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IN THIS ISSUEFEB 2021VOLUME XLI, ISSUE II6488 SMITHVILLE RD.P.O. BOX 40,SMITHVILLE, ONL0R 2A0PH. 905.957.3255FAX 905.957.3431smithvillechristian.caCONTACT:MARLENE BERGSMAmbergsma@smithvillechristian.caPAGE 1 HOW DO YOU MANAGE A SCHOOL WITH NO STUDENTS?PAGE 3 BELONGING AT SMITJHVILLE CHRISTIANPAGE 4 A BELONGING PLACEPAGE 6 TO THE HEARTPAGE 8 PROJECT GREENSPACEPAGE 10 HANGING OUT AT HOMEPAGE 12 BOARD BUSINESSPAGE 13 GETTING TO KNOW THE BOARD OF DIRECTORSPAGE 14 CHRISTIAN SCHOOL FOUNDATION How do you manage a school with no students?By Ted Harris, adminisTraTorOne of the things I learned in my graduate work in Christian school administration is that principals typically get about 90 minutes per day to do things they actually plan to do at their desk. The rest of the time is taken up by two things: (1) responding to the needs of others (both pressing and not so pressing), and (2) managing by walking around.I really love the walking around part. One of the most beautiful things about being a principal is being able to walk from your ofce into a super cool learning situation at any time of day, from the start of a praise team practice or choir rehearsal at 8 am, to the end of the last volleyball game at 6 pm, and all the lovely classes and other things in between.Walking around” is drastically different this year, especially during phases such as what we experienced in January, when everyone was learning remotely. I have to admit it; I’m a little lost when there are no students around. It’s good to have more than 90 minutes to work at my desk on what I plan to do, but I still have a need to know what’s going on in school and to be part of it. So let me tell you how that went during January 2021.It starts with Edsby, our on-line communication platform. I can click on any class in our school and know what they are doing that day. I can see what they’ve been up to previous days and leaf through handouts and slide presentations or see student work on Google Classroom. I can even nd their Zoom link and pop into class. Though I don’t need to tell teachers I’m coming into their classrooms at school, it seems a little more respectful to let them know on Zoom. I felt blessed to be able to do this for part of every day while our students were learning remotely; it reminded me what my work as principal supports. Very quickly continued on page 2 . . .
2ECHOES FEBRUARY 2021. . . continued from page 1when I join a class for devotions or some learning activity, I can be reminded of our school’s purpose: to train students to live as responsible disciples of Jesus Christ. I can also see the teachers living out their personal mission statements (have you ever seen these on the wall of every classroom? When you get a chance, have a look). I also see students being placed into situations in which they will have a chance to belong, believe, and succeed.I still get excited about what’s happening in school, even when I have to nd it on a screen.So why am I sharing this? Do I feel a need to convince you that I am nding meaning in my work in a mostly empty school? Perhaps. More signicantly, I want to share a few things that are very obvious to me as I click my way from class to class as opposed to walking:• The beautiful work teachers do continues even when they do it remotely. Every time we have needed to adjust to the twists and turns of pandemic life, our teachers have anticipated it and shifted well.• The school’s purpose (training disciples) and core values (Belong. Believe. Succeed.) are still beautifully reected in remote learning.• Students are still engaged, and beautiful learning keeps happening.So, do we prefer remote learning? Certainly not.Is it as good as being in school? Not a chance (though some students do like or even prefer it).Were we happy when students returned on February 8? Absolutely.Will we be positioned for the next shift in plans? I certainly think so.That said, please pray with us that we can remain in the building and experience the joy of building community and learning together.Mr. Stu Bender, top right, and students in his Grade 9 computers class, during a January class on Zoom. Mr. Bender is sharing his screen and the students are playing Kahoot -- an online quiz with knowledge-testing questions provided by the teacher. . . . continued from page 1
3www.smithvillechristian.caBelonging at Smithville ChristianBy Ben and amy GooderHamWe are so grateful for the positive school experience our daughter Coralie has had at Smithville Christian High School. The staff have put so much effort into helping the Grade 9 students form connections with each other despite the restrictions brought on by COVID-19. They are so personable and take the time to get to know the students by eating lunch with them or by joining in games during outdoor breaks and intramurals. We have appreciated how the teachers engage the students in learning and keep them accountable, both at school and on-line when it is difcult to keep them motivated and focused. As parents we can see how our daughter is doing in her classes by logging into Edsby and we feel comfortable reaching out to the teachers as needed. We also value the spiritual emphasis that is part of daily learning, devotions, and chapel and how students are encouraged to take leadership in this way. Thank you to everyone on staff for pouring your heart into all you do for the students of Smithville Christian High School!
4ECHOES FEBRUARY 2021How to make a school a belonging placeBy Ted Harris, adminisTraTorWe frequently refer to the belonging character of our school. We also spend a lot of time and energy building this belonging character. While it may be true that belonging will happen to a degree if you just put great teachers in the presence of students, it’s also true that doing this well requires intention and focus. It’s something we do on purpose, and in COVID times it is both more challenging and more necessary that we intentionally pave the way for belonging in our classes.Though we have gained experience in remote instruction over the last year, we had not yet begun a semester remotely as we did this February. Even though the remote start was a brief one, this is a school year which calls for careful attention to what we do to enable belonging.Though I suspect few readers would need to be convinced that belonging is important as we pursue our purpose of training disciples of Jesus Christ, I will recall a conference I attended (yes, by Zoom) this past fall which featured speaker Dr. Miroslav Volf on the topic of “Exclusion and Embrace.” Here are some of Volf’s ideas that have shaped my thinking about belonging in a high school:• “We are all in a sense siblings; I am not fullymyselfwithouttheconnectionwiththeother.”• “Inaneraofindividualism,weneedtobecomepeopleofporousboundaries.”• “AspeopleofGod,weneedacatholicpersonality,inwhichweseeourconnectiontothewhole.”• “When a child comes into a family, the familydoesn’t merely include the child; the familyactuallychanges. Whatdoesthissuggestaboutthe‘family’ofaschoolcommunity?”Our teachers help us to pursue our core value of belonging by fostering deep connection, by encouraging porous boundaries, by highlighting our catholic character (a whole and complete body), and by making sure that we become
5www.smithvillechristian.caa changed community every time someone joins it.About a week after the start of semester two, I tapped several teachers on the shoulder (from a safe distance) to nd out what they did at the beginning of their courses to enable belonging. Here are a few things I heard:• asking students to completeon-line“AboutMe”formswithinformation about family andareasofinterestfortheteachertogettoknowstudents• structuring the class so thateachstudenthasaspecicjobwhich benets the class (a bitlikefamilyresponsibilities)• having students with greaterexperience with learningcontent mentor peers whohave less experience• asking students in a verystructured way to givemeaningful compliments tootherstudents• having students journal(and share) to connect theexperience of this pandemicwith primary source accountsofthepandemicof1918-1920• having a student with speciallearning challenges undertakeamajorprojectusingdatafromtherestoftheclass• having students introduceanothermemberoftheclassinFrench• using a resource “The First 20Days” to establish techniquesforcollaborationandguidelinesfor how to disagree withoutbeingdisagreeable• devising ways to get studentstalking with each other asmuchaspossibleatthestartofclasses• giving students ‘voice andchoice’ for projects, allowingthemto ourishin anareaofgiftedness or interest whenpossible• Having students solvechallenging puzzles togetheratthestartofclassesThere is much that teachers do to get students into the practice, or habit, of building community and enhancing belonging. James K. A. Smith, professor of philosophy at Calvin University, discusses how human beings put on virtue. He says that we “learn virtues through imitation … by imitating exemplars of justice, compassion, kindness, and love.” He goes on to say that “acquiring virtue takes practice,” and that “moral, kingdom-reecting dispositions are inscribed into your character through rhythms and routines and rituals, enacted over and over again” (You Are What You Love, pp, 18-19). It is our prayer that we as teachers, through the work of the Holy Spirit, are able to be exemplars of the kind of virtue that enables belonging, and that the routines we use to allow students to practice virtue allow us to be a place where real belonging happens.
6ECHOES FEBRUARY 2021To the heartOver the summer of 2020, visual artist Christine Vermeer, Class of 2016, was commissioned to design and paint a mural on the top third of the wall in the high-ceilinged student lounge at Smithville Christian High School. Her abstract piece, in bold blues, oranges, and white, starts on the east wall, covers the north wall, and ends after turning the corner to the west wall. Here is how Christine describes the work.
7www.smithvillechristian.ca‘To the Heart’ artist’s statementBy CHrisTine Vermeer, Class of 2016This mural, entitled To the Heart, is an abstract depiction of the Niagara region, and the numerous towns, counties, and cities that students of Smithville Christian High live in. Where we belong has a lot to do with where we come from, where we travel, and where we spend our time. At Smithville, students have the opportunity to commune with friends from all around the Niagara Region in “the heart of Niagara.” Located in the centre, Smithville is not the place many of you call home, but it is the place you nd community, faith and growth. In your life, you have the opportunity to make your own map, blaze your own trail, decide for yourself who you spend your time with and where you spend that time. You have the great privilege of learning about this wonderful world in a wonderful area. For this piece, I took a lot of inspiration from the land and from the Great Lakes. The scalloped patterns represent the lakeshores of Erie and Ontario, and I imagine the winding lines to represent connecting roads and rivers. See for yourself if you can even nd Niagara Falls in the mural.Through it all, it is my wish that students’ four years at Smithville Christian will give them lifelong friendships, fun memories, deepened faith, and a curiosity and wonder for the things that they learn. I hope that you can feel inspired to consider your place in this community and this world and that you are compelled to pursue your calling, whatever and wherever that might be.
8ECHOES FEBRUARY 2021Project greenspaceBy sTudenT CounCil 2020-2021All the way back in 2017, Student Council formatted the plan for a “Student Lounge.” The idea was that the students would have a place to unwind and unplug from technology. The Student Council made a presentation to some board members and administration. The idea was met with interest and we were encouraged by the board to keep working on the plan with the administration. The initial proposal has been rened over the last few years by each subsequent Student Council, and we now have a well-structured plan in motion. COVID-19 has taken away many things from the “normal” high school experience and Student Council recognizes the stress it has placed on the student body. But the virus has allowed the present Student Council to focus heavily on this project and use our unspent activity fees to build our surplus which has been designated for this project. We hope it will be an awesome project that will benet present and future Smithville Christian students.Here, and on page 9, contractor’s concept drawings for a new greenhouse-style greenspace to serve as a tech-free student lounge.
9www.smithvillechristian.caMembers of the 2020-2021 Smithville Christian Student Council on their fall retreat.Here in 2021, the present Student Council has the privilege of seeing years of planning begin to come together. With a current surplus of $26,000, and additional funds available this year due to the cancellation of many athletics and activities, we have been able to begin the process and preliminary plans for this addition to the school. Since 2017, the “Student Lounge” plan has developed into what we are now calling a “Greenspace.” We want this to be a place where students can sit in community with each other without technology interfering. We hope to transform the current courtyard, adjacent to the Learning Commons, into our Greenspace. This currently is a space that has little purpose. With the help of two Smithville Christian alumni, plans are being drawn to make this a beautiful space for students to unplug, enjoy nature, and be in community. The Student Council continues to move forward with planning and hopes to make an ofcial presentation to administration, board, staff, students, and anyone elsewho may be interested, as we continue to work on our plan. Tyler Woodland, President Mackenzie Bezuyen, Secretary Jacoba Hoekstra, Vice All Steven Ghaly, Treasurer Owen Munnings, Communications Morgan DeKlerk, Promotion Elijah Lessard, Videographer
10ECHOES FEBRUARY 2021Making the most of hanging out at homeBy marlene BerGsma,direCTor of CommuniCaTions and admissionsThere are some things about an emergency lock-down that are good for students, such as reduced travel time, fresh homemade lunches, or school in pajamas. Some of Smithville Christian’s teachers also took advantage of January’s change in circumstances to do things they wouldn’t normally be able to do. Mr. Bender went skating before school with his children on their backyard rink, and Mr. Fluit learned you can sleep outside in January in the quinzee his children built.What’s a quinzee? It’s a snow structure made by mixing snow into a pile, allowing it to sinter (compact and strengthen), and then hollowing out a cavity. Done right, it can provide a cozy shelter on the coldest day, and, as Mr. Fluit’s children learned through experience, it can be warm enough to sleep in. Eva, Jos, and Solie had wanted to build this kind of fort for years, but rarely was there enough time, enough snow, or a parent willing to sleep outside. Working from home with no daily commute to school gave Mr. Fluit the ability to commit to sleeping outside on a school night.
11www.smithvillechristian.caInspired by their dad’s willingness to camp out, Eva, Jos, and Solie spent four days in January with a sled, a recycling bin, and shovels, gathering enough snow from their neighbourhood to make the shelter. Their snow pile was big enough to make a fort for two people at a time, so Mr. Fluit had to agree to spend three nights in succession outdoors. Mr. Fluit says adding a tarp, a sleeping bag and a couple of eece blankets to the body heat generated by two humans means the quinzee is warm and dry enough to spend the night. “Sleeping in a quinzee made us think of what northern Indigenous people did on a regular basis,” said Mr. Fluit. “It made us appreciate the playfulness we can have in God’s creation to both utilize it and play in it. Having remote education in January gave my kids the time, and the space to ask themselves, ‘What should we do?’ This was an experience in the non-programmed life.”For the Bender family, the backyard rink began with Mr. Bender hearing older colleagues talk about the backyard rinks they used to build for their children. In previous winters, Mr. Bender had always thought it was too warm in Niagara, but time during the Christmas holidays and the forecast of a polar vortex made him nally willing to try.A student donated some large format plastic from his family’s greenhouse business, and Mr. Bender sourced some scrap wood from a nearby construction site to build the 45 by 32-foot rink over the Christmas holidays. He lled it with rainwater and wellwater and by early January, there was ice.Mr. Bender’s son, Jace, celebrated his eighth birthday by playing hockey on his own backyard rink, and the family has skated daily since. Even the youngest family member, Esme, who is turning two years old, has learned to skate. “Everyone’s skills are so much better.“We’ve been using it for a month straight,” said Mr. Bender, and on the days when he was working from home, he even skated with his kids before school. “I would go out there alone if the kids didn’t want to. It was such a great way to start the day.”“A rink is the perfect thing for a lockdown,” said Mr. Bender. “I have never hoped for cold weather before, but with everyone at home, this made us all excited for cold.”Would Mr. Fluit and Mr. Bender make a quinzee or an ice rink again?Mr. Bender: “For sure.”Mr. Fluit: “I think my kids believe this line: “If we build it, he will come.’”
12ECHOES FEBRUARY 2021Board business in the time of COVID-19By JoHn Van rys, Board CHairNormally, serving on the Smithville Christian High School board of directors has meant pleasant monthly meetings where members take turns bringing refreshments to the staff room. There, we’re able to catch up on school business, offer feedback to Principal Harris on the educational work of the school, and deliberate issues impacting its future.Since last March, though, Board meetings (like so many things) have been far from normal. The pandemic has forced all our meetings onto Zoom, where much of our time—especially in those rst months—has been dedicated to navigating the challenges of offering a quality Christian education through remote learning. Our task has been to stay on top of changing government requirements and the helpful advice from Edvance, the Christian school organization to which we belong, while directly supporting Principal Harris, his leadership team, and all the staff in their work of planning and delivering learning to our students.While facing these challenges, we also continued with normal Board responsibilities. For some time, we’ve been undergoing a “due diligence and risk management” process, which essentially means that we are reviewing current policies and developing new ones that ensure the school is well-equipped to meet its responsibilities to the larger school community and the broader society. These have included, for example, a revision of policies and processes related to school society membership, as well as those related to sound nancial management and treatment of staff. In addition, during this time we contributed to and approved a new and exciting strategic plan that maps out the Smithville Christian vision and mission into the next ve years, including specic goals for this year. We receive and discuss regular reports on these action items. Lastly, members continued to serve on a variety of committees that ensure the school runs smoothly, nances are in good shape, and obligations to our staff are met.So even during the pandemic, the Board has found ways to productively do its work. Having said that, I think all Board members are looking forward to a time when we can meet in the same room and share some refreshments and a little light conversation before getting down to business. The Smithville Christian High School board of directors at a recent meeting, sadly, without snacks. From top left: Darryl Beck, Principal Ted Harris, Arielle DeBoer. Middle: Denise Glasbergen, Syl Gerritsma, John Van Rys. Bottom: Shelley Munnings, Sarah Wassenaar, Kevin DeHaan.
13Get to know the Smithville Christian board of directorsOver the next few issues of Echoes, we’ll introduce the members of the Smithville Christian board of directors – people who love the Lord and who love Christian education. If you can picture yourself or someone you know serving in this way, contact board chair John Van Rys at jvvrys@redeemer.ca.ARIELLE DEBOER, VICE-CHAIRWhere do you live? DunnvilleWhat church do you attend? Bethel Christian Reformed ChurchWhy have you chosen to serve on the board? It’s a privilege to be able to serve the membership and stay close to the workings of the school. The relationships between staff and the board members are wonderful to enjoy as well. I love getting to know the broader Christian community in our area.How many kids do you have studying at Smithville Christian: 1 past, 2 present, 1 future.Did you attend Christian school growing up? Yes, elementary, secondary (I’m a Smithville Christian alumna) and post-secondaryWhy did you choose Smithville Christian? It was an easy choice. We love how the school has grown in its commitment to Christian living and faith formation for the students, as well as being an academically strong school.Favourite activity to pass the time during lockdown? As many board games or euchre as our kids will play with us.SYLVAN GERRITSMA, PERSONNEL COMMITTEEWhere do you live? St. CatharinesWhat church do you attend? Jubilee Fellowship Christian Reformed ChurchWhy have you chosen to serve on the board? I have a deep love for and commitment to Christian education and appreciation for the many good ways Smithville Christian provides such education for God’s children.How many kids do you have studying at Smithville Christian?: All four of our children were blessed by 13 years of education at Beacon Christian School in St. Catharines.Did you attend Christian school growing up? Yes, from Kindergarten through university.Why did you choose Smithville Christian? I want to be part of a vibrant Christian education community which makes a blessed contribution in our society.Favourite activity to pass the time during lockdown? Volunteering, when possible, and reading.
14ECHOES FEBRUARY 2021Two lessons from the great COVID disruptionB y T o n y K a m p H u i s , p r e s i d e n T & C e o , CHrisTian sCHool foundaTionAt the Christian School Foundation, we’ve learned two important things over the past year. First, we really are better off together. Lots of politicians, health ofcials, and others have repeated the call to act responsibly because “we are all in this together” and our eyes can start to glaze over when we hear this kind of sentiment.Because the Foundation was established to collectively manage our schools’ long-term funds with a priority on security of funds, this most tumultuous of years has shown us that this sound strategy does pay off. We were able to distribute 5% gain on all our non-endowed funds, despite the turmoil in the markets. And because of our faithful donor base, we were able to also provide $160,000 in extra tuition assistance to our schools. Working together has made us stronger.The second thing we learned is that life on this earth is unpredictable. Our community situations can change, our health can change, and our nancial situations can change – often due to forces beyond our control.For people in the 35-55 age bracket, this realization has led to a strong increase in interest to make sure their affairs are in order. If you are in this group and realize your Will or your Power of Attorney documents aren’t up-to-date, connect with us and we’ll help you get started on making a plan to care for your family. This is an offer of opportunity and information – and not an attempt to get you to leave a gift for our school at this stage of your life.For people 55-75 years of age, the pandemic offers an opportunity to consider what sort of testimony they want to leave. They are exploring how to have a lasting positive impact – often without seeing a signicant reduction in what they can leave for loved ones. If you are in this group and want to review your arrangements, contact us and we will help.In reality, we knew all along that we were better off together and that life on this earth is unpredictable.Maybe what COVID taught us is that we shouldn’t stand still when these lessons hit home. Rather, we can take action to respond and prepare in faithfulness.To contact the Smithville Christian High School Foundation via the Christian School Foundation, call toll-free 1-877-340-9555, or email office@christianschoolfoundation.ca or visit www.christianschoolfoundation.ca.
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