OACS News Service

Heartfelt conversations linked to expanding Scugog school community
‘We came to see a school, and we were embraced by a community,’ new parents say
Wednesday March 6, 2013 -- Michelle Strutzenberger
Scugog Christian School in Port Perry is seeing an uptick in interest.

“I would say Scugog is in an upturn,” principal Mike Vanderboor tells OACS News.

“We’re starting to have more people in the community noticing that we’re here.”

Six new families joined the school this past year.

Vanderboor links some of this interest to some new one-to-one conversations that have been happening.

Last September the school of about 50 families introduced an intentional way to share its story and build its community.

Families were invited to learn how to start conversations about the school by simply sharing what they appreciate about it. They were also invited to think of just one other family to whom they could begin telling their stories.

“There’s no confrontation in it because you’re just sharing from your heart.”

The school also created simple materials such as postcards highlighting a strength or offering of the school, that families could pass on.

Later in the year a potluck and movie showing was held to bring people together as a community.

The majority of attending families turned out for the gathering; some brought friends and acquaintances. An open house took place on the same evening, which meant other families were also touring the school.

The mix resulted in surprising connections being made, as people saw friends and acquaintances they didn’t know were connected to the school. Current families also took it upon themselves to ensure conversations were warm and welcoming.

“We came in expecting to see a school and we were immediately embraced by a community.” This is the feedback Vanderboor says he had from a number of families who went on to enrol. Several of these families were the same ones with whom current families had shared their heartfelt stories of appreciation for the school.

“I think the community here is one of the key things that keeps our school going,” the principal says.

“In some ways our schools are pushing to become more business oriented, which I think is very important, but we also have to bring in that community sense and find balance between the financial (concerns) and the Christian community.”

Scugog Christian School celebrates 25 years in May.

Continued growth is important to its future wellbeing, Vanderboor says, noting that to balance the budgets either tuition or the size of the community has to increase, so the latter will continue to be a focus.

To learn more, contact Vanderboor at scugogchristianschool@powergate.ca.

You can comment on this story below, or e-mail michelle(at)axiomnews.ca.