Fridge Door. December 20, Principal's Comments

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December 20, 2018 Fridge Door Principal's Comments I was pleasantly surprised recently when I tuned into a secular radio station and heard Christmas carols playing not winter songs, not Baby, It's

I was starting to loathe the other holiday jingles because it was an incessant mix of getting stuff or romanticizing winter. I'm not being a Grinch or Scrooge here.

1 December 20, 2018 Fridge Door Principal's Comments I was pleasantly surprised recently when I tuned into a secular radio station and heard Christmas carols playing not winter songs, not Baby, It's Cold Outside or Santa Baby but actual Joy to the World and O Come, All Ye Faithful. This is the first time in a few years that I have heard truth in song on a secular station. I was starting to loathe the other holiday jingles because it was an incessant mix of getting stuff or romanticizing winter. I'm not being a Grinch or Scrooge here. Christmas is my favourite time of year! I sing Christmas-y songs all year long and still get excited for the stop motion animated Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer. But when this is all we hear on the radio or see on TV, Christmas is left feeling so empty. Friends of ours had a conversation with their son, who was getting to the age when they thought that they needed to tell him the truth about Santa Claus. Up until that point, they had promoted belief in Santa Claus as part of the spirit and magic of Christmas. He was very quiet as the truth sunk in. Then he asked a question that they had never considered. So, if Santa Claus isn't real, what about Jesus? *Gulp* Oh, well, of course He's real... and then they had their work cut out for them. Some of you allow your kids to believe in Santa. Some of you actively promote the belief in Santa. Some of you have candid conversations right from the get-go about who Santa really was and what his role (or memory) is supposed to be about today. Regardless of how you approach Santa Claus, I encourage you to use your conversations about him or any other festive symbol to point to the real point of Christmas Christ! Santa Claus brings happiness, which is circumstantial; Jesus brings joy, which is an inner gladness despite circumstances. Santa Claus gives gifts to good girls and boys; Jesus gives the greatest gift to everyone none of whom are righteous...no, not one. Santa Claus has a naughty or nice list; Jesus has His book of life. Santa Claus comes when we are good; Jesus came even though we were bad...in fact, He came because we are sinners. Santa Claus wears red, which reminds us of Jesus' blood; Jesus' blood washes us white as snow. Santa Claus brings toys; Jesus brings forgiveness and life. Santa Claus brings treats; Jesus brings triumph. Santa Claus' gifts are temporal; Jesus' gift is eternal. Santa Claus is a legend; Jesus is reality. Santa Claus' original form of St. Nicholas is lying in a grave; Jesus is seated at the right hand of the Majesty on high. Santa Claus can lift our moods; Jesus rescues us from our depravity. Santa Claus is magical; Jesus is miraculous. Santa Claus is a picture; Jesus is the Promise. Santa Claus can help us celebrate; Jesus is the reason to celebrate. If I take Santa Claus out, I lose an elf; if I take Jesus out, I lose my self. Have fun with your family traditions and holiday customs, but consider this: Where is your focus at Christmas time? Who will take pre-eminence in your home and in your heart? Don't just have a holly, jolly christmas; have a blessed, joy-filled CHRISTmas!

A Glimpse into Student Life, with Mrs. Roeper It s been a great week celebrating Jesus birth and sharing the Good News to those who came to the Christmas Program!

2 A Glimpse into Student Life, with Mrs. Roeper It s been a great week celebrating Jesus birth and sharing the Good News to those who came to the Christmas Program! This morning we sang around the Christmas tree with Pastor Dusty and reflected once again about the message of hope Jesus brought for us. I pray that you and your family feel His presence this Christmas season and more fully understand what has been given to us through Him! I also pray that God will keep you safe and you will make some wonderful memories with your loved ones! Blessings. Mrs. Roeper Christmas Share Thank you to everyone who supported the Christmas Share Program this year. Miss Russell and some of our Student Executive students delivered the food hampers on Wednesday and they were well received by each of the families! A special thank you to Mrs. Morrison- Robar for coming in and helping with the hampers! Student Executive If you are wondering which Colour House has won the ice cream cake, you will have to stay tuned until January when we will reveal the winner and we all go back to zero!

3 Community Board Community News At last month's Fall Membership Meeting, we learned about some interesting developments for the building campaign. This is a very exciting time to be part of the BCS community, but it is also vitally important that we uphold this process and the people working on the campaign in our prayers. Please pray for wisdom as they look into the myriad details and seek God's direction on behalf of the BCS membership. Keep in mind that, like the church, the school is not a physical building. We are the church. We are the school. We seek to build a building so that we can build people! Literally and metaphorically, we need a strong foundation. It is impossible to lose our footing on our knees. Therefore, pray! Thrift Store News Just in time for Christmas, our Thrift Store is having a massive sale on Saturday, December 22. Come to 393 Sidney Street for amazing deals - 50% off the entire stock! Also, please note that the Thrift Store will be closed from December 23 to January 2 (open again on January 2). Take Note If your child(ren) and their grandparents made it to the photo booth on Grandparents' Day, please look for cards and pictures being sent home today. The envelopes are not sealed, so if your children would also like to personalize a message to them, please feel free to do so! Thanks for also delivering these cards to them. Guitar Lessons There is a possibility of guitar lessons being offered at BCS in the afternoons starting after the Christmas Holidays. Please contact Jordan Hall at mrhall@bellevillechristianschool.ca for more information. Fall Drive Great news! Our community rallied together and met the goal of our Fall Drive! Thank you very much to everyone who participated in the drive! All donations were important and greatly appreciated! Thank you for being a blessing by using your gift of giving.

We will also create new works of art and begin planning for an assembly we will be part of on the last Monday in January.

4 Kindergarten Dear Families, A Note from Miss Kuipers misskuipers@bellevillechristianschool.ca The week we return, we will focus on building community and reviewing routines and procedures. We will also create new works of art and begin planning for an assembly we will be part of on the last Monday in January. Thank you for the cards and gifts. It is a great honour to teach these children, and I'm so grateful for all of you. As we break for Christmas, I pray you are blessed in special ways this season. May the peace and love of Christ be felt in your family this year. Merry Christmas!

Grade 1 & Grade 2 A Note from Miss Russell

It s been full of lots of wonderful things such as the Christmas concert, the

Thank you for all the wonderful Christmas cards and gifts.

5 Grade 1 & Grade 2 A Note from Miss Russell missrussell@bellevillechristianschool.ca This week has gone by so quickly! It s been full of lots of wonderful things such as the Christmas concert, the Christmas share, class parties and baking, to name a few. Thank you for all the wonderful Christmas cards and gifts. Your thoughtfulness is truly appreciated. I feel very blessed to be able to teach your children. I hope you have a wonderful Christmas and a Happy New Year!

Grade 3 & Grade 4 Mrs. Mackay & Mr. Wicklam mrsmackay@bellevillechristianschool.

This class has such beautiful singing voices! Many thanks for the lovely Christmas gifts and cards.

I hope that this is a wonderful Christmas, celebrating the amazing Gift that God sent.

their learning to parents, staff and students on Wednesday. Here are some photos of the day.

6 Grade 3 & Grade 4 Mrs. Mackay & Mr. Wicklam mrsmackay@bellevillechristianschool.ca; mrwicklam@bellevillechristianschool.ca Your children shone brightly in the Christmas program on Tuesday. This class has such beautiful singing voices! Many thanks for the lovely Christmas gifts and cards. I count it a true privilege to teach your children. I hope that this is a wonderful Christmas, celebrating the amazing Gift that God sent. Creation Studies and Art Our "Museum of Japan" was successful and I was very proud of each student as they presented their learning to parents, staff and students on Wednesday. Here are some photos of the day. I will send each parent an individual photo of your child with his/her museum display. Literacy In the new year, our focus will be on reading and writing fictional narratives - specifically fairy and folk tales. Spelling Lesson 12 will be introduced on Monday, January 7 and tested on Friday, January 12.

Grade 5 & 6 Mrs. Visser mrsvisser@bellevillechristianschool.ca Have a wonderful Christmas break.

Book Talks: Students did a great job using good expression, enunciation and gestures on their oral presentations.

All students presented oral descriptions of their friends in French. Très bien fait!

7 Grade 5 & 6 Mrs. Visser mrsvisser@bellevillechristianschool.ca Have a wonderful Christmas break. Enjoy spending time with family and friends and celebrating the hope, joy, and peace of Jesus. Thank you for all the gifts and cards and for sending in food for our Christmas party. Book Talks: Students did a great job using good expression, enunciation and gestures on their oral presentations. This has been good practice for speeches which will be happening in February. French: The friendship cubes were sent home today. All students presented oral descriptions of their friends in French. Très bien fait! 7 Habits: We will have a celebration in the new year for achieving our "End of Day Procedures" initiative class goal. Encourage your child to keep up with his or her academic goal that was set after student-led conferences. Social Studies: Students had some good "I wonder" questions for the "Canada and its Trading Partners" unit, including, "Why do lots of things come from China?", "Why is gas so expensive?" Why did Canada shut down trade with Syria?" We will explore these questions and more in the New Year.

8 Grade 7 & 8 Mr. Petrusma mrpetrusma@bellevillechristianschool.ca A BCS Grade 7&8 twist on the night before Christmas (season) Twas the last week before Christmas and all through the school, Not a student was stirring, not even the cool. The stockings were hung in the hallway with care In hopes that clean up would happen if the students dared. The children were nestled all snug on the couch, While visions of sugar-danced in their heads, as they knew what was in the teacher s pouch. And all the moms in their coats and caps, Where looking forward to a long Christmas break with a lot of naps, But when these teenagers were awoken from the couch, what should appear, Mr. Petrusma in a miniature Smart car, wanting 21 student helpers With a not so little, but old teacher, yet so lively and quick, They knew in a moment it must be their teacher who was sick! More rapid than eagles his learners they leap from the couch. And he wheezed "Now,NOAH! now,cisilia! now AVA, and ALEYA! Now NOAH W, now CAITLYN, now ZOE and KATE, Now NATE, now NATHAN, now JACOB and ELLIE, Now TYSON, now ELIJAH, now LEVI and finally SAM. the top of the homework board that is on the south wall! Now work away! Work away! Work away all!" Then the miracle of Christmas did happen, December 21 came suddenly, with the cold wind just a snapping, The old teacher looked and before he knew it, Time had marched so quickly, he knew they were all through it! Then they heard him exclaim, ere he drove his Smart car out of sight, HAPPY CHRISTMAS TO ALL, AND TO ALL FORGET HOMEWORK FOR THE NEXT FORTNIGHT! ( I mean 14 days, not the game!) See you in the New Year!

Copyright, 2014, Scripts For Schools. All rights reserved. This script may be freely duplicated (or printed) for school use only.

Copyright, 2014, Scripts For Schools. All rights reserved. This script may be freely duplicated (or printed) for school use only. 1 2 HISTORY: Clement Clarke Moore (1779-1863) wrote the poem "T'was The Night Before Christmas" also called A Visit from St. Nicholas" in 1822. It is now the tradition in many families to read the poem