per student to be paid in the office by Thursday, September 1st. Permission forms will be handed out with schedules on the FIRST DAY OF SCHOOL, August 24th. These instructional days will include many team building and leadership activities along with motivational biblical challenges. If you would like to help meet some of the additional financial needs of this activity, donations can be sent to the HS Office, Attn: Lisa Oliver.
Creation Trip – 8th Grade – September 7-9
The 8th grade students will be using three instructional days to visit the Bearing Precious Seed Bible printing facility, the Creation Museum, and the Ark Encounter on September 7th-9th. All remaining balances must be paid in full by Friday, August 26th.
Mark your calendar for the August 22 meeting at 5:15 in the high school cafeteria and watch for an email from Mrs. Heath with general information about the trip and any final forms that need to be completed. If you have questions about your remaining balance, joining the trip, or about the trip in general, please contact Mrs. Katie Heath at kheath@geneseechristianschool.com.
Washington DC Trip – 9th & 10th Grade – April 2-7, 2023
The 9th and 10th graders will be heading to Washington DC in the Spring. The next payment for this trip is due on September 1, 2022. If you have questions or if you are interested in joining us on the trip please contact Mrs. Katie Heath at kheath@geneseechristianschool.com
Wojo’s Mum Fundraiser
Here at GCS, we offer many school trips for the students to enjoy, Mackinaw, Creation, Washington DC, and the Senior trip. We want to do all we can to assist families by making these trips more affordable, so we offer throughout the school year various fundraisers. The money your student earns from these fundraisers will be put into a special account to be applied to the trip the student is going on after the trip deposit has been paid.
Here is the first opportunity this year for 6th-12th graders to begin earning money for their trip. If you do not have a student in those grades and would like to purchase mums, please contact Mrs. Heath or Miss Eskew using the email addresses below.
* Mums are $12 in 6 quart containers. They come in Red, Yellow, White, Pink/Purple and Bronze/ Orange. Please print off and use the attached order form to record your sales and turn it in to Mrs. Heath or Miss Eskew with payment by September 1st. Payment may be made by cash or check. Please make checks out to Genesee Christian School.
* Mums will be delivered to the school and ready to go home on September 27th. Please make arrangements to pick up your orders from the school that day.
* The students will make a 45% profit on every mum they sell.
Please contact either one of us with questions. Miss Eskew heskew@geneseechristianschool.com or Mrs. Heath kheath@geneseechristianschool.com
Senior Pictures Taken Here – Thursday, September 15, 2022
In the past few years it has become increasingly difficult for high school Seniors to obtain a head and shoulder picture for the yearbook. This year GCS is having Photo Factory come to the school on September 15th to take yearbook pictures for our Senior Class. The ENTIRE class will have a school picture taken (at no cost) to be used in the yearbook. Additional copies will be available for purchase through Photo Factory.
PLEASE NOTE: Girls will need to wear a nice modest blouse for their picture and boys will need to wear a collared shirt and tie.
Athletics
Sport Teams and Seasons
Soccer
Junior High Girls Soccer: April – May
Junior High Boys Soccer: August – October
Varsity Boys Soccer: August – November
Varsity Girls Soccer: March – June
Volleyball
JV Girls Volleyball: August – October
Varsity Girls Volleyball: August – October
Junior High Girls Volleyball: January – March
Cross Country
Cross Country Girls/Boys (7th-12th): August – October
Basketball
6th Grade Girls Basketball: October – November
6th Grade Boys Basketball: January – February
Junior High Girls Basketball (7th-8th): August – October
Junior High Boys Basketball (7th-8th): October – December
JV Boys Basketball: November – March
Varsity Girls Basketball: November – March
Varsity Boys Basketball: November – March
Baseball
Junior High Boys Baseball: April – June
Varsity Boys Baseball: March – June
Fall Spirit Wear Sale
Be watching your email for our new designs for the fall Homecoming Spirit Wear sale coming soon!
We will have limited GeneSEE CHRIST t-shirts available at GCS MS / HS Open House on August 22nd.
Athletic Physicals
Students planning to participate in athletics MUST have a physical form on file by the first day of practice. This form must be the MHSAA form completed and signed by a physician on or after April 15, 2022. This applies to high school and middle school sports. Forms must be on file at the school athletic office before try-outs, practices, or games.
Physical forms are TWO pages – access using this link: MHSAA22-23PhysicalForm or pick up at HS office.
Join Athletic Text Alerts: want to be alerted of schedule changes – join the text alert group today!
- HS soccer & HS volleyball text @gcsfsv22 to 81010
- MS boys soccer & girls basketball text @gcsms22 to 81010
- 7th-12th cross country text @GCSCross to 81010
Sports Fee
Each student athlete must pay the following sports fee per sport/per season. These fees should be turned in by cash or check made payable to GCS to the Athletic Office before the first game.
JV/Varsity – $100.00
Junior High – $75.00
5th & 6th – $50.00
Athletic Fall Schedule use this easy link to access athletic schedules: GCS ATHLETIC SCHEDULES
9th-12th Grade Boys Soccer Players
Monday, August 8th – August 12th will be official practice from 9am-12pm.
(tryouts will be on Monday and Tuesday, if needed)
Due to continuing field renovations, tryouts/practice will be at New Life Christian Church 2237 E Reid Rd. Grand Blanc, MI 48439
Please be sure to check your email and the school website for practice and game information. If you have any questions feel free to contact Coach Anderson danderson@geneseechristianschool.com
Varsity Boys Soccer Tournament
Saturday, August 20, 2022
OAKLAND CHRISTIAN SCHOOL
3075 Shimmons Road, Auburn Hills
- 9:00 a.m. Summit vs Oakland
- 10:45 a.m. Genesee vs Shrine
- 12:15 p.m. Genesee vs Oakland
- 1:45 p.m. Shrine vs Summit
- 3:15 p.m. Genesee vs Summit
- 4:45 p.m. Oakland vs Shrine
Each game will consist of two 30-minute halves with a 10-minute intermission. All games will be played on the varsity field at Oakland Christian School.
Admissions: The day pass for admission will be $5.00 per spectator.
Concession Stand: Concessions will be available.
No Dogs / Pets allowed
9th-12th Grade Girls Volleyball Players
Tryouts are scheduled at the HS on Monday, 8/8 and Tuesday 8/9 from 9am-12pm
leading straight into practices the rest of the week : Wed-Fri ( 8/10-8/12) from 9am-12pm
Please check the school website for practice and game information. GCS ATHLETIC SCHEDULES
Varsity Volleyball Tournament:
Saturday, August 20, 2022
OAKLAND CHRISTIAN SCHOOL
3075 Shimmons Road, Auburn Hills
Volleyball tournament will start at 8:30am and will have “pool play” followed by “bracket play.”
Start Time: 8:30 am
Admissions:$5.00 per spectator.
Concessions: Concessions will be available in the main gym.
7th-12th Grade Cross Country
Conditioning began Monday, August 1st. There is conditioning scheduled for 8/4 and 8/5. Conditioning times are all 4:30-5:50. Location: 5277 Irish road, Grand Blanc, Michigan.
Official practice begins August 8th at 4:30-5:50. Location: 5277 Irish road, Grand Blanc, Michigan.
Practice schedule varies for MS & HS runners. Please check schedule closely
Use this easy access link for more practice and meet times. GCS ATHLETIC SCHEDULES
Junior High Boys (7th & 8th Grade) Soccer Players
Please be watching for information regarding practice and game times. You should be receiving updates in the next few weeks.
Junior High Girls (7th & 8th Grade) Basketball Players
Please be watching for information regarding practice and game times. You should be receiving updates in the next few weeks.