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
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Upcoming Events
Jan. 10 Hat & Gum Day; Winter Carnival
15 8:55 Chapel; Skating; Board Meets
20 PA Day - no school; LDCSS Study day
21,23, 24 are LDCSS exam days
22 8:55 Chapel
24 the popular ICS GST Auction!
27,28 - no LDCSS, turn around days
27 Basketball Tournament
28 8:55 Chapel
31 New Parent Information Evening
Feb. 5 LDCSS Open House & Information Evening
From the Principal’s Desk:
After some unexpected snow-day extensions to the Christmas break, welcome back! We appreciate your patience as we follow our policy and our local bus companies in their calls regarding road safety.
As we resume for the New Year, I thought it useful to highlight some of the facets of our professionally-run and parent-directed school. We are thankful that God has blessed our school with teachers, volunteers, board members and parents, all of whom are essential to how we work out Christian schooling.
Our school day-to day teaching is largely in the hands of our experienced teachers. Every time I “substitute” (for example, in gr 1/2 or gr 7/8 prior to Christmas), I’m reminded about the art of teaching, how our teachers tailor learning activities and routines to bring out the best in all our students! Those practices do not come about by accident, and are honed through experience - I notice them much more when I fill in, but do not have those same practices in place! Parents, you too fill an essential role here, encouraging your children in their reading, memory work and homework, keeping the home and school tightly connected. My leadership in that dynamic involves connecting, encouraging, unifying our staff efforts, and building our strengths by continual renewal as teachers.
We also need to look forward as well. Here parents, our Board and I work together. Parents, we look to you to “talk up” ICS at every opportunity - we are highly committed to our children’s Christian education and we need to let others know about this gift! Promotions Committee will be hosting our New Parent Information evening on Jan 31st, as well as a new “Jump into Kindergarten” promotion allowing prospective children to attend school on several dates in February. The Board gratefully acknowledges Jake Bergen’s efforts in producing a promotional video, and is prepared to commit additional funds towards a professional video production in the Spring - those should help us be visible in our area churches. I have also begun connecting with Tillsonburg pastors, inviting them to visit ICS and get to know us. Tillsonburg lies within our bus routes, but is not well-served by us at present. Amalgamation of public schools there may present an ideal opportunity for Christian parents to move their children. Reception has been very positive so far, with even an expression of enrolment interest! Promotions and an increase in future enrolment is essential to making us financially sustainable. We covet your prayers and enthusiasm in this area
in Christian education, Keith Cameron, Principal
Praying for our Families: The last school day before the holidays we prayed for Dean & Jenn Mantel, Robyn Allison, Ryan & Jenn Meesters
Praying for our Staff: This week we will remember Ms. Jones in prayer.
Wednesday Weekly Chapels: You are invited to join us on January 15 with the grade 5 & 6 class. This chapel is rescheduled due to the school closure today, Jan 8th.
Thank you everyone! All the staff, office personnel, and bus drivers would like to thank everyone for their best wishes, treats, and gifts received throughout the Christmas season. We truly appreciate all the kind gestures of thoughtfulness and goodwill.
TRIP orders are due at 9 a.m. on Friday of this week since school has been closed. Pick-up is Thursday, Jan. 16 in the p.m.
Hat & Gum Day / Winter Carnival - Fri Jan 10. Licences and activities will cost $1, with funds going towards development of Christian curriculum (see www.canadianchristianeducation.org). Promoting a generous spirit, we’d like to encourage our students to intentionally bring in $1 as a donation in addition to the tickets. A $5 maximum will be in place. Activities include face painting, hair colouring, nails, hockey and mini-putt. Students participate by class from 9 to 10:30. Licences are good for the entire day. We will also let the grade 8s take leadership of a winter carnival taking place over lunch recess. Students will participate by school families in a round-robin fashion. The volunteers are lined up to help for the morning but the Ed Ctte is in need of about 4 dozen of each: brownies and rice krispies for the bake sale at snack recess. Please contact Chantelle Bakker @ chantelle_saarloos@hotmail.com if you would be willing to send in the baking.
Electives: please see the list at the end of the Journal for selections. Electives will occur from on Fri afternoons from 1:15 to 3:15 from 31 Jan to 28 Feb. Efforts were made to give preference to timely applications, and to choices different than the last 2 years. Grade 3 students will participate in the Red Cross Swim to Survive program at the St Thomas YMCA over the same period. Thanks to Ed Ctte for coordinating this year’s choices. Any questions / problems should be addressed through the homeroom teacher to Mr Cameron.
Skating on Wednesday, Jan. 15. We have the ice time from 2-3 p.m. SK – through gr. 2 must wear helmets, all should wear gloves. Skates may be rented at the rink for $2 if needed.
Transportation: On Monday, Jan. 20, Wednesday, Jan. 22, Monday, Jan. 27 and Tuesday Jan. 28 LDCSS has exam study days and turn around days. Mrs. Tesselaar’s bus will leave 25 minutes later in the morning.
Grant Received! Wow - we have been advised by our contract grant writer, Darren Hakker, that we have received a grant of $6000 from TD Friends of the Environment for outdoor classroom and improvements to our school grounds. The funds will go towards benches, trees and a small dinosaur climber in the play area. We are also hopeful to complete the playground renewal project with replacement swings and a 4 metre net climber, depending on Spring Drive and board allocations…
Grant Applied For: We have completed the pre-approval process for a grant from the OACS Foundation to go towards the replacement of the remaining asphalt shingles with steel roofing. We will find out in early February if we qualify to submit a detailed proposal, with successful grants being allocated by 1 May.
GST Auction: It's almost here!! Just over two weeks away....Are you excited?! We have tickets to a very coveted memorial cup hockey game, access to a local ministers guest house, the famous progressive dinner, tickets to see Elton John live!! Exciting new donations with some highly sought after veteran donations!!!! The book will be sent to print shortly!!! There is STILL time to donate...what can you do to help?? Have a GOOD, SERVICE or TALENT you can share?? WE WANT IT!!! :-) not sure what to give? Let us make the purchases for you!! Cash donations are also welcome! This is sure to be an exciting event. Remember free babysitting provided if you reserve your spot (call Tracey Mantel) The kitchen is also open for business for duration of viewing and auction!! Lets make this our best year yet!!!!!
In Christ, the GST auction committee
Angie Bergen, Tracey Mantel, Carrie Vis, Paddi Vandendool, Bettina Vandersleen, Tammie Vannoord and Jill Vording
Mark February 15 for the annual LDCSS Curling Bonspiel. Cost $500/team. Book your team by Feb. 1st by calling Albert Weesjes, 591-773-3238 or e-mail agweesjes@gmail.com. Lunch and snacks provided for participants.
2014 Ontario Volunteer Service Awards. We may nominate up to 7 volunteers for awards for 5, 10, 15, 20, 30+, 40+, or 50+ years of service. See http://www.citizenship.gov.on.ca/english/citizenship/honours/vsa.shtml. Did you think of someone deserving of recognition? Please contact the office by Jan 17 to make a nomination!
From the Library: Back to school after a great 2 week break! That means that ALL BOOKS ARE DUE TO BE RETURNED TO THE LIBRARY tomorrow. Please take a look around the house for any library materials, and send them back to the library with your child(ren) in the morning. Books still needed may be renewed as long as there is not a waiting list. We will send an overdue list of all outstanding materials home with your child on Thursday.
FROM THE CLASSROOMS:
JUNIOR / SENIOR KINDERGARTEN – Mrs. Groeneweg
Some of the things we have done in Kindergarten…
Show and Tell : JK - Thursday, Jan. 9
SK - Friday, Jan. 10
GRADES 1 and 2 - Ms. Pieters
Memory Work: The story you are learning for storytelling.
Spelling: dictation test is on Friday, Jan. 10
Grade 1: make, came, lake, game, shake, ate, tape, come
Grade 2: way, away, today, chain, wait, chase, play, played, rain, paint
Scholastic Book Club: The January flyers were sent home today. Please return any completed book orders by Thursday, Jan. 16. Thank you
Storytelling: The students took home a Storytelling Envelope on Dec. 18. Please help your child choose a story from the suggestions in this envelope or visit your local community library for many other stories to consider. Look for a story with great character voices and a repeating pattern of events, such as the Three Billy Goats Gruff. Please have your child bring in the story this week for approval. Thank you parents for your assistance in helping your child find just the right story.
GRADES 3 and 4 – Mrs. Drop
Star Student for next week is Allie Weesjes, followed by Ben Weesjes.
Language Arts: Students have information about storytelling (grade 3) and poetry presentations (grade 4). Please select a story/poem by Wed., Jan. 15.
Scholastic Book Orders: Please return any completed book order forms by Fri., Jan. 17.
The next Spelling Dictation (Unit 13) will be on Fri., Jan. 17.
Grade 3 Words: lady, ladies, surprise, surprises, toys, shoes, shy, cry, cried, study, studied, story, only, finally, family, families, poetry
Grade 4 Words: lived, living, rattled, rattling, studied, studying, travelled, travelling, changed, changing, appeared, appearing, raced, racing, hoped, hoping, wrapped, wrapping, whisper, whispering
Memory Work (for Wed., Jan. 15): Trust in the Lord and do good; dwell in the land and enjoy safe pasture. Delight yourself in the Lord and he will give you the desires of your heart. Psalm 37:3 & 4
Le Français: French Quiz will be returned please ask how your child did.
GRADE 5 and 6 – Ms Buma
Memory Work: Wed. Jan. 15 - Micah 5:2 - “But you, Bethlehem Ephrathah, though you are small among the clans of Judah, out of you will come for me one who will be ruler over Israel, whose origins are from of old, from ancient times.”
Speech Information Envelopes: Students will be bringing home their Speech Information Envelopes on Thurs. Jan. 9. Included in each envelope is a speech topic form, a step by step outline for speech writing, a list of things to think about when presenting a speech, and our own ICS Judging Sheet. *Speech topic forms are due on Monday, January 13.
Spelling Dictation: Fri. Jan. 17 - Unit 13
Friday Morning Devotions: (Jan. 17) Samantha Vannoord.
Scholastic Book Orders: Book Orders for January were sent home today. Please return any completed forms by Friday, Jan. 17. Thank you.
Accelerated Reader: AR Reports, including a brief progress note, were sent home with your child today.
Tech: Our “how to use the online encyclopedias” poster is now overdue, with several students still not complete. The posters will be displayed in the library and the lab to help with research projects. We’ll be using these online research skills to do a planet study for science: It’s been pretty cloudy over the last 3 weeks, but everyone should have got some moon observations in! Using experimental models, we’ll be looking at how the sun, moon and earth interact, and how God designed them to mark time and seasons. Next up: a mini research project on telescopes, which have allowed people to observe God’s awesome design!
Le Français: Un Test - “La Pizza” - mardi le 14 janvier - Use the review sheet to prepare for the test.
GRADE 7 and 8 – Mr. TenBruggencate / Ms. Jones
Le Français: Un Test - “Au Casse-croute” - mercredi le 15 janvier - Use the review sheet to prepare for the test.
Winter 2014 Electives Registration
Basketball Tournament: the small schools tournament is coming soon on Tue Jan 28th. As a school, ICS is also convening this tournament. The convening school provides the concession stand. In our case, with the GST Auction right before, our Ladies Aux is not able to do this. Instead, we’ll plan on using our few senior students who are not on a team to operate the stand, with all profits going towards the gr 7/8 camping trip. Parents who may be able to assist with a shift over the period 9 am - 1:30 pm are asked to contact Mr. or Mrs. Cameron.
Bible “mini-project” with parent responses due Friday.
Memory Work for Jan 15: Psalm139:14-16
East Elgin Secondary School grade 9 registration forms are due Monday, Jan. 13.
LDCSS. Mr. Paul Buma will meet with the gr 7/8 class on high school options and course selection on Thursday, Jan 16 at 1:30.
ART: 100 something sculpture project. Bring in 100 of anything by Monday, January 13th. (Ideas: muffin cups, 100 cm of string, 100 pine cones) Note: items will not be returned to original state.
Sketchbook: ideas, artist, location and why? Due: Monday, Jan. 13th.
History- Test re-write - Thursday, January 9th
L.A.: Have a topic (research), story, poem selected for Speakfest by Thursday, January 9th
Spelling Quiz: List 5 will be distributed Friday, January 10th for a quiz the following Friday (Jan. 17th).
Opportunity with Redeemer - Students interested in being part of a 6 week course via blogging (reading and responding to Redeemer student’s posts), please contact Ms. Jones. (Course: EDU331, Digital Technology for Learning). Professional Learning Network (PLN), primarily via Twitter will be used.
Winter 2014 Electives Registration
Elective
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Description
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Students
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Leader
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badminton (gr 6-8)
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Singles, doubles, no experience needed. Improve your skills to try out for the school team!
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Dylan Vandersleen (gr. 7)
Dyllon Bergen (7)
Dean Rollins (7)
Luke Schuurman (7)
Matthew Cameron (8)
Ben VanderDeen (8)
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Mr John Elliot
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Ms Katrina Jones, staff rep
- in gym
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ukulele building (gr 4-8)
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Construct and learn to play! You keep the ukulele...
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Randall Drop (4)
Lucas Krahn (4)
Micah Schuurman (5)
Matthew Ypma (6)
Amanda DeJong (7)
Kira Saarloos (7)
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Mrs Amanda Cameron
- in music room
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personal grooming (gr 6-8)
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Learn some new hairdressing and beauty techniques, also reflect on true Godly beauty from within.
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Victoria Krahn (6)
Kiley DeKraker (8)
Nicole Friesen (8)
Megan Ypma (8)
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Mrs Chris Helder
- in Resource Room / library
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archery (gr 6-8)
*need volunteer drivers to make this happen*
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Technique, practice and hand-eye coordination to get on target!
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Michael Drop (6)
Dylan Kroondyk (6)
Josiah VanGurp (6)
Caleb Krahn (7)
Correy Mantel (7)
Nicole Friesen (8)
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Mr Jamie Pake
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Ms Tine Buma, staff rep
- East Elgin range
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woodworking (gr 4-8)
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Develop or hone your creative skills!
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Hayden Guenther (4)
Ben Weesjes (4)
Tyler Kaastra (8)
Ryan Kroondyk (8)
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Mr Andy Kroondyk, Mr Teus Korevaar
- SW classroom
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art attack (gr 4-8)
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Creative, expressive you!
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Megan Friesen (4)
Jocelyn Shelton (4)
Holly Cameron (5)
Kaylynn Mantel (5)
Jordyn Vandendool (6)
Samantha Vannoord (6)
Grace Vording (6)
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Mrs Georgie Rodenberg
- art room
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junior crime scene investigators (gr 4-8)
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A crime scene! Forensics, fingerprints, DNA, identification - “apprentice” with a police officer!
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Cody Bergen (5)
Seth Klassen (5)
Braden Vandersleen (5)
Lindsay VandenBrink (7)
Cole Versnick (7)
Kameron Guenther (8)
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Mr Ray Kaastra
- spare class, north wing
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