A Mustang Minute
Our January School Newsletter
MEET OUR NEW MUSTANG STAFF MEMBERS
Ben Versluys – Middle School and High School Physical Education Teacher
Out of high school, I attended Aurora University and Elgin Community College, where I played basketball. Then I attended Western Michigan University, where I pursued a degree in Sales and Marketing. Following my time there, I took classes to get my personal training certification. I have wanted to teach because of the passion I have to help students grow, not only in academics, but also as a person. Yorkville Christian School has blessed me with the opportunity to be the physical education teacher, and I have loved growing closer to the students. I love being able to help students grow in their walk with God as well.
I worked for a minor league hockey team for about 1.5 years in their sales department while living in Kalamazoo before deciding it was time for me to move back to Illinois. Before YCS, I was coaching basketball at the high school level at Westminster Christian in Elgin. I saw the opportunity to work at Yorkville Christian and felt that the Lord was leading me here. My prayer is that I can help these students grow, just as my high school teachers did for me.
Autumn Johanningsmeier – High School Language Arts Teacher and Middle School Agriculture Teacher
I am very excited to join the Mustang Family! I am teaching freshman and sophomore English, as well as Introduction to Agriculture for 7th and 8th grades second semester. I was born and raised in Waterman, IL, where I still reside. I recently graduated from Judson University with a bachelor’s degree in Secondary Education. I also played softball there! Throughout my entire athletic career I have been a mentor, coach and even umpire, at times, to the younger athletes. This sparked my passion and love for teaching and helping others. Other than teaching, I love to read, play sports and spend time with my family.
God has blessed me with this amazing opportunity, and I could not be more grateful. I am super excited to see what the rest of this school year brings, and I am even more excited to get to know each student and help them succeed!
Baby Wiesbrook – Our Newest Mustang!
Blair Wiesbrook, our Agriculture Teacher, and her husband, Cordell, welcomed their baby boy into the world on Friday, January 12, 2024 (yes, in the middle of the most foul weather of 2023). Meet Cannon Karl Wiesbrook, born at 8:24am, weighing in at 6 pounds 4 ounces, 19.5 inches long.
May God bless Cannon, Blair and Cordell!
MISSION ADVANCEMENT
It most likely is a “given” that each of us, at sometime in our lives, have had this thought or actually asked the question out loud before a spouse, parent, relative, or friend – “what would happen if…”
If you were to follow through, you just might have made a life-changing discovery, created a new product/recipe, took a chance on a move or a job, healed a broken relationship, and the list goes on.
Well, most of you have probably heard or read that this is Yorkville Christian School’s 10th anniversary. Stop and think of what a leap of faith it was for John and Michelle Stewart to initialize the starting of a Christian school. If you were to visit with them, I am positive that leap of faith started with “what would happen if….”
As we shared in our Annual Fund appeal last fall, since 2014, the following are just a few examples of Yorkville Christian School’s growth:
- 13 students to almost 200!
- a meager rental unit to a 75,000 square foot building on 30 acres
- a handful of instructors to 23 Christ-centered, talented faculty members
- limited curriculum to offering articulated college credit and honors classes
- ordinary room to a brand new science lab and computer lab
- no sports to excellent athletic and club opportunities for our student body
The most rewarding part is that many of you – parents, alumni, grandparents, staff, friends – have shared in this growth. Thank YOU for being faithful pray warriors, donors, and supporters along the way. Thank you, specifically, for your monetary support, as it takes many “hands” and many dollars to grow from 2014 to 2024!
Though most donations are made during the fall quarter, donations are welcomed and needed year round. Want to be a supporter? Thanks to technology, there are several options available – online giving at yorkvillechristian.com/donation, drop off at school, and US Postal Service are all available.
In the meantime, keep watch your mail, email, and newsletters for possible plans for a matching gift challenge in “honor” of our 10th anniversary along with a special celebration.
However, through the ten years, there has been one constant – God’s guiding and blessing. We are grateful for His leading as we continue to partner with our families and friends to encourage and empower students through study and community service to be responsible, Christ-centered citizens in God’s world.
From our Board, staff, parents, and students, we thank God for you, your prayers, and your support.
Connie J Brott
Director of Mission Advancement
Legacy Bricks
Are you looking to give a memorable and unique gift to someone? Maybe for Valentine’s Day or a birthday?
**GIVE A LEGACY BRICK**
This is perfect for your graduating senior, your star athlete, a tribute to a loved one…
Celebrate your connection to Yorkville Christian School…your legacy!
Choose from 4″ x 8″ or 8″ x 8″ bricks, add text, add logos —–> your choice
Also great gifts for alumni, family or friends that support YCS, businesses and organizations that share the vision of YCS!
BONUS! You can even order a replica brick: one is made for the school and one is made for you to display at your home!
Click here for more information: https://yorkvillechristian.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/Legacy-Brick.pdf
Print out the form, fill it out and send it and your payment to: Yorkville Christian School, 2001 Whitekirk Lane, Yorkville, IL 60560
Questions? Email Mrs. Janine McDavitt (janinemcdavitt@yorkvillechristian.com)
CLASSROOM CORNER
With 2nd semester just underway, let’s take a look at some fun learning experiences in the classrooms right before Christmas break!
Mrs. Painter’s Science classes made Christmas ornaments – copper plating with galvanized steel. This proves that science can be used everywhere!
Mrs. Aguado’s Spanish classes created mock food trucks from various Hispanic countries, along with a menu for their food truck. Students brought in samples from their food truck menus. They had a great time eating and learning about the foods from so many countries!
YCS Clubs
Watch for some highlights and pictures in upcoming newsletters (as well as on our social media pages) from our 2023-2024 Clubs!
Art: Mr. McDavitt
Bible Study (Girls): Mrs. Painter
Bible Study (Guys): Mr. Maroney
Business: Mr. Bieterman and Mr. Ben Versluys
Chess: Mr. Ashmore
FFA: Mrs. Wiesbrook, Mrs. Stewart, Mrs. Garbelman
Math: Mr. Spears
NHS: Mr. Garcia
Prayer Team: Mrs. Sovern
Yearbook: Mrs. Motley and Mrs Loffredi (parent)
Mustang Athletics
Lady Mustang Basketball
According to Girls Basketball Coach, Dr. Jeff Schutt, the season really starting to gain momentum this month when the full squad was back in place. The win over Timothy Christian on January 12, defeating their opponent 53-45, set the tone for the what the rest of the season can bring, and even going into next year! This year’s girls basketball team, made up of only 8 players, are tough and committed to learning, improving and striving for the excellence. This team, in only year three of girls basketball at YCS, are setting the tone for all the Lady Mustangs basketball players to follow. Keep up the great work, Ladies!
Boys Basketball
Coach Sovern, who leads our Mustang Boys Basketball team, reports on this stand-out game from this season for our guys. On January 13, YCS welcomed highly-ranked, 2A powerhouse, Christ The King to The Canyon. Our Mustangs demonstrated grit and came away with a 73-72 victory! Brady Sovern’s two free-throws and Jayden Riley’s clutch 3-point play helped the Mustangs overcome a 4-point deficit with 25 seconds left to play! For that game, Riley led the team with 30 points and Zach Marini add 23 points, including seven 3-pointers. Way to go, Mustangs!
MUSTANGS IN THE COMMUNITY
Just before Christmas break, Yorkville Christian served mission-ally again, in addition to serving at Operation Christmas Child earlier in the month of December. Our high school students, along with teacher, staff and parent chaperones, traveled to Feed My Staring Children in Aurora to pack meals for children and families all over the world. During their session, over 32,000 meals were packed into 151 boxes. That translates into feeding 89 children a meal a day for a year! And, of course, as is tradition, students and adults had lunch at Portillo’s after packing meals before returning to school.
Early Enrollment Discount for NEW Families
Any new family to Yorkville Christian School who enrolls before March 1, 2024, for the 2024-2025 school year, will receive an Early Enrollment Discount off of their tuition.
Here is the link for New Family Enrollment: https://yorkvillechristian.com/enrollment/
Upcoming Shadow Days for Prospective Students
ATTENTION PROSPECTIVE FAMILIES WITH 5th through 11th GRADERS!
Sign up your student for one or more of our Shadow Days at Yorkville Christian School!
Shadow Days include visits to specific classes central to the theme of that particular Shadow Day, meeting those teachers, hearing about clubs and projects, and learning about all the available classes offered in that subject, attending chapel, enjoying a catered lunch with staff, and receiving a gift bag!
This is a great way for a student to see what it’s like to be a Mustang for the day! Students are allowed to visit us multiple times!
Click on the link below, hover over the “Events” tab, select the Shadow Day(s) for your student, and complete the online registration form.
https://www.yorkvillechristian.com/
Questions? Email Tim Schnyders, Director of Enrollment
SIGN UP TODAY!
Upcoming Spring Open House
SPRING OPEN HOUSE at YORKVILLE CHRISTIAN SCHOOL
SUNDAY, MARCH 17, 2024: 1pm-4pm
This event is for prospective families with students currently in 4th grade through 11th grade!
Come see our Middle School AND High School!
We begin at 1pm to hear from our principal about the agenda for the afternoon.
Then sectional presentations start shortly after, covering spiritual growth, academics, technology, athletics, curriculum, financial assistance, college credit, IVCC partnership, transportation, and much more! You’ll hear from our dedicated faculty, tour classrooms, our gym, “The Canyon”, etc.
Then after the sectionals, you’ll head over to our Athletics and Clubs Fair, where you can meet our coaches and club sponsors, and students too!
Gift bags for all students who attend!
And we will have some refreshments to re-energize you!
Please register here: https://yorkvillechristian.com/home/open-house-registration/
Contact Tim Schnyders, our Director of Enrollment at tschnyders@yorkvillechristian.com
Returning Families RE-Enrollment Nights
Attention Current YCS Parents!
RE-ENROLLMENT NIGHTS!
Get these dates on your calendar TODAY!
**Thursday, February 15 for all CURRENT MIDDLE SCHOOL FAMILIES
**Tuesday, March 12 for all CURRENT HIGH SCHOOL FAMILIES
On these nights, we will re-enroll ALL current families (except for graduating seniors) for the 2024-2025 school year. These meetings will take place at 7pm in the school chapel.
We will have all the necessary paperwork ready for families to complete, and families will be asked to make their tuition down payment ($600 per student) for the 2024-2025 school year on these evenings.
BONUS! We will be offering a $250 early enrollment discount for any family who re-enrolls their students on these nights ONLY!
All current families must re-enroll their student(s) by April 1, 2024 for the 2024-2025 school year or there will be an additional $100 late fee assessed.
The re-enrollment nights help us gather the information/enrollment numbers we need to continue to plan for the quality, Christ-centered learning experience for our students at Yorkville Christian.
*Please note that the online enrollment application and link for the tuition down payment on our website is for NEW families ONLY.
Looking forward to seeing you all those nights!
YCS ONLINE – FB, Instagram & our website
Be sure to stay connected with up-to-date news about the school, athletics, school closings, clubs, and so much more on our social media pages!
“Like” us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/YorkvilleChristianSchool/
Follow us on Instagram: http://www.instagram.com/yorkvillechristianschool2001/
And check out our updated website for some new features and links:
https://www.yorkvillechristian.com
Alumni Spotlight
Meet Sydney Peterson – Class of 2022
After ten months of recruitment, Sydney is officially a firefighter/EMT with the Montgomery Fire Department! She is now setting her sites on medic school. Sydney has advice to our current YCS students: “Nothing that’s worth it in life is easy. You can do anything you want in life, but you have to be willing to put in the work and go get it! One quote that constantly motivates me in my world of Fire/EMT is: ‘This is the one job where moms will run up to you and hand you their kids without even knowing your name.’ Respect is not given, it’s earned.”
Best wishes to you, Sydney, and we hope to see you on campus sometime soon!
YORKVILLE CHRISTIAN SCHOOL UPCOMING EVENTS
February 1 – Math & Science Shadow Day
February 15 – Fine Arts Shadow Day
February 15 – Re-Enrollment Night for Middle School
February 19 – No School (Presidents Day)
February 20-23 – FFA Week
February 22 – Agriculture Shadow Day
March 4 – Mustang Shadow Day
March 12 – Re-Enrollment Night for High School
March 17 – Spring Open House
March 25-April 1 – No School (Spring Vacation & Easter holiday)
