Return to flip book view

IN THIS ISSUEMAY 2024VOLUME XLIV, ISSUE III6488 TOWNLINE RD.P.O. BOX 40,SMITHVILLE, ONL0R 2A0PH. 905.957.3255FAX 905.957.3431smithvillechristian.caCONTACT:MARLENE BERGSMAmbergsma@smithvillechristian.caPAGE 1 INVESTING IN SPIRITUAL LIFEPAGE 3 CHAPEL BY THE NUMBERSPAGE 4 WHAT BRINGS YOU INTO THE SCHOOL?PAGE 6 MONEY TALKSPAGE 8 DEMAND AND SUPPLYPAGE 9 SWING FOR STUDENTSPAGE 10 WHAT DO STUDENTS THINK ABOUT SEW?PAGE 12 LOOKING AHEAD: PLANNING WELL FOR THE FUTUREPAGE 14 PICKLEBALL TOURNAMENT continued on page 2 . . .Investing in spiritual lifeBY MARLENE BERGSMA, DIRECTOR OF COMMUNICATIONS AND ADVANCEMENTThere’s a funny thing that happens each Wednesday morning after chapel at Smithville Christian High School. Interim principal Fred Breukelman hustles back to the main ofce and consults his watch. Depending on how long chapel was – and it can vary from 50 to 80 minutes – Breukelman decides which bell schedule will govern the rest of the day. The bell options have been programmed into our bell ringing software, and ofce administrative assistant Sheri Nywening can update the bell schedule that day with a simple click and submit.

2ECHOES MAY 2024Why do we do this?Because we don’t put a time limit on chapel.Weekly chapels are so important at Smithville Christian that we never dictate how long they should be. Whether it’s the opening announcements that signal a vibrant community, the games that the student chapel leaders play to welcome and warm up the audience, the worship songs that are chosen and led by the student praise teams, or the message that our speaker is bringing, no one worries how long it takes. No one is checking their watch.Weekly chapel at Smithville Christian is as long as chapel is – because chapel is so important to us.It’s the place where we gather each week and lean into our core values of Belonging, Believing, and Succeeding. It’s where student leaders practice and develop their skills. It’s where students and teachers share their testimonies. It’s where guests and inquiring families are invited to experience rst-hand what it looks like to be part of a ourishing, Christ-following learning community.We make an intentional investment of time in chapel because it’s one of the places where we can be intentional in our work of training students to live as responsible disciples of Jesus Christ. All high schools teach curriculum and hand out credits. Only a Christian high school can gather each week to worship, learn and grow together in our love for God and each other.We also make an intentional investment of money in chapel for the same reasons. We spend to acquire the resources we need to give praise team musicians the instruments and equipment they need to be their best. The sound board, speakers, projection equipment – all good quality. Teachers such as Scott Antonides with the AV crew, and Will Lammers and Tim Selles with the praise teams, devote precious extra-curricular time and talent to helping students lead with excellence and condence.We spend by allocating one-sixth of a teacher’s course load to spiritual life director Stu Bender, so that he has some time to connect with chapel speakers, work with the students on the chapel planning team, prepare talks, pray, and reect on how the school theme for the year can be amplied in our weekly gatherings.We spend by paying an honorarium to those chapel speakers who are not presenting on behalf of their employment.And, we spend thousands of dollars each year to create a Spiritual Emphasis Week highlight, by offering something inspiring or enriching, or creating a memorable community-building opportunity, like inatable slides in the gym, good snacks and board games, or, this year, by hosting a private concert with Juno Award-See pages 10 and 11 for some examples of the feedback we received from students this year.Chapel by the numbers

Number of Smithville Christian students speaking or sharing testimonies in chapel in 2023-2024 10 3www.smithvillechristian.cawinning singer-songwriter and worship leader, Elias Dummer and his band. “We highly value the spiritual lives of our students,” Bender said. “We believe it is necessary to create as many varied experiences as possible for our students to experience Jesus here at school. The more students experience God in their own lives, the more personal and real He will be to them.”For these opportunities, we are grateful for the SonPower solar project on our roof, and the ability it gives staff to apply for extra money from the Pursuit of Excellence Fund. We don’t take this blessing for granted, and we know that the investment in our students’ spiritual development pays off. Many of them talk about it during their Grade 12 portfolio interviews, and recall how important the experience was in development of their walk with God or their sense of Christian community.Students on the student chapel team12How long we’ve been having Spiritual Emphasis Week 16 yearsStudents on the AV crew10Staff on the chapel planning team5Student musicians on praise teams20Typical length of a Wednesday morning chapel60 minutesNumber of chapels we have each school year40 Chapel by the numbers

4ECHOES MAY 2024What brings you into the school?BY FRED BREUKELMAN, INTERIM ADMINISTRATORWelcome to our Blue Echoes edition this year. Perhaps you were curious as to when you would see this intentionally chosen different colour of Echoes cross your coffee table, perhaps you were shocked to see this peculiar version, perhaps you didn’t even notice until you read these words, whatever the circumstance know that we are grateful for you picking up this edition and doing a little page turning along with us. Sometimes our Blue Echoes looks a little closer at data and patterns which are created from collating information over the years. For example, we have noticed different trends with our Learning Conferences, the conversations that we have with students and parents twice annually. This trend prompted some ofce conversations encouraging us to take a closer look, perhaps a deep dive into why and perhaps what prompted this change? Was our perception actually supported by the numbers? Former student Meagan Boerefyn and her parents at a pre-pandemic Learning Conference at Smithville Christian.

5www.smithvillechristian.caIn addition, while looking through the numbers, we also determined a few other fun stats, such as which teacher had the most interviews over a certain period of time, which student had the most requested conferences from the teachers (although we won’t share that information).Sheri Nywening, our new administrative assistant, did some digging and searching and ran a few numbers. The online system that we use for teacher interviews only dates back to 2016 and here is what we found. In 2016 we had a much higher number of families utilizing the Learning Conferences as an opportunity to connect with their children’s teachers, numbering 398 interviews in the fall. In 2018 – there were 405 total…the peak! After this the numbers start to seem to drop off. Could this be that our student numbers were higher then as well, you may ask? Well, this is not the case at all, in fact today we are larger than we were in 2016. Our numbers for Learning Conferences this year were 302 total in the fall and only 223 in the spring. What might be some of the reasons for this decrease? Well, CoVid changed many habits and practices that were a part of our routines. One of those routines that we take very seriously is opportunities to connect with parents and Learning Conferences is just that! Getting parents back in the building was one of these challenges…we aren’t quite there yet! It has taken people some time to jump back in. Perhaps it’s also the online Edsby student portal that parents have access to which gives parents direct access to teachers and vice versa. We do have a higher and higher percentage of parents accessing and making use of this tool to stay connected with their child’s curricular and co-curricular activities. So we encourage you parents and grandparents to drop by, to take advantage of the opportunities that are presented to you to engage with us at Smithville Christian whether that be Sport activities, the Play, Choir, Chapel, Grandparents Day or just dropping by to say Hi! Learning Conferences at Smithville ChristianLearning conference are held once each semester at Smithville Christian. They used to be called “parent teacher interviews” but we prefer that students come and that they are part of the conversation about their learning. Since 2016, the conferences have been booked with an online app, but we haven’t consistently saved all of the booking data. Typically, there is greater turnout in the fall, but we currently have more spring data, so here’s what it has looked like in six of the past eight years. For comparison purposes, enrolment over this time period has gone from a high of 255 in 2019 to a low of 219 in 2022 but enrolment is mostly between 225 and 230.230Enrolment255 240 219 223 231

6ECHOES MAY 2024Money talksBY FRED BREUKELMAN, INTERIM ADMINISTRATORThe way we allocate our resources says a lot about what we value, and for school principals and administrators, the early months of a calendar year are lled with budget questions and scenarios for the coming academic year. Conversations among Christian school administrators include questions such as: “What’s your tuition structure like?” “Do your tuition fees cover your operating budget?” “Do your teachers have full reign with setting their own departmental or grade budgets?” “What salary percentage increase is proposed for your teachers this year?”This year has been no different. As I’ve reected on how Smithville Christian High School navigates budget numbers, I have realized that decisions made in the past have positioned us for success – able to provide an incredible opportunity for families in Niagara to receive Christian secondary education for their children! God has been very present over the past 44 years at Smithville Christian High School in shaping how we provide a unique learning environment for teens in the Peninsula! I have been involved in discussions with other schools in which their budget numbers are critically linked to fundraising dollars. This poses a challenge and adds stress for administration and the board when the dollars aren’t where they need to be. There are two beautiful liturgies or rituals that Smithville Christian High School has adopted which say a lot about what’s important to us, and which have given families and students improved opportunities for Christian learning. These are our Pursuit of Excellence Fund and our Bursary Fund. Pursuit of ExcellenceSmithville Christian’s roof and south gym wall are almost completely covered with solar panels, which, thanks to our contract with the provincial government, generate almost $200,000 in revenue a year. We are over 10 years into this program. A portion of these funds go into paying back the borrowed money to put the panels on the roof, but even more exciting is that a large chunk of the prot goes into something we call our Pursuit of Excellence Fund.

www.smithvillechristian.ca7This Pursuit of Excellence Fund is available to teachers who have a creative idea for their classes which can’t be covered by their normal departmental budgets. What used to have been deemed a capital expense, awarded according to ‘how the budget is doing,’ can now be approved more speedily, and gives a direct benet to the students in the class. Most recently it has been used to partially fund a Grade 12 class trip to New York City, a printing press for art students, top-end DSLR cameras for our media class, and more. Being able to support students and staff with great educational ideas is such a blessing for your children! BursariesA number of years ago Smithville Christian High School decided to make tuition fees cover the operating budget of the school -- the true cost of education. This was a major shift from what had normally been done. But here is why it is so important. Donors now know their dollars are going to ensure that cost is not a barrier for families who choose to send their children to Smithville Christian High School. What a gift and a blessing this is when we can tell donors that their money goes directly to the students who are in the seats, and we can tell families that their children can come to Smithville Christian High School because the nancial barrier has been reduced. Smithville Christian is able to disburse hundreds of thousands of dollars each year to families who want their children to be blessed by Christian education. We encourage parents to make use of our bursary program because our donors very much desire to bless others and see Christian education ourish!Even as I am reecting on these two signicant nancial practices that the Smithville Christian High School community supports, it makes me feel so full. I have had so many conversations with parents who are incredibly grateful that they are on the receiving end of a community that understands the impact and importance of Christian education to teens in today’s world. In addition, being able to support our teachers’ passion and creativity in their craft with cutting-edge learning opportunities that directly impact the positive learning of our students is also a testament to why Smithville Christian High School has been a place where our students Belong, Believe, and Succeed! Art student Jay Jia makes a print of a butterfly etching with the new printing press in the Art Studio. The printing press was purchased thanks to a grant from the Pursuit of Excellence Fund.

8ECHOES MAY 2024Demand and supplyBY TONY KAMPHUIS, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, CHRISTIAN SCHOOL FOUNDATIONIs there demand? The Christian School Foundation supplies!More and more families desire to send their children to Christian schools – right across the country.In response to this surge in demand, greater than any seen in the (nearly) 40 years I have been involved in Christian education, your Foundation has crafted a National Strategy so more and more students can nd a place they belong in Christian schools.What does it take to unlock access to Christian education?Door #1: Expanded effective tuition assistance. If a family desires a Christian education for their children, nances should not block their access.Door #2: Support for school expansions. Are schools adding capacity for new students? Opening up for students in the skilled trades? Students with disabilities? We need to be there to help!Door #3: Support for those starting new schools. Whether it is a Christian school in an underserved region or a school that focuses on a certain style of teaching, we need more children in Christian schools that can serve them well.Door #4: Schools are facing challenges in attracting and retaining strong teachers. How can a Foundation help? Could we support schools who see teachers as their most important investment rather than their biggest cost?Door #5: Schools need to cooperate together through organizations like Edvance, the Foundation, and others. Schools are more likely to thrive if they are part of an association of schools.This is what it will take to maximize the important historical moment in which we nd ourselves. God is on the move through Christian education. Every child on a waitlist is a missed opportunity.Want to get involved – in small or big ways? Contact Tony Kamphuis or Kevin teBrake at the Foundation! office@christianschoolfoundation.caTo request a copy of the Christian School Foundation Case for Support, email office@christianschoolfoundation.ca

www.smithvillechristian.caWhy should you swing for students?You may not be a golfer, but the annual Swing for Students golf tournament, which supports students at Smithville Christian High School and Cairn Christian School, deserves your support. Why? For more than 30 years, people who love golf and who love Christian education have been planning and hosting a September tournament, that allows people to have a festive day on the links while beneting Christian schools. The partnership between sponsors and golfers, and between the two schools, has blessed many students over the years. It’s a tangible expression of community, and a chance to tell the story of the blessing of Christian education. For many years, the tournament was organized by volunteers who were mostly both parents and golfers, and lately, the tournament has been organized by school staff. But we still need help! Does your employer donate to causes that are of importance to its employees? Does your business or club or association have a prize that could be donated? Do you know someone who would value some name recognition on the links? Do you have clients or vendors who might be interested in sponsoring? In golng with you? Scan or share the QR codes for information and to sign up.When you reach out to make an inquiry, you have a chance to tell a story of education that makes a difference. The tournament is a chance to do fundraising, but it’s also “friendraising.”How can you help?If you’re a golfer, you could join the tournament. But there are other ways to participate, even if you are busy that day, or you don’t golf at all.• Be a golfer• Be a sponsor – sponsorship levels to suit every budget • Donate a prize• Do all threeScan or click here to register as a golfer, or register your foursome.bit.ly/2024_Swing_For_Students_Golfer_RegistrationScan or click here for sponsorship opportunities.bit.ly/2024_Swing_For_Students_SponsorshipTo donate a prize, contact Marlene Bergsma at mbergsma@smithvillechristian.ca9SWING FOR STUDENTS 2024When: Saturday, September 14, 2024Where: Whisky Run Golf Club, 631 Lorraine Rd, Port Colborne, ONTiming: Lunch served at noon. Shotgun start at 1:30Early bird pricing: $175 per golfer includes lunch, cart, 18 holes of golf, and dinner

The concert on Thursday which showed me how many people do truly love God.10ECHOES MAY 2024Here’s what we heard:What do students think about SEW?BY MARLENE BERGSMA, DIRECTOR OF COMMUNICATIONS AND ADVANCEMENTSpiritual Emphasis Week, a tradition at Smithville Christian since 2008, takes a lot of time and money. Yet teachers and students continue to plan and host SEW – which features chapel every day, a special chapel speaker, lots of student-led praise and worship, some dancing, small group discussions led by senior students, a prayer room, and at least one special event – every year. This year, we asked students for feedback. We asked: What was your highlight (or highlights) of SEW and has this week impacted your faith in Jesus?The week was sooo amazing. I really felt connected to Jesus through worship, and I greatly enjoyed small group discussion. My bond with Jesus has only grown stronger!My highlight of SEW week was probably the concert because it was not something that I expected to happen, but it was really cool.The talk on Wednesday was really nice: to see just how much stuff we might be carrying and how we can just drop them before Jesus and he will take them so that it won’t be uncomfortable for us to have them.The prayer room. We should have it more than just SEW week. The whole thing was lots of fun. The concert. My highlight was the praise teams worship songs that had actions.

I really enjoyed this week. My highlight of the week was the talk about identity. I also loved singing the songs each day. Chapel every morning set me up with a good mood for the rest of the day. I think this week has impacted my faith as it was such a God-lled week. It had me constantly focused and thinking about God the entire week.11www.smithvillechristian.caI really loved how Karmyn Bokma was our speaker. She has a real gift for speaking and creating a comfortable atmosphere at chapel. I really enjoyed the City Harmonic concert. I really appreciated the message from the last day, “Remain.” I thought it was very helpful.Elias Dummer was my highlightI really enjoyed the worship times, and it was nice to be able to talk about faith in the small groups. I think for me it was a good chance to grow in a leadership role with the small groups, and it challenged me to be open to sharing with people I didn’t really know.I really enjoyed leading worship and being on praise team for this week. I felt the overall spirit of engagement in worship was much higher. I hope this carries into the coming weeks and months. I also really enjoyed the Elias Dummer concert. A highlight was the band. The week did impact me, seeing and hearing amazing stories of God. This was because of the groups and the speaker. The talks we had for sure made me feel better about being a new Christian and worship was so fun!The concert was amazing. It was an awesome experience and I think seeing leaders who have such passion for Christ has a big effect on people in high school especially.I was impacted the most by Karmyn’s talk about identity. It made me realize that I cared so much about being good at something or trying to be better than others that I was forgetting about God sometimes. My highlight of the week was the Elias Dummer concert.Opposite top, Elias Dummer, formerly of The City Harmonic, leads worship during Spiritual Emphasis Week 2024 at Smithville Christian High School. This page, top to bottom: Students in one of the daily small-group discussions, led by Grade 12 students. Pastor Karmyn Bokma speaking at chapel. Students leading worship in chapel during Spiritual Emphasis Week

12ECHOES MAY 2024Looking ahead Planning well for the futureBY MARLENE BERGSMA, DIRECTOR OF COMMUNICATIONS AND ADVANCEMENT Between a pandemic and some signicant changes in leadership, it’s been a while since Smithville Christian High School engaged in comprehensive strategic planning.So it’s good that Edvance Christian Schools, and the geographic cohort of which Smithville Christian High School is a member, has spent some time this past year exploring best practices that inform the creation of a successful strategic plan.Having a plan is important because it provides clarity and focus to an organization – helping leaders decide what deserves time, attention, and resources, in both the short term and the long term.One of the key elements in creating a good plan is seeking input from a wide range of people who support the school, said Chris Bosch, principal and co-founder of Smithville Christian’s interim principal designate, Lisa Doyle, far right, and interim principal Fred Breukelman with other Christian school leaders listening to a presentation about strategic planning by Chris Bosch of Chisel Consulting.

www.smithvillechristian.ca13Chisel Consulting, who led three, day-long sessions for leaders in Edvance’s Lower Grand Cohort.“Consulting with stakeholders – anyone who cares about the success of your organization – is the most important part of the strategic planning process,” Bosch said. Listening well and seeking input from a wide range of voices is the crucial rst step of creating a good plan. Students, parents, staff, alumni, donors, members of the wider community – they all care about the ourishing of the school and have wisdom and perspective to share. Surveys, focus groups, and one-on-one interviews are the tools that are used to gain this wisdom and perspective, Bosch said. The actual drafting of a strategic plan is then done with a small group of leaders, who have access to the feedback that has been provided. One helpful framework that can provide a basis for a plan is an honest evaluation of the Seven S’s: strategy, structure, system, skills, staff, style, and shared values.A strategic plan is based on a school’s existing mission (or core purpose) and values, and is meant to identify what needs to change or improve. A typical plan covers a three to ve-year time period and gets updated annually. It identies priorities for focus, and identies who will ensure the priorities are met. A good strategic plan positions leaders to be constantly asking – and answering – the question: What do we need to pay attention to right now?Some key strategic planning take-aways• Strategy is identifying what needs to change or what needs to improve.• Strategy is knowing when to say no – helps avoid mission creep.• Good strategy is based on good input, from a wide variety of voices.• Good strategy can be based on an honest evaluation of the seven S’s: strategy, structure, system, skills, staff, style and shared values.• Good strategy helps answer the question: What do we need to pay attention to right now?

14ECHOES MAY 2024West Lincoln Outdoor Pickleball Classic TournamentStudents and staff are making good use of our beautiful new tennis and pickleball courts, but, we are glad to report, so are our neighbours.It is such a blessing to be able to bless our community by freely sharing of the gifts that we have been given. Early in the morning, on weekends, or spring evenings, our courts are a busy place. Friends and neighbours love coming over to play, and we are often thanked for our generosity. They treat the space with respect too.One such thank you recently came from the organizers of the West Lincoln Outdoor Pickleball Classic Tournament, who made a $1,000 donation to the school. In addition, we are receiving regular and generous donations from the Kiwanis Club of West Lincoln, and support from the Township of West Lincoln. It’s great to be part of such a wonderful community.

15www.smithvillechristian.ca*Mutual fund business is done with your advisor through Sun Life Financial Investment Services (Canada) Inc. Advisors and their corporations conduct insurance business through Sun Life Financial Distributors (Canada) Inc. Sun Life Assurance Companyof Canada is the insurer and is a member of the Sun Life group of companies. © Sun Life Assurance Company of Canada, 2023.Advice from someone you trust.Matt Dam* Hons BA, CLU®Financial Planner, Sun Life Jingwei Raina Sun* CLU®, RRC®, CFP® Financial Planner, Sun Life Matt Dam Financial Services Inc. Tel: 905-892-5993 30%is printed on 30%post-consumer recycled paper.30%Head Office36 Killaloe CrescentGeorgetown, ONL7G 5N2TICO #500195091.888.BAYVIEW ext 344P.O. Box 2, 3764 Jordan Road, Jordan Station, Ontario, Canada L0R 1S0phone 905.562.7321fax 905.562.7851www.Bayviewflowers.comGrantham Plaza, 400 Scott St., St. Catharines, ON L2M 3W4Phone: 905-937-8833 • Fax 905-937-7196website: www.vandendooljewellers.comServing all of Haldimand, Norfolk, Hamilton & NiagaraRIJUS HOME DESIGNJason Schilstra I 905-701-1110 I www.rijus.comNew Custom Homes/Cottages • Additions • Stock Plans Garages/Pole Barns • HVAC Designs • 3D RenderingsCUSTOM HOUSE PLANS905.701.7900www.sticker -it.caWe print stationery, business cards, interior & exterior signs, banners, flags and vehicle wraps. MORE THAN JUST STICKERS!Haldimand County’s#1 Print Shop!

We draw Christian schools and donors together toexpand the influence of Christ in our culture.www.christianschoolfoundation.caThe Echoes is a periodical published ve times a year by Smithville Christian High School. Editor: M. BergsmaPVC Interlocking Liner PanelsCOMMERCIALAGRICULTURALRESIDENTIALadam@easybuildingproducts.cawww.easybuildingproducts.caAdam Bylsma (Outside Sales)289-686-9477EASY BUILDING PRODUCTSMetal Rooing,Wall CladdingPVC LinerProductsWindows, Doors,Accessories1051 Broad St. E., Dunnville, ON905-774-61152400 Highway 56, Binbrook, ON905-692-44151380 Fourth Ave., St. Catharines, ON905-688-5520345 Argyle St. S. 214 Broad St.Caledonia, On N3W 1L8 Dunnville, On N1A 1G2(905) 765-5788 (905) 774-7576fax: (905) 765-1811 fax: (905) 774-9479cell: (905) 929-6783 email: peter_dieleman@cooperators.caPeterDieleman, CFPAgentClaudia AlvesMarketing ManagerHorticultural | Agricultural | Residential | Industrial | CommercialSamuel Dekker Master Electricianfeederelectricinc@gmail.com1-905-932-6975Wainfleet, OntECRA/ESA Licence #701591Blinds. Shutters. DrapesGRIMSBY, ONWilliam and Christina Bezemer905.945.8008Fred & Adrian KoornneefSuppliers of Greenhouse Vegetables and Tender Fruitwww.koornneefproduce.com80100120140601604020180Dekkers Auto SalesService Automotive Sales • Repairs • A/C • Tires • Alignments • Diagnostics 905.386.6253Lorem ipsum