Page 16 - 2021 - 01 - CCS InTouch - web_Classical

leaders of Edvance
who provided insight
and direction when it
came to opening up
a new school. Deep
conversations were
held where we dis-
cussed governance
and school design.
The passion and en-
thusiasm to launch
the new school
was palpable, and
receiving profession-
al advice on how
to do so with vision Chantelle W. Gr. 7B Brooklyn D. Gr. 7B Hannah Z. Gr. 7B Avalyn D. Gr. 7B
and innovation while
still maintaining our CCS distinctives was chase the property and the school located It was shortly after the decision to delay
the crucial next step in the launch of a on 32 Unity Side Road in Caledonia. We the Unity Campus opening that a friend
possible second campus. were looking at a final closing in March of mine sent a picture of the campus with
2020, with an opening of our second cam- the most amazing rainbow “landing” in
It was also around this time that I enrolled pus in September 2020. the heart of the school building. Was this
in the Van Lunen Fellowship program, a sign from God that he had not forgotten
which is an organization that provides ex- Needless to say, if you know anything us and that we should continue to be
ecutive leadership training. I was thankful about March 2020, you will also know that excited to open up the new campus with
for the advice provided by the instructors was the exact moment in history when a a different timeline? It seemed we needed
and the fellow attendees while discussing world health crisis struck: the pandemic to remain patient and continue to serve
a wide range of leadership topics. I was of COVID-19. Countries around the world God in such a way that allowed his plans
provided the opportunity to explore best were faced with one of the biggest health to unfold.
practices with others who had experi- crises in the past century and CCS was
ence in setting up and running a second not immune to the challenges of deal- We will continue to explore the opening of
campus. ing with COVID-19. We reluctantly put the new campus in September of 2021,
the brakes on our plans for opening up and quite frankly it will provide us with
It was early in the year of 2019 that our in September and changed gears to a more time to complete renovations on the
plans began to crystalize. We had received “what next” conversation. We made the building and to organize a comprehensive
an offer for “first right of refusal” from a difficult decision to delay the opening of and thorough capital campaign. In some
church that owned a piece property that the second campus, rescheduling that for respects it might have been a blessing
was south of Hamilton. The church was September 2021. not to open up the school on the original
worshipping in a school building that was date. Perhaps waiting an extra year was
on this property, and they were looking to It was with deep disappointment that we exactly what we needed to do. Although
build a new church and therefore ready to made this decision, but it was also with families would need to remain on the
sell the school building and the eight acre an understanding that critical times call waiting list a little longer, we were given
property. Things were moving very quickly, for critical decision making. We once the time to ensure that our plans were
because in the new year, 2020, we took again messaged to our community and indeed God’s plans too.
the next step to firm up our agreement with stakeholders that the plans for the new
Trinity Canadian Reformed Church to pur- Unity Campus needed to be put on hold. Looking back at this incredible roller
We were thankful for the offers coaster ride, I can’t help but feel that
of support and understanding, there were lessons to be learned. Involv-
and we gratefully accepted ing the school membership in decision
the prayers of the community making from the outset was crucial.
as we not only changed gears Communicating clearly and regularly to
for our Unity Campus plans, our supporting community was essential.
but more importantly, as we Engaging the experts in and outside our
changed gears to support our community to provide insight and wisdom
students and their families in was critical. Hiring outside help to navi-
the midst of the pandemic. It gate the complexities of land acquisition
was clear that our timing was turned out to be wise and responsible.
not God’s timing. But perhaps the biggest take away was

16 inTouch February 2021