K I 693 Albert Street Wallaceburg, ON N8A 1Y8 519-627-6013 admin@wallaceburgchristianschool.com www.wallaceburgchristianschool.com N G Summer 2016 D O M N E W S Celebrating of Christian education at WCS!!!
ADMIN TEAM REPORT What a fantastic year of growth and development this has been for the staff and students of WCS. Our school year began with an influx of 35 new students, and as we progressed through the year we ended with 45 new students total in June. What a blessing these new students and families have been to WCS! We have a very vibrant school culture and with the addition of these new students that culture has continued to develop and flourish. My pastor recently stated in a sermon that many in the early church believed that if you had great architecture, you had a great church. But it is not that simple. Architecture does not make the church, or in our case, a school. Culture makes our school what it is. By opening our doors and allowing others that are seeking Christ-centered education here in Wallaceburg, we have not only shared our rich heritage here at WCS with these families but we have also been blessed by the many gifts, talents, and time that many of the new families have shared with us. Thank you so much from the staff here at WCS for taking the time to share your stories and pray with and for us throughout this year. There are a few changes to staff next year. Mrs. Patti DeJong will be teaching in the Gr. 3-4 and 5-6 classrooms, along with her Resource duties. We welcome Mrs. Melanie Versteeg (nee Visser) who was our summer student for the past two years, as our new Grade 5-6 teacher with some duties in Grade 7-8. We pray that you have a wonderful summer break where you become refreshed and renewed. a half....to Ms. Mikki Meyer for teaching in our Grade 5-6 classroom for the last year and We appreciate the way you shared your time and talents with our students and our staff. We wish you God s blessings in your future endeavours. Our Mission Statement At Wallaceburg Christian School we strive to see students discover Christ in all areas of learning, develop their God-talents and dedicate their lives to Christ s service. Your Admin. Team: Mr. Matt Charron, Mrs. Season Hoogstad & Mrs. Laurie Hooyer Page 2
BOARD REPORT By the time everyone reads this, the school year will be done and everyone will be enjoying their summer vacation. I pray that we all have a time of refreshment and relaxation and come back reinvigorated for the next school year. As I reflect on the years Lucia and myself, along with our three boys, have been a part of WCS, we truly thank God for the blessings that He has bestowed on us, and to this school. WCS has been a big help in teaching our children Christian morals and values. Along with the teaching that our church gives, and what Lucia and I teach at home, we are very thankful that our children have God front and centre in their Christian life journey. We give thanks to God for this, and thank all of you for making WCS available to us, and what it is today. Praise God. Back in 2001 when we became members of WCS, the school was in need of newer buses. Long story short, in 2005, instead of getting newer buses, God touched everyone s heart and we ended up with two brand new buses with only a small mortgage to finance the rest. Also, two years ago at this time, we on the board had lots of questions: how will WCS be viable in 3, 5, and even 10 years from now? In the short term, God has answered our prayers. Long term, I know God will remain faithful. WCS has had critical situations in the past even before my time here at the school. He has carried us through those times, because He still wants WCS to be here today, and also in the future. If we remain faithful to Him, God will never leave us. As I look back on the last 3½ years I have been on the board, I see God s hand working in our school. There have been times I lay awake at night, wondering how to deal with an issue or a tough decision. Through prayer and asking God for guidance, and listening to the discussions at board meetings, God would bring us to a point of final decision that I believe was His decision using us to get there. I also would like to thank each and every board member and admin team member that have ever been apart of the board while I was a member. I found we all worked really well together for one common goal: to serve God and to better the school. Everyone was always treated with courtesy and respect, and disagreements were just that, disagreements. Not once was there ever a heated argument during any meeting. God was using us to further His Kingdom. Now as I move past WCS, I thank God for where the school is. We have more students in school than we have had in a long time, and financially, we are in really good shape. The school will be finishing the year with some money in the bank, which is different than most years. And we have only God to thank for this blessing. We give thanks and praise to God for His faithfulness to us all and to WCS. Jim Kraayenbrink, Board Chair Thank you to Re:find Charity Thrift store for their donation of $25,000 at our Spring Society meeting! Please continue to support them with your prayers and donations (519-626-9814). Page 3
Ready! Set! Alphabet! Thanks to Mrs. Deb Highfield and Mrs. Alisha Killoran, we enjoyed a six-week intro program with 12 JK/SK age children. Fun (and learning) was had by all! Congratulations, Class of 2016! Page 4
A Heart to Serve - 2015-16 Theme Then I heard the voice of the Lord saying, Whom shall I send? And who will go for us? And I said, Here am I. Send me! Isaiah 6:8 Daniel Kraayenbrink Favourite subject: Math Favourite bible character: David memories at WCS was our class trip to Wonderland. The roller coasters were a lot of fun and I liked the water park too. The school has been a blessing to me by allowing me to share my faith in many different ways. I could do so by service work, by speaking in class and through my assignments. I have been very blessed by the school. Kyle Kraayenbrink Favourite subject: Math Favourite biblical character: Joseph memories at WCS was when Mr. Charron took our class hiking. We went to Crother s Park. Some of the boys and I decided to climb onto to the roof of a building to explore. While we had lots of fun, Mr. Charron did not find it too funny. The rest of the trip was great. WCS has been a blessing to me because we got to read from the bible every day and build on our leadership skills. I really feel like I have grown in my faith.. Page 5
Lydia Kraayenbrink Favourite Subject: Writing Favourite Bible character: Jonah memories at WCS was our class trip to the Pineries campground. We went canoeing, had a seaweed war and then ended the day with icecream. It was a great day that I will always remember. This school has been a blessing to me because it has allowed me to grow in my faith. I have also had the opportunity to challenge myself to continue growing in my faith as I leave the school. Madison Kraayenbrink Favourite Subject: History Favourite Bible character: Noah memories at WCS is when I went to Fair Glen in Grade 6. My favourite part of the trip was a game called Shark Pit. In the water we would pull the rope backward then release it. This would result in one of my fellow students being sling shotted. WCS has been a blessing to me because it has taught me to be vocal about my faith and how to be a great witness to others. Page 6
Russell Kraayenbrink Favourite Subject: Geography Favourite Bible character: David moments at WCS was when we went to Lakewood to build on our leadership skills. There was no one at the campground except our class. We had a lot of fun. We loved playing boneyard and exploring Clay Mountain. It was especially funny when Mr. Charron fell into the water. The school has been a blessing to me because it has allowed me to grow in my faith. Also, when I had cancer everyone prayed for me. Some people even visited me. Rachael Luth Favourite Subject: Language Arts Favourite Bible character: Daniel moments at WCS was when we went on the class trip to Canada s Wonderland. That day was full of fun and laughter but mixed with a little fear. WCS has been a huge blessing to me because I have had the chance to grow in my faith and make good Christian friends. The teachers are always supportive and help you any way they can. I believe my faith will keep me rooted in Christ when I go to high school Page 7
Elijah Martin Favourite Subject: Writing / Language Arts Favourite Bible character: Jesus moments at WCS is when we went to Lakewood last year. It was a lot of fun because we had such a small class and we did all the activities together. The best part of the trip was our annual game of Boneyard. We all wanted to stay another night, even Mr. Charron. The school has been a blessing to me academically. I have learned a lot and completed a lot of great assignments. I have also had the opportunity to see things through a Christian perspective and share my faith. Tate O Leary Favourite Subject: Gym Favourite Bible character: Jonah Favourite Memory: My favourite memory at WCS was our Lakewood trip. I thought it was especially funny when Mr. C. fell into the water. The school has been a blessing to me because I feel like they will never leave you behind. The teachers try hard to get you to be the best you can be. I never had teachers like this before. Printed courtesy of Express Copies and Printing, Wallaceburg Page 8