CENTRAL VALLEY CHRISTIAN SCHOOL
THE CAVALIER
WINTER 2021
In this issue of The Cavalier
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WH O' S F L EXIN G
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BR IE FS
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S E N IO R S P OT L IG H T: D O M IN IC M AXF I EL D
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CA M PU S CO N N ECT IO N
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CAVA L IE R CO M M E N TS
On the cover: Griffin Dunn worshipping in HS chapel
MY DEEP HOPE! From the Superintendent’s Desk Darryl DeRuiter, CVCS Superintendent
Central Valley Christian Schools (CVC) is a TfT school. TfT is the abbreviation for Teaching for Transformation. In this issue of the Cavalier you will find an article that fleshes out what TfT is and what it means for our school, our students, and our teachers, which I'll let some staff members tell you about. I will tell you that I fully support TfT and believe that it is the single most important curricular resource that CVC teachers have at their disposal to support their Christian instruction. One expectation of TfT is for each member of our instructional staff to develop what is called a Deep Hope. This statement is meant to be a reflection of what each teacher truly desires for their students, for today and for 60 years from now. As Superintendent, I want to lead by example, so I have developed a deep hope as well. I want to share in the important work of TfT by modeling my commitment to, and participation in, the initiative; I have shared my deep hope with the staff and now I am excited to share it with the broader CVC Society. As Superintendent, my deep hope is that the people of CVC are seen, known, and loved. I want us to feel delight, knowing that we are God's beloved and that in response, we put all of our faith and trust in him alone.
Central Valley Christian Schools
5600 W. Tulare Avenue Visalia, CA 93277 559.734.9481 admissions@cvc.org cvc.org
In my role, I have a responsibility to staff and students as well as to cultivating meaningful relationships with parents, supporters, alumni, and the board of trustees. All of these make up the people of CVC that I am referring to in my deep hope statement. I want everyone who is a part of the CVC family to feel welcomed; that they belong and that they are cared for. Together I want us to know God’s immense love and relentless desire to be in relationship with us, and that faith in him alone is enough. My Storyline, another TfT phrase, is Fully Known; it connects to God’s story through one word that ultimately describes what God is for us and our world, and that word is love. I Corinthians 13 (often referred to as the love chapter in the Bible) concludes with these words; “Now we see but a poor reflection as in a mirror; then we shall see face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I am fully known. And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love.” I love to meet and connect with people, so I invite you, the people of CVC, to contact me any time you have a question, a comment, a concern, or a story to share. Together we’ll focus our conversation around God’s love for us and our greatest mandate, which is to love God with all that we are and each other the same. Thank you for being a part of the CVC community!
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Formative Learning Experiences (FLExes) have and will continue to take place across all three campuses. These FLExes are an opportunity to invite students to not only see the story, but also live into God’s story. This is a chance to engage in their classroom academics with real work outside of the classroom, with real people to meet a real need. Who’s FLExing?
CHERITY FAST is in her twenty-fifth year of teaching
and fourth year as a 5th grade teacher at CVC. It is her deep hope that we would know how deeply loved we are by Jesus, just as we are, and that He never stops working to make us more wonderful. The FLEx Game Plan This is my first year and attempt at incorporating a FLEx, according to TFT, in my classroom. I have for years, before joining CVC, had my students pack shoeboxes for Operation Christmas Child. I LOVE this project, but I wanted my students to be able to connect with REAL people. I decided to work with my dear friend and people at Welcome Home in Vicente Guerrero, Mexico. I have gone there on Mission Trips for 12 years. Welcome Home is a free preschool/day care for the single farm workers in the community. When the kindergarten students graduate kinder, they are given a backpack with school supplies to help them start regular school in the fall. My students are getting and packing those backpacks for the 13 kinders at Welcome Home, this year. My American friend, Michele, who lives down there has sent us pictures of each of the children and their names. As we work to pack these backpacks, we are also doing research and writing on what school is like in other countries, so we can really develop an appreciation for the gift of attending CVC. Because we have pictures and receive updates on these children, we get to pray for them every day. 4
Who’s Involved? There are a few different people that will be involved in this project. My friend, Michele Matheny, who is the American Coordinator who lives at Welcome Home, in Mexico. Jose Bautista, the foreman and a leader at Welcome Home. We will be doing a video call with him on Monday to have him answer questions on what school is like in Vicente Guerrero. His son is a freshman there this year, and Jose, himself, has returned to school there to receive the equivalent of his GED. All the students will be working together to purchase and pack 13 backpacks for 13 students. What’s the Ultimate Goal? I want my students to gain an excitement to serve others as reflectors of Jesus and as they love people they don’t know, they see how much more loved they are by the Lord. I also want students to be able to see a world outside our bubble of CVC and gain a real heart of gratitude for what they have been given here.
THE CAVALIER
ALLY KORNELIS is in her seventh year at CVC teaching 8th grade Bible and English. Her deep hope is that we engage language and literature in order to discern and live THE GOOD LIFE that God calls us to.
The FLEx Game Plan Together with several other teachers, we are planning a FLEx that centers on the problem of poverty in the world. Our goal is to teach our students compassion and help them to understand the complexity of the issue as well as how to help those around the world living in poverty. It will involve activities where they must plan and then eat a meal together on a fixed budget while aiming to meet nutritional needs, travelling to Poverty Encounter where they will learn about the causes of global poverty, and then research local poverty through local organizations. It will culminate in a research presentation where they will present what they have learned to a group of local business owners and propose a community effort outreach to help those in poverty. This will include several service days that will be student led and organized. At the presentation, they will invite the local businesses to partner with them by providing funds, donations, or manual labor. The intended outcome is to get our students to understand the impact that a community working together can have on issues like poverty. Who’s Involved? This FLEx involves Christy Boyd (science), Jacob Kitson (math), Julie Houtsma (math/resource), Jim Elsenbroek (Civics/History) and myself. It is all of the 8th graders who will participate, and we will seek to involve local organizations that the students research and contact as well as local businesses of their choosing. What’s the Ultimate Goal? I want them to be moved with compassion and understand their duty as a neighbor. Christ demonstrates servant leadership, and I want them to walk away from this understanding that they have a responsibility for the wellbeing of others beyond just themselves. I want them to understand the complexity of an issue and be moved to action to bring about change. Ultimately, I want them to think and act more like Jesus as a result, to see and live the Good Life.
STEVE GANN has been teaching for about twenty-nine years and is in his eighteenth year at CVC teaching chemistry, physics, and human anatomy to 10th-12th graders. It is his deep hope that we will adapt to, overcome, and survive scientific challenges the fallen world throws our way.
The FLEx Game Plan Physics- My planned project in physics is for the kids to destructively test a product useful to a highschool student in order to see if it is worth the purchase price. The tests will grow from physics knowledge (strength, friction, weight, durability, etc.) They will make a video to show their results just like the YouTuber ProjectFarm. The video would help any student interested make a wise purchase. Chemistry- The chemistry class is going to make a gift basket for a group of people in our city who deserve recognition for what they do, but do not get credit for their hard work. The basket will be filled with items that the chem kids actually make in the chemistry class. We make soap (really good stuff too), hand painted thankyou cards made with paint we produce ourselves, and even small bronze castings from our metal smelting lab. Who’s Involved? For Physics, it's just my students and me. However, with Chemistry, there is casting, firing in kilns, and other artistries involved, which means I bring in people from the school community with those skills. What’s the Ultimate Goal? I want them to remember how it felt to use chemistry and physics to do something meaningful and real. You know, as if science has a real existence outside of the classroom! These three teachers are preparing to take their students’ learning to the next level as they step into work outside of the classroom. These formative learning experiences have and will be happening in these classrooms and classrooms like it across all three of our campuses for the next couple months.
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SPORTS
FFA
Boys and girls cross country competed in the Central Sequoia League Finals on 11/09. The boys were League Champions and the girls came in a very close second. Adam Colin was the individual boys winner and Caitlin Chea was the individual girls winner.
The girls golf team had an incredibly successful season. They are Central Sequoia League Champions, Division 3 Champions, and won their first section championship in CVC girls golf history! In girls tennis, Bailey Van Velson advanced to the Valley Championship at the first singles position. This is the first time since 2018 that CVC has sent players to the Valley Championships. The tennis team are Central Sequoia League Champions and competed in their first Division 2 playoff match in CVC girls tennis history.
Football has had an outstanding season this year. After finishing the regular season 7-4, they went on to win the Division 3 Valley Championship. This earned them a berth in the Division 4AA CIF State Football Championship Bowl Games against Serrano High School in Phelan, CA.
While there aren’t any competitions to report for the cheerleading team, this year’s squad has been exceptional in their routines, cheers, and spirit. They have helped lead the crowd in cheers for football and volleyball this fall and will be continuing through the upcoming basketball season.
ARTS The volleyball team are Central Sequoia League Champions and received an atlarge bid for the Division 1 State Playoffs. This was the first time CVC has ever competed in a Division 1 playoff game. The Cavaliers were defeated by a very good San Clemente team in front of a vibrant and supportive home crowd. It is always sad to see a season come to an end but the atmosphere at that final game was incredible. 6
This year, CVC FFA had 3 State Finalists and 2 State Winners who moved onto National Competition, Danae Westra and Mason Haworth. Mason Haworth - National winner in Wildlife and Production Management. Mason is the first National Winner in the history of CVC FFA.
CVC FFA would like to thank everyone for their generous support and for purchasing tri-tip dinner tickets.
Band: Christmas Concert season is such a fun time of year! We hope you enjoyed this year's showcase of gifts and skills.
Choir-fall concert: Unite with 1 Voice
This year’s high school fall play, Lend Me A Tenor, was a huge success!
Senior Spotlight: Dominic Maxfield HOW LONG HAVE YOU ATTENDED CVC? I have attended CVC for around a year and a half. I am in my second year at CVC. WHAT MADE YOU DECIDE TO COME TO CVC? My decision to come to CVC was a blessing. My parents wanted to move me to a better school when COVID first started. The school I was at before didn’t have as much of an emphasis on education as CVC. So, during COVID, my parents heard about CVC through a friend. We all got very excited and decided it was right for me. WHAT EXTRACURRICULAR ACTIVITIES ARE YOU INVOLVED IN? I am involved in football and FFA. WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE MEMORY SO FAR AT CVC? My favorite memory of CVC was when I first arrived and I met the football team. They accepted me very quickly and everyone made a great effort to be my friend. WHAT ADVICE WOULD YOU GIVE TO UNDERCLASSMEN? My advice to give an underclassman would be that time is the most valuable asset. If you have a dream of doing something, then go and pursue it. WHAT ARE YOUR PLANS FOR AFTER HIGH SCHOOL? My plans for after high school are to go to college for accounting and owning my own business. I want to own my own business and eventually service the whole valley as a moderate size company. WHAT ENCOURAGED YOU TO START YOUR OWN BUSINESS? The business I started is a window and solar cleaning company. I usually clean residential homes and businesses but sometimes I get called out to do industrial jobs. I’m always in for a challenge because each job is different and has its own obstacles. The biggest encouragement for starting my business was the need for money in the future. I thought to myself, if I want to be successful then I need to start something when I am young to gain experience. So, I did just that. WHICH TEACHER HAS IMPACTED YOU THE MOST IN YOUR TIME AT CVC? HOW DID THIS TEACHER IMPACT YOU SPECIFICALLY? During my time at CVC, Mrs. Maciel has impacted me the most because of her continuous smile. She has shown me that no matter what, just be yourself and be happy.
WHEN YOU WERE LITTLE, WHAT DID YOU WANT TO BE WHEN YOU GREW UP? When I was little I really wanted to be a police officer. My mom was a lawyer and is now a judge which showed me how important the justice system is. She taught me that bad people need to face justice which is what really showed me how important the police force is for our community. WHERE DO YOU SEE YOURSELF IN 5 YEARS? In five years, I see myself as a successful business owner. I want to serve my community through my businesses and the Church. HOW HAS YOUR CVC EDUCATION HELPED EQUIP AND INSPIRE YOUR HEART AND MIND TO TRANSFORM THE WORLD FOR CHRIST? My CVC education has helped equip and inspire my heart and mind by showing me that God gives us a light at the end of the road that we follow. God works on us in all aspects of our lives to make life better for us and to help us impact our community. My CVC education has also helped me transform the world for Christ by showing me how to give back to the community.
s u p Cam ction e n Con
Than Neese ELEMENTARY SCHOOL
We have seen a majority of long standing events cancelled over the past two school years with the outbreak of COVID-19. Thankfully, this year is different and we are welcoming back several fantastic and fun events. By the time this article is printed many of you will have attended, and enjoyed, an all school Convocation, Back to School Night, in-person conferences, Fall Festival/Grandparents Day, Family Read Night, and Pastries with Parents. Thank you for participating in these events and a special thanks to those that have volunteered or gave their time to make these events a reality. December will be busy with several grade specific performances, so please mark your calendars. These events are inspirational. Listening to these students sing is such a blessing and is the perfect way to reflect on God’s glory.
Deana McCoy PRESCHOOL
While we were able to be here all of last school year (and we did celebrate that fact) we are even more excited about the fun events we get to bring back this year! Our Grandparents Day looked a little different this year. We decided to have an art show with some fellowship time on the patio. This year we added a photo booth and it turned out to be a huge hit. We might even keep these plans for next year! We have also planned a Christmas program for each class in our lobby. This is a very popular event and we are very excited to be able to do this for our parents once again. Just the fact that we get to see and hear our cheery little people spending time together is a blessing and getting to do the fun events makes our year even better.
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• Dec. 9: 1st grade Christmas program, 6:30pm (HS Chapel) • Dec. 14: Kindergarten Christmas Program, 2:15pm (HS Chapel) • Dec. 14: 2nd/3rd grade Christmas Program, 6:30 (HS Chapel) • Dec. 16: 5th/6th grade Choir/Band Concert, 6:30 (HS Chapel) Many field trips and special student activities have resumed. These events help to create a fun and enriching educational environment here at CVC. Below are some of the events our students have participated in, or are planning to: • Kindergarten Pumpkin Patch visit to Vossler Farms • 1st Grade Hillcrest Christmas Tree Farm • 2nd Grade Cat Haven • 3rd Grade Enchanted Playhouse play production • 4th Grade Walk Through California Experience & Columbia State Historic Park • 5th Grade Downing Planetarium, Walk-Through Revolution experience & State Fair Program • 6th Grade (select classes) TfT service trip to Gleanings for the Hungry & Friant Rock Quarry trip • 4th-6th Grade Spelling Bee & Geography Bee As always we appreciate prayer as our students and staff participate in many of the activities that are back this year. We give thanks to our Lord Jesus Christ for allowing us to have these opportunities and we seek to glorify him through these special activities.
THE CAVALIER
Krista Wright HIGH SCHOOL
Blake Hiemstra MIDDLE SCHOOL
WHAT’S BACK? Canufacture - After a Covid-induced hiatus, our Thanksgiving-themed service project is back for another round of altruistic and artistic magic. Partnering with the Visalia Emergency Aid Council, our middle school houses brought in over 2,000 cans and non-perishables, put them together into creative, sculpted masterpieces, and then donated them it all to VEAC. After-school sports - Last year’s interscholastic competitions against other local middle schools were indefinitely postponed, giving way to an engaging and much-appreciated intramural program, but this year, the thrill of sport, complete with uniforms and long bus rides and spectators along the sideline, has again returned to the middle school. WHAT’S NEW? New Classes - We’re always looking to add to our exploratory/elective repertoire, and this year we’ve already added a 3-D Printing class, as well as a Stop-Motion Animation offering. Reports from the kids say that engagement and interest is definitely peaked. New Teacher - While most of the MS Dream Team remained intact, we welcomed a new MS choir director. Mrs. Bryant has quickly made her presence felt, jumping in with both feet at the middle school and coaxing choral magic from the adolescent masses. WHAT’S STILL TO COME? 5th Annual Cavalier Shake - Though last year forced us to dial back this beloved interpersonal skills competition, we’re coming back with a full-scale, five-round competition, starting in January, 2022. Our students will have the first opportunity to engage in a job-interview meets speed-dating enterprise, testing their mettle and their ability to carry on conversations and carry themselves as maturing young adults. 2nd Annual Career Fair - The rousing success of last year’s inaugural event meant that the career fair has become a fixture on the MS calendar going forward. We’ll invite over 25 professionals from a wide array of industries to give our students a taste of their world and beckon them to contemplate what God might be calling them to in this world.
A new school year calls for new events but this year is extra special because we also get to bring back some activities and traditions that were put on hold during the pandemic. So here’s a quick update on what’s going on at the high school. WHAT’S BACK? Back to School Night - After a year’s hiatus and a few experimental format changes, the traditional HS Back to School Night took place in mid-August. Parents were able to walk through their students’ schedules and meet all of their teachers. Dances! - Dances are such a fun rite of passage for high school students and we are delighted to have them all back this year. The Back to School Dance was held at the end of the first week of school and it was a party! Even the DJ was having such a blast that he extended his playing time. In Person FFA Competitions - While our FFA chapter stayed very active throughout the pandemic, most of their competitions were held virtually. It was a joy to see our students back at the Tulare County Fair showing their projects. We even sent several students to the National FFA Convention this year where we took home our first National FFA Award. Concerts and Plays - What a blessing it is to welcome back our fine arts performances. Gifts of musical talent were on full display at the MS/HS Unite With One Voice choral concert. The fall production of Lend Me a Tenor entertained us with brilliant acting and creative set and costume designs. Full Athletic Program - The CVC athletic department was one of the most active in the Valley last year but the pandemic did limit us. This year we are so excited to be back in the stands cheering on all of our athletic programs. WHAT’S NEW? All School Convocation - We invited the entire CVC community to join together for a back to school worship service. It was really touching. Principal’s Advisory Council - In order to provide the students with more ownership and responsibility for their own campus facilities, programs, and policies, we formed a Principal’s Advisory Council to discuss campus issues and implement potential solutions. New Library Programs: New CVC librarian Sheri Haveman has brought a few new programs to the library. There is now an active Book Club and we celebrated our first Teen Read Week. This national week builds love for reading by sponsoring fun activities in libraries. The students competed in contests such as the Dewey Dash and Emoji Book Titles. WHAT’S STILL TO COME? Beach Volleyball - Last year we added ESports to our athletic department lineup and we hope to add a beach volleyball team this spring. Focus Time Clubs - There has been a hunger for special interest clubs at CVC for quite awhile and now seems to be the right time to get those going. Film-making, photography, board games, and a school newspaper are all possible topics for new CVC clubs. The Ag/Shop/Art Building - Hopefully soon we will dig that traditional golden shovel into the soil just west of the gyms as we break ground for the new ASA building. This building will house our flourishing agriculture education and visual arts programs.
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The CVC Fall Festival Committee and Mothers Club would like to thank the many individuals and businesses who participated in and contributed to the 2021 Fall Festival. We appreciate your support! This event was a huge success and would not have been so without your support and generosity.
Thank you!
Your 2021 Fall Festival Committee Ciara Chase & Jayme Shannon- Coordinators Mandee Popovich & Dena Gambini- Decor Carrie Guy & Stephanie Lenaburg- Concessions Whitney de Jong & Suzy Coburn- Prize Booth Breesha Martin & Tiffani Gonzales- Vendor Row Jaclyn Rodgers- Baked Goods
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Umm... oh wait... I love my teacher!
I love that CVC has a BIG sandbox.
-James
-Asher
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I love CVC because it is safe and comfortable. I feel physically safe so I can learn and emotionally safe so I can grow into who God needs me to be. -Darby
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I love that we are a small school but we can accomplish big things. -Chapman
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I love that we have chapel once a week. It is a good time to gather and talk to God. It is pretty amazing when we sing together as one school. -Sienna
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I love that everywhere you go, you see someone you know. It feels like a big family. 9
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I love that everyone is loving. If you are sitting alone, someone will come sit by you and be your friend.
I love the teachers, the way they teach us about God and the Bible, and the people at CVC. -Reagan
-Kendall
THE CAVALIER
I love that I can be me, and I can praise God. -Camille
you love CVC?
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I love that there are so many God worshippers here at CVC. -Eli
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8th grade
I love that we can pray and learn about God freely. I also love all of the school events that we get to go to. -Haley
I love that we get a really good education and I love that I have a lot of really nice friends.
hg My favorite rade thing about CVC is that we as students are free to express our love to Christ. I also love the people who work here in CVC; they are kind and show joy in what they do. They are all amazing image reflectors and servant workers. - Giselle
-Ian
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Alumni Updates Jessica Parker: Jessica (‘13) now works as a Sr. Research Analyst at Warner Brothers and was credited recently in their DC Fandome Global Fan event, which was a 4-hour live event for all things DC in place of ComicCon. She is currently working directly on several upcoming films including The Batman, Aquaman 2, Black Adam, and The Flash.
Taylor (Reitsma) and Shane Marshall ('14 grads) were married on May 29th, 2021. Shane now teaches at Hanford Christian and coaches baseball at CVC. Taylor works for Medical Billing Technologies and is a cheerleading coach at CVC.
Jenna (Wilson, ‘17) and Eric (‘19) Dragt were married on October 2, 2021 at a beautiful ceremony.
Mark ('09) and Emily Weststeyn, along with Elias, welcomed Heidi Gayle into their family on January 8, 2021.
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RYLIE KATE PHOTO capturing moments & memories
559.936.2720
ryliekatephoto@gmail.com
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5600 W. Tulare Ave. Visalia, CA 93277
CALENDAR OF EVENTS DEC 17-JAN 4 JAN 13 JAN 13 JAN 17 JAN 18 JAN 24 JAN 26 JAN 29 FEB 7 FEB 8 FEB 9 FEB 10-11 FEB 15 FEB 17-21 FEB 21 FEB 28 MAR 1 MAR 3 MAR 5
CHRISTMAS BREAK CAVALIER SHAKE ROUND 1 4TH GRADE NIGHT OF PRAISE MARTIN LUTHER KING DAY - NO SCHOOL 4TH-8TH GRADE SPELLING BEE COUNSELOR’S Q&A FOR FRESHMAN PARENTS CAVALIER SHAKE ROUND 2 HS WINTER FORMAL FOLLOW-UP COUNSELOR Q&A FOR JUNIOR PARENTS CAVALIER SHAKE ROUND 3 FARM SHOW DAY - NO SCHOOL CAVALIER SHAKE ROUND 4 CAVALIER SHAKE ROUND 5 HS CHOIR TOUR PRESIDENT’S DAY - NO SCHOOL COUNSELOR’S Q&A FOR SOPHOMORE PARENTS MS/HS CHOIR FESTIVAL HS BAND MINI TOUR PLEASE CHECK OUR CVC APP FOR THE MOST UP-TO-DATE POWDERPUFF FOOTBALL DETAILS, PLANS ARE SUBJECT TO CHANGE.