Sarnia Christian School - LINK Fall 2023

FALL 2023

1273 Exmouth St., Sarnia, ON N7S 1W9 519-383-7750 info@sarniachristian.com www.sarniachristian.com www.facebook.com/sarniachristian

Celebrating 70 Years!

By Len Smit

Sarnia Christian School has become a septuagenarian! It has been around for seventy years. That the organization still exists on the same property after seventy years is a true testament to the faithfulness of the people who support Christian education! This is also a testament to the fact that what started seventy years ago still holds true today. In partnership with our local churches, we provide an education that sees the world as created by God. Teaching from a Christian perspective can have a generational impact on our children’s children.

As we boldly continue on our journey into the next seventy years, we look forward to remaining true to our vision and continuing to impact the lives of the students who enter our doors. Seventy years seems like a long time, but our God is eternal, and we are always one generation away from losing our faithfulness. The importance of Christian education has never been stronger than now, and the interest in Christian education has been rapidly growing over the last few years. Thank you for partnering with us in this continuing journey. We encourage you to become a member of the Lambton Christian School Society.

Seventy years ago, our school community was very homogeneous, and students all had a similar background. Jump forward seventy years, and our community has changed and diversified. Even in a very polarized world and fractured times, we see glimpses of a community rallying together to advance the cause of Christian education. We have a group of supporters who came in on a Saturday to paint all the gas lines on the school roof and install playground equipment. We have a dedicated group of parents who faithfully come in to prepare hot lunch for students and run the library. It is so important to maintain community. Community always wins. Knowing that we are united in Christ and a community rooted in Christ will flourish.

JK Exploring Pumpkins

Now Accepting Registrations for Kindergarten.

Full-time & Part-time Options Available.

Google: Sarnia Christian School Facebook to find us.

FOUNDATION. CHALLENGE. PREPARATION.

Grade 7 & 8 class trip to Dorchester to experience the Knights of Valour presentation at the Medieval Renaissance Faire.

Welcome to Our New Staff

Oni Gagnon Grade 2

Reading Buddies

Michael Boersma Grade 8

Our New Kindergarten Playground Reading Buddies

Thank you to everyone who donated to our Kindergarten Playground. We are still collecting contributions to help cover the costs of the new play equipment.

Cross Country

SK Making Apple Pie

Join Us for Our Annual General Meeting Monday, November 27, 2023 At 7:00 p.m.

We welcome our guest speaker Trish VanOosterom as she shares with us about Cyber Safety and Online Predators.

(Parents, we encourage you to bring your Grade 7 & 8 children with you.)

At this meeting we will also be approving the budget, voting in new board members, and getting an update on a possible Christian high school.

Please complete the membership form on the last page of this newsletter and return it to the school.

Donations and membership fees may be e-transferred to the school: gertie.bootsma@sarniachristian.com Password: scsscs

CELEBRATING CHRIST-CENTRED EDUCATION

A Student Reflection

by Marguerite Schenk The year was 1953, and I was about to start grade eight at the brand-new Sarnia Christian School. A group of visionary pioneers had immigrated to Canada and had a dream to start a Christian Day School like the ones they had left behind in Holland. With hard work and a heavy dose of faith, they turned their vision into reality.

Things were rarely easy in those first days. Every Monday, my job was to bring in the $2.50 tuition payment for our family, a challenge for most families who were just settling into a new country. Bussing was an extravagant cost that the school could not afford, but how were the students to get to school from all over the county? No problem – the solution was to use a farm truck outfitted with benches in the back for students. The student numbers quickly outgrew the two-room schoolhouse. By the spring, two more classrooms were being added. This new addition doubled as our playground at recess. An unfortunate makeshift seesaw incident in the construction zone resulted in a broken arm for me and more challenges for the teacher to help me get my schoolwork done.

Marguerite with her great-granddaughter, Claire, at the 2016 ribbon cutting ceremony for our new addition.

With those humble beginnings, it is hard to imagine how much SCS has grown and changed in the last 70 years. Through all the challenges, God has been faithful, and I am happy to say that my children, grandchildren, and now my great grandchildren have had the privilege to attend SCS, thanks to the courage of those founding members and God’s blessings.

Praise the Lord!

Discovery Days are well underway at SCS! Students are learning woodworking, cooking, sewing, strategic gaming, and baking; some even obtained their babysitting certificate. There is something for everyone to discover, from athletics to the arts. Ask a middle school student to tell you all about the new discoveries that they are making this year! Thank you for supporting this unique and individualized program!

CELEBRATING CHRIST-CENTRED EDUCATION

2023 Fall Drive Be a member of the Lambton Christian School Society. You can continue to support the school after your children graduate!

Sarnia Christian School Presents

To run our school society, we need members! Membership continues to decline because those who started the school seventy years ago are no longer with us, and those who graduate out of our school do not all maintain membership. Please consider being a member and helping our school community flourish.

Full Name: Street: City/Prov.: Postal Code: Phone Number: Email: Be a Supporting Member Your support helps us to ensure that the vision started 70 years ago continues. $250 per member. You must be able to agree to the Membership Criteria below to be a member. $

$

Kindergarten Playground Contributions for our Kindergarten Playground.

General Budget We cannot rely on tuition-paying families alone to cover the full cost of operating our school. We believe it is the supporting Christian community’s responsibility to help share in the cost of providing Christian Education. It is from our general budget that we can purchase needed items and provide our great programs. $

Membership Criteria • Are you at least 18 years of age?

• Are you a regular attendee at a Christian church?

• Do you agree that the basis of the society shall be the Word of God and that by this Word, we understand God’s further revelation in all creation?

• Do you believe that the Lord God, by graciously giving us scripture, has revealed to us ordering principles intensely relevant to education and mandates us to bring the whole Word of God to bear in all its power upon education?

• Do you agree that the purpose of membership is for the promotion and advancement of Christian Education?

• Do you agree that the general school aim is to help each student grow into an independent person, so that the student can serve God according to His Word, is able and willing to employ all his/her talents to the honour of God and for the wellbeing of fellow creatures, in every area of life in which the student is placed by God? • By becoming a member, I consent to the release of my personal information to members upon request for the purposes of voting, membership meetings, or other matters related to the corporation.  Agree  Disagree /

Signature(s)

Tuesday, December 19, 2023 Matinée at 2:30 p.m.

Evening Performance at 6:30 p.m.

Calendar of Events November 10 Remembrance Day Assembly led by Grade 7 November 10 Interim Progress Reports November 11 Remembrance Day November 16 Parent/Teacher Conferences November 17 Parent/Teacher Conferences (AM) November 17 Professional Activity Day (no school) November 22 Picture Retake Day November 24 Sr. Girls & Boys Christian School Volleyball Tournament (London) November 27 LCSS Membership Meeting December 19 Candy Cane Lane Musical December 22 Family & School Skate 11:00 a.m. to 12:00 noon.

December 22 Last Day of classes before Christmas Break (early dismissal at 12:30 p.m.)

Do you have questions or comments? Call 519-383-7750, email info@sarniachristian.com, or stop by.