The Journal

September 15, 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.

	Upcoming Events Sept.  19    Chapel 8:55            19    Keith & Kristen Getty Concert at Aylmer                      Missionary Church-first bus leaves 12:25                    Concert in Aylmer CRC @ 7 p.m.            24    Immunization for gr. 7 & 8 students            25    WDCS Cross Country (Oct. 4 raindate)            26    Chapel 8:55            29    Ride for Refugee Oct.      3     Chapel 8:55; Thanksgiving Dinner             8     Thanksgiving Holiday		School’s email address:  immanuel@amtelecom.net Principal’s email address:  icsprincipal@amtelecom.net ICS Website:  www.immanuelchristianschool.net    519-773-8476 LDCSS Website:  www.ldcss.on.ca   519-455-4360 Christian Education Foundation (endowment fund): www.ldcef.org

 

Keith & Kristen Getty Concert, 

Wednesday, Sept. 19 at 7:00 p.m.

please email: gettyconcertaylmer@hotmail.com or call Sharon @ 519 773 2894 for tickets      

                                                                                                                        

 

From the Principal's Desk:

Update on Mr T:  Mr TenBruggencate was struck by a car while cycling in St Thomas on Sep 10.  He has serious, non life threatening, injuries to his knee which may involve another surgery and extensive healing time.  He is currently in St Thomas General Hospital.  We prayed for God's safety for all staff at our Monday staff meeting.  We are thankful that the accident was not worse, and we pray for God's healing hand with Mr T.  Also keep his wife, Marg, his students and our gr 7/8 supply teacher, Ms Katrina Jones, in your prayers.  We will update you as we learn more.  We are a community that celebrates together, as well as a community that upholds one another in prayer.

RIDE for Refuge:  The RIDE for Refuge is a great cycling event that brings together Christians of many different churches while raising funds for those in various needs (http://rideforrefuge.org/canada).  This year the RIDE is on Sat Sep 29, starting at 8 am at the Sommerfeld Mennonite Church in Mount Salem.  Distances are 9 km, 33 km or 51 km.  ICS is registered as a "partner," which means that we receive a 70% share of funds raised towards our Compassion Child and Tuition Assistance Fund.  The catch is that this year partners need to raise at least $4000.  We are hesitant about committing strongly to a significant fundraising effort only 2 weeks away, while we're still selling chocolate bars, etc. We do not wish to tire our donor pool.  Rather, this year we will emphasize participation in a valuable cause.  We will field a school team of grade 5-8 students.  Younger students may also ride, under parental supervision.  Permission forms may be found at the end of the Journal.  It costs $25 to register to ride.  We will not push it, but students may seek sponsorship (attributing ICS as their selected partner).  Sponsorship over $75 waives the entry fee and earns a RIDE t-shirt ($150 for adults).  Sponsorship forms may be obtained at the office or online.  It is of value to join with other area Christians in support of a good cause - come out and support the RIDE with your participation!

In Christ,

//Keith Cameron//

Praying For Our Families:  Every Thursday morning at staff devotions we will be remembering in prayer 2 of our school families, the parents and their children.  Last week Thursday we prayed Mike & Wendy Abell, Chris & Chantelle Bakker  

Praying For Our Staff:  The Board also encourages the membership to pray for one staff member a week.  This week we will pray for Mrs. Groeneweg. 

Reminder Items:  Health Forms that may need updating, please notify Mrs. Smit about changes

                       Updated Family Picture - please identify your family members

                              The Meat and Baked Goods Order is due Thursday, Sept. 20^th.  No Late Orders!  Coolers can be dropped off.

 Volunteer sign-up:  Still want to sign up?  Please hand in your forms.   

 Band Fees are due to Mrs. Smit. $150 if you are renting $75 if you provide your own instrument.  Note the price

 correction. (It was wrong in the Journal last week.)  We had our first practice yesterday (Tuesday).    

 We are missing Band shirt # 13.  Could I ask everyone to please do a check at home to see if it accidentally got put away with other clothing.  Just drop it off in the office, no questions asked.

Student Activity Fee/Chocolate Bar Sales.  How is the selling going?  We still have more boxes available for eager salesmen to take home and sell.  When you have a box sold please hand in the money to your teacher.  For every box sold you can put your name in a draw for a class prize.   If you are not selling chocolate bars then your Student Activity Fee is due.        

Phone number corrections/changes in your School Directory Listing:  Ann Walters home phone is 226-785-2020 call there first, leave a message if necessary, then try the cell phone.  Cell phone reception in Port Bruce is not great.  

Ryan Dykxhoorn 519-860-6332

                           

T.R.I.P. Order pick up tomorrow afternoon, Thursday, Sept. 13  

FROM T.R.I.P. :  It has come to our attention that there are families not aware of the fact that PC (NO FRILLS) gift cards can also be used to purchase gas there!  You will still receive the 'super bucks' with your purchase when you use the gift cards. 

A Big Thank You for a Great Back to School BBQ!  We had great turnout of families in the gym enjoying good food and fellowship. Thanks to the Auxiliary and the Promotions Committee for all their work preparing and organizing as well as the many volunteers, adults, high school and elementary students. 

Private Music Lessons:  Currently we have 4 music teachers working with our students.  We have Mrs. Paula Richardson on Tuesday mornings for piano (519-633-7986), Mrs. Amanda Cameron on Tuesday and Thursday afternoons for piano (519-550-7312), Mrs. June Elley on Wednesday morning for violin, voice, guitar and piano (519-765-3316), and Mr. Derrick Drover on Thursdays as well for guitar and piano (www.derrickdrover.com or 519- 765-4990).  If you are interested in pursuing lessons please talk to the music teacher directly.

It’s time to start planning our annual Thanksgiving Dinner at I.C.S.  This is a special meal we share together in the gym as a student body on Wednesday, Oct. 3.  We hope that many of you will be able to participate in helping us to put this together.  Please fill out the order form at the end of the Journal for what you would be willing to donate or how you would like to participate.  Thank you.

Also, each teacher will be collecting $2.00 per student to cover the cost of the turkey meat for the meal.  You may send this in with your child between now and the end of Sept. 

Cross Country:  Permission forms and running logs were handed out at practice yesterday, and need to be returned by Fri Sep 21. With parental accompaniment, students have the option of running in a friendly competition in St Thomas at 9:30 a.m. on Sat Sep 15 at Waterworks Park - see the card your runner has brought home.  Our meet is Tue Sep 25 in Stratford.  A reminder that our coaches have asked that all boys and girls on the senior soccer teams also train with the cross country team!  Mrs Schipper and Mr Cameron, coaches.

Boy's Soccer: Practice days are Monday in the gym, Wednesday and Friday soccer field outside. Tuesday and Friday mornings at 8:30 run with the cross-country group. Come prepared. There are two exhibition games scheduled on Thursdays from 3:30 to 4:30 with St. Thomas Community Christian School. The first game will be here in Aylmer, on Thursday, Sept. 20th. The second game will be on Thursday, Sept. 27th in St. Thomas. We will need two more drivers for Sept. 27 along with Mr. Eric Schuurman. Please let me know if you are able to help. Thank you. Ms. Pieters

Things to Save for Immanuel

We want to thank you for everything that you saved for our school.  In total we raised almost $4000 for the school.  We want to encourage you continue saving this year.  A list of things to save is attached to this Journal.  Please put it on your fridge.

Printer Cartridges, old and newer Cell Phones, Digital Cameras, i pods, mp3 players, Laptops and Tablets, working or broken:  Last school year we made approx $440 for the student fund.  We have sent in 852 lbs of waste that was avoided going into the landfill and had 12 trees planted in our school name. 

Cell phones that are in good working condition, look great and come complete with the battery and charger are worth up to $150/ cell phone.  If you are upgrading, making a change, (especially businesses), please send us your good working cell phones.  Bring them to the office instead of putting them in the recycling box so they can packaged up as “Best in Class” to be eligible for our refund. 

Campbell’s Soup Labels:  V8 Beverages or Vegetable Cocktail, Campbell’s Beef Broth, Condensed Soup, Ready to Serve, Chunky Soup or Chilli, Pace Salsa, Habitant, Gardennay, Prego, Ramen (Hearty Noodles, Gatsusso), Chunky to Go Bowls, as well as all sizes of Goldfish Crackers.  The labels are worth points which we can redeem for school supplies.

Newspaper: Bundle your newsprint and drop them off at our newspaper shed at Martin’s Lift Truck, old location, 48180 Talbot Line,  west on Hwy 3, north side of the road just outside of Aylmer or, directly at the VandeHoef farm (52442 Lyons Road).  Last school year we raised just over $1,000.  Thank you to Mr. John Mantel for the use of your van and Mr. Ralph Driezen and his crew for their part in this project.  Note:  They have tighten up their acceptance – only newsprint, no white paper, no telephone books, no glossy paper.

Pop Cans:  Bag them up and drop off in the red bin on the north side of our newspaper shed at Martin’s Lift Truck.  Thank you to the Noorland family who collects, stores and delivers them to Zubick’s.  The Auxiliary made over $1,000 last school year.

Pop Can Tabs:  We are saving for a 17 yr. old Chatham boy needing a specialized wheel chair.  Since the program started 33 wheel chairs have been provided to special needs children.

Used Stamps:  For the Canadian Bible Society. One pound of stamps equals one Bible for a third world country.

Milk Bags: We take them as well.  These are used to make sleeping mats for third world countries.

Grocery Receipts: Only Zehrs and Valu-mart are still running the program.  Don’t send us any other store tapes please.  Last school year we collected $487 for the computer fund.  Thank you to Mrs. Katherine DeKraker for looking after this fundraiser for many years.  Mrs. Jodi Hibbert will be taking over this project for us.

Kool Aid Jammers, Del Monte Juice Pouches, Mr. Christie Snack Pack: The money collected goes to the student fund.  They reuse them to make tote bags, etc. Last school year we made $55.

Personal Care & Beauty Products:  lipstick cases, mascara tubes, eye shadow cases, shampoo & conditioner bottles, foundation packaging, body wash containers, soap dispensers, saving foam tubes, power cases, lotion bottles, chapstick tubes, face soap tubes, face lotion bottles or jars, nail polish bottles, nail polish remover bottles, eyeliner cases, eyeliner pencils, eyeshadow tubes, concealer tubes lipliner pencils, hand lotion tubes, hair paste jars.  For the student fund we collected $56 for the school year   

Tassimo T Discs – for coffee, tea, espresso, milk and hot chocolate.  For the student fund we collected $62 for the school year.

Any brand of Ziplock sandwich baggies or disposable containers.  For the student fund we collected $34 for the school year.

FROM THE CLASSROOMS:

School-wide memory work:  We were excited to begin the Protectors Freedom from Bullying program in our chapel this morning. This involves a chapel session focussed on the week's lesson, including Scripture and a skit presented by a class.  You can follow along at: https://immanuelchristianschool.wikispaces.com/.  Class teachers will then emphasize the same theme during the following week, and the entire school will do the same memory work.  This week we will look at Jesus' words regarding the treatment of others. Memory work for Wed 18 Sep is from Micah 6:8:

He has showed you, O man, what is good.

And what does the Lord require of you?

To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God.

JUNIOR / SENIOR KINDERGARTEN – Mrs. Groeneweg

Some of the things we have done in Kindergarten:

Bible: Creation, Adam and Eve

Letter and sound this week: a

Math: sorting and simple patterns, graphing: how many letters are in your name?

Practicing how to print their own names 

Practicing scissors skills and pencil grip

Show and Tell: Monday, September 17th for SK students and Tuesday, September 18th for JK.

Birthdays: All the students' birthdays are celebrated as a class.  Treats may be sent along with your child on their special day, if desired.

On Monday, Sept. 17th, the SK class will visit our library for the first time.  Mark on your calendars: Monday is library day.

The Elgin St. Thomas Public Health Unit would like to know when your child received their 4-6 year booster so they can update their records.  You may call in this information at 519-631-9900 Ext. 1407 or 1-800-922-0096 Ext. 1407:  Fax: 519-633-0468

On-Line: www.elginhealth.on.ca/vaccinations. Mail: 99 Edward Street, St. Thomas, Ontario N5P 1Y8

Clinics are held at:  St. Thomas Immunization Clinic, 99 Edward Street, Every Thursday, 1:30 pm - 4:00 pm

                 Malahide Immunization Clinic, 12105 Whittaker Road, Springfield, First Tues. of each month, 1:30 pm - 4:00 pm

 GRADES 1 and 2 - Ms. Pieters             

Memory Work: for Wed. Sept. 19 we will learn Micah 6:8 – see above

Spelling: Spelling Dictation words for Friday, September 14.

Grade 1: in, is, it, big, did

Grade 2: as, has, fox, box, mix, egg, jam, pet, nap, big

Field Trip: We are looking forward to visiting the YMCA Children's Safety Village in London on Thursday, September 20 from 11:15 to 3:00. Thank-you to Mr. Cliff Janssen and Mrs. Sheri Weesjes for volunteering to help us on this field trip.

Scholastic Book Club: If you would like to place an order for September, please have you child bring the order form with the payment (cash or check) to school by Thursday, September 13, 2012. Thank you.

Highlights Magazine: Please take a moment to sign the order form, mark either “Yes” or “No” and send it back to school by this Friday, Sept. 14. Thank you.

Tissue Box: Thank-you to all those who have added a tissue box to our classroom supply.

Bible: Thank you for helping your child(ren) with the first three activity sheets they have taken home. The students have enjoyed sharing their work in class. Please look for three more pages to follow in this next week.

The Elgin St. Thomas Public Health Unit note:  See JK/SK.

                                                                                  

GRADES 3 and 4 – Ms. Buma

                                               

Fri. Sept. 14 – Spelling Dictation:  Grade 3 words are:  next, left, help, please, believe, many, very, been, seen, she, between, three, easy, sea, leave, blessed, receive

Grade 4 words are:  attach, where, sandwich, change, watch, singer, slippery, spring, gather, these, thread, athlete, worth, thirsty, whisper, whistle, awhile, nowhere, search, thoughtful

Wed. Sept. 19 – Memory Work:  (See above)

Student of the Week:  This week’s Student of the Week is Daniel Abell.  Next week:  Cody Bergen

Library Class:  Remember to bring books back to school for tomorrow’s Library class.

Accelerated Reader:  Your child’s AR goal for Term 1 will be included in a note that will be sent home this Friday, Sept. 14. 

Scholastic Book Orders:  September book orders for Lucky and Arrow Book Clubs are due this Friday, Sept. 14.  Thank you.

Highlights and Chickadee Magazines:  Parents, please complete the Highlights and Chickadee forms that were sent home with your child today.  Regardless of how you respond, each yes or no parent-signed completed form, enables your child’s classroom to benefit through a free subscription, or through helpful classroom resources.  Thank you!  Please return forms to school by next Friday, Sept. 21.

Chocolate Bar Sales:  Many students are working hard to sell their boxes of bars.  A few students have already sold an entire box!  Well done, girls and boys!  Keep up the effort!  Thank you also, to those who have contributed to upcoming special events and field trips through their Student Fee contributions!

Kleenex Boxes:  Thank you for helping us to stock up on our supply of boxes.  Our supply needs to be replenished.  Your continuing donations are most welcome!

 GRADE 5 and 6 – Mrs Drop

Happy birthday to Grace Vording and Kira Saarloos who celebrated their birthdays this week!

Memory Work for Wed., Sept 19 is Micah 6:8 – see above

Math:  Continue to review math facts (multiplication).  We have started a unit about number patterns.

Spelling exercises (Lesson 1) are due on Fri., Sept. 14.  Dictation will be on that date as well

Social Studies:  Students will need to select their country of study and their task card(s) for our Global Neighbours unit.  Portfolio projects are due on Weds Sep 26, your son / daughter received project details yesterday.

                                                 

                                                    GRADE 7 and 8 – Mr. TenBruggencate

Memory Work for Wed., Sept 19 is Micah 6:8 – see above

Immunization consent forms are due this Friday September 14^th.

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Thanksgiving Dinner

1.  I will donate:                       

_______10 lbs of potatoes (peeled)                 (need 5 people)

                    _______ 1 large (1 kg) bag of frozen beans    (need 4 people)

                    _______ 1 large (1kg) bag of frozen corn        (need 4 people)

                    _______ 3 jars of apple sauce                           (need 4 people)

                    _______ 2 pkgs Buttered dinner rolls               (need 9 people)

                    _______ 3 boxes of stove top stuffing               (need 6 people)

                    _______ milk, butter for mashed potatoes

                                    and Veloutine for gravy                         (need 1 person)

2.  I can help by:

_______ cooking and carving a turkey              (need 4 people)               

_______ working in the kitchen 9:30 – 11:30                  (need 4 people)

_______ working in the kitchen 11:15 – 1:30                  (need 9 people)

_______ anyone interested to come in and wash dishes at 12:45

                   to speed the clean up for the second crew?

_______________________________________________ Your Name      

 THE ICS

JOURNAL

Wednesday, September 5, 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.

	Upcoming Events Sept.    7     Back to School BBQ            10    School Photos for SK – gr. 8            11    School Photos for JK            12    Chapel 8:55            19    Chapel 8:55            19    Keith & Kristen Getty Concert, all                        students at Aylmer Missionary                     Church in p.m.                      Concert in Aylmer CRC @ 7 p.m.            24    Immunization for gr. 7 & 8 students            25    WDCS Cross Country                      (Oct. 4 raindate)            29    Ride for Refugee		School’s email address:  immanuel@amtelecom.net Principal’s email address:  icsprincipal@amtelecom.net ICS Website:  www.immanuelchristianschool.net    519-773-8476 LDCSS Website:  www.ldcss.on.ca   519-455-4360 Christian Education Foundation (endowment fund): www.ldcef.org

 

Keith & Kristen Getty Concert

Aylmer Christian Reformed Church

Wednesday, Sept. 19 at 7:00 p.m.

                                                                                                                                                                       Please email: gettyconcertaylmer@hotmail.com 

                                                                                                                or call Sharon @ 519 773 2894                                               

                                                                                                                 Tickets are selling quickly!

 

Back to School Barbeque

Friday, September 7, 2012

              6:00 p.m. – Devotions             6:00 – 7:30 – Barbeque       7:00 – 8:00 – Class tours

                                                              Menu:                       Hamburgers, Hot Dogs

                                                                                    Potato Salad, Macaroni Salad

                                                                                    Ice Cream for Dessert

                                                                                    Juice and Coffee

Cost: by donation!

Join us out behind the school (weather permitting), or else in the school gym.

Everyone is welcome! 

Enjoy good food, fellowship, meet the teachers and see the classrooms.

Looking forward to seeing you all there!

The Auxiliary is in need of helpers for the back to school barbeque, a set up and a clean up crew.  A great opportunity for parents to start collecting volunteer hours and for the new grade nines to start on their volunteer hours!!  Please call Paddi Vandendool if you can help out 519-773-2158.

From the Principal's Desk:

Welcome back to school!  We have enjoyed and benefited from the summer break.  However, a school without students is only a building, and it is good to be a school once again!  We were excited to unveil our school theme at yesterday's chapel: Called to Love One Another, from 1 John 4:7.  Over the course of the year, we will use our classroom subjects, drama, chapels and songs to draw attention to our theme, and investigate what it really means to express Christian love for each other.  As parents and society members, I would invite you to also pray and reflect on what it means to intentionally express Christ's love in your everyday actions.  How can we all show that more, and more deliberately?

A strength of ICS is a true sense of community between teachers, staff, our board, parents and society members.  We need to work at that to keep it strong.  I encourage everyone to come out to our Welcome Back BBQ this Friday evening.  Try to meet someone new!  Enjoy some good food!  If not already committed, sign up for a volunteer opportunity – playground supervisors for Thursday mornings, reading volunteers, library volunteers, and many more (and if you need more information, please speak with me)!  I look forward to seeing you Friday evening! 

In Christ,

//Keith Cameron//

Welcome and Opps:  I noticed a few names spelled incorrectly on our class list in the JK/SK class!  Names are very important, and we apologize.  Please make note of the corrections.  We give a special welcome to our families new to ICS: Chris & Chantelle Bakker (Madyson, JK), Ryan & Annette Dykxhoorn (Shane, JK), Frank & Rose Fehr (Presley, JK), Ryan & Jenn Meesters (Joshua, SK), Darryl & Krystal Schipper (Emma, JK) and Jeff & Katie Zylstra (Makayla, SK). Joining their older siblings, we also welcome Faith Abell, Avery Bergen, Rachel Cameron, Rebecca Krahn, and Connor Mantel. We trust you will all soon feel part of the Immanuel family!

From the Finance Committee:  If you have not submitted your 2012/2013 tuition cheques, please do so by the end of this week. Thank you for your cooperation.

Reminder: Everyone who comes into the building should report to the office.  Even if you are making a quick stop-in visit with your child, please pop your head into the office, so we know who is in the building.  Volunteers working with student, please remember to sign in at the office.

Items due:  T.R.I.P.  Order:  due 9 a.m. tomorrow, Thursday the 6^th!  (Your order form was included in your Back to School mailing.)  Pick up date is Thursday, Sept. 13 for this month only.  

T.R.I.P. NOTE:  We would like to remind you that gift cards will be available for purchase Tuesday mornings and all day Friday at ICS.  TRIP orders will be filled through the co-ordinators and volunteers.  TRIP will not be available for purchase through our administrative assistant, Marie Smit, however, TRIP orders will be available for pickup only at the office. 

TRIP - Tuition Reduction Incentive Plan

What is TRIP? It is a fundraiser where you can earn money towards your next year’s tuition.

How does it work? You purchase gift cards from the school of which 80% of the profit goes towards reducing your tuition (or someone else’s), 10% goes to ICS and the last 10% goes to coordinators who administer the program. A family who spends $1000 on groceries would be able to earn approximately $40 tuition reduction. You can increase this amount by purchasing extra gift cards from the many that are offered in the monthly TRIP order.

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!

Where can I get the gift cards? Once a month a TRIP order form will be attached to the Journal. You will need to return the order form the next week with your payment. The date is printed on the order 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 (only when the school is open). Other locations include Clovermead Apiaries, and our new location being Roszell’s Furnishings. These locations are only carrying Presidents Choice and Tim Horton’s gift cards. Family Flowers near St. Thomas carries a wider variety of gift cards. You can also contact Theressa De Jong or Grace Schipper. 

This program is intended to give you the opportunity to earn credit towards your tuition for the next year. We encourage you to use this valuable resource. Some families have been able to get from $1000 - $2000 credit on their tuition with getting their families involved buying the gift cards and putting it towards their account. Many families have a credit of $500 - $1000 just by faithfully buying gift cards for their grocery needs over a year. It adds up!

Any questions please do not hesitate to contact the coordinators. Grace Schipper 519-317- 1518 or Theressa De Jong 519-765-3372 Or by email icstrip@live@ca

Lunches – With our new daily schedule recess is at 10:25 and lunch is at 12:35.  Please ensure your child has a good healthy snack for snack recess.  We are allowed to set out only 9 bags of garbage each week.  To keep within these limits, but also to be stewardly with God's creation, please send lunches in reusable containers.  Uneaten food should also be packed back home. 

Health Forms that may need updating. Please notify Mrs. Smit about changes to addresses, phone numbers, places of employment, doctor/dentist, emergency contact person, health card #’s, your child’s medical history and cell phones for emergency purposes only.  We can only do our best to reach you in an emergency with the information we have on file!   

Things to Send to School:

Family Picture for our school family picture wall - please identify your family members.

       

Attachments: 

Transportation Communication List: Please look it over carefully to see if your phone #’s are correct and keep near your phone.  How does it work?  If there is a bus route disruption, the bus driver will call the families that have their names bolded and underlined in their route block.  These families in turn will call the block of people listed under their name.  If there is a school cancellation Mr. Cameron will call his underlined people in the walking students block.  In case of illness or absence, if your child will not be riding the bus in the morning, and it’s too late to call the driver, please call the family before your pick up stop and their child can relay the message to the bus driver. This may help to save on fuel costs.  

Test of our Communications List:  We will test our transportation fan out list Thursday evening.  Expect a call!

Delays / Cancellations. Weather delays have in the past been much more difficult for parents to deal with than have cancellations. To that end, 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 Thames Valley School Board (Aylmer area) decisions:

                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

         A phone call will also follow to confirm this.

       ICS/LDCSS Directory has been updated. 

       Student Health Insurance:  If you wish to receive the coverage offered, complete and mail directly to the company.

The Meat and Baked Goods Fundraiser Thanksgiving Order is attached.  Our suppliers, Maple Lodge Farms Bulk Products, The Oegema Turkey Shoppe, Johnson Meats and VanStraten Bakery are ready to fill our orders.  Stock up your freezer for the fall.  Our next order usually goes out for your Christmas shopping/freezer needs.  Please have your order in by Thursday, Sept. 20.  (fax # 519-773-8315).  Pick up is Thursday, Oct. 4 from 2-4 p.m.  NO LATE ORDERS!  If you wish to drop of your coolers ahead of time please put your name on them.

School Photos Monday, Sept. 10 for SK to grade 8 and Tuesday, Sept. 11 for JK students.  Your child(ren) took home today an information flyer with a tear off envelope to place your order. Please return your envelope with payment on or before the picture date. If you chose not to purchase a package your child will still get a complimentary 5x7 class picture from Life Studios.  Check the family plan for cost savings.  LDCSS uses Life Touch as well so if you have a child or children in LDCSS they are included in the family plan.

 

Student Agendas published by the Bible League have been distributed to students in gr. 5-8. Parents are urged to oversee and encourage their children to make good use of this tool as students plan for projects, complete homework and write reminder notes.

Student Activity Fee/Chocolate Bar Sales – We are now selling World’s Finest Chocolate bars!  Each Choc Box contains a mixed variety of 30 peanut free items @ $2.00 each.  The whole box is worth $60.  The varieties are:  chocolate covered almonds, caramel whirls, bars of milk chocolate with caramel filing, milk chocolate with rise crisps, and milk chocolate with almonds.  Funds raised from our chocolate bar sales and student fees cover student expenses for field trips, school skating, special guests, sports tournaments, etc.  If you are not selling chocolate bars then your Student Activity Fee is due.  $20 per student, $10 for JK or SK student.

    

Cheese orders:  The first cheese order for the year came in today.  Anyone who ordered cheese back in June or during

 the summer will find their order in their child's backpack today, or it will be in the fridge in the kitchen.  Thank you!

Band Information:  Welcome back to another exciting year at ICS!  There are lots of plans in the works for our band program with Mrs. Cameron as our band conductor this year.  We are going to open the band program to grade 5 students as well.  Please pick up a sign-up sheet from the office and return as soon as possible.  Band rehearsals will be Tuesdays after school from 3:30 until 5:00PM beginning Tuesday, Sept. 11.   Be prepared to hear the Band Room erupting with 'joyful noise' in the next few weeks!

Band fees are now due -$50 (if you own your instrument), and $150 (if you are renting from the school).  Please pay your fee to Mrs. Smit in the office. 

Volunteers are Always Welcome!   A volunteer sign-up list was included in your back to school mailing.  Please look it over, see

where you fit in and return the form to the office. We will pass your name on to the different work groups involved.  A sign-up sheet will also be available at the Back to School BBQ for your convenience. 

Cross Country Running:  Friday, September 7th will be the first practice for Cross Country Running. Practices will take place on Tuesdays, and Fridays gr. 1 through 8.  They will start after the arrival of the last bus at 8:30 am and run until 8:55 am.  Please ensure that your child has proper running shoes if he/she is planning to participate.  Athletes on the boys and girls soccer teams must attend the practices as well!

Boy's Soccer: If you’re in Grade 6, 7 or 8 you are invited to sign up and tryout for the I.C.S. boys' soccer team. The first practice will be this Friday after lunch. Please come prepared with shin pads, socks, soccer shoes, shorts and t-shirt. We are thankful that Mr. Eric Schuurman in once again willing to coach the boys team. The Woodstock District Christian School soccer tournament will be in Clinton on Tuesday, October 2 (rain date is Thursday October 4).     Ms. Pieters

Girls’ Soccer:  We welcome Mrs. Helen Friesen as coach of the 2012 ICS Girls’ Soccer Team.  The first tryout practice was held today.  The Woodstock District Christian Schools Soccer Tournament is scheduled for Tuesday, October 2, in Clinton.  The rain date is Thursday, October 4.      Mrs. VanderHoek

Intramural Soccer:  Interested students in grades 3, 4 and 5 are invited to sign up this week for intramural soccer.  Games will be played during the noon-hour recess.

Library news:  Welcome back to school!  I'm looking forward to seeing you in the library on Monday and Thursday mornings.

Book exchanges will start this week.  

Parents, please help your children find a secure space to store library books so they are out of the reach of younger siblings yet easy to pick up and enjoy.  All library materials are on a 2-week loan.  The date due slip found in the front pocket is a valuable reminder of when it needs to come back.  Students who want longer than 2 weeks for a book need to bring it in so it can be renewed (as long as there is not a long waiting list).  Let's keep our Overdue List short!  

Please return Summer sign-out books to the library any time this week.

Library volunteers are welcomed and needed.  If you would like to work with Mrs. Robinson one Thursday morning a month, please contact her.  You will be helping with books check-ins and check-outs, shelving, and processing new books as well as sharing the joy of reading with our students.  No previous experience necessary.

            Remember:  We are a peanut-free facility!

FROM THE CLASSROOMS:

JUNIOR / SENIOR KINDERGARTEN – Mrs. Groeneweg

Welcome Back!

Bible: Introduction to the Bible, Creation

Letter and sound this week: s

Please provide some extra clothing for your child for any potential little accidents (pants, socks and underwear).

On Monday, Sept. 17th, the SK class will visit our library for the first time.  Mark on your calendars: Monday is library day.

Sound Books: SK students will be bringing home a Sound Book every day showing which letter of the alphabet we have been working on.  This enables parents to practice the letter and the sound at home.  Please ensure the Sound Book travels back to school with your child each school day.  Thanks!

GRADES 1 and 2 - Ms. Pieters

               

Welcome back to a new school year boys and girls. May we together enjoy learning about God’s world.

This year in Creation Studies we will start with the unit called, Naming the World God Made. In this unit we will discover how maps:

• Can show us Where Am I in God’s World?
• Can show us how to… Find My Way in God’s World;
• Can show us where I can…Meet My Neighbours.

We will explore how God gave Adam the privilege of naming the animals and assumedly all parts of his world. In the same way, God challenges us to name our world as we explore and map his gift of creation.

Throughout the unit, our confession will be that Our World Belongs to God. It is for us to name not to claim. This means that unlike explorers who have been known to use maps to seek out and claim new territories for their homelands, we recognize that we don’t own this creation. Instead we are to share God’s gift of the Earth with our neighbours nearby and far away.

Happy 8^th Birthday

To

Xavier Bergen

Monday, September 10, 2012

“May you be blessed by the Lord, the Maker of heaven and earth.”  Psalm 115:15

Bible: This year we will begin to enjoy our new Bible curriculum called Walking With God and His People. We will start by studying the Book of James. 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.

Memory Work: Each Wednesday your child will be given a scripture verse or a song to learn from memory. Please review this selection often throughout the week to help your child know it from memory the following Wednesday. Memory work for Sept. 12, 2012 is our theme verse for this year.

Dear friends, let us love one another, for love comes from God. 1 John 4:7

Field Trip: Thursday, September 20 from 11:15 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.: we look forward to participating in a safety program offered at the YMCA Children’s Safety Village in London. This program will help the students recognize safety risks and safe practices. At least one volunteer is needed to help on this field trip. We are planning to leave I.C.S. 11:15 a.m. and return back to school at 3:00 p.m. Please send a note to school if you are able to help. Thank-you.

Kleenex Boxes: Please send a box of Kleenex with your child for our classroom’s yearly supply. Thank you.

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 a few minutes each day. Here are the words the students should know for Friday, Sept. 7, 2012.

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 Sept. 13 with the payment (cash or cheque).

Highlights Magazine:  Please take a moment to read through the Highlights Magazine offer that your child took home today. We are able to receive free educational items for our classroom even if you don't want to order the magazine. All you need to do is sign the order form, mark either “Yes” or “No” and send it back to school by next Friday, Sept. 14.

Chickadee Magazine: This year you may place your Chickadee Magazine order online. Please note: I set up an account for our classroom however I could only select one grade so if you are signing up online please mark your child as being in grade 2 even if your child is in grade 1. November 15, 2012 is the due date to place an order.

    

                                                                              

GRADES 3 and 4 – Ms. Buma

                                               

Welcome girls and boys to Grades 3 and 4!  We are looking forward to the new year ahead, and are ready to learn and find many ways to apply this year’s school theme, Called to Love One Another.

Wed. Sept. 12 Memory Work:  School Theme Verse – Let us love one another, for love comes from God. 

(1 John 4:7)

Friday, Sept. 7:  Spelling Dictation – Grade 3 words are:  said, ask, stand, catch, eight, afraid, away, always, playing, waved, takes, than, great, they, prey, command, awake

Grade 4 words are:  bridge, gravity, hungry, eclipse, secret, applaud, laundry, trouble, attract, twilight, between, describe, snowflake, freedom, slimy, glance, burglar, switch, edge, attach

Student of the Week:  We will begin our student of the Week program starting next week.  The students will be taking home an envelope with the necessary information inside.  We will proceed alphabetically through the class list.  Next week, Sept. 10 – 14, the Student of the Week is Daniel Abell.  Cody Bergen follows, and is scheduled for the week of Sept. 17 – 21.  Parents, if you have any questions regarding this program, please feel free to contact me.  The students will receive their envelopes this Friday, Sept. 7.

Scholastics:  The first Scholastic Book Order was sent home with your child today.  If you would like to place an order for September, please have your child return it to school by Friday, Sept. 14.

Gym Foot Wear:  Classes are scheduled for two afternoons per week, Monday and Wednesday, and for one morning per week, Friday.  Although the students may have their indoor running shoes, please ensure that your child’s outdoor shoes on those days are also running shoes.  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.

GRADE 5 and 6 – Mrs Drop

Welcome back!  We're off to a great start learning with the school theme, "Called to Love One Another."  

Birthday greetings are extended to Lindsay VandenBrink (Sept. 1st), Matthew Ypma (Sept. 6), Dean Rollins (Sept. 7), and Grace Vording (Sept. 9)!

Agendas:  The class received their agendas today.  The students will be keeping track of their activities and assignments daily.  Activities and assignments may also be found on the school's wikispace.  The link is on the school's website.  Parents, please sign your child's agenda daily to ensure that homework is being completed.  Thank you!

Time Tables:  Students have a copy of the class' time table.  Mr. Cameron (social science and health) and Mr. TenBruggencate (physical education) will also be teaching the class.

Bible: We will be studying the book of Colossians in Bible class. The unit helps to instil within students an appreciation of Paul's loving spirit and of its source in Christ. Memory for Wed., Sept. 12 is Colossians 3:12: Therefore, as God's chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience.

Spelling begins next week. 

Remember to bring a chapter book to read for independent reading time. 

Math:  Please review the multiplication facts (times tables) in preparation for our first unit.    

Social Studies:  We are beginning a unit on our Global Neighbours.  Picking up on our school theme, I expect that students will learn to understand and celebrate our neighbour countries, and by doing so, we get to know God, our neighbour and ourselves more fully.  Your child will need to complete a Country Portfolio Assignment by Wednesday 26 September.  Your child will present his / her portfolio to the class (5 minutes), and you would be invited to attend the presentation if you desire!  We look forward to learning together.

Tech:  Your son / daughter will be bringing home an agreement on Acceptable Technology Use.  Please review this with your child and sign with him / her.  The sheets are to be returned by Thursday September 6, after which students will receive their log on details for Google Apps.  Google Apps for ICS includes an email address (initial.lastname@immanuelchristianschool.net), as well as access to Google's online word, spreadsheet and presentation programs.  Our webpage links to Google Apps for Education.  As a discerning parent, you may ask your child to share their password with you only.  As a school, we can monitor and restrict access if necessary, though we expect a high Christian standard of behaviour.

Congratulations to Caleb Krahn!  His short story, "Vinko's Quest", was selected to advance in the Canadian Schools Creative Writing Contest. Further judging will occur in the fall.  Terrific work!

                                                        

GRADE 7 and 8 – Mr. TenBruggencate

Welcome back.  I am looking forward to a good year with a great class! 

REMINDER:  check Wikispaces for homework, assignments and tests due dates.  Mr. T.

Reminder to Parent/Guardian(s) of all Grade 7 Students and Grade 8 Female Students

Elgin St. Thomas Public Health will be offering free voluntary school-based immunization clinics to:

All Grade 7 Students for Meningococcal (Men-C-ACWY) vaccine and Hepatitis B vaccine

All Grade 8 Female Students for Human Papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine

Consent forms will be sent home this week and are due Friday September 14, 2012.  If you have any questions, please contact Elgin St. Thomas Public Health at 519-631-9900 or visit our website at www.elginhealth.on.ca.

Tech:  Your son / daughter will be bringing home an agreement on Acceptable Technology Use.  Please review this with your child and sign with him / her.  The sheets are to be returned by Thursday September 6, after which students will receive their log on details for Google Apps.  Google Apps for ICS includes an email address (initial.lastname@immanuelchristianschool.net), as well as access to Google's online word, spreadsheet and presentation programs.  Our webpage links to Google Apps for Education.  As a discerning parent, you may ask your child to share their password with you only.  As a school, we can monitor and restrict access if necessary, though we expect a high Christian standard of behaviour.

Volunteer Opportunities

What are your talents?  How could you serve?  Browse the opportunity list and let us know what you would like to be involved with.

                               

q       Library helpers, ½ day once a week (questions? – call Nancy Robinson)

q       Serve for hot lunches, generally once a month

q       Grocery Voucher team, monthly (questions?  - call Grace Schipper, Theressa DeJong)

q       Morning playground supervisors (800-8:30 Thursday) or other times as available, how many times/month, what day? _________________________________________________________________________________________

q       Reading Partners (have a student read to you, 8:35-8:55, 1 or 2x per week)

q       Coaches – all sports team, which sports: Run For Joy, Boys & Girls Soccer,  Boys & Girls Volleyball, Boys & Girls Basketball,

       Boys and Girls Badminton, Track and Field   _______________________________________________________

q       Babysitting in my home while someone else volunteers at school

q       IT volunteer to help with routine maintenance on school systems

q       Special Event Days e.g. Hat & Gum, School Spirit, etc.

q       Electives – Friday afternoons for 5 weeks starting in January.  Introduction to life skills and hobbies for grades 4-8 

        What skill or hobby would you like to share:  _______________________________________________________

q       Serve on a committee (Education, Finance, Building & Maintenance, Transportation, Promotions, Fundraising, Membership, Computer or Library, Auxiliary.)  Please indicate your interest, and note that committee membership is by selection.  _________________________________________________________________________________________

q       School Health Team (Lice checks), Sept. and Jan.

q       Worship Team, help mentor student musicians and vocalists with weekly Chapels

                                ____________________________________________

                                                                        (Name)