7880 Walkers DriveStrathroy, ON N7G 3H4

Providing quality, Christ-centred

education

MARCH 2015

519-245-1934office@sccs.ca

www.Facebook.com/StrathroyCommunityChristianSchoolwww.sccs.ca

The Shift

There’s a joke about a woman who travels from the past (let’s say Little House on the Prairie era) into 2015. Once she arrives she looks around at all the immense changes in society; there are cars, airplanes, technology, large buildings, etc. So

much so that she feels overwhelmed and looks for a familiar and comfortable place. She quickly finds the closest school, enters it and immediately sighs and says, “Ah, finally something that feels the same.” I’m aware this is a harsh critique in a joking form, but I would not have included it if I did not feel there was truth found in it.

People often strive to create comfortable, predictable and secure places so we can go on auto pilot and avoid risks. However, ‘risky’ decisions that are based on God’s Word and will for our lives are not risks – they are obedient, faithful actions. When this school was started 60 years ago I’m sure people talked about the ‘risks’ of doing so, but faithfulness to God’s Word prevailed. We continue to reap the benefits of this ‘risk’ which was rooted in faithfulness to God 60 years later!

Strathroy Community Christian School (SCCS) has a strong desire to be faithful to God and also transformative in our educational practices. No doubt there was a time when a school would thrive with a teacher-centred, content-driven curriculum focused on amassing as much knowledge as possible. Maybe the writer of Little House on the Prairie, Laura Ingalls Wilder, did well in that type of system, and maybe you did too! The reality is that the world is different than 100 years ago – it’s different than five years ago!

Today’s youth need to be adaptable, innovative, entrepreneurial, empathetic, resilient, curious and critical thinkers. My schooling experience was designed so that I could prove how much knowledge I could retain and then release it at a prescribed test date. The educational experience at SCCS is designed to have elements of this knowledge-based system, but also have strategically designed opportunities to help students learn how to learn. This requires a focus on the learning process and not just the knowledge or information.

This shift is not a ‘change for the sake of change’ type of movement – it is necessary for faithfulness. There are many Biblical accounts of God calling His people to remain faithful and ready to be used for His kingdom work. We feel SCCS is striving toward equipping young Christians for a life of faithful service, hopefully for 60 more years! If you would like the specifics on how SCCS plans to engage young learners, feel free to ask me or come visit the school and see for yourself !

Blessings,Ken VanMinnenPrincipal

The Community Connection

Today’s youth need to be adaptable, innovative, entrepreneurial, empathetic, resilient, curious andcritical thinkers.

Greetings from the SCCS Board,

This past Sunday, on a glorious afternoon walk with my family, I saw the beautiful beginning signs of spring. After a cold winter, we eagerly anticipate the warmth of the strengthening sun, longer days and the coming of spring itself. In stark contrast to the white snow and bare trunks of the trees, small tree buds shine radiantly to eyes starved for colour – the first hint that bears witness to spring coming. From that first hint, we begin to see the signs of spring all around; the melting snow, the geese flying north, animals coming out of hibernation. Once we begin to see the signs of the changing of the seasons, we notice that the signs are everywhere.

At SCCS, we are also seeing signs of transformation in a similar way. When talking to folks in the greater Strathroy community I often hear about how SCCS is alive and vibrant; people speak about the wonderful atmosphere of the school – the sense of Jesus’ love and grace is shining brightly – very alike to the trees showing signs of spring after a long winter. SCCS has a bold vision and a high calling – we hope that students are not only receiving excellent academic instruction, but are engaged and actively participating in their learning.

The next time you are at SCCS take a few moments to pause in the foyer and listen to the sounds of learning – you’ll hear laughter, music, sounds of students working and learning together, and teachers helping students to connect

with concepts and ideas. SCCS is a place of vibrancy, of transformation – the kind of transformation that connects students with curiosity and a love of learning. As a Christian community, we praise God for what He is doing at SCCS and in the hearts of all who are connected to the vision of our school.

Over the past several months, the Board has actively been working together on several initiatives to continue to develop SCCS into a centre of transformative Christ-centred learning. Within the next few months, we hope to present a comprehensive strategic plan to take SCCS into the next 3–5 years. One of the most important tasks of the Board is to provide oversight and evaluation to the principal and to ensure alignment of vision and practice; the Board was pleased to complete this evaluation over the winter months. We feel God has blessed our community in equipping Mr. VanMinnen with skills and talents to lead the operations of SCCS. Please hold the Board in your prayers as we continue in our task; we feel blessed to be a part of such a supportive community.

We pray that you will continue to feel God’s face shine upon you as you follow Him in this world.

In Christ’s service,Gabriella Hoogstrahoogstragsccs@gmail.com519-854-9374

Update from the Board

If you can’t pop by to see us, but would still like to financially contribute to SCCS, please visit www.CanadaHelps.org. Once there, search for “Strathroy Community Christian School” to donate. You can even set up a monthly donation plan! It’s an easy way to make a big impact for the school you love.

Donate Online at www.CanadaHelps.org

www.Facebook.com/StrathroyCommunityChristianSchool

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

March 16–20 – March Break – No SchoolMarch 25 – Parent Teacher InterviewsApril 1 – Chapel at 8:45 a.m. by Grade OneApril 2 – Principal for the Day/Magic ShowApril 3 – Good Friday – No SchoolApril 6 – Easter Monday – No School

April 8 – Hot Dog DayApril 11 – Spring Dinner/60th AnniversaryJune 6 – Golf TournamentJune 13 – Touch-A-TruckJune 19 – Graduation Ceremony

Important Dates!

Sponsor this Newsletter!

Contact our Director of Marketing,

Darren Hakker, at dhakker@sccs.caor 1-519-491-0404. www.Facebook.com/

SecondChanceConstructionStore

c o m m u n i t y s t o reCHANCESECOND

New Look for our Ever-Growing StoreThis April, the Second Chance Construction Store will be rebranded the ‘Second Chance Community Store’ to better reflect the range of products available and the variety of people who come together to make it happen.

Over the past three years, the store has become a hub of community activity, which thousands of people in Strathroy-Caradoc use to divert waste and find amazing deals on quality products.

Did you know that almost $100,000 was profited in 2014 for school operations? And this number continues to grow! Please consider donating your products and time to ensure the continued success of the store.

Rob Hoiting, Manager24661 Adelaide Road, Strathroy, ON, N7G 2P7519-246-6000 storemanager@sccs.ca

c o m m u n i t y s t o re

CHANCESECOND

Y’all Have Fun NowGrade 3 celebrated Pioneer Day as if they were in school during the pioneer times, and performed work from that time period as well – even writing with slate boards and chalk! They ate delicious potato soup with biscuits for lunch. Then in the afternoon they went into groups and made rag dolls, tin can lanterns and moccasin slippers. And as you can see, they dressed for the time period as well.

All for a Good CauseSince the school community raised more than $75,000 at the 25th Annual Goods and Services Auction/Dinner, school staff members Frank Schalk, Kevin Vanderleeuw, Darren Attema and Ken VanMinnen lost their hair. Thanks guys for being such good sports!

Girls’ Basketball UpdateThe girls’ basketball team had a great time at the Christian school tournament. We all played our hardest and had great sportsmanship. We won our first three games. Then we moved onto the quarterfinals against Woodstock, which we won. Then we moved onto the semifinals against London Christian Academy, which we also won. In the finals, we played Chatham, again! It was a tough game but we pulled through and finally beat them. We won that game by three points, 16–13. We had a great tournament thanks to our teamwork and a special thanks to our wonderful coaches Mr. and Mrs. de Schiffert for pushing and encouraging us to victory! Written by Lana Haan, Kaylee Bos, Megan Cocksworth and Danielle Schelhaas

Grade Seven and Eight vs. Staff Dodgeball

Volleyball Teams on the Ball

STORIES WANTEDIt’s our school’s 60th anniversary and we have a few activities in the works to make it grand. Do you have stories or photos from your time at SCCS that we can include in our upcoming newsletter or on our website? Email them to dhakker@sccs.ca and let’s share why we love SCCS so much!

60th Anniversary Celebration Begins

with Dinner & ShowStrathroy Community Christian School is celebrating its 60th with a magnificent Spring Dinner and Show on Saturday, April 11. The evening will be packed with an extravagant meal followed by entertainment to celebrate its past and raise funds for our school.

The event will feature award-winning author and speaker Phil Callaway on his Southwestern Ontario Tour! Phil is known worldwide for his humorous yet perceptive look at life. He is the best-selling author of 25 books. His daily radio program Laugh Again is broadcast across North America, the UK, and English-speaking Africa. One of Phil’s greatest passions is telling stories that help people laugh and learn about the things that matter most.

School supporters, community members and alumni are all welcome! Please reserve your seats for the Spring Dinner and Show. (Cost is by donation only.) Call the school at 519-245-1934.

GOLF TOURNAMENTStrathroy CommunityChristian School

The 22nd Annual

Golf Tournament on New Weekend! The annual golf tournament is back on a new weekend this year! Join three friends and register a team for Saturday, June 6 at Widder Station Golf & Country Club. Registration includes 18 holes of golf with cart, coffee & muffins, starter kit, and chicken and roast beef dinner.

Reserve your foursome by contacting: Jana Hamstra at jhmstra@gmail.com or 519-245-1715Juanita Holman at holman@bell.net or 519-245-8876

Sponsorships start at only $250. Contact Chris Kaastra at chris.kaastra@gmail.com or 519-525-3878.

All profits will go to Tuition Assistance Fund!

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Scramble Rules and Regulations

1. Four person scramble, best ball. 2. All groups must use at least three tee shots from each

person. 3. Maximum strokes per hole is double par!!! When you

reach double par, inform your group, pick up your ball and go to the next hole.

4. In consideration of those teeing off after you, please play quickly.

5. Water hazards defined by yellow stakes.

6. Lateral water hazards are defined by red stakes.

7. Out of bounds defined by white stakes.

8. Play “Ready Golf”, repair ball marks and rake all traps. 9. Please keep golf carts on cart paths, and adhere to a

strict 90 degree rule when required. 10. Everyone starts at white tees, and if you birdie a hole

you must move to the blue tees for the next hole then go back to the white tees until you boogie.

11. Closest to the hole has to be on the green.

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60thMore photos and stories to come in the next Community Connection! Email yours to dhakker@sccs.ca

HIGHLIGHTS