General News

“I therefore, a prisoner for the Lord, urge you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling to which you have been called…” (Ephesians 4:1)

Throughout the year, the teachers will be taking the theme text and weaving into it the six pieces of the Armour of God. We are engaged in a spiritual battle— all believers find themselves subject to Satan’s attacks because they are no longer on Satan’s side.  Thus, Paul tells us to depend on God’s strength and to use every piece of God’s armour to resist Satan’s attacks and to stand true to God in the midst of those attacks.  This week we pay attention to The Breastplate of Righteousness, the second piece of armour mentioned in Ephesians 6.  Satan often attacks our hearts – the seat of our emotions, self-worth, and trust.  God’s righteousness is the breastplate that protects our hearts and ensures His approval.  He approves of us because he loves us and sent His Son to die for us. (NIV Life Application Bible)

Good Friday morning everyone as we bring to an end the second week of instruction at John Calvin School; a much better week, weather-wise, for learning and teaching.  May our Heavenly Father continue to bless the teaching and learning 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.

Our thoughts and prayers are with those who need the Lord in a special way.  We are thankful that the Lord spared the lives of Mr. Bernie Ravensbergen and Cole Spoelstra who were involved in a serious collision earlier this week.  God is good all the time and all the time God is good.

A few items for your attention:

*Last week, at the Fair, our Grades 4&5 Spelling Bee team participated in the annual West Niagara Fair Spelling Bee and achieved a third place finish.  Good effort boys and girls!

*The annual fall food drive for the West Lincoln Community Care Food Bank will begin next week Monday and continue until Friday, October 5.  At that time, the goods will be delivered to Community Care located on Industrial Drive in Smithville.  Currently, the shelves at the bank are quite empty, indicating that there is a 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.

*A final reminder about pick-ups and drop-offs:  Parents and grandparents are reminded that there is no parking by the kitchen and the storage room during the day.  Once again, we request that when you come to school to pick-up or drop off your child(ren) that you refrain from parking inside the “pyloned off” area, particularly during recess times and at the end of the day.  There is an additional exit on the north side of the school (Special Needs wing) from where parents can pick-up their children.  Thank you for your cooperation.

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

*A lot of students have sold a lot of chocolate bars in one week’s time; in fact, we only have 20 boxes left in the school to be sold.  Great job so far students.  Thank you to all the children in Grades 4-8 who sold chocolate for your hard work in this fundraising venture for your field/class trips.

*The soccer players and their coaches continue with their practices leading up to the tournament scheduled for Saturday, September 29.  A boys’ and girls’ exhibition game against Covenant Christian School is planned for Monday afternoon, September 24 beginning at 3:00.  All of the games for the JCS boys’ and girls’ team will take place at Leisureplex.  Their schedules are as follows:

GIRLS                                                    BOYS

8:00        JCS vs ACRES                     8:00        JCS vs Rehoboth

10:10      Rehoboth vs JCS                 11:15      JCS vs Grace

1:25        JCS vs Maranatha               1:25        Heritage vs JCS

3:45        Semi-finals

5:00        Finals

*Training continues for the annual cross country run next week Tuesday and Friday during lunch recess.  Mrs. Heemskerk is training the athletes in preparation for the annual meet scheduled for Friday, October 5.

*Later this month, a bus evacuation drill and review of bus expectations will be held with all the students.  Stay tuned for when that will be.  At this time, 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.

*We now have enough volunteers for the Library program.  Thank you to all who have given of their time, interest, and expertise to help out with phase one of implementing the new JCS Library program.

*Included with today’s Chronicle is an invitation to parents to attend the second part of the Leaky Brakes presentation at Grace Christian School in Millgrove.  Part one was presented in the spring.

*Reminder:  Please remember that when renting the gym for various functions that the rest of the school is out of bounds.  Recently it happened that people gained access to the classroom areas and played in classrooms and rummaged around on a teacher’s desk.  Thank you for your cooperation in this matter.

Reminders:

*Please note that the volunteer/class mom forms needed to be returned today.

*Picture day is scheduled for next week Tuesday, September 18.  The parents of children in KA are requested to bring their son or daughter to the Kindergarten picture taking time slot scheduled for 8:15 a.m.

*The first Fire Drill is planned for Wednesday, September 19.

*Once again, we are participating in the Scholastic Book Club.  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 Mrs. Rebecca Bosscher in the school each Tuesday and Wednesday, by Mrs. Kara North in the church each Tuesday, and by Miss Rianna Koster in the school each Thursday.

*Please have the Emergency Medical Treatment form and any other forms returned to the school by Monday.  The school has purchased student accident insurance which covers the students only on school days and school hours.  This does not include any other school or Saturday events.  We strongly encourage you, if you do not already have insurance, to check out the flyer and the FAQ`s that you received from Reliable Life and pay a small amount to get 24/7, 365 day coverage.

*We would like to remind parents that if they have any questions or concerns about the procedures and routines of the school to please contact the school either by telephone or by email as opposed to discussing questions and concerns via other means of communication, e.g. social media.  In this way, we can keep each other better informed about what is happening in and around the school.

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

Have a good weekend everyone and a wonderful day of rest and we’ll touch base again next week, D.V.      G. Hofsink

Classroom News

Kindergarten

It’s hard to believe that the second week of school has come and gone! The students are starting to settle into their routines and are becoming comfortable with their peers. During Bible class we continued learning about God’s creation as well as the fall into sin. In math class we are working on knowing the difference between left and right. On Wednesday KB had their first music class with Miss. B! This was enjoyed by everyone! This week we learned the letter “L” as well the sight word “red”! The children all sang their memory work very well on Thursday and Friday! They will continue to sing The Battle Belongs to the Lord throughout the school year as it is one of our theme songs. Wishing you all a blessed Sunday!

Grade 1

We have had another good week in Grade One.  We have finished our first Bible unit today and we will be writing a Bible test on Monday.  Since this is the first test and students do not really know what to expect, we will be completing it with them.  Chirp and Chickadee forms have been sent home. If you choose to order one of these magazines (even if you order on line), please send back forms asap.  All forms need to have the students name, as well as a parent signature even if you have chosen NOT to order one.  On Thursday, Sept. 20, we hope to visit the Feenstra Orchard.  Please send along a pair of rubber boots, jacket and water bottle.  No microwave lunches that day.  If you are able to get a sitter and would like to join us on our visit/hike, jot a note in the agenda.  Have a blessed weekend.  JvB/JVE

Memory Work for Friday, Sept. 21 – Ps. 105:3; Gen. 1:1,31a

Spelling Words: in, is, it, that, you

Grade 2

Week 2 has come and gone. The students have worked diligently and have learned the routines well. The math fact program has been started, and the students are doing a great job in bringing their facts back and forth each day. Thanks also for recording your practice sessions. In Science we have started studying Bones and Muscles. Ask your child why they have more bones than you. Please remember to check the front of the agenda for show and tell and microwave schedules. Thanks! Have a great weekend! BB/RG

Memory work: Ps.119:40; Books of the New Testament

Spelling: are, like, colour, baby, make

Bible test: Friday

Grade 3

Hello, parents. We are having lots of fun in Reading. In LA we are reading the novel “Sarah Plain and Tall”, and are making a lapbook as we go along. In Art we are focusing on line and are framing the theme text with beautiful lines. Pioneers came from different countries to Canada; ask us where the people came from. It was very nice to have Mrs. Agema and beautiful baby Tirzah come for a visit to our classroom. We have begun our Math facts homework. The children are learning to be responsible for their homework as well as their agenda. Keep up the good work, boys and girls. Library books must come back in a plastic bag to keep the books from becoming damaged. Thank you for your help in this regard. Wishing you a wonderful weekend and a blessed Sunday. MP/JB

Memory work: Ps. 17:3; Text: OT books (2 weeks)

Spelling: people, favourite, could, again, because

PE on Monday and Thursday, Library on Tuesday,

Mission $ on Friday

Grade 4

Both Grade 4 classes will have a Math Test on Wednesday, September 19.  The topics are rounding and place value to the hundred thousands. In Science we will begin a new unit on Investigating Living Things and Their Habitats. We hope to visit St. John’s Conservation Area to observe pond life; stay tuned for more information. In Bible, we will be studying King Saul.

Spelling: late, nails, paint, safe, saying, takes, wait, were, guns, past, hate, stayed, crayon, holes. Grade 4B has two additional spelling words: compete, treacherous

Memory Work: Psalm 66:1 (Sept. 21) Hymn 25:1 (Sept. 28) Text: Psalm 32:1-2 (Sept. 21)

Miss H and Mrs. L

Grade 5

Another week has passed and we are continuing to work through our units.  We are discovering some interesting overlap in our study of Ancient Rome in Social Studies and our Bible unit about the birth and early ministry of Jesus.  Our theme “Good Job!” in our World of Literature class has us talking about what it means to do our work well.  Student led devotions have also begun this past week.  For this week the following students should be prepared: Gr. 5A M. Caiden, T. Micah, W. Jude, T. Jacob, F. Leanne.  Gr. 5B M. Joel, T. Eden, W. Mason, T. Reuben, F. Trinity.

Grade 6

We have been able to complete a lot of work this week. In Church History we are studying about the church in the time period of 300-500 A.D. In language arts we are looking at different perspectives, as well as, terms such as personification and alliteration. During Science we had a discussion looking at the ways we can use computers in a good way and also in a bad way. Also how can engineers show that they are Christians in how they treat their employees, in the products they design, and how they use the materials required. The students are reminded to write out their prayers the night before devotions and have them signed by a parent. Have a blessed weekend. IdV/CVA

Grade 7A

All in all it was a productive week. We learned how God showed mercy to His leaderless people with the gift of Samuel. In Math we’re working with place value, exponents, square roots and scientific notation. Students have chosen their Independent Study topic and are in the midst of selecting a “quality” book about it; no books from the “juvenile” section. Ask your child what their topic is and what their book is and where it is. Enjoy your weekend.

Grade 7B

We had a great first full week in Grade 7B. In Bible History, we continue looking at the book of 1 Samuel and how Israel rejected their Heavenly King and asked for an earthly king. In Language Arts, we continue our unit on Public Speaking, where we will begin developing our skills on impromptu speaking and presentation. Students have now all chosen an area of interest in Independent Study and we have moved on to the next stage – reading a non-fiction book. The students should have the book at school by Tuesday, September 18. Devotions – Kyle D. Have a great weekend!

Grade 8A

This week we gained some traction on various units and will probably see our first quizzes next week. We also had a couple awesome sessions working on our class code of honour. Talk with your child about it! Have a blessed weekend! Cheers, Mr. J

Grade 8B

We were fascinated this week by the world population clock and observing and discussing world population patterns during our Geography lessons. (We may have stolen some time from another subject….oops.) Sometime near the middle or end of next week, we will have a History quiz (probably Wednesday). As well, we’ll have a Bible quiz, probably on Thursday.  More definite dates will be in the agendas next week.  We are continuing with fitness activities and low organized games in P.E.  Please help the students remember to bring gym clothes with them on Tuesdays and Fridays.  It’s awkward with the soccer practices to be sure, but students should not be wearing the same clothes for P.E. as they wear for the rest of the day.

Devotions: Clarissa, Elyse, Liam, Evan, Ilse

Memory Work:  Psalm 10:7  (Text for next 2 weeks is John 1:1-7)

“Tic, Tic, Tic….BOOM!; Understanding Reactive Meltdowns  (Leaky Brakes Part 2)

Ever feel like you are “walking on eggshells” or waiting for the “bomb” to go off? You may have a child, or be involved with a child/youth, who experiences significant, intermittent meltdowns. We refer to meltdowns as having a full frustration beaker. Full beakers are how we describe feelings of being overloaded with too many pressures, demands or stresses unique to having “leaky brakes”. In this session, we will learn how Anxiety, Obsessive Compulsion Disorder, and Attention Deficit Hyperactive Disorder (”Leaky Brakes”), rather than intentional choice, contribute to your child’s meltdowns. We will also introduce you to an evidence-based model for solving problems created by Dr. Ross Greene. The focus of this workshop will be on skill development to predict, prevent and /to decrease meltdown episodes.

Come and join us at Grace Christian School on Thursday, October 11 at 7:30pm- 9:30pm to find out more about this topic.  Our presenter will be Becky Mathieu and she is currently working as a Community Behaviour Consultant at the Child and Parent Resource Institute (CPRI). Our address is 497 Millgrove Side Road, Millgrove, Ontario. Refreshments will be provided.