General News

The purpose of John Calvin School is to assist and support parents in the education of their covenant children to the glory of God.  In accomplishing this mission, the vision of John Calvin School is to provide excellent Christ-centered education in service to God and our neighbour.

Greetings John Calvin School community, on what’s shaping up to be a beautiful Friday as we bring the first full week of instruction in June to a close.  We thank and praise the Lord for the many blessings we could receive during the course of this week and pray for his continued blessing through the remaining two weeks of the 2021-2022 school year.    

Our thoughts and prayers continue to be with those who need the comfort, encouragement and guidance of our Heavenly Father in a special way; be it those who are sick, are dealing with difficult family circumstances, or who are grieving the recent passing away of a loved one.  

A few matters for your attention:

*Mrs. Danyse VanDam was in this past Wednesday morning to take class pictures.  A digital copy of the class pictures will be sent parents’ way early next week. 

*Shortly after 8:00 this morning, the track and field athletes from Grades 7&8, and their coaches, set off to run, jump, and shot put at the Regional Track and Field meet hosted by Timothy Christian School at the Niagara Olympic Club in St. Catharines.  This is the last major athletic event of the school year for the senior students.  We wish the athletes all the best as they strive to achieve their personal best in whatever events they are participating.  The athletes and coaches are traveling to the venue by bus but parents will need to pick up their son or daughter from the Niagara Olympic Club.  It is located at 78 Louth Street.

*The students in Grades K-6 continue to be busy as well getting ready for our Play Day planned for next week Friday, June 17.  Please don’t forget to apply sunscreen to your child(ren), send along a water bottle or two, and include a salty snack for the day; especially if it’s going to be sunny and hot.  Since their year-end trip is the following week, the grade eight students will be assisting the teachers at various events.  The students and parents are also looking forward to a hot dog lunch which will once again be provided by the Ladies Auxiliary.  Thank you very much in advance for this special treat. 

*Year End Trips:  It is the month of June and all of what that month represents on the school calendar.  One of the exciting events is the annual year-end class trips.  This year, Grades K-3 are planning to visit Safari Niagara on Tuesday, June 21 and Grades 4-6 are planning to travel to Wet ‘n’ Wild in Brampton the same day (along with about 600 other students from LCRSS schools; lots of fun). Grade 7 is planning to participate in a number of activities in Niagara Falls on June 17, and Grade 8 is looking forward to spending the week of June 20-24 at Wilderness Tours in Canada’s National Whitewater Park on the Ottawa River.  As mentioned previously, this year there will be no extra fees required from the parents for the Grades K-7 trips.  The JCS Student Fund has sufficient funds to cover the entrance fees to all three destinations for all the children.  There is also no need for students to bring any spending money on the K-6 trips.  This year we would again ask that all students wear JCS or blue t-shirts while on their trip.

                Parents are reminded of the protocol for class trip volunteers.  Parents who wish to join any of the trips may not take along their pre-school children.  All parents who come along will be assigned a group of students to chaperon for the grade they wish to accompany.  If there is no room for parents on the buses, they will have to car pool to the venue.  Also, all parents (including class moms and classroom volunteers) who come along will need to pay the group rate:  $28.00 for Wet ‘n’ Wild, $22.55 for Safari Niagara, and $38.50 for the Grade 7 Niagara trip.  The last date for volunteer and parent sign-up requests is today.  Payment is to be submitted no later than next week Friday, June 17.  

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For the June 21 trips, the buses are scheduled to return between 3:45 and 4:00.  Parents are requested to pick-up their children from the school at that time. 

*Lost and Found:  The tables and coat rack are quite full so when you are next in the school please take a look in the hallway leading to the Learning Resource room for missing items.  All remaining items will be taken to the GBF or Value Village at the end of the month.

Reminders:

*It’s that time of year again, so when you are outside please continue to be wary of ticks and mosquitoes. 

*There are still a number of rapid test kits at the school.  If you would like a box or a partial box, please contact the school and arrange to pick one up.

*Library Books:  Today was the last library day for Grades K-7.  They will then have two weeks to return their library books.  Grade 8 has until next week Friday to return any outstanding library books.  Please check your shelves, children’s bedrooms, and any other places a stray library book may be found.  We would like our year-end inventory to be complete.  The librarians thank you for your cooperation.   

*News and Views material is due on Monday, June 13.

*After an absence of two years, the annual Staff vs Grade 8 baseball game is scheduled for Tuesday afternoon, June 14 from 1:00 – 2:30.  Come on out and cheer on your favourite team.

*The last day of school, June 24, will be a two-thirds day. You are invited to the year end assembly planned for 11:15 in the gym. The buses will be leaving from the school at 12:10 p.m.

*The JCS Grade 8 Graduation ceremony is on Monday, June 27 beginning at 6:30 p.m.

Enjoy your weekend everyone and have a blessed and restful Sunday.  We’ll touch base again next week, D.V..   G. Hofsink

Classroom News

Grade 1

The push is on to get our work done! In grade 1A, we are working on finishing our critter reports. Church History and Bible stories need to be completed.  We have enjoyed learning about the life and struggles of Martin Luther and were very happy when he finally was able to understand that “the righteous shall live by faith alone.” The microwave in grade 1B has been broken for some time now, so please don’t send warm up lunches to school with your  1B children. We have been practising for field day and hope to enjoy our first one ever, on Friday. This will be our last week for Spelling words and Memory work. Students have had their last library day.  Now we just have to remember to get all of our books returned. 

Memory Work:  Hymn 84:1

Spelling/Sight words:  chips, much, catch, fetch, marsh, shine, flash, how

Grade 2

This week we continued with our school countdown! We had a gum day, crazy sock day, and ended today with a beach themed day! We can’t believe there are only 10 days left! In Bible, we heard the stories of Paul going before Festus and Felix and the beginning of Paul’s voyage to Rome. In Phys.Ed we’ve been busy practicing for the different track and field day events for next week’s Play Day! Just a reminder, please make sure your child takes a hat and a water bottle (labelled with their name) on Friday. Have a great weekend and a blessed Sunday! RG&BV

Grade 3

In Bible History, we continue our travel with the Israelites through the wilderness and learn about why it is so important to trust God as He provides all we need. We have come to the end of “Mr. Popper’s Penguins”. We truly enjoyed the novel with all its activities. The last two weeks we will go back to the CKLA program where we will read and learn more about Classic stories. We spent time learning about the Indigenous in our community unit. The children were very interested in learning about the First Nations Reserve. Ask us about one of the books we read to them. Wishing you a wonderful weekend and blessed Sunday.

Library on Thursday, Mission $ on Friday

Grade 5

Although the end is in sight, the students continue to be very busy in their learning! We are in the midst of learning about the destruction of Jerusalem, and can see how the Lord used the Romans to fulfill His plans. We are also learning about the endocrine and reproductive systems. These classes have been very well-received and will finish up in the next few days.  We are also starting a cereal box book report (super cool!) so we’d appreciate any cereal boxes you might have! Thanks in advance! Devotions for the week are as follows: 5A – Gideon (M), Caleb (Tu), Timothy (W), Noah (Th), Paige (F). And for 5B – Trevin (M), Jakob (Tu), Jasmine (W), Ryder (Th), Brooke (F). Enjoy the weekend! RK/KVL              

Grade 7A

In a most unusual change of events, the very same city that expelled John Calvin, wants him back. Will Calvin accept the call from Geneva? Will he return to the city that wanted nothing to do with him? We’ll find out next week in Church History. Our study of Financial Literacy comes to an end with a look at investing, insurance and identity theft. We’ll transition next to a cumulative review in Math. In History, the Canadas have received responsible government and the future looks positive from sea to sea to sea. Students had the opportunity to sign up for a track and field event, practice it and then compete in it at the Canadian Reformed Elementary School Track and Field Meet.; a positive experience. Next week Friday is the Gr. 7 Class Trip, please see elsewhere for participation details. Enjoy your weekend.