Core Values

Linden Christian

School:

A biblically-based

learning community

where students grow

to be devoted

followers of Christ,

insightful thinkers,

discerning decision-

makers, and

compassionate

community members.

A Christ-centred

education based on a

biblical worldview;

A commitment to

excellence and the

development of Godly

character;

A safe, caring

learning environment

that focuses on the

whole person;

Equipping students to

serve in the local and

global community.

Vision

JUNE 2019

Linden L E T T E R

A Publication of Linden Christian School

When I reflect on the scope of activities and learning that has occurred at Linden Christian School over the past year, I am encouraged. Our accomplishments have been realized because of the dedicated efforts of people who daily use their gifts to advance the vision of the school. As this school year draws to a conclusion, there is much to be thankful for.

Leading a school with a commitment to excellence in all areas can only be achieved with a devoted team that is passionate about fulfilling our Mission and Vision.

I am thankful for the contributions from our teachers, staff, students and families--together we have made this a tremendous year.

I am thankful to see God at work in advancing His purposes in His perfect timing. Everything achieved--from the opening of the new science lab, outstanding achievements in our Academic, Performing Arts and Athletic programs, and most importantly, biblical truth learned alongside the curriculum--is because of God’s blessing.

I am thankful to be part of a community marked by love, joy and hope. I am thankful that our school is committed to providing a Christ-centred education based on the truth of God’s Word. Most importantly, I am thankful that we have been blessed by God’s leading and provision.

I look forward to seeing what God has planned for Linden Christian School in the days ahead. Robert Charach

Principal and CEO

T H E G I F T O F C O M M U N I T Y

L O V E , J O Y & S P O N S O R S H I P AT F U N D R A I S I N G B A N Q U E T

Grade 2 students annually anticipate the “Fairy Tale Ball”

Thank you to the many people who came out to support Linden and to raise money for our Bursary Funds. It was a wonderful evening with alumni reflections, student performances and a delicious dinner.

A special thank you to the sponsors of this year’s banquet:

Sponsors of Two or More Tables: Allco Electrical Ltd. Assiniboine Credit Union DLUX Design Golden Heating and Cooling J & R Tile Dave Kramer, Royal LePage Brent Kroeker, IG Wealth Management Wallace and Wallace Individual Table Sponsors: Accent Learning Environments Affinity Architecture Inc. Ruban Insurance Brokers Dornn Eye Care & Optical Gallery Fast Insurance John and Donna Friesen Gallagher Group Benefits Rob Kirton, Carberry International In Kind Gifts: Bergmann’s on Lombard Flamingo Design Regehr’s Printing Ltd.

A L U M N I R E F L E C T I O N S D r e w M a r t i n , S a r a W o l o w i c h a n d D a v i d E n n s

Alumni shared and reflected on their time at

Linden at our Annual Fundraising Banquet.

Guests enjoyed hearing about the impact

Linden Christian School had on their lives.

Thank you for sharing your stories…

Drew Martin, Class of 2010 Sara Wolowich, Class of 2014

David Enns, Class of 2015

T E N Y E A R R E U N I O N C l a s s o f 2 0 0 9 W a l k s D o w n M e m o r y L a n e

The 10 year reunion for the LCS Class of 2009 took place on June 1. It was a wonderful opportunity for classmates to reconnect, along with many of their spouses. Teachers in attendance included Bruce Bartel, Nick Janzen, Matt Janzen and Darryl Rempel. The reunion was also joined by former teacher Alison Charach and Principal Robert Charach. There have been many changes to the building since the Class of ‘09 graduated. Everyone enjoyed a tour of the new additions to the school, including the northeast wing with the new band room, art room and choir room, the playscape, as well as the renovated/expanded library (including “green” room) and recently completed science lab. Thank you to alumni Danica Hughes, Laura Kasdorf and Brenda Charach for organizing this special event. Thank you also to organizing teachers—Nick Janzen, Matt Janzen and Darryl Rempel.

Class of 2019

Ben A. Steven A. Jaida A. Justin A. Sarah A. Maximus A. Kaylyn B.

Justin B. Capri B. Andrew C. Shaylee B. Madison B. Micah B. Kealan B.

Olivia C. Angelina C. Brady D. Micah D. Nathan C. Everett D. Seyeon C.

Krista D. Grete D. Taylor D. Adrielle D. William D. Camryn D. Kye D.

Dylan G. Alexandra F. Shelby G. Riley G. Seth G. Sarah E. Noah H.

Addison H. Cole H. Magnolia H. Briana H. Lindsay H. Jo H. Sandy I.

Michelle K. Ethan K. Aden K-D. Dorina K. Bill J. Braedon K. David K.

Education Built on Relationships

Class of 2019

Michael L. Riley M. Minyssa M. Casdon M. Mackenzie M. Piper N. Dara N.

Luke P. Miranda P. Joel P. Maria R. Abby P. Cadence P. Carlton R.

Dylan R. Sanjana S. Simran S. Massis S. Noah R. Daniel R. Dorrian S.

Gillian S. Lexie T. Ethan S. Carmen T. Alexis S. Isabelle S. Anna T.

Nathanael T. Ben W. Jane T. Ethan V. Luke W. Abigail W. Silas W.

Alyssa W. Alysha W. Honghan Z. Sierra W. Jay W. Lindsay W. Josh W.

B L A K E M a c K AY A l u m n u s P r o f i l e , C l a s s o f 2 0 0 9

Though he’s ten years removed from attending Linden Christian School, that hasn’t diminished the impact the school had on Blake MacKay’s life. MacKay says he’s happy his parents – who initially enrolled his brother in public school - ultimately chose LCS.

“My brother was at another school, but after seeing the positive effect that LCS had on my education, decided to have both of us attend LCS,” he recalls. “Even though there was a cost associated with sending us to LCS, both my parents and grandparents agreed the cost was well worth it.”

MacKay says the Christ-centered education he received from Kindergarten to Grade 12 played a central role in molding him into the person he is today. “The values that Christ modeled are rooted into the curriculum and everything you do at LCS. Christ’s values are everywhere – in classes; in the activities you do.”

A prime example of how those Christian values were woven into the curriculum was math class, says MacKay. “Our teachers actually talked about tithing – how we were to test God, and that it was a tool for advancing the Kingdom. It was cool how the topic was integrated into class. Not only that, but God was brought into every aspect of school.”

At the same time, the environment at LCS – calm, stable, nurturing yet challenging – was empowering. “I felt safe and comfortable,” says MacKay, who attended LCS from Kindergarten to Grade 12. “Staff turnover was low, so we got to know our teachers. Classes were also smaller, which helped with our studies. And because we were able to follow along with the same group of students from year to year, a lot of us became good friends.”

Then there were the teachers, who modeled Christ in how they treated each student. “Our teachers took a profound interest in our spiritual, personal and academic growth – it was something you could sense, even at a young age,” he says. “They encouraged us to push further and supported us through the process. It helps your gifts come to the surface.”

In MacKay’s case, his teachers were gifted at identifying his gifts – gifts that were pinpointed by the time he was in junior high (Grades 7 and 8). “They said I had some real strengths in science and encouraged me to develop those strengths. It turned out that they were right.”

After graduating from LCS in 2009, MacKay enrolled at the University of Winnipeg to study science and biochemistry.

Four years later, he gained entrance into the University of Manitoba’s Faculty of Medicine after graduating at the top of his class with two gold medals – and an entrance scholarship. MacKay then graduated from the Faculty of Medicine after another four years of studies. He has just completed his residency at the Northern Ontario School of Medicine in North Bay, Ontario, where he lives with his wife Jenny, who also happens to be a doctor.

At age 28, the former triathlete is poised to use his medical skills for the betterment of the Kingdom. “I’m in family medicine right now, but my focus is likely going to be on sport, family and emergency medicine,” he says. “I also have an interest in serving First Nations and remote communities. I was just up in Sioux Lookout, and the work was empowering and rewarding.”

Not one to shy away from a challenge, Blake is presently preparing to go with Jenny to Cape Town, South Africa. “We’re going there to get some firsthand experience in high-volume trauma and resuscitation,” he says. “We hope to bring these skills back to the emergency centres of Northern Ontario, where patients are typically far away from tertiary care.” Although there’s plenty of adventure in the offing, MacKay says he isn’t stressed in the least. After all, God is in control.

“We’re just going to submit to God and see where He takes us,” says Blake. “As I learned at LCS, God is rooted in everything you do. He has our best interests at heart, so I’m not stressed or worried – I’m excited.” As he looks at all the possibilities in front of him, MacKay says his goals are simple. He aspires to set up a practice in a rural setting, help First Nation communities, start a Christian medical community (wherever he and Jenny put down roots), start a home church and – of course – start a family.

With all those challenges ahead, MacKay says he’s thankful for the solid, Christ-centred foundation that was laid at LCS. “I owe a lot of thanks to my teachers, the staff at LCS and God,” he says. At LCS, I learned how to behave in a Christ-like manner on a daily basis, and developed a love for people, things that are benefitting me now in medicine. I can’t thank them enough.”

Todd Lewys—Freelance Writer

Currently in family medicine, MacKay plans to focus on sport,

family and emergency medicine. He is excited about serving

C H A N T E L L E B Y R N E S A l u m n a ( C l a s s o f 2 0 0 4 ) , S t a f f a n d L C S P a r e n t

Chantelle Byrnes vividly recalls her first day attending Linden Christian School back in the late nineties.

“As you might imagine, I had that type of nervousness you get when you start anything new,” she says, noting that she had been home schooled up to Grade 4. “There I was, starting Grade 5 in a new school, and a girl named Laura Jane came bounding up to me and asked me to be her friend.” Having a friend right away not only put Chantelle at ease – Byrnes has remained friends with Laura Jane to this day, incidentally – but also proved to be a positive precursor of what was to come at LCS.

“I didn’t really know what to expect,” she says. “I hadn’t been in a classroom environment, so I just hoped that I’d fit in. It really helped that my classmates and teachers were very friendly. The welcoming environment definitely had a calming effect on me.”

That calming environment proved to be balm to the soul for a young person searching for acceptance and guidance. Byrnes says her teachers went beyond the normal call of duty to create a fostering, friendly environment. “I had Mrs. Haberman for half of Grade 5 and all of Grade 6,” says Byrnes. “She was amazing and really connected well with her students. Again, she had such a friendly, calming effect on us.”

She adds that the loving, supportive environment promoted at Linden really helped her flourish as a student and person. “There’s a calmness and peace that comes from being in such an environment. It really built me up as a young person and gave me more confidence.”

Byrnes says she knows exactly where that calm feeling of assurance came from, both in good and challenging times. “Looking back, no one’s life is perfect. But at LCS, God was at the center of everything, so no matter what was happening in your life, you could pray and find God. That’s where the calmness comes from. With God at the center, I knew my parents, church community and my teachers were with me. That knowledge really builds into your spiritual formation.”

Above all, the connections that teachers intentionally developed with students were priceless. “Mrs. Haberman actually invited us all (students in her class) to her wedding ceremony – something we all loved. A lot of my teachers also made the effort to make connections outside the classroom.”

That sense of connection is what makes Linden so special and is what brings alumni back, says Byrnes. “That piece of connection to the LCS community is what led me and my husband Jeremy to want to enroll our children here,” says Linden’s current high school resource teacher. “My daughter is now attending Kindergarten at LCS.”

Byrnes says her confidence in Linden is derived from the knowledge that everyone at the school genuinely cares about her child. “I have a lot of confidence in what my daughter is going to receive because I know the quality of the people I work with. I know that everyone cares deeply, has high standards, and that they will hold her to those high standards.”

Not surprisingly, Chantelle’s daughter is loving everything about attending Kindergarten at LCS. “Her teachers have really made a point of developing a relationship with her. It’s clear that she feels valued and affirmed.”

That intentional commitment to fostering relationships, building up children – and using the living word of God in every aspect of school life – is what makes Linden Christian School stand out, concludes Byrnes, 33, who graduated from LCS in 2004.

“As parents, we feel that we’re partnering with people and an organization that we trust. All of us are grounded in the Bible, which connects the whole school as a community. I want truth spoken into my daughter’s life from a Christian perspective and for her to be built up in a supportive, loving environment. I know that will happen at Linden because of my experience.” Todd Lewys—Freelance Writer

Byrnes is employed at Linden Christian School as a SY Resource teacher

(pictured above with daughter Rayna)

Education Built on Relationships

LINDEN CHRISTIAN SCHOOL

877 Wilkes Avenue, Winnipeg, MB R3P 1B8 | 204.989.6730 | info@lindenchristian.org www.lindenchristian.org

LCS Mission

With a commitment to excellence, Linden Christian School provides a Christ-centred education that equips students to love and serve God.

S I G N I F I C A N T D AT E S F O R 2 0 1 9 - 2 0 2 0

To those looking for a faith community, we invite you to visit Grant Memorial Church.

Please note Grant Memorial will be holding one service beginning

June 23 through September 15 at 10:15 am.

Find summer events by visiting

grantmemorial.ca/events

S TA F F F A R E W E L L S

First Day of School for Students - Wednesday, September 4, 2019

Thanksgiving - Monday, October 14, 2019 - No School

SAGE - Friday, October 25, 2019 - No School

K-12 Evaluation Day—Friday, November 8, 2019 - No School

Remembrance Day - Monday, November 11, 2019 - No School

Last Day of Classes before Christmas Break - Friday, December 20, 2019

School Resumes - Monday, January 6, 2020

ASCI PD Day—Friday, February 14, 2020—No School

Louis Riel Day - Monday, February 17, 2020 - No School

Admin PD Day, Friday, March 27, 2020 - No School

Spring Break - Monday, March 30 - Friday, April 3, 2020

Good Friday - Friday, April 10, 2020 - No School

Easter Monday - Monday, April 13, 2020 - No School

Victoria Day - Monday, May 18, 2020 - No School

Last Day of School for EY/MY Students (2:30 pm Early Dismissal Applies) - Friday, June 26, 2020

The following staff will be concluding their time with Linden Christian at the end of this school year. We deeply appreciate their contributions to our school community during their time with us and pray for God’s blessing as they embark on other opportunities.

EY French Teacher Carol Hall, MY Teacher Amy Hodges Educational Assistants: Danielle Dewitt, Julie Dueck, Darcie Klassen, Jacoba Krul, Laurie Lamb, Keri Ramsdale

and Suzanne Wright MY Spiritual Care Coordinator Jonathan van Leeuwen IT Technicians Jared Esser, Kenton McLeod and Collin Nickel