General News
Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men,… You are serving the Lord Christ. Colossians 3:23, 24b
It was a pleasure having the school abuzz with the parent-teacher interviews on Tuesday and Thursday. Wholesome conversations about furthering the talents and abilities of the covenant children entrusted to us help us work heartily in his kingdom.
We think of Mr. Bert Poort who is at the hospital for surgery this morning. We pray that God will guide the hands of the doctors. We pray that God will also be with Mrs. Poort as she waits for and cares for her husband through the surgery.
We also remember a former teacher of the school, Pete deBruin. He was diagnosed with pulmonary fibrosis which degenerates the lungs rapidly. It was determined that he was a suitable candidate for a transplant. I was informed last night that he has found a donor for a double lung transplant and will be undergoing surgery today at noon. We pray that all goes well and that God will guide the hands of the doctors.
We congratulate our JCCS hockey team on a successful tournament. I spoke to several hoarse coaches after a day of encouraging the team. We now have a banner to hang up as well as the team managed to win first place. They hope to head out on Tuesday as well for the Guido hockey tournament.
The grade 8 class will head out to Guido for grade nine orientation. In this way they will get a little taste of what is ahead for them in their academic career.
On Wednesday we hope to celebrate Flag Day. Due to the busy nature of the week there will not be an assembly on this day. Students are encouraged to wear red and white on this day. There will be a Canada flag design contest as well as other activities in the classes. I am sure that you will hear more about it from your children.
On Friday students will have a day off school. Our staff will be going to a CARE (Curriculum Assistance for Reformed Education) PD day or the ASC (Assistance for the Special Child) EA day. These days help provide a stimulus for thought and further professional development.
I believe that this wraps things up for the week. May God refresh and rejuvenate us through the proclamation of his word. JVI
Calendar
Monday – Early Years morning, Basketball Practice
Tuesday – Guido Hockey Tournament
Wednesday – Flag Day – Red and White Dress Up
Thursday – Basketball Practice, Ed Comm Meeting
Friday – PD Day
Reminder: Dress up like a Book Character Day is February 23rd.
The Book Week Committee would also like to extend an invitation to those in our greater community (aunts, uncles, friends, grandparents etc) to come and read to some of our classes as guest readers.
Feel free to contact rachel.tesfaye@johncalvinschool.com if you would like to sign up for a particular class/time. This can happen anytime between the 21st of Feb. and the 3rd of March. We look forward to hearing from you!
Classroom News
Kindergarten
It was such a blessing to meet with the majority of parents this week to discuss their child’s progress in kindergarten. This home school connection is such an integral part of Reformed education here at John Calvin Christian School. Together we discussed how much growth has been evident in each student since the start of the school year. How good is our God! In Bible the students learned a very cool way to remember each of the 10 commandments. Ask your child to show you this special little trick. In math the students were introduced to the concept of addition. They have been practicing how to add single digit numbers! Doing addition with Fruit Loops and marshmallows is so much fun! A big thank you also goes out Mrs. Deboersap who taught for Miss Jes on Wednesday! Thanks so much Mrs. Deboersap and we can’t wait for you to come back to tell us all about your trip to Kenya! Have a great weekend everyone. JB/SV
Here is a look at next week:
Monday – SH: Hunter, Valentine’s Day
Tuesday – SH: Bennett, Valentine’s Day
Wednesday – LIBRARY DAY
Thursday – SH: Cameron
Grade 1
We are now 96 days smarter! What a busy upcoming week grade 1 will be having. Valentine’s day, flag day, and 100 day will all be happening consecutively. This is a reminder to all parents to sign up and bring items for 100 day by February 14 using the link sent by your child’s classroom teacher. Grade 1 is busy starting the new unit in math on measurement. Students are excited to be able to use a ruler. We are also well on our way into unit two in CKLA. The students are getting better at reading every week! We encourage you to keep reading with your students at home, especially with book week coming up!
Memory work: Psalm 132:6 Text: Psalm 8:1
Spelling words: been, girl, eat, my, than
Grade 2
We were very excited to see some sunshine this week! Grade 2 started a new Church History unit. We’ve learned about John Chrysostom and his work as a preacher in the city of Antioch. Next week we plan to learn about Polycarp. In Math we have started regrouping and have continued with double digit addition and subtraction. We have had some very muddy and wet recesses this week. If possible, please keep an extra set of clothes in your child’s backpack. Next week we are looking forward to a shorter week with a P.D. day Friday. We are also excited for Valentine’s Day on Tuesday and Flag Day on Wednesday. On Flag Day the school is encouraged to wear red and white! Have a great weekend and a blessed Sunday! RG/BV
Grade 3
Thank you, parents, for coming to meet with us this past week. It was a pleasure speaking with you about the progress your child has made. May the Lord have been pleased with our discussions. We have finished our Church History unit with a test. We will turn to the stories about the Israelites in Egypt for our next Bible unit. We have begun a unit about financial literacy in math class. Creating our ‘own Canadian flag’ keeps us busy in art class. The children are enjoying the different types of locomotor skills. Please continue to practise spelling words, math facts, and memory work diligently at home. Thank you so much for your help in this matter. Let your child come to school dressed in red and white colours next Wednesday. Have a wonderful weekend and a blessed Sunday.
Memory work: Hy. 2:1 Text: Ex. 20:1-6 (two weeks)
Spelling words: by, buy, didn’t, doesn’t, general
Library on Thursday
Friday: Mission $
Grade 4
Excitement is building as we learn about Medieval Times and look forward to our big Medieval Festival. The final food and volunteer lists will be sent home early next week. Two special days are awaiting us next week: Valentine’s Day is always a fun day to celebrate and appreciate our friends. Please remember that if you would like to bring in cards or treats that you should include everyone. Flag Day is Wednesday and we would love to see you all dressed in red and white to celebrate our country. Grade 4A is beginning a new novel study, called From Anna by Jean Little.
Memory Work: Psalm 67: 1; Text: Psalm 121: 1 – 4
Spelling Words (plurals): buttons, roses, mothers, houses, people, tanks, bushes, cherries, colours, steps, wishes, bothers, ponies, star
Grade 5
Although the sunlight was a welcome sight this past week, the rain on Thursday allowed the students a chance to watch the intramural ball hockey game, which was fun for them! Students have been enjoying the novel study, “The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe”, evident in the way they eagerly follow along and complete the assignments. Students, don’t forget to dress in red and white on Wednesday, and to complete your entry for the flag design contest!
Devotions for the week are as follows:
5A – Cooper (M), Eliza (Tu), Hannah (W), Isaac (Th) and for 5B – Addison (M), Claire (Tu), Eddie (W), Holden (Th). Enjoy your weekend! RK/KVL
Grade 6
It has been a busy week in Grade 6 and it was nice to see parents this week to discuss the progress of their covenant children! We have come to the end of our geometry unit in Math and we now “look forward” to our next chapter on fractions! We are also now well on our way learning about the religion of Islam and its origins, beginning with the life of Mohammed. Our “Disease Research Project” continues to be a work-in-progress. With a short week next week, a reminder to students that memory work and vocab/spelling quizzes will be completed a day earlier. Have a great weekend!
Grade 7
Next week we’ll wrap up plane geometry by looking at circles and the Pythagorean theorem. In geography we’ll switch from the changing patterns of climate to natural vegetation. While David’s sins have been forgiven, he still lives with the consequences of his sin as he experiences trouble in his family. The Science Fair will be held on Weds. Feb. 22 and the students have been spending time in class completing their projects. The project must be completed by Tues. Feb. 21 and brought to work the same day. Our memory work will consist of selections from our Ascension Say concert.
Grade 8
On Monday, grade 8 is heading to the Grade 9 Day at Guido DeBres in Hamilton. Tuesday, some students are headed out for a 2nd hockey tournament and the rest will be taking a Bible Test to finish off our unit in the Middle of Christ’s Ministry. Count on a French vocab quiz Wednesday as we are partway through a chapter on future plans and careers. Science fair projects should be nearing completion and in school work time has come to an end. Have a blessed weekend! Cheers, Mrs. Tesfaye, Mrs. Ludwig and Mr. J
