Lower Mainland
This web page is where you, as a Lower Mainland student can come and see what is going on in our area and the greater Lower Mainland. Please don't forget to checkout the pages for school wide information.
~ Mr. Brad Lemon
The Latest from Learning Groups:
Dear HCOS Families,
It was wonderful to see so many of you at Learning Camps all across the province this fall! We encourage you to have a great rest over the holidays. 🎄 The Learning Groups office is closed from Dec 25 - Jan 1 and will be responding to emails in the New Year.
Ski and snowboard camps will open for application in December or early January. Be sure to visit the Learning Groups website!
The best way to stay up to date on offerings in your area is to sign up for e-alerts so you are notified when new applications are open.
SKIING AND SNOWBOARDING COMING SOON!
❄️⛷️🏔️
Jan 26, Feb 2, 23 & Mar 1: Sasquatch Snowsports (Agassiz)
Here are the Schoolwide/Virtual opportunities currently available for application:
Virtual Journey Through the Old Testament 2023-2024
Date: Thursdays: February 1, 8, 15, 22, 29; March 7, 14; April 4, 11, 18, 25; May 2, 9, 16, 2024
Time: 1:00 PM to 2:00 PM
Suitable for: Grades 8 to 12
Dear HCOS Families,
Welcome Back! We are looking forward to seeing you at one of our group learning opportunities soon.
There are a few CC and CC+ offerings with spaces available, we encourage you to apply today if interested. For any locations not listed below, we invite you to join the waiting pool to be notified should spots become available. For those signed up at CC, it will be great to meet with you at the parent orientation at your location, we look forward to a terrific year of group learning and connecting. At CC+, the CC teachers will assess their learning and the courses will show their name in Encom. For CC, please let your support teacher know what CC you’re attending and pass on to them the information you receive about the learning your children have done there as well as the work they’ve completed.
Below you will find our Learning Camps that are currently available for application. Learning camps open throughout the year, and the best way to stay up to date on offerings in your area is to sign up for e-alerts so you are notified when new applications are open. Visit the Learning Groups Website for information and links to apply for all of our fantastic opportunities!
For the following space is limited so please fill out the CC Interest - Waiting Pool to express your interest in joining:
CC+ Abbotsford Ignite Theatre Gr. 5-12 Wednesdays, time varies through the year
CC Abbotsford Sparks Theatre Gr. 2-7 Wednesdays, 9:00am to 11:30am
CC+ Langley Gr. K-11 Thursdays, 9:00am to 3:00pm
CC Chilliwack Gr. K-3 Thursdays, 9:30am - 3:00pm (Full)
CC+ Chilliwack Gr. 4-11 Thursdays, 9:30am-3:15pm (Gr. 10/11 only)
CC Charis Camp Gr. K-9 Wednesdays 9:30am - 2:00pm
CC+ Abbotsford Gr K-12 Tuesdays 9:00am - 3:00pm
CC+ Sumas Gr K-7 Tuesdays 9:00am - 3:00pm
COMING SOON!
Nov 6: Legislature Tour (Virtual)
Nov 7: Fish Hatchery Tour (Chilliwack)
Dec 5 & 12: Christmas Around the World (Virtual)
Nov 16: Chinese Canadian Museum (Vancouver)
Nov 24: Christmas Lantern Craft (Langley)
Schoolwide/Virtual opportunities currently available for application:
Hello Anxiety Boys and Girls 9-12 Fall
Dates: October 20, 27; November 3, 10, 17, 24, 2023
Session Times:
Girls 10:00 am - 12:00 pm
Boys 12:30 pm - 2:30 pm
Suitable for: Grade 9-12
Deadline: October 17, 2023
Community Connections Classes - Update
CC Grade 10: We will meet for 24 face-to-face sessions on Fridays at Northview Community Church; you can choose Math from 9-11:30am and/or Science from 12-2:30 to work through these challenging courses in a collaborative and supportive setting! Science 10 will focus on hands-on activities and experiments as we delve into genetics, energy transformations, astronomy, and chemistry. Darlene Unger will address and enhance the course content with robust in-class discussions, informative stations labs and engaging group activities. Foundations of Math and Pre-Calculus 10 will be taught by Ryan Johnston, who has taught various math courses at HCOS for over 10 years. He will explain and demonstrate through direct teaching in class and will cover exponent laws, polynomials, functions, linear relations, systems of equations, trigonometry, and financial literacy.
At Abbotsford CC we plan to offer courses for grades 10-12 in Social Studies/History, English and Career Life Education. For grade 11 and 12, there will be a choice between Career Life Education 10 and Career Life Connections 12, Social Studies 11 and History 12 as well as English 11 (for 10/11 students) and English First Peoples 11 or 12. In discussion with parents and grad administrators, we are trying to provide as many courses that our students need for graduation as possible in a face-to-face face setting. We also plan to align the course blocks for our grade 10/11 and grade 11/12 classes so that students can take whichever Careers course they still require. Classes are at Gateway Community Church on Tuesdays from 9 to 3.
At Langley CC we plan to offer Social Studies, English and Christian Studies to grade 10 and 11 students, using topics from the grade 10 year which current Langley CC students can all take next year as it's alternate content than they received in 2022/23. Experienced teachers will provide meaningful learning with robust in-class discussions and engaging group activities. Classes are at Christian Life Assembly on Thursdays from 8:45 to 2:45.
At Chilliwack CC we plan to offer Social Studies, English and Christian Studies to grade 10 and 11 students, using topics from the grade 11 year which are appropriate to both grade levels. Kevin Krikke is returning and will engage students in meaningful learning with discussion to develop character, critical thinking and other competencies. Join us for classes at Salvation Army Church on Brooks Ave on Thursdays from 9:30 - 3:15.
The application links for these will open in late April/early May. If you would like to be put on the waiting pool list for a CC that you're not currently at, please sign up here
The application links will be first emailed to those currently at a CC and then to those in the waiting pool list for each CC. If you have questions, you can email Andria Lengkeek at alengkeek@onlineschool.ca.
The Latest from Learning Commons:
Dear Learning Commons patrons,
We are grateful to be on this journey of learning and growth with you all as we enjoy the last days of autumn and look forward to the Advent season.
Event Highlight!
There is still time to join the Secret Santa Project! Secret Santa is a gift exchange game students play through the HCOS & Flex Learning Commons. Who doesn't like to get gifts in the mail? Come find out more! Deadline to sign up is November 30th.
Storytime with Margaret and Dewey the Dragon, on December 5, 2023, at 10:00 a.m., Pacific Time, will highlight stories about Winter. Come and join us and register for Storytime here.
Sora
Learning Services themes: Digital Wellness (K-Gr.4, Gr.5-9, Gr.10-12), Addiction, and Diabetes health topics.
Book Highlight! - Great Bear Rainforest: Travels with Gannon and Wyatt
Book Highlight! - Snowbound Mystery: The Boxcar Children Series Go on a wintertime adventure with the Aldens as their stay in a forest cabin gets much more exciting with a blizzard and many surprise friends along the way!
Blog
Student Corner Art Gallery Contest Winners -2023 Thank you to all who participated. Even though the contest has ended, student art is accepted into the art gallery year-long. If your students want to share their art, from drawing to music, dance to theatre, we would love to see it!
Physical Commons (contact Shandra Wiebe at swiebe@onlineschool.ca for support)
Black Friday Curriculum Sale!! Save up to 30% off!
Hi-Lo Readers - High/Low books offer highly engaging, age-appropriate subject matter at a low reading level for struggling readers. These engaging books are great for Middle School and High School students!
Student Corner
Photography Contest: 2023/2024 – Peace We invite all photographers to capture and share what they “picture” when we say ‘Peace’. Looking forward to seeing all that you create and share!
Congratulations to all the students who participated in the last Student Corner Collaborative Art Project! It looks great! There is a new hidden picture collaborative art project posted. We invite you to join the fun! A new hidden picture collaborative art project is posted to the Student Corner.
Subscriptions Highlight
Twig Science Reporter Is now available for K-8 homeschooling families to use. Sign up here and use “Central Okanagan #23” as your school district and “Heritage Christian Online School” as your school. Set up your own password and enjoy the many weekly scientific news updates.
Webinars
Unit Study Kits Orientation Rachael Rennie readily shares how to use our wonderful Unit Study Kits. The kits are packed full of activities, books, learning, and fun! Watch the recording here.
Grace and Peace from the Learning Commons team.
Dear Learning Commons patrons,
Welcome to our November 8th Newsletter.
Remembrance Day is a time to reflect on peace in the world, our community and God’s supernatural peace. Today is also I Read Canadian Day, which celebrates Canadian authors.
Webinars
Unit Study Kits Orientation (new date) November 15th, 1:00 - 2:00 p.m. Rachael Rennie readily shares how to use our Unit Study Kits. More information and register here.
Sora
Celebrate Canadian Fiction with your families, as this week is I Read Canadian Day. Read on SORA here.
Book Highlight! - Camp X - Go on a riveting Canadian-based WWII spy adventure!
Blog
Teaching Books strives to enrich everyone’s experience by reading children’s and young adult books with original and curated literary resources. This resource is free for all HCOS and Flex families. Read more here.
Physical Commons (contact Shandra Wiebe for support when required)
Autumn book and curriculum sale! Save up to 30% off!
Remembrance Day resources: great fiction to go along with non-fiction and curriculum resources.
Curriculum Highlight
Our middle school science Curriculum Picks have been updated. See SOPHIE for more information: Grade 7, Grade 8, Grade 9.
Subscriptions Highlight
Reading Eggs has over 3000 levelled books in its library. Select any book title to see its reading age, Lexile level, number of pages and chapters. Contact your support teacher
for access to Reading Eggs.
Event Highlight!
Storytime with Margaret and Dewey the Dragon, on November 21, 2023, at 10:00 a.m., will highlight stories about Silly Animals. Come and join us and register for Storytime here.
Connect History, Leadership, and Community with Vimy Inspires Tomorrow - Students can participate to be eligible for a $2500 community project grant!
Grace and Peace from the Learning Commons team.
Dear Learning Commons patrons,
As the weather chills, it is time to get cozy with a good book, a comfy armchair and your favourite device! Here are some New eBooks and AudioBooks to tempt your reading choice!
Webinars
Sora eBooks and Audiobooks Webinar: Achieving Reading and Learning Success - November 1st (new date), 1:00 - 1:30 p.m. More information and register here.
Unit Study Kits Orientation (new date) November 15th, 1:00 - 2:00 p.m. Rachael Rennie readily shares how to use our Unit Study Kits. More information and register here.
If you missed our Search Portal: How to Book Materials and Search our Catalogue webinar, You can watch the recording here.
Sora
Blog
High School Subscriptions - We have subscriptions for all grades, including wonderful resources for high school students!
Physical Commons (contact Shandra Wiebe for support when required)
High School Resources - You can book textbooks and curriculum until June.
Subscriptions Highlight
Explora Canada and the Canadian Reference Center have given us a new link for this school year. The new link can be found in the Search Portal.
World Politics Review is a new search engine similar in layout to the Canadian Reference Centre. It highlights global trends and international affairs for upper high school grades. The link, username, and password are found in the Search Portal.
Event Highlight!
Storytime with Margaret and Dewey the Dragon, on November 7, 2023, at 10:00 a.m., will highlight stories about Dragons For Dewey. Come and join us and register for Storytime here.
Connect History, Leadership, and Community with Vimy Inspires Tomorrow - Students can participate to be eligible for a $2500 community project grant!
Grace and Peace from the Learning Commons team.
Dear Learning Commons patrons,
Welcome to October and Fall resources! As students engage online, we encourage a focus on digital citizenship and online safety for all. The hyperlinked topics share tips on how to stay safe online and be good digital citizens.
Webinars
Search Portal: How to Book Materials and Search our Catalogue; October 18, 1:00 p.m. - 2:00 p.m. More information here.
How can my Students Achieve Reading and Learning Success on Sora with eBooks and Audiobooks on October 25th, 1:00 - 2:00 p.m. More information and register here.
Unit Study Kits Orientation (new date) November 15th, 1:00 - 2:00 p.m. Rachael Rennie readily shares how to use our Unit Study Kits. More information here.
If you missed our Getting Started with the Learning Commons webinar, You can watch the recording here
Sora
Did you know you can make notes and highlights from your Sora eBooks to help with literature analysis and assignments? Learn how to make them, where to find them, and how to export them!
Physical Commons (contact Shandra Wiebe for support when required)
Unit Study Kits - Now is the time to book these popular resources!
High School Resources - You can book textbooks and curriculum until June.
Subscriptions Highlight
Currents4Kids and News4Youth are our new Subscriptions for keeping up on the news.
Enrolled families can contact their support teachers for access. Registered families can email margaret.basaraba@onlineschool.ca for access.
The National Film Board collection of over 6,000 productions is available to all families for free. Find your login details on the Search Portal.
Event Highlight!
Storytime with Margaret and Dewey the Dragon, on October 24, 2023, at 10:00 a.m., will highlight stories about Super Spectacular Spiders. Come and join us and register for Storytime here.
Grace and Peace from the Learning Commons team.
Dear Learning Commons patrons,
We hope you have settled into a good Fall routine of learning and reading! We would like to wish all of our patrons the very best Thanksgiving!
We are so thankful for all of you! 🥧
Live Chat here from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. on school days. Or reach out after hours and create a ticket. We will be happy to reply later by email.
Informational Webinars
New families and not-so-new families, please join us for our upcoming Getting Started with the Learning Commons Zoom webinar to learn how to use the excellent Learning Commons resources. Wednesday, October 4th at 1:00 pm. Register here.
Search Portal: How to Book Materials and Search our Catalogue; October 18, 1:00 p.m. - 2:00 p.m. More information here.
Unit Study Kits Orientation; October 11, 1:00 pm - 2:00 pm. More information here.
Sora
Books on Thanksgiving and Fall!
Book Highlight this month is From Apple Trees to Cider, Please!
Physical Commons
Unit Study Kits - Now is the time to book these popular resources!
High School Resources - You can book textbooks and curriculum for eight months!
Back to School Sale is almost over. There are just four days left!
Need some help learning how to search and book items? Email Shandra Wiebe to set up an appointment in person or on Zoom. swiebe@onlineschool.ca
Subscriptions Highlight
Reading Eggs is an excellent Subscription to help students learn to read and much more! It is available for free to enrolled students. Check with your support teacher for access.
Event Highlight!
Storytime with Margaret and Dewey the Dragon, on October 10, 2023, will highlight stories about Animals in the Day and Night. Come and join us and register for Storytime here.
Live Chat here from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. on school days. Or reach out after hours and create a ticket. We will be happy to reply later by email.
Grace and Peace from the Learning Commons team.
Dear Learning Commons patrons,
Welcome back to a new school year! September calls for reading, writing and arithmetic! We hope you are finding the resources/curriculum you need to get going. If you are stuck with waiting for a textbook please check to see if we have a copy in the Learning Commons which you can borrow until your texts arrive.
Live Chat here from 9-3 p.m. on school days. Or reach out after hours, and a ticket will be sent to our team. We will be happy to reply later by email.
Sora
Book Highlight! - The Monster's Bones - Who found some of the first recorded dinosaur bones? Come find out!
Book Highlight! – The Berenstain Bears Go to School - Sister is nervous to start school, What will it be like?
Book Highlight! – The Martian - Space explorer Mark has been left on Mars, presumed dead. *Surprise* he is not dead! He needs to use science to survive.
Physical Commons
Unit Study Kits - Now is the time to book these popular resources!
Save Time! - Book up to 40 items at one time for one shipment!
High School Resources - Textbooks and curriculum can be booked for 8 months!
Back to School Sale is on now! Save 10- 30% off!
Need some help learning how to search and book items? Email Shandra Wiebe to set up an appointment in person or on Zoom. swiebe@onlineschool.ca
Contests & Student Corner
2023/2024 Student Corner – Art Gallery Event! - Students are invited to share their artwork and display it in our Art Gallery! We welcome all art forms, from drawings to videos of dance and music they have created.
Come join in the Colaborative Sticker Art Project in the Student Corner!
Subscriptions
New this year!
Currents4Kids, News4Youth, and World Watch News are new Subscriptions for this year and all cover media literacy. Read more here.
Math Antics has free YouTube videos for grades 3 - 8. Printable worksheets and exercises can be purchased for $20/year.
Teaching Books is a great way to plan out novel study activities if you need a literacy activity now. Learn how best to use it by reviewing their webinar archive.
Focused Education/BC Digital Classroom has given us a new, more direct access link and a new username and password found in the Search Portal. Subscriptions such as Explora, WorldBook, and 4 Canoes can be found here.
****** IMPORTANT All passwords to the Subscriptions have changed and are to be found in the search portal. Please clear your cache and save the new ones to your computer.
Event Highlight!
Your Guide to Accessing Subscriptions webinar September 20 at 1 p.m. Teachers and families welcome!
Storytime with Margaret and Dewey the Dragon will start on September 26 and will be held every other week throughout the school year. Register for the first storytime here.
Grace and Peace from the Learning Commons team.
Dear Learning Commons patrons,
Welcome back to a new school year in September! We hope your summer has been amazing, and you are feeling well rested. 😀
New families should have received an email from the school outlining the process for getting started with the Learning Commons. Please reach out to us on our Live Chat if you are having challenges with your passwords.
Student Corner
A new sticker art project has been posted in the Student Corner. We invite you all to join the fun!
Congratulations! to the Winners Of The Spring Poetry Contest: 2023 – Journey
Sora
Sweet Reads Contest– Open to ALL students! Summer 2023 Read books from our Summer Sweet Reads collection specifically or any book on Sora and submit a review to be entered! Entries are accepted until midnight on August 20th. There is still time to join the fun!
Book Highlight! - Loki - Marvel Adventure
Book Highlight! – Iyanu - African Heroes and Mythology Adventure
Physical Commons
Unit Study Kits - Now is the time to book these popular resources!
Save Time! - Book up to 40 items at one time for one shipment!
High School Resources - Textbooks and curriculum can be booked for 8 months!
Back to School Sale is on now! Save 10- 30% off!
Curriculum
New families will benefit from our last Curriculum Selection Tools and Tips webinar.
Deciding what curriculum to use? Our Curriculum Picks and Curiculum Options are great places to start.
Still stuck and need advice? Schedule a Zoom meeting our Curriculum Consultant, Cynthia Duncalfe, who can answer any questions you may have.
Ready to order? - look for “comprehensive” suppliers in our Resource Vendor Directory for your broadest selection.
Subscriptions
World Watch News (Gr. 7-12), a new Subscription to HCOS, is daily news produced by Christian journalists. Sign up for a personal account using the signup link and access code in the Search Portal.
EVERFI has new classes for the 2023-24 school year. Email margaret.basaraba@onlineschool.ca for the new class codes.
PebbleGo has new content covering Canadian provinces and territories.
Event Highlight!
"Young Writers Can Change The World" Online Summit. Get motivated and inspired by Christian authors. This Free two-day event, is designed to help young writers break past low expectations and get on track to finishing projects they're proud of. August 21-22, 2023
If you are new to the Learning Commons and have yet to receive a welcome letter, please read this overview. Feel free to reach out to us on Live Chat here from 9-3 pm on school days. Or reach out after hours, and a ticket will be sent to our team. We will
be happy to reply later by email.
Grace and Peace from the Learning Commons team.
Dear Learning Commons patrons,
Summer is almost here and outdoor adventures are calling. Don’t let the summer slide happen! We would love to encourage your students to stay reading and writing during the summer with our SORA Sweet Reads Contest.
June 21st is National Indigenous Day. We celebrate the Indigenous Peoples of BC with the following collections on SORA. Scroll through the curated collections by grade groups. Find some activities in Twinkl under National Indigenous Day here.
Student Corner
A new sticker art project has been posted in the Student Corner. We invite you all to join the fun!
Sora
Sweet Reads Contest– Summer 2023
Book Highlight! - Bob and Larry's Creation Vacation
Book Highlight! - Helen Keller: The Story of My Life
Physical Commons
Booking for the Summer and next school year.
50% Off Sale on Deep Discounts now.
Books Galore and More Sale - in person in Kelowna and online starting June 19th! Read the details here!
As the end of the school year draws to a close please do not forget to send your Library resources back to the physical commons. If you need help please reach out to Kelly Wiebe, shipping@onlineschool.ca
Subscriptions
BC Historical Newspapers - read about them here.
Teaching Books - 3-2-1: Ways to Engage Readers Over the Summer and Gear Up for Fall!
Remember that all of your passwords can be found in the Search Portal.
If you are new to the Learning Commons and have yet to receive a welcome letter, please read this overview. Feel free to reach out to us on Live Chat here from 9-3 pm on school days. Or reach out after hours, and a ticket will be sent to our team. We will be happy to respond later with an email.
Hello from your Grad Advisor!
I wanted to take this chance to introduce myself. I'm Brad Lemon, the Grad Advisor for the Lower Mainland. I serve Grad Program students living in the Lower Mainland from the Sunshine Coast and Whistler, all the way to Hope!
I thought you might like to know a bit about me. I have 4 kids, James, Braeden, Jack, and Anna. I've taught at campus schools in the Lower Mainland for 13 years and before that, oversees in Korea, Portugal, and Japan. For the past 7 years, my wife has been a teacher with HCOS and my kids have been students with HCOS and seeing the impact of the school's mission on my family convinced me to make the leap to HCOS for myself in 2020.
I'm passionate about serving Christian families and giving them the tools they need to reach their goals during and after their time in the Grad Program. Please reach out by email if you'd like to connect or have any questions.
I look forward to supporting you!