WHAT’S NEW? A lot of changes and fresh faces
IN THIS ISSUE
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THE CAVALIER
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WHAT IS GOING 1:1?
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THE VIEW: FRESH FACES
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INTRODUCING NICOLE AND TARA
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ALUMNI UPDATE
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MEET THE NEW SUPERINTENDENT
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REAL FAMILIES OF CVC
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2015-16 THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS
GET TO KNOW THE NEW CVC TEACHERS
From the Superintendent’s Desk
THE CAVALIER
WE CAN’T HELP IT
“For we cannot help speaking about what we have seen and heard.” – Peter and John in Acts 4:20 Dear reader, Jeremiah was practically bursting at the seams as he walked into his kindergarten classroom, and his alert teacher had a good idea why. She wisely put aside her plan for the first 10 minutes and after the class was all seated at their desks and settled down, she looked at the squirming boy in the back of the room. “Jeremiah, you seem very excited this morning. Is there something you wanted to tell the class?” “Yeah,” the boy had only half of his little butt on the seat, “yesterday I got a new baby sister!” With the exact right questions, over the next few minutes, the class learned what it was like to visit the hospital with his dad, see his mom and his new sister, and what it felt like to be a big brother. The teacher led the class in a prayer for Jeremiah’s mom and sister, as well as a prayer for Jeremiah to be the best big brother ever. Jeremiah couldn’t help but talk about everything he had seen and heard at the hospital. He was bursting with the good news. We can read that same level of excitement in the verse above from Acts. Peter and John had witnessed so much following their rabbi and teacher, Jesus. Most recently they witnessed his coming to life from the dead and his rising into heaven. “We can’t help but speak about what we have seen and heard.” There was no sense even trying to stop them. Little kids can’t contain excitement. They show it from their heads to their toes. Pray that all of us at CVC will embrace our theme of Living the Story this year. Pray that we, too, can’t help but talk about what we have seen and heard. — Larry Baker
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1:1
THE CAVALIER
GOING
What it Means, Who it Affects, and How CVC Benefits An interview with CVC Technology Integrator Tara Bosma
Briefly describe the decision-making process that led to the freshman pilot program.
What are three major benefits to learning that 1:1 will bring? Please explain.
This program has been in the works for so long that we really wanted to just launch with the whole high school so that all students and teachers could reap the benefits right away. After we held parent meetings and took surveys, it became clear that there were more logistical issues with a 9-12 launch than we were willing to hazard.
Improve learning opportunities — There are so many tools available that enhance the way a teacher can deliver content and encourage critical thinking that we would be doing our students a disservice if we didn’t take advantage of them.
To ensure that this change in learning had a chance to take hold, we really wanted to pour into a core group of faculty who could help lead the charge. Although only starting with the freshmen class presents its own challenges, it allows us to dip our feet into this territory to make sure we understand how it will fit for CVC. After the first 4
year we can evaluate whether we continue with a oneyear-at-a-time introduction, or maybe we’ll determine that the adaptation was so smooth we’re ready to introduce more grades to the program.
Encourage student responsibility — We’ve heard from other schools with similar programs that when students are responsible for a device like a laptop, they become more responsible in other areas of their lives as well. Turning in assignments, digital citizenship, and even caring for their peers comes more naturally.
• Valley Christian Schools — grades 7-12 iPads • Calvin Christian (Escondido) — Grades 6-8 (Chromebooks) • Immanuel — Grades 7-12 iPads • Unity Christian (Orange City) — Grade 9-12 (Macbooks) • South Christian (Grand Rapids, MI) — Grades 9-12 (Chromebooks) • Holland Christian (Holland, MI) — Grade 9-12 (Macbooks) • Grand Rapids Christian — Grade 9-12 Laptops (Windows-based)
How will teachers be incorporating 1:1 into lessons?
I’m aware that El Diamante and Redwood have Chromebook carts, but they are not 1:1.
This is the lynchpin to the success of the program. I have already begun working with the freshman teachers and introducing unique ways to use 1:1. Freshman teachers will be utilizing Chromebooks through new interactive presentation apps that incorporate student involvement vs. traditional lecture formats, online formative quizzes, new digital projects, collaborative group work anytime/anywhere, online classroom management, and so much more! For example, a project that may have previously required students to make a poster with information and illustrations could now transform into an interactive digital poster project that has links, videos, recordings, etc. and can be accessed from anywhere. Learning opportunities will be taken to the next level! This program is going to help transform students from passive learners who simply receive information to active learners who take ownership of their learning. 4. Do other high schools in our area have a similar program? Throughout the process, we’ve been in discussions with other Christian schools that are part of CSI (Christian Schools International). The following CSI schools have 1:1 programs in place: • Contra Costa Christian (part of our NorCalSCTA) — laptop program in grades 7-12 (Macbooks) • Ontario Christian — 7/8th Chromebooks
How will CVC support this program? We are equipped with both logistical and instructional support. As a technology team, we are equipped with a technical skill set (Ben) and an instructional skill set (Tara). Logistically, we’ve updated the infrastructure and will maintain it to support the devices. We’ll provide troubleshooting aids, monitor software and/or device needs or issues, and we’ll use evaluation metrics to measure program progress and effectiveness. We’ve already created new policies and agreements to inform and agree on school expectations and usage. Instructionally, we’ve updated our Computer Apps class to accommodate Chromebooks and Google Apps training, and students will be instructed on responsible use policies, care, and digital citizenship to understand how to use the devices in a responsible, academic manner. In addition, we’ve held teacher trainings in the summer and continual professional development opportunities will take place throughout the school year to enhance instructional skills and introduce new concepts. Teachers will also have the opportunity to work one-on-one with the Technology Integrator to get assistance, suggestions, and resources.
CVC PARENT TECH SURVEY POINTS OF INTEREST
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Train students to be life-long learners in a technology-driven world — Our students are growing up in a world where information is at their fingertips. We need to train them to synthesize the information available to them quickly and discern valid sources and generate their own findings. We can do this dozens of times each day within the classroom environment when each student has a device ready to access the world of information before them.
82%
of CVC parents support every high school student being assigned a device.
89%
of current CVC junior high parents support every high school student being assigned a device. No one opposes.
Support for a 4-year lease-to-own structure was 11 points higher in current Jr. High parents than current High School parents.
Comments and general trends in answers indicate that lower grades expect this to be in place by the time they are in High School.
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Meet Tara Bosma
CVC Technology Integrator
THE CAVALIER
After graduating from CVC High School, I ventured to Pepperdine University and obtained my undergraduate degree in Liberal Arts with a minor in Music, as well as my CA teaching credential. After graduating, I came back to the Central Valley and married Kirk Bosma. His specialty is cows, my specialty is education! I taught first grade for five years, one year in a public school and four years here at CVC. After pursuing further education in technology integration, I finished my Master’s Degree in Learning Design and Technology from San Diego State University. Now, I will be applying my experience in teaching and educational technology to serve the community of CVC with the latest technology initiatives. I am ecstatic to be a part of this amazing season of progress at our school!
Meet Nicole Mulder
CVC Enrollment Coordinator
It would seem that growing up with three brothers and working on a chicken farm in Wheatfield, Indiana would equip one for all of life’s challenges, but six summers of Central Valley heat have proven otherwise! Although the triple digits are an adjustment, they were a welcomed change for me from the endless rain I encountered while completing my undergraduate degree at Seattle Pacific University. After graduation, I moved to Visalia and worked downtown at Tazzaria and then as a Nursing Assistant for the elderly. The diverse groups of people I’ve encountered here in Visalia, along with my many years of attending Christian schools, make me both excited and grateful for the opportunity to assist prospective CVC families. Since becoming CVC’s Enrollment Coordinator in June, I have found that a majority of inquiring families contact me because they’ve been talking to one (or more!) of you! I want to thank you for telling our broader community about Christian education; for speaking not only of CVC, but most importantly of the hope we encounter in God.
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What is a technology integrator? I hope to be the bridge between technology and teachers. My role is to facilitate the integration of technology within classroom instruction by serving as a resource for teachers, providing them with new tools, training, and support to use their technology to improve student learning. I have already conducted group trainings and individual meetings with teachers to work on new skills. Teachers have so many other demands on their time that learning new technologies and how to use them effectively can be overwhelming. I hope to take that burden off and equip them with researched tools that will be continually modernize their instruction and provide our students with the best resources available. Long term, I will help contribute to building a comprehensive technology curriculum for our students. A large focus this year will be the High School 1:1 Chromebook initiative because it is the pilot year, but I am ultimately a resource for the entire K-12 campus. I will also be focusing on implementing the new digital MAPS testing in the elementary and middle schools this year. I look forward to seeing how this role will evolve with the technologies and needs of the school. What is most exciting to you about this new position at CVC? I am most excited for the opportunity and the challenge! As a former CVC teacher, I am so excited for the opportunity to work with staff across the entire campus and apply my passion for technology and Christian education to help positively impact the learning of 5-year-olds all the way up to 18-year-olds. In addition, I personally will never stop learning in this job as technologies continue to change and methods evolve, which provides me with a constant challenge. I love that! How do you think your role will support our mission — valuing academic excellence? Technology is a fact of life in this era and has opened a door to completely new ways of learning, discovering, and interacting. As a result, our school has continued to expand technological resources to maintain academic preparedness and strive for excellence. My role will support that goal by making sure our resources and techniques are well trained, current, effective, and self evaluated to continually improve. Investing in devices is only the beginning. It is essential to invest in our teachers who then invest in our students on a daily basis.
THE CAVALIER
Meet Larry Baker CVC Superintendent
CVC’s new superintendent, Larry Baker, was born and raised in New Jersey. He received his Bachelor’s degree in Math Education from Dordt College, and Master’s degrees in Math Education and Educational Leadership from Western Michigan University. He began his teaching career in central Minnesota, and continued to Kalamazoo, Michigan, where he and wife Joan raised their three kids. After 23 years in Michigan, and multiple educational leadership positions, Larry and Joan moved to Denver, Colorado where Larry moved from teacher to principal to superintendent. The 2015-16 school year is the Baker’s fourth year in California, and Larry is enjoying his transition from CVCHS principal to superintendent. What are you most looking forward to as superintendent this year? Completing CVC’s reaccreditation process and watching two brand new principals become comfortable and thrive in their new jobs. I’m also excited to have the opportunity to hold out the school’s mission in front of preschool through 12th grade and reconnect with the younger kids. What are a few fun facts about you? I am an introvert who enjoys my quiet time. In my free time, I enjoy running, reading and playing the trumpet. (Mr. Baker completed the Boston Marathon in 2 hours and 26 minutes — placing 73rd overall!) My three children allow us to visit three really interesting cities — Denver, Portland and Houston.
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Tim Souza President
Home Church: Tulare Community Email Address: timsouza@aol.com
Art Van Beek
Ellie de Hoop
Home Church: Tulare Community Email Address: art@elmontedairy.com
Home Church: Visalia Christian Reformed Email Address: elliedh@gmail.com
Vice President
Linda Moons
THE CAVALIER
Meet the CVC Board of Directors
Chair— Middle School Education, Christian Education Promotion
Chair — Elem. Education
Donna Zwart
Treasurer, Chair — Finance
Home Church: Tulare Community Email Address: moooons@aol.com
Home Church: Visalia Christian Reformed Email Address: donnajoyzwart@gmail.com
Dave Johnson
Jodi Schotanus
Chair— High School Education Home Church: Hanford Christian Reformed Email Address: djohnson@jgboswell.com
Nick Leyendekker
Chair —Planning and Development Home Church: Trinity United Reformed Email Address: nickolas@hughes.net
Secretary
Home Church: Visalia Christian Reformed Email Address: mschotanus@aol.com
Eric Bons Home Church: Visalia Christian Reformed Email Address: elbons@att.net
Roger Fluegel
Jon Bushnell
Home Church: Tulare Community Email Address: rfluegel@sbcglobal.net
Home Church: Trinity United Reformed Email Address: jonxena@gmail.com
Chair — Buildings and Grounds
Matt Verdegaal
Joel Bleeker
Chair — Technology, Preschool Home Church: Hanford Christian Reformed Email Address: verdy34@yahoo.com
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Home Church: Trinity United Reformed Email Address: jtbleeker@aol.com
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THE CAVALIER
New Faces in CVC Faculty
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Alyssa Van Dyk
THE CAVALIER
Hometown: Cypress, CA Degree: Calvin College, B.A. Secondary Education Before CVC: Long-Term Substitute at South Christian High School in Grand Rapids, MI About CVC: Looking forward too getting to know the CVC community, challenging my students to grow in their faith and literary abilities, and being challenged to grow in return.
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Hometown: Visalia, CA Degree: Calvin College, Philosophy and Latin Before CVC: For the past two years I have taught Latin to 5th-7th graders at BASIS Scottsdale, a charter school in Scottsdale, Arizona. About CVC: I have heard such wonderful things about CVC students, and I can’t wait to see the energy and insights they will be bringing to class each day. I am looking forward to engaging the world with these students, and digging into the class material together.
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Ally Kornelis
Amy McCutcheon Hometown: Central Valley, CA Degree: Trinity Christian College, Elementary Education Before CVC: I taught for 3 years at San Jose Christian School. I moved to Visalia with my husband after we had our first daughter. My husband started a chiropractic office, and I was able to tutor and substitute teach at CVC for grades K-8. About CVC: I‘m looking forward to meeting the new CVC students and welcoming them and their families into our school family. I’m super excited about our zoo field trip in the spring. It’s going to be a fun year of learning for them and for me too!
Anna Schuil Hometown: Reedley, CA Degree: Biola University, B.A. in LIberal Studies with emphasis on Early Childhood, and a minor in Biblical Studies. Before CVC: Before coming here, I taught 1st grade for three years at T.L. Reed School in Reedley. About CVC: I am most looking forward to the relationships I will be able to build with my students, their families, and my colleagues, and working with them as a team!
Familiar names in new places TARA BOSMA WAS: 1st grade teacher IS NOW: Technology Integrator CAN BE FOUND: in the high school administration building
BLAKE HIEMSTRA WAS: Middle School English Teacher IS NOW: Middle School Principal CAN BE FOUND: In the principal’s office
JOHN VANDENBERG WAS: 1st grade teacher IS NOW: 4th grade teacher CAN BE FOUND: elementary campus, classroom D5
LARRY BAKER WAS: high school principal IS NOW: superintendent CAN BE FOUND: in the high school administration building
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Brie Arnold Hometown: Bloomington, Illinois and Carmel, Indiana Degree: Trinity Christian College, Elementary Education & Special Education Before CVC: This is my first job out of college (I am a 2015 college graduate)! I was previously employed by members of the Trinity community. I worked as an assistant to the Dean of Ethnic Diversity and was a Student Activities programming chair where I planned on-campus events for the student body. About CVC: to becoming a part of this CVC family. I’m excited to meet my students as well as get to know families and members of the staff. However, I am also very excited to see all that I will learn this year! It will be a big learning year for me, as a new teacher!
THE CAVALIER
Daeleen Visser Hometown: Burlington, Washington Degree: Trinity Christian College, Elementary Education, English and Theology Before CVC: Throughout college, I worked as a tutor in TCC’s Writing Center and as a member of the Chapel Planning Team on campus. In the summers, I split my time between a local bakery and a landscaping service. About CVC: Above all, I’m excited to get to know my students and their families. I know the Lord has a lot of shaping and growth in store for me and for this class, and I’m eager to see how he works among us as we learn together this year.
Greg Wojczynski Hometown: Detroit, Michigan Degree: Calvin College and University of Phoenix, B.A. Masters in Curriculum and Instruction and Educational Leadership. Before CVC: Dean of Students, Arrowhead Christian Academy. About CVC: I’m excited to start because the summer is kind of boring with out students around (haha). I’m really excited to get to know the school community, students, parents and teachers.
Familiar names in new places CARRON KUNS WAS: volunteer K-3 music teacher IS NOW: on staff K-3 music teacher CAN BE FOUND: in the MMC on Tuesdays and Thursdays 14
BRIAN GILBERT WAS: athletic director IS NOW: PE/health teacher CAN BE FOUND: room 21U in the high school
VAL MOL WAS: part-time 1st grade teacher IS NOW: full-time 1st grade teacher CAN BE FOUND: elementary campus, classroom C2
MICHELLE TAYLOR WAS: long-term elementary substitute teacher IS NOW: full-time 3rd grade teacher CAN BE FOUND: elementary campus, classroom D3
Hometown: Lansing, IL Degree: Trinity Christian College, B.A. in Theology and Music and a Master’s in Worship Studies from The Institute for Worship Studies. Before CVC: Director of Music & Worship at Visalia CRC. About CVC: The people who make CVC what it is - students, teachers, and staff. I am an extrovert who is energized by being surrounded by people, so I look forward to both the classroom interactions as well as the relationships that may be built through the various extracurriculars CVC offers.
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Jeremy Lyzenga
Michael Kornelis Hometown: Visalia, CA Degree: Calvin College, B.A. in Classical Languages, Master’s in Theology from Calvin Theological Seminary Before CVC: Before coming home to CVC my wife Ally and I both taught Latin at charter schools in Phoenix Arizona. About CVC: I’ve been wanting to be a part of Christian education for a long time now, especially Christian education from the Reformed perspective. So, naturally I’m thrilled to be back in Visalia passing on the Christian education that was provided to me.
Steven Annema Hometown: Sedro Woolley, WA Degree: Dordt College Before CVC: Teaching high school math at Arrowhead Christian Academy along with head varsity boys basketball and golf coach. About CVC: I am most looking forward to being part of a new community and seeing how God works through the lives of each of our athletes.
Other Updates Colby Johnson (high school math) and Tara Bosma (Technology Integrator) are our new ASB advisors and Lauren Westra moved from the high school administration building to the elementary administration building.
Campus Improvements • We put in a new gym floor in the main gym • We put in a new track at the stadium • The MMC got a new sound system and carpet • Many of the elementary buildings received a fresh coat of paint • Parts of the high school and middle school parking lots were re-paved 15
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Chris Jongsma ‘01 and wife Keli welcomed their 6th child, Luke Hendrik, on April 30.
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Teresa (Verhoeven) ‘05 Andriese married Steven ‘05 in 2010 and moved to Salida, CA. They welcomed daughter Kylie Joy in 2013. Steven is a diesel mechanic.
Alumni Update Sept 2015
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Brittany (McMahan) ‘08 Marshall married Matt on May 23, 2015. She currently works in marketing for McKellar Farms in Ivanhoe, CA.
4 Brandon Dykstra ‘11 married Rebekah Gonzales ‘10 on July 18. He graduated from Cal Poly SLO with a degree in Crop Science.
Tasha (DeLeeuw) ‘99 Gilbert and husband Brian welcomed twin girls Gracelyn Kay and Gabriella Ley on February 25, 2015. They join big brother Gage (4 years old).
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Allison (Bosma) ‘06 Haagsma married John on April 25, 2015. They live in Bakersfield and Allison is working at “The Grapery,” a wholesale high quality table grape produce distributor. (Their wedding photographer was Allison’s CVC varsity cheer coach, Kelli Avila, and fellow CVC cheerleading alumni wedding guests included Sabrina Kerr ‘07, Camille (Vander Kooi) Schuil ‘07, Allison & Kendall Brown ‘06 & Kari Weis ‘06.)
6 Amy Weststeyn ‘11 graduated May 22, 2015, summa
cum laude from Biola University with a BA in Journalism and Integrated Media with an emphasis in Public Relations and minors in Bible and Business.
Bryan De Haan ‘10 married Breann Ensz on May 23, 2015. Bryan was sworn in early 2015 as a deputy for the Tulare County Sheriff’s Department. He received the award of top marksman at the academy graduation for demonstrating 100% accuracy in all firearm training.
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OF CVC s e i l i m a F l a e R
The Renkema Family
The Gutierrez Family
Phillip, Maggie, Carlos (senior at CVC), Erby (Sophomore at CVC), Israel (8th grade), Lily (4th grade), Matthew (sophomore at CVC), Marcus (7th grade at CVC), Mackenzie (5th grade), PJ (CVC preschool), JJ (sophomore at CVC) and Meni. How long have you been a part of the CVC community? This school year is our second year at cCVC and we are blessed to be a part of it. What does your family enjoy doing together? Because we’re such a big busy family we don’t often get to have some relaxing time but watching movies is one of our favorite things to do because it’s easy and it’s a great excuse to not cook dinner. Football Fridays is the day we all look forward to every week. We even get our gym family involved and take them with us to watch the Cavaliers. What is your life like outside of school? Fitness, football and health is a big part of our life outside of school, we open the gym to our church staff, we have 4 football players who need fitness to be the best they can be for their family and helping others become healthier individuals has been a life goal of Phillip that we’ve all adopted. I think as his health has declined helping him help others has been an amazing journey this summer. We’ve all worked for him and have taken some of his load so he could stay home and get the much needed rest he needs. How can othes pray for your family? Our biggest prayer right now is for Phil’s health and a new heart. There’s a big load off his shoulders and I know the stress of not being able to help his family is eating at him. Please help us pray for peace and patience, and when the time comes for Mom and Dad to leave to Stanford please pray everything is in place and we are ready for that.
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Alison, Joel, Indira (3rd grade), Aaliyah (3 1/2 years old) and Willem (4 1/2 mohths old) How long have you been a part of the CVC community? We’ve lived in Visalia for almost 6 1/2 years. Because our church (where my husband is a pastor) is a foundational church of CVC, we’ve been connected since we got here. We are entering our 5th school year with a child at CVC. What does your family enjoy doing together? We love to discover new places, near and far. We enjoy swimming and basically anything with water. Our whole family enjoys having friends over. What is your life like outside of school? We are very involved in church. Alison enjoys singing and helping plan worship services, when she gets a chance. Joel and Alison are also on committees from the community and the Christian Reformed denomination. What is your favorite thing about CVC? We know that our children are educated well and that their faith is incorporated into everything they learn. How can othes pray for your family? Please pray that we raise our children to love the Lord and to engage the world as Christ would. Also, that we would follow hard after Jesus. Any other request we would have, fits under this.
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