General News
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.
“For to us a child is born,
To us a son is given,
And the government will be on his shoulders.
And he will be called Wonderful Counselor,
Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.”
(Isaiah 9:6, NIV)
Greetings school community as we share with you the final Calvin Chronicle for the calendar year, 2021. Once again, what a year it has been. Thankfully, aside from Grade 1 and a few bus students having to stay home the past three days, we have been able to carry on uninterrupted from September 7 to December 17. The students and staff are looking forward to the two-week Christmas Break; a time for family and friends and renewed energy. Thank you, parents, for the support you continue to show to the staff through prayer and commitment to Reformed education; and as an extension of that support, through cards and gifts your children have given to the staff during the past week and earlier. This is all very much appreciated. May our Heavenly Father continue to bless the work that the parents and the staff do together in instructing the covenant children he has entrusted to us. Praise God from Whom all blessings flow!
During this festive season, our thoughts and prayers continue to be with those in our community who need the Lord in a special way; whether they are grieving the recent death of a loved one, coping with serious illness or are dealing with difficult family circumstances. In particular we think of Mike and Esther DeBoer and their children, Miss J. Breukelman and her family as her father remains in critical condition in Trillium Hospital in Mississauga after twice enduring cardiac arrest as well as going into septic shock earlier this week, and Mrs. M. Blokker who continues to recover from a broken arm sustained in a fall. At Christmas time, it can often be a more lonely and difficult time for those experiencing these situations. May our good and gracious God be near to them all.
A few items for your attention:
*The paper copy of the News and Views will be distributed via church mailboxes on Sunday.
*Winterfest: We are ever so grateful for the news that we could share with you last week from the Winterfest committee that $36,800 was raised by Winterfest, 2021. Thank you very much everyone for your participation in the various activities and events and, once again, a very special thank you to the Winterfest Committee and the plethora of volunteers that helped out. God is good all the time and all the time God is good.
*Hockey for JCS students: The first session will take place today from 3:00 – 4:00 at the Smithville arena. Parents of the participating students need to look after transportation to and from the arena.
*Christmas Week: We had a fun and enjoyable week.
• The letters of JOY on one of the walls in the foyer are filled with what brings students and staff joy. The garlands hanging in the foyer added to the festiveness of the week.
• Everyone enjoyed their Christmas snack on Wednesday.
• On Thursday, the halls resounded with the flash mob carol sing. Most of the students and staff looked very colourful as well in their Christmas garb and, for some, wearing festive lights.
• Mrs. Fledderus and Mrs. Kelly led our Christmas assembly this morning during which we could celebrate the birth of our Saviour in song and word.
• Thanks very much for organizing the activities, School Spirit Team. Great job!
*Lost and Found: All remaining items have been taken to the GBF, Bibles for Mission, or Value Village.
Reminders:
*Today is a 2/3 day of school. Students will be dismissed at 12:00 and the buses will be leaving at 12:10. The Christmas break is scheduled for December 20 – December 31. The first day back in the new year is Monday, January 3, D.V.. You are invited to our “welcome back” New Year assembly on January 3rd beginning at 8:15 a.m.
We wish everyone a joyous Christmas and a blessed 2022. Have a safe and relaxing Christmas Break. The Lord willing, we’ll touch base again in the new year. G. Hofsink
Classroom News
Kindergarten
The final week of kindergarten for the 2021 year is complete. The students enjoyed having a week to review concepts learned over the past 4 months as well as constructing a variety of Christmas crafts. We praise the Lord that we have been able to have school in person for these past months and for keeping us all safe and healthy! We wish you all the Lord’s blessings as you celebrate the birth of our Lord and Saviour. Enjoy your winter holidays and the Lord willing, see you all in January! JB/SV
Grade 1
We want to wish all of you a blessed Christmas and a joy filled new year! At the time of my writing this blurb, almost every one of the children in Grade 1A has taken the time to complete the on-line Bible test and many have completed the Famous Canadians quiz as well. Thank-you so much for your cooperation. It is always much nicer to start clean with a new unit in the new year. While it was upsetting to have to stay home for the days before Christmas, I hope that you were able to enjoy them with your children anyway. All in all, it is quite a short quarantine. We were able to get a bag to most of the students with a gift they made for their mom and dad as well as a small gift from the teachers. We are looking forward to seeing the children again in the new year. We hope you and they enjoy this holiday.
Memory Work: Hymn 56:3, John 3:16 (Jan. 7)
Spelling/Sight words: many, so, them, then, these
Grade 2
It’s been a flurry of completing assignments and tests combined with fun activities this week in Grade 2. We’ve completed our Church History unit on The Worship Service and will return to our studies of Jesus’ Ministry in the new year. We’ve also finished another unit in our Language Arts program. In the new year, we will continue with our studies on Nunavut.
We’d like to thank you for all your support and the outpouring of well wishes at the end of the calendar year. We wish you all a very blessed Christmas. See you in the New Year! BV/RG
Grade 3
We have come to the last teaching week in December of this year. God has been gracious and merciful to us. He has carried the parents, the children, and us as teachers up to this point. May our Lord and Saviour keep you in His care as you celebrate His birth. We wish you God’s blessings for 2022. For unto us a child is born, to us a Son is given…..Continue to keep Miss B. and her family in your prayers as they wait for what the Lord has in store for her father. Blessings to you all. We want to thank you from the bottom of our hearts for the thoughtful well wishes and gifts.
Memory work: Ps.103: 1 Text: Ps. 24:1-3
Spelling words: right, write, trouble, wouldn’t
Thursday: library books in bag!!!
Friday: Mission $
Grade 4
“When they saw the star, they rejoiced exceedingly with great joy.” Matthew 2: 10. Wishing you a season of the same great joy as we celebrate the birth of our Lord Jesus Christ.
Friday: Spelling Test: donkey, stole, anybody, beautiful, busy, hotel, hockey, anymore, coffee, weeks, money, nobody, finally, holiday
Memory Work: Psalm 35: 1/ T: John 3: 16 – 18
Upcoming Memory Work: Psalm 13: 1
Grade 5
At the end of the calendar year it is fitting to reflect on the goodness of the Lord. It is such a blessing to have been together as a class, here in the school building. We would also like to thank you parents for your many kind wishes and thoughtful gifts. We truly appreciate the support we receive from parents and are grateful to be a small part of your child’s life. We wish you a restful Christmas break, and the Lord’s blessings in the New Year! When we return, we will continue where we left off in Bible, Language Arts, Science, and Math. Devotions for the week are as follows: For 5A, M. Nolan, Tu. Cohen, W. Audrey, Th. Judy, F. Thomas. And for 5B, M. Brooke, Tu. Benjamin, W. Reanne, Th. Evelyn, F. Reece. Have a wonderful 2 weeks! RK/KVL
Grade 6
The bird projects are finalized and serve as nice decorations in our hallway. The students have done their research and put the little chapters together by themselves. For the teachers it can be hard to let the students put the poster together in their own personal way, but learners need to learn to take responsibility themselves. These projects actually serve three subjects: Language Arts, Science and also Art. An interesting combination. This past week we also had the presentation of the play of Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer in French. Some classes came to visit us and the students were praised for the work they had put in as they had to learn how to pronounce the words in understandable French. “Number the Stars”, our very interesting novel, could be concluded by performing a play. As teachers we are totally not surprised that the students are tired now. They had to work very hard! They deserve a refreshing holiday. We wish you as parents a very good time as you celebrate Christmas with your loved ones. May it be a joyful time together as you celebrate the birth of our Beautiful Savior. We really hope and pray that we will meet again on January 3, 2022. With hearty greetings. Thank you also for all the nice signs of appreciation you sent with your children. Much appreciated! CvA / IdeV.
Grade 7A
By God’s grace we were allowed to return to the classroom in September and have made it this far. Also, this past week we went about with our planned material thanking God for the ability to do so. After the break, the stir stick bridges will be tested as well as the Thirteen Colonies’ resolve to rebel against Britain. Students will continue to teach each other low order co-operative games and we’ll wrap up our study of the Reformation in Germany. There have been several sniffles and hoarse throats the past few weeks as well as student absences; no doubt the next two weeks will be used for recuperation. Enjoy your break.
Grade 7B
Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year from Gr. 7B
Cheers, Mr. J & Mrs. Ludwig
Grade 8
And just like that the 2021 portion of the school year has come to a close! With a busy last few weeks full of closing assignments, we wish students (and parents!) a relaxing Christmas break as we reflect on and celebrate the birth of our Lord and Saviour. Merry Christmas from Grade 8, we can’t wait to welcome you back in the classroom in January, D.V.
Mrs. VanAm & Mrs. Tesfaye
