The Link Newsletter
The Link is our quarterly newsletter for staff, board and committee members. If you would like to subscribe to receive the print version of The Link, please send us an email.
February 2010
Articles in this Issue:
I remember the excitement I felt signing my first Christian school teaching contract as a keen, single, and not yet 22-year-old. My financial concerns at the time were whether or not my annual salary of $12,000 would allow me to pay off my student loans, cover my rent, keep my car on the road, save for a wedding, and afford a down payment and mortgage payments on a home I hoped to purchase some day. To be honest, I paid little to no attention to the pension benefits that were part of my "Compensation Package". After all, I was just beginning my career in Christian education and retirement was 40-plus years away. read more
Bucking the Trend
by John Vegt, SCSBC Director of Finance
Christian schools in BC are experiencing changing enrollment dynamics. In the 1950’s, schools were populated with students from large immigrant families. Immigrant children started their own families in the 1970’s and later; usually these were smaller families but still with enough children to keep our schools growing. Then, Christians from Asia and many from various denominations in Canada embraced Christian schools and added many more students. read more
Update from Christian Stewardship Services
by Gerry Ebbers, SCSBC Consultant for Stewardship and Development
We’ve all heard the phrase, “hindsight is 20-20.” Considering the economic challenges that many schools faced during the recent economic meltdown, news from Christian Stewardship Services on how they intend to assist their partners with planned giving and the establishment of an endowment fund is welcome. Schools with endowment funds can weather economic storms by drawing on these reserves to meet budget shortfalls when income drops because of lower-than-expected government grants or unforeseen declines in enrollment. read more
Kindergarten Choices
by Joanne den Boer, SCSBC Director of Learning
Freedom of choice – this is one of the blessings of living in a democracy. As a Christian community we cherish the right and privilege to make choices in our Canadian society. Although we believe parents are the primary educators of their children (Deuteronomy 6:7), one of the most important choices parents make is when to send their child to school, and where. Many Christian parents partner with a Christian school that offers an educational program taught from a biblical framework, one that reflects the values in their homes. read more
Inform and Invite
by Marlene Bylenga, SCSBC International Education Coordinator
At this time of the year school boards are already making plans for the upcoming school year. Budgets and staffing are directly affected by student numbers necessitating advertising, open houses and increasing the visibility of our International Student programs.
Recently, I have met international parents who did not have access to information regarding Christian schools in their home countries. read more
