Wednesday, May 30, 2012

Mission:  The mission of Immanuel Christian School is to prepare students to meet the challenge of the world and culture they live in as young and growing Christians.  Thus, students are taught the skill of discernment in the light of God’s Word, the practice of stewardship for creation, the required commitment to a life of Christian service, and the beauty of witness through modeling God’s love in a broken world.

School’s email address:  immanuel@amtelecom.net

Principal’s email address: icsprincipal@amtelecom.net

ICS - Web: www.immanuelchristianschool.net Ph: 519-773-8476

LDCSS - Web:  www.ldcss.on.ca   Ph: 519-455-4360

Christian Education Foundation (endowment fund): www.ldcef.org

Upcoming Events

May   31    Grade 5 & 6 to U.W.O.

June    3    Choir/Worship Team at Grace Community Church

            4     Grades JK-2 to Greenview Aviaries

   6    WD Track & Field in Strathroy (7^th rain/heat date)

         No JK/SK – school is closed

   8    AR goals due;  LDCSS Art Festival

13      Last day of classes for LDCSS                                                    

14     ICS P.D. Day, LDCSS Study Day – no school

14   Band to Canada’s Wonderland

15     LDCSS Exam Day

18     LDCSS Study Day

19     LDCSS Exam Day

20     ICS Graduation; LDCSS Exam Day

21     Last day of school for ICS (half day)

22-26  Teacher Work Days; LDCSS Graduation

         

 

From the Principal's Desk:

As we prepare to finish up the school year, we're also looking forward to next Fall.  We held our JK orientation day yesterday, with 9 JK-to-be students, one new SK-to-be student and our current JKs.  Lots of children!  We're excited to have 9 JKs and 11 SKs (2 of whom will be full-time)!  As you speak with friends and acquaintances, please remind them that it's not too late to register!  The Kindergarten class is an indication of future school health, and an enrolment of 10 in each grade will put us as a school at 100 students, which would be very good.  Enrolment for 2012-2013 is currently at 86 students and 48 families.  We thank God for the rich heritage of Christian school support in our community, and we have high hopes for the future as we are faithful to Him in leading, administering, teaching, volunteering and financial support.

We are currently putting the final touches on our annual calendar, making sure we have a good alignment of school days, professional development time, and special events that add to our curriculum.  We have recently finalized our daily schedule, which sees an alignment of our mathematics teaching time with OACS standards, along with time for an end-of-day homeroom period, and a reduction of the long afternoon block by shifting recess and lunch times.  Across all grades, the homeroom teacher will instruct in math, language and Bible.  Teachers will retain their current grade assignments.  I will teach gr 5/6 social science, and a tech classpart of language arts for grades 3 though 8. Mrs Robinson will complement that with a term 1 focus on information literacy (library).  We will have some rotary for senior French, gym and geography.  We have also developed a draft resource policy to guide Mrs VanderHoek's scheduling and employment, focussing on in-class assistance, with withdrawal as an option if that suits best.  We trust that these amendments will help to further hone our educational program - supporting the Board's vision is for an "innovative and exceptional educational program for our children."

In terms of staff, we will sadly need to bid a farewell to Ms Jess Edwards.  She has done an excellent job as our band leader!  With an increase in her hours at St Thomas Community Christian School, though, she will be unable to continue with us for 2012-2013. She will be dearly missed!  We are in the position of wanting to hire a capable band leader, with a love of God, music and children, on a part-time basis (practices once weekly, plus performances) - please call me if you know anyone or are interested yourself!

blessings,

//Keith Cameron//

Principal

A NOTE FROM MISS E

To my Immanuel Family,

Thank you for another wonderful year of music making!  It has been a blessing to spend my Thursdays with the school family at Immanuel and I've been so thankful that my schedule has allowed me to continue to my relationship with ICS over these past two year.  At this time, however, my teaching contract at STCCS has been expanded in such a way that I can no longer maintain my formal role with ICS as the Band Director.  Although my formal affiliation is ending, I look forward to making many more memories with my ICS family with events like the Getty concert and collaborative classroom trips or projects.  I'm reminded of Philippians 1:3-5 "I thank my God every time I remember you.  In all my prayers for all of you, I always pray with joy because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now...".  You have been a blessing and encouragement to me - may you be blessed as you serve our GREAT God!  - Miss "E''

Praying for Our Families at staff devotions this morning:  Eric & Evelina Hartemink, Cory & Jodie Hibbert, Chris & Christy Hiemstra, Allen & Randee Hooghiem, Andre & Sylvia Hooghiem

Praying For Our Staff this week:  Ms. Buma  

Reminder:  School Athletics T-Shirt:  Orders are due tomorrow, Thursday, May 31^st.  Order form at the end of the Journal.

     Meat and Baked Goods:  Orders are due tomorrow, Thursday, May 31 with pickup on Friday, June 15^th between 2 and 4.  Note:  this date has been changed from Thursday, because that is a P.D. and there will be no classes. Feel free to drop off your coolers and bags at the school for your convenience but please put your name on them. 

  

   The cheese will not be sent home till Thursday June 7 because of Track and Field day.

Tuition Assistance for 2012/2013:  If you would like to apply for Tuition Assistance for ICS next year, please download the application form. The form is available from the school website immanuelchristianschool.net and clicking on the “Policy Handbook and Board Meeting Minutes”, then “Policy Handbook”, then “Section 11 – Finance” and then “11.07 Tuition Assistance Policy”. The form is at the bottom of the policy. 

**New for 2012/2013 – LDCSS will begin collecting their own tuition in September.  If you would like to apply for Tuition Assistance, please contact their office at 519-455-4360.

District Track & Field Day in Strathroy – Wed., June 8 (raindate Thurs., June 7):  Just a reminder that there will be

No school on that day since the staff needs to be there to run the events at the Track Meet.  Students who are participating have been given a photo copy of their name tag, cover letter, map layout and schedule today.  Please check with your child if they are participating.

                                               

The Auxiliary will once again run the food both but we need helpers to set up the food cart, serve food items, and BBQ throughout the day.  If you are willing please Bettina at (519) 269 - 9662 or e-mail at rbpoortinga@start.ca.   Thank you!

We want to say A big Thank you to the many volunteers who have helped us out at our Track and Field Day last Wednesday.  It was a great day of staff, parents and children working together to make it all happen. 

Transportation Note for Wednesday, June 8 when I.C.S. has no classes the LDCSS students need busing.  Busing is as follows:  Mrs. Rita Tesselaar’s bus will leave her home at 7:45 a.m. (Students catching the bus at her house should be there by 7:40.)  She will stop at the Carter Side Rd/Hwy 3 at 7:50 then go to the school, leave I.C.S. at 8:00, stop at Hiemstra’s at 8:10, stop in Lyons at the Fire Hall at 8:15, and at Church St. in Belmont at 8:25.  The return trip will be done in the reverse order.  The bus should be at I.C.S. approx. 3:45 p.m. as usual.

If it rains on Wednesday ICS will have a normal school day and normal busing and this will take place on the rain date Thursday, June 9.

The T.R.I.P. order for June is attached.  Stock up for the summer!  Next order goes out with your back-to-school letter in August.  Orders are due on Thursday, June 7^th with pick up on Thursday, June 14^th. 

Reminder:   You will be able to continue purchasing No Frills/Valumart and Tim Horton cards at Aunt Kelly’s Deli, Clovermead Apiaries, or Family Flowers throughout the summer or give Theressa deJong (519-765-3372) or Grace Schipper (519-866-3731) a call.  We will have a limited number of other popular selling gift cards in stock but we will need a bit of notice in order to make them available to you for pickup. 

BAND TRIP:  A quick note to remind parents that all permission forms and fees for the Band's trip to Canada's Wonderland are due to the office no later than June 8th.  If you are interested in chaperoning this trip, please indicate your availability on the permission form, or email Miss Edwards at jess.m.edwards@gmail.com.  Looking forward to an exciting trip!

Another Volunteer Opportunity:  Anyone interested in sprucing up our front flower beds?  Just to freshen them up, trim, pull weeds, re-arrange or add a few plants. This can be set up as a one time job or ongoing, whatever is your preference.  If this is your interest please talk to Keith or Marie.

The Board of Immanuel Christian School warmly invites all friends and supporters to attend our graduation ceremony for the senior kindergarten and grade 8 class of 2012 on Wednesday, June 20 beginning at 8:00pm at the Aylmer Christian Reformed Church.  Babysitting will be available in the church nursery.  Refreshments will be served behind the school following the ceremony. 

Thank your for inspiring a Generations of Heart Heroes

Dear Principal, 

On behalf of the Heart and Stroke Foundation, thank you for registering for Jump Rope for Heart and inspiring a generation of Heart Heroes.  

Jump Rope for Heart has been in Canadian schools for 30 years and is one of the Heart and Stroke Foundation’s most successful longstanding community engagement programs.  In addition to supporting heart and stroke research, education and advocacy, your participations in JUMP is the first step towards inspiring your students to be Heart Heroes. 

Being a Heart Hero means helping all kids keep their hearts strong and healthy.  By partnering with us at the Heart and Stroke Foundation, you can inspire improved heart health in your school and your community while making a difference in the lives of children who need our help.

Let’s work together to make a difference.

Fundraising awards for the children will be presented at the Awards Assembly on June 18^th.

Library news:

1.  Our Used Book Sale continues just outside the library door.  Check on the books that are no longer going to be part of our library collection, and pick up those old favourites.  Twenty-five cents means you may keep it!  Note: There is an easy-read encyclopedia set (2000) if you are looking for a reference set that may be a bit outdated but still has valuable information.

2.  Tomorrow is our last day for classroom library visits.  ALL LIBRARY MATERIALS ARE DUE TO BE RETURNED ON MONDAY, JUNE 4.  Students still reading for their AR goal may talk to Mrs. Robinson about special arrangements.  All other students need to bring books for home or another library for silent reading times in class.

3.  Summer Sign-out will take place on Wed., June 20.  This gives students the opportunity to sign out up to 10 books for the summer.  Check upcoming Journals for a permission form or send a note to Mrs. Robinson.

4.  Inventory Days:  It is time to go over the shelves to determine if all the books in the computer database are still on the shelves.  If you can spare a few hours, your help would be greatly appreciated. I will be in the library on the following days and would welcome your help:          Thursday, June 7 - 8:30-4                          Friday, June 8 - 1-4

                          Tuesday, June 12 - 8:30-3                         Wednesday, June 13 - 8:30-4

     

The Aylmer Christian Community is hosting Keith and Kristyn Getty on September 19, 2012 for a concert to be held at the Aylmer Christian Reformed Church.  Check out their website www.gettymusic.com.  The e-mail address for tickets and information is gettyconcertaylmer@hotmail.com. Tickets are also available at the Aylmer CRC, Monday – Thursday, 9-12 noon and also from committee members, Harry Broer, Trudy Wiebenga, Kees de Dreu and Sharon Schipper. 

Our used Library Book Sale:  All books on the cart outside the Library are just 25 cents each.  The honour system is in place - use the container on the cart. 

Gold Medal Basketball Camp 2012:  July 9-13 and August 13-17 at Arthur Voaden S.S. in St. Thomas for boys and girls entering grades 5-12.  More information is available in the office or go to the web site www.goldmedal.on.ca 

Summer Smash!:  Join London Christian second annual Volleyball Camp! August 13-17, 2011, London District Christian Secondary School is hosting a volleyball camp for anyone born in they years 1998-2001. The camp will emphasize volleyball fundamentals and strategies, in a fun, positive environment. For more information and to register go to www.ldcss.ca 

FROM THE CLASSROOMS:

                                               JUNIOR and SENIOR KINDERGARTEN

Some of the things we have done in Kindergarten:

Bible: Jonah

Letters and sounds: u, l, f

Math: Numeral Recognition

Phonemic Awareness: Beginning Sounds, Ending Sounds

                Discovering things that float and sink

JK/SK and Grades 1 & 2 Class Trip Monday, June 4, 2012 to Greenview Aviaries:  We plan to leave at 8:45 am. Please provide a bus friendly snack and some activities to play on the bus. Some other things to consider are running shoes, picnic lunch, sun screen lotion, water, towel, and bathing suit. There is a splash zone that we may enjoy if the weather is warm. Return time is 3:15 pm. Thank you to all the volunteers who will join us on our school trip: Bus driver: Mrs. Ann Walters

JK/SK: Ms. Robyn Allison, Mr. Cliff Janssens, Mrs. Carrie Rempel

Gr. 1/2: Mrs. Wendy Abell, Mrs. Tammy Vannoord, Mrs. Jill Vording

GRADES 1 and 2 – Ms. Pieters

Memory Work: for Thursday, June 7

Lift up your heads, O you gates; lift them up, you ancient doors, that the King of glory may come in.

Who is he, this King of glory?

The Lord Almighty – he is the King of glory. Psalm 24:9-10

Spelling: Spelling Dictation for Friday, June 1.  Grades 1 and 2: review words from units 1 – 30

Scholastic Bookclub Order: The last order form for this school year went out today. If you would like to place an order from the June flyer please send payment (cash or cheque) with the order form back to school by Friday, June 8. Thank you.

GRADES 3 and 4 – Ms. Buma

Fri. June 1 – Spelling Dictation:  Grade 3 words are:  air, against, all right, until, presents, beautiful, favourite, clothes, people, vacation, remember, already, hospital, minute, straight, younger, keepsake

Grade 4 words are:  multiply, imagination, favourite, computer, citizenship, invisible, undercover, enjoyment, discussion, America, unusual, example, melody, temperature, understanding, experiment, explanation, oxygen, historical, community

Memory Work:  Royal Anthem:  God Save the Queen (verse 1)

God save our gracious Queen. Long live our noble Queen. God save the Queen:

Send her victorious, happy and glorious, long to reign over us:

God save the Queen.

Patriotic Song in London, England (1745)

Author and Composer:  Unknown

Students of the Week:  This week’s Students of the Week are:  Jordyn Vandendool and Braden Vandersleen.  Next week:  Josiah VanGurp and Samantha Vannoord

Accelerated Reader:  Reports will be sent home this Fri. June 1.  Many students have already achieved their Third Term goal. Well done! Keep reading girls and boys!  Goal due date is Fri. June 8. Remember to bring due books back for Thursday’s Library class.

Scholastic Book Orders:  June Book Orders were sent home today.  Please return any completed order forms by Fri. June 8.  Thank you.

Backus Heritage Conservation Area Field Trip – We had a wonderful time of learning and of fun on our field trip to Backus last week and would like to thank all those who accompanied us on this outing!  Special thanks to Mrs. Anita de Dreu for being our back up bus driver.  Your willingness to help us out is much appreciated!

GRADES 5 and 6 – Mrs. Drop

Creative Writing Contest:  Luke Schuurman's short story, "The Innocent Counterfeiter" has been chosen to be included in the top group of entries received in the Canadian Schools Creative Writing Contest.  His story will go forward into the final competition to be judged in Fall 2012.  The story will be included in a collection of short stories (anthology) called The Wishing Well.  Congratulations, Luke! 

Field Trip:  We are looking forward to our field trip to U.W.O in London tomorrow.  Please bring running shoes, a bottle of water and your lunch.  The activities will include sports, games and an astronomy presentation.  We will leave at approximately 8:40 a.m. and return by 3:30 p.m.

Spelling:  This week's list is a review list.  Please study the words carefully, in preparation for dictation on Fri., June 1st. 

Math: Test on patterns on Mon June 4.  Encourage your child to study the questions in the Show What You Know section that will cover in class on Thu.

Memory Work: as we finish the year, we are coming to the Return from Exile.  Memory work for Thu June 5 is Jeremiah 30:18, "I will restore the fortunes of Jacob’s tents and have compassion on his dwellings; the city will be rebuilt on her ruins, and the palace will stand in its proper place."

Health test on Unit 1:  Cells June 7^th.  

GRADE 7 and 8 – Mr. TenBruggencate

Bible: Key Assignment # 2 is due Tuesday, June 5.  A note to the parents of grade 7/8 students, regarding Assignment # 2, was sent home on May 15. 

Le Français:  The students have the results of the recent test. 

Spelling:  Prepare carefully for dictation on Fri., June 1st. 

Science review questions are to be completed by Friday.
There will be a grade 8 mathematics test next Tuesday, June 5th on Chapter 12.
The grade 8 math exam is scheduled for Tuesday, June 12th.