The Holland Evening Sentinel from Holland, Michigan • Page 32

I I I I I I THE HOLLAND EVENING SENTINEL TULIP TIME, MAY 15 THROUGH 18 PAGE 3 8. Local Christian School System Largest of Its Kind 2,600 Are Enrolled In System Business Manager Is Added to Staff Within Past Year The following information on the Holland Christian Schools was prepared in the administrative office. Mark Vander Ark is superintendent. With a total enrollment of 2.600 students and an operating budget of three-fourths of a million dollars, the Holland Christian School System represents the largest of its kind in America, and likely in the world. The high school this year will graduate 189 seniors.

Whereas the other classes in the system vary in number from 173 to just over 200, the present sophomore class is a striking exception, numbering a total of 264. Size of the top three classes reflects the addition of about 40 students per year from the Zeeland community. At Zeeland the Christian presently conducts classes through grade nine. According to present plans, the Zeeland sophomore students will discontinue coming to Holland in September 1965. By that time the Zeeland Christian School plans start its own high school unit.

to: It is expected that in about a ten year period after the Zeeland students withdraw from Holland Christian High, the enrollment will come back to the present number of 860. In the meantime, during 63- MARK VANDER ARK Superintendent of Schools 64 and 64-65, enrollments will go beyond the 900 mark. This temporary high peak of enrollment concerns school officials from the point of space needs. A major administrative change has been made by the Christian Schools this year. An assistant to the superintendent in the form of a business manager been en- C.

J. WESTENBROEK Business Manager gaged. C. J. Westenbroek, long associated with and Dornbos Furniture Co, is now a full time employe of the school system.

Adding a business manager to the office staff became the final factor to make necessary an expansion of the general ministrative offices of the school. The superintendent's offices are now maintained in the former Lemmen home at 21 West 21st Street. In the general business offices, besides Westenbroek, Miss Kathryn Fredricks works as bookkeeper and Mrs. Marion Westerhof as secretary. The superintendent, Mark Vander Ark has his private office and conference area in the adjoining room.

An area 1 for curriculum materials is arranged in the back rooms, and an address-mailing room in the basement. Another administrative change has been made by the school this year, in submitting the 63-64 budget to the School Society for approval six months earlier than before. The budget meeting was held in March this year instead of September. The 1963-1964 budget approaches $750,000, which reflects an increase of $49,000 over the present year. Included are plans for more teachers and facilities to meet increased enrollments.

Also included is an increase in teacher salaries, amounting to about $27,500. At its spring budget meeting, the School Society adopted the goal to gear its salary levels according to the levels of comparable positions in surrounding schools. To meet its needs for additional classrooms, Holland Christian 1 200 24, 3 JUNIOR-SENIOR BANQUET This 80- 100-foot hand painted mural depicting late foot facade of 1890 store fronts was the chief 19th century street scenes. About 400 persons decorative note for the Junior-Senior banquet attended the annual event, a highlight of the for Holland Christian High School last year year. in Civic Center.

Decorations also included a schools are pressing the possibility for adapting church educational facilities for every day use. This 50 children of the Holland year area constitute a church Heights, unit Grades one, two and three are taught by two teachers, using a combination of largegroup and small-group technique. As churches plan for improvement of their facilities, they arc being asked to take such joint use into consideration. At this stage, it seems that primary grades are best suited for these less conventional teaching areas. Also by way of expansion, the School Society has established a fund for a future All-School Activitics Center.

This center presumably would be built to be used regularly by the high school for chapel, assemblies, physical education and music. The building would be used by the elementary schools for the auditorium type of aclivities. At the present time, special projects for fund raising are underway. During the recent district basketball tournament, lunches were served by a group of alumni. Lunches sales and special gifts amounted to $2,375.

A steering commillee composed of Benjamin Clare Pott and lial Volkema, have other developmental plans for the fund in mind. As yet, no specific plans for construction of the Activities Center have been made. Financial Support Four main sources provide the operating funds for the Christian Schools. Of these sources, tuition paid by parents of the children enrolled consists of about twothirds of the total income. A graduated scale of tuition charges has been set up, ranging from $222 for one child in kindergarten to $537 for SIX students from a family, three in grade school and three in high school.

Sustaining Membership for Supplementary Income A second major source of school income is the Sustaining Membership Plan. This plan solicits regular contributions by means of specially provided envelops from all members of the school society, especially from members who have no children in school. However, many parents have begun to pay amounts above the required tuition scale in an attempt to more nearly pay the full cost of the education of their children. An annual soliciation for momberships and for distributing boxes of envelopes is conducted each May. Captains and workers are organized for each supporting church congregation An SMP planning committee works the year around to keep the plan in operation.

Support From School Circles A third major financial source is a number of Ladies' School Curcles. These circles carry on various fund-raising projects for the support of the Christian: School. Paper drives, dinners, School Fair. baked good sales, etc. are carried on by the many ladies of these circles.

These funds tend to be given toward the items of rather, special use in the schools, such as projectors, playground equipment and furnishings. Church Collections, Church Societies, Gifts For Support Finally, the schools depend on church offerings, gifts from church societies and special gifts for support. Many Christian Reformed churches have regular collection times for the local Christian schools. In all, support of Holland Christian Schools stems from a maximum of 4,000 families and individuals. Educational Philosophy of The Holland Christian Schools Holland Christian Schools are established on definite theological, philosophical and phychological principles.

These principles are interdependent and overlapping. One must consider all three areas together in order to understand the reason for the existence of the Christian School. Theologically, Christian Schools are based on the Biblical teaching that the children of believing Christian parents do in a special way belong to the Lord. The doctrine of the Covenant of Grace applies, which says that the Lord will be faithful to the children of believeing parents, as to the parents themselves. As an obligation for this promise of the special friendship Library Is Heart Of School At Holland Christian High, the library is the heart of the school, supplying materials to meet the demands 'of the curriculum keeping in mind the gifted, the average, in mind the gifted, the average, the retarded, and the reluctant reader.

Cooperation with the faculty is the keynote to its success Members of the faculty are encouraged to acquaint themselves with the library's resources and to make suggestions for materials anytime throughout the year. It is their interest and assignments that bring the student into the library to use the facilities, says Miss Anne Selles, librarian. Holland Christian Library is an ideal place in which to work. It is a large, spacious room, well-lighted, and decorated in soft green. All woodwork and furniture are finished in blond wood.

Plants, pictures, sculptured busts, and pottery add to the atmosphere of the room. The well-stocked shelves make the books easily accessible to students. The librarian is readily available to help any student who needs reference assistance. This may involve, use of the card Guide catalog, checking the Readers 10 Periodical Literature for magazine articles and the Verlical File for pamphlets, and using the Picture File and the Art Print File. Other materials are also available.

If a student wishes to find information about a future career, a file on various careers and college catalogs await him. A large number of magazines provide recreational and informational reading for those who are interested. There is a phonograph record collection from which the students may check out records for a three day, aesthetic period; experience thus they into the bring home an for other members of their families to enjoy. At the beginning of the school year, one of the first services necessary is the library orientation for new students. Each student IS told that the library is an integral part of his school life, and that the ability to use it intelligently 1S takes part in the Calvin College Music Festival.

Highlight of the band work is the appearance in the various Tulip Time parades. This year the 115 piece concert band will also give a special outdoor concert during Tulip Time. CHS Competes In Six Sports of the Lord, believing parents are enjoined to do all within their powto teach their children in the er of the fear of the Lord. ways Christian School parents in our time recognize that the day school is the recognized and legal means for teaching children The ways of the fear of the Lord are considered to be the teachings of the Bible, as the Special Revelation of God, and the knowledge of all of created phenomena as the general revelation of God. The distribution between the educational work of the church and of the school 15 considered to be a matter of emphasis.

The church is expected to place first and almost exclusive emphasis on Bible study and the doctrine of the church drawn from the Bible. The school, on the other hand, is expected to place first emphasis on God's general revelation, the subject matter of history, science, mathematics, fine art, language arts, and social studies. Philosophical Basis At this point, the theological principles touch upon the philosophical considerations of School. Philosophically, Holland Christian Schools are committed to the premise that truth comes to men by the revelation of God. This concept stands in opposition to the idea that truth is arrived at merely by means of human observation, reasoning, or experimentation.

sun" suggests that all of is nothing ledge, truth, and and fact has its origin in God in his act of creation. Education and learning then is a process of studying, discovering and analysising the expression of truth as given by God in the Bible and in all of His created world. Formal learning is essentially the process of transmitting a spiritual and cultural heritage. This heritage consists of two strands of historic background; our GraecoRoman cultural stem and our Judeao-Christian heritage In the Christian School these two strands are inseparably interwined. This is to say, that the secular and sacred elements of Western Civilization are considered in relation to each other, and that subject matter items are selected accord1ng to these two streams of cultural flow.

The phychological bases for Christian stems from both the theological and the philosophical arguments. The Christian education believes in the integral unity of the child, or individual. Body, mind, spirit, and soul are completely integrated in the normal individual. From this it follows that learning is a religious experience. Inasmuch as It is a religious experience, learning then must be centered around a specific core of religious moral and spiritual valucs.

This means that such a cost of values should be consistent in the home. church, and school experiences for the child. If the value core is to be the core of values as established by historic, Protestant, evangelical Christianity, it follows that these cannot be supplied by a school system which the public is required to support. Further, if a prescribed standard of values is be taught, teachers will have to selected who agree to the standards outlined above. This is the prerogative of the private school.

Motivation for the pupil of the Christian school has a Biblical basis. His life is to be purposeful in implementing two divine commandments. First of all, he must be concerned with teaching the Gospel of Salvation to all men. This is referred to as the Dir he Commission. Further, he is to become master of the earth, and appropriate all of the material forces and phenomena to the good of mankind.

This the Christian School referes to as its Cultural Mandate. Good American citizenship is inherent in this goal. The ultimate underlying goal of all human existence and effort is to live to the glory of God. Instructional Program The program of instruction at Holland Christian Schools resembles the usual American school. Pupils are organized into grades and classrooms, with an average of about 30 pupils per teacher.

All the usual subjects are taught, and in addition Bible lessons are taught. Music is taught largely by music teachers. Miss Albertha Bratt and Mrs Harold Grissen go from room to room in the five elementary schools. An extensive instrumental music program IS In operation under Henry Vander Linde and Richard Williams. On the basis of the clementary band and string classes, the high school produces concert bands and orchestra.

The a cappella choir is under the direction of Marvin Baas. Instruction In art IS given direction by Miss Sylvia Suelstra. She spends the afternoon of each day teaching art for the several fifth and sixth grade classes. Mrs. Kleis leaches an art course for high school students.

The high school stresses academic achievement The pre-college curriculum prepares students amply for admission to any college or university. Courses in commercial subjects supplement basic courses for the markelable business skills Differentiation for students not i intending to go to college and for those less academically inclined 15 provided within the regular subject areas. CHS Active In Debate Forensics and debate continues to play a big part in the extra curricular offerings of Holland Christian High School. The school each year has fine debate squads which compete in two leagues, the state league with opponents supplied by the Michigan Forensics Association, and the Christian School league. Christian Iligh Schools from Grand Rapids.

Kalamazoo, Hudsonville and Cutlerville along with Holland make up the league. Samuel Greydanus is the debate coach, also serving as sponsor of the debate club from which the competitive teams are chosen. A large number of Holland Christian Iligh school students annually compete for honors in forensics. Eliminations are held five speaking divisions, extempore, humorous, interpretative, declamation and original oratory. First and second place winners are eligible to complete in district eliminations with other schools.

These winners again compete with other high schools for regional honors. Arlin Meyer of the English department serves as director of forensics. Schools Rank High in Music Musically speaking, the Holland Christian schools rank tops with large numbers of students taking part in various organizations. Miss Albertha Bratt and Mrs. Harold Grissen are the vocal instructors on the grade school and junior high level.

Marvin Baas of the high school faculty directs the high school vocal music. He has directed the high school a capella choir for about 30 years and annually turns out one of the finest vocal music groups in the community. They, repeatedly throughout the years, receive the top ratings from adjudicators in state wide competition. He is also responsible for smaller vocal ensembles and also directs a freshman girls choir. A large number of students also take part in the instrumental music activities in the school system.

These activities are under the direction of Henry Vander Linde, assisted by Richard Williams. Vander Linde directs the high school band and the cadet band and is assisted by Williams in the grade school band work. Williams also directs the school orchestra. Each year the various groups, both vocal and instrumental, give concerts and take part in community functions. Highlight of the choir's year is the rendition of "The Messiah" during the Christmas season, Besides appearing in various concerts, the choir also RAYMOND HOLWERDA CLARE POTT Holwerda Stepping Down As Athletic Director very important.

Orientation is begun by English teachers who explain the function of the library using the textbook material, filmstrips, and charts. After this, students visit the library by classes and the librarian explains the location of materials, and describes the rules for attendance, checking out books, etc. Twenty students function as library assistants throughout the year. These student assistants are important to the library because they help to develop interest in the library among the student body and the assistants themselves develop an appreciation for and a knowledge of the library. For the librarian, their work is invaluable since they assume responsibility for numerous details which allow the librarian freedom for more specialized services.

Miss Anne Selles has a master's degree in library science from the University of Michigan. She is a member of the Michigan Association of School Librarians. Holland Christian High School Library. IS a member of the American Library Association. stepping down taking over On Traverse City's waterfront is a charming children's park and zoo of Michigan animals and fish life.

There is a miniature replica of the core city, a Tom Thumb train, carousel and kiddie rides. Public beaches and bath houses adjoin the Con Foster Historical 'Museum at the park is a treasure house of local and Michigan historical relics and lore. After 20 years of directing the athletic fortunes of Holland Christian as athletic director, Raymond Holwerda is stepping down from the post. Holwerda also serves as principal and press of administraduties forced the move. During this period of time, he missed only one Holland Christian basketball game, home or away.

He said that the first game he saw Holland Christian play when coming to Holland 26 5 years ago was against Saugatuck. When Holwerda took over in 1943, Christian was a class school. A few years later its enrollment increased to the point that it became a school which it still is today. However, recent figures show that by next September Holland Christian may be over the 900 mark, forcing it into the class A ranks. This will only be temporary, however, as a newly planned Zeeland Christian High IS In the offing and will then keep its own students rather than sending about 40 each year to Holland as sophomores.

Holwerda is being succeeded by Clare Pott who has been connected with Holland Christian sports IN some capacity for the last 15 years. He has either coached reserve basketball or tennis during that time. He has also served as chairman of the athletic committee for a long period of One of Holwerda's big regrets during his tenure of office is not seeing the erection of a new gymnasium auditorium, he reports. A fund for the eventual erection of such a building has been establishled however. Holland Christian High School competes in six sports interscholastically with football, the only major one missing from the list.

Christian has teams in basketball, baseball, tennis, golf, track and cross country. Competing on a statewide basis, both basketball and tennis share the spotlight. The basketball squads under the direction of veteran Coach Art Tuls who has completed 16 years at Christian High, have established enviable records throughout the years. Repeatedly during Tuls' tenure his squads have rated high in state rankings. Twice in the last eight years, Christian's cage squad has finished runnerup for the class title.

Elmer Ribbens has completed three years coaching the Holland Christian reserve basketball squad. Tennis too has come down for its share of statewide fame. Christian won the class championship in 1954 and 1955 under the direction of Clare Pott, the present coach. In the last two years, Christian has been nosed out for the class crown by a point on one occasion and a point on the other. The locals presently boast of the defending class doubles champions in Tom Deur, a sophomore and Randy Nykamp, a junior.

A large number of boys annually are attracted by the other spring sports, baseball, track and golf. This year the baseball squad is coached by Jack Bos, the track and golf. This year the baseball squad is coached by Jack Bos the track squad by Marvin Huizenga, assisted by Norlyn Wolterink and the golf squad by Raymond Holwerda. Poor facilities hamper Christian's physical education, intramural and interscholastic activities. Christian has only a small outdated gymnasum which serves in many capacities throughout the day.

Chapel in two different sections convenes each day before the auditorium chairs are taken down so a limited physical education program can be carried out. Noon hours are devoted to what intramural activity can be housed in the gym under the direction of Ribbens. In the fall and winter season, the reserve basketball squad uses the gym for practice purposes, while the usually works out in the varsity, Holland Armory. Christian's basketball games are played in the Holland Civic Center under the ideal conditions. The 1o- cal school has a large enthusiastic basketball following and usually plays before over 2200 fans during its nine game home stand.

HIGH SCHOOL 1 MICHIGAN THE SCHOOL RIVER AT THE CRUX HOLLAND of the WH CHRISTIAN "Education for Meaning" SCHOOLS 1. What is truth? 2. Why right and wrong? 5 Elementary Sites 3. Why civil authority? A Central High School 4. Who determines 2600 Students values? 95 full time Teachers 5.

Where are we going? wal 644 0 644 0.