GRAMMAR SCHOOL

SUMMER IS ALMOST HERE!

Summer is a great time to help our children pursue activities and hobbies that are true, good, and beautiful!  There are many opportunities for learning as well as time for rest and play.  As co-educators with us, parents can continue to build on the feast that we are spreading throughout the school year.  Doing so can also create a family culture full of memories and meaningful experiences.  All the while, children are learning more about God and His creation!  It’s a win, win, win!

Not sure where to start?  No worries!  We have created a 2025 Summer Bucket List full of ideas for nature study, relationship building, art, experiencing stories, and ultimately nourishing the souls of our students on truth, goodness, and beauty!  Your student should have come home with the bucket list in their Friday Folder yesterday!  You can also access it here:

SUMMER BUCKET LIST

***Summer Reading Challenge for PARENTS***

We would like parents to experience the journey to Narnia alongside their children. Sharing classic tales with our children equips us to have meaningful conversations as a family and ultimately allows the fruit of these stories to be formative for children, as well as their parents.  Because of this, we are challenging all of our grammar school parents to read (or re-read) The Chronicles of Narnia (in publication order) this summer!  New Covenant School 3rd-5th graders read several books in the series, so being able to go home and continue the Narnia conversation with their parents will be hugely beneficial!  This is a parents-only challenge…no kids allowed!  Ha!  See the handout in your student’s Friday Folder for more details!

Interested in Beekeeping? Check out this summer opportunity…

This summer you can meet Cheryl at the Rocky River Nature Park for ASK A BEEKEEPER!

Have you ever wondered what honeybees are up to each month-or just want to learn more about these amazing pollinators?  Cheryl Bequette, one of Rocky River’s resident beekeepers and a bee enthusiast, will be available for a fun and friendly drop-in event at the outdoor classroom at Rocky River Nature Park on the following dates from 10am-12am:

May 17

June 21

July 19

August 16

At 10:15am and 11:15am, she will be giving a mini-talk called “This Month in the Hive.”

These will be relaxed, family-friendly events–no bee suits are required!  Cheryl will be sharing what’s happening inside the hive each month and answering all your questions about bees, pollination, and backyard ecology. 

New Covenant Reads!

“If you have ever sat with a child warmly nestled on your lap, laughing and pointing to the book you hold together, you know what a pleasure reading is. We believe that reading aloud has its place not just in the bedtime armchair but also in the morning, in the classroom, at afternoon tea time, and beyond. Children of all ages benefit from hearing scripture, quality literature, plays, poetry, etc. read aloud, and Classical Christian teachers and parents capitalize on this rich educational tool.  Not only does it provide content for narration, but it also accomplishes many  important aspects of a robust Classical Education…and life.  Even when reading a simple picture book, the two parties are sharing an experience.  The teacher and parent are still in authority, but now they  also share the students’ position as a recipient. Like watching a movie, all of the hearers experience the humor, tension, and love in the story. But a book is far better than a movie because the teacher and parent can interact with students while telling the story. They can see in the children what is engaging them or what is confusing them.  They can pause for explanation or change their tone of voice to better capture the audience. The students get a tailor-made experience.”

Reading aloud is an invaluable habit that will benefit your children in more ways than can be measured.  Even if it is for just a few minutes a day, you will look back over the course of their childhood and see how that little bit of time  has created a storehouse in their souls of truth, goodness, and beauty from the stories you have shared.  

If you’re ready to jump into a family read aloud, here’s your chance!  Join other grammar school families as we read through The Psalms and Proverbs for the remainder of the year.  Here is this week’s reading schedule:

Monday, May 19, 2025…Proverbs 20-21

Tuesday, May 13, 2025…Proverbs 22-24

Wednesday, May 14, 2025…Proverbs 25-26

Thursday, May 15, 2025…Proverbs 27-29

Friday, May 16, 2025…Proverbs 30-31

May Hymn:

Rock of Ages

Attention 5th grade parents!

Your student has the opportunity to participate in athletics at New Covenant School next year! We are so excited to welcome many of our future sixth graders into our cross country, volleyball, and basketball programs!

Last week, you should have received an email from Coach Fyock with some information about preparing for sports next year. Please take a few minutes to review the email and let Coach Fyock know if you have any questions!

Here are a few key points:

• All athletes must have an annual physical examination and have the doctor complete the physical form. The physical form was attached to the email.

• Physical forms for the 2025-2026 school year are due by Friday, June 6. CLICK HERE for the form.

• We are working on a summer schedule and once that is finished, our coaches will communicate the schedule with their teams. Our team communications happen through GroupMe. Please reach out to Coach Fyock if you need to be added to a team’s GroupMe so you don’t miss out on summer opportunities and information!

• Please note that in order for athletes to participate in New Covenant summer athletic opportunities, students must be enrolled for the 2025-2026 school year.

Important Dates

5/19-5/21…half days

5/20…Preschool/Kindergarten Promotion Program (half day)

5/21…Pk-5th grade Last Day of School (half day)