1. education
2. school

May 11, 2015
905-451-3236
The Year is Wrapping Up!
It’s hard to believe, but we only need to look at the trees, the grass, the
changeable weather and the calendar to see that it is late spring and the
2014/2015 school year is wrapping up!
Friday, May 15
JKCS Track & Field Day
Volunteers will be needed!
There are just over six weeks left for most of the students, and only five for
the Grade 8’s – another year has simply flown by!
Monday, May 18
Victoria Day - NO SCHOOL
The JKCS promotional video (found on our website) highlights some of the
attributes of a John Knox graduate. Check it out, listen closely – see if you
recognize these qualities developing in your child!
For the Board and Administrative staff, we are looking beyond the wrap up
of this year to September and the start of another. On June 8th at the
Spring Membership meeting , you will have an opportunity to vote in new
board members and vote on the budget. We are prayerfully considering
the number of families we will have enrolled, the staff needed to ensure
the success of our students, and the best way to divide classes.
As Manager of Admissions, I am working with new families and confirming
enrolment of our current families – touring, answering questions, gathering
paperwork, following up – because every confirmed family helps us to plan
and organize better for the coming year. To that end, your timely return of
all information is greatly appreciated! There are currently 12 new families
enrolled for September, and I am working with many more that are very
interested. Please pray that families will choose JKCS!
One of our key recruitment activities this month will be the Spring Fair – this
event creates an awesome opportunity for the Brampton community to
see us in action! Make sure you mark your calendar and invite your friends,
neighbours and family – and ask me how you can help to make sure our
community feels welcomed and enfolded! Kristi MacGibbon is leading the
'Kookies for Koalas' on sale every Tuesday for $1
Popcorn on sale every Thursday for $1
Wednesday, May 27
Kindergarten Orientation
Calendar
We have a small class of 18 grade 8 students this year – and for half of those
families, it is their youngest child graduating, meaning we say good bye to
nine of our families as well. This is a very important milestone for our students
and their families, and our prayer is that all will finish well and enjoy their
last few weeks of learning at JKCS! Thank you, graduates and families for
your leadership and participation in the life of John Knox – we will miss you!
Thursday, May 28
Arts Festival
Saturday, May 30 - Spring Fair
Tuesday, June 2
Toronto District Master Track & Field Day
Monday, June 8
Grade 7 & 8 At-Home Study day
Spring Membership Meetng
Tuesday, June 9
Grade 7 & 8 Exams
team that is planning this event (see elsewhere in
the LINK and on Facebook) – please plan to get
involved on Saturday, May 30th 9 am – 2 pm.
I also ask that you keep the school, students, staff,
board as well as future students and families in your
prayers. We offer up our planning, our daily work
and our efforts for God’s blessing – it is a privilege to
be actively engaged in bringing Christ-centered
education to this city!
~K. Piccolo
Gates Mac Ginitie Reading Tests:
Students in Grades 1 through 3 will be
completing the Gates Mac Ginitie Reading Tests
during the last two weeks of May. This
standardized assessment tool will be used to
gage our primary students’ literacy skills
annually.
KIDSSENTIALS for those who ordered: Tuesday, May 12
Last Hot Lunch for this school year: Pita Pit
Scheduled volunteers this week: Lynn Shivdayal, Ailene
Oliveros and Marilen Casimsiman. (11:30-12:45) if you are
unable to make it please email me at [email protected]
as soon as possible. Thanks!
Volunteer Opportunities
Make sure you have an up to date Police check
ready so that you are able to volunteer!
Issue 34
Speak God's Love... your words matter!
"May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart
be acceptable to you Lord my rock and my Redeemer."
Psalm 19:14
From the Library
A.R. – Goal #8 begins today and ends Friday June 5. Last
one! Push to the finish! We look forward to celebrating
A.R. accomplishments with sundaes and awards at an
assembly on Tuesday June 16.
Thank you to all those who donated books, volunteered,
promoted and purchased books at the book sale! Total
revenue was about $250. Half will go towards purchasing
new library books and half to Edudeo Ministries.
Spring Fair
Saturday, May 30 from 9:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m.
Mary Grace Support Needed
John Knox sponsors Mary Grace. She is in her 4th year of
high school and lives in the Philippines. At this time, we
don’t have enough to meet our monthly financial
obligation. We need each student to bring in a loonie or
toonie please. We appreciate your help in blessing Mary
Grace.
Dance Dates: Please note this clarification of upcoming
After School Dance Club dates: Classes are every Monday
and Wednesday from now up to and including Wednesday,
May 27 with a couple of exceptions: no dance on
Wednesday, May 20 and Monday, May 18 (Victoria day).
Less than three weeks now until a day of family fun! There is guaranteed to be something for everyone at the Spring Fair.
From vendors to crafts, inflatables to sjoelbak, perennials to facepainting, you’ll find yourself having a good time all day.
This is a great opportunity to welcome the Brampton community to our school and we need your help to make it
happen! Here’s how you can get involved:
1) Join the event on facebook and invite your friends. Over the next few weeks, information and updates will be posted
to this page.
2) Sign up for a volunteer shift by contacting Torrie at [email protected]
3) Donate some perennials from your garden and contact Cathy at [email protected] to set up a pick up date
4) Sign up to deliver flyers to the neighbourhoods around the school by contacting Cathy at [email protected]
5) Commit to being the Parking Coordinator
Watch backpack mail this week for your chance to purchase wristbands in advance (for a discount!).
We also need your help with some donations. If you can donate any of these items, they can be dropped off to the
school by Friday, May 29. Please email [email protected] to confirm your donations. Remember, donations can
count for volunteer hours too!! (Can you confirm this please?)
•
•
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Stuffies (for the very popular stuffie pull)
cases of pop and/or juice boxes
Baked goods (muffins, cakes, squares, etc)
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Crockpot of nacho cheese sauce
Crockpot of chili
If you have any questions, don’t hesitate to get in touch with Kristi at [email protected]
Classroom News
Airplane Club (grades 1-4)
Mr. Zondervan will be hosting a
friendly and fun competition for
interested students in grades 1-4. The
scheduled day for this fun activity is
changed to TUESDAY's at first recess.
Each week, for the next 5 weeks, an
airplane template will be attached to
the Link. Students will need to assemble the plane at home
and be prepared to test them out, in the gym, at first
recess. A weekly prize, for greatest distance, will be given
to one student from each grade. Since last week we got off
to a bit of a slow start, we will use the same template for
this week; the Classic Dart.
Students should feel free to decorate their planes,
minimally, their names should be on the plane.
Exciting News from the
T.R.I.P Gift card Program!!!
Now, you can order gift cards by using the new eGift Card
option right from your FundScrip account.
Want to go to see a show, tonight or tomorrow night? Simply
choose, for example, 'Cineplex' from the list of eGift Cards.
Once payment is confirmed, you will receive an email with
a link to your eGift Card. Simply print off a hard copy of the
QR code - or - just take your mobile phone and have them
scan it right at the theatre!
Other eGift cards offered, but not limited to, are: Moxie's,
Boston Pizza, The Gap, Old Navy, Best Buy, Old Navy ...
Please see link below to learn more about the eGift cards!
www.fundscrip.com/egift-cards
Yes, Mr. Zondervan will play too; he will not be eligible for
any of the prizes.
Do you have a Green Thumb?
We are looking for a volunteer to take charge
of the school's front gardens by planting the
flowers. We will also need someone to be
in charge of summer watering. This is a great
way to finish your GIFT hours for this school
year, or get a start on next year's!
Please contact Christine Soultanidis at
[email protected] to sign up for one or
both of these opportunities.
Retirement Open House
for Mr. Fred Spoelstra
Classroom News
Junior & Senior Kindergarten A - Mrs. Goodison
[email protected]
Last week, we talked about insects- ask us to tell you some
similarities and differences! This week, we will talk about frogs
and worms, and next week we will talk about butterflies.
Our Canna Lilly bulbs are growing nicely. It was fun watching
these sprout through the soil!
We have completed our math addition to 10 booklets and will
bring these home soon.
For Bible, we will listen to the story of Jonah.
With thankfulness to God we invite families and friends
to join us for a Retirement Open House to celebrate the 39 Later this week we will bring home an important note about our
years of faithful service in Christian education of our Senior Kindergarten graduation program and luncheon, (12:00 principal, Mr. Fred Spoelstra.
1:00) Tuesday, June 9.
This celebration takes place on Saturday, May 30, 2015 in June book orders for those wishing to purchase books will go
the Durham Christian High School gymnasium from 2:00 home this week. Have a great week!
pm to 4:00 pm.
Junior & Senior Kindergarten B
For further information or to send greetings, contact [email protected]
Marilyn VanDelden [email protected] / 905.623.5940
I hope you all had a great weekend and a wonderful Mother's
day on Sunday.
25TH HIGH SCHOOL REUNION
Celebrating 25 years! The TDCH classes of 1989 and 1990
are invited to attend a joined 25th high school reunion on
Saturday, May 23rd, 2015 at TDCH. Doors open at 6:30 pm
for informal tours or checking out the school. Appetizers
and drinks will be served from 7:30 - 10:00 pm. $30 per
person to be collected at the door, however, an rsvp to
[email protected] is appreciated. Smart casual
dress.
Check out our Facebook page:
https://www.facebook.com/89plus90reunion
and invite all your high school friends!
We are learning about birds this week. We will learn about the
life cycle of a bird and will watch a short video of some baby
Robins that are waiting to be fed by their mother. The return of
the Robin is one of the first signs of Spring and it reminds us that
God is faithful to His created order of seasons and cycles. We are
seeing many patterns in the world around us.
We had fun buying books at the used book sale in the library.
Hopefully you approved of our choices. Our Scholastic books
orders are due by the end of this week and the order will go out
on Friday afternoon.
Classroom News
Grade 1.2A - Ms. Wymenga
[email protected]
Greetings from Grade ½! Birthday congratulations go to Alinda
who is celebrating her 8th birthday today and to Alistair who is
celebrating his 7th birthday on Tuesday!
Here are some things to think about for the coming week:
Math: Both grades will be working on the Number Sense unit.
Every day we will also continue to do 5 minutes of drill work on
subtraction facts. Practising these facts at home will help students
to work more accurately and quickly. Remember to regularly do
XtraMath!
Book Bags: There will be no reading response this week. Continue
to encourage your child to read daily. Book bags need to be
handed in on Tuesday in order to get a new reading log.
Math: We will continue to work on time. You can practice with
your child at home by asking them to tell you the time.
Creation Studies: We made our flight to Papua New Guinea last
Friday. If you would like to see some pictures please check out
the John Knox Christian School Facebook page. We are now
going to study some more of the differences between P.N.G. and
Canada.
Bible: We will be finishing up a unit called Jesus Preaches.
Swimming: Our class swims from 10:00-10:45. It is helpful for
the children to wear their bathing suit to school in the morning.
Please send an extra snack because the children are quite hungry
when we return from swimming.
Spelling: No new words this week and no spelling test on Friday
Microwave Schedule: Grade 1 can heat up on Monday &
Thursday. Grade 2 can heat up Tuesday & Friday.
Show and Tell: Group B will present this week on Thursday
(Anna, Confidence, Benjamine, Jeremy, Timothy)
Theme: Free choice
Show and Tell: Wednesday will be Group A’s turn. This month’s
topic will be a free choice. Students should be ready to tell us at
least 3 things about the item that is brought in.
Gym: We will be focussing on Track and Field activities. This week
we will practise sprinting, long distance running, high jumping,
standing long jump and the triple jump. Please remind your child
to have the proper footwear for these activities (running shoes)
every day this week since we may run outside extra times.
Grade 3 - Mrs. Powell
[email protected]
Communication Folder! Please remember to check the Blue
communication folder each day! Parents please remove the
items that need to stay at home. Check for items that need
signature and return them and the folder to school each day!
Thank you!
Track and Field Day: We will spend a day this Friday participating
in the different events with our school families. We have already
had lunch with our teams, have come up with a team name and
will meet one more time to create a team cheer. Please ensure
your child is dressed appropriately for the day, with sunscreen
and extra drinks. Please join us that day and cheer us on!
Swimming: This Wednesday, the bus departs at approximately
8:50 am with lessons beginning at 9:15. Parents/grandparents
are welcome to come to the McMurchy pool to watch the
lessons.
Creation Studies: We will begin our animal unit this week: All
Creatures Large and Small. We are excited to learn about the
new projects we will soon be working on.
Have a great week!!
Grade 1.2B - Ms. Lutgendorff
[email protected]
These are some of the things we are working on this week.
Snuggle Up Booklet: Please return the Snuggle Up Booklets to
school on Tuesday so that I can check their reading for the week
and put in a new paper.
Spelling: The spelling went home on Friday. The words are:
Grade 2: played, kicked, outside, before, found, tricked, half,
quarter ground, sound. Bonus: island
Grade 1: price, smart, swim, train, you, plain, chart, part, past,
half. Bonus: island
Spelling quiz: Quiz is on Thursday. Spelling words #12: awful,
called, falling, mall, small, straw, drawing, strongest, longer,
song, along, bought, brought, rough & tough. Please do not
complete the dictation section. We will complete this in class!
Look for the evaluation sheet for spelling words #11. The sheet
will indicate how well they did on the spelling test and the
incorrect word(s) that they need to write out correctly.
Mathematics:
Mad minutes: Addition and Multiplication
Jump Math Work Book- Pages 130-135-Data Management.
Monday Math Buddies: Starts again today! We spend time with
the JK helping them with their Math!
Creation Studies: Reptile and Amphibian Project: Please send
materials with your child to work on their display at school this
week. We will continue talking about how animals are gifted
and crafted by God. Information letter, Project display ideas,
Project time line, Jot Notes and Evaluation sheets were sent
home. Did you receive them? I will post them on the grade 3
Webpage this week. Please let me know if you still need a hard
copy. Jot Notes are due back at school by Tuesday May 19th.
Gym: Gym days are Tuesdays and Wednesdays with an
opportunity for extra gym on Mondays.
Library: Please remember to bring back your library books. We
go to the library on Tuesdays and Thursdays.
Classroom News
Music: Please send a small size plastic bottle with lid to help us
create musical instruments!
AR: The new goal period #8 begins today and ends on June 5th.
This is our last goal period. Please support your child as they read
for 20 minutes each night.
Scholastic orders are due this Wednesday, May 13.
Memory Work: No memory work this week-let’s focus on our
project.
Art: Doodle Art with Oil Pastel.
Spelling: We will be completing week 29: Compound Words.
Literature: We will forge ahead in our novel. We will complete
chapters 11-15 this week.
PE: We continue to prep for Track and Field. Thus, we will be
running outside. Please ensure your child comes to school with a
sweatshirt or light coat that can be worn during this time if
needed. We will be focusing on some jumping and sprinting this
week.
Socials: We will finish our unit by sharing our slide shows and
wrapping up some activities on Multiculturalism and Being
Canadian.
Star Student: Star Student this week is Tavia!
Grade 4 - Ms. Kroezen
[email protected]
Bible: We are studying life of King Saul. New Memory Work,
Genesis 1:26-27, is due Friday, May 29.
Grade 6 - Ms. Nyholt
[email protected]
Happy Mother's Day! I pray that you felt loved by your family this
weekend and enjoyed the beautiful summer-like weather. Here
is the news for our class this week:
Math: Keep practicing the facts using Reflex Math. We are
finishing patterns and algebra. We will move on to division and
long division.
Math: The students enjoyed our Oreo Project last week! This
week we will be diving into a class survey. Our unit test in data
management will be next week.
Reading: We need to read every day for at least 20 minutes. This
is week 4 of 4 for our AR goals. Reading logs and activities are
due Monday.
Novel Study: This week we will be looking at Chapters 6-10 in
Where The Red Fern Grows. There will be assignments that
students will complete for homework if not finished in class.
Creation Studies: Our new unit is First Nations of this Land. We
will explore how First Nations people are image bearers of God
Spelling: Today we will complete The Canadian Spelling Program
with Lesson 34. Students will be working on the review chapter
which will be due next Monday.
Music: Recorder class will be Monday and Wednesday. We need
to practice for 20 minutes each week.
Swimming on Wednesday. We will need to have a bathing suit
and towel.
Track and field is Friday. We will be practicing this week. It is
important to wear good footwear this week.
Grade 5 - Mr. Fernhout
[email protected]
I hope you spent time this weekend outside enjoying the great
weather. Track and Field practice this week after school will be
on Tuesday only. Remember Track and Field happens this Friday.
Many of the kids teams/families will be wearing different colours
etc. Please check your child's agenda for any notes.
This is what we will try to accomplish this week:
AR: It is the first week of the last goal period (Candy). Students
should bring an AR sheet home this evening showing the results
of any tests taken during the past goal period and letting you
know what their new goal is.
Bible: We will be continue with The Parables.
Math: We continue on with Number Sense. We will focus on
Mixed and Improper Fractions, Equivalent Fractions and Fractions
of Whole Numbers.
Bible: This week, students will perform their group skits on
friendship and Paul's instructions in Thessalonians. Their memory
work test is this Thursday.
Creation Studies: We will be working on our Planetariums this
week. All work is done in class. Students are choosing from 4
components to incorporate into their project: moon, stars,
planets and sun. They must be able to demonstrate components
they have learned in class as well as independently researched.
Art: We will begin working on a new project this week with our
Portraits in studying the work of Chuck Close.
PE: Students have been working hard on their track and field
skills. They will put their practice to the test this Friday on Track
and Field Day!
Grade 7 - Mrs. Woudstra
[email protected]
Here’s what you need to know for the week.
Math: This week we’re wrapping up our data management unit.
More importantly, we are writing the Gauss Math Contest on
Wednesday. We’ve been spending some time in class preparing
for it, by doing practice questions together.
Socials: This week we’re wrapping up mining, with a look at
Elliot Lake. Then we’ll talk about recreation and the people in
the coniferous forest biome.
Bible: Memory work (Philippians 4:4-7) is due this Thursday. Tests
must be signed and returned for tomorrow.
Language: We’re continuing with our study of the novel Old
Yeller.
Science: Developing their Application and Communication skills,
students will be presenting what they have learned from the
Insulated Box Design Challenge this week. Using Thinking and
Investigation skills, we will determine next steps in developing
our theories.
Grade 8 - Ms. Mulder
[email protected]
LANGUAGE ARTS:
Guided Reading: Fascinating Body Facts/Body Math questions
and writing assignment is due Tuesday if not completed in class.
The Most Daring Move/What it Takes to Win questions and
writing assignment is due Wednesday, if not completed in class.
Writing: Journals are due next Wednesday, if not completed in
class.
Math: Algebra Practice pp. 438 #1, 2, 3c, 4, 5, 6, 7 is due Tuesday;
pp.442-443 #2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 9 is due Wednesday; Unit Review pp.
447-448 #1, 2, 3, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10 is due next Monday. A few Students
still need to return their math tests, signed.
Social Studies: Sustainability PBL: Bike Lane improvement speech
is due Tuesday.
Bible: Final Choice assignment for The Singer is due Wednesday.
Science: Body Systems presentations will now be due Thursday.
Drama (7 & 8): All lines must be memorized by Thursday.
FRENCH (1-4) - Mrs. Boschman
[email protected]
Grade 1 & 2: This week we will be wrapping up the fun that we
have been having with animal names and moving into learning
the names for various body parts. Once we have a good grasp of
the names for the various body parts we will be playing a game
of Simon Says with our new French words!
Grade 3 & 4: Last week we ran into some minor computer issues
during French and therefore some of the things we were supposed
to complete last week will be done this week. We started our
word work with the Section C words (which was supposed to be
completed this week) and we will be finishing that this week as
well as getting into some of the activities that we missed last
week such as reviewing the gestures for Section C.
Looking forward to a great week!
FRENCH (5-8) - Ms. Barrett
[email protected]
Grade 5: We will continue with play rehearsals and conferences
this week. We will also be doing a few fun activities concerning
adjectives.
Grade 6, 7 & 8: We will continue with play rehearsals and
conferences this week. In preparation for the play presentation,
each group will present a scene from the play.