Calvin-Parents E-Newsletter: September 15, 2009

Flu shots

Read health services advice and recommended actions related to influenza and vaccines on their Web site.

Calvin is offering an early flu shot clinic this week.  Health Services has received a portion of our seasonal flu vaccine and is offering an early flu clinic on Thursday, September 17th from noon until 5:00 p.m. in the Spoelhof Fieldhouse Lobby. The cost is $20 for the vaccination or $25 for Flumist (nasal) for all students, faculty and staff.  Please encourage your student to get vaccinated early and get ahead of the seasonal flu!  No appointment necessary.  Please call 616-526-6187 if you have any questions. For more information, please go to http://www.cdc.gov/flu/.

The start of a new school year

The school year is off to a busy start.  Last week Convocation kicked-off the 2009-2010 school year with a message by newly appointed Chaplain Mary Hulst, "Calvin's Reese's Peanut Butter Cups." Photos are available from the historic event, the first at the Van Noord Arena. There was also fun at the annual mudbowl competition this past weekend and Cokes-n-Clubs showcased optjons for ways students can get involved.

Chapel online; Silent Retreat

To communicate more effectively with both internal and external audiences, the Christian formation office is now called campus ministries.  Campus ministries provides worship opportunities, discipleship groups, and pastoral care to students, staff and faculty.  You are now able to watch the daily chapel service live online on their Web site.

An upcoming event offered by this office is a Silent Retreat on October 2 and 3. You are invited to rest, read scripture, and pray in a relaxed setting of silence and nature. Spend 20 hours of silence framed by worship. During the silence, there will be no scheduled programming though Chaplain Mary Hulst will be available to meet with any attendee.  Contact Sharon Bytwerk (616-526-8872) for more information.

Message for new college parents about contacting your student

During these early weeks of college, try to find a balance in the frequency and nature of contacts with your student. It's possible to initiate too many contacts; it's also possible to have too little communication with your student. Recognize your own need and desire to keep in touch and balance that by acknowledging your student's new environment and responsibilities, demanding schedule, and the growing independence he/she is experiencing. Hand-written letters or e-mails with news from home are always appreciated; students look forward to seeing "real mail" in their mailbox (see information below about sending mail to campus) and the security that those contacts bring. However, don't expect a like reply from every communication you initiate. Be assured that regular contact with your student is valued. Don't misinterpret a lack of response as rejection or indifference; most freshmen (though most might not admit it) welcome news from home and family, however mundane the information you share may seem to you.

Students explore Christian ministry through Jubilee Fellows program

Has your student ever expressed interest in--or even curiosity about--Christian ministry as a possible vocation? If so, she or he might wish to explore Calvin's Jubilee Fellows program, which is offered to junior-level students. Students have been notified of this opportunity; applications are due on October 7. Selected students will take a spring semester course focusing on ministry and the daily life of a church and its leaders. Then, next summer they will embark on a paid internship for 10 weeks at a church in North America. Each student will experience the day-to-day life of a church and serve as an apprentice to a church leader to better discern if a career in ministry is a good fit. Students should contact Kary Bosma (klb8@calvin.edu) for more information.   More information about the program can be found on the Jubilee Fellows site.

--Kary Bosma, Jubilee Fellows Coordinator, 616-526-8846

Rosemary on the Road

International admissions counselor Rosemary Etter will be touring Asia (Hong Kong, Seoul, Kuala Lumpur, Singapore, Jakarta, Bangkok and Ho Chi Minh City) this fall.  If you'd like to help spread the word of her travels, help with a college fair or find out more about her trip, visit Rosemary on the Road.

Student Treats...two deadlines today

The Student Treats program sends treats and goodies to students for a birthday, special event or as an "anytime" surprise to remind your student of your love and support.  Anyone can order individual treats or "A Year of Treats" which saves time and money. The deadline to order either the "Year of Treats" or first seasonal treat, "Pizza and a Movie" is Tuesday, September 15.  The "Pizza and a Movie" treat features a certificate for a large, two-topping pizza (from a favorite locally-owned pizzeria), a Blockbuster gift card for a free movie rental and a bag of microwavable popcorn.  Find out more on the Student Treats site.

Resources for Calvin parents, new or "experienced"

As your student prepares to start his or her year at Calvin, be sure to bookmark the online parent and family resources.  There you can find tips for new Calvin parents, links to calendars for events and important dates, definitions of important Calvin "lingo" and much more!  Remember you can always email questions (parents@calvin.edu) or call us (616-526-6142).

Events for alumni, friends and families

Bookmark the alumni events calendar to keep track of important dates throughout the year, to which you are warmly invited, as a parent, alumni and/or friend of the college.  More information is found there for each of the following events:

September 18: International alumni dinner on campus
September 19: Twins game in Minnesota
September 29: Calvin Around Town/MBA@Calvin ArtPrize event in Grand Rapids, Michigan
October 7 - 11: Homecoming 2009 on campus; Reunions
October 15: Calvin Along the Lakeshore: Muskegon Art Museum
October 23 & 24: Family Weekend and Reunions on campus