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Our
History
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| "Being a
Christian School means more than just opening and closing
the day with a prayer." What
was spoken by then School Board President Walt
VanderBeek, in 1967 is still true today:
"They have to make sure
that every subject is Christ-centered. Mathematics should
show that God is a God of order. He created mathematical
principals into the structure of this universe. History
is aimless unless it is seen in the light of God's word.
Science should be seen by the children in the light of
God's creation. They should know that all knowledge has a
moral content. Their lives should be filled with a high
moral purpose. God should be glorified in every subject
that is taught. For these reasons a Christian School was
established in East Palmyra."
On May 17, 1937, a group of
30 interested persons met for the purpose of organizing
the East Palmyra Christian School Society, with the
common goal of establishing a local Christian School.
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| It took ten
years of prayer, planning and saving before the school
was ready for the opening of the school in September
1947. It opened in a small block building behind the East
Palmyra Christian Reformed Church with 1 teacher and 23
pupils in eight grades. |
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Although many of
the founding members of the School Society were members
of the East Palmyra Christian Reformed Church, they were
wise enough to make the school independent of the church,
and to place it under parental control. Today it is
supported by parents interested in Christian education
and is interdenominational in character. |
| The Society
worked hard to make ends meet, but because it was a small
school, it was hard to pay teachers and buy school
supplies at the same time. On May 6, 1952, a group of
about 20 women formed the Christian School Circle whose
purpose was to raise money to help supply the school's
needs. Over the years the School Circle has spearheaded
many fundraisers--pie sales, rummage sales, Dutch
Dinners, Ham Dinners, Walk/Lap-A-Thons, etc., and with
the proceeds have purchased a range of things including
the flagpole, the school sign, a film projector, teaching
aids,filing cabinets, a hot water heater, playground
equipment, and computer equipment. |
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| By 1962, the
church and the school had outgrown their respective
buildings and when the Church moved in January 1962, the
School was able to purchase the church building,
remodeling to accomodate 2 classrooms upstairs and one
downstairs. The Junior High grades held classes in the
old church while the primary grades held classes in the
cinder block school house. |
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Lining up 1958 and 1960 |
| After many years
of discussion, it was decided that, to better serve the
students and school community, a new school building
would be built on a piece of the East Palmyra Christian
Reformed Church’s new lot. This land was purchased
from the church. On June 6, 1981, the Society held the
ground breaking ceremony for the new school and in a few
months, the building was complete enough to open for the
first day of school on September 14, 1981. |
 
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A temporary, moveable wall to
divide activity room and kindergarten room. Meant to be
used for only one year, it was in use for 13. |
| In 1996 the
school erected a new gymnasium, so now the students in
grades 5-8 can enjoy indoor competition against other
schools in basketball , in addition to soccer and track.
Over the winter of 2000-2001, through a very generous
donation, EPCS was able to add on the Albert and Gladys
Ryckbost Memorial Music Room. |
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The first lesson
"in" the new music room. |
| The school
continues to change and grow and at present it has a
student population of over 80, almost four times the
number of the very first year. One teacher's position in
1947, has given way to 5 full time teachers, 5 part time
teachers and a teacher aide. Numerous volunteers work in
the art department, the office, preparing and serving a
weekly hot lunch, and in many other services. |
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| The families
involved with the school continue in their desire to keep
God at the center of their children's education. |
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2008.
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