Orangeville Christian School participates in the community
Good neighbour campaign in full swing
Wednesday, April 18, 2007 -- Jennifer Higgs
Spring is a busy time for Orangeville Christian School (OCS) as staff
and students participate in a variety of community events.
And this year, the elementary school has a lot of new initiatives.
Principal Henry Lise explains the many ways OCS creates community
awareness.
One new event this year is a Pastor's Chapel. The students sent
invitations to their pastors for a service at the school. Pastors from Orangeville and the surrounding towns are the guests of honour at the
appreciation event.
"It's a time the pastors can just come and be ministered to, for a
change," says Lise. "That's probably something we'll do every year."
This year, OCS hosted the local Independent School Showcase. The
evening featured presentations from independent schools in the area.
From skits to songs, Lise says it is a time to display something from
the school.
Lise says the school band plays at the event, and the kindergarten
class sings. Families have transferred in from the other independent
schools as a result of the evening, says Lise.
"We have a fairly large gym, and it just gets jammed full," he says.
During the first week in May, the school participates in the Dufferin
Youth Festival of the Arts, held at Orangeville Baptist Church. "And
all the schools, separate, public, independent are all invited,"
says Lise. "It is all week, so every morning that church is
practically filled."
This year, Lise was asked to give the opening remarks. "That just
gives us more presence in the community," he says.
OCS is planning its first summer school this year, with a combination
of academics and sports. "It will be in a Christian atmosphere, but
anyone in the community will be encouraged to come," says Lise.
He says this year they hope to have enough students to make the summer
school a success. The school, which welcomes international students,
expects five participants from Korea.
Past events at OCS have shown their community involvement. During the
last provincial election, the school hosted all the local candidates.
Students in Grades 5 to 8 met with the politicians and had the chance
to ask questions.
These events are part of the Good Neighbour Campaign, which is
happening across the province in member schools of the Ontario
Alliance of Christian Schools (OACS). The campaign is designed to
increase community involvement through random acts of kindness.
"I think it's an excellent, just to create community awareness," says Lise.
More information about OCS can be found at
http://www.orangevillechristianschool.com/
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