December 14, 2015 SPECIAL ANNOUNCEMENT!! — With joy and thankfulness,the JKCSS Board of Directors announces that Mrs. Carol Verbeek has been chosen to be the next principal of Woodstock Christian School! We are thankful for the work of the Principal Search Committee as they diligently and prayerfully engaged in researching and interviewing prospective candidates over the past months. God has granted them wisdom in their task and they presented qualified candidates to the BOD. Carol presently teaches Grade 7/8 and is the vice-principal of curriculum at WCS, bringing expertise in leadership as well as a deep understanding of the Woodstock school community to this new position. She will begin her new assignment as leader of WCS in August, 2016. We pray for God’s blessing on her as she finishes her year as classroom teacher and vice-principal and as she prepares for the principalship. BLESSINGS!! – I pray you will all enjoy a very happy and blessed Christmas, and ‘wonder’ full New Year in 2016, overflowing with God’s presence, joy and love! Thank you for your support, encouragement and prayers for us all at WCS during the first term of our school year. In this Christmas season. I invite you to “Tell God’s Story” to someone, the story of the wonderful joy, peace and love that Jesus Christ brought to all mankind 2000 years ago when he came from heaven to earth! This amazing story of salvation still brings hope to millions of people around the world, as He died, rose again, ascended to the right hand of His Father in Heaven, and is coming back soon as King of kings and Lord of lords! In Christ, Bernice Huinink-Buiter Friday - Elliot Y., Gr.5 & Lauren H., Gr.7 Saturday - Eric S., Gr.5 Dec. 21 - Ellyse M., JK & Cameron L., Gr.4 Dec. 26 - Mrs. Verbeek, Gr.7/8 Teacher Dec. 29 - Emily B., JK Dec. 31 - Janelle K., Gr.8 Jan. 2 - Halli K., Gr.7 & Mrs. Koopman, Secretary Jan. 3 - Julia K., Gr.3 & Kira B., Gr.8 FOR YOUR INFORMATION: Prayer Requests: Our prayers are with Elaine Wesselson (Board member and classroom volunteer) as she grieves the death of her mother, Margaret Ligterink. may god wrap His comforting arms around Elaine and her family. We celebrate with Annika & Marcel Steen with the birth of a son, Jace Mannes who was born on Monday Dec.7th. Special congratulations go to Jasmine in SK! Enjoy your new brother, Jasmine! “Fearfully and wonderfully made.” Thank you God! Christmas Chapel: You are all invited to our Christmas Chapel on Thursday at 8:30 a.m. The Christmas Tea was a great event again this year! Thank you to the teachers and students for presenting Christmas in different countries! A special thanks to Sara Verkuyl and the kitchen and decorating crew for their commitment to the event! Mrs. Ysselstein donated the lovely Poinsettias to transform the gymnasium into a cozy meeting place! And all the students that helped to ensure the day ran smoothly, WOW, great work! Grade 7/8 and several leadership teams really shocked our visitors when you were working so hard all afternoon! This was certainly a great gift to our community! THANK YOU. Page 2 NEW BUS NEEDED! The WCS board of directors, together with the transportation committee, are asking for your prompt attention to the urgent need of funding a new bus for our school to be purchased in January 2016. Since returning to school in September, our aging fleet of buses has faced a number of costly repairs. Just this month one bus has been pulled off the road permanently as a result of the ongoing costs related to its condition (now it is in need of a new transmission). Without a replacement for bus #20 we are running a depleted fleet that cannot keep up with the current demands of transportation for our students. Here is a summary of our fleet: Bus #17 (1999) - intended for use as our spare bus it is now being used daily. While it is in good condition mechanically, the bus is more than 15 years old, and passes the MTO’s safety regulations, but attention will soon need to be given to the body and frame. Bus #18 and #19 (2005) - Mechanically in good condition. This bus is 10 years old, and passes the MTO’s safety regulations, but attention will soon need to be given to the body and frame. Bus #21 and #22 (2010) - Very poor fuel economy. Engines have known problems and fuel leaks into the oil, therefore requiring frequent oil changes to help prolong engine life. Bus #23 (2013) - EXCELLENT condition! Currently WCS runs 6 routes daily for our own students and provides a shuttle to LDCSS. A spare bus is required to fill in when one bus is in for service or to support field trips. Without a seventh bus we are facing significant changes to our current bussing situation. Options that are being considered include having rotating routes daily or decreasing to 5 routes from the current 6. Of course, there are consequences to each of these options. Rotating routes would require that families are responsible for their own transportation one day per week, while decreasing our routes would mean earlier mornings and later afternoons for our students. Neither of these options is optimal as we strive to provide excellent transportation for families! So, what can you do? We are looking for your support in raising $115,000 plus applicable taxes which is the current quote for a new bus. With the support of all of our families, members and supporters, we believe that it is possible to reach this goal. We invite you to prayerfully consider what your contribution might look like. Following are some options you may consider: 1. a monthly or one time donation; 2. an interest free loan to the school; 3. an increase to your monthly tuition payment of any amount. Together we can make this happen. Bus Drivers Wanted!! WCS is looking for spare bus drivers! Do you have a B license & looking for a way to serve the school? We have amazing drivers who are passionate about their job and they will affirm for you that this is job brings many blessings!! Are you interested in training as a bus driver? We can train you and assist in the process of becoming a licensed bus driver. It is possible that a spare bus driving job may lead to a full time opportunity. If interested call the school or email [email protected] Fundraiser for Children of the Promise (COTP) and Mr. Gerry Huinink's bicycle trip across Haiti - Hot Drinks and Snacks will be sold by the Gr. 5 class on Wednesday, December 16, after 1st recess! Don't forget to bring some money that day! (Also: If you are willing to donate some snacks for this event, contact [email protected]). Page 3 Christmas Dress Up Day: will be on Thursday, December 17th. You can dress up as Mary, Joseph, shepherds, sheep, wisemen, camel, angel, inn keeper and star. You may not dress up as Jesus or God but anything in the nativity scene is OK. Have fun with each other and get your friends to organize costumes. Chicken: Orders will be available for pickup on Thursday, December 17th, between 3- 4 pm. Please make arrangements to have your orders picked up at that time. Please keep in mind that the school no longer has a deep freezer so it is very important to make arrangements to have your orders picked up. Please note that we will not be responsible for orders that are not picked up without prior arrangements. If you have any questions, please contact Michelle Sol at 519-539-7839 or [email protected]. All School Skating: This Friday, December 18, students and staff are planning to go skating on the Red Rink at the Woodstock Community Complex, 381 Finkle St, Woodstock. SONBeams - Grade 3 will be skating from 12:15-1:15 and Grades 4-8 will skate from 1:15-2:15. Parents and younger siblings are invited to join us for this event. Everyone on the ice must wear skates and a helmet. All students/ younger siblings are required to wear mittens or gloves. There are no strollers allowed on the rink. Join us!! It will be FUN!!! Sr. Girls Basketball: We are looking forward to beginning our season the first week back from our Christmas holidays. In order to prepare for our first game, we will have a short informational meeting Tuesday during school. The girls will be given a schedule of upcoming games and practices as well as a basketball code of conduct and waver form to sign. These need to be returned asap as students will not be allowed to play in games if they have not returned these forms. There will be a practice Monday December 21 in the gym from 9:30 - 11:00 am. As well as Tuesday January 5 from 3:45 - 4:45 pm. Games begin on Thursday January 7. If you are unable to make it to any practices or games you are expected to let Mrs. Schuster know as soon as possible. Senior Boys' Basketball: Practice after school on Thursday until 4:45. No practice during the Christmas Holidays. Season begins on January 6th. More details coming soon! Referees Needed: We are in need of referees for our Sr. Basketball games. If you know of anyone (high school students or older) who are willing to help us out, please email Mrs.