Is it possible to feel as though we are nearing the end and embarking on a new beginning all at the same time? I hope so, because that is the way that I am feeling these days.

The feeling of nearing the end, I am sure that you can understand. Yesterday, I completed the second draft of the graduate comments that will be read during the ceremony on June 21st. This past week our grade 8 students wrote their exams in Language Arts and Science. They will write Socials and Math next week. Our final day of school is June 25 for students in grades kindergarten to grade 7. It is clear we are coming to the end of another school year, blessed by the Lord.

The new-beginning feeling comes from a few other items. Recently, we completed the internal and external review of our school and came away from those processes affirmed and challenged. Part of my summer work is to analyze the feedback and initiate a plan.

Another part of the new beginning feeling is the technology integration process that is happening in our school. As reported previously, we have received a wonderful financial gift of almost $10,000 from our grandparents to further the installation of Bright Link systems in our classrooms. The Bright Link systems will be installed in our junior classrooms this summer. Last weekend, we also receive a significant upgrade to our server infrastructure that will allow us to accommodate many more devices.

In addition, TechnoKids personnel and our Vice Principal in charge of curriculum, Mrs. Schuurman have been meeting to talk about the beginning stages of a BYOD (Bring You Own Devices) policy. Watch this week's video blog for an interview with Mrs. Schuurman to find out some more details.

So as we experience the last part of June, feel free to think about an ending, but also be sure to think about the new beginnings of a summer break, a new school year, and our new initiatives. May the Lord bless you and your family as you reflect and plan!

In Christ,
Mr. G. Petrusma
Principal

When I was young, my dad would make me pick up the many pine cones that fell on our lawn. Our home in Georgetown seemed to have 500 pine trees that all dropped at least 700 cones each! When you are young it seems as though the request is unreasonable and takes forever to complete. Truth be told, the reasonable job that my father asked of me was closer to one pine tree with about 50 pine cones.

That experience, however, taught me that I needed to do my part in helping to maintain the property, and I didn't need to expect payment. I was a forced "volunteer" because my dad knew that completing the job would cause me to contribute to the family. I am very thankful today.

As I write this, it is the day after the membership meeting, and I am very thankful for the many volunteers who serve our society well. Yesterday, we recognized the years of service that our retiring board members have put into the school. Dean Hiebert, Mark Stubbert, Martin Smit, and Steve Vournakis have all served the school very well. It was a great time of acknowledging the many hours that each has contributed to the life of John Knox Christian School.

A couple of years ago, a committee developed our present day G.I.F.T.S. volunteer program. That program requires people to "volunteer" to complete a task as outlined in the G.I.F.T.S. catalogue for the school year. It is a great program that promotes ownership in the school and develops a community feel to JKCS. I am also thankful for each family who has taken ownership of a certain area of our school and completed a task to help out. "As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another, as good stewards of God's varied grace" (1Peter 4:10). Many of you have used your gift to serve one another.

Thanks for your help this year! You made our school a better place! Watch this week's video blog to watch a personal thank you from me to you and to find out the process of signing up to help out in the next school year. We look forward to working with some more servant hearts next year.

In Christ,

Mr. G. Petrusma
Principal

When I was young and living under the great modeling and tutelage of my parents, we established many routines and traditions that I fondly remember. One of those traditions was that after every Sunday morning service we were either going to someone's house for a visit or someone was coming to visit us.

That tradition promoted a sense of Christian community within my home church, and I was taught to play with children of different ages and different interests. I look on that time in my life as formative in dealing with various kinds of people and establishing a welcoming environment in our home.

This past week, we welcomed three visitors to our school. Mrs. Gerritsma, Mr. Teeuwsen, and Mr. Timmerman came to our school on behalf of the Ontario Alliance of Christian Schools to look at many different aspects of who John Knox is today. Check out this week's video blog to meet them and find out the process that they followed.

One thing that I would like to share with you as community is how impressed they were with the friendly nature of our students. Without prompting, these adults shared with me how a number of our students would stop and welcome them to our school through a handshake and/or a kind word.

I believe that is a visible sign of the Spirit of the Lord living in this place. We have worked hard to unpack what our Bible verses mean for us in our daily living. "I am the vine, you are the branches; if a man remains in me and I in him, he will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing" (John 15:5). The fruit of hospitality has reached our students. I am thankful to the Lord! Please join me in encouraging your students to warmly extend the love of Jesus to others. Praise God!

In Christ,

Mr. G. Petrusma
Principal

"Don't forget your toothbrush."
"How about your camera?
"A Journal? "

Perhaps these are some of the things that parents have reminded their child to pack as they got their things together for the long-awaited, highly anticipated Grade 7 and 8 Ottawa trip. For students, it's so exciting to go on a trip with a bunch of friends, touring an exciting city and stepping away from home and claiming a bit of independence for three short days!

Speaking as a parent and watching the kids leave the school property at 7:04am Wednesday morning, made me just a teeny bit sentimental and reflective on the days when we could pick up our younger (and lighter) children wherever we wanted or needed.

Whether it is a small trip down a suburban road, a three-day city excursion with the class, or a year-long backpacking trek through the countryside, it is as if we are all on a journey. This journey might require of us two questions for appropriate planning: Where are we going? How prepared are we for our trip?

On one level, these questions could be answered by students who are about to graduate from JKCS. What high school will they attend next September as they head into next four years, and what lessons do they remember from JKCS as they venture into new territory? Yes, this is, in fact, their journey.

On another level, life is a journey, filled with ups and downs and various contours that add to the landscape of our experience. There are road signs and ramps, telling us where to get on and where to exit, should we choose to eventually arrive at our destination (or like me, pick the "scenic route"). But sometimes, the trail is too difficult to bear alone. And sometimes, we do not know where the path is heading, even though the map and compass are in hand.

But here's the best part: wouldn't it be the best thing in the whole wide world if our kids were as well trained as they could be for the journey? Could they be equipped as best as humanly possible to see God's beauty with the eyes of grace, listen with ears of empathy, work with hands of hope, walk with witness, speak with sincerity, and experience emotions with joy and compassion? Could we instill in our children the gift of celebrating with those who celebrate and mourn with those who mourn, knowing that in Christ alone our hope is found?

Regardless of destination, we pray that our children know without the slightest doubt that they have been prepared for the journey with faith, hope and love. This journey is not in vain, but that the Triune God is their protective Father, their truest Companion and deepest Comforter. When life's roads lead in what seems like a direction-less pathway, we see this God - our God - who takes us by the hand and never leaves us but leads us to green pastures, forever.

As we all continue on our journey in community, let us not forget take care of ourselves and each other as we enjoy the scenery and carve out time to journal along the way. So, don't forget to pack your tooth brush, your camera and your journal for the trip!

Submitted by Patty Schuurman as George Petrusma travels to Ottawa with our Gr. 7 and 8 students.

Recently, I attended a Leadership Summit held at Toronto District Christian High School. I had the privilege of sitting together with administrators, teachers, and board members from a variety of Christian schools around the province.

The purpose of the event was to hear from a number of people who have thought deeply about leadership and hear their thoughts via a live stream from the main event stationed in Atlanta, Georgia. This streamed event allowed 120,000 people to listen to these words of wisdom. I heard many great thoughts that will allow me to inform the work that I do here at John Knox.

Allow me to share with you a couple of the perspectives that I heard, and that you may find it helpful in your own life. In addition, it will give you an idea of what I am trying to do in an effort to learn, be encouraged, and try to improve the way that I am completing the role of principal.

Under the theme of "Simply Lead" the speakers challenged us to move from complexity to simplicity. Andy Stanley encouraged us to ask ourselves and our employees three main questions: 1. What are we doing? 2. Why are we doing it? 3. Where do I fit in?

These three questions resonated with me because there are times when I feel myself talking too much. These questions help any leader focus on what is important in a simple and direct manner. He illustrated this point by sharing a story of how a hotel-chain CEO had composed a short, one-sentence job description for each of his employees. The bell hops and the room cleaners had a job description of "We are ladies and gentlemen taking care of ladies and gentlemen." That is an example of a short job description that makes a comment on the employee and the customer and the level to which each must aspire. I like that.

Watch this week's video blog for an explanation of some more good advice given by one of the speakers.

We are not far away from our own Strategic Planning session using the input received from the community in May 2012 and the external review we are about to have on May 28 and 29. I look forward to the process of asking ourselves those three questions and others. May the Lord bless and guide as we continue to make this place the best it can be!

In Christ,

Mr. G. Petrusma
Principal