The Past

The past eight months have been challenging, exciting, and frustrating all at the same time.

The greatest challenge that we faced as a school community this past school year was ensuring that we continued to provide a safe, nurturing learning environment for our students, despite the difficult circumstances that we found ourselves in. The task of balancing the risk of direct infection and transmission of COVID-19 with the impact of school closures on our students’ physical, mental, and spiritual health was a daunting task indeed. Creating and maintaining this environment was a shared responsibility, and I would personally like to thank our students, parents, staff, Board and school community for their prayers of wisdom, protection, and unity. Your faithful support of our policies, procedures and protocols were a tremendous blessing to our immediate and extended school community. Thank you so much!

One of the most exciting blessings we enjoyed during this school year was tremendous academic growth. From September 8 to December 18 and February 8 to April 9, our students reaped the benefits of the in-person interaction enhanced by our smaller class sizes. Although it is always difficult to limit school enrolment, the Board’s decision to limit our class sizes to sixteen students allowed us to maintain both continued physical protection, as well as academic excellence.

Another exciting blessing was the growth of our school community. It was a privilege to welcome 25 new families and 36 new students to OCS in September. The addition of these dedicated parents and students brought our total school numbers to 84 families and 152 students. Every room in the school has been used to accommodate our record-breaking numbers, including the gym and “bunker”. Personally, I am eagerly awaiting the day when we will all be able to gather in-person as a school community for formal introductions, rich Christian fellowship and perhaps a few long overdue hugs!

Although I have always tried to maintain a positive, upbeat message for our school community, it would be disingenuous not to confess how frustrating the last eight months have been for me personally as well. I will not provide a list of all the activities, events and interactions I have missed. I will not share my personal disappointments with some of our local, provincial and federal leaders. Representing our school community is a privilege, and as the principal, I will continue to strive to advocate for our parents and students in a way that brings honour and glory to our God.

Present

This brings us to our present circumstances. The latest announcement from our provincial government will require us to continue remote learning for the remainder of the school year. Our students, staff and parents have worked incredibly hard throughout the pandemic, and I would personally like to thank you for your efforts.

Our provincial government and local public health unit are currently preparing guidelines aimed at providing students in Ontario with a positive conclusion to their school year. More details will be shared in the very near future.

Future

The staff, administration and Board are actively planning for the 2021-2022 school year. Discussions concerning teacher, room and class assignments continue to occur daily. The following list of updates provides a short summary of the important decisions that have been made to date.

Facility Update

  • All of our students will be taught in classrooms located at our current school location.
  • All of our students will be assigned classrooms in our school building and current portables.  
  • The gymnasium will be available for physical education classes and project-based learning every day.  Weekend rentals will also resume if restrictions allow.
  • Our parking lot will be expanded during the summer months. 

Staffing Update

  • Mr. Rick Schenk’s administrative duties will increase from 50% to100%.  
  • Mrs. Jenny Bakker’s administrative and special education duties will increase from 50% to100%.
  • Mrs. Yolanda Ryzebol will serve in the office on Mondays, Tuesdays and Thursday.
  • Mrs. Gwen Kampen will serve in the office on Wednesdays and Fridays.
  • Mrs. Samantha Boschman will be on a maternity leave for the upcoming school year.
  • Miss Emily Talsma has been hired to teach in the primary division for the upcoming school year.

Enrolment Update

  • As of June 5, 2021, the following numbers are being projected:
    • 20 new families
    • 40 new students
    • 96 families
    • 184 students
  • Four of our classes are currently at capacity.
  • Five of our classes still have limited spaces.

The Board will also be discussing a strategic plan for the next 3-5 years, with, Lord willing, many exciting changes to come!  In the near future, an Executive Summary of the completed Campaign Feasibility Planning Study, conducted by Influencing Generations for Christ (IGC), will be shared with our support community.  Next steps, including recommendations for implementing a Capital Campaign, will be carefully considered once our new Board members have been confirmed at our upcoming membership meeting.   

Conclusion

As always, God has and continues to bless our school community.  He has faithfully guided OCS for more than 40 years, and we eagerly await his continued protection for years to come.

“For the Lord is good; his steadfast love endures forever, and his faithfulness to all generations.”

Psalm 100:5

Blessings,

Rick Schenk

Rick Schenk
Principal
Orangeville Christian School

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Alyssa Edward
Alyssa Edward

Just left us a 5 star review

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Alyssa Edward
February 22, 2023

OCS has been fantastic for our family and our children. Our kids are learning so much, and they feel safe in an amazing school environment.

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Beth Amy
February 13, 2023

Our kids love OCS and we really appreciate how personable and community oriented the school is. Our son struggled with being behind in some classes and within a week of starting they had identified and set him up with an in school tutor and it made a massive difference.

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Christine Kennedy
February 12, 2023

We are thrilled with OCS. The environment, the classroom, the content, and the experiences they provide demonstrate a deep care and love for each and every student. Truly so thankful for how they are equipping and building up the next generation.

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Becky Prins
February 10, 2023

We feel incredibly blessed to have an option like OCS for our children to attend! Teachers are amazing, and while always striving to provide excellent academic challenges and incorporate new experiences, they also actually care about my kids. They encourage, correct, and connect with love and intentionality. The facilities are awesome as well and we are especially excited about this year's school play! Thank you for all you do OCS!

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Julia G
February 10, 2023

OCS is everything a school should be, and so much more. Their priority is the wellbeing of the students and this is evident in how the students are nurtured and cared for. OCS offers rich programming and curriculum to ensure that the needs of all students are met. The educators are extremely knowledgeable and work tirelessly for the benefit of all students. I am impressed daily by how happy my daughter is to attend school and the depth of knowledge and quality of work that she brings home. OCS is not only preparing students to be higher level thinkers and problem solvers, it is instilling core values of kindess and empathy within it's students. I cannot imagine a better place for my daughter to embark on her educational journey.

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Cheryl Birch
February 9, 2023

We have had students enrolled at OCS from 2015 to 2023. Every single year we have been so thankful to have fabulous and approachable teachers. We're so appreciative of the affirmation of identity and God's love that our kids receive at OCS. We have found the math curriculum and individual monitoring of academic progress to be much improved at OCS from what we experienced in the public school system. The sports and music programs are excellent. We have greatly enjoyed the love of reading developed by the Battle of the Books club, and other initiatives at OCS, that we feel have given our kids an advantage in their preparation for high school.

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Wayne Johnson
February 9, 2023

We, as a family, had no problem posting a review for OCS!!! Our journey there began in September/2014 when our grandson was enrolled in JK. His experience there was positive in every aspect…academically, socially and spiritually. Eventually, Wayne began working there in a maintenance position and Judy as both an EA and supply teacher. Although we have both retired, Wayne continues to volunteer on the maintenance committee and Judy as supply. We plan to continue supporting OCS to the best of our abilities in the future!!!

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Greg Bennett
February 9, 2023
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Suzy Koolen
February 9, 2023

My daughter loves OCS. The staff and fellow students have been very welcoming as she joined half way through the year. My daughter is finally receiving a quality education. Highly recommend!

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Steve Koolen
February 9, 2023

Very friendly and welcoming staff and students. Small class sizes for better learning. My daughter was miserable at her old school, and is now back to her happy self at Orangeville Christian School.

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Erika F
February 9, 2023

OCS has been incredible for our 3 children who started this year. I couldn’t be happier with our experience. The teachers are caring and attentive and take the time to get to know each student individually. The academic program has been challenging and rewarding and we have seen so much growth in all our children. The environment feels safe and is community based and the school offers a wide range of activities for the children and their families. Overall, I am extremely impressed by the commitment to excellence that is evident at this school and would highly recommend it to other parents.

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Robyn Johnstone
October 7, 2020

OCS is more than just a school, it is a community and a family where parents truly are partners in the education of their children! We feel truly blessed to have our two children here! The teachers are amazing and the facility itself is top notch!

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Sunny G
February 7, 2020
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Skye W
April 11, 2019

Been here, great place. I recommend it.

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wP SK
December 1, 2017
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Jackie Tucker
September 13, 2017

Great school, teachers very intuitive of the students, great one on one time.

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Siobhan Bell
August 12, 2017

Excellent teachers, caring and supportive school family. Top notch academics!

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Reg Walker
April 19, 2017

Great facilities