General News

Celebrate1517: Sola Scriptura – During the months of September and October in our classrooms, we focused our attention on the first pillar of the Reformation: By Scripture Alone. Today, in the last installment of this theme, we will look at the Sufficiency of God’s Word.

When discussing about the Bible, the Reformers would have certainly mentioned the sufficiency of God’s Word: the Bible, and only the Bible, is enough. In speaking of the Bible’s sufficiency, the Reformers declared that the Bible speaks on everything we need to understand for salvation and living God’s way. Though it leaves us ignorant about astronomy (and many other aspects of the physical world), the Bible clearly reveals and declares that the earth, sun, moon, and stars were made by God and “declare the glory of God.” (Psalm 19:1)

The Bible helps us understand who we are. In short, the Bible tells us that because of our sin, we desperately need help. And the only One who can help and save us is Jesus Christ. Further, the Bible tells us how to live in obedience to God and how to love our neighbours and God’s creation. There is only one book sufficient to guide us into full life with God: His book. We need to read it, meditate on it, and live by it.

Greetings as we bring another week of instruction to an end at John Calvin School. This edition of the weekly newsletter will serve as a two week Chronicle since next week is a two-day, in-school week because of the annual CRTA Teachers’ Convention. Since JCS is hosting, the staff was given an extra day (Wednesday) in order to prepare for the event that will receive over 200 educators and workshop presenters. We are looking forward to a couple of days of professional development.

We express our condolences to the family of Mrs. Steltman, a member of Covenant Canadian Reformed Church. Even though she did not have any direct descendants in our school, there are some (including a couple of our teachers) who called her Oma. We also express our condolences to the VanMiddelkoop family (Madison, Grade 4 and Reuben, Grade 2) with the passing away of their (great) grandmother.

Parents, grandparents, and other supporters of our school community are invited to join students and staff for the Reformation Day assembly planned for Tuesday, October 31 beginning at 8:15 a.m.. Mr. Jason Heemskerk will be our guest speaker.

A few items for your attention:

*The annual ANCHOR WORK DAY is coming up next week. Students are reminded that the   confirmation slip is due on Monday, October 23. It is good for the students in Grades 7 & 8 to be involved in this community service for one of our Reformed institutions.

*On Monday, October 30 our school is planning to welcome three student teachers from the Covenant Canadian Reformed Teachers College. Miss Samantha Oosterhof will be teaching with Miss VanderZwaag in the Special Education department, Miss Victoria VanRaalte will be teaching with Miss Breukelman in Grade 3A, and Miss Naomi Tigchelaar will be teaching with Mrs. Lemstra in Grade 4A. We wish these prospective teachers all the best and the Lord’s blessing during their practicum at John Calvin School.

*In just over one week’s time, we plan to Celebrate1517 with a theme week during which we will have an assembly, a performance by the Guido Band and Choir, participate in various in-class activities, and devote time to the CCRTC/CRTS Year of Celebration activities: Poetry writing (Grades K-8), Story Writing and Narration (Grades 4-8), and Visual Arts (Grades K-8). In preparation for the convention and for this theme week, the school will be filled with Remember the Reformation artwork, posters, and the like. When you have a moment, come on in and check it out.

*With Remembrance Day not being too far off, the students will soon begin work on the Royal Canadian Legion Poster, Poem, and Essay contest. Entries need to be in by Friday, November 3. Since Remembrance Day is on a Saturday this year, we will not be visiting the cenotaph with all of Grades 5-8. We would still like to lay a wreath in behalf of John Calvin School at the Smithville cenotaph, so we plan to select two students to represent JCS at the ceremony on November 11th. There will be a Remembrance Day assembly in the school gym on Friday, November 10th beginning at 10:45. Parents, grandparents and other supporters of our school community are invited to join us as, “We will remember them!”

*Attached to this week’s Chronicle is the fall edition of the ASC (Assisting the Special Child) newsletter.

Reminders:

*Grade 2A is planning to visit Beacon Home on Monday, October 30th.

*Grade 8A is planning to visit Shalom Manor on Tuesday, October 31st.

*Grade 4A is planning to visit Anchor Home on Wednesday, November 1st.

*On Thursday morning, November 2 the Guido Band and Guido Choir are planning to perform for the students of John Calvin School from 11:00-11:45.

*Picture retakes are scheduled for Wednesday, November 8.

*Winterfest is on Saturday, November 18.

Have a great weekend and a blessed Sunday. We will touch base again in a fortnight’s time, D.V.. Enjoy the extra long weekend beginning next week Wednesday whether you are spending it at home or taking a few days’ vacation.         G. Hofsink

Classroom News

Kindergarten

Our new letters for the next 2 weeks are Cc and Kk. Since these letters make the same sound and are often paired together, we will learn them them together in one song. Our sight words will be “an” and “the”, and we look forward to starting the Heidi Songs that go with the rest of our sight words! We will also continue learning the colour words and songs by moving on to blue and green. In Math, we are working on counting! We will count one more, one less, forwards and backwards from 1 to 10. In Bible, we will learn about the remaining patriarchs. For a great song that teaches them all, check out Jamie Soles “The Patriarch Song” on YouTube. We begin next week with YELLOW DAY! It is easy to forget when it is on a Monday/Tuesday, but hopefully we all remember to wear yellow (and bring yellow items, if desired). Our memory work is also due on Yellow Day. Then we have a long break from the classroom due to the Teachers’ Convention, followed by a regular week. The Reformation Day assembly will be on a KB Day, but KA students and parents are also welcome to attend. FVI & NR

Grade 1

We have enjoyed a week of beautiful fall weather. We are busy using all of our five senses in our Science unit and having lots of fun. We are progressing nicely in French and have learned quite a lot of words and gestures. We continue to see how God blesses and cares for His people in our Bible stories. We hoped you enjoyed hearing your child read the stories in the reader to you this week. Please return the readers by Monday if you haven’t already done so. Keep up the good work on the agenda and spelling words, it has benefited your child in his/her daily work. The students are excited about the short week next week. Have an enjoyable few extra days with them. Have a great weekend and a blessed Sunday.

Memory Work for Friday, November 3: Ps. 24:1; Exodus 20: 2,3

Spelling Words(review): are, as, for, he, his, I, on, they, was, with

Grade 2

The students have been busy completing our final Science lessons in our unit “Investigating Bones and Muscles”. On Tuesday, Dr. Matt came to talk to our class about taking good care of their bones and muscles. This coming Tuesday we will complete the unit with a test. The duotangs will go home Monday — please be sure to return them! The following week we will begin our Science unit called “Investigating Health and Safety”. The students are looking forward to an extra long weekend next week. Spelling Words: Review

Memory Work: Psalm 95:3 (Tuesday, October 24); Psalm 71:3, Isaiah 9:6 (Friday, November 3) Enjoy! RG & JA

Grade 3

We traveled back to the past on Monday! What a glorious day it was! The weather was cool, sunny, and crisp! The leaves were golden, red, and orange! The place to be was Ireland House in Burlington! First of all, thanks to Mrs. Vis for driving us and Mrs. Lorna Schulenberg and Mrs. Amanda Nobel for helping us in the various activities! What did we do? We split into three groups and, in turn, we either churned butter, carded wool, made scones and vegetable soup, had a tour of the elegant house and played some settler games. And we even got to eat the scones and soup! Yum, yum, yum! Ask us about the privy! All in all it was a wonderful experience! A BIG thank you to the parents or other family members who helped to dress up the students. They looked fabulously pioneerish! The rest of the week we heard a story about a reformer called Thomas Cranmer, wrote stories, did some sums and differences in Math, and Art of course! Our Kadinsky art should be up soon! That’s it for now. J.B./M.P.

Hymn 52:1; Text: Genesis 15:5,6 (two weeks)

Words: schools, too, two, to, was

Grade 4

We have our Science Test on Tuesday October 24. Grade 4B has a Math Test on Tuesday October 24. Monday October 30th we start a unit on the human body. We have started a Bible unit on David. On Monday, October 30th, Grade 4B also welcomes Miss Tigchelaar as our student teacher!

Spelling Words: cry, close, surprise, off, too, nineteen, closer, smile, bigger, lying, write, stranger, trying Word of the Day words: boost, barrier, recommend, gratitude (Nov. 3)

Memory Work: Hymn 60:1,4 (October 24) Psalm 100:1-3 (October 24) Psalm 20:1 (Nov. 3) Miss H. and Mrs. L.

Grade 5

Having one full week in the middle of two short ones isn’t so bad! In Social Studies, we are going to be starting projects where we make costumes for the ancient Roman soldiers. We ask that in the week of Oct. 30 (not before), the students bring in materials for the costumes that are not pre-fabricated, such as cardboard, tin foil, and cloth. In Art, we have finished our projects and are thrilled with how they turned out. We are very excited to have them hanging on the wall for everyone to see! Have a great weekend and a wonderful time off at the end of next week. SO/KV

Memory Work: Ps. 40:1; Text: Luke 2:10-14

November 3: Memory Work: Ps. 41:1

Devotions: 5A: M. Aiden, T. Damon; Oct. 30-Nov. 3 M. Abigale, Tu. Eli, W. Erin, Th. Noah, F. Kendra

5B: M. Jonas, T. Ethan; Oct. 30-Nov. 3 M. Davis, Tu. Natasha, W. Joshua, Th. Danya, F. Lukas

Grade 6

We have made progress in our new units. With the knowledge that the students have about Genesis already, we have expanded this with a focus on the covenant, a discussion about the Sabbath using texts and LD 38, and reasons for calling Genesis 3 ‘The Covenant of Grace’ rather than ‘The Fall’. For the trade unit, the students also discussed the various factors in determining the cost of a cup of lemonade and the different ways that the Winterfest committee uses to raise money for the school. In the novel study we have been learning about the main characters and also how the war affected them. Have a blessed weekend and longer break next week.

Grade 7A

This past week we wrote a test to conclude our “King Saul” unit, and prepared ourselves to write a test to conclude our “Fur Traders and Missionaries” History chapter. Please ask your child how they did. In Science we’ve learned about centre of gravity and forces; we’ll get ready to build popsicle bridges soon. As our Independent Study moves along, we’ve come to the topic of documentaries; we’ve learned what they are and what they aren’t. Over the next few weeks your child will be required to find a document about their topic; please ask how that is coming along. Enjoy your weekend.

Grade 7B

As we come to the end of a busy week in Grade 7B, we look forward to a very shortened week next week because of the CRTA convention. During that time, the Grade 7/8 classes have an opportunity to raise money for Anchor through the annual Anchor Work Day. Over the next couple weeks we will begin our first Church History unit on Martin Luther and how the LORD uses him to begin a Reformation that would spread through all of Europe. We will also be learning about the counter-reformation in History with the Jesuits. Devotions for October 30th – Elyse Ludwig. Have a great couple weeks!

Grade 8A

Another beautiful fall week has come and gone in 8A. We have been hard at work and are beginning to dig into some larger history and art projects. Independent study is progressing well with students now finding additional resources and documentaries. Soon they hope to prepare for interviews with people who are working in the field that they are studying. Next week is short and sweet and students should expect a Bible Quest on Tuesday. Have a blessed weekend. Cheers, Mr. J

Grade 8B

Hub caps, making clay footprints, adding, subtracting, multiplying and dividing integers, diffusion, osmosis, active transport… these are some of the things which we have learned about this past week. This coming Tuesday we have a Bible test. We also have a Science quiz on Tuesday, as well as a lab report due. On Tuesday Oct 31 we have a Math mid-chapter test. I hope you have a fabulous weekend and a wonderful few days off next week. KG