General News

Good day everyone as we bring to a close the second week of learning and teaching at John Calvin School; a much more pleasant week, weather-wise, for teaching and learning. May our Heavenly Father continue to bless the instruction that takes place at school and at home on a daily basis, and that we may continue to be a support for one another in teaching His covenant children ;about His World and his Word.

We congratulate our Grade 8A teacher, Mr. Joosse and his wife Hannah with the birth of their daughter, Meredith Rose. All is well with mom and daughter, and also with dad and Meredith’s siblings. (“Our children all are gifts of God, our sons and daughters his reward—each one a blessing from the LORD, as heritage on us bestowed. Psalm 127:3, BoP). May our Heavenly Father provide Mike and Hannah with all that they need as they raise their children in the fear of His Name.

A few items for your attention:

*The annual fall food drive for the West Lincoln Community Care Food Bank will begin next week Monday and continue until Friday, October 7. At that time, the food will be delivered to the Food Bank located on Industrial Drive. Currently, the shelves at the bank are quite empty indicating that, once again, there is a real need in this community. Baskets will be set up in different locations in the school to collect the non-perishable food items and other goods, e.g. disposable diapers, baby formula. Thank you very much in advance everyone for your consideration and participation in this act of service for the broader community.

One final reminder about pick-ups (not F-150s 🙂 ) and drop-offs:

*Parents and grandparents, you may have noticed the pylons placed across the driveway by the crosswalk, and that there is no parking by the kitchen and storage area during the day. The reason for this is that this is part of the play area for the students in Grades K-4. We had to designate this out of necessity when the addition was being built and the students enjoyed it so much that we decided to keep it this way. We request that when you come to the school to pick-up or drop off your child(ren) that you refrain from parking inside the “pyloned off” area especially during recess times and at the end of the day. When school is in session you may proceed with caution inside this area to pick-up or drop-off children, do the voucher thing, etc. Parents may use the church parking lot to pick up their child(ren) at the end of the day. Thank you very much for your cooperation.

*Also, with respect to drop-offs and pick-ups, we would like to remind you that all parents must come to the main office so that office staff (someone will be in the office all day, every day) can inform the classroom teacher via intercom of a pick-up or drop-off. Mom or dad can then proceed to pick up his/her child(ren) or bring him/her to his/her classroom(more so in the case of younger children). We also thank you for your cooperation in this matter.

*If parents drop off their children before school, please do so using the driveway on the north side of the church so as not to interfere with the coming and going of the eight buses that navigate the other driveway. This would be greatly appreciated by the bus drivers and make it safer for all.

*A lot of students have sold a lot of chocolate bars in a short period of time; in fact, so many so that we only have six boxes left in the school to be sold. Great job students! Thanks for your hard work in this fundraising venture.

*The soccer players and their coaches continue with their soccer practices leading up to next week Saturday’s (September 24) soccer tournament at John Calvin School and West Lincoln Leisureplex. All of the games for the boys’ and girls’ teams will take place at Leisureplex. Next week Monday, the boys’ and girls’ teams have an exhibition game against Covenant Christian School, Smithville, on the fields at our school.

*Training continues for the annual cross country run next week Tuesday and Friday during lunch recess. On one of the sessions, the coaches (Mrs. Groen and Mrs. Heemskerk) will be running with the students through the local subdivision.

*Later next week, a bus drill is being planned for the students in Kindergarten and Grade 1 to remind them of bus expectations and bus evacuation rules. I would ask that parents also remind their children of the expectations that are listed in the Parent Handbook. Bus behaviour needs regular monitoring and, if a problem arises, it would be appreciated if you let the transportation committee or the principal know about it. We can only address those situations that we are made aware of.

*Please note: The STC bus company requires that notes be given to the bus driver for students who board an STC bus that do not normally go on that bus. This note requires a parent signature and the principal’s signature. If you require such a note, please notify the school so that one can be sent home with your son or daughter.

*Bullying Awareness Week: Attached to the June 24th edition of the Chronicle, was the Bullying Awareness Protocol which was to be included with your Parent Handbook as an appendix. If you do not have a copy of the document please contact the school. We developed this protocol as a follow-up activity to our staff book study on Virtuous Minds: Intellectual Character Development. As you read on the calendar of events in the News and Views, we are planning a Bullying Awareness week for September 26-30.

The theme for the week is The Golden Rule based on Luke 6:31, “Do to others as you would have them do to you.”, which is the main theme text for the week. A secondary theme text is found in 1 Thessalonians 5:11, “Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing.” In most bullying situations there are three parties involved: the bully, the bystander, and the victim. During the week, teachers will be focusing especially on the role of the Bystander. We have also selected two theme songs, The Servant Song and Loving Shepherd of Thy Sheep. Some activities planned for the week are: an opening assembly on Monday morning (Grades 5-8 from 8:10-8:40 and Grades K-4 from 8:45-9:15) and a closing assembly on Friday afternoon (Grades K-4 from 1:00-1:30 and Grades 5-8 from 1:40-2:30), drawing activities/stories/poems/posters/skits (students will have an opportunity to share at the Friday afternoon assembly), a series of five devotions about the theme prepared by Mrs. deVisser, and in-class activities organized by the classroom teachers. Parents are invited to join us at the assemblies and are also invited to share their stories about bullying or read a trade book about bullying awareness to one or more grades.

*This note is for the parents of last year’s grade eight students: Could you please check your book shelves for the novel, Wounded, by Eric Walters. The students were able to read it for a book report as part of the novel study, Shattered, by the same author. The book has gone missing and it belongs to Mr. Hofsink and has his name inside the front cover. Thanks for checking.

Reminders:

*Picture day is scheduled for next week Monday, September 19. The parents of children in Grade KB are requested to bring their son or daughter to the Kindergarten picture-taking time slot scheduled for 8:15 a.m.

*Once again, we are participating in the Scholastic Book Club. The flyers for the different grade levels will be going home next week. If you decide to purchase books from different flyers, you just need to write one cheque, made payable to John Calvin School, not Scholastic. Thank you. If parents do not wish for the flyers to be sent home, please let the school know and we will take your name off the list.

*If your child has music lessons in the school or in the church please ensure that they are aware of when the lesson takes place. Even though they may have written a permanent note on the board, it is not the teacher’s responsibility to remind the student of their lesson. Music lessons are conducted by Martin Jongsma in the church each Tuesday and Friday, and by Rebecca Bosscher in the school basement each Tuesday.

*All medication, e.g. puffers, epi-pens, needs to be properly labeled. For those students who require oral prescription medication, Tylenol or Aspirin, the school has a form that parents will fill out so that the medication can be administered by the classroom teacher.

Enjoy your weekend and have a blessed Sunday. We’ll touch base again in a week’s time, D.V.

G. Hofsink

Classroom News

Kindergarten

Another week has flown by in Kindergarten. Next week we look forward to learning about Noah and then the Tower of Babel. We will study more sorting words in Math, and learn all about the letter A in Language Arts. We look forward to colour day snacks at the end of the week! Kindergarten B (Tuesdays, Fridays, and every other Wednesday) is also still looking for volunteers. We are a busy classroom and love having another person to help us! You do not have to be a Mom to volunteer; Grandmas, Aunts, etc. are also welcome. Please Email francine.vaniperen@johncalvinschool.com if you would like to help out! MD & FV

Grade 1

We are really starting to hit our stride here in grade 1 (teachers too). We have completed the first Bible unit and will introduce the idea of a review and quiz together with the students on Monday. This way the students will learn what to expect on a quiz. We are scheduled to visit Niagara Safety Village on Tuesday September 20. Please do not send any food for the microwave that day. Please do send a loonie with your child to help pay the cost of running the bus. If you have not already done so, please make sure that the forms sent home during the first week of school are returned. Don’t forget picture day is Monday. Please make sure that the forms sent home with your child are back at school on picture day. On Thursdays, we give the students a little pre-test for their Spelling words. Students who do perfectly on the pre-test, don’t have to write Friday’s test. We also test the students’ ability to read the sight words that you find in their agendas.

Memory Work: Psalm 105:3 (Sept. 23) Genesis 1:1, 31a (Sept. 30)

Bible Quiz – Monday (Practice test)

Spelling words: was, to, am, a, boy – Friday

Safety Village – Tuesday September 20

Grade 2

This week has flown by! We are continuing to study the life and ministry of the Lord Jesus Christ. The students will write another Bible test on Thursday of next week. In Science, we have begun to identify all of the many bones that the Lord has given us. Ask your child to tell you about the strongest bone in their bodies! The Math facts have been going home and back to school quite successfully this week. Please remember to take a few minutes to practice each night with your child. If you have any questions or concerns, please feel free to email or call. Have a blessed weekend! HV/JB

Memory Work: Psalm 119:40, Books of the New Testament

Spelling: are, colour, like, baby, make

Grade 3

Another week has gone by. The children are learning a lot about pioneers, where they came from, how difficult the long journey crossing the ocean was, and how they began their humble homesteads. Mrs. Buikema hopes to come to our classroom to show us some pioneer articles; exciting stuff! The stories about John Eliot, a minister who brought The Message to the Indians, keeps us busy during Church History. Our novel study is going very well. The students eagerly want to read and work on their lapbook. PE lessons have us focused on physical fitness. Every Monday or Tuesday the students will bring a Math drill home; this to strengthen their knowledge, as well as getting used to having a little homework. We wish you a lovely weekend. JB/MP

Memory work: Ps 17:3; Text: Books of the Old Testament (two weeks)

Spelling words: have, into, off, people, said, favourite

Library on Tuesday

Grade 4A

Two weeks have gone by and we have been hard at work already. Routines are falling into place, and we are learning about each other at the same time. The students did well on their first Bible quiz, and you will see it home next week. We also started keyboarding and we are working hard on using the home row for the placement of the fingers on the keyboard. We work against typing with two fingers, but rather, we work to develop fine motor skills and brain coordination with proper finger placement. On Thursday, September 22, we hope to go to Kilean Lodge to present a short program for the residents. We will do a short devotion and sing some Psalms, Hymns and also one song of “The Sound of Music” -” These are a few of my favorite things”. Remember that Monday is Picture Day! Enjoy your weekend! M&W-PhysEd W-Library

Grade 4B

Wow! Two weeks of school are already done! This past week we started computers which was a highlight for the students! The students also did an amazing job on their Bible Tests! We are continuing our study of Samuel. Who will be the new king that the people are asking God for? In Science we are delving into an interesting unit on ‘investigating living things and their homes.’ Our God has made a very diverse, intricate world!

Spelling words: late, nails, paint, safe, saying, takes, wait, were, guns, past, hate, stayed, crayon, holes

Memory work: Psalm 66:1 (Due September 23th) Text: Psalm 32:1-2 (Due September 23rd)

Grade 5

Hello again from Grade 5. Settling into the routines of being back at school has come easier to some than others, but we are adjusting. On that note, Grade 5B has had a scheduling change and Library is now on Thursdays instead of Wednesdays. We are so thankful that the weather has not been as warm as last week. Cool crisp mornings are a glorious thing. In our Math classes we have been working with place value and fraction to decimal conversions. Math Drills are done at the beginning of each class.   Addition facts should be automatic and so if your child is in need of some extra practice in this area they may come home with practice sheets. We are busy learning all about the Roman Republic and different classes of peoples’ roles in Ancient Rome. Next week we hope to discuss and explore Roman Engineering and Constructions. Our word and gesture review in French is moving along well. Some students are pleasantly surprised at how much they still remember from last year. We hope to introduce our story — Un Jour Bizarre — this coming week. Have a wonderful weekend and a blessed Sunday. SO/ KG

Memory Work: Psalm 25:2

Text: (two weeks) Luke 1:46 – 50

Thursday: Library for both Grade 5s

Wednesday and Friday: Phys. Ed.

Friday: Spelling Dictation, Memory Work, Mission Money

Grade 6

We are back into the swing of things in our Grade 6 classrooms. In Church History we have been looking at the years 300-500, Pope Leo the First and Pope Gregory the Great. We looked at how certain errors began in the early Roman Catholic church and how the Lord continues to guide and preserve His Church. In Literature we continue to look at the lives of Danish Jews living in occupied Denmark and explore the themes of friendship, loyalty, and bravery. In Science this week students gathered leaves and seeds and we tested to see how well they fly. Next week Monday both classes will be traveling to Hamilton to visit the Warplane Museum! This is a guided tour so we do not need any volunteers. Please remind students to not bring a microwave lunch that day! Have a lovely weekend! CV, MDB.

6A Devotions: T. Natasha, W. Aidan, T. Elyse, F. Liam

6B Devotions: M. Brody, T. Clarissa, W. Evan, T. Kierra, F. Ilse

Memory Work: 6B Psalm 104:1 (Sept. 23) 6A Psalm 148:1 (Sept 23)

Science Quiz: Friday, Sept. 23

Grade 7A

We’ll carry on with pre-Confederation history next week with an explorer raised Reformed who switches to Roman Catholicism and is remembered as the “Father of New France”. The LORD knew His people would request a king and He will give His people what they want, a king “like all the other nations”. Next week in Math we’ll work with estimation and mental math as well as the classification of numbers. As we discuss short stories in Language Arts, “character” will be focus in the stories, “A Stolen Day” and “The Strangers that Came to Town”. Enjoy your weekend.

Grade 7B

Another week has come and gone in Grade 7B and we are starting to get into the routine of school again. Picture Day will be this coming Monday, September 19. We will continue learning next week about the beginning exploration into Canada, what are landforms, scientific notation and order of operations, and much more! A reminder to please remind and help your son/daughter if they have devotions/current events! Have a good weekend!

Current Events – Monday – Quinton S., Tuesday – Nathaniel S., Wednesday – Jordan S., Thursday – Lydia P., Friday – Meah K.

Devotions – Monday – Jenna D., Tuesday – Claire D., Wednesday – Liam F., Thursday – Eliana G., Friday – Malachi H.

Grade 8A

It was a busy week in Gr. 8 and in the Joosse household. A big thanks to those who came in and helped out after Hannah and I were blessed with our healthy baby girl, Meredith Rose. The students were also very helpful and worked well despite our routine being thrown off a bit. Next week we will pick up again in earnest. Here are some things for next week: Math Quiz (TBD), and Spelling and Vocab quizzes. I hope you all have a blessed weekend. Cheers, Mr. J

Grade 8B

We are definitely into the routine of our daily school work by this time. In Bible History we are studying the events of the Intertestamentary Period. In L.A. students are busy planning and writing their first short story of the year. Cross Country practices have started, and the soccer tournament is just around the corner. There is no shortage of things to be busy with. KB

Devotions week of September 19 – Charity

Devotions week of September 26 – Benjamin

Monday – Spelling dictation lesson 1

Thursday – Vocabulary quiz – Lesson 2

Friday – MW – Psalm 10:7 – John 1:1-7