Wednesday 6 September 2017

September 6th, Journal 2017


The ICS Journal
logo-school.jpg

Wednesday, September 6th, 2017


Mission:  Immanuel Christian School assists parents in raising children to follow Christ with an excellent elementary program and a focus on Christian character growth.

Upcoming Events

Sept  7th -JK day
         8th -SK day
               -Bus rules and safety brief 3:25-3:35pm
               -Back to School Family BBQ @ 6:00pm
        12th-Soccer practice 3:30-5:00pm
        13th Chapel - School families Kick-Off - 8:50am
        14th-Soccer practice 12:20pm -12:55pm
        16th-Work morning at ICS - lights, outdoor playground
        20th-Chapel - Protectors #1- 8:50am
                 Board meeting 8:00pm
        23rd-ICS Baseball Tournament 8:00am (Malahide Community Place)
            26th-Grade 4, 5 field trip - Marsh Quest
                 Soccer practice 12:20pm-12:55pm
        29th-Early dismissal day at 2pm, staff PD
        30th-Care 2 Cycle        
75 Caverly Rd, Aylmer, N5H 2P6
Telephone: 519-773-8476
Facebook: facebook.com/ICSAylmer       
Twitter:  twitter.com/ICSAylmer

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

Christian Schools Foundation (endowment): www.christianschoolfoundation.ca
From the Principal’s Desk:
Welcome to the 2017-2018 school year! With your children, our building has once again come alive from the summer! Your teachers and staff, as well as many volunteers, have been hard at work over the last weeks getting ready!

A warm welcome to our new families: Abe & Kelsey Miller (Gavin in JK), Lydia Loewen (Riley Guerrero in SK), Mike & Andrea Klassen (Luke in SK, Alexa in gr 1), Marianne McLeod (Chelsea in gr 1, Connor in gr 4), Chad & Amanda Lapadat (Annastasia in gr 2, Maddilynn in gr 3). Welcome as well to our younger siblings starting JK, including Thomas Bokma, Leighton Schuurman and Amelia Siemens! Katherine DeKraker (Ashley in gr 2) has joined our part-time homeschool partnership program, taking "humanities" with the gr 2/3 class in the afternoons.

Our board vision calls us to “Build partnerships for the future of Christian education” - let’s start that by being intentional in getting to know each other, and becoming a people united by a passion for Christian education! Please introduce yourself, be friendly, and be involved! Come on out to the Back to School BBQ this Friday!

Yours in Christian education, Keith Cameron, Principal and Chief Operating Officer
Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God” (Phil 4:6). Each week, during staff devotions we join in prayer for our parents and staff members. We invite you to do so as well.
Praying for our parents: Please join us as we pray for Steve & Debbie Atkinson as well as Chris & Chantelle Bakker.
Praying for our staff: Please pray for our Kindergarten teacher Mrs. Sarah Penner
Farewell: to Brian & Priscilla Ward (Felix, Sully & Everett) who are transferring to homeschool as well as Mike & Susie Wall (Aron, Marcus & Renae) who are returning back to homeschool.

REMINDERS:
CameraWe Want You! The front entry ICS Family Picture Display helps us put names to faces, so please send a new picture (one from this summer) of your family to the office! Email or hard copy…

Checking in at the office: Everyone who comes into the building needs to report to the office.
If you are picking up your children for an appt or they are leaving early, please let the office know.
We now have online attendance through our Sycamore database, and late arrivals are handled by the office. Even if you are making a quick stop-in visit, please pop into the office, so we know who is in the building. Volunteers working with students must also sign in at the office.

GIFTS - Every family needs to Get Involved For The Students (GIFTS) - click on Volunteer on our webpage!
The 2017/18 Family Gifts Record is attached at the end of the Journal.


Back to School BBQ
Friday September 8th, 2017

Everyone is welcome!
Enjoy good food, fellowship, meet the teachers and see the classrooms.
6:00 - 6:45 pm devotions and BBQ, dessert and coffee
6:45 - 7:30 pm “bring a parent” classroom tours, hosted by your children!

Menu
Hamburgers, Hot Dogs, Caesar Salad, baked beans, watermelon and Ice cream bars for dessert.
Juice and Coffee
Cost: Donation of $20/Family or $5/individual
Join us out behind the school(weather permitting), or in the school gym if raining.
We encourage you to invite your family and friends. Looking forward to seeing you all there!

Tuition Reduction Incentive Plan (T.R.I.P): Orders are due next week Thursday Sept 14th and pickup on Sept 21st.
What is TRIP? It is a fundraiser where you can earn money towards your next year’s tuition, this also includes families who have students at LDCSS (your tuition credit will be applied to transportation costs to LDCSS).
How does TRIP work? You purchase gift cards from the school: 40% of the profit goes towards reducing your tuition (or someone else’s), 50% goes to ICS Fundraising and the last 10% pays our coordinators. A good amount of 'TRIP credit' can be earned for individual families who diligently buy gift cards for all your shopping needs. Working to reduce tuition, we try to make the TRIP gift card program convenient for everyone!
How do we get started? If you do not have a TRIP number all you need to do is get a registration form from the office and fill it out. You will be given a TRIP number that you use when ordering. You can start buying cards the day you put in your registration form! Once you have a number, you may order online at: www.immanuelchristianschool.net/trip/
Where can I get the gift cards? Order online anytime! If you prefer paper, once a month a TRIP order form will be attached to the Journal. you will need to return it with your payment the next week. The order is due the next week - the date is printed on the form. The following week you will be able to pick up your gift cards at the school or if you choose you may have them sent home from the school with your child. You may still buy gift cards at the school on Tuesday mornings, or on Fridays all day (when the school is open). Other locations include Clovermead Apiaries, and Roszell’s Furnishings. These locations only carry President's Choice and Tim Horton’s gift cards. Family Flowers near St. Thomas carries a wider variety of gift cards.
We want to give a big thank-you to all who participated in the TRIP program last year! By selling gift cards, the school's portion of the return totalled just under $12,000! For those of you who don't use the TRIP program we want to encourage you to start! Using the TRIP program not only helps the school but it also helps you pay for your tuition. Our highest return towards someone's tuition last year is almost $500!
Don't forgot to grab your Clovermead Adventure Farm tickets through TRIP and save the tax. Contact us for more details. Annette Dykxhoorn 519-860-6332, Janina Dykxhoorn 519-709-6620 or trip@immanuelchristianschool.net.

Chocolate Bars: A tasty treat! Chocolate bar sales are our main fundraiser for the Student Fund, helping with the costs of school skates, field trips, and co-curricular activities. It’s also a way of talking about our school! Chocolate bars are now selling for $3/bar. Each box sells for $90. We didn’t realize it, but the bars are bigger and cost more this year. The school makes $44.80 on each box. We will ask all families to commit to selling at least 20 bars / child (you can return the extra bars if needed, but if you can sell the whole box, that’s great!). Chocolate bars go home on Friday Sept 8th. Alternatively, you may pay a student activity fee ($30/full time student, $15 / JK or SK part-time student). By Friday morning, send in the form at the end of the Journal if you wish to pay the student fee instead of selling.

Transportation:  
  • As a test of our bus fanout, w\e sent out a test message on Remind last Thursday. If you did not receive one and you think you should, please let the office know.
  • We ask for your patience as we fine-tune bus routes and timings this week. We made some adjustments to the afternoon route for Mrs Atkinson (the small bus was way too full!). If there are in-town families with older children who are now mature enough to walk to school, that would also help! Please let us know. Also, parents are reminded to check with drivers for space before inviting other students home for birthday parties, etc.

Fog Delays/Cancellation: Our policy aims to avoid bus delays. Our policy also considers both student and staff safety in traveling to school in inclement weather.  Snow creates potentially dangerous road surface conditions, which impact both buses and teachers.  Fog creates reduced visibility, which impacts students getting on and off buses safely. Fog, while causing delays and requiring slower speeds and increased attention, is not seen to create the same driving risks as snow. In inclement weather situations, our delays or cancellations will be guided by decisions for East Elgin Secondary, as posted on www.mybigyellowbus.ca:
a) TVDSB snow cancellation = ICS bus cancellation, ICS closed
b) TVDSB snow delay = ICS bus cancellation, ICS closed
c) TVDSB fog cancellation = ICS bus cancellation, ICS closed
d) TVDSB fog delay = ICS AM bus cancellation, ICS open, PM buses run normally
We also update our Twitter feed and the Easy101 website.

Bus Routes: We have had a few changes to the original bus routes. If there are any parents with questions please contact our route coordinator Jeff Vannoord at 519-520-0943 or the transportation board rep Dean Mantel at 519-282-3115.

Private Music lessons at ICS:  Not every school is blessed with 6 experienced musicians interested in providing music lessons during the school day!  These teachers are not part of the ICS staff; we simply make a room available to them.  These teachers take students from their classrooms to have private lessons right at school.  If you would like to make arrangements for private lessons at school, contact the teacher:  
  • Mrs. June Elley (violin, voice, guitar and piano) Still a few openings. 519-773-2811 or 
         jb_elley@yahoo.com - a couple spots available
  • Mr. Guy Miskelly - Guitar lessons, rock, blues, country, jazz, theory and ear training -    519-859-6915 www.guymiskelly.com - still spots available!
  • Mrs. Paula Richardson (piano) – H 519-207-2185 C 519-661-7986 or      kendallpaula@rogers.com - spots available Tuesday mornings after 9:30am
  • Mrs. Emily Schuurman (piano) - no longer accepting new students this year
  • Mr. Derrick Drover (piano, guitar, basic vocal) H 519-765-4990 www.derrickdrover.com
enquire with Derrick, possible wait list
  • Mrs. Amanda Cameron (piano) – no longer accepting new students this year


Maintenance Work Morning Sat Sep 16, 8:30-12:00! There have been lots of great improvements this summer with the LED light retrofit project led by Jim Vording, the counter upgrade in the kitchen led by Jake Boldt, the art room sink installation by Andy Kroondyk, and many other volunteers painting, stripping out or installing lights, etc. We want an “all hands on deck” morning to finish the final lights as well as complete some playground improvements (we’ve received at Community Foundation grant, and the outdoor classroom rocks are already installed). Come out with your hands, we’ll have jobs and materials ready!


ICS Slowpitch baseball tournament: This is a fun fundraiser! Will take place on Sat Sep 23 at the Malahide community complex, (the diamonds in Springfield). Registration cost is $300/team and the team must have three girls on the field, must be 15 years or older, guaranteed three games. To register a team contact Janina Dykxhoorn at 519-709-6620 or at janina.dykxhoorn@gmail.com.


Care 2 Cycle - Save the Date of Saturday September 30 @ 8am! This is a fundraiser supporting our Student Fund, including our ICS Compassion Child, breakfast program and field trips. This year, we’re partnering with Grace Community Church - riders can choose which organization they wish to support! There's something for everyone - Rabbit Rodeo for ages 4-8, 10, 20 and 50km routes, and volunteer positions. More info next week, or check out https://care2cycle.wikispaces.com/home!


Cross Country: We are emphasizing tryouts for our junior (grades 4-6) and senior (grades 7-8) competitive teams. Tryouts are Friday at lunch (eat afterwards). There may be opportunity for grade 3s to tryout for the junior team, if necessary. There will be practices throughout the school week when the team is set.  After school practice for junior and senior competitive teams will be held on Thursdays until further notice. Mr. Bierman will need some parental help with transporting kids to Springwater C.A. If you can help, please contact the school.
There is also a recreational category for grades 2-4 runners with Mr Cameron coaching the recreational runners at lunchtimes on Tuesdays and Fridays
The cross country tournament is Wednesday October 11 in Stratford.  The All-Ontario meet will be held Friday, October 20 in Dundas.

Gr 6-8 Co-ed Soccer: General scrimmage on Thu at lunch for all interested players. Tryouts for grades 6-8 will be on Tuesday Sep 12 from 3:45-4:45. Coaching are Mrs Helen Friesen and Mr Keith Cameron. Practices will be Tuesdays at lunch, and Thursdays after school. Cleats and shin pads required. The soccer tournament is Tuesday October 3 in Warwick.

Art: Junior - Intermediate Art Kits available - buy individually or as a set price $15. See Ms Farrow Jones.
Supplies include a fine point sharpie (black) - $2.00 (this item will no longer be available to borrow due to students not returning or misplacing)
pencil set for drawing - $6.00
eraser set (includes a kneadable, rubber and vinyl eraser), $3.00
and sketchbook $6.00 (limited stock)

Attachments: ICS Family Directory, 2017/18 Family GIFTS record and Kids Plus Accident Insurance Plan



FROM THE CLASSROOMS...


Peanut, Allergy, Food ...Reminder: We have students with peanut allergies, so no peanut-based products are allowed at school or on the buses. Additionally, we ask that you limit egg-based items in Kindergarten lunches including boiled eggs and cream salad dressings. We need your cooperation with this policy in order to keep everyone at school safe.

JR / SR KINDERGARTEN - Mrs. Penner (s.penner@immanuelchristianschool.net)
Welcome! I am so excited to get back into school and begin the new school year with some friends from last year and also some brand new friends. We are going to have a great year of learning and growing together.
Scholastic Book Club: The September flyers were sent home today. If you wish to place an order please fill out the form on the back and return it to school by Friday, Sept. 15, with the payment (cash or cheque or pay online). Thank you.
Kleenex Boxes: We need to build up our kleenex box supply again at the start of this new school year. Thank you for sending along any contribution to our supply.
Please feel free to communicate with me by note, telephone or email. If you send a note, your child’s lunch box is the best place for me to find it. :)

GRADE 1 and 2 - Ms. Pieters (m.pieters@immanuelchristianschool.net)
Welcome to a new school year boys and girls. We have been blessed with three new friends, Anna Lapadat and Chelsea McLeod both in Gr. 1 and Alexa Klassen in Gr. 2.  May we together “Hear God’s Word, Trust His Ways, and Keep the Faith.”  as we play and learn and grow in our love for the Lord and each other.
Happy 7th Birthday
Audrey VanGurp
Saturday, September 9, 2017
“May you be blessed by the Lord, the Maker of heaven and earth.” Psalm 115:15
Bible: We will start by studying the Book of James. This Book gives practical advice about how we are to live as Christians. We are called to make wise choices for God. Your child will bring home an activity sheet for each of the six lessons. At the bottom of each page there is room for you and your family to fill in more suggestions for Christian living. Please consider discussing these wise ways to live and then have your child return his/her page back to school. Thank you for your support.
Memory Work: Each Wednesday your child will be given a scripture verse or a song to learn from memory. Please help your child review it so that he/she can say/sing it from memory the following Wednesday. Memory work for Sept. 13 is our school theme for this year:
Hear God’s Word. Trust His Ways. Keep The Faith. from Psalm 78: 1-7
Spelling: Each Friday we will have spelling dictation. Weekly word lists will be sent home at the beginning of the week. Please have your child review the list words at home. Here are the words the students should know for Friday, Sept.8:
Spelling List for Grade 1: an, at, and, am, a
Spelling List for Grade 2: on, not, but, at, had, in, did, get, red, hot
Scholastic Book Club: The September flyers were sent home today. If you wish to place an order please fill out the form on the back and return it to school by Friday, Sept. 15, with the payment (cash or cheque or pay online). Thank you.
Thank you for sending to school the many supplies your child will be using each day. Much of the work students will do in the lab each week will require a headset so that the students will be able to hear the instructions. Please let me know if you are not able to supply a headset for your child. We hope to do some testing in the lab this week as soon as all the necessary headsets are in place.
Gym Wear: Physical Education classes are scheduled for Wednesday and Friday. On nice weather days in the Fall or Spring we may have gym outside. Please ensure that your child’s outdoor shoes on those days, are also running shoes. Students are encouraged to change into their their gym clothes on those days. Thank you.
Other teachers for Grades 1&2 are:
Miss Loewen for Health every Thursday and also Gr. 2 Math everyday except Thursday..
Mrs. Cameron for Music every Monday
Mrs. Robinson for Library Skills every Thursday
Ms. Buma for Resource
Mr. Bierman’s Gr. 7/8 students paired up with Gr. 1/2  for Read to Someone time every Tuesday
Please feel free to communicate with me by email or telephone. Looking forward to partnering with you.

GRADES 2 and 3 – Miss Loewen (a.loewen@immanuelchristianschool.net)
Welcome back to each of you in Grade 2/3! I am so excited to be teaching you this year. A special welcome to our new Grade 3 student: Maddilynn Lapadat and Grade 2 student: Ashley DeKraker! We hope that you will feel welcome in our class and in the school.
Happy Birthday to Ethan Atkinson (September 3), who turned 7! We wish you many blessings and a wonderful year.
Memory Work - Each Wednesday, your child will be given a scripture verse or a song to learn from memory. Please help your child review it so that he/she can say/sing it from memory the following Wednesday.
Wed. Sept. 13 - Memory Work: (School Theme): Hear God’s Word. Trust His Ways. Keep The Faith.
(from Psalm 78:1-7.)
Spelling Dictation quiz will begin next week. Spelling lists will be sent home on Monday’s and check ups will be help on Friday’s.
Planners: Students have received planners and will use them to keep track of their weekly activities and assignments. Parents, please review and initial your child’s planner daily, to assist communication with home and school.
Scholastic Book Club: The September flyers were sent home today. If you wish to place an order please fill out the form on the back and return it to school by Friday, Sept. 15, with the payment (cash or cheque or pay online). Thank you.
Thank you for sending to school the many supplies your child will be using each day. Much of the work students will do in the lab each week will require a headset so that the students will be able to hear the instructions. Please let me know if you are not able to supply a headset for your child. We hope to do some testing in the lab this week as soon as all the necessary headsets are in place.
Gym Footwear: Physical Education classes are scheduled for Tuesday and Wednesday. *Although the students may have their indoor running shoes, please ensure that your child’s outdoor shoes on those days, are also running shoes. Students will wear their gym clothes home on Tuesday, but will need to return them for Wednesday! Thank you. Health classes will take place on Thursday.
Kleenex Boxes: We need to build up our kleenex box supply again at the start of this new school year. Thank you for sending along any contribution to our supply.
Please feel free to communicate with me in the planner, by telephone or by email: School: 519-773-8476; Email:a.loewen@immanuelchristianschool.net

GRADES 4 and 5 - Ms. Buma (t.buma@immanuelchristianschool.net)
Welcome back everyone to a new school year! I am looking forward to getting to know you as students in Grades 4 and 5! A special welcome to our new student, Conner McLeod. We hope that you will soon feel at home with us, Conner!

Happy Birthday: We would like to wish Rylee Peters a Happy Birthday. Rylee celebrated her birthday on Labour Day, Sept. 4, the last day of our summer holidays. Happy Birthday, Rylee! May God richly bless you in your new year of life!

Memory Work - Each Wednesday, your child will be given a scripture verse or a song to learn from memory. Please help your child review it so that he/she can say/sing it from memory the following Wednesday.

Wed. Sept. 13 - Memory Work: (School Theme): Hear God’s Word. Trust His Ways. Keep The Faith.
(from Psalm 78:1-7.)  
Spelling: Weekly Spelling Dictations are scheduled for each Friday. Students will write their new lists in their Agendas each Monday, so they can begin practicing their words early in the week for Friday Dictations.
Students will receive their first List, (Unit 1) next Monday.
Agendas: Students have received Agendas and will use them to keep track of their weekly activities and assignments. Parents, please review your child’s agenda daily, to assist communication with home and school.
Accelerated Reading: Each morning the students will be given independent reading time. They should have a chapter book or novel to read during this time.
Scholastic Book Club: The September flyers were sent home today. If you wish to place an order, please fill out the form on the back and return it to school by Friday, Sept. 15, with  payment (cash, cheque, or pay online). Thank You.
Health:  For Monday’s health class students need to have completed their parent interviews.
P. E.:  Gym will be on Tuesdays and Thursdays.  Proper gym wear is expected and recorded. Students are to wear the ICS red shirt, shorts/track pants, and non-marking running shoes.
*Although the students may have indoor running shoes, please ensure that your child’s outdoor shoes on Phys. Ed. days, are also running shoes. Thank you! Health classes with Mr. T. are scheduled each Tuesday.
Kleenex Boxes: We need to build up our kleenex box supply again at the start of this new school year. Thank you for sending along any contribution to our supply.
*Please feel free to communicate with me via agenda  note, telephone or email.
Math: All Gr. 5’s will be working together with Ms. Farrow Jones in Math and Mathletics.

GRADES 5 and 6 – Ms. Farrow Jones (k.farrowjones@immanuelchristianschool.net)

Welcome everyone! I trust that your summer was enjoyable and restful. I hope you are looking forward to a new school year of learning, discovery and friendship!
Please use wikispaces and planners as communication tools and please email me if you need any further information.
There was an information letter and form sent home that is to be signed and returned by Friday.
Wikispaces will provide the daily schedule. Note there are some changes with Phys. Ed. and Health.
Memory Work will begin on Friday and be due by the following Friday. We will be memorizing Psalm 78:1-7, for September 15th.
Math: Practise work in Mathletics.
LA: find a reading book this week to start AR goals.
Creation Studies:  We will begin the year learning about our home province of Ontario.  Part of this unit will be a current events aspect where each student will be responsible for reading one newsworthy article within Ontario for the class. They will also summarize, respond, and briefly share their article with the class.  A schedule will be produced this week.  
P. E.:  Gym will be on Tuesdays and Thursdays.  Proper gym wear is expected and recorded. Students are to wear the ICS red shirt, shorts/track pants, and non-marking running shoes.
Art: See notes above regarding art supplies.

GRADES 7 and 8 – Mr. Bierman (p.bierman@immanuelchristianschool.net)
Welcome back to school everyone!  I trust your summer break provided everything you needed to start this year on the right foot.  I’m excited about the opportunities we have as a class this year.  I look forward to working with you, discovering with you, worshipping with you, and getting to know you this year. Here’s a peek at some of what is going on in the senior end to start the year…  
Integrated Studies: There are some neat things planned for Integrated Studies later in the year.  Students will learn about/explore Forces at Work in Science and design a unit they will teach to the younger grades.
Bible: Soon, we will begin by digging into the story of Joseph.  We will focus on how God in His mercy shows forgiveness and grace to the undeserving.
Memory Work: Theme: Psalm 78:1-7 for Wednesday, September 13.
Mathematics: Students will start the year taking diagnostic tests to help me determine the best strategies to help each student develop in this area.  Following this we will begin a Numbers unit on chapters 11, 3, 5.  Mathletics will play a more integral and purposeful role in diversifying maths instruction this year. It is a tool that will be used at school and encouraged at home to support and supplement curriculum taught.  
Science:  We will study about the amazing atmosphere.  
Humanities: Students will fine-tune and upgrade their cartographic skills during the first couple of weeks.  Afterwards they will have opportunity to practice their knowledge as they explore the Deciduous Forest Biome.
Language Arts: In addition to regular spelling and vocab assignments throughout the year, students will focus on building their English skills through reading and writing exercises.  
Kleenex Boxes: We need to build up our kleenex box supply again at the start of this new school year. Thank you for sending along any contribution to our supply.
P. E.:  Gym will be on Mondays and Thursdays.  Proper gym wear is expected and recorded. Students are to wear the ICS red shirt, shorts/track pants, and non-marking running shoes.
Art: See above note regarding art supplies. Students may bring their own sketchbook if they do not want to purchase one.




Student Activity Fee Form
By Friday morning, please send in this form to the office:

Yes, I wish to pay the student fee instead of selling chocolate for my children listed below:

Student Name:
Activity Fee Enclosed:
($30/full time student, $15 / JK or SK part-time student)









_____________________________ ____________________________
parent name signature