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 readership on this rainy but warm spring day, as we wrap up another busy week of home-based learning and instruction.  We thank the Lord for blessing and guiding us during the course of this past week, and we pray thathe will continue to bless the work of the students, parents, and teachers as we carry on with student learning at home, preparing to move onto week number nine.   

“In that day you will say:  ‘I will praise you, O LORD.  Although you were angry with me, your anger has turned away and you have comforted me.  Surely God is my salvation; I will trust and not be afraid.  The LORD, the LORD, is my strength and my song; he has become my salvation.  With joy you will draw water from the wells of salvation.’  In that day you will say:  ‘Give thanks to the LORD, call on his name; make known among the nations what he has done, and proclaim that his name is exalted.  Sing to the LORD, for he has done glorious things; let this be known to all the world.  Shout aloud and sing for joy, people of Zion, for great is the Holy One of Israel among you.’  Isaiah 12

This chapter from the prophecies of Isaiah is a hymn of praise—another beautiful description of the people’s joy when Jesus Christ comes to reign over the earth.  Especially now, in the midst of a global pandemic, we need to express our gratitude to God—thanking him, praising him, and telling others about him.  From the depths of our gratitude, we must praise him, and share the Good News with others.

May our Heavenly Father continue to bless parents and staff with the wisdom, patience, diligence and the stick-withitness required to carry on with their respective tasks to the end of the school year.   I continue to encourage you to do the best that you can; yes there continues to be challenges but there are also many joys, like the lightbulb moment when your son or daughter says to you, “Mom, you don’t have to teach me Math anymore; I get it!”  We thank God for good cooperation as we, parents and teachers, work together to instruct His children.  Keep up the great work you are doing, today and every day!

Parents, if you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to contact your child(ren)’s teacher.  If you have any questions of a general nature about home-based learning, please don’t hesitate to contact the principal.  Please continue to pray for the staff as they continue to pray for you.  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. 

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 thank the Lord that the government of Ontario has opened up even more businesses so that people can get back to work or get to work. We think especially of those in the construction industry.  May our good and gracious God continue to provide everyone with what they need; spiritually, physically, and materially. 

Included with today’s Chronicle is the Protocol for Class Re-distribution.  Please read through the document carefully.  Class lists for the 2020-2021 school year will be developed in June from the considerations, criteria, and procedures included in the document.  The class lists will be emailed to   parents on Friday, June 19.  This is the same document that was sent last month with the April edition of the News and Views.  

Kindergarten registration reminder:  Kindergarten and Grade 1 registration forms were sent out last week.  Please return them to the school as soon as possible, either by email or snail mail.  The deadline is Friday, May 29.    

Reminders:

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

*The Spring Membership Meeting is scheduled for Wednesday, May 20.  You should have received the meeting packages on Thursday via church social.

*The Teachers College is postponing the graduation ceremonies originally scheduled for May 22 until sometime in the fall. 

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

Have a great long weekend everyone.  Sadly, no camping this year; unless you choose to do so in your backyard.  May our Heavenly Father grant us a blessed day of rest on Sunday as we continue to worship from home.  We hope to touch base again next week Friday.

G. Hofsink