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.

“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness,

faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control.  Against such things there is no law.”

                                                                                                                                                Galatians 5:22,23 (NIV)

The fruit of the Spirit is the spontaneous work of the Holy Spirit in us.  The Spirit produces these character traits that are found in the nature of Christ.  They are the by-products of Christ’s control—we can’t obtain them by trying to get them without his help.  If we want the fruit of the Spirit to grow in us, we must join our lives to his (“Remain in me, and I will remain in you.  No branch can bear fruit by itself; it must remain in the vine.  Neither can you bear fruit unless you remain in me.  I am the vine; you are the branches.  If a man remains in me and I in him, he will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing.” John 15:4,5).  We must know Christ, love him, remember him, and imitate him.  As a result, we will fulfill the intended purpose of the law—to love God and our neighbour.  Because the God who sent the law also sent the Spirit, the by-products of the Spirit-filled life are in perfect harmony with the intent of God’s law.  A person who exhibits the fruit of the Spirit fulfills the law far better than a person who observes the rituals but has little love in his or her heart.  It is to be our daily prayer to ask the Lord to work in us the fruit of the Spirit so that they may be evident in our walk and talk, especially during this challenging time.

One thing that the pandemic has taught us is the importance of daily exercising the fruit of the Spirit.  Yes, we are to do so at all times but even more so during this challenging time of remote teaching and learning, and living with the restrictions put in place by government and public health authorities.  May we continue to strive to show the fruit of the Spirit in our homes, our school, our churches, and our community. 

Hello everyone on this beautiful Friday morning (after the dissipation of the fog) as we wrap-up the first week of June (and week seven of remote instruction).  We pray that our Heavenly Father will help us to stay the course and stay focused for the eighth and final week of remote teaching and learning.  All the best and God bless as we work together in bringing another school year to a close.     

After Wednesday’s announcement that remote teaching and learning will continue until the end of the school year, the following schedule has been put in place for the remainder of the school year at JCS:

• The last day of school is Thursday, June 10.  Parents will have an opportunity to drop-off any assignments, projects, school work so that teachers can mark them for inclusion on report cards.  There will also be an opportunity for students and parents to contribute to our Mission project.
• The virtual year end assembly is scheduled to take place on Thursday, June 17.  More details to follow in next week’s Chronicle.
• Parents and students are invited to come to school on Friday, June 18 to pick up report cards and any student stuff that is still at school.  At the same time, parents and students can drop-off chrome books and textbooks.
• The 2021-2022 class lists will be emailed to the parents on Friday, June 18.

Our thoughts and prayers continue to be with those who need the comfort, encouragement and guidance of our Heavenly Father in a special way;be it those who are sick or in hospital perhaps because of the virus, who are dealing with difficult family situations, or those who are grieving the death of a loved one.   In particular, we think of the Breukelman family with the passing away yesterday of Miss Breukelman’s sister-in-law.  May our God of all comfort surround the family with his love and grace.

Staffing update:  We are thankful that, in addition to the hires mentioned last week, Mrs. S. Visser could be hired as the Kindergarten TA for next school year.  We are still in need of a Grade 6B teacher and a part-time (67%) EA position.

A few matters for your attention:

*It’s that time of year again, so when you are outside please continue to be wary of ticks and mosquitoes. 

*Just a reminder that the school is still collecting can tabs for wheelchairs.

*News and Views materials are due on Monday, June 14.

*Just a reminder that, if any of the students currently attending school have been exposed to individuals with COVID-19, they will not be able to participate in the in-school instruction until their isolation period is over.  Also, while in school, the students need to continue to follow the same protocols that were in place prior to the break and the subsequent switch to remote learning.  Next week will be the final week of instruction for those students who have been receiving in-school instruction.

*Grades K-8 parents have an opportunity to once again drop-off and pick-up materials next week Thursday, June 10.  Once again, details are as follows:

• Parents will be able to carry out the exchange between 9:00 and 3:00.  Please note that we are not giving designated church times.  This gives a little more flexibility to parents.
• Parents may go directly to their child(ren)’s classroom(s).  Grades K, 1 and 4 parents please use the west doors (opposite the church) and Grades 2 and 3 parents please use the doors by the stairs.  Grades 5&6 and Learning Resource parents may use the main entrance, while the Grades 7&8 parent are able to use the north doors by the Grades 7&8 classrooms.
• Parents, please make sure your child’s name is on the submitted materials.
• Parents must wear a mask and sign in upon entering the school.  You only need to sign in once.

*Miss Broersma will be putting together a Kindergarten welcome package in lieu of Kindergarten Day.  They will be sent home to parents with children already in school and parents whose oldest child will be going to kindergarten can pick up the package at the school on Friday, June 18. 

*Hike for Hospice:  Thank you to all the families who participated in the Hike for Hospice last weekend or earlier this week to raise money for McNally House.    If you didn’t use the online payment option, you may return the money collected anytime next week up to and including the final drop-off day on Thursday.

*Library Books:  If you have any library books at home, please return them on the next drop-off day (June 10).  We would like our year-end inventory to be complete.  The librarians thank you for your cooperation. 

*Lost and Found:  All lost and found items have been placed on tables so when you are next in school, please take a moment and have a look for lost items on the tables in the foyer.  All remaining items will be taken to the GBF or Value Village at the end of the school year.

*Graduation is tentatively set for June 28.  A parent committee is currently working out the logistics for Grade 8 graduation.

Enjoy your weekend everyone and have a blessed and restful Sunday.  The Lord willing, we’ll touch base again next week Friday.

                                                                G. Hofsink