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 Footgear (Readiness to Spread the Good News), the third piece of armour mentioned in Ephesians 6.  Satan wants us to think that telling others the Good News is a worthless and hopeless task— the size of the task is too big and the negative responses are too much too handle.  But the footgear God gives us is the motivation to continue to proclaim the true peace that is available in God—news everyone needs to hear. (NIV Life Application Bible)

Greetings parents, grandparents and other members of our supporting community on the official last day of summer. Tomorrow, we begin a new season with the autumnal equinox taking place at 9:54 p.m.  Thus far, a lot has happened in and around John Calvin School.  We thank the Lord for His blessing and guidance during September as we carried out our daily work of learning and teaching along with participating in various special activities and events.

We congratulate Marc and Amanda Rozema with the birth of their daughter Autumn, who is a sister to Lincoln in Grade KA.  All is well with mom, baby, and the rest of the family too.  (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 the parents with all they need as they raise Autumn and the rest of 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 continues until Friday, October 5 at which time the goods will be delivered to Community Care.  Currently, the shelves at the bank are quite empty, indicating that there is a need in this community.  Baskets have been set up at different locations in the school and are starting to fill up.  That is great to see.  Thank you very much everyone for your consideration and participation in this act of service for the broader community.

*Thank you everyone for your cooperation with respect to pick-ups and drop-offs.  It is much appreciated by students and teachers.

*Excellent selling job thus far students!  There are only eight boxes of chocolate left in the school to be sold.  Again, 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 next week Monday afternoon, September 24 beginning at 3:20.  The boys are playing at John Calvin School and the girls at Covenant Christian School.

The annual Canadian Reformed Schools Invitational Soccer Tournament is once again hosted by John Calvin School.  As in previous years, it will take place at two venues, West Lincoln Leisureplex (boys’ and girls’ divisions) and John Calvin School (co-ed division).  We hope to see many of you there to cheer on the school’s teams.  All the tournament 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

If either or both of the teams make it that far, the semi-finals take place at 3:45 p.m. and the final is scheduled for 5:00 p.m.

*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 Canadian Reformed Elementary Schools Meet scheduled for Friday, October 5 at Dundas Valley Conservation Area.  This event is hosted by Guido De Bres Christian High School.

*We are planning to hold a bus evacuation drill and review of bus expectations with all students on Wednesday, October 3.

*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.

*Library Volunteers:  Actually, we are still in need of a few more Library volunteers.  If you (parents, grandparents, and other members of our supporting community) would like to help out in the library by helping the children locate books or by reading them a story, please give the school a call.  We would love to hear from you.

Reminders:

*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.

*Grade 4B is planning to visit Beacon Home on Monday afternoon, September 24.

*Grade 6B is planning to visit Anchor Home on Wednesday afternoon, September 26.

*Grade 7A is planning to visit Kilean Lodge on Thursday morning, September 27.

*You are welcome to join us for the Thanksgiving Assembly on Thursday, October 5, beginning at 1:45 p.m. in the school gym.

Have a great, cooler weekend and a blessed Sunday.  We hope to communicate with you all again next week.

1. Hofsink

Classroom News

Kindergarten

Hello everybody! Another week of school has flown by! This week we had a lot of fun learning all about the letter S and next week we will be focusing on the letter A. The children were able to experience a lot of things for the first time, such as library and gym and  it was enjoyed by everyone! Tuesday was picture day and all of kindergarten did a great job! On Wednesday KA was also able to join Miss. B for music. They thoroughly enjoyed it and can’t wait to go again! KA also had their first fire drill on Wednesday which went quite smoothly! Well done KA :). We ended off the week learning about the tower of Babel and we will go into next week focusing on God’s covenant with Abraham. On Thursday and Friday of this week we will be having Red day! I hope to see all of kindergarten wearing red! Have a blessed Sunday! Memory work is due at the end of this week: Ephesians 1:4, Psalm 8:1

Grade 1

Wow! Is week 3 is done already? We started this week with a new unit in Bible. We are studying how God keeps his promises with His people. Grade 1 enjoyed a lovely day at the Feenstra orchard where we got a tour of the barn, a walk through the orchard and even saw how apple cider is made. Our trip ended with a hike through the Bruce Trail. A big thank you to the Feenstra’s for once again hosting us. Next week Monday we will be going to the Safety Village. Please bring along one dollar for the bus ride as well as one dollar (if you have not paid) for the orchard trip. We will not be bringing volunteers to the safety village. We will be wrapping up our safety unit with a test next week. You can practice your child’s address and telephone number this will help them put their safety knowledge to use.  On Friday we will be having a test on chapter 1 for math. Have a great weekend.

Memory work: Psalm 79: 5 Text: Genesis 1:1, 31a

spelling words: are, for, he, on, was

Grade 2

Hello all! Our third week has passed quite uneventfully. The students and teachers alike are working diligently on each new concept taught in a variety of subjects.  In Science we are going to start discussing how our joints help our bones to move. In Bible we have finished our first unit about the birth of Christ. Next week we will begin to hear about His ministry.  Have a good weekend! BB/RG

Memory work: Ps.86:4

Spelling: rain, school, house, does, people

Grade 3

Here we are again! We completed our first Bible unit with a test on Wednesday.  Please check your child’s agenda for the results.

Just a reminder of the pioneer trip that is coming up on October 17. (DV) Again, if you need help with the costumes, please let us know. Picture day has come and gone! Thanks for all your wonderful smiles, grade three! In our gym classes we are working on fitness activities.  Ask you child to demonstrate some of them at home and perhaps you will join them in the fun!!  Please remember to bring your clothes on the right days.  If they are in the wash, the students are to bring an extra pair of shorts and a top.  Grade three, this is your responsibility. That’s it for now. Have a safe and blessed weekend. J.B./M.P.

Memory Work:  Psalm 50:1; Text:  Old Testament Books

Words:  Review of ALL the September words

again, because, could, favourite, have, into, off, people, said, they, until, very, what, who

Gym clothes on Monday and Thursday

Library Books in a BAG on Tuesday.

Mission $ on Friday

Grade 4

Another week flew by! Grade 4 has a Bible Test on Wednesday September 26. It is on lesson 8-13. After this unit, we will begin a unit on Church Life. In Science we are studying Living Things and their habitats. Mrs. L and Miss H

Memory Work: Hymn 25:1 (Sept. 28) Hymn 13:1,2 (October 5) 1 Samuel 15:22 (Oct. 5)

Spelling words: tea, cars, need, ocean, whale, net, clear, watch, deep, feel, hear, chest, sea, free (Grade 4B conceal, permanent)

Grade 5

It has been another full week of learning in Grade 5! We are learning more about Mozart, a child prodigy, and we are also getting better at introducing and describing characters in our writing. We are moving right along in all of our units, and there will be a few tests coming up in the next couple weeks. Please keep an eye on the Chronicle and the agendas so that everyone is aware of when those are coming. Have a great weekend and a blessed Sunday. RK/KV

Memory Work: Psalm 26:2; Text: Romans 1:16,17

Devotions:

5A – M. Vanessa, Tu. William, W. Rebekah, Th. Lani, F. Rylee

5B – M. Parker, Tu. Amanda, W. Declan, Th. Kaden, F. Tabitha

Grade 6

The students are doing very well in organizing and completing their tasks. We are enjoying the extra time to complete our math. Most students should be practicing their multiplication facts daily. During Science we have looked at many videos of a variety of flying creatures. Ask the students what they have seen and noticed. Garde 6A have started the first half of the year with recycling at the end of the school days. They have taken on this service and are doing a very good job training the next set of students in their class. They also put together the Scholastic flyers each month while Grade 6B will do the news and views and take over recycling during the second half of the year. Have a blessed weekend. IdV/CVA

Grade 7A

We’re moving right along in Grade Seven “A”. In Science we’re working with structural efficiency and forces; this included a mini-project, building a structure out of ten straws and masking tape, five centimeters tall that could hold a full cup of water…ask your child(ren) how it went. In Bible History we learned how Saul was a king after the people’s heart and how the next king will be a king after the LORD’s heart. Independent Study is moving along as students have selected a book about their topic. Thank you parents for helping your child(ren) acquire the book they need, i.e. ride to the library. Enjoy your weekend.

Grade 7B

In Bible History, we continue working through the book of 1 Samuel, learning how the LORD rejects the earthly king that Israel wanted and chooses a king after His own heart. In LA, we continue working through our Public Speaking unit with presentation of speeches on Tuesday. In Geography, we look into the wonderful creation that God has given to us to care for, specifically looking at Landforms. Thank you for all the Independent Study books that came in this week! The next step is reading these books and learning about all our different topics. Devotions – Arie DV. Have a great week!

Grade 8A

It has been a good week in 8A. Mrs. Holtvluwer was able to come in for the first time on Wednesday and from what I understand it was a good day. We also had the opportunity to write our first two quizzes of the year. Check in with your child to see how they did to start the year off. Next week also looks to have a few more tests/quizzes. We also can look forward to the Soccer Tournament a week from Saturday (Sept. 29). Have a blessed weekend! Cheers, Mr. J

Grade 8B

We are really beginning to dig into the grade 8 curriculum and we should be ready for some more formal assessment this week.  The History quiz was postponed so that the students could watch a video about John A. Macdonald.  This past week was the first week that the students handed in a Math assignment for evaluation. I have been marking their books and providing feedback on how to format their answers in standard mathematical formatting, as well as giving them the opportunity to make corrections to their work..  We should be getting ready for a quiz in Geography as well, possibly towards the end of the week.  Look in the agendas for details.

Memory Work: Psalm 14:2   John 1:1-7

Devotions:  Kierra, Zach, Caleb, Jeremy, Leah