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The Weekly Knightline May 4-9


Tulip Festival and The Unity Float 

We are looking for groups to ride the float for the 2026 Tulip Festival. 

Staff and coaches, let me know if a group or team you lead is interested. Students, if you would like to form a group, also let me know. Currently, we have openings for the Thursday afternoon, Friday afternoon, Friday evening and Saturday afternoon parades.  Please talk to me or email me soon. Thanks - Mr. Dykstra. 


Float Drivers Needed

Student leaders who are interested in driving the float can also talk to me. We are looking for a driver for the Friday afternoon, Friday evening and Saturday afternoon parades.



26-27 ESAs (Education Savings Account)

Registration is open for the 26-27 ESAs (Education Savings Account) through the state of Iowa. The ESA amount for 2026-27 is $8,148, and is applied to your tuition account as a credit. 


Families need to apply every year. You can start the process here: https://iowa-households.withodyssey.com/login/

  • Families NEW to the ESA program: Parents/guardians will first be directed to create an account with an email and password. Parents/guardians will receive a message from Odyssey asking them to confirm their email address. After the email is confirmed, the parent/guardian can sign in to the ESA portal to begin their application.

  • Families who already have an ESA account: Parents/guardians with an existing ESA portal account will log in to their existing account to begin the application for the 2026/27 school year.

June 30 is the deadline to apply for ESA funds. After that date, you will not be able to apply for ESA funding for the upcoming school year.



EXAM INFORMATION - Spring exam note to parents



Parents & Students: Things to keep in mind for semester exams: 

  1. Students don’t have to be here until their exam time. 

  2. Once here, students cannot leave the building until their exams for the day are done. If they have an exam the first and third exam periods of the day, they cannot leave the building in between testing times. 



STUDENT ANNOUNCEMENTS

Summer Running and/or Fall Cross Country: Any girls interested in summer running and/or cross country for next year should come to the information meeting on Thursday, May 6 at morning break in my classroom.


Spring Sport Pictures are HERE - Please stop by the office to pick them up!


Student Council: Anyone still interested in Student Council, now's the time! Applications are due on Wednesday by the end of the school day. So it's not too late to grab one from the office and fill it out. If you have any questions, please find Mr. Rietveld or Ms. Vander Kooi to ask. Thanks!


May 6 Pioneer Home 

On May 6 at 7pm Unity Christian has been asked to lead the hymn sing with the residents at the Pioneer Home. If you enjoy singing and have 40 minutes of time, from 6:55pm until 7:35pm, please let Mr. Dykstra know by email or in person. 


Unity Blood Drive: On Tuesday, May 12, there will be a blood drive at school by LifeServe Blood Center. This is the day of the Senior Trip. They will be bringing their "bloodmobile", so if you want to donate blood, you will go outside to the bus they'll bring along. In order to donate, you need to be 16+.  The Blood Drive will run from 9 AM until 1:30 PM. There are quite a few time slots available and given the huge need that blood centers have right now, I'd love to see all of the time slots full. If you are interested, you can sign up HERE 

  • For those that have donated before through LifeServe, you do not need a permission form.

  • If you've never donated blood before and are under age 18, you need to have the permission form signed in order to give blood. You can pick those up in the front office and bring it back to school and give it to the Blood Drive nurses when you donate.  


Introducing the new Dutch Dare Knight at Tulip Festival on Friday, May 15 at 8:00 pm.

(actual!) DUTCH GAMES...BIG LAUGHS...ZERO CHILL. Sign up your group of 5 here to participate in the FIRST ANNUAL DUTCH DARE KNIGHT taking place FRIDAY, MAY 15 starting at 8 pm in front of Woudstra's Meat Market. 

Bring your COMPETITIVE spirit - TEST your taste buds - and get MESSY!  Sign up deadline is Wednesday, May 6.


Juniors & Seniors: If you are a junior or senior from Sioux Center, and are interested in joining the Sioux Center Jr. Firefighter program for the 26-27 school year, please stop by the office for an application. 


Men’s Bible Study: Join us on Friday mornings from 7:30 - 8:20 AM in Mr. Mouw’s room for a men’s Bible study. Males from all grades are welcome! Come grow in faith, build community, and have real conversations about Colossians and common Biblical questions! Reach out to Brayden Schollerman if you would like to join or if you have any questions. 



PARENT ANNOUNCEMENTS

Summer apparel has arrived! If you placed an order, please stop by the Courtyard to pick it up. 


2026 FFA Plant Sale:

Looking for plants for your flower boxes, planters, or garden? Come check out the plants the horticulture greenhouse class has been busy cultivating for your space! Thank you for supporting our FFA program!


Mother’s Day Sale (UCHS greenhouse):

Friday, May 8 from 3:30 - 5:30 pm

Saturday, May 9 from 9:00 am - Noon


Freewill donation - Our costs will be posted in the greenhouse.

Homemade Vanilla: Unity’s Genesis Arboretum and aquaponics program is excited to offer a consistent supply of homemade CLEAR imitation vanilla extract!  Available in the office AND at the FFA Mother’s Day plant sales.  Freewill donation - separate from FFA.  Take home something delicious.  Help us grow something meaningful. 

Questions? Please reach out to Kevin Haan.



Unity’s Ag Business class is raising high-quality chicken and pork under the business name UC Flock & Stock. Their goal is to provide fresh, locally raised meat while practicing responsibility and stewardship. If you’re looking for better quality meat and an opportunity to  support Unity students, they’d love for you to order from them. Chickens will be butchered in the beginning of May, and the pork will be ready in June. Use the links below to place your order!

Pork:  Pork Order Form

CHICKEN UPDATE: The chickens have been butchered. We still have 15 chickens available - email sbootsma@unitychristian.net to get yours!


TUITION INFORMATION: Parents, as we approach the end of the year, please take time to log into Blackbaud and view the tuition billing portal. Your total amount due can be found by clicking on "Billing" >> "Current Bill" >> and looking at the right side of the page>> "Upcoming Due Dates" (That amount listed is your total balance due.) Please click HERE to see the attached screenshot for an example and please reach out with any questions! A reminder that all tuition/fees are expected to be paid prior to graduation for senior students.


Meat Donations for School Lunch Program: Unity is seeking beef and pork donations from local farmers to support our school lunch program. Unity will cover all processing fees. If you are interested in making a donation, please contact Wayne Dykstra at wdykstra@unitychristian.net.



SPORTS

2026 Unity Soccer and Track Gate and Concessions Sign Up - 1 more spot left:

Please sign up HERE to help with gate and concessions for our home soccer and track meets.

  • REMINDER: We ask each family to sign up for a total of 4 spots throughout each school year to either work the gate or concessions stand at home games/meets. Please remember if you are signing up for 2 slots during a time frame to select the quantity 2. Thank you for helping serve!


Weight Room Hours: The weight room will be open Wednesday mornings and Friday mornings from 7:00-8:00 AM beginning Wednesday 3/25.  It will also continue to be open every day after school.


Register for 2026 UC Sports Camps! Unity is excited to offer a wide variety of sports camps throughout the year, giving athletes opportunities to grow their skills, compete, and have fun. With many camp options available, there’s something for everyone. Please note that each athlete must be registered individually. Click HERE to register!


Jr. Knights Softball and Baseball: Please use the following links to register for Jr. Knights softball and baseball. Registration deadline was April 6th. There will now be a $25 late fee when signing up. 


For up to date scores and schedules go to Bound



EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES

2026-2027 School Year Employment Opportunities:

PT Custodian



UPCOMING DATES


Tues 5/12

Senior Assembly and Senior Day

Wed 5/13

Senior’s last day of school

Thurs 5/14 - Fri 5/15

11:50 Dismissal - Tulip Festival

Tues 5/19

Graduation 6:00pm

Wed 5/20 - Fri 5/22

Exams - 12:00 Dismissal


 
 
 
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