October 2016

                                 

This past week, our staff attended the Edifide (Educators’) Convention

 at Redeemer University College in Ancaster. As the convention theme was​Leading with Love, the speakers challenged us as educators to think about what love looks like in our classrooms and in our schools. How do our practices, procedures, and routines provide a safe and loving environment in which our students can learn and thrive? What are we doing to build school culture? How are we meeting and supporting student needs? All valuable questions as we navigate this school year.

One of the highlights of the convention is the praise and worship time. With effective leadership by the praise team, Redeemer’s 900+ seat auditorium resounded with the sound of keyboard, stringed instruments, percussion, and voices. The convention theme song still echoes in my head: “At your name, creation sings your story…your people will cry out. Lord of all the earth, we shout your name, filling up the skies with endless praise, Yahweh, Yahweh, we love to shout your name, oh Lord.” It is a beautiful thing to be in community, acknowledging God as Lord, bringing him praise and glory, and affirming our need for his direction in our lives.

Thankfulness "It is not happy people who are thankful; It is thankful people who are happy." - Unknown Each morning in grade two we start the day with an opening circle. This gives each student a chance to begin the day with their voices being heard. My favourite question to ask my students is, "What are you thankful for?" This past week one student said, "Miss Kiers we have done this question before." To which I answered something similar to the above quote, because I truly believe that thankfulness increases our happiness. Each time I have asked this question, I have gotten wonderful responses - it is like a circle of prayer to God for the things we are grateful to Him for. Students have answered with the common but beautiful response of family and friends, to more specific things found in God's creation, specific family moments, or learning at school. One thing that I am constantly awed by and thankful for is family, and I don't mean just my immediate family, I mean the family that I experience at Woodstock Christian through the staff that I work with, the parents who come by the school, and of course the students that make up the family within our grade two classroom! I am so very thankful for these families because those who make up each one has made this past year something that was possible. I am so grateful that God created families and that he made humans to live in relationship, for they are truly a blessing. S. Kiers

GO PURPLE" was our motto on Wednesday October 19th!  Staff and students of Woodstock Christian school joined Oxford County CAS in encouraging our community to speak up and protect the children of our community. 

For more information:

http://www.oacas.org/childrens-aid-child-protection/child-abuse-prevention/go-purple-day-campaign/

Last week, our third grade students went to the Arboretum for a field study of trees. This week, our seventh and eighth grade students will be involved in a reforesting project - planting trees at the edge of the city of Woodstock. This is a great month for noticing trees.

There is a gorgeous tree in my back yard which is of the species Acer rubrum "October Glory" which the website (http://homeguides.sfgate.com) says is “commonly known as red maple, is a medium- to fast-growing vibrantly coloured tree with a round or oval crown of dense glossy foliage. The "October Glory" cultivar can survive in several climates…”

I love the name of this tree as it just rolls off of my tongue. October glory. You must say it out loud to appreciate it. Really though, the creator of October glory, the tree, and October glory in general, is our great Creator God. As you spend time outdoors this month - walking, hiking, raking, working, playing, doing chores – give praise to the God of October glory. He is revealed in the cool breezes, the vibrant colours, the crunch of leaves underfoot, the earthy scents, the joy of play, the productivity of work. He is over all, through all and in all. God is Greater! 

Friday's Professional Development Last Friday the WCS teachers travelled to John Knox Christian School in Oakville and listened to Marian Small. She is a Canadian educational researcher, academic, author, and public speaker. Her workshop was entitled "Effective Math Instruction". We heard about what a positive classroom environment for math instruction should look like. We learned about what math to focus on, the importance of critical thinking in math, and differentiated instruction. We practised math, played games, used lots of math manipulatives, collaborated and stretched our minds. It was great to share ideas and have some of our questions answered. As WCS teachers we are always eager to partner with other educators as we strive to create the best learning opportunities for our students. Mrs. J. Hickey

After learning all about maps we needed to use our mapping skills to travel to "Let's Eat Cake" using the city bus. We went on a landmark hunt as we travelled through downtown Woodstock. A huge thanks to the bus drivers we met and the crew at Let's Eat Cake.

What a blessing to attend the Christian Schools Canada Leadership Conference in Alberta a few weeks ago! The conference setting was amazing, in the heart of the Rockies with amazing beauty in every direction. The keynote speaker was Andy Crouch, formerly a chaplain at Harvard University, editor of Christianity Today, and author of several books - including his most recent, Strong and Weak and Playing God. If you ever have the opportunity to listen to Mr. Crouch speak, go! He is gifted with wisdom, humility, understanding of culture, our time, and our role as Christians and image bearers of God. Being with hundreds of Christian educators and administrators reinforced my understanding that Woodstock Christian School is just one part of the larger picture of Christian Education in this nation and on this continent. God is at work among us and is doing great things. God is indeed Greater - he surrounds us with his goodness and greatness. Psalm 125:2 "As the mountains surround Jerusalem, so the Lord surrounds his people both now and forevermore."

                            C.Verbeek