The Wolfpack Edge

It's August! A fresh start, new faces, renewed purpose, and the anticipation of all that God has in store.

This year, we're excited to welcome a wonderful group of new students and families to Western, along with a few new staff members who are already making an impact. Whether this is your first year at Western Christian or you've been with us for years, we're grateful you're here. Welcome!

For those who are new to Western, The Wolfpack Edge serves as our weekly communication, sent out every Thursday during the school year, to our community. Grandparents & supporters may request to receive the communication, too. Interested in getting the Wolfpack Edge in your inbox? Visit here to sign up!

A School Built on Purpose

I read something recently that has stuck with me. George Bernard Shaw once wrote:

"This is the true joy in life, the being used for a purpose recognized by yourself as a mighty one..."

While Shaw wasn't writing from a Christian perspective, his observation points to a truth found throughout Scripture: there is deep joy in giving ourselves to a purpose bigger than ourselves.

At Western, we believe Christian education is exactly that.

Every lesson taught, every practice coached, every meal served, every hallway conversation, every concert, game, chapel, and classroom discussion is an opportunity to shape young people for Christ. It's meaningful work. It's challenging work. And it's joyful work.

Hospitality Matters

One of the things I love most about Western is our growing culture of hospitality.

Rosaria Butterfield writes: "A hospitality house speaks for itself... Look at the open door. It's here for all to see." That image challenges me every year. Christian hospitality is much more than offering a cup of coffee or opening a door. It's creating an environment where people feel seen, known, loved, and welcomed. It's remembering names, inviting someone to sit with you, encouraging a student who's struggling, and helping new families feel like they've found a home.

Our prayer is that every person who walks through Western's doors experiences the love of Christ—not only through what we say, but through how we welcome them.

As another school year begins, thank you for partnering with us. We're excited to see how God will use this community to shape hearts, grow minds, and point students to Jesus.

It's going to be a great year.

New to Western?

Be sure to explore our New Parent Mini-Handbook, a quick guide filled with answers to frequently asked questions, helpful tips, and resources to help your family get off to a great start.

Dr. Brian Verwolf

Head Administrator

Mrs. Karen Christians

Director of Discipleship

Tuition statements for the 2026–27 school year are now available in JMC. The first tuition payment is due in August. In accordance with Western Christian School Board policy, families may choose from the following payment options:

• Pay in Full: Due August 15

• Semester Plan: Two equal payments due August 15 and January 15

• 10-Month ACH Plan: Equal monthly payments from August through May

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To help us prepare for the upcoming school year, all families are asked to complete the Tuition Payment Selection Form to indicate which payment option they will be using.

If you plan to enroll in the 10-Month ACH Plan, please complete the separate ACH Authorization Form. A new ACH form is required each school year, even if you participated in the plan last year. Previous authorizations cannot be carried over. We are asking our ACH families to complete this form ASAP so we can process these payments with your banking institution in a timely manner.

With any questions or concerns, please reach out to Connie Grevengoed, our Business Manager, by emailing connie.grevengoed@westernchristianhs.com for more assistance. Thank you for taking a few moments to complete these forms and helping us prepare for another great school year!

• Student schedules will be published on JMC beginning August 3rd. Any requested schedule changes can be sent via email to Mrs. Molly Khang (molly.khang@westernchristianhs.com). Mrs. Khang will be handling all registrar responsibilities moving forward.
• Students: PLEASE check your emails! There are students with scheduling issues. If this is you, you have an email from Mrs. Khang that needs to be addressed PRIOR to the start of the 2026-27 school year.

At the end of freshman orientation around 7pm, all freshman students who are interested in joining FFA will meet in the Event Center. During this time, students will be measured for their FFA jackets, learn about what committees they will want to participate in, and communicate their interest in competitions! Join us to learn more about FFA & what it can offer YOU!

On Wednesday, August 19, we will welcome all freshmen to campus to officially kick off the new school year. The program will begin promptly at 4:00 p.m. in the Event Center. This portion of Freshman Orientation is for students and staff only.

Parents are invited to join us in the Event Center at 6:45 p.m. to help close out the event, which will conclude at 7:00 p.m. If you are a new high school parent, we especially value your attendance for this brief but important part of the orientation.

During the afternoon, students will enjoy a meal while practicing walking through the lunch line. They will also follow a “mini schedule” to get familiar with their classrooms and routes. Most importantly, we will focus on creating a warm, welcoming environment where students can connect with one another and learn what it means to be part of a community built on care and connection. Our goal is to ensure your student feels comfortable and confident in their new setting—and hopefully leaves with a big smile.

We are truly excited to be back on campus with our students. If you have any questions before Freshman Orientation, please don’t hesitate to reach out.

This past year we noticed some students opting to bring tablets or iPads as alternatives to laptops. While we understand the appeal, these devices essentially serve the same function as smartphones during the school day and are not recommended or compatible with our 1:1 laptop program.

iPads and tablets will not be permitted for student use during school hours. As you consider technology purchases ahead of the 2026-2027 school year, we ask that you keep this policy in mind. Thank you for partnering with us as we continue to create a focused, distraction-reduced learning environment for all students.

As we prepare for the new school year, please ensure that your laptop is fully updated and in proper working order. This includes installing all system updates, checking that antivirus protection is active, and making sure the device is running smoothly. A well-prepared laptop helps avoid disruptions and ensures you’re ready for a strong start on the first day of class.

- All student athletes are required to have a current completed sports physical on file PRIOR to the beginning of practices. Please complete & turn this in ASAP.

- Mark your calendars! Wolfpack Homecoming will be October 5-9. A home volleyball game is on the schedule for Thursday, October 8, followed by the home football game on Friday, October 9.

- Visit Bound here to purchase your season passes!

- Visit Bound here to find up-to-date schedules & events. Donwload the Bound app to get notifications right to your phone with updates & weather changes.

We need one family willing to host a boy Dutch student for the last year of the Netherlands exchange program. The dates for the three weeks begin September 25 and end October 16. Those who host may choose to take part in the three-week exchange to the Netherlands next Spring. For information, questions or a yes to hosting, please contact Carey Van Donselaar at carey.vandonselaar@westernchristianhs.com or at 712-449-5923.

More information about hosting:

1. Requirement: Host family must have one (or more) child (ren) currently attending Western Christian.
2. Housing: Families do not need to live in a big house or have multiple bathrooms.
3. Transport: Dutch students can either ride in a car with their host sibling or take the bus.
4. School: Dutch students will be at school or participating in activities during school hours. They will also be given lunch at school.
5. Trips: We usually take students to the Black Hills for a weekend. Families are welcome to plan activities outside of school with their students if they choose to, but are not required to. The students will be going several places through school.
6. Expenses: Trips and activities through school or that students choose to do on their own, will be paid for by the student.
7. Time Away: If your family cannot do the full three weeks, another family will take the student while you are away.
8. Fluent: All the students know English.
9. Meetings: There will be only one meeting for host parents in late August or early September to provide more information and give host families an opportunity to meet each other.
10. Support: Families are supported throughout the three weeks by the coordinator.

With the new school year weeks away, we wanted to share a wonderful opportunity for students interested in the fall play. We did send this email to your student but wanted you to have the information too! Below is a message from our new Play Director, Ms. Amy Nyhuis.

Whether your student is interested in acting, backstage work, hair and makeup, or sound, we encourage you to read through the information below and consider getting involved!

2026 Fall Play - The Enchanted Bookshop by Todd Wallinger

Synopsis

During the day, A Likely Story looks like any other used bookstore. But at night, magic happens as the characters inside the books come to life.

Six beloved literary characters—Dorothy Gale, Robin Hood, Pollyanna, Sherlock Holmes, Heidi, and Tom Sawyer—want to help Margie, the absent-minded bookstore owner, save her struggling shop. The problem? They're forbidden from leaving the store or being seen by humans. When two smugglers arrive searching for a stolen necklace hidden inside one of the books, the characters must decide whether to risk everything to help Margie—or find another clever way to stop the crooks.

Featuring additional appearances by favorites like the Queen of Hearts, Long John Silver, and Doctor Dolittle, this charming comedy is a fun-filled celebration of reading, imagination, and adventure.

Audition Information

Location: Western Christian Choir Room

Dates & Times:

• Tuesday, August 11 | 6:00–9:00 p.m.
• Wednesday, August 12 | 6:00–9:00 p.m.

During your audition, you will:

• Read a portion of the script for a character of your choice.
• Participate in a brief improvisation/charades activity.

Please read more about all the characters and rehearsal schedule, here!

Crew Opportunities: Interested in helping backstage, with hair and makeup, costumes, or in the sound booth? We'd love to meet you! Please sign up for a 10-minute interview/audition slot so we can get to know you and learn more about how you'd like to be involved in the production.

If you have any questions, please don't hesitate to reach out.

Amy Nyhuis

Fall Play Director

amy.nyhuis@westernchristianhs.com

At this time, Western Christian is actively recruiting multiple positions for the upcoming year:

- Custodial Staff (Hourly)

- Kitchen Staff Member (Hourly)

Please help us spread the word about these open positions! Any leads or inquiries can be directed to our Head Administrator, Dr. Brian Verwolf, at Brian.Verwolf@Westernchristianhs.com.

Western Christian High School does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, or national or ethnic origin in the administration of its educational policies, admission policies, scholarship and loan programs (if any exist), and athletic or other school administered programs.