7880 Walkers DriveStrathroy, ON N7G 3H4

Providing quality, Christ-centred

education

The Community ConnectionSEPTEMBER 2014

519-245-1934office@sccs.ca

www.Facebook.com/StrathroyCommunityChristianSchoolwww.sccs.ca

Lost without Him, Alive with HimYou know one of the funny things about society right now? Our fear of telling people that we are not okay. We can talk about almost anything, but when the conversation switches over to our struggles in living a life for Christ, the words can dry up pretty quickly. We can talk about choices, mistakes and circumstances, but sin is different. Sin is too negative or depressing and people want to focus on more positive things – things they can control. Not sin, and definitely not being born a sinner.

How do you know what darkness is? The usual response to this is because you have seen what things look like in the light. Well, the inverse is true too. How do we know how great God is and the sacrifice of Jesus is? We know God is great because we have seen sin and have lived lives without Him. It is important for us in the Christian education system to be balanced, but I believe part of the balance is to recognize the Biblical position of sin. We are broken, we are lost and we are incapable of fixing the situation. Wow! So far you might be thinking this is pretty sad summertime reading. Hold on, it gets better.

The reason why focusing on “Lost without Him” is important is because the “Alive with Him” does not make any sense without it! If I am okay and I can handle things on my own with no assistance required then what did Jesus do for me when He sacrificed Himself ? Nothing. In this scenario He came to the world full of self-sufficient and well-managed humans and died for nothing because we don’t need Him.

God is greater than this though! Isaiah 42:6-7 states, “I, the Lord, have called you in righteousness; I will take hold of your hand. I will keep you and make you to be a covenant for the people and a light to the Gentiles, to open the eyes that are blind, to free captives from prison and to release from the dungeon those who sit in darkness”. Does anyone think they can do this? Can you take yourself out of prison? Can you open your eyes from blindness? Can you make yourself a light? You can’t, but God can! Our focus needs to be on who God is and what He has done.

Our theme is “Lost without Him, Alive with Him” and the song for the 2014-2015 year is “My Lighthouse” by Rend Collective. The chorus states that God is, “My lighthouse, my lighthouse, shining in the darkness, I will follow you”. At SCCS we want students to read, write and do math, but at the same time we want them to realize they are helpless on their own to do anything. Not a popular statement in our society that praises strength, independence and competition. Just because our society diminishes sin and brokenness does not make it the truth. Pray that this year many students and teachers will realize where their strength comes from and that they will rest in the One able to make us truly alive!

Blessings, Ken VanMinnenPrincipal

On behalf of the SCCS Board of Directors, welcome back to another school year! We hope that you have enjoyed a summer of rest and relaxation and have had the opportunity to reconnect with family and friends as you enjoyed a slower pace of life. We at SCCS are eagerly anticipating another school year and rest in the belief that God will bless us and speak into our hearts and lives at SCCS!

This year’s theme reminds us how dependent we are on God for everything – He is the light to our path and the Redeemer of our lives; without Him we cannot take a breath; He is the very Source of life. We pray that God will continue to move at SCCS and mold our hearts and minds to be responsive to His call in our lives.

Over the coming year the Board will continue to oversee the implementation of the current strategic plan; out of 56 action items identified in the 2011 strategic plan – 44 have been completed! Thank you for your overwhelming support in achieving this accomplishment! The strategic plan has realized numerous blessings such as engagement and vibrancy of learning for our students, a staff team focussed on engaging each student, increased transparency in finances, active involvement of the SCCS community, and increased clarity between school operations and Board governance. Throughout this process, we have sought God’s leading and guidance knowing that He is a responsive, personal God who

desires relationship with His people. Matthew 7:7 states “Ask and it will be given to you, seek and you will find, knock and the door will be opened to you.” We as the Board of SCCS are committed to asking, seeking and knocking knowing that SCCS is God’s school committed to following Him in our community.

As we’re wrapping up the 2011 Strategic Plan, we’ll also engage in the planning process again and invite the SCCS community to join us in dreaming big about what the future may hold. Please join us at a town hall meeting in the fall to share your thoughts and suggestions for building into the future of SCCS . The Board also humbly asks for your ongoing commitment to SCCS through your feedback, prayers, volunteer support and financial donations. Each of you is an integral part of the SCCS community and is vitally important in attaining the vision of SCCS ‘To provide outstanding, transformative education of mind, body and spirit so that God will be glorified in the Strathroy community.’ We are thankful you share in the vision and are part of the SCCS community!

Blessings,Gabriella HoogstraChairperson of the Boardhoogstragsccs@gmail.com

Update from the Board

The highly anticipated 25th Annual Goods and Services Dinner Auction will be held at the Caradoc Community Centre in Mount Brydges on Saturday, November 15.

With the help of amazing local businesses and individuals, last year’s event raised an astounding $51,000! This generosity has helped Strathroy Community Chris-tian School continue to provide quality, Christ-centred education. This year’s auc-tion will also help to raise funds for the school’s new HVAC units.

Please consider the contribution of a ser-vice, a product or a gift certificate for the auction. Tax receipts may be issued for

cash donations and for fair market value of large-valued goods contributed.Participation in this landmark event pro-vides businesses with excellent marketing opportunities:• Your product or service will be

presented to the public attending the auction;

• Your contribution will be included in the auction booklet with your name as the contributor; and

• You may receive a certificate to display to the public that you have supported this event.

Please call Theo Schelhaas at 519-246-1709, Jenny Linker at 519-264-2335 or the school at 519-245-1934.

Help Wanted for the 25th Annual Goods and Services Dinner Auction

Summer is not a quiet time at the SCCStore. Thank you to all who took the time to volunteer for a shift or two (or 20) over the holidays! We love seeing new volunteers join us in the awesome work that is done at the store! Some highlights of the summer months have been:• The Repurposing Day on July 28. Almost 30 people

volunteered at the SCCStore that day in various ca-pacities. Many helped paint, build, fix and repurpose various items for the store. We even started making some items for the Christmas season. There was a lot of laughing and getting to know each other! We hope to do it again soon and we hope you will join us!

• The Shabby Chic corner keeps growing! Lots of re-purposed items and refinished/repainted furniture are

moving through the store. Pinterest offers much of the inspiration.

• We have entered into a partnership with Youth For Christ to collect electronic recycling on their behalf. In return, YFC is providing some volunteer help for us. Bring us your electronics!

• Our manager Rob was married on August 2. Congratulations to Rob and Lori and we wish you God’s richest blessings in the future.

• Financially the store continues to surpass our expecta-tions. In the Aug 1 - July 31 fiscal year the store made a profit of more than $85,000 for SCCS. We praise God for blessing the SCCS community in this way!

www.Facebook.com/StrathroyCommunityChristianSchool

Stay Connected to the Community!Join the SCCS community online, stay up to date with happenings and show your support! ‘Like’ us on Facebook today!

September 2 – FIRST DAY OF SCHOOL FOR GRADES 1–8September 2 – Chapel 8:45 a.m.September 3 – FIRST DAY OF SCHOOL FOR JK AND SKSeptember 10 – Class and Individual Pictures – JK to Grade 8September 12 – BBQ and Meet the Teacher Night 5:30–7:30 p.m.September 16 – New Parent Social at 7 p.m. @ SCCSSeptember 26 – Terry Fox Run @ SCCS in the afternoonSeptember 30 – Woodstock District Soccer TournamentOctober 1 – Chapel @ 8:45 a.m. by Grade 2October 2 – Will Clinic at SCCS @ 7:30 p.m.

October 7 – Cross Country in StratfordOctober 13 – Thanksgivings Day – No SchoolOctober 23–24 – Edifide Teacher’s Convention – No School November 10 – Remembrance Day Chapel by Grade 1November 15 – 25th Annual Goods & Services Dinner Auction November 21 – PD Day – No SchoolNovember 21 – Volleyball Tournament in LondonNovember 24 – Fall Membership Meeting @ 8:00 p.m.November 28 – 1st Term Report Cards go home

What’s New in Our Store?

Important Dates!

Change is in the air here at SCCS to deliver the best education possible! Starting this fall, students in grades 6-8 will have a daily school schedule that we feel provides a better learning experience for both students and staff.

Students start each day in their homeroom. After their homeroom class, students pick up their books from their newly installed lockers and move to their next class. This means that students move from room to room instead of teachers.

We believe that this new model adds significant value to middle school students:

• Students are taught by teachers who are knowledgeable and passionate about their disciplines.

• Students grow accustomed to a high school model, easing their transition into secondary education.

• Students are given a time to change environments, teachers and subject areas which promotes engagement and motivation.

Middle School is Here for Grades 6, 7, 8

Up, Up and Away!

We are thrilled to announce that the new HVAC units were installed this summer! Thank you to the hundreds of people who contributed to this project.

We are so blessed!

If you were unable to financially contribute to this project, but would now like to, please contact the office.

Rethinking Fundraising at SCCS From the Finance Development & Planning Committee

In 2013, Finance D&P set out to answer a question: What role does/should fundraising play in the SCCS vision of transformative education of mind, body and spirit, and how does it glorify God in the Strathroy community? Our theory was that it has an important part to play at SCCS, but that there were some areas of the existing fundraising model that needed some tweaking. Before we tell you what we discovered, let us explain some of the things the committee had to consider throughout the process of evaluation.• What determines that a fundraiser is successful? Is it total money raised? $$$ raised per

hour? Profit percentage? Profit raised per volunteer? The number of participants? • What causes a fundraiser that was once successful to slowly decline in profitability?• What has changed in our needs from 25 or 50 years ago?• Why are some people more inclined to help, support and participate in fundraisers,

and other people don’t?• What is the purpose of fundraising?• What does our community think about fundraising?• What does the research “out there” say about successful fundraising?

Working through these questions was a wonderful opportunity to really look at the way fundraising has been done in the past at SCCS. It was also an opportunity to look forward to a plan where SCCS fundraising remains aligned with the vision and mission of SCCS, so that it is excellent, Christ-centred, transformative and God glorifying. So, you may ask, what exactly does that look like?

Based on these three pillars, criteria were developed that could be used to analyze potential fundraisers to determine if they should be included in SCCS fundraising. This analysis is available on the SCCS website.

What’s Next?The Finance D&P Committee is excited to roll out the new Fundraising Strategy. Steps in this rollout will include:• Changes in actual fundraising events—some events are being discontinued, some put

on hold while they are re-visioned, and others will continue.• Communication in the SCCS community about: ○ The role of fundraising for keeping tuition affordable; ○ The impact of fundraising on the big picture strategic plan of SCCS; ○ CRA requirements to ensure we maintain our charitable status; and ○ The need for engagement by ALL families.

Stay tuned for more communications and invitations to engage in the important role that fundraising plays at SCCS! Thanks for your continued support and participation!

RespectIt is imperative that we respect the resources of our families and supporters. A good SCCS fundraiser should not primarily provide profit for businesses and should offer value for money spent. It should value volunteer time at market value and results should be available to the supporting community quickly.

RelationshipsThe best fundraisers build new or strengthen existing relationships with each other, the church community and the greater Strathroy community. They always allow opportunity to share the vision and mission of SCCS, and encourage people to join in that Kingdom work.

RecognitionThe hard work and dedication of volunteers should be recognized in the larger community. Budgeted and actual fundraising results must be shared on a regular basis.

What is VIP?The Voucher Incentive Program (VIP) is an exciting opportunity for Strathroy Community Christian School (SCCS) parents to reduce the cost of their tuition while raising funds for SCCS.

Simply put, it is a fundraising program that works while you shop!

Here’s how it works: SCCS buys gift cards/certificates in bulk at a discounted rate and sells them at face value to VIP participants. Every participating family is given an account in which their purchases are recorded and 50% of the profit goes into this account to be used toward their tuition. SCCS keeps the remaining 50% which goes directly into the school’s budget. The gift cards/certificates are used by the

VIP participants just like cash at the participating retailers - without costing anything extra.

How does it help?• More than $15,000 was raised last year for the operating

budget. That’s about $150 per family.

• More than $15,000 was returned to families in the form of tuition rebates.

• It’s a tax-free way to decrease your tuition payments.• It’s a “don’t buy something you don’t need” way to

raise funds for SCCS…you pay FACE VALUE for certificates at stores YOU ALREADY SHOP AT.

• Using VIP to pay for gas for our fleet of buses raised more than $3,000 for SCCS.

• VIP helps all families afford Christian education.

Canadian Tire Esso Petro Canada Pioneer UltramarIGA/Sobeys/Foodland M&M Meats Metro/Food Basics RCSS/No Frills/Loblaws Boston PizzaDomino’s Pizza Casey’s East Side Mario’s Jack Astor’s Kelsey’sMontana’s Swiss Chalet Harvey’s Moxie’s Pizza PizzaRed Lobster Starbucks Sobeys The Keg

Tim HortonsWendy’s Aldo American Eagle Bath & Body Works Best BuyBest Western Body Shop Build-a-Bear Chapters ColesIndigo Cineplex Famous Players’ Silver City

FootlockerFairmont Hotels Giant Tiger Fruits & Passion Golf Town

Future Shop Gymboree HBC Home Outfitters The Bay HMVHome Depot Kernels Home Hardware LaSenza Laura SecordLa Vie en Rose Mark’s Work Warehouse Marriot Hotels Old Navy/GapPayless Shoes PetSmart Pier 1 Rainbow Cinema

RONA Roots Running Room Scholar’s Choice SearsShopper’s Drugmart SportChek

Staples Suzy Shier The SourceThe Children’s Place Shoe Company Toys R Us West 49 WalmartWinner’s Home Sense

What is VIP and How Does it Help?

Thank you to those families who already participate! If you don’t yet participate, we encourage youto start…it is as easy as emailing vip@sccs.ca to get a login and password.

You can order gift certificates for the following stores:

Some people hate the taste of fish, but I read an article recently that might make them change their minds, quite literally. Did you know that on average eating fish once per week results in a region of your brain called the hippocampus increasing in size by 14%! This is the part of the brain responsible for things like memory and other cognitive functions that degenerate with the onset of Alzheimer’s. If eating more fish can reduce the occurrence of dementia, then sign me up!

Just as modifying one’s behavior (by eating more fish), can strengthen a critical part of the brain and the whole body benefits, so too can members of the body of Christ – the church – strengthen one another. Romans 12 is often quoted in the context of how each member of the body has a different function, but Paul goes on to remind us that members of the body belong to one another. It’s out of the sense of belonging that community emerges and our purpose is realized – to know and make known the life we have in Christ.

Members of the Strathroy Community Christian School Society intuitively understand this, not only because of all of the good things our children are blessed with, but because we recognize we are witness to a small part of a much larger pattern that has repeated itself down through the ages. As members we all belong to each other and in Christ we strengthen one another for His glory.

Membership is more than enrolling your children as students at SCCS. It’s more than participating in various school functions and events. It’s more than volunteering. It’s even more than praying. All of these things are vital, but in it’s fullest form, membership is a formal proclamation we ask all who understand and agree with the mission and purpose of the SCCS society to demonstrate by reviewing and renewing their pledges which run out at the end of the calendar year.

This year will bring a renewed focus on making sure our membership information is up to date and that as new families join our community, they understand the opportunity to further formalize their commitment to support SCCS by becoming members. We will also be following up with existing members to confirm their intent to renew – so don’t be surprised if you hear from us!

As we kick off another school year this fall, let’s remember how much we have to be thankful for and encourage one another to renew our commitment to be active, engaged members of the SCCS community. Let’s not only “re-commit”, but let’s “re-member”.

Now if only I could remember to buy fish more often at the grocery store …

In His Service,Sam Wilson on behalf of the SCCS Board of DirectorsMembership Committee (sccsmembers@gmail.com)

MEMBERS WANTED!

I’m in!

Serve wholeheartedly, as if you were serving the Lord... (Ephesians 6:7)

Volunteerism at SCCS: Bringing glory to God

Engaging in life-changing work Being involved in a community

Creating change

Are you in? Contact SCCS today to see where you fit!

www.sccs.ca 519-245-1934

Will you “Re-Member”?

Sponsor this NewsletterContact our Director of Marketing, Darren Hakker, at dhakker@sccs.ca or 1-519-491-0404.

Welcome to Our New Families!

The Buma FamilyLogan Buma is four years old, and is starting Senior Kindergarten this year. Connor is two years old. Selena (Mom) is a social worker at University Hospital and Mike (Dad) is a Strategy Analyst at an IT research firm in London.

The Cho Family Andy is in SK and Jaden is in grade 5.

The Choi Family Yunho is in grade 2 and Haehoo and Haesun are in grade 8.

The Cocksworth FamilyMichelle has Andrew in grade 5, William in grade 7 and Megan in grade 8.

The Derbyshire FamilyBrian and Laurie have five children. Lane is 17 and recently graduated high school. Valley is in grade 7. Birdie is in grade 1. Sunny is in JK. Adear is three years old this September and will be joining school next year. We are farmers, growing cash crops and we also run a cow/calf operation.

The Duplan FamilyNikki is an at-home mom and Greg is the owner of Arborscience (arborist). Cameron starts JK and is very excited! Amelia is our adventurous two year old. Wynona is our lovely six month old.

The Haan FamilyBryan, Kim, Urijah and Tucker Haan moved to Strathroy in 2011. Urijah is entering Junior Kindergarten.

The Heise FamilyWe are the Heise family (Colin, Stacey, Levi, Jordyn and Micah)! Our oldest child, Levi, will pave the way by joining SK this year, with his sister, Jordyn to join next year. Micah is the baby (so far).

The Hong Family Junwoo is in grade 3 and Wyun Woo is in grade 6.

The Huls FamilyCarla (mom) works as a physiotherapist in London and Brandon (dad) is a self-employed residential contractor. We have two children: Maelle is entering Junior Kindergarten this year and little brother Declan turned one in April.

The Jung Family Taehui is in grade 2 and Dayeon is in grade 3.

The Kim Family Nicole has two children entering SCCS. Hojun is in grade 4 and Adela is in grade 5.

The Leystra Family Scott and Brooke have Benjamin entering JK.

The McManus Family Ryan and Heather have Leah in SK, Hannah in grade 1 and Caleb in grade 3.

The Medeiros FamilyLisa has Alanna entering grade 1.

The Moore FamilyThe Moore family is Andrew, Stephanie, Logan and Jocelyn. Logan is starting JK.

The Murray FamilyWayne and Renee’s daughter Courtney joined us last year. She is now in grade 6.

The Parsons FamilyNate and Ginnie have Abby entering JK.

The Sousa FamilyOsvaldo and Marina have Rafael in JK and Nathanael in SK.

The Stewart FamilyWe are the Stewarts of Coldstream; aka the Stewcrew. Our youngest daughter, Kaylee, is entering grade 6 at SCCS. Jenna is in grade 11 at SDCI and Rachel just graduated from SDCI. Kevin and Debbie own and operate Agvision Inc., a small agricultural media company. Debbie also works as a contract registered dietitian in Long-Term Care.

The Vanderdeen FamilyAndrea’s son Derek is in JK.

The VanderSchaaf FamilyDoug and Stephanie have been married for nine years and have three children (Hannah in grade 3, Josiah in SK and Sarah is three). Doug co-owns a countertop business. Stephanie is a stay-at-home mom and is also a part-time bookkeeper.

The Wierenga Family Mike and Dana have Kailyn in grade 3 and Breydon in grade 8. The Winia FamilyWe are Jeremiah, Kim, Matthew and Isabelle Winia. This is our first year at SCCS and we are looking forward to meeting new friends. Isabelle is in grade 1 and Matthew is in grade 3.

We thank the Lord for the new families that He has brought to SCCS this year! Please make them feel welcome when you see them!

Welcome to Our New SCCS Staff Members

Mrs. Elizabeth ToslandMy husband Dave and I live in Strathroy and our two boys, Joshua and Matthew, attend SCCS. I am a certified teacher and I am excited about the chance to work as a part-time educational assistant to helping students achieve their potential. I look forward to the coming year and what God has in store for the SCCS community.

Mrs. Dana WierengaMy name is Dana Wierenga. My family and I are so excited that we have moved back to Strathroy after a year away. My husband will be working in Wyoming and two of my children will be attending SCCS again next year. I am so glad that God has opened this door for me to be a part of the SCCS team!

I look forward to serving your families as an educational assistant and pray that our school will be a blessing in the community.

Mrs. Susan NoordermeerHappy September! I am excited to be starting as thegrade five teacher at SCCS.I am new to the teaching profession as I was a physiotherapist for 17 years. I had the wonderful opportunity to teach grade 6 for third term last school year. I look forward to seeing not only my own children in the hallways, but also the smiling faces of my grade five class.

Darren AttemaI was born and raised in Smithville, Ontario, a small town located in the middle of the Niagara region. Upon finishing high school I participated in a travelling discipleship program called Outtatown. While on this program I had the opportunity to travel to Western Canada and South Africa where I developed a love for travel and meeting new people. I went on to graduate with a Bachelor of Physical Education from the University of Manitoba and then a Bachelor of Education from Western University. After graduating I taught and lived in Australia for a year before returning home and working in a group home for children with behavioural needs. I enjoy playing sports and am a diehard Leafs fan.

“I, the Lord, have called you in righteousness; I will take hold of your hand. I will keep you and make you to be a covenant for the people and a light to the Gentiles, to open the eyes that are blind, to free captives from prison and to release from the dungeon those who sit in darkness.” Isaiah 42:6-7