In the Driver’s Seat

As much as I hate to admit it, I am a back seat driver.  I don’t really like to drive that much, but  the thought of not driving and just being a passenger can wear on my nerves!  This was quite evident this past winter as I travelled with my husband on a snowy trek to Peterborough.  It was one of those days when I should have headed home instead of travelling up for class.  Rick thought that it would be better if he drove me and so we headed up the 115 into a white abyss.

The trip wasn’t so bad until the blowing snow prevented us from seeing anything in front of the car.  Rick cautiously proceeded, concentrating on the few visible markings he could discern.  However, I felt totally helpless in the passenger seat.  It was a backseat driver’s nightmare!  I braced my arms out in front of me, hanging on the dashboard (as if that would keep the windshield from smashing in on me) and forcefully hit the “brake” with my right foot repeatedly.  I even tried inhaling loudly, very loudly!  Nothing seemed to work.  All my efforts to “help” were in vain.  In fact, it is a wonder Rick could concentrate at all with all my arms and legs flailing and  my moaning and groaning.  I just had to trust that he would get us to our destination safely.  And he did, safe and sound.  After a trip that seemed to take an eternity, we arrived in Peterborough.

This trip was a wonderful reminder of how much my husband loves me and does his utmost to take care of me.  All I needed to do was to trust him in this endeavour.  However, this is also a picture of our relationship with our heavenly Father.  There are so many times in life in which we want to do the driving and be in charge.  Instead, we need slide over into the passenger seat and allow God to “take the wheel” so to speak and direct our path.  This is not always comfortable for many of us, especially those of us who like to be in control all the time.  It requires us to stretch our faith and realize that God loves us and knows what is best of each of us.

These are faith stretching days for us at DCA , yet, I have been reminded that God is still in the driver’s seat.  He has promised to lead and guide if we follow Him.  We just need to get our hands off the wheel and trust.

Thanks to all who had a part in making this past week’s open house such a success.  It was a wonderful evening and it was good to see so many visitors. Thanks too, for those who have taken up the challenge of our 100×100 Campaign.  At the present we are up to 44% of our goal.  We will be sure to keep you posted with updates.  For more information, check out our Facebook page, https://www.facebook.com/durhamca

April showers usher in a new season!

This week we settled into our spring season at school.  The March break gave us all the opportunity to relax and geer up for the activities that are ahead.

One of those activities is our Spring Celebration/Open House on April 25th.  This is an opportunity to come and see the work the students have been doing in the classroom.  The students have been working diligently on musical pieces as well as public speaking selections and will be performing them as well.  It promises to be a great night to gather as a community.  It also is a great chance to invite your friends and family to see what DCA is all about!

Let the Amazing Race begin!

Our teams have been formed and our passports are ready as we get set to travel on the Amazing Race this week!  Spirit Week will look very different this year as Mrs. van’tSlot has incorporated ideas from this very popular reality show into our spirit week activities.  Each day we will be “travelling” to a different country and be participating in a variety of events in the  afternoon.  Students should come to school dressed in clothes representing the various areas outlined below.

Monday-  Sahara Desert

Tuesday-  China

Wednesday- Caribbean

Thursday-  African Jungle

Friday-  Finland

Friday, we will all gather at the Courtice Area for a school skate as we finish our race! This is a great way to complete our winter term before we enjoy our March break for a couple of weeks.

Students should remember their donations each day for this year’s service project.  All money collected will give back to our own community as well help The Refuge this year.

Runners on your mark, get ready….. GO!

DCA bands awarded gold and silver at OCM!

Last Thursday and Friday we had the privilege of hosting the Ontario Christian Musicfest, organized by Mr. Dennis Ullman.  What a delight it was to be able to hear such beautiful music throughout the halls of our school!  Our own senior students were able to sit in workshops on both days and learn from skilled musicians.  As well, both our junior and senior bands were able to perform and be evaluated by a judges panel.  Our junior band played beautifully and were awarded gold for their efforts.  The senior band was not far behind as they were awarded silver for their playing.  We want to extend our thanks to Mrs. Ullman for all her hard work in preparing the bands for this event.

Last Tuesday, our sr. girls’ basketball team participated in the annual ACSI basketball tournament in Scarborough.  The girls played their best, but came up short by one basket in the final game!  They are to be commended for a great season!  Thanks to Mrs. Hain for coaching this year.

As if that wasn’t enough competition for the week, our public speaking participants were disappointed to learn that the ACSI public speaking festival was postponed due to the inclement weather on Thursday.  This event has been rescheduled and will be on March 29th.

A good time was had by all…

After months of planning, our annual fundraising banquet has come and gone!  It was a wonderful evening celebrating the ministry of DCA!  Our sparse gym was transformed into a beautiful banquet hall and we enjoyed a delicious meal, topped off with fine desserts.  Mr. Mike Broomer, principal of DCA from 1988-2000, challenged us from God’s Word as he shared concerning our theme, Lessons for Life.  Thanks to all who had a part in making this evening such a special event.  A big thank you as well to all who supported us financially.  Your generosity is greatly appreciated!

This week is full of competitions!  First, the girl’s basketball team is travelling to their basketball tournament on Tuesday.  Then we have a number of students competing in the annual ACSI Speech Meet on Thursday in Mississauga.  Finally, our bands will be competing in the Ontario Christian Musicfest, held at our very own school this year.  This will take place on Thursday and Friday of this week, with our bands competing on Friday.  A more complete schedule of the festival’s events will be sent home to families this week.  I know you will want to come out to support this event!

February Highlights

These past few weeks of school have flown by in flash.  Maybe it is true that time flies when you are having fun!  I am not sure the grades seven and eight class would say these past few weeks have been “fun” having completed their first set of exams, but nonetheless, time marches on!

With the first set of reports now history and the half way point of the year past, it is time to look forward to the many activities that will take place in these weeks leading up to March Break.  First, we are well into basketball season with our sports teams.  Our co-ed. junior team participated in the ACSI tournament last week and achieved a fourth place finish!  Thanks to Mr. Tindale for coaching them at this event.  On Feb. 23, Mr. Pyper will be taking the Sr. Boys’ basketball team to the ACSI basketball  tournament.  The following week, Mrs. Hain will be taking the Sr. Girls’ team to the ACSI basketball tournament on Feb. 28.  All the best to our teams as they represent our school!

Another important event taking place this month is the first of our open houses for prospective families.  Wednesday, February 22^nd has been set aside for any families interested in DCA, to stop in for a visit. They will be able to tour our facilities and get information about the coming school year.  This will be the first of many we will host this spring.

As well, Saturday Feb. 25, we will gather as a school family and celebrate God’s blessings to us at our annual fundraising banquet.  We will be treated to a delicious meal and dessert buffet!  Also, there will be a silent auction, so you won’t want to miss out on the opportunity to purchase some of the items there.  Our speaker this year is no stranger to our school, as Mr. Mike Broomer was the second principal in DCA’s history.  We look forward to a wonderful evening!

As the calendar flips to March, we will be celebrating the arts at DCA.  Students who have been chosen to represent our school, will be attending the annual ACSI Speech Meet on March 1.  This will involve students from grades 1-8.

We have the privilege this year of hosting the Ontario Christian Musicfest.  This event showcases musical  groups and bands from throughout our province.  The festivities begin on Wednesday, Feb. 29 with a free concert at 7:00 p.m in the DCA gym.  There will be another free concert on Thursday, March 1 as well.  Then, a number of groups will be filling the gym with sweet sounds throughout the day on Thursday, March 1 and Friday, March 2.  Both our Sr. and Jr. Bands will be competing on Friday.  More details will be sent home as the time approaches.  Check out the following link for more details: http://www.drumsinc.ca/drums_inc_008._

Finally, the week of March 5-9 has been set aside for our Spirit Week.  Students will be participating in a variety of activities based on an Amazing Race theme!  This will be a great way to begin to unwind  before March break begins at the end of that week.  Again, more information will follow as the time approaches.

And that’s how I see it for the next few weeks…

January Update

We are now into the rhythm of our winter routine at DCA!  What a busy couple of weeks it has been and we look forward to many activities this winter.

Last week our gr. 7/8 class said farewell to our praise and worship leader, William Jones.  The students have benefitted from William’s expertise this past year and a half and we wish him all the best as he attends Calvin College in Michigan this winter semester.

This week, we welcome Mrs. Ruth Edwards to our school community to help fill the void left by William’s departure.  She will work with not only our gr. 7/8 class, but also the other grades as well.  Mrs. Edwards specializes in vocal music,  speech arts and drama and has partnered with many elementary schools and churches, sharing her expertise.  She will be volunteering her time on Monday afternoon at our school.

Preparation for public speaking is taking place in all the classrooms these days.  We look forward to hearing from the grades 1-6′s next week at our in-school competition.  Then, the gr. 7/8′s will have their turn to share their work, following the exam period.

There are many other events coming up as well, including the ACSI basketball tournaments, the DCA annual fundraising banquet, Ontario Christian Music Festival and Spirit Week.  We will provide more information as each event approaches.  Keep checking your emails for updates!

A New Year Ahead!

With the calendar flipped onto a new year, it is possible to feel a variety of emotions.  For some, there may be feelings of regret for past mistakes or overlooked opportunities.  However, others may experience a renewed sense of optimism and hope for what the year may bring to pass.  Upon an honest inspection, most of us would probably admit to feelings which span each of these extremes.

But as a teacher, I think it’s important to tap into that refreshing optimism that breezes through the crisp January air and breathes new energy into weary spirits.  It is a chance to clear the clutter of Christmas and set minds and hearts on new goals for the months ahead.  Our grade eights, for example, will begin the process of planning graduation and their educational path for high school.  Our grade sevens will take on the task of preparing to write their first set of exams– a milestone accomplishment for them.  And so the list goes for each classroom.  New opportunities, new goals, and new experiences are before us all regardless of the grade.

This ability to focus on what is ahead reminds me of a couple of creatures native to Australia. Both the kangaroo and the emu have been designed by God to move forward only!  Neither creature can move backwards!  It is no wonder, then, that the country of Australia has used both the kangaroo and emu in its coat of arms.  This certainly reinforces the importance of looking ahead at what is to come!

And so, as we gather together again as a learning community this week, I pray that we will focus on what is ahead and hop into new opportunities and experiences in the coming year.  May 2012 be a year of great blessings for you all!

A Christmas Tradition

Traditions are an important part of the Christmas season.  A few weeks ago, I was reminded of this, as I ventured into the basement and began to peel back the lids of the Christmas bins looking for decorations.  Amid the all the packaging,  there were many baubles and trinkets, some old and some new, each pointing to the traditions we have created in our home at Christmas time.

As I began my usual custom of decorating the tree, I uncovered a box of assorted glass, ornamental balls.  There are balls of every size and colour and I love sorting through the entire collection choosing just the right ones for my display.  When I reached for one particular ball, however, I stopped for just a moment.  This particular royal blue sphere had lost some of its colour from years of use.  The name “Carol” was written in glitter glue across it.  That, too, had seen better days.  Yet, to me, it was the most precious ornament in the bunch.

As I clasped the well worn ball in my hand, I was transported back to the Christmases of my childhood.  My Grandma loved Christmas and loved family gatherings.  Her dinner table was always well appointed and everything was just so!  But it was the tree that captivated me most.  I loved all the ornaments, the sparkle and the lights.  Some ornaments, though, I loved more than others.  These ornaments had all of our names in them, lovingly printed in glitter glue.  I would always inspect the lot of them ensuring no one had been left out—my parents and sisters, along with aunts, uncles and cousins were all accounted for–the entire Wilson clan.  And most importantly to me, mine was there!  This small tradition made me feel special, connected and most of all, loved!

Those Christmas gatherings have long passed.  Oh, we still gather as an extended family but it isn’t the same; some loved ones have left us and others have joined our family.  However, regardless of how much life is different, when I hold that little ornament in my hands I am transported again to that time when I felt a sense of belonging and loved. My roots shoot further into the ground once more.

Traditions have a way of doing that for us.  So, whether it is an ornament, or an activity; a dinner or event, never underestimate the significance of the smallest of traditions.  The customs celebrated now become the glue that connects us to our past and will give us confidence facing the future.  May this Christmas season be a time to do just that, as we celebrate the birth of our Lord.

As a final thought, our school has a very important tradition coming up this week, our Christmas program.  This Thursday night, at 7:00 p.m. we will all gather as a school family and be reminded of that first Christmas so many years ago.  Madame and the students have worked diligently and each one has an important part to play in the evening.   There are so few opportunities for us to gather as an entire school family that I am sure you won’t want to miss it.  Feel free to invite your friends and loved ones as well. We want you to come, relax and simply be blessed!

               

www.whychristianschools.ca

There have been many times over the course of my Christian school career when I have felt like I was one of a small group of individuals advocating for Christian schooling.  Back in the eighties when I began teaching,  many Christian schools were in their infancy, struggling to get their roots firmly planted within the community.  In those days, I recall feeling somewhat isolated and alone in my perspective about the importance of Christian education, even within our Christian circles.  There were few opportunities to partner will other like-minded schools where we had the opportunity to not only learn from each other, but also support one another as well.

Many years later and long after Christian schools have been well established in our province, I must admit, there are times I still feel the same way, like the proverbial fish out of water.  While I am thankful for a strong support partnership with ACSI and our sister schools, I find I am constantly having to explain to folks what a Christian school is all about!  Even within our Christian circles, there are many questions to be answered.

That is why I am so excited about the Why Christian Schools campaign.  This initiative was founded by a couple of our neighbouring schools, Pickering Christian School and Durham Christian High School, to provide a resource for parents in answering many questions about Christian schools.   The website is full of valuable information about Christian schools and provides a direct link to our own school.

This week, I am sending home some information about the history of the campaign as well as a brochure which answers many key questions about Christian schools.  It is hoped,with holiday time around the corner, that you would be able to pass along the brochure to family members, friends or acquaintances.  Sometimes it takes just a thought to be planted in a person’s mind and heart to be the catalyst for something far greater.  I feel this brochure could plant such a seed.

If you drop by the office, you will also notice posters promoting the website as well.  If you would like some posters to display, please check in the office.  We have some available and  can always secure more.

Thanks so much for your help in promoting Christian education and our school.