OACS News Service

New OACS executive director Hugo Marcus identifies four key activity areas for provincial association
OACS targets curriculum changes, strong service to members, bolstered partnerships with sister organizations, advocacy
Wednesday January 27, 2010 -- Michelle Strutzenberger
Hugo Marcus, the new executive director of the Ontario Alliance of Christian Schools (OACS) as of Jan. 4, says the provincial association is targeting four key activity areas moving forward.

Addressing curriculum production and distribution is one focus, with the goal of ensuring material is relevant and updated in a more timely fashion, and teachers are engaged with a wider network of colleagues across the province.  

To help facilitate the changes to the curriculum production and distribution, the OACS is working with the Ontario Christian School Teachers Association (OCSTA) to develop professional learning communities.

The alliance is also seeking to strengthen its position as a service provider to member schools, says Marcus, noting that an important step in accomplishing this objective is continuing to enhance relationships with the schools and individuals.

Marcus, director of advancement Ray Hendriks, director of secondary services Gary VanArragon, and secondary programs co-ordinator Leo VanArragon, are in the process of visiting all OACS member schools with a main objective of learning how the alliance can best serve the schools.

The OACS is partnered with several sister organizations, including OCSTA and the Ontario Christian School Administrators Association (OCSAA). Continuing to build on those relationships will be another important focus for the upcoming year, says Marcus.

As it has in the past, the alliance will also be seeking to advocate to policy-makers for various changes within the independent school sector.

The association is working with other independent school organizations, including the Independent School Association of Ontario, on issues such as reinstating the provision of grants for French instruction in independent schools.

“We want to continue working with other organizations in the independent school sector,” says Marcus, noting change is more possible as the organizations join together in advocating for issues that transcend the focus of the individual groups.

The executive director foresees the No. 1 challenge for the future within the Christian education sector will remain what it has been in the past, ensuring this education remains affordable for families.

A principal for 30-plus years, Marcus joined the OACS in 2006 as the director of curriculum publications. He has also served on the boards of OCSAA and OCSTA, and been involved in many of the committees that drive the work of all three organizations.

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