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General News

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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.

“Be joyful always; pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.”

                                I Thessalonians 5:16-18 (NIV)

Greetings everyone as we bring another week of instruction to a close at JCS, and a bit of an adventurous one at that as we had to deal with our first situation involving a positive student case that had an impact on one of the cohorts.  We are thankful that it was only one case and that the impact was limited to the Grade 4 class and a few students on bus #1.  We pray that the Lord will provide us with health and strength as we continue to navigate COVID-19. Guided by His Word and Spirit, let us continue to strive to glorify his Name in all that we do whether at home or at school.

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 the virus, who are dealing with difficult family situations, or those who are grieving the death of a loved one.   

Our thoughts and prayers are with the Jansema and VanIperen families.  Earlier this week the Lord took to himself, after a lengthy illness, Mrs. A. Jansema. She was the mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, and aunt to many in our school community including several staff members and many students.  May our good and gracious God be near to the family as they lay her to rest today. We also think of the family of Mr. L. Vandergriendt who passed away yesterday.  He was the father, grandfather, great-grandfather and relative to many in our school community, including bus drivers and many students. May our good and gracious God be near to them as well.

A few matters for your attention:

*Student Teachers:  Week #3 is completed for the student teachers.  Miss Jongbloed and Miss Tenhage successfully completed their induction week in Grades 5B and 3B respectively, and Mr. VanGameren continued his teaching task with the little ones in Grade 1.  After the spring break, all three student teachers have two weeks remaining in their practicum.

*The Spring Food Drive in support of West Lincoln Community Care wrapped up today.  Thanks again to everyone who participated in this drive by sharing of their blessings.

*Thank you very much JCS Ladies Auxiliary for the delicious pancake lunch we could enjoy today.  It was much appreciated by the students, teachers, and parents.  

*An invitation from River’s Edge Haven of Hope (last call):  River’s Edge is hosting free family tours during the April break (April 12 – 16) to experience the farm/horses, etc.  

*The School Spirit Day, Time Warp- The 1980s, which was scheduled for today has been postponed to after the April Break.  A date still needs to be determined.  

*Included with today’s Chronicle is the latest Link, the newsletter of the League of Canadian Reformed School Societies.  Enjoy an informative read.

*Book Week is planned for April 19-23.  The theme for the week is READ.  For the school goal, we are planning to read across Canada (5514 kilometers, 1 book = 1 km).  We will be following the children’s progress on a large map of Canada which will be located in the main foyer.  The reading challenge will take place over two weeks (April 19 – 30).  Other activities include a book character day, DEAR (drop everything and read), Reading Bingo challenge, and Book/Reading Trivia contest.

*Hike for Hospice:  We are planning to participate in this annual event once again this year.  A staff ad hoc committee has already been busy with staff from McNally House organizing a covid-friendly hike on the school grounds.  More details to follow later this month.  At some point and time today, teachers will be sharing a short video from McNally House.  After the break, we will be sending instructions, pamphlets, and pledge forms home with the students.  The actual hike is scheduled to take place during the week of May 17, D.V.  

*The Spring Membership meeting is scheduled for Wednesday, April 28. 

*From the Ministry of Education:  As per last week’s announcement by the education minister, financial support is once again available for families; more information to follow regarding application and contact once we receive it from the Ministry of Education.

This time around, an expanded COVID-19 Child Support program is providing:

$400 for each child/youth up to Grade 12, and;

$500 for each child/youth up to age 21 with special needs.

If you have previously applied for the COVID-19 Child Support, the $400/$500 will be sent to you directly; there will be no need to re-apply.

Enjoy the March Break in April everyone, and we will touch base again a fortnight from today on Friday, April 23, D.V. 

                                                G. Hofsink

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Classroom News

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Kindergarten

We made it!  The students worked very hard this week to complete all of their work before Spring Break!!  Well done students.  The warmer weather also allowed the children to play outside for longer periods of time without wearing a coat.  It is amazing how quickly students are able to get ready for recess if they don’t have to put on their winter gear!  Teddy Bear Day Picnic finally happened.  The long awaited day was filled with laughter, sorting, sharing and eating together with their stuffies.  The students even wanted me to teach their stuffies how to talk!  If only that were possible.  Thanks also to the Grade 7 class for making us delicious pancakes!  The students absolutely loved eating them and drinking the chocolate milk!  Have a great Spring Break and the Lord willing, see you all again after the break!  JB/NV

Grade 1

We have had a busy week. Mr. VanGammeren has been teaching most mornings in grade 1A and we are appreciating having Mrs. Jonker with us each morning. Students will be taking home papers this week. Grade 1A will be taking home a story called ‘The Sweet Shop’. Please have them read it to you.  Grade 1B has begun working on the third reader about Fairy Tales and Fables.  We were all very excited about the pancake lunch this afternoon.  Thanks to the LA who prepared and provided it for us.  Students seem to be quite ready for the break.  Enjoy it. 

Memory Work:  Psalm 140:4, Psalm 111:10

Spelling words:  frog, moth, quote, wood, took, spoon, tooth, why

Sight words:  years, trouble, again, against, front

Grade 2

Greetings as we wrap up another segment of the school year! We are all eagerly looking forward to our April break next week.

This past week, we learned more about the Underground railroad. Ask your child who Harriet Tubman is and what role she planned in freeing slaves.

In our Science class, we also began an exciting unit on Investigating Animals. So far we’ve learned about animal classes and we look forward to continuing our studies after the break.

That’s all for now. Have a blessed break! BV/RG

Memory work: Hymn 81:1,7; Text: John 14:6

Spelling: new, knew, mail, nice

Bible test: Thursday

Grade 3

Hello again. It’s been a short but busy week. First of all, thanks to the Ladies’ Auxiliary for the yummy pancake lunch on Friday.  It was much appreciated, ladies! In our Bible classes, we continue to see the holiness of God and how He dwelt with His covenant people. Ask us what the word tabernacle means. Geometry is a fun unit with many hands-on activities. Ask us about forms, polygons, 3D shapes, perimeter. Soils, soils, soils…what is soil, what are the types of soils?  These are some of the questions that we are investigating in Science. Miss T. Tenhage completed her induction week.  Well done and may God continue to bless you as you teach with Mrs. Poort again after the April Break, D.V. Grade 3B could welcome back Quinten!  We thank the Lord for his speedy recovery. Have a safe and relaxing April Break. God be with you till we meet again. J.B./M.P.

Memory Work:  Psalm 124:1; Text:  Exodus 20:12-17

Words:  thought, were, weather, whether

Library Books on THURSDAY in a PLASTIC BAG.

Mission $ on Friday.

Grade 4

Grade 4 has been busy over the past few weeks wrapping up many units and projects. We finished our work with the digestive system and the urinary system, and we look forward to beginning with the Middle Ages after the break. Many of the students have presented their animal projects to the class, but those who still need to do so will be presenting after the break. In Math, we continue to work with fractions, and we will pick this up again after the break. We wish everyone a restful Spring Break.

Spelling Words Lesson 29: minutes, girl, hours, wall, guys, turned, cousins, hello, first, told, both, owner, bats, months, grams (April 23)

Memory Work (we are getting back on track with the schedule): S: Psalm 6:6 (April 23)

Upcoming Memory Work: S: Hymn 22:2/ T: Daniel 2:20-22 (April 30)

Grade 5

We are so thankful to have made it to the end of the week in good health!  It has been busy here in grade 5, wrapping up units before the break. We have learned about the ascension of our Lord and will begin with learning about Pentecost after the break.  In math we will continue to work with fractions. Our Ancient Egypt Unit has come to an end and we will move onto studying Space!  So many exciting things to look forward to! Devotions for the week are as follows: 5A M. Victoria, Tu. MacKenna, W. Kayden, Th. Jackson, F. Katie.  And for 5B M. Liam, Tu. Kensi, W. Reuben, Th. Ella, F. Chelsea. We wish you a wonderful April Break and with the Lord’s blessing we will see you in a week!  RK/KVL

Grade 6

We have all enjoyed the beautiful weather this week. The students have been able to complete their questions on fractions using the four operations. After the break, we will start integers. In Science, we will continue the unit on matter. Do you know the origin of the word atom? Do you know how many atoms would fit on the top of a pinhead?  Ask one of the students. Our one point perspective bedrooms are proudly displayed in the hallway. A job well done, students. Enjoy your break. SO/CV

Grade 7A

Hopefully our scheduled tour of the Niagara Battlefields of the War of 1812 went well. We planned to tour Beaverdams, Lundy’s Lane and Queenston Height. After the Spring Break we plan to construct our energy transfers and evaluate their efficiencies. Next in Church History we will learn about the work of our school’s namesake as he carries out the Reformation in France and Geneva. In Math we’ll learn about education, careers and entrepreneurship, and hopefully hear from entrepreneurs from our own community. We have a lot planned for after the Break; may God allow these plans to take place. Enjoy the Break.

Grade 7B

After wrapping up a number of projects and chapters over the week, we can look forward to a week of rest and relaxation from our regular school work. I hope that everyone has a good April Break and we look forward, LORD willing, to returning to school on April 19!

Grade 8

As with most weeks leading up to a break the Gr. 8 classrooms were busy with wrap-up lessons, hands on activities, and assignment due dates. Thankfully most of our larger unit tests we got out of the way last week so we could focus on projects in Science, Language Arts, and History. With all of that behind us, enjoy the break, soak up some sunshine and we will see you back here on the 19th D.V.! Cheers, Miss. P. and Mr. J.