Wednesday, May 29, 2013

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 Website:  www.immanuelchristianschool.net    519-773-8476

Check us out on Facebook:   facebook.com/ICSAylmer     

         Twitter:  twitter.com/ICSAylmer

LDCSS Website:  www.ldcss.on.ca   519-455-4360

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

Upcoming Events

May      31   Gr 1-4 to African Lion Safari

                    Gr. 5, 6, 7 & 8 to U.W.O. all day

 June     1   Touch a Truck Event & Open House 10am-3pm              

                2    Participation at Tillsonburg C.R.C.                                                                                                                                                    

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

               7    A.R. Goals due; LDCSS Fine Arts Festival

             12   Chapel 8:55; LDCSS last day of classes                                                                                                                                                

             13   ICS P.D. Day, LDCSS Study day – no school

             14   Gr. 7/8 to Canada’s Wonderland; LDCSS exam

                    day;  Friday Family Fun Night Dinner   

             17   LDCSS Study Day;

             18^th  and 19^th  LDCSS Exam Day  

             19   Chapel 8:55 & Awards Assembly; Board meets                                                                                                                                          

             20   ICS Grad

             21   Last day of school 

From the Principal's Desk:

I would like to express thanks on behalf of the staff and students to all those who helped out for Monday's track and field day!  The day ran smoothly.  It would not without parents, grandparents and society members to measure, rake, time, prepare lunch and encourage.  It leads to a very social day, and an atmosphere where each child can "finish the race" (1 Timothy 4:7).  In my closing remarks, I noted how sport is often used as an analogy for the Christian life - in both sport and our faith, we are called to our best, to persevere!  I was happy to see students setting personal bests, as well as those achieving school bests!  I look forward to seeing many of you at the district track and field next Wednesday.

On a different topic, parents will note that teacher assessments for Mrs Groeneweg and Ms Jones are ongoing.  They are "test-running" our new policy in this area, and have been seeking parental as well as student input into their teaching practice.  These inform both the teacher's personal reflections as well as the principal's assessment visits. The process is designed to be one that builds up our teachers as professionals. For those parents who have taken the time to return their assessments, I thank you for your involvement in the process. Our remaining teachers will complete their assessments over the next 2 years.

in Christian instruction,

Keith Cameron, Principal

Praying for our Students:  Last week we prayed for the JK and SK class.  

Praying for our Staff:  This week we will pray for Ms. Pieters  

Reminders:   Choir/Worship Team and others taking part in the 9:30 service on Sunday, June 2 at Tillsonburg CRC are to meet in the foyer by 9:10 a.m. 

                        GIFTS Program: June 30 is the deadline. If you have completed your hours please send in your form. 

                                

                      Volunteer to take care of our pop cans recycling:  If you are interested please contact the office for more details.

                        Meat, Baked Goods, Epicure Order pickup on Thursday, June 6 between 2:30 – 4 p.m..  Coolers with names on them would be welcomed.

Bus Route Cancellations:  This Friday, May 31, the gr. 1-4’s are going to the African Lion Safari and will be returning 6 p.m.  We are cancelling Mr. Walter’s afternoon bus route.  Parents will need to pick up their children from school at 3:30.

Transportation for all High School Students on Wednesday, June 5 when I.C.S. has no classes because of the District Track and Field Day.  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 Carter Road at 7:50 then to the school, leave I.C.S. at 8:00, stop at Hiemstra’s at 8:10, and stop in Lyons at the Fire Hall at 8:15, stop at Hwy 74 and Wilson Rd. at 8:20 then on to L.D.C.S.S.  Return trip done in reverse.

If it rains on Wednesday ICS will have a normal school day with normal bussing and this will take place on the rain date Thursday, June 6.

Friday, June 14.  We will be cancelling Mr. Vannoord’s afternoon bus route.  Mr. Vannoord will be driving Mr. Walters bus route since Mr. Walters will be with the gr. 7/8 to Canada’s Wonderland.  Parents from Mr. Vannoord’s bus route are asked to pick up their child(ren) from school that afternoon.  Mrs. Grace Schipper will be driving Mrs. Walters bus route for the afternoon  as well.

I.C.S. is hosting a Touch A Truck Event this Saturday, June 1st from 10:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.  It's an opportunity for young and old to come close and personal with these big trucks we see on the roads every day.  They will have the opportunity to sit in or look at these large vehicles such as transport trucks, farm equipment, emergency vehicles and hopefully even a helicopter!  We are making this a community event so spread the word.  ICS will also have an open house on this date and give our community families a chance to see what our school has to offer.  There will be a BBQ food for purchase along with cotton candy and the ICS chip wagon with its famous fries!  Cost is only $5 per child and 18+FREE. 

We still need volunteers to help run this event… please contact Dean Mantel by email dmantel@eastlink.ca or by phone 519-282-3115 if you would like to help.

                                               

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

District track and field Wednesday, June 5th: There will be no school for SK, gr 1 or any students not competing at the district competition in Strathroy on Weds June 5. Our teachers are required to run events at district. The students representing our school were informed on their events yesterday or today. They will be given a photo copy of their name tag, cover letter, map layout and schedule on Monday.  Students will need to wear their ICS gym shirts, and may pick up their bib number at the ICS tent on competition day. A large source of revenue for Ladies Auxiliary is the concession stand at the competition - please volunteer to assist as able (the new gym chairs recently purchased by the Auxiliary are but one example of the benefits the school receives)!

The Auxiliary desperately needs many more helpers for the food booth!!!  These will be 2-3 hour shifts running the booth and bbq/preparing food. Shifts will be 9-12, 11-1, and 1 until finish of day. If you can help, please contact the office or Bettina 226-316-0409 or e-mail bett@amtelecom.net. Thank you!

Would you like to be involved with the Auxiliary?  The Auxiliary is looking for 2 new members to start in late August.  This active group of ladies are involved with the back to school bbq, hot lunches for the students, help organizing functions, running the kitchen at fundraising events and many other fun activities.  If you would like to join this fun group please let the office know by sending a quick e-mail to the school.

Another enjoyable evening was had by all those who attended MOM'S THE WORD - FRIDAY FAMILY FUN NIGHT this month!  $640.92 was raised to take another bite out of the $80,000 fundraising goal for the 2012/13 school year.

Thank you once again to all the volunteers on the kitchen, clean-up and delivery crews; thank you to the Heritage Place residents and to the take-out 'customers'; and thank you to all the faithful families and individuals who come to enjoy the meal and fellowship (and the kids who have a blast just being kids)!  The ICS Fundraising Committee couldn’t do any of this without you.

Mark your calendars for JUNE 14 -  for the LAST HOORAH! FRIDAY FAMILY FUN NIGHT.  It will be the last event of the school season and promises to be a great one! (think outdoors: bbq burgers, fresh fries, road hockey and a couple of goats or two... )

IT Team Member Sought!  We are looking for one individual who is able to volunteer an evening a month to help maintain our computer network. If you just want to learn, we can teach you! High school applicants would be welcome.  Please contact Mr Cameron.

Maint Committee Members Sought!  We are looking for individuals (male and female) with common sense, handy hands and a talent for practical work to help keep our school maintained.  If you are skilled in handyman jobs, carpentry, plumbing, mechanical systems, welding, plumbing or interior design, please consider a spot on maint committee.  Please contact Mr Cameron.

LIBRARY NEWS:

• Our school library will be closed as of Monday, June 10.  All materials must be returned by that date.  To help you with your search, a pink slip will be sent home with your child tomorrow (THURSDAY) listing everything signed out to him/her.  If it is on the list, as far as the computer is concerned, it is checked out to your child.  If there is an error, he/she MUST talk to Mrs. Robinson about it, so we can clear up the issue.  A note from home is also acceptable/welcomed.  n.robinson@immanuelchristianschool.net
• Each year we try to do inventory of the Library to ensure that our collection records are current.  This involves comparing the books on the shelf to the list of everything listed in our database.  If you can help on any of the following dates, we will teach you everything you need to know!   Contact Mrs. Robinson, or just show up!

Monday, June 10 - 9:00-1:00

Tuesday, June 11 - 9:00-3:00
Wednesday, June 12 - 9:00-12:30
Monday, June 17 - 9:00-1:00
Tuesday June 18 - 9:00-12:00 

• Some students enjoy having a set of books out for the summer.  With parental permission, they may check out up to 10 books.  This "Summer Sign-out" will take place on Thursday, June 20.  Return the slip which will be included in a future Journal, or send a note to school.

 QCHS Retirement Celebration

We are hosting a celebration for our principal, Mr. Johan Cooke, who is retiring this year after 34 years of serving the QCHS community.  We are planning a BBQ at QC on Friday, June 28 at 5:30pm followed by a short program honouring his time at Quinte Christian High School. For those interested in contributing to a gift, please make a monetary contribution payable to Nellie Devries earmarked “Johan’s Retirement” and send to the school by June 21^st.

To help those organizing this event, we ask that you RSVP by June 21^st. E-mail: admin@qchs.ca or 613-968-7870.

  

Athletes in Action Soccer Camp:  Do you like soccer?  Do you want to get better?  Athletes in Action Soccer Camp will be held again this year from July 15-19 behind the Saxonia Hall.  It is a week-long camp for 6-13 year olds, dedicated to developing basic soccer skills and spiritual growth.  Registration is open and the cost is $115 per child.  Volunteers are needed to help with coaching the kids during the week.  We are also in need of homes to billet the soccer coaches (one for two males and one for two females).  Please contact Sharon Schipper if you can help.

Fine Arts Festival:  We invite you to join us at London District Christian Secondary School for our annual Fine Arts Festival on Friday, June 7 at 7:30 p.m.  The evening will feature performances by the vocal and instrumental ensembles as well as a visual art display of student work.  We look forward to celebrating the artistic gifts that God has given us and using them to praise Him.  We hope you can join us!

CRA-CEAF: The latest Parent Support Memo was sent out to all the parent donors in the OACS database. It is an update on the correspondence between the OACS Advisory Team and CRA officials.

It is time to bring you all up-to-date on where we stand with the CRA office in Kitchener regarding CRA’s attempts to move against the parent donors who participated in the School Support Program operated by the Christian Economic Assistance Foundation (CEAF).

Our Advisory Team approved a response letter back to CRA which we delivered on May 15. In this letter, we restated the legal arguments that we feel support a recalculation which would treat the donations initially given to CEAF as if they were given to the school directly. The schools would then recalculate the charitable portion as per the regulations of IC75-23.  As of today, we have not heard back from the CRA office. We suspect that there is significant conversation taking place within the CRA hierarchy regarding how to deal with our case. Nor have we heard of any parent donor who has received a reassessment notification. Perhaps our May 15 letter is encouraging the CRA to look more favourably upon our case!

However, we need to be prepared in the event of another setback and ask for your continued cooperation. If someone does receive reassessment notification, it is very important that our Advisory Team members receive a full copy of it to determine which decisions CRA has actually made in our case.  If you have received reassessment notification, please contact Judy at judyt@oacs.org and send her a scanned copy of it. Once we have a few of these, we will know just how CRA is proceeding with the case. Judy will notify everyone that we have the few sample copies we need and that no more copies are necessary. This is so that she is not inundated with everyone’s scanned copy!

ANOTHER NOTE – please do not respond to CRA regarding your reassessment notice if you hope to access the support that the OACS is providing parent donors. We will need a few days to thoroughly prepare the response recommendations and will be communicating with you as soon as possible.  Just to be clear, the role of the OACS will be one of assistance with the Letter of Objection for you to file. This defense of the parent donors will be defined and outlined once we understand how the CRA is proceeding with any reassessments. We will be in contact with you on this matter with detailed instructions on how to file your Letter of Objection when the time comes.

The matter rests with us all at this point until further developments take place. Please continue to pray for this situation both for the CRA officials and the OACS Advisory Team as we work towards a favourable outcome. We also ask that you pray for all the families who are affected by this. And again, thank you for your support and confidence in the OACS thus far.

In His Service,

Julius de Jager

FROM THE CLASSROOMS:

JUNIOR / SENIOR KINDERGARTEN – Mrs. Groeneweg

Some of the things we have done in Kindergarten:

                Bible: Elisha, Jonah's Call

                Taking Care of Teeth

                Math:  SK- Numbers 1 - 100 (recognition and printing)  

                           JK-  Finding the Matching Numbers

               Making sets of 4, 5 and 6

                SK- Reviewing sight words - we, me, she, he, like

                JK- Reviewing Jolly Phonics

GRADES 1 and 2 - Ms. Pieters

Memory Work: for Wednesday, June 5, 2013

Be completely humble and gentle; be patient bearing with one another in love.

Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace. Ephesians 4:2 and 3

Spelling: Spelling Dictation for Monday, June 3: a review of all the words

Scholastic Book Club: The June book order flyers went home today. If you would like to place an order for April please have your child bring the order form with the payment (cash or cheque) to school by Friday, June 7, 2013. Thank-you.

African Lion Safari Field Trip Grades 1-4: Friday, May 31, 2013 leaving at 8:35 am. Reminder to students: wear running shoes, dress according to the weather, pack a picnic lunch, small activity items to enjoy on the bus ride, and possibly some money for the souvenir store. Thank-you once again to our bus driver Mr. Doug Walters and to our parent volunteers, Ms. Robyn Allison, Mrs. Janneke Kroondyk, Mr. Jasper Sinke, Mr. Cliff Janssens (Grades 1&2) and Mr. Harry Broer, Mrs. Helen Klassen, Mrs. Sheri Weesjes (Grades3&4). Students will arrive back at school between 5:30 and 6:00 pm.

GRADES 3 and 4 – Ms. Buma

Thurs. May 30 – Spelling Dictation:  Grade 3 words are:  they’re, there, their, soup, night, knight, right, write, weight, wait, piece, peace, hour, our, wrote, its, it’s

Grade 4 words are:  disappear, disappoint, disagree, dishonest, unable, uncertain, unbeaten, uncomfortable, unkind, unknown, rewrite, review, rebuild, recall, misbehave, misuse, misunderstand, misspell, unwrap, disrespectful

Memory Work:  Thurs, June 6 (Matthew 10:  29 – 31) Aren’t two sparrows sold for only a penny?  But not one of them falls to the ground without your Father knowing it.  He even counts every hair on your head.  So don’t be afraid.  You are worth more than many sparrows.

Accelerated Reader:  Due date for AR goals is Friday, June 7.   Keep reading girls and boys!  Remember to bring Library Books back to school for tomorrow’s Library class.

Scholastic Book Orders:  June Book Orders were sent home with your child today.  Book Orders are due next Friday, June 7.

Students of the Week:  This week’s Student of the Week is Lucas Krahn.  Next week:  Kaylynn Mantel and Micah Schuurman.

GRADE 5 and 6 – Mrs Drop

Happy birthday to Dylan Kroondyk!  Dylan turned 11 years old on May 23!

Accelerated Reader Goals are due on Fri., June 7.  Plan your reading time at home in order to reach your goal on time!

gr 5/6 social studies: We have now completed our Greek museum project. Once all the groups settled down to work, I was impressed by the depth of analysis and creative presentations as we looked at what we celebrate and what we critique from Ancient Greece. Projects are displayed in the hall by the gym for this week.

gr 5/6 science: Our final science unit is on biodiversity, with a group project to prepare purchase and use proposals for a plot of land with varied habitats. In order to keep on top of the project, your child should bring their Project Handbook home nightly (Mon to Thu) to complete brief daily reflections.

Field Trip:  We are looking forward to a field trip to Western University on Fri., May 31.  The students will be participating in "Wild Western Days".  There will be physical education workshops which focus on activities such as games, tennis, football and ultimate frisbee.  We plan to leave at 8:40 a.m. and return by the end of the school day.  Please bring some activities for the bus ride.  All of the workshops will be outdoors.  Remember to dress appropriately for the weather.  Pack a healthy lunch.  Wear running shoes.  Three volunteers are required for the day.  Without help we will not be able to attend.  If you can help out, please send a note to school with your child(ren).  Thank you!

Memory Work:  Philippians 1: 4-7

The next spelling test will be on Fri., June 7.  Please review the words carefully from the review list that you received on Fri., May 24.  Twenty words will selected from the list.

GRADE 7 and 8 – Mr. TenBruggencate / Ms. Jones

MW.:  I Corinthians 13:4-7

Geography:  Test on the Coniferous Forest tomorrow, Thursday, May 30.

Bible: Secret #3 Lesson and symbol explanation sheets.

Spelling Test on Friday & Lesson: "Focus on Endings"

History Renaissance Fair - ongoing research is to be done on own time. Currently working on answering 6Q’s Who, What, Where, When, Why and How based on their topic. Last in class research day is Friday, June 7. Work period and set up on Monday, June 10th. Renaissance Fair will be ready for the school participation on Wednesday, June 12th.
Art: Last week for making pinhole cameras for 35mm film (learning what 35mm film is :)
Thank you Field Trip volunteers joining us for the UWO Lego Robotics Lab Friday May 31. We will be travelling with the 5/6 class to UWO by bus. Please meet us at ICS to leave at 8:30am. Contact Ms. Jones if you have any questions. Bring your lunch!
Field Trip to Canada’s Wonderland is scheduled for June 14 rain or shine. Some permission forms are still due.
Next Pot Luck lunch is Friday, June 7th.