In SK, we have been enjoying God's beautiful creation of gourds.  We have measured, felt, sorted, experimented with and painted our gourds. Watch for a class book coming home about our gorgeous gourds.  We have prepared it for our families to enjoy!

Grade 4's, first performance of Romeo and Juliet is tomorrow, November 7 at 11:45!

   

Our SK students are enjoying the sound of a different voice in their classroom today.  A former student has returned to enjoy a day "working" at WCS.  "Bring your child to work day" is a treat for Mrs. Westerveld. As they say: "many hands make light work". 

Excitement is in the air in grade 4! The students are going to be performing William Shakespeare's "Romeo and Juliet" this week. The children have studied the play in the classroom, travelled to Stratford and watched Romeo and Juliet put on by professional actors, rehearsed in the gymnasium on the stage, and now are "excited" to perform this play.
We know this play backward and forward, we know each other's lines and movements on stage, our costumes and props are ready, and our excitement levels are super high.
If anyone reading this is a lover of William Shakespeare's plays and/or loves to experience children acting, we would love for you to come and experience our version of "Romeo and Juliet". We will be performing on Thursday, November 7 at 11:45 in the WCS gymnasium and on Friday, November 8 at 9:00 in the same location.
N. VanAndel

Friday November 1^st, grade 8 had the great opportunity to head to the Rogers Center in Toronto for an amazing day! We met with over 700 people from 30 different Christian and Catholic Schools in the GTA, at an event put on by the Toronto Argonouts and Athletes in Action. We began our day by participating in a flag football tournament, where each student showed great sportsmanship and teamwork during each one of our games. For the afternoon, we all headed up to the 500-level where we participated in various activities that were designed to get students from the different schools to interact with, and get to know one another. The grade 8s all set a great example as they listened and took on some leadership roles throughout the afternoon. Elodie Li Yuk Lo, an Olympic athlete, talked to us about how her life was changed as she began to define herself as a Christian athlete, and began to develop the whole person – physically, mentally, and spiritually. We were all challenged to ask ourselves "Who am I?” The Huddle-up talk was a powerful reminder on what bullying looks like. We were challenged to stop the bullying that we see happening around us, "even a smile can make a difference”. The room was so quiet as we listened to his story and his challenge to stop the bullying that we see happening around us. By 5:00pm we were all hungry, so we headed outside for a tailgate BBQ, and took a walk around the Rogers Center, looking at the nearby sights that Toronto has to offer. 7:00pm was kick-off for the Argos vs. Alouettes game. We all enjoyed watching the two teams compete on the field that we were just on earlier that day. While the Argos didn’t win, they put up a great fight.

Friday was a day that we will never forget! A huge THANK YOU goes to Mr. Branderhorst, and Mr. Lendvay who came with us. Without the both of you, this day would never have been possible. A thank you also goes out to those who came and met us for the game later in the evening. We really appreciated you coming and helping to support our school.

 

Throughout the month of October, Grade 2 has been studying the wonders of God’s Creation. We have been looking at how God is the master artist, and He uses his paintbrush daily to bless us, and send us messages of love. As we wrapped up our unit, we headed outside to the front gardens in the school and planted over 60 new bulbs. So, as the snow melts and the warm weather comes back, watch for the new flowers that will be popping up and discover how God truly is a master artist.

Grades SK, three, & eight need your help in collecting COATS for KIDS: Our goal is to donate 100 clean coats (of
any size) in good repair. Please note that we will also welcome other cold weather items, such as, snowpants, boots, hats, mittens and scarves. As you sort through your closets, please think of those families and individuals who could be blessed by your gift of warmth during the cold winter months. 

Last week at the Edifide Convention, we as educators were reminded of the importance of reading to and with children. The oral art of story-telling is so important for our children's development and to the building of community. How special when we sit together at the Sunday dinner table with family and tell/listen to stories of grandparents' and parents' lives. And for parents and grandparents to listen to their children/grandchildren's stories! What an awesome opportunity to see how God is leading us all through the journey of life! Children love snuggling up before bedtime to listen to a story being read to them. At the convention, I attended a workshop by one of my favourite authors, Hugh Cook (who also was my Grade 10 -12 English teacher at LDCSS a few??? years ago), and he told us one of his first recollections of story was when his Dad read Old Testament stories every evening at the supper table. I fondly remember listening to Mr. Cook's stories when I was his student in high school. Children do not outgrow this need to have stories told to them or books read to them. One of my most special memories of story is when I read "Tale of Two Cities" by Charles Dickens with my college student daughter on Sunday afternoons when she came home for the weekend. This past blustery, rainy Saturday, I had the blessing of reading "The Gruffalo" with my three grandsons snuggled up together on the couch- so good! In the classroom, one of the favourite times of the day is when the teacher says "I am going to read to you!" Every teacher can appeal to students' imagination through the power of story. Parents and teachers, thank God today for your children and pause in your busy life to read a story with them!

Bernice Huinink-Buiter

Woodstock Christian School students and staff wish our volunteer gardener, Mr. Fred Eringa a blessed and happy birthday!!!

We have a number of Toronto Argos tickets for sale for Friday November 1st for $25.00 each. Email e.schuster@woodstockchristian.ca to order your ticket!

As you already know, this week is a short week at Woodstock Christian School. School occurs Monday to Wednesday for your child, but for your child’s teacher, he/she is going to school on Thursday and Friday. WCS’s teachers, along with Christian school teachers from all over the province, are attending the annual teacher convention at Redeemer University College. This is a time for teachers to participate in devotions, to hear keynote addresses, to attend workshops, to meet colleagues, to peruse resources, and to become "students". It is at this convention, where many teachers pass on great ideas to other teachers, in turn to be implemented into their classrooms.
Students, may you enjoy your time off of school while your teachers attend "school" for two days. Enjoy your short week.
                            G. Hiemstra

Plan to attend the 2nd restorative justice video evening Thursday, October 17th at 7:30. We'll be watching a video about the first restorative justice city and discussing how WCS, which embraces restorative justice thought, can positively impact families and organizations within the community to live restoratively in the light of God's grace..