As final preparations are coming together for one of the longest running fundraisers that Woodstock Christian School hosts (has been running for over 50 years!!), we are in awe of the small army that is coming together to celebrate this community and raise funds for a cause that we are passionate about – being a light in the community and providing quality Christian education for our children. Whether it is the teachers offering their Saturday to cook pancakes, farmers donating extra to provide a building, parents coming together volunteering with the Kidzone or Kitchen, alumni donating items for the silent auction, and vendors coming to display their goods, we are in awe. We are proud to be a part of this body. It reminds us of 1 Corinthians 12:12 – “Just as a body, though one, has many parts, but all its parts form one body, so it is with Christ.”

It is our hope that you will come and experience this event, whether by coming as a family and experiencing all there is to be had, or by giving of your talents in whatever way you can; we are excited to have you. Our experience whenever we have given of our time and efforts to a great cause, we have ended up receiving immeasurably more than given.

Blessed to be a part of this community,

Pauline Markus and Heather DeBoer Springfest Committee Co-Chairs

Each WCS student from Grades Four through Eight is given an agenda at the beginning of the school year. Sometimes it is so tattered and worn within months that we fail to see the Bible verses and messages of hope on the actual pages. At the beginning of January I found it very fitting that the first reminder for the new year is this question: “Do you ever think of yourself as a masterpiece?”  The adjoining message goes on to say that “You are not a product of chance. In fact, just the opposite is true.  You were created by a loving God who knows you and loves you and has a plan for your life!”  (p.60) Sometimes words have more effect on us than at other times. We and our children also hear the many alternate views which our society throws at us all of the time. That is why when a book or movie comes out that mirrors our view of how special each person is, it is a cause for celebration. It is a cause for celebration when 94% of google users who cared to be put in a review for the movie say that it is great and/or excellent! The movie, based on the book Wonder, tells us of an inspiring story of a boy named August Pullman, who has facial deformities and is now attending a mainstream elementary school for the first time. The messages about kindness, friendship, and acceptance are so refreshing and life changing. I encourage you to read the book and/or see the movie! God gives us gifts of love in many places. And we can learn from them!

-Mrs. Dieleman, WCS Librarian

-Christi, Grade 8

Science Learning

Science Fair projects have been a part of the learning culture at WCS for many years. What makes a science fair project such a great learning experience is that it involves so much more than just science? Communication is a key component as students need to be able to articulate their process, goals and findings clearly. Other aspects that tie into the process of creating a science fair project that connect to learning goals for students include writing the research report, researching topics on the internet, conducting experiments using precise skills, and learning about plagiarism. Students are asked to discuss their projects and to relate the learning process to an authentic audience of fellow classmates, teachers, judges, and members of the community who attend the Open House. Of course, the scientific method of learning is at the heart of any science fair project. Science fairs are a great way for students to recognize what is going on in creation—the forces and processes that are at work all around them—and to inspire the desire to understand more about the world that God created. Preparing a science fair project is an excellent example of a hands-on, inquiry-based learning approach that allows students to ask questions and then to explore the answers. It starts already in their earliest learning years! When we provide the opportunity for students to learn this way, we are allowing them to wonder about things and then encouraging them to explore, to research, and to communicate to others what they’ve learned. Come wonder with us!

-Carol Verbeek, Principal 

Our annual pancake breakfast at WCS helps support our neighbours around the world. This year, breakfast money is designated for Edu-Deo Ministries. Here is the logo for Edu-Deo. Look carefully and you will see a book, a butterfly, and the fish symbol through the centre of the design. This logo represents the transformative power of Christian education. Edu-Deo Ministries (formerly Worldwide Christian Schools) is a Canadian, Christian, mission organization serving children in developing countries with quality education rooted in a Biblical worldview. Education is one of the most powerful tools for reducing poverty. Edu-Deo Ministries promotes sustainable schools by partnering long-term with existing school associations and mission organizations. Their goal is to take the effective tool of education and combine it with the transforming message of the Gospel. Woodstock Christian School, on Wednesday, get comfy, get ready for pancakes, and help us support Edu-Deo! For more information see https://edudeo.com/

Talking to Yourself

How inspiring listening to Olympian marathon runner Krista DuChene talk last Thursday about her blessings and trials.  She shared stories of both exciting highs and disappointing lows in her bid to win a spot on the 2016 Olympic team.  Every success was given back to God; challenges and failures were opportunities to lean on God.  Through it all, Mrs. DuChene intentionally told herself positive messages including:

I will choose joy.

I will be thankful.

God’s plan is better than mine.

This made me reflect on the messages we play in our minds all day long.  Sometimes these are negative messages which fuel feelings of helplessness, anger, resentment, and despair.  I sometimes hear students verbalize their internal dialogue.  Just in the past week, I have heard students say things like:

I don’t have friends.

I can’t do this.

I’m not good at math.

When I hear these types of messages, I encourage students to add a small but powerful three letter word to the end of their sentences…YET.  “Yet” has the potential to change a fixed mindset into a hope-filled growth mindset.  Students with a growth mindset expect their abilities will improve with practice. 

As teachers, we are intentional about helping students persevere through difficulties and embrace challenges.  God has not promised us that we will never experience hard times, but he has promised to be faithful and to never leave us.  By telling ourselves truths like Mrs. DuChene does, we too can reprogram our minds and become resilient, hopeful, lifelong learners who give God all the glory.

Tracy Bulthuis, Learning Support Teacher 

SNOW DAY. BUSES CANCELLED FEBRUARY 9. Due to weather advisory for heavy snow, buses are cancelled for today. WCS is closed.

Olympics: Running the Race

I love beautiful things. An unusual line of poetry, the brilliant colours of the sunset on my way home from school or the palest pinks of the sunrise that turn into bold ambers. The most beautiful of all are voices of children and their joyful radiance in song. As you look out of your window wherever that may be, look for the beauty and the colours of joy!

Elizabeth Martin, Music                 

Growing in Faith   

One of our guiding documents at Woodstock Christian School is the  Student Character Profile. This document was developed a few years ago with considerable input from the teaching staff and information from the Ontario Alliance of Christian Schools, as well as partner schools in the OACS family. Our desire was to articulate more full the words in our tagline - FAITH, LEARNING, COMMUNITY.  Currently, as we are engaged in developing a strategic plan for Woodstock Christian School, we are reviewing some of our essential documents. Here is the first part of the Student Character Profile. In future weeks, look for the rest of the document - the “grow in learning” and “grow in community” components. As we partner with you in your child’s education, join us in praying for and cultivating these key characteristics and skills.

-Carol Verbeek, Principal