Come & See The Difference
At Elora Road Christian School, we strive to offer students a rigorous, quality education in a Christ-filled atmosphere of love and caring. We live in a continually changing world where families are finding it more difficult to find a safe environment for their children’s educational needs and Christian growth and development. We believe in creating a partnership between the home and school that allows students to flourish and achieve success.
Elora Road Christian School fosters independence, confidence, critical thinking abilities and creativity in a warm and welcoming environment. Our hands-on, ‘whole child’ approach supports each student’s unique qualities and individual learning style for a learning experience that’s compelling, effective and fun!
The Principal’s Message
Principal
Welcome to Elora Road Christian School! ERCS offers a high-quality academic and social-emotional education and a safe environment where character development is key.
Our focus on service to others both inside and outside the walls of the school makes ERCS a great place to learn and grow. As a parent of three children who attended ERCS, a 10-year ERCS grade 7/8 teacher, and administrator for the past 6 years, I have experienced first-hand the difference a safe, loving, and nurturing environment can make in the life of a child.
At ERCS we believe that each child is uniquely created by God and we focus on helping each child reach their innate potential. This is accomplished through our Responsive Classroom pedagogy, gifted and caring teachers, strong academic program, and many extra-curricular opportunities. We would love to meet with you and discover how ERCS can help your child reach their full God-given potential.
Please contact us regarding availability for your child, and to schedule your personal tour of our school. We will be happy to answer your questions and provide additional information about our educational programs.
Kind regards,
Cindy Westendorp, Principal
Our History
Forty years ago, a group of families from Elora Road Christian Fellowship felt a growing desire to see the church, family, and school speak with one voice into the lives of their children. By sharing space with and building onto the existing church, they were able to open Elora Road Christian School in 1981. What began as a kindergarten to grade 12 school for ERCF families has evolved through the years into a JK to Grade 8 school for all area families who desire an excellent education for their children in an environment that focuses on Christian growth and development. Elora Road presently serves approximately forty families and eighty students from many different church backgrounds.
Our Curriculum
Our curriculum focuses on developing a high proficiency level in math and literacy and developing collaboration, problem-solving, and critical thinking skills. Our Responsive Classroom pedagogy aids in this process by creating an environment of inclusivity, teaching social-emotional skills, and providing consistency in classroom discipline and teacher language in each class. Students begin French, music and art classes in grade 1 and grades 5-8 are given opportunities to learn ukulele and traditional band instruments.
Math
ERCS uses the Singapore Math curriculum to develop a deep understanding of math concepts and proficiency in basic and increasingly advanced mathematical skills.
Writing & Literature
Using the Learning Without Tears curriculum, students in JK-Grade 4 work on printing, cursive writing and keyboarding skills. Through the years, our students learn a variety of different writing styles, including journaling, poetry, creative fiction, essays, and speech writing. Each class studies an assortment of novels, short stories, poems and other types of reading material.
Science
Students learn about the scientific world in many ways, including experimentation, group work, hands-on projects and Scholastic and Pearson texts. Students are exposed to the majority of units covered in the Ontario Curriculum as well as other units of interest including chemistry and genetics.
Bible
Christian growth and development is part of the academic curriculum for all students in grades JK to 8. Students learn about God and the Bible through stories, scripture memorization, application lessons and in class discussions. Our weekly chapel time reinforces the lessons that are taught in class and provide us with an opportunity to join together as a community. No prior Bible knowledge is required to attend ERCS.
Physical Education
All classes participate in physical education classes several times a week. There is also the opportunity to compete in interschool competitions through CAASO. Grade 3 students participate in Swim to Survive, a three-week program to help children learn survival swimming proficiency. Grades 5 to 8 students participate in an annual ski day at Hockley Valley Resort. As well, the whole school participates in monthly skating days throughout the winter months.
Art & Music
All students participate in visual arts classes as part of their core curriculum. Our grade JK to 4 students participate in weekly music classes and have the opportunity to learn to play the bells, chimes, and recorder. For our grade 5 to 8 students, we offer the chance to learn to play a musical instrument such as the ukulele or a band instrument. For more information learn about our Arts Program.
French
French language studies begin in grade 1. We use the AIM Language Learning Curriculum which focuses on developing conversational French speaking, reading, and writing skills. This program is supplemented with French grammar lessons so that students are prepared to continue their French studies in high school.
Social Studies/History/Geography
Students in grades 1 to 6 learn about current and past societies, Canadian geography, and current social issues using the Nelson Social Studies curriculum and other resources. Our grade 7 and 8 students follow the Ontario Curriculum for History and Geography.
Our Staff
Our dedicated and professional staff partners with parents to help students thrive in their educational experience at ERCS. They are active in their own Christian growth and development and work to set an excellent example for our students. All staff continue to participate in ongoing educational experiences.
+ Cindy Westendorp, Principal
Cindy has been part of the Elora Road Christian School community for 17 years. She began as a parent in 2005 and has seen her three children graduate from the school, finish high school, and pursue post-secondary education. In 2007, Cindy began teaching science, physical education, literature, and history to grade 7/8 students and took on the role of Athletic Director. She continued in this role for ten years before becoming principal in 2017. Cindy has a passion for education and seeks to help each student learn in a way that is meaningful to them. She also works hard to create a school environment where each staff, student and parent feels safe, accepted, and supported. She desires that each person who walks through the door of the school experiences the love of God in tangible ways and is motivated to share this love with the rest of the world.
+ Dee Butler, Grade 1/2
Dee has taught kindergarten, grade 1, and 2 for over fourteen years in four different schools. She was also a resource teacher for three years. Dee graduated from the University of Calgary with a Bachelor’s Degree in Education. She considers it a privilege to teach Bible stories to her students and discuss what can be learned from Bible characters. Reading stories and teaching art bring a lot of joy to the classroom for Dee. Seeing students learn to improve in reading and writing is one of Dee’s favourite parts of her job. Dee is married to a wonderful husband and has three amazing grown children. Outside of school, she likes to attend Bible study, read, bake, go out for dinner, ice skate, hike, and relax on the beach.
Her favourite verse is: Philippians 4:6,7
“Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”
+ Adrian Burkhardt, Grade 5/6 and Grade 1-6 French
Adrian is a graduate of the joint Concurrent Education Program combining Wilfred Laurier’s Bachelor’s Degree of Contemporary Studies with a Bachelor’s Degree of Education at Nipissing University. He brings a wide variety of teaching experiences from both 2 years of classroom teaching, and alternative teaching opportunities through tutoring, pastoral care and preaching. He has a love of words and how God’s glory and creativity are reflected through language and stories. He couples this with a love of God’s creation and joy at exploring it. He looks forward to inspiring a wonder for learning and equipping students with problem-solving tools to help them on their learning journey.
At home, Adrian is a grateful follower of Jesus raising his two boys to love Jesus with his wife and wonderful partner Erin. As a family, they love reading together, using their imagination and creativity, playing games and board games, having family movie nights, having campfires, being in nature, and growing their garden. Adrian also enjoys playing soccer, rock climbing, and cooking both in and outdoors. They are a family that seeks to be on mission for God in all areas of life and is committed to doing so as part of their local church Radiant City.
+ Jen Mullet, Music
Jen has been teaching music at ERCS since 2018. She studied music at McMaster University and education at University of Toronto and previously taught high school music. When she isn’t at school, she enjoys spending time with her family.
+ Val Duimering, Student Support Services Director
Valerie graduated from the University of Guelph with a Bachelor of Applied Science in Human Development. She has gained extensive experience working with kids as she transitioned from tutoring, to homeschooling her own children for five years, to working with students with learning disabilities and ADHD as well as other learning challenges.
Val works hard every day to remove barriers to learning so that all children can reach their God given potential. She loves spending time with the students and watching them gain confidence.
+ Arden Reinhart, EA
Arden graduated from the University of Guelph with a Bachelor of Science in Psychology, Brain and Cognition. She has extensive experience with behaviour therapy working in group homes as well as over 3 years working as an Educational Assistant for the Upper Grand District School Board. This is her first year working as the Educational Assistant for ERCS and she is looking forward to helping our students realize and reach their full God-given potential.
+ Pam Tuck, Vice Principal and Grade 7/8
Pam graduated from the University of Texas with a Bachelor of Science in Education specializing in Mathematics and Computer Programming. She moved to Canada with her husband in 1985, so although she is a Texan at heart, Canada is definitely home. She has a special love for grade 7 & 8 students and has been teaching at this level for over 30 years, the last five years here at ERCS. Math is definitely her favourite subject and she loves art as well. When the two collide, that is a beautiful thing! She loves learning, so really, she loves teaching all of the subjects and enjoys seeing the spark of interest develop in students when they encounter new ideas and face challenges. She worked as a VP/Teacher at her previous school, so we are blessed with the experience and expertise she brings to our school.
She has been married for over 35 years and has two grown daughters. She spends much of her free time volunteering with Restorative Justice initiatives supporting ex-prisoners as they re-integrate into society. As well, in her spare time you can find her at homeless shelters and at the day program for L’Arche. She whole-heartedly believes that volunteering is a necessary part of building stronger communities. She also loves to spend time with her kids and grandkids and reads a lot! Her faith in God and her church family keep her grounded and provide many more opportunities to serve others, especially in the area of music. She is inspired by a quote from Henry Ford:
“Anyone who stops learning is old, whether at twenty or eighty. Anyone who keeps learning stays young.”
+ Annette deVries, JK/SK
Annette has been teaching our youngest students for the past seven years. Her class is full of learning and laughter. She loves watching her students grow in confidence over the school year. When she is not at school, she enjoys spending time with her children and grandchildren.
+ Leslie Bauman, Grade 3/4
Leslie started her teaching career teaching science and math at high school. She moved on to homeschooling her five children, and now teaches our grade 3&4 class. She holds a Bachelor of Kinesiology from Laurentian University and Bachelor of Teaching from Western University. She loves math, phys-ed and science. She also enjoys reading quality literature with the kids. She loves to have the kids excited and engaged in their learning by doing experiments, playing games in phys-ed or doing group activities.
Leslie and her husband Marvin have been married for over 25 years and have five children. Two are married and three are still at home. They also share their home with six pets. Her hobbies include biking, hiking, reading, doing puzzles, knitting, camping and spending time with her family. She loves God and is joyful to be out in his creation. Her love for teaching shines through, and she talks about “her kids” all the time. At home she talks about her school kids and at school she talks about her home kids!
+ Alicia Sellers, Office Administrator
Alicia is an alumni of Elora Road who loved the school so much that she sent her own kids here, and eventually became part of the staff. She enjoys working behind the scenes, helping things run smoothly. In her spare time, Alicia enjoys reading and gardening.
+ Julie Klapwyk, Grade 7/8 French
Madame Julie was born and raised in a French speaking home and completed grade school, high school and some of her post secondary education all in French!
When she is not at work, you are likely to find her at the rink cheering on her three hockey loving girls, enjoying the garden or cross country skiing on the farm.
+ Patti Tan, Primary Relief Teacher
Patti is our primary class EA, as well as working one-on-one with students who need extra support. She has a passion for making sure the students are forming their letters and numbers properly and learning to use their bodies for skill building. She has an ECE, BA and Bachelor of Education with a specialty in JK. Her diverse teaching background includes teaching in preschool programs, working as an inclusion facilitator with special needs students, and many years of homeschooling her own and other children.
When she’s not at ERCS, Patti also works as an administrator for a local church. She enjoys the balance of working two very different jobs. Patti and her husband have three children, but are slowly becoming empty-nesters. In her spare time, Patti enjoys Bible Quilt Journalling and making soup. She also loves to walk, bike, kayak and thrift.