THE CRUSADERc h r o n i c l e

“a s fo r E v eryo n e w ho . . .

M

A PUBLICATION OF WHITINSVILLE CHRISTIAN SCHOOL

Capital CampaignUpdatePage 6

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From the Headmaster

Our Mission

The mission of Whitinsville Christian School is to foster the academic, spiritual, personal, social, and physical development of students from Christian families for effective service to the Lord.

Imagine people intensely combing the freshly receding beaches of Rock-port, MA, on an early brisk fall morning. Most New Englanders from the coastal area would quickly recognize these people as sea glass sleuths. Sea glass offers the results of years of slowly progressing change in small pieces of glass, dishes, and pottery that finally get washed up on the shore. From shards of broken glass these objects slowly lose their sharp edges and acquire a frosty opaque nature that renders them valuable to those in search. There is a North American Sea Glass Association organized to “educate the collector, consumer and retailer as to the properties and benefits of genuine, pure, natu-ral beach sea glass and maintain the value of genuine beach sea glass…,”

among other things. It is a contagious activity and I have tangible proof.

You are holding in your hand or most likely viewing in digital fashion the result of years of change: What was once the Crusader Quarterly has now become The Crusader Chronicle. From 1990 to 2013 the Crusader Quarterly offered articles and pictures of life and ideas ruminating in the life of Whitinsville Christian School. Harold Plantinga, former Development Coordinator, meticulously gath-ered and bound a collection of all those issues – just under 100 of them offering a valuable and detailed history of Whitinsville Christian School. And now a significant change in this 24-year informative vehicle. First, the publication will now be twice a year rather than four times a year, which prompts another change in name. Second, the Quarterly will now become The Chronicle. Although Chronicle echoes the name of two books of the Bible, our choice of the name Chronicle is likely related more to alliteration than any kind of theological namesake. The Crusader Chronicle not only has an easy flow to the words, it also accurately re-flects what we anticipate the periodical to be. It is a narrative account of what is happening at Whitinsville Christian School at a particular time. Chronicle has its origins in the Greek word khronikos, of time. Third, there is a change in the Colonel of The Crusader Chronicle, while it used to be Harold Plantinga, but it is now Steve Heintz, Director of Advancement. And finally, there is a change in the format of The Crusader Chronicle. It will be longer with more information and will also be published with an attractiveness that will be difficult to dispose of easily, we hope. It is our hope that you will want to keep it around, on a coffee table or book shelf, to be read and, hopefully, reread. Like so much of our culture, change has become a normal routine here at Whitinsville Christian School as you will note in this premiere issue of The Crusader Chronicle. We are, however, anchored securely in our commitment to providing a Christian educa-tion “for effective service to the Lord.” Our uniqueness will continue to shine as a beacon of light for developing students of character prepared to be agents of change in the 21st Century. Yes, more sought after than those sea glass gems shaped by the waves of change. Lance B. Engbers

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Board of Trustees Mr. Russell VanderBaan ‘65, President Human Resource Executive, Siemens Corporation Mr. Don Stahl, Vice President Contract/Program Mgr., ATK Space Systems Mrs. Barbara VanderKlay ’52, Secretary Retired Mr. Carl Rubin, Treasurer CFO, Web Industries, Inc. Mrs. Tanya Anema TTE Labs Mrs. Denise Brookhouse ‘87 COO, Koopman Lumber Mr. Doug Nydam ‘73 Owner, Nydam Landscaping Mrs. Kathy Perregaux Director of Technology, Meditech Mr. Steve Smith Retired MA State Police/Owner, Shepherd Custom Woodworking Mr. Lance B. Engbers Headmaster, Whitinsville Christian School

New Trustees 2013-14

Mr. Michael Bangma ‘03 Michael Bangma, with his wife Annika, is a member of Pleasant Street CRC. He is an alumni of WCS (’03) and

received a BS in Accountancy from Calvin College in 2007. Mike is currently employed by Straight Ahead Ministries in Worcester, MA. Mike has been a member of the Fair-woods Christian Recreation Society Board for three years, serving two years as board president. He has also served on Pleasant Street CRC’s Finance Committee.

Dr. Barbara Rugo-Focht, MD Barbara Rugo-Focht, with her husband Glenn, has been

attending and is applying for membership at New England Chapel. Barbara and Glenn have 4 children – Joey, Rachel and Willy are WCS alumni, and Eli started Kindergarten this fall. Barbara received a BA from Con-necticut College (studying also at Oxford University) and earned her MD from The

Medical College of Pennsylvania. She is in private practice in Grafton at Kids on the Common Pediatrics. Mr. Peter Carlson Peter Carlson, with his wife Deby, is a member of New

England Chapel. Peter and Deby are the par-ents of two WCS alumni - Nikolas (‘02) and Elizabeth (‘05). Peter graduated from West Bridgewater (MA) High School and received his BS in Chemistry from UMass Amherst. He is employed at Entegris in Franklin, MA. Peter has served on the WCS Board of Trus-

tees in the past and also spent several years as a JV Boys’ Basketball Coach.

The Crusader Chronicle

The Crusader Chronicle is published twice a year for fami-lies, alumni, and friends of the school. For a change of address, to add someone to the mailing list, or to let us know of alumni updates, please email Director of Ad-

vancement Steve Heintz at sheintz@wcs.mec.edu.

www.whitinsvillechristian.org

facebook.com/whitinsvillechristian

twitter.com/@whitinsvillecs

. . . Comes to me . . .

Printing By New England Office Supply

Editors: Barb VanderKlay and Deborah Thomas

An aerial view of the campus

photo by Greg VandenAkker (‘84).

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From The Board President Russell VanderBaan, ‘65

In September, I had the opportunity in my day job to host seven Human Re-source colleagues from throughout the United States. They spent a week with me reviewing and auditing our Human Resource policies and procedures, and evaluating the overall effectiveness of our company operations, particularly focusing on the utilization of our human capital assets. The visit was compre-hensive, the dialogue and feedback were engaging, and the outside perspective was very valuable. After months of preparation for the visit, the week of scru-tiny during the visit, and after the Final Report of the visiting team was

received, the work to respond has just begun.

And so it is with the Strategic Planning effort at Whitinsville Christian School. John Miersma, former WCS Trustee, led a dedicated group of volunteers to address and identify strategic issues for WCS, engaging many members of the broader WCS community, including administration, faculty, board members, society members, parents, and supporters of the school. Many topics were covered. Many issues were raised. Many suggestions were offered. The focus was our cur-rent condition, our strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats; our values, our mission, and our Reformed heritage. The comprehensive report raised questions, and in many cases offered strategies and tactics to deal with the suggestions. The topics included: Should we revise our Mission Statement? Do we need an expanded Vision Statement? How do we improve our communication to the greater WCS community? Is the governance of the school appropriate for today? Are we meeting the emotion-al and behavioral needs of WCS students? How do we make the Board of Trustees more effective? Is our admissions process and policy appropriate? What is our strategy for growth? And so on.

The current task of the Trustees is to evaluate the data, the suggestions, and the final report from the Strategic Planning Committee to determine how to proceed. What are our priorities? What should we tackle first? That process is going on at the Trustee level and in the various standing committees. Some suggestions will be straight forward, non controversial, and easy to implement. Other suggestions may be deemed not relevant at this time. Other suggestions may require significant discussion and input from our stakeholders, with whom we plan to engage selectively as appropriate.

At the same time, the School marches on and continues on a day-to-day basis providing an exceptional value to our students and their parents. We are blessed to have a strong and committed staff of administrators, staff, and teachers. We also have a strong core of volunteers. Thank you to our Accreditation Team led by Susan Cooper and Kelly LaCava, which managed the two-year effort preparing for the Visiting Committee. The team came, dug deep, and provided an initial positive report. We now await a Final Report from the New England As-sociation of Schools and Colleges.

(continued next page)

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Strategic Plan to Propel WCS into the Future

New Land Purchase: Space to Dream

. . . And hears my words . . .

A sincere and much appreciated thank you to our Long Range Campus Planning Committee, chaired by Dave Ryder and Don Koopman, who led the way and secured an agreement with the Pine Grove Cem-etery to acquire 12 acres of land for WCS from Pine Grove (see diagram below). This asset is critical as we plan for the future of our campus and of WCS.

Through this whole process we remain committed to stay true to our values, our mission, and our Reformed heritage. Please continue to pray with us that we will lead effectively, with wisdom, and a firm commitment to our mission. We do appreciate your prayers, and your involvement in the life of Whitinsville Christian School. If you have questions about the strategic planning process, or anything else, please do not hesitate to contact me.

Russell H. VanderBaan, President, Board of Trustees Whitinsville Christian School November 2013

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Campaign for Student “Wiring” Our Capital Campaign is aptly named for a construction project – Student Wired for the Future. This was a com-mitment to transform the ability of our teachers to impact student lives through a 21st century learning space wired with the latest technological advances. I’m sure we often think about the project itself, and the wonder-ful space, and the large picture windows that look out over part of our campus. But to dwell more deeply on the “how” of transforming learning, what we’ve done in this Library Media Center campaign is to equip our community to build into the lives of our students more capably and more fully – our mission.

Please use the enclosed remittance envelope to make your donation today! Matching Portion of Campaign

The campaign was established in part with the very generous pledge of $1 million, with the stipulation that $200,000 would be given immediately and the remaining $800,000 would be given one calendar quarter at a time, provided we had raised at least that much beforehand. We have fortunately stayed well ahead of the matching provision, as the graphic shows. Therefore, each gift you make is doubled, up to the $800,000 limit.

Pledges Collected to Date—$523,610 or 65% Shortfall—$276,390 or 35%

Alumni Participation in the Capital Campaign by Decade (as a percentage of the total alumni contributions) 1930s&1940s 15% 1950s 18% 1960s 12% 1970s 20% 1980s 12% 1990s 7% 2000s 16% We have 1,922 alumni in our database. If you are an alumnus, please be sure we have your correct information on file. You can update your info at http://www.whitinsvillechristian.org/index.php/alumni.

MATCH

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It takes a village to raise a child (African proverb), and our commu-nity to support our school—

. . . And puts them into practice, . .

As of November 1, these donors have contributed to the Student Wired for the Future Capital Campaign and qualified for naming

privileges (all donors for 2013 are listed on page 22) Founders Level ($1M+) Benefactors Level ($25-49K) Partners Level ($10-24K)

Anonymous Donor Anonymous Donor Anonymous

Gilbert and Catherine Baker William and Gladys Bangma

Trustees Level ($100K-$1M) Anthony and Susan Consigli Maynard & Sadie Kroll Estate

Anonymous Donor Stephen and Tamara Gorman Northeast Interior Systems, Inc.

Anonymous Donor John and Kirstie Miersma David and Dawn Lefrancois

Morgan Worcester Foundation Ronald and Ramah Randall

David and Deborah Thomas Daniel and Dorothy Salmon

Sponsors Level ($50-99K) Cornerstone Christian Academy EF Russell and Geraldine VanderBaan

The Sid and Thelma DeYoung Estate Robertson Family Fund Jeff and Laurie VanderBaan

The Calvin and Betty Warsen Estate

While the construction part of the LMC is complete, the campaign is still going on—you can help us pay down this wonderful enhancement to student learning.

As of November 1, these donors have contributed to the Student Wired for Future Capital Campaign and qualified for naming

privileges (all donors for 2013 are listed on pages 24-25)

Sponsors Level ($50-99K)

The Sid and Thelma

DeYoung Estate

The Calvin and Betty

Warsen Estate

Robertson Family Fund

S t e p p i n g s t o n e p r e s c h o o l

Growing Foundations in Preschool

Anything which grows is always more beauti-ful to look at than anything which is built---Lin Yu Tang

Building foundations is any preschool’s business! And it’s true for us. We aren’t the architects (leave that to God) nor are we the initial ground breakers (that’s up to parents) but we come and pour love on the fresh and fertile ground of each child’s heart. Could there be a better calling?

Last winter, our Early Childhood Learning Collabo-rative excitedly planned the first raised-bed gardens at WCS. We honed our curricula to maximize the op-portunity to have the children dig in the dirt and learn about God’s faithfulness to us through his cre-ated order. Preschool students planted pumpkin seeds indoors even before the beds were built, each seedling tended to as prudently as is possible by rambunctious four year olds.

When the beds were built, we began the challenging process of transplanting seedlings. We nodded in agreement that it had been wise to plant more seeds than children as we had difficulties un-tangling the fragile roots of some of our plants to safely deliver them to their new spots of undisturbed growth.

At last, we had one seedling per child with a popsicle stick ID leaning in the dirt beside it. Now the tend-ing could be done. Our hope was in the faithful water hose and rain, in the sun to shine on our pumpkins, and in God’s grace to bless our efforts. We whole-heartedly believed George Bernard Shaw’s perspec-tive:

The best place to find God is in a garden. You can dig for him there.

However, one early morning, I went to water the gar-den and noticed that there were no popsicle sticks standing guard over little seedlings. As I got closer, I saw that there were no fragile seedlings bent in the dirt, fighting for their lives. Scattered on the grass outside of the garden bed were all of our popsicle sticks, all of our seedlings, trampled and muddy, withering at their roots’ exposure. This had not been done by an animal; it was calculated and malicious. We had been vandalized.

We were heartbroken and became stuck in the feel-ing of helplessness, unable to decide what to do. It was too late to start over. Our hope was gone.

Until we realized, that our hope is in God; not in our feeble attempts to salvage something unsalvageable. We talked with the kids about forgiveness and sin, about how God is faithful! He can make things grow in impossible situations! God would make our gar-den new again! Our seedlings were replaced with herbs and vegetables that were withering remnants of a clearance sale. But boy did God redeem them! This fall, we had a bountiful harvest with the bulbs of kohlrabi so fat and leaves so huge and poked with tiny insect bites.

Looking back, we can say that our foundational knowledge about God’s faithfulness would not have been so memorable if everything had gone as planned. Our joy in who God is would not have been as expansive without the discouragement that pre-ceded it. So we are thankful. That God can use ALL things for our GOOD—Romans 8:28.

Now I like to think that we are in the business of GROWING foundations instead of building them. We grow a foundation of love in the garden of little ones’ hearts! All we have to do is FEEL God’s pres-ence and LOVE at preschool; all we have to do is LOOK for Him in ALL situations and he will be there! Yep, it’s true: when we dig in the dirt, indeed we find God there.

-Sonia Zeyl

New space accommodates 50 students!

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Elementary school: A passion for Learning

. . . I will show you . . .

Featuring Sarah Bowler’s Grade 2/3 Classroom—Mary Masselink, Elementary Asst. Principal

A casual glance into Mrs. Sarah Bowler’s classroom, a grade 2/3 split, hints at something different at work inside. This new model classroom has round tables and chairs in place of individual desks and is fully stocked with every imaginable school and art supply for creative learning. What’s more, computers, iPads, micro-scopes, and other equipment fill the space with possibilities for learning!

Before Sarah formulated her proposal to set-up a 2nd/3rd grade multi-level classroom where the teacher facili-tates and advances active learning, she read and fully researched the concept. “[My purpose is] to develop and maintain a love of learning that accommodates students’ varied learning styles while still meeting the grade-level standards/frameworks.” Her rationale for the proposal is predicated on the fact that “every child is uniquely created by God and we want our children to discover who they are as unique creations of God.”

Borrowing thoughts from Dan Beerens, another Christian educator, Sarah expressed the premise on which active learning is promoted: “I believe we are made by God to be learners and to have a passion for learning. One of the main tasks in the garden for Ad-am and Eve was learning—caring for and subduing the earth. The separation from God interrupted this perfect state of learning and the need to work (work as sweat and toil) entered into Adam and Eve’s reality. Today our work still interrupts our opportunities for learning. We help students experience Eden and give them a glimpse of heaven (among other things—a state of uninterrupted learning in my view) when we bring as much true, joy-filled learning as possible into the lives of those we are entrusted to serve in our schools.”

This 2/3 split is predicated on a great amount of parental involvement and help in the classroom and at home. Parents are expected to check Sarah’s school website early each school week to read the classroom newsletter, sign-up for activities, and check out links to classroom instruction. While she incorporates the

instruction of reading, writing, and math into most school days, the children begin their days with a morning meeting and sharing time, spend 20 minutes a day on creative design, engage in a cooking class every other week, and go on field trips (both in and outside of WCS) 16 times a school year. In addition Sarah’s class is paired with a school in Canada for the Global Read-Aloud of Marty McGuire, reading two chapters a week and using “Facetime” with that class every other week. Sarah’s students are also pen pals with stu-dents in England as well as with a former classmate, Makenna Kitchen, in Papua, New Guinea.

Student progress in the fundamentals—reading, writing, spelling, math, Bible, and science or social studies—is tracked through on-line assessments. Sarah provides mini-lessons on reading skills, writing skills, math concepts, handwriting instruction, and Bible stories, but often her students learn from one another or from websites such as Khan Academy, TED Talks, etc. Each week, par-ents are required to provide their child with three books at their reading level for a daily reading workshop at school. A monthly STAR assessment provides Sarah and parents with individual student data on reading strengths, weaknesses and growth. Likewise, students are pre-tested for every new math unit; if they score 90% or better, they engage in Khan Academy math lessons on-line. Children who need more math instruction work directly with Sarah.

Parents can follow along through electronic portfolios of their child’s scanned work, videos, and pictures of class time and collaborative activities. While grades are not given, the assessment of grade level skills and ob-jectives is continually monitored and communicated through Evernote. Regular feedback lets parents know if their child is exceeding, meeting, or approaching expectations.

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Middle School—the wonder years

Mary Dykstra—Middle School Principal

WCMS is a place filled with wonder. I am likewise filled with wonder as I work with these students and observe how much they change in three short years. I am amazed at how they laugh, learn and grow, and by the incredible work that God is doing in their individual lives.

We pray that our students remain wonder-filled. It is an honor to be part of a school that looks to God and the wonder of his world as part of our everyday learning. This year, students are working out the school theme of “Building the House,” and working on implementing the pledge they developed at our retreat as well as the 8th grade motto, “Be God’s Light and Shine!” They are working in mentor groups and planning chapels. They’re also learning about prepositions, Proverbs, and properties. Wonder abounds.

WCMS students are involved in a number of new things. Some are creating the first-ever middle school newspaper. Others are in a Craft Outreach Club. Others are making videos, playing sports, and using their artistic skills in and out of school.

This fall, we had our first Fun Night. Students had a great time playing on an inflatable bungee run and jousting ring. They played Ping-Pong, air hockey, solved riddles and pondered estimation jars. They watched a movie and listened to music. It was a great time being together and having fun.

As we work together at WCMS, we continue to learn about the world around us and how it works. We learn about each other and what makes us unique. We learn to work, play and live together during our hours at school. And together, we continue our discovery of the wonder of God!

“The whole earth is filled with awe at Your wonders…” Psalm 65:8a

WCMS began the year with an all-student, all-faculty overnight retreat to Camp Sentinel in Cen-ter Tuftonboro, New Hampshire. The weather was perfect, and the site was beautiful. Students spent time at the waterfront frolicking on a giant swing, a floating "log" and raft, swimming, fishing, and riding in kayaks and canoes. Swimmers had fun jumping on the log and the floating raft. Students and teachers alike tried to run out to the end of the inflatable log, only to bounce, fall, splash, and generally look hilarious while having loads of fun.

The giant swing helped students develop patience and trust as they were hoisted up into the trees, then let go to swing back and forth. Students went in pairs, outfitted with helmets and safety harnesses. While the initial drop was scary and thrilling, students enjoyed the swinging back and forth as they chatted with their partner.

Students in the field chose from soccer, basketball, volleyball, hiking and other activities that helped them move and work together.

After supper, the group took a hike up to the “Ledges,” a beautiful spot where Lake Winnipesaukee was visible about 45 miles in the distance. We sat in silence, taking in the beauty around us, listening to the trees, birds, animals, and wind. It was an amazing time to sit, reflect, be still and know God.

After the hike, students were told to create a structure with mini-marshmallows and toothpicks with the challenge to build the highest one.. Groups of students worked on their structures, thinking and planning how to make theirs higher than others. (continued on next page)

Retreat begins the year

heart, soul, strength, and mind building in new hampshire

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. . . What they are like. . . .

Suddenly, students started thinking outside of the box. One group ran to the largest rock and built theirs on the rock. Another group started a human pyramid and tried to put their structure on top of the top person. But one group ran to the flag pole, attached their structure to the rope and ran their structure up the flagpole and won the event.

This team challenge laid the foundation for our evening talk on “Building the House.” The camp director talked to the students about laying a foundation, building on that foundation, and showed slides of his recent building project--a log cabin for his family.

We then transitioned into developing a middle school pledge. Stu-dents were asked to name the first thing that came to mind as the most important thing in life, beyond God, Jesus and the Holy Spirit. Students listed family, friends, respect, loyalty, honor, giving 100%, doing one’s best, being nice, and treating people as people, to name just a few.

From this list, we organized and began development for a middle school pledge, splitting up with 6th and 7th grade going to the campfire to make S’mores while the 8th graders stayed to work on their motto or precept. 8th graders came up with “Be the Light and Shine” based on Phil.2:14-15. Then they had their time at the campfire.

The next morning was spent in private, personal devotions. We once again gathered as Mr. DeWeerd, Mr. Ewers, and Pastor Zeyl led the students in a ses-sion about putting our words into action. These three gentlemen started with a reenactment about Jesus and His Disciples. The main part of the talk was when Jesus asked Peter, “Do you love me?” and “Feed my sheep.” The point of this was to get the students to realize that we all say we love Jesus, but we need the next step of doing something about that- just like Jesus challenged Peter.

After this presentation, the 8th graders presented their motto, and then we all went to the waterfront for a time of worship. As we stood by the still lake, taking in the moun-tains, hills and peaceful water, we sang, “Here I am to Worship”, “God of Wonders”, and “10,000 Reasons”. These songs and the surroundings pointed to our amazing Creator and the student’s time of worship was a rich one.

We closed our time at camp with a stone ceremony. Students chose a stone and we discussed how our tongues are like a spark that can light a forest on fire. We looked at

James 3 as well as Isaiah. In Isaiah, the angel took a coal and cleansed his lips before he went out to prophe-sy. As students took their stone, we prayed that our lips would be clean and that our hearts and minds would be pleasing in God’s sight. Students then went to any teacher of their choosing for a personal prayer and to put their name on their stone and place it in a container.

After our stone ceremony was finished, we piled into the vans and headed back to WCS. Our time at camp was full, refreshing and foundational. We look forward to living out the things we learned.

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WCS High School-falling leaves, changing seasons!

Changing Seasons

--by Chris Vander Baan, High School Principal The leaves have fallen and the snow can’t be far behind now. It seems just yesterday we were ushering in spring. Life in high school, too, is a series of

changing seasons. It is a collection of teachers, naïve freshmen, and cagey seniors all living, work-ing and traveling through a series of transitions.

Our freshmen are learning independence and be-ginning to understand what “owning my educa-tion” means. Sophomores are stretching out their branches and starting to lay down roots, while jun-iors are working through the reality that more than half of high school is be-hind them. Seniors are busy preparing for next fall, praying about college applications, careers decisions, and readying themselves for leaving the nest of home, parents, and WCS friendships.

As I reflect on the amazing changes I have seen in our high school in the past 12 months, I am remind-ed of God’s faithfulness. We have an amazing staff!

Like the Red Sox, we have synergy and a spirit of commonality that binds us together. Some of our “old oaks” have retired or moved, but God has replaced them with well-equipped and excited new teachers. We have a new Library Me-dia Center and growing, changing technologies that make learning fun and one the cutting edge! Students are now permitted to BYOD (Bring Your Own De-vice) and we have added six new courses to our high school curriculum.

WCHS is an amazing place that continues to reinvent itself and make changes for the right reasons. It is student-focused and Christ-centered. Our students are being prepared for God’s great world. Any-thing we can do to better equip them for God’s service is worth investigating!

New High School Courses for 2013-14

AP Music Theory (Mr. Joshua Lawson)

AP Government (Mr. Rocky Van Tol)

AP US History (Mr. Dick Vanden Berg)

Mass Media (Mr. Ryan Stegink)

Graphic Design (Mr. Steve Fortna)

Web Design (Mr. Steve Fortna)

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. . . They are like a man . . .

Robotics—a program of indelible impact—for life, study, faith, and career

Sometimes the programs that make the most impact on groups of students are those that are the hardest to see. Take the case of the WCS Robotics (Club). They meet off campus, out of the way of our watchful eyes, and in an expansive 2,000+ square foot space in the Whitin Machine Works Mill that most in our communi-ty have never seen. Their competitions take place just a couple times each year, but not necessarily near our campus. Most of the leaders are not faculty or staff from WCS, but volunteers who work full time in other professions. As a result, most of the meeting times are in the evening, once everyone else has gone home to family, dinner and homework.

Since 2001, this group has worked with so many of our science and technology-inclined students that it’s impossible to ignore the profound impact of Robotics. In addition to planning and building some very in-volved robots, the team’s laboratory is the site of deep and influential men-toring, midnight conversations about commitment and faith, intense tutor-ing in any subject area, and lasting friendships forged over shared responsi-bility.

A Robotics mentor since 2001, Board of Trustee member Don Stahl has seen many Robotics team grads go on to spend college and careers involved in science and engineering. He can point to our grads who are already im-pacting their own chosen fields, in pursuits such as Engineering or Information Technology. In a recent visit

to the Robotics space, he pointed out the equipment and materials so key to the development of the team’s robots. He knew where every-thing was, no small accomplishment in a space so crowded. He also knew where everything came from, whether donated from friends of the program, or purchased with resources that finance the group. On a deeper level, he was reminiscing about each of the participants that have been so blessed to have their lives and futures impacted by such a valuable experience.

Nathan Casey, ‘14, is a Robotics club member who loves to hang out in the space. He truly understands the impact that belonging to the group has had on him, stating that he has learned lessons that greatly enhance his classroom learning. The intensity of deadline-driven projects, and working on them with others with different skills, and “poking at something with a screwdriver instead of your finger” are among the incredible life lessons that have come out of Ro-botics for him. Robotics mentors have also taught him much more than head knowledge, adding the why’s and how’s of the intricate projects they undertake.

In spite of a hectic schedule that includes Brass Ensemble, Learning Partners (tutoring), Cross Country, and Student Council Executive Committee, Nathan feels that Robotics is one of his anchors. It’s been so important to him that his Senior Capstone Project has him building a robot that will deliver lunchtime milk to elementary students! He doesn't know exactly where he’ll attend college next year, but he does know that someday he wants to work in a place at the cusp of technology. This gifted student will surely realize his dreams.

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Crusader

Fall 2013 Varsity Girls Soccer

Fall 2013 Varsity Boys Soccer

Fall 2013 Varsity Girls Cross Country

Fall 2013 Varsity Boys Cross Country

Fall 2013 Varsity Volleyball

Fall 2013 Golf Team Members

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Athletics

. . . Building a house . . .

Fall Athletic Honors

Varsity Girls Soccer Tori Caswell 2nd Team All Conference

Varsity Boys Soccer Daniel Belanger 2nd Team All Conference

Schuyler Van Tol 2nd Team All Conference

Varsity Girls Cross Country Abby Epplett 1st Team All Conference, Wendy’s Heisman State Finalist

Angie Epplett 1st Team All Conference

Sarah Poquette 2nd Team All Conference

Varsity Boys Cross Country Jamison Koeman 1st Team All Conference, DVC Runner of the Year,

All District, All State

CJ Paine 1st Team All Conference

Nathan Brookhouse 2nd Team All Conference

Varsity Volleyball Morgan Vander Baan 1st Team All Conference, DVC Player of the Year

Mackenzie Thibodeau 1st Team All Conference

Abby Cook 1st Team All Conference

Jamison Koeman, ‘15, won the MSTCA D2 meet, set the course rec-ord by a whopping 35 seconds at the league meet, then won the District Meet, carrying the boys cross country team to the States, where they fin-ished 11th.

Abby Epplett, ‘14, was named a Wendy’s Heisman State Finalist, and paced the Cross

Country team all season long. Read more about her on page 29.

The Volleyball team qualified for the state tournament as the #5 seed, won their first round game and finished another great season at 16-6.

Zach Bergeron ‘18, broke our middle school cross country course record multiple times

and finished 12th (of 236 fin-ishers) at the State MS race.

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“Every child is an artist. The problem is how to remain an artist once he grows up.” ― Pablo Picasso

The Christian is the one whose imagination should fly beyond the stars.” - Francis A. Schaeffer, Art & the Bible

Art Program Sees Christ as the Master Designer of our World . . .

And, therefore, our instructors inspire and guide each stu-dent to develop their God-given creative ability to express feelings, communicate ideas, tell stories, think , and record visually what they see. The outcome is some pretty amaz-ing exhibits for the rest of us to experience. For teachers Linda Barnes (elementary), Mary Dykstra (6th grade), and Tahnee Kuder (7th-12th grades), these are the gifts that each student possesses, and yet, without the environment in which to confidently learn and experiment these con-cepts, these gifts would lie dormant and unexpressed.

“

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“Every child is an artist. The problem is how to remain an artist once he grows up.” ― Pablo Picasso

Goals for 7-12 Art Program (Tahnee Kuder)

1. To appreciate God as the ultimate creator

2. To draw out and challenge the creativity of the students

3. To encourage an appreciation of the arts

4. To help the students become more independent learners

. . . And Uses Progressive Methods to Build Talents, Understanding, and

Lives

A strength in many programs is the advantage of a PK—12th grade school where instructors can communicate with each other regarding the progression of teaching in subject areas. It’s no different in art, and our teachers complement each other as they provide an incredible ex-perience over the student’s school experience.

. . . Who dug down deep, . . .

18

Our fine and performing arts add creative life

WCS Strings: A Legacy of Christian Service

Since 1981, Whitinsville Christian School has taught hundreds of young student violinists, violists, and cellists through its strings program. The program encompasses students from preschool-age through grade 12. Instruction is based on the Suzuki method of instruction, which focuses heavily on parent participation. Our strings instructors take the basics of Suzuki instruction and infuse it with excellent Christian pedagogy.

The heart and mission of WCS Strings is to glorify God through music by working together to develop Christian character and gifts to joyfully serve others.

In every phase of a child’s participation, pre-Twinkles through Chamber Orchestra, praising God and serving him is the focus. Among the ways we serve others through our musical gifts is by performing throughout the community, including an annual performance of Handel’s Messiah. Ensembles perform at senior centers, nursing homes, and other locations. In addition, select or-chestras have embarked on tours that combine music and service over the past 25 years, including one to post-Katrina Mississippi and Louisiana; another to the Appalachians of West Virginia; one to serve the homeless in the District of Colombia; and, most recently, in April 2013 to northern New Jersey where students assisted with cleanup with Hurricane Sandy and collaborated with schools, churches and community groups in keeping with the school’s theme, “One Body.”

We are grateful to God for the strings teachers, students, parents and friends who have given their time and talents to His glory. “For the Lord is good, and His love endures forever; His faithfulness contin-ues through all generations.” (Psalm 100:5)

19

Perfect for a school—get smart!

. . . And laid the foundation . . .

As The Crusader Chronicle was going to print, the WCHS drama club entertained audiences with it’s production of “Get Smart” based on the television show from the late 1960s. In the stage version, Max-well Smart, (Richie Hubbard), along with agent 99, (Elena Wassenar) work to tackle the many schemes of KAOS. The chief of CONTROL (Billy Fredericks) keeps faith in the lucky Maxwell Smart. While pro-tecting the Inthermo, Princess Ingrid, and uncovering the many plans of Mr. Big (Dan Gandek), agents 86 and 99 provide entertainment and laughs for audiences of all ages. Professor Dante (Peter Kamin-ski) and Professor Zalinka (Nicole Clouiter), as well as college students, the Wong Sisters, the Blondes and other se-cret agents, this cast keeps the story mov-ing and the audience engaged with their antics and surprises.

The cast of Get Smart, directed by

Mary Dykstra, poses for a photo during a

rehearsal break

20

School Hosts Visiting Committee for

Reaccreditation Process

A Seal of Approval—Sue Cooper

Many seals of approval are encountered in daily life, but when it comes to one for schools and colleges, a regional accreditation is the preferred Gold Seal. Schools with this seal of approval will have diplomas recognized and honored. The New England Association of Schools and Colleges (NEASC) is the regional accreditation agency for New England.

WCS first received NEASC accreditation in 1993 and must apply for reac-creditation every 10 years. An in-depth review and self-study must be com-pleted. Our last reaccreditation was granted in 2003, and this year we hope another.

The journey toward 2013 reaccreditation started in October 2011 when we launched another in-depth review of our school and programs under the leadership of Susan Cooper and Kelly LaCava. During the intervening months, program committees and standards committees consisting of WCS faculty, staff, board members, and many others, investigated, evaluated and reflected upon the 15 standards of review. The final report, a 60-page self study, was submitted in September 2013.

The reaccreditation process culminated in October 2013 with a review by the nine-member NEASC Visiting Committee, which spent three days with us on campus. Now we await the NEASC’s decision in November.

The process itself has been of great benefit to the school. Issues that needed to be addressed were re-vealed, and areas for improvement were discovered. Even before the Visiting Committee arrived in October, changes were already in process. We are very optimistic that reaccreditation will be granted, and we will wear the NEASC Seal of Approval with pride!

Note: As The Crusader Chronicle was going to press, we learned that NEASC had indeed granted WCS continued accreditation!

Visiting team members came from all over New England to assess WCS

21

Alumni efforts gaining momentum . . .

Class of 1982-Tim and Susan (Bakker) Fre-lier celebrated their 25th anniversary on Octo-ber 22, 2013. They live in Rochester, NY and have three children.

Calling All WCS Alumni

Alumni, we’d like to hear from you! Whether you live nearby or far away, we are hoping to create a more exciting network for past WCS students. We have created a council to develop alumni programs to bring alums back to campus and see the advances the school has made since the day you walked across the graduation stage. The alumni council is planning events for the 2013-14 academic year in conjunction with scheduled WCS events. Please look for announcements regarding alumni receptions before drama productions, athletic events and concerts. A future WCS Homecoming event is being planning; a day centered on athletic competitions and entertainment for alumni and their families. Additional details will be provided when the date is announced. The council is looking for volunteers willing to take part in planning these upcoming get-togethers. The council meets once every two months to discuss upcoming events and seek new ways to reach more alumni. If this is an opportunity that interests you, please reach out to Blake Cunningham (’03) at bcun-ningham@cfgi.com.

Thanks to the efforts of Blake Cunningham, our relationships with alumni are being expanded and enhanced.

The Wynja family has an annual reunion, and this past July it was right here in Whitinsville. The siblings stopped by for a visit to WCS, and posed for a photo. From left to right, they are Madeline Buma ‘56, Trina Van Dyke ‘53, Milton Wynja ‘48, Dick Wynja ‘47, and Wilma Paauw ‘45.

Kendra Woudenberg ‘10, Kathryn Rubin ‘13, and McKenzie Dion ‘11, suit up for the very success-ful Gordon College Women’s soccer program.

Alex Vander Baan ‘05, is living and working in New York City, where he’s employed by Morgan Stanley as an Equities Trader. He’s engaged to Ali Mersereau, with plans for a Sept, ‘14 wedding.

Alums, we need to hear from you! In order to expand this section, let us know what you’ve been up to since graduation. Go to www.whitinsvillechristian.org /alumni.

. . . On rock. . . .

22

The endowment fund provides critical sustainability

THE WCS ENDOWMENT FUND: SECURING THE FUTURE FOR GENERATIONS TO COME

The WCS Endowment Fund was formed to help provide financial stability and continue the tradi-tion of Whitinsville Christian’s rich heritage to future generations. Gifts over the years have come from alumni and friends of WCS.

Each year 5% of the Funds Value is given directly to offset the tuition needs and thereby reduces the tuition of all children attending WCS.

Gifts to the Endowment Fund are permanently held in trust and invested with a long-term goal that provides growth to the fund which can exceed the annual gift to WCS.

The graph provides a visual picture of this outstanding accomplishment.

Many of you recognize that WCS has been instrumental in helping you get to where you are today. You may now be in a position to return the favor to someone else. Your gift to the Endowment Fund will give new generations of students the opportunities to succeed also.

The Endowment Fund seeks gifts of securities, life insurance, be-quests, memorials, gifts of remembrance, and cash. Please consider how you could provide a gift to the WCS Endowment Fund using one or more of these sources.

Remember all gifts will help sustain Christian education now and into the future!

Remittance envelope provided inside publication

. . . When a flood came . . .

23

Events in our community

Calendar of Events December 18 Christmas Concert

December 23-January 3 Christmas Vacation

January 11 Admissions Tours

January 16 Author Gary Schmidt Visit

March 7 All School Suzuki Concert

March 17-21 Spring Break

April 12 WCS Spring Auction

April 18-21 Choir Trip to DC

May 1-3 WCS Drama Production

May 8-9 Elementary Musical

May 15 High School Fine Arts

May 21 Orchestra Concert

May 22 Middle School Showcase

June 9 WCS Annual Golf Outing

June 10 8th Grade Advancement

June 13 Graduation

. . . Because it was well built” . . .

The endowment fund provides critical sustainability

THE WCS ENDOWMENT FUND: SECURING THE FUTURE FOR GENERATIONS TO COME

The WCS Endowment Fund was formed to help provide financial stability and continue the tradi-tion of Whitinsville Christian’s rich heritage to future generations. Gifts over the years have come from alumni and friends of WCS.

Each year 5% of the Funds Value is given directly to offset the tuition needs and thereby reduces the tuition of all children attending WCS.

Gifts to the Endowment Fund are permanently held in trust and invested with a long-term goal that provides growth to the fund which can exceed the annual gift to WCS.

The graph provides a visual picture of this outstanding accomplishment.

Many of you recognize that WCS has been instrumental in helping you get to where you are today. You may now be in a position to return the favor to someone else. Your gift to the Endowment Fund will give new generations of students the opportunities to succeed also.

The Endowment Fund seeks gifts of securities, life insurance, be-quests, memorials, gifts of remembrance, and cash. Please consider how you could provide a gift to the WCS Endowment Fund using one or more of these sources.

Remember all gifts will help sustain Christian education now and into the future!

Remittance envelope provided inside publication

. . . When a flood came . . .

24

Thanks To The many people who supporTed whiTinsville chrisTian school in 2013!

*Thelma DeYoung ScholarshipIn Memory of Thelma DeYoungDennis and Cindy DeYoung

*EndowmentIn Honor ofHelen Dykstra’s 80th BirthdayStuart and Wilma Gjeltema

Matthew Dykstra’s 98th BirthdayHarold and Barbara Plantinga

Tom Koopman’s 80th BirthdaySidney and Arlene KoopmanGlen and Helena BloemGordon and Barbara DeJongEdward and Dorothy JaasmaArthur and Anne JacksonBob and Kathy VanderBaan

In Memory of Evelyn HaringaCarol HaringaGlenn and Beverly HaringaGrace NyenhuisMaryAnn Wiersma

Wilma JorritsmaCindy Baker

Janice KrullCindy BakerEleanor BakerMabel BakerWill and Helen BanningGregory and Janette BombardierHenrietta HoogendykTom and Joan KoopmanJames and Cindy KrullWilliam and Shirley LaFleurCheryl MarsdenEleanor VanHoutenEarl and Karen Wielsma

Sidney and Joanne MiedemaEd and Sharon Bakker

Bert and Sadie SchotanusRaymond and Joyce Schotanus

Sander SilvisHerm and Eva BakerLen and Kathy BangmaWill and Helen BanningAdrian and Joyce ButeynEdward and Nellie DeVriesMatthew DykstraLance and RoseAnn EngbersKen and Lisa FoppemaFred and Joyce GinsbergRudolph and Audrey JulianDon and Doris KoopmanTom and Joan KoopmanPaul and Karen MatthieuLeona OppewalHarold and Barbara PlantingaBrian and Pam UraciusSandra Vander BaanEarl and Karen WielsmaMaryAnn WiersmaGary and Joanne Wood

Hermina WiegersEarl and Karen Wielsma

Harold YoungsmaHerm and Eva BakerCindy BakerEd and Sharon BakkerLen and Kathy BangmaMike and Annika BangmaLance and RoseAnn EngbersKen and Lisa FoppemaTom and Joan KoopmanBernard and Helen ManningEvelyn OostermanCarol SchaverMaryAnn WiersmaArthur and Sandy WynjaJohn and Nancy YoungsmaGladys Youngsma

*GeneralFairlawn Christian Reformed ChurchPleasant Street Christian Reformed ChurchTed and Marie HaringaArthur HoogendykHenrietta HoogendykArthur and Anne JacksonGrace NyenhuisBernie and Minnie WiersmaGladys Youngsma

In Memory ofKeith WiersmaBernie and Minnie Wiersma

*Library Capital CampaignAnonymousBrady BajemaGladys BajemaHerm and Eva BakerJohn and Marilyn BakerMike and Annika BangmaBob and Beth BanningAnita BanningScott and Linda BarnesMichael and Alison BellTom and Jeanne BerkowitzDale and June BloemRandy and Anna BloemBert and Julie BowdenSamuel and Sarah BowlerGlenn and Donna BroghamerBrett and Iona BumaDavid and Jane ButeynThomas BuurmaJohn and Lois CaseyTom and Susan CooperMichael and Kathleen CraigScott and Shelly CullenBlake and Jenny CunninghamGordon and Beverly De YoungGordon and Barbara DeJongAmy DeVriesKyle and Erica EngbersLance and RoseAnn EngbersBrad and Karen ExooWarren and Peggy FairbanksThomas and Catherine GandekDon and Judy GodekeBill and Wendy Groot

James and Lori GulinelloWesley and Shirley HaanPhil and Kerrie HarperHerman and Doris HeintzStephen and Pamela HeintzBill and Linda HerrmannRoss and Amanda IrwinMichael and Rachel JenBryan and Erika JohnsonPeter and Roann KarnsDon and Doris KoopmanPriscilla KoopmanJames KramerLen and Pam KrygsmanNate and Tahnee KuderMarvin and Betty KuipersWilliam and Shirley LaFleurJohn and Donna LapierreCarolyn LavalleeEdward LeeDave and Dawn LefrancoisGordon and Bernice MalcolmCharles and Shirley MannheimLarry and Mary MasselinkCleon and Susan McClureJohn and Kirstie MiersmaRuth MikolajczakDoug and Linda NydamGladys NydamRonald and Cheryl NydamGrace NyenhuisDonald and Lynn PepperJohn and Kathleen PierroJoan PlumbSteven and Jeanne PraetschHennie and Joan PretoriusVin and Donna RodgerDave and Betsy RyderDan and Dottie SalmonBrett and Tiffany SimasScott and Lisa SpearJohn and Liane SullivanGerald and Rachel TanhamTom and Holly TetreaultAlex and Sarah ThomasBrian and Thalia TowleChristopher and Joell TulleyJerry Van Tol and Anne BanningCary and Kris VandenAkkerDuane and Paula VandenAkkerIrene VandenAkkerRichard and Dorothy VandenBergChris and Laurie Vander BaanAlex Vander BaanJeff and Laurie VanderBaanRuss and Gerry VanderBaanBarbara VanderKlayWanda VanderZeeJames and Lois VeenstraJohn and Sandra VriesemaKeith Whittaker and Scott WeisnerCalvin and Claudia WiegersJud and Lysle WileyKenneth and Sandra YoungMilton and Betsy YoungsmaKatiegrace Youngsma

Corporate Finance GroupMatching GiftsMorgan-Worcester Inc.PPG Industries FoundationWaters Corporation

*Library Capital CampaignIn Honor ofAlan Jongsma’s 55 Years of PreachingGrace Nyenhuis

Elizabeth HenriksonRonald and Carolyn Henrikson

Harold and Barbara PlantingaRichard and Sharie Small

Will Banning’s 80th BirthdayDave and Dawn Lefrancois

Tom Koopman’s 80th BirthdayDon and Doris KoopmanTed and Earlene KoopmanHarold and Barbara PlantingaEarl and Karen Wielsma

Aletta Kuipers’99th BirthdayTom and Joan Koopman

Larry Masselink’s RetirementDave and Dawn LefrancoisJohn PoatEarl and Karen Wielsma

Judy Whittaker’s RetirementEarl and Karen Wielsma

In Memory ofPhilip AdamsGeorge and Deb Nydam

Ethel BakerLloyd and Audrey Veldhof

Brian BlaueHarold and Judy Blaue

Sidney and Thelma DeYoungRichard and Anna Stiers

Arthur EbbelingCarol Ebbeling

Henry GjeltemaPeter and Anne Gjeltema

Ina GrootDon and Judy Godeke

Richard HubbardMary Ellen Hubbard

Wilma JorritsmaDave and Dawn Lefrancois

Janice KrullDon and Judy GodekeDave and Dawn Lefrancois

John Martin, JrAlan and Jayne MossbergRobert and JoAnn DeMayoBarbara FosterDave and Dawn LefrancoisAlan and Jayne MossbergDmitriy and Jessica StrunkinRichard and Elizabeth Tienhaara

25

Thomas OostermanEvelyn Oosterman

Jean ScottWilliam and Shirley LaFleur

Sander SilvisOscar and Henny KuipersDave and Dawn LefrancoisBrian and Thalia Towle

Stanley VanderKlayGladys BajemaCindy BakerHerm and Eva BakerJames BakerJohn and Marilyn BakerEd and Sharon BakkerWill and Helen BanningDale and June BloemGlen and Helena BloemBrenda BoelensTheodore and Agnes BoelensAlan and Beth BolKathleen BuurmaDick and Alice CookMick and Shari CroninMatthew and Julie DavisonGordon and Beverly De YoungEd and Nellie DeVriesHenry and Beverly EbbelingCarol EbbelingDavid and Robin EckboldLance and RoseAnn EngbersDennis and Christine EpplettAlbert and Nancy FaberDon and Judy GodekeSandra HaagsmaCampbell and Tara HaireTed and Marie HaringaBrandon and Ginette HehnPaul and Lori JohnsonJames JorritsmaCynthia KampBeverly KeelerDon and Doris KoopmanSidney and Arlene KoopmanTom and Joan KoopmanOscar and Henny KuipersChristine LaneJohn and Mary LastDave and Dawn LefrancoisKathleen LoweryCharles and Shirley MannheimJames and Robin MartinRaymond and Julia MartinBabe NydamJim and Jean NydamGrace NyenhuisLeona OppewalHarold and Barbara PlantingaRobert and Harriet PlattAlfred and Jeannette SmithElaine SpaakWilliam and Mary SpaltonMarcia TitcombBrian and Thalia TowleBill and Trina Van DykeKenneth and Donna Van IddekingeCary and Kris VandenAkkerRichard and Dorothy VandenBerg

Chris and Laurie Vander BaanSandra Vander BaanDavid and Jeanne Vander KlayBob and Kathy VanderBaanBarbara VanderKlayWanda VanderZeeEleanor VanHoutenSamuel and Gail VisserCarl and Glenda WelmersEarl and Karen WielsmaMaryAnn WiersmaJohn and Jodie WoudenbergGlenda & Carl Welmers' Small GroupGlenro IncHarbro Sales & Service IncKathryn M Huston Mission CircleLadies Workout ExpressMiedema Family Living Trust

Harry VriesemaDon and Judy Godeke

Hermina WiegersDon and Judy GodekeDave and Dawn Lefrancois

Cornelius WiersmaThelma Agerholm

Harold YoungsmaDon and Judy GodekeOscar and Henny KuipersDave and Dawn LefrancoisBrian and Thalia Towle

Jeannette YoungsmaAlvin and Mary Youngsma

Stuart YoungsmaRichard and Sharie Small

*Maureen Gorman Memorial ScholarshipRaymond Gorman

*New Gym/Multi-Purpose ComplexRichard and Lorraine KatteKeith and Lori VanderWeele

In Memory ofLynn BajemaRoger BajemaRian and Deb Harpie

George VandenAkkerJoanne VandenAkker

Roland Vander BaanChris and Laurie Vander BaanSandra Vander Baan

Stanley VanderKlayArthur and Anne Jackson

Hermina WiegersBarbara DavisJohn and Anita De Korte

Gayle EvenhuisMartha FiesterDon and Doris KoopmanTom and Joan KoopmanAl and Marie SiepertBetty TolsmaDorothy UdesDean and Edna WiegersRalph and Nancy WiegersGeorgia WiegersMaryAnn Wiersma

*Jim & Jean Nydam ScholarshipJim and Jean NydamAlex Vander Baan

In Honor of Jim & Jean’s 65th

AnniversaryCharles and Tena FeddemaDave and Dawn Lefrancois

*RoboticsBeatrice OlsonDavid and Lori OlsonDon and Ellen Stahl

Matching GiftsATK Matching Gift ProgramIntel Foundation

*StringsRobert and Patricia GilesJohn and Carolyn Steen

*Tuition AssistanceErik and Julie Henrikson

In Memory of Brian BlaueJim and Bev Bylund

*Arthur Wiersma ScholarshipMaryAnn Wiersma

Acorns to Oaks Loyalty FundMorgan-Worcester Inc.NSTAR FoundationPPG Industries FoundationVerizon Foundation

Jeff and Laura AndrewsBob and Beth BanningWill and Helen BanningThomas and Patricia BarryMichael and Alison BellDale and June BloemRandy and Anna BloemSamuel and Sarah BowlerGlenn and Donna BroghamerJoel and Linda BrownKathleen BuurmaPeter and Debra CarlsonCesareo and Elizabeth ContrerasMichael and Kathleen CraigScott and Shelly CullenAlbert and Nancy FaberMartha FiesterKristin Garlett

Don and Judy GodekeTed and Marie HaringaStephen and Pamela HeintzMichael and Rachel JenNate and Tahnee KuderPeter and Janet LanserMatthew and Katherine LaymanEdward LeeDave and Dawn LefrancoisPaul and Susan LukowskiLarry and Mary MasselinkJohn and Kirstie MiersmaJoseph OppewallChris and Julie PaineWayne and Shelly PittsDavid and Sarah PlantingaMark and Lisa QuercioKevin and Kemper RichardsonPeter and Charlotte SchotanusTheona TaylorDave and Deb ThomasJohn and Karina ThompsonBrian and Thalia TowleJerry Van Tol and Anne BanningGreg and Rebecca VandenAkkerChris and Laurie Vander BaanPhil and Fran WassenarPaul and Carolyn WelshTom and Tracey WickstromLouis and Suzanne WiersmaJud and Lysle WileyDeb Wood

*Loyalty GiftsIn Honor OfPaula CrawfordGerald and Rachel Tanham

In Memory OfLynn BajemaHarry and Ethel Wiersma

Harriet HeemstraBabe Nydam

Sidney and Joanne MiedemaTimothy and Susan Frelier

Edith OostermanJohn and Helen Baker

Sander SilvisAlbert and Nancy FaberDon and Judy Godeke

Karyn TaylorTheona Taylor

Robert TaylorTheona Taylor

Harold YoungsmaAlbert and Nancy FaberDavid and Kimberly Wynja

* WCS Funds

Thanks To The many people who supporTed whiTinsville chrisTian school in 2013!

THANKS TO THE MANY PEOPLE WHO SUPPORT ED WHITINSVILLE CHRISTIAN SCHOOL IN 2013!

AT THE TIME OF PRINTING, OUR CAPITAL CAMPAIGN TOTAL WAS MORE THAN $2.82 MILLION OF THE TOTAL COST OF $4.9 MILLION FOR THE LIBRARY MEDIA CENTER SS

. . . The torrent struck . . .

26

Enrollment – Get the word out!

Private school marketing and enrollment expert Rick Newberry says Word of Mouth Marketing, or WOM, is essential in promoting school growth and sustainability. In the WCS Advancement area, this has been a growing effort to which we have committed a lot of thought and time. One of the products Rick suggested works very well in WOM efforts is an infographic, which he outlined in his August 19, 2013 blog post.

Our Advancement team began creating its own infographic, which can be seen on the following page. As mentioned, the infographic is used to highlight many of the aspects of WCS that are attractive to potential students and their families. A number of parents have taken many info-graphic sheets into their communities, and we encourage additional members of the WCS community to do the same, increasing our WOM reach.

We’ve also created a new Admissions Brochure to market WCS to prospective feeder schools, churches, families and more—please pick up our material if you feel there’s a family who would benefit.

Ads have appeared in digital media, above.

Our new admissions brochure

27

This marketing piece, called an infographic, is used to highlight many of the aspects of WCS that are important to potential students and their families.

We’re also making a concerted effort to reach further into surrounding communities and schools, and Admissions Coordinator Dennis Epplett is attending a number of high school fairs. Dennis has attended a half dozen high school fairs, held at area K-8 schools, as well as spoken with the 8th graders of an addi-tional K-8 school during one of their class periods. Our new admissions brochure, and our infographic, have been excellent tools in introducing WCS to potential students and their families, since they high-lights us in clear and concise ways. Additional high school fairs and other off campus events are being evaluated and placed on the marketing calendar for potential attendance in the fall of 2014.

Do you know a student or a family that may be candidates to find out more about us? If so, please be in touch with Dennis Epplett at depplett@wcs.mec.edu to discuss ways to reach them

most effectively.

. . . That house . . .

This marketing piece, called an infographic, is used to highlight many of the aspects of WCS that are important to potential students and their families.

We’re also making a concerted effort to reach further into surrounding communities and schools, and Admissions Coordinator Dennis Epplett is attending a number of high school fairs. Dennis has attended a half dozen high school fairs, held at area K-8 schools, as well as spoken with the 8th graders of an addi-tional K-8 school during one of their class periods. Our new admissions brochure, and our infographic, have been excellent tools in introducing WCS to potential students and their families, since they high-lights us in clear and concise ways. Additional high school fairs and other off campus events are being evaluated and placed on the marketing calendar for potential attendance in the fall of 2014.

Do you know a student or a family that may be candidates to find out more about us? If so, please be in touch with Dennis Epplett at depplett@wcs.mec.edu to discuss ways to reach them

most effectively.

. . . That house . . .

28

The WCS Loyalty Fund

Acorns to oaks, within one school

“The things I love about WCS are the personal touches, relationships, and involvement for parents and for students. The open communica-tion with teachers, administration, and even playground helpers keeps me feeling connected to my children and the experience they're having at school. This makes for an important feeling of part-nership with the school.”

A current WCS parent

To attend WCS, and to reach full potential, many students some-time need a little help just to get here. That’s the primary responsi-bility of our Loyalty Fund. The gifts that you give each year to the fund are applied to tuition assistance. Each year, nearly 100 stu-dents receive tuition assistance, with the average award reaching

$1200.

Please help us reach this year’s goal of $150,000, and continue building into the

lives of so many students.

Your gift will truly impact a life!

(A remittance envelope is provided for your convenience)

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Just a few of our students . . . Each is special and amazing, and gifted by God in unique ways. On this page, we intro-

duce you to just a few who have great profiles

. . . But could not shake it . . .

One of our new students this year is 6th grader Haley Scalabrin, who recently moved with her mom and dad from Kansas. She really enjoys Art and History in school, and her favorite is Bible class. She says that she feels that God really listens to her, and that she enjoys studying the history of the Bible as well. Outside school , she loves the Boston pro sports teams, and is involved in dance. A dancer for ten years, she shares her gift with people in nursing homes and with underprivileged children. She has contributed so much in her brief time here, with her special smile and her wonderful nature. Someday she would love to find a cure for cancer. Thanks for coming to WCS, Haley!

Dan Gandek does so much with his life that it’s almost impossible to detail it effec-tively. This senior from Bolton, the youngest of three siblings, is somewhat of a Renaissance Man. He is the #1 golfer on our combined WCS/Northbridge team in the fall, played Captain Von Trapp in our production of the Sound of Music last spring, sings in our choir, is a member of the Boy Scouts of America and hopes to earn his Eagle Scout designation this school year. He was also recently named a National Merit Commended Student, and in his spare time enjoys singing, playing the piano and the guitar, writing music, and golf and skiing. As a student, he enjoys Math (especially Calculus) and Music Composition the most, and hopes to attend the University of Hartford to study Acoustical Engineering and Music. After college, he would love to become a Navy SEAL, or run his own music studio, and write and record his own music in his spare time! Doesn’t he know that there are only 24 hours in a day?

Senior Abby Epplett is a deter-mined young lady, whether focused on homework, practicing the violin or her outstanding running talents, or reading, writing, or drawing. The senior from Uxbridge is well-known in Central MA for cross country and track and field, having earned Tele-gram Super Team honors each of

the past two years. However, she’s just as committed to music, taking part in the WCS orchestra and nu-merous outside music gigs. She was also recom-mended and auditioned for All State Orchestra. She loves English and Art at WCS, and is looking at Am-herst, Wesleyan , Connecticut College, Stonehill, or Wheaton (MA) to study English and Creative Writ-ing, and to use her track and field talents. Her secret ambition is to write a great American novel. She’s just determined enough to do it, we think!

Drew Quercio has a smile that lights up a room, and the 8th grader is also viewed as a serious leader amongst his peers. He’s the younger brother of 12th grader Emma and 9th grader Libby, and lives in Douglas. In the

classroom, his favorite subjects are science and art, and Drew credits his teachers, coach-es and family for impacting him, and provid-ing the majority of instruction that has made him such a great young man. He’s heavily involved in soccer and track and field at WCS, and loves to ski in his free time. One of his favorite aspects of school is the wel-coming and friendly environment of WCS. He enjoys travel, and has visited Hawaii and Alaska.

Photo: Maranto Studios

30

40. Field Day!

39. We have all our special classes - Art, Music, PE, Library

38. Bad words aren’t spoken

37. Sports Program

36. Big gym

35. Wonderful, Nice teachers

34. Fun games to play

33. It’s a Christian school.

32. Friendly people

31. Large playground

30. The Aftercare program - because you can go outside

29. I like that WCS is inviting to alumni and welcomes them back onto staff/faculty.

28. amazing soccer field, track and tennis courts27. Students can get extra help through SAS

26. Opportunities to participate in diverse activities. For example, my son came in here in 7th grade and was able to play on the JV soccer team. He may not have had that opportunity elsewhere. My daughter was able to play volleyball at the HS level even though she is not the most adept athlete.

25. It’s the first thing, the last thing, and everything in between--I love our students! They are the best, from the little, energy packed, inquisitive three-year-old’s to the maturing young men and women in high school. I am especially partial to the Senior Capstone students who have a passion for what they are doing and are willing to be risk takers.

24. An awesome salad bar

23. I LOVE THAT MY SON WHO STRUGGLES IN SCHOOL SAID,” I CAN PARTICIPATE IN CLASS MOM - THE KIDS WON’T MAKE FUN OF ME!” PRAISE GOD HE HAS A PLACE TO BELONG!

22. THE FACT THAT THE PRESENCE AND KNOWLEDGE OF CHRIST THAT PERMEATES THE AIR AT wcs IS PALPABLE.

21. WCS’s Education Causes Its Graduates To Laugh When They Are In College And Assigned A Three Page Paper Due In A Week And Everyone Else Around Them Is Moaning About How Horrible And Impossible It Is . .

20. If I’m allowed to have a second favorite – Dawn Lefrancois

19. The partnership with teachers. It’s very reassuring to feel you’re working as a team to achieve what is best for your child.

18. Mrs. Wiley’s first grade class Mother’s Day Tea. I still have my tissue paper flowers in a vase in my dining room.

17. It gave me a good strong foundation of ethics, morals, and beliefs that carry through today.

16. I had a friend recently state that “children drink up the world with their eyes.” I felt good when dropping off my children at the door of WCS. They would be safe, and their eyes would drink in good role models and the Spirit of Christ in and through their education.

15. Josh Lawson. ‘nuf said.

14. How Godly lessons are interwoven with Church, School, and Home.

13. Apple PIES!!!

12. Love everything about the school, the teachers, staff, and the loving way they care for our children!

11. God and how we can teach our children about our Savior.

10. Kris Woldman VandenAkker’s love for her students and extraordinary leadership skills demonstrated by her teaching and coaching is a definite highlight of WCS.

9. God-centered education that incorporates sports, music, and family involve-ment. I always felt safe and I knew the teachers cared about their students. I now have the 4th generation at WCS.

8. It was my home away from home for 13 years!

7. We have teachers that care about their students. They put time and effort into each one of us.6. Learning to love reading and being rewarded through programs like Pizza and Paperbacks and A.R.

5. Feeling the fall roll in and knowing pie season is upon us

4. Awesome librarians especially in high school

3. The Drama department and all of its performances

2. The intersection of our faith within the loving context of school and woven together by the family.

1.The faculty love the students

79. That I can come back anytime I want and feel as though I never left (without the homework).80. That some of my very best friends are ones I made in high school.

78. That even I can understand math the way the teachers teach it.

77. That we have a wonderful group of teachers and staff that loves Jesus and give all they have to this school and the children that come here.

76. That we have friends that love us.

75. That we have lots of fun in gym.

74. That we learn about God and the Bible.

73. That we have super specials like art and music.

72. That we are safe and can learned lots of fun things.

71. That I can worship God here.

70. That we have wonderful teachers who love us.

69. That we have a wonderful library where we can read funny books.

68. That we learn about Jesus and God.

67. One of the things I have most loved about WCS is the high school prin-cipal! Not only is he an excellent principal with integrity and a great sense of humor, he is also a Godly, mentoring, valued friend!

66. One of the many Christian School blessings is connecting with the wonderful Christian families (community) from various churches but all united in Jesus Christ Our Lord and Saviour.

65. I want to say how much I like the Guidance Department at WCS. I had heard that the college application process was extremely stressful and was not looking forward to it with my oldest son. However the Guidance Department offers several workshops to help parents with the process and Beth Allen was always available to answer questions and give advice. She, and the whole department, really made the process manageable and my son is really happy with his choice.

64. It is easy to make friends at WCS.

63. We get to do fun things like study bugs.

62. I love the Apple Pie Sale...the pies are sooo good!

61. I like the chapels we have here.

60. We have a garden in our playground that we got to plant things in.

59. I like that we recycle at WCS because it is good for the earth.

58. We have fun activities here...I can’t wait for the science fair when I’m in 6th grade! I also heard you get to dissect frogs then too!

57. I like that we get to pray and worship God at WCS.

56. We have a really nice principal.

55. I like that we get to read the Bible at school.

54. We have an awesome playground!

53. I like all the chances you have to play sports here.

52. I love the food!! (hot lunch)

51. We have the best specials classes here.

50. WCS has nice teachers and students

49. The incredible apple pie assembly

48. The Fun Run in the spring47. Marine Biology summer course

46. The ‘top’ thing I like about WCS is the sense community within the body of WCS. No matter how long or short of a time your child has been at WCS, you always feel like you ‘belong’. There are so many ways to connect w/ other families & build lasting relation-ships.

45. High expectations44. Choir tours

43. Strings tours 42. XC trips to Thetford, VT

41. Our principal is amazing!

84. That as an alum, I can now relate to the faculty as peers

85. The Wednesday salad buffet!

83. Seeing how the school continues to grow

82. Seeing the entire school community turn out for drama productions or athletic events.

81. That my kids get to experience the same great school that I did.

Since 1928, Whitinsville Christian School has been offering an incredible brand of Christian education in the Blackstone Valley. In recognition of our 85th year of existence, we asked many members of the WCS community what they liked about

our school. Here’s what they said:

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Events in our community

Calendar of Events December 18 Christmas Concert

December 23-January 3 Christmas Vacation

January 11 Admissions Tours

January 16 Author Gary Schmidt Visit

March 7 All School Suzuki Concert

March 17-21 Spring Break

April 12 WCS Spring Auction

April 18-21 Choir Trip to DC

May 1-3 WCS Drama Production

May 8-9 Elementary Musical

May 15 High School Fine Arts

May 21 Orchestra Concert

May 22 Middle School Showcase

June 9 WCS Annual Golf Outing

June 10 8th Grade Advancement

June 13 Graduation

. . . Because it was well built” . . .

Phone: 508.234.8211 FAX: 508.234.0624 www.whitinsvillechristian.org

Whitinsville Christian School 279 Linwood Ave. Whitinsville, MA 01588

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Support the 2013-14 WCS Loyalty Fund Drive (pp. 28-29)

From acorns . . .

. . . To oaks

Support the 2013-14 WCS LoyaltyFund Drive (pp. 28-29)

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PAIDBILLERICA, MAPERMIT NO. 66