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 and salutations everyone on this very nice, late spring Friday morning as we wrap up another week (#10) of home-based learning.  Being the third last day of May, we are on the brink of entering another month, the last month of this COVID-19 school year.  We thank the Lord for the many blessings we could receive during the course of this past week and we pray that he will continue to provide the students, parents and teachers with all they need for their respective tasks during the remaining two weeks of the school year.  FYI, the third and final parent memo will be coming your way on Saturday.  May our good and gracious God continue to bless, strengthen and guide the work of the students, parents, and teachers as we continue with home-based learning, preparing to move on to week number eleven.  Tempus fugit!  

Earlier this week, as you heard/saw, the government of Ontario announced that the state of emergency has been extended to Tuesday, June 9. 

A favourite psalm of mine is Psalm 33.  The theme of this psalm is- Because God is Creator, Lord, Saviour, and Deliverer, he is worthy of our trust and praise.  Because he is faithful and his word is dependable, we can rejoice and sing, giving thanks and praise.  “Sing joyfully to the LORD, you righteous; it is fitting for the upright to praise him.  Praise the LORD with the harp; make music to him on the ten-stringed lyre.  Sing to him a new song; play skillfully, and shout for joy.  For the word of the LORD is right and true; he is faithful in all he does.  The LORD loves righteousness and justice; the earth is full of his unfailing love…We wait in hope for the LORD; he is our help and shield.  In him our hearts rejoice, for we trust in his holy name.  May your unfailing love rest upon us, O LORD, even as we put our hope in you. (Psalm 33:1-5; 20-22)  All God’s words are right and true— they can be trusted.  God’s Word is reliable because, unlike people, God does not lie, forget, change his words, or leave his promises unfulfilled.  We can trust His Word because it contains the words of a holy, trustworthy, and unchangeable God. 

In this COVID-19 crisis, we may and should put our trust in the Lord.  We can trust him to do that which is good. We can trust him to turn all things for our good.  Trust in God is key to Christian living.  May our Heavenly Father continue to provide us with everything we need during the COVID-19 pandemic as we continue to put our hope and trust in him.  God is good all the time, and all the time God is good.    

I continue to encourage everyone to do the best that they can, especially as we get ever closer to the end to the school year.  I encourage everyone to stick with their respective tasks for a few more days.  We thank God for good cooperation as we, parents and teachers, work together to instruct His children.  Keep up the great work!  The end is in sight.

May the Lord continue to provide for those in our community who need Him in a special way; be it those who are sick, who are impacted by COVID-19, who are dealing with difficult family situations, or those who are grieving the recent death of a loved one.  We continue to put Mr. Herman Poort and his family before the Lord.  We also think of the Deboer family.  Earlier this week, Mr. Fred DeBoer from the Attercliffe congregation passed away after a short battle with pancreatic cancer.  He is related to many families in our community including three of our staff members: Miss Danielle Aalbers (uncle), Mrs. Nancy Elgersma (cousin), and Mrs. Sherri Boersema (cousin).  May our God of all comfort surround the family with his love and grace.  We can report that Tristan Wielink (a former student and brother to our Grade 6B teacher), who was involved in a serious dirt-bike accident last week, is recuperating at home.  Praise the Lord for his goodness and we continue to pray for a speedy recovery.  

Kindergarten registration:  Today was the last day for submitting Kindergarten registration forms.  There are still a few outstanding forms so please send them in as soon as possible.  

Reminders:

*It’s that time of year again, so please continue to be wary of ticks and mosquitoes.  There was an article in yesterday’s Hamilton Spectator stating that the ticks are out in full force.

*Kindergarten day, originally scheduled for May 27, is postponed. Stay tuned for a more definitive date once it has been determined.

*News and Views materials are due on Monday, June 8 and distribution is scheduled for Sunday, June 14.

*Library Books and Lost and Found:  If you have any school library books at home, please return them on June 19 when you return textbooks, workbooks, and chrome books.   When you are in the school on the Friday, please swing by the hallway by the staff room and check the tables for lost and found items.  All remaining items will be taken to the GBF or Value Village.

Have a good weekend and a restful, Pentecost Sunday as once again you worship from home. We’ll touch base again next week, D.V.. 

G. Hofsink