Cougar Connection
Cougar Connection 05/15/2026
May 15, 2026
SUMMER CARE REGISTRATION **DEADLINE EXTENDED**
Summer care is available starting June 1 for students age 3 to 12, staffed by Aly Mancilla and Darci VanValkenberg. Please register by next Friday, May 22 to guarantee a spot at https://www.calhounchristian.org/ccs-families/summer-care.cfm.
BIGGBY FUNDRAISER FOR MISSIONS
Sip and Serve with the Sophomore and Junior classes as they partner with Biggby on Friday, May 15. 10% off all sales from that day will be donated to our missions' fund. Swing by before school, for an afternoon pick up, or late night treat to the Biggby near the school at 1101 W Columbia Ave, Battle Creek.
"IT'S A NEW SEASON" FOR MRS. BELOTE
Join us Monday night to celebrate Mrs. Belote and the NEW SEASON she is entering.
IMPORTANT DATES IN MAY
May 15 – last day to sign up for Summer Care
May 14-15 – M-STEP Testing, 11th graders
May 15 – Biggby Fundraiser for Missions, 1101 W Columbia Ave, all day 10% goes to CCS!
May 18 – Open house celebration for Mrs. Jeralyn Belote, 5:00-7:00pm
May 21 – Class of 2026 Commencement, 6:30pm
May 22 – Half Day, 11:30am dismissal
May 25 – Memorial Day, no school
May 26-29 – MS trips (5th/6th May 27-29)
May 27 – Elementary Field Day, volunteers needed; sign up online by May 18
May 27-28 – HS Finals, half day 11:30am dismissal for HS only
May 28 – 2nd-4th Field Trip
May 29 – LAST DAY OF SCHOOL!! Half day, 11:30am dismissal for all
LOST AND FOUND
Be sure to check the lost and found areas before the end of school. Anything left remaining will be donated to charity the week after school ends.
MEDICATION
Please be sure to stop by the office and pick up any medication that belongs to your student. Any meds left at the end of the year will be properly disposed of.
TEXAS ROADHOUSE FUNDRAISER FOR ROBOTICS
Tuesday, May 26, visit Texas Roadhouse on Beckley Road and present this flyer (Dine In or Dine Out) to donate 10% to the Robotics Club.
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.
NEW: Breakfast at CCS
CCS students now have the option to pick up breakfast at school! Served before school from 7:30-7:40am in the CCS Kitchen, breakfast will include an entree (such as a muffin, granola bar, cereal, etc), 2 pieces of fruit, and milk. The cost is $1.60 per meal, or for those on the reduced/free list, $0.30 for reduced, $0 for free. Please tell your children if you do not want them to pick up breakfast as we will be charging families in FACTS for the meals their children come to get in the mornings (this is different from our lunch program). Please direct questions to Michelle Wilson.
CCS BOARD MEMBERS NEEDED
The board is accepting applications for new members. If you are interested, please contact Jim Merkle at jim.merkle@calhounchristian.org or 269-967-4528.
FIELD DAY 2026
Volunteer to help at the elementary FIELD DAY May 27. There are two time frames to assist: 8:00 am-11:30 am and 11:45 pm – 2:45 pm. You may also choose to volunteer for the entire day. Sign up will close May 18.
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VOLUNTEER HOURS DUE MAY 29
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! We are always in need of volunteers for Lunch, Popcorn, and Sports (contact Don Hughes for more info about taking tickets at soccer games, etc). 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!
2026 GRADUATION OPEN HOUSES
Seth Allabaugh: May 24, 4:30-8:00 pm, 1802 H Drive South, East Leroy [Res Les Farms]
Elise Belote: May 22, 5:30-8:00pm, 9765 ½ Mile Rd, Climax
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
Josiah Lootens: May 24, 1:00-4:00pm, 1079 North Ave, Battle Creek [North Ave Church of God]
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
Elliana Olds: May 23, 5:00-8:00pm, 567 Oak St., Athens
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]
Cougar Connection 04/24/2026
April 24, 2026
SUMMER CARE IS COMING TO CCS!
CCS is offering Summer Care for the summer of 2026 for students enrolled for the 2026-2027 school year. This is available to students ages 3 years old to 12 years old, Monday - Friday, June 1st - August 14th with one week off, June 29 - July 3rd. It will be staffed by Aly Mancilla and Darci VanValkenberg along with a couple other people who will serve as subs or part time. Please see the attached documents for more information and enrollment steps. Deadline to enroll is May 15.
See the attached information for more details. Here is a link to enroll: https://www.calhounchristian.org/ccs-families/summer-care.cfm
TEACHER AND STAFF APPRECIATION
Let's celebrate our amazing teachers and staff! Teacher and Staff Appreciation Day at CCS will be Friday, May 1st. There are many ways to show gratitude- a handwritten note, fresh flowers, their favorite sweet treat, or a gift card! Be creative and have fun!
The PIT Crew is putting together a special project for the week and is looking for short notes of gratitude from our school families. If you would like to contribute, please fill out this google form: https://forms.gle/qspitfPc196szGvB9 YOUR HELP IS GREATLY APPRECIATED!
MEDICINE NEEDED for the Dominican Republic medical mission trip!
We need CHEWABLE CHILDREN'S Zyrtec, Claritin, OR Allegra for the children who will be seen in our clinics. If you can donate a pkg of chewable children's allergy medicine, please send it into the school by Tuesday, April 28. THANK YOU!
LEGO CLUB
The last LEGO CLUB day is May 12. Thank you Mrs. Rome to your commitment to making education FUN!
LOST AND FOUND
Be sure to check the lost and found areas before the end of school. Anything left remaining will be donated to charity the week after school ends.
FIELD DAY 2026
Volunteer to help at the elementary FIELD DAY May 27. There are two time frames to assist: 8:00 am-11:30 am and 11:45 pm – 2:45 pm. You may also choose to volunteer for the entire day. Sign up will close May 18.
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VOLUNTEER HOURS DUE MAY 29
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! We are always in need of volunteers for Lunch, Popcorn, and Sports (contact Don Hughes for more info about taking tickets at soccer games, etc). 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.
2026 GRADUATION OPEN HOUSES
Seth Allabaugh: May 24 4:30-8:00 pm 1802 H Drive South East LeRoy MI [Res Less Farms]
Olivia Compton: June 6 4:00 pm-7:00 pm 16151 Garrett Way Marshall MI
Kyle DeVisser: June 6 3:00 pm-5:00 pm 3015 Nichols Road Kalamazoo MI [Second CRC-Activity Bdlg]
Josiah Lootens: May 24 1:00 pm-4:00 pm 1079 North Ave Battle Creek MI [North Ave Church of God]
SPORTS INFO
If you would like to volunteer for sports in any capacity (score board, books, concessions, gate, film), please contact don.hughes@calhounchristian.org.
Cougar Connection
April 10, 2026
STILL TIME TO REENROLL!
For those who missed the reenrollment deadline, you can still complete reenrollment through June 30 by logging into the FACTS Family Portal and clicking on Apply/Enroll and then Enrollment/Reenrollment. Contact our enrollment specialist, Michelle Wilson, with questions.
MAY LUNCH ORDERS OPEN - Due Apr 19
Last lunch order of the year already! May's lunch orders are open and due April 19; log into the FACTS Family Portal, click on Student, then Lunch, then Create Web Order to submit your order. If you want to help serve lunch to help count towards service hours, sign up for a slot on our Sign Up Genius!
SUMMER CARE IS COMING TO CCS
CCS is offering Summer Care for the summer of 2026 for students enrolled for the 2026-2027 school year. This is available to students ages 3 years old to 12 years old, Monday - Friday, June 1st - August 14th with one week off, June 29 - July 3rd. It will be staffed by Aly Mancilla and Darci VanValkenberg along with a couple other people who will serve as subs or part time. Please see the attached documents for more information and enrollment steps.
See the attached information for more details. Here is a link to enroll: https://www.calhounchristian.org/ccs-families/summer-care.cfm
LEGO CLUB FREEBUILD SCHEDULE CHANGE
Our next Lego club will be on Tuesday, April 21. Students will be in the cafeteria from 2:45-3:30. Pick up is out front! See you there!
BLOOD DRIVE
Please consider donating blood on Wednesday, April 22 from 1-6:15 pm in the chapel at CCS. Schedule your appointment at RedCrossBlood.org using the code CalhounChristian or call 1-800-RED-CROSS.
PROM 2026 – “Moonlight Gala - A Night of Intrigue”
All high school students are invited to attend the 2026 Spring Prom April 25 5:30 pm – 9 pm. Tickets are on sale now in the office for $45 each. The Spring Prom will take place at the Res Les Farms-1802 H Drive S, East Leroy.
Charitable Union, at 85 Calhoun St, is offering free prom dresses. Just take your school ID or proof of enrollment. Dresses are available FCFS at Charitable Union from 9 am – 4 pm Monday through Wednesday and the second Saturday of the month [April 11 and May 9] from 9 am to Noon. If you have dresses you would like to donate, they also accept donations. For more details, contact Charitable Union at 269-964-7234 or email at info@charitableunion.org
VOLUNTEER HOURS DUE MAY 29
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! We are always in need of volunteers for Lunch, Popcorn, and Sports (contact Don Hughes for more info about taking tickets at soccer games, etc). 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.
2026-2027 SCHOOL CALENDAR
Please see the attached school calendar for next year.
FOLLIES 2026
We are hosting Follies on Friday, April 17 at 6:00pm. Follies is a Mission Trip Fundraiser put on by the Class of 2026. All of our preschool and elementary students will be in an act through their music class!
SPORTS INFO
If you would like to volunteer for sports in any capacity (score board, books, concessions, gate, film), please contact don.hughes@calhounchristian.org
Cougar Connection 03/27/2026
March 27, 2026
SPRING BREAK: Enjoy a week off school, March 30 – April 3. School resumes April 6.
STILL TIME TO REENROLL!
For those who missed the reenrollment deadline, you can still complete reenrollment through June 30 by logging into the FACTS Family Portal and clicking on Apply/Enroll and then Enrollment/Reenrollment. Contact our enrollment specialist, Michelle Wilson, with questions.
23rd ANNUAL AUCTION: Let Nature Sing
The annual auction was a wonderful success, bringing together families, friends, and community partners in a spirit of generosity and shared purpose. Guests enjoyed an evening filled with fellowship, friendly bidding, and heartfelt support for the school’s mission. Thanks to the enthusiastic participation of attendees and the generosity of donors, the event surpassed its fundraising goals. The school raised close to $97,000. Our Auction committee was committed to lowering costs, which led to this being the most profitable auction our school has ever had.
Proceeds from the auction will directly support the school’s commitment to Christ‑centered education and help to further the school's ability to offer tuition assistance to families. The evening was a beautiful reminder of how God works through community, and the school is deeply grateful for everyone who contributed time, talent, and treasure to make the event possible.
MAY LUNCH ORDERS OPEN - Due Apr 19
Last lunch order of the year already! May's lunch orders are open and due April 19; log into the FACTS Family Portal, click on Student, then Lunch, then Create Web Order to submit your order. If you want to help serve lunch to help count towards service hours, sign up for a slot on our Sign Up Genius!
SUMMER CHILDCARE
Exciting news! CCS is launching a summer childcare program, open Monday through Friday from 7:00 AM to 6:00 PM. We look forward to sharing more details soon!
2026-2027 SCHOOL CALENDAR
Please see the attached school calendar for next year.
LEGO CLUB AND ROBOTICS CAN DRIVE — Wednesday, April 8
Please bring in returnable cans and bottles on Wednesday, April 8 to support the Lego Club / Team 8608 Alphabots.
Drop donations off at the trailer in the back parking lot before or after school.
Lego Club members who would like to help return bottles at Meijer on Columbia are welcome to join—just let Mr. and Mrs. Rome know! Diane.rome@calhounchristian.org
FOLLIES 2026
We are hosting Follies on Friday, April 17 at 6:00pm. Follies is a Mission Trip Fundraiser put on by the Class of 2026. All of our preschool and elementary students will be in an act through their music class!
SPORTS INFO
If you would like to volunteer for sports in any capacity (score board, books, concessions, gate, film), please contact don.hughes@calhounchristian.org.
Cougar Connection 03/20/2026
March 20, 2026
REENROLLMENT ENDS TODAY!
Current families have first dibs on spots for the 2026-2027 school year, if reenrollment is completed by TODAY, March 20. Complete enrollment by logging into the FACTS Family Portal and clicking on Apply/Enroll and then Enrollment/Reenrollment. Reenrollment can still be completed but the price goes up by $25 per person beginning March 21 and spots aren't guaranteed.
FOLLIES 2026
We are hosting Follies on Friday, April 17 at 6:00pm. Follies is a Mission Trip Fundraiser put on by the Class of 2026. All of our preschool and elementary students will be in an act through their music class!
TOMORROW! FIRE FALL MINISTRIES PRESENTS
Join this amazing group of God loving, worship team as they lead us in worship to our God. This free event is open to all and will take place on March 21 at 6 pm in the CCS gym.
SPORTS INFO
If you would like to volunteer for sports in any capacity (score board, books, concessions, gate, film), please contact don.hughes@calhounchristian.org.