General News
“Put on the whole armour of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil.” Eph 6:11
As we complete another week of learning at JCCS, the building has been bustling with activity. Basketball tryouts have been completed and teams have been posted, with practices beginning in earnest next week. The hockey team participated in the CAIRN tournament yesterday and has another exhibition this afternoon. Earlier this week, Grade 7 and 8 students completed the in-class portion of their public speaking contest. Congratulations to the finalists, who will now prepare for the in-school finals next Tuesday, February 10! To close out the week, several Korean visitors are currently touring the building and joining various classes.
In addition to all of this, over the past few weeks teachers have been busy compiling final marks, comments, and reports. Today, term 1 report cards will be sent home with students. Please take time to review them with your children so that we can continue to assist each other in the education of covenant children. We look forward to seeing many of you at Parent-Teacher Interviews next Tuesday and Thursday evening.
As mentioned earlier, the public speaking finalists are eagerly awaiting the in-school finals next Tuesday. Feel free to join us first thing in the morning as we enjoy these entertaining speeches and poetry declamations.
We also look forward to the Geography Challenge finals next Thursday, February 12. Everyone is welcome to come watch and test their own geography knowledge! Forms will be available so you can see how you fare. The Grade 4–6 finalists will compete at 10:35 a.m., and the Grade 7–8 finalists will compete at 1:00 p.m.
The Grade 4-6 finalists are as follows: Gavin, Madilyn, Colton, Caroline, Macy, Taryn, Shepherd, Gabriel, Oliver, Ezra, Adelaide, and Rayna.
The Grade 7-8 finalists are: Evan, Ashley, Micah, Meghan, Camryn, Holden, Geneva, and Quinten
Come cheer them on!
Finally, next week Friday is a PD day as the staff will be attending either CARE day in Guelph or a EA conference at Grace Christian School.
MJ
Mon – Basketball Practice (Women & Co-Ed)
Tues – Gr. 7 & 8 Public Speaking School Finals (8:00-10:00), P-T Conferences
Wed – Hockey Tournament; Women’s Basketball practice during lunch hour
Thurs – Geography Challenge (10:35/1:00), Basketball Practice (Men & Co-Ed), P-T Conferences
Fri – PD Day – No School
Classroom News
Kindergarten
Today we celebrated Mrs. Visser’s birthday in the classroom and enjoyed some tasty treats from her. Report cards will be going home today, please sign and return the envelopes. We are looking forward to meeting with you all next week. The children practiced some soccer skills during P.E this week and had fun trying to score a goal. During Bible, we continued to hear about Moses and the 10 Commandments. Wednesday we will be doing our Valentine’s exchange; your child can dress up in valentine’s colours if they like. A few reminders: please return your child’s library books every Wednesday and mission money is collected every Thursday(KA) and on Friday(KB). Have a great weekend! MV/DV
Grade 1
In Bible class, we continued learning about the time of the Judges. The students listened to and discussed the stories of Samson as well as Ruth, reflecting on God’s faithfulness and care for His people.
In math, we have been having a wonderful time exploring measurement. Students have been busy measuring items around the classroom using inches, centimetres, and feet, building both their skills and confidence with real-world math.
In science, we are continuing our study of the seasons, with a focus on how living things adapt to seasonal changes. The students enjoy learning about the ways plants, animals, and people respond to different times of the year.
We are hoping to celebrate the 100th day of school on February 18th, if all goes as planned. A note with more details will be sent home early next week.
We look forward to meeting with you during interviews next week to discuss your child’s progress. It’s a joy to work together in teaching these covenant children!
Grade 2
And here we are already wrapping up the first week of February – how time flies! We can look back on a busy week in which we accomplished much. In Bible, we are hearing about the end of Jesus’ life on earth – his arrest, his trials and his crucifixion. In math, we have started to learn how to add and subtract with double digit numbers. Grade 2 very much enjoyed their last skating session – a big thank-you to all parents and grandparents who came out to help tie skates and to our bus drivers for taking us back and forth each time! We really appreciate each one of you! Due to the PD day next Friday, library will be on Thursday – thanks to Mrs. Huizinga for arranging this! Wishing you a lovely weekend and blessed Sunday.
Grade 3
Another busy week has passed in grade three. Students received their report cards today. We thank the Lord for the progress made so far. We are looking forward to meeting all of you next week. DV. We are nearing the end of our division unit in math. Students are encouraged to continue practicing their multiplication facts. In our Bible classes, we heard stories of how the Lord used Joseph to preserve the life of the household of Jacob. There will be a test next week. Check your child’s agenda.
Hymn 2:1
Text: Exodus 20: 12-17
Please check your child’s agenda for the spelling words.
Grade 4
Wiarton Willie saw his shadow – six more weeks of winter!
Speaking of shadows, we have wrapped up our unit study on light and will be switching to the world of sound. We hear it should be very interesting!
In Art, we will continue exploring the world of texture. Using Mr. Bleezer’s Ice Cream poem as inspiration, students will create funny toppings for ice cream cones using crayons.
On Thursday, we are looking forward to the Geography Challenge in the gym. Feel free to come and cheer on the students, or participate quietly on your own. This will be a wonderful way to learn about God’s amazing creation.
In Math, we have been learning to multiply two- and three-digit numbers. Although this has proven somewhat challenging, continued practice has shown steady progress.
On Tuesday and Thursday, we look forward to interviews. We are excited to share and discuss your child’s learning with you!
Please ask your child how things are going at school, and feel free to share any feedback that might be helpful for our day-to-day learning.
Have a fantastic weekend, everyone!
– FR / JB
Grade 5
We enjoyed our last skating for the year on Wednesday; thank you to those that came out to tie skates and skate with us! 5B will be having a Chapter 4 math test on Monday, and a science mid-unit test up to and including p. 28 on Tuesday. 5A will be having a Chapter 5 math test on Wednesday, and a mid-Unit 4 Bible quiz on Thursday morning. We are looking forward to the Geography Challenge finals on Thursday, where Macy, Taryn, Shepherd, and Gabe S. will compete against the finalists from grades 4 and 6! Parents, we look forward to meeting with you to discuss your child’s progress this year.
Devotions for next week are: for 5A – Reid (M), Avery (Tu), Lily (W), and Leah (Th), and for 5B – Sawyer (M), Shawn (Tu), Shepherd (W), and Taryn (Th).
Have a wonderful weekend! CDV/KV
Grade 6
In language arts, as part of our novel study, Underground to Canada, students completed their first journal entry on the life of Julilly, the slave. They were encouraged to not only sound like they are Julilly but to also share her feelings. In Math the students have enjoyed the transition into the geometry unit, while in Science we started to look at how we generate electricity. This week the term 1 reports have gone home. Please take the time to review them with your children. In class students were also given an opportunity to reflect on their own strengths and weaknesses. We look forward to the opportunity to meet with the parents again to discuss their first term in grade 6. Have a blessed weekend! CVA BK MJ
Grade 7A
The main event this past week was the Public Speaking and Poetry Declamation contest. Each class in each grade forwarded two speeches and two poems to the school final next week Tuesday, February 10 at 8:15 in the JCCS gym. We’ll transition to poetry in language arts, and follow the Reformation from Germany into the Swiss Confederation in church history. Both basketball and hockey teams are in full gear, as is the chess team. Enjoy your weekend.
Grade 7B
This Tuesday was a nerve-wracking day for our students as they presented their speeches and poems. The morning was a great success, and I couldn’t be more impressed with the final presentations. We are incredibly grateful to our judges – it was no easy task choosing the top students from so many outstanding performances. Congratulations to our speech winners, Evan and Quinn, and our poetry winners, John and Seth! Thanks also to you, parents, for your help and coaching. For math, we have moved on to Chapter 7 – Ratio, Proportion, and Percent. We have also moved into the next section in Canadian history. French power has ended, and now the British are in control of North America. What changes will take place?
Our class has depleted our supply of kleenex boxes. Could you spare a box, please? It was also noted that the mission money donations are in a slump. Please consider giving to this cause as well. Thanks in advance!
Grade 8
A busy-and perhaps stressful-week has come to an end! Between the in-class public speaking contest, quizzes, and tests, our students have worked incredibly hard.
We would like to give a special shout-out to the following students for their outstanding performances:
- Public Speaking: Addy Helder and Judah Gansekoele
- Poem Recitation: Jayce Spoelstra and Leena Schulenberg
Next week will be a bit “out of the ordinary,” with extracurricular activities taking center stage over our regular classroom programming.
- Monday: Grade 9 Day
- Students will board the bus first thing in the morning for a visit to Guido.
- A pizza lunch will be provided.
- Note: We will be hiking in the afternoon, so please ensure your child is dressed appropriately for the weather conditions.
- Tuesday: In-School Public Speaking Contest
- Time: 8:30 AM -10:30 AM (approx.)
- Location: Gymnasium
- Wednesday: Guido Hockey Tournament
- The JCCS Ice Hockey team will be competing at Mohawk Arena.
- Thursday: The Great Canadian Geography Challenge
- Location: Gymnasium
- Grades 4–6: 10:30 AM – 12:00 PM
- Grades 7–8: 1:00 PM – End of Day
- Friday: PD Day
- No school for students.
It’s going to be a full and exciting week! We hope you have a wonderful, restful weekend.
RT/TB