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The Citizen, 1997-10-01, Page 25THE CITIZEN, WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 1,1997. PAGE 25. Clinton and District Christian School gets new staff This year's enrollment at Clinton and District Christian School (CDCA) has changed little. Nine out of 22 of last year's graduates are attending LDCSS (the school's Christian Secondary campus in London) this year. Other graduates are divided among various Huron County secondary schools. One of last year's families moved away, two are home schooling this year and one family has enrolled their children at Clinton Public School. Therefore, the school has experienced a net loss of nine students over last year. The school year started with 226 students. At the school's opening assembly, 11 new families and one new teacher, Harry Frieling who is teaching Grade 6, were welcomed. Nine of the new families had children in kindergarten. The year began with an assembly in which the students, teachers and parents worshipped together and dedicated themselves to a year in which they would serve their Lord, their country, their community and their neighbours in the new school year. On Thursday, Sept. 11, the Grade 8 class held a retreat led by the physical education instructor, John Byl from Redeemer College in Ancaster. The Grade 8 class played co-operative games and participated in discussions and devotions designed to build spirit and to help them to become more cohesive in leading the school in this year's theme, "We are Servants of the Lord." After being rained out the Friday before, CDCS held its annual play day on Tuesday, Sept. 16. The afternoon was warm and sunny. According to principal Clarence Bos, the students and teachers had a great time. He added that the Grade 8 teacher, Mr. Geleynse, along with the Grade 8 students, was to be congratulated for doing a fantastic job in organizing the day and in leading their teams. They did a great job in modeling the school theme by helping the younger children have a good time. Throughout the afternoon all of the students who were divided into cross-the-grade teams met other teams to play a variety of non­ competitive games. At the end of the afternoon the students were treated to a tug-of- war with the teachers and freezies provided by the student fund. This year piano lessons are once again being offered on a private basis in the school by Connie Bos and Jennifer DeVries. The computer program at the school continues to be expanded. Very shortly the school expects that it will be connected to the internet. The computer room has 30 computers and now also houses the school's new collection of 500 films donated by the Huron County Board of Education (HCBE) which has switched to a video tape format. CDCS is gearing itself up to being able to access by means of the internet, the HCBE's collection of video tapes and other educational aids, a service being offered by the HCBE. According to Bos the school society is grateful for the fact that the HCBE has initiated a number of ways for CDCS and the HCBE to be able to save each other operating funds by partnering services. He added that despite these initiatives of the HCBE there continues to be within the society some real frustration with the Ontario government's continuation of its unjust school system which forces upon supporters of independent schools like CDCS a double taxation. "While the Ontario government obviously recognizes both the success and value of independent schools within the province, it has yet to change the laws so that supporters of such a school system can be treated fairly. In the meantime, the supporters of CDCS are grateful for any ways that they receive co-operation from both the CDCS society hosts annual meeting On Monday evening, Sept. 8, the Clinton and District Christian School (CDCS) Society held its annual meeting. The meeting was opened with an inspirational devotional led by Pastor W. DeJong from the Clinton Christian Reformed Church. The members enjoyed two songs by John DeJager, a well-known tenor from the Goderich area. He was accompanied by Earl Clark, musical director in the Presbyterian Church in Stratford. The guest speaker, John Van Asselt from the Ontario Alliance of Christian School based in Ancaster, spoke to the members about the fact that in many ways independent schools have become the model to which the Ministry of Education is looking for future growth in the public school systems of Ontario. He cited the ministry's movement toward more parental choice in education, as well as to more direct accountability of educators to parents. He spoke of the ministry's emphasis on site based management and on more parental involvement. These, he suggested, were all areas that have contributed to the success of independent schools over the years. Members of the society discussed the planned purchase by the student fund of more playground for the school from St. Anne's Catholic Secondary School. It was reported that the CDCS had a fiscal year that ended very HCBE and the Huron Perth Separate School Board," he said. Presently the students are in the process of selling Christmas cards, gifts wraps and two-year planners. positively ($35,000) in the black and that it had a potentially balanced budget for the coming year. A number of society members urged the board to look into setting up a Christian Secondary School in the Clinton area. On Friday, Sept. 19, in the evening, the PTA organized a harvest banquet in conjunction with the meet-the-teachers evening. After a delicious meal served by the school’s volunteer banquet committee "The Willing Workers", the teachers took parents to their classrooms and led them through a description of what their children's classes would be like. Teachers explained to parents what were to be the year's expectations for their children. Parents in turn used the evening to ask questions and to have some PEOPLE WHO READ NEWSPAPERS ARE STUDENTS WITH BETTER GRADES It all starts with Newspapers All proceeds are for the student fund which helps to pay for class trips, sports and other special activities, as well as to purchase materials for the school's playground. early input into classroom activities for the year. According to principal Clarence Bos, the evening was very well attended. WHERE DO YOU TURN I TO SEE WHO GOT MARRIED? YOUR NEWSPAPER: The link to your community HURON SUPERIOR MEMORIALS ESTABUSHED OVER 70 YEARS Serving Blyth and all of Huron County MICHAEL FALCONER Beattie-Falconer Funeral Homes & Tasker Chapel 153 HIGH STREET, CLINTON Bus.: 482-9441 Res.: 482-3664 Evening appointments available CLARK & SON LAWN MAINTENANCE • Grass Cutting »Lawn Rolling • Spring & Fall Clean-Ups • Aerating • Free Estimates 280 Turnberry St., Brussels Jett Clark (519) 887-9668 y ^Stratford Cemetery^ Memorials Ltd. 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