TOGETHER 2024
Dear Parents, Guardians, and Friends,
“It’s great that the library is open all the time,” says Grade 7 student Victoria K. “I heard from my brother and sister that it wasn’t last year. I cannot live without the library!”
For the first time since opening our new secondary campus, the school library is available for student use every school day, all day. Due to budget constraints and the need to focus on building up resources for all spaces at the new campus, our library only had capacity part time. Now the doors are wide open and students like Victoria are celebrating.
“I volunteer every Tuesday after school,” explains Victoria. “I help shelve books and I often find ones that I want to read. Mrs. Davis lets me have more than the limit of books at a time because I need more books to read.”
Mrs. Michelle Davis joined JKCS this year as our new full-time teacher-librarian. An avid reader and library space user growing up, Mrs. Davis is helping to shape our library for learning, collaboration and academics. “It is my goal to get our students using quality platforms like Britannica Online and NoodleTools–resources that will cultivate strong research skills, so that our students are prepared post secondary to do what they need to do.”
For Grade 12 student Cecilia Y., who wants to study actuarial sciences when she graduates, this is key. “It requires a lot of statistics and knowing a bunch of calculations to figure out risk percentages,” she explains. “But I’m interested in math, so I think it’s pretty fun.”
Earlier this fall Cecilia was tasked with writing a persuasive essay on the topic of culture. “When I finished my essay, Mrs. Davis helped me check over my in-text citations and my works cited page. There were a few citations where I didn’t use NoodleTools and Mrs. Davis could see that it was wrong, so she just helped me correct it,” she says.
Mrs. Davis is also enhancing the Learning Commons space within the library that includes a MakerSpace. “The Learning Commons maintains everything we cherish about the traditional library, while also providing a dedicated physical space where students can build or invent things—with LEGO and other material—while thinking creatively and tackling unique problems.”
Over at our elementary campus, the school library continues to be an important space for developing literacy and reading comprehension among our younger students. Reading Buddies, a program run across grades, is something Grade 3 student Avery S. looks forward to every week.
“I like reading to my buddy,” says Avery. “She says, ‘What is this?’, I get to explain, and then she says, ‘I get it now.’ Also I can help my buddy choose a book or make a decision. My buddy likes Gerald and Piggie (Elephant and Piggie), which is the most beloved Kindergarten book.”
Librarian Mrs. Ruth Flannigan, who is one of three librarians serving our elementary campus, loves sharing the gift of storytelling with our students and believes the library should be a welcoming place. “When students come here, there are never any tests. They’re not told, ‘You must read this.’ There’s so much choice,” she says. “And students often will say, ‘Have you got a recommendation for me?’ And one of our team or another student will go to the shelves with them and point out different books which might appeal.”
Physically reading off of print is different from reading off of screens and is necessary for brain development–that’s why the focus at our library is to get books into hands. “It’s a place of discovery,” explains Mrs. Flannigan, “It’s a place where we hope to be able to provide books that spark and develop an interest.”
This Christmas, let’s make an investment in our secondary and elementary libraries. Will you give generously towards creating lifelong learners and lifelong readers?
The Learning Commons and MakerSpace in our secondary library needs outfitting with building and design supplies, and the print and digital resources need updating. The fiction and non-fiction collections in our elementary library require a refresh, and the space needs modernizing with new shelves and furnishings.
Together, we can make our libraries more vibrant and dynamic than ever before!
20% of funds raised will go directly towards our libraries. We will also put funds towards strengthening our financial position as we continue to create a bright future for our school.
Thank you for joining me in inspiring the next generation of readers!
In Christ,
Dr. David Ward
Superintendent, John Knox Christian School
Yes! I/we want to support Christian education at JKCS!
Ways to Give:
- Cheque (payable to John Knox Christian School)
- Online via credit card: Visit johnknoxbc.org/donate
- Pre Authorized Payment (PAP). Please email development@johnknoxbc.org or call 604.522.1410
Charitable Registration no. 106920119RR0001