Calumet Christian School

Reminder: No School Monday, May 19th.

Alumni Teachers: We need to hear from you. Share what you are doing and update us on your life so that we can showcase you for Teacher Appreciation Month. https://www.calumetchristian.org/alumniteach

Today's Hot Lunch features: Cheese or Hamburger, Chips, corn, and Ice cream for those who have pre-ordered.

Monday, May 12 is our last scheduled elearning day of the year. This is a synchronized day, meaning live instruction for upper elementary and secondary. Packets have been sent home with lower elementary. You can find the secondary e-learning schedule at: www.calumetchristian.org/elearn

Wishing all of the mothers in our Calumet Christian School family a blessed and joyous Mothers Day

Sunday Scripture: Proverbs 31: 29-31

Do you like Steakburgers and Milkshakes? Join us today at the Steak ‘n Shake located at: 312 N US Hwy 41, Schererville, IN 46375 Mention “Calumet Christian School” when placing your order and 20% of the sales go to help the organization. Sales can be placed for dine-in, carry-out, drive-thru, as well as through the web! This is valid only at this Steak ‘n Shake on the above date and time! #ChristianEducation #CCSPatriots #DineToDonate

Congratulations to Anna Prim, Makenna Landkrohn, and Kolton Foutz for their achievements in basketball this season and being recognized by the NCSAA All-Region Award.

Mrs. Fry, is a true pillar of the CCS family who has been with us for an incredible 43 years. Mrs. Fry has served as both a parent and a teacher at CCS, and her daughter is a proud CCS graduate. She worships at Griffith Baptist Church, and her favorite Bible verse is Jeremiah 33:3: “Call to me and I will answer you and tell you great and unsearchable things you do not know.” She shares, “This verse reminds me that God listens and hears my prayers, and He can do mighty and great things in my life.” For Mrs. Fry, one of the greatest joys of her long career at CCS is having former students return to visit and share how much they remember from their time in her class. Those connections, built over decades, are a beautiful testament to her impact as an educator. When asked why she has remained at CCS for so many years, Mrs. Fry simply says, “Because I love it, and it feels like a family.” We are so thankful for Mrs. Fry’s unwavering commitment to Christian education and the countless lives she has touched over the years. Happy Teacher Appreciation Week Mrs. Fry.

Mrs. Stephanie Clayton, has been a part of the CCS family for 8 years. She is the 5th grade teacher, a CCS parent, a wife of a CCS teacher, and the wife of a 3 time class sponsor. Mrs. Clayton has been married to Pastor Brett Clayton, our Bible Teacher and Spiritual Services Coordinator, for 19 years. Together, they have 4 children (ages 18, 16, 13, and 7), and YES, they all attend or have attended CCS! Their family worships together at The SonRise Baptist Church in Lake Station. Her favorite Bible verse is Isaiah 40:31: “But they that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint.” She shares, “Being in ministry, you quickly learn the importance of waiting on the Lord. In the waiting, there is strength that will be renewed (which we need). Once that is renewed, you become strong like an eagle, able to soar with power and stability, run this race without growing tired, and continue to walk by faith without giving up. It is far greater to wait on the Lord!” Mrs. Clayton has so many cherished memories at CCS, but one of the most meaningful was watching her oldest daughter, the one who first called her ‘Mom,’ graduate high school. She also counts being here with her family and watching CCS sports teams grow and win championships as some of her proudest moments. When asked why she loves CCS, Mrs. Clayton shared, “The Lord opened the door for me here at CCS, and I walked through, although very nervous about it, I was confident that this is where He wanted me to go. It has been such a blessing, so refreshing, and truly an honor to serve here with my brothers and sisters in Christ. We are not perfect, but we are all striving to be more like Christ. In doing so, we are teaching, loving, and helping students to know Christ and grow in His Word. The love here and the family that we are so amazing words cannot express my gratitude."

Mrs. Steepleton has been a part of the CCS family for 11 years. She first joined CCS as a parent through our sports program but soon took on the role of school bookkeeper. Over the years, she has worn many hats, including Middle School Science Teacher, Middle School Math Teacher, and High School Accounting and Business Teacher. She has been married to her husband, Rick, for 30 years, and they have two children. Her favorite Bible verse is Psalm 23, which reminds her that, “I have all that I need, and the Lord loves me and takes care of me.” One of Mrs. Steepleton’s favorite memories at CCS is driving the volleyball girls to away games. She shares, “Spending time with them outside of school and eating with them was a blast. You really get to know them on a different level.” She says she stays at CCS because, “I love the fellowship within the staff—the friendships that provide love and support. I also enjoy pouring into the students and loving on them and their families.” Happy Teacher Appreciation Week Mrs. Steepleton!

Mrs. Kayla McJunkins, known to her students as “Mrs. Kayla”, has been a part of the CCS family for 4 years. Mrs. Kayla first joined CCS as the Assistant Junior High Boys Basketball Coach, serving alongside her husband, Pastor Steve McJunkins, who also teaches Bible at CCS. Over the years, she has taken on many roles, including Aftercare Supervisor, Recess Supervisor, Gym Teacher, Keyboarding Teacher, and Class Aide. She and Pastor Steve have been married for almost 10 years and have a 3-year-old daughter, Kinsley, who already loves CCS and can’t wait to start school in 2 years. Their family worships together at Black Oak Baptist Church. When it comes to memories at CCS, a standout moment for Mrs. Kayla is the day Kinsley took her first steps. She recalls, “One day, Kinsley was in aftercare with me while Pastor Steve was at a basketball event. We were outside, and while holding the hand of another student, he gently let go, and Kinsley walked on her own. I was elated, not just because she took her first steps, but because it happened with the help of the students.” A more recent favorite memory is the week-long senior trip she took last month with Pastor Steve and the Class of 2025—an unforgettable experience that deepened her bond with her students. When asked why she chooses to work at CCS, Mrs. Kayla shared, “I choose CCS every single day because of the people and the students I get to work with. I’ve always dreamed of working in a Christian school, and I am so thankful for the opportunity to be part of such an incredible establishment. One of my favorite things about Calumet Christian is the spiritual diversity we have among the staff and students. It’s unlike anything I have ever experienced, and if you haven’t, you’ve got to!” Happy Teacher Appreciation Week Mrs. Kayla

Mrs. Ruiz, is a true CCS legend who has been a part of our school family for almost 30 years! Mrs. Ruiz is known as a “teacher’s teacher”, having mentored countless educators and inspired many of her own students to pursue teaching as a career. Her influence reaches far beyond the classroom, impacting generations of learners and leaders. Though her own children did not attend CCS, they were active in the CCS sports programs, and today, her daughter has followed in her footsteps, working at the largest Christian school in Indiana. For Mrs. Ruiz, some of her greatest memories at CCS include seeing young people accept Christ as their Savior and watching them learn to read, opening the door for them to discover the Word of God for themselves. Though she is semi-retired now, Mrs. Ruiz continues to serve at CCS, supporting teachers and working with small groups of students who need a little extra help. When asked why she has remained so dedicated to CCS, she shared, “I believe in my heart this is what God wants me to do.” She first came to CCS out of a deep sense of calling, and decades later, she remains just as convinced that this is exactly where God wants her to be. Happy Teacher Appreciation Week Mrs. Ruiz. Thank you for decades of faithful service and unwavering commitment to Christian education.

Next up we have Mrs. Alger! Mrs. Maddie Alger, known to her students as “Mrs. Maddie”, joined CCS 3 years ago, filling a role we had long hoped to add to our school family. Mrs. Maddie has been married to her husband, Ethan, for 2 years, and they worship together at Lake Hills Baptist Church. Though her official title is School Social Worker, Mrs. Maddie wears many hats at CCS. She not only provides critical support to students and families, but also teaches weekly social emotional health classes to our elementary students. She has even stepped in as a substitute teacher when needed, always ready to lend a helping hand. Her favorite Bible verse is 1 Peter 5:6-7: "Humble yourselves, therefore, under God’s mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time. Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.” She says this verse is a constant reminder to “rely on God and not myself amid anxious times, because He cares about me.” When asked why she loves working at CCS, Mrs. Maddie shared, “I came to work at CCS because I wanted to work with kids and families alongside other Believers. I stay because of the relationships and the opportunities to grow.” We are so grateful for Mrs. Maddie’s heart for service and the way she cares for our students and families. Happy Teacher Appreciation Week Mrs. Maddie

Mrs. King, is not just our 6th grade teacher, but she is also a CCS alum! Mrs. King, who just recently celebrated her first wedding anniversary attends Ross Baptist Church. She also coaches our Junior High Girls Volleyball and Basketball teams, pouring into the next generation of athletes both on and off the court. Her favorite Bible verse right now is Psalm 23: "The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want..." She says this passage helps her “put my trust and my anxiety to the One who knows it all.” Mrs. King has many cherished memories at CCS, but a few that stand out include: Winning a tough 3-set match against Victory in her first year coaching JH volleyball and Elementary Field Day with her first 6th grade class when a surprise thunderstorm turned their day into an unforgettable, rain-soaked adventure as they raced back to the building together. Outside of the classroom, Mrs. King is a proud dog mom to two dachshunds and loves Dunkin’ coffee. When asked why she loves teaching at CCS, Mrs. King shared, “Teaching here has opened so many doors of opportunity, including coaching volleyball and basketball. Being able to be with these kids and pour into them academically and spiritually has been a blessing in my life. A work environment where the gospel is at the center is amazing.” Happy Teacher Appreciation Week Mrs. King

Mrs. Melton’s journey with CCS started in 2010 when her son joined as a homeschooled athlete. That first step quickly grew into a deep-rooted commitment to the CCS community. In 2012, she enrolled her son full-time, and by 2013, her two youngest daughters joined our preschool classes. From serving on the school board to returning to school to be able to lead in the classroom as a history teacher in 2017, Mrs. Melton’s heart for CCS has only deepened over the years. She has been married to Mark for 16 years, and their eldest child graduated from CCS in 2014, with the two youngest children still attending CCS, the only school they have ever known. Together, the family worships at Flourish Church in Gary, Indiana. Today, she serves as our secondary principal and the dual credit instructor for the social sciences, English, and history. For Mrs. Melton, CCS isn’t just a workplace – it’s an extension of her family. She shares , “I stay at CCS for my children. That might sound selfish, but it’s really the opposite. Everything I do to help grow the school spiritually, academically and socially for my daughters, I do for every student. I see them all as my children.” From the unforgettable senior trip of 2021, where she enjoyed a week with who she considers the best class ever at CCS, to watching her daughters lead worship in chapel and the Voices of CCS, Mrs. Melton’s Calumet Christian memories are woven into the very fabric of her life story. Please join us in wishing Mrs. Melton a Happy Teacher Appreciation week.

Gameday! Come support your Boys' Volleyball team as they take on Calumet High School today at 4:30 pm. Battle of the Calumets! @ HOME (Lake Hills Baptist Church)

Reminder: No School Tomorrow, May 9th. Monday, May 12th, is a scheduled e-learning day. We will see you in person on Tuesday, May 13th!

Join us in wishing Mrs. King a very Happy Birthday! Mrs. King, also known as Coach Hannah, serves at CCS as the Junior high girls' volleyball and basketball coach. She is also our 6th grade teacher. Happy Birthday Mrs. King!!