Cougar Connection
September 18, 2026
OCTOBER LUNCH ORDERS DUE SEPT 19 - TOMORROW
October's hot lunch orders are open and need to be placed by September 19. Log into the FACTS Family Portal, click on Student, then Lunch, then +Create Web Order to submit your order (yes, even free lunch needs to be placed). If you need to apply for a free/reduced lunch, complete this application through Lakeview (our lunch vendor). If you want to help serve lunch, sign up for a slot on our Sign Up Genius!
“FREE” LUNCH UPDATE
We will not be getting free lunch for all students this year due to some complications that will arise with a projected shortage of funds in this program. Since serving breakfast was tied to getting free lunch for all, we are going to cease serving breakfast as of October 1 but hot lunch will continue on as we have in the past. Nothing will change for the lunch program other than a reminder that parents need to have a free/reduced lunch application on file for their children to qualify for a discounted lunch.
Lunch costs for 2026-2027 are:
• $3.40/regular cost
• $0.40/reduced
• $0.00/free
I will be charging for August and September meals that were ordered (if your child wasn't free already through the application program) at the end of September. Please contact Michelle Wilson if you have questions or concerns.
COOKIES AND CANVAS/A MOTHER SON EVENT
Join us on Friday, October 2nd from 6-7:30pm for Cookies and Canvas with Create in Me Art Studio – a Mother and Son event! The event will take place in the CCS cafeteria and tickets are on sale in the office until September 23rd. The cost is $15/painter. This includes art instruction with Miss Rachel from Create in Me, all your needed art supplies, and, of course, cookies! Hope to see you there!
LEGO AND ROBOTICS CLUBS
Due to staffing changes, we are not able to offer Lego club or robotics this year. If you are interested in helping with this program, please see Mrs. Rome.
SPORTS VOLUNTEERS NEEDED
If you are interested in helping with sports games, please contact don.hughes@calhounchristian.org
SAVE THE DATES! CALHOUN CHRISTIAN SCHOOL CHRISTMAS PROGRAMS AND LIVE NATIVITY!
• Preschool Program Thursday, December 3 at 4:30 pm. Doors open at 4.
(The gymnasium will be cleared between programs.)
• Elementary Program: Thursday, December 3 at 6:00 pm. Doors open at 5:30.
• MS/ HS Live Nativity Program: Friday, December 4 from 6-8 pm. Doors open at 5:30.
Keep watching for information regarding costumes and cookies!
September 11, 2026
OCTOBER LUNCH ORDERS DUE SEPT 19
October's hot lunch orders are open and need to be placed by September 19. Log into the FACTS Family Portal, click on Student, then Lunch, then +Create Web Order to submit your order (yes, even free lunch needs to be placed). If you need to apply for a free/reduced lunch, complete this application through Lakeview (our lunch vendor). If you want to help serve lunch, sign up for a slot on our Sign Up Genius!
RAISERIGHT
Raiseright has huge deals September 11th- 14th using the app! If you buy an egift card and use it anytime the rebates are huge!
See the attached flyer but here's an example of some of the rebates:
• Applebees - 18%
• Barnes & Noble - 11%
• Bob Evans - 15%
• Carrabba's - 13%
• Chili's - 18%
• Columbia Sports wear - 17%
• Delta Airlines - 7%
• Old Navy - 18%
And many more!!
As an example - buying a $100 egift card to Applebees costs you $82 - the difference or $18 - 50% comes back to you and 50% is donated to the school!
We are also attaching a flyer because Instacart is also available in RaiseRight.
COOKIES AND CANVAS/A MOTHER SON EVENT
Join us on Friday, October 2nd from 6-7:30pm for Cookies and Canvas with Create in Me Art Studio – a Mother and Son event! The event will take place in the CCS cafeteria and tickets are on sale in the office until September 23rd. The cost is $15/painter. This includes art instruction with Miss Rachel from Create in Me, all your needed art supplies, and, of course, cookies! Hope to see you there!
LEGO AND ROBOTICS CLUBS
Due to staffing changes, we are not able to offer Lego club or robotics this year. If you are interested in helping with this program, please see Mrs. Rome.
DOT DAY
We love to celebrate special days here at CCS! International DOT Day is September 15. Mrs. Norris has brought this fun tradition to our school. She will be telling a wonderful story in Art class about Vashti and all the possibilities that can come from a DOT! To celebrate, wear DOTS or circles that day. By the way, DOT DAY is also Mrs. Norris's birthday!
SPORTS VOLUNTEERS NEEDED
If you are interested in helping with sports games, please contact don.hughes@calhounchristian.org
September 03, 2026
ABSENCE
If your student will be absent for any reason, please contact the office one of three ways.
• Our website using this link. You will need your FACTS login credentials.
• Email – Office@calhounchristian.org
• Phone/VM – (269)-965-5560
You can also find a planned absence form here.
MIDDLE SCHOOL MEETING
There is a middle school meeting for all fifth grade parents and any new middle school families. This meeting will be held on September 8 at 6:30 pm in the chapel. Please make every effort to attend.
OCTOBER LUNCH ORDERS DUE SEPT 19
October's hot lunch orders are open and need to be placed by September 19. Log into the FACTS Family Portal, click on Student, then Lunch, then +Create Web Order to submit your order (yes, even free lunch needs to be placed). If you need to apply for a free/reduced lunch, complete this application through Lakeview (our lunch vendor). If you want to help serve lunch, sign up for a slot on our Sign Up Genius!
COOKIES AND CANVAS/A MOTHER SON EVENT
Join us on Friday, October 2nd from 6-7:30pm for Cookies and Canvas with Create in Me Art Studio – a Mother and Son event! The event will take place in the CCS cafeteria and tickets are on sale in the office until September 23rd. The cost is $15/painter. This includes art instruction with Miss Rachel from Create in Me, all your needed art supplies, and, of course, cookies! Hope to see you there!
POPCORN AND PICKLE FRIDAYS
P&P start Friday, September 11. This is a favorite around CCS. As the aroma of freshly popped popcorn fills the halls, we all know what day it is…. IT’S FRIDAY!!! Be sure to send $1 with your student for popcorn and pickle day. OR – if they want BOTH popcorn and pickle, send $2. If you would like to pay for the entire year of P&P, there are 26 Fridays to enjoy!
SPORTS VOLUNTEERS NEEDED
If you are interested in helping with sports games, please contact don.hughes@calhounchristian.org
NEED VOLUNTEER HOURS?
Popcorn & Pickle Fridays
Lunch Volunteers
Sports: Contact don.hughes@calhounchristian.org
Classrooms: Contact your student’s teachers
General: Contact office@calhounchristian.org
Cougar Connection 08/28/2026
August 28, 2026
WELCOME BACK - COUGAR CONNECTION
The first week of school has come and gone! Thanks to all the parents, students and staff that helped to make it a SUCCESS! We are all looking forward to a great year. Please check your emails for the weekly edition of the COUGAR CONNECTION to stay aware and involved with the happenings of CCS.
LOST AND FOUND
Please be sure to check all the lost and found areas for your student’s belongings. We will be donating everything at the end of each quarter
MEDICATION
Please be sure to stop by the office and pick up a medication form if your child needs to take ANY medication. Students should only take meds prescribed to them in the office. [ex. Advil, Tylenol, cough drops, etc]
CRC/CHAPERONE AGREEMENT
If you have not filled out a CRC and Chaperone agreement, you may still do so. This will allow you to volunteer at the school to fulfill your Family Service hours. Simply, fill out the forms completely and bring your driver’s license to the office. Hard copies of the form can also be picked up in the office.
ABSENCE
If your student will be absent for any reason, please contact the office one of three ways.
• Our website using this link. You will need your FACTS login credentials.
• Email – Office@calhounchristian.org
• Phone/VM – (269)-965-5560
You can also find a planned absence form here.
SICK POLICY
While we encourage students to attend school every day, an ill child will not perform well and may expose other students in the classroom. The school will send students home if any of the following symptoms are present. It is also expected that you will keep your child at home if any of these symptoms are present:
• fever of 100oF or greater (before medication; 24 hours free before returning)
• any known communicable disease (please notify the school of which disease; they include: chicken pox, coxsackievirus/hand, foot, mouth disease, croup, pertussis/whooping cough, pink eye, pinworms, impetigo, fifth disease, hepatitis, flu, measles, mumps, meningitis, strep throat, lice, ringworm, and scabies)
• an undiagnosed rash
• persistent or severe headache
• an earache or draining ear
• diarrhea or vomiting (24 hours free before returning)
• severe sore throat
• evidence of head lice
• persistent and severe cough
If your child has been diagnosed with a concussion, we must have a written release from the doctor before they will be permitted to rejoin gym, recess or other athletic activities.
MIDDLE SCHOOL MEETING
There is a middle school meeting for all fifth grade parents and any new middle school families. This meeting will be held on September 7 at 6:30 pm in the chapel. Please make every effort to attend.
COOKIES AND CANVAS/A MOTHER SON EVENT
Join us on Friday, October 2nd from 6-7:30pm for Cookies and Canvas with Create in Me Art Studio – a Mother and Son event! The event will take place in the CCS cafeteria and tickets are on sale in the office until September 23rd. The cost is $15/painter. This includes art instruction with Miss Rachel from Create in Me, all your needed art supplies, and, of course, cookies! Hope to see you there!
FIRST PIT CREW MEETING OF THE YEAR
The PIT Crew is the Parent Involvement Team of Calhoun Christian School. We plan special events for the school and spoil the amazing staff of CCS from time to time. Interested in learning more about the PIT Crew? Join us for our kickoff meeting on Monday, August 31 at 7:45am in the cafeteria. This is a great way to get connected and serve our awesome school community! Contact Amy Asma and Ashley LaRue at pitcrew@calhounchristian.org with any questions. See you there!
POPCORN AND PICKLE FRIDAYS
This is a favorite around CCS. As the aroma of freshly popped popcorn fills the halls, we all know what day it is…. IT’S FRIDAY!!! Be sure to send $1 with your student for popcorn and pickle day. OR – if they want BOTH popcorn and pickle, send $2.
2026-2027 SCHOOL CALENDAR
Please see the updated school calendar. Contact the office with any questions.
NEED VOLUNTEER HOURS?
Popcorn & Pickle Fridays
Lunch Volunteers
Sports: Contact don.hughes@calhounchristian.org
Classrooms: Contact your student’s teachers
General: Contact office@calhounchristian.org
Cougar Connection 05/29/2026
May 29, 2026
First day of 2026-2027 is August 24
See you next school year! The first day will be Monday, August 24. We will send out a back-to-school email mid-summer, or you can check on our website for info as we update at: CCS Families - Calhoun Christian School
LOST AND FOUND
Be sure to check the lost and found areas today before summer break. Anything left remaining will be donated to charity.
MEDICATION
Please be sure to stop by the office TODAY and pick up any medication that belongs to your student. Any meds left will be properly disposed.
SUMMER TUTORING
If you are interested in summer tutoring for your students, please contact one of the following for more information.
Aly Mancilla – (269) 571-3938 (see below for specific focus areas)
Elliana Olds – (269) 275-2123
Jessica Halder – (269) 243-5059
LOOKING FOR A BABYSITTER?
Call Olea Born for more information at (269) 580-2555!
NEED SPORTS PHYSICALS?
Whole Family Health Care will be at CCS on Tuesday, August 4, 8:00 am – Noon. Cost is $25 – CASH ONLY.
CCS Yard Signs
We want to get the word about CCS out into the community, and need your help! The CCS Development Committee commissioned yard signs for our families in order to get the word out about our school. They are available for pickup in the office.
CCS BOARD MEMBERS NEEDED
The board is accepting applications for new members. If you are interested, please contact Jim Merkle at james.merkle@calhounchristian.org or 269-967-4528.
VOLUNTEER HOURS DUE TODAY
As a reminder, 20 hours of service must be logged by the last day of school (May 29) or you will receive a bill for $12.50 per hour unserved in June. These service hours help keep our costs down and we appreciate your help greatly! Hours need to be logged in the FACTS Family Portal, under Family, then Family Home, and then click the "Add+" button under your name to enter service hours.
Popsicles on the Playground
If you have a preschooler this coming fall, please join us on Thursday, June 9 at 6:30pm on the preschool playground for a "cool" hangout with other preschool families as we gear up for the 2026-2027 school year. Feel free to invite or bring other parents of preschool-aged children as we also use this as a way to introduce the community to our CCS Preschool. There will also be another popsicle event on August 4, same time!
Meet Up and Eat Up This Summer at CCS!
We are hosting a Meet Up and Eat Up community program at CCS this summer, 11:30-12:00pm Monday to Friday starting June 8. Families can meet at the Preschool Entrance to pick up lunch (free for children up to 18); we will have some picnic tables set up on the cement pad outside the Preschool Entrance for children to enjoy their lunch.
2026 GRADUATION OPEN HOUSES
Kile Clemence: June 27, 3:00-6:00pm, 105 Morgan Ave, Battle Creek
Olivia Compton: June 6, 4:00-7:00pm, 16151 Garrett Way, Marshall
Kyle DeVisser: June 6, 3:00 pm-5:00pm, 3015 Nichols Road, Kalamazoo [Second CRC-Activity Bldg]
Jocelyn Dunakin: June 13, 1:00-3:00 pm, 409 Monroe St, Marshall
Jackson Knickerbocker: June 13, 3:00-6:00pm, 8011 Division Dr., Battle Creek
Kelli Lorencen: June 27, 1:00-4:00pm, 2601 Lacey Rd, Dowling [Pleasantview Family Church]
Jennifer O'Connor: June 7, 3:00-5:00pm, 253 Bradley St, Battle Creek
Eli Reeves: June 20, 1:00-3:00pm, 9331 Verona Rd, Battle Creek
Macie Swank: May 30, 1:00-4:00pm, 14425 Helmer Rd S, Battle Creek [Woodland Church]
Carter Thomas: May 30, 4:00-6:00pm, 3515 Michigan Ave [Overflow Church]