Volume 8, Issue 1 CANADIAN ADVENTIST T EACHERS’ NEWSLETTER Winter 2014 CAT~news A publication from the Seventh-day Adventist Church in Office of Education

GROWING RELATIONSHIPS for our schools to exist. As co-labourers, let us work Dennis Marshall, General Vice-President/Director of Educa- diligently to help our children develop a growing rela- tion tionship with Jesus.

In the recently held Summit on Adventist Education that was sponsored by the NEW TEACHERS

Seventh-day Adventist Church in Cana- We welcome the following da, Dr. Larry Blackmer, North American individuals who are new to Division (NAD) Vice President for Edu- their positions or new to cation, said that education is about de- our Adventist education system in Canada: veloping trustworthy relationships with Ashley Bastien, Fraser Valley Adventist Academy, BC our children, and inviting them to devel- Daphne Bell, Fraser Valley Adventist Academy, BC op a personal relationship with Jesus. Landon Blize, Coralwood Adventist Academy, AB Venessa Brenya, Curtis-Horne , SK Ellen G. White perpetuated the idea that the purpose Viktoria Brunets, Sandy Lake Academy, NS of Adventist education is to help our children develop Susan Densmore, Woodlands Adventist School, AB a growing relationship with Jesus: “To aid the student Grace Devoe, Fraser Valley Adventist Academy, BC Donovan Diminyatz, Peace Christian School, BC in comprehending these principles [truth, obedience, Meghann Diminyatz, Peace Christian School, BC honor, integrity and purity], and in entering into that Lucinda Dixon, Bella Coola Adventist School, BC relation with Christ which will make them a controlling Adelia Duncan, Grandview Adventist Academy, ON power in the life, should be the teacher’s first effort Afia Franklin, Windsor Adventist Elementary School, ON and constant aim. The teacher who accepts this aim Teresa Heare, Avalon Adventist Jr. Academy, BC is in truth a coworker with Christ, a laborer together Bobby Ilapogu, West Coast Adventist Christian School, BC Deniece James, Crawford Adventist Academy East, ON with God.” (True Education, p. 22) Shandra Jamieson, Deer Lake SDA School, BC With this concept of education in mind, the focus is Melanie Kibbee, Coralwood Adventist Academy, AB Katrina Knopp, Chinook Winds Adventist Academy, AB shifted from the curriculum to the student. It is the Laura Kozak, Robson Valley Jr. Academy, BC student and not the curriculum who becomes the tar- Corbin Lamberton, Peace Christian School, BC get of change. Thus, the effective teacher will be Devon McAfee, Peace Christian School, BC careful to develop a respectful, trusting relationship Sandra Mendoza, Sartigan Adventist Academy, QC with his/her students in order to bring about the de- Charmaine Mitchell, Red River Valley Jr. Academy, MB sired change in attitude, behaviour, and Christian Adam Pardy, Fraser Valley Adventist Academy, BC Melinda Purviance, Parkview Adventist Academy, AB practice. Tatiana Racu, Greaves Adventist Academy, QC In this issue of CAT~news, you will find reports and Naomi Rempel, Spring Creek Adventist School, BC Sashanna Robinson, Greaves Adventist Academy, QC information on SDACC and NAD initiatives in educa- Jelena Sanchez, Red River Valley Jr. Academy, MB tion such as the recently held SDACC Adventist Edu- Amanda Toombs, Avalon Adventist Jr. Academy, BC cation Summit, the upcoming SDACC Teachers’ Dorcas Tosi, , ON Cruise Convention, the NAD Encounter Bible Curricu- Alvin Waite, Red River Valley Jr. Academy, MB

lum, the ASDASA conference, and the Physical Gen- Please forgive us and let us know if we forgot anyone. esis project. What’s Inside? All these initiatives are designed to improve the quali- ty of education we offer our children with the over- SDACC News ...... pg 2 SDACC News ...... pg 3 arching purpose of making them disciples of Jesus. NAD News ...... pg 4 Without this overarching purpose, there is no reason Dates of Importance ...... pg 4 Contact Information Education Director/General Vice-President: Dennis Marshall ([email protected]); Associate Director/Registrar: Betty Bayer ([email protected]); Administrative Secretary: Brandy Perkins ([email protected]) Address: Seventh-day Adventist Church in Canada, Office of Education, 1148 King St. E., , L1H 1H8 Phone: 905-433-0011 Toll-Free: 1-800-263-7868 Fax: 905-433-0982 Website: http://catnet.adventist.ca

C ANADIAN A DVENTIST T EACHERS ’ NEWSLETTER 2

SDACC/NAD News

SDACC 2015 TEACHERS’ CONVENTION Shuttle costs for guests will be added to your online Plans are underway for the SDACC invoice (from the convention website).

2015 Teachers’ Convention. With the Payments assistance of the SDACC IT Depart- The SDACC can only receive payments ment, we have a website where teach- for the cruise as US money order, cash, ers can go online and review the infor- or a cheque from a US bank account. mation we have for them. This site Payments should be made payable to: should be up in the beginning of Janu- Seventh-day Adventist Church in Cana- ary 2015. An email will be sent out once the site is da. Payment for guest flights can be made by credit live. When you receive this email, please log in to this card directly to Bayview Travel. site: https://convention.adventist.ca and review your information. Your username will be the email address Payment Schedule: you put on your registration form. If you do not re- November 15, 2014 - $150.00/guest (US Funds) ceive an email from me with your password, you can March 15, 2015 - $200.00/guest (US Funds) just click ‘Forgot Password’ and follow the directions. May 15, 2015 - Balance Due (US Funds)

Passports Once we know your cabin assignment, you will be Please make sure to fax a copy of able to pay the full amount if you choose. your passport and any guests pass- Cancellation Penalties: ports to Brandy at the SDACC (905) December 20, 2014 - February 17, 2015 - $50.00 fee 433-0982. It is imperative that you per berth have a valid passport. Passports must February 18 - April 19, 2015 - $100 per person be valid for 6 months after the end date April 20 - June 18 - $200 per person of this event . If your passport will be June 19 - July 18 - 50% per person expiring on or before February 16, 2016, you need to July 19 - August 17 - 100% per person renew it right away. ENCOUNTER BIBLE CURRICULUM Breakout Sessions Eight teachers (4 Calling all teachers! If you have an exper- elementary and 4 tise in an area that you think would be secondary) were beneficial to other teachers please let us trained in San Die- know what it is. We are taking names of go, June 9-11, by possible breakout presenters and would the writers of the new Adventist Bible curriculum de- like to utilize our teachers as much as possible. If you veloped in Australia and New Zealand: Kent Rusk are interested, please email your proposal to Brandy (BC, secondary), Rachel Rusk (BC, elementary), Lori at [email protected]. Teachers approved MacDonald (AB, secondary), Andrea Sayler (AB ele- to do a breakout session will receive an honorarium. mentary), Adam Mohns (KC secondary), Sarah Mora Credit Card (ON elementary), Norva St. Bryce (QC elementary), All teachers will need a credit card to set up their Chris Dupuis (MAR secondary). In addition, Andon SetSail pass. This will be used as your Onboard Ex- Boyce (ON secondary) is on the NAD secondary Bi- pense Account. Anything you purchase on the cruise ble steering committee and is in his 2nd year of pilot- ship will be charged to this card. ing the program. Nina Atcheson will be conducting a “Train the Trainer” workshop for 2 secondary Bible Travel teachers from each union during ASDASA If you are not making travel arrangements for yourself (Association of SDA School Administrators) February or your guests, please make sure your employing 15-18, 2015, in Dallas, Texas. Andon Boyce and organization knows. Some teachers have decided to Kent Rusk will be representing Canada. Some train- leave early or come back later; this makes booking ing for secondary teachers will happen at our SDACC travel for you a bit more complicated. Please inform Teachers’ Convention in August with implementation us immediately if you fall into this category. of the new curriculum to begin with Gr. 9 in 2015/16 Shuttle and Gr. 10-12 to follow in the next three years. Ele- Anyone traveling with the group will be able to use mentary Encounter implementation is tentatively the shuttle service at a fee of $50 US/person. Shuttle scheduled for the 2017/18 school year. costs for teachers will be covered by the SDACC.

C ANADIAN A DVENTIST T EACHERS ’ NEWSLETTER 3

SDACC News

EXCELLENCE IN EDUCATION AWARDS The Renewed Vision for Adventist , the Summit was called to discuss ways and means of The Excellence in Education award recog- improving the quality of Adventist education, and how to nizes the work of exceptional teachers and make it more accessible to our churches’ children. outstanding school administrators in the SDACC school system. The award consists The Summit centred around six core issues: Spirituality of a beautiful iron and glass award and a and Character Development, Program Quality and Deliv- cheque for $1000.00 for the selected teachers and ery, Professional Development, Accessibility, Promotion $1500.00 for the selected principal. The 2014 Excel- and Growth, and Finance. In addition, there was a spe- lence in Education Award winners are: Andon Boyce, cial presentation titled Growing Spiritually in the 21st Crawford Adventist Academy, ON; Kelly Briere, Prai- Century that was presented by Grace Mackintosh, legal rie Adventist Christian eSchool, AB; J. Scott MacDon- counsel for the SDACC. ald, Kingsway College, ON; Andrea Sayler, Wood- Dr. Larry Blackmer, North American Division Vice Presi- lands Adventist School, AB. The administrator recipi- dent for Education, opened the Summit with his keynote ent was Chris Dupuis, Sandy Lake Academy, NS. We address titled: Adventist Education: A Church Impera- extend our warmest congratulations to our outstand- tive? In his address, Dr. Blackmer emphasized the im- ing educators. Nomination forms for the 2015 school portance of Adventist education as a church imperative, year are posted on CAT~net (http:// and challenged us to be the best and most efficient pri- catnet.adventist.ca). vate school system in the world. 2015 SCHOOL EVALUATIONS Six plenary sessions focused on the six core issues The following schools have evaluation mentioned above. After each plenary session, breakout visits this school year: sessions provided opportunities for the delegates to dis- cuss the core issues and make recommendations. On Elementary Schools the final day, the facilitator of each group presented a Bella Coola Adventist School (Full Evalua- summary of recommendations for each core issue. tion) College Park Elementary School (Interim Review) These recommendations will be edited and formalized Greaves Adventist Academy (Interim Review) for implementation. Higher Ground Christian School (Revisit) The delegates expressed appreciation for the presenta- Ottawa SDA School (Revisit) tions, the venue, and the opportunity to contribute to this Peace Hills Adventist School (Full Evaluation) important discussion on Adventist education. But the Pleasant Valley Christian Academy (Full Evaluation) true value of the Summit will only be realized as we Rosthern Christian School (Interim Review) move forward to implement recommendations, and Shuswap SDA School (Full Evaluation) strengthen the work of the Church through the education Woodlands Adventist School (Full Evaluation) of its youth.

Senior Academies SDACC CURRICULUM PROJECTS

Parkview Adventist Academy (Interim Review) The SDACC Office of Education is excited to Peace Christian School (Full Evaluation) share the completion of two valuable curriculum SDACC EDUCATION SUMMIT SUMMARY resources this summer. A huge thank you to all On November 23-26, 2014, seventy-three delegates those involved in these projects! The following from across Canada including educators, pastors, committee met at the SDACC for a week this youth, lay persons, special guests, and officials from past summer to develop two Canadi- the North American Division Office of Education gath- an DLG’s: Frances Schander (chair), Joan ered at the Airport Hilton Garden Hotel to talk LaPointe, Brandi Mills, Kathleen Mitchell, about the future of Adventist Education. Mark John- and Gina Walker. The two Canadian titles son, President of the Seventh-day Adventist Church are Underground to Canada (Gr. 6) and Bliz- in Canada, gave the opening prayer and welcome. zard of Glass (Gr. 8). The DLGs are being piloted during 2014/2015 and will be availa- The results of a parent survey conducted in Septem- ble to all teachers for the 2015/2016 school year. ber, 2014, showed that 85% of respondents rated our educational system from good to very good. While The two DLGs developed in the Summer of 2014 are many positive things were said about our school sys- undergoing final edits: The Little Word Catcher (Gr. 2) and When the Cherry Blossoms Fell (Gr. 5). They will tem, there were some obvious weaknesses that our constituents highlighted. Titled Adventist Education: soon be available on the NAD Dashboard.

C ANADIAN A DVENTIST T EACHERS ’ NEWSLETTER 4

NAD News

ASDASA UPDATE SUPERINTENDENT/PRINCIPAL February 15-18 in Dal- HANDBOOK las, Texas. This con- This new handbook will be rolled out at ference is particularly ASDASA. It will be available digitally for free aimed at Adventist educational leaders: principals, access. vice-principals, superintendents, directors. It is scheduled once every 6 years. Keynote speakers READING A-Z: NEW RESOURCE! include Mark Witas, Elizabeth Talbot, Todd Whitaker, Reading A-Z has added a new project- and Nina Atcheson. Several breakout options have based learning option on their website, been scheduled. For further details (and to register), available to those who have subscribed. A go to: http://adventisteducation.org/ASDASA2015/ new summer program is also available for those who use MSED OUTDOOR EDUCATION Raz Kids. The NAD is working on provid- Offered through Southern Adventist ing a webinar in March with further infor- University, this unique master’s de- mation. gree program is designed to teach teachers in every discipline how to PHYSICAL GENESIS use the outdoors to teach. The pro- This third and final study in the “Mind, Body, Spirit” triad of research studies fo- gram is offered as a 3-summer intensive. They also cused on students in the NAD Education welcome teachers who want to take a few courses for system, is scheduled for March-April re-certification. For more information, go to: https:// 2015. The intent is to help schools assess www.southern.edu/graduatestudies/graduate- the fitness levels of their Gr. 5-12 students degrees/Pages/masters-in-outdoor-education.aspx in an effort to improve their health and wellbeing. The survey portion of this assessment will be conducted CREATION HEALTH online. Schools are encouraged to participate in this This secondary level Adventist health important study that will help us to renew our emphasis textbook is complete (both eBooks and on the Adventist health message of balance and over- print formats, iPhone and Android all wellness in the lives of our students and staff. Addi- apps), including online assessments. A tional information including sample research questions teacher webpage will be available Janu- and video resources to assist in the administration of ary 2015, and a student webpage by the fitness tests can be found on the NAD Education April 2015. Supplementary school website and at www.physicalgenesis.com. transformation materials (posters, inspirational mate- rials, pocket tips, etc) can also be ordered for schools Dates of Importance interested in promoting lifestyle improvement on their ON Conference Workers’ Meeting January 11-12, 2015 campus, for both teachers and students. AB Virtual Principals’ Council January 22, 2015 Education Council Executive (Lacombe) January 28, 2015 ELEMENTARY STANDARDS CUC Teacher Interviews/Banquet January 29, 2015 New standards for the following subject CUC Board Meeting January 30 - February 1, 2015 areas have been approved and will be ASDASA February 15-18, 2015 NAD UDOEC February 18-19, 2015 posted shortly on the NAD website: Sci- Education Council March 4-6, 2015 ence, Bible, Physical Education. New SDACC K-12 Board March 8, 2015 technology standards are currently being BC K-12 Board March 15, 2015 written, and Social Studies standards will Man-Sask Principals’ Council March 16, 2015 be worked on this summer. CUC Graduation April 17-19, 2015 CUC Board April 17-19, 2015 SECONDARY BIOLOGY TEXTBOOK REACH/Tell Canada Week April 19-25, 2015 Adventist Education Sabbath April 25, 2015 The NAD has sponsored the development of a sec- Man-Sask K-12 Board April 26, 2015 ondary Adventist Biology text which is currently being ON Principals’ Council April 27, 2015 written. Additional teacher resources (simulations, ON K-12 Board April 27, 2015 virtual labs, test bank) will also be purchased or de- PAA Interim Review April 28, 2015 Peace Christian School (Full Evaluation) May 3-6, 2015 veloped. It will be available both as an ebook and

hard copy. Targeted completion date is 2017/18. Please confirm with your local conference.